bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Sun Protection Issues via the Active and Passive Building Integration of Active Solar Energy Systems: A Case Study of the Renovation of an Existing Building in Cyprus
Authors: Efthymiou M , Kontonis P R , Leonidou A , Kazanakis G , Vassiliades C
Published: January 2020

The demand for a continuous and extensive use of buildings in contemporary central business districts without proper maintenance has led to an aging building stock. The need for refurbishment and use of these buildings, based on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in Cyprus, is a challenge that all real estate asset managers need to face. This paper aims to examine whether specific building integrated active solar systems (BIPV), along with their basic operation can be used as passive shading devices as part of a double shell, as indicated in the case study for the renovation of an existing mixed-use building in Nicosia, Cyprus. The proposed research starts with an analysis of building and site geometry and an investigation into a philosophy of operation through a literature review, along with the presentation of case studies where these active solar systems are integrated on double building shells. Digital energy simulations are performed where the technologies are examined as a passive shading device, as part of the double shell of the renovated building. These simulations aim to analyse whether the system can cover the energy needs of the aforementioned building, whilst providing adequate sun protection. Consequent to the results of the digital simulation, the heating and cooling energy loads – in order to keep the interior of the simulated building within thermal comfort levels – are examined, thus affording the opportunity to compare and contrast the before and after situation. Moreover, the annual primary energy production of the integrated systems is calculated and compared with the building ‘s annual energy needs. The ultimate aim of this work is to determine the environmental sustainability of these building integration solutions for the refurbishment of existing buildings.
Embodied emission profiles of building types: guidance for emission reduction in the early phases of construction projects
Authors: Resch Eirik , Brattebø Helge , Andresen Inger
Published: January 2020

The embodied emissions of the construction materials in buildings are a significant contributor to climate change but have only rarely been systematically studied by statistical methods. In the early phases of a building project, empirical results of statistical emission profiles of different building types can act as useful guiding information to inform decisions regarding reduced embodied emissions from construction materials. However, engineers and architects do not have such information at disposition. In this paper, the embodied emissions from the production and transport of initial and recurring building material use in 7 Norwegian case studies of low-emission buildings are made comparable and then studied statistically to find out how the impact varies with building types. The building types studied are timber residential, concrete office, concrete school, and concrete swimming hall. Statistics are produced for each building type and are broken down by the impact contribution from different building elements and material categories. This results in embodied emission profiles and material use profiles for these four building types, which, when based on a larger dataset, can be used by architects and engineers to make informed decisions when aiming for reduced embodied emissions in the early phases of a construction project. Additionally, these profiles can be used as benchmarks by which the final building can be compared when the building is constructed. The statistical results are preliminary and based on a limited dataset, which makes them applicable only as an indication for Norwegian low-emission buildings of these four building types. Future work includes expansion of the dataset on which the profiling is based, further development of the statistical method, and applying the methodology to additional building types.
Overview of BIM integration into the Construction Sector in European Member States and European Union Acquis
Authors: Panteli C , Polycarpou K , Morsink-Georgalli F Z , Stasiuliene L , Pupeikis D , Jurelionis A , Fokaides P A
Published: January 2020

The amount of information involved in any construction project and the necessity of control of time, cost and waste, has established Building Information Modelling (BIM) as an integral part of construction sector towards achieving adequate communication of information among various parties involved in construction projects. Moreover, it can be considered as a valuable tool for the optimum selection of materials, systems and design decisions, regarding not only the improve of a structure’s performance, but also in terms of reducing its carbon footprint during its life cycle. The study attempts to present the integration of BIM into the national legislation of European Member States, with a special focus on the energy related aspects of BIM analysis. This study performs an overview of the introduction of BIM into different aspects and requirements of the EU Member States building practices, through a comprehensive literature and legislation review of relative legislative documents of the construction sector. According to the findings of this overview study, the concept of BIM has already been incorporated in many aspects of the Acquis of EU Member States, which is recognized as a valuable tool to be exploited by the construction sector, however there is still room for development in this area. The study has revealed that especially in the energy assessment of the built environment, BIM applications are still lacking from the European Legislation. Examples and good practices of employing BIM for the implementation of the European Energy targets in the building sector are also presented and discussed. The findings of this study aim to shed light on the needs and requirements in the field of BIM development for the construction sector, as well as to indicate gaps and weaknesses of the European Member States Acquis towards harmonizing with BIM practices.
Energy policy and regulatory tools for sustainable buildings
Authors: Giama Effrosyni , Kyriaki Elli , Papadopoulos Agis M.
Published: January 2020

The European Union has established since 2002 a common policy for energy efficient buildings and low environmental impact materials and systems, promoting energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), expressed by means of a series of directives, regulations and policies. Therefore, the European Parliament approved the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC and its recast, the Directive 2010/31/EU. Based on Article 9 of Directive 2010/31/EU, until the end of 2020 all buildings ought to be nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), when new buildings operated and owned by public authorities must be NZEB after January 1st 2019. An NZEB building is referred to as a building which has a high energy overall performance and its quantity of energy needed ought to be covered to a quite substantial range by energy from renewable sources, as well as energy from renewable sources generated on-site or nearby. For the case of Cyprus, the limit is set to 125 kWh/m2 of primary energy consumption annually, with a minimum of 25% of this energy resulting from renewables. For Greece this goal has still to be determined. Except from those Directives, the EU set the main goals for energy, transport and GHG emissions not only for 2020 but also for 2030 and 2050. Considering GHG emissions, the legislation framework is supported by a series of international standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Initiative and the ISO 14064-65 series of standards which are fully compatible with the GHG Protocol and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Considering the recast of the EPBD, in form of Directive 2018/844/EU, a detailed database is developed of the European, Greek and Cyprus energy and environmental legislation (Directives, Laws, Regulations and policies) for buildings focusing on commercial ones. It is presented in this paper, along with a comment of how a common framework can be adopted in two national regulations and how it can be effectively turned into practice.
Is the tailor recommendation useful? Policy suggestions to upgrade the EPC recommendation report
Authors: Gonzalez-Caceres A , Rammer Nielsen T
Published: January 2020

The Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) have asked to Member States (MSs) to include an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) every time a dwelling is sold, rented or built. Additionally, the EPC must include a report that contains a list of recommended measures for improving their energy performance in a cost-effective way. Considering that the Directive does not directly mandate investments or any increase in renovation activity, building owners remain the single decision-makers to invest or not. Due to this, the recommendation list of measure is one of the main tools that can actually encourage building owners to perform renovation activities, avoiding the implementation of sub-optimal investments and preventing lost opportunities. The latest update of the directive, introduced in June 2018, has its main purpose to support and further reinforce the renovation of existing buildings. Despite this, the recommendation reports have not been modified and the latest evaluation of the directive states that it is not performing as expected. Little information can be found about it, either in the academic or institutional level. The article aims to provide a better understanding of the barriers that the energy recommendations report faces in its current state and proposing measures that can be uses to overcome these issues.
Research of energy behaviour and energy poverty of households in Northern Greece
Authors: Boemi S N , Samarentzi M , Dimoudi A
Published: January 2020

The present paper examines the phenomenon of energy poverty in Greece. Specifically, energy poverty concerns a growing number of households that have limited access to energy or are unable to pay for this energy, mainly due to insufficient thermal insulation, low income and high energy costs. The continuing economic crisis in Greece has increased the rate of energy poverty as incomes have fallen, the price of oil and PPC tariffs have risen, more households are asked to pay more than 20% of their energy bill income. Excessive energy poverty in turn has an impact on the environment (illegal logging, smog, etc.), but also to the physical and mental health of people exposed to it. The paper includes a case study which provides information and data collected from a sample of 384 households using the questionnaire method in four areas of northern Greece, which is the Edessa area in Central Macedonia, the area of Drama in Eastern Macedonia, the area of Xanthi and the Municipality of Myki (Pomakohoria) in Thrace. Initially, personal data, housing characteristics and household health status are presented. The types of heating system of the examined households and the extent to which they meet the required levels of thermal comfort are presented below. In addition, the aforementioned data is associated with the energy accounts. The findings, show that energy poverty has affected a significant proportion of households in Greece. This is due to the fact that there are households that do not meet the energy needs of their home.
A Panhellenic Social Survey (2018-9) regarding the Quality of Life, Energy Needs and People’s Attitudes towards R.E.S.
Authors: Kosmopoulos P , Kantzioura A , Kosmopoulos I , Kleskas K , Kosmopoulos A M
Published: January 2020

This Pan-Hellenic Social Survey (2018-2019) covers the attitudes of the people regarding Climate Change, Energy Needs, the Quality of Life of the people, and also their recent attitudes towards the Renewable Energy Sources.

It is a well known fact that Hellas is suffering from an economic crisis during the last ten years. As expected, this crisis, has not only immediately affected the economics of each household, but also the quality of life, the comfort conditions and, in consequence, the everyday life of the citizens. It is also very interesting to see how people’s attitudes towards the application of small and large-scale devices of Renewable Energy Sources, i.e. Photovoltaic and Wind generators, change over time.

It is at least an intriguing subject to see how people cope with the above mentioned circumstances. Among other research projects our Laboratory, every two years, conducts a similar social research with printed questionnaires regarding the attitudes of Hellenic people towards R.E.S..

This specific research presented here is of special interest. It aims at the investigation of how peoples’ attitudes and views towards the Environmental subjects and the use of RES. are affected by the Economic Crisis, and a rather dystopian general future. How serious and important are the environmental issues considered to be when people feel that their everyday life is threatened? This subject is approached through this Pan-Hellenic survey analyzing the data gathered by questionnaires.

After an extremely heavy winter, (January 2019), It is very interesting to see how environmental matters are faced in general, regarding energy sources, fuels and related costs during this critical period.But parallel to the above, Hellenic people have to face their household economics, their traditional attitudes towards their environment (both built and natural) and their dependence from imported fuels (oil and gas).

The conclusions of this research are important, describing the hellenic people’s attitudes towards quality of life, energy needs, energy poverty, and their attitudes towards R.E.S. and the environment. A large number of areas and cities have been covered, offering a satisfactory image of the subject.
Imagining a Healthy Future: Cross-Disciplinary Design for Sustainable Community Development in Cange, Haiti
Authors: Albright Dustin , Ersoy Ufuk , Vaughn David , Plumblee Jeff
Published: January 2020

A new center for community development and sustainable infrastructure is being planned for the central plateau of Haiti. This Center of Excellence will support the ongoing applied research of the Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries (CEDC), a service-learning program at Clemson University, which has, to date, produced an exemplary municipal water system and a net-positive-energy waste treatment system in the town of Cange. The new Center of Excellence is envisioned as a setting for collaboration, demonstration, and the exchange of ideas between local communities. Tying into the preceding water and waste infrastructures, the new facility itself is being designed as a leading example of resilient, self-sustaining construction that is replicable in its setting. Renewable energy solutions, including a combination of solar and small-scale hydroelectric, will compliment passive thermal and ventilation strategies. Moreover, embodied energy is addressed through careful attention to the materials and methods of construction in this resource-constrained environment. These topics are especially important in the wake of the reconstruction that continues after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

The design and planning of the Center of Excellence has been orchestrated through a unique educational partnership between students and faculty in the Clemson University School of Architecture and their counterparts from CEDC. In this setting, architecture teams are supported through specific technical consultation from CEDC project teams and former interns, with topics ranging from anaerobic waste treatment, to expected laboratory energy loads, to concrete masonry specifications and testing. This collaboration ensures that the new facility will incorporate and demonstrate the latest research coming out of CEDC, while simultaneously opening the doors to new areas of inquiry.

This paper details the collaborative structure of this research-based design studio, and how multidisciplinary intellectual resources are leveraged toward integrated building and site solutions. The specific goals and parameters of the Center of Excellence facility in Cange will underpin the discussion.
Application of wearable sensory devices in predicting occupant’s thermal comfort in office buildings during the cooling season
Authors: Pivac N , Nižetić S , Zanki V , Papadopoulos A M
Published: January 2020

The mitigation of adverse health consequences, improvement of life quality and the work environment with consequential benefits to wellness and performance of the occupants, arise the need for innovations in predicting thermal comfort in the actual time during which a requirement occurs. Late researches in this field largely neglect user engagement in building energy performance. In this paper, the wearable sensory devices are deployed to provide real-time information in a spatially distributed indoor environment during the cooling season in office buildings. The results imply that wearable devices are an efficient tool for collecting individualized human sensation data such as a precise metabolic equivalent of task (MET) and occupant’s activity level which could generate total energy expenditure of an occupant. In addition to sensor data, documenting indoor environmental conditions such as air temperature, relative humidity and a level of carbon dioxide (CO2), could be utilized as useful inputs that complete the more sensibly provided feedback of occupants’ work environmental surroundings. Furthermore, this could provide a potentially significant opportunity for achieving a personal indoor environment that is most preferred.
Principles of passive solar architecture as means of improving health and thermal comfort aspects of indoor environment
Authors: Kujundzic K , Stamatovic Vuckovic S
Published: January 2020

The estimates are that we spend majority of our lifetime indoors. Therefore, the quality of indoor environment is crucial to our health. Thermal comfort is amongst the most energy-related aspects of comfort since the energy requirements for heating and cooling refer to more than a half of energy needs in buildings. Passive solar architecture, emerged from the archetypal builders’ responses to the natural environment, by using the energy of the sun for heating and cooling in the most economical and rational way- by applying the laws of physics. The key passive solar architectural principles aimed at achieving thermal comfort presented in the paper are: adaptive thermal comfort (the comfortable indoor temperature levels adjusting to the outside temperature), thermal zoning (variety in disposition and orientation of the different functional zones), and thermal mass (using building materials with ability to effectively store heat), all aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and providing a healthy indoor environment.
Thermal analysis of flat roof systems with regards to their thermal insulation and exterior surface emissivity coefficient
Authors: Choidis P , Evgenidis-Karadimitriou P , Kontoleon K J , Mazzeo D
Published: January 2020

In this study, a numerical analysis of the thermal performance of a flat roof system is presented. The dynamic thermal behaviour of this system is assessed with regards to the effects produced by an insulation layer and the thermal emissivity of the exterior surface exposed to the outdoor environment thermal conditions, such as the ambient air temperature and radiation (short-wave and long-wave). Analysed building components correspond to insulated and noninsulated flat roof assemblies formed by reinforced concrete. For their exterior surface, a varying value of its thermal emissivity is assumed. In this context, the aim of this investigation is to assess the dynamic thermal behaviour of multi-layered roof configurations in terms of thermal flux through their construction; this allows us to determine the overall heat exchange in a daily basis, in the aspect of the above-mentioned parameters. In order to analyse the thermal response of the flat roof located in the Greek region, during the cooling period, a FEM model is introduced (one-dimensional model). Results underline the significance to consider the thickness of the thermal insulation layer, as well as the effect of various emissivity coefficients on heat transfer processes.
Comparison of theoretical heat transfer model with results from experimental monitoring installed in a refurbishment with ventilated facade
Authors: García Belén Zurro , Goikolea Beñat Arregi , Martín José Manuel González , Hernández García José L.
Published: January 2020

One of the main points to consider when a building is renovated is the improvement of its energy efficiency, minimizing the heat loss through the enclosures and its heating consumption. Under this scope idea a ventilated facade was designed and incorporated in an educational building located in the city of Burgos (Spain). The main objective of this document is a comparison between the theoretical model of heat transfer across the building envelope separating the environment and the interior space, and the heat intake through a linear regression model with installed experimental monitoring. For this it has been necessary to carry out an exhaustive study of the thermal transmission of each one of the materials that make up the thermal envelope of the building, as well as the linear thermal bridges that can be produced before and after the renovation. In addition, thanks to the monitoring installed in the demonstrator building, the interior and exterior temperatures and the heat consumption of each of the radiators is known. In this way expected and real energy savings have been compared.
Numerical Investigation of the impact of longitudinal thermal bridging on energy efficient buildings under humid continental climate conditions: The Case of Lithuania
Authors: Cerneckiene Jurgita , Zdankus Tadas , Valancius Rokas , Fokaides Paris A.
Published: January 2020

Thermal bridges play a major role in the thermal losses of the building shell and should be avoided, especially under winter dominant conditions and for high cooling degree days regions in Europe and worldwide. Since 2016 the requirement for all new buildings to achieve energy-efficiency class “A” came into force in Lithuania. One of the requirements to meet this class are detailed calculations of the thermal transmittance values of the longitudinal thermal bridges. The same requirement is also requested for higher energy-efficiency buildings that are qualified as “A+” (obligatory since 2018) and “A++” (obligatory from 2021 onwards) class buildings.

The purpose of this study is the numerical investigation of the impact of thermal bridges on energy efficient buildings under humid continental climate conditions. For the purpose of the study, the energy performance of the thermal bridges of a class A building, situated in Lithuania, were analyzed, using the tool Therm of LBNL a two-dimensional conduction heat-transfer analysis, based on the finite-element method. The calculations of the thermal transmittance values of the longitudinal thermal bridges were implemented in accordance with the requirements of EN ISO 10211:2008 standard. Alternative construction designs, with the aim to minimize the thermal losses of the building shell are also presented and discussed in this study. This study showed that detailed calculation of the losses through thermal bridges may have a significant importance to avoid dew points and mold in sensitive parts of the building shell, but they have a minor influence for the energy certification criteria. The findings of this study are anticipated to provide useful feedback for the future development of the construction regulations in the Baltic countries, as well as in countries with humid continental climate conditions.
New Zealand’s unreinforced Masonry Buildings: Facing up to the earthquake.
Authors: Murphy C P
Published: January 2020

The damage caused by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake has led to the introduction of compulsory seismic strengthening legislation for all unreinforced earthquake-prone masonry buildings (URM) within New Zealand. The legislation, passed in 2013, requires all such URM commercial, multi-unit and multi-storey residential buildings to be upgraded and strengthened to a minimum of 34% or more of the New Building Standard, irrespective of the earthquake zone within which they are located. Buildings so designated and in high earthquake zones will have a very limited time bring their buildings into line with these requirements. The proposal particularly affects old URM buildings. Some of these are buildings have a declared heritage value, many do not. Most were built around the turn of the twentieth Century. Together they make up a considerable portion of many small town commercial precincts. The legislation affects all parts of New Zealand, regardless of the particular region’s exposure to earthquake risk.

The paper will background the current legislation, compare international legislation and study the financial effects of the legislation, case studying buildings within two distinct seismic zones. The findings suggest that where the cost of the upgrade puts the viability of the building as a rental investment at risk, the owner will most likely adopt demolition is the only feasible outcome. This could have far-reaching implications for the wellbeing of many small towns within New Zealand. An alternative strategy is examined and assessed.
Stability investigations in composite steel-concrete walls for restoration purposes to enhance structural and sustainability design
Authors: Nikolaidis T N , Koukouli N , Maliokas A , Baniotopoulos C C
Published: January 2020

In the present paper a methodology is proposed to evaluate the sustainability of intervention in existing multi-storey concrete buildings using structural steel systems. Taking into account that an intervention in an existing building can be characterized as sustainable if the design considerations include critical sustainability assessments, a method is proposed and then applied to a case study for the restoration of an eight-floor building located at the center of the city ofThessaloniki.This case study is also compared to other relevant assessments with the option of reuse of the existing building only with elementary restoration works and the design of a new composite steel-concrete building constructed at the same location. The analysis includes a description of the building characteristics and pathologies, with an estimation of the structural performance after the application of an optimization process when using structural steel systems for its enhancement.
Evaluation of the thermal performance of a Social Interest Housing (SIH) with ecological brick masonry produced with urban solid waste stabilized in a tropical climate to replace the use of traditional building materials
Authors: Dunel M P , Teixeira Barbosa C F
Published: January 2020

The increasing urbanization and industrialization of modern societies has led to a large-scale production of solid waste, and its proliferation is therefore a global problem with immediate consequences for public health and the environment. Urban solid waste must be managed and controlled so as to reduce its volume and hazard, minimizing the damage of environmental pollution and the impacts in the population health. Currently, the most common waste control techniques are recycling and composting. Such techniques are known as tools that allow waste reuse. In this context, the use of recyclable materials in civil construction has been increasing day to day. However, in Brazil, no approach was found regarding material for the civil construction that is based on domiciliary solid residues, as the ecological brick. In this work, the thermal comfort of the ecological brick was analyzed, a brick of low environmental impact and of easy applicability that can be used to improve the thermal comfort of the Brazilian constructions in general, including the housing for the low-income population. The main objective of the study was to verify the effectiveness of the ecological brick regarding the thermal comfort. The methodology consists of measuring the thermal comfort in a reference model of low-income residence with ecological bricks masonry produced with waste from urban solid waste. Changes in the envelope were soon made, such as the addition of coating mortar and white paint and the replacement of the ecological brick masonry with the ceramic brick masonry with and without coating in order to compare the values of the residence internal temperature. The measurement was performed by computational simulation with the EnergyPlus® software using the real-scale prototype of the popular standard Brazilian house, on the typical summer day. In the results, it was noticed that the residence of ecological bricks obtained a sensitive difference in temperature in comparison to the residence of solid ceramic bricks. The prototype built with ecological brick contributed to better conditions of thermal comfort, as it provided lower internal temperatures, and, consequently, lower heat gain. Therefore, it was verified a change in the values of thermal transmittance and delay related to the behavior of masonry in the different environments of the building. As for the influence of the addition of the coating mortar and the external paint with a light color, it was observed that there was a significant improvement in the thermal performance of the masonry. Therefore, for a better thermal comfort of the users of the buildings in the bioclimatic zone-8, it is indicated that the seal composed by ecological bricks is towed and its facade painted with light colors.
Influence of aerogel as aggregate in the properties of cement mortars
Authors: Stefanidou Maria , Ioanna-Maria Mitilinou , Myrta Gaintatzi-Masouti
Published: January 2020

In the present work, natural aggregates were replaced in a percentage of 50% by weight by grains of aerogel of the same granulometry. The aim was to record the mechanical, physical and thermal properties achieved in comparison to the reference mortar. Aerogel is a synthetic porous, light, solid material, 98% of which is air. The mean diameter of the included pores is 20nm. The pores are filled with air, which cannot move, adding exceptional thermal properties. It is a very light material (density 120-150Kg/m3) with grain size 0-2mm. The presence of aerogel resulted in low flexural and compressive strength (50% and 35% reduction respectively) in comparison to the reference. Thermal camera was used to record the thermal properties. In the modified mortars, higher resistance to heat transfer was recorded. The porous nature of the aerogel grains explain the higher shrinkage recorded during the first 28days and the high values of open porosity of the specimens while water absorption by capillarity was low due to the fact that the existing pores do not form a net but they are isolated. In conclusion, adding aerogel grains in mortars can assist the thermal behavior but the mechanical properties are reduced. For special application where high strength is not required but thermal problems need to be solved it seems that aerogel is a promising material.
Anisotropic swelling of elastomers filled with aligned 2D materials
Authors: Liu Mufeng , Li Suhao , Kinloch Ian A , Young Robert J , Papageorgiou Dimitrios G
Published: January 2020

A comprehensive study has been undertaken on the dimensional swelling of graphene-reinforced elastomers in liquids. Anisotropic swelling was observed for samples reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), induced by the in-plane orientation of the GNPs. Upon the addition of the GNPs, the diameter swelling ratio of the nanocomposites was significantly reduced, whereas the thickness swelling ratio increased and was even greater than that of the unfilled elastomers. The swelling phenomenon has been analyzed in terms of a modification of the Flory–Rehner theory. The newly-derived equations proposed herein, can accurately predict the dependence of dimensional swelling (diameter and thickness) on volume swelling, independent of the type of elastomer and solvent. The anisotropic swelling of the samples was also studied in combination with the evaluation of the tensile properties of the filled elastomers. A novel theory that enables the assessment of volume swelling for GNP-reinforced elastomers, based on the filler geometry and volume fraction has been developed. It was found that the swelling of rubber nanocomposites induces a biaxial constraint from the graphene flakes.
Green synthesis and characterization of tin dioxide nanoparticles for photocatalytic and antimicrobial studies
Authors: Haq Sirajul , Rehman Wajid , Waseem Muhammad , Shah Amreen , Khan Abdul Rehman , Rehman Mahfooz Ur , Ahmad Pervaiz , Khan Basharat , Ali Ghazanfar
Published: January 2020

The tin dioxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) were fabricated via eco-friendly process using Daphne mucronata (D. mucronata) leaves extract as capping and reducing agent. The N2 adsorption/desorption experiment was performed to determine the surface area by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method and SBET was found to be 147 m2 g−1. The crystalline nature and lattice parameter was studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and calculated crystallite size is 15.63 nm. The surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the estimated average particle size is 64 nm. The percentage composition and purity of the SnO2 NPs was determined by energy dispersive x-ray (EDX). The raman active modes were identified by using raman spectroscopy while functional groups upon the surface were studied by using fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of SnO2 NPs was examined against Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 99.70% rhodamine 6G (R6G) were degraded in 390 min with the degradation rate of 0.0148 per min. The SnO2 NPs were screened against the selected microorganisms and the order of antimicrobial activity is given as; Gram negative bacteria (GNB) > Gram positive bacteria (GPB) > fungi.
Microwave cladding of Inconel-625 on mild steel substrate for corrosion protection
Authors: Singh Gurbhej , Vasudev Hitesh , Bansal Amit , Vardhan Sachit , sharma Shubham
Published: January 2020

In the present work, Inconel-625 cladding was performed on a mild steel (MS) substrate through a cost-effective microwave technique. Cladding was performed in an industrial microwave oven operated at 1.2 kW and 2.45 GHz. The XRD observation indicates the presence of Laves and carbide phases in addition to a Ni-Cr-Fe based face-centered-cubic (fcc) matrix in the fusion zone microstructure of the clad specimen. The microstructural characterization shows a homogenous and dense microstructure with a porosity value of less than 1%. The columnar dendrites grew perpendicularly to the substrate was observed in the clad zone microstructure. The average microhardness of the deposited clad was significantly higher than that of the base metal (MS), indicating improved surface properties of the base material. Further, corrosion testing indicates that the clad specimen has significantly higher corrosion resistance than that of the base metal (MS) in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.
Study of structural, optical and electrochemical properties of ZnO nanostructures and ZnO-PANI nanocomposites
Authors: Suman  , Goyal Navdeep , Prabhakar Nirmal , Kumar Rajesh
Published: January 2020

In this study, different morphologies like plate, flower, spherical particles and flakes of ZnO, which have been prepared by simple sol gel method using Sodium dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), Trisodium Citrate, and Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as different stablizers have been reported. These products have been systematically investigated by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and Photoluminesecence (PL) techniques. ZnO-PANI nanocomposites films prepared on ITO, and characterzied by XRD and electrochemical techniques. Microstructural details like lattice parameters, lattice volume, crystalline size and crystal phase have been determined from reitveld refinement method of X-diffraction pattern. FESEM technique shows that ZnO nanostructures morphology can be changed from ZnO nanoplate like shape to ZnO nanoflowers assembled with nanorods, ZnO nanoflakes and ZnO spherical particles when Trisodium Citrate, CTAB and SDS used as additives, respectively. Photoluminescence technique shows that there is slight red shift in the UV region and blue shift in the visible region with the addition of surface active molecules to ZnO, with concomitant decrease in the relative intensity of emission peaks. This indicates that the defects in the ZnO structure have been decreased as CTAB, SDS and Trisodium citrate added into the precursor solution. Cyclic voltammetry results reveal that the current intensity of PANI enhances with the addition of ZnO and surfactant modified ZnO. The urea biosensor, fabricated using urease enzyme on the trisodium citrate assisted ZnO/PANI/ITO nanocomposites, exhibits linearity in the concentration range of 10–80 mg dl−1 with detection limit of 2 mg dl−1 and sensitivity 7.30 μA mM−1 cm−2.
Effects of Ti and Zr elements addition on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloy
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Zhou Guorong , Sun Huijie , Teng Xinying , Zhao Zhenlu
Published: January 2020

In this article, the effects of Ti and Zr elements addition on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloy were studied. The microstructure, micro hardness, corrosion resistance of Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloy were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Rockwell hardness tester and Electrochemical workstation, respectively. The result shows that the solidified structure of Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloys was refined by Al3Ti, Al3Zr and Al3(Ti, Zr) which act as a heterogeneous nucleation site. Moreover, the Rockwell hardness of Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloys with the addition of Zr was significantly increased. The hardness of this alloy with the same amount of Zr and Ti addition is lower than that of the alloy with Zr addition alone, but obviously higher than that of the alloy with Ti alone. The corrosion resistance of the Zn-2.5Al-2Mg alloys with the same amount of Zr and Ti addition was improved significantly.
Invited Commentary: The Association Between Florida’s Opioid Crackdown and Opioid-Related Mortality—The Roles of Economic Factors and Mortality Misclassification
Authors: Vandoros Sotiris
Published: January 2020

Opioid overdose mortality has been increasing in the United States, and other types of mortality, such as motor vehicle crash deaths, may also be linked to opioid use. In this issue of the Journal, Feder et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(9):885–893) examine the association between Florida’s opioid crackdown laws, implemented in 2010–2011, and opioid-related mortality. They found a decrease in numbers of opioid-overdose and car-crash deaths compared with what would have been expected in the absence of such policies. They also found no evidence of any unintended increase in suicides due to poor pain management. The results were robust to alternative methodological approaches. Florida’s opioid policy reforms coincided with the state’s convergence towards national unemployment rates, as well as a new state law prohibiting texting while driving. Because opioid overdose mortality is often associated with economic conditions and because car crashes and suicides may also be linked to the macroeconomic environment, future research should take such factors into account when studying the outcomes of opioid prescribing laws. Another data-related aspect to consider is the misclassification of suicides as car crashes or opioid overdoses. Overall, the findings by Feder et al. are encouraging and can inform policy in other countries facing increasing numbers of opioid overdose deaths.
Comparative effectiveness and safety of apixaban versus warfarin in patients with venous thromboembolism
Authors: Dawwas Ghadeer K , Smith Steven M , Dietrich Eric , Lo-Ciganic Wei-Hsuan , Park Haesuk
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Compared with conventional therapy (enoxaparin followed by warfarin), the direct-acting oral anticoagulant apixaban is thought to offer similar protection against recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) with lower bleeding risk. However, evidence regarding the heterogeneity of treatment effect from real-world data is lacking. The study described here aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of use of apixaban versus warfarin in patients with VTE.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of commercial and Medicare supplemental databases (data coverage period, 2014-2017) among patients with a diagnosis of VTE who were new users of apixaban or warfarin. We controlled for confounding using propensity score [PS] 1:4 matching. Cox proportional hazard models were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity of treatment effect was assessed among patients with provoked VTE versus unprovoked VTE.

Results

After PS matching, a total of 36,907 patients were included in the cohort (n = 8,094 apixaban users and n = 28,813 warfarin users). In Cox regression models, the use of apixaban versus warfarin was associated with lower risks of recurrent VTE (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.45-0.65) and major bleeding events (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54-0.84); these results remained consistent in patients with provoked VTE and those with unprovoked VTE.

Conclusion

This population-based analysis of patients with VTE extends results of randomized clinical trials indicating lower risks of development of recurrent VTE and major bleeding events with use of apixaban versus warfarin in real-world settings. The observed benefits of apixaban extended to selected subgroups of the VTE population, including patients with provoked VTE.
GEMtractor: extracting views into genome-scale metabolic models
Authors: Scharm Martin , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Jalili Mahdi , Salehzadeh-Yazdi Ali
Published: January 2020

Computational metabolic models typically encode for graphs of species, reactions and enzymes. Comparing genome-scale models through topological analysis of multipartite graphs is challenging. However, in many practical cases it is not necessary to compare the full networks. The GEMtractor is a web-based tool to trim models encoded in SBML. It can be used to extract subnetworks, for example focusing on reaction- and enzyme-centric views into the model.

Availability and implementation

The GEMtractor is licensed under the terms of GPLv3 and developed at github.com/binfalse/GEMtractor—a public version is available at sbi.uni-rostock.de/gemtractor.
Detection of Oligoclonal Immunoglobulins in Cerebrospinal Fluid by an Immunofixation-Peroxidase Method
Authors: Richard Sophie , Miossec Véronique , Moreau Jean-François , Taupin Jean-Luc
Published: January 2020

Background: The detection of intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins is used in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We tested the semiautomated immunofixation-peroxidase (IFPOD) technique, which uses high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis (HRAGE) directly followed by immunofixation with a peroxidase-labeled anti-IgG antiserum to detect oligoclonal immunoglobulins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods: We analyzed 230 consecutive matched serum/CSF pairs that arrived in the laboratory over a 6-month period with both IFPOD and our routine techniques, immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) and HRAGE. For IFPOD, CSF samples were not concentrated before testing.

Results: Among the 230 samples were 12 clinically definite MS, 33 clinically probable, and 20 clinically possible MS samples. IFPOD and HRAGE + IFE each detected oligoclonal IgG in CSF in 10, 16, and 7 cases of these respective groups. For clinically definite MS, sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence intervals) were, respectively, 83% (51–97%) and 79% (73–84%).

Conclusions: The IFPOD technique performs comparably to other analytical methods, without the requirement for sample concentration, and may represent an attractive alternative in testing for intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis.
Automated Transport and Sorting System in a Large Reference Laboratory: Part 2. Implementation of the System and Performance Measures over Three Years
Authors: Hawker Charles D , Roberts William L , Garr Susan B , Hamilton Leslie T , Penrose John R , Ashwood Edward R , Weiss Ronald L
Published: January 2020

Background: Our laboratory implemented a major automation system in November 1998. A related report describes a 4-year process of evaluation and planning leading to system installation. This report describes the implementation and performance results over 3 years since the system was placed into use.

Methods: Project management software was used to track the project. Turnaround times of our top 500 tests before and after automation were measured. We compared the rate of hiring of employees and the billed unit per employee ratio before and after automation by use of linear regression analysis. Finally, we analyzed the financial contribution of the project through an analysis of return on investment.

Results: Since implementation, the volume of work transported and sorted has grown to >15 000 new tubes and >25 000 total tubes per day. Median turnaround time has decreased by an estimated 7 h, and turnaround time at the 95th percentile has decreased by 12 h. Lost specimens have decreased by 58%. A comparison of pre- and post-implementation hiring rates of employees estimated a savings of 33.6 employees, whereas a similar comparison of ratios of billed units per employee estimated a savings of 49.1 employees. Using the higher figure, we estimated that the $4.02 million cost of the project would be paid off ∼4.9 years subsequent to placing the system into daily use.

Conclusions: The overall automation project implemented in our laboratory has contributed considerably to improvement of key performance measures and has met our original project objectives.