bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases coinciding with clinical subtypes of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Gao Yang , Guo Yaxin , Dong Jiajia , Liu Yifan , Hu Wen , Lu Mi , Shen Yueran , Liu Yi , Wei Yongxiang , Wang Zhenlin , Zhan Xiaojun
Published: November 2022

Background

It is unclear about the cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CMD) among Chinese patients with different clinical subtypes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Hypothesis

The prevalence of CMD varies among OSA patients of different clinical subtypes.

Methods

A total of 1483 Chinese patients with OSA were assessed to evaluate the existence of clinical subtypes of OSA using latent class analysis. We compared the differences in demographic characteristics and prevalence of CMD using ANOVA and χ2 tests. Associations between clinical subtypes and disease prevalence were assessed using adjusted logistic regression.

Results

We identified prevalent CMD in Chinese patients with the four subtypes of OSA: excessively sleepy (ES), moderately sleepy with disturbed sleep (ModSwDS), moderately sleepy (ModS), and minimally symptomatic (MinS). The ES subtype had a higher body mass index, average Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, Apnea‐hypopnea index, and oxyhemoglobin saturation below 90% compared with the other subtypes (p < .05). The MinS subtype had the lowest mean ESS score (p < .05). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of CMD among the four subtypes, with the highest proportion of cases of CMD in the ES subtype. In adjusted models, significant associations with CMD were also found. ES, ModSwDS, ModS, and MinS subtypes are very high‐risk, high‐risk, medium‐risk, and low‐risk in prevalent CMD.

Conclusions

This study identified four clinical subtypes of OSA in Chinese patients. Each clinical subtype corresponds with a different level of prevalence of CMD; this finding is helpful for the more precise treatment of patients with different clinical manifestations.
Initial experience of a novel method for electrical isolation of the superior vena cava using cryoballoon in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lin Changjian , Bao Yangyang , Xie Yun , Wei Yue , Luo Qingzhi , Ling Tianyou , Zhang Ning , Jin Qi , Pan Wenqi , Xie Yucai , Wu Liqun
Published: November 2022

Background

Damage to the sinus node (SN) has been described as a potential complication of superior vena cava (SVC) isolation. There have been reports of permanent SN injury requiring pacemaker implantation during isolation of the SVC.

Hypothesis

It is safe and effective to isolate SVC with the second‐generation 28‐mm cryoballoon by using a novel method.

Methods

Forty‐three patients (including six redo cases) with SVC‐related atrial fibrillation (AF) from a consecutive series of 650 patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation were included. After pulmonary vein isolation was achieved, if the SVC trigger was identified, the SVC was electrically isolated using the cryoballoon. First, the cryoballoon was inflated in the right atrium (RA) and advanced towards the SVC‐RA junction. After total occlusion was confirmed by dye injection with total retention of contrast in the SVC, the SVC‐RA junction was determined. Next, the cryoballoon was deflated, advanced into SVC, then reinflated, and pulled back gently. The equatorial band of the cryoballoon was then set slightly (4.32 ± 0.71 mm) above the SVC‐RA junction for isolation of the SVC.

Results

Real‐time SVC potential was observed in all patients during ablation. The mean time to isolation was 24.5 ± 10.7 s. The SVC was successfully isolated in all patients. The mean number of freeze cycles was 2.5 ± 1.4 per patient, and the mean ablation time was 99.8 ± 22.7 s. A transient phrenic nerve (PN) injury occurred in one patient (2.33%). There were no SN injuries. Freedom from AF rates at 6 and 12 months was 97.7% and 93.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

This novel method for SVC isolation using the cryoballoon is safe and feasible when the SVC driver during AF is determined and could avoid SN injury. PN function should still be carefully monitored during an SVC isolation procedure.
The predictive value of changes in left atrial volume index for rehospitalization in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Hao Zhujing , Xu Guiwen , Yuan Mengyang , Sun Yuxi , Tan Ruopeng , Liu Yang , Xia Yun‐Long
Published: November 2022

Aims

Left atrial volume index (LAVI) is an adequate analysis to predicate the left ventricle (LV) filling pressures, providing a powerful predictive marker of LV diastolic dysfunction. LAVI is a dynamic morphophysiological marker, and whether LAVI changes can predicate clinical outcomes in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown.

Methods

HFpEF patients were retrospectively studied from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Patients were classified into deteriorated, stable and improved groups according to the change in LAVI. Rehospitalization was defined as the main endpoint, the composite outcome of rehospitalization or all‐cause death was defined as the secondary endpoint.

Results

A total of 409 patients were included. In this cohort, the percentage of deteriorated, stable, and improved LAVI were 99 (24.2%), 235 (57.4%), and 75 (18.4%), respectively. During the 22 months follow‐up period, 168 patients (41.1%) were rehospitalized, 31 patients (7.5%) died and 182 patients (44.5%) experienced a composite outcome. Multivariate Cox regression showed that compared to improved LAVI, those with deteriorated and stable LAVI experienced higher risk of rehospitalization. Logistic regression showed atrial fibrillation (AF) and higher creatinine were independent predictors of deteriorated LAVI, whereas the use of loop diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCB), and high level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) were significantly associated with improved LAVI.

Conclusions

Change in LAVI provides a powerful and dynamic morphophysiological marker of LV filling status and can be used to evaluate the rehospitalization in HFpEF patients.
Examining the effect of climate vulnerabilities on the discounting behaviour of farmers
Authors: Begho Toritseju , Anik Asif Reza
Published: November 2022

In agriculture, the possibility of climatic hazards negatively impacting small farmers’ livelihood is high. Thus, there are reasons to contend that climate vulnerabilities could determine economic behaviour. This paper investigates whether discounting behaviour varies with exposure to natural hazards. We analyse data from a survey involving an experiment in which farmers made choices between a smaller immediate payment compared with larger future amounts. The results show that 58% heavily discounted the future in favour of the immediate payment. Among the climatic shocks examined, flood, drought and salinity were the main hazards farmers faced on their plots. However, these natural hazards varied across locations. Our examination of the effect of the experience of natural hazards and the severity of climate vulnerability on farmers’ discounting behaviour suggests that experience and vulnerability had different impacts on discounting behaviour. Recent exposure to drought and flood reduces patience. However, the opposite is the case for a recent experience of salinity. This paper shows that under circumstances of climate vulnerabilities, farmers may be willing to make decisions that result in immediate albeit lower rewards in place of potential higher rewards in the future. The implication is that experience and vulnerability to natural hazards might affect farmers’ decision‐making to the extent that it prevents them from a speedy economic recovery post‐disaster.
Hybrid optimization based deep neuro fuzzy network for skin cancer detection
Authors: Majji Ramachandro , P. G Om Prakash , S Vairamuthu , B Selva Rani
Published: November 2022

Melanoma is the most prevalent type of skin cancer, affecting skin surface cells. The risk features of the disease are minimized by finding the disease at time or in the initial stage. Even through, various skin cancer detection methods are developed, detecting the disease using discriminative features still results a challenging task. An efficient detection strategy based on the proposed Lion Cat Swarm Optimization‐based Deep Neuro Fuzzy Network (LCSO‐based DNFN) is created to identify skin cancer in its early stages. The LCSO is the integration of the lion optimization algorithm (LOA) and cat swarm optimization (CSO) algorithm. To make treatment measure at right time increases the probability of survival and so detecting the disease using deep learning classifier is performed with hybrid optimization algorithm. The segmentation result is effective through the fusion model and it ensures to achieve accurate detection process. Rather than extracting the features, the proposed method generates optimal result through data augmentation. The performance of the proposed LCSO‐based DNFN is determined using skin disease dataset, and the introduced approach obtained outstanding performance with the measures of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity with the values of 93.10%, 92.95%, and 92.87%, respectively.
Maladaptive therapist schemas in CBT practice, training and supervision: A scoping review
Authors: Roscoe Jason , Taylor Julie
Published: November 2022

Background

Maladaptive therapist schemas are hypothesized to generate difficulties within cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) practice, training and supervision. Without adequate identification and management, they negatively affect the cognitions and emotions of the therapist, leading them to behave in ways that risk ruptures or therapy and supervision being delivered in a suboptimal fashion. Consequently, there is a need to synthesize the research that has been undertaken to date on the content, prevalence, identification and management of maladaptive therapist schemas.

Method

A scoping review was undertaken of studies that have been published since 2001 on the impact of maladaptive therapist schemas (also referred to interchangeably as beliefs or cognitions) in CBT practice, training and supervision. Thirteen studies were identified in a literature search from four electronic databases, a reference list search of identified articles and hand searches.

Results

Three overall themes were identified in the research: (1) prevalence of therapist schemas, (2) specific therapist beliefs and (3) therapist characteristics associated with the delivery of suboptimal CBT or supervision. While there is little empirical support for therapist schemas, therapist resistance and beliefs relating to the fear of using exposure therapy were identified. Therapist intolerance of uncertainty and self‐esteem were recurrent factors.

Conclusion

There is no consensus on how to define, identify, formulate or respond to maladaptive therapist beliefs or schemas in clinical practice, training or supervision. Further research is needed to better understand their origins, maintaining factors and appropriate management of their impact.
A Model for Evaluating the Crystallinity Quality of Single Crystals Grown by the Floating Zone Technique
Authors: Xu Benyan , Li Zhenyou , Wang Kunpeng , Wang Xuejiao , Zhang Jianxiu , Liang Lanju , Li Longfei , Ren Yanbiao , Liu Yong , Liu Meng , Xue Dongfeng
Published: November 2022

The floating zone technique is a popular method for crystal growth of nonconventional superconductors and magnetic materials. However, the quality must be characterized with particular care with respect to their actual crystallinity since not everything grown by floating zone method is a single crystal. In this paper, the molten‐zone sensitive material LiCoPO4 has been grown by the floating zone method using Co(NO3)2∙6H2O and CoO precursors, respectively, abbreviated as LCPN and LCPO. The grown materials are characterized regarding their chemical composition, phase purity, crystal perfection, and orientation. In order to optimize crystal growth and quantitatively characterize its crystallinity quality, the development factor (V) has been proposed to determine the growth rate of the grains, while the orientation deviation factor (δ) for assessing the quality of the grown crystals. The development factors V for LCPN and LCPO are calculated to be 0.05 and 0.09, respectively, indicating that the grains of LCPO develop faster than those of LCPN. At the same time, the orientation deviation factor of LCPO exceeds that of LCPN (δ(LCPO) = 2.00, δ(LCPN) = 0.77) suggesting a higher quality for the latter. This model provides significant guidance for the evaluation of other materials grown by the floating zone method.
Sustainability reporting in view of the European sustainable finance taxonomy: Is the financial sector ready to disclose circular economy?
Authors: Moneva José M. , Scarpellini Sabina , Aranda‐Usón Alfonso , Alvarez Etxeberria Igor
Published: November 2022

The European sustainable finance taxonomy requires financial and nonfinancial companies to provide investors with information about the environmental performance of their assets and economic activities. For financial institutions, making socially and environmentally responsible investments visible through a common label that guarantees specific standards for the entire European Union is crucial. Against this background, this study analyzes the evolution of sustainability reporting practices and their assurance in a sample of European financial institutions. To this end, we used a double qualitative methodological approach, based on (a) an external analysis of nonfinancial information and its relationship with the main economic‐financial variables of the sample companies, and (b) a case study of a bank carried out through semi‐structured interviews. This study provides an external measurement analysis of nonfinancial information in entities from different countries, which can contribute to broadening the scope and level of sustainability and circular economy accountability.
Enhanced image compression method exploiting NTT for internet of thing
Authors: Zhou Runjian , Wen Jiangang , Zou Yuanping , Wang Anding , Hua Jingyu , Sheng Bin
Published: November 2022

Joint photographic experts group (JPEG) is the common compression technology of image transmission with the Internet of Things (IoT), which probably causes low compression ratio (CR) and increases the requirement for transmission rate. Therefore, a lightweight image compression method combining JPEG and number theoretic transformation (NTT) is proposed to address the above problems. Simulation results show that the proposed method has higher CR than JPEG, embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW), and combining singular value decomposition with wavelet difference reduction (SVD‐WDR) compression algorithms, which reduces the requirement of IoT devices for transmission rate.
β3 adrenergic agonist treatment in chronic pulmonary hypertension associated with heart failure (SPHERE‐HF): a double blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: García‐Álvarez Ana , Blanco Isabel , García‐Lunar Inés , Jordà Paloma , Rodriguez‐Arias Juan J. , Fernández‐Friera Leticia , Zegri Isabel , Nuche Jorge , Gomez‐Bueno Manuel , Prat Susanna , Pujadas Sandra , Sole‐Gonzalez Eduard , Garcia‐Cossio Maria D. , Rivas Mercedes , Torrecilla Estefanía , Pereda Daniel , Sanchez Javier , García‐Pavía Pablo , Segovia‐Cubero Javier , Delgado Juan F , Mirabet Sonia , Fuster Valentín , Barberá Joan A. , Ibañez Borja ,   for the SPHERE‐HF Investigators
Published: November 2022

Aims

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with left heart disease is an increasingly prevalent problem, orphan of targeted therapies, and related to a poor prognosis, particularly when pre‐ and post‐capillary PH combine. The current study aimed to determine whether treatment with the selective β3 adrenoreceptor agonist mirabegron improves outcomes in patients with combined pre‐ and post‐capillary PH (CpcPH).

Methods and results

The β3 Adrenergic Agonist Treatment in Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Heart Failure (SPHERE‐HF) trial is a multicentre, randomized, parallel, placebo‐controlled clinical trial that enrolled stable patients with CpcPH associated with symptomatic heart failure. A total of 80 patients were assigned to receive mirabegron (50 mg daily, titrated till 200 mg daily, n = 39) or placebo (n = 41) for 16 weeks. Of them, 66 patients successfully completed the study protocol and were valid for the main analysis. The primary endpoint was the change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) on right heart catheterization. Secondary outcomes included the change in right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction by cardiac magnetic resonance or computed tomography, other haemodynamic variables, functional class, and quality of life. The trial was negative for the primary outcome (placebo‐corrected mean difference of 0.62 Wood units, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.38, 1.61, p = 0.218). Patients receiving mirabegron presented a significant improvement in RV ejection fraction as compared to placebo (placebo‐corrected mean difference of 3.0%, 95% CI 0.4, 5.7%, p = 0.026), without significant differences in other pre‐specified secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

SPHERE‐HF is the first clinical trial to assess the potential benefit of β3 adrenergic agonists in PH. The trial was negative since mirabegron did not reduce PVR, the primary endpoint, in patients with CpcPH. On pre‐specified secondary outcomes, a significant improvement in RV ejection fraction assessed by advanced cardiac imaging was found, without differences in functional class or quality of life.
Hybrid photovoltaic‐liquid air energy storage system for deep decarbonization
Authors: Chen Yu , Feng Juan , Liu Rui , Chen Jingyu , Jiang Zhaomin , Yu Chengbiao , Chen Xiaoyuan , Shen Boyang , Fu Lin
Published: November 2022

Nowadays most photovoltaic (PV) plants usually use battery energy storage technology to smooth fluctuant power, but batteries have the drawbacks of a short lifetime and environmental pollution. The existing renewable power networks have serious problems with decarbonizing electricity on the end‐user side. This paper investigates a new hybrid photovoltaic‐liquid air energy storage (PV‐LAES) system to provide solutions for the low‐carbon transition for future power and energy networks. In this article, a local PV power plant cooperates with its maximum power point tracking (MPPT)‐based boost converter, to generate low‐carbon electricity with some uncertain fluctuations. Then a zero‐emission‐air‐based LAES unit is used to absorb the surplus power from the PV plant, and also compensate power for the local load with inadequate power level. This makes the new system save a large proportion of power from main grids, which can also indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For the MW‐class PV‐LAES case, results show that the surplus renewable electricity (6.73 MWh) generates 27.12 tons of liquid air for energy backups during the day time, and then the LAES unit has a round‐trip efficiency of 47.4% that can discharge a flexible power compensation to the load in the night. Accordingly, the grid power demand reduces significantly from 12.78 to 3.33 MWh in a day. In this way, the annual power savings is estimated to be 3449.25 MWh, and the corresponding carbon emission can be reduced by 2607.63 tons. Regarding the economic performance, the PV‐LAES system presents a dynamic payback period of 9.33 years and an accumulated life‐cycle net profit of $2,260,011. Overall, the proposed PV‐LAES scheme is economically feasible from a life‐cycle perspective, and can potentially realize flexible energy interaction with local renewables to achieve an integrated low‐carbon power generation and storage system.
Deep hybrid models for daily natural gas consumption forecasting and complexity measuring
Authors: Bai Shengxi , Huang Xiaomei , Luo Min , Su Junfu
Published: November 2022

Accurately forecasting daily natural gas consumption (NGC) is challenging due to its complex time‐varying high‐dimensional features. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel hybrid model for daily NGC forecasting consisting of two stages. In Phase I, the parallel local outlier factor‐isolation forest‐based data preprocessing algorithm is applied to denoise input data and preserve valuable features. In Phase II, the convolutional neural network (CNN)–stacked long short‐term memory (SLSTM) can extract and model spatio‐temporal features and is a hybrid deep learning forecaster. The influencing mechanism of different factors on the daily NGC prediction accuracy has not been mathematically and experimentally revealed. Thus, a hybrid complexity measure model () is developed by combining the variation coefficient analysis, local fluctuation coefficient analysis, and kurtosis analysis. The historical data sets of three representative cities were collected in the case studies, and six advanced models were selected for comparison. The results reveal that high‐quality input data preprocessed in Phase I enables better prediction performance for all models. The CNN‐SLSTM outperforms other algorithms with an average prediction improvement of about 26%–49%. Prediction models perform better in low NGC periods and cities with predominantly industrial natural gas users due to their lower data complexity.
Design and performance optimization of a tri‐generation energy hub considering demand response programs
Authors: Taheri Bahman , Foroud Asghar Akbari , Jabari Farkhondeh
Published: November 2022

The design and development of renewable energy resources‐based poly‐generation microgrids have recently increased to supply multiple demands such as cool, heat, and power as well as mitigate pollutants improving efficiency. This paper aims to develop a combined cooling, heating, and power production network integrating photovoltaic panels (PVs), wind and gas turbines, a battery, an ice bank tank, a heater, an electrical chiller, a thermal energy storage medium. In this tri‐generation facility, natural gas is utilized for district heating and fueling the gas turbine power generation cycle. The local power distribution system in combination with the output powers of PVs, wind and gas turbines is used to directly supply the electrical appliances, ice maker process, and chiller as well as charge the battery storage unit. Moreover, the air/water‐cooled chiller procures the cooling flux for a benchmark microgrid. Its heating energy requirement is also provided by the gas‐fired heater, the flue gases of the gas turbine, and the thermal storage medium. A mixed integer linear programming problem is coded using a generalized algebraic modeling system (GAMS) to minimize daily operating costs and emissions. Simulations are examined and analyzed over a 24‐h study horizon on a sample summer day. Time‐of‐use energy rates and RTPs are considered two strategic demand response schemes to investigate the cost‐effectiveness capability of the gas‐power nexus model. The proposed approach is coded using a GAMS to confirm its effectiveness and cost‐environ benefits in four cases with and without heat/cool/electrical storage units considering time‐of‐use energy rates and real‐time prices.
Performance prediction of centrifugal compressor based on a new volute loss model and corrected theoretical work
Authors: Qingyi Sai , Jian Chen , Bo Zhang
Published: November 2022

Performance prediction plays an important role in the predesign stage of centrifugal compressors. A set of loss models is usually selected and grouped to fulfill the above prediction. To improve the defects of traditional prediction, we modified the outlet velocity and slip coefficient of the impeller by means of the energy average method to obtain theoretical work. A new volute loss model is proposed to replace the traditional semiempirical loss model by adopting a suitable loss model for each flow passage component. A proper performance prediction method is established for the centrifugal compressor studied in this paper. The overall performance of a single‐stage centrifugal compressor is predicted and compared with experimental and numerical simulation results. It is found that the prediction method proposed can better predict the overall performance of the centrifugal compressor. And the volute loss is the third largest loss after impeller loss.
Experimental validation of fuzzy type‐2 against type‐1 scheme applied in DC/DC converter integrated to a PEM fuel cell system
Authors: Napole Cristian , Derbeli Mohamed , Barambones Oscar
Published: November 2022

This research presents and compares the outcomes of experimental implementations of different fuzzy logic control structures for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). These devices are well known for their capability to transform chemical energy into electrical with low emissions. Commonly, a PEMFC has a linkage with a boost converter which allows a suitable end‐user voltage through a nonlinear control law. Hence, the contribution in this sense is the experimental comparison of two fuzzy logic strategies known as type‐1 and type‐2 that were implemented in a PEMFC system. The approaches were embedded in a control board dSPACE 1102 which also has the capability to acquire data. The contrast of results showed capabilities improvement against disturbances in terms of error reduction, control signal, and robustness.
Investigation of thermal efficiency for subcritical ORC and TFC using super dry working fluids
Authors: Ahmed Aram M. , Imre Attila R.
Published: November 2022

Efficiency is a crucial factor for power cycles. Generally, in the same temperature range, the cycle efficiency for a basic organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is higher than a similar trilateral flash cycle (TFC) for almost all working fluids and heat source/heat sink temperature pairs. According to some recent results, by using super dry working fluids, the thermal efficiency of TFC can outperform its ORC counterpart at high temperatures. This study performed the thermodynamics analysis using three dry working fluids with subcritical basic ORC and TFC with zero to partial recuperated heat ratio. The results showed that using recuperative heat exchange effectively contributes to increasing the efficiency of ORC and TFC. However, the rate of efficiency increase in ORC is higher than the TFC, which can be clearly seen, especially at high maximal cycle temperatures. Using super dry working fluids, the recuperator‐free TFC has favorable cycle efficiency at high heat source temperatures. In contrast, by adding heat recovery for both systems, the ORC can outperform the TFC at 0.4, 0.2, and 0.1 recuperated heat effectiveness for Dodecane, Decane, and Nonane, respectively.
Thermal characteristics of Li‐ion battery based on phase change material‐aluminum plate‐fin composite heat dissipation
Authors: Liu Feifei , Gan Shulong , Chen Yangyang , Qin Wu , Li Jun
Published: November 2022

A reliable battery thermal management system (BTMS) not only can effectively decrease the maximum temperature but also maintain the temperature uniformity of the lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) battery after grouping. Nevertheless, considering the deficiency of a single heat dissipation method, there exist challenges in efficient heat dissipation structure design, especially at high discharge rates. In this work, a composite heat dissipation structure of battery module with phase change material (PCM)–aluminum plate–fin is proposed. Meanwhile, the transient effects of different discharge rates, melting points, and thickness of PCM on the thermal characteristics of the module are analyzed. Results show that the maximum temperature of the module with PCM–aluminum plate–fin can be reduced by 25.8°C, 11.0°C, and 10.2°C respectively at 4 C discharge rate compared with natural convection, aluminum plate–fin, and paraffin PCM, and the maximum experimental error among them is less than 5%. During 2–5 C discharging, the melting rate of phase change increases first and then decreases, which leads to the trend of the maximum temperature and maximum temperature difference of the module rising with bending twice. When the ambient temperature is 25°C, the paraffin PCM with a melting point of 28°C is implemented for battery cooling because of its more rapid melting and heat absorption. The increase in PCM thickness is beneficial to the heat dissipation of the module. The optimal PCM thickness of 3 mm can realize temperature uniformity control within 2.5°C.
Numerical and experimental studies of packed bed thermal energy storage system based on a novel transient energy model
Authors: Ma Xiaoteng , Fan Chunchao , Shao Wei , Cao Qun , Cui Zheng
Published: November 2022

Packed bed thermal energy storage (PBTES) is an essential means to solve the temporal difference and continuity between energy supply and utilization in the fields of concentrating solar power, compressed‐air energy storage, and waste heat recovery. In this paper, to solve the imperfection and inaccuracy of the current energy model, a precise transient two‐dimensional multiequation model is developed. The model comprehensively considers thermal dispersion, wall effects, thermophysical property changes, and other factors. Experiments are performed to compare and validate the simulation results, and the simulation error is −4.5% to 1.9%, achieving excellent simulation accuracy. Also, the wall effect on the PBTES is observed, and the gas‐solid temperature fields exhibit an evident nonuniform oscillation distribution in the radial direction. The effects of storage tank length, thermophysical properties, particle diameter, and gas‐solid initial temperature on the heat release rate are discussed in detail. Results indicated that decreasing the tank length, increasing the gas‐solid temperature difference, and particle materials with high thermal diffusivities can increase the heat release rate, and a clear linear change was found. Particularly because a larger range of particle diameter variation is considered, the heat release rate is shown to vary nonlinearly with particle diameter, and the selection of the optimal diameter must comprehensively consider the effects of the heat capacity and the heat transfer rate. This study provides a theoretical basis for the design of thermal energy storage systems.
Study on the energy capture efficiency of flapping airfoil power generator using semiactive dual‐layer airfoils
Authors: Xu Wu , Jianyang Zhu , Peng Xie
Published: November 2022

To address the problem that the energy capture efficiencies of existing flapping airfoil power generators are lower than those of traditional turbine generators, a dual‐layer flapping airfoil structure was adopted to improve the energy capture performance of the semiactive flapping airfoil, inspired by the multiwing flying mode of dragonflies in nature. The influence of the dual‐layer flapping airfoil structure on the energy capture performance of a semiactive flapping airfoil was systematically analyzed by a Taguchi experimental design and computational fluid dynamics simulations. The results showed that the dual‐layer flapping airfoil structure mainly improved the energy capture efficiency of the flapping airfoil by increasing the lift force and reducing the maximum sweep distance. Under the optimized parameter combination, the energy capture efficiency of the dual‐layer flapping airfoil reached 28.80%, which was 17.74% higher than that of the single‐layer flapping airfoil. Furthermore, the influence of the dual‐layer flapping airfoil structure on the energy capture performance of a semiactive flapping airfoil was related to the mass ratio of the system, and a larger mass ratio (M* ≥ 40) caused the performance of the dual‐layer flapping airfoil to deteriorate. Analysis of the vortices around the flapping airfoil revealed that there were more attached vortices on the surface of the dual‐layer flapping airfoil, but the increase in the mass ratio led to an advance of the separation of the leading edge vortex, which was the reason that the dual‐layer flapping airfoil with a smaller mass ratio had a better energy capture performance.
Study on rock mechanics characteristics of deep shale in Luzhou block and the influence on reservoir fracturing
Authors: Han Lingling , Li Xizhe , Liu Zhaoyi , Guo Wei , Cui Yue , Qian Chao , Huang Yize
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to study the influence of deep formation conditions on the mechanical properties of shale, which is of great significance for the engineering application of efficient development of deep shale gas. In this study, a real‐time high‐temperature (25°C–170°C) triaxial compression experiment was first carried out on shale samples. Then, based on the analysis results of rock mineral components and discrete element numerical simulation technology, a thermo‐mechanical coupling model (TMCM) was constructed, and the accuracy of the numerical model was verified. Finally, based on the micromechanical parameters, a numerical fracturing mechanism model considering the influence of temperature, natural fracture density, and fracture length was established, and the influence of current reservoir conditions on hydraulic fracturing was discussed. The results show that confining pressure has a greater effect on rock mechanics than temperature. When the temperature exceeds 110°C, the plasticity of rock samples increases, and the fracture morphology becomes complex. In addition, the increase in temperature promotes the fracture of microcracks to a certain extent. The research results are expected to provide a sufficient theoretical basis for the development and utilization of deep shale gas resources.
Planning of renewable and storage‐based standalone microgrid for reliable electrification
Authors: Asghar Ali , Kamal Md Mustafa , Ashraf Imtiaz
Published: November 2022

World's large population lives in remote areas where electricity is unavailable or unreliable supply. For electricity supply, a low‐cost, minimum‐emission hybrid renewable energy system is necessary due to power shortages or unavailability, high electricity costs, and large greenhouse gas emissions. The current work develops a standalone hybrid power generating system and assesses its techno‐economic feasibility for rural sites in the Lucknow area of Northern India. To address the electric load requirement, the proposed work includes a system that includes a solar photovoltaic (SPV) module, a lead‐acid battery, a wind turbine (WT), and a diesel generator (DG). The system is sized and optimized using the hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources software. In this off‐grid system, the proposed system is intended for a home load need of 52.00 kWh/day with a peak of 11.04 kW. The technical and financial specifications are drawn from the local Indian market for the proposed standalone system. In this article, seven different resource combinations are investigated. A combination of 13 kW DG, 16 kW SPV, 50 kWh lead‐acid battery, 9 kW inverter, and 4 kW WT produces the best optimal system. With a 98.4% renewable portion, the cost of energy and total net present cost are $0.162/kWh and $57 390, respectively. The sensitivity analysis inflation and discount rates are 5.5% and 8%, respectively. As a consequence of the findings, we can conclude that the suggested standalone system is more cost‐effective for rural areas in Northern India.
Assessing the impact of enforcement and compliance with minimum staffing standards on the quality of care in nursing homes: Evidence from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' staff star rating downgrade policy
Authors: Brunt Christopher S.
Published: November 2022

Policymakers have historically attempted to influence quality in nursing homes through the imposition of minimum staffing standards and through the public dissemination of quality on websites like Care Compare. One current Federal standard necessitates a registered nurse (RN) on duty for at least eight consecutive hours each day. In 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that they would incentivize compliance with this requirement by downgrading nursing homes with 7+ days without an RN present during the quarter by one star on their Care Compare staffing domain quality rating. This study evaluates the impact of this new enforcement mechanism. Using an intent‐to‐treat sample of nursing homes at risk for downgrade with difference‐in‐differences and event study models, it finds that the policy increased compliance and staffing levels. Using the policy to instrument for full compliance, it finds that the daily presence of an RN causally improves several quality dimensions.
Impact of long‐term care insurance on the health status of middle‐aged and older adults
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Guan Jing , Wang Guojun
Published: November 2022

With the increase of aging population, long‐term care insurance (LTCI) systems have become important for improving individuals' health. However, the effect of LTCI on health is unclear, especially in developing countries, owing to the lack of random policy shocks and comprehensive databases. This study investigates the Chinese LTCI pilot program, using four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database (sample aged ≥45 years) from 2011 to 2018. The recent difference‐in‐differences approaches for staggered design, which are capable of dealing with the negative weights issue, are used to investigate changes in health status, measured by self‐rated health (SRH), (instrumental) activities of daily living, self‐rated depression, and cognition, in pilot and non‐pilot cities before and after LTCI implementation. Long‐term care insurance has a significant average effect on SRH improvement and a long‐term positive effect on cognition for middle‐aged and older populations. This study provides the first evaluation of LTCI policy on health outcomes using the recent difference‐in‐differences approaches. It provides evidence for the overall health improvement achieved through the LTCI and offers positive reinforcement and potential areas for improvement in establishing LTCI worldwide.
The influence of land management and seasonal changes in surface vegetation on flood mitigation in twoUKupland catchments
Authors: Bond Stephanie , Willis Thomas , Johnston Jean , Crowle Alistair , Klaar Megan J. , Kirkby Mike J. , Holden Joseph
Published: November 2022

As the frequency and magnitude of storm events increase with climate change, understanding how season and management influence flood peaks is essential. The influence of season and management of grasslands on flood peak timing and magnitude was modelled for Swindale and Calderdale, two catchments in northern England. Spatially‐Distributed TOPMODEL was used to investigate two scenarios across four storm events using empirically‐based soil and vegetation data. The first scenario applied seasonal changes in vegetative roughness, quantifying the effect on flood peaks at catchment scale. The second scenario modelled the influence of grassland management from historical high‐intensity grazing to a series of natural succession stages between grassland and woodland, and a conservation‐based management. Model outputs were analysed by flow type, measuring total, overland and base flow peaks at the catchment outlet. Seasonal changes to vegetation were found to increase overland flow peaks by up to +2.2% in winter and reduce them by −5.5% in summer compared to the annual average. Percentage changes in flood peak due to hillslope grassland management scenarios were more substantial; overland flow peaks were reduced by up to 41% in Calderdale where extensive woodland development was the most effective mitigation strategy, and up to 35% in Swindale, where a rank grassland dominated catchment was the most effective. Conservation‐based farming practices were also useful, reducing overland flow peak by up to 42% compared to the high intensity grazing scenario. Neither management nor seasonality changed the timing of runoff peaks by >45 min. Where overland flow dominates, especially in catchments with shallow soils, surface roughness was found to be more influential than soil permeability for flood mitigation. We recommend that seasonal changes to roughness are considered alongside the spatial distribution of Natural Flood Management in mosaiced upland catchments.
FinTechs and financial inclusion—Balkan experience: Digital perspectives on financial markets
Authors: Apostu Simona Andreea , Panait Mirela , Vasile Valentina , Sharma Gagan Deep , Vasile Razvan
Published: November 2022

The article aims to identify the stage of development of Fintech in the Balkan countries given the existence of numerous influencing factors Fintech is present in the Balkan countries, with a landscape colorfully generated by the different factors as the involvement of public authorities, the EU membership of only a few countries, the level of financial and digital education of the population. In order to highlight the variables influencing Fintech and financial inclusion in selected countries, specific indicators were used—internet usage and the share of bank assets in GDP, and several indicators regarding individuals performance, that is, online shopping, paid bills via internet, accessed a bank account online, paid utility bills using a mobile phone, made or received digital payments, account ownership and debit card ownership. The sample consists of all eight Balkan countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Romania. For testing the hypothesis in the analysis are used: descriptives, ANOVA, cluster analysis and principal components analysis. The results demonstrated that Balkan countries are not homogenous regarding Fintech and financial inclusion, the differences being generated both by the public policies in the financial field but also by IT development and by the population openness for using the new financial services and products. For these reasons, the authors identified economic policy measures that can be applied to increase financial inclusion in these countries given the facilities offered by Fintech and the digitization of financial products.
Prevalence and severity of discharge medication discrepancies resolved by pharmacists at a veterans affairs teaching hospital
Authors: Muller Alexander , Baric Jennifer E. , Kohmescher Diane , Kendall Ronald , Siler Andrew F. , Rusu Camelia , Evans Richard , Cotiguala Laura
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Although reassuring outcome data exist, not all pharmacist discharge efforts have been effective. This may be explained by heterogenous medication reconciliation definitions and processes. At a Veterans Affairs Teaching Hospital, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPS) review the discharge medication reconciliation as part of a multidisciplinary process. The objective of this study is to describe CPS' role in resolving discharge medication reconciliation discrepancies and to evaluate potential patient harm avoided through pharmacist intervention.

Methods

Patients discharged home on at least one medication between October 21, 2021 and February 16, 2022 were included in this prospective single cohort study at a Veterans Affairs Hospital. Medication discrepancies were recorded. A panel of independent pharmacists categorized the clinical impact of discrepancies based on the potential to cause patient discomfort or clinical deterioration had the discrepancy gone unresolved: unlikely (class I), moderate (class II), or severe (class III).

Results

A total of 300 discharges were evaluated and 546 discrepancies identified. A majority (n = 202, 67.3%) of discharges had a discrepancy, with an average of 1.8 (SD ± 2.4) discrepancies per discharge. Pharmacists provided education during 84.3% of discharges and spent an average of 21.7 (SD ± 16.7) minutes per discharge. Panelists identified 359 (65.8%) class I, 149 (27.3%) class II, and 38 (7%) class III discrepancies. Omitted medication and incorrect dosing discrepancies conferred highest risk for potential patient harm. An increase in the number of medication changes from admission to discharge was the only variable predictive of discrepancies at discharge.

Conclusion

Pharmacists play a vital role at hospital discharge by resolving discrepancies and mitigating potential adverse outcomes. Designing discharge systems that prevent omitted medication and incorrect dosing discrepancies may be beneficial as these errors had the largest potential clinical impact; however, this hypothesis was unable to be tested in this study and deserves further research.
Pharmacy resident research programming at a community health system: Challenges, quality improvement, and outcomes
Authors: Hyland Sara J. , Musch Kellie L.E.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Numerous barriers exist to providing high‐yield pharmacy resident research programming, especially at community health systems where research expertise and resources may be limited.

Objectives

To describe a feasible educational program structure that other community health system pharmacy residency programs could implement to improve resident research and scholarship skills, and to explore the impact of the programming on indicators of resident preparedness in research activities and system‐wide pharmacist scholarship.

Methods

We pursued a retrospective quality improvement study of a single community health system's experience with implementing and refining a longitudinal pharmacy resident research educational program. The program began at a single site in 2017 and expanded to a system‐wide curriculum that now serves 22 residents annually across five hospitals. Structured as quarterly, system‐level, single‐day workshops, the educational program is designed to supplement and support site‐level rotations through hands‐on learning of high‐yield skillsets. Assessed indicators of program success included resident survey evaluations of perceived program value and resident preparedness, pharmacist performance in the annual enterprise‐wide research competition, and rate of system pharmacist‐authored publications.

Results

A refined pharmacy resident research program is described, including challenges and worked solutions to success. Residents consistently rate the value of the learning experience highly and endorse favorable readiness for future research endeavors after residency (modes of 4‐5 on 5‐point Likert scale). The percentage of pharmacist winners of the annual research competition increased from 9% in 2014 to 100% in 2022. The annual rate of pharmacist‐authored publications increased from 0 to 1 per year before 2014 to 17 in the calendar year 2021.

Conclusion

Community health‐system pharmacy residency programs can provide high‐yield educational programming to equip residents with desired research and scholarship skills through creative and collaborative solutions to identified barriers. Health systems may also realize broader scholarly outputs from pharmacists and preceptors by supporting and lateralizing pharmacy resident research programming.