bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventions to address the mental health of adolescents and young adults living with or affected by HIV: state of the evidence
Authors: Bhana Arvin , Kreniske Philip , Pather Ariana , Abas Melanie Amna , Mellins Claude A
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) remain vulnerable to HIV‐infection and significant co‐morbid mental health challenges that are barriers to treatment and prevention efforts. Globally millions of AYA are living with HIV (AYALH) and/or have been affected by HIV in their families (AYAAH), with studies highlighting the need for mental health programmes. With no current guidelines for delivering mental health interventions for AYALH or AYAAH, a scoping review was undertaken to explore current evidence‐based mental health interventions for AYALH and AYAAH to inform future work.

Methods

The review, targeting work between 2014 and 2020, initially included studies of evidence‐based mental health interventions for AYALH and AYAAH, ages 10 to 24 years, that used traditional mental health treatments. Given the few studies identified, we expanded our search to include psychosocial interventions that had mental health study outcomes.

Results and discussion

We identified 13 studies, seven focused on AYALH, five on AYAAH, and one on both. Most studies took place in sub‐Saharan Africa. Depression was targeted in eight studies with the remainder focused on a range of emotional and behavioural symptoms. Few studies used evidence‐based approaches such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; psychosocial approaches included mental health treatments, group‐based and family strengthening interventions, economic empowerment combined with family strengthening, group‐based mindfulness and community interventions. Eleven studies were randomized control trials with four pilot studies. There was variation in sample size, treatment delivery mode (individual focus, group‐based, family focus), and measures of effectiveness across studies. Most used trained lay counsellors as facilitators, with few using trained mental health professionals. Eleven studies reported positive intervention effects on mental health.

Conclusions

Despite the need for mental health interventions for AYALH and AYAAH, we know surprisingly little about mental health treatment for this vulnerable population. There are some promising approaches, but more work is needed to identify evidence‐based approaches and corresponding mechanisms of change. Given limited resources, integrating mental health treatment into healthcare settings and using digital health approaches may support more standardized and scalable treatments. Greater emphasis on implementation science frameworks is needed to create sustainable mental health treatment for AYALH and AYAAH globally.
Mental health interventions for persons living with HIV in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Nakimuli‐Mpungu Etheldreda , Musisi Seggane , Smith Colin M , Von Isenburg Megan , Akimana Benedict , Shakarishvili Ani , Nachega Jean B , Mills Edward J , Chibanda Dixon , Ribeiro Marcelo , V Williams Anna , Joska John A
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Addressing the intersection between mental health and HIV is critical for the wellbeing of persons living with HIV (PLWH). This systematic review synthesized the literature on mental health interventions for PLWH in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) to determine intervention components and explore their relationship with intervention effectiveness.

Methods

We included only controlled clinical trials of interventions aiming to improve the mental health of PLWH. We conducted a search in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and EMBASE for eligible studies describing the evaluation of interventions for mental health problems among PLWH in LMICs published through August 2020. Two reviewers independently screened references in two successive stages of title/abstract screening and then full‐text screening for references meeting title/abstract criteria.

Results

We identified a total of 30 eligible articles representing 6477 PLWH who were assigned to either the intervention arm (n = 3182) or control arm (n = 3346). The mental health interventions evaluated were psychological (n = 17, 56.67%), pharmacological (n = 6, 20.00%), combined psychological and pharmacological (n = 1, 3.33%) and complementary/alternative treatments (n = 6, 20.00%). The mental health problems targeted were depression (n = 22, 73.33 %), multiple psychological symptoms (n = 1, 3.33%), alcohol and substance use problems (n = 4, 13.33%), post‐traumatic stress disorder (n = 1, 3.33%) and HIV‐related neuro‐cognitive impairment (n = 2, 6.67%). Studies of interventions with significant effects had significantly a higher number of active ingredients than those without significant effects [3.41 (2.24) vs. 1.84 (1.46) Mean (SD)] [Mean difference = −1.56, 95% CI = −3.03 to −0.09, p = 0.037].

Conclusions

There continue to be advances in mental health interventions for PLWH with mental illness in LMICs. However, more research is needed to elucidate how intervention components lead to intervention effectiveness. We recommend scale up of culturally appropriate interventions that have been successfully evaluated in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Atrial fibrillation in the elderly population: Challenges and management considerations
Authors: Salih Mohammed , Abdel‐Hafez Osama , Ibrahim Ramzi , Nair Rajiv
Published: June 2021

Importance

Atrial fibrillation is the most clinically significant arrhythmia in humans when viewed both from a global and also a national perspective. In the United States, approximately 2.7‐6.1 million people are estimated to have atrial fibrillation. With the aging of the population, this prevalence is on an increasing trend and remains an obstacle to cardiovascular health despite significant advancements specific to cardiovascular disease management.

Observation

In this specific group of patients, healthcare utilization is a concern from the public health perspective. Unfortunately, misconceptions dominate clinical decision making; for instance, the avoidance of safe and effective anticoagulation strategies in patients at the highest risk for embolic strokes continues to be widespread in clinical practice and is often based on a skewed assessment of risk versus benefit. Also, when there are contraindications to standard interventions for atrial fibrillation, a clear and nuanced understanding of second‐ and third‐line interventions with proven benefit is often lacking.

Conclusions and Relevance

An individualized approach should be followed by physicians when managing atrial fibrillation in the elderly patient, taking into consideration the risk of complications, particularly the embolic stroke and the availability of treatment options for stroke prevention whether through pharmacological anticoagulation or left atrial appendage occluding devices. The following review sets out to clarify these issues.
Effects of Cough Suppression Therapy on Voice Disorder Severity
Authors: LaTour Donn , Crawley Brianna , Krishna Priya , Hahn Rachel , Murry Thomas
Published: June 2021

Objectives//Hypothesis

To determine changes in voice severity when treating chronic cough refractory to medical treatment with cough suppression therapy (CST) in patients with chronic cough and voice complaints. Chronic cough has been reported to be refractory to medical treatment and frequently co‐occurs with voice disorders. The possible effects of CST on self‐assessed changes in chronic cough and voice disorders have not been demonstrated.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of the effects of cough suppression therapy (CST) on self‐assessed changes in chronic cough and voice disorder severity in patients with both chronic cough and voice disorders.

Methods

Forty‐three adult patients with the primary complaint of chronic refractory cough underwent pre‐ and post‐treatment diagnostic examinations, completed pre‐ and post‐treatment Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) and Cough Severity Index assessments, and were treated by a licensed speech‐language pathologist using CST. Twenty‐seven subjects were assigned to the cough (C) group and 16 to the cough‐voice (CV) group based on the severity of their VHI‐10 scores.

Results

Post‐test analysis showed significant improvement in cough severity for both groups and significant improvement in voice severity for the CV group. The VHI‐10 scores for the C group did not change significantly. The median number of treatment sessions was 3, with a range of 1–13 sessions. Correlation between changes in severity and number of treatment sessions was not found to be significant at the tested level.

Conclusions

CST represents a unifying approach for treatment of patients with CRC and comorbid voice disorders. CST offered cross‐over effects to the voice when subjects were treated for their primary complaint of chronic cough. This treatment of the primary complaint improves function in systems that share a common pathway.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:2747–2751, 2021
Endoscopic and Computed Tomography Evaluation of Posterior Glottic Closure During Phonation
Authors: Thommen Jan , Gogos Bettina , Héritier Florent , Unteregger Fabian , Lieb Johanna , Storck Claudio
Published: June 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

The anatomy of the posterior glottis, specifically the states of the posterior glottis during phonation, has not been thoroughly explored in laryngology. Conventional wisdom about the posterior glottis indicates that it tends to be completely closed in men but may be open in women. Furthermore, professional singers are expected to have a completely closed posterior glottis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these generalizations are true by comparing rigid videolaryngostroboscopy results with high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction findings.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Methods

Of the 90 volunteers (58 women, 32 men) examined, 48 were female professional singers, 10 were female nonsingers, 22 were male professional singers, and 10 were male nonsingers. Rigid videolaryngostroboscopy as well as HRCT scans were performed during singing at the average singing fundamental frequency. HRCT images of the larynx and air‐column were 3D visualized using the software MIMICS®. The states of the posterior glottis were assessed in both examinations and compared among participants.

Results

The sensitivity of endoscopy was 67.5%. Complete closure of the posterior glottis was observed in 62.5% men and 52% women (P = .33). Complete closure of the posterior glottis was observed in 35% nonsingers and 61% professional singers (P = .036).

Conclusions

The closure of the posterior glottis seen on videolaryngostroboscopy does not always correlate with actual closure. There seems to be no link between sex and complete closure of the glottis. However, there is strong evidence that posterior glottis closure can be influenced, to some degree, by vocal training.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:124–129, 2022
Bacterioplankton respond with similar transcriptional activity to allochthonous dissolved organic matter in coastal and offshore Lake Michigan
Authors: Chaudhary Adit , Turner Sarah , Poretsky Rachel
Published: June 2021

Lake Michigan is one of the largest lakes in the world and the second largest of the North American Great Lakes by volume. Over the last two decades, the lake has witnessed significant ecological changes due to proliferation of invasive quagga mussels into its deeper offshore regions. The impact of these changes on the labile dissolved organic matter pool available for bacterial consumption and the relative importance of terrestrially derived DOM (t‐DOM) for bacterial metabolism across Lake Michigan in the post‐mussel period is poorly understood. Here, we investigated Lake Michigan bacterial community structure and activity in offshore and coastal regions near the mouth of Kalamazoo River, one of the largest tributaries to southern Lake Michigan. In addition, we evaluated short‐term bacterioplankton response to a pulse of t‐DOM (leaf litter leachate) in shipboard mesocosms set up using nearshore and offshore lake‐water. The bacterial community composition and activity for the natural and t‐DOM enriched samples were characterized using combined metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. We observed four‐fold more transcripts for Cyanobacteria in the offshore bacterial community compared to nearshore, highlighting the importance of Cyanobacterial primary production in supporting microbial food web of the oligotrophic offshore. However, despite this and certain differences in DOM related transporter gene transcripts between the two regions, the nearshore and offshore bacterial communities showed a similar response to t‐DOM, primarily in the form of increased transcriptional activity for aromatic compound metabolism. The use of metagenome assembled genomes identified populations within the Bacteroidetes phylum that play an important role in t‐DOM response.
Metabolic Complications in Liver Transplantation Recipients: How We Can Optimize Long‐Term Survival
Authors: Azhie Amirhossein , Sheth Priya , Hammad Ahmed , Woo Minna , Bhat Mamatha
Published: June 2021

Liver transplantation (LT) recipients have experienced a significant improvement in short‐term survival during the past 3 decades attributed to advancements in surgical techniques, perioperative management, and effective immunosuppressive regimens. However, long‐term survival is affected by a high incidence of metabolic disorders and their consequences, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and malignancies. Pretransplant metabolic impairments especially in those with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis are aggravated by the addition of posttransplant weight gain, physical inactivity, and reversal from catabolic to anabolic state. Moreover, although immunosuppressants are vital to avoid graft rejection, long‐term exposure to these medications is implicated in metabolic impairments after LT. In this review, we summarize the molecular pathogenesis of different metabolic disorders after LT, including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, CVD, malignancies, and graft rejections were provided as significant complications of post‐LT metabolic conditions threatening both the patient and graft survival. Ultimately, emerging preventive and treatment strategies for posttransplant diabetes mellitus are summarized. This review highlights the significant need for more clinical trials of antihyperglycemic agents in LT recipients. Also, translational studies will help us to better understand the molecular and genetic factors underlying these metabolic complications and could lead to more personalized management in this high‐risk population.
A wideband liquid antenna with high optical transparency for ultra‐high‐definition television applications
Authors: Phan Duy Tung , Jung Chang Won
Published: June 2021

In this letter, an optically transparent and wideband liquid antenna for UHD‐TV applications is presented. The proposed antenna utilizes a high concentration of dissolved salts as the conductor inside a hollow L‐shaped clear acrylic component, offering very high optical transparency of more than 87% (@200 ppt) in the visible range. The electrical performance of the antenna is optimized and verified through experiments, showing good agreement between the simulation and the measurement. The results show that the antenna has a wide bandwidth of 390 MHz (410–800 MHz; 64.5%) and high radiation efficiency of up to 72% over the entire bandwidth range for UHD‐TV applications (470–771 MHz; 48.4%). This demonstrates the proposed antenna can be considered as an attractive alternative to conventional external transparent antennas for UHD‐TV applications.
Cystic ovary disease impairs transport speed, smooth muscle contraction, and epithelial ion transport in the bovine oviduct
Authors: Scully Deirdre M. , Campion Deirdre , McCartney Fiona , Dulohery Kate , Reese Sven , Kölle Sabine
Published: June 2021

Cystic ovary disease (COD) is a common cause of bovine infertility but the impact of this disease on the oviduct is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of COD on particle transport speed (PTS), ciliary beat frequency, myosalpinx contraction, and epithelial ion transport. Oviducts were obtained from cows affected by COD and compared with those of healthy, mid‐diestrus cows. PTS and CBF were examined using live‐cell imaging. Smooth muscle contraction and epithelial ion transport were investigated using organ baths and Ussing chambers. Our results showed that muscarinic receptors are involved in cholinergic signaling in the oviduct and that forskolin‐induced cyclic AMP production is involved in active ion transport in the oviductal epithelium. Oviducts from cows with luteal cysts revealed significantly decreased PTS (p = 0.02). Further to that, in the oviducts of COD cows, the cholinergic regulation of smooth muscle contractions and active epithelial ion transport were significantly diminished (p < 0.0001). These results imply that in COD cows, oviductal transport is compromised by decreased fluid flow speed and reduced cholinergic regulation of smooth muscle contraction and ion transport. This knowledge contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of COD supporting the development of novel therapeutic concepts for infertility treatment.
Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 58)
Authors: Green Martin A. , Dunlop Ewan D. , Hohl‐Ebinger Jochen , Yoshita Masahiro , Kopidakis Nikos , Hao Xiaojing
Published: June 2021

Consolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined, and new entries since January 2021 are reviewed.
State‐level social safety nets for families coping with job loss
Authors: Reynolds Megan M. , Fox Ashley M. , Young Yvette
Published: June 2021

Critics of the modern American welfare state allege that safety net benefits discourage work by providing sufficient resources to replace earned income. Yet, research in social policy has long depicted the US safety net as parsimonious and inadequate relative to its European counterparts, even when considering benefits from programs that reward favorable work histories. Other theories predict variability across states and regional clustering even amid low overall spending. Moreover, the recent COVID‐19 outbreak has exposed the insufficiency and lack of resilience of the major US safety nets in the face of unprecedented unemployment. This study examines the benefit expenditures on three safety net programs available to American families with recently unemployed breadwinners—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Unemployment Insurance—as a proportion of median annual income for a given state‐year between 1997 and 2017. We examine the overall spending as well as variability and clustering across states. We find that the average benefit expenditure comprises only 42% of median income, and while there is substantial variability around this average, only one state is above 78%. We also find that spending levels appear to be regionally clustered. We conclude that safety nets for the recently unemployed and their families are weak relative to earned income and that the extent of this weakness varies by state, with some regional patterning.
Density Functional Theory Investigation of Physical Properties of KCrZ (Z = S, Se, Te) Half‐Heusler Alloys
Authors: Telfah Ahmad , Sâad Essaoud Saber , Baaziz Hakim , Charifi Zoulikha , Alsaad Ahmad Mohammad , A. Ahmad Mais Jamil , Hergenröder Roland , Sabirianov Renat
Published: June 2021

A theoretical investigation of the electronic structure and the magnetic and thermoelectric (TE) properties of KCrS, KCrSe, and KCrTe half‐Heusler alloys is studied. The most stable structural−magnetic configuration is identified, taking into consideration three types of possible atomic arrangements. The results indicate that KCrZ (Z = S, Se, Te) alloys are completely spin‐polarized half‐metallic ferromagnets in their ground state. Band structure calculations demonstrate that all compounds exhibit large bandgaps in the localized minority spin channel with a significant magnetic moment and high spin polarization (100%). The temperature dependence of the TE properties, such as the Seebeck coefficient and the electrical and thermal conductivity coefficients, is discussed and investigated using the semi‐local Boltzmann transport theory in the temperature range 250–1000 K. The quasiharmonic model is implemented to investigate and analyze the thermal parameters. In particular, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, Debye temperature, specific heat capacity at constant volume, and entropy of the three novel half‐Heusler alloys are calculated and interpreted.
Inflammation, a Common Mechanism in Frailty and COVID-19, and Stem Cells as a Therapeutic Approach
Authors: Becerra José , Duran Ivan
Published: June 2021

As our life expectancy increases, specific medical conditions appear, and new challenges are met in terms of global health. Frailty has become a medical and scientific concept to define pathologies where inflammation, depressed immune system, cellular senescence, and molecular aging converge. But more importantly, frailty is the ultimate cause of death that limits our life span and deteriorates health in an increasing proportion of the world population. The difficulty of tackling this problem is the combination of factors that influence frailty appearance, such as stem cells exhaustion, inflammation, loss of regeneration capability, and impaired immunomodulation. To date, multiple research fields have found mechanisms participating in this health condition, but to make progress, science will need to investigate frailty with an interdisciplinary approach. This article summarizes the current efforts to understand frailty from their processes mediated by inflammation, aging, and stem cells to provide a new perspective that unifies the efforts in producing advanced therapies against medical conditions in the context of frailty. We believe this approach against frailty is particularly relevant to COVID-19, since people in a state of frailty die more frequently due to the hyperinflammatory process associated with this infection.
Facial Discoid Dermatosis: A Cosmetically Disfiguring and Challenging Condition to Treat
Authors: Rahmatulla S. , Batta K. , Tatnall F. , Sandhu D. , Brown V.
Published: June 2021

Facial discoid dermatosis (FDD) is a recently described condition comprising discrete facial papulo-squamous lesions. We report three cases that clinically and histologically resemble FDD and demonstrate its resistance to treatment. Awareness of this new clinical entity will allow early diagnosis and the ability to make patients aware that there is unlikely to be a successful treatment. However, our study suggests that although FDD can persist for many years, it appears to remain stable.
How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Eczema Self-Management and Help Seeking? A Qualitative Interview Study with Young People and Parents/Carers of Children with Eczema
Authors: Steele M. , Howells L. , Santer M. , Sivyer K. , Lawton S. , Roberts A. , Teasdale E. , Muller I. , Greenwell K.
Published: June 2021

Background

Eczema can have a considerable impact on quality of life. Treatments can improve this, but management is complex. Barriers to eczema self-management may be impacted upon by environmental context, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

To explore experiences of eczema, self-management, and accessing healthcare and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic among young people with eczema and parents/carers of children with eczema.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were carried out with 36 participants recruited from general practices as part of randomised controlled trials of online eczema resources.

Results

Changes to everyday life—Periods of staying at home due to the pandemic alter the burden of eczema, with reports of an improved routine and application of topical treatments for many, but difficulties with handwashing for others. Parents/carers reported improved eczema control due to closures of educational settings. Young people reported higher stress that may have triggered eczema flare-ups. Changes to access to advice and treatment—There was a reluctance to seek medical appointments in a non-emergency situation. Participants reported a lack of trust in the outcome of telephone consultations because health professionals were unable to see or feel the skin. Delays or difficulties when obtaining appointments and treatments caused frustration. Access to an online eczema resource was reported to have extra value in the context of the pandemic.

Conclusion

Changes to lifestyle and access to healthcare during the pandemic have affected eczema and self-management. Healthcare settings may want to consider providing extra reassurance around remote consultations.
Research on Thermal Deformation Behavior of Marine Crankshaft S34MnV Steel
Authors: Zhang Zhenwei , Li Heng , Zhou Yuwei , Guo Weimin , Jiang Rui , Zhu Yujin
Published: June 2021

Hot deformation behavior of S34MnV steel was studied by isothermal compression tests. According to the experimental results, the influence of strain rate and deformation temperature on flow stress is analyzed. The results indicate that for S34MnV steel with same deformation, the flow stress decreases with the increase in deformation temperature when the strain rate is constant, and increases with the increase in strain rate when the temperature is fixed. It established that a five‐order polynomial Arrhenius‐type constitutive equation which based on strain compensation. The correlation coefficient R between the predicted value and the experimental value is 0.9943, and the average absolute relative error (AARE) (%) value is calculated to be 3.9749%. The dynamic material model (DMM) diagram of thermal processing map is also drawn to investigate the workability of S34MnV steel, and it suggests that the best thermal processing conditions for S34MnV steel are predicated to be within the strain rate range of 0.03–0.6 s−1 and deformation temperature range of 1030–1150 °C. In the suggested domains, the peak value of the power dissipation efficiency is between 34% and 39%.
Tuning Organic Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence through the Confinement Effect of Inorganic Micro/Nanostructures
Authors: Huang Qiuqin , Lin Zhenghuan , Yan Dongpeng
Published: June 2021

Organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP), especially ultralong organic RTP (UOP), has great application potential in emerging fields, such as flexible intelligent information encryption, optical anticounterfeiting, and biological imaging. Therefore, the studies on organic RTP and UOP have attracted extensive attention in recent years. Various strategies, such as crystallization, host–guest interactions, spatial confinement, and introducing weak forces of heteroatoms, have been used to improve phosphorescence quantum yield and lifetime. Among them, the confinement effect of inorganic micro/nanostructures can effectively promote highly stable and tunable organic RTP and UOP. Both the efficiency and lifetime of RTP for organic phosphors within inorganic micro/nanostructures can be improved by the confinement of inorganic frameworks, together with interactions between organic and inorganic components. Herein, the recent progress in the RTP and UOP of organic molecules assembled in micro/nanostructures of organic/inorganic hybrid materials is summarized, including low‐dimensional metal halides, metal−organic frameworks with ordered nanochannels, silica nanocomposites with micro/nanopores, and layered nanoclays. In particular, the characteristics of each hybrid structure which are beneficial for RTP are highlighted. Finally, future directions of each hybrid material are suggested to continue to expand this area of research.
Synergizing model‐based systems engineering, modularity, and software container concepts to manage obsolescence
Authors: Morgan Markeeva , Holzer Thomas , Eveleigh Timothy
Published: June 2021

Costs to replace obsolete parts are estimated to exceed $10 billion annually for military expenditures.1 Other industries experience high costs related to obsolete parts as well.2–5 Synergies between Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and modular design concepts should be leveraged to reduce those costs early in the design process. To date, obsolescence management, MBSE, and modularity have been studied, advanced, and presented in a mostly disjunct manner. Consequently, work to synergize these areas specifically to mitigate obsolescence impacts is lacking. The research presented herein illuminates that the untapped synergy at the nexus of obsolescence management, MBSE, and modular design can be leveraged to enhance strategic management of obsolescence. Borrowing from the modular software engineering “container” concept6, the MBSE container modeling approach presented provides systems engineers, architects, and designers with a novel method to influence the system design by minimizing the number of system modules affected by obsolescence. By applying this model‐based strategic obsolescence management approach early in the system architecting and design stages, system engineering teams can reduce the associated complexity, lifecycle costs, and risk of obsolete parts replacement.
Character Strengths Interventions in Education Systems
Authors: Coppley Jillian , Niemiec Ryan M.
Published: June 2021

Character strengths interventions constitute a diverse and highly promising subset of strategies and programs within the larger field of positive education. The diversity in this developing subgroup can be distinguished along a number of variables; however, central to effective and sustained intervention is the commitment to a systems approach to implementation. Through the practiced-based evidence of exemplars around the world, an emerging model for a systems approach to character strengths program implementation is being reified. Character strengths implementations grounded in systems change express a unique opportunity in that character strengths are simultaneously the content of the intervention and an effective process element for a systems approach to change.
Engaging Education: The Foundation for Wellbeing and Academic Achievement
Authors: Ledertoug Mette Marie , Paarup Nanna
Published: June 2021

In a world of educational crisis, students who lack engagement and feel bored at school might not pursue further education when given opportunities to leave school. In the twenty-first century, there is a need for lifelong learners and it is therefore essential to focus on optimising education. How do we support deep learning and application of knowledge? How do we support student motivation for learning? How do we engage students in learning activities? How do we make students thrive in schools and learning activities? This chapter offers possible answers to these questions. The chapter starts by introducing important elements of learning and a framework for optimising education and engaging the students. Next, the PERMA model for optimising wellbeing for students is presented, and finally the two frameworks are combined to create thriving learners by focusing on active, involving, and engaging learning in combination with a focus on wellbeing.
Approaches to Positive Education
Authors: Green Suzy , Leach Clive , Falecki Daniela
Published: June 2021

With the ongoing growth and development of positive education globally, there is increased interest and uptake in schools. Yet while there is considerable activity, there is little strategic orientation, with schools utilising a multitude of approaches, often with no overarching framework. There has also been a lack of guidance and implementation recommendations by key bodies, and a dearth of literature identifying and reviewing common approaches to the implementation of positive education, resulting in information overload and lack of clarity that may undermine the application and practice of positive education. This chapter first argues for the strategic integration of approaches and the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Second, we overview some of the current approaches to positive education, with a particular focus on social and emotional learning, character education, growth mindset, resilience and mental toughness, and coaching. Third, we provide a case study to highlight how the successful integration of these approaches can be implemented. Finally, practical recommendations are provided to inform the strategic implementation of positive education.
Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Self, School, and Society
Authors: Buchanan Ash , Greig Jack
Published: June 2021

We are living in a time of profound disruption and planetary crises which is calling on all of us to show up and make a contribution that serves the wellbeing of all. A central aspect of making such a contribution is the capacity to shift our mindsets towards more caring, inclusive, and interdependent perspectives. This chapter explores mindsets in an educational context. We begin with a general overview of mindset theory and examine the relationship between mindsets and the unfolding of human potential. Then we explore fixed and growth mindset theory in education, which is primarily focused on learning, achievement, and improvement. Next, we evolve this focus to include benefit mindset theory, which integrates leadership, contribution, and transformation, and focuses on how we can recognise our interdependence with the living Earth community, turn towards our individual and collective shadows, and realise our unique potential in a way that serves the wellbeing of all. We include a table of 10 mindset transformations, and we invite scholars and educators to explore implications.
Applications of Positive Organizational Scholarship in Institutions of Higher Education
Authors: Cameron Kim
Published: June 2021

Positive organizational scholarship (POS) is the study of that which is positive, flourishing, and life-giving in organizations. It considers the processes and dynamics that occur in and through organizations, in contrast to a focus on individual attitudes and emotions. Positive organizational scholarship has rarely been investigated in institutions of higher education, and this chapter provides two case studies that illustrate its relevance in that setting. The chapter first provides a discussion of the unique characteristics of POS compared to, for example, positive psychology and other approaches to the positive, and it highlights the importance of positive organizational dynamics in accounting for high levels of performance in organizations. The chapter describes how these dynamics have been successfully applied within two institutions of higher education to benefit not only traditional markers of success such as student achievement and wellbeing, but also the collective performance of the overall institution. The specific practices that led to extraordinarily successful outcomes are discussed, and they provide evidence that, in addition to the effects of positive psychology on individuals—especially students—the outcomes of entire institutions can be substantially affected in positive directions by adopting positive practices.
Positive Youth Development in Education
Authors: Romer Daniel , Hansen David
Published: June 2021

Positive youth development (PYD) is an approach to child and adolescent education that provides resources in the school and community to enable youth to reach their full potential and to flourish in a democratic society. The approach draws on various disciplines and legacies in its practices and approaches, ranging from school curricula to out-of-school activities that have long traditions, such as scouting and 4-H clubs. We take note of the philosophical tradition stemming from Aristotle that prioritized acquiring various virtues as the path to human happiness and how virtues of justice, temperance, courage, and prudence are the focus for many present-day programs under the umbrella of PYD. We review the dominant theories of PYD as well as school programs that have been developed to encourage PYD, including social-emotional learning, character education, civics education, and service learning. We also examine the effects of out-of-school programs on PYD outcomes. We conclude with the prospects for PYD and the challenges that remain for its future development.
Axiomatic Design in Regenerative Urban Climate Adaptation
Authors: Bleil de Souza Clarice , Dunichkin Ilya Vladimirovich
Published: June 2021

This chapter invokes the urban design community to provide transparency in design decision-making by discussing the role of design specifications and the production of evidence in enabling scrutiny and accountability of design proposals in relation to fulfilling sustainability goals and fighting climate change. It claims that original and verifiable regenerative design solutions emerge from clear design specifications supported by evidence, rather than normative sustainability alone. Evidence is understood as going beyond targets and extended to design specifications which are constantly tested in terms of flexibility and robustness, positively contributing to the ecosystem they are inserted in, once further decomposed towards a more detailed design proposal. Principles from Axiomatic Design are proposed as an approach to develop design specifications for regenerative climate adaptive urban design. This work attempts to illustrate the use of this method to practitioners through an example in which human-centric needs, values and aspirations are transformed into joint urban air pollution and outdoor bioclimatic comfort design requirements to be fulfilled by greenery, a regenerative design parameter common to both knowledge domains at the pedestrian layer of the urban environment.
Climatic, Cultural, Behavioural and Technical Influences on the Indoor Environment Quality and Their Relevance for a Regenerative Future
Authors: Haselsteiner Edeltraud , Ferreira Silva Marielle , Kordej-De Villa Željka
Published: June 2021

Research about indoor comfort in future years will increasingly be guided by the pressing need for decarbonizing the built environment due to climate change. Health, efficiency, and satisfaction of work and the feeling of comfort are largely determined by the interior criteria. The sustainable indoor environment is a result of complex factors: air conditioning (ventilation), indoor temperature, heating methods, lighting, and acoustic. This chapter explores and analyzes climatic, cultural, and behavioral factors that play an important role and have an influence on technology for an indoor regenerative environment. This chapter is based on an explorative literature review and reflects indoor environmental quality, users’ expectations, and users’ behavior from the perspective of different scientific disciplines. Current standards are based on a rational approach to thermal comfort, and indicators are determined on the measured subjects’ reactions during stabilized conditions in climatic chambers. It is concluded from these results that people in different environmental conditions react similarly to everyday life. Nevertheless, survey results suggest that achieving the optimal level of the indoor environment is possible when climatic, cultural, and social context is taken into account.
Textile as Material in Human Built Environment Interaction
Authors: Hansen Preben , Grujoska Vesna , Jovanoska Milica
Published: June 2021

As human population grows in number, the amount of (organic and non-organic) waste materials has grown rapidly year by year.

Changes of consumption and lifestyle have generated a higher waste amount. Waste management has become a significant issue in today’s society. In 2014, the EU countries registered 2.494 million tons of generated waste, which was an increase in growth of 2.8% compared with data from 2008. Different renewable materials are ending up as waste, such as glass, paper, plastic, textile, which may be used in a recycling process. This chapter will discuss these challenges with the focus on one of these materials, textiles, as building materials.

We also introduce the perspective of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) aspects, and especially Human-Built Environment Interaction which will give some specific focus on textiles used as recycled materials. The result of the critical literature review in the area of textiles as building material from an HCI point of view suggest a set of interaction design dimensions that can be considered and applied on the usage of textiles for built environments.
3D Printing Technology Within a Regenerative Construction Framework
Authors: Kontovourkis Odysseas
Published: June 2021

3D printing (3DP) is considered as a promising technology in construction industry due to a number of advantages that among others include fast and accurate construction, as well as elimination of formworks and material waste. Although 3DP technology is at an early stage of adoption in construction industry, its positive contribution towards a more sustainable construction approach is well acknowledged. Nevertheless, various constraints prevent its further establishment that include among others lack of knowledge among construction actors, premature investigation regarding techniques and material properties, as well as limited work on design optimization, cost, and environmental impact performance analysis. This chapter aims to contribute towards this direction by analysing the 3DP cost and environmental impact of a number of brick units, forming walls with different geometrical complexity. Results show that while walls’ complexity is increased, there are no significant changes in cost, global warming and primary energy consumption. In contrast, through the application of traditional construction processes, the result values would have been increased proportionally to the degree of complexity. This proves the potential of applying the 3DP technique to the construction of any structure at no extra cost and without increasing the environmental impact. Also, it provides an indication of its potential to be included within a regenerative construction framework.
From Resilient and Regenerative Materials to a Resilient and Regenerative Built Environment
Authors: Bejtullahu Ferhat , Morishita-Steffen Naomi
Published: June 2021

Urban environmental degradation and disasters are leading to a paradigm shift towards implementing regenerative and resilient concepts on all scales. The interrelationship between microscopic and macroscopic elements of the built environment must be considered from pre-design through to building handover to avoid future disasters and environmental degradation in urban areas. This paper aims to identify synergies between the resilient and regenerative design activities needed on all scales and dimensions. The developed conceptual framework represents the context in which the study is conducted. Cooperation strategies on different scales are required to mitigate the climate crisis by reflecting the dimension of increasing energy consumption requirements from materials to the urban built environment in cities. The methods used to answer the research questions are data analysis from literature and trend comparisons at local, regional and global levels. New approaches and interrelationships were found by testing hypotheses in different design traditions and socio-economic situations. Research findings clearly showed that a new concept has to be created as a cooperative system of discrete disconnected parts in scale-jumping design based on the synergies from regenerative and resilience design and practice. This paper concludes with new concept design principles that need to be implemented in daily life to support the creation of resilient and regenerative solutions for the built environment.
The Use of Waste Sludge: Benefits to the Regenerative Economy in Bulgaria
Authors: Sarov Angel
Published: June 2021

This chapter’s target is to accentuate on the benefits for the social-economic development, resulting from the wastewater governance. The wastewater treatment is the process of extraction of extra-resources, namely: residual biogas, used for heat and electricity; sand used in the construction; sludge and purified water, discharged into hydro-basins. Simultaneously, attention should be paid of the environmental challenges in relation to the circular economy. The sludge use should become a national policy with a direct governmental engagement, having in view that wastewater treatment plants and wastewater safety are strategic guidelines. Statistical information was used by Eurostat and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Forestry (MAFF)’s Agristatistics Department (2020). A brief literature review of publications on the topic is made at the outset. Thereafter, more light is placed on the regulatory framework in the EU and Bulgaria. The analysis continues with the situation so far, based on existing statistics on the quantities of sludge received and its utilization in agriculture in the European countries and in Bulgaria. Dependence and sludge effect on grain yield are determined on the basis of regression analysis.
Regenerative Design Tools for the Existing City: HBIM Potentials
Authors: Bianchini Carlo , Attenni Martina , Potestà Giorgia
Published: June 2021

The first 25 years of the so-called ‘digital revolution’ have deeply changed the methods and tools of our interaction with the ‘architectural domain’. Traditional lines sketched on traditional paper have been soon replaced by digital mathematical entities created by Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems. Nowadays, we are witnessing a similar shift this time from CAD to the Building Information Modelling (BIM), a system that shows the ability to manage the fragmented but interconnected information needed in building workflow in an ‘all-in-one’ environment. However, while BIM is already a powerful option for new structures, for existing ones (especially when historical) it still reveals inadequate. This issue, seriously affecting the future of the built environment, cannot be ignored in order to control the ‘shaping’ of buildings and cities and especially when their design aims at becoming ‘regenerative’. In this framework, this chapter will try to outline the many difficulties connected with the application of BIM to the existing building stock: a problem that is generally regarded as ‘sectorial’ but that on the contrary will be crucial in view of a probable generalized adoption, considering that existing constructions represent about 70% of the whole European stock.
Strategies to Promote Deep Renovation in Existing Buildings
Authors: Jiménez-Pulido Cristina , Jiménez-Rivero Ana , García-Navarro Justo
Published: June 2021

Existing buildings play a central role in achieving EU climate and energy targets. Consequently, the building sector faces the complex challenge of finding effective solutions to manage both the conservation and renovation of this stock. Given that building energy renovation has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve EU targets, the European Commission has developed frameworks and regulatory instruments to foster a deep renovation approach. However, progress in achieving the necessary transformation has been slow. The objective of this chapter is to identify strategies and actions that can accelerate the sustainable transformation of the building stock. We focus on the first renovation stage in which it is critical for accurate data to be collected and processed on the state of buildings to improve decision-making processes. By overviewing current policies and instruments, and new technologies and tools applicable to existing buildings, we explore open challenges and room for improvement to fulfil their potential. In this study, we have identified upgraded instruments and tools and new benchmarks, resulting in innovative strategies and actions as drivers for a sustainable transformation. From this perspective, we introduce how more ambitious approaches can lead stakeholders to develop strategies and apply actions towards a regenerative built environment.