bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phased Repatriation of Lebanese Expatriates Stranded Abroad During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Authors: Youssef Dalal , Berry Atika , Ghosn Nada , Zalzali Mahmoud , Fadlallah Riad , Abbas Linda Abou , Hassan Hamad
Published: January 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic represents a serious worldwide threat. Stranded Lebanese citizens abroad appealed to the Lebanese government to embark on citizen repatriation missions. Objectives: We aim to document the Lebanese experience in the repatriation of citizens during COVID-19 which allow us to disclose encountered challenges and lessons learned. Methodology: This is a retrospective description of processes involved in the phased repatriation of Lebanese citizens. The Mission consisted of 4 phases starting, April 5th until June 19th 2020. The prioritization of returnees was based on both medical and social risk assessment. The repatriation team was divided into four groups: the aircraft team, the airport team, the hotel team and the follow up team. On arrival, all returning citizens were tested using Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR) based technique, and were obliged to adhere to a mandatory facility quarantine for 24 to 48 hours. Returning travelers who were tested positive for COVID-19 were transferred to the hospital. Those who were tested negative were urged to strictly comply with home-quarantine for a duration of 14 days. They were followed up on a daily basis by the repatriation team. Results: Overall, 25783 Lebanese citizens have returned home during the phased repatriation. The third phase ranked the uppermost in regard of the number of citizens repatriated. The total number of performed PCR tests at the airport upon arrival was 14893 with an average percentage of around 1% positivity for COVID-19. On the other hand, more than 10687 repatriates underwent external PCR requisite in the third and fourth phases. 272 repatriates were tested positive for COVID-19 upon their arrival. Conclusion: Considering the limited human and financial resources besides the economic and political crisis, the overall repatriation mission could be considered as a successful experience. Such processes would not have been achieved without the professionalism of all involved stakeholders.
GREB1L overexpression correlates with prognosis and immune cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma.
Authors: Yu Yilin , Wang Zhiping , Zheng Qunhao , Li Jiancheng
Published: January 2021

GREB1L is a protein-coding gene that is an important paralog of GREB1. However, its effects in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been determined. Thus, we evaluated the prognostic value of GREB1L in LUAD using bioinformatics approaches. In particular, we evaluated the relationship between GREB1L and LUAD using a wide range of databases and analysis tools, including TCGA, GEO, HPA, TIMER, cBioPortal, and MethSurv. Compared with its expression in normal lung tissues, GREB1L expression was significantly increased in LUAD tissues. A univariate Cox analysis showed that high GREB1L expression levels were correlated with a poor OS in LUAD. Additionally, GREB1L expression was independently associated with OS through a multivariate Cox analysis. GO and GSEA revealed enrichment in cell cycle and methylation. Moreover, high GREB1L expression was associated with poor survival. We also found that the methylation and genetic alteration level was associated with prognosis in patients with LUAD. Finally, an analysis of immune infiltration showed that GREB1L is correlated with immune cell infiltration, PD-1 and PD-L1. In summary, these results indicate that GREB1L is a potential molecular marker for poor prognosis in LUAD and provide additional insight for the development of therapies and prognostic markers.
Conversation Skills in Chinese-Speaking Preschoolers with Autism: The Contributing Role of Parents’ Verbal Responsiveness
Authors: So Wing Chee , Song Xueke , Cheng Chun Ho , Law Wing Wun , Wong Tiffany , Leung Oi Ki , Huang Ying
Published: January 2021

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have deficits in conversation skills, yet the growth of conversation abilities is understudied, especially in Chinese-speaking populations, whose autism rates are rising. Additionally, little is known about whether parents’ verbal responsiveness (utterances that follow the child’s focus of attention, actions, and communications) and redirectives (utterances that require the child to change the focus of attention) are related to their ASD children’s elicitation of responses in a conversation. This study had two aims: 1) documenting the growth of conversation skills in Chinese-speaking preschool children with autism; 2) investigating the association between parents’ verbal responsiveness and redirectives and the production of appropriate responses in the children with ASD and the number of conversational turns in the parent-child dyads. Method: Participants were taken from a larger intervention project for (Cantonese) Chinese-speaking individuals with ASD. Thirty-seven participants with ASD (32 males), average age five to six years, and their parents, contributed their language samples. These children interacted with their parents at four time points over nine months. Each time, the parents and children played with a standard set of toys for 20 minutes. The severity of autism, cognitive functioning, and language abilities of the children were assessed before the collection of their language samples. Results: Our findings showed that the number of conversational turns and the proportion of child-initiated conversation (but not the proportion of children’s appropriate responses) grew over the course of nine months. After controlling for time, autism severity, and language skills, parents’ verbal responsiveness positively predicted children’s appropriate responses. Parents’ redirectives negatively predicted the proportion of children’s appropriate responses and the number of conversational turns. Limitations: Our language samples were collected from 37 children aged four to eight years. Even though they were followed at four time points, this is too small a sample and heterogeneity of language abilities is not observed along the lifespan in individuals with autism.Conclusions: Some but not all aspects of conversation skills grew over nine months in Chinese-speaking children with ASD. Parents’ verbal responsiveness was positively related to the children’s elicitation of appropriate responses.
Nexus Between Genome-Wide Copy Number Variations and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Northeast Han Chinese Population
Authors: Qiu Shuang , Cong Xianling , Li Yan , Shi Jikang , Qiu Yingjia , Guo Yanbo , Gu Yulu , Li Yong , Zhu Xiaojuan , Liu Yunkai , Qiao Yichun , Cheng Yi , Liu Yawen
Published: January 2021

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Copy number variation (CNV), as one of genetic factors, is involved in ASD etiology. However, there exist substantial differences in terms of location and frequency of some CNVs in the general Asian population. Whole-genome studies of CNVs in Northeast Han Chinese samples are still lacking, necessitating our ongoing work to investigate the characteristics of CNVs in a Northeast Han Chinese population with clinically diagnosed ASD.Methods: We performed a genome-wide CNVs screening in Northeast Han Chinese individuals with ASD using array-based comparative genomic hybridization.Results: We found 22 kinds of CNVs (six deletions and 16 duplications) were potential pathogenic. These CNVs were distributed in chromosome 1p36.33, 1p36.31, 1q42.13, 2p23.1-p22.3, 5p15.33, 5p15.33-p15.2, 7p22.3, 7p22.3-p22.2, 7q22.1-q22.2, 10q23.2-q23.31, 10q26.2-q26.3, 11p15.5, 11q25, 12p12.1-p11.23, 14q11.2, 15q13.3, 16p13.3, 16q21, 22q13.31-q13.33, and Xq12-q13.1. Additionally, we found 20 potential pathogenic genes of ASD in our population, including eight protein coding genes (six duplications [DRD4, HRAS, OPHN1, SHANK3, SLC6A3, and TSC2] and two deletions [CHRNA7 and PTEN]) and 12 microRNAs genes (ten duplications [MIR202, MIR210, MIR3178, MIR339, MIR4516, MIR4717, MIR483, MIR675, MIR6821, and MIR940] and two deletions [MIR107 and MIR558]).Limitations: The sample size in our study may confer limited statistical power to discover significant findings. De novo or inherited of the CNVs were not be classified because of the lack of data from parents.Conclusions: We identified CNVs and genes implicated in ASD risks, conferring perception to further reveal ASD etiology.
Optimum of Dual Antiplatelet Duration and Followed Monotherapy in Diabetes Mellitus After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of 20536 Patients From 18 Randomized Trials
Authors: An Ke , Guo Peng , Qiu Shanhu , Zhu Wenwen , Cao Wuyou , Shi Jijing , Wang Shaohua
Published: January 2021

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term (≤3-month) dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), midterm (6-month) DAPT, standard-term (12-month) DAPT and extended-term (＞12-month) DAPT in diabetes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES). To Compare discontinuation of DAPT followed by aspirin with P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy for detailed optimal scheme.Methods: Randomized, controlled trials were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library and clinicaltrials.gov. up to October 10, 2020. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted with a random-effect model.Results: A total of 18 randomized trials encompassing 20536 diabetic patients were included. Network analysis showed that short-term DAPT is best for reducing primary endpoint, which is superior to extended-term DAPT (odds ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.85). Standard-term was also associated with reduce risk of primary endpoint in comparison with prolonged DAPT (0.56, 0.32 to 0.90). There was no noticeable difference with respect to primary endpoint between short-term DAPT followed by aspirin monotherapy and P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy. No significant differences were observed in secondary endpoints, including all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, MI, stroke, TVR, definite or probable stent thrombosis and major bleeding.Conclusions: Short-term DAPT was associated with the better primary endpoint benefit for patients with diabetes after PCI with DES, compared with extended-term DAPT. Although the optimal duration should balance risk-benefit ratio between personal ischemic and bleeding events, this study suggested short term DAPT followed by P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy may be the optimal therapy for most diabetes after PCI with DES.
An association between inflammation and cerebral venous thrombosis: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Xifang , Ding Rui , Li Haiyan , Liu Yaqi , Ou weiyang , Hu Jiangang , Tian Yu , wang qiujing
Published: January 2021

Background
Evidence is currently accumulating for the role of inflammation in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), and systematic immune-inflammation index (SII) are easily obtainable indicators of systemic inflammations. However, there were few studies on the relationship between them and CVT. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the connection between the occurrence of CVT and the inflammatory markers described.
Methods
The samples from 150 participants (including 90 CVT and 60 controls) with similar baseline characteristics were collected in this retrospective study. The NLR, PLR, MHR, SII and file records were employed to compare CVT patients with the control group.
Results
The levels of NLR (3.93 [2.27, 7.87] vs. 1.65 [1.31, 2.06], P < 0.001), PLR (149.52 [98.39, 198.82] vs. 107.34 [83.31, 129.47], P < 0.001), SII (382.45 [273.51, 520.92] vs. 896.84 [559.89, 1591.87], P < 0.001) and MHR (0.51 [0.40, 0.64] vs. 0.41 [0.29, 0.53], P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the CVT group. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the SII degree (13.136, [5.675, 30.407], P < 0.001) and MHR degree (2.620, [1.123, 6.113], P = 0.026) were found as independent predictors of CVT.
Conclusions
NLR, PLR, SII, and MHR may be able to predict the onset of CVT which confirmed that inflammation played an important role in CVT.
Postnatal Mental Health, Breastfeeding Beliefs, and Breastfeeding Practices in Rural China
Authors: Jiang Qi , Zhang Evelyn , Cohen Nourya , Ohtori Mika , Zhu Sabrina , Guo Yian , Johnstone Hannah Faith , Dill Sarah-Eve , Zhou Huan , Rozelle Scott D
Published: January 2021

Background

The importance of breastfeeding in low- and middle- income countries is well recognized, yet the importance of postnatal mental health on breastfeeding practices and beliefs in these settings has been understudied. This study investigates the associations between maternal mental health problems and breastfeeding beliefs as well as practices in rural China.
Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected from 742 mothers of infants under six months old in rural Sichuan Province, China. Surveys collected data on maternal mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms), breastfeeding beliefs (attitudes and self-efficacy), and breastfeeding practices. Ordinary least squares regression, multiple logistic regression and heterogeneous effect analyses were used to determine the associations between maternal mental health and breastfeeding outcomes.
Results

Among all respondents, 13% showed symptoms of depression, 16% anxiety, and 9% stress. The prevalence of full breastfeeding was 59.3%. Breastfeeding attitude was significantly associated with symptoms of depression (p = 0.023) and breastfeeding self-efficacy with symptoms of depression (p = 0.001) and symptoms of stress (p = 0.020). However, there were no significant associations between symptoms of mental health problems and full breastfeeding. The heterogeneous effects analyses revealed that full breastfeeding was negatively associated with stress symptoms when the infant was from a high-income family (p = 0.011). In addition, full breastfeeding was negatively associated with the father having a higher education level (p = 0.026, p = 0.048, and p = 0.020) and the infant being older than 2 months old (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.00), regardless of maternal mental health problem symptoms.
Conclusion

Symptoms of maternal mental health problems are significantly associated with breastfeeding attitude and self-efficacy, yet has less of an association with breastfeeding practices. To improve breastfeeding practices, interventions need a multi-dimensional approach that should not only focus on improving maternal mental well-being but also consider demographic background characteristics.
Factorial design study of total petroleum contaminated soil treatment using land farming technique
Authors: Okonofua Ehizonomhen Solomon , Lasisi Kayode H. , Atikpo Eguakhide
Published: January 2021

Land farming technique was used to treat hydrocarbon contaminated soil collected from a crude oil spill sites in Edo State, Nigeria. Calibrated standard auger was used to collect soil samples from the site at depth below 30 cm. The samples were characterized and classified. Cow dung and NPK fertilizer were added as additives to complement the nutriments of the soil samples before total petroleum hydrocarbon quantification and remediation procedures. Factorial design was applied to vary the input parameters such as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning times of land farming so to ascertain the optimal conditions for the procedure. The result revealed that the in-situ total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) value was 5,000 mg kg -1 on the average and after 90 days of treatment, TPH reduced to 645.907 mg kg -1 . The turning rate, pH, moisture content and mass of substrate had 82.79%, 4.36%, 0.48% and 0.046% contributions respectively to the degradation process using land farming treatment. Numerical optimization techniques applied in the optimum point for land farming input parameters to achieve predicted maximum removal of 98.60% were evaluated as pH, mass of substrate, moisture content and turning rate to be 6.01, 1 kg, 10% and 5 times in a week respectively. TPH removed at this optimum point was 97.83% reducing from 5,000 to 635.907 mg kg -1 . The high coefficient of determination (r 2 = 0.9865) as observed in the closeness of predicted and experimental values reflects the reliability of the model and hence, land farming practice with close attention on turning rate as revealed by this study, is recommended for TPH contaminated soil remediation.
Weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify key modules and hub genes related to hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Liao Fu Jun , Zheng Peng-Fei , Guan Yao-Zong , Pan Hong Wei , Li Wei
Published: January 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the potential molecular targets of hyperlipidaemia and the related molecular mechanisms.Methods: The microarray dataset of GSE66676 obtained from patients with hyperlipidaemia was downloaded. Weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) analysis was used to analyse the gene expression profile, and the royal blue module was considered to have the highest correlation. Gene Ontology (GO) functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were implemented for the identification of genes in the royal blue module using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online tool (version 6.8; http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established by using the online STRING tool. Then, several hub genes were identified by the MCODE and cytoHubba plug-ins in Cytoscape software.Results: The significant module (royal blue) identified was associated with TC, TG and non-HDL-C. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the genes in the royal blue module were associated with carbon metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism and biosynthesis pathways of unsaturated fatty acids. SQLE (degree = 17) was revealed as a key molecule associated with hypercholesterolaemia (HCH), and SCD was revealed as a key molecule associated with hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG). RT-qPCR analysis also confirmed the above results based on our HCH/HTG samples.Conclusions: SQLE and SCD are related to hyperlipidaemia, and SQLE/SCD may be new targets for cholesterol-lowering or triglyceride-lowering therapy, respectively.
A practice facilitation-guided intervention in primary care settings to reduce cardiovascular disease risk: A cost analysis
Authors: Gold Heather T , Siman Nina , Cuthel Allison M , Nguyen Ann M , Pham-Singer Hang , Berry Carolyn A , Shelley Donna R
Published: January 2021

Background. A stepped-wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of practice facilitation (PF) for adoption of guidelines for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease risk factors. This study estimated the associated cost of PF for guideline adoption in small, private primary care practices. Methods. The cost analysis included categories for start-up costs, intervention costs, and practice staff costs for the implemented PF-guided intervention. We estimated the total one-year costs to operate the program, and calculated the mean and range of the cost-per-practice by quarter of the intervention. We estimated the lower and upper bounds for all salary expenses, rounding to the nearest $100. Results. Total one-year intervention costs for all 261 practices ranged from $7,900,000-$10,200,000, with program and practice salaries comprising $6,600,000-$8,400,000 of the total. Start-up costs were a small proportion (3%) of total one-year costs. Excluding start-up costs, quarter 1 cost-per-practice was the most expensive at $20,400-$26,700, and quarter 4 was least expensive at about $10,000. Practice staff time (compared with program staff time) was the majority of the staffing costs at 75-84%. Conclusions. The PF strategy cost approximately $10,000 per practice per quarter for program and practice costs, once implemented and running at highest efficiency. Whether this program is “worth it” to the decision-maker depends on the relative costs and effectiveness of their other options for improving cardiovascular risk reduction. Trial Registration. This study is retrospectively registered on January 5, 2016 at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02646488. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02646488
Dynamic perfusion digital radiography for predicting pulmonary function after lung cancer resection
Authors: Jun Hanaoka , Yoden Makoto , Hayashi Kazuki , Shiratori Takuya , Okamoto Keigo , Kaku Ryosuke , Kawaguchi Yo , Ohshio Yasuhiko , Sonoda Akinaga
Published: January 2021

Background: Accurate prediction of postoperative pulmonary function is important for ensuring the safety of patients undergoing radical resection for lung cancer. Dynamic perfusion digital radiography is an excellent and easy imaging method for detecting blood flow in the lung compared with the less convenient conventional lung perfusion scintigraphy. As such, the present study aimed to confirm whether dynamic perfusion digital radiography can be evaluated in comparison with pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy in predicting early postoperative pulmonary function and complications.Methods: Dynamic perfusion digital radiography and spirometry were performed before and 1 and 3 months after radical resection for lung cancer. Correlation coefficients between blood flow ratios calculated using dynamic perfusion digital radiography and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy were then confirmed in the same cases. In all patients who underwent dynamic perfusion digital radiography, the correlation predicted values calculated from the blood flow ratio and measured values were examined. Furthermore, ppo%FEV1 or ppo%DLco values, which indicated the risk for perioperative complications, were examined.Results: A total of 52 participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Blood flow ratios measured using pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy and dynamic perfusion digital radiography showed excellent correlation and acceptable predictive accuracy. Correlation coefficients between predicted FEV1 values obtained from dynamic perfusion digital radiography or pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy and actual measured values were similar. All patients who underwent dynamic perfusion digital radiography showed excellent correlation between predicted values and those measured using spirometry. A significant difference in ppo%DLco was observed for respiratory complications but not cardiovascular complications.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that dynamic perfusion digital radiography can be a suitable alternative to pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy given its ability for predicting postoperative values and the risk for postoperative respiratory complications. Furthermore, it seemed to be an excellent modality because of its advantages, such as simplicity, low cost, and ease in obtaining in-depth respiratory functional information.Trial registration: Registered at UMIN on October 25, 2017. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_his_list.cgi?recptno=R000033957Registration number: UMIN000029716
Artemisinin attenuated oxidative stress and apoptosis by inhibiting autophagy in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cell
Authors: Yan Junqiang , Ma Hongxia , Lai Xiaoyi , Wu Jiannan , Liu Anran , Huang Jiarui , Sun Wenjie , Shen Mengmeng , Zhang Yude
Published: January 2021

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. The oxidative stress is an important component of the pathogenesis of PD. Artemisinin (ART) have antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The purpose of this study was to explore the neuroprotective effect of ART on 1-methyl-4-phenyliodine iodide (MPP+)-treated SH-SY5Y cells and underlying mechanism .Methods We used MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells to study the neuroprotective effect of ART. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay after incubating the cells with MPP+ and/or ART for 24 h. DCFH-DA was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and WST-8 was used to detect the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The level of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) was detected using 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was assessed by measuring the reaction of MDA and thiobarbituric acid. A mitochondrial membrane potential detection kit (JC-1) was used to detect changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and an Annexin V-FITC cell apoptosis kit was used to detect cell apoptosis. The expression levels of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 and the autophagy-related proteins LC3, beclin-1, and p62 were detected by Western blotting. In addition, to verify the change in autophagy, we used immunofluorescence to detect the expression of LC3 and p62.Results No significant cytotoxicity was observed at ART concentrations up to 40 μM. ART could significantly increase the viability of SH-SY5Y cells treated with MPP+ and reduce oxidative stress damage and apoptosis. In addition, the Western blotting and immunofluorescence results showed that MPP+ treatment could increase the protein expression of beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I and decrease the protein expression of P62, indicating that MPP+ treatment could induce autophagy. Simultaneous treatment with ART and MPP+ could decrease the protein expression of beclin1 and LC3II/LC3I and increase the protein expression of p62, indicating that ART could decrease the level of autophagy induced by MPP+.Conclusion Our results indicate that ART has a protective effect on MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells by the antioxidant, antiapoptotic activities and inhibition of autophagy. Our findings may provide new hope for the prevention and treatment of PD.
Spatio-temporal impacts of aerial adulticide applications on populations of West Nile virus vector mosquitoes
Authors: Holcomb Karen M. , Reiner Robert C. , Barker Christopher M
Published: January 2021

Background: Aerial applications of insecticides that target adult mosquitoes are widely used to reduce transmission of West Nile virus to humans during periods of epidemic risk. However, estimates of the reduction in abundance following these treatments typically focus on single events, rely on pre-defined, untreated control sites, and can vary widely due to stochastic variation in population dynamics and trapping success unrelated to the treatment.Methods: To overcome these limitations, we developed generalized additive models fitted to mosquito surveillance data from CO2-baited traps in Sacramento and Yolo counties, California from 2006-2017. The models accounted for the expected spatial and temporal trends in the abundance of adult female Culex tarsalis and Culex pipiens in the absence of aerial spraying. Estimates for the magnitude of deviation from baseline abundance following aerial spray events were obtained from the models.Results: One-week post-treatment with full spatial coverage of the trapping area by pyrethroid or pyrethrin products, Cx. pipiens abundance was reduced by a mean of 52.4% (95% CI: -65.6, -36.5%) while the use of at least one organophosphate pesticide resulted in a 76.2% (95% CI: -82.8, -67.9%) reduction. For Cx. tarsalis one-week post-treatment with full coverage resulted in a 30.7% (95% CI: -54.5, 2.5%) reduction; pesticide class was not a significant factor contributing to reduction. In comparison, repetition of spraying over three to four consecutive weeks resulted in similar estimates for Cx. pipiens and a somewhat smaller magnitude for Cx. tarsalis.Conclusions: Aerial adulticides are effective for rapid short-term reduction of the abundance of the primary West Nile virus vectors, Cx. tarsalis and Cx. pipiens. A larger magnitude of reduction is estimated in Cx. pipiens, possibly due to the species’ focal distribution. Effects of aerial sprays on Cx. tarsalis populations are likely modulated by the species’ large dispersal ability, population sizes, and vast productive larval habitat present in the study area. Our modeling approach provides a new way to estimate effects of public-health pesticides on vector populations using routinely collected observational data and accounting for spatio-temporal trends and contextual factors like weather and habitat. It does not require pre-selected control sites and expands upon past studies that have focused on effects of individual aerial treatment events.
Incorporation of incompatible trace elements into molybdenite: Layered PbS precipitates within molybdenite
Authors: Yang Yiping , He Hongping , Tan Wei , Tao Qi , Yao Junming , Xian Haiyang , Li Shangying , Xi Jiaxin , Zhu Jianxi , Xu Huifang
Published: January 2021

Trace elements in molybdenite can provide important information regarding the composition of ore-forming fluid and the evolution and genesis of ore deposits. However, the occurrence states and behavior of relatively incompatible trace elements (e.g., Pb and Os) in natural molybdenite remain ambiguous. Here, we report an abnormally high enrichment of Pb and layered PbS precipitate within molybdenite grains from the Huanglongpu carbonatite-hosted Mo-Pb deposit in the Qinling orogenic belt of Northern China. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and related nanobeam techniques were applied to characterize the occurrence states of Pb within molybdenite at the atomic scale. The results show that up to several weight percent of Pb can be incorporated into the molybdenite structure during initial crystallization, which can lead to the formation of screw dislocations and 3R/disordered stacking of S-Mo-S sandwich layers. Observations using a scanning transmission electron microscope also reveal that Pb diffuses from the host molybdenite into the layered PbS precipitates under prolonged electron beam irradiation. Pb-bearing molybdenite tends to transform into a Pb-poor ordered 2H1 polytype upon Pb exsolution during cooling. Pb preferentially exsolves along the (001) plane of molybdenite and is stored in structural defects (e.g., dislocation loops) and grain boundaries, resulting in nano-scale Pb heterogeneities in molybdenite. Further coarsening of the exsolved Pb results in the formation of layered PbS precipitates along the (001) plane of molybdenite. This study provides an example of the consequences of the incorporation and exsolution of incompatible trace elements in molybdenite and demonstrates that careful mineralogical examination is required to interpret geochemical data obtained by in situ analysis techniques.
Thermoelastic properties of zircon: Implications for geothermobarometry
Authors: Ehlers Alix M. , Zaffiro Gabriele , Angel Ross J. , Boffa-Ballaran Tiziana , Carpenter Michael A. , Alvaro Matteo , Ross Nancy L.
Published: January 2021

A thermal-pressure equation of state has been determined for zircon (ZrSiO4) that characterizes its thermoelastic behavior at metamorphic conditions. New pressure-volume (P-V) data from a “Mud Tank” zircon have been collected from 1 bar to 8.47(1) GPa using X-ray diffraction, and elastic moduli were measured from room temperature up to 1172 K by resonance ultrasound spectroscopy. These data were fitted simultaneously with temperature-volume (T-V) data from the literature in EosFit7c using a new scaling technique. The parameters of a third-order Birch-Murnaghan EoS with a Mie-Grüneisen-Debye model for thermal pressure have compressional EoS parameters K0T = 224.5(1.2) GPa, K0T′ = 4.90(31) with a fixed initial molar volume V0 = 39.26 cm3/mol and thermal parameters γ0 = 0.868(15), q = 2.37(80), and ΘD = 848(38) K. EoS parameters that describe the variation of unit-cell parameters with pressure and temperature were determined using an isothermal-type EoS. This new EoS confirms that zircons are stiffer than garnets and exhibit a much lower thermal expansion. This results in steep isomekes between zircon and garnets, which makes zircon trapped as inclusions in garnets at metamorphic conditions a good piezothermometer.
Psychology of health and mental hygiene: Psychosocial risks, consequences, and possibilities of work stress prevention
Authors: Vaníčková Radka
Published: January 2021

The relevance of the study lies in the warning of burnout syndrome, which is currently the most frequently solved problem among workers. The study aimed to determine which of the most affected groups of workers is most endangered by psychosocial risk factors. The study aims to point out the issue of burnout syndrome and determine preventive steps to prevent burnout syndrome. The best-chosen method was a survey, which allowed getting as many results as possible. The questionnaire survey interviewed 80 respondents in 2018. The total number of relevant questionnaires used was 50. 11 questionnaires were from employees in the sales department, and 39 questionnaires from employees in the warehouse. Data from questionnaires were processed in Microsoft Excel 2017. Data from questionnaires were selected according to closed and open questions. Open-ended questions were evaluated by keywords. The results, as secondary data, also took into account the primary data. The results of the questionnaires provided a percentage overview of psychosocial stress factors among sales staff and warehouse workers. The results of the questionnaires also served as an incentive to provide measures against burnout syndrome.
Den gröna vändningen: En ny kunskapshistoria om miljöfrågornas genombrott under efterkrigstiden
Authors: Larsson Heidenblad David
Published: January 2021

The Stockholm Conference 1972 drew the world’s attention to the global environmental crisis. To the inhabitants of Sweden, however, this threat to the planet and to humanity was nothing new. Anyone who regularly read newspapers, listened to the radio, or watched the television news would have encountered the issues. Five years earlier, in the summer of 1967, things were very different. At that time, it was not at all self-evident that humans were in the process of destroying their own living environment. Hence, in a short period of time, a radical change took place: an ‘environmental turn’. It had major and far-reaching consequences. But what was it that opened people’s eyes to the environmental crisis? When did it happen? Who set the ball rolling? And what does this historical process mean for us today? David Larsson Heidenblad’s book sheds new light on the emergence of modern environmentalism in Sweden and provides fresh insight to challenges that concerns us all.
A study on the effectiveness of percolation ponds as a stormwater harvesting alternative for a semi-urban catchment
Authors: Wadhwa Abhinav , Kummamuru Pavan Kumar
Published: January 2021

One of the challenges in urban stormwater management is to identify a suitable stormwater management method which will be socially, technologically and economically viable. In this paper, a study on the effectiveness of decentralized and interconnected percolation ponds as a stormwater harvesting technology, for a partially urbanized (semi-urban) catchment is presented. When applied to a case study region in Katpadi, Tamil Nadu, the results were encouraging. The investment required for implementing the proposed stormwater harvesting came to be about ₹555 Million for Option I and ₹714 Million for Option II. The annual volume of water that can be added to the groundwater system through infiltration from the ponds was found to be 1.22 Mm3 in the case of Option I and 0.74 Mm3 in the case of Option II. The percentage area under stormwater harvesting for the entire catchment was found to be 6.14% under Option I and 9.36 under Option II. The hydrologic performance of the proposed stormwater harvesting system indicated that for peak runoff values Option II is more efficient (in terms of minimizing runoff volume) compared to Option I; however, for daily rainfall values, Option I is hydrologically more efficient when compared to Option II.
The future of water and sanitation: global challenges and the need for greater ambition
Authors: Howard Guy
Published: January 2021

Water and sanitation services are critical for public health. The importance of these services is reflected in SDG 6 and the associated targets 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3. Much progress remains to be made to achieve these targets, but it is already becoming clear that greater ambition is needed. This paper looks at three global challenges: the need to increase the level of service to protect public health including infectious respiratory diseases; the role of sanitation in combatting anti-microbial resistance (AMR); and the urgent need to build more climate-resilient services. We need to upgrade the SDG targets to focus on universal access to piped water on premises, to incorporate action on AMR in definitions of safe sanitation and to embed actions to improve resilience, which take into account the greater ambition called for in the SDG 6 targets. This requires a shift in thinking in the sector, away from relying on households and communities to manage their services to properly funded, professional services staffed by trained technical, managerial and finance staff. This will require more public finance and better use of financial instruments that have proved effective in other sectors. Increasing our ambition will mean the world can achieve the aim of universal access to safe, sustainable, and resilient services and protect public health.
Ensemble-based machine learning approach for improved leak detection in water mains
Authors: Ravichandran Thambirajah , Gavahi Keyhan , Ponnambalam Kumaraswamy , Burtea Valentin , Mousavi S. Jamshid
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an acoustic leak detection system for distribution water mains using machine learning methods. The problem is formulated as a binary classifier to identify leak and no-leak cases using acoustic signals. A supervised learning methodology has been employed using several detection features extracted from acoustic signals, such as power spectral density and time-series data. The training and validation data sets have been collected over several months from multiple cities across North America. The proposed solution includes a multi-strategy ensemble learning (MEL) using a gradient boosting tree (GBT) classification model, which has performed better in maximizing detection rate and minimizing false positives as compared with other classification models such as KNN, ANN, and rule-based techniques. Further improvements have been achieved using a multitude of GBT classifiers combined in a parallel ensemble method called bagging algorithm. The proposed MEL approach demonstrates a significant improvement in performance, resulting in a reduction of false positives reports by an order of magnitude.
Soil erosion estimation using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in the Siwalik Hills of Nawalparasi, Nepal
Authors: Tiruwa Durga Bahadur , Khanal Babu Ram , Lamichhane Sushil , Acharya Bharat Sharma
Published: January 2021

Soil erosion is one of the gravest environmental threats to the mountainous ecosystems of Nepal. Here, we combined a Geographic Information System (GIS) with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to estimate average annual soil loss, map erosion factors, compare soil erosion risks among different land use types, and identify erosion hotspots and recommend land use management in the Girwari river watershed of the Siwalik Hills. The annual soil loss was estimated using RUSLE factors: rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover crops (C), and conservation practices (P), and erosion factors maps were generated using GIS. Results indicate highest total erosion occurring in hill forests (13,374.3 t yr–1) and lowest total erosion occurring in grasslands (2.9 t yr–1). Hill forests showed high to very severe erosion due to steepness of hills, open forest types, and minimal use of conservation practices. Also, erosion hotspots (>15 t ha–1 yr–1) occurred in only 4.2% of the watershed, primarily in steep slopes. Overall, these results provide important guidelines to formulate management plans and informed decisions on soil conservation at local to regional levels. While the study is the first effort to assess soil erosion dynamics in the Girwari river watershed, potential for application in other basins largely exists.
Microcoagulation improved the performance of the UF–RO system treating the effluent from a coastal municipal wastewater treatment plant: a pilot-scale study
Authors: Yu Tong , Xu Chenlu , Chen Feng , Yin Haoshuai , Sun Hao , Cheng Lihua , Bi Xuejun
Published: January 2021

Microcoagulation has recently been considered as a promising pretreatment for an ultrafiltration (UF) process from numerous studies. To investigate the effects of microcoagulation on the performance of the UF–reverse osmosis (RO) system treating wastewater with high and fluctuant salinity, different dosages of coagulant (poly-aluminum chloride) were added prior to the UF unit in a pilot-scale UF–RO system for a 10-week period operation. Microcoagulation obviously improved the contaminant removal and cleaning efficiencies, including water backwash, chemical enhanced backwash and cleaning in place processes. Organic fouling was dominated during the initial stage of the RO membrane fouling. The microbial communities of water samples and foulant on the RO membrane were similar to those of seawater and foulant on the RO membranes from seawater RO plants. The microbial community of the foulant on the membrane was similar to that of UF permeate and RO concentrate. These results demonstrated that microcoagulation could improve the performance of the UF–RO system treating the effluent with high and fluctuant salinity from a coastal municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Vínculo de la persona con cáncer- cuidador familiar (diada) durante la hospitalización: Teoría fundamentada
Authors: Combita-Zambrano Ángela María , Chaparro-Díaz Lorena
Published: January 2021

Se trata de un estudio que buscaba describir el vínculo de la diada (persona con cáncer– Cuidador familiar) durante la hospitalización en un Hospital Universitario en Bogotá. Es un estudio cualitativo con enfoque de Teoría fundamentada a partir de 41 entrevistas semiestructuradas a 14 personas con cáncer, 13 cuidadores familiares y 13 en pareja. Se codificaron los datos derivados de las tres fuentes de entrevistas. Luego se agruparon en subcategorias por cada fuente y al final se identificaron 7 patrones que describen la forma en que se da el vínculo durante la hospitalización. Se identificó que las diadas en estos momentos de crisis resignifican su relación, los afianza como equipo y les permite reconocer la necesidad de apoyo social e institucional. Este estudio contribuye a la práctica de enfermería al determinar los aspectos significativos de la diada durante la hospitalización como son disminuir las barreras del sistema, mejorar la comunicación, promover la convivencia de forma diferente, facilitar el apoyo institucional y permitir proyectarse como diada y como personas para nuevos momentos de la trayectoria.
Despigmentación gingival mediante mucoabrasion en el sector anterior. Reporte de caso
Authors: Agurto Mariluz Vanessa , Castro-Rodríguez Yuri
Published: January 2021

La melanosis gingival una alteración frecuente que causa disconformidad en la sonrisa de los pacientes. Existen múltiples tratamientos que ofrecen resultados favorables y con poca o nula recidiva. El propósito de los presentes casos clínicos fue evaluar los resultados que ofrece la técnica de mucoabrasión en la remoción de manchas melánicas en el sector anterior. Los casos incluyeron a dos pacientes se sexo femenino, sin enfermedades sistémicas, las cuales al examen clínico presentaban manchas melánicas. El primer caso presentó pigmentaciones en el maxilar superior, mientras que el segundo caso presentó pigmentaciones en ambos maxilares. Se combinó la remoción de las manchas con el uso de bisturí y medios rotarios. Se logró eliminar las manchas melánicas en su totalidad en ambos casos con una técnica completa, sin la necesidad de equipos de alto costo y no se observó recidiva al cabo de 6 meses. La técnica de mucoabrasión fue efectiva para tratar la melanosis gingival resaltando que es de fácil manejo, de corto tiempo operatorio, cicatrización rápida, con un posoperatorio aceptable para el paciente y de costos económicos.
Pytanie o sens życia
Authors: Bujnowski Karol
Published: January 2021

Nowadays more often people are asking about the meaning of life. It is a fundamental question that every human being faces. Man is asking whether life is worth living, what to do to make our life meaningful?A human being, among many needs, has the need for discovering the sense of life, the need comes from the very core of human existence as placed in time and connected with the phenomenon of passing away. Discovering the sense of life leads to the experience of happiness, joy, and to inner life lived much more to the full. Showing the meaning of life and helping to find that meaning are very important functions of religion. Due to it, a man is able to live one’s life, ambitions, goals, joyful moments as well as his or her suffering in the light of deeper understanding. Religion is the one that can often bring the richest and deepest answers to the question of the two meanings: the meaning of life and the world.
The Debate Concerning Creation in Relation to Ecology
Authors: Śledziewski Sławomir
Published: January 2021

The subject of creation was neglected in theological debate for a long time. Only about 35 years ago, when the so-called ecological crisis manifested itself, creation began to appear in the center of theological interest. Some authors tried to accuse Christianity that the theology of creation is responsible for the crisis of the natural environment. Because of this accusation, the science of creation had to take a stand on the issue of ecology. The future of the Earth and its inhabitants depends not on the beginnings of the Universe, but on our present-day actions and attitudes. So, the dialog between natural sciences and theology entered the so-called „third phase” of their relation: the phase of necessary collaboration in the ecological crisis, the dialog between theology and natural sciences must have an ecological character, for at stake is the common future of this world, in which natural sciences and technology are part of God’s creation.
Nieformalna edukacja środowiskowa na przykładzie regionalnej prasy w województwie lubelskim
Authors: Stoczkowska Renata , Obrębska Maria , Kowalski Ryszard , Maluchnik-Pucek Magdalena
Published: January 2021

The press fulfills an important role if it comes to culture, it also influences public opinion, therefore, it can be an important tool in forming the view of society according to the problems of degradation and protection of the natural environment, the aim of this article is to estimate engagement of the regional press on the example of lubelskie province, the hypothesis is that the regional daily press in lubelskie province leads informal environmental education, however, they do not use their potential and means in order to form pro-ecological attitudes and opinions among its readers, the results of the research have shown that the number of articles about nature has systematically increased comparing to other thematic ranges, which is a very positive fact. However, the texts which are sensational and do not touch the problem still prevail in the press, there are not enough articles that present the natural environment as a value that should be protected because of economic, spiritual, healthy, and esthetic reasons. Taking into account that the problems connected with degradation and protection of nature ought to be treated as a priority, the local press should involve in environmental education much stronger, they can get through to the readers by interesting and convincing articles, and contribute to the improvement of the natural environment.