Risk-Assessment and Victim-Support Recommendations During the COVID-19-Related Lockdowns

This chapter covers the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on the incidence and severity of domestic abuse cases in Europe. First, the manifestation of the COVID-19 lockdown and its adverse effects on private life are described. Building upon this description, co-occurring risks factors with a high potential to initiate or intensify domestic abuse (e.g., cramped living conditions) are discussed. Responding to various calls on investigating the impact of COVID-19 on domestic abuse incidents, IMPRODOVA research on the first lockdown shows that the related concerns for various reasons are inconsistently reflected in domestic abuse-related statistics. In some IMPRODOVA partner countries, however, victimisation numbers went up, after the lockdown ended. Consequently, the complexity of detecting domestic abuse cases during lockdowns are discussed. In line with the strong concern about intensified victimisation, innovative responses by front-line professionals to detect and manage domestic violence and abuse cases are presented. Building on the beforehand presented assumptions, findings and explanations, the chapter closes by highlighting eighteen recommendations regarding risk assessment and victim support during pandemics.

Comparative Authenticity Signatures of Six Essential Oils Used as Food Flavors: a Gas chromatography - Mass Spectrometry Approach

The scientific interest in natural food flavors is growing considering concerns of the population related to food safety. Aromatic plants and their concentrated forms (essential oils and phenolic extracts) are highly considered for health benefits, mainly due to antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Meanwhile the authenticity and safety of essential oils is a strong concern. Comparative signatures of six genuine, essential oils (Thyme, Juniperus, Oregano, Tea tree, Clove and Cinnamon) was obtained by Gas chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry, using a metabolomic approach, by an updated statistical tool available online Metaboanalyst 5.0. The key-molecules of each oil were identified and the multivariate analysis combined with correlation heatmaps reflected the predictability of around 15 putative biomarkers, such as thymol and p-cymene for Thyme, α-pinene, β-myrcene and sabinene for Juniperus, carvacrol for Oregano, terpinene derivatives for Tea tree, eugenol, eugenol acetate for Clove, cinnamaldehyde for Cinnamon. Since these oils are used frequently as ingredients in food supplements and food flavors, this study offers an accurate evaluation and interpretation of the authenticity of these oils based on biomarker identification, easy to be done also from food matrices. The adulteration of similar commercial oils, of synthetic or degraded specimens is also possible using this model.

The Way to Solve the Hong Kong Problem——from the Perspective of Educational Reform

The civic education in Hong Kong schools is not only valued and successful, but also controversial. In the process of implementing “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong, especially in recent years, some new situations and new problems have emerged, a series of fierce social movements have continuously erupted, and some social and political disputes have continuously emerged. some Hong Kong students in citizens’ political participation has gradually turned out to be the object of the “street politics” endures, even turned into ‘thugs’, Hong Kong, triggered a strong concern of the whole society. In order to strive for certain demands, these students have shown themselves to the public with outrageous, fanatical and even extreme actions, which run counter to the goal and purpose of Hong Kong’s civic education and have also been suspected of crimes. Faced with the uncontrollable political fanaticism of some students, summarize the experience and lessons of civic education in Hong Kong schools, formulate corresponding programs and measures in a targeted manner, and further improve them.

Ultra-Low-Level Laser Stimulation of LU7 Lieque Promotes Breath Functionality: Could it be of help in Covid 19 Rehabilitation? - A Multiple Case Report

The burden of post COVID rehabilitation is and will be a strong concern for healthcare stakeholders. The Traditional Chinese Medicine is suggesting the application of acupuncture as a dependable tool to be inserted in the rehabilitation project. Libralux, an ultra-low-level-laser stimulator has proven its effectiveness as acupuncture stimulator. In this paper we report the respiratory cycle modifications obtained through the stimulation with Libralux of the acupoint LU7 LieQue of three healthy individuals. Modifications were observed instrumentally by means of an innovative high-resolution camera plotting the chest expansion vs. time. The results demonstrate a remarkable increase in respiration depth and in the contemporary reduction of the respiration frequency within 20 minutes from the 20 sec bilateral stimulation of LU7 LieQue acupoint. The worthiness of a specific full double-blind trial is suggested also in view of the marginal contra-indications, the rapid execution and, most of all, the great potential benefit of the inclusion of a laser acupunctural stimulation in the post COVID rehabilitation project.

Painting Creation in the Context of Contemporary Art: A Brief Discussion on the Painting Art of Marlene Dumas

Easel painting shined in modern art, however, its influence faded in contemporary art. Marlene Dumas, a contemporary artist in the field of easel painting, displays a form differentiated from modern art in her paintings. Her creations break the inherent traditional image mode; her thoughts on artistic concepts are based on the study of artistic language. She holds a strong concern for the issues of social life, and demonstrates true feelings and emotions in the paintings.

Utilitarian Commitments of Transhumanists and Their Sociopolitical Implications

Though transhumanists proclaim a bedrock commitment to personal autonomy, this commitment is undercut by evidence in their accounts of a utilitarian obligation to enhance. Their arguments invoke parallels with existing measures taken to promote the health and welfare of the public. Thereby, they reflect a current, broader tendency to extend the scope of “public health.” Their argumentative reliance on the sphere of public health manifests transhumanists’ willingness to defend their proposals on a utilitarian basis. Further, to avoid harming children-to-be, parents may be morally obliged to provide whatever bioenhancements are available when they make procreative decisions. Transhumanists’ notion that bioenhancement could be morally required, together with their utilitarian commitments, yields a strong concern that sociopolitical requirements would flow from the implementation of their agenda so as to put liberal democracy at risk. This risk has often been underappreciated by commentators across the spectrum of positions on bioenhancement.

Critical Assessment of the Effect of Atmospheric Corrosion Induced Hydrogen on Mechanical Properties of Advanced High Strength Steel

Hydrogen absorption into steel during atmospheric corrosion has been of a strong concern during last decades. It is technically important to investigate if hydrogen absorbed under atmospheric exposure conditions can significantly affect mechanical properties of steels. The present work studies changes of mechanical properties of dual phase (DP) advanced high strength steel specimens with sodium chloride deposits during corrosion in humid air using Slow Strain Rate Test (SSRT). Additional annealed specimens were used as reference in order to separate the possible effect of absorbed hydrogen from that of corrosion deterioration. Hydrogen entry was monitored in parallel experiments using hydrogen electric resistance sensor (HERS) and thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS). SSRT results showed a drop in elongation and tensile strength by 42% and 6%, respectively, in 27 days of atmospheric exposure. However, this decrease cannot be attributed to the effect of absorbed hydrogen despite the increase in hydrogen content with time of exposure. Cross-cut analysis revealed considerable pitting, which was suggested to be the main reason for the degradation of mechanical properties.

What Happened after Eusebius? Chronicles and Narrative Identities in the Fourth Century

The chronicle of Eusebius, published in 325AD, was the subject of a wide range of responses by scholars of the fourth century. If a few simply adopted his framework, others sought to reintroduce the ideas of Julius Africanus and Hippolytus, whose chronicles Eusebius had brushed aside. The chapter shows that, notwithstanding a strong concern with getting Biblical chronology right, fourth-century chronography was not a merely intellectual activity in support of Biblical exegesis. Chronographic arguments were also marshalled in the exchanges with other faiths and Christian groups. In addition, by seeking to link the astronomical cycle to historical events, chronography also contributed to making Christianity the natural religion, in that its history and its cycle of feasts came to be aligned with the rhythm of nature.

Relación entre la adicción al ejercicio, el uso de dispositivos fitness y la ansiedad rasgo (Relationship between exercise addiction, use of fitness devices and trait anxiety)

El reciente auge de la tecnología y su protagonismo en el mundo del fitness han desencadenado la publicación de libros e investigaciones científicas. Además, la reciente preocupación de muchos investigadores por la adicción al ejercicio y sus consecuencias para la salud aumentan la importancia de investigar si estas variables (tecnología, adicción al ejercicio y salud) podrían estar relacionadas de algún modo. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar si existe o no una asociación entre el uso de dispositivos fitness, la adicción al ejercicio y la ansiedad-rasgo. Para llevar a cabo el presente estudio se analizó una muestra de 102 usuarios de centros deportivos con una media de 30 años de edad, a los cuales se les proporcionó cuestionarios para evaluar el uso de las tecnologías, la adicción al ejercicio (Exercise Addiction Inventory) y el nivel de ansiedad-rasgo (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Los resultados mostraron que la mayoría de los sujetos de centros fitness empleaban tecnologías durante sus entrenamientos, siendo mayor el porcentaje de hombres que hacían uso de ellas que de hombres. También se hallaron interesantes correlaciones entre la edad y la adicción al ejercicio físico, así como entre ansiedad-rasgo y adicción al ejercicio físico. Con respecto a qué dispositivos son los más utilizados, los wearables y las apps móviles obtuvieron el mayor porcentaje. No obstante, se hacen necesarias más investigaciones experimentales con muestras más amplias que evalúen un mayor rango de variables asociadas a la salud. Abstract. Recently, the growth of technology and its prominent importance in the world of fitness have triggered the publication of several books and research papers. Moreover, there are a strong concern about exercise addiction and its health consequences among the research community. Variables such as technology, exercise addiction and health could be related with the issue. This study aims at investigating whether there is an association between the use of fitness devices, exercise addiction and trait anxiety. The investigation analyzes a simple of 102 users of fitness centers located in Zaragoza with a mean age of 30 years old. The study uses different questionnaires in order to evaluate: i) the use of technology (own questionnaire), ii) exercise addiction (Exercise Addiction Inventory) and iii) the level of trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Results indicates that most of the users use technology during their training sessions, being larger the percentage of men than women. Further, interesting associations between age and exercise addiction were found, as well as, between trait anxiety and exercise addiction. In addition, the study highlights that wearables and mobile apps are the trendy devices. Nevertheless, greater range of variables associated with health calls for more experimental studies with larger samples.

Techno-material and socio-environmental model for assessing urban sustainability

The term “sustainable development” first appeared as part of discussions regarding the capacity of natural ecosystems to support the current model of economic growth, assuming a strong concern with the preservation of the planet's environmental structures. Initially, these concerns were conceived on a global scale, but soon the need to bring the discussions to the urban locus - the impact of large human agglomerations on the territory and its natural resources - was realized. Thus, the local scale gained importance, since most of the environmental problems originate in the local urban structures and through the lifestyle that they advocate. Cities are serious consumers and degraders of the natural ecosystem, waterproofing soils, polluting the atmosphere, altering the landscape and consuming resources. Based on studies produced by French geographer Cyria Emelianoff and Brazilian economist Henri Acselrad, on the systematization of different representations and practices in urban sustainability, this research paper aims to introduce the design and development of an evaluation model able to assess the degree of sustainability using a techno-material and socio-environmental set of criteria. This model is intended to serve as a benchmark for both the formulation and evaluation of plans, projects and public policies focused on genuine sustainable development.