bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Smart Grids’ Assessment System
Authors: Kwilinski Aleksy , Lyulyov Oleksii , Dzwigol Henryk , Vakulenko Ihor , Pimonenko Tetyana
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the energy sector. The new behavior of industrial and non-commercial consumers changes the energy consumption model. In addition, the constraints associated with the coronavirus crisis have led to environmental effects from declining economic activity. The research is based on evidence from around the world showing significant reductions in emissions and improved air quality. This situation requires rethinking the energy development strategy, particularly the construction of smart grids as a leading direction of energy development. Evaluating the efficiency of smart grids is a vital tool for disseminating successful experience in improving their management. This paper proposes an approach to a comprehensive assessment of smart grids based on a comparative analysis of existing methods, taking into account the changes that need to be considered after the experience gained from the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach provides an accurate set of efficiency indicators for assessing smart grids to account for the direct and indirect effects of smart grids’ implementation. This evaluation approach can be helpful to policymakers in developing energy efficiency programs and implementing energy policy.
Synthesis of V2O5/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Integrated into Nanostructured Composites as Cathode Materials in High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Aliahmad Nojan , Biswas Pias Kumar , Dalir Hamid , Agarwal Mangilal
Published: January 2022

Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)-anchored single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composites have been developed through a simple sol–gel process, followed by hydrothermal treatment. The resulting material is suitable for use in flexible ultra-high capacity electrode applications for lithium-ion batteries. The unique combination of V2O5 with 0.2 wt.% of SWCNT offers a highly conductive three-dimensional network. This ultimately alleviates the low lithium-ion intercalation seen in V2O5 itself and facilitates vanadium redox reactions. The integration of SWCNTs into the layered structure of V2O5 leads to a high specific capacity of 390 mAhg−1 at 0.1 C between 1.8 to 3.8 V, which is close to the theoretical capacity of V2O5 (443 mAhg−1). In recent research, most of the V2O5 with carbonaceous materials shows higher specific capacity but limited cyclability and poor rate capability. In this work, good cyclability with only 0.3% per cycle degradation during 200 cycles and enhanced rate capability of 178 mAhg−1 at 10 C have been achieved. The excellent electrochemical kinetics during lithiation/delithiation is attributed to the chemical interaction of SWCNTs entrapped between layers of the V2O5 nanostructured network. Proper dispersion of SWCNTs into the V2O5 structure, and its resulting effects, have been validated by SEM, TEM, XPS, XRD, and electrical resistivity measurements. This innovative hybrid material offers a new direction for the large-scale production of high-performance cathode materials for advanced flexible and structural battery applications.
Critical Assessment of Feed-In Tariffs and Solar Photovoltaic Development in Vietnam
Authors: Le Hang Thi-Thuy , Sanseverino Eleonora Riva , Nguyen Dinh-Quang , Di Silvestre Maria Luisa , Favuzza Salvatore , Pham Manh-Hai
Published: January 2022

Vietnam became the world’s third largest market for solar photovoltaic energy in 2020. Especially after the Vietnamese government issued feed-in tariffs for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems, the installed capacity of solar photovoltaic applications exploded in 2019. From studies carried out in the relevant literature, it can be said that support policies are highly important for the initial development of the renewable energy industry in most countries. This is especially true in emerging countries such as Vietnam. This paper reviews the feed-in tariffs issued and deployed in different regions of Vietnam for grid-connected solar photovoltaic applications. Moreover, the paper takes a closer look at the costs of electricity production from these systems in relation to the feed-in tariffs issued in Vietnam. The results show that the gap between the levelized cost of electricity and the feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic electricity is relatively high, particularly in regions with a lower irradiation potential.
Using Transfer Learning to Build Physics-Informed Machine Learning Models for Improved Wind Farm Monitoring
Authors: Schröder Laura , Dimitrov Nikolay Krasimirov , Verelst David Robert , Sørensen John Aasted
Published: January 2022

This paper introduces a novel, transfer-learning-based approach to include physics into data-driven normal behavior monitoring models which are used for detecting turbine anomalies. For this purpose, a normal behavior model is pretrained on a large simulation database and is recalibrated on the available SCADA data via transfer learning. For two methods, a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) and an autoencoder, it is investigated under which conditions it can be helpful to include simulations into SCADA-based monitoring systems. The results show that when only one month of SCADA data is available, both the prediction accuracy as well as the prediction robustness of an ANN are significantly improved by adding physics constraints from a pretrained model. As the autoencoder reconstructs the power from itself, it is already able to accurately model the normal behavior power. Therefore, including simulations into the model does not improve its prediction performance and robustness significantly. The validation of the physics-informed ANN on one month of raw SCADA data shows that it is able to successfully detect a recorded blade angle anomaly with an improved precision due to fewer false positives compared to its purely SCADA data-based counterpart.
Evaluation of Prediction Models for the Physical Properties in Fire-Flooding Exhaust Reinjection Process
Authors: Wang Yong , Chang Mingliang , Chen Long , Wang Shouxi , Fan Shihao , Hua Dongyang
Published: January 2022

The reinjection of the fire-flooding exhaust is a novel disposal process for handling the exhaust produced by the in-situ combustion technology. For reasonable process design and safe operation, it is of great significance to select an optimum property calculation method for the fire-flooding exhaust. However, due to the compositional particularity and the wide range of operating parameters during reinjection, the state equations in predicting the exhaust properties over the wide range of operating parameters have not been studied clearly yet. Hence, this paper investigates the applicability of several commonly-used equations of state, including the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation, Peng–Robinson equation, Lee–Kesler–Plocker equation, Benedict–Webb–Rubin–Starling equation, and GERG-2008 equations. Employing Aspen Plus software, the gas densities, compressibility factors, volumetric coefficients, and dew points for five exhaust compositions are calculated. In comparison with the experimental data comprehensively, the result indicates that the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation shows the highest precision over a wide range of temperature and pressure. The mean absolute percentage error for the above four parameters is 3.84%, 5.17%, 5.53%, and 4.33%, respectively. This study provides a reference for the accurate calculation of the physical properties of fire-flooding exhausts when designing and managing a reinjection system of fire-flooding exhaust.
A Low-Cost Monitoring Platform and Visual Interface to Analyse Thermal Comfort in Smart Building Applications Using a Citizen–Scientist Strategy
Authors: Chiesa Giacomo , Avignone Andrea , Carluccio Tommaso
Published: January 2022

Smart building issues are critical for current energy and comfort managing aspects in built environments. Nevertheless, the diffusion of smart monitoring solutions via user-friendly graphical interfaces is still an ongoing issue subject to the need to diffuse a smart building culture and a low-cost series of solutions. This paper proposes a new low-cost IoT sensor network, exploiting Raspberry Pi and Arduino platforms, for collecting real-time data and evaluating specific thermal comfort indicators (PMV and PPD). The overall architecture was accordingly designed, including the hardware setup, the back-end and the Android user interface. Eventually, three distinct prototyping platforms were deployed for initial testing of the general system, and we analysed the obtained results for different building typologies and seasonal periods, based on collected data and users’ preferences. This work is part of a large educational and citizen science activity.
Periodic CO2 Injection for Improved Storage Capacity and Pressure Management under Intermittent CO2 Supply
Authors: Shchipanov Anton , Kollbotn Lars , Encinas Mauro , Fjelde Ingebret , Berenblyum Roman
Published: January 2022

Storing CO2 in geological formations is an important component of reducing greenhouse gases emissions. The Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) industry is now in its establishing phase, and if successful, massive storage volumes would be needed. It will hence be important to utilize each storage site to its maximum, without challenging the formation integrity. For different reasons, supply of CO2 to the injection sites may be periodical or unstable, often considered as a risk element reducing the overall efficiency and economics of CCS projects. In this paper we present outcomes of investigations focusing on a variety of positive aspects of periodic CO2 injection, including pressure management and storage capacity, also highlighting reservoir monitoring opportunities. A feasibility study of periodic injection into an infinite saline aquifer using a mechanistic reservoir model has indicated significant improvement in storage capacity compared to continuous injection. The reservoir pressure and CO2 plume behavior were further studied revealing a ‘CO2 expansion squeeze’ effect that governs the improved storage capacity observed in the feasibility study. Finally, the improved pressure measurement and storage capacity by periodic injection was confirmed by field-scale simulations based on a real geological set-up. The field-scale simulations have confirmed that ‘CO2 expansion squeeze’ governs the positive effect, which is also influenced by well location in the geological structure and aquifer size, while CO2 dissolution in water showed minor influence. Additional reservoir effects and risks not covered in this paper are then highlighted as a scope for further studies. The value of the periodic injection with intermittent CO2 supply is finally discussed in the context of deployment and integration of this technology in the establishing CCS industry.
Examining the Relationship between Energy Consumption and Unfavorable CO2 Emissions on Sustainable Development by Going through Various Violated Factors and Stochastic Disturbance–Based on a Three-Stage SBM-DEA Model
Authors: Fong Wengchin , Sun Yao , Chen Yujie
Published: January 2022

The article applies a three-stage Slacks-Based Measure-Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) pattern to examine the relationship between energy consumption and unfavorable CO2 emissions on green sustainable development, for the 11 cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) during 2010–2016, by going through various violated factors and stochastic disturbance. Labor, capital and energy resource are chosen as input variables, while GDP and CO2 emission as output variables. During the three phases consisting of the SBM-DEA model (first stage and third stage) and SFA analysis (second stage), CO2 emission is considered as an unfavorable outcome, while stochastic statistical disturbances and external environmental influences are identified. The results show that the average efficiency of the GBA cities is 0.708, with only Shenzhen, Macao SAR and Hong Kong SAR having an efficiency of 1 during the whole study period. Based on the findings, suggestions are made for the GBA cities’ sustainable development aspects.
Simulation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points Based on Efficient Use of Chargers and Using Recuperated Braking Energy from Trains
Authors: Dvořáček Lukáš , Horák Martin , Knápek Jaroslav
Published: January 2022

Electric vehicles represent an innovation in mobility that can help significantly reduce greenhouse emissions and mitigate climate change. However, replacing internal combustion with electric vehicles is not enough. This replacement needs to be complemented with a change in the energy mix of individual countries towards renewable energy sources and efficient use of electricity generated as a secondary product. Recuperative braking energy from trains can serve as one source of such secondary energy. Following an analysis of recuperative energy generated and analysis of charging requirements of individual electric vehicles, the paper proposes a model of a charging site near train stations. Using this energy to charge electric vehicles helps to reduce energy consumption from the electricity grid and thus reduce carbon emissions. Compared to other articles, the proposed model ensures the efficient use of recuperative braking energy from trains by using the variable charging power function; thereby, the installation of additional battery storage is eliminated. Our model results show that the benefits of a car park with a reservation system near train stations increase the car park efficiency, provide a sufficient number of private charging points, contribute to efficient use of recovered energy, and reduce carbon emissions.
Carbon Emission and Redistribution among Forest Carbon Pools, and Change in Soil Nutrient Content after Different Severities of Forest Fires in Northeast China
Authors: Ping Xiaoying , Chang Yu , Liu Miao , Hu Yuanman , Huang Wentao , Shi Sixue , Jia Yuchen , Li Dikang
Published: January 2022

Forest fires are a significant factor that affects the boreal forest carbon distribution which emits carbon into the atmosphere and leads to carbon redistribution among carbon pools. However, knowledge about how much carbon was transferred among pools and the immediate changes in soil nutrient contents in areas that were burned by fires of various severities are still limited. In this study, we surveyed eight wildfire sites that are located in northeast China within three months after the fires occurred. Our results indicate that the total soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon contents significantly increased after moderate- and high-severity fires. The carbon emissions were 3.84, 5.14, and 12.86 Mg C/ha for low-, moderate-, and high-severity fires, respectively. The amount of carbon transferred among pools increased with fire severity except for the charcoal pool, storing the highest amounts of carbon in moderate-severity fires. Although the charcoal and ash pools accounted for a small proportion of the total ecosystem, they are important for biogeochemical cycles and are worthy of attention. The carbon redistribution information in our study is important for accurately estimating the forest carbon budget and providing crucial parameters for forest carbon cycling models to incorporate the carbon transfer process.
Investigation of the Impact of Micro-Structuring on the Bonding Performance of Beechwood (Fagus Sylvatica L.)
Authors: Bamokina Moanda Destin , Lehmann Martin , Niemz Peter
Published: January 2022

Although glueing softwood is well mastered by the industry, predicting and controlling bond quality for hardwood is still challenging after years of research. Parameters such as the adhesive type, resin–hardener ratio, and the penetration behaviour of the wood are determinants for the bond quality. The aim of this work was to assess to what extent the glueing behaviour of beechwood can be improved by using structural planing. The different surfacing methods were characterised by their roughness. The bond strength of the micro-structured surfaces was determined according to EN 302-1, and the delamination resistance was tested as indicated by EN 302-2 for type I adhesives. Micro-structured surfaces were compared with different surfaces (generated by surfacing methods such as dull/sharp planing and sanding). In dry test conditions, all surfacing methods gave satisfying results. In the wet stage, the bond strength on the finer micro-structured surface slightly outperformed the coarse structure surface. For the delamination resistance, a clear improvement could be observed for melamine-formaldehyde-bonded specimens since, when using the recommended amount of adhesive, micro-structured surfaces fulfilled the requirements. Nevertheless, structural planing cannot lead to a reduction in the applied grammage since no sample with a smaller amount fulfilled EN 302-2 requirements even by observing the recommended closed assembly waiting time. Adhesion area enlargement of the micro-structuring is minor. The good delamination performance without waiting time (CAT) is not caused by surface enlargement, since finer micro-structured surface with negligible area increase and delivered even better delamination resistance. Subsurface analysis should be carried out to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon.
Promoting Effect of Choline-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase Gene (pcyt-1) on Departure of Pinewood Nematode from Monochamus alternatus
Authors: Wang Yang , Jin Mingxia , Wang Lichao , Yu Ailin , Xie Guai , Chen Fengmao
Published: January 2022

In order to study the key gene in internal causes of pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a departure from its vector beetle, Monochamus alternatus, we collected PWNs extracted from newly emerged M. alternatus and beetles 7 days after emergence. The total RNAs of the two groups of PWNs were extracted, transcriptomes sequencing was performed, and gene expression differences between the two groups of PWN were analyzed. It was found that the expression of the choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase gene (pcyt-1) was markedly up-regulated. After inhibition of pcyt-1 expression by RNA interference, the rate of lipid degradation in PWN decreased significantly, and the motility of PWN also decreased significantly. The analysis identified that phosphatidylcholine could promote the emulsification and degradation of neutral lipid granules in PWN, which provides sufficient energy for PWN departure from M. alternatus. The up-regulation of the gene pcyt-1 is an important internal factor for PWN departure from its vector.
Aroma Perception of Rose Oxide, Linalool and α-Terpineol Combinations in Gewürztraminer Wine
Authors: Chigo-Hernandez Mildred Melina , DuBois Aubrey , Tomasino Elizabeth
Published: January 2022

Cis-Rose oxide was found to be an important chiral compound in Gewürztraminer wine, with an enantiomeric ratio range from 76 to 58%. The enantiomeric ratio showed an important influence on white wine aroma when other monoterpenes were present. The aim of this study was to evaluate rose oxide at different ratios and changes to aroma perception, and the interaction of rose oxide with linalool and α-terpineol. A wine model was made based on Gewürztraminer wine. Twelve models were created with different ratios of rose oxide and concentrations of linalool and α-terpineol. Triangle tests, check-all-that-apply (CATA) and descriptive analysis were used to evaluate the aroma of the wines. Results show that the rose oxide ratios of 70:30 and 65:35 were statistically different. Additional descriptive analysis showed that the ratios altered aroma when linalool and α-terpineol were at low and medium concentrations. At high concentrations, linalool and α-terpineol masked any influence from rose oxide. Understanding how monoterpenes alter aroma perception of white wine when at different combinations and concentrations is important to achieving desired wine qualities and helps provide information on how flavor chemistry results can be interpreted without having to run sensory analysis.
Global Contextual Dependency Network for Object Detection
Authors: Li Junda , Zhang Chunxu , Yang Bo
Published: January 2022

Current two-stage object detectors extract the local visual features of Regions of Interest (RoIs) for object recognition and bounding-box regression. However, only using local visual features will lose global contextual dependencies, which are helpful to recognize objects with featureless appearances and restrain false detections. To tackle the problem, a simple framework, named Global Contextual Dependency Network (GCDN), is presented to enhance the classification ability of two-stage detectors. Our GCDN mainly consists of two components, Context Representation Module (CRM) and Context Dependency Module (CDM). Specifically, a CRM is proposed to construct multi-scale context representations. With CRM, contextual information can be fully explored at different scales. Moreover, the CDM is designed to capture global contextual dependencies. Our GCDN includes multiple CDMs. Each CDM utilizes local Region of Interest (RoI) features and single-scale context representation to generate single-scale contextual RoI features via the attention mechanism. Finally, the contextual RoI features generated by parallel CDMs independently are combined with the original RoI features to help classification. Experiments on MS-COCO 2017 benchmark dataset show that our approach brings continuous improvements for two-stage detectors.
Food Safety Governance and Guardianship: The Role of the Private Sector in Addressing the EU Ethylene Oxide Incident
Authors: Kowalska Aleksandra , Manning Louise
Published: January 2022

Sesame seeds within the European Union (EU) are classified as foods not of animal origin. Two food safety issues associated with sesame seeds have emerged in recent years, i.e., Salmonella contamination and the presence of ethylene oxide. Fumigation with ethylene oxide to reduce Salmonella in seeds and spices is not approved in the EU, so its presence in sesame seeds from India was a sentinel incident sparking multiple trans-European product recalls between 2020–2021. Following an interpretivist approach, this study utilises academic and grey sources including data from the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database to inform a critical appraisal of current EU foods not of animal origin legislation and associated governance structures and surveillance programs. This is of particular importance as consumers are encouraged towards plant-based diets. This study shows the importance of collaborative governance utilizing data from company testing and audits as well as official regulatory controls to define the depth and breadth of a given incident in Europe. The development of reflexive governance supported by the newest technology (e.g., blockchain) might be of value in public–private models of food safety governance. This study contributes to the literature on the adoption of risk-based food safety regulation and the associated hybrid public–private models of food safety governance where both regulators and private organizations play a vital role in assuring public health.
Utilizing Hydrothermal Processing to Align Structure and In Vitro Digestion Kinetics between Three Different Pulse Types
Authors: Pälchen Katharina , Van den Wouwer Ben , Duijsens Dorine , Hendrickx Marc E. , Van Loey Ann , Grauwet Tara
Published: January 2022

Processing results in the transformation of pulses’ structural architecture. Consequently, digestion is anticipated to emerge from the combined effect of intrinsic (matrix-dependent) and extrinsic (processed-induced) factors. In this work, we aimed to investigate the interrelated effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on pulses’ structural architecture and resulting digestive consequences. Three commercially relevant pulses (chickpea, pea, black bean) were selected based on reported differences in macronutrient and cell wall composition. Starch and protein digestion kinetics of hydrothermally processed whole pulses were assessed along with microstructural and physicochemical characteristics and compared to the digestion behavior of individual cotyledon cells isolated thereof. Despite different rates of hardness decay upon hydrothermal processing, the pulses reached similar residual hardness values (40 N). Aligning the pulses at the level of this macrostructural property translated into similar microstructural characteristics after mechanical disintegration (isolated cotyledon cells) with comparable yields of cotyledon cells for all pulses (41–62%). We observed that processing to equivalent microstructural properties resulted in similar starch and protein digestion kinetics, regardless of the pulse type and (prolonged) processing times. This demonstrated the capacity of (residual) hardness as a food structuring parameter in pulses. Furthermore, we illustrated that the digestive behavior of isolated cotyledon cells was representative of the digestion behavior of corresponding whole pulses, opening up perspectives for the incorporation of complete hydrothermally processed pulses as food ingredients.
Influence of Atmospheric Cold Plasma Exposure on Naturally Present Fungal Spores and Physicochemical Characteristics of Sundried Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Molina-Hernandez Junior Bernardo , Laika Jessica , Peralta-Ruiz Yeimmy , Palivala Vinay Kumar , Tappi Silvia , Cappelli Filippo , Ricci Antonella , Neri Lilia , Chaves-López Clemencia
Published: January 2022

This research aimed to evaluate the impact of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment on the fungal spores naturally present in sundried tomatoes, as well as their influence on the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity. ACP was performed with a Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD), applying 6 kV at 23 kHz and exposure times up to 30 min. The results showed a significant reduction of mesophilic aerobic bacteria population and of filamentous fungi after the longer ACP exposure. In particular, the effect of the treatment was assessed on Aspergillus rugulovalvus (as sensible strain) and Aspergillus niger (as resistant strain). The germination of the spores was observed to be reliant on the species, with nearly 88% and 32% of non-germinated spores for A. rugulovalvus and A. niger, respectively. Fluorescence probes revealed that ACP affects spore viability promoting strong damage to the wall and cellular membrane. For the first time, the sporicidal effect of ACP against A. rugulovalvus is reported. Physicochemical parameters of sundried tomatoes such as pH and water activity (aw) were not affected by the ACP treatment; on the contrary, the antioxidant activity was not affected while the lycopene content was significantly increased with the increase in ACP exposure time (p ≤ 0.05) probably due to increased extractability.
Effect of Conformation of Sugar Beet Pectin on the Interfacial and Emulsifying Properties
Authors: Bindereif Benjamin , Karbstein Heike , Zahn Katharina , van der Schaaf Ulrike
Published: January 2022

The influence of the conformation of sugar beet pectin (SBP) on the interfacial and emulsifying properties was investigated. The colloidal properties of SBP, such as zeta potential and hydrodynamic diameter, were characterized at different pH levels. Furthermore, pendant drop tensiometry and quartz crystal microgravimetry were used to study adsorption behavior (adsorbed mass and adsorption rate) and stabilizing mechanism (layer thickness and interfacial tension). A more compact conformation resulted in a faster reduction of interfacial tension, higher adsorbed mass, and a thicker adsorption layer. In addition, emulsions were prepared at varying conditions (pH 3–5) and formulations (1–30 wt% MCT oil, 0.1–2 wt% SBP), and their droplet size distributions were measured. The smallest oil droplets could be stabilized at pH 3. However, significantly more pectin was required at pH 3 compared to pH 4 or 5 to sufficiently stabilize the oil droplets. Both phenomena were attributed to the more compact conformation of SBP at pH < pKa: On the one hand, pectins adsorbed faster and in greater quantity, forming a thicker interfacial layer. On the other hand, they covered less interfacial area per SBP molecule. Therefore, the SBP concentration must be chosen appropriately depending on the conformation.
Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of COL2A1-Associated Skeletal Dysplasias in 60 Russian Patients: Part I
Authors: Markova Tatyana , Kenis Vladimir , Melchenko Evgeniy , Osipova Darya , Nagornova Tatyana , Orlova Anna , Zakharova Ekaterina , Dadali Elena , Kutsev Sergey
Published: January 2022

The significant variability in the clinical manifestations of COL2A1-associated skeletal dysplasias makes it necessary to conduct a clinical and genetic analysis of individual nosological variants, which will contribute to improving our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and prognosis. We presented the clinical and genetic characteristics of 60 Russian pediatric patients with type II collagenopathies caused by previously described and newly identified variants in the COL2A1 gene. Diagnosis confirmation was carried out by new generation sequencing of the target panel with subsequent validation of the identified variants using automated Sanger sequencing. It has been shown that clinical forms of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasias predominate in childhood, both with more severe clinical manifestations (58%) and with unusual phenotypes of mild forms with normal growth (25%). However, Stickler syndrome, type I was less common (17%). In the COL2A1 gene, 28 novel variants were identified, and a total of 63% of the variants were found in the triple helix region resulted in glycine substitution in Gly-XY repeats, which were identified in patients with clinical manifestations of congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia with varying severity, and were not found in Stickler syndrome, type I and Kniest dysplasia. In the C-propeptide region, five novel variants leading to the development of unusual phenotypes of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia have been identified.
Fault-Related Fluid Flow Implications for Unconventional Hydrocarbon Development, Beetaloo Sub-Basin (Northern Territory, Australia)
Authors: Frery Emanuelle , Byrne Conor , Crosbie Russell , Deslandes Alec , Evans Tim , Gerber Christoph , Huddlestone-Holmes Cameron , Markov Jelena , Martinez Jorge , Raiber Matthias , Turnadge Chris , Suckow Axel , Wilske Cornelia
Published: January 2022

This study assesses potential geological connections between the unconventional petroleum plays in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, regional aquifers in overlying basins, and the near surface water assets in the Beetaloo Sub-basin Northern Territory, Australia. To do so, we built an innovative multi-disciplinary toolbox including multi-physics and multi-depth imaging of the geological formations, as well as the study of potentially active tectonic surface features, which we combined with measurement of the helium content in water sampled in the aquifer systems and a comparative analysis of the surface drainage network and fault lineaments orientation. Structures, as well as potential natural active and paleo-fluid or gas leakage pathways, were imaged with a reprocessing and interpretation of existing and newly acquired Beetaloo seismic reflection 2D profiles and magnetic datasets to determine potential connections and paleo-leakages. North to north-northwest trending strike slip faults, which have been reactivated in recent geological history, are controlling the deposition at the edges of the Beetaloo Sub-basin. There are two spring complexes associated with this system, the Hot Spring Valley at the northern edge of the eastern Beetaloo Sub-basin and the Mataranka Springs 10 km north of the western sub-basin. Significant rectangular stream diversions in the Hot Spring Valley also indicates current or recently active tectonics. This suggests that those deep-rooted fault systems are likely to locally connect the shallow unconfined aquifer with a deeper gas or fluid source component, possibly without connection with the Beetaloo unconventional prospective plays. However, the origin and flux of this deeper source is unknown and needs to be further investigated to assess if deep circulation is happening through the identified stratigraphic connections. Few north-west trending post-Cambrian fault segments have been interpreted in prospective zones for dry gas plays of the Velkerri Formation. The segments located in the northern part of the eastern Beetaloo Sub-basin do not show any evidence of modern leakages. The segments located around Elliot, in the south of the eastern Beetaloo Sub-basin, as well as low-quality seismic imaging of potential faults in the central part of the western sub-basin, could have been recently reactivated. They could act as open pathways of fluid and gas leakage, sourced from the unconventional plays, deeper formations of the Beetaloo Sub-basin or even much deeper origin, excluding the mantle on the basis of low 3He/4He ratios. In those areas, the data are sparse and of poor quality; further field work is necessary to assess whether such pathways are currently active.
Biomolecular Composition of Sea Ice Microalgae and Its Influence on Marine Biogeochemical Cycling and Carbon Transfer through Polar Marine Food Webs
Authors: Duncan Rebecca Julianne , Petrou Katherina
Published: January 2022

Microalgae growing on the underside of sea ice are key primary producers in polar marine environments. Their nutritional status, determined by their macromolecular composition, contributes to the region’s biochemistry and the unique temporal and spatial characteristics of their growth makes them essential for sustaining polar marine food webs. Here, we review the plasticity and taxonomic diversity of sea ice microalgae macromolecular composition, with a focus on how different environmental conditions influence macromolecular production and partitioning within cells and communities. The advantages and disadvantages of methodologies for assessing macromolecular composition are presented, including techniques that provide high throughput, whole macromolecular profile and/or species-specific resolution, which are particularly recommended for future studies. The directions of environmentally driven macromolecular changes are discussed, alongside anticipated consequences on nutrients supplied to the polar marine ecosystem. Given that polar regions are facing accelerated rates of environmental change, it is argued that a climate change signature will become evident in the biochemical composition of sea ice microalgal communities, highlighting the need for further research to understand the synergistic effects of multiple environmental stressors. The importance of sea ice microalgae as primary producers in polar marine ecosystems means that ongoing research into climate-change driven macromolecular phenotyping is critical to understanding the implications for the regions biochemical cycling and carbon transfer.
An Explainable Machine Learning Approach for COVID-19’s Impact on Mood States of Children and Adolescents during the First Lockdown in Greece
Authors: Ntakolia Charis , Priftis Dimitrios , Charakopoulou-Travlou Mariana , Rannou Ioanna , Magklara Konstantina , Giannopoulou Ioanna , Kotsis Konstantinos , Serdari Aspasia , Tsalamanios Emmanouil , Grigoriadou Aliki , Ladopoulou Konstantina , Koullourou Iouliani , Sadeghi Neda , O’Callaghan Georgia , Lazaratou Eleni
Published: January 2022

The global spread of COVID-19 led the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic on 11 March 2020. To decelerate this spread, countries have taken strict measures that have affected the lifestyles and economies. Various studies have focused on the identification of COVID-19’s impact on the mental health of children and adolescents via traditional statistical approaches. However, a machine learning methodology must be developed to explain the main factors that contribute to the changes in the mood state of children and adolescents during the first lockdown. Therefore, in this study an explainable machine learning pipeline is presented focusing on children and adolescents in Greece, where a strict lockdown was imposed. The target group consists of children and adolescents, recruited from children and adolescent mental health services, who present mental health problems diagnosed before the pandemic. The proposed methodology imposes: (i) data collection via questionnaires; (ii) a clustering process to identify the groups of subjects with amelioration, deterioration and stability to their mood state; (iii) a feature selection process to identify the most informative features that contribute to mood state prediction; (iv) a decision-making process based on an experimental evaluation among classifiers; (v) calibration of the best-performing model; and (vi) a post hoc interpretation of the features’ impact on the best-performing model. The results showed that a blend of heterogeneous features from almost all feature categories is necessary to increase our understanding regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mood state of children and adolescents.
Selected Livestock-Associated Zoonoses as a Growing Challenge for Public Health
Authors: Libera Kacper , Konieczny Kacper , Grabska Julia , Szopka Wiktoria , Augustyniak Agata , Pomorska-Mól Małgorzata
Published: January 2022

The aim of this paper is to review the most significant livestock-associated zoonoses. Human and animal health are intimately connected. This idea has been known for more than a century but now it has gained special importance because of the increasing threat from zoonoses. Zoonosis is defined as any infection naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. As the frequency and prevalence of zoonotic diseases increase worldwide, they become a real threat to public health. In addition, many of the newly discovered diseases have a zoonotic origin. Due to globalization and urbanization, some of these diseases have already spread all over the world, caused by the international flow of goods, people, and animals. However, special attention should be paid to farm animals since, apart from the direct contact, humans consume their products, such as meat, eggs, and milk. Therefore, zoonoses such as salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tuberculosis, swine and avian influenza, Q fever, brucellosis, STEC infections, and listeriosis are crucial for both veterinary and human medicine. Consequently, in the suspicion of any zoonoses outbreak, the medical and veterinary services should closely cooperate to protect the public health.
Risk Factors for Pressure Injuries in Adult Patients: A Narrative Synthesis
Authors: Chung Man-Long , Widdel Manuel , Kirchhoff Julian , Sellin Julia , Jelali Mohieddine , Geiser Franziska , Mücke Martin , Conrad Rupert
Published: January 2022

Pressure injuries remain a serious health complication for patients and nursing staff. Evidence from the past decade has not been analysed through narrative synthesis yet. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and other reviews/sources were screened. Risk of bias was evaluated using a slightly modified QUIPS tool. Risk factor domains were used to assign (non)statistically independent risk factors. Hence, 67 studies with 679,660 patients were included. In low to moderate risk of bias studies, non-blanchable erythema reliably predicted pressure injury stage 2. Factors influencing mechanical boundary conditions, e.g., higher interface pressure or BMI < 18.5, as well as factors affecting interindividual susceptibility (male sex, older age, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, diabetes, hypotension, low physical activity, existing pressure injuries) and treatment-related aspects, such as length of stay in intensive care units, were identified as possible risk factors for pressure injury development. Health care professionals’ evidence-based knowledge of above-mentioned risk factors is vital to ensure optimal prevention and/or treatment. Openly accessible risk factors, e.g., sex, age, BMI, pre-existing diabetes, and non-blanchable erythema, can serve as yellow flags for pressure injury development. Close communication concerning further risk factors, e.g., anemia, hypoalbuminemia, or low physical activity, may optimize prevention and/or treatment. Further high-quality evidence is warranted.
Estimated Costs Associated with Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Cholecystectomy
Authors: Algado-Sellés Natividad , Mira-Bernabeu Javier , Gras-Valentí Paula , Chico-Sánchez Pablo , Jiménez-Sepúlveda Natali Juliet , Fuster-Pérez Marina , Sánchez-Payá José , Ronda-Pérez Elena María
Published: January 2022

Among healthcare-associated infections, surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most frequent in Spain. The aim of this work was to estimate the costs of SSIs in patients who underwent a cholecystectomy at the Hospital General Universitario de Alicante (Spain) between 2012–2017. This was a prospective observational cohort study. The Active Epidemiological Surveillance Program at our hospital recorded all the cholecystectomies performed. Risk factors associated with the development of SSIs were determined by multivariate analysis and two homogeneous comparison groups were obtained by using the propensity score. The number of extra days of hospital stay were recorded for patients with an SSI and with the cost per hospitalised day data, the additional cost attributed to SSIs was calculated. A total of 2200 cholecystectomies were considered; 110 patients (5.0%) developed an SSI. The average length of hospital stay was 5.6 days longer among patients with an SSI. The cost per SSI was EUR 1890.60 per patient, with the total cost for this period being EUR 207,961.60. SSIs after cholecystectomy lead to a prolongation of hospital stay and an increase in economic costs. It is essential to implement infection surveillance and control programs to reduce SSIs, improve patient safety, and reduce economic burden.
Weekend Mortality in an Italian Hospital: Immediate versus Delayed Bedside Critical Care Treatment
Authors: Gallo Antonio , Anselmi Anna , Locatelli Francesca , Pedrazzoli Eleonora , Petrilli Roberto , Marcon Alessandro
Published: January 2022

Background: a number of studies highlighted increased mortality associated with hospital admissions during weekends and holidays, the so–call “weekend effect”. In this retrospective study of mortality in an acute care public hospital in Italy between 2009 and 2015, we compared inpatient mortality before and after a major organizational change in 2012. The new model (Model 2) implied that the intensivist was available on call from outside the hospital during nighttime, weekends, and holidays. The previous model (Model 1) ensured the presence of the intensivist coordinating a Medical Emergency Team (MET) inside the hospital 24 h a day, 7 days a week. Methods: life status at discharge after 9298 and 8223 hospital admissions that occurred during two consecutive periods of 1185 days each (organizational Model 1 and 2), respectively, were classified into “discharged alive”, “deceased during nighttime–weekends–holidays” and “deceased during daytime-weekdays”. We estimated Relative Risk Ratios (RRR) for the associations between the organizational model and life status at discharge using multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and case-mix indicators, and timing of admission (nighttime–weekends–holidays vs. daytime-weekdays). Results: there were 802 and 840 deaths under Models 1 and 2, respectively. Total mortality was higher for hospital admissions under Model 2 compared to Model 1. Model 2 was associated with a significantly higher risk of death during nighttime–weekends–holidays (IRR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.20–1.59) compared to daytime–weekdays (RRR: 1.12, 95% CI 0.97–1.31) (p = 0.04). Respiratory diagnoses, in particular, acute and chronic respiratory failure (ICD 9 codes 510–519) were the leading causes of the mortality excess under Model 2. Conclusions: our data suggest that the immediate availability of an intensivist coordinating a MET 24 h, 7 days a week can result in a better prognosis of in-hospital emergencies compared to delayed consultation.
For Exercise, Relaxation, or Spirituality: Exploring Participation Motives and Conformity to Masculine Norms among Male and Female Yoga Participants
Authors: Cagas Jonathan Y. , Biddle Stuart J. H. , Vergeer Ineke
Published: January 2022

Yoga is a traditional practice from India with the potential to promote physical activity and health. Participation worldwide remains low, particularly among men. To better understand yoga participation parameters, with a special focus on what influences male participation, this study examined gender differences in participation motives and conformity to masculine norms. It also explored these factors across three participant subgroups who differed in their engagement with the physical and the more psycho-spiritual aspects of yoga. A total of 546 yoga participants (138 males, 399 females, 9 others), 18–73 years old, completed an online survey that included an adapted version of the Exercise Motivation Inventory–2 and three subscales from the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory–46. Results showed significant gender differences in participation motives and conformity to masculine norms. Females were more motivated by positive affect, health/fitness, nimbleness, mind–body integration, and coping/stress management, whereas males were more motivated by supplementary activity and competition/social recognition. These differences should be considered in tailoring messages to promote uptake and continued participation. Furthermore, males were more likely than females to conform to emotional control and heterosexual self-presentation masculine norms. Future research may examine how differences in masculine norm adherence influences uptake, particularly among men.
Positive Adult Education, Learned Helplessness and the Pygmalion Effect
Authors: Cobos-Sanchiz David , Perea-Rodriguez Manuel-Jesús , Morón-Marchena Juan-Agustín , Muñoz-Díaz María-Carmen
Published: January 2022

Positive education is seen as a transformative methodological approach capable of improving the act of teaching and learning and, above all, essential for the development of students’ personal skills and competences. However, few studies have been carried out on this topic in the field of adult and continuing education; instead, they have been published mainly in the field of formal education and at school age. This study works with a sample of 399 people over 16 years of age and students of the Universidad Popular de Dos Hermanas in order to show the relationship between the Pygmalion effect and learned helplessness in the process of acquiring knowledge in adulthood. In this way, three tools were used: one questionnaire that showed the teachers’ perceptions of the students’ qualities and behaviour and two that provided information on self-concept, self-esteem, personal and social skills and other variables directly related to emotional intelligence and positive education. It shows how exposure to negative operational constraints hinders the psychosocial and socio-educational development of learners in all possible ways, while, on the other hand, it indicates the importance of positive education to compensate for this phenomenon by enhancing the development and growth of those who study and participate in non-formal education through positive reinforcement. Likewise, the factorial interrelation of both positive and negative conditioning factors and their incidence on learning is shown; the importance of neutralising the negative components and strengthening the positive reinforcement and the role played by the community and education professionals as catalysts and behavioural modulators at any stage of learning and age group for the achievement of the objectives of the student and of education itself in a broad sense.