bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intervention Effect of Long-Term Aerobic Training on Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Quality of Middle School Students With Depression After COVID-19
Authors: Luo Lin , Song Naiqing , Yang Hao , Huang JiaHong , Zhou Ling , Zhang Liping
Published: October 2021

Objective: To explore the effects of using RPE exercise intensity monitoring methods and 12-week mid- and low-intensity team aerobic training on anxiety, depression and sleep quality of depressed middle school students after the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods: All study participants were all from a boarding middle school in Chongqing, China. All study participants were screened by the self-rating depression scale and reached the diagnostic criteria for depression. The study subjects were divided into a control group (N = 35) and an exercise group (N = 34). The exercise group performed 30-min night aerobic running four times a week. Use the Borg 6–20 rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE) as a monitoring tool for exercise intensity, and control the exercise intensity at RPE = 11–14. And the control group studied and lived normally. The experiment lasted 12 weeks in total. After the experiment, there were 34 people in the control group and 23 people in the exercise group. The subjects' anxiety, depression and Pittsburgh sleep quality were scored before and after the experiment.

Results: After intervention, the depression index (p < 0.01) of the exercise group was significantly lower than that of the control group.

Conclusion: Using the RPE exercise intensity monitoring method for 12 weeks of mid- and low-intensity team aerobic training can improve the depressive symptoms of depressed middle school students, and it is beneficial to improve the students' mental health.
Costs and Savings Associated With the Police Use of the interRAI Brief Mental Health Screener
Authors: Hoffman Ron , Harman Jeffrey , Kinsell Heidi , Brown Gregory
Published: October 2021

Background:The police response to calls for service identified as being related to mental health continues to be highly controversial. Strategies to improve the police response include Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and various forms of co-response models neither of which have been subjected to comprehensive evaluations, particularly as to cost-efficiency. A new approach is the use of the interRAI Brief Mental Health Screener to enhance police officer ability to identify persons with serious mental disorders. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the costs and cost efficiency of the police response to mental health calls using the interRAI Brief Mental Health Screener.

Method:Secondary data was analyzed from the use of the screener from 2018 to 2020 by police officers in a mid-sized Canadian city. Changes were measured in the overall number of interactions police officers had with persons with mental health disorders, the number of incidents where police officers referred the person to hospital, and the time officers remained in the emergency department.

Results:A total of 6,727 assessments were completed with involuntary referrals decreasing by 30%, and voluntary referrals by 34%. The overall time police officers were involved in involuntary referrals decreased from 123 min in 2018 to 113 min in 2020. The average emergency department wait time for voluntary referrals dropped from 41 min in 2018 to 27 min in 2020, while involuntary referrals decreased from 61 min in 2018 to 42 min in 2020. Each averted involuntary referral to the emergency department resulted in a savings of $81, on average during the study period.

Conclusion:An analysis of the costs and costs savings associated with the use of the screener demonstrate that it is a worthwhile investment for police services. An additional benefit is its ability to collect mental health statistics that may be useful to police leaders to justify budgets. Future studies should attempt to devise some method of collecting pre-implementation data that would reveal the true costs and cost-efficiency of using the BMHS, which have been shown to be significant in the current study however, undoubtedly are under-estimated.
Twelve-Week Yoga vs. Aerobic Cycling Initiation in Sedentary Healthy Subjects: A Behavioral and Multiparametric Interventional PET/MR Study
Authors: van Aalst June , Jennen Lise , Demyttenaere Koen , Sunaert Stefan , Koole Michel , Ceccarini Jenny , Van Laere Koen
Published: October 2021

Interventional yoga studies with an active control group remain scarce and are important to clarify the underlying neurobiology. We conducted an interventional study in healthy controls using simultaneous positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging and psychometric scales. Thirty healthy, female volunteers (28.4 ± 8.4 years) participated and were randomly assigned to a 12-week yoga or indoor cycling intervention. Before and after the intervention, [18F]FDG and [11C]UCB-J PET was performed on a simultaneous GE Signa PET/MR with volumetric imaging. Psychometric scales were evaluated on affect, mindfulness, stress, worrying, self-compassion, and interoceptive awareness. Yoga subjects scored higher on interoceptive awareness compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Cognitive (P = 0.009) and overall cognitive functioning (P = 0.01) improved after the yoga intervention compared to the cycling group. We did not observe significant differences in glucose metabolism, synaptic density, or gray matter (GM) volume. The indoor cycling group did not show changes in psychometric variables, but significant increases in relative glucose metabolism were observed in the parahippocampal/fusiform gyrus and cerebellum (P < 0.001). In conclusion, 12 weeks of yoga practice has significant effects on interoceptive awareness and perceived cognitive function in starters. Longer interventions and/or higher frequency of yoga practice may be needed to detect cerebral metabolic and/or morphologic effects on the macroscopic level.
Supporting Health-Care Workers and Patients in Quarantine Wards: Evidence From a Survey of Frontline Health-Care Workers and Inpatients With COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zhou Ting , Guan Ruiyuan , Rosenthal Susan L. , Moerdler Scott , Guan Ziqi , Sun Liqun
Published: October 2021

Objective:Frontline health-care workers and patients with COVID-19 have been identified as high-risk groups for psychological problems. Experience of working or staying in quarantine wards generated psychological stressors for health-care workers and patients with COVID-19. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological symptoms of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and the health-care workers treating them during the outbreak period, examine the effects of psychological stressors on mental health in both populations and perceived coping resources for both sides.

Methods:Three hundred and eleven health-care workers working in a COVID-19 designated hospital in Wuhan, China, and 148 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the same hospital participated in this cross-sectional survey conducted in February 2020. Psychological symptoms, psychological stressors, and perceived coping resources were reported by both groups.

Results:Thirty-three percent of health-care workers and 35.2% of patients with COVID-19 had significant psychological symptoms that were indicative of a high risk for psychological disorders. Pandemic-related psychological stressors contributed to psychological symptoms for both populations. Concern about patients was one aspect of psychological stressors of frontline health-care workers and both groups perceived support from the opposite side as an important external coping resource.

Conclusion:The results shed light on the need to provide psychological support to both frontline health-care workers and patients with COVID-19 and suggest enhancing the treatment alliance might be effective to improve mental health for both populations during the crisis.
Chromatin-Associated Protein Sugp2 Involved in mRNA Alternative Splicing During Mouse Spermatogenesis
Authors: Zhan Junfeng , Li Jianbo , Wu Yuerong , Wu Panfeng , Yu Ziqi , Cui Peng , Zhou Mofan , Xu Yumin , Jin Tingyu , Du Ziye , Luo Mengcheng , Liu Cong
Published: October 2021

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly ordered process that is determined by chromatin-associated moderators which still remain poorly understood. Through a multi-control group proteomics strategy, we confirmed that Sugp2 was a chromatin-associated candidate protein, and its signal arose along spermatogenesis. The expression results showed that Sugp2, which is mainly expressed in the testis, had two transcripts, encoding one protein. During spermatogenesis, Sugp2 was enriched in the nucleus of male germ cells. With the depletion of Sugp2 by CRISPER-Cas9 technology, we found that Sugp2 controlled a network of genes on metal ion and ATP binding, suggesting that alternative splicing regulation by Sugp2 is involved in cellular ion and energy metabolism during spermatogenesis, while it had a little effect on meiotic progression and male fertility. Collectively, these data demonstrated that, as a chromatin-associated protein, Sugp2 mediated the alternative splicing regulatory network during spermatogenesis.
Protective Effects of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from Wheat Stalk against Bisphenol a Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish via Oxidative Stress
Authors: Gu Jie , Guo Min , Zheng Liping , Yin Xiaogang , Zhou Linjun , Fan Deling , Shi Lili , Huang Caoxing , Ji Guixiang
Published: October 2021

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) from different lignocellulosic biomass have shown biological qualities as antioxidant and immunostimulant. By contrast, the application of LCCs as protectant against neurotoxicity caused by different compounds is scarce. In this work, two kinds of LCCs with carbohydrate-rich and lignin-rich fractions were obtained from wheat stalk and used to protect against BPA-neurotoxicity in zebrafish. The results showed that BPA at a concentration of 500 µg/L results in neurotoxicity, including significant behavioral inhibition, and prevents the expression of central nervous system proteins in transgenic zebrafish models (Tg (HuC-GFP)). When the zebrafish was treated by LCCs, the reactive oxygen species of zebrafish decreased significantly with the change of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation, which was due to the LCCs’ ability to suppress the mRNA expression level of key genes related to nerves. This is essential in view of the neurotoxicity of BPA through oxidative stress. In addition, BPA exposure had negative effects on the exercise behavior, the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the larval development and gene expression of zebrafish larvae, and LCC preparations could recover these negative effects by reducing oxidative stress. In zebrafish treated with BPA, carbohydrate-rich LCCs showed stronger antioxidant activity than lignin-rich LCCs, showing their potential as a neuroprotective agents.
Flexible and Coherent Soft X-ray Pulses at High Repetition Rate: Current Research and Perspectives
Authors: Schaper Lucas , Ackermann Sven , Allaria Enrico , Amstutz Philipp , Baev Karolin , Beye Martin , Gerth Christopher , Hartl Ingmar , Hillert Wolfgang , Honkavaara Katja , Kazemi Mehdi Mohammad , Lang Tino , Niknejadi Pardis , Pannek Fabian , Rönsch-Schulenburg Juliane , Samoilenko Dmitrii , Schneidmiller Evgeny , Schreiber Siegfried , Tischer Markus , Vogt Mathias , Yurkov Mikhail , Zemella Johann
Published: October 2021

The successful realization of high gain free-electron lasers has opened new possibilities to X-ray scientists for investigating matter in different states. The availability of unprecedented photon properties stimulated the development of new experimental techniques capable of taking full advantage of these options and has started a virtuous collaboration between machine experts and photon users to improve further and optimize the generated X-ray pulses. Over the recent years, this has led to the development of several advanced free-electron laser (FEL) schemes to tailor the photon properties to specific experimental demands. Presently, tunable wavelength X-ray pulses with extremely high brilliance and short pulse characteristics are a few of the many options available at FELs. Few facilities can offer options such as narrowband or extremely short pulses below one fs duration and simultaneous pulses of multiple colors enabling resonant X-ray pump—X-ray probe experiments with sub fs resolution. Fully coherent X-ray radiation (both spatial and temporal) can also be provided. This new option has stimulated the application of coherent control techniques to the X-ray world, allowing for experiments with few attoseconds resolution. FELs often operate at a relatively low repetition rate, typically on the order of tens of Hz. At FLASH and the European XFEL, however, the superconducting accelerators allow generating thousands of pulses per second. With the implementation of a new seeded FEL line and with an upgrade at FLASH linac, all the new features will become available in the soft X-ray spectral range down to the oxygen K edge with unprecedented average photon flux due to the high repetition rate of pulses.
Routing Density Analysis of Area-Efficient Ring Oscillator Physically Unclonable Functions
Authors: Zulfikar Zulfikar , Soin Norhayati , Wan Muhamad Hatta Sharifah Fatmadiana , Abu Talip Mohamad Sofian , Jaafar Anuar
Published: October 2021

The research into ring oscillator physically unclonable functions (RO-PUF) continues to expand due to its simple structure, ease of generating responses, and its promises of primitive security. However, a substantial study has yet to be carried out in developing designs of the FPGA-based RO-PUF, which effectively balances performance and area efficiency. This work proposes a modified RO-PUF where the ring oscillators are connected directly to the counters. The proposed RO-PUF requires fewer RO than the conventional structure since this work utilizes the direct pulse count method. This work aims to seek the ideal routing density of ROs to improve uniqueness. For this purpose, five logic arrangements of a wide range of routing densities of ROs were tested. Upon implementation onto the FPGA chip, the routing density of ROs are varied significantly in terms of wire utilization (higher than 25%) and routing hotspots (higher than 80%). The best uniqueness attained was 52.71%, while the highest reliability was 99.51%. This study improves the uniqueness by 2% subsequent to the application of scenarios to consider ROs with a narrow range of routing density. The best range of wire utilization and routing hotspots of individual RO in this work is 3–5% and 20–50%, respectively. The performance metrics (uniqueness and reliability) of the proposed RO-PUF are much better than existing works using a similar FPGA platform (Altera), and it is as good as the recent RO-PUFs realized on Xilinx. Additionally, this work estimates the minimum runtimes to reduce error and response bit-flip of RO-PUF.
Population Ecology and Genetic Diversity of the Invasive Alien Species Procambarus clarkii in Lake Trasimeno (Italy)
Authors: Dörr Ambrosius Josef Martin , Scoparo Melissa , Cardinali Irene , La Porta Gianandrea , Caldaroni Barbara , Magara Gabriele , Pallottini Matteo , Selvaggi Roberta , Cenci-Goga Beniamino , Goretti Enzo , Cappelletti David , Lancioni Hovirag , Elia Antonia Concetta
Published: October 2021

The deliberate or accidental introduction of invasive alien species (IAS) causes negative ecological and economic impacts altering ecosystem processes, imperiling native species and causing damage to human endeavors. A monthly monitoring program was performed in Lake Trasimeno (Central Italy) from July 2018 to July 2019 in order to provide an upgrade of the population ecology of Procambarus clarkii and to assess the genetic diversity by analyzing the relationships among mitochondrial DNA diversity. Our results confirmed that P. clarkii is well acclimatized in the lake, revealing a stable population structure favored by the resources and conditions typical of this ecosystem, which seem to be optimal for the maintenance of the species. Four distinct mitochondrial haplotypes were detected, but one of them was clearly overrepresented (76%), suggesting that a single predominant introduction event may have occurred in this area, likely followed by secondary events. The identification of the typical genetic variants provides a better understanding of the evolutionary scenarios of P. clarkii in this biotope and it can be helpful in management plans concerning the expanding populations of this invasive alien species.
Natural Product Isoliquiritigenin Activates GABAB Receptors to Decrease Voltage-Gate Ca2+ Channels and Glutamate Release in Rat Cerebrocortical Nerve Terminals
Authors: Lin Tzu-Yu , Lu Cheng-Wei , Hsieh Pei-Wen , Chiu Kuan-Ming , Lee Ming-Yi , Wang Su-Jane
Published: October 2021

Reduction in glutamate release is a key mechanism for neuroprotection and we investigated the effect of isoliquiritigenin (ISL), an active ingredient of Glycyrrhiza with neuroprotective activities, on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes). ISL produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of glutamate release and reduced the intraterminal [Ca2+] increase. The inhibition of glutamate release by ISL was prevented after removing extracellular Ca2+ or blocking P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. This inhibition was mediated through the γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABAB) receptors because ISL was unable to inhibit glutamate release in the presence of baclofen (an GABAB agonist) or CGP3548 (an GABAB antagonist) and docking data revealed that ISL interacted with GABAB receptors. Furthermore, the ISL inhibition of glutamate release was abolished through the inhibition of Gi/o-mediated responses or Gβγ subunits, but not by 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate or adenylate cyclase inhibition. The ISL inhibition of glutamate release was also abolished through the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), and ISL decreased the phosphorylation of PKC. Thus, we inferred that ISL, through GABAB receptor activation and Gβγ-coupled inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, suppressed the PKC phosphorylation to cause a decrease in evoked glutamate release at rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals.
Potential Mechanisms of Plant-Derived Natural Products in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Authors: He Meizhu , Xia Lijie , Li Jinyao
Published: October 2021

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy globally; it seriously endangers women’s health because of its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments are prone to drug resistance, recurrence and metastasis. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs with high efficacy and low side effects to prevent and treat cervical cancer. In recent years, plant-derived natural products have been evaluated as potential anticancer drugs that preferentially kill tumor cells without severe adverse effects. A growing number of studies have shown that natural products can achieve practical anti-cervical-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of tumor-cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis and telomerase activity, enhancement of immunity and reversal of multidrug resistance. This paper reviews the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of plant-derived natural products on cervical cancer and provides references for developing anti-cervical-cancer drugs with high efficacy and low side effects.
Biocatalytic Production of Aldehydes: Exploring the Potential of Lathyrus cicera Amine Oxidase
Authors: Di Fabio Elisa , Incocciati Alessio , Boffi Alberto , Bonamore Alessandra , Macone Alberto
Published: October 2021

Aldehydes are a class of carbonyl compounds widely used as intermediates in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. To date, there are few fully enzymatic methods for synthesizing these highly reactive chemicals. In the present work, we explore the biocatalytic potential of an amino oxidase extracted from the etiolated shoots of Lathyrus cicera for the synthesis of value-added aldehydes, starting from the corresponding primary amines. In this frame, we have developed a completely chromatography-free purification protocol based on crossflow ultrafiltration, which makes the production of this enzyme easily scalable. Furthermore, we determined the kinetic parameters of the amine oxidase toward 20 differently substituted aliphatic and aromatic primary amines, and we developed a biocatalytic process for their conversion into the corresponding aldehydes. The reaction occurs in aqueous media at neutral pH in the presence of catalase, which removes the hydrogen peroxide produced during the reaction itself, contributing to the recycling of oxygen. A high conversion (>95%) was achieved within 3 h for all the tested compounds.
Biometric Identification of Taxodium spp. and Their Hybrid Progenies by Electrochemical Fingerprints
Authors: Zheng Yuhong , Wang Da , Li Xiaolong , Wang Ziyang , Zhou Qingwei , Fu Li , Yin Yunlong , Creech David
Published: October 2021

The use of electrochemical fingerprints for plant identification is an emerging application in biosensors. In this work, Taxodium ascendens, T. distichum, T. mucronatum, and 18 of their hybrid progenies were collected for this purpose. This is the first attempt to use electrochemical fingerprinting for the identification of plant hybrid progeny. Electrochemical fingerprinting in the leaves of Taxodium spp. was recorded under two conditions. The results showed that the electrochemical fingerprints of each species and progeny possessed very suitable reproducibility. These electrochemical fingerprints represent the electrochemical behavior of electrochemically active substances in leaf tissues under specific conditions. Since these species and progenies are very closely related to each other, it is challenging to identify them directly using a particular electrochemical fingerprinting. Therefore, electrochemical fingerprints measured under different conditions were used to perform pattern recognition. We can identify different species and progenies by locating the features in different pattern maps. We also performed a phylogenetic study with data from electrochemical fingerprinting. The results proved that the electrochemical classification results and the relationship between them are closely related.
Facilities Management Models, Methods and Tools
Authors: Jensen Per Anker
Published: October 2021

The starting point for this Special Issue was the book “Facilities Management Models, Methods and Tools: Research Results for Practice” [...]
Catalytic Conversion of Lignins for Valuable Chemicals
Authors: Tarabanko Valery
Published: October 2021

Modern civilization is moving from fossil sources of raw materials and, consequently, energy to renewable resources: plant raw materials and solar and wind energy [...]
In-Silico Evaluation of Anthropomorphic Measurement Variations on Electrical Cardiometry in Neonates
Authors: Healy David B. , Dempsey Eugene M. , O’Toole John M. , Schwarz Christoph E.
Published: October 2021

Non-invasive cardiac output methods such as Electrical Cardiometry (EC) are relatively novel assessment tools for neonates and they enable continuous monitoring of stroke volume (SV). An in-silico comparison of differences in EC-derived SV in relation to preset length and weight was performed. EC (ICON, Osypka Medical) was simulated using the “demo” mode for various combinations of length and weight representative of term and preterm infants. One-centimetre length error resulted in a SV-change of 1.8–3.6% (preterm) or 1.6–2.0% (term) throughout the tested weight ranges. One-hundred gram error in weight measurement resulted in a SV-change of 5.0–7.1% (preterm) or 1.5–1.8% (term) throughout the tested length ranges. Algorithms to calculate EC-derived SV incorporate anthropomorphic measurements. Therefore, inaccuracy in physical measurement can impact absolute EC measurements. This should be considered in the interpretation of previous findings and the design of future clinical studies of EC-derived cardiac parameters in neonates, particularly in the preterm cohorts where a proportional change was noted to be greatest.
Stepwise Current Increment Sintering of Silver Nanoparticle Structures
Authors: Kim Dongkeun , Hussain Arif , Lee Hee-Lak , Moon Yoon-Jae , Hwang Junyoung , Moon Seung-Jae
Published: October 2021

Owing to its unique properties, silver (Ag) in the form of nanoparticle (NP) ink promises to play a vital role in the development of printed and flexible electronics. Once printed, metal NP inks require a thermal treatment process called sintering to render them conductive. Among the various methods, electrical sintering is a highly selective and rapid sintering method. Here, we studied the electrical sintering of inkjet-printed Ag NP lines via a stepwise current increment sintering (SCIS) technique. In the SCIS technique, the supplied electric current was gradually increased in multiple steps from low electric currents to higher electric currents to avoid thermal damage to the printed Ag NP ink lines. In less than 0.15 s, a line resistivity as low as 6.8 μΩcm was obtained which was comparable with furnace sintered line resistivity of 6.13 μΩcm obtained at 250 °C in 600 s. Furthermore, a numerical model was developed for the SCIS process temperature estimation. The results enabled us to elaborate on the relationship between the Ag NP line resistivity and the process temperature under various electric currents. Under the applied SCIS technique, a stable sintering process was carried out avoiding the conductive ink line and substrate damage.
The employee's right to a fair wage that ensures a decent human existence for himself and his family: some implementation problems
Authors: Sokolenko N.N. , Khapacheva A.A.
Published: October 2021

The article is devoted to some problems of the implementation of the employee's right to timely and full payment of fair wages, ensuring a decent human existence for himself and his family. Based on the analysis of legislation and judicial practice, the authors concluded that the legal regulation of some provisions of the institution of payment is imperfect, which complicates the implementation of this right.
Remote work as home work during parental leave: problems of interpretation
Authors: Kuchina Yu. A.
Published: October 2021

The article draws attention to the ambiguity of the interpretation of the term “home work” in relation to homeworkers and remote workers: The Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation and the courts mainly do not consider it possible to regard remote work as work at home, which does not require the establishment of part-time work for the employee in order to maintain the right to receive state social insurance benefits during parental leave. The author proposes options for improving labor legislation on the subject under study
A kockázat elbizonytalanodása és a bizonytalanság növekvő kockázata a gazdasági döntésekben
Authors: Bélyácz Iván , Daubner Katalin
Published: October 2021

Tanulmányunk azt az elméleti fejlődési utat követi nyomon, amely a kockázat és bizonytalanság közgazdaságtani helyzetében végbement Knight (1921) és Keynes (1921) művének megjelenésétől egészen a legutóbbi időkig. A kiindulást a klasszikus közgazdaságtan gondolkodóinak vonatkozó megjegyzései jelentik. Ezt követi a Knight és Keynes nevéhez fűződő fordulat taglalása és a kockázatvállalás elméleti gyökereinek feltárása. A kifejtés egyik lényegi fejezete a szerzők kísérlete az „animal spirits” kockázatviselési szándékként történő újraértelmezésére. Külön fejezet szól a racionális választás és a kockázat kapcsolatáról, egy másik rész pedig a kockázat közgazdaságtani kanonizálásáról. A tanulmány további részei vizsgálják a kockázat és bizonytalanság különbségének relativizálására irányuló szándékokat, a bizonytalanság negligálását a neoklasszikus eszmerendszerben, a kockázat és bizonytalanság egybeolvasztási kísérleteit, valamint a kockázatvállalás és kockázatviselés egységének megbomlását. A szerzők végső soron arra a meggyőződésre jutnak, hogy Knight és Keynes kockázati és bizonytalansági tanai időtállónak bizonyultak.
A fedezett kötvények minősítésének gyakorlata
Authors: Mérő Katalin
Published: October 2021

A cikk azt elemzi és hasonlítja össze, hogy az európai fedezett kötvények (covered bond) minősítésében 99%-os piaci lefedettséget adó öt hitelminősítő – a Moody’s, az S&P, a Fitch, a DBRS és a Scope – gyakorlatában hogyan történik a fedezett kötvények minősítése. Ezek minősítése általában kiváló, és akár számottevően is meghaladhatja úgy a kibocsátó bank, mint a bank székhelyéül szolgáló ország minősítését. Ennek fő okát a különféle, szabályozásban rögzített védelmi vonalak jelentik, amelyeket piaci oldalról az Európai Központi Bank nagy volumenű fedezettkötvény-vásárlási programja is támogat. Kérdés azonban, hogy egy jelentős ingatlanpiaci turbulencia vagy rendszerszintű bankválság, esetleg egy szuverén válság körülményei között ezek a védelmi vonalak valóban teljes hatékonysággal bevethetőek-e, vagyis a fedezett kötvények minősítésének jelenlegi gyakorlata nem tekinthető-e túlzottan optimistának.
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF METHODS OF INTRODUCTION OF ORGANOMINERAL ADDITIVES INTO MORTARS ON FINE SANDS
Authors: Uspanova A. , Hadzhiev M. , Ismailov Z. , Basnukaev I.
Published: October 2021

the use of technogenic raw materials in the production of building composites is an urgent direction in the technology of production of building materials in view of its economic efficiency, environmental effect and wide possibilities of their application. Recently, the issues of environmental safety in the production of building materials, the possibility of their processing and disposal have come to the fore. All this is dictated by the need for energy and resource conservation, the massive depletion of natural reserves and the progres-sive pollution of the environment due to anthropogenic activities. Construction composites provide ample opportunities for recycling of secondary raw materials, as their structure allows them to be used not only as a filler, but also in some cases as additives for regulating certain properties. More studied and widely used are ash and slag mixtures on the basis of which various organomineral additives are developed. So, on the territory of the Chechen Republic there are dumps of ash and slag mixtures, which, according to their chem-ical and mineralogical composition, are suitable for the design of organomineral additives and fillers in con-struction concretes and solutions. Building solutions are widely used for interior and exterior finishing works during the construction of construction projects in the Chechen Republic, which is characterized by high humidity in the winter, which provokes deformations of the plaster layer on facades. In this article, the de-velopment of an organomineral additive based on an ash-slag mixture is considered to improve the quality of mortar mixtures resistant to such conditions.
Sediment type and breeding strategy of the Bank Swallow Riparia riparia in western Sweden
Authors: Lind Bo-Bertil , Stigh Jimmy , Larsson Lars
Published: October 2021

This paper presents an investigation of the sediment used by the Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) Riparia riparia for the construction of breeding tunnels. Grain-size distribution, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of breeding-tunnel sediment were investigated at four localities in western Sweden. The investigation shows that the Bank Swallow was consistent in using layers composed of a narrow range of fine and medium sand. Ninety percent of the investigated breeding burrows were located in fine to medium sand (0.125–0.5 mm) and 10% in coarse sand (0.5–1.0 mm). No breeding tunnels were found in sediment finer than fine sand or coarser than coarse sand. The fine to medium sand fraction has the properties to hold stable walls and keep dry tunnels even during rainy periods with heavy infiltration. The hydraulic conductivity of the sediment was in the range of 10–4 to 10–3 m/s and the bulk density 1,510–1,575 kg/m3. In Sweden, artificially excavated slopes in gravel and sand pits have long been the dominating breeding locality for the Bank Swallow. However, during the last two decades, four major factors have led to the decrease of breeding localities: (1) a decreasing demand of aggregate resources, (2) landscaping of gravel and sand pits and stabilization of eroding slopes, including river banks and shorelines, (3) a change to quarries as a source for aggregate production, and (4) concentrating gravel and sand exploitation to fewer and larger pits. It is concluded that these factors are important for the decline of the Bank Swallow population in Sweden and possibly elsewhere in Europe and North America.
Maternal and Neonatal Complications, Outcomes and Possibility of Vertical Transmission in Iranian Women with COVID-19
Authors: Heidary Zohreh , Kohandel Omid , Fathi Hanieh , Zaki-Dizaji Majid , Ghaemi Marjan , Hossein Rashidi Batool
Published: October 2021

Background: The emergence and fast spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threatens the world as a new public health crisis. Little is known about its effects during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: In this systematic review, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched focusing on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of COVID-19. Results: The initial search yielded 1236 articles, from which finally 21 unique studies, involving 151 pregnant women and 17 neonates, met the criteria. Mean ± SD age of included mothers and mean ± SD gestational age at admission were 30.6 ± 6.2 years and 30.8 ± 8.9 weeks, respectively. The common symptoms were fever, cough, fatigue, dyspnea and myalgia. The mortality rates of pregnant women and neonates were 28 out of 151 (18.5%) and 4 out of 17 (23.5%), respectively. Most of the neonates were preterm at the time of delivery. Three neonates had positive RT-PCR test on the first day after birth and three others on day two. On the average, neonate’s PCR became positive on day 4 for the first time. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of COVID-19 is crucial due to the possibility of the prenatal complications. Strict prevention strategies may reduce the risk of mother to infant transmission.
Colectomy in Ulcerative Colitis: Trends in Southern Iran in a Decade
Authors: Ghahramani Sulmaz , Paparisabet Mahsa , Sayari Mohammad , Hosseini Seyed Vahid , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran
Published: October 2021

Background: Colectomy is considered as a part of therapeutic armamentarium in ulcerative colitis. The availability of new biologic treatments might have affected the trend of using this modality. Methods: The hospital records of all tertiary centers in Shiraz, which are the main centers for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in southern Iran, were reviewed to estimate the total number of admissions for the treatment of severe UC and colectomy among patients from 2009 to 2019. In this historical cohort study, information about the current status of the patients was collected by phone calls during December 2019. Results: Totally, 111 (4%) UC patients, out of 2933 admissions, underwent colectomy. Sixty-five (54.6%) UC colectomy patients were female. The results revealed an upward trend for the ratio of the frequency of colectomies to total UC admissions (Z = 3.39, P < 0.001). Colectomy complications occurred in 44 patients (40%), and most of the patients 38 (34%) had late complications, leading to readmission. Seven patients (6.3%) had died from colectomy during the follow-up calls. Most of the dead patients underwent urgent surgery and were young. Conclusion: Despite the use of biologics during the past decade in southern Iran, there was a rising trend among the UC patients’ colectomies. The frequencies of post-operative complications and mortality was considerable, highlighting the need for refinement of UC care in this region.
Serum Expression of IL-33 and ST2 in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris
Authors: Dong Yonghua , Hu Hua , Fu Dandan , Zheng Shuting , Wang Qingqing , K C Keshav , Song Xiangfeng , Tian Zhongwei
Published: October 2021

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) is an immune-mediated skin disease of unknown mechanism. Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a member of IL-1 cytokine family and suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is the specific ligand of IL-33. It has been found that IL-33 and ST2 are increased in psoriatic lesions, but the expression levels in serum and their relationship to clinical features are still unclear. The aim of this study is to assess IL-33, ST2, IL-17 and IL-5 serum levels as well as serum concentration of blood glucose and blood lipids in PsV patients and their relationship with clinical characteristics. Methods: Sixty-eight PsV samples and 60 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum levels of IL-33, ST2, IL-17 and IL-5 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and blood glucose and blood lipid were assayed by automatic biochemical analyzer. Results: Serum levels of IL-33, ST2, IL-17 and IL-5 were increased significantly in PsV patients compared with controls (P<0.01). Cytokines were overexpressed in PsV patients during active stages compared with controls (P<0.05). Expression levels of IL-33, ST2 and IL-17 confirmed a significance in different severity groups of PsV patients (P<0.05). Serum concentration of triglyceride (TG) was also increased compared with controls (P=0.024). IL-33 levels were positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) levels (r=0.319, P=0.008). Conclusion: IL-33/ST2 could generally reflect the activity and disease severity in PsV patients, which indicates that the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PsV.
A Review of the User Fees Policy for Primary Healthcare Consultations in Botswana: Problems With Effective Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Pagiwa Vincent , Shiell Alan , Barraclough Simon , Seitio-Kgokgwe Onalenna
Published: October 2021

Background: The Government of Botswana introduced user-fees for primary healthcare consultations in 1975. The policy has remained in place since then, although the fee has remained largely unaltered despite rising inflation. Early reviews of the policy pointed to problems in its implementation, but there has been no evaluation in the past 20 years. The aim of this study was to review the policy to assess whether documented issues with its implementation have been addressed. Methods: This qualitative study involved interviews with 32 key informants: 18 policy-makers and 14 front-line revenue collectors. Data were analysed thematically using a template approach with constructs from an established organizational capacity assessment framework used as predetermined categories to guide data collection and analysis. Results: Limited administrative and management capacity has been a major hindrance to effective implementation of the policy. The lack of infrastructure for effective revenue collection led to misappropriation of funds. Lack of clear guidelines for health facilities on how to implement the policy generated interdepartmental conflicts. Study participants believed the current policy was unlikely to be cost-effective since the cost of collecting fees probably exceeded the revenue it generated. Conclusion: If the Botswana Government persists with the policy then it needs to improve organizational capacity to collect and manage revenues efficiently. However, policy thinking since the turn of the century has turned away from user-charges in healthcare as they impede the move towards universal access. It is timely therefore to consider alternative financing approaches that are more effective and a more equitable means of paying for healthcare.
Developing Framework and Strategies for Capacity Building to Apply Evidence-Informed Health Policy-Making in Iran: Mixed Methods Study of SAHSHA Project
Authors: Mahdavi Mahdi , Sajjadi Khasraghi Javad , Sajadi Haniye Sadat , Yazdizadeh Bahareh , Nikooee Sima , Ehsani-Chimeh Elham , Dargahi Hossein , Doshmangir Leila , Ghaffari Shahram , Toyserkanmanesh Reza , Majdzadeh Reza
Published: October 2021

Background: SASHA, which stands for "evidence-informed health policy-making (EIHP)" in Persian, is a national project to draw a roadmap for strengthening EIHP in Iran. As a part of SASHA, this research aimed to develop evidence-based and context-aware policy options for increasing the capacity of decision-makers to apply EIHP in Iran. Methods: This was a qualitative study, which was informed by a literature review of pull efforts’ capacity building programs. Based on the review, we developed policy options and validated them through an expert panel that involved twelve experts. Data were analyzed using a content analysis method. Results: We extracted data from 11 articles. The objectives of capacity building programs were: single-skill development, personal/professional development, and organizational development. According to these objectives, the contents and training methods of the programs vary. Capacity building programs have shown positive impacts on individual knowledge/attitudes to use EIHP. However, the impacts of programs at the organizational or the health system level remain under-researched. We followed several threads from the literature review through to the expert panel that included training the management team, instead of training managers, training for problem-solving skills, and designing tailored programs. Barriers of capacity building for EIHP regard the context of the health system (weak accountability and the widespread conflict of interest) and healthcare organizational structures (decision support systems, knowledge management infrastructures, and lack of management team). Experts suggested interventions on the barriers, particularly on resolving the conflict of interests before launching new programs. A proposed framework to increase the capacity of health policy-makers incorporates strategies at three levels: capacity building program, organizational structure, and health system context. Conclusion: To prepare the context of Iranian healthcare organizations for capacity building programs, the conflict of interests needs to be resolved, decision-makers should be made more accountable, and healthcare organizations need to provide more knowledge management infrastructures and decision support systems.
How to Realize the Benefits of Point-of-Care Testing at the General Practice: A Comparison of Four High-Income Countries
Authors: Lingervelder Deon , Koffijberg Hendrik , Emery Jon D. , Fennessy Paul , Price Christopher P. , van Marwijk Harm , Eide Torunn B. , Sandberg Sverre , Cals Jochen W.L. , Derksen Joke T.M. , Kusters Ron , IJzerman Maarten J.
Published: October 2021

Background: In some countries, such as the Netherlands and Norway, point-of-care testing (POCT) is more widely implemented in general practice compared to countries such as England and Australia. To comprehend what is necessary to realize the benefits of POCT, regarding its integration in primary care, it would be beneficial to have an overview of the structure of healthcare operations and the transactions between stakeholders (also referred to as value networks). The aim of this paper is to identify the current value networks in place applying to POCT implementation at general practices in England, Australia, Norway and the Netherlands and to compare these networks in terms of seven previously published factors that support the successful implementation, sustainability and scale-up of innovations. Methods: The value networks were described based on formal guidelines and standards published by the respective governments, organizational bodies and affiliates. The value network of each country was validated by at least two relevant stakeholders from the respective country. Results: The analysis revealed that the biggest challenge for countries with low POCT uptake was the lack of effective communication between the several organizations involved with POCT as well as the high workload for general practitioners (GPs) aiming to implement POCT. It is observed that countries with a single national authority responsible for POCT have a better uptake as they can govern the task of POCT roll-out and management and reduce the workload for GPs by assisting with set-up, quality control, training and support. Conclusion: Setting up a single national authority may be an effective step towards realizing the full benefits of POCT. Although it is possible for day-to-day operations to fall under the responsibility of the GP, this is only feasible if support and guidance are readily available to ensure that the workload associated with POCT is limited and as low as possible.
Relationship between demographic characteristics, spinal impairment, and interventional strategies in the clinical outcome of spinal cord injury patients
Authors: Dayani Mohammad Ali , Safdarian Sepideh , Rostamzadeh Ayoob
Published: October 2021

Background and aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the main causes of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), along with the relationship between SCI patients’ demographic characteristics and related treatments. Methods: In general, 608 patients suffering from TSCI and referring to Ayatollah Kashani hospital, Shahrekord in 2016-2017 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients’ demographic characteristics, level of injury, the severity of the injury, injury cause, and duration of hospitalization (DOH) were obtained according to their files and medical records. Several months after discharge, the patients were examined by a neurosurgeon, and the treatment outcome was recorded in specific checklists. Results: The mean age of the injured individuals was 34.2±16.9 years and the majority of the injured (70.2%) were males. ASIA grades E and D were also reported in 50.3% and 25% of the injured at admission, respectively. Further, grade E injury was observed in 77.1% of the injured at discharge. Medicinal, non-surgical, and surgical treatments were used for 53.8%, 25.8%, and 20.4% of patients, respectively. The levels of injury, treatment strategy, and clinical outcomes were significantly different based on the ASIA grades at admission (P<0.001, for all items). There was a significant difference among DOH (day) in terms of the level of injury, ASIA grades during admission, treatment strategy, and treatment outcomes in different individuals (P<0.001, for all items). Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between the treatment strategy, the ASIA grade, and the outcome of the treatment, it seems necessary to perform surgical or rehabilitative interventions for each person in accordance with demographic characteristics.