Earliest detection to date of SARS-CoV-2 in Florida: Identification together with influenza virus on the main entry door of a university building, February 2020

In February and March, 2020, environmental surface swab samples were collected from the handle of the main entry door of a major university building in Florida, as part of a pilot surveillance project screening for influenza. Samples were taken at the end of regular classroom hours, between the dates of February 1–5 and February 19-March 4, 2020. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was isolated from the door handle on four of the 19 days sampled. Both SARS-CoV-2 and A(H1N1)pdm09 virus were detected in a sample collected on February 21, 2020. Based on sequence analysis, the Florida SARS-CoV-2 strain (designated UF-11) was identical to strains being identified in Washington state during the same time period, while the earliest similar sequences were sampled in China/Hubei between Dec 30th 2019 and Jan 5th 2020. The first human case of COVID-19 was not officially reported in Florida until March 1st. In an analysis of sequences from COVID-19 patients in this region of Florida, there was only limited evidence of subsequent dissemination of the UF-11 strain. Identical or highly similar strains, possibly related through a common transmission chain, were detected with increasing frequency in Washington state between end of February and beginning of March. Our data provide further documentation of the rapid early spread of SARS-CoV-2 and underscore the likelihood that closely related strains were cryptically circulating in multiple U.S. communities before the first “official” cases were recognized.

Earliest Detection to Date of SARS-CoV-2 in Florida: Identification Together With Influenza Virus on the Main Entry Door of a University Building, February 2020

BackgroundQuestions persist about patterns of initial dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States in early 2020.MethodsIn February and March, 2020, environmental surface swab samples were collected from the handle of the main entry door of a major university building in Florida, as part of a pilot surveillance project screening for influenza. Samples were taken at the end of regular classroom hours, between the dates of February 1-5 and February 19-March 4, 2020. ResultsInfluenza H1N1pdm09 was isolated from the door handle on four of the 19 days sampled. Both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus were detected in the sample collected on February 21, 2020. Based on sequence analysis, the Florida SARS-CoV-2 strain (designated UF-11) was identical to strains being identified in Washington state during the same time period, while the earliest similar sequences were sampled in China/Hubei between Dec 30th 2019 and Jan 5th 2020. The first human case of COVID-19 was not officially reported in Florida until March 1st. In an analysis of sequences from COVID-19 patients in this region of Florida, there was only limited evidence of subsequent dissemination of the UF-11 strain. Identical or highly similar strains, possibly related through a common transmission chain, were detected with increasing frequency in Washington state between end of February and beginning of March. ConclusionsOur data provide further documentation of the rapid early spread of SARS-CoV-2, and underscore the likelihood that closely related strains were cryptically circulating in multiple U.S. communities before the first “official” cases were recognized.

Clinical Implications of Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate with Three Different Equations among Older People. Preliminary Results of the Project “Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease among Older People across Europe (SCOPE)”

We aimed at investigating to what extent CKD may be staged interchangeably by three different eGFR equations in older people, and evaluating the source of discrepancies among equations in a population of 2257 patients older than 75 years enrolled in a multicenter observational study. eGFR was calculated by CKD-EPI, BIS and FAS equations. Statistical analysis was carried out by Bland–Altman analysis. κ statistic was used to quantify the agreement between equations in classifying CKD stages. The impact of selected variables on the difference among equations was graphically explored. The average difference between BIS and FAS was −0.24 (95% limits of agreement (95%LA = −4.64–4.14) mL/min/1.73 m2. The difference between CKD-EPI and BIS and between CKD-EPI and FAS was 8.97 (95%LA = −2.90–20.84) and 8.72 (95%LA = −2.11–19.56) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. As regards CKD stage classification, κ value was 0.47 for both CKD-EPI vs. FAS and CKD-EPI vs. BIS, while BIS and FAS had similar classificatory properties (κ = 0.90). Muscle mass was found related to the difference between CKD-EPI and BIS (R2 = 0.11) or FAS (R2 = 0.14), but not to the difference between BIS and FAS. In conclusion, CKD-EPI and BIS/FAS equations are not interchangeable to assess eGFR among older people. Muscle mass may represent a relevant source of discrepancy among eGFR equations.

The Carbon Externality of Investments Financed by China’s Development Banks: The Case of Energy Investments in Central Asia

Most Chinese overseas energy investments financed by China’s development banks flow into fossil fuel extraction and coal-fired plants. The carbon intensity of Chinese foreign energy investments imposes environmental and social costs on host states. Building on the literature related to the environmental reform of the World Bank, this article critically analyses the carbon-intensive projects backed by China’s development finance in Central Asia. It shows that China’s energy investments in the region will face increasing carbon-related regulatory risks. So far, the transition towards a more environmentally-driven development policy has been limited in China. However, the increasing importance of climate regulations in host countries is likely to induce fundamental changes to the project-screening process of China’s energy development finance.

STRATEGI PENANGANAN AGENCY PROBLEM PADA PEMBIAYAAN MUDHARABAH DI BMT

Mudharabah financing is demanded by the transparency of both parties. If one of the parties, especially customers, does not transparently communicate matters related to yield, adverse selection activities can occur and moral hazard is an asymmetric information problem that causes agency problems. Agency problems in mudharabah financing need to be sought to solve the problem so that the owners of capital (shahibul mal / principal) and business actors (mudarib / agents) both benefit in fostering and capturing business partners. This study aims to 1) find out the agency problem that arises in the mudharabah financing scheme in BMT in Jepara Regency, 2) find an effective solution strategy from agency problems in mudharabah financing in BMT in Jepara Regency. This study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection with interviews, observations and documentation. Data analysis techniques use data reduction, data displays and conclusion drawing/verification. Agency The problem that arises in the financing of Mudharobah in the Jepara Regency BMT is that it comes from BMT as an agency, that is, it has not fully utilized management, besides that it is caused by moral standards, financing aspects, technical aspects, and efficiency issues. Effective problem solving strategies of agency problems in Mudharobah financing in BMT in Jepara Regency are project screening, screening mudhorib, compliance with shahibul maal and mundharib on sharia rules in mudaraba contracts.