Protective Value Research Articles

Cumulative interpersonal risk and suicide ideation/attempts among Chinese early adolescents: Does self-esteem play a moderating role?

Suicide among adolescents is a serious global health concern. Previous research has highlighted that interpersonal factors are vital determinants of suicidality. However, little is known about the cumulative effects of interpersonal risks and the protective factors that buffer individuals from developing suicidal tendencies. The present study examined whether linear or nonlinear models best account for the relationship between cumulative interpersonal risk and suicidal ideation and attempts among early adolescents and the protective value of self-esteem in these associations. A sample of 605 seventh-grade students from in Hunan, China was tracked over a 6month interval. Measures of interpersonal risk, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-esteem were obtained from adolescents' self-reports. The findings indicated both concurrent and longitudinal linear associations between cumulative interpersonal risk and adolescent suicidal ideation. Cumulative interpersonal risk was only associated with concurrent adolescent suicide attempts, showing a nonlinear relationship. Self-esteem moderates the association between cumulative interpersonal risk and subsequent suicidal ideation. The results also showed that identifying interpersonal risk early and simultaneously reducing multiple interpersonal risks would benefit high-suicide-risk youths. Adolescents who face more than three interpersonal risks are particularly at risk for suicide attempts. Self-esteem is insufficient to counteract the cumulative impact of interpersonal risk completely. Study analyzing whether personal worth plays a moderating role in the suicidal ideation and attempts of early Chinese adolescents. While suicide among adolescents is a serious global health concern, little is known about the cumulative effects of interpersonal risks and the protective factors that buffer individuals from developing suicidal tendencies. As such, we followed 605 seventh graders over six months to investigate the combined influence of various interpersonal stressors such as low teacher support, limited classmates' support, ineffective communication with parents, and experiences of social ostracism on suicidality. In addition, we explored whether a good sense of personal worth (self-esteem) made a difference. Our findings showed that, as interpersonal risks accumulate, the likelihood of an adolescent experiencing suicidal thoughts increases. Although self-esteem offers some protection, it does not fully counteract the detrimental effects of combined interpersonal problems. In particular, when an adolescent faces three or more interpersonal stressors, the risk of suicide attempts increases. Based on our findings, we believe that interventions aimed at reducing these interpersonal risks and bolstering adolescent self-esteem could be pivotal for suicide prevention.

Design and Performance of Privacy Protection Model for Big Data Transmission Based on Mixed Encryption

With the advent of the big data era, data security and privacy protection have become particularly important. Big data has advantages such as large scale and diverse types, but it also brings risks of personal privacy leakage and data abuse. However, the symmetric or asymmetric encryption techniques alone have limitations in big data security and privacy protection. Therefore, a privacy protection model for big data transmission based on mixed encryption is proposed and experimentally validated. The research results indicated that the asymmetric encryption algorithm used had an encryption time of less than 20 ms, and the key space occupation was only 0.031 Kb to 0.063 Kb. After improving the symmetric encryption algorithm, it achieved a lower correlation of 0.16 within 18 ms and increased the number of ciphertext transformations to an average of 82 bits. In the performance verification of mixed encryption technology for 60 MB data packets, the proposed mixed encryption technology took 273.1 ms, the decryption took 254.7 ms, the correlation was as low as 0.12, and the average resistance time in resisting violent attacks exceeded 100 s. The model proposed in the study improves the encryption and decryption speed while ensuring data security, which has important practical application value and theoretical significance for data privacy protection in big data environments.

Rating as a tool for increasing the level of compliance with mandatory requirements by objects of sanitary and epidemiological control (supervision)

Introduction. The relevance of the study is determined by postulates fixed in the Concept for Improvement of Control (Supervision) Activities for the period up to 2026. It stipulates the requirement to assign a rating to each object under supervision as a tool to encourage conscientious behaviour and a mechanism that ensures easy public access to any data regarding safety of each object under control. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology and criteria for assessing objects that are subject to sanitary-epidemiological control (supervision) to assign a proper rating to them. Materials and methods. The approaches were based on statistical analysis of the results obtained by control, supervision, and prevention activities and on identifying levels of risks of harm to protected values, primarily, people’s lives and health. Results. The study presents methodical instruments used for calculating relative coefficients and corresponding scores serving as criteria for identifying a rating and calculated considering actual and potential risks of health harm. Objects are rated depending on the value of this relative coefficient (from low to high ones) and estimated per a suggested scale that allows identifying the level of their relative conformity with the law. Objects in the first scale range (the lowest coefficients and highest ratings) are considered to be the most law-abiding. Objects in the fourth range (the highest coefficients and lowest ratings) are considered to have the highest risks of health harm. The latter are the first-order priority and should attract the greatest attention of regulatory authorities. Limitations. The study has limitations as regards considering specificity of detected violations and severity of their outcomes. Conclusion. The suggested approaches to assigning ratings to both juridical persons and production facilities of the same juridical person provide information and methodical support for the requirements fixed in the valid federal legislation and prospects for the development of the public administration. The presented tools allow more flexible planning and help to the regional offices of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing to create inspection schedules in accordance with available resources so that they can soundly concentrate their efforts on the most ‘difficult’ objects even within the same risk category. Assigning a rating to an object is a way to encourage businesses to conform to mandatory requirements (for objects with low rating) and to give them an opportunity to show their socially responsible image (for objects with high rating). Assigning a rating is an instrument keeping the civil society informed and helps to make a well-grounded choice when it comes down to objects that render various services to the population.

Fish Diversity in a Little-Known Border River Between China, North Korea, and Russia, According to Traditional and eDNA Surveys

The Tumen River, which delineates the border between China, North Korea, and Russia, is a vital river in Northeast Asia. Understanding its current fish diversity holds significant scientific value for aquatic ecological protection. Therefore, traditional and eDNA sampling were conducted from 2022 to 2023. Integrating the historical literature with our field collection results reveals that the Tumen River has a total of 64 native fish species, of which 51 species have been surveyed in the wild. The fish composition is mainly dominated by cold-water species, with a high proportion of these being rare, endangered, and nationally protected. eDNA surveys are crucial complements in boundary rivers where traditional methods are not feasible. The results indicated that α diversity values were highest in the Hunchunhe River, attributed to the favorable natural geographical conditions and effective conservation efforts. Recently, the fish diversity in the Tumen River has been disrupted, primarily reflected in the absence of migratory species such as Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and Pseudaspius hakonensis. The study suggests that establishing nature reserves, preventing and controlling alien species, and strengthening international cooperation are key to protect fish diversity.

The Constitutional Foundations of the Russian State Policy in the Field of Family Protection and Traditional Family Values

The paper presents an analysis of constitutional provisions aimed at protecting the family in various periods of Russian statehood, shows the multi-vector nature of state policy in the field of family relations in the Soviet period, characterizes the family and demographic policy of the post-Soviet period, analyzes the constitutional novelties of 2020 aimed at strengthening the family and the spiritual and moral values of Russian society. An analysis of the constitutional category of «traditional family values» is carried out from the perspective of the needs of the individual, family as a social group and the importance of family for society and the state. The institution of family is considered as an intrinsic value and a basic determinant of the formation of the spiritual and moral heritage of Russian society, the preservation of the cultural identity of the Russian nation. The author provides the data from an official survey involving Russians that testifies to the attitude towards the family. The article also outlines the results of a research conducted by domestic scientists stating the unfavorable transformational processes taking place with the institution of family in the past 30 years. These include voluntary childlessness and celibacy; postponing the birth of children to later age periods; reducing the value of a family with several children; preference among young people for actual marital relations (common-law marriage) to a registered marriage. The author considers the protection of the family and family values as a task for ensuring the national security of Russia, the solution of which is aimed at preserving the all-Russian identity, sustainable development of the state, preservation of socially significant spiritual and moral values. The author substantiates the proposal on the need to form in society the idea of the importance of the family as a value in itself, which implies a responsible attitude to marriage, birth and upbringing of children, encouragement and support of a multigenerational and large family, respect for the elderly, disapproval of the rejection of the birth and upbringing of children.

Experimental Study on Fabrication of Environment-Friendly Concrete by Solidifying Aeolian Sand and Natural Gravel with Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

To tackle the shortage of river sand resources and excessive carbon emissions in building materials, environment-friendly concrete can be fabricated by solidifying aeolian sand and natural gravel with a fly ash-based geopolymer. Aeolian sand and natural gravel are accessible building materials, but their engineering applications are largely limited by their poor properties such as high mud content, large specific surface area, and discontinuous particle size distribution. To enhance the application of this environment-friendly concrete, in this paper, 48 sets of specimens with different geopolymer dosages, curing temperatures, and curing times are studied experimentally, and quite well-strengthened geopolymer aeolian sand mortar (GAM), geopolymer aeolian sand concrete (GAC), and an appropriate dosage of the geopolymer are finally obtained. The experimental results and the failure section of the mortar specimen indicate that the fly ash geopolymer can solidify the aeolian sand and ensure the integrity and compactness of the specimen. The 28-day compressive and flexural strength of the geopolymer standard sand mortar (GSM) reached 40.5 MPa and 4.3 MPa, respectively, at a curing temperature of 60 °C when the amount of alkali activator was improved to 100%, and the 28-day compressive and flexural strength of GAM reached 33.7 MPa and 4.2 MPa, respectively, when the amount of geopolymer material was 0.75 times that of aeolian sand. A lower compressive strength of GAC was obtained following the addition of aeolian sand. The experiment results can provide a reference for aeolian sand usage and have a certain social value in environmental protection.

When green energy feels cozy: The interplay of protected values, the halo effect, and demographics in consumers’ renewable energies adoption

Adopting renewable energies at the individual level is required to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and transition to a society based on green energy. This study taps into this topic by exploring why and which consumers would adopt renewable energies using two psychological approaches (i.e., protected values and the halo effect) and by looking at the role of consumers’ demographics in their willingness to pay for renewable energy. Evidence of a comfort halo effect was found for consumers with high protected values (i.e., with a moral orientation toward the environment) using two-instance repeated-measures linear regressions in an MTurk experiment: Those consumers are likely to perceive more comfort at home when they know their electricity is sourced from renewable energies. This effect does not hold for consumers who have low protected values. Consumers with high protected values were not willing to pay more for renewable energies, though. Conversely, consumers with low protected values were willing to pay a premium for non-renewable energy. Overall, consumers with high education expressed a willingness to pay more for renewable energies, but consumers with high income and younger consumers did not. This research highlights the importance of shifting from fossil fuels to a low-carbon future by stressing the role of the factors that may affect consumer decision making.

Study of aluminum corrosion in contact with biogas before and after purification on different carbons

The study of aluminium corrosion in contact with biogas before and after purification on different types of carbon aims to understand the impact of impurities present in biogas, in particular hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), on aluminium degradation. The study highlights the importance of biogas purification in minimising aluminium corrosion. Depending on the level of purification and the types of carbon used for filtering, it is possible to improve the durability of infrastructures in contact with biogas. This has direct implications for the maintenance and operating costs of facilities using biogas as an energy source. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless, flammable and highly toxic gas characterized by an unpleasant odor. It is often present in industrial and natural environments, particularly in biogas. This gas is involved in the degradation of metals used in anaerobic digestion equipment, in the petrochemical industry, etc. The aim of this work is to study the performance of biochar and activated carbon prepared from corn cobs in removing H2S from biogas, and to evaluate the reduction of the corrosive effect of filtered biogas on metallic aluminum. The impregnation and carbonization method was used to prepare activated carbon from corn cobs, and the gravimetric method to study the corrosion rate of metal in biogas. The results indicate that the activated carbon prepared is microporous, has a good specific surface and a better adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the prepared activated carbon samples also showed good H2S removal efficiency in the biogas. The aluminum-induced protective power values in filtered biogas for biochar and activated carbon are 58 % and 82.22 % respectively. We plan to increase the contact time and experiment with other metals and carbons.

Ecosystem Service Value Estimation and Ecological Security Pattern in Heilongjiang Province

To maintain ecosystem functions and ensure ecological security, estimating the value of ecosystem services and constructing an ecological security pattern are necessary. Considering the lack of systematic research on the estimation of ecosystem service value and the construction of ecological security pattern, this study extracted the ecological source based on the analysis of ecosystem service value and morphological spatial pattern. According to the natural conditions such as geographical location and altitude, land use type, landscape pattern type, elevation, slope, and normalized difference vegetation index were selected to establish the resistance surface. The minimum cumulative resistance model was used to identify potential ecological corridors, so as to construct the ecological security pattern of Heilongjiang Province, and longitudinal analysis was conducted from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that： ① The overall value of ecosystem services in Heilongjiang Province showed an upward trend （with an amplitude of 42%）, the value of hydrological regulation services accounted for the largest proportion among different service types （approximately 30%）, and the value of forest land services accounted for the largest proportion among different land use types （up to 70%）. ② Eight ecological source areas were extracted, mainly distributed around Greater Khingan Mountains, Lesser Khingan Mountains, Changbai Mountain, and Wanda Mountain, with the largest area of ecological source in Greater Khingan Mountains. ③ Twenty-eight potential ecological corridors were identified, mainly distributed in the northeastern side of the line from Heihe City to Mudanjiang City, forming densely populated areas in Qitaihe City, northern Mudanjiang City, and southern Jixi City. ④ An ecological security network pattern in Heilongjiang Province was constructed with Greater Khingan Mountains Region, Mudanjiang City, and Shuangyashan City as endpoints and Yichun City as the center, finding that the main problem faced at that time was uneven spatial distribution. The research results are helpful to formulate and establish more reasonable ecological environment protection measures and policies and can provide reference value and scientific basis for provincial ecosystem protection and optimization.

Anti –Inflammatory Activity of Propolis Trigona sp. Water Extract from North Lombok with Red Blood Cell Membrane Stability Method

Propolis is a bee product that can be used as an anti-inflammatory. Cultivation of propolis-producing bees is also carried out in North Lombok. However, propolis has not been utilized optimally by the people of North Lombok. Apart from that, testing of North Lombok propolis is still limited to the chemical content and antioxidant activity of propolis extracted with ethanol solvent. Therefore, this study aims to determine the activity and effective concentration of North Lombok propolis water extract as an anti-inflammatory using the red blood cell membrane stability method. Groups include control groups such as positive control (diclofenac sodium), negative control (distilled water), and test groups (propolis water extract concentrations of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, and 30%). In The first step human blood was centrifuged of human blood, and then part of the red blood cells (sediment) was taken and saline was added to obtain a red blood cell suspension. Next, mixing the test solution was carried out in the order of 0.5 ml of red blood cell suspension, then 0.5 ml of extract was added (0.1% w/v Na-diclofenac solution in the positive control, distilled water in the negative control), 1 mL of buffer solution and 2 mL of hyposaline solution, then homogenized. Each group was incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes, then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3000 rpm. The supernatant was taken, and the absorbance was read with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 560 nm. Next, the percentage value of red blood cell hemolysis protection was calculated. The data obtained were tested statistically using One-way ANOVA and post-hoc (LSD) tests SPSS version 29. The results showed that propolis water extract concentrations were 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, and 30% have anti-inflammatory activity because they can increase the stability of the red blood cell membrane with a percentage of hemolysis protection of respectively 57.92%, 59.99%, 60.99%, 61.99%, 64.31%, 69.59%, 75.07%, 79.77% and 84.45%. Propolis water extract concentrations of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, and 25% had anti-inflammatory effects that were not significantly different from the positive control (p>0.05). The 27.5 % and 30% concentrations had a higher percent hemolysis protection value than the positive control (p<0.05).

Effect of Pulp Chamber Access, Instrumentation, Obturation, and Restoration on the Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Canine Teeth in Dogs.

Veterinary studies documenting the effect of endodontic treatment on tooth fracture resistance are scarce. The objective of this ex vivo study was to evaluate the effects of mesial access preparation and restoration, as well as pulp chamber access, instrumentation, obturation, and restoration, on the fracture resistance and characteristics of canine teeth in dogs. Sixty-five dog canine teeth were divided into 4 groups: 1. Standard endodontic treatment through a mesial access only; 2. Treatment as per group 1, adding an incisal access, instrumentation and obturation of the pulp chamber, and restoration of the access; 3. Treatment as per group 2, without pulp chamber obturation or restoration of the incisal access; and 4. Untreated teeth. The fracture resistance and characteristics of each group were documented using axial compression testing, angled 45° disto-occlusal to the long axis of the crown. The maximum force prior to fracture in groups 1, 3, and 4 were not statistically different, demonstrating that restored mesial and incisal accesses with pulp chamber instrumentation did not statistically affect fracture resistance. However, obturated and restored group 2 teeth demonstrated decreased fracture resistance compared to all other groups (P < .001). Additionally, 26.7% of group 1 teeth sustained complicated crown fractures, while 100% of group 2 teeth fractured within the obturation or restorative materials, preventing pulp exposure in these cases. Although the cause and clinical importance of decreased tooth fracture resistance following pulp chamber obturation and restoration remains unknown, it may provide protective value for maintaining a coronal seal in the event of tooth fracture.

Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention in care for people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the major public health threats worldwide. However, little is known about antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control (IPC) in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards AMR and IPC among healthcare professionals working in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities (ID-LTCFs) in the Netherlands. Methods We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey study among medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in ID-LTCFs in the Netherlands. The survey study was carried out between July and November 2023 and consisted of validated survey items expanded with expert opinion and setting-specific items. Results In total, 109 medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in 37 long-term care organizations for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the Netherlands completed the questionnaire. Overall, knowledge levels about AMR and IPC differed between medical and nonmedical trained healthcare professionals working in ID-LCTFs, with medically trained professionals having a significant overall higher score on both topics. Knowledge regarding the perceived protective value of glove use was found to be insufficient. Moreover, healthcare professionals expressed a need for easy-to-read resources and tailored setting-specific information on AMR and IPC targeting both healthcare professionals as well as people with disabilities. Conclusions There is room for improvement regarding setting-specific IPC and hygiene policies, such as appropriate glove use in ID-LTCFs. As nonmedically trained professionals comprise most of the workforce within this setting, it is important to further tailor follow-up studies to the underlying factors that influence knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of these specific professionals within ID-LTCFs. Key messages • Developing setting and context-specific policies for infection prevention and control is crucial, particularly in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. • Inclusive policy-making is key to combating antimicrobial resistance, and improving infection prevention and control in long-term care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities.

PAM material that instantly gives ordinary fabrics excellent flame retardant and thermal insulation properties for fire rescue

To effectively reduce the damage caused by flame burns or heat transfer to the human body during fire, we used PAM aqueous solution as the matrix, XG as the thickener, HPMC as the water-retaining agent to form the basic material system, and added different functional particles (APP, PTW, HCB) to prepare a fire-proof and heat-insulating PAM flame-retardant material for fire emergency rescue. Ordinary cotton fabrics were impregnated into PAM flame-retardant materials using a simple impregnation process. After the impregnation, the test was performed in a non-dropping state (simulating the thermal protection effect of PAM flame retardant materials directly acting on the outside of the human body at the fire scene). The results show that the PAM flame retardant material prepared by adding 4 wt% HCB has the best comprehensive performance. TPP test shows that spraying PAM flame retardant material on the outside of the fabric can instantly give the fabric a higher thermal protection performance. Under the total heat flux of 84 kW/m2, the thermal performance protection value of the fabric is 2641.8 kW s/m2, and the second-degree burn time can reach 31.45 s. PAM flame retardant material does not damage the fabric. After soaping, the air permeability of the fabric decreases slightly, the moisture permeability and wettability are improved, and the breaking strength is almost unchanged. The CCT test showed that the thermal radiation flux was 50 kW/m2, the PHRR value of PAM flame retardant material was 10.64552 kW/m2, the THR was 6.9 MJ/m2, and the flame retardant performance was excellent. The PAM flame retardant material prepared in this project can be applied to the fire scene and directly sprayed on the outside of the clothing of rescuers and recipients, giving the fabric a better thermal protection effect. It can also be used to extinguish fires in the external environment. This material offers a novel solution for enhancing fire rescuers' and victims' safety protection levels.

Correlation change analysis and NDVI prediction in the Yellow River Basin of China using complex networks and GRNN-PSRLSTM.

The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is affected by various environmental factors, and its relationship with these factors is complex. In order to explore the complex relationship between NDVI and environmental factors, this paper adopts the complex network method to construct a correlation fluctuation network and analyze the interaction between them. It is found that temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, sunshine duration, and PM2.5 are all correlated with NDVI to varying degrees, and their combined correlation with NDVI varies over time. The correlation typically takes 3 to 6months to change, and it tends to persist to some extent. Moreover, we fuse a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) with a long-short-term memory (LSTM) network combining phase space reconstruction (PSR) to propose a GRNN-PSRLSTM prediction model. The model achieves the prediction of monthly NDVI using the five environmental factors of the fluctuation network. The results indicate that the averages of root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) predicted by the GRNN-PSRLSTM model in the nine provinces are 0.0232 and 0.0564 respectively. This model performs better in the assessment metrics for monthly NDVI forecasts. These findings are significant for evaluating vegetation changes and have some theoretical value for the ecological protection of the Yellow River Basin.

The perils of ‘tech for good’ lie in its politics of helping

Vexing political questions of power, inequality and coloniality permeate the tech sector and its growing use of global ‘virtual’ assembly lines that see them penetrate even refugee camps in efforts to extract value. As a response, tech companies have been expanding non-commercial activities within a presumed framework of humanitarianism, in part, trying to outweigh the negative implications of unjust business practices often characterised by third-party avoidance of responsibility. This commentary focuses on tech companies’ engagement with people in the Global South – not as recipients of tech beneficence – but as labourers who make tech possible. First, we document why companies are brought into humanitarian crises, and then we briefly chart examples of the practices of tech companies in the Global South. Then, we argue that ‘tech for good’, often presumed as altruistic, instead reproduces an expansive history of questionable corporate social responsibility efforts that sustain inequalities more than assuaging them. We conclude by reflecting on the impact of commodifying compassion for humanitarian helping and argue that tech companies should stop trying to ‘help’ through self-perceived altruistic activities. Instead, corporations should focus on remaking their core business practices in an image of justice, protection, and equal value creation, particularly in contexts characterised by vulnerability.

An Extension to the stress-buffering model: Timing of support across the lifecourse

Children and adolescents exposed to severe stressors exhibit poorer health across the lifespan. However, decades of research evaluating the Stress-Buffering model suggests that social support can attenuate stressors' negative impacts. Psychoneuroimmunology research in this area has shifted from asking whether support buffers stress to when and why support would succeed (or fail) to confer protection. This article takes a lifecourse perspective and proposes that timing of support may shape support's protective value by defining the type of protection that is provided and its operating mechanisms. Specifically, it considers three temporal scenarios: support that occurs during, after, or before stressor exposure. When support intervenes at the same developmental stage as the stressor (concurrent support), buffering effects occur wherein support prevents the development of intermediary mechanisms that reflect or increase disease risk; when support is present at a developmental stage before stressor exposure (prior support), banking effects occur such that support intervenes indirectly by fortifying the individual with resilience-promoting characteristics that in turn prevents the development of intermediary mechanisms; finally, when support arrives at a developmental stage after stressor exposure (later support), counteracting effects occur such that support offsets the impacts of intermediary mechanisms on diseases. It further posits that a match between timing of support and the linkage of interest (e.g., the stressor-mechanism path vs. the mechanism-disease path) is necessary for successful protection. The present paper discusses these postulations, reviews nascent evidence, and proposes future directions.

Evidence-based recommendation of threshold values for protection against adverse health effects of aircraft noise

For communities around airports, the German Aircraft Noise Protection Act (FluLaermG) defines two noise protection zones (NPZ) for the daytime (6am - 10pm) and one for the night-time (10pm - 6am). Threshold values of aircraft noise exposure demarcate these zones. For residential properties within the NPZ, the FluLaermG regulates building restrictions and the eligibility for reimbursement of noise insulation, which, regarding the daytime, are stricter for NPZ day 1 than for NPZ day 2. On behalf of the Aircraft Noise Commission, Frankfurt, an expert opinion was prepared to evaluate the threshold values for airport regions in the FluLaermG from the perspective of noise effect research. For this, a threshold value system (TVS) for demarcation of the protection zones was developed based on results of a systematic literature review on health effects of aircraft noise. This contribution provides an overview of key results of the review underlying the TVS and outlines the rationale for the system. The proposed compelling threshold values for avoiding unacceptable health effects of aircraft noise for civil airport regions are 56 dB LAeq,day (NPZ day 1), 51 dB LAeq,day (NPZ day 2), and 44 dB LAeq,night (NPZ night).

Activity-based protein profiling guided new target identification of quinazoline derivatives for expediting bactericide discovery: Activity-based protein profiling derived new target discovery of antibacterial quinazolines

IntroductionThe looming antibiotic-resistance problem has imposed an enormous crisis on global public health and agricultural development. Even worse, the evolution and widespread distribution of antibiotic-resistance elements in bacterial pathogens have made the resurgence of diseases that were once easily treatable deadly again. The development of antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action is urgently required. ObjectivesInspired by charming activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology and increasing attention to quinazolines in the development of antibacterial agents, this study engineered a series of new quinazoline derivatives, assessed their antibacterial profiles, and first identified the possible target. MethodsThe target identification and their possible binding sites were verified by ABPP technology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations. The fatty acid synthesis process was analyzed by gas chromatography, propidium iodide staining, and scanning electron microscopy. The physicochemical properties and fungicide-likeness were evaluated using the Fungicide Physicochemical-properties Analysis Database. ResultsCompound 7a, an acrylamide-functionalized quinazoline derivative, exhibited excellent antibacterial potency against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae with an EC50 value of 13.20 µM. More importantly, ABPP technology showed that β-ketoacyl-ACP-synthase Ⅱ (FabF) was the first identified quinazolines’ potential target. Compound 7a could selectively bind to the Cys151 residue of FabF through covalent interaction, suppress fatty acid biosynthesis, and damage the cell membrane integrity, thereby killing the bacteria. The pot experiment results showed that compound 7a demonstrated protective and curative values of 49.55 % and 47.46 %, surpassing controls bismerthiazol and thiodiazole copper. Finally, compound 7a exhibited low toxicity towards non-target organisms. These unprecedented performances contributed to excavating new quinazoline-based bactericidal agents. ConclusionOur research highlights the superiority of ABPP technology, for the first time, identifies the target of engineered quinazolines in pathogenic bacteria, and their potential target fished by ABPP tools holds great promise for the development of quinazoline-based and/or FabF-targeted bactericides.

Cumulative Health Risk from Exposure Load (CHREL): Looking at multi-chemical exposures through the lens of biomonitoring guidance values

Exposure load (EL) is an indicator of multiple chemical exposures based on human biomonitoring data. We used EL methodology and human biomonitoring health-based guidance values (HB2GVs) as exposure thresholds to create a new metric called Cumulative Health Risk from Exposure Load (CHREL). HB2GVs are derived by calculating the concentration of a biomarker consistent with a health protective exposure guidance value. CHREL analysis was conducted using Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) cycle 3 and 4 biomonitoring data. Based on 18 chemicals, more than half of the Canadian population had an estimated CHRELTOTAL of 1 or more, indicative of chemical exposures potentially above selected exposure guidance values. Females had a significantly lower CHRELTOTAL compared to males, 12–19 year olds had a lower CHRELTOTAL compared to older age groups (significant compared to 40–59 year olds), and nonsmokers had a significantly lower CHRELTOTAL than smokers. Small segments of the population had a CHRELLIVER or a CHRELNERV of 1 or more, indicating exposures potentially above guideline levels for chemicals affecting the liver or nervous system. CHRELCANC was calculated based on 6 chemicals with HB2GVs derived for cancer endpoints. At the 10−5 risk level, most people had an estimated CHRELCANC of 3, indicative of multiple chemicals that may exceed negligible cancer risk. The most important contributors to exposures above HB2GVs were inorganic arsenic, mercury, acrylamide, xylenes, benzene and triclosan. Keeping certain assumptions, uncertainties and limitations in mind, the CHREL indicator can be used to obtain a picture of potential cumulative health risks from combined chemical exposures in a population, and as a comparative measure between subpopulations, including vulnerable subgroups.

Shaping Young Minds: The Influence of Environmental Factors on Students Attitude

The study focused on how the environment influences primary school children's attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors. It looked at factors like family, school, and community settings, as well as physical characteristics such as climate. The study aimed to understand students' environmental attitudes and determine the impact on their feelings and behaviors, while also promoting knowledge and values for environmental protection. The study was descriptive, targeting primary school students in Lodhran district. A sample of 325 students was selected using random sampling. A 35-item questionnaire was used, and data was collected through self-effort. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was ensured through pilot testing and experts’ opinions. The data was analyzed using frequency, mean score, percentage, and standard deviation. Overall, the study concluded that creating welcoming, supportive, and interactive environment in various settings was essential for fostering positive attitudes and self-confidence in primary school children. This study recommends that school heads and teachers should create a conducive learning environment to promote students' behaviors essential for their future lives.