Years In Region Research Articles

Hepatitis A Virus Strains Circulating in the Campania Region (2015–2018) Assessed through Bivalve Biomonitoring and Environmental Surveillance

The genetic diversity of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) circulating in the Campania Region in years 2015–2018 was investigated through the monitoring of sentinel bivalve shellfish and water matrices. Overall, 463 water samples (71 sewage samples, 353 coastal discharge waters, and 39 seawaters samples), and 746 bivalve shellfish samples were analyzed. Positivity for HAV was detected in 20/71 sewage samples, 14/353 coastal discharge waters, 5/39 seawaters, and 102/746 bivalve shellfish. Sixty-one of the positive samples were successfully sequenced and were characterized as genotype IA (n = 50) and IB (n = 11). The prevalent strain circulating in 2015 in both bivalves and waters was the IA strain responsible for the outbreak occurring around the same time in the Naples area. This variant was no longer identified in subsequent years (2017–2018) when, instead, appeared two of the IA variants of the multistate outbreak affecting men who have sex with men (MSM), VRD_521_2016, and RIVM-HAV16–090, with the former prevailing in both shellfish and water environments. HAV IB isolates were detected over the years in shellfish and in water matrices, but not in clinical samples, suggesting that this genotype had been circulating silently. An integrated surveillance system (environment/food/clinical cases) can be a useful tool to monitor changes in viral variants in the population, as well as an early warning system.

Cost of avoided carbon: Optimizing power supply in southern India

Southern India houses over 49% of the total renewable energy capacity in India. This paper analyses the power supply situation in this region for year 2018 to evaluate the impact of renewable energy policies on energy costs and the resulting cost of avoided carbon. An optimisation model is built using GAMS. Model results show that the cost of absorbing renewable energy due to the “must run” policy for solar and wind energy plants ranges from $1.9/tCO2 to $4.5/tCO2 across states in the region, over and above the carbon tax of $5/tCO2 levied on all electricity consumers in India through the coal cess. ‘Must run’ status implies that the evacuation of power from solar and wind power plants should not be curtailed for factors other than grid or equipment safety. The total additional cost due this policy ranges from $200 to $350 million/year. Inter-regional transfer of renewable energy after meeting the mandated renewable purchase obligations in the region, is suggested as one possible route to reduce the financial burden on distribution utilities. This would reduce the unit cost of energy by about 1–7% across the states. Validating the model results against actual data for the year 2018 suggests that regulatory constraints and policy interventions have reduced the solution space for reasonable cost-based optimisation in Southern India.

Lipid disorders in blue-collar workers in Lubelskie region

IntroductionLipid disorders are the most important risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). For clinical practice and assessment of patient`s cardiovascular risk the most relevant is to determine plasma concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). Blue-collar workers are a group of patients with higher estimated cardiovascular risk than other workers groups.The aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to asses prevalence of lipid disorders in blue-collar workers from Lubelskie region.Material and methodsThe method of this paper was to perform a retrospective analysis of data provided by the National Health Fund. The study population enclosed patients aged 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 included in the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program held in Primary Healthcare (PH) setting on the area of Lubelskie region in years 2008-2018. Patients analyzed were blue-collar workers. The chi-square test was used to test the relationship between the two qualitative features and the Pearson linear correlation between the quantitative features. The analyzes were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 program (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). The significance level was assumed to be α = 0,05.ResultsIn 26 226 patients hyperlipidemia was observed in 65,6% and LDL cholesterol levels higher than 115 mg/dl in 52,8% of patients. The mean total cholesterol serum concentration was 203,8 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol - 120,1 mg/dl and median triglycerides concentration – 101,0 mg/dl.ConclusionsHyperlipidemia was a common problem in blue-collar workers in Lubelskie region in years 2008-2018. Intense prophylactic actions are needed to reduce cardiovascular risk of this group of population.

Działania operacyjne Wydziału II Wojewódzkiego Urzędu Spraw Wewnętrznych w Pile w zakresie kontrwywiadowczego zabezpieczenia jednostek wojskowych na podległym terenie w 1988 r.

The article introduces the methodology and workflows, which were used at the end of the 1980s by the Second Division of the communistic Security Service (SB) of the WUSW (Voivodship Office of Internal Affairs in Piła). The Department was responsible for the intelligence protection and security of military facilities in the Pila province. The reader has the opportunity to learn about the scope of activities and methods used by the Second Department on the basis of a secret document entitled: „Assessment of the intelligence threats for the Pila region in year 1988”. The document was prepared on December 15, 1988 by the Head of Second Department WUSW in Piła, cpt. Henryk Wołoszyński, in order to report to her supervisor, Deputy Chief of the Social Security Department for the Security Service in Piła, lt. col. Stanisław Zając. This document is currently stored in the archive of the Institute of National Remembrance (pol. IPN) in Poznań.

Low river survival of juvenile steelhead in the Sacramento River watershed

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are a species of conservation concern in California’s Sacramento River, and their poor status is hypothesized to be due in significant part to poor survival in freshwater. We used acoustic telemetry to examine the migratory survival of hatchery reared steelhead smolts through five contiguous regions of the Sacramento River and its estuary (upper river, lower river, delta, north bays, central San Francisco Bay) from 2006 to 2011. We consistently observed the highest losses in the upper river with only 20.5%, 33.7%, 43.3%, 21.3%, and 29.0% of the tagged population successfully passing through the 210-km region in years one through five respectively. Average migratory success was similar among the other regions with reduced rates of loss in the lower river (139.5-km, 8.4% ± 4.2), delta (99-km, 7.9% ± 3.4), and Estuary (69.5-km, 6.8% ± 2.9). The average survival through the Sacramento River to the Pacific Ocean across all five years was 5.6% ±3.6 SE. In the first study year we observed tagged steelhead responding to an increase in river discharge. Sixty-seven percent of all steelhead that successfully migrated to the entrance to the Pacific Ocean began their migration during an increased discharge event. A similar pattern was observed in years two, four and five (77.8%, 77.8%, and 84%). Steelhead survival rates to the Pacific Ocean were highest in year five of the study (9.3% in January and 8.0% in December) when the largest discharges in the Sacramento River were observed (2200 m3 s−1).

Primary hydatid cyst of the axilla presenting as axillary abscess

Background: Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by a parasitic infestation by a tapeworm, Echinococcus, most commonly involving the liver and lungs. Subcutaneous site involvement is rare and has been reported in 1.6% of cases till date. Case presentation: We present a 45-year-old male with a swelling in the right axillary region for years with a recent increase in size and association with fever and pain. The patient was diagnosed as hydatid cyst intraoperatively treated with complete surgical excision and standard medical therapy with an anthelmintic drug, albendazole. Conclusion: Hydatid cyst should be considered as a differential diagnosis in subcutaneous cysts to avoid rupture, subsequent anaphylactic reactions, and recurrence.

US Arctic policymaking under Trump and Obama

AbstractThough presidential personality and preferences heavily influence US Arctic policy, climate change and the perceived threat to US interests posed by rising international engagement in the north among great powers such as Russia and China are increasingly impacting US policy in the region. Recognising that these trends are likely to persist into the future, it is important to understand the US Arctic policymaking apparatus, how geopolitical and environmental factors affect the creation and implementation of such policies through the presidency and how the resulting presidential policies may impact US leadership in the region for years to come. Consequently, this article examines how the distinct styles and preferences of Presidents Obama and Trump interact with growing climate change and defence challenges in the region within the US Arctic policymaking process. We illustrate this interaction through examples at both domestic and international policy levels and then place it in the larger context of the differing presidential approaches to institutionalisation when setting policy. Ultimately, we conclude that not only do presidential priorities regarding climate change, rising international engagement, and institutionalisation critically influence Arctic policymaking, but how a future president views these issues will heavily impact the direction of policies affecting the region.

THE SULTAN, PARTI RAKYAT BRUNEI, AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN NORTH KALIMANTAN AFFAIR 1962-1963

Brunei Revolution in 1962 despite of its small scale is an important event which lead to an international conflict occurred in the region in years next. As its international historical context, the issue about who is the most responsible for triggering it remain in debate. The Sultan of Brunei is one of untouchable party who can be also viewed from this perspective. His reluctance and unresponsive attitude; decision to seize the people's democracy; and arrogance in Malaysia's case, left all interested parties gaining momentum to pressure him to decide. The Brunei People Party (PRB) became one of the parties who tried to do it, with its often-neglected aspirations for national independence, supported by the people, sympathetic neighbours, and left-leaning nations at the time. This failed rebellion also resemble a symbol of relatively untouchable people of monarch which absent from historical critics regarding its powerful position in the modern politics.

Diversification of the Social Development of Podkarpackie Province Communes

Summary Subject and purpose of work: The aim of the research was to determine the diversity of social development of all communes in the Podkarpackie province in two research periods of 2003 and 2013. Materials and methods: All functions such as LHDI were tested. The variant was used to group communes in the variant, comparing the Hellwig’s Taxonomic Development Meter based on the results analysis. Selection of own diagnostics was done in a natural way using TMR measures. Results: There is a positive decline in the number of communes in the lowest class by two units. At the same time, the number of four of two socially most developed groups decreased, and the number of communes with an average development level for growth. Communes that have maintained the position of socially the strongest in the region for years are: Krosno and Boguchwała. The largest increase over the analyzed years was recorded in Rzeszów, Trzebownisko, Przemyśl and Ostrów communes. Conclusions: The indicator analysis shows that the province is developing. This development is very diverse in a particular society in the Podkarpacie region, central and north-west.

A study in the Abruzzo region on the presence of Paenibacillus larvae spores in honeys indicated underestimation of American foulbrood prevalence in Italy

American foulbrood (AFB) of Apis mellifera, caused by the bacterial spore former Paenibacillus larvae, is a notifiable disease in Italy and its spread is prevented by burning hives with clinical symptoms. Official epidemiological data indicate a very low number of annual outbreaks in the country, therefore this investigation was carried out to evaluate whether notification to the veterinary authority is omitted, so that AFB transmission from infected apiaries is not prevented. Presence and number of P. larvae spores were analyzed in 122 honey samples, each from a different apiary, collected in the Abruzzo region in years 2014 and 2015. P. larvae spores were found in 40% of the samples and the spore numbers allowed to infer a prevalence of AFB of at least 22.7% among beekeepers, indicating the necessity to improve the surveillance system. Spore numbers were significantly different for honeys produced in different environmental contexts and with varying management practices, suggesting to elucidate the causal relationship between those factors and the presence of P. larvae spores.

Analysis of the Icing Accretion Performance of Conductors and Its Normalized Characterization Method of Icing Degree for Various Ice Types in Natural Environments

Icing degree in the severe icing regions for years is an important factor considered in the anti-icing design of transmission lines. However, there is currently no normalized characterization method for the icing degree of transmission lines, which can be used to record the severity of icing at icing areas over the years and guide the design of transmission lines. This study analyzes collision efficiency of water droplets with various diameters of conductors and investigates the ice accretion law of transmission lines with various diameters under four natural ice types. Therefore, the normalized method of standard ice thickness instead of various ice morphologies is creatively used to characterize icing degree of transmission lines and a lot of field tests which have been done at six natural ice observation stations have verified the effective of the method. The results have shown that: The diameters of conductor and the droplet significantly affect collision efficiency; the relation of standard ice thickness with diameter of conductors for four typical ice types complied with the law of power function. The results can provide important references for the design and external insulation selection of transmission lines in ice region.

Spatiotemporal variations in the distribution of round herring eggs in the East China and Japan Seas during 1997–2013

Spawning stock biomass (SSB) and environmental factors, such as water temperature, can affect the size and location of spawning grounds of small pelagic fishes. We examined the effects of SSB, water temperature, and day length on the probability of egg presence of the round herring Etrumeus teres to clarify spatiotemporal variation in its spawning grounds in the Tsushima Warm Current region off the west coast of Japan. Egg presence probability (EPP) was estimated from monthly egg surveys and annual stock assessments from 1997 to 2013. Our results indicated that EPP was positively correlated with sea surface temperature (SST), and increased between 12 and approximately 17 °C, where it became constant, and then decreased when SST exceeded 24 °C. From February to June, locations of the main spawning grounds gradually shifted northeast from the waters off western Kyushu to the Japan Sea as the areas with water temperatures suitable for successful egg development (≥17 °C) expanded. However, few eggs were observed during the season when day length shortened daily, even when SST was suitable. The main spawning grounds expanded more towards northern waters in warmer years than in cooler years. In addition, EPP was positively correlated with SSB, which resulted in an expansion of the spawning grounds into coastal regions in years with high SSB. These results indicate that spawning of the round herring responds to seasonal changes in SST and day length, and interannual fluctuations in SST and SSB in the Tsushima Warm Current region.

Universal newborn hearing screening in the Lazio region, Italy

BackgroundThe introduction of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) programs has drastically contributed to the early diagnosis of hearing loss in children, allowing prompt intervention with significant results on speech and language development in affected children. UNHS in the Lazio region has been initially deliberated in 2012; however, the program has been performed on a universal basis only from 2015. The aim of this retrospective study is to present and discuss the preliminary results of the UNHS program in the Lazio region for the year 2016, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the program.MethodsData from screening facilities in the Lazio region for year 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Data for Level I centers were supplied by the Lazio regional offices; data for Level II and III centers were provided by units that participated to the study.ResultsDuring 2016, a total of 44,805 babies were born in the Lazio region. First stage screening was performed on 41,821 children in 37 different birth centers, with a coverage rate of 93.3%. Of these, 38.977 (93.2%) obtained a “pass” response; children with a “refer” result in at least one ear were 2844 (6.8%). Data from Level II facilities are incomplete due to missing reporting, one of the key issues in Lazio UNHS. Third stage evaluation was performed on 365 children in the three level III centers of the region, allowing identification of 70 children with unilateral (40%) or bilateral (60%) hearing loss, with a prevalence of 1.6/1000.ConclusionsThe analysis of 2016 UNHS in the Lazio region allowed identification of several strengths and weaknesses of the initial phase of the program. The strengths include a correct spread and monitoring of UNHS among Level I facilities, with an adequate coverage rate, and the proper execution of audiological monitoring and diagnosis among Level III facilities. Weakness, instead, mainly consisted in lack of an efficient and automated central process for collecting, monitoring and reporting of data and information.

Estimation of biogenic VOC emissions and its impact on ozone formation over the Yangtze River Delta region, China

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play an important role in the formation of tropospheric ozone. In the present work, biogenic emissions over the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region for year 2014 were developed based on the interpretation of remote sensing image and MODIS data using the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN). Impact of BVOCs emissions over the YRD region on ozone formation was investigated based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Community Multi-scale Air Quality (CMAQ) modeling system for July 2014. Two parallel scenarios-with and without BVOCs emissions-were developed to evaluate the influence of BVOCs emission on ozone formation. Biogenic emissions were estimated to be 18.86 × 105 ton yr−1 over the YRD region for year 2014, with higher emissions in the southern YRD region than the northern region, and higher emissions in summer than other seasons. Model evaluation showed fairly good model performances, with the index of agreement (IOA) of meteorological parameters and ozone concentrations of 0.80–0.95 and 0.76–0.91, respectively. Ozone concentrations mainly concentrated in the northwest, which is the downwind of the YRD region in summer. Impact of biogenic emissions on ozone formation exhibited a strong spatial pattern: high contributions were observed in the middle YRD region, including Bengbu, Tongling, Hefei, Huzhou, Nanjing and Zhenjiang, with the maximum hourly ozone contribution of 18.43–36.18μg/m3 during July 18 to 23. Ozone concentrations in rural areas would be more likely to be influenced by BVOCs emissions than urban areas.

Daily Prediction of Electricity Rates of Distribution Utilities in Luzon

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to develop a best model that will forecast the electricity rates of distribution utilities in Luzon. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The secondary data of price, demand and supply of electricity of distribution utilities per region in Luzon from January 2015 to March 2017 that was used in the study were gathered from MERALCO that were obtained from the official website of Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The data were analysed by the use of statistical software such as EViews7 and MATLAB. Findings: The data were analyzed by the use of statistical software such as EViews7 and MATLAB. The models used for forecasting the participants’ electric demand is ARIMA (1, 1, 1) for CAR, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4B and Region 5. The models for forecasting the supply of electricity are: ARIMA (2, 1, 2) for CAR, ARIMA (3, 1, 1) for NCR and Region 1, ARIMA (3, 1, 2) for Region 2, ARIMA (1, 1, 1) for Region 3 and ARIMA (2, 1, 1) for Region 4A and Region 5. The forecasted demand of electricity of distribution utilities in every region for years 2017-2019 will continue to increase. The forecasted electric supply of distribution utilities in every region for years 2017-2019 will go through an increase and decrease from time to time but still trending upwards. Additionally, it was also shown that there were no significant differences between the actual and forecasted values. Application/Improvements: Using the model electricity demand and supply rates of distribution utilities in Luzon were forecasted for the next two years. Keywords: ARIMA Modeling, Demand and Supply, Electricity Rates, Forecasting, Luzon

The "Peaceful Conquest" of Lake Kopaïs: Modern Water Management and Environment in Greece

In the 1880s, a company was formed in France for the purpose of draining Lake Kopaïs—a large, natural lake in Central Greece. This was the largest water management project yet undertaken in the country, made possible by recent advances in engineering and technology, and it ushered in a century of similarly ambitious projects. Draining the lake fundamentally altered the environment of the region, but it did not create new agricultural land out of wasteland as the project's backers maintained; instead, it transformed one type of productive land into another type, and the resulting dislocations were felt in the region for years to come. As revealed in the records of the French company and the British company that succeeded it, as well as in contemporary news reports, legal documents, and government records, this transformation created conflicts between those who sought to protect their traditional land use rights and those who sought to use the land for capitalist agriculture. These conflicts lasted for decades, and they were fought in parliament, in the courtroom, and occasionally in the countryside with violence.

The Use of Indicator Species and Ecological Degradation Model for Condition Assessment in Turkey

Monitoring of vegetation change is essential to detect good management practices for the sustainable use of natural rangeland resources. An understanding of how the existing species in vegetation react to management methods is important for decision makers. For this reason, the vegetation changes should be determined by suitable techniques. The multivariate analysis as Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Principal Components Analysis was highly examined and its results were easily interpreted to draw conclusions. A relatively homogenous data set first, a matrix of 221 species and 44 sample sites in the province of Yozgat in the Central Anatolia Region in year 2010, was used by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). The effects of environmental variation was minimized by this method (DCA) so that the major pattern of vegetation composition change was explained by grazing impact. Principal components analysis was performed to detect the distribution of sites along the first axis, and the distance off the x-axis. Fifteen species out of the promising 89 plant species were found to be indicators. These indicator species should be benefited for the vegetation change status and sustainable rangeland management under semiarid rangeland conditions. The fifteen plant species and bare ground showed clear responses along the first axis (grazing impact gradient), and became abundant over certain ranges of this axis.

Encouraging Cooperation Across HFES Student Chapters in The Southeast Region: A Panel Discussion

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society has long worked with its student chapters to provide resources for students and professionals of all levels. However, differences in resources across universities mean that some students have little to no access to certain resources that other universities have available, such as faculty expertise, specialized research experience, and specific skill development workshops. As such, a growing number of student chapter leaders around the Southeastern U.S. have proposed to create the first regional student division of HFES, called Southeast HFES, or SEHFES. With support from the national organization and regional chapters, SEHFES will allow students to collaborate across universities and access previously unavailable resources. This interactive alternative format presentation will bring together student chapter leaders and audience members to discuss how SEHFES can develop and serve the southeast region for years to come.

Evaluation of pharmacists' educational and counselling impact on patients' clinical outcomes in a diabetic setting

Background: Nigeria had the highest number of people living with diabetes mellitus in the African region in year 2013. Previous researchers have found that patients with knowledge of their diseases including their treatment methods have a high likelihood to succeed in managing the disease conditions. Many pharmaceutical care programmes which have been successfully applied in various countries to enhance clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life are not very common in Nigeria. Objective: This study was to evaluate pharmacist's educational and counselling impact on diabetic patients' outcomes in a diabetic setting. Materials and Methods: The 4-month randomised controlled study involved 150 elderly Type 2 diabetic patients. Sociodemographic and clinical parameters were measured. We educated and counselled the 75 patients in our intervention group at least four times during the study period, but the control group was deprived of the pharmacist's intervention. Results: Female to male participants was in the ratio of 9:6 and 9:5 in both control and intervention groups, respectively. Majority (>40%) of the patients in both groups had primary education. Baseline and 4-month mean fasting blood sugar in the control group was 162.2 ± 69.1 and 159.9 ± 57.2, respectively (P = 0.825), whereas the intervention group had 156.7 ± 30.5 and 131.8 ± 40.4, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure in both groups was 146.4 ± 13.9 and 133.8 ± 18.5 (P < 0.001), respectively. Adherence levels to medication taking in both groups were 42.7%:94.7%, respectively (P = 0.001). Conclusion: This study encourages the inclusion of clinical pharmacists into multidisciplinary healthcare groups in hospital and clinic settings as well as incorporation of this type of intervention into diabetic management programmes for optimal patients' outcomes.

Does increased standardisation in health care mean less responsiveness towards individual patients' expectations? A register-based study in Swedish primary care.

Objective:We explore whether standardisation in health care based on evidence on group level and a public health perspective is in conflict with responsiveness towards individual patient’s expectations in Swedish primary care.Methods:Using regression analysis, we study the association between patient views about providers’ responsiveness and indicators reflecting provider’s adherence to evidence-based guidelines, controlled for characteristics related to providers, including patient mix and degree of competition facing providers. Data were taken from two Swedish regions in years 2012 and 2013.Results:Patients’ views about responsiveness are positively correlated with variables reflecting provider’s adherence to evidence-based guidelines regarding treatment of elderly and risk groups, drug reviews and prescription of antibiotics. A high overall illness, private ownership and a high proportion of all visits being with a doctor are positively associated with patient views about responsiveness. The opposite relation was found for a high social deprivation among enrolled individuals and size of practice. There was no systematic variation with respect to the degree of competition facing providers.Conclusion:Results suggest that responsiveness towards individual patient expectations is compatible with increased standardisation in health care. This is encouraging for health care providers as they are challenged to balance increased demands from both patients and payers.