bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mood Profiling for Sustainable Mental Health among Athletes
Authors: Terry Peter C. , Parsons-Smith Renée L.
Published: May 2021

Mood responses are a well-established mental health indicator. Gauging mental health status over time often involves periodic mood assessment using a standardized measure, a process referred to as mood profiling. Comparison of observed mood scores against relevant normative data is central to effective mood profiling. The primary purpose of our study was to improve existing norms for the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) using a large internet sample. The secondary purpose was to discuss how mood profiling can be used to promote sustainable mental health primarily among athletes but also with relevance to non-athletes. The BRUMS was completed via the In The Mood website by 15,692 participants. Significant differences between observed mean scores and existing normative data were evident for all six mood dimensions, prompting norm refinement. Specific group norms were generated to address sex differences in mood responses and differences by athlete/nonathlete status. The revised tables of normative data for the BRUMS should be used by researchers in future investigations of mood responses and by applied practitioners seeking to monitor mood responses as an indicator of mental health status. Applications of mood profiling with elite athletes are exemplified, along with recommendations for using mood profiling in the pursuit of sustainable mental health.
Assessment of Drinking Water Purification Plant Efficiency in Al-Hassa, Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Badr El-Sayed A. , Al-Naeem Ahmed A.
Published: May 2021

The quality of drinking water is an extremely important factor in public health. The main sources of drinking water in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are bottled water, purified groundwater, and desalinated seawater. This study aimed to assess drinking water quality and evaluate the performance of water purification plants in Al-Hassa and with the aid of the water quality index (WQI). A total of 150 water samples were collected from 30 water purification plants. The physiochemical characteristics of drinking water, including the pH, TDS, EC, turbidity, free chlorine, total hardness, anions (Cl, HCO3, SO4, NO3, and F), cations (Na, K, Ca, and Mg), iron, and manganese, were investigated. The results revealed that the purified water was of acceptable quality for drinking with respect to the measured physiochemical characteristics. The overall water purification efficiency for the reduction in total dissolved salts and related anions and cations was over 90%. For instance, the average TDS values in groundwater were 1916 ± 806 mg/L, which decreased to 118 ± 32.9 mg/L in purified water. The WQI results showed that all the collected purified water samples were considered to be of excellent quality (class I) for drinking. Meanwhile, 81.7% of the untreated groundwater samples were considered to be poor quality (class III), and 11.7% were considered to be very poor quality (class IV) due to their high contents of dissolved salts. The purification of the groundwater improved its quality from very poor/poor quality (classes III and IV) to excellent water quality (class I). A Piper diagram revealed that 80% of the investigated groundwater samples were of the sodium chloride–sulfate water type. Overall, we found that the groundwater in the investigated area is not suitable for drinking purposes unless further purification techniques are applied.
Optimization Analysis of the Residential Window-to-Wall Ratio Based on Numerical Calculation of Energy Consumption in the Hot-Summer and Cold-Winter Zone of China
Authors: Liu Haiqiang , Zhang Zhihao , Ma Xidong , Lu Weite , Li Dongze , Kojima Shoichi
Published: May 2021

Along with the rapid urbanization and economic growth of China over the past decades, the thermal comfort needs of the people in this region have risen dramatically, and at the same time, promoting building energy efficiency is cited as part of the major projects in the 14th five-year plan for energy efficiency improvement. In addition, the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has plunged people into long-term panic, and promoted the entire construction industry to think about a healthier and more sustainable living environment. To respond to the imbalance between energy supply and demand, an optimization analysis based on energy use is developed, assessing the energy efficiency of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) design and calculating the energy consumption of three different types of residential buildings for both cooling and heating loads as well as for year-round loads. Owing to its harsh climate and huge energy consumption, in this study, the Hot-summer and Cold-winter (HSCW) zone of China was chosen as the experimental setting for the optimization analysis of WWR. Then, in the three main types of residential buildings, including detached houses, multi-story dwellings and high-rise dwellings, a correlation between WWRS and energy consumption in the cooling season, heating season and year-round was built. The comparisons between the WWRS and energy consumption for different types of residential buildings are presented. The design optimization recommendation for WWRS are proposed. It has significant positive meanings for the development of green and sustainably designed residential buildings that offer high levels of thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Environmental Product Declarations as Data Source for the Environmental Assessment of Buildings in the Context of Level(s) and DGNB: How Feasible Is Their Adoption?
Authors: Del Rosario Pamela , Palumbo Elisabetta , Traverso Marzia
Published: May 2021

This study aims to examine the feasibility of using environmental product declarations (EPDs) as a data source for life-cycle assessment (LCA) in two sustainable building assessment schemes–the pilot version of the European framework Level(s) and the German system DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen). An EPD is a standardized and third-party certified label to communicate product-specific environmental data based on LCA. Some green building rating systems consider it a robust LCA data source and encourage its use over generic data. This work evaluates the environmental profile of the envelope of an office building in the context of level(s) and DGNB adopting EPD as a data source. The results indicate that the EPDs did not cover the mandatory scope of the schemes. Furthermore, there was a lack of EPDs appropriate to the geographical context of the case study, leading to the adoption of EPDs of products from places other than the building site and an overestimation of the environmental impacts of transportation. Moreover, the need for EPDs considering suitable and comprehensive scenarios as well as life-cycle stages beyond the product stage is highlighted. This gap, in fact, hinders the performance of a complete LCA within the analyzed building assessment schemes when relying solely on EPDs as a data source. With this paper, we wish to encourage the further development of EPDs related to the integration of more life-cycle modules and more comprehensive scenarios, considering the direction of the latest amendment of the ISO 15804 for EPDs of construction products.
The Performance of Resilient Supply Chain Sustainability in Covid-19 by Sourcing Technological Integration
Authors: Wang Yongming , Iqbal Umar , Gong Yingmei
Published: May 2021

The present study describes technological integration as source of the sustainable supply chain resilience. The implementation of sustainable supply chain resilience has recently played a vital role, owing to its substantial factors which influence the business continuity. The influence of sustainable supply chain resilience is greatly varying, to embrace companies’ efficiency during a crisis such as COVID-19. In the present study, systematic model-based integration of sustainable supply chain resilience is developed, which can benefit the companies’ profile of work normalcy during the pandemic situation by managing the associated risks. Different variable factors are considered, to assess their impact on the sustainable supply chain. These factors are environmental regulatory system, customer response monitoring system, environmental uncertainty, interoperability and operational integration. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed with statistical tools of interpretation. This research is concluded with the assessment that there is a significant correlation between technological integration and the resilient supply chain’s sustainability. The business organizations need to understand the current COVID-19 situation, the supply chain issues, and their impact on the other factors. Business organizations need to implement international quality standards through the use of technology. This study highlights the critical components of technological advancement, which can uplift the existing standards. Overall, the study portrays the recent sustainable supply chain resilience-based orientation to cope with the current pandemic situation.
Environmental Performance of Chocolate Produced in Ghana Using Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Boakye-Yiadom Kofi Armah , Duca Daniele , Foppa Pedretti Ester , Ilari Alessio
Published: May 2021

Ghana is an important cocoa producer and exporter and this production is of high economic importance. Increasing interest in the sustainable productions of cocoa/chocolate necessitated the need to assess the environmental impacts associated with the production of different chocolate variants (extra dark (EDC), dark (DC), milk (MC) and flavoured milk (FMC) in Ghana, including the identification of environmental hotspots for improvement. The life cycle assessment tool was used following the CML_IA and CED impact assessment methods. EDC had the lowest scores for most of the impact categories while FMC was most impactful. For Global Warming Potential (GWP), EDC and FMC were estimated to be 1.61 kg CO2 eq. and 4.21 kg CO2 eq., respectively. CED ranged from 1.44 × 102 to 1.50 × 102 MJ-eq. Chocolate manufacturing phase was generally more impactful than cocoa cultivation due to high emissions from milk and sugar production. The impact scores for 100 g packaged chocolate bar were the lowest in comparison to 300 g chocolate pouches and 12.5 g packaged chocolate strips. GWP for 100 g and 12.5 g were 0.20 kg CO2 eq. and 0.39 kg CO2 eq., respectively. Comparing different destination points for the manufactured chocolate, impact scores for the international destination were similar to those recorded for local destinations. Improvement options are suggested for all phases to ensure more sustainable chocolate production and distribution.
Identification of Measures to Strengthen Resilience in Homes on the Basis of Lockdown Experience during COVID-19
Authors: Alonso Mar , Rubio Alberto , Escrig Teresa , Soto Teresa , Serrano-Lanzarote Begoña , Matarredona-Desantes Núria
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to put population into lockdown require a reflection on the capacity of homes to adjust to a specific function for which they are not designed: ensuring the health and wellbeing of people during lockdown periods. Thus, the government in the Comunitat Valenciana promoted a study to evaluate house suitability in this Spanish region through the Valencia Institute of Building. The information was obtained by directly asking people affected through an online survey. On the basis of a series of indicators proposed in the study, the level of resilience and measures that favour house adaptation to such an extreme situation are analysed. The ultimate purpose is to offer solutions to enhance house behaviour against similar risks. The information obtained will be further useful for regional regulations of house design to be amended, currently under revision.
Spatiotemporal Comparison of Drivers to CO2 Emissions in ASEAN: A Decomposition Study
Authors: Lisaba Edwin Bernard F. , Lopez Neil Stephen A.
Published: May 2021

The Southeast Asian region is one of the most vulnerable to climate change given its geographical location and economic situation. This study aims to conduct a combination of spatial and temporal analyses in order to understand differences between member nations in terms of driving factors to changing emissions. The logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method was used in order to estimate carbon dioxide emissions due to population, economic activity, economic structure, and energy intensity effects from the year 1990 to 2018. In conducting the study, spatial analysis showed that Singapore was the only country to effectively lessen carbon emissions, due to population and energy intensity, in comparison to the others. Additionally, temporal analysis showed that the ASEAN initially developed at the same rate, before countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, started becoming more economically active, as shown by their economic activity. Finally, results have shown that some countries, especially the Philippines and Indonesia, have undergone significant changes in economic structure, which significantly affected carbon emissions. The results also highlight the increasing per capita emissions as income levels rise. The paper concludes by presenting a summary of the findings and some policy recommendations.
Determinants of Success and Early Complications in Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Quax Marcel Libertus Johannes , Eefting Daniël , Smeets Herman Joseph
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) is considered a relatively simple, successful and safe procedure in the literature, but major complications can occur. This retrospective study was performed in order to define characteristics contributing to success or failure after common femoral artery endarterectomy, either performed as a single or hybrid procedure. Methods: A total of 298 patients who underwent CFE in our hospital between 1 January 2011 and 1 January 2017 were included. After exclusion, 227 patients were analyzed. Patient characteristics and outcomes were derived from the patient records. Follow-up was 30 days postoperatively. Outcomes were analyzed by the chi-square test and regression analysis. Clinical success was defined as a combination of technical success, improvement in the ankle-brachial index, increased walking distance and “no complications.” Results: The procedure was clinically successful in 74.4% of the patients, and in 25.6%, a complication occurred. The Rutherford class improved in 65.1% of the patients with 1.6 (SD 1.3) class points. The ankle-brachial index improved in 44.8% of the cases, with an average of 116.6%. The most contributing factors for complications such as death, unplanned amputation, surgical site infection, thrombosis and longer hospital admission were emergency operation and a higher ASA classification. Significantly more complications also occurred in patients with renal failure, congestive heart disease, a high Rutherford classification and previous groin incision. A higher Rutherford class was the only factor correlating with an increase in the ankle-brachial index. When single CFE (48.9% of cases) and hybrid procedures (51.1%) were compared, no significant difference in success or failure was found. Conclusion: Limb ischemia requiring emergency operation and preoperative comorbidity were identified as the most important factors predictive for complications following femoral artery endarterectomy. Combining femoral endarterectomy with an endovascular intervention does not seem to increase the risk of a postoperative complication.
Organizing Pneumonia and Microvascular Fibrosis as Late Sequelae after a COVID-19 Infection. A Case Report
Authors: Dikken Johan L. , Maat Alexander P. W. M. , Wolf Janina L. , Endeman Henrik , Hoek Rogier A. S. , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , Mahtab Edris A. F.
Published: May 2021

We report a patient with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization for two weeks, complicated by multiple segmental pulmonary embolisms for which dabigatran was initiated. After clearing the infection, the patient remained asymptomatic for 5 months. He was then readmitted with a spontaneous haemothorax, most likely related to the use of dabigatran, which progressed to a pleural empyema with a trapped lung. The patient underwent a video assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) with decortication. Because of focal abnormalities, biopsies for histopathology were taken from the lung parenchyma. These showed an organizing pneumonia with progression towards fibrosis and arteries with intimal fibrosis. So far, no histopathological reports exist on late pulmonary changes after a COVID-19 infection. The unusual combined presence of microvascular damage and interstitial fibrosis may reflect a pathophysiological concept in which early endothelial damage by SARS-CoV-2 can lead to a chronic state of microvascular damage, low grade inflammation, and early progression towards pulmonary fibrosis.
LAPREL: A Label-Aware Parallel Network for Relation Extraction
Authors: Li Xiang , Yang Junan , Hu Pengjiang , Liu Hui
Published: May 2021

Relation extraction is a crucial task in natural language processing (NLP) that aims to extract all relational triples from a given sentence. Extracting overlapping relational triples from complex texts is challenging and has received extensive research attention. Most existing methods are based on cascade models and employ language models to transform the given sentence into vectorized representations. The cascaded structure can cause exposure bias issue; however, the vectorized representation of each sentence needs to be closely related to the relation extraction with pre-defined relation types. In this paper, we propose a label-aware parallel network (LAPREL) for relation extraction. To solve the exposure bias issue, we apply a parallel network, instead of the cascade framework, based on the table-filling method with a symmetric relation pair tagger. To obtain task-related sentence embedding, we embed the prior label information into the token embedding and adjust the sentence embedding for each relation type. The proposed method can also effectively deal with overlapping relational triples. Compared with 10 baselines, extensive experiments are conducted on two public datasets to verify the performance of our proposed network. The experimental results show that LAPREL outperforms the 10 baselines in extracting relational triples from complex text.
Local Zeta Functions and Koba–Nielsen String Amplitudes
Authors: Bocardo-Gaspar Miriam , García-Compeán Hugo , López Edgar Y. , Zúñiga-Galindo Wilson A.
Published: May 2021

This article is a survey of our recent work on the connections between Koba–Nielsen amplitudes and local zeta functions (in the sense of Gel’fand, Weil, Igusa, Sato, Bernstein, Denef, Loeser, etc.). Our research program is motivated by the fact that the p-adic strings seem to be related in some interesting ways with ordinary strings. p-Adic string amplitudes share desired characteristics with their Archimedean counterparts, such as crossing symmetry and invariance under Möbius transformations. A direct connection between p-adic amplitudes and the Archimedean ones is through the limit p→1. Gerasimov and Shatashvili studied the limit p→1 of the p-adic effective action introduced by Brekke, Freund, Olson and Witten. They showed that this limit gives rise to a boundary string field theory, which was previously proposed by Witten in the context of background independent string theory. Explicit computations in the cases of 4 and 5 points show that the Feynman amplitudes at the tree level of the Gerasimov–Shatashvili Lagrangian are related to the limit p→1 of the p-adic Koba–Nielsen amplitudes. At a mathematical level, this phenomenon is deeply connected with the topological zeta functions introduced by Denef and Loeser. A Koba–Nielsen amplitude is just a new type of local zeta function, which can be studied using embedded resolution of singularities. In this way, one shows the existence of a meromorphic continuations for the Koba–Nielsen amplitudes as functions of the kinematic parameters. The Koba–Nielsen local zeta functions are algebraic-geometric integrals that can be defined over arbitrary local fields (for instance R, C, Qp, Fp((T))), and it is completely natural to expect connections between these objects. The limit p tends to one of the Koba–Nielsen amplitudes give rise to new amplitudes which we have called Denef–Loeser amplitudes. Throughout the article, we have emphasized the explicit calculations in the cases of 4 and 5 points.
Large-Scale Spraying of Roads with Water Contributes to, Rather Than Prevents, Air Pollution
Authors: Tan Fengzhu , Guo Yuming , Zhang Wei , Xu Xingyan , Zhang Ming , Meng Fan , Liu Sicen , Li Shanshan , Morawska Lidia
Published: May 2021

Spraying roads with water on a large scale in Chinese cities is one of the supplementary precaution or mitigation actions implemented to control severe air pollution events or heavy haze-fog events in which the mechanisms causing them are not yet fully understood. These air pollution events were usually characterized by higher air humidity. Therefore, there may be a link between this action and air pollution. In the present study, the impact of water spraying on the PM2.5 concentration and humidity in air was assessed by measuring chemical composition of the water, undertaking a simulated water spraying experiment, measuring residues and analyzing relevant data. We discovered that spraying large quantities of tap or river water on the roads leads to increased PM2.5 concentration and humidity, and that daily continuous spraying produces a cumulative effect on air pollution. Spraying the same amount of water produces greater increases in humidity and PM2.5 concentration during cool autumn and winter than during hot summer. Our results demonstrate that spraying roads with water increases, rather than decreases, the concentration of PM2.5 and thus is a new source of anthropogenic aerosol and air pollution. The higher vapor content and resultant humidity most likely create unfavorable meteorological conditions for the dispersion of air pollution in autumn and winter with low temperature.
Tissue-Specific Distribution of Legacy and Emerging Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Frogs
Authors: Liu Yin-E , Luo Xiao-Jun , Guan Ke-Lan , Huang Chen-Chen , Qi Xue-Meng , Zeng Yan-Hong , Mai Bi-Xian
Published: May 2021

Five types of tissues, including the liver, kidney, intestine, lung, and heart, were collected from black-spotted frogs and bullfrogs to study the tissue-specific accumulation of organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and plasticizers. Thirteen PFRs and nine plasticizers were detected, with average total concentrations of 1.4–13 ng/g ww and 858–5503 ng/g ww in black-spotted frogs, 3.6–46 ng/g ww and 355–3504 ng/g ww in bullfrogs. Significant differences in pollutant concentrations among different tissues in the two frog species were found, indicating the specific selectivity distribution of PFRs and plasticizers. Overall, liver tissues exhibited significantly higher pollutant concentrations. The pollutant concentration ratios of other tissue to the sum of liver tissue and other tissues (OLR, Cother/(Cother + Cliver)) corresponding to male frogs were significantly greater than those of females, suggesting that male frogs could have higher metabolic potentials for PFRs and plasticizers. No obvious correlations between OLR and log KOW were found, indicating that the other factors (e.g., bioaccumulation pathway and metabolism) besides lipophicity could influence the deposition of PFRs and plasticizers in frog livers. Different parental transfer patterns for PFRs and plasticizers were observed in frogs when using different tissues as parental tissues. Moreover, the liver tissues had similar parental transfer mechanism with muscle tissues.
Which Is More Toxic? Evaluation of the Short-Term Toxic Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin on Selected Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758)
Authors: Georgieva Elenka , Yancheva Vesela , Stoyanova Stela , Velcheva Iliana , Iliev Ilia , Vasileva Tonka , Bivolarski Veselin , Petkova Eleonora , László Brigitta , Nyeste Krisztián , Antal László
Published: May 2021

The general aim of this study was to investigate the negative short-term effects of different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP), based on the EU legislation (MAC-EQS) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) under laboratory conditions and to compare their toxicity. The fish were exposed to the pesticides for 96 h and then different histological and biochemical biomarkers were investigated in the gills and liver, and bioaccumulation analyses were conducted. The chemical studies showed increased pesticide concentrations in the gills as the first site for pollutants compared to the liver at the 96th hour. In addition, the histological analyses showed severe alterations in the gills and liver after exposure to both tested pesticides. In the gills, we found mainly intense proliferative and, to a lesser extent, degenerative changes and alterations in the circulatory system, such as necrosis and vasodilation. In the liver, regressive and progressive lesions, as well as circulatory disturbances and inflammation, were observed. The regressive lesions showed a higher degree of expression compared to the other changes. Furthermore, we found altered enzymatic activities—catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase—in the liver, compared to the control. Overall, both tested pesticides impacted the studied biomarkers in common carp, even at concentrations lower than those permitted by law. However, the results of the comparative analysis showed a relatively higher toxicity of CYP compared to CPF in the fish. Still, questions persist as to whether the observed changes are adaptive or entirely destructive. To avoid any danger or risk, these pesticides must be applied cautiously, especially near water bodies.
Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Loizzo Davide , di Meo Nicola Antonio , Peluso Mattia Rocco , Rutigliano Monica , Matera Matteo , Miacola Carlos , Palella Gaetano , Tedeschi Michele , Spilotros Marco , Ferro Matteo , Tătaru Octavian Sabin , Vartolomei Mihai Dorin , Vincenti Leonardo , Ditonno Pasquale , Battaglia Michele , Lucarelli Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the most important mechanisms involved in delayed or reduced graft function after kidney transplantation. It is a complex pathophysiological process, followed by a pro-inflammatory response that enhances the immunogenicity of the graft and the risk of acute rejection. Many biologic processes are involved in its development, such as transcriptional reprogramming, the activation of apoptosis and cell death, endothelial dysfunction and the activation of the innate and adaptive immune response. Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of complement activation in IRI cascade, which expresses a pleiotropic action on tubular cells, on vascular cells (pericytes and endothelial cells) and on immune system cells. The effects of IRI in the long term lead to interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, which contribute to chronic graft dysfunction and subsequently graft failure. Furthermore, several metabolic alterations occur upon IRI. Metabolomic analyses of IRI detected a “metabolic profile” of this process, in order to identify novel biomarkers that may potentially be useful for both early diagnosis and monitoring the therapeutic response. The aim of this review is to update the most relevant molecular mechanisms underlying IRI, and also to discuss potential therapeutic targets in future clinical practice.
Nanotechnology as an Anti-Infection Strategy in Periprosthetic Joint Infections (PJI)
Authors: Indelli Pier Francesco , Ghirardelli Stefano , Iannotti Ferdinando , Indelli Alessia Maria , Pipino Gennaro
Published: May 2021

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a devastating consequence of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) because of its high morbidity and its high impact on patient quality of life. The lack of standardized preventive and treatment strategies is a major challenge for arthroplasty surgeons. The purpose of this article was to explore the potential and future uses of nanotechnology as a tool for the prevention and treatment of PJI. Methods: Multiple review articles from the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were reviewed in order to establish the current efficacy of nanotechnology in PJI preventive or therapeutic scenarios. Results: As a prevention tool, anti-biofilm implants equipped with nanoparticles (silver, silk fibroin, poly nanofibers, nanophase selenium) have shown promising antibacterial functionality. As a therapeutic tool, drug-loaded nanomolecules have been created and a wide variety of carrier materials (chitosan, titanium, calcium phosphate) have shown precise drug targeting and efficient control of drug release. Other nanotechnology-based antibiotic carriers (lipid nanoparticles, silica, clay nanotubes), when added to common bone cements, enhanced prolonged drug delivery, making this technology promising for the creation of antibiotic-added cement joint spacers. Conclusion: Although still in its infancy, nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize prevention and treatment protocols of PJI. Nevertheless, extensive basic science and clinical research will be needed to investigate the potential toxicities of nanoparticles.
Using Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in the Community
Authors: Cash Richard A.
Published: May 2021

For ORT to have a maximum impact on public health it should be used in the community, in the home. A number of programs have been developed over the years to extend ORT to home use. One of the most successful approaches was the Oral Therapy Education Program (OTEP) developed by BRAC, the world’s largest NGO. Mothers were taught in the home by an OTEP worker using seven simple messages and a demonstration. The program, which led to high levels of use and knowledge retention, is described. What the OTEP and other successful home-based programs have demonstrated is that home care of diarrhea using ORS can be effectively implemented and can have a positive impact on the reduction of diarrhea morbidity and mortality.
Molecular Epidemiology and Whole-Genome Analysis of Bovine Foamy Virus in Japan
Authors: Mekata Hirohisa , Okagawa Tomohiro , Konnai Satoru , Miyazawa Takayuki
Published: May 2021

Bovine foamy virus (BFV) is a member of the foamy virus family in cattle. Information on the epidemiology, transmission routes, and whole-genome sequences of BFV is still limited. To understand the characteristics of BFV, this study included a molecular survey in Japan and the determination of the whole-genome sequences of 30 BFV isolates. A total of 30 (3.4%, 30/884) cattle were infected with BFV according to PCR analysis. Cattle less than 48 months old were scarcely infected with this virus, and older animals had a significantly higher rate of infection. To reveal the possibility of vertical transmission, we additionally surveyed 77 pairs of dams and 3-month-old calves in a farm already confirmed to have BFV. We confirmed that one of the calves born from a dam with BFV was infected. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that a novel genotype was spread in Japan. In conclusion, the prevalence of BFV in Japan is relatively low and three genotypes, including a novel genotype, are spread in Japan.
COVID-19 Severity Potentially Modulated by Cardiovascular-Disease-Associated Immune Dysregulation
Authors: Lee Abby C. , Castaneda Grant , Li Wei Tse , Chen Chengyu , Shende Neil , Chakladar Jaideep , Taub Pam R. , Chang Eric Y. , Ongkeko Weg M.
Published: May 2021

Patients with underlying cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19. In this project, we aimed to characterize similarities in dysregulated immune pathways between COVID-19 patients and patients with cardiomyopathy, venous thromboembolism (VTE), or coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that these similarly dysregulated pathways may be critical to how cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) exacerbate COVID-19. To evaluate immune dysregulation in different diseases, we used four separate datasets, including RNA-sequencing data from human left ventricular cardiac muscle samples of patients with dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy and healthy controls; RNA-sequencing data of whole blood samples from patients with single or recurrent event VTE and healthy controls; RNA-sequencing data of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with and without obstructive CAD; and RNA-sequencing data of platelets from COVID-19 subjects and healthy controls. We found similar immune dysregulation profiles between patients with CVDs and COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, cardiomyopathy patients display the most similar immune landscape to COVID-19 patients. Additionally, COVID-19 patients experience greater upregulation of cytokine- and inflammasome-related genes than patients with CVDs. In all, patients with CVDs have a significant overlap of cytokine- and inflammasome-related gene expression profiles with that of COVID-19 patients, possibly explaining their greater vulnerability to severe COVID-19.
Sendai Virus-Vectored Vaccines That Express Envelope Glycoproteins of Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Russell Charles J. , Hurwitz Julia L.
Published: May 2021

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are leading causes of respiratory disease in young children, the elderly, and individuals of all ages with immunosuppression. Vaccination strategies against these pneumoviruses and paramyxoviruses are vast in number, yet no licensed vaccines are available. Here, we review development of Sendai virus (SeV), a versatile pediatric vaccine that can (a) serve as a Jennerian vaccine against HPIV1, (b) serve as a recombinant vaccine against HRSV, HPIV2, HPIV3, and HMPV, (c) accommodate foreign genes for viral glycoproteins in multiple intergenic positions, (d) induce durable, mucosal, B-cell, and T-cell immune responses without enhanced immunopathology, (e) protect cotton rats, African green monkeys, and chimpanzees from infection, and (f) be formulated into a vaccine cocktail. Clinical phase I safety trials of SeV have been completed in adults and 3–6-year-old children. Clinical testing of SeVRSV, an HRSV fusion (F) glycoprotein gene recombinant, has also been completed in adults. Positive results from these studies, and collaborative efforts with the National Institutes of Health and the Serum Institute of India assist advanced development of SeV-based vaccines. Prospects are now good for vaccine successes in infants and consequent protection against serious viral disease.
Lymphopenia in COVID-19: γδ T Cells-Based Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Lo Presti Elena , Dieli Francesco , Meraviglia Serena
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection dysregulates the immune system by lymphopenia of B cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and cytotoxic cells such as CD8, γδ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. Despite many studies being conducted to better understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the immune system, many mechanisms still remain unclear, hindering the development of novel therapeutic approaches and strategies to improve the host’s immune defense. This mini-review summarizes the findings on the role of γδ T cells in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), providing an overview of the excellent anti-viral therapeutic potential of γδ T cells, that had not yet been exploited in depth.
Vaccine Production Process: How Much Does the General Population Know about This Topic? A Web-Based Survey
Authors: Bechini Angela , Bonanni Paolo , Zanella Beatrice , Di Pisa Giulia , Moscadelli Andrea , Paoli Sonia , Ancillotti Leonardo , Bonito Benedetta , Boccalini Sara
Published: May 2021

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has been recognized as a major global health threat by the World Health Organization. Many studies have investigated vaccine safety as a determinant for vaccine hesitancy; however, not much attention has been paid to vaccine production and quality control during the vaccine production process or whether knowledge about this topic may influence vaccine confidence. The aim of this study was to characterize the common knowledge about the vaccine production process. Methods: A freely accessible online questionnaire was developed on Google Modules and disseminated through social networks. A descriptive analysis of the collected answers was performed, and the chi-square test was used to assess significant differences for the sociodemographic characteristics of the study population (age, gender, work or education and training in the healthcare setting, minor offspring). A binary logistic regression model was performed considering these socio-demographic categories as independent variables. Results: The number of collected questionnaire was 135. Most of the participants (127/135, 94.1%) were aware that quality control measures are carried out during manufacturing, although some knowledge gaps emerged in specific aspects of the vaccine production process, without statistically significant differences between age groups. Working in the healthcare setting or being educated in healthcare may be considered predictors for a better understanding that more than 50% of the production time is spent on quality control (AOR = 3.43; 95% CI: 1.84–8.14, p = 0.01) and that considering quality control performed during the vaccine production process is adequate for avoiding contamination (AOR = 7.90; 95% CI: 0.97–64.34; p = 0.05). Conclusions: This study allowed for a characterization of common knowledge about the vaccine production process. It highlighted the need to implement specific strategies to spread correct information about the vaccine production process. This study may contribute to increased confidence and trust in vaccines and vaccination among the general population.
Erosion Transportation Processes as Influenced by Gully Land Consolidation Projects in Highly Managed Small Watersheds in the Loess Hilly–Gully Region, China
Authors: Ji Qianqian , Gao Zhe , Li Xingyao , Gao Jian’en , Zhang Gen’guang , Ahmad Rafiq , Liu Gang , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Wenzheng , Zhou Fanfan , Liu Sixuan
Published: May 2021

The Loess Hilly–Gully region (LHGR) is the most serious soil erosion area in the world. For the small watershed with high management in this area, the scientific problem that has been paid attention to in recent years is the impact of the land consolidation project on the erosion environment in the gully region. In this study, the 3D simulation method of vegetation, eroded sediment and pollutant transport was innovated based on the principles of erosion sediment dynamics and similarity theory, and the impacts of GLCP were analyzed on the erosion environment at different scales. The verification results show that the design method and the scale conversion relationship (geometric scale: λl = 100) were reasonable and could simulate the transport process on the complex underlying surface of a small watershed. Compared with untreated watersheds, a significant change was the current flood peak lagging behind the sediment peak. There were two important critical values of GLCP impact on the erosion environment. The erosion transport in HMSW had no change when the proportion was less than 0.85%, and increased obviously when it was greater than 3.3%. The above results have important theoretical and practical significance for watershed simulation and land-use management in HMSW.
Flexible Charging of Electric Vehicles: Results of a Large-Scale Smart Charging Demonstration
Authors: Bons Pieter C. , Buatois Aymeric , Schuring Friso , Geerts Frank , van den Hoed Robert
Published: May 2021

Flexible charging can be applied to avoid peak loads on the electricity grid by curbing demand of electric vehicle chargers as well as matching charging power with availability of sustainable energy. This paper presents results of a large-scale demonstration project “Flexpower” where time-dependent charging profiles are applied to 432 public charging stations in the city of Amsterdam between November 2019 and March 2020. The charging current on Flexpower stations is reduced during household peak consumption hours (18:00–21:00), increased during the night-time, and dynamically linked to solar intensity levels during the day. The results show that the EV contribution to the grid peak load can be reduced by 1.2 kW per charging station with very limited user impact. The increased charging current during sunny conditions does not lead to a significantly higher energy transfer during the day because of lack of demand and technical limitations in the vehicles. A simulation model is presented based on empirical power measurements over a wide range of conditions combining the flexibility provided by simulations with the power of real-world data. The model was validated by comparing aggregated results to actual measurements and was used to evaluate the impact of different smart charging profiles in the Amsterdam context.
Ação rescisória por violação a precedentes: análise a partir do princípio da segurança jurídica
Authors: Ferreira Victor Sérgio Antônio , Machado Antônio Pedro
Published: May 2021

As hipóteses de cabimento de ação rescisória com fundamento em manifesta violação a norma jurídica abarcam situações nas quais a norma jurídica violada se apresenta como precedente obrigatório. Portanto, faz-se necessário, diante da sistemática de precedentes positivada pelo CPC/2015, identificar quais são as decisões judiciais que se qualificariam como precedentes para os fins de ajuizamento de ação rescisória. A partir das diferentes posições doutrinárias e da análise de dois julgados do STJ, buscou-se identificar qual a caracterização mais adequada dos precedentes obrigatórios, à luz do princípio da segurança jurídica, em relação às hipóteses de cabimento de ação rescisória por manifesta violação a norma jurídica.
Não foi por amor: a necessidade de compreensão e de investigação do feminicídio sob a perspectiva de gênero
Authors: Damian Pacheco Pinto Karen
Published: May 2021

O feminicídio, expressão máxima da violência de gênero, apresenta alicerces históricos e sociais pautados na construção de relações assimétricas de poder. Partindo-se dessa premissa, o presente artigo expõe, com base nas Diretrizes Nacionais aprovadas pelo Brasil, a necessidade de que a investigação do feminicídio seja concebida sob a perspectiva de gênero, a qual deve permear, de igual modo, as demais fases do processo. Busca-se, pela análise de inquéritos policiais referentes a mortes intencionais de mulheres ocorridas entre os anos de 2017 e 2018 no Oeste catarinense, verificar se os parâmetros propostos pelo aludido documento foram observados durante a investigação. Desse modo, salienta-se, com fulcro em um estudo comparativo, a viabilidade de aperfeiçoamento de alguns pontos da investigação, refletindo-se, ainda, acerca da imprescindibilidade de modificação social para alcançar a redução dos crimes de feminicídio. Isso porque, em que pesem os avanços jurídicos nesse campo, ainda há a presença da culpabilização da vítima e a tentativa de justificação dos delitos por meio de pretensa paixão.
Extensão da estratégia Saúde da Família ao atendimento dos idosos acolhidos em instituições de longa permanência públicas e privadas regularizadas perante o Conselho Municipal de Direitos dos Idosos
Authors: De Moraes Melo Luan
Published: May 2021

É possível que a Estratégia de Saúde da Família atenda in loco os idosos acolhidos em instituição de longa permanência? A partir da base jurídica que estabelece tal dever prestacional ao Poder Público são pensadas atuações institucionais à disposição do Ministério Público para tanto. Pretende-se ainda determinar, além dos efeitos positivos quanto à saúde individual dos atendidos, o impacto coletivo para a promoção da regularização das instituições de longa permanência, desde o seu regular cadastramento no Conselho Municipal de Direitos dos Idosos até a observância das normas sanitárias.
A adoção "intuitu personae" e possíveis medidas para combatê-la
Authors: Justino Fernanda Morales
Published: May 2021

A adoção intuitu personae é uma prática comum no Brasil, muito embora o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente a permita apenas em situações bem específicas. Tendo em vista que referido diploma legal é regido por uma gama de princípios, cujo objetivo é resguardar os direitos da criança e do adolescente, nem sempre a observância estrita das regras nele constantes atenderá ao seu melhor interesse, o que ocorre também nos casos de adoção direta. Assim, ante a prática da adoção intuitu personae, deve-se analisar a existência de vínculos de afinidade e afetividade. Caso inexistam, torna-se possível, a depender do caso, a busca e apreensão da criança ou do adolescente, a fim de que estes sejam adotados por pessoa preparada. Caso os laços existam, a manutenção do infante sob os cuidados de seu guardião é a medida que melhor atende ao seu interesse, porquanto sua retirada do seio da nova família lhe traria consequências trágicas. Considerando, porém, os danos coletivos causados ao direito que a criança e o adolescente têm de serem adotados por quem se encontra em melhores condições para exercer o papel de mãe ou pai e aos pretendentes cadastrados no Cadastro Único de Adoção (CUIDA) que foram preteridos, é possível a propositura de ação civil pública visando ao pagamento de prestação pecuniária ao Fundo Especial para a Infância e Adolescência (FIA), como forma de responsabilizá-lo e de prevenir que casos dessa natureza se perpetuem.
Por un éxodo semiológico
Authors: Gutiérrez Bossa Jairo , Gutiérrez Bossa Rafael
Published: May 2021

Este artículo de reflexión, que hace parte de la investigación De la polis a la politeia. La política hoy, propone un éxodo semiológico (semiótica a-significante) como resistencia al gobierno de signos de los Mass Media, lo que siguiendo a Paolo Virno se llama industria comunicacional; para sustentar esta propuesta se recurre a la teoría del éxodo que exponen los operaístas como Antonio Negri, Paolo Virno, Michael Hardt y Víctor Moncayo y que propende por la huida y el escape del sistema dominante y no por la búsqueda del poder estatal.
Administrative justice as a deterrent to the implementation of tasks within criminal proceedings
Authors: Paryzkyi Ihor , Matvieiev Serhii , Bratel Serhii , Komirchyi Pavlo , Zubko Artem
Published: May 2021

The purpose of the article is to clarify the problems of the institution of administrative justice of Ukraine in the context of the implementation of tasks within criminal proceedings. Subject of research: The subject of the research is the shortcomings in the administrative justice of Ukraine that can create obstacles to achieving the objectives within criminal proceedings. Methodology: The methodological basis of the article are general and special methods of legal science, in particular: dialectical method, logical and semantic method, methods of analyses and synthesis, system and structural method, formal and legal method, method of generalization. Research results: The bases for administrative justice in Ukraine are characterized, its value and main shortcomings are determined. Practical implications: The problems of administrative justice, which are a deterrent to solving problems in criminal proceedings, are analyzed. Value / originality: The consequences of the considered legal incompatibilies are determined and the ways to overcome them are suggested.