bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Three-Level RF-PWM Method Based on Phase-Shift Control and MPWM for ADTx
Authors: Zeng Siyu , Zhou Qiang , Yu Shenglin , Zhu Lei , Zhu Jiashun , Fu Haoyang
Published: September 2022

A radio frequency pulse width modulation (RF-PWM) scheme based on phase-shift control and mapping PWM (MPWM) is described. Pulse coding is the key to improving the coding efficiency, flexibility, and configurability of the all-digital transmitter (ADTx). To solve the problem that the real-time performance of the system is limited by the time resolution, the phase-shift control principle is adopted to constrain the output pulse state. It decomposes the original signal into two phase-modulated constant envelope signals, and directly converts the two-level pulse waveform by MPWM. Finally, the fast generation of the three-level digital RF modulated signal is completed by vector synthesis. In this way, the rear power amplifier can be directly driven, and the difficulty of physical implementation is greatly reduced. Different from the traditional mapping strategy of traversal search, the proposed scheme does not require complicated error calculation and comparison. Simulation and offline experiments show that the proposed scheme has better comprehensive performance than other mapping schemes. For 16QAM modulated signals at a 300 MHz carrier, the proposed scheme can achieve nearly 70% coding efficiency (CE), less than −50 dBc, and 1% adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) and error vector magnitude (EVM).
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Based on the State of Health Estimation for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Dezhi , Yang Dongfang , Li Liwei , Wang Licheng , Wang Kai
Published: September 2022

The state of health (SOH) is critical to the efficient and reliable use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Recently, the SOH estimation method based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been proven effective. In response to different practical applications, two models for SOH estimation are proposed in this paper. Aiming at based on the equivalent circuit model (ECM) method, a variety of ECMs are proposed. Used EIS to predict the ECM, the results show that the improved method ensures the correctness of the ECM and improves the estimation results of SOH. Aiming at a data-driven algorithm, proposes a convolution neural network (CNN) to process EIS data which can not only extract the key points but also simplifies the complexity of manual feature extraction. The bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) model was used for serial regression prediction. Moreover, the improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) algorithm is proposed to optimize the model. Comparing the improved model (IPSO-CNN-BiLSTM) with the traditional PSO-CNN-BiLSTM, CNN-BiLSTM and LSTM models, the prediction results are improved by 13.6%, 93.75% and 94.8%, respectively. Besides that, the two proposed methods are 27% and 35% better than the existing gaussion process regression (GPR) model, which indicates that the proposed improved methods are more flexible for SOH estimation with higher precision.
Numerical Study of the Sports Car Aerodynamic Enhancements
Authors: Kurec Krzysztof
Published: September 2022

This study was prepared to demonstrate how the aerodynamics of a sports car can be enhanced, emphasizing aerodynamic improvements, and utilizing small movable elements. All the presented results were obtained using the numerical simulations performed in ANSYS Fluent in steady-state conditions. It was investigated how the performance of a car equipped with the splitter and the rear wing could be improved. The benefits of a top-mounted wing configuration were presented compared to a bottom-mounted setup. A change to the top-mounting configuration enabled undisturbed flow around the suction side of the wing and a more favorable placement of the wing to the car body. In the given case, an 80% increase of downforce was achieved in the performance mode of the car setup and a 16% increase of drag in the air braking mode. A method of the front splitter active steering was presented, which enabled a change of the generated downforce using only a small element that enabled an instant change of 30% without the necessity of moving the whole splitter plate. The described modifications of the sports car not only improved its aerodynamic properties but also enabled the means to accommodate it with an active aerodynamic system that would allow a quick adaptation to the current driving conditions.
Research on the Impact of Output Adjustment Strategy and Carbon Tax Policy on the Stability of the Steel Market
Authors: Li Di , Di Qianbin , Zhang Hao , Zhang Daquan , Han Zenglin , Duan Ye
Published: September 2022

China’s steel industry has not yet implemented a carbon tax policy, and its benefits and impacts are still in the theoretical research stage. In addition, enterprises have an insufficient ability to respond to changes in production and sales, which seriously affects the market’s stability. The government should simultaneously start from multiple perspectives, such as energy conservation, emission reduction, dynamic adjustments, and business decisions. Therefore, this research constructs a repeated dynamic game model including carbon tax policy and other mixed reduction policies, and studies the stability and related indicators of the market. The results are as follows: (1) the output adjustment policies that enterprises can implement will show an increasing trend under the single carbon tax policy. (2) The output adjustment policies that enterprises with larger output will also show an increasing trend under the mixed emission reduction policy when emission reduction targets continue to increase. (3) Smaller-output enterprises need to be more cautious in formulating their production plans, and their output adjustment policies will be restricted and affected by more factors. In summary, enterprises should comprehensively consider emission reduction policies, output adjustment policies and other enterprises’ output changes, to ensure that the steel market will not fall into an imbalanced state.
Optimal Sizing and Location of Photovoltaic Generation and Energy Storage Systems in an Unbalanced Distribution System
Authors: Chiang Ming-Yuan , Huang Shyh-Chour , Hsiao Te-Ching , Zhan Tung-Sheng , Hou Ju-Chen
Published: September 2022

There has been an increasing number of renewable energy sources introduced into the distribution system to decrease the dependence on single power sources and relieve their effects related to global warming caused by power consumption. When greatly increasing renewable energy in the power system, the renewable energy connected to the power grid must be coupled with corresponding energy-storage technologies. This mechanism not only effectively improves the power floating problem but also more efficiently re-dispatches the power output. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the optimal sizing and location issue of the photovoltaic generation system and the battery energy storage system, which are proposed in order to improve the power loss, bus voltage profile, and voltage unbalance for the actual unbalanced loading distribution system of a large-scale chemical factory. The power loss, construction cost of the solar power and the energy storage systems, voltage variation ratio and voltage unbalance ratio will be treated as part of the objective function of the optimal problem. These variables are subject to various operating constraints and the voltage variation limit of the system when the photovoltaic generation and battery energy storage systems are operated. Furthermore, a refined genetic algorithm, which possesses an auto-selective crossover and mutation scheme, is proposed and applied in this paper in order to solve the optimization problem. Moreover, the simulation results are expected to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Quantitative Comparisons of Outer-Rotor Permanent Magnet Machines of Different Structures/Phases for In-Wheel Electrical Vehicle Application
Authors: Gong Jinlin , Zhao Benteng , Huang Youxi , Semail Eric , Nguyen Ngac Ky
Published: September 2022

As one of the key components, low-speed direct-drive in-wheel machines with high compact volume and high torque density are important for the traction system of electric vehicles (EVs). This paper introduces four different types of outer-rotor permanent magnet motors for EVs, including one five-phase SPM machine, one three-phase IPM machine with V-shaped PMs, one seven-phase axial flux machine (AFM) of sandwich structure and finally one hybrid flux (radial and axial) machine with a third rotor with V-shaped PMs added to the AFM. Firstly, the design criteria and basic operation principle are compared and discussed. Then, the key properties are analyzed using the Finite Element Method (FEM). The electromagnetic properties of the four fractional slot tooth concentrated winding in-wheel motors with similar dimensions are quantitatively compared, including air-gap flux density, electromotive force, field weakening capability, torque density, losses, and fault tolerant capability. The results show that the multi-phase motors have high torque density and high fault tolerance and are suitable for direct drive applications in EVs.
Optimal Allocation of Renewable Distributed Generators and Electric Vehicles in a Distribution System Using the Political Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Dharavat Nagaraju , Sudabattula Suresh Kumar , Velamuri Suresh , Mishra Sachin , Sharma Naveen Kumar , Bajaj Mohit , Elgamli Elmazeg , Shouran Mokhtar , Kamel Salah
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes an effective approach to solve renewable distributed generators (RDGs) and electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) allocation problems in the distribution system (DS) to reduce power loss (PLoss) and enhance voltage profile. The RDGs considered for this work are solar, wind and fuel cell. The uncertainties related to RDGs are modelled using probability distribution functions (PDF). These sources’ best locations and sizes are identified by the voltage stability index (VSI) and political optimization algorithm (POA). Furthermore, EV charging strategies such as the conventional charging method (CCM) and optimized charging method (OCM) are considered to study the method’s efficacy. The developed approach is studied on Indian 28 bus DS. Different cases are considered, such as a single DG, multiple DGs and a combination of DGs and EVs. This placement of multiple DGs along with EVs, considering proper scheduling patterns, minimizes PLoss and considerably improves the voltage profile. Finally, the proposed method is compared with other algorithms, and simulated results show that the POA method produces better results in all aspects.
Effect of WLTP CLASS 3B Driving Cycle on Lithium-Ion Battery for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Micari Salvatore , Foti Salvatore , Testa Antonio , De Caro Salvatore , Sergi Francesco , Andaloro Laura , Aloisio Davide , Leonardi Salvatore Gianluca , Napoli Giuseppe
Published: September 2022

Capacity loss over time is a critical issue for lithium-ion batteries powering battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because it affects vehicle range and performance. Driving cycles have a major impact on the ageing of these devices because they are subjected to high stresses in certain uses that cause degradation phenomena directly related to vehicle use. Calendar capacity also impacts the battery pack for most of its lifetime with a capacity degradation. The manuscript describes experimental tests on a lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles with up to 10% capacity loss in the WLTP CLASS 3B driving cycle. The lithium-ion battery considered consists of an LMO-NMC cathode and a graphite anode with a capacity of 63 Ah for automotive applications. An internal impedance variation was observed compared to the typical full charge/discharge profile. Incremental capacitance (IC) and differential voltage (DV) analysis were performed in different states of cell health. A lifetime model is described to compute the total capacity loss for cycling and calendar ageing exploiting real data under some different scenarios of vehicle usage.
Does the Slope Aspect Influence the Soil Organic Matter Concentration in Forest Soils?
Authors: Enescu Raluca , Dincă Lucian , Vasile Diana , Vlad Radu
Published: September 2022

Forest soils belong to the major carbon sinks on Earth because of their high organic matter content. Forest soils from Europe store approximately 1.5 times more carbon than trees (EC/UN-ECE 2003). As dystric cambisol (2,292,385 ha) and eutric cambisol (869,909 ha) are the most widespread forest soils in Romania, we studied 5958 dystric cambisol pedogenetic horizons and 6784 eutric cambisol pedogenetic horizons. A series of correlations was made between soil organic matter and elevation, but also with tree age and stand production class. The differences between stratified soil organic matter in terms of slope aspect categories were tested, and multiple linear regression was used to determine the influences of some relief (elevation) and stand (age) characteristics on the soil organic matter content. Overall, the soil organic matter content increased with increasing elevation. Based on all 12,742 soil samples over a period of 33 years, the soil organic matter content is influenced by elevation and tree age, especially on shaded and partially shaded slope aspects.
Forest Dynamics and Agroforestry History since AD 200 in the Highland of Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Nguyen Chung Hoai , Setyaningsih Christina Ani , Jahnk Svea Lina , Saad Asmadi , Sabiham Supiandi , Behling Hermann
Published: September 2022

Understanding past forest dynamics and human influence is essential for future forest management and ecosystem conservation. This study aims to provide insights into the forest dynamics and agroforestry history in the highlands of Sumatra for the last 1800 years. We carried out palaeoecological multi-proxy analyses of pollen, spores, non-pollen palynomorphs, macro-charcoal, and X-ray fluorescence on a limnic sediment core taken from Danau Kecil in the submontane area of Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results provide an 1800-year record of forest dynamics under climate change and human influence including the transition from forest opening to shifting cultivation and eventually permanent agroforestry. Indicators for forest openings and secondary forest formation have been present since the beginning of records (AD 200). This is followed by the possible initiation of sugar palm (Arenga) cultivation (AD 400). Since AD 500, potential agroforestry and forest gardening practices have promoted major timber trees such as Lithocarpus/Castanopsis, Bischofia, and Dipterocarpaceae combined with sugar palm (Arenga). Permanent agroforestry systems were possibly established since AD 1760, evinced by an increase in commodity trees such as Dipterocarpaceae for resin production. With the Dutch invasion ca. AD 1900, agroforestry intensified and expanded to the Kerinci Valley. This was followed by land use intensification and potential rice cultivation around Danau Kecil since the 1940s. This study provides the first details on past forest dynamics around Danau Kecil since AD 200, showing among others how appropriate forest management and a closed canopy could reduce fire vulnerability in submontane rainforest.
Characterization of Dextran Produced by the Food-Related Strain Weissella cibaria C43-11 and of the Relevant Dextransucrase Gene
Authors: De Bellis Palmira , Ferrara Massimo , Bavaro Anna Rita , Linsalata Vito , Di Biase Mariaelena , Musio Biagia , Gallo Vito , Mulè Giuseppina , Valerio Francesca
Published: September 2022

A metabolic feature of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is the production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs), which have technological and functional properties of interest to the food sector. The present study focused on the characterization of the Weissella cibaria strain C43-11, a high EPS producer in the presence of sucrose, in comparison with a low-producing strain (C2-32), and on possible genetic regulatory elements responsible for the modulation of dextransucrase (dsr) genes expression. NMR analysis of the polymeric material produced by the C43-11 strain indicated the presence of dextran consisting mainly of a linear scaffold formed by α-(1–6) glycosidic linkages and a smaller amounts of branches derived from α-(1–2), α-(1–3), and α-(1–4) linkages. Molecular analysis of the dsr genes and the putative transcriptional promoters of the two strains showed differences in their regulatory regions. Such variations may have a role in the modulation of dsr expression levels in the presence of sucrose. The strong upregulation of the dsr gene in the C43-11 strain resulted in a high accumulation of EPS. This is the first report showing differences in the regulatory elements of the dsr gene in W. cibaria and indicates a new perspective of investigation to identify the regulatory mechanism of EPS production.
A Narrative Review on Various Oil Extraction Methods, Encapsulation Processes, Fatty Acid Profiles, Oxidative Stability, and Medicinal Properties of Black Seed (Nigella sativa)
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdul , Shoukat Aurbab , Khalid Waseem , Ejaz Afaf , Itrat Nizwa , Majeed Iqra , Koraqi Hyrije , Imran Muhammad , Nisa Mahr Un , Nazir Anum , Alansari Wafa S. , Eskandrani Areej A. , Shamlan Ghalia , AL-Farga Ammar
Published: September 2022

The current review investigates the effects of black seed (Nigella sativa) on human health, which is also used to encapsulate and oxidative stable in different food products. In recent decades, many extraction methods, such as cold pressing, supercritical fluid extraction, Soxhlet extraction, hydro distillation (HD) method, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction, steam distillation, and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) have been used to extract the oils from black seeds under optimal conditions. Black seed oil contains essential fatty acids, in which the major fatty acids are linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. The oxidative stability of black seed oil is very low, due to various environmental conditions or factors (temperature and light) affecting the stability. The oxidative stability of black seed oil has been increased by using encapsulation methods, including nanoprecipitation, ultra-sonication, spray-drying, nanoprecipitation, electrohydrodynamic, atomization, freeze-drying, a electrospray technique, and coaxial electrospraying. Black seed, oil, microcapsules, and their components have been used in various food processing, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries as functional ingredients for multiple purposes. Black seed and oil contain thymoquinone as a major component, which has anti-oxidant, -diabetic, -inflammatory, -cancer, -viral, and -microbial properties, due to its phenolic compounds. Many clinical and experimental studies have indicated that the black seed and their by-products can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, chronic cancer, diabetes, oxidative stress, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic disorders, hypertension, asthma, and skin disorders. In this review, we are focusing on black seed oil composition and increasing the stability using different encapsulation methods. It is used in various food products to increase the human nutrition and health properties.
Food-Borne Chemical Carcinogens and the Evidence for Human Cancer Risk
Authors: Kobets Tetyana , Smith Benjamin P. C. , Williams Gary M.
Published: September 2022

Commonly consumed foods and beverages can contain chemicals with reported carcinogenic activity in rodent models. Moreover, exposures to some of these substances have been associated with increased cancer risks in humans. Food-borne carcinogens span a range of chemical classes and can arise from natural or anthropogenic sources, as well as form endogenously. Important considerations include the mechanism(s) of action (MoA), their relevance to human biology, and the level of exposure in diet. The MoAs of carcinogens have been classified as either DNA-reactive (genotoxic), involving covalent reaction with nuclear DNA, or epigenetic, involving molecular and cellular effects other than DNA reactivity. Carcinogens are generally present in food at low levels, resulting in low daily intakes, although there are some exceptions. Carcinogens of the DNA-reactive type produce effects at lower dosages than epigenetic carcinogens. Several food-related DNA-reactive carcinogens, including aflatoxins, aristolochic acid, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene and ethylene oxide, are recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as causes of human cancer. Of the epigenetic type, the only carcinogen considered to be associated with increased cancer in humans, although not from low-level food exposure, is dioxin (TCDD). Thus, DNA-reactive carcinogens in food represent a much greater risk than epigenetic carcinogens.
Coffee Silverskin: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment and Health Profile for Its Potential Use in Functional Foods
Authors: Nolasco Agata , Squillante Jonathan , Esposito Francesco , Velotto Salvatore , Romano Raffaele , Aponte Maria , Giarra Antonella , Toscanesi Maria , Montella Emma , Cirillo Teresa
Published: September 2022

The coffee supply chain is characterized by a complex network with many critical and unsustainable points producing a huge amount of waste products. Among these, coffee silverskin (CS), the only by-product of the coffee roasting phase, has an interesting chemical profile that suggests potential use as a food ingredient. However, few data on its safety are available. For this reason, the purpose of the study was to assess the occurrence of chemical and biological contaminants in CS, and the resulting risk due to its potential consumption. Essential, toxic, and rare earth elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), process contaminants, ochratoxin A (OTA), and pesticides residues were analyzed in three classes of samples (Coffea arabica CS, Coffea robusta CS, and their blend). Furthermore, total mesophilic bacteria count (TMBC) at 30 °C, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds was evaluated. The risk assessment was based upon the hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LTCR). In all varieties and blends, rare earth elements, pesticides, process contaminants, OTA, and PAHs were not detected except for chrysene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, which were reported at low concentrations only in the arabica CS sample. Among essential and toxic elements, As was usually the most representative in all samples. Microorganisms reported a low load, although arabica and robusta CS showed lower contamination than mixed CS. Instead, the risk assessment based on the potential consumption of CS as a food ingredient did not show either non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risk. Overall, this study provides adequate evidence to support the safety of this by-product for its potential use in functional foods.
Genome Wide Analysis of Family-1 UDP Glycosyltransferases in Populus trichocarpa Specifies Abiotic Stress Responsive Glycosylation Mechanisms
Authors: Rehman Hafiz Mamoon , Khan Uzair Muhammad , Nawaz Sehar , Saleem Fozia , Ahmed Nisar , Rana Iqrar Ahmad , Atif Rana Muhammad , Shaheen Nabeel , Seo Hyojin
Published: September 2022

Populus trichocarpa (Black cottonwood) is a dominant timber-yielding tree that has become a notable model plant for genome-level insights in forest trees. The efficient transport and solubility of various glycoside-associated compounds is linked to Family-1 UDP-glycosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.x; UGTs) enzymes. These glycosyltransferase enzymes play a vital role in diverse plant functions, such as regulation of hormonal homeostasis, growth and development (seed, flower, fiber, root, etc.), xenobiotic detoxification, stress response (salt, drought, and oxidative), and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Here, we report a genome-wide analysis of the P. trichocarpa genome that identified 191 putative UGTs distributed across all chromosomes (with the exception of chromosome 20) based on 44 conserved plant secondary product glycosyltransferase (PSPG) motif amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the 191 Populus UGTs together with 22 referenced UGTs from Arabidopsis and maize clustered the putative UGTs into 16 major groups (A–P). Whole-genome duplication events were the dominant pattern of duplication among UGTs in Populus. A well-conserved intron insertion was detected in most intron-containing UGTs across eight examined eudicots, including Populus. Most of the UGT genes were found preferentially expressed in leaf and root tissues in general. The regulation of putative UGT expression in response to drought, salt and heat stress was observed based on microarray and available RNA sequencing datasets. Up- and down-regulated UGT expression models were designed, based on transcripts per kilobase million values, confirmed their maximally varied expression under drought, salt and heat stresses. Co-expression networking of putative UGTs indicated their maximum co-expression with cytochrome P450 genes involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis. Our results provide an important resource for the identification of functional UGT genes to manipulate abiotic stress responsive glycosylation in Populus.
Breed Distribution and Allele Frequencies of Base Coat Color, Dilution, and White Patterning Variants across 28 Horse Breeds
Authors: Avila Felipe , Hughes Shayne S. , Magdesian K. Gary , Penedo Maria Cecilia Torres , Bellone Rebecca R.
Published: September 2022

Since domestication, horses have been selectively bred for various coat colors and white spotting patterns. To investigate breed distribution, allele frequencies, and potential lethal variants for recommendations on genetic testing, 29 variants within 14 genes were investigated in 11,281 horses from 28 breeds. The recessive chestnut ea allele in melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) (p.D84N) was identified in four breeds: Knabstrupper, Paint Horse, Percheron, and Quarter Horse. After filtering for relatedness, ea allele frequency in Knabstruppers was estimated at 0.035, thus illustrating the importance of testing for mate selection for base coat color. The Rocky Mountain Horse breed had the highest allele frequency for two of the dilution variants under investigation (Za.f. = 0.32 and Cha.f. = 0.026); marker-assisted selection in this breed could aid in the production of horses with desirable dilute coats with less severe ocular anomalies caused by the silver (Z) allele. With regard to white patterning, nine horses homozygous for the paired box 3 (PAX3) splashed white 2 (SW2) allele (p.C70Y) and six horses homozygous for the KIT proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) sabino 1 (SB1) allele (ECA3g.79544206A>T) were identified, thus determining they are rare and confirming that homozygosity for SW2 is not embryonic lethal. The KIT dominant white 20 (W20) allele (p.R682H) was identified in all but three breeds: Arabian (n = 151), Icelandic Horse (n = 66), and Norwegian Fjord Horse (n = 90). The role of W20 in pigmentation across breeds is not well understood; given the different selection regimes of the breeds investigated, these data provide justification for further evaluating the functional role of this allele in pigmentation. Here, we present the largest dataset reported for coat color variants in horses to date, and these data highlight the importance of breed-specific studies to inform on the proper use of marker-assisted selection and to develop hypotheses related to pigmentation for further testing in horses.
Differences in Adipose Gene Expression Profiles between Male and Female Even Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Sakha (Yakutia)
Authors: Weldenegodguad Melak , Kantanen Juha , Peippo Jaana , Pokharel Kisun
Published: September 2022

Reindeer are native to harsh northern Eurasian environments which are characterized by long and cold winters, short summers, and limited pasture vegetation. Adipose tissues play a significant role in these animals by modulating energy metabolism, immunity, and reproduction. Here, we have investigated the transcriptome profiles of metacarpal, perirenal, and prescapular adipose tissues in Even reindeer and searched for genes that were differentially expressed in male and female individuals. A total of 15,551 genes were expressed, where the transcriptome profile of metacarpal adipose tissue was found to be distinct from that of perirenal and prescapular adipose tissues. Interestingly, 10 genes, including PRDM9, which is known to have an important role in adaptation and speciation in reindeer, were always upregulated in all three tissues of male reindeer.
The Geoscience of In-Situ Combustion and High-Pressure Air Injection
Authors: Storey Benjamin M. , Worden Richard H. , McNamara David D.
Published: September 2022

Considering the global drive toward net-zero carbon emissions in the near future, the need to find clean sources of energy has never been more important. It is estimated that globally there are tens of thousands of depleted and abandoned oil fields that may be adapted to produce green energy. These may be re-cycled with the help of air injection, either from the production of hydrogen, as a direct result of oxidation of oil, or the exploitation of the inherent increase in heat flow and pressure via enhanced geothermal systems. In the past, the use of in-situ combustion (ISC) and high-pressure air injection (HPAI) have experienced many failures, largely due to poor project design and inappropriate reservoir selection. Here, we review data from field applications, experimental studies, and numerical modelling to define the roles of sub-surface sedimentology and petrophysics, structural geology, geomechanics, mineralogy, diagenesis, and petroleum geology on the success of ISC and HPAI. We show how current knowledge can help mitigate project failure via improved project design and initial reservoir selection. Improvements to the design and implementation of ISC and HPAI projects promise to allow the utilisation of the many abandoned oil fields, to produce green energy with the added benefit of the cost-effective, and materials and energy efficient, re-use of existing oil field infrastructure. We conclude that the integration of field data, laboratory experiments, and numerical modelling methods previously studied can be used to help develop ISC and minimize risk of failure.
Recent Updates on Risk and Management Plans Associated with Polypharmacy in Older Population
Authors: Alshanberi Asim Muhammed
Published: September 2022

The concept of polypharmacy encompasses adverse drug reactions and non-adherence factors in elderly individuals. It also leads to the increased use of healthcare services and negative health outcomes. The problem is further alleviated by the odds of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM), which lead to the development of drug-related problems. Since polypharmacy is more commonly observed in the elderly population, urgency is required to introduce operative protocols for preventing and managing this problem. The family medicine model of care can be associated with favorable illness outcomes regarding satisfaction with consultation, treatment adherence, self-management behaviors, adherence to medical advice, and healthcare utilization. Hence, interventions built on family medicine models can provide significant support in improving the outcomes of the older population and their quality of life. In this regard, the authors have taken up the task of explaining the accessible resources which can be availed to improve the application of health care services in the field of geriatric medicine.
The Lonely Woman Icon, Niedecker, and Mid-20th-Century Advertising
Authors: Savage Elizabeth
Published: September 2022

Popular advertising of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s depicting single women presents an especially useful reference point for Lorine Niedecker’s poems. Attendant to the development of romantic and social promises extended by these ads is the woeful character of the lonely and excluded woman. Notably, the danger of becoming a social outcast is not securely tied to an age demographic; although romantic intimacy promising or concluding in marriage stands as the primary goal of all purchasing conduct, the time of vulnerability to rejection is surprisingly extended—from early adolescence when social reputation is established to prime matrimonial age and reaching into years after marriage. A woman’s relationships with friends, suitors, and even children remain threatened by supposed lapses in self-awareness that guidance found in advertising can restore. While the use of sex to sell has long been recognized as a major part of advertising history, the complementary fear (of not having sex, of sexual and social rejection, and consequent despair) underlying these strategies is usually thought about as a fairly recent (and effective) advertising method. In ways that expose the images of women under construction in the social mindset, Niedecker’s poems call upon advertising’s thumbnail images and characters to inspect the rigid public attitude advertising was cultivating, an attitude male critics perpetuated in constructing American literary history.
Clinical Characteristics of Lower-Limb Ischemia in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Usefulness of the Great Toe Blood Flow as a Predictive Indicator of Leg Arterial Obstruction
Authors: Sakamoto Aya , Ikeda Mitsunori
Published: September 2022

Nurses are required to make quantitative, evidence-based observations when implementing diabetic foot care. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of lower-limb ischemia in patients with type 2 diabetes using subjective and objective symptoms and physiological indicators and whether the physiological characteristics are established as predictive indicators of arterial obstruction. Fifty Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (100 limbs) were classified into three groups using the ankle–brachial index (ABI). Patients with an ABI of ≤0.69 had subjective and objective symptoms of blood flow disturbance, such as pain at rest, cold sensation, pale skin, and imperceptibility to the dorsalis pedis artery. Blood flow in the first toe was the lowest. Binary logistic regression analysis established hallux perfusion as a predictive model for lower-limb arterial occlusion (odds ratio = 0.979, 95% confidence interval 0.900–0.999). Thus, when nurses perform diabetic foot care, it is necessary to evaluate not only subjective and objective symptoms, but also blood flow at the microcirculatory level of the great toe.
The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lee Yi-Chieh , Lu Chun-Ting , Cheng Wen-Nuan , Li Hsueh-Yu
Published: September 2022

Background: Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are mouth-breathers. Mouth-breathing not only narrows the upper airway, consequently worsening the severity of OSA, but also it affects compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. This study aimed to investigate changes in OSA by the use of mouth tape in mouth-breathers with mild OSA. Method: Mouth-breathers with mild OSA who met inclusion criteria and tolerated the sealing of the mouth were enrolled in the study. We used 3M silicone hypoallergenic tape was used to seal the mouths of the participants during sleep. The home sleep test (HST) used in this study was ApneaLink®. Subjects received both a baseline HST and an outcome HST to be used 1 week later while their mouths were taped. The changes between the baseline and the outcome HSTs were compared, and the factors that influenced the differences in the sleep-test parameters after the shift of the breathing route were analyzed. A “responder” was defined as a patient who experienced a reduction from the baseline snoring index of at least 50% under mouth-taping in the HST; otherwise, patients were considered as having a poor response. Results: A total of 20 patients with mild OSA were included. Following the taping of the mouth, a good response was found in 13 patients (65%). The median apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) decreased significantly, from 8.3 to 4.7 event/h (by 47%, p = 0.0002), especially in supine AHI (9.4 vs. 5.5 event/h, p = 0.0001). The median snoring index (SI) was also improved (by 47%, 303.8 vs. 121.1 event/h, p = 0.0002). Despite no significant difference in the mean saturation, improvements in the oxygen desaturation index (8.7 vs. 5.8, p = 0.0003) and the lowest saturation (82.5% vs. 87%, p = 0.049) were noted. The change in AHI was associated with baseline AHI (r = −0.52, p = 0.02), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) (r = −0.54, p = 0.01), and SI (r = −0.47, p = 0.04). The change in SI was strongly associated with baseline SI (r = −0.77, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Mouth-taping during sleep improved snoring and the severity of sleep apnea in mouth-breathers with mild OSA, with AHI and SI being reduced by about half. The higher the level of baseline AHI and SI, the greater the improvement was shown after mouth-taping. Mouth-taping could be an alternative treatment in patients with mild OSA before turning to CPAP therapy or surgical intervention.
Evaluation of Non-Pharmacological Measures Implemented in the Management of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania
Authors: Horga Nenssy Georgiana , Cirnatu Daniela , Kundnani Nilima Rajpal , Ciurariu Elena , Parvu Simona , Ignea Andrei Lucas , Borza Claudia , Sharma Abhinav , Morariu Stelian
Published: September 2022

The management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania has included the involvement of not only the medical system, but also that of the administrative and social services. All these organizations are working together to lower the impact on the health of the general population, to increase the health system’s response capabilities and even to diminish the negative effects upon the economy due to the epidemic’s length. Therefore, non-pharmacological measures (NPMs) imposed through restrictive measures (administrative, economic and individual) have influenced the evolution of morbidity and mortality. Even from the first months of the pandemic’s progression, researchers have shown the impact of the NPMs’ existence, as there were many studies on all NPMs in conjunction, as well as those targeting specific measures such as school closures. Our study started by establishing a temporal relationship between the non-pharmacological measures found in most countries (wearing a mask, washing hands and physical distancing, limiting economic activities, closing schools, limiting internal and international movement, banning public and private events in closed spaces) and the evolution of the pandemic in Romania. The degree of novelty brought by this study consists of extending the analysis to the pre-existing state of the health system and to the measures meant to increase the resilience of the population, as well as to the measures aimed at reducing the type of risk, and factors that can equally influence the evolution of the number of cases. The results of the statistical analysis show the important effects of certain NPMs (mask mandates, online schooling, decisions regarding imposing or lifting local restrictions) as well as the reduced impact of other measures (hand disinfection, social distancing or the restriction of public and private events). Hence, it can be concluded that during such pandemics, implementing quick, simple measures can prevent the spread of the disease and help fight the contagion in a better manner.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacterial Pathogens Stratified by Age in a Public Hospital in Qassim
Authors: Alrebish Saleh A. , Ahmed Nehad J. , Al Hamed Hamed , Kumar Ajay , Yusufoglu Hasan S. , Khan Amer Hayat
Published: September 2022

Antibiotics have completely transformed medical practice by enabling the treatment of infections that were formerly fatal. However, misuse of antibiotics encourages the formation and spread of germs that are resistant to therapy, hastening the emergence of bacterial resistance. This was a retrospective study that aimed to gather information about the variation in bacterial susceptibility of various patient age groups in a public hospital in Qassim, Saudi Arabia from January 2020 to December 2021. The study included reviewing bacterial susceptibility results that were collected from the laboratory department of the hospital. Four thousand seven hundred and sixty-two isolates were collected. The age of 46.41% of the patients was more than 63 years and the age of 28.96% of the patients was less than 48 years. The most prevalent bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The resistance of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to different antibiotics in the elderly group was generally higher than the resistance rates in younger patients. For example, in patients less than 48 years old, the resistance of Staphylococcus haemolyticus to clindamycin (53.3%), ampicillin (91.4%), ciprofloxacin (68.2%), erythromycin (86.1%), and penicillin (93.18%) was high. In patients aged more than 63 years, Staphylococcus haemolyticus was highly resistant to sulfamethoxazole (54.8%), clindamycin (63.9%), ampicillin (98.1%), ciprofloxacin (79.1%), erythromycin (93.2%), gentamicin (63.6%), and penicillin (98.7%). Before prescribing the antibiotics, it is important to assess the microbes that patients have and to be aware of the bacterial isolates’ patterns of antibiotic susceptibility among patients of various age groups.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression in Patients with Rheumatic Disease in South Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bae Sanghyun , Cho Ok-Hee
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of depression among patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study adopted a cross-sectional design, and 160 outpatients with RDs in one university hospital in South Korea were sampled using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected from May to July 2021 using a structured questionnaire. The risk factors of depression were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses. The prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and depression were 37.5%, 20.0%, and 24.4%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses confirmed that employment status, monthly income, perceived health, PTSD, and insomnia were significant risk factors of depression. The findings highlight the urgent need to assist patients with RDs who are at risk of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially individuals who are unemployed or have low incomes and poor perceived health, individuals with high PTSD, and individuals with severe insomnia. There is a need to provide disease-specific interventions to effectively alleviate depression among these individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Use Optimization of Organic Wastes in Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation against Strawberry Charcoal Rot Root
Authors: Márquez-Caro Ana , Borrero Celia , Hernández-Muñiz Paloma , Avilés Manuel
Published: September 2022

The imminent removal of agrochemicals in Europe is directly affecting the strawberry sector in Spain, specifically in the Huelva province. Huelva is currently the main producer in the country. The lack of efficient fumigants has led to the rise of soilborne diseases. Macrophomina phaseolina (the causal agent of charcoal rot in strawberries) is generating serious problems with strawberry farmers. This work proposes to optimize the process of anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) against M. phaseolina in strawberry crops as a more sustainable alternative than chemical fumigation. Two trials with different inoculum doses were conducted, amending the soil with rice bran and residual strawberry extrudate as the carbon source for the ASD to evaluate the propagule reduction. After the ASD, these soils were used to crop strawberries in a growth chamber under controlled conditions to assay the disease reduction. Strawberry extrudate and rice bran favored disease reduction over the control, equaling the efficacy of Metam Sodium or even improving it in some cases. Trichoderma spp. and microbial activity could influence the suppressive effect of the ASD. All amended ASD treatments reduced the M. phaseolina propagules and charcoal rot severity. Rice bran and residual strawberry extrudate are suitable amendments to be used in ASD against the pathogen. The resulting soil disinfestation against M. phaseolina with residual strawberry extrudate at 16.89 t/ha and 25 days was similar to the most effective treatment with rice bran (20 t/ha and 40 days) based on the disease foliar severity. Additionally, both treatments were equivalent in efficacy to the Metam Sodium treatment.
Patterns of Perceived Indoor Environment in Danish Homes
Authors: Kloster Stine , Kirkegaard Anne Marie , Davidsen Michael , Christensen Anne Illemann , Nielsen Niss Skov , Gunnarsen Lars , Ersbøll Annette Kjær
Published: September 2022

The indoor environment is composed of several exposures existing simultaneously. Therefore, it might be useful to combine exposures into common combined measures when used to assess the association with health. The aim of our study was to identify patterns of the perceived indoor environment. Data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey in the year 2000 were used. The perceived indoor environment was assessed using a questionnaire (e.g., annoyances from noise, draught, and stuffy air; 13 items in total). Factor analysis was used to explore the structure of relationships between these 13 items. Furthermore, groups of individuals with similar perceived indoor environment were identified using latent class analysis. A total of 16,688 individuals ≥16 years participated. Their median age was 46 years. Four factors were extracted from the factor analysis. The factors were characterized by: (1) a mixture of items, (2) temperature, (3) traffic, and (4) neighbor noise. Moreover, three groups of individuals sharing the same perception of their indoor environment were identified. They were characterized by: a low (n = 14,829), moderate (n = 980), and large number of annoyances (n = 879). Observational studies need to take this correlation and clustering of perceived annoyances into account when studying associations between the indoor environment and health.
The Need for a Data Ecosystem for Youth Mental Health in The Netherlands
Authors: Kleinjan Marloes , Jansen Danielle E. M. C. , van den Essenburg Maartje
Published: September 2022

The Netherlands is missing nationally representative data on child and adolescent mental health, e.g., on prevalence, course, and consequences of psychological disorders and mental health care utilization. Researchers and policy makers also lack a basic data infrastructure that is necessary to provide timely and reliable data crucial for benchmarking and informed decision making. In this article, we describe the necessity for a clear and well-organized overview of data on youth mental health and mental health care. We look back on three key moments in time to illustrate the breadth of the desire for data. Barriers in collecting structured, national data on a frequent basis are discussed, and several recommendations are provided of what is needed to move towards a data ecosystem that can help us to track the development and mental well-being of all children and youth and the impact of the care they receive.