bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainwater harvesting system as a strategy for adaptation on climate change: A review
Authors: Heidy Gabriela Ruiz Martínez , Jose Vladimir Cornejo Tueros
Published: December 2022

In the face of increasing water scarcity aggravated by climate change, the rainwater harvesting system is a technique that increases the water supply for various purposes. The objective of this research is to analyse the recent literature published on the rainwater collection system, for which the systematic review method was used. The main form of rainwater catchment are roofs, but the material used is important because it can affect the quality of the water. Some physicochemical parameters of rainwater may be within the standards for human consumption, but it is contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms, which represents a risk to public health if it is consumed without prior treatment, so it is mainly used for irrigation and flushing toilets. However, this system has been implemented mainly in rural areas to satisfy their basic needs, including human consumption, because these places do not have access to the central drinking water system. Given this scenario, treatment technologies are being developed that are easy to operate and maintain, such as solar disinfection and filtration for drinking water purposes. This study provides a global overview progress of research related to the rainwater harvesting system.
Prediction on The Maximum Lift Force of Twisted Clark Y Wind Turbine Blade With 30° Winglet Tip in Various Pitch Angles Using CFD Method
Authors: Arini Nu Rhahida , Muhammad Gilang , Pratilastiarso Joke , Tridianto Erik , Sumantri Bambang , Nugroho Setyo
Published: December 2022

The wind energy is one of the renewable energy which is extracted the most amongst other resources. However, the performance still required to be improved by modifying the wind turbine blade. In this study, the modification is employed at the tip of the blade using 30° winglet. The aim of this paper is to investigate numerically the lift of force of the modified Clark Y foil in various pitch angles and predict the pitch angle at which the maximum lift is found to be maximum. There are five pitch angle variations, and they are 0°, 12°, 22°, 32°, and 42°. 3D CFD models are used using OpenFOAM 8. From the results, it can be seen that the maximum lift force was achieved at the pitch angle variation of 32° with the value of 1.245 and the maximum drag force was achieved at the pitch angle variation of 22° with the value of 1.325. While the maximum C

l
/C

d
that represents aerodynamic efficiency was achieved at the variation of 12° with the value of 2.915.
Effects of Atmospheric Icing on Performance of Controlled Wind Turbine
Authors: Sahin M , Farsadi T
Published: December 2022

Icing deteriorates the performance of wind turbine rotors by changing the blade airfoils’ shapes. It decreases the lift, increases the drag, and subsequently causes power production losses and load increase on turbines’ structures. In the present study, the effects of atmospheric icing on the performance of a controlled large-scale wind turbine is estimated through simulations. To achieve the target, the MS (Mustafa Sahin) Bladed Wind Turbine Simulation Model is used for the analyses of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5 MW turbine with and without iced blades. Icing modeling is realized based on its main characteristics and its effects on blade aerodynamics. Turbine performance estimations are carried out at various uniform wind speeds between cut-in and cut-out wind speeds and are presented in terms of various turbine parameters such as power, thrust force, blade pitch angle, and rotor speed. Simulation evaluations show that even a light ice accretion along the blades varies the turbine characteristics and dynamics, changes the cut-in and rated wind speeds, and affects the aforementioned turbine parameters differently in the below and above rated regions.
Solar-Powered Refrigeration Systems for Kenya Sub-Counties Health facilities for COVID-19 Vaccines Storage; Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects
Authors: Kaira John , Makadhimo Mwenda , George Adwek
Published: December 2022

The economic prosperity plus technological growth of each & every county depend heavily on energy security, and the energy availability portrays the quality of life in that country. Solar energy is an alternative energy source for cooling systems where power is costly, unreliable, and unsustainable—the main options for electrically-powered refrigeration systems available for several years; are our gas and kerosene-driven refrigerators. The solar refrigeration system was a promising advancement in the early 1980s, creating an alternative to absorption technology to cater to the cold chain requirements in off-grid areas. The main objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of solar-powered refrigeration systems for rural dispensaries, sub-counties health centers, and health posts in Kenya; this is in line with the current COVID-19 pandemic, which demands that the vaccine be supplied to the local populace. This article provides essential recommendations on the solar-powered refrigeration system and highlights some critical parameters for the successful implementation of solar-powered refrigeration units into vaccination programs in the future, including; The supply chain of the vaccines in the country, the current state of the health system at sub-county hospitals, areas of improvements, and the recommendations
Artificial neural network modeling of microwave-assisted heat pump drying process
Authors: Nguyen Duc Nam , Nguyen Viet Dung , Hang Tran Thi Thu , Le Kieu Hiep
Published: December 2022

Recently, microwave-assisted drying is an emerging drying technique that can help to accelerate the water removal process. In this paper, a microwave-assisted experimental drying study of carrot slides is presented. A microwave-assisted heat pump dryer is fabricated where the drying agent temperature, the supplied microwave power, and the circulative fan speed are easy to adjust. A series of 61 drying experiments is conducted with a range of drying temperature from 35 °C to 45 °C, a range of microwave power from 0 to 1.25 W/gram, and air velocity varied from 0.55 m/s to 1.70 m/s. The drying kinetics of the dehydration process is analyzed. Based on the obtained result, suitable intensive drying conditions for carrot slices are proposed. To extend the applicability of the experimental study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model of the drying process is developed. Instead of estimating the network for individual drying conditions in previous studies, the network is established for the entire range of drying conditions. The results indicate that the proposed ANN model predicts the microwave-assisted drying process adequately.
Assessing 3D printing processes as enablers of circular economy
Authors: Psihoyos Harry O. , Mouzakitis Yannis , Adamides Emmanuel D. , Lampeas George N.
Published: December 2022

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also popularly known as 3D Printing, refers to a group of manufacturing methods which are guided by a digital model and use incremental addition of material, usually in a layer-by-layer manner, for the fabrication of objects. Lately, AM is widely used in both industry and academia, exhibiting, among others, the advantages of flexibility and ability to produce on demand, with reduced cost, time and waste. This paper seeks to shed light on the contribution of 3D printing in the transition towards the objective of circular economy. Towards this end, we focus on three AM processes (Cold Spray, Direct Energy Deposition, and Powder Bed Fusion), and we review 27 distinct case studies in the laboratory as well as industrial settings, exploring their circularity based on the comprehensive 9R framework (recover, recycle, repurpose, remanufacture, refurbish, repair, reuse, reduce, rethink, refuse). Overall, the results provide a structured assessment of the degree of circularity, and identify the dominant “R” strategies employed by the specific methods of AM. They also reveal the positive impact, and the corresponding advantages, of 3D printing in the extension of product(s) life cycle, with respect to specific material and industry sectors.
Lighting products as part of the circular economy and strategies that affect it. A literature overview.
Authors: Grigoropoulos C J , Zerefos S C , Tsangrassoulis A , Doulos L T
Published: December 2022

In general, for the last 150 years, linear economy dominates the society. A model in which products are made from raw materials recovered from the environment, used, repaired, and finally disposed of in landfills. The environmental impact of the linear economy gave rise to the concept of the circular economy. This paper aims to provide a literature overview that presents ways that lighting products can participate in the circular economy, and define the role and effect that specific strategies have on the design, production, use and end-of-life of lighting products. In this new model of circular economy, lighting products participate with specific strategies that help reduce the waste that eventually leads to the environment and also to conserve natural resources. These strategies are R9=Recover, R8=Recycle, R7=Repurpose, R6=Remanufacture, R5=Refurbish, R4=Repair, R3=Reuse, R2=Reduce, R1=Rethink and R0=Refuse. In recent years, many manufacturing companies that design and manufacture lighting products in the initial design of their products now use circular economy strategies. Also, independent scholars, agree on the necessity of using circular economy, since its benefits can reduce the environmental impacts, energy, and emissions and finally to reduce or even eliminate the waste that eventually leads to the environment
The contribution of footpaths to the protection and utilization of the natural environment by using the VIKOR method for their ranking
Authors: Daoutis C , Kantartzis A , Stathi A , Arabatzis G
Published: December 2022

The numerous benefits, physical and mental, of hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing are well documented in literature. The preservation and thorough maintenance of hiking trails can have multiple impacts: apart from the protection of natural and cultural resources, trails can also make hiking more appealing and popular and lead to multifaceted development of local areas. However, human trampling may be the cause of soil compaction and erosion and may ultimately lead to trail and landscape degradation. For this reason, long distance trails should be better designed to minimize potential future problems and should be constantly monitored to ensure their viability. In the present paper, the VIKOR method was applied for the ranking of the hiking trails located in the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki, Greece, with a view to improving their technical characteristics in the future. The questionnaire included seven criteria (Start Elevation, Summit Elevation, Slope, Degree of Difficulty, Length, Hiking Time, Starting Point Distance from the City), which were rated and ranked by members of mountaineering clubs as to their importance in mountaineers’ routing decisions. The proposed trail rating approach can be a valuable tool for evaluating or improving the sustainability of existing or new trails in the region.
Evaluating Landslides’ triggering precipitation thresholds, in regions affected by wildfires, using public and open access data. The case of North Peloponnese, Greece
Authors: Nefros C , Loupasakis C , Kitsara G
Published: December 2022

Wildfires pose nowadays a serious threat for human societies as they significantly change the local environment and cause many fatalities around the world. Besides their direct catastrophic results on local ecosystems, they can also be responsible for the acceleration of other devastating phenomena, such as the landslides. This threat is rather critical for the Mediterranean area, where the number of the wildfires is expected to be significantly increased in the following decades, due to climate change. During this study, the impact of the wildfires, on the landslides’ activating mechanism is examined and analysed, through the evaluation of the trend of the landslides’ precipitation thresholds before and after the wildfire events occurred in North Peloponnese Greece, in 2000 and 2007. The determination of these thresholds in a local scale, is a rather critical process for the effectiveness of early warning systems, that can be applied in case of a potential landslide’s activation, to the nearby cities. As, it is revealed, the relevant intensity – duration (ID) precipitation thresholds in the study area, have been declined after some wildfire events, showing that the vulnerability of the area to landslides, has been relatively increased. Thus, the evaluation of the landslides’ precipitation thresholds emerges as a dynamic process and the need for an urgent thresholds’ update after a wildfire event, is highlighted. In that direction the followed process, was conducted by using public data or open access data. Thus, the applicability of these open access tools and platforms, after a wildfire, on the regular and direct update of these thresholds is underlined.
Strategy of integrated refurbishment of post-war housing stock in Serbia using exoskeletons
Authors: Levic B , Djukanovic Lj
Published: December 2022

The functional and architectural obsolescence of the post-war multi-family housing stock, and high energy consumption of the buildings, are characteristics that require complex and integrated renovation. The research problem is the high energy consumption for heating the existing multi-family residential buildings built in the period 1946-1970. Those buildings are one quarter of the total multifamily housing stock of Serbia. The approach of renovating existing buildings by adding exoskeletons has its functional advantages that set it apart as one of the more significant approaches to complex building renovation. The subject of the research includes the analysis of the application of the exoskeleton addition strategy to existing multi-family buildings in order to achieve high energy efficiency of buildings and increase the space of residential units, and improve vertical communications of buildings. The aim of the research is to examine the advantages of the approach to integrated improvement of existing building by applying the strategy of exoskeleton addition, which includes energy, spatial and functional improvement of the existing building. The paper will define the methodological procedure of exoskeleton application from the initial idea, identification of the research problem, strategy of its application, to the results that can be achieved by such a procedure.
Environmental and Ecological Approach in the Restoration of Historical Monuments
Authors: Al Adgham S. , Saba M. , Sabalbal G. , Arairo W. , Absi J.
Published: December 2022

Architectural heritage preservation requires more attention to save historical monuments as it protects the distinctiveness of the country. However, large portions of construction and demolition waste come from the renovation sector. As such, the need for eco-friendly materials is a necessity to decreasing the environmental impact of renovation processes such as the carbon footprint and global warming. The study aims to use geopolymeric paste as a potential alternative for renovating architectural elements in Al-Attar Mosque, Tripoli, instead of cementitious materials that impact the environment. The mix design of the geopolymer paste consists of metakaolin and sodium-based alkaline solution. The paste is used to bind very old sandstone rocks provided by the historic mosque. The mechanical properties of the natural sandstone were tested with and without geopolymeric paste in different cutting conditions. In most of the samples, the cracking occurred in the stone itself and not in the geopolymer binder. This behaviour proved that the geopolymer binder is a good alternative to be used in renovating the wall, holding good mechanical properties. As such, it proved that it has good potential to be used in historical monuments. It is also an environmentally friendly material, with a lower carbon footprint than concrete.
Assessing the construction and demolition waste volume for a typical Mediterranean residential building
Authors: Karanafti A , Tsikaloudaki K , Theodosiou T
Published: December 2022

Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) effective management is of vital importance, especially regarding the climate-neutral economy target set for 2050. The common practice of landfilling them during the past decades and ignoring the environmental impacts is now obsolete, with countries around the world adopting national regulations for their proper treatment. The lack of data on the CDW volume produced every year both in the European region and at the Greek national level is evident, in contrast with Asian or American regions, and introduces a great uncertainty in the field. This study aims at estimating the CDW quantities produced by a typical multi-storey residential building in Greece, built in the mid-20th century, made of reinforced concrete and filling masonry walls. The subsidized renovation programs by the European Union, which have a great impact on the Greek domain, are also considered, so two renovation procedures are considered during the building’s lifespan, resulting in an extended lifetime of the building along with additional CDW quantities produced on each renovation procedure. Challenges regarding the disposal, recycling and reuse potential and alternatives of the distinct CDW types produced are presented, based on the international literature available data.
Assessment of thermo-hygrometric environment of historic museum building in Constantine-Algeria
Authors: Benharkat S , Benhassine N , Sahnoune S , Ouis A
Published: December 2022

Assessing the indoor microclimate of heritage and historic buildings is important to preserve them and their contents and study their decay and damage processes. This study aims to evaluate the thermo-hygrometric environment, and its impact on the exhibited objects and visitors’ comfort of an old Ottoman Palace (Ahmed Bey) converted into a museum. The National Museum of Traditional Arts and Cultural Expressions-Ahmed Bey Palace-is located in Constantine, North East of Algeria, characterized by a semi-arid climate. The building has internal courtyards and does not have an HVAC system. The most critical thermo-hygrometric parameters have been calculated and assessed in the exhibition’s permanents rooms using the HD32.3 datalogger during the winter period from January to March of 2019. The measured data were compared to acceptable values suggested by the Italian Standard UNI 10829 for artefact preservation and to the corresponding external outdoor conditions. The results show that the interior conditions of exhibition rooms are mainly dependent on the external climatic conditions. The air temperature values are out of the acceptable range, while the relative humidity values are higher than the acceptable values. Thus, the monitoring parameters are not reasonably acceptable for the preservation of the kind of objects exhibited and the thermal comfort of visitors.
The environmental impact of the new version of the Interior Lighting European Norm in Lighting and Circadian Design
Authors: Tservartsidis I , Skandali C , Doulos L T
Published: December 2022

The new version of the European Standard of Interior Lighting (EN 12464-1) considers LED technology for energy saving and minimizing environmental impact by giving new criteria for quantitative and qualitative lighting, including those that concern the “non-image-forming effects” (NIF) of light. In addition, it takes into account normal aging as an assumption for proposing increased light levels in indoor workplaces. In real applications, this seems to create lighting conditions that do not fully support human well-being based on the criterion of WELL Building Standard v2 (2021) for Circadian Lighting Design. Therefore, in offices, it is proposed to increase the light levels by at least one step from the minimum provided by the EN Standard. In order to examine this hypothesis, a typical office space is examined. In addition to the main requirements, the Mean Ambient Illuminance (Ēamb) and the Mean Room Surface Luminous Exitance (Mrs) are calculated according to the EN Standard but also the Equivalent Melanopic Lux (EML) and the Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (M-EDI) as proposed by the WELL Standard. The comparison between EN 12464-1 and Well Standard has shown that the qualitative lighting design criteria are stricter in WELL than in EN Standard.
Opinion of construction professionals for the implementation of sustainable construction strategies
Authors: Laridou S , Giannarou S , Zervas E
Published: December 2022

The new energy crisis, caused by the current geopolitical destabilization, has made the need to limit our energy consumption more urgent than ever. As the construction industry is widely known to be one of the most energy consuming sectors, this study aims to investigate the influence of construction professionals in implementing sustainable construction strategies, increasing the construction of sustainable buildings and infrastructure, and promoting sustainable investments. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire, addressed mainly to engineers, to investigate their willingness and motivation to enhance the design and construction of sustainable buildings and infrastructure and to promote and expand the use of renewable energy sources. The results of the study showed that almost the vast majority of engineers who participated in the survey use or recommend the use of green materials in their projects. Their motivations are mainly environmental, such as mitigating hazardous air pollutants, also, socially, such as providing healthy living conditions and finally financial, as residents save resources by saving energy. However, a significant number of participants believe that the construction cost of a sustainable building is much higher than the cost of a conventional one and see it as a deterrent reason for involvement.
Assessing the environmental impacts of renewable energy sources with emphasis on wind energy
Authors: Gkalonaki S , Karatzas K
Published: December 2022

Renewable energy (RE) technologies have become particularly popular worldwide, so as to mitigate climate change and to support addressing contemporary international energy market challenges. However, relevant projects may impact both the environment and humans. This study is based on a literature review of the environmental effects of RE projects. Wind energy, hydropower, solar energy and geothermal energy are the most common renewable energy sources. This review analyses environmental impact related data from, mainly, European countries, taking into account their commonality in Greece, considering relevant publications, articles, reports and papers with a time span of twenty-five years. This review’s main objective is to identify and organize the environmental impacts during the different phases of a RE project, which are the pre-construction phase, the construction phase, the operation phase, the upgrade phase and the decommissioning phase. The environmental components used for an environmental impact assessment and the different receptor groups of each impact were taken into consideration, to properly map the environmental impacts. The study covers the natural and man-made environment affected by RE projects and emphasizes on wind energy projects. Main research gaps are highlighted, and future research steps are proposed.
Analysis of the world scientific production on Energy Poverty, Fuel Poverty and Energy Vulnerability
Authors: Iliopoulou Zoe , Rapsomanikis Nikolaos , Zervas Efthimios
Published: December 2022

It is estimated that energy poverty affects between 50 and 125 million people in Europe. Rates of energy poverty vary among Member States, but are generally higher in Southern and Eastern Europe. The aim of this study is to investigate the scientific production related to energy poverty, fuel poverty and energy vulnerability through a bibliometric analysis, using Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis was performed for Year, Subject area, Source type, Document type, Affiliation, Country/Territory, Funding sponsors and an analysis of the keywords used. The study uses three keywords: “energy poverty”, “fuel poverty” and “energy vulnerability”, and records the works published from 1981 to 2021. There has been a significant increase in the number of publications in the last decade. Energy is the most productive subject area, followed by Environmental Science and Social Sciences. There is also a significant geographic centralization, with most of the works published in the United Kingdom and the United States. Economically developed countries produced more academic research than developing countries; the research institutions with the highest production comes from the UK, USA, Spain and Greece. For further analysis to reveal the new research trends, the first 160 keywords used are categorised according to their content.
Mechanical characterization and environmental assessment of stabilized earth blocks
Authors: Arairo W , Saba M , Bachawati M El , Absi J , Kontoleon K J
Published: December 2022

Soil is a local material which allows populations in warm regions to better cope with severe environmental conditions. The materials’ performance depends on the chemical and physical nature of the soil. The greatest problem with these materials remains their high sensitivity to shrinkage, and their vulnerability in terms of cracking due to drying. These pathologies may lead to a radical decrease in their mechanical performance. Several works have indicated that the consideration of plant fibers, as reinforcement in earth materials, made it possible to avoid cracking, and, thus, ensure the stability of structures. These results are not generalizable and depend on the involved materials. This work aims to investigate different scenarios for the stabilization of earth blocks. In this context, the use of cement with two types of natural fibers for the stabilization of Lebanese earth blocks has been studied. The mechanical properties of stabilized earth blocks have shown that the developed mix provides suitable results compared to the traditional masonry block. The environmental impacts of earth blocks have been compared using SimaPro software. The results of this study show that the stabilized earth blocks are gaining their place as a sustainable, affordable building material suitable for low-cost construction.
Geopolymer: a new sustainable repairing material for concrete cracks
Authors: Frangieh C. , Saba M. , Karmaoui D. , Lafhaj Z.
Published: December 2022

Concrete is considered by far the most widely used material in the construction field. As such, the matter of repairing concrete cracks has been a constant focus of researchers over the years since cement-based materials are not an effective solution due to the appearance of fissures again. To search for a better repairing solution, geopolymer paste was seen as an eco-friendly solution that fits the requirements of the EN-1504 standard. Geopolymer also reduces global warming and the usage of natural resources and recycles industrial waste materials resulting in the production of more sustainable and eco-friendly materials in the field of construction from what has been assessed geopolymers, it has been proven to show better characteristics than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The objective of this paper is to study the mechanical properties of geopolymer paste used to bind fissured concrete. A comparison of results will be made between French Metakaolin-based geopolymer paste and Lebanese Metakaolin-based geopolymer paste. Results showed very promising results on different types of concrete cracks.
Biomass as adsorbent – A depollution cost effective material in a promising market
Authors: Giakoumatos S D V , Kopsidas O N
Published: December 2022

The manuscript demonstrates aspects of agro-waste biomass as an effective eco-friendly depollution material. Low cost agro-waste biomass derived by forestry activities gains an ever-growing importance in terms of a first-class material to stuff, industrial sized adsorption column for depollution purposes. Given that biomass is abundant, low cost and easy to get, becomes a very promising material, suitable for many industrial procedures to obtain eco-friendliness. Agricultural biomass e.g. sawdust, immobilizes, heavy metal ions, which it is, by all means, beneficial for water and soil restoration, playing, therefore, crucial role in industrial ecology. Greek forestry and cultivations provide a great variety of organic materials servings in laboratory and industrial scale as stuffed biomass in columns for chemical agents’ removal. Agro-waste byproducts demonstrate considerable advantages in column operational aspects. In this study, specific evaluation criteria were introduced for packed bed selection in columns, when heavy metal ion binding is the case. Furthermore, certain agro-byproducts were tested in the lab regarding their kinetic dye adsorption performance. Results confirmed the hypothesis that the proposed agro-byproducts are effective and innovative approaches in usage in Industrial ecology framework and by all means compensate the initial capital expenditures.
A preliminary study of chemical parameters of water in the Albanian part of Lake Ohrid at the end of the spring season
Authors: Dalo E , Sadikaj R , Shyqeriu M , Sahiti H
Published: December 2022

The transboundary lake of Ohrid, which lies between North Macedonia and Albania, is one of the deepest lakes in the Balkan Peninsula. The study was conducted in Albanian part of lake in order to make an overall assessment of the water quality of Lake Ohrid in terms of phosphorus, phosphates, nitrogen and nitrites at the end of the spring season which is characterized by a high frequency of tourism. The research was carried out in June of 2016 at three selected points of the lake (at the entrance of the city of Pogradec, at the point that was a few meters away from the former iron-nickel mine and at the exit of the village Lin). Water samples were collected from the surface and the chemical parameters were measured by the spectrophotometric method. The results showed that points 2 and 3 had the highest values of total P (0.187 mg/l and 0.177 mg/l) and total N (0.296 mg/l and 0.268 mg/l). In terms of nitrites there were no major differences between the points and the values were low. The high values of phosphates in point 1 can be justified by the high intensity of tourism in the city of Pogradec in the spring-summer season. According to the Regulation on the Quality of Drinking Water in Albania dated 25.5.16, the waters of Lake Ohrid in terms of total N enter the class A, while according to the UNECE 1994 recommendation for surface waters, in terms of total phosphorus, the waters of Lake Ohrid belong to the fourth class.
Removal of Phenanthrene from wastewater with low-cost adsorbents
Authors: Stavrinou A , Theodoropoulou M A , Aggelopoulos C A , Tsakiroglou C D
Published: December 2022

The potential to remove Phenanthrene (PHE) from water matrices through adsorption onto natural organic substances (NOSs) and natural inorganic compounds (NICs) was studied. Coffee waste (CW) and activated carbon (AC) produced from CW, and chemically pre-treated with NaOH or H3PO4 were chosen as NOS, and diatomaceous earth (DE) and DE pre-treated with NaOH or H3PO4 was chosen as NIC. Comparative analysis showed that the AC produced from CW pre-treated with NaOH and pyrolyzed at 800 °C (CWAC-NaOH-800) was the most efficient adsorbent, and used for parametric analysis with respect to the initial pH of the solution, the contact time, and initial PHE concentration. The pore structure parameters of adsorbents were determined from nitrogen sorption isotherms. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was fitted better to the experimental data, showing that chemisorption is the rate-controlling step in the adsorption process. Sips isotherm gave the best fit to the experimental isotherm data indicating that adsorption occurs on a heterogenous system, and adsorption capacity was found qmax
= 143.85 mg/g. The results show that CWAC-NaOH-800 with the highest specific surface area (SSA=910 m2/g) is very efficient toward the adsorption of PHE which makes it a well-promising material for the removal of PAHs from waters.
Evaluating the IPAT formula in Greece over the 1960-2019 period with respect to CO2 emissions
Authors: Kaika D
Published: December 2022

The IPAT formula attempts to evaluate the impact of human activity on the environment. Considering specifically the total emissions of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) as the impact of human activity on the environment, the IPAT equation takes the particular form of the Kaya identity proposed by Yoichi Kaya in 1993. This paper adopts the Tapio decoupling approach and explores the underlying factors, through a Kaya identity formulation, that have driven the evolution of CO2 emissions in Greece from 1960 to 2019, which is a rather long period of time. The study evaluates the contribution of each factor of the Kaya identity over time to the shaping of CO2 emissions over time in Greece. Results could be helpful for the implementation of proper strategies focusing in mitigating CO2 emissions without hindering the economic growth process in Greece.
Assessment of hydrodiplomacy effectiveness under climate change: The case study of the transboundary river basins of Greece
Authors: Stefanopoulou D K , Skoulikaris C
Published: December 2022

Transboundary water management is a complex multidisciplinary thematic, with many of the factors involved to have a distinct tendency of exacerbation due to climate change. At the same time, hydrodiplomacy aims at securing cooperation at transboundary scale and fostering conflicts resolution among riparian countries. The research proposes a Hydrodiplomacy Index (HyDI) that integrates climate change and water diplomacy aspects as a qualitative tool for transboundary river basins’ management under climate change. The latter is considered as the a) volume and nature of climate change-related studies on surface cross-border waters, and b) climate change international agreements ratified by the riparian countries and the corresponding implementation progress. In terms of hydrodiplomacy, the features that are taken into consideration are the a) current ecological and chemical status of the transboundary waters, b) flood vulnerability of boundary areas, c) mankind pressures, d) socio-political tensions, e) bilateral agreements on water management, f) common legal frameworks, and g) outputs of the Sustainable Development Goals index for transboundary water management. The five transboundary river basins that Greece shares with neighbouring countries are the case study area, and the HyDI quantifies in which way climate change consists of a potential key-parameter for the management of transboundary waters.
Association between walking energy utilisation and longitudinal cognitive performance in older adults
Authors: Kuo Pei-Lun , An Yang , Gross Alden L , Tian Qu , Zipunnikov Vadim , Spira Adam P , Wanigatunga Amal A , Simonsick Eleanor M , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M , Schrack Jennifer A
Published: December 2022

Background

Human motor function is optimised for energetic efficiency, however, age-related neurodegenerative changes affects neuromotor control of walking. Energy utilisation has been associated with motor performance, but its association with cognitive performance is unknown.

Methods

The study population included 979 Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participants aged $\ge$50 years (52% female, mean age: 70$\pm$10.2 years) with a median follow-up time of 4.7 years. Energy utilisation for walking was operationalised as a ratio of the energy cost of slow walking to peak walking energy expenditure during standardised tasks (‘cost-ratio’). Cognitive functioning was measured using the Trail Making Tests, California Verbal Learning Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), letter and category fluency and card rotation tests. Linear mixed models adjusted for demographics, education and co-morbidities assessed the association between baseline cost-ratio and cognitive functioning, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. To investigate the relationship among those with less efficient energy utilisation, subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

In fully adjusted models, a higher cost-ratio was cross-sectionally associated with poorer performance on all cognitive tests except WAIS (P < 0.05 for all). Among those with compromised energy utilisation, the baseline cost-ratio was also associated with a faster decline in memory (long-delay free recall: β = −0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.8, −0.02]; immediate word recall: β = −1.3, 95% CI = [−2.7, 0.1]).

Conclusions

These findings suggest cross-sectional and longitudinal links between energy utilisation and cognitive performance, highlighting an intriguing link between brain function and the energy needed for ambulation. Future research should examine this association earlier in the life course to gauge the potential for interventive mechanisms.
Older adults’ experiences of implementing exergaming programs: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Ning Hongting , Jiang Dian , Du Yan , Li Xiaoyang , Zhang Hongyu , Wu Linan , Chen Xi , Wang Weihong , Huang Jundan , Feng Hui
Published: December 2022

Objective

this study sought to systematically review and synthesize qualitative data to explore older adult exergame experiences and perceptions.

Methods

a comprehensive search was conducted in seven databases from the earliest available date to May 2022. All qualitative and mixed-method studies available in English and explored exergame experiences in older adults were included. Tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute were used for data extraction and synthesis. Data were extracted using the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Model of Behaviour (COM-B model) as a guide, and a pragmatic meta-aggregative approach was applied to synthesize the findings.

Results

this systematic review identified 128 findings and aggregated 9 categories from the 10 qualitative research articles included, and three synthesized findings were: older adult capability, opportunities in the exergaming program and motivation in the exergaming program. Capability consisted of attitude toward exergames, age- or health-related impairments and exergame knowledge and skills. Opportunities included older adult-friendly exergame design and social influence. Motivation included self-efficacy, support, instruction and feedback, health benefits, as well as unpleasant exergaming experiences.

Conclusions

it is crucial to tailor the exergaming program to suit the older population. We identified barriers and facilitators of implementing exergaming in older adults and found most barriers are surmountable. The results of the current systematic review could provide evidence for the design and implementation of exergaming programs among older adults. The ConQual score of the synthesized findings was assessed as low. Dependability and credibility should be accounted for in future studies to increase confidence.
Effects of fish oil-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in older people: a secondary analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Xu Dengfeng , Lu Yifei , Yang Xian , Pan Da , Wang Yuanyuan , Yin Shiyu , Wang Shaokang , Sun Guiju
Published: December 2022

Background

the effects regarding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation on sarcopenia have been explored by several clinical trials. Nonetheless, the use of n-3 PUFA for improving body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in older people is conflicting.

Objectives

our aim was to perform a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial to evaluate the effects of 6-month n-3 PUFA supplementation on body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in older Chinese people.

Methods

in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 200 eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive 4 g/day fish oil capsules (1.34 g eicosapentaenoic [EPA] + 1.07 docosahexaenoic [DHA]) or 4 g/day corn oil capsules (EPA + DHA <0.05 g) for 6 months. The primary outcomes were the changes of body composition, muscle strength (hand grip strength) and physical performance (Timed Up and Go time). Secondary outcomes were the changes in serum lipid profiles.

Results

compared with control group, fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation resulted in significant increases in thigh circumference (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001), total skeletal muscle mass (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001); the differences were still significant even after height correction. Muscle strength and physical performance including hand grip strength (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001) and Timed Up and Go time (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001) were also improved after a 6-month fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA intervention. In terms of serum lipid profiles, fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation could significantly reduce serum level of triglyceride (interaction time × group effect P = 0.012) and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (interaction time × group effect P < 0.001); while no significant improvement was found in serum concentrations of total cholesterol (interaction time × group effect P = 0.413) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (interaction time × group effect P = 0.089).

Conclusions

our present trial demonstrated that a 6-month fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA supplementation could beneficially affect the body composition, muscle strength, physical performance and serum lipid profiles in older people, which could be into considerations when making strategies aiming to the primary prevention of sarcopenia.
Excess deaths from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA
Authors: Li Siyuan , Han Lefei , Shi Haoting , Chong Marc K C , Zhao Shi , Ran Jinjun
Published: December 2022

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has indirect impacts on patients with chronic medical conditions, which may increase mortality risks for various non-COVID-19 causes. This study updates excess death statistics for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) up to 2022 and evaluates their demographic and spatial disparities in the USA.

Methods

This is an ecological time-series analysis of AD and PD mortality in the USA from January 2018 to March 2022. Poisson log-linear regressions were utilised to fit the weekly death data. Excess deaths were calculated with the difference between the observed and expected deaths under a counterfactual scenario of pandemic absence.

Results

From March 2020 to March 2022, we observed 41,115 and 10,328 excess deaths for AD and PD, respectively. The largest percentage increases in excess AD and PD deaths were found in the initial pandemic wave. For people aged ≥85 years, excess mortalities of AD and PD (per million persons) were 3946.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2954.3, 4892.3) and 624.3 (95% CI: 369.4, 862.5), which were about 23 and 9 times higher than those aged 55–84 years, respectively. Females had a three-time higher excess mortality of AD than males (182.6 vs. 67.7 per million persons). The non-Hispanic Black people experienced larger increases in AD or PD deaths (excess percentage: 31.8% for AD and 34.6% for PD) than the non-Hispanic White population (17.1% for AD and 14.7% for PD).

Conclusion

Under the continuing threats of COVID-19, efforts should be made to optimise health care capacity for patients with AD and PD.
The impact of frailty on patient-reported outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Cook Michael J , Lunt Mark , Ashcroft Darren M , Board Timothy , O’Neill Terence W
Published: December 2022

Aim

to determine the impact of frailty on patient-reported outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty.

Methods

we used linked primary and secondary care electronic health records. Frailty was assessed using the electronic frailty index (categorised: fit, mild, moderate, severe frailty). We determined the association between frailty category and post-operative Oxford hip/knee score (OHS/OKS) using Tobit regression. We calculated the proportion of patients in each frailty category who achieved the minimally important change (MIC) in OHS (≥8 points) and OKS (≥7 points) and the proportion who reported a successful outcome (hip/knee problems either ‘much better’ or ‘a little better’ following surgery).

Results

About 42,512 people who had a hip arthroplasty and 49,208 who had a knee arthroplasty contributed data. In a Tobit model adjusted for pre-operative OHS/OKS, age, sex and quintile of index of multiple deprivation, increasing frailty was associated with decreasing post-operative OHS and OKS, respectively, β-coefficient (95% CI) in severely frail versus fit, −6.97 (−7.44, −6.49) and − 5.88 (−6.28, −5.47). The proportion of people who achieved the MIC in OHS and OKS, respectively, decreased from 92 and 86% among fit individuals to 84 and 78% among those with severe frailty. Patient-reported success following hip and knee arthroplasty, respectively, decreased from 97 and 93% among fit individuals to 90 and 83% among those with severe frailty.

Conclusion

frailty adversely impacts on patient-reported outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty. However, even among those with severe frailty, the large majority achieved the MIC in OHS/OKS and reported a successful outcome.
Frailty and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on community-living middle-aged and older adults: an analysis of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
Authors: Griffith Lauren E , McMillan Jacqueline , Hogan David B , Pourfarzaneh Sina , Anderson Laura N , Kirkland Susan , Basta Nicole E , van den Heuvel Edwin , Raina Parminder ,   The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Team, Balion Cynthia , Costa Andrew , Asada Yukiko , Wolfson Christina , Cossette Benoȋt , Levasseur Mélanie , Hofer Scott , Paterson Theone , Liu-Ambrose Teresa , Menec Verena , John Philip St , Mugford Gerald , Gao Zhiwei , Taler Vanessa , Davidson Patrick , Wister Andrew , Cosco Theodore
Published: December 2022

Background

frailty imparts a higher risk for hospitalisation, mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19 infection, but the broader impacts of the pandemic and associated public health measures on community-living people with frailty are less known.

Methods

we used cross-sectional data from 23,974 Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants who completed a COVID-19 interview (Sept–Dec 2020). Participants were included regardless of whether they had COVID-19 or not. They were asked about health, resource, relationship and health care access impacts experienced during the pandemic. Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence of impacts was estimated by frailty index quartile. We further examined if the relationship with frailty was modified by sex, age or household income.

Results

community-living adults (50–90 years) with greater pre-pandemic frailty reported more negative impacts during the first year of the pandemic. The frailty gradient was not explained by socio-demographic or health behaviour factors. The largest absolute difference in adjusted prevalence between the most and least frail quartiles was 15.1% (challenges accessing healthcare), 13.3% (being ill) and 7.4% (increased verbal/physical conflict). The association between frailty and healthcare access differed by age where the youngest age group tended to experience the most challenges, especially for those categorised as most frail.

Conclusion

although frailty has been endorsed as a tool to inform estimates of COVID-19 risk, our data suggest it may have a broader role in primary care and public health by identifying people who may benefit from interventions to reduce health and social impacts of COVID-19 and future pandemics.