Performance Assessment of a Solar Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump in a Mountain Site

Abstract Systems based on the integrated use of multiple renewable energy sources, such as “Solar Assisted Geothermal Heat Pumps” (SAGHPs), seem to increase efficiency and overcome limits of the use of traditional heat pump systems. In this work, a \SAGHP\ providing energy for heating and \DHW\ of a newly built restaurant in an Alpine ski park was analyzed through transient simulations with TRNSYS®, following the collection of information about the system component, the operation and the weather conditions of the mountain site. The annual energy balance allowed different system operation modes to be compared

Phylogenetic Analysis of isolates from new cases of HBV infection in Southern Italy.

The level of endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in Italy is low and genotype D infections predominant. New HBV strains may however be introduced as a result of movements of people from regions of high endemicity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether strains from new cases of acute hepatitis B detected in southern Italy were due to endemic or new HBV strains. We studied 34 isolates from patients with acute hepatitis B infection, and 35 from chronic hepatitis B patients. A phylogenetic analysis of preS/S region was done by comparing the sequences from the acute and chronic cases with references sequences. The study showed that 44% of strain from acute hepatitis B patients were of genotype A, 53% of genotype D, and 3% of genotype E. The molecular analysis of isolates from acute hepatitis B patients from Sicily showed a change in the local epidemiology of this infection, with an increase in HBV/A infections and a clustering effect for HBV D2, possibly correlated to immigration. The introduction of new genotypes , could have an effect on HBV-correlated diseases due to the different association between genotype, liver disease and response to antiviral therapy

What the hell are you doing? A PRISMA systematic review of psychosocial precursors of slut-shaming in adolescents and young adults

Slut-shaming is a form of discrimination against those who violate gender stereotypes, independent of that person's gender identity or sexual orientation or sexual behaviour and appearance. Slut-shaming is a sexual stigmatisation perpetrated both by women and men through rumours, criticism and ostracism and it has severe negative effects both on self-identity and interpersonal relations. This review focuses on psychosocial factors associated with vulnerability to slut-shaming exposure and was carried out using the new Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Articles were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases. After having initially considered 585 articles, 19 studies were selected for this research. A qualitative analysis was conducted on selected studies, focusing on psychosocial variables associated with slut-shaming. Gender norms and sexual double standards were identified as meaningful precursor variables of slut-shaming exposure. Moreover, gender differences were highlighted: female adolescents, young women and LGBTQI+ individuals seem more likely to be at risk of slut-shaming exposure and seem to suffer more severe negative consequences. Certain pivotal recommendations have been made in order to prevent and avoid slut-shaming, and these include developing social interventions , fostering gender awareness as a protective factor and making informed decisions within a clinical context

Pathways of Self-Determination: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study of Slut-shaming Vulnerability in a Group of Young Adults

Slut-shaming is a sexual stigmatization that consists in a form of discrimination against those who do not respect gender stereotypes of external appearance and/ or sexual behaviors and attitudes. Individuals may also be exposed to slut-shaming merely due to fortuitous elements unrelated to the sexual dimension. Slut-sham ing is perpetrated through ostracism, rejection and sexual stigmatization and may have negative efects on psychophysical well-being. The primary aim of the pre sent study is to explore the victimization of young adults through slut-shaming. A sample of thirty-six participants (aged 19–28) was recruited and focus groups and interviews were conducted to explore participants’ slut-shaming experiences. Con structivist grounded theory was employed to understand how young adults deal with slut-shaming and analyze sociocultural factors involved in slut-shaming dynamics. Several individual, social and cultural factors are involved in sexual stigmatization processes. A core set of 6 categories related to slut-shaming exposure was identifed: exposure to slut-shaming, antecedents of slut-shaming, socio-cultural context facili tating slut-shaming, LGBTQIA+and slut-shaming, negative efects of slut-sham ing, and reactions to slut-shaming. Results emphasized that, even if young adults showed a generally high level of awareness of sexual discrimination and stigmati zation processes, slut-shaming victimization is not uniformly experienced by them. Young adults’ narratives seem to show conficting feelings and thoughts regarding the possible strategies that could be employed to deal with slut-shaming exposure and pervasive internal and external forms of oppression

Viral Sequence Analysis of Occult HBV Infection and Its Reactivation in Immunosuppressed Patients

Mechanisms associated with reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with occult HBV infection (OBI) remain unclear. In some cases immunosuppression is an enhancer of viral replication. However not all patients with OBI who undergo immunosuppression experience reactivation. This study explore the role of viral heterogeneity as a determinant of occult HBV reactivation. HBV genotype, mutation patterns and quasispecies were assessed by sequencing the PreS/S region of 16 patients with OBI undergoing chemotherapy, 3 of whom experienced a OBI reactivation. The latter were also assessed at the time of reactivation. Phylogenetic analysis identified low nucleotide and amino acid diversity rates. There were no differences in the viral quasispecies, or common mutation patterns, detected between patients who underwent reactivation of OBI, and those who did not. Furthermore, upon reactivation, the quasispecies evolved towards a loss of most of the variants present during the initial OBI stage, probably the fittest version of the virus. The genetic variability of HBV alone did not account for the transition from occult to overt infection, which appears to be governed principally by the host’s immune response