bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-Driven Online Energy Scheduling of a Microgrid Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Ji Ying , Wang Jianhui , Xu Jiacan , Li Donglin
Published: April 2021

The proliferation of distributed renewable energy resources (RESs) poses major challenges to the operation of microgrids due to uncertainty. Traditional online scheduling approaches relying on accurate forecasts become difficult to implement due to the increase of uncertain RESs. Although several data-driven methods have been proposed recently to overcome the challenge, they generally suffer from a scalability issue due to the limited ability to optimize high-dimensional continuous control variables. To address these issues, we propose a data-driven online scheduling method for microgrid energy optimization based on continuous-control deep reinforcement learning (DRL). We formulate the online scheduling problem as a Markov decision process (MDP). The objective is to minimize the operating cost of the microgrid considering the uncertainty of RESs generation, load demand, and electricity prices. To learn the optimal scheduling strategy, a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU)-based network is designed to extract temporal features of uncertainty and generate the optimal scheduling decisions in an end-to-end manner. To optimize the policy with high-dimensional and continuous actions, proximal policy optimization (PPO) is employed to train the neural network-based policy in a data-driven fashion. The proposed method does not require any forecasting information on the uncertainty or a prior knowledge of the physical model of the microgrid. Simulation results using realistic power system data of California Independent System Operator (CAISO) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Criteria for Optimal Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants in Mexico
Authors: Garduño-Ruiz Erika Paola , Silva Rodolfo , Rodríguez-Cueto Yandy , García-Huante Alejandro , Olmedo-González Jorge , Martínez M. Luisa , Wojtarowski Astrid , Martell-Dubois Raúl , Cerdeira-Estrada Sergio
Published: April 2021

Sustainable energy is needed globally, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a possible way to diversify the energy matrix. This article suggests a preliminary selection process to find optimal sites for OTEC deployment on the Mexican coastline. The method comprises the (1) evaluation of the thermal power potential, using daily data (16 years) of sea surface temperature, and the percentage of available time of the power thresholds; (2) assessment of feasibility using a decision matrix, fed by technical, environmental and socioeconomic criteria; (3) identification of four potential sites; and (4) comparison of OTEC competitiveness with other technologies through the levelized cost of energy. Multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to select optimal sites, using the technique for ordering performance by the similarity to the ideal solution. The best sites were (1) Puerto Angel and (2) Cabo San Lucas; with power production of > 50 MW and a persistence of > 40%. As yet there is no evidence from operational OTEC plants that could alter the environmental and socioeconomic criteria weightings. More in situ studies on pilot plants should help to determine their possible environmental impact and socio-economic consequences before any larger-scale projects are implemented.
Effect of Radio-Frequency Power on the Composition of BiVO4 Thin-Film Photoanodes Sputtered from a Single Target
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Tajima Kazuya , Abdellaoui Imane , Islam Muhammad Monirul , Ikeda Shigeru , Sakurai Takeaki
Published: April 2021

BiVO4 films were fabricated by radio frequency (RF) sputtering from a single target. The deposited BiVO4 films were found to be rich in Bi, and the reason for the Bi-richness was investigated. It was inferred from the Monte Carlo simulation that, during sputtering, the transfer process of target atoms through argon gas played a major role in this phenomenon. The transfer process resulted in an imbalanced ratio of Bi and V, arising from the difference in atom mass and interaction radius. The high RF power was found to be effective in adjusting the Bi/V ratio, influencing the sputtering yield. This type of preferential sputtering was maintained by the diffusion of target atoms from the bulk to the surface. BiVO4 films with monoclinic scheelite crystal structures were obtained at high RF power values and found to exhibit photocatalytic performances beneficial for photoanodic applications.
Optimized Energy and Air Quality Management of Shared Smart Buildings in the COVID-19 Scenario
Authors: Anastasi Giuseppe , Bartoli Carlo , Conti Paolo , Crisostomi Emanuele , Franco Alessandro , Saponara Sergio , Testi Daniele , Thomopulos Dimitri , Vallati Carlo
Published: April 2021

Worldwide increasing awareness of energy sustainability issues has been the main driver in developing the concepts of (Nearly) Zero Energy Buildings, where the reduced energy consumptions are (nearly) fully covered by power locally generated by renewable sources. At the same time, recent advances in Internet of Things technologies are among the main enablers of Smart Homes and Buildings. The transition of conventional buildings into active environments that process, elaborate and react to online measured environmental quantities is being accelerated by the aspects related to COVID-19, most notably in terms of air exchange and the monitoring of the density of occupants. In this paper, we address the problem of maximizing the energy efficiency and comfort perceived by occupants, defined in terms of thermal comfort, visual comfort and air quality. The case study of the University of Pisa is considered as a practical example to show preliminary results of the aggregation of environmental data.
Demographic, Social, Economic, and Regional Factors Affecting the Diffusion of Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Ken’ichi , Nakamine Yui , Eom Sunyong , Kato Hideki
Published: April 2021

The transportation sector is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, and the resulting climate change. The diffusion of alternative fuel vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), is an important solution for these issues. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the ownership ratio of HEVs, particularly passenger vehicles, and the regional differences in the purchase of HEVs in Japan. This study performed a fixed-effects regression analysis with panel data for 47 prefectures during the period 2005–2015 to evaluate the factors affecting the HEV ownership ratio and conducted three cluster analyses to investigate the regional differences in diffusion in terms of price categories, body types, and drive systems of HEVs. Some demographic and social factors were found to affect the ownership ratio in Japan, whereas economic factors, including prefecture-level subsidies for purchasing HEVs, were not. Regarding regional differences, prefectures in urban areas with higher income levels tend to purchase more expensive and large-sized HEVs. These results suggest that a strategy to sell the right vehicle to the right person and region is essential for further promoting HEVs in Japan.
Research on Cavitation of the Rotating-Sleeve Distributing Flow System Considering Different Cam Groove Profiles
Authors: Du Shanxiao , Hong Jichao , Zhang Hongxin , Zhao Qinghai , Zhang Tiezhu , Xu Xiaoming , Jiang Xiaotian
Published: April 2021

Reciprocating piston pumps are widely used in various fields, such as automobiles, ships, aviation, and engineering machinery. Conventional reciprocating piston pump distributing flow (RPPDF) systems have the disadvantages of a loose structure and low volumetric efficiency, as well as affected positively by the operating frequency. In this paper, a novel rotating-sleeve distributing flow (RSDF) system is presented for bridging these drawbacks, as well as structurally improved to overcome the inoperable and challenging problems in oil intake and discharge found in the experiment. Moreover, the Singhal cavitation model specifically for the RSDF system and four-cam groove profiles (CGPs) is established. To find the most suitable CGP to reduce the RSDF’s cavitation, the cavitation of the RSDF system was investigated, combining with simulations by taking into account the gap among the rotating sleeve, the pump chamber, and experiments on four presented CGPs. Simulation results based on vapor volume fraction, cavitation ratio, and volumetric efficiency show that the linear profile’s cavitation is the weakest. Finally, the correctness of the simulation is verified through orthogonal experiments. This research is of great significance to the further development of the RSDF system; more important, it has great potential to promote the reform of the RPPDF method.
Experimental and Theoretical Validation of One Diode and Three Parameters–Based PV Models
Authors: Castro Rui , Silva Miguel
Published: April 2021

The present paper defines and assesses a new simplified method to represent the photovoltaic (PV) modules’ electrical behavior, based on the commonly used one diode and three parameters (1D + 3P) model, addressing two main objectives. The first one is to quantify and assess, at different operating conditions, the PV modules electrical behavior estimations’ accuracy provided by the well-known 1D + 3P, through a comparison based on experimental and theoretical results. The second one concerns the performance assessment of the 1D + 3P model’s suggested approximation, aiming at simplifying the mathematics instead of solving complex iterative equations, which hinges on higher computational time to obtain accurate results. Hence, experimental and theoretical data were considered, aiming at performing a thorough comparison with more than 17,000 PV modules being assessed, which was achieved by using both the California Energy Commission (CEC) database and PVsyst software. The findings show that the already known 1D + 3P model delivers satisfactory power output estimations for crystalline silicon modules and high irradiance conditions. However, its performance worsens when considering Low Irradiance and thin-film technology. In comparison with the original model, accurate results were obtained with the new simplified suggested 1D + 3P for all irradiance conditions and technologies assessed, thus proving its validity and capability of circumventing the aforementioned challenges.
Investigation: Cutting Transport Mechanism in Inclined Well Section under Pulsed Drilling Fluid Action
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Shen Keyu , Li Bo
Published: April 2021

Due to gravity, drilling cuttings are easily accumulated in an inclined well section, ultimately forming a cuttings bed, which places the drill pipe under strong friction torque. In severe cases, this can cause dragging, stuck drills, and broken drill tools. Because conventional drilling fluids are difficult to prevent the formation of cuttings in inclined well sections, a method of carrying cuttings with the pulsed drilling fluid to improve wellbore cleanness is proposed. Experiments and numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the effects of cuttings bed transport velocity, cuttings size, cuttings height, drill pipe rotation speed, cuttings bed mass, and roughness height. The optimal pulse parameters are determined per their respective impact on cuttings transport concerning varied periods, amplitudes, and duty cycles of the pulsed drilling fluid. Compared to cuttings transport under the conventional drilling fluid flow rate, the pulsed drilling fluid produces the turbulent dissipation rate, increases cuttings transport velocity, and thus improves the wellbore clearance rate.
Development of Siloxane Coating with Oxide Fillers for Kesteritic (CZTS) Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Tatarinova Alisa A. , Doroshkevich Aleksandr S. , Ivanshina Olga Yu. , Pestov Oleg S. , Balasoiu Maria , Gladyshev Pavel P.
Published: April 2021

Photovoltaic systems (PV) based on Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 (CZTS) solar cells have demonstrated efficiency and high performance. According to the results of comparative studies, the kesterite structure has proven to be ecologically safe and less expensive than other photovoltaic systems. The goal of the present study was to design a disposable high-temperature transparent electrical insulating coating to cover metal plates for photovoltaic devices based on CZTS. The solution was to replace electrically conductive metallics dispersed in a high-temperature siloxane coating with phonon thermal conductivity ceramic particles. Properties of the obtained coating were investigated using different methods. A mathematical model of thermal processes in the film during heating was also developed. For the control sample and the sample with a heat-conducting filler, a quantitative ratio of thermal conductivity was obtained. The research results confirmed the necessary properties of the coating, including resistance to short-term exposure to high temperatures during the synthesis of kesterite.
Analysis and Optimization of a Novel Hexagonal Waveguide Concentrator for Solar Thermal Applications
Authors: Kant Karunesh , Nithyanandam Karthik , Pitchumani Ranga
Published: April 2021

This paper analyzes a novel, cost-effective planar waveguide solar concentrator design that is inspired by cellular hexagonal structures in nature with the benefits of facile installation and low operation and maintenance cost. A coupled thermal and optical analysis of solar irradiation through an ideal hexagonal waveguide concentrator integrated with a linear receiver is presented, along with a cost analysis methodology, to establish the upper limit of performance. The techno-economic model, coupled with numerical optimization, is used to determine designs that maximized power density and minimized the cost of heat in the temperature range of 100–250 °C, which constitutes more than half of the industrial process heat demand. Depending on the incident solar irradiation and the application temperature, the cost of heat for the optimal design configuration ranged between 0.1–0.27 $/W and 0.075–0.18 $/W for waveguide made of ZK7 glass and polycarbonate, respectively. A techno-economic analysis showed the potential of the technology to achieve cost as low as 80 $/m2 and 61 $/m2 for waveguide made of ZK7 glass and polycarbonate material, respectively, which is less than half the cost of state-of-the-art parabolic trough concentrators. Overall, the hexagonal waveguide solar concentrator technology shows immense potential for decarbonizing the industrial process heat and thermal desalination sectors.
Starting to Unpick the Unique Air–Fuel Mixing Dynamics in the Recuperated Split Cycle Engine
Authors: Harvey Simon A. , Vogiatzaki Konstantina , de Sercey Guillaume , Redpath William , Morgan Robert E.
Published: April 2021

In this work air fuel mixing and combustion dynamics in the recuperated split cycle engine (RSCE) are investigated through new theoretical analysis and complementary optical experiments of the flow field. First, a brief introduction to the basic working principles of the RSCE cycle will be presented, followed by recent test bed results relevant to pressure traces and soot emissions. These results prompted fundamental questioning of the air-fuel mixing and combustion dynamics taking place. Hypotheses of the mixing process are then presented, with differences to that of a conventional Diesel engine highlighted. Moreover, the links of the reduced emissions, air transfer processes and enhanced atomisation are explored. Initial experimental results and Schlieren images of the air flow through the poppet valves in a flow rig are reported. The Schlieren images display shockwave and Mach disk phenomena. Demonstrating supersonic air flow in the chamber is consistent with complementary CFD work. The results from the initial experiment alone are inconclusive to suggest which of the three suggested mixing mechanism hypotheses are dominating the air–fuel dynamics in the RSCE. However, one major conclusion of this work is the proof for the presence of shockwave phenomena which are atypical of conventional engines.
Diagnosis and Mitigation of Electromagnetic Interference Generated by a Brushless DC Motor Drive of an Electric Torque Tool
Authors: Baranowski Jerzy , Drabek Tomasz , Piątek Paweł , Tutaj Andrzej
Published: April 2021

Electrical devices in the consumer markets need to comply with stringent standards for electromagnetic interference (EMI) distortion and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This paper presents the results of measurements of electromagnetic interference generated by an electrical drive of an electric torque tool with a brushless DC motor. The measurements were made in accordance with the PN-EN 55014-1:2017-06E standard, in the frequency band of 148 kHz–30 MHz. The results confirmed that the tested drive can meet the requirements defined in this document. Another document, the PN-EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019-04E standard, provides limits for the harmonic content in the current drawn by electrical devices from a single-phase AC line. This paper also presents the results of measurements related to this standard. Harmonics, up to and including the 40th one, were determined and compared with the limits given in the standard for class B devices. The measurement results indicate a need to use an active power factor corrector (PFC) filter. Such a system has been tested by computer simulations. The results confirmed its ability to meet the requirements of relevant standards.
Indices of Cardiovascular Health, Body Composition and Aerobic Endurance in Young Women; Differential Effects of Two Endurance-Based Training Modalities
Authors: Idrizovic Kemal , Ahmeti Gentiana Beqa , Sekulic Damir , Zevrnja Ante , Ostojic Ljerka , Versic Sime , Zenic Natasa
Published: April 2021

Endurance training (ET) has multiple beneficial effects on cardiovascular health (CVH), but there is an evident lack of knowledge on differential effects of various types of ET on indices of CVH in women. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of two different types of ET on changes in indicators of CVH in apparently healthy adult women. The sample included 58 women (24 ± 3 years; height: 165 ± 6 cm, mass: 66.7 ± 7.2 kg, BMI: 24.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2, at baseline) divided into one control non-exercising group (n = 19), and two exercising experimental groups (EE). The first EE participated in choreographed aerobic-endurance training (CAT; n = 19), while the second participated in treadmill-based endurance exercise (TEE; n = 20) during the experimental protocol (8 weeks, 24 training sessions). The testing included pre- and post-exercise protocols and measures of anthropometric/body composition indices, lipid panel, and endurance capacity. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements with consecutive post hoc analysis was applied to the “group” and “measurement” variables. The main significant ANOVA effects found for measurement, and “Group x Measurement” interaction (p < 0.05) were found for all variables but body height. The EE induced positive changes in lipid panel variables, anthropometric/body-build status, and endurance capacity. However, TEE improved endurance capacity to a greater extent than CAT. The results suggest that that the optimal exercise intensity and self-chosen type of physical-activity may result in positive effects on indices of CVH, even in women of young age and good health status.
How Safety Climate Influences the Willingness to Stay of Nursing Staff during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Wang Ying , Liang Changyong , Zhao Shuping , Ma Yiming , Xie Yuguang
Published: April 2021

The outbreak of COVID-19 in China at the beginning of 2020 has made the problems that the aged care agency face with large mobility and high turnover of aged nursing staff become more serious. Aiming at this problem, this paper incorporates psychological capital and social panic into the model from the perspective of the organizational safety climate and constructs a theoretical model of the mechanism of the effect on nursing staff’s willingness to stay in the context of the outbreak. Through a questionnaire survey in an aged care agency in Anhui Province, a total of 321 valid questionnaires were collected for empirical analysis. The results show that: (1) the safety climate of the organization has a significant positive impact on the transactional psychological capital and interpersonal psychological capital of nursing staff in the aged care industry and their willingness to stay; (2) transactional psychological capital and social panic have a significant positive impact on the willingness to stay of nursing staff, while interpersonal psychological capital has no significant impact on the willingness to stay; (3) the mediating role of transactional psychological capital and interpersonal psychological capital between the safety climate and the willingness to stay is established, and the moderating role of social panic between psychological capital and willingness to stay is also established. Finally, based on the research conclusions, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to deal with the problems that occur in special periods.
Low Self-Rated Health as A Risk Factor for Depression in South Korea: A Survey of Young Males and Females
Authors: Kim Yunyoung , Jang Eunsu
Published: April 2021

This is a cross-sectional study aimed to examine whether low self-rated health (SRH) is a risk factor for depression among young males and females. Data from the SRH, quality of life (QoL) and depression questionnaires as well as general information, were collected from 512 males and females aged 20–29 years in South Korea. Chi-square test was used to analyze the distribution of depression between the high and low SRH groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between SRH and depression after adjusting for covariates. There were 32.6% males and 30.1% females who were at risk for depression. A significant difference in the distribution of depression between the low and high SRH groups in both males and females was found. The low SRH group had a higher prevalence of depression than the high SRH group in both males and females in the crude analysis. However, when the BMI, economic status, and mental component score were adjusted, the OR of the low SRH group was still significant in males. Low SRH may be a risk factor for depression especially in males. Further studies to improve SRH by developing preventive measures against depression status while considering gender characteristics are needed.
Identification of Workplace Bullying: Reliability and Validity of Indonesian Version of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R)
Authors: Erwandi Dadan , Kadir Abdul , Lestari Fatma
Published: April 2021

Bullying can pose a risk to health and safety, including the risk for damage to the emotional, psychosocial, mental, or physical health of employees in the workplace. Since bullying has a detrimental impact on victims and organizations, several studies on this issue had been conducted using the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R), which is one of the most widely used tools to assess and minimize the occurrence of workplace bullying. However, this tool has not been validated for the Indonesian contexts. In this study, the author tested the reliability and constructed validity of the Indonesian version of NAQ-R. A total of 3140 participants were recruited in this study from various companies from different industries. NAQ-R, Psychosocial Distress (K10), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administrated through an online survey. The results showed that 22 items yielded three model factors, i.e., person-related bullying, work-related bullying, and intimidation towards a person. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the total and sub-scales of the Indonesian NAQ-R was acceptable, ranging from 0.721 to 0.897. This study confirmed that the Indonesian version of NAQ-R has an internal consistency reliability, and the concurrent and construct validity are at acceptable levels. Thus, this tool can be used as the screening instrument in assessing workplace bullying.
The Effect of Teacher Autonomy Support on Leisure-Time Physical Activity via Cognitive Appraisals and Achievement Emotions: A Mediation Analysis Based on the Control-Value Theory
Authors: Zimmermann Julia , Tilga Henri , Bachner Joachim , Demetriou Yolanda
Published: April 2021

Analyzing students’ emotional experience in physical education (PE) is of crucial importance as it may fill an important gap in research examining the role of PE for students’ leisure-time physical activity (PA). Based on the control-value theory of achievement emotions, the purpose of this study was to test the assumption that multi-dimensional autonomy support of the PE teacher may affect students’ leisure-time PA via their appraisals of control and value and achievement emotions experienced in PE. Variance-based structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed model in a sample of 1030 students aged between 11 and 18 years (M = 13.4, SD = 1.48) stemming from schools with the lowest educational level among secondary schools in Germany. The results indicated that in particular cognitive autonomy support positively predicted students’ self-efficacy and intrinsic value. Whereas appraisals of self-efficacy were negatively related to the experience of anxiety, intrinsic value was a major positive predictor of enjoyment. Enjoyment, in turn, was of substantial relevance for leisure-time PA. The findings offer a meaningful contribution in understanding students’ emotional experiences and remind PE teachers of their opportunity to adopt an autonomy-supportive teaching style to positively influence the emotions of their students.
A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Assessing Sexuality in Hysterectomized Patients
Authors: Martínez-Cayuelas Laura , Sarrió-Sanz Pau , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Verdú-Verdú Lidia , López-López Ana , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco , Romero-Maroto Jesús , Gómez-Pérez Luis
Published: April 2021

In hysterectomized patients, even though there is still controversy, evidence indicates that in the short term, the vaginal approach shows benefits over the laparoscopic approach, as it is less invasive, faster and less costly. However, the quality of sexual life has not been systematically reviewed in terms of the approach adopted. Through a systematic review, we analyzed (CRD42020158465 in PROSPERO) the impact of hysterectomy on sexual quality and whether there are differences according to the surgical procedure (abdominal or vaginal) for noncancer patients. MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and Scopus were reviewed to find randomized clinical trials assessing sexuality in noncancer patients undergoing total hysterectomy, comparing vaginal and abdominal (laparoscopic and/or open) surgery. Three studies that assessed the issue under study were finally included. Two of these had a low risk of bias (Cochrane risk of bias tool); one was unclear. There was significant variability in how sexuality was measured, with no differences between the two approaches considered in the review. In conclusion, no evidence was found to support one procedure (abdominal or vaginal) over another for non-oncological hysterectomized patients regarding benefits in terms of sexuality.
On Landscape Patterns in Typical Mountainous Counties Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River in China
Authors: Yi Yang , Shi Mingchang , Liu Chunjiang , Kang Hongzhang , Wang Bin
Published: April 2021

The landscape patterns of plantations (PT) are the results of human disturbances on local vegetation, and in turn, differ greatly from natural forests (NF), since the patterns strongly influence the natural circulation of material and energy. There is a need to understand the differences of landscape patterns between PT and NF, to establish a near natural afforestation strategy. This study chose three typical silvicultural counties in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as the research areas and compared the landscape patterns of NF and PT, with other land use types (grassland, GL; cropland, CL; shrubland, SL; orchard, OR; built-up land, BUL; bare land, BL; and water bodies, WB). The results revealed that the areas of PT accounted for 7.67%, 12.05%, and 18.97% of three counties, bigger than GL, OC, BUL, BL, and WB, as one of main land use types. The landscape patterns of PT (mean patch size between 2.06 to 6.05 ha) were more fragmented than NF (mean patch size between 5.83 to 53.91 ha). NF areas increased along the relative altitude gradient, from 0 to 2500 m, while PT areas peaked from 100–1000 m. The higher the altitude, the more typical the zonal distribution of PT, the more aggregated the NF. NF had significant negative correlations with BL, BUL, CL, PT, GL, and OC, which suggest that human activities had seriously interfered with NF. Although PT as an ecological protection strategy was increasing, the landscape patterns of PT were obviously different from NF. This may affect the material energy flow in the ecological environment. The results in the present study have great implications in the other regions in China and the relevant parts of the world where natural forests were heavily disturbed.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cultural Education Training: Cultural Competence and Cultural Intelligence Development among Nursing Students
Authors: Majda Anna , Zalewska-Puchała Joanna , Bodys-Cupak Iwona , Kurowska Anna , Barzykowski Krystian
Published: April 2021

Background: Since 2012, education standards in medical faculties in Poland have allowed medical universities to introduce content related to multiculturalism. On the one hand, this creates a necessity to introduce new strategies, forms, and techniques of education aimed at the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of multiculturalism. On the other hand, there is a need to evaluate their effects. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the cultural competence and cultural intelligence of master’s degree nursing students before the commencement of and two months after cultural education training in the form of the intercultural communication workshops included in the study program. Methods: The following questionnaires were used in the study: the Cross-Cultural Competence Inventory (CCCI) and the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). Two consecutive classes (2019 and 2020) of master’s nursing students were tested twice (pre-test, post-test). The study was conducted at a leading medical university that educates nurses at a master’s level in Poland. In total, 130 master’s nursing students took part in this evaluative study: 64 individuals in 2019 (study 1) and 66 individuals in 2020 (study 2). Results: In comparison to the pre-test, the post-test showed that the surveyed students in both study 1 and study 2 obtained significantly higher overall results in terms of cultural intelligence (p = 0.001; p = 0.004, respectively) as well as in the behavioral (p = 0.001; p = 0.002) and cognitive (p = 0.001; p = 0.008, respectively) subscales. The cultural competence results were also higher overall, but the difference was insignificant. Conclusions: The study shows the efficiency of training/workshops in the development of culturally specific knowledge and cultural intervention skills. At the same time, it postulates the need to plan and organize cultural education programs in a form that aims to improve the development of culturally sensitive attitudes.
Developing a Stigma Scale for the Workplace: Focus on an Airline Cabin Crew
Authors: Kim Haeok Liz , Hyun Sunghyup Sean
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study is to develop metrics for stigma-producing factors by conducting a survey among stigma inflictors, that is, people who participate in the stigmatization of others. This study attempted to develop a stigma measurement scale for service industry workers. This study focused airline cabin crew members in accordance with a seven-step scale development procedure to derive stigma measurement variables. As a result, the stigma scale developed in this study consists of 6 factors (work ability, conscientiousness, selfishness, work ethics, appearance, neuroticism) containing 28 measurement items. This study indicates the need to find countermeasures that can reduce stigmatization of employees within organizations. At a personal level, the practical implication is to prevent stigmatization from occurring within the organization by improving the perception of stigma by cabin crew within the airline organization. At the organizational level, the practical implication is to analyze and reduce the factors of social stigma that negatively affect organizational performance.
Management of a High-Performing Mental Health Recovery Research Group
Authors: Slade Mike
Published: April 2021

A personal perspective is given on the processes involved in managing and sustaining a high-performing mental health recovery research group. The broader context of scholarship in the United Kingdom is outlined, in which academic productivity is commodified specifically in relation to peer-reviewed journal papers. Four leadership choices in developing a high-performing research group are discussed: optimal group size; sharing the workload; maintaining a programmatic focus; and performance expectations. Approaches to maximising innovation are identified, including emotional and intellectual engagement of team members, working with diverse stakeholders and convening communities of practice. We use a highly managed approach to publications from inception to acceptance, which is described in detail. The use of these approaches is illustrated in relation to the Recovery Research Team which was formed in 2009. Specific recovery-related issues covered include demonstrating the ability to develop a significant recovery research portfolio (our four current large [>UK£2 m] studies relate to recovery narratives, global mental health peer support work, digital interventions and Recovery Colleges); the positive implications of actively recruiting researchers with mental health lived experience; how performance issues are managed; our approach to involving lived experience co-authors in papers; and our decision to conduct mixed-methods rather than solely qualitative studies.
COVID-19 and Health Information Seeking Behavior: Digital Health Literacy Survey amongst University Students in Pakistan
Authors: Zakar Rubeena , Iqbal Sarosh , Zakar Muhammad Zakria , Fischer Florian
Published: April 2021

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health literacy (DHL) has become a significant public health concern. This research aims to assess information seeking behavior, as well as the ability to find relevant information and deal with DHL among university students in Pakistan. An online-based cross-sectional survey, using a web-based interviewing technique, was conducted to collect data on DHL. Simple bivariate and multivariate linear regression was performed to assess the association of key characteristics with DHL. The results show a high DHL related to COVID-19 in 54.3% of students. Most of the Pakistani students demonstrated ~50% DHL in all dimensions, except for reliability. Multivariate findings showed that gender, sense of coherence and importance of information were found to be significantly associated with DHL. However, a negative association was observed with students′ satisfaction with information. This led to the conclusion that critical operational and navigations skills are essential to achieve COVID-19 DHL and cope with stress, particularly to promote both personal and community health. Focused interventions and strategies should be designed to enhance DHL amongst university students to combat the pandemic.
Are Clean Technologies More Effective Than End-of-Pipe Technologies? Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing
Authors: Li Jiawei , Zeng Jianghong , Ye Zhengke , Huang Xiangrong
Published: April 2021

An increasing number of manufacturing enterprises are adopting environmental technologies to cope with the increasingly severe environmental regulatory pressure, but the existing studies about the impact of environmental technologies on economic performance come up with mixed results. This paper contributes to the literature by using the financial constraints and market advantages as a dual mediating process in this relationship. An empirical test using a sample of Chinese manufacturing enterprises listed in the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchange from 2011 to 2018 is established. The results of regression analyses show that end-of-pipe technologies and clean technologies have a positive effect on firms’ economic performance. Moreover, we find that clean technologies not only directly affect economic performance but also indirectly affect economic performance through mitigating financial constraints. With the negative influence of end-of-pipe technologies on market advantages, the positive economic effect caused by end-of-pipe technologies is weakened. This research provides useful insights into the selection of environmental technologies for manufacturing firms and the establishment of new policies to promote green finance and green consumption.
Parental Perception of Weight and Feeding Practices in SchoolChildren: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Inclán-López Patricia , Bartolomé-Gutiérrez Raquel , Martínez-Castillo David , Rabanales-Sotos Joseba , Guisado-Requena Isabel María , Martínez-Andrés María
Published: April 2021

Childhood obesity has become a public health problem. Parents play an important role in the transmission of feeding habits and the detection of their child′s weight status. The aim was to analyse the prevalence of overweight/obesity and to determine the relationship between children′s weight status, different feeding practices and weight misperception. A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected schools. The children’s weight status was measured, and a questionnaire was used to identify the feeding practices applied by parents and their perception of their children′s weight. The sample comprised 127 children aged 4 and 5 years and 189 aged 10 and 11. Differences were observed between parental feeding practices and weight status, monitoring being the most used practice. Parents use less pressure to eat and more restriction if their children have overweight or obesity. Misperception of weight was 39.6%, being higher in overweight children, who were perceived as normal weight in 53.19%. Children classified as obese were perceived as overweight in 88.23%. The use of inappropriate eating practices shows a need for health education in parents according to weight status. In addition, the parents’ perception should be improved to increase early detection of overweight and start actions or seek professional help.
Identification of Vulnerable Populations and Areas at Higher Risk of COVID-19-Related Mortality during the Early Stage of the Epidemic in the United States
Authors: Correa-Agudelo Esteban , Mersha Tesfaye B. , Branscum Adam J. , MacKinnon Neil J. , Cuadros Diego F.
Published: April 2021

We characterized vulnerable populations located in areas at higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality and low critical healthcare capacity during the early stage of the epidemic in the United States. We analyze data obtained from a Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 database to assess the county-level spatial variation of COVID-19-related mortality risk during the early stage of the epidemic in relation to health determinants and health infrastructure. Overall, we identified highly populated and polluted areas, regional air hub areas, race minorities (non-white population), and Hispanic or Latino population with an increased risk of COVID-19-related death during the first phase of the epidemic. The 10 highest COVID-19 mortality risk areas in highly populated counties had on average a lower proportion of white population (48.0%) and higher proportions of black population (18.7%) and other races (33.3%) compared to the national averages of 83.0%, 9.1%, and 7.9%, respectively. The Hispanic and Latino population proportion was higher in these 10 counties (29.3%, compared to the national average of 9.3%). Counties with major air hubs had a 31% increase in mortality risk compared to counties with no airport connectivity. Sixty-eight percent of the counties with high COVID-19-related mortality risk also had lower critical care capacity than the national average. The disparity in health and environmental risk factors might have exacerbated the COVID-19-related mortality risk in vulnerable groups during the early stage of the epidemic.
Child Marriage and Adolescent Motherhood: A Nationwide Vulnerability for Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Bhowmik Jahar , Biswas Raaj Kishore , Hossain Sorif
Published: April 2021

The persistently high prevalence of girl-child marriage and adolescent motherhood is a public health concern in Bangladesh. This study investigated the division-wise prevalence and the influence of education and religious affiliation on child marriage and adolescent motherhood among women in Bangladesh along with their consequences using 15,474 women aged 15–49 years from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18. Staggeringly, 82.5% women were married before 18, 43.1% were married before 15, and 61.8% gave birth before 18 years of age. Binary logistic regression models for the complex survey showed that girl-children with primary, secondary, and higher secondary or above education were 16% (95% CI: 0.69, 1.03), 32% (95% CI: 0.55, 0.84), and 87% (95% CI: 0.10, 0.17) less likely to get married <18 years of age, respectively, compared to the uneducated. Also, girl-children with secondary and higher education were 21 and 83% less likely to become adolescent mothers, respectively, than the uneducated. Women married during childhood (<18 years) and adolescent mothers were 36 and 55% less likely to continue studies after marriage, respectively, and expressed that they significantly preferred a late marriage. Policy interventions need to address culturally-laden social norms influenced by religious-related beliefs, especially in rural areas.
Efficacy, Feasibility, Adherence, and Cost Effectiveness of a mHealth Telerehabilitation Program in Low Risk Cardiac Patients: A Study Protocol
Authors: Pastora-Bernal José-Manuel , Hernández-Fernández Joaquín-Jesús , Estebanez-Pérez María-José , Molina-Torres Guadalupe , García-López Francisco-José , Martín-Valero Rocío
Published: April 2021

Individual and group cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by reducing recurrent events, improving risk factors, aiding compliance with drug treatment, and improving quality of life through physical activity and education. Home-based programs are equally effective in improving exercise capacity, risk factors, mortality, and health-related quality of life outcomes compared to hospital-based intervention. Cardio-telerehabilitation (CTR) programs are a supplement or an alternative to hospital rehabilitation programs providing similar benefits to usual hospital and home care. Despite this statement, implementation in the public and private healthcare environment is still scarce and limited. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and adherence of a personalized eight-week mHealth telerehabilitation program in low-risk cardiac patients in the hospital of Melilla (Spain). The secondary aims were to investigate patient satisfaction, identify barriers of implementation and adverse events, and assess cost-effectiveness from a health system perspective. A study protocol for a single center prospective controlled trial was conducted at the Regional Hospital of Melilla (Spain), with a sample size of (n = 30) patients with a diagnosis of low-risk CVD with class I heart failure according to NYHA (New York Heart Association). Outcomes of this study, will add new evidence that could support the use of CTR in cardiac patients clinical guidelines.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Outpatients
Authors: Ha Van-Anh Thi , Nguyen Tam Ngoc , Nguyen Thanh Xuan , Nguyen Huong Thi Thu , Nguyen Thu Thi Hoai , Nguyen Anh Trung , Pham Thang , Vu Huyen Thi Thanh
Published: April 2021

Falls in older people are a major public health issue, as they are associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with falls among older outpatients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 539 outpatients aged 60 and over at the National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. Falls and their associated factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of falls was 23.7% (single fall 17.9%, recurrent falls 5.8%). The majority of falls occurred at home (69.6%) and were caused by a slippery floor (51.6%). After falling, most patients sustained physical injuries (65.6%); notably, women suffered more severe injuries than men. Alcohol consumption, using psychotropic medications, having three or more comorbidities, hypertension, COPD, urinary incontinence, frailty, fear of falling, ADL/IADL limitation, slow walking speed and mobility impairment were significantly associated with falls. Overall, the data indicated that falls were prevalent among older outpatients. Behavior factors, comorbidities, geriatric syndromes and physical function were substantially associated with falls, suggesting that most falls are preventable. Further longitudinal studies of longer periods are needed to comprehensively investigate the risk factors for falls.
Gender Inequalities in Diagnostic Inertia around the Three Most Prevalent Cardiovascular Risk Studies: Protocol for a Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Carratala-Munuera Concepción , Lopez-Pineda Adriana , Orozco-Beltran Domingo , Quesada Jose A. , Alfonso-Sanchez Jose L. , Pallarés-Carratalá Vicente , Soriano-Maldonado Cristina , Navarro-Perez Jorge , Gil-Guillen Vicente F. , Martin-Moreno Jose M.
Published: April 2021

Evidence shows that objectives for detecting and controlling cardiovascular risk factors are not being effectively met, and moreover, outcomes differ between men and women. This study will assess the gender-related differences in diagnostic inertia around the three most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors: dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, and to evaluate the consequences on cardiovascular disease incidence. This is an epidemiological and cohort study. Eligible patients will be adults who presented to public primary health care centers in a Spanish region from 2008 to 2011, with hypertension, dyslipidemia, or/and diabetes and without cardiovascular disease. Participants’ electronic health records will be used to collect the study variables in a window of six months from inclusion. Diagnostic inertia of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes is defined as the registry of abnormal diagnostic parameters—but no diagnosis—on the person’s health record. The cohort will be followed from the date of inclusion until the end of 2019. Outcomes will be cardiovascular events, defined as hospital admission due to ischemic cardiopathy, stroke, and death from any cause. The results of this study could inform actions to rectify the structure, organization and training of health care teams in order to correct the inequality.