Sanitary conditions diagnosis in vulnerable communities in the City of Recife and its influence on Covid-19 cases

The Covid-19 pandemic calls into question deficiencies in current public policies and infrastructure of basic services to the population in large urban centers. From health systems, environmental sanitation and social protection, particularly for the low-income population, this opens the debate of the values and priorities at different scales. The research study area are subnormal settlements located in the neighborhoods of Pina and Brasília Teimosa in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. The aim was to assess the sanitary conditions in ZEIS, by conducting semi-structured interviews and assessing secondary data. Among the interviewees, only 56.3% said they had sanitary sewage collection and another 74.4% (n=1041) had access to water supply by Compesa, showing a significant deficit in the provision of basic services. With the pandemic, the necessary production of detailed empirical field data from the perspective of the peripheries faces great scientific challenges. Ensuring access to ideal sanitary conditions is a right for all and is related in an integrated way to multiple SDGs of the 2030 agenda. Demanding safe, adequate and affordable housing, and inclusive and sustainable urbanization, with capacity for planning and management of participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlements.

The Peculiar Chemical Pattern of the WASP-160 Binary System: Signatures of Planetary Formation and Evolution?

Wide binary stars with similar components hosting planets provide a favorable opportunity for exploring the star–planet chemical connection. We perform a detailed characterization of the solar-type stars in the WASP-160 binary system. No planet has been reported yet around WASP-160A, while WASP-160B is known to host a transiting Saturn-mass planet, WASP-160B b. For this planet, we also derive updated properties from both literature and new observations. Furthermore, using TESS photometry, we constrain the presence of transiting planets around WASP-160A and additional ones around WASP-160B. The stellar characterization includes, for the first time, the computation of high-precision differential atmospheric and chemical abundances of 25 elements based on high-quality Gemini-GRACES spectra. Our analysis reveals evidence of a correlation between the differential abundances and the condensation temperatures of the elements. In particular, we find both a small but significant deficit of volatiles and an enhancement of refractory elements in WASP-160B relative to WASP-160A. After WASP-94, this is the second stellar pair among the shortlist of planet-hosting binaries showing this kind of peculiar chemical pattern. Although we discuss several plausible planet formation and evolution scenarios for WASP-160A and B that could explain the observed chemical pattern, none of them can be conclusively accepted or rejected. Future high-precision photometric and spectroscopic follow-up, as well as high-contrast imaging observations, of WASP-160A and B might provide further constraints on the real origin of the detected chemical differences.

Pathogenetic therapy of vascular-platelet hemostasis disorders in canine acute spontaneous babesiosis

The article presents the results of a study of the vascular-platelet hemostasis disorders processes in complications of canine acute spontaneous babesiosis, as well as a clinical trial of plasma substitute infusion for the purpose of identified disorders pathogenetic therapy. It was found that acute spontaneous Babesiosis is accompanied by complications in the form of subcompensated shock and a thrombogenic link of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC). This determines the potential risk of complications with a cautious prognosis. The basis for the diagnosis of complications is the establishment of the following changes: a significant deficit in the volume of circulating blood (a decrease in the hematocrit value, the volume of circulating plasma, the volume of circulating red blood cells, the specific volume of circulating blood), as well as significant changes in the functioning of the vascular-platelet link of hemostasis – thrombocytopenia against the background of an increase in the spontaneous aggregation ability of platelets and red blood cells, an increase in the wetting index of the vascular wall, which determines the thrombogenic state, and pronounced thrombocytopenia indicates the consumption of these shaped elements in blood clots. The described changes indicate the development of subcompensated shock and the thrombogenic component of DIC syndrome. Given the prognostic danger of established complications, there is a need for pathogenetic therapy of severe conditions. Infusions of plasma substitute solutions have been proposed to eliminate shock phenomena and the thrombogenic state of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. A clinical trial of intravenous administration of Rheosorbylact solution and a mixture of Rheosorbylact with Dipyridamole was conducted in a comparative aspect. It is shown that a mixture of Rheosorbylact 100 ml and Dipyridamole solution 0.5 % 4 ml in the form of infusions at a dose of 5 ml/kg of animal body weight per day for 3 days can bring hemodynamic parameters and parameters of vascular-platelet hemostasis to physiological ones within 48 hours compared to an infusion of Rheosorbylact solution in its pure form. The synergy of the crystalloid solution of Rheosorbylact and the disaggregating vasodilator Dipyridamole enhances the disaggregating effect of both drugs, and the crystalloid solution itself is able to restore the lost volume of circulating blood.

Execution of the state budget of Ukraine in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

The article analyzes the state of formation and efficiency of the State Budget of Ukraine. It has been established that budget expenditures exceed revenues and as a result, the budget has been formed over the last decade with a significant deficit, and the existence of a deficit leads to a movement in the "debt spiral". To implement the budget the Government is forced to borrow additional funds and attract them on acceptable terms, which has become increasingly difficult. Failure to receive the funds leads to late spending. The analysis of expenditures of the State Budget of Ukraine according to the functional classification is carried out, which testified to the main priorities of the state in modern conditions. Given Russia's aggression in the east of the country, it is logically justified to increase security and defense spending. However, it is advisable to review social expenditures, which are quite large in size and do not improve the quality of social services, on the contrary, restrain economic growth, the country's transition to an innovative model of development. In order to increase the efficiency of budget execution, the validity of macro indicators, it is advisable to introduce medium-term budget planning. Budget expenditures must be justified and balanced in order to achieve the most effective results of budget programs and the goals of the budget system of Ukraine. The study identified systemic shortcomings in the State Budget of Ukraine, which are repeated from year to year, as well as those that characterize the special year 2020 associated with the pandemic COVID-19. Emphasis is placed on the functioning of the domestic system of public financial control and its importance in reducing the volume of budget violations, the effectiveness of budget execution, promoting better functioning of the financial and budgetary system, ensuring sustainable dynamics of socio-economic development of the country.

Shoulder Isokinetic Strength Deficit in Patients with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS) is an impairing painful condition. Patients usually report upper-limb pain, weakness and paresthesia. Shoulder weakness is frequently reported but has never been described with objective strength evaluation. We aimed to compare isokinetic shoulder strength between patients with NTOS and healthy controls. Patients and controls were prospectively evaluated with an isokinetic strength test at 60 and 180°/s, and an endurance test (30 repetitions at 180°/s) of the shoulder rotators. Patients were functionally assessed with QuickDASH questionnaires. One hundred patients and one hundred healthy subjects were included. Seventy-one percent of patients with NTOS were females with a mean age of 39.4 ± 9.6. They were compared to controls, 73% females and the mean age of 38.8 ± 9.8. Patients’ mean QuickDASH was 58.3 ± 13.9. Concerning the peak of strength at 60°/s, the symptomatic limbs of patients with NTOS had significantly 21% and 29% less strength than the control limbs for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). At 180°/s, the symptomatic limbs had significantly 23% and 20% less strength than the controls for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). The symptomatic limbs had significantly 45% and 30% less endurance than the controls for medial and lateral rotators, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). These deficits were correlated to the QuickDASH. Patients with NTOS presented a significant deficit of strength and endurance of the shoulder rotators correlated to disability. This highlights the interest in upper-limb strength evaluation in the diagnostic process and the follow-up of NTOS.

Emotion Processing Deficit in Euthymic Bipolar Disorder: A Potential Endophenotype

Background: Emotion processing deficits have been described in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and are considered one of the core cognitive abnormalities in BD with endophenotype potential. However, the literature on specific impairments in emotion processing cognitive strategies (directive/cortical/higher versus intuitive/limbic/lower) in euthymic adult BD patients and healthy first-degree relatives/high-risk (HR) subjects in comparison with healthy controls (HCs) is sparse. Methods: We examined facial emotion recognition deficits (FERD) in BD ( N = 30), HR ( N = 21), and HC ( N = 30) matched for age (years), years of education, and sex using computer-administered face emotions–Matching And Labeling Task (eMALT). Results: The three groups were significantly different based on labeling accuracy scores for fear and anger (FA) (P < 0.001) and sad and disgust (SD) (P < 0.001). On post-hoc analysis, HR subjects exhibited a significant deficit in the labeling accuracy of FA facial emotions (P < 0.001) compared to HC. The BD group was found to have significant differences in all FA (P = 0.004) and SD (P = 0.003) emotion matching as well as FA (P = 0.001) and SD (P < 0.001) emotion labeling accuracy scores. Conclusions: BD in remission exhibits FERD in general, whereas specific labeling deficits of fear and anger emotions, indicating impaired directive higher order aspect of emotion processing, were demonstrated in HR subjects. This appears to be a potential endophenotype. These deficits could underlie the pathogenesis in BD, with possible frontolimbic circuitry impairment. They may have potential implications in functional recovery and prognosis of BD.

The Myth of Equal Opportunity in Germany? Wage Inequality and the Role of (Non-)academic Family Background for Differences in Capital Endowments and Returns on the Labour Market

While providing equal opportunities to all members of society independent of an individual’s socio-economic background is a major objective of German policy makers, educational opportunities of children with a non-academic family background are still unequally obstructed. When analysing the labour market implications of this disadvantage, social capital as an additional source of inequality often lacks attention. Drawing on the instrumental value of rather loose contacts (i.e. weak ties) on the labour market as revealed by Granovetter (Getting a job. A study of contacts and careers, The University of Chicago Press, Cambridge, 1974), this paper goes beyond the human capital approach and includes a measure of instrumental social capital in the form of weak-tie career support in the earnings function. Applying an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition and quantile regressions, we find a significant average wage gap between those with and without an academic family background. A large part can be explained by deficits that those from less educated families incur with respect to human and instrumental social capital: Lower educational attainment accounts for more than half of the wage gap between the two groups while fewer career support explains around five percent of the differential. Additionally, a non-academic family background is associated with a significant deficit in returns to their instrumental social capital along the wage distribution. The findings therefore suggest that inequalities of opportunity on the German labour market occur beyond the education system, as not only the quantity but also the quality of career supporting networks of those from a non-academic family are inferior.

Social skills and behavioral problems in 3- to 5-year-old schoolchildren

Social skills and behavior were evaluated in children 3 to 5 years of age. The research was carried out at the “TIWINZA” Basic Education School, located in Buena Fe canton, Los Ríos province. The abilities of 16 children were studied through surveys of their parents or legal representatives, and for this purpose the proposed survey was used. 87% and 75% of the children were located within a medium level of cooperation, interaction and social independence. Regarding social skills, 75% of the children were between the medium and significant deficit levels. 62.5%, 56.3%, and 37.5 did not present problems of social isolation, anxiety / complaints, or selfish or egocentric behavior, respectively, and only one student showed a significant problem. Finally, 56% of children express their emotions easily. These findings indicate that most of the children studied did not present significant behavioral problems.

Intra- and interbreed genetic heterogeneity and divergence in four commercial pig breeds based on microsatellite markers

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of attention paid to the genetic health of domesticated animals and its relationship with the level of inbreeding and genetic diversity. At the same time, insufficient attention is still paid to the study of intrabreed genetic diversity and intrabreed stratification. The main goal of our work was to analyze the intra- and interbreed genetic diversity of commercial pig breeds on the basis of DNA microsatellite (MS-DNA) polymorphism. In total, the work used data for 3,308 pigs, which represented 11 herds. The animals belonged to four commercial pig breeds – Duroc (DR), Yorkshire (YR), Landrace (LN) and Large White (LW). 12 microsatellite loci recommended by ISAG-FAO and arranged in one multiplex panel (S0101, S0155, S0228, S0355, S0386, SW24, SW240, SW72, SW857, SW911, SW936, SW951) were used as DNA markers. When analyzing the intra- and interbreed variability of 11 herds, we found that all studied breeds significantly differed in terms of the proportion of both rare and the most common alleles. At the same time, the noted differences were determined, first of all, by the variability between individual herds within their breed. The location of herd centroids is random and is not consistent with their breed affiliation at all. When individuals belonging to the same breed are combined, the centroids of pig breeds in the space of first two axes from a Principal Coordinate Analysis form two clusters. The first one contains the only red pig breed (DR) used in the analysis, while the second one contains white pig breeds. In six pig herds the Ne estimates were below 50 inds., in two herds they were in the range of 50–100 inds., and finally in three herds the Ne estimates exceeded 100 inds. The analysis of the genetic variability of pigs of four commercial breeds showed that the high level of interbreed differences is caused, first of all, by the high variability among pig herds within each studied breed. Such intrabreed stratification can be formed due to the manifestation of many causes: different genetic basis of the founders of intrabreed genealogical groups, geographical isolation, different directions of selection within individual herds, exchange of animals between separate herds, the use of inbreeding in the practice of selection together with isolation, etc. Important consequences of intrabreed stratification are an increase in the level of interherd diversity (which is not lower than the level of interbreed diversity) against the background of a decrease in variability within individual herds, as well as a significant deficit of heterozygotes and an increase in the role of negative genetic and demographic processes. Thus, the existence of genetic heterogeneity within commercial pig breeds should be considered as an essential element in the history of their formation and breeding.

Insights From the Virtual Team Science: Rapid Deployment During COVID-19

Objective To provide insights for organizations that must rapidly deploy teams to remote work. Background Modern situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are rapidly accelerating the need for organizations to move employee teams to virtual environments, sometimes with little to no opportunities to prepare for the transition. It is likely that organizations will continually have to adapt to evolving conditions in the future. Method This review synthesizes the literature from several sources on best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for virtual teams. Information from each article deemed relevant was then extracted and de-identified. Over 64 best practices were independently and blindly coded for relevancy for the swift deployment of virtual teams. Results As a result of this review, tips for virtual teams undergoing rapid transition to remote work were developed. These tips are organized at the organization, team, and individual levels. They are further categorized under six overarching themes: norm setting, performance monitoring, leadership, supportive mechanisms, communication, and flexibility. Conclusion There is a significant deficit in the literature for best practices for virtual teams for the purposes of rapid deployment, leaving it to organizations to subjectively determine what advice to adhere to. This manuscript synthesizes relevant practices and provides insights into effective virtual team rapid deployment.