bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of heat transfer from elliptic tubes heat exchanger immersed in a fluidized bed
Authors: Sakr R. Y. , Abd-Rabboh M. A. , Mandour M. M. , Mohammad M. A.
Published: May 2022

In this work, heat transfer, wall-to-bed, characteristics from elliptic tubes heat exchangers, both inline and staggered tubes arrangements, were studied experimentally. Bundles of twenty tubes of the same total surface area of 0.015 m2 and a length of 200 mm are immersed in a bed of granulated charcoal of different grain sizes, 2, 4 and 6 mm. Air was used as a fluidizing fluid. One of these tubes which was made of copper, instrumented, electrically heated and positioned in the middle of tube bundle, while the others are wooden dummy to be influenced only by the presence of the neighbouring tubes. Measurements are reported in the range of fluidization number within range of 1 to1.4. The results showed that, the local Nusselt number around the elliptic heated tube is about uniform with its maximum value at the tube sides and minimum at the stagnation and rear points of the tube. In addition, the average Nusselt number increases with the increase of the fluidization number and with the decrease in particle diameter. Heat transfer characteristics were found to improve in staggered tube bundle if compared with the inline tube arrangements. The present results of pressure drop and average Nusselt numbers were validated with a numerical model of the same conditions for the case of particle diameter of 2 mm. Good qualitative and quantitative agreements have been achieved between experimental and numerical data. Finally, correlation equations for the average heat transfer in terms of Nu, fluidization number and tube to particle diameter ratio are deduced.
Critical Limb Ischemia in Nonagenarians: A Challenge of Our Times
Authors: Casajuana Urgell Eduard , Calsina Juscafresa Laura , Nieto Fernandez Lluis , Romero Montaña Lorena , Llort Pont Carme , Clarà Velasco Albert
Published: May 2022

Background

As a result of the increasing life expectancy of the western population, the number of older patients with chronic limb‐threatening ischemia (CLTI) seeking medical care is growing. Our objective was to describe the characteristics of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with CLTI and evaluate the outcomes of their management.

Materials and methods

Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with CLTI attended at our institution between 2005 and 2019. Primary endpoints were 1‐year limb salvage and survival rates.

Results

A total of 171 patients were included (mean age 92.7, 51.5% women), of which in 59 (34.5%) primary major amputation (n = 10) or palliative care (n = 49) was indicated at presentation because of severe dementia (n = 30, 50.8%), knee retraction (n = 17, 28.8%), terminal condition (n = 13, 22%) or a non‐salvageable foot (n = 28, 47.4%). In the remaining 112 (65.5%), the need for a revascularization was further assessed finally performing A) conservative treatment/minor amputation (n = 57, 50.9%), B) revascularization (n = 50, 44.6%) or C) direct major amputation (n = 5, 4.4%), with 1‐year limb salvage and survival rates of 93.1 and 57.4%, respectively. Predictive factors for lower survival included age >92 years (HR = 1,59, p = 0.041), hemoglobin <10.5 mg/dL (HR 2,34, p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (HR = 1.65, p = 0.036), non‐severe dementia (HR 3,11, p < 0.001) and current mobility with wheelchair (HR 1,74, p = 0.014).

Conclusion

Nearly one‐third of nonagenarian patients with CLTI have a direct indication for amputation or palliative care at presentation. In the remaining, a judicious approach with conservative treatment, minor amputation or revascularization procedures yields excellent limb salvage rates. Survival is, however, the cornerstone of these patients. It can be predicted with certain clinical factors which may help decision‐making.
LiquidDiffract: software for liquid total scattering analysis
Authors: Heinen Benedict J. , Drewitt James W. E.
Published: May 2022

LiquidDiffract is an open source, Python-based graphical application for X-ray total scattering analysis of liquids and disordered solids. The software implements procedures to obtain information on macroscopic bulk properties and local atomic-scale structure of monatomic or polyatomic samples from X-ray total scattering data. LiquidDiffract provides an easy to use interface with tools to perform background subtraction; calculation, normalisation, and refinement of the reciprocal-space structure factor and real-space correlation functions; and the extraction of structural information such as bond lengths, coordination number, and bulk density. The software is well suited to investigations of amorphous materials at extreme conditions, such as studies of high-pressure melt structure, polyamorphic phase transitions, and liquid equations of state. The open-source distribution and graphical interface will be of particular benefit to researchers who are new to the field. In this article we describe the distribution, system requirements, and installation of LiquidDiffract, and detail the data processing workflow and underlying numerical methods.
Is a preoperative pathogen detection a prerequisite before undergoing one-stage exchange for prosthetic joint infection of the hip?
Authors: Karczewski Daniel , Seutz Yannick , Hipfl Christian , Akgün Doruk , Andronic Octavian , Perka Carsten , Hardt Sebastian
Published: May 2022

Background

A preoperative pathogen detection is considered a prerequisite before undergoing one-stage exchange for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) according to most guidelines. This study compares patients with and without preoperative pathogen detection undergoing one-stage exchange for PJI of the hip. The authors put up the hypothesis that a preoperative pathogen detection is no prerequisite in selected cases undergoing one-stage exchange.

Methods

30 consecutive patients with PJI of the hip, treated with one-stage exchange, between 2011 and 2021, were retrospectively included. Mean age was 70 years and mean follow-up 2.1 ± 1.8 years. PJI was defined according to the European Bone and Joint Infection Society. One-stage exchange was performed in (1) chronic PJI longer than 4 weeks, (2) well-retained bone condition, (3) absence of multiple prior revisions for PJI (≤ 2) with absence of difficult-to-treat pathogens in the past, and (4) necessity/preference for early mobility due to comorbidities/age.

Results

One-stage exchange was performed in 20 patients with and in 10 without a preoperative pathogen detection. Age (71 years, 68 years, p = 0.519), sex (50% and 30% males, p = 0.440), American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (2.2, 2.4, p = 0.502), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (3, 4, p = 0.530) did not differ among the two groups. No significant differences were noted concerning preoperative CRP (15 mg/l, 43 mg/l, p = 0.228), synovial cell count (15.990/nl, 5.308/nl, p = 0.887), radiological signs of loosening (55%, 50%, p = 0.999), and intraoperative histopathology. Except a higher rate of coagulase-negative staphylococci (70%, 20%, p = 0.019) in patients with a preoperative pathogen detection, no significant differences in pathogen spectrum were identified among groups. Revision for PJI recurrence was performed in one patient with an initial preoperative pathogen detection (3.3%). Additional revisions were performed for dislocation in two and postoperative hematoma in one patient. Revision rate for both septic and aseptic causes (p = 0.999), stay in hospital (16 and 15 days, p = 0.373) and modified Harris Hip Score (60, 71, p = 0.350) did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Patients with and without a preoperative pathogen detection did not show significant differences concerning baseline characteristics, clinical and functional outcomes at 2 years. An absent preoperative pathogen detection is no absolute contraindication for one-stage exchange in chronic PJI, if involving good bone quality and absence of multiple prior revisions.
Neuropsychological symptoms in workers handling cargo from shipping containers and export logs
Authors: Hinz Ruth , ’t Mannetje Andrea , Glass Bill , McLean Dave , Douwes Jeroen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Acute poisonings of workers handling shipping containers by fumigants and other harmful chemicals off-gassed from cargo have been reported but (sub)-chronic neuropsychological effects have not been well studied.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed, using standardised questionnaires, current (past 3-months) neuropsychological symptoms in 274 container handlers, 38 retail workers, 35 fumigators, and 18 log workers, all potentially exposed to fumigants and off-gassed chemicals, and a reference group of 206 construction workers. Prevalence odds ratios (OR), adjusted for age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, personality traits and BMI, were calculated to assess associations with the total number of symptoms (≥ 3, ≥ 5 or ≥ 10) and specific symptom domains (neurological, psychosomatic, mood, memory/concentration, fatigue, and sleep).

Results

Compared to the reference group, exposed workers were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, statistically significant only for retail workers (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.9–24.3) who also reported more fatigue (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.7–42.7). Container handlers with the highest exposure-duration were more likely to report ≥ 10 symptoms, both when compared with reference workers (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.4–11.7) and with container handlers with shorter exposure duration (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.7–32.8). The duration of container handling was particularly associated with symptoms in the memory/concentration domain, again both when compared to reference workers (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.5–31.4) and workers with the lowest exposure-duration (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.5–30.3).

Conclusion

Container handlers may have an increased risk of neuropsychological symptoms, especially in the memory/concentration domain. Retail workers may also be at risk, but this requires confirmation in a larger study.
Pancreatic Fistula and Biochemical Leak after Splenectomy: Incidence and Risk Factors—A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis
Authors: Mehdorn A. S. , Schwieters A. K. , Mardin W. A. , Senninger N. , Strücker B. , Pascher A. , Vowinkel T. , Becker F.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a complication discussed in the context of pancreatic surgery, but may also result from splenectomy; a relationship that has not been investigated extensively yet.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study aimed to analyze incidence of and risk factors for POPF after splenectomy. Patient characteristics included demographic data, surgical procedure, and intra- and postoperative complications. POPF was defined according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery as POPF of grade B and C or biochemical leak (BL).

Results

Over ten years, 247 patients were identified, of whom 163 underwent primary (spleen-associated pathologies) and 84 secondary (extrasplenic oncological or technical reasons) splenectomy. Thirty-six patients (14.6%) developed POPF of grade B/C or BL, of which 13 occurred after primary (7.9%) and 23 after secondary splenectomy (27.3%). Of these, 25 (69.4%) were BL, 7 (19.4%) POPF of grade B and 4 (11.1%) POPF of grade C. BL were treated conservatively while three patients with POPF of grade B required interventional procedures and 4 with POPF of grade C required surgery. POPF and BL was noted significantly more often after secondary splenectomy and longer procedures. Multivariate analysis confirmed secondary splenectomy and use of energy-based devices as independent risk factors for development of POPF/BL after splenectomy.

Conclusion

With an incidence of 4.5%, POPF is a relevant complication after splenectomy. The main risk factor identified was secondary splenectomy. Although POPF and BL can usually be treated conservatively, it should be emphasized when obtaining patients’ informed consent and treated at centers with experience in pancreatic surgery.
Anxiety, depression, and quality of life in parents of children with congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Roeper Marcia , Hoermann Henrike , Salimi Dafsari Roschan , Koestner Felix , Mayatepek Ertan , Kummer Sebastian , Reinauer Christina , Meissner Thomas
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to assess mental health, family burden, and quality of life (PQoL) in parents of children with persistent congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). Forty-eight individual CHI parents (75% female) completed self-reported questionnaires and screening tools for anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-8), PQoL (ULQIE), and family burden (FaBeL). Additional data on sociodemographics, social support, and child- and disease-related data were recorded. 29.8% of parents showed major depressive symptoms and 38.3% had a probable general anxiety disorder, including 20.8% who had both. The family burden was moderate and assessment of PQoL yielded average scores. Neurological impairment in an affected child (p = .002 and p < .001, respectively) and lower working hours (p = .001 and p = .012, respectively) were the strongest predictors of worse GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scores. Furthermore, lower working hours (p = .012) and comorbidities in the affected child (p = .007) were significantly associated with lower PQoL. Mothers had worse GAD-7 scores (p = .006) and lower PQoL (p = .035) than fathers. Indication of sleep disturbance was associated with worse PHQ-8 scores (p = .003), higher family burden (p = .039), and reduced PQoL (p = .003). A higher number of caretakers besides parents was associated with decreased family burden (p = .019), improved PQoL (p < .001), and lower scores for anxiety (p = .016) and depressive (p = .021) symptoms.

   Conclusion: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are alarmingly prevalent in parents of children with CHI. Psychological screening of parents should be initiated to ensure early identification of psychological strains and psychosocial support should be offered as needed. A good support network and regular work activities can improve parental mental health and well-being.

What is Known:• Psychosocial strains and reduced quality of life are common in parents of chronically ill children.

What is New:• In this first study evaluating mental health, family burden, and quality of life in parents of children with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), symptoms of depression and anxiety were alarmingly prevalent.• Parents of children with CHI should receive regular psychological screening and psychosocial support should be offered as needed. A good support network and regular work activities can improve parental mental health and well-being.
Volcanologists—who are we and where are we going?
Authors: Kavanagh Janine L. , Annen Catherine J. , Burchardt Steffi , Chalk Caitlin , Gallant Elisabeth , Morin Julie , Scarlett Jazmin , Williams Rebecca
Published: May 2022

Equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) are principles all scientific groups and organisations should strive to achieve as they secure working conditions, policies and practices that not only promote high-quality scientific output but also well-being in their communities. In this article, we reflect on the progress of EDI in volcanology by presenting data related to memberships of international volcanology organisations, positions on volcanology committees, volcanology awards and lead-authorship on volcanology papers. The sparse demographic data available means our analysis focuses mainly on gender identity discrimination, but we show that discrimination related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability and socio-economic background is also occurring, with the intersection of these discriminations further exacerbating marginalisation within the volcanology community. We share suggestions and recommendations from other disciplines on how individuals, research groups and organisations can promote, develop and implement new initiatives to call out and tackle discrimination and advance EDI in the volcanological community. There is a lot of potential for improvement if we all see our role in creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive volcanology community. This requires (1) awareness: acknowledgement of the problem, (2) commitment: through the statement of EDI core values and the development of action plans, codes of conducts and guidelines, (3) action: aiming for representation of all groups, and (4) reflection: development through critical self-reflection and a willingness to address shortcomings.
Volcanic effects on climate: recent advances and future avenues
Authors: Marshall Lauren R. , Maters Elena C. , Schmidt Anja , Timmreck Claudia , Robock Alan , Toohey Matthew
Published: May 2022

Volcanic eruptions have long been studied for their wide range of climatic effects. Although global-scale climatic impacts following the formation of stratospheric sulfate aerosol are well understood, many aspects of the evolution of the early volcanic aerosol cloud and regional impacts are uncertain. In the last twenty years, several advances have been made, mainly due to improved satellite measurements and observations enabling the effects of small-magnitude eruptions to be quantified, new proxy reconstructions used to investigate the impact of past eruptions, and state-of-the-art aerosol-climate modelling that has led to new insights on how volcanic eruptions affect the climate. Looking to the future, knowledge gaps include the role of co-emissions in volcanic plumes, the impact of eruptions on tropical hydroclimate and Northern Hemisphere winter climate, and the role of eruptions in long-term climate change. Future model development, dedicated model intercomparison projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the application of advanced statistical techniques will facilitate more complex and detailed studies. Ensuring that the next large-magnitude explosive eruption is well observed will be critical in providing invaluable observations that will bridge remaining gaps in our understanding.
Benefit of B7-1 staining and abatacept for treatment-resistant post-transplant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a predominantly pediatric cohort: time for a reappraisal
Authors: Burke George W. , Chandar Jayanthi , Sageshima Junichiro , Ortigosa-Goggins Mariella , Amarapurkar Pooja , Mitrofanova Alla , Defreitas Marissa J. , Katsoufis Chryso P. , Seeherunvong Wacharee , Centeno Alexandra , Pagan Javier , Mendez-Castaner Lumen A. , Mattiazzi Adela D. , Kupin Warren L. , Guerra Giselle , Chen Linda J. , Morsi Mahmoud , Figueiro Jose M. G. , Vianna Rodrigo , Abitbol Carolyn L. , Roth David , Fornoni Alessia , Ruiz Phillip , Ciancio Gaetano , Garin Eduardo H.
Published: May 2022

Background

Primary FSGS manifests with nephrotic syndrome and may recur following KT. Failure to respond to conventional therapy after recurrence results in poor outcomes. Evaluation of podocyte B7-1 expression and treatment with abatacept (a B7-1 antagonist) has shown promise but remains controversial.

Methods

From 2012 to 2020, twelve patients developed post-KT FSGS with nephrotic range proteinuria, failed conventional therapy, and were treated with abatacept. Nine/twelve (< 21 years old) experienced recurrent FSGS; three adults developed de novo FSGS, occurring from immediately, up to 8 years after KT. KT biopsies were stained for B7-1.

Results

Nine KTRs (75%) responded to abatacept. Seven of nine KTRs were B7-1 positive and responded with improvement/resolution of proteinuria. Two patients with rFSGS without biopsies resolved proteinuria after abatacept. Pre-treatment UPCR was 27.0 ± 20.4 (median 13, range 8–56); follow-up UPCR was 0.8 ± 1.3 (median 0.2, range 0.07–3.9, p < 0.004). Two patients who were B7-1 negative on multiple KT biopsies did not respond to abatacept and lost graft function. One patient developed proteinuria while receiving belatacept, stained B7-1 positive, but did not respond to abatacept.

Conclusions

Podocyte B7-1 staining in biopsies of KTRs with post-transplant FSGS identifies a subset of patients who may benefit from abatacept.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
Utility, barriers and facilitators to the use of connected health to support families impacted by paediatric cancer: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Delemere Emma , Gitonga Isaiah , Maguire Rebecca
Published: May 2022

Aim

As healthcare systems are increasingly burdened, the efficiencies and cost savings offered by connected health (CH, i.e. two-way communicative healthcare technologies such as eHealth or mHealth) present an attractive solution for supporting families impacted by cancer. More research is required, however, to examine attitudes towards CH to better facilitate its use in practice. This study seeks to examine the utility, barriers and facilitators of CH use for families affected by paediatric cancer living in Ireland.

Methods

Healthcare professionals (n = 5) and parents of children with cancer (n = 7) completed semi-structured interviews on their experiences of and attitudes to CH via Microsoft Teams. A reflexive thematic approach to analysis was employed.

Results

CH was perceived to provide support for a number of current needs with themes of ‘shifting responsibilities’, ‘individualisation of care’ and ‘knowledge as power’. Through facilitating communication, information sharing and monitoring of child health, CH was perceived to support decreased parental burden and increased parental control, with positive child outcomes thought likely. Perceived barriers and facilitators to the use of CH included the ‘importance of trust’, ‘pace of change’ and ‘access’.

Conclusion

While results suggest an acceptance of CH across key stakeholders, barriers and facilitators should be considered to support effective implementation. While further analysis of the efficacy of CH to support families impacted by paediatric cancer is needed, these findings highlight key areas where CH may be effectively employed.
Algebraic Degrees of 3-Dimensional Polytopes
Authors: Belotti Mara , Joswig Michael , Panizzut Marta
Published: May 2022

Results of Koebe (Ber. Sächs. Akad. Wiss. Leipzig, Math.-phys. Kl. 88, 141–164, 1936), Schramm (Invent. Math. 107(3), 543560, 1992), and Springborn (Math. Z. 249, 513–517, 2005) yield realizations of 3-polytopes with edges tangent to the unit sphere. Here we study the algebraic degrees of such realizations. This initiates the research on constrained realization spaces of polytopes.
How useful is the Making Every Contact Count Healthy Conversation Skills approach for supporting people with musculoskeletal conditions?
Authors: Parchment Amelia , Lawrence Wendy , Rahman Em , Townsend Nick , Wainwright Elaine , Wainwright David
Published: May 2022

Aim

To explore the current use and perceptions of the Wessex model of Making Every Contact Count (MECC), incorporating Healthy Conversation Skills (HCS), focussing specifically on physiotherapists supporting people living with musculoskeletal conditions.

Methods

A mixed method, sequential explanatory design was employed. This article reports the first phase of the study, in which an online questionnaire was administered, consisting of items relating to perceived acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, sustainability, and uptake of MECC HCS. Barriers and facilitators to MECC HCS delivery were additionally explored and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Results

Seventy-one professionals responded, including 15 physiotherapists supporting people with MSK conditions. Across professional groups, MECC HCS was found to be highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible. A significant interaction between perceived sustainability of MECC HCS and the location in which professionals worked was observed. Physiotherapists reported using their MECC HCS at least daily; however, there were discrepancies between the number of their patients they believed could benefit from behaviour change intervention, and the number to whom they reported actually delivering MECC HCS. Perceived barriers and facilitators to MECC HCS implementation mapped mostly to ‘Environmental Context and Resources’ on the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Conclusions

The Wessex model of MECC is a promising brief or very brief intervention for physiotherapists supporting individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Barriers associated with the sustainability of the intervention within organisations must be addressed in order to enhance future implementation. Further rollout of this intervention may be beneficial for meeting the goals of the NHS and Public Health England in prevention of chronic MSK conditions and promotion of musculoskeletal health.
Pin-supported walls as seismic retrofit for existing RC frames: feasibility and preliminary design
Authors: Casprini Elena , Belleri Andrea , Marini Alessandra , Labò Simone , Passoni Chiara
Published: May 2022

The seismic retrofit of the existing building heritage represents an urgent issue to be faced and innovative solutions which allow to overcome renovation barriers are needed. In this scenario, pin-supported (PS) walls represent an eligible solution, enabling linearization of the deformation of the frame along its height and inhibiting soft storey collapse mechanisms. The PS wall can be connected to the existing building from outside, thereby avoiding disruption to occupants or their relocation, which are acknowledged as the main barriers to the renovation nowadays. Suitability of PS wall solutions in the seismic retrofit of the existing building stock has been investigated herein, particularly in the case of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, preliminarily focusing on 2D RC frames. The paper shows the weaknesses and strengths of the PS wall solution in relation to the specific features of the considered buildings. An analytical closed-form formulation is proposed and applied as a preliminary tool to evaluate the load distribution in the existing frame and in the PS wall after the retrofit considering the first mode of vibration of the retrofitted system. The results show that, in some conditions, the application of PS walls may be detrimental to the structural response. Along with the evaluation of the effectiveness of the retrofit solution, the proposed formulation allows a preliminary design of the retrofit system. Finally, a series of finite element model analyses have been carried out for validation purposes showing a good agreement between the proposed analytical formulation and the numerical results.
Analyzing networks in communication: a mixed methods study of a political debate
Authors: Fuhse Jan A.
Published: May 2022

How can we detect and analyze network ties in non-reactive communication data? Previous network research mostly relies on the mere occurrence of events between actors (e.g., e-mails, citations). The paper proposes combining qualitative interpretation of communication and formal quantitative analysis. Conversation analysis and interactional sociolinguistics give us methods to qualitatively discern how actors are related in communication (relational meaning). This can be typified into kinds of relational events like “attack” or “support”. Types of social relationships (“alliance” or “conflict”) are characterized by specific combinations of relational events. These methods are used exemplarily to analyze a televised political debate between six party representatives in Germany. Three prominent types of relational events are identified qualitatively: interruptions that are supportive or adversarial, and accounts of action. Hierarchical cluster analysis shows these relational events to fall into four types of relations (alliance, all-out attack, moderate attack, ignore).
Effects of acute sympathetic activation on the central artery stiffness after strenuous endurance exercise
Authors: Gentilin Alessandro , Tarperi Cantor , Skroce Kristina , Cevese Antonio , Schena Federico
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Augmented central arterial stiffness (CAS) increases cardiovascular risk. CAS can be augmented by physical exercise and sympathetic activation (SYMP) induced by stressful stimuli. Interestingly, sympathetic vasoconstriction triggered by a sympathetic stimulant is augmented immediately after a strenuous half-marathon compared to at rest. This study assessed whether CAS also augments more post- than pre-half-marathon in response to SYMP. Such assessment takes on relevance considering the growing popularity of strenuous, long-distance endurance exercises.

Methods

13 healthy recreational runners (age 46.1 ± 6.5 years; $$V^{\prime}{\text{O}}_{2} \max$$

V
′

O
2

max

54.23 ± 9.31 mlO2/min/kg) provided the following measurements prior to and within 10 min following a strenuous half-marathon: beat-by-beat aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV; index of CAS), mean blood pressure, and heart rate assessment. Measures were performed at rest and during a 2 min handgrip-mediated SYMP. The effects of the half-marathon and SYMP were assessed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Measurements of the aPWV pre- and post-race were not significantly different (7.5 ± 0.8 vs 7.8 ± 0.8 m/s, p = 0.34; pre- vs post-race). 2 min of SYMP increased the baseline aPWV post-race (7.8 ± 0.8 vs 8.4 ± 0.8, p = 0.003; rest vs SYMP) but not pre-race (7.5 ± 0.8 vs 7.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.21).

Conclusion

The baseline aPWV assessed 7 to 8 min after a strenuous half-marathon is similar to that pre-race in healthy runners. This agrees with previous studies suggesting CAS being at or below resting values > 5 min following completion of aerobic exercises. The same sympathetic stressor augments CAS to a greater extent 8–10 min post-race than pre-race, suggesting a greater post-exercise stiffening of central artery segments triggered by the same task.
Health risk assessment and source apportionment of PM2.5-bound toxic elements in the industrial city of Siheung, Korea
Authors: Lee Young Su , Kim Young Kwon , Choi Eunhwa , Jo Hyeri , Hyun Hyeseung , Yi Seung-Muk , Kim Jae Young
Published: May 2022

The emission sources and their health risks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Siheung, Republic of Korea, were investigated as a middle-sized industrial city. To identify the PM2.5 sources with error estimation, a positive matrix factorization model was conducted using daily mean speciated data from November 16, 2019, to October 2, 2020 (95 samples, 22 chemical species). As a result, 10 sources were identified: secondary nitrate (24.3%), secondary sulfate (18.8%), traffic (18.8%), combustion for heating (12.6%), biomass burning (11.8%), coal combustion (3.6%), heavy oil industry (1.8%), smelting industry (4.0%), sea salts (2.7%), and soil (1.7%). Based on the source apportionment results, health risks by inhalation of PM2.5 were assessed for each source using the concentration of toxic elements portioned. The estimated cumulative carcinogenic health risks from the coal combustion, heavy oil industry, and traffic sources exceeded the benchmark, 1E-06. Similarly, carcinogenic health risks from exposure to As and Cr exceeded 1E-05 and 1E-06, respectively, needing a risk reduction plan. The non-carcinogenic risk was smaller than the hazard index of one, implying low potential for adverse health effects. The probable locations of sources with relatively higher carcinogenic risks were tracked. In this study, health risk assessment was performed on the elements for which mass concentration and toxicity information were available; however, future research needs to reflect the toxicity of organic compounds, elemental carbon, and PM2.5 itself.
Does energy efficiency matter for prices of tenant-owned apartments?
Authors: Stenvall David , Cerin Pontus , Sjö Bo , Salah Uddin Gazi
Published: May 2022

In this study, we use Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) information to investigate the effect of energy efficiency on the selling price of Swedish tenant-owned apartments. While there is a large body of literature on how energy efficiency affects the sales price of single-family houses, none has exclusively focused on tenant-owned apartments. For owners of tenant-owned apartments in Sweden, heating is for a large share included in the monthly fee paid to the tenant association, which usually does not change on a short-term basis. This raises the question whether homebuyers’ incentives for acquiring energy-efficient tenant-owned apartments are large enough to be capitalized into the prices. By hedonic models and matching methods, we found mixed results. In our most optimistic scenarios, tenant-owned apartments enclosed in energy-efficient buildings are sold with a premium of approximately 0.8 to 1.2% compared to apartments in non-efficient buildings. The results in this study are not robust to all model specifications and vary across regions. In comparison with recent studies using data for single-family houses in Sweden, our detected capitalization is smaller. Our results highlight a need for targeted measures if EPCs are to be fully capitalized in prices for all dwelling types in which buyers have different economic incentives for reducing their energy consumption.
Accumulation of metallic trace elements in Reynoutria japonica: a risk assessment for plant biomass valorization
Authors: Lerch Sylvain , Sirguey Catherine , Michelot-Antalik Alice , Jurjanz Stefan
Published: May 2022

Sustainable solutions aiming at limiting Reynoutria japonica invasion consist of frequent removal of its aerial biomass. The aims of this study were to measure the accumulation of metallic trace elements (MTE) in R. japonica, and to assess the eco-toxicological risk related to the valorization of the produced biomass. R. japonica fragmented rhizomes were regenerated in pots for 41 days on a control soil (CTL) or a moderately MTE-contaminated soil (POL, 3.6 mg Cd kg−1 DM). Growth traits were recorded, as well as MTE bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) from soil to plant organs. Whatever the MTE and plant organs, BCF remained below one (mean Cd-BCF for stem and leaf: 0.07 and 0.29 for CTL and POL, respectively), conversely to TF (until 2.2 for Cd and Ni in POL soil). When grown on the POL soil, R. japonica stem and leaf Cd content was close to the EU maximum regulatory limit for organic amendments or animal feed. Model simulations suggested that liver and kidney Cd concentrations would exceed the regulatory limit in food when adult cattle or sheep constantly ingest R. japonica grown on the POL soil over 200 to 800 days. The results of the present study will be useful to help managers in selecting efficient and safe solutions for the control of R. japonica invasion.
The application of life cycle assessment in buildings: challenges, and directions for future research
Authors: Fnais Abdulrahman , Rezgui Yacine , Petri Ioan , Beach Thomas , Yeung Jonathan , Ghoroghi Ali , Kubicki Sylvain
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper reviews the state-of-the art research in life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to buildings. It focuses on current research trends, and elaborates on gaps and directions for future research.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify current research and applications of LCA in buildings. The proposed review methodology includes (i) identifying recent authoritative research publications using established search engines, (ii) screening and retaining relevant publications, and (iii) extracting relevant LCA applications for buildings and analyzing their underpinning research. Subsequently, several research gaps and limitations were identified, which have informed our proposed future research directions.

Results and discussions

This paper argues that humans can attenuate and positively control the impact of their buildings on the environment, and as such mitigate the effects of climate change. This can be achieved by a new generation of LCA methods and tools that are model based and continuously learn from real-time data, while informing effective operation and management strategies of buildings and districts. Therefore, the consideration of the time dimension in product system modeling is becoming essential to understand the resulting pollutant emissions and resource consumption. This time dimension is currently missing in life cycle inventory databases. A further combination of life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models using time-dependent characterization factors can lead to more comprehensive and reliable LCA results.

Conclusions and recommendations

This paper promotes the concept of semantic-based dynamic (real-time) LCA, which addresses temporal and spatial variations in the local built and environmental ecosystem, and thus more effectively promotes a “cradle-to-grave-to-reincarnation” environmental sustainability capability. Furthermore, it is critical to leverage digital building resources (e.g., connected objects, semantic models, and artificial intelligence) to deliver accurate and reliable environmental assessments.
Selection and evaluation of suitable tree species in dry and dusty mining areas of Northwest China
Authors: Zhu Xiaofang , Cao Bing , Zhao Siming , Wang Xing , Zhang Hao , Gao Deping , Duan Yongfeng
Published: May 2022

To select drought-resistant and dust-tolerant native species suitable for use in the rehabilitation of major coal bases in northwest China, nine tree species were identified for growth rates, biomass, harm index, and physiological indices under drought and high dust stress conditions. The results showed that, in the dust resistance index system, the order was Caragana korshinskii > Amorpha fruticosa > Sabina vulgaris > Hedysarum scoparium > Tamarix chinensis > Ammopiptanthus mongolicus > Ulmus pumila > Caryopteris mongholica > Elaeagnus angustifolia. In a comprehensive drought and dust resistance index system, 14 indices (such as shoot length, stomatal conductance, and peroxidase) had the larger weight indices. The drought and dust resistance order of the tree species was Caragana korshinskii > Ulmus pumila > Amorpha fruticosa > Sabina vulgaris > Caryopteris mongholica > Ammopiptanthus mongolicus > Hedysarum scoparium > Tamarix chinensis > Elaeagnus angustifolia. This study provides effective strategies and references for selecting suitable tree species for arid mining sites in China, and also for the revegetation of coal mining sites worldwide.
Utilizing laser spectrochemical analytical methods for assessing the ripening progress of tomato
Authors: Ali Liela Mohamed , El-Saeid Raghda Hosny , Abdel-Harith Mohamed
Published: May 2022

To meet market demands and minimize losses, the tomato crop (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) requires a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method to distinguish between different maturity stages with high accuracy. This study aimed at evaluating two spectrochemical analytical techniques, namely laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), to discriminate three different maturity stages of tomato fruit (‘Green/Breaker’; ‘Turning/Pink’; and ‘Light-red/Red’). The simple linear regression confirmed the obtained LIF results with chlorophyll content (mg/100 g), hue angle (h°), and firmness (kg/cm2) of the different maturity stages (measured by conventional methods). Furthermore, the findings showed that the peak intensities of LIF spectra decreased with the chlorophyll content depletion during ripening. Moreover, the data exposed a reasonably good association between LIF spectra and chlorophyll content with a regression coefficient of 0.85. On the other hand, firmness and skin hue have shown an excellent predictor for the spectra with a high regression coefficient of 0.94. For LIBS spectra of each maturity stage, the ratios of Ca’s ionic-to-atomic spectral lines intensities have followed the same trend as conventionally measured firmness. The results demonstrated that LIF and LIBS are accurate, easy, and fast techniques used to define tomatoes’ different ripening stages. Both methods are useable in situ without any prior laboratory work.
Relocating the education reform movement: how have universities in Taiwan experienced Neoliberalization?
Authors: Peng Ming-Te
Published: May 2022

Based on the higher education reform experience in Taiwan, this research elucidates the conditions for the marketization of universities. It draws on critical discourse analysis to explore power relations between higher education, society, and the government and suggests that the university has always been considered a valuable resource for state development. By analyzing the heterogeneity of discourses used in official documents and the academic literature, this research identifies the social contradictions that triggered the education reform movement in the 1990s, including humanistic resistance against economic utility, educational inequality, and demand for academic autonomy. Neoliberalization in higher education is shown as a contemporary model for mobilizing academic resources in indirect but effective ways, with the aim of mapping both neoliberal practices in Taiwan and their connections with the global trend of marketizing higher education.
Antimicrobial activity of commercial organic honeys against clinical isolates of human pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Obey Jackie K. , Ngeiywa Moses M. , Lehesvaara Marjatta , Kauhanen Jussi , von Wright Atte , Tikkanen-Kaukanen Carina
Published: May 2022

Extracts of five organic and one conventional honey sources, available in Finnish markets, were tested for antimicrobial activity and inhibitory concentrations against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, obtained from human specimens. Five (honeys A, B, D, E, F) of the six studied honeys were organic. All the studied honeys had inhibitory activity (zone of inhibition (ZI) > 9.4 ± 0.5 mm) compared to control artificial honey (ZI < 8 mm) against all the studied pathogens. Four organic honeys (B, D, E, F) showed inhibitory activity with ZI > 13.3 mm against all the studied bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.5–50%. Against E. coli, the organic honeys E and F had activity index (AI) of 0.64 and 0.73, respectively, compared to the antibiotic AI of 1.0. Against S. Typhi, the organic honeys D and F had AI of 0.59 and 0.64, respectively. Against P. aeruginosa, the organic honeys D, E, and F had the highest AI of 0.71–0.80, and against S. epidermidis the honeys B, D, E, and F possessed relatively high AI of 0.60, 0.67, 0.73, and 0.78, respectively. Against K. pneumoniae and B. cereus, the detected AI of the organic honeys B, D, E, and F varied between AI of 0.48 and 0.58. The organic honey A and conventionally produced honey C possessed only minor activity with MIC values of 80%. Here, we show that commercially available culinary organic honeys possess remarkable antimicrobial activity against several important human bacterial pathogens.
Evaluation of discharge coefficient of triangular side orifices by using regularized extreme learning machine
Authors: Moghadam Rahim Gerami , Yaghoubi Behrouz , Rajabi Ahmad , Shabanlou Saeid , Izadbakhsh Mohammad Ali
Published: May 2022

The present paper attempts to reproduce the discharge coefficient (DC) of triangular side orifices by a new training approach entitled “Regularized Extreme Learning Machine (RELM).” To this end, all parameters influencing the DC of triangular side orifices are initially detected, and then six models are extended by them. For training the RELMs, about 70% of the laboratory measurements are implemented and the remaining (i.e., 30%) are utilized for testing them. In the next steps, the optimal hidden layer neurons number, the best activation function and the most accurate regularization parameter are chosen for the RELM model. As a result of a sensitivity analysis, we figure out that the most important RELM model simulates coefficient values with high exactness. The best RELM model estimates coefficients of discharge using all input factors. The efficiency of the best RELM model is compared with ELM, and it is demonstrated that the former has a lower error and better correlation with the experimental measurements. The error and uncertainty examinations are executed for the RELM and ELM models to indicate that RELM is noticeably stronger. At the final stage, an equation is proposed for computing this coefficient for triangular side orifices and a partial derivative sensitivity analysis is also carried out on it.
A shape design problem for the Navier–Stokes flow with a convective boundary condition
Authors: Simon J. S. H , Notsu Hirofumi
Published: May 2022

In this study, a shape optimization problem for the two-dimensional stationary Navier–Stokes equations with an artificial boundary condition is considered. The fluid is assumed to be flowing through a rectangular channel, and the artificial boundary condition is formulated so as to take into account the possibility of ill-posedness caused by the usual do-nothing boundary condition. The goal of the optimization problem is to maximize the vorticity of the said fluid by determining the shape of an obstacle inside the channel. Meanwhile, the shape variation is limited by a perimeter functional and a volume constraint. The perimeter functional was considered to act as a Tikhonov regularizer and the volume constraint is added to exempt us from possible topological changes. The shape derivative of the objective functional was formulated using the rearrangement method, and this derivative was later on used for gradient descent methods. Additionally, an augmented Lagrangian method and a class of solenoidal deformation fields were considered to take into account the goal of volume preservation. Lastly, numerical examples based on gradient descent and the volume preservation methods are presented.
Design and implementation of fault-tolerant control strategies for a real underactuated manipulator robot
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Kern John , Álvarez Exequiel
Published: May 2022

This paper presents the design and implementation of four control strategies applied to a real underactuated manipulator robot with 3-DOF (Degrees of Freedom). Additionally, an original methodology for controlled oscillatory compensations is designed and implemented to mitigate the effect of a passive joint on the overall performance of this manipulator robot. The objective of this methodology is to create controlled oscillations that allow the faulty link and its (passive) joint to physically align with their adjacent previous link. The implemented control techniques are sinh–cosh, neural compensation, gain scheduling PID, and gain scheduling sinh–cosh. The real robot in which these four control strategies and oscillatory compensation methodology are implemented is a SCARA (Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm) robot. To assess controller performance—once the 3-DOF underactuated manipulator robot starts its trajectory—after t = 4.5 s, a fault is activated in its joint No. 2, converting it into a passive joint. The performance indicators IA (index of agreement), RMS (Root Mean Square), and RSD (Residual Standard Deviation) are used to analyze, compare, and evaluate the behavior of the four control strategies and the compensation methodology.