Special aspects of risk management of the transition to a low-carbon economy

The purpose of this work was to assess the opportunities and problems of risk management of the transition to a low-carbon economy in the current development of society. In modern conditions, sanctions against the sale of hydrocarbons, logistics violations, volatility in the oil and gas market, open up wide opportunities for the implementation of the declared “green” economy. But developed countries are faced with a situation where the use of renewable energy sources looks extremely unprofitable, European states are forced to switch to saving electricity, and in some cases governments are bound to return to previously rejected “dirty” technologies – the use of coal and brown coal. To assess the possible risks of the transition to a low-carbon economy, an empirical study was conducted among specialists of Russian and joint enterprises in the energy sector, oil production and refining industries, and the petrochemical complex. The following methods of research were used: comparative, structural and system analysis, sociological research methods (survey, conversation), methods of mathematical statistics. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that the current difficult political situation, the impact of the sanctions on economy, the decline in the standard of living of the population in many developed countries, increasing inflation lead to the fact that previously declared plans to build a “green” economy are exposed to significant risks. In this situation, the Russian Federation, despite the sanction restrictions, has great potential for a successful transition to a low-carbon economy and compliance with the declared international requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The expert survey made it possible to identify the main risks of Russia’s successful transition to a low-carbon economy. The results of the study indicate the need for further research on the risks of transition to a low-carbon economy both globally and nationally

An Application Of Machine Learning Methods To The Derivation Of Exposure-Response Curves For Respiratory Outcomes

Analyses of epidemiological studies of the association between short-term changes in air pollution and health outcomes have not sufficiently discussed the degree to which the statistical models chosen for these analyses reflect what is actually known about the true data-generating distribution. We present a method to estimate population-level ambient air pollution (NO2) exposure-health (wheeze in children with asthma) response functions that is not dependent on assumptions about the data-generating function that underlies the observed data and which focuses on a specific scientific parameter of interest (the marginal adjusted association of exposure on probability of wheeze, over a grid of possible exposure values). We show that this approach provides a more nuanced summary of the data than more typical statistical methods used in air pollution epidemiology and epidemiological studies in general

Development and Field-Testing of a Study Protocol, including a Web-Based Occupant Survey Tool, for Use in Intervention Studies of Indoor Environmental Quality

We developed and pilot-tested an overall protocol for intervention studies to evaluate the effects of indoor environmental changes in office buildings on the health symptoms and comfort of occupants. The protocol includes a web-based survey to assess the occupant's responses, as well as specific features of study design and analysis. The pilot study, carried out on two similar floors in a single building, compared two types of ventilation system filter media. With support from the building's Facilities staff, the implementation of the filter change intervention went well. While the web-based survey tool worked well also, low overall response rates (21-34percent among the three work groups included) limited our ability to evaluate the filter intervention., The total number of questionnaires returned was low even though we extended the study from eight to ten weeks. Because another simultaneous study we conducted elsewhere using the same survey had a high response rate (>70percent), we conclude that the low response here resulted from issues specific to this pilot, including unexpected restrictions by some employing agencies on communication with occupants

Cellular immune response induced by dna immunization of mice with drug resistant integrases of hiv-1 clade a offers partial protection against growth and metastatic activity of integrase-expressing adenocarcinoma cells

Funding Information: Funding: Experiments were supported by the grants of the Russian Science Fund 15-15-30039, Russian Fund for Basic Research 20-04-01034, Latvian Science Fund LZP 2018-2-03-08, and EU-ROPARTNER project “Strengthening and spreading international partnership activities of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of University of Lodz, Poland, for interdisciplinary research and innovation”. Mobility and method acquisition were supported by Swedish institute PI project 19806/2016TP, and Horizon 2020 project VACTRAIN#692293. MI and BW were supported by Horizon 2020 grant EAVI contract N68113. Funding Information: Experiments were supported by the grants of the Russian Science Fund 15-15-30039, Russian Fund for Basic Research 20-04-01034, Latvian Science Fund LZP 2018-2-03-08, and EU-ROPARTNER project ?Strengthening and spreading international partnership activities of the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of University of Lodz, Poland, for interdisciplinary research and innovation?. Mobility and method acquisition were supported by Swedish institute PI project 19806/2016TP, and Horizon 2020 project VACTRAIN#692293. MI and BW were supported by Horizon 2020 grant EAVI contract N68113. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Therapeutic DNA-vaccination against drug-resistant HIV-1 may hinder emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV-1, allowing for longer successful antiretroviral treatment (ART) up-to relief of ART. We designed DNA-vaccines against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on consensus clade A integrase (IN) resistant to raltegravir: IN_in_r1 (L74M/E92Q/V151I/N155H/G163R) or IN_in_r2 (E138K/G140S/Q148K) carrying D64V abrogating IN activity. INs, overexpressed in mammalian cells from synthetic genes, were assessed for stability, route of proteolytic degradation, and ability to induce oxidative stress. Both were found safe in immunotoxicity tests in mice, with no inherent carcinogenicity: their expression did not enhance tumorigenic or metastatic potential of adenocarcinoma 4T1 cells. DNA-immunization of mice with INs induced potent multicytokine T-cell response mainly against aa 209–239, and moderate IgG response cross-recognizing diverse IN variants. DNA-immunization with IN_in_r1 protected 60% of mice from challenge with 4Tlluc2 cells expressing non-mutated IN, while DNA-immunization with IN_in_r2 protected only 20% of mice, although tumor cells expressed IN matching the immunogen. Tumor size inversely correlated with IN-specific IFN-γ/IL-2 T-cell response. IN-expressing tumors displayed compromised metastatic activity restricted to lungs with reduced metastases size. Protective potential of IN immunogens relied on their immunogenicity for CD8+ T-cells, dependent on proteasomal processing and low level of oxidative stress.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Assessment of physicians’ and senior medical students’ knowledge in treatment of patients with community acquired pneumonia: Current results of the KNOCAP project

Introduction. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the most acute problems of bronchopulmonary pathology being the 4th in the mortality structure (after cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms) and the 1st among all fatalities from infectious diseases. Thanks to the scientific progress achieved in the antibiotic therapy and vaccine prophylaxis, the death toll has decreased four times compared to its rate during the “pre-antibiotic era“. However, nowadays there is a steadily increasing trend in the pneumonia mortality rate in Russia. The only possible way to increase efficacy of CAP treatment is timely initiated rational antibiotic therapy, considering the possible etiologies, risk factors and the severity of the patient’s condition. Materials and methods. The article represents the results of anonymous prospective surveys within the framework of the KNOCAP multi-centered research project aimed at accessing the knowledge on the fundamental issues in diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. The survey involved 222 students in their fifth- and sixth years in medical institute from Belgorod, Dnepr (Dnipro), Voronezh, Kiev (Kyiv) and Saratov and 110 physicians from Krasnodar, Saratov, Belgorod and Dnepr.Results and discussion. According to the results of the survey, such levels of correct answers were given by doctors and students, respectively: the inadmissibility of antimicrobial therapy (AMT) delay in CAP - 82% and 59%; the main criterion for withholding AMT - 56% and 37%; “sequential therapy” - 61% and 59%. At the same time, only 24% of the students and 23% of the physicians surveyed correctly reported typical mistakes in the treatment of a non-severe CAP with 50% or more accuracy; and in case of initial treatment, the number of correct responses was less than 28% for students and 45% for doctors. Conclusion. The survey showed that both senior medical students majoring in Medical Care and general practitioners had a low level of knowledge in CAP treatment. Hence, curricula need to be adjusted both in medical universities and in health institutions for practitioners in order to inform them and, thus, improve the quality of their knowledge in this field

Association of residential dampness and mold with respiratory tract infections and bronchitis: a meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dampness and mold have been shown in qualitative reviews to be associated with a variety of adverse respiratory health effects, including respiratory tract infections. Several published meta-analyses have provided quantitative summaries for some of these associations, but not for respiratory infections. Demonstrating a causal relationship between dampness-related agents, which are preventable exposures, and respiratory tract infections would suggest important new public health strategies. We report the results of quantitative meta-analyses of published studies that examined the association of dampness or mold in homes with respiratory infections and bronchitis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>For primary studies meeting eligibility criteria, we transformed reported odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) to the log scale. Both fixed and random effects models were applied to the log ORs and their variances. Most studies contained multiple estimated ORs. Models accounted for the correlation between multiple results within the studies analyzed. One set of analyses was performed with all eligible studies, and another set restricted to studies that controlled for age, gender, smoking, and socioeconomic status. Subgroups of studies were assessed to explore heterogeneity. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The resulting summary estimates of ORs from random effects models based on all studies ranged from 1.38 to 1.50, with 95% CIs excluding the null in all cases. Use of different analysis models and restricting analyses based on control of multiple confounding variables changed findings only slightly. ORs (95% CIs) from random effects models using studies adjusting for major confounding variables were, for bronchitis, 1.45 (1.32-1.59); for respiratory infections, 1.44 (1.31-1.59); for respiratory infections excluding nonspecific upper respiratory infections, 1.50 (1.32-1.70), and for respiratory infections in children or infants, 1.48 (1.33-1.65). Little effect of publication bias was evident. Estimated attributable risk proportions ranged from 8% to 20%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Residential dampness and mold are associated with substantial and statistically significant increases in both respiratory infections and bronchitis. If these associations were confirmed as causal, effective control of dampness and mold in buildings would prevent a substantial proportion of respiratory infections.</p

Assessment of physicians’ and senior medical students’ knowledge in treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia: Current results of the KNOCAP project

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the most acute problems of bronchopulmonary pathology being the 4th in the mortality structure (after cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms) and the 1st among all fatalities from infectious diseases. Thanks to the scientific progress achieved in the antibiotic therapy and vaccine prophylaxis, the death toll has decreased four times compared to its rate during the “pre-antibiotic era“. However, nowadays there is a steadily increasing trend in the pneumonia mortality rate in Russia. The only possible way to increase efficacy of CAP treatment is timely initiated rational antibiotic therapy, considering the possible etiologies, risk factors and the severity of the patient’s condition

Composite sorbent for liquidation of oil pollution

A method of effective elimination and localization of oil spills using a composite sorbent has been developed. The resulting material consists of polymer waste, mineral filler and surfactant. Due to the peculiarities of the method, the resulting sorbent allows the utilization of polymer waste and has a high oil capacity. The size of the sorbent can vary depending on the specified parameters, what simplifies storage and application

Association of residential dampness and mold with respiratory tract infections and bronchitis: a meta-analysis

Dampness and mold have been shown in qualitative reviews to be associated with a variety of adverse respiratory health effects, including respiratory tract infections. Several published meta-analyses have provided quantitative summaries for some of these associations, but not for respiratory infections. Demonstrating a causal relationship between dampness-related agents, which are preventable exposures, and respiratory tract infections would suggest important new public health strategies. We report the results of quantitative meta-analyses of published studies that examined the association of dampness or mold in homes with respiratory infections and bronchitis. For primary studies meeting eligibility criteria, we transformed reported odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) to the log scale. Both fixed and random effects models were applied to the log ORs and their variances. Most studies contained multiple estimated ORs. Models accounted for the correlation between multiple results within the studies analyzed. One set of analyses was performed with all eligible studies, and another set restricted to studies that controlled for age, gender, smoking, and socioeconomic status. Subgroups of studies were assessed to explore heterogeneity. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias. The resulting summary estimates of ORs from random effects models based on all studies ranged from 1.38 to 1.50, with 95% CIs excluding the null in all cases. Use of different analysis models and restricting analyses based on control of multiple confounding variables changed findings only slightly. ORs (95% CIs) from random effects models using studies adjusting for major confounding variables were, for bronchitis, 1.45 (1.32-1.59); for respiratory infections, 1.44 (1.31-1.59); for respiratory infections excluding nonspecific upper respiratory infections, 1.50 (1.32-1.70), and for respiratory infections in children or infants, 1.48 (1.33-1.65). Little effect of publication bias was evident. Estimated attributable risk proportions ranged from 8% to 20%. Residential dampness and mold are associated with substantial and statistically significant increases in both respiratory infections and bronchitis. If these associations were confirmed as causal, effective control of dampness and mold in buildings would prevent a substantial proportion of respiratory infections