Energy transition or energy diversification? Assessing the complexity of energy ecosystem towards transiting a climate neutral society.

The recent shift in the global energy paradigm and the expansion of renewable energy, spurred by the global COVID-19 epidemic and as a consequence of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, require assessing the complexity of the energy ecosystem to transition to a low-carbon economy. While the most of the literature is centered on analyzing the energy sector and the transformation determined by the energy transition to renewables or investigating the need for energy diversification, there has been less attention focused to assessing the complexity of energy ecosystems toward transiting a climate neutral society, despite determinant potential of policy implications. The main aim of this study is to analyze the complexity behavior and the resilience of the Romanian energy system in the period 2015 to 2020 and to compare the complexity situations in 2015, 2016 and 2020. The study is based on the quantitative complexity management approach developed by Ontonix™ (2022) and it is carried out using the OntoSpace™ software. The results indicate higher complexity of the Romanian energy ecosystem since 2016, which highlights a higher difficulty of governing it.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Romania and the Benefits of the National Electronic Registry of Vaccinations.

BACKGROUND: Recording real-time data of vaccinations performed, vaccine stocks, and adverse events following immunization is a particularly useful activity in the effective development of any vaccination campaign or vaccination program, guiding the decisions of public health authorities. The aim of this paper is to present the benefits of the National Electronic Registry of Vaccinations in providing useful information for the optimization of healthcare vaccination policies, specifically related to COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: We performed a descriptive study using data available in the reports generated from the National Electronic Registry of Vaccinations regarding COVID-19 vaccinations performed between 27 December 2020 and 31 December 2021. RESULTS: A total of 27,980,270 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were distributed. Of these, 15,757,638 (56%) were administered in 4545 vaccination centers: 7,882,458 as the 1st dose (50%), 5,878,698 as the 2nd dose (37%), and 1,996,482 as the 3rd dose (13%). More than 25% of the total doses were administered to people over 65 years of age. A total of 41% of the population received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 4083 adverse events following immunization were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of a National Electronic Registry of Vaccinations containing accurate information on vaccinations performed in Romania offers the opportunity to obtain a clear picture of vaccination status that will significantly contribute to the optimization of vaccination strategies and programs.

Developing Sustainable Food Systems in Europe: National Policies and Stakeholder Perspectives in a Four-Country Analysis.

To address climate change, health, and food-related challenges at the international and regional level, policy makers and researchers are starting to acknowledge the importance of building and developing sustainable food systems (SFSs). This study aims to discuss the drivers of, barriers to, and policy recommendations for developing sustainable food systems in four European countries (Germany, Italy, Norway, and Romania). We used critical frame analysis to investigate national policy documents on sustainable food systems and conducted in-depth interviews with various national stakeholders representing policy makers, agrifood businesses, and civil society. The novelty of this research lies in comparing national policy approaches and stakeholders' opinions on SFS development in a multi-country analysis. These European countries have different conditions in terms of geography, socioeconomic situation, environmental performance, and sustainability orientation. Several cross-cultural differences and gaps in the existing national policies for sustainable food systems were identified, and solutions that help overcome these issues have been suggested. The first step in developing SFS should focus on interdisciplinary and trans-sectorial policy integration combined with increasing stakeholder collaboration across all sectors of the economy. We also recommend more active involvement of consumers in the food system, developing information-sharing networks, and increasing collaborations within the food supply chains.

The correlation between sleep bruxism, salivary cortisol, and psychological status in young, Caucasian healthy adults.

Objective: To analyze the association between sleep bruxism (SB), salivary cortisol, and psychological state in healthy adults.Methods: Sixty healthy students (with or without SB) were included in the study. The subjects completed a questionnaire that evaluated the presence of SB and analyzed the general and work-related psychological states and job-related frustration. Clinical examinations of TMJs and dental wear were performed. The salivary cortisol was determined using ELISA technique.Results: Subjects with SB had a general status characterized by anxiety or stress compared to subjects without SB. They also presented a work-induced depressive or anxious attitude compared to healthy individuals. The salivary cortisol levels were higher in subjects with SB and in females and were correlated with subjects' general anxiety, but not with a job-induced psychological state.Conclusion: SB is correlated with general and job-induced psychological changes. Salivary cortisol could be a non-invasive marker for the evaluation of SB severity.

Molecular characterisation of human Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26 strains: results of an outbreak investigation, Romania, February to August 2016.

IntroductionAt the beginning of 2016, an increase in paediatric haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases was observed in Romania. The microbiological investigations allowed isolation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26 as the causative agent from most cases. Methods: An enhanced national surveillance of HUS and severe diarrhoea was established across the country following the identification of the first cases and was carried out until August 2016. A total of 15 strains were isolated from 10 HUS and five diarrhoea cases. Strains were characterised by virulence markers (i.e. stx type/subtype, eae, ehxA genes), phylogroup, genetic relatedness and clonality using PCR-based assays, PFGE and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The first six strains were further characterised by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Five PCR-defined genotypes were distinguished. All strains from HUS cases harboured stx2a and eae, with or without stx1a, while strains from diarrhoea cases carried exclusively stx1a and eae genes. PFGE resolved strains into multiple pulsotypes, compatible with a certain geographic segregation of the cases, and strains were assigned to phylogroup B1 and sequence type (ST) 21. WGS confirmed the results of conventional molecular methods, brought evidence of O26:H11 serotype, and complemented the virulence profiles. Discussion/conclusion: This first description of STEC O26 strains from cases in Romania showed that the isolates belonged to a diverse population. The virulence content of most strains highlighted a high risk for severe outcome in infected patients. Improving the national surveillance strategy for STEC infections in Romania needs to be further considered.

Early findings in outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome among young children caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Romania, January to February 2016.

As at 29 February 2016, 15 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome with onset between 25 January and 22 February were reported among children between five and 38 months in Romania, and three of them died. Cases were mostly from southern Romania. Six cases tested positive for Escherichia coli O26 by serology. Fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products were among the possible common food exposures. Investigations are ongoing in Romania to control the outbreak.

[Considerations in an outbreak of viral acute gastroenteritis, Cisnadie 2009]. / Consideratii asupra unui focar de gastroenterita acuta virala, Cisnadie 2009.

Frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the whole world, viral gastroenteritis represent about 80% of infectious gastroenteritis. In non-industrialised countries it mostly affects small children,while in those industrialised it represents a significant cause of morbidity in all age groups. During 30.04--17.06.2009 we registered 315 cases of gastroenteritis in Cisnadie. All age groups were concerned, but 78.9% of cases were children less than 14 years old. We registered cases belonging to the same family. The clinical forms of the disease were mild or moderate. Identification of enteroviruses (Coxsackie A9 and non-typable EVNP) in 2 stool samples and in the water sample gathered from the residual water tank of the City Hospital in Cisnadie demonstrates the enterovirus circulation. 7 cases were confirmed with rotavirus. For the rotaviral etiology could also plead the information received from the District Hospital Sibiu concerning a series of cases diagnosed with rotaviral infection in children, during the months preceding the onset of this outbreak. Regarding the transmission of the agent we excluded a hydric outbreak, the most probable transmission being the direct one.