bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Port-Hamiltonian Mathematical Model of a Fluid Ring Attitude System
Authors: Alcaraz Tapia Juan Cristobal , Castañeda Carlos E. , Vargas-Rodríguez Héctor
Published: October 2021

In this article, we propose a mathematical model using the port-Hamiltonian formalism for a satellite’s three-axis attitude system comprising fluid rings. Fluid rings are an alternative to reaction wheels used for the same purpose, since, for the same mass, they can exert a greater torque than a reaction wheel as the fluid can circulate the periphery of the satellite. The port-Hamiltonian representation lays the foundation for a posterior controller that is feasible, stable, and robust based on the interconnection of the system to energy shaping and/or damping injection components, and by adding energy routing controllers. The torques exerted by the fluid rings are modeled using linear regression analysis on the experimental data got from a prototype of a fluid ring. Since the dynamics of turbulent flows is complex, the torques obtained by the prototype lead to a simpler first approach, leaving its uncertainties to a controller. Thus, the attitude system model could be tested in a future prototype before considering a spatial environment.
Different Approaches for Evaluation and Modeling of the Effective Thermal Resistance of Groundwater-Filled Boreholes
Authors: Todorov Oleg , Alanne Kari , Virtanen Markku , Kosonen Risto
Published: October 2021

Groundwater-filled boreholes are a common solution in Scandinavian installations of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) due to the particular hydro-geological conditions with existing bedrock, and groundwater levels close to the surface. Different studies have highlighted the advantage of water-filled boreholes compared with their grouted counterparts since the natural convection of water within the borehole tends to decrease the effective thermal resistance Rb*. In this study, several methods are proposed for the evaluation and modeling of the effective thermal resistance of groundwater-filled boreholes. They are based on distributed temperature sensing (DTS) measurements of six representative boreholes within the irregular 74-single-U 300 m-deep borehole field of Aalto New Campus Complex (ANCC). These methods are compared with the recently developed correlations for groundwater-filled boreholes, which are implemented within the python-based simulation toolbox Pygfunction. The results from the enhanced Pygfunction simulation with daily update of Rb* show very good agreement with the measured mean fluid temperature of the first 39 months of system operation (March 2018–May 2021). It is observed that in real operation the effective thermal resistance Rb* can vary significantly, and therefore it is concluded that the update of Rb* is crucial for a reliable long-term simulation of groundwater-filled boreholes.
Significant Production of Thermal Energy in Partially Ionized Hyperbolic Tangent Material Based on Ternary Hybrid Nanomaterials
Authors: Nazir Umar , Sohail Muhammad , Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Krawczuk Marek
Published: October 2021

Nanoparticles are frequently used to enhance the thermal performance of numerous materials. This study has many practical applications for activities that have to minimize losses of energy due to several impacts. This study investigates the inclusion of ternary hybrid nanoparticles in a partially ionized hyperbolic tangent liquid passed over a stretched melting surface. The fluid motion equation is presented by considering the rotation effect. The thermal energy expression is derived by the contribution of Joule heat and viscous dissipation. Flow equations were modeled by using the concept of boundary layer theory, which occurs in the form of a coupled system of partial differential equations (PDEs). To reduce the complexity, the derived PDEs (partial differential equations) were transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by engaging in similarity transformations. Afterwards, the converted ODEs were handled via a finite element procedure. The utilization and effectiveness of the methodology are demonstrated by listing the mesh-free survey and comparative analysis. Several important graphs were prepared to show the contribution of emerging parameters on fluid velocity and temperature profile. The findings show that the finite element method is a powerful tool for handling the complex coupled ordinary differential equation system, arising in fluid mechanics and other related dissipation applications in applied science. Furthermore, enhancements in the Forchheimer parameter and the Weissenberg number are necessary to control the fluid velocity.
Validating the Real-Time Performance of Distributed Energy Resources Participating on Primary Frequency Reserves
Authors: Karhula Niko , Sierla Seppo , Vyatkin Valeriy
Published: October 2021

A significant body of research has emerged for adapting diverse intelligent distributed energy resources to provide primary frequency reserves (PFR). However, such works are usually vague about the technical specifications for PFR. Industrial practitioners designing systems for PFR markets must pre-qualify their PFR resources against the specifications of the market operator, which is usually a transmission system operator (TSO) or independent system operator (ISO). TSO and ISO requirements for PFR have been underspecified with respect to real-time performance, but as fossil-fuel based PFR is being replaced by various distributed energy resources, these requirements are being tightened. The TSOs of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have recently released a joint pilot phase specification with novel requirements on the dynamic performance of PFR resources. This paper presents an automated procedure for performing the pre-qualification procedure against this specification. The procedure is generic and has been demonstrated with a testbed of light emitting diode (LED) lights. The implications of low bandwidth Internet of Things communications, as well as the need to avoid abrupt control actions that irritate human users, have been investigated in the automated procedure.
Development of Synthesis and Fabrication Process for Mn-CeO2 Foam via Two-Step Water-Splitting Cycle Hydrogen Production
Authors: Cho Hyun-Seok , Kodama Tatsuya , Gokon Nobuyuki , Bellan Selvan , Kim Jong-Kyu
Published: October 2021

The effects of doping manganese ions into a cerium oxide lattice for a thermochemical two-step water-splitting cycle to produce oxygen and hydrogen and new synthesis methods were experimentally investigated. In order to comparison of oxygen/hydrogen producing performance, pristine CeO2, a coprecipitation method for Mn-CeO2, and a direct depositing method for Mn-CeO2 with different particle sizes (50~75, 100–212, over 212 μm) and doping extents (0, 5, 15 mol%) were tested in the context of synthesis and fabrication processes of reactive metal oxide coated ceramic foam devices. Sample powders were coated onto zirconia (magnesium partially stabilized zirconia oxide, MPSZ) porous foam at 30 weight percent using spin coating or a direct depositing method, tested using a solar reactor at 1400 °C as a thermal reduction step and at 1200 °C as a water decomposition step for five repeated cycles. The sample foam devices were irradiated using a 3-kWth sun-simulator, and all reactive foam devices recorded successful oxygen/hydrogen production using the two-step water-splitting cycles. Among the seven sample devices, the 5 mol% Mn-CeO2 foam device, that synthesized using the coprecipitation method, showed the greatest hydrogen production. The newly suggested direct depositing method, with its contemporaneous synthesis and coating of the Mn-CeO2 foam device, showed successful oxygen/hydrogen production with a reduction in the manufacturing time and reactants, which was lossless compared to conventional spin coating processes. However, proposed direct depositing method still needs further investigation to improve its stability and long-term device durability.
Long-Term Performance Analysis Using TRNSYS Software of Hybrid Systems with PV-T
Authors: Pater Sebastian
Published: October 2021

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collector (PV-T) with the capability to produce thermal energy and electrical energy simultaneously has attracted the attention of researchers, especially in terms of improving PV-T performance. This study analyses the work of four model installations with PV-T and other devices built in the transient systems simulation program. The novelty of this article lies in a long-term approach to the operation of PV-T panels under selected climatic conditions. Influence of the installation’s configuration on the obtained temperatures of solar cells, and, in consequence, on electric power generated by PV-T and the amount of heat produced during one year in a selected location is presented. Among others, the impact of the temperature coefficient of photovoltaic cells for long-term PV-T operation was analyzed in the paper. The results showed that the type of cell used may decrease the yearly electric energy production from PV-T even by 7%. On the other hand, intensification of the process of heat reception from PV-T using a heat pump increased this production by 6% in relation to the base model. The obtained research results indicate possible methods for improving the effectiveness of PV-T operation in a long-term aspect.
Barriers to and Drivers of Energy Management in Swedish SMEs
Authors: Jalo Noor , Johansson Ida , Andrei Mariana , Nehler Therese , Thollander Patrik
Published: October 2021

The energy efficiency gap is known as the difference between optimal level of energy efficiency and the actual level of achieved energy efficiency. Energy management has proven to further close the energy efficiency gap. Energy management may differ depending on whether it concerns a large, energy-intensive company or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are of high interest since they form a large share of the economy today. For SMEs, a lighter form of energy management, in the form of energy efficiency network participation, has proven to deliver sound energy efficiency impact, while for larger, energy-intensive firms, a certified energy management system may be more suitable. However, various barriers inhibit adoption of energy efficiency measures. While there is an array of research on barriers to and driving forces for energy efficiency in general, research on barriers to, and driving forces for, energy management is rare, one exception being a study of energy-intensive pulp and paper mills. This holds even more so for industrial SMEs. This paper aims to identify the barriers to, and drivers for, energy management in manufacturing SMEs. Results of this explorative study show that the top four barriers to energy management are lack of time/other priorities, non-energy-related working tasks are prioritized higher, slim organization, and lack of internal expert competences, i.e., mainly organizational barriers. The top four drivers for energy management are to reduce production waste, participation in energy efficiency networks, cost reduction from lower energy use, and commitment from top management. Furthermore, results show that energy management among the studied SMEs seems to not be as mature, even though the companies participated in an energy management capacity building program in the form of energy efficiency networks, which, in turn, shows a still largely untapped potential in the societal aim to reduce the energy efficiency and management gaps. The main contribution of this paper is a first novel attempt to explore barriers to, and drivers for, energy management among SMEs.
Thermal Performance Improvement of Double-Pane Lightweight Steel Framed Walls Using Thermal Break Strips and Reflective Foils
Authors: Santos Paulo , Ribeiro Telmo
Published: October 2021

The reduction of unwanted heat losses across the buildings’ envelope is very relevant to increase energy efficiency and achieve the decarbonization goals for the building stock. Two major heat transfer mechanisms across the building envelope are conduction and radiation, being this last one very important whenever there is an air cavity. In this work, the use of aerogel thermal break (TB) strips and aluminium reflective (AR) foils are experimentally assessed to evaluate the thermal performance improvement of double-pane lightweight steel-framed (LSF) walls. The face-to-face thermal resistances were measured under laboratory-controlled conditions for sixteen LSF wall configurations. The reliability of the measurements was double-checked making use of a homogeneous XPS single panel, as well as several non-homogeneous double-pane LSF walls. The measurements allowed us to conclude that the effectiveness of the AR foil is greater than the aerogel TB strips. In fact, using an AR foil inside the air cavity of double-pane LSF walls is much more effective than using aerogel TB strips along the steel flange, since only one AR foil (inner or outer) provides a similar thermal resistance increase than two aerogel TB strips, i.e., around +0.47 m2∙K/W (+19%). However, the use of two AR foils, instead of a single one, is not effective, since the relative thermal resistance increase is only about +0.04 m2∙K/W (+2%).
Meticulously Intelligent Identification System for Smart Grid Network Stability to Optimize Risk Management
Authors: Abu Al-Haija Qasem , Smadi Abdallah , Allehyani Mohammed
Published: October 2021

The heterogeneous and interoperable nature of the cyber-physical system (CPS) has enabled the smart grid (SG) to operate near the stability limits with an inconsiderable accuracy margin. This has imposed the need for more intelligent, predictive, fast, and accurate algorithms that are able to operate the grid autonomously to avoid cascading failures and/or blackouts. In this paper, a new comprehensive identification system is proposed that employs various machine learning architectures for classifying stability records in smart grid networks. Specifically, seven machine learning architectures are investigated, including optimizable support vector machine (SVM), decision trees classifier (DTC), logistic regression classifier (LRC), naïve Bayes classifier (NBC), linear discriminant classifier (LDC), k-nearest neighbor (kNN), and ensemble boosted classifier (EBC). The developed models are evaluated and contrasted in terms of various performance evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, harmonic mean, prediction overhead, and others. Moreover, the system performance was evaluated on a recent and significant dataset for smart grid network stability (SGN_Stab2018), scoring a high identification accuracy (99.90%) with low identification overhead (4.17 μSec) for the optimizable SVM architecture. We also provide an in-depth description of our implementation in conjunction with an extensive experimental evaluation as well as a comparison with state-of-the-art models. The comparison outcomes obtained indicate that the optimized model provides a compact and efficient model that can successfully and accurately predict the voltage stability margin (VSM) considering different operating conditions, employing the fewest possible input features. Eventually, the results revealed the competency and superiority of the proposed optimized model over the other available models. The technique also speeds up the training process by reducing the number of simulations on a detailed power system model around operating points where correct predictions are made.
COVID-19 and Romantic Relationships
Authors: Candel Octav-Sorin , Jitaru Mihaela
Published: October 2021

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most people’s activities and relationships. Romantic relationships are a crucial source of fulfillment and emotional safety for many individuals. However, due to the risk of illness and the social distancing norms, human interaction, even inside one’s couple or family, suffered great changes. Some of these changes have the potential of disrupting people’s relational or psychological well-being, but they can also have positive impacts. On the other hand, one of the most negative consequences is the growing number of intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents. Considering all these aspects, therapy would be beneficial for those affected.
Wineinformatics: Can Wine Reviews in Bordeaux Reveal Wine Aging Capability?
Authors: Kwabla William , Coulibaly Falla , Zhenis Yerkebulan , Chen Bernard
Published: October 2021

Wineinformatics is a new and emerging data science that uses wine as domain knowledge and integrates data systems and wine-related data sets. Wine reviews from Wine Spectator usually include the aging information, at the end of the review, in the form of “Best from YearA through YearB”; with the vintage of the wine included, the suggested holding year (YearA—vintage), shelf-life (YearB—vintage) and aging capacity (YearB—YearA) can be calculated and provide crucial information in the study of wineinformatics. The goal of this paper is to test whether wine reviews describing olfactory and gustatory information reveal wines’ suggested holding-year information. Wine reviews from Wine Spectator are extracted and processed by a natural language processing tool named the Computational Wine Wheel for categorizing and mapping various wine terminologies from wine reviews into a consolidated set of descriptors. The suggested aging capability is also calculated from the review and served as a label for classification problems. The study uses different learning algorithms, analyzing their performances and using the best-performing algorithm(s) to build a model for the prediction of a wine’s aging properties. The results of the study suggest that both support vector machine (SVM) and the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms achieved more than 70% accuracy. These results suggest that the algorithms are able of capturing a hidden informational relationship between a wine’s reviews and its aging capability.
Vegetation Recovery Patterns in Burned Areas Assessed with Landsat 8 OLI Imagery and Environmental Biophysical Data
Authors: Meneses Bruno M.
Published: October 2021

Vegetation recovery after the large wildfires that occurred in central Portugal in 2017 is assessed in the present study. These wildfires had catastrophic consequences, among which were human losses and a vast extent of forest devastation. Landsat 8 OLI images were used to obtain the land use and cover (LUC) classification and to determine the Normalized Burned Ratio index (NBR) for different times. NBR results were used to determine the difference between the NBR (dNBR) before the fire (pre-fire) and after the fire (post-fire), and the results obtained were cross-checked with the LUC. The dNBR results were cross-referenced with biophysical data to identify the characteristics of the most important burned areas in need of vegetative recovery. The results showed the spatial differentiation in vegetation recovery, highlighting different factors in this process, in particular the type of vegetation (the predominant species and bank of seeds available), the biophysical characteristics of burned areas (for example, the soil type in burned areas), the continentality gradient, and the climate conditions. The vegetation recovery was differentiated by time according to the species present in the burned areas pre-fire. In general, shrubland recovery was faster than that of tree species, and the recovery was more marked for species that were regenerated by the rhizomes after fire. The recovery process was also influenced by the season in the study area. It was more efficient in the spring and at the beginning of the summer, highlighting the importance of optimal conditions needed for vegetation regeneration, such as the temperature and precipitation (soil humidity and water availability for growing plants). The results of this research are important to forest planning: the definition of the strategies for the ecosystems’ recovery, the adoption of preventive measures to avoid the occurrence of large wildfires, the modification of anthropogenic practices, etc.
Increasing Pace and Scale of Prescribed Fire via Catastrophe Funds for Liability Relief
Authors: Varner J. Morgan , Hiers J. Kevin , Wheeler Slaton B. , McGuire John , Quinn-Davidson Lenya , Palmer William E. , Fowler Laurie
Published: October 2021

Increased prescribed burning is needed to provide a diversity of public benefits, including wildfire hazard reduction, improved forest resilience, and biodiversity conservation. Though rare, escaped burns or significant smoke impacts may result in harm to individuals and property. Liability for potential damages reduces the willingness of fire managers to expand the practice, particularly where the wildland–urban interface creates the greatest risk. Across the United States of America, efforts have been made to reduce prescribed fire-related risks through statutory reform, training and certification requirements, and private insurance. An increasing number of states have adopted the liability standard of gross negligence to protect prescribed fire practitioners. When liability relief is tied to best practices or burn manager certification, risk to the public from potential prescribed fire impacts is reduced. Under this model, however, those harmed by prescribed fire may have little legal recourse for compensation from losses. Here, we explore the pairing of a mechanism to compensate losses while limiting liability for practitioners who use best management practices. Specifically, we assess the suitability of using a catastrophe fund in conjunction with adoption of gross negligence standards, modeled after other natural hazards examples. This model could ensure public support and sustain and expand prescribed fire in many fire-prone landscapes.
What Are the Expectations of Legal Operators and Forensic Experts Regarding Photographic Documentation of Violent Death Autopsies?
Authors: Valente-Aguiar Murilo Sérgio , Castro-Espicalsky Talita Lima de
Published: October 2021

The purpose of photography in violent death autopsies is to document the material evidence of the offense and guide decisions in the courts of law. The aim of the present study was to obtain the expectations of legal operators and forensic experts regarding what is expected as adequate photographic documentation in violent death forensics. For this purpose, a survey was prepared through an online form available on the “Google Forms” platform, whose link was sent by e-mail and by the WhatsApp Messenger® application. The 102 participants were divided into two distinct groups: legal practitioners, interested in the materialization of evidence (judges, prosecutors, criminal lawyers and police chiefs), and forensic experts, responsible for materializing the evidence (medical examiners, forensic dentists and criminal experts). The research showed that the inclusion of color photographs in the expert reports is essential for all research participants, as well as the marking of evidence in the images and the inclusion of explanatory text in the captions. It was also pointed out as fundamental for most participants to insert an image with simulation of the firearm bullets’ path, when applicable. In relation to the other aspects, it can be observed that the opinions of the participants were divergent between the groups of research professionals, especially regarding the size of the image to be incorporated in the reports. The differences found between the groups can be detrimental to the proper interpretation and judgment of evidence in the courts. Considering the found barriers, the authors suggest a form of photographic documentation that meets all expectations in a consensual way.
Acidified Biochar Confers Improvement in Quality and Yield Attributes of Sufaid Chaunsa Mango in Saline Soil
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Kiran Sidra , Hussain Shabir , Iqbal Rana Khalid , Ghafoor Umber , Younis Uzma , Zarei Tayebeh , Naz Misbah , Germi Sevda Ghasemi , Danish Subhan , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Datta Rahul
Published: October 2021

Mango fruit quality plays a significant role in fruit storage. It also directly affects the economic value of fruit in the national and international markets. However, deterioration of soil health due to low organic matter is a major hurdle for mango growers. Scientists suggest incorporation of organic matter. However, high temperature and low precipitation lead to oxidation of organic residues in soil. On the other hand, biochar is gaining the attention of growers due to its resistance against decomposition. It can improve soil physicochemical attributes. Limited literature is available regarding biochar effects on the quality attributes of mango. Therefore, the current study was planned to investigate the effects of acidified biochar on mango quality and yield attributes in alkaline soil. Five levels of biochar, i.e., 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 Mg/ha, were applied in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that 20 and 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar significantly enhanced fruit retention, sugar contents, ash contents and TSS of mango compared to control. A significant increase in mango fruit weight and yield per plant validated the efficacious role of 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar over control. Furthermore, the maximum significant decrease in fruit juice acidity signified the imperative functioning of 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar in alkaline soil. In conclusion, 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar application can improve mango quality and yield attributes in alkaline soil. More investigations on different soil types, climatic zones and mango varieties are recommended to declare 40 Mg/ha acidified biochar as the best treatment for improvement in the quality and yield of mango fruit in alkaline soils.
The Efficacy of a Calamansi-Containing Energy Drink on Running Performance and Recovery in NCAA Division I Middle-Distance Runners: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Alansare Abdullah B. , Hayman Josh , Lee Jung-Min , Seo Myong-Won , Yoo Deoksu , Jung Hyun Chul
Published: October 2021

This study examined the effects of a non-caffeinated energy drink (ED) that contained calamansi juice, glucose, and taurine on 3-km running performance and recovery. Eleven NCAA Division I middle-distance runners (20.8 ± 1.5 years old) were randomly assigned to consume either the ED or a placebo drink 60 min before 3-km running on a 400-m official track. Performance time and speed were recorded every 500-m interval. Recovery blood lactate concentration (BLC), systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline, 60-min after ingesting the drinks, and post-running measurements were performed at 1-min, 5-min, and 10-min. Repeated analysis of variance and paired t-test were applied to examine the effects of time, trials, and their interaction on performance and recovery. Statistical significance was set a priori at p < 0.05. No significant difference was observed in performance time and speed between trials (p < 0.05). No interaction effect was found on performance time, speed, recovery BLC, DBP, and HR (p < 0.05). However, an interaction effect for trial by time was observed on SBP (p = 0.01). Recovery SBP continues to decrease from 5-min to 10-min in the ED trial (∆ = −13.9 mmHg) and slightly increased in the placebo trial (∆ = 1.1 mmHg). This study suggests that acute consumption of a calamansi-containing ED can positively impact the SBP recovery but not running performance. Further studies are needed to examine the acute and chronic effects of this ED on exercise performance and recovery among different populations.
Social Exclusion and Impulsive Buying among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and the Moderating Role of Risk Preference
Authors: Luo Haocheng , Chen Jiarong , Li Shengnan , Nie Yangang , Wang Guodong
Published: October 2021

With the development of science and technology, buying has become much easier. At the same time, however, impulsive buying has many negative consequences for college students, such as dissatisfaction and debt; the causes of impulsive buying should, therefore, be explored urgently. There are numerous empirical studies indicating that social exclusion may be a potential factor of impulsive buying, and the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. In this study, we used the Social Exclusion Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, Risk Preference Scale, and Impulsive Buying Scale, as well as a cross-sectional design to investigate the roles of self-esteem and risk preference in the relationship between social exclusion and impulsive buying among 768 college students (387 were female, Mage = 20.25 years). The results were as follows: (1) when controlling for gender, age, family monthly income, and monthly living expenses, social exclusion significantly and positively predicted impulsive buying; (2) self-esteem played a mediating role between social exclusion and impulsive buying; (3) risk preference moderated the relationship between the second half of the mediating path and the direct path. These results reveal the mechanism underlying impulsive buying in college students, that is, social exclusion will predict the decrease in college students’ self-esteem, and low self-esteem will further predict college students’ impulsive buying, which is a way for them to gain a sense of self-worth. Relatively low risk preference can well alleviate the negative impact of social exclusion and low self-esteem on impulsive buying. What is more, these results have implications for impulsive buying interventions and preventions. Schools should aim to create a good peer atmosphere by implementing certain rules that help to reduce social exclusion, and parents and education departments should cultivate students’ risk awareness to avoid risk behaviors in college students, such as impulsive buying behavior. This study fills the research gap regarding college students’ impulsive buying and explores its internal psychological mechanism.
Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Phi-Yen , Astell-Burt Thomas , Rahimi-Ardabili Hania , Feng Xiaoqi
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: As cities densify, researcher and policy focus is intensifying on which green space types and qualities are important for health. We conducted a systematic review to examine whether particular green space types and qualities have been shown to provide health benefits and if so, which specific types and qualities, and which health outcomes. (2) Methods: We searched five databases from inception up to June 30, 2021. We included all studies examining a wide range of green space characteristics on various health outcomes. (3) Results: 68 articles from 59 studies were found, with a high degree of heterogeneity in study designs, definitions of quality and outcomes. Most studies were cross-sectional, ecological or cohort studies. Environment types, vegetation types, and the size and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, though with contingencies by age and gender. Health benefits were more consistently observed in areas with greater tree canopy, but not grassland. The main outcomes with evidence of health benefits included allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and psychological wellbeing. Both objectively and subjectively measured qualities demonstrated associations with health outcomes. (4) Conclusion: Experimental studies and longitudinal cohort studies will strengthen current evidence. Evidence was lacking for needs-specific or culturally-appropriate amenities and soundscape characteristics. Qualities that need more in-depth investigation include indices that account for forms, patterns, and networks of objectively and subjectively measured green space qualities.
The Use of Lean Six Sigma for Improving Availability of and Access to Emergency Department Data to Facilitate Patient Flow
Authors: Daly Ailish , Teeling Seán Paul , Ward Marie , McNamara Martin , Robinson Ciara
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to redesign an emergency department [ED] data management system to improve the availability of, and access to, data to facilitate patient flow. A pre-/post-intervention design was employed using Lean Six Sigma methodology with a focus on the voice of the customer, Gemba, and 5S to identify areas for improvement in ED data management processes and to inform solutions for improved ED patient flow processes. A multidisciplinary ED team includes medical consultants and registrars, nurses, patient service staff, radiology staff, as well as information technology and hospital management staff. Lean Six Sigma [LSS] diagnostic tools identified areas for improvement in the current process for data availability and access. A set of improvements were implemented to redesign the pathway for data collection in the ED to improve data availability and access. We achieved a reduction in the time taken to access ED patient flow data from a mean of 9 min per patient pre-intervention to immediate post-intervention. This enabled faster decision-making by the ED team related to patient assessment and treatment and informed improvements in patient flow. Optimizing patient flow through a hospital’s ED is a complex task involving collaboration and participation from multiple disciplines. Through the use of LSS methodology, we improved the availability of, and fast access to, accurate, current information regarding ED patient flow. This allows ED and hospital management teams to identify and rapidly respond to actions impacting patient flow.
Applying a Pedestrian Level of Service in the Context of Social Distancing: The Case of the City of Madrid
Authors: Talavera-Garcia Ruben , Pérez-Campaña Rocío
Published: October 2021

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of discussion about keeping interpersonal distance to prevent the virus from spreading. To keep this interpersonal distance, authorities at different levels have taken measures to reduce people’s interactions, such as reducing capacities, curfews, pop-up cycle lanes, temporary pedestrianisation, and lockdowns. Many of these temporary measures have been perceived from a static view. Nevertheless, in a scenario of “new normality” or in the face of a possible new pandemic, the amount of data (big data) generated by different sources, such as sensors, in large cities has extraordinary potential to be used together with tactical urbanism for quick adaptation. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the aforementioned issues by analysing spatio-temporal patterns of pedestrian mobility and developing a variation of the pedestrian level of service measure; the pandemic pedestrian level of service (P-PLOS). This measure provides a dynamic view of pavement capacities according to the interpersonal distance recommendations during the pandemic. P-PLOS was tested in the city of Madrid based on the pedestrian counter data that was provided by the local government through its open data website. We found that the application of P-PLOS, together with street design, allows for knowing where and when it is necessary to take tactical urbanism measures in order to maintain or improve the level of service, as well as where it is necessary to take measures to reduce pedestrian flow.
Physical Activity through a Classroom-Based Intervention: A Pragmatic Non-Randomized Trial among Swedish Adolescents in an Upper Secondary School
Authors: Christiansen Filip , Ahlqvist Viktor H. , Nyroos Mikaela , Löfgren Hans , Berglind Daniel
Published: October 2021

Schools are an important arena to curb the decline in physical activity (PA) in youth. School-based interventions with accelerometer-measured PA are warranted. This study aimed to increase accelerometer-measured PA in adolescents following a 12-month school-based intervention. Two school-classes of 16–18-year-old Swedish students were allocated to intervention group and control group. Accelerometer-measured PA was gathered at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to investigate between-group and within-group differences in mean minutes per day (min/day) of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA) and sedentary time (ST). Fifty-seven students participated (intervention group = 31, control group = 26). At 12-month follow-up, the intervention group performed 5.9 (95% CI: −4.3, 16.2) min/day more in MVPA, 1.8 (95% CI: −17.9, 14.2) min/day less in LPA, and 4.1 (95% CI: −27.3, 19.2) min/day less in ST compared to the control group. Within the intervention group, there was no significant change in PA. Within the control group, LPA decreased (95% CI: −19.6, −0.2; p = 0.044) and ST increased (95% CI: 1.8, 30.8; p = 0.028). Although no between-group differences in PA were statistically significant, the within-group changes may suggest a preventive impact on the decline in PA during adolescence.
Evidence and Therapeutic Perspectives in the Relationship between the Oral Microbiome and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Maitre Yoann , Mahalli Rachid , Micheneau Pierre , Delpierre Alexis , Amador Gilles , Denis Frédéric
Published: October 2021

This review aims to clarify the nature of the link between Alzheimer’s disease and the oral microbiome on an epidemiological and pathophysiological level, as well as to highlight new therapeutic perspectives that contribute to the management of this disease. We performed a systematic review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews checklist, from January 2000 to July 2021. The terms “plaque,” “saliva,” and “mouth” were associated with the search term “oral diseases” and used in combination with the Boolean operator “AND”/“OR”. We included experimental or clinical studies and excluded conferences, abstracts, reviews, and editorials. A total of 27 articles were selected. Evidence for the impact of the oral microbiome on the pathophysiological and immunoinflammatory mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease is accumulating. The impact of the oral microbiome on the development of AD opens the door to complementary therapies such as phototherapy and/or the use of prebiotic compounds and probiotic strains for global or targeted modulation of the oral microbiome in order to have a favourable influence on the evolution of this pathology in the future.
Editing SOX Genes by CRISPR-Cas: Current Insights and Future Perspectives
Authors: Dehshahri Ali , Biagioni Alessio , Bayat Hadi , Lee E. Hui Clarissa , Hashemabadi Mohammad , Fekri Hojjat Samareh , Zarrabi Ali , Mohammadinejad Reza , Kumar Alan Prem
Published: October 2021

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and its associated proteins (Cas) is an adaptive immune system in archaea and most bacteria. By repurposing these systems for use in eukaryote cells, a substantial revolution has arisen in the genome engineering field. In recent years, CRISPR-Cas technology was rapidly developed and different types of DNA or RNA sequence editors, gene activator or repressor, and epigenome modulators established. The versatility and feasibility of CRISPR-Cas technology has introduced this system as the most suitable tool for discovering and studying the mechanism of specific genes and also for generating appropriate cell and animal models. SOX genes play crucial roles in development processes and stemness. To elucidate the exact roles of SOX factors and their partners in tissue hemostasis and cell regeneration, generating appropriate in vitro and in vivo models is crucial. In line with these premises, CRISPR-Cas technology is a promising tool for studying different family members of SOX transcription factors. In this review, we aim to highlight the importance of CRISPR-Cas and summarize the applications of this novel, promising technology in studying and decoding the function of different members of the SOX gene family.
DisA Restrains the Processing and Cleavage of Reversed Replication Forks by the RuvAB-RecU Resolvasome
Authors: Gándara Carolina , Torres Rubén , Carrasco Begoña , Ayora Silvia , Alonso Juan C.
Published: October 2021

DNA lesions that impede fork progression cause replisome stalling and threaten genome stability. Bacillus subtilis RecA, at a lesion-containing gap, interacts with and facilitates DisA pausing at these branched intermediates. Paused DisA suppresses its synthesis of the essential c-di-AMP messenger. The RuvAB-RecU resolvasome branch migrates and resolves formed Holliday junctions (HJ). We show that DisA prevents DNA degradation. DisA, which interacts with RuvB, binds branched structures, and reduces the RuvAB DNA-dependent ATPase activity. DisA pre-bound to HJ DNA limits RuvAB and RecU activities, but such inhibition does not occur if the RuvAB- or RecU-HJ DNA complexes are pre-formed. RuvAB or RecU pre-bound to HJ DNA strongly inhibits DisA-mediated synthesis of c-di-AMP, and indirectly blocks cell proliferation. We propose that DisA limits RuvAB-mediated fork remodeling and RecU-mediated HJ cleavage to provide time for damage removal and replication restart in order to preserve genome integrity.
GnRH Antagonists with or without Add-Back Therapy: A New Alternative in the Management of Endometriosis?
Authors: Donnez Jacques , Dolmans Marie-Madeleine
Published: October 2021

To evaluate the effectiveness of a new class of medical drugs, namely oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists, in the management of premenopausal women with endometriosis-associated pelvic pain. We reviewed the most relevant papers (n = 27) on the efficacy of new medical alternatives (oral GnRH antagonists) as therapy for endometriosis. We first briefly summarized the concept of progesterone resistance and established that oral contraceptives and progestogens work well in two-thirds of women suffering from endometriosis. Since clinical evidence shows that estrogens play a critical role in the pathogenesis of the disease, lowering their levels with oral GnRH antagonists may well prove effective, especially in women who fail to respond to progestogens. There is a need for reliable long-term oral treatment capable of managing endometriosis symptoms, taking into consideration both the main symptoms and phenotype of the disease. Published studies reviewed and discussed here confirm the efficacy of GnRH antagonists. There is a place for GnRH antagonists in the management of symptomatic endometriosis. Novel algorithms that take into account the different phenotypes are proposed.
Experimental Study of the Leakage Flow in an Axial-Flow Fan at Variable Loading
Authors: Canepa Edward , Cattanei Andrea , Moradi Mehrdad , Nilberto Alessandro
Published: October 2021

The present paper reports a 2D-PIV (particle image velocimetry) study of the effect of the operating point on the leakage flow in a low-speed ring fan. First, the flow pattern has been studied at 12 operating points covering the whole characteristic curve. At very low loading, the leakage flow streams along the rotor ring and is directly reingested; then, a separation bubble attached to the ring forms that, approaching the design point, modifies in a flow streaming radially outward. As the loading further increases, a separated flow region appears in the blade tip region that finally merges with the leakage flow. A further, more detailed study has been performed at eight operating points in the neighborhood of the design one. Very small loading variations may yield the leakage flow pattern modification, but no intermittence is present during the transition, as instantaneous flow patterns of any intermediate type continuously alternate. These results provide a consistent explanation for the ones of previous acoustic measurements.
Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Treatment of Patients with Cleft Lip, Alveolus, and Palate: An Executive Summary
Authors: Mink van der Molen Aebele B. , van Breugel Johanna M. M. , Janssen Nard G. , Admiraal Ronald J. C. , van Adrichem Leon N. A. , Bierenbroodspot Frank , Bittermann Dirk , van den Boogaard Marie-José H. , Broos Pieter H. , Dijkstra-Putkamer Janet J. M. , van Gemert-Schriks Martine C. M. , Kortlever Andrea L. J. , Mouës-Vink Chantal M. , Swanenburg de Veye Henriette F. N. , van Tol-Verbeek Nanouk , Vermeij-Keers Christl , de Wilde Hester , Kuijpers-Jagtman Anne Marie
Published: October 2021

Significant treatment variation exists in the Netherlands between teams treating patients with cleft lip, alveolus, and/or palate, resulting in a confusing and undesirable situation for patients, parents, and practitioners. Therefore, to optimize cleft care, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were developed. The aim of this report is to describe CPG development, share the main recommendations, and indicate knowledge gaps regarding cleft care. Together with patients and parents, a multidisciplinary working group of representatives from all relevant disciplines assisted by two experienced epidemiologists identified the topics to be addressed in the CPGs. Searching the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identified 5157 articles, 60 of which remained after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. We rated the quality of the evidence from moderate to very low. The working group formulated 71 recommendations regarding genetic testing, feeding, lip and palate closure, hearing, hypernasality, bone grafting, orthodontics, psychosocial guidance, dentistry, osteotomy versus distraction, and rhinoplasty. The final CPGs were obtained after review by all stakeholders and allow cleft teams to base their treatment on current knowledge. With high-quality evidence lacking, the need for additional high-quality studies has become apparent.
Genetic Variation in ABCC4 and CFTR and Acute Pancreatitis during Treatment of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Bartram Thies , Schütte Peter , Möricke Anja , Houlston Richard S. , Ellinghaus Eva , Zimmermann Martin , Bergmann Anke , Löscher Britt-Sabina , Klein Norman , Hinze Laura , Junk Stefanie V. , Forster Michael , Bartram Claus R. , Köhler Rolf , Franke Andre , Schrappe Martin , Kratz Christian P. , Cario Gunnar , Stanulla Martin
Published: October 2021

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious, mechanistically not entirely resolved side effect of L-asparaginase-containing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To find new candidate variations for AP, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Methods: In all, 1,004,623 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) were analyzed in 51 pediatric ALL patients with AP (cases) and 1388 patients without AP (controls). Replication used independent patients. Results: The top-ranked SNV (rs4148513) was located within the ABCC4 gene (odds ratio (OR) 84.1; p = 1.04 × 10−14). Independent replication of our 20 top SNVs was not supportive of initial results, partly because rare variants were neither present in cases nor present in controls. However, results of combined analysis (GWAS and replication cohorts) remained significant (e.g., rs4148513; OR = 47.2; p = 7.31 × 10−9). Subsequently, we sequenced the entire ABCC4 gene and its close relative, the cystic fibrosis associated CFTR gene, a strong AP candidate gene, in 48 cases and 47 controls. Six AP-associated variants in ABCC4 and one variant in CFTR were detected. Replication confirmed the six ABCC4 variants but not the CFTR variant. Conclusions: Genetic variation within the ABCC4 gene was associated with AP during the treatment of ALL. No association of AP with CFTR was observed. Larger international studies are necessary to more conclusively assess the risk of rare clinical phenotypes.