A measurement strategy to address disparities across household energy burdens

Energy inequity is an issue of increasing urgency. Few policy-relevant datasets evaluate the energy burden of typical American households. Here, we develop a framework using Net Energy Analysis and household socioeconomic data to measure systematic energy inequity among critical groups that need policy attention. We find substantial instances of energy poverty in the United States – 16% of households experience energy poverty as presently defined as spending more than 6% of household income on energy expenditures. More than 5.2 million households above the Federal Poverty Line face energy poverty, disproportionately burdening Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities. For solar, wind, and energy efficiency to address socioeconomic mobility, programs must reduce energy expenditures by expanding eligibility requirements for support and access to improved conservation measures, efficiency upgrades, and distributed renewables. We recommend the United States develop a more inclusive federal energy poverty categorization that increases assistance for household energy costs.

Clinical features of 375 COVID-19 cases imported from Russia through the Suifenhe port and countermeasures

Background and objectives At present, the focus of the fighting against COVID-19 in China is shifting to strictly prevent the entrance of cases from abroad and disease transmission. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to better understand the clinical features of imported cases from overseas countries, which is conductive to formulate the corresponding countermeasures. This study aimed to describe the clinical features of COVID-19 cases imported from Russia through the Suifenhe port, in order to identify baseline and clinical data associated with disease progression and present corresponding countermeasures. Methods All COVID-19 cases imported from Russia through the Suifenhe port were included in this retrospective study. According to the “Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (seventh edition)”, imported COVID-19 cases were divided into asymptomatic infection, mild, moderate, severe, and critical groups. Baseline and clinical data, including age, gender, comorbidities, disease severity, symptoms at onset, body temperature, white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte (LYMPH) count, lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygenation index (OI), and the use therapeutic modalities were obtained on admission, and then compared between groups. Results A total of 375 COVID-19 cases imported from Russia through Suifenhe port were included, of whom the asymptomatic infection, mild, moderate, severe, and critical groups accounted for 4.0%, 13.9%, 75.5%, 5.3%, and 1.3%, respectively. The majority of the imported COVID-19 cases were men (61.9%) with a median age of 38.72 years who had no comorbidity (87.7%). Nearly one-third of them (33.1%) were asymptomatic at onset, and common initial symptoms included fever (36.5%), cough (36.0%), pharyngeal discomfort (12.3%), expectoration (8.0%), and chest tightness (5.3%). In total, 180 (48%) and 4 (1.1%) enrolled imported cases received nasal tube oxygen inhalation therapy and high-flow oxygen absorption, respectively; the remaining patients did not undergo oxygen therapy. The values of age, body temperature, WBC, LYMPH, LYM%, CRP, and OI were 38.72 ± 10.50, 35.10 ± 7.92, 5.59 ± 1.97, 1.67 ± 0.68, 31.05 ± 10.22, 8.00 ± 14.75, and 389.03 ± 74.07, respectively. Gender, age, LYMPH, LYM%, symptoms at onset, cough, fever, other rare symptoms, and oxygen therapy showed significant differences between groups (P = 0.036, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, = 0.045, < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Compared with domestic confirmed patients, COVID-19 patients who arrived at China from Russia through the Suifenhe port had significantly different clinical features, and the differences in gender, age, LYMPH, LYM%, symptoms at onset, cough, fever, other rare symptoms, and oxygen therapy between groups were statistically significant. Therefore, detailed and comprehensive countermeasures were developed to manage and prevent another outbreak based on these clinical features.

sTREM-1 Predicts Disease Severity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: Involvement of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes and MMP-8 Activity

Uncontrolled inflammatory responses play a critical role in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In this context, because the triggering-receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is considered an intrinsic amplifier of inflammatory signals, this study investigated the role of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) as a biomarker of the severity and mortality of COVID-19. Based on their clinical scores, we enrolled COVID-19 positive patients (n = 237) classified into mild, moderate, severe, and critical groups. Clinical data and patient characteristics were obtained from medical records, and their plasma inflammatory mediator profiles were evaluated with immunoassays. Plasma levels of sTREM-1 were significantly higher among patients with severe disease compared to all other groups. Additionally, levels of sTREM-1 showed a significant positive correlation with other inflammatory parameters, such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, and neutrophil counts, and a significant negative correlation was observed with lymphocyte counts. Most interestingly, sTREM-1 was found to be a strong predictive biomarker of the severity of COVID-19 and was related to the worst outcome and death. Systemic levels of sTREM-1 were significantly correlated with the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-8, which can release TREM-1 from the surface of peripheral blood cells. Our findings indicated that quantification of sTREM-1 could be used as a predictive tool for disease outcome, thus improving the timing of clinical and pharmacological interventions in patients with COVID-19.

Stationary Boltzmann equation: an approach via Morse theory

In this paper we study the unidimensional Stationary Boltzmann Equation by an approach via Morse theory. We define a functional J whose critical points coincide with the solutions of the Stationary Boltzmann Equation. By the calculation of Morse index of J’’0(0)h and the critical groups C2(J, 0) and C2(J, ∞) we prove that J has two different critical points u1 and u2 different from 0, that is, solutions of Boltzmann Equation.

Study of the Epidemiology and Use of Condoms in Vulnerable Women Referring to Damage Reduction Centers in Shiraz During 2015-2016

Background and aims: Female sex workers (FSWs) play an essential role in the transmission of HIV and are considered critical groups compared to the public groups of society and their customers. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the status of sexual intercourse among prostitutes in Shiraz in 2015-2016. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 162 prostitutes referred to Shiraz transitional damage reduction centers and the information was gathered through a checklist. Results: The results showed that the mean age at the first vaginal intercourse was 16.57±3.65. In 62.3% of people, the main reason for prostitution was the need for money to help the family. It was also found that 39.5% of prostitutes had anal sex, and more than 95% of them did not use condoms during sex. There was also a statistically significant relationship (P<0.01) between the age of sexual intercourse and education level. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that prostitutes initiated the first sexual intercourse at a very young age, and increase in the education level postponed the first sexual intercourse. Otherwise stated, the first sexual intercourse can be delayed by increasing the level of education.

Comparison of CT Severity Index and Modified CT Severity Index in the Clinical Severity Assessment of Acute Pancreatitis

Objective: To compare the computed tomography severity index (CTSI) and the modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) in the clinical severity assessment of acute pancreatitis.Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised acute pancreatitis patients who underwent contrastenhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans within 4 weeks after clinical onset. Two experienced abdominal radiologists, blinded to the clinical outcome, independently reviewed the CT images and retrospectively scored them using CTSI and MCTSI. Any discrepancies were resolved by a consensus review. The clinical severity assessment of each participant was categorized by the determinant-based classification of acute pancreatitis severity. The correlations of CTSI and MCTSI with the clinical severity assessment were analyzed.Results: This cohort study consisted of 40 participants—28 of them were men (70.0%)—with a mean age of 59.3 years. They were clinically divided into mild, moderate, severe, and critical groups comprising 11 (27.5%), 16 (40.0%), 7 (17.5%), and 6 (15.0%) participants, respectively. Due to the small number of patients in the severe and critical groups, we combined these into a single severe category (13 patients, 32.5%). The CTSI and MCTSI scores showed moderate and fair agreement with the clinical severity assessment. A trend linking poor clinical outcome with high CTSI/MCTSI scores (moderate and severe groups) more commonly than low scores (mild group) was observed. There was a very strong agreement between CTSI and MCTSI (rs =0.97).Conclusion: CTSI and MCTSI showed a moderate and fair agreement, respectively, with the clinical severity assessment. Compared to low scores, a poor clinical outcome was more often associated with high CTSI/MCTSI scores.

Feminism and the ecosystem catastrophe: Feeling alternative futures

This article builds an ecofeminist lens from community efforts as a form of feeling alternative futures in Hawaii, with broader application for elsewhere. Women and children are critical groups on the front lines of climate-related crises, including food and housing insecurity, and the fight for environmental justice. Drawing upon personal experience, in this article, I highlight several grassroots projects that I have been connected to on the island of Oahu in Hawaii that exemplify community-based efforts to conceptualize, build and feel sustainable alternative futures. In the face of compounding human existential crises, it is women’s grassroots community organizing, Indigenous knowledges and traditional Hawaiian practices that are leading the way to sustainable food production, community building, and resurgent Hawaiian sovereignty. Through practical community-engaged experience, and learning from these communities, we can feel ecofeminist alternative futures and enact sustainable practices that challenge the current climate emergency.

Almost disarmed: Politics and violence in the final years of the Argentine organization Montoneros (1979–1983)

In this article, I analyze the debates, declarations, and silences surrounding the issue of violence during the final years of the Argentine insurgent group Montoneros (1979–1983). I examine the official documents and bulletins written while the group was in exile, as well as the statements and publications of dissident groups (the Peronismo Montonero Auténtico of 1979 and the Montoneros 17 de Octubre of 1980) and other critical groups (the Agrupación Eva Perón of 1980). From a political theory perspective, I will focus on the specificity of this space of belonging, its symbols, its representations, and its actions. In this study, I intend to (a) shed light on the final stage of the Montoneros organization, which, with few exceptions, has not been subjected to historiographical or sociological analysis, or studied by political science and (b) contribute to a deeper understanding of the dissolution processes undergone by armed insurgent groups in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s.

PINC: Pickup Non-Critical Node Based k-Connectivity Restoration in Wireless Sensor Networks

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is connected if a communication path exists among each pair of sensor nodes (motes). Maintaining reliable connectivity in WSNs is a complicated task, since any failure in the nodes can cause the data transmission paths to break. In a k-connected WSN, the connectivity survives after failure in any k-1 nodes; hence, preserving the k-connectivity ensures that the WSN can permit k-1 node failures without wasting the connectivity. Higher k values will increase the reliability of a WSN against node failures. We propose a simple and efficient algorithm (PINC) to accomplish movement-based k-connectivity restoration that divides the nodes into the critical, which are the nodes whose failure reduces k, and non-critical groups. The PINC algorithm pickups and moves the non-critical nodes when a critical node stops working. This algorithm moves a non-critical node with minimum movement cost to the position of the failed mote. The measurements obtained from the testbed of real IRIS motes and Kobuki robots, along with extensive simulations, revealed that the PINC restores the k-connectivity by generating optimum movements faster than its competitors.

Triggers of Delays in International Projects Using Engineering Procurement and Construction Delivery Methods in the Belt and Road Initiative: Case Study of a High-Speed Railway Projects

Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been put in practice by the Chinese government, several High-Speed Railways (HSR) have been built by Chinese Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) firms. However, many delays have created severe detrimental consequences on the progress of most HSR projects. This study sought to explore the essence of the recurring triggers of delays in international EPC HSR projects under the BRI, and a structured questionnaire survey approach was applied to compile the first-hand dataset from Chinese EPC firms working for BRI infrastructure projects. The data were evaluated, and the Relative Importance Index (RII) was adopted to assess the magnitude of the important delay triggers. The findings suggest that HSR projects are still susceptible to unavoidable delays in global construction infrastructure projects. In the engineering phase, improper management of the design, unsustainable land acquisition, and insufficient use of EPC joint venture are the salient trigger of delays. In the procurement phase, the leading causes of unsuitable procurement, undervalued procurement cost, inefficient logistics in labor and materials, improper planning, unqualified site supervisors, inefficient technical standard management, and inefficient constant payment terms are likely to trigger delays in the construction phase HSR projects. Five critical groups of delay factors are identified by this study, which has an essential primary contribution to the body of knowledge and is helpful to EPC contractors working for HSR projects under BRI.