bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancements and Perspectives in Embedded Discrete Fracture Models (EDFM)
Authors: Poli Renato Espirito Basso , Barbosa Machado Marcos Vitor , Sepehrnoori Kamy
Published: July 2024

The Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM) has emerged as a prominent piece of technology used for embedding the hydraulic behavior of rock joints in reservoir numerical models. This paper critically reviews its fundamentals, the latest developments, and opportunities for further research. The literature is extensive regarding novel algorithms attempting to reach more accurate and computationally effective estimates. While hydraulic fracture models seem suitable for their purposes, their assumptions might be excessively simplistic and unrealistic when assessing naturally fractured reservoirs. The paper begins by examining fractures as physical characteristics and the key mechanisms to be considered when integrating them into numerical flow simulators. The use of the EDFM technique shows promise for simulating capillary continuity and buoyancy effects in multiphase and multicomponent cases. However, there are significant limitations that hinder its widespread field-scale adoption for reservoir performance evaluation. In this regard, the lack of public-domain realistic benchmarks to validate and compare the potential of each method reinforces the difficulties of performing broader applications of the EDFM techniques in large-scale models.
Changes in Gross Nuclear Electricity Production in the European Union
Authors: Bórawski Piotr , Bełdycka-Bórawska Aneta , Klepacki Bogdan , Holden Lisa , Rokicki Tomasz , Parzonko Andrzej
Published: July 2024

Economic development requires a constant supply of energy. The utilization of fossil fuels causes environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of fossil fuel use have impacted global warming, which may affect the world. The problem of environmental degradation can be decreased by using renewable energy sources and nuclear energy. The role of nuclear energy is increasing. More than 10% of electric energy is now produced from nuclear energy worldwide. However, the share varies by country. For example, in France, it is 70%, in Slovakia, it is 55%, and in Ukraine, it is 53%. Many countries do not have nuclear energy at all. This study aims to investigate the development of gross nuclear electricity production both in the world and in the European Union (EU) in terms of stationarity and prognosis. To achieve the goal of this study, the authors utilized descriptive statistics. The time range included the period 1990–2022. This long time period enabled us to conduct the ADF (Augmented Dickey Fuller) test. According to our analysis, gross nuclear electricity production in the European Union (EU) was stationary. We also evaluated future prognosis using the ARIMA (Autoregressive Moving Average) model. We also used the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model to evaluate changes within nuclear electricity production. Based on our research, we can conclude that the data were stationary. Finally, we concluded that gross nuclear electricity production in the European Union (EU) will increase in eight countries. In 2022, countries such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Spain, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Finland increased their gross nuclear electricity production compared to 1990. Based on the ARIMA model prognosis, the following countries will increase their gross nuclear electricity production in the period 2023–2032: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Based on the VAR model, we elaborated the prognosis, according to which countries such as France, Romania, Spain, and Sweden will increase their gross nuclear electricity production in the period 2023–2032.
Exploring Off-Grid Energy Choices: Household Decisions in Upper Blinkwater, South Africa
Authors: Lesala Mahali Elizabeth , Makaka Golden , Mukumba Patrick
Published: July 2024

Household energy is critical for sustainable development, but many rural and off-grid communities lack access. As global concerns about climate change prompt a re-evaluation of energy strategies, understanding rural household energy decisions becomes increasingly complex, particularly in remote areas without grid access. This study examines the energy decisions of households in the Upper Blinkwater community to uncover the primary drivers for their choice of energy amidst grid connections. Survey data from 53 households were analyzed using multivariate regression. The findings revealed significant economic vulnerability among the respondents, marked by high unemployment and limited resource access, with the majority of households relying on social grants. These households depend on multiple energy sources, with firewood usage significantly influenced by the availability of grants, total income, post-primary education, household size, and remittance income. The findings contradict the energy ladder hypothesis, indicating that despite economic improvements, a complete transition to modern fuels may not be possible as firewood remains a crucial energy source. These results highlight the complex interplay of economic, social, and cultural factors in household energy decisions and underscore the importance of enhancing infrastructure, providing economic incentives, and conducting educational campaigns to facilitate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
Power Prediction of Regional Photovoltaic Power Stations Based on Meteorological Encryption and Spatio-Temporal Graph Networks
Authors: Deng Shunli , Cui Shuangxi , Xu Anchen
Published: July 2024

Distributed photovoltaic (PV) power stations generally lack historical meteorological data, which is one of the main reasons for their insufficient power prediction accuracy. To address this issue, this paper proposes a power prediction method for regional distributed PV power stations based on meteorological encryption and spatio-temporal graph networks. First, inverse distance weighted meteorological encryption technology is used to achieve the comprehensive coverage of key meteorological resources based on the geographical locations of PV power stations and the meteorological resources of weather stations. Next, the historical power correlations between PV power stations are analyzed, and highly correlated stations are connected to construct a topological graph structure. Then, an improved spatio-temporal graph network model is established based on this graph to deeply mine the spatio-temporal characteristics of regional PV power stations. Furthermore, a dual-layer attention mechanism is added to further learn the feature attributes of nodes and enhance the spatio-temporal features extracted by the spatio-temporal graph network, ultimately achieving power prediction for regional PV power stations. The simulation results indicate that the proposed model demonstrates excellent prediction accuracy, robustness, extensive generalization capability, and broad applicability.
Investigation of the Optimal Operation Method of the Heat Recovery Ground Source Heat Pump System Installed in an Actual Building and Evaluation of Energy Saving Effect
Authors: Katsura Takao , Nakamura Yasushi , Ohara Tomoya , Kinouchi Ken , Nagano Katsunori
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a heat recovery ground source heat pump (HR-GSHP) system, in which the primary pipes of the GSHP for air conditioning and the GSHP for hot water are connected to ground heat exchangers (GHEs) and each GSHP is operated simultaneously or within a short period of time, was installed in a dormitory building on a trial basis. Then, the optimal operation method to minimize the energy consumption of the system was investigated. The operating period of the GSHP for HW was changed and simulations were conducted to determine the operating period with the lowest energy consumption, which was 8 months from April to November. Furthermore, the HR-GSHP system was operated for 8 years from 2012 to 2019, and actual measurements were carried out to verify the system performance and the energy saving effect in optimal operation. In actual operation, it was confirmed that the minimum temperature was about 10 °C or higher even when the GSHP for HW was operated year-round. Therefore, the GSHP for HW was operated year-round after the third year of operation. It was confirmed that the operation of the GSHP for HW in summer, especially in August and September when the cooling load is large, can improve the system’s efficiency by the effect of recovering cooling exhaust heat. In the eighth year of operation, when the GSHP for HW was operated most during the summer season, the system was able to reduce power consumption for air conditioning and hot water supply by approximately 17%.
Environmental Implications of Energy Sources: A Review on Technologies for Cleaning Oil-Contaminated Ecosystems
Authors: Gertsen Maria M. , Arlyapov Viacheslav A. , Perelomov Leonid V. , Kharkova Anna S. , Golysheva Anastasiia N. , Atroshchenko Yurii M. , Cardinale Anna Maria , Reverberi Andrea Pietro
Published: July 2024

This review analyzes the main methods for cleaning up oil pollution in natural ecosystems, with a particular focus on the synergy between chemical and microbiological techniques for environmental remediation. While biological methods are a green and inexpensive soil remediation technique, they have a major limitation in their inability to clean up high concentrations of toxic contaminants. The poor performance of chemical methods stems from the high cost of chemicals and concerns over their negative and toxic effects on the environment. Physical methods also have high costs due to energy consumption and the need for additional treatment of gases generated during decontamination, making them ineffective for soil remediation. The main principle of bioremediation is based on microorganisms’ ability to degrade complex organic compounds, such as petroleum. This process is described in this review. This combination of methods allows for a higher level of decontamination of soil and water ecosystems, even against pollutants that are usually resistant to degradation, such as oil derivatives. While existing methods for cleaning oil-contaminated ecosystems are highly effective, they require significant material costs to implement. Additionally, the review discusses how the joint use of current and future biotechnology techniques can lead to the development of an effective set of strategies to protect soil and water systems from oil pollution. The reviewed studies show that a hybrid biotechnological approach is the most effective remediation method. When biological decontamination methods are adopted, the optimized combination of different remediation strategies can overcome the limitations of each technique, allowing efficiencies of even more than 70% to be achieved, given that the choice still depends on the type of contaminant, its concentration, and the properties of the receiving substrate.
Holistic Hydraulic Simulation for Pebble Bed Using Porous Media Approach
Authors: Hu Bo , Zhou Bing , Bu Shanshan , Wu Xinghua , Gong Baoping
Published: July 2024

The porous media approach is regarded as an appropriate methodology for hydraulic simulations of complex pebble beds in fusion reactors. In order to determine the parameters (permeability α and inertial loss coefficient C) of the porous media accurately, two methods are proposed: the correction method and the fitting method. In this paper, a single-channel model with sequentially packed pebbles is constructed in order to obtain the pressure drop gradient against superficial velocities. Two methods, the correction method and fitting method, are employed to determine the permeability and inertial loss coefficient, and the results are evaluated with comparisons. Based on the results, both the correction method and fitting method are deemed feasible for the parameter determinations. In consideration of the consumption of resources and time for simulation, the fitting method is recommended during the preliminary design phase to shorten the duration of design, while the correction method is suggested to obtain precise results when the design is accomplished. Both of the methods would be evaluated with the data obtained from experiments in the future.
Enhancing the Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Performance of Spark-Ignition Engines through Advancements in the Combined Power Regulation Method
Authors: Matijošius Jonas , Rychok Sergiy , Gutarevych Yurii , Shuba Yevhenii , Syrota Oleksander , Rimkus Alfredas , Trifonov Dmitrij
Published: July 2024

A major issue with spark-ignition engines is their fuel inefficiency and negative environmental effects, especially in urban driving situations. This topic is of utmost importance considering the increasing apprehension over environmental contamination and the need for enhanced energy efficiency. The research’s originality resides in its strategy to tackling this issue without necessitating intricate engine changes, a manner not commonly used. The research uses a dual strategy that integrates both theoretical and experimental approaches. The theoretical component entails developing models to forecast the effects of different cylinder deactivation strategies on fuel consumption and emissions. Important factors to address in this theoretical model are the introduction of air into cylinders that are not in use and the stopping of fuel supply. The experimental component involves conducting bench experiments on a modified spark-ignition engine to verify the theoretical conclusions. These tests assess performance metrics, such as fuel economy and environmental effect, under different load situations. The study’s findings are encouraging. The study reveals that disabling a specific group of cylinders while permitting unrestricted air intake might result in significant improvements in fuel economy, anywhere from 1.5% to 10.5%, depending on the engine’s workload. Bench testing revealed a maximum improvement of 10.8%, which demonstrates the efficacy of this strategy. The study’s findings indicate that the use of the integrated power regulation approach greatly improves fuel efficiency and decreases the impact of the environmental consequences of spark-ignition engines, especially in situations of low load and idling. This technology demonstrates its feasibility as a solution that can be seamlessly incorporated into current engine designs with few adjustments, providing a practical and environmentally responsible option for enhancing vehicle performance. The results indicate that this approach has wide-ranging potential uses in the automotive sector, particularly for urban cars that often function in situations with modest levels of demand. By using this approach, manufacturers may attain enhanced fuel efficiency and diminish emissions, this contributing to the development of more sustainable urban transportation options.
Assessing Digestate at Different Stabilization Stages: Application of Thermal Analysis and FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: González-Rojo Silvia , Carrillo-Peña Daniela , González Rubén González , Gómez Xiomar
Published: July 2024

Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that transforms high-strength organic effluents into biogas with multiple benefits. However, concurrent with organics’ biological transformation, a liquid phase with a high solid content is also derived from this process. Valorizing this fraction is not an easy task if an agronomic application cannot be considered as a suitable option. The thermal valorization of this fraction allows for energy extraction but also gives rise to additional capital investment and increases the energy demand of the global process. In addition, the thermal treatment of digestate has to deal with a mineralized material. The changes in organic matter due to anaerobic digestion were studied in the present manuscript, by evaluating the thermal behavior of samples, activation energy, and organic transformation using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Digested samples of a mixture composed of manure and glycerin (5% v/v) were studied. The stabilization caused a dramatic decrease in aliphatic compounds, greatly increasing the mineral content of the sample. Results from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated an energy content of 11 kJ/g for the feed material and a reduction to 9.6 kJ/g for the long-term stabilized sample. The activation energy of the feed was 249.5 kJ/mol, whereas this value was reduced to 70–80 kJ/mol for digested samples. If the valorization route selected for digestates is thermal conversion, the lower energy content and more complex structure of these materials (higher content of lignin and protein-type compounds) must be carefully evaluated.
Evaluating the Impact of Climate Change and Human Activities on the Potential Distribution of Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in China
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Ping , Xie Guanglin , Wang Wenkai
Published: July 2024

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a pest that interferes with the health of forests and hinders the development of the forestry industry, and its spread is influenced by changes in abiotic factors and human activities. The potential distribution areas of B. xylophilus in China under four shared-economic pathways were predicted using the optimized MaxEnt model (version 3.4.3), combining data from a variety of environmental variables: (1) prediction of natural environmental variables predicted under current climate models; (2) prediction of natural environmental variables + human activities under current climate models; and (3) prediction of natural environmental variables under the future climate models (2050s and 2070s). Meanwhile, whether the niche of B. xylophilus has changed over time is analyzed. The results showed that human activities, precipitation in the driest month, annual precipitation, and elevation had significant effects on the distribution of B. xylophilus. In the current conditions, human activities greatly reduced the survival area of B. xylophilus, and its suitable distribution area was mainly concentrated in the southwestern and central regions of China. Under the influence of climate change in the future, the habitat of B. xylophilus will gradually spread to the northeast. In addition, the ecological niche overlap analysis showed that B. xylophilus in future climate was greater than 0.74. This study provides important information for understanding the ecological adaptation and potential risk of B. xylophilus, which can help guide the decision making of pest control and forest protection.
Effects of Forest Bathing on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Older Adults in Mexico
Authors: Garibay-Chávez María Guadalupe , Curiel-Ballesteros Arturo , García de Alba-García Javier , Borja-Arreola Miriam , Moreno-Ramírez Daniela , Santos-Zamora Eliana
Published: July 2024

Currently, in cities in different regions of the world, forest bathing (FB) is considered a practice to promote public health in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, who have a higher risk of hypertension. This practice has had limited development in Latin American countries, and therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of forest baths on blood pressure and heart rate in a group of older adults in Guadalajara, Mexico. A program of six sessions was designed, the first to welcome and recognize the natural environment of the urban forest and the other five dedicated to each of the senses (hearing, touch, smell, sight, and taste), using the methodology of the Forest Therapy Hub (FTHub). The type of study was observational (before and after) with a single group, where the participants’ blood pressure and heart rate were evaluated. The results obtained showed significant effects of FB on reduction in high systolic blood pressure and diastolic hypertension before and after FB, with no significance on heart rate. Forest baths can be considered as an alternative strategy to manage the risk of hypertension in older adults, due to their ability to induce relaxation and normalize blood pressure levels.
Range-Wide Assessment of Recent Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) Area and Regeneration Trends
Authors: Potter Kevin M. , Oswalt Christopher M. , Guldin James M.
Published: July 2024

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) is a conifer historically associated with an open forest ecosystem that extended across much of the coastal plain of the Southeastern United States. It now exists mainly in isolated fragments following the conversion of forests and the long-term disruption of the low-intensity fire regime upon which the species depends. Recent decades have seen efforts to restore longleaf pine forests by government and private landowners. This was reflected in analyses of national forest inventory data during two time periods, ca. 2009–2015 and 2016–2021, that showed increases in the estimated number of longleaf pine trees, the area of the longleaf pine forest type, and the number and area of planted longleaf pine, along with growth in mean plot-level longleaf pine carbon and importance value. At the same time, we found a decrease in the overall forest area containing longleaf pine, manifested across a variety of other forest types. These results point to a dynamic through which forests dominated by longleaf pine are becoming more widespread via restoration, while forests in which the species is a less important component are transitioning to other forest types or land uses. We also detected a decrease over time in the estimated number of longleaf seedlings across most states and forest types and a decline in naturally regenerated longleaf pine. To further assess regeneration trends in longleaf pine, we calculated the estimated proportion of small trees (seedlings and saplings) for the entire species and for seed zone sub-populations. We found a species-wide decrease in the proportion of small trees, from 82.1 percent to 75.1 percent. This reduction was most pronounced along the edges of the species distribution and could indicate less sustainable levels of regeneration in some areas. These results underscore the challenges of facilitating natural regeneration in this important species.
Energetic Features of Hardwood Pellet Evaluated by Effect Size Summarisation
Authors: Picchio Rodolfo , Venanzi Rachele , Civitarese Vincenzo , Bonaudo Aurora , Lo Monaco Angela , Latterini Francesco
Published: July 2024

High-quality pellets are typically produced from coniferous sawdust. However, achieving comparable quality from alternative feedstocks, such as broadleaf wood, often necessitates pre-treatments or additives. Yet, within the framework of small-scale pellet production, local forest enterprises may lack the resources for such treatments and usually produce pellets from the whole trees, including branches, leaves and tops. This can have an impact on the quality of the pellets obtained in this manner. To be classified as high-quality pellets (A1 class), the specific features of the pellet must be higher or fall below the thresholds specified in the EN ISO 17225 standard. In this study, we developed an alternative statistical approach to evaluate pellet quality in comparison to the constant thresholds reported in the technical standard. We applied such an approach to evaluate the quality of pellets produced from the broadleaved species common in the Mediterranean forestry, including European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), Eucalyptus (clone Eucalyptus camaldulensis x C. bicostata), and Poplar clone AF6. In particular, we focused on three variables that are generally the most troublesome for the production of high-quality pellets from the broadleaved species, namely bulk density, ash content, and lower heating value. We found that the beech pellets showed satisfactory bulk density (average effect size of −1.2, with no statistical difference in comparison to the standard’s threshold) and ash content (average effect size of about −5 and significantly lower than the standard’s threshold), but the heating value was significantly lower than the threshold required by the standard (average effect size of about −3). Conversely, other investigated species exhibited notable deficiencies, with turkey oak pellets displaying acceptable heating values. We found a significant improvement in ash content and heating value with increasing stem age within the same species thus suggesting that material derived from thinning interventions might be preferable over coppice-derived biomass for high-quality pellet production. We suggest that future research on the topic should focus on investigating pellets produced from blends of beech and turkey oak biomass. We further recommend a wider application of the proposed statistical approach, considering that it is clear and easy to interpret, and allows for a statistical comparison of the obtained values against the requirements of the technical standard.
Soil Organic Carbon in Mid-Atlantic Region Forest Soils: Stocks and Vertical Distribution
Authors: Colopietro Daniel J. , Weil Ray R.
Published: July 2024

Over a period of 10 years, 418 forested plots within the US National Capital Region parks were visited for morphological descriptions and to inventory carbon (C) stocks. Samples were collected from organic horizons, the loose leaf litter, and, using a hand auger, from each mineral horizon to a depth of 1 m. Soil C concentration was determined using high-temperature combustion, and organic carbon (OC) stocks were then calculated for each master horizon. Soil bulk density (Db) was determined using the core method for O and A horizons. For deeper mineral horizons, a strong linear relationship between NRCS SSURGO representative values and measured Db values averaged according to soil series (R2 = 0.75) was observed. Thus, the NRCS SSURGO representative Db values were used for mineral horizons below the A horizon. An average of 0.5 ± 0.0 kg C m−2 was contained in the loose leaf litter. For plots with O horizons, the organic layer contained 2.9 ± 0.3 kg C m−2. An average of 4.6 ± 0.2 kg C m−2 was stored in the A horizon, down to an average lower boundary of 18.8 cm. The mineral horizons below the A horizon averaged 8.5 kg C m−2. In these forested soil profiles, 52.8% of the TOC is found below the A horizon and 18.0% of the TOC is in the organic horizons. The predictive strength of the thickness of and SOC in the A horizon was also evaluated in terms of explaining and predicting TOC in the profile and in the subsoil. The thickness and SOC in the A horizon explained 54% of the variation in TOC stock; however, it was a poor predictor of OC stored in the subsoil (R2 = 0.04). This study demonstrates the importance of deeper sampling to encompass more of the rooting depth when investigating SOC stocks.
Elucidating Key Microbial Drivers for Methane Production during Cold Adaptation and Psychrophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure and Food Waste
Authors: Rama Haripriya , Ndaba Busiswa , Dhlamini Mokhotjwa Simon , Cochrane Nicolene , Maaza Malik , Roopnarain Ashira
Published: July 2024

At psychrophilic temperatures (<20 °C), anaerobic digestion produces less methane (CH4). For psychrophilic anaerobic digestion (PAD) to be successful, investigation of cold-adapted microbial consortia involved in methane production is critical. This study aimed to investigate the microbial community driving enhanced methane production from the cold-adaptation process and bioaugmentation of PAD with cold-adapted inoculum (BI). Microbial consortia in cattle manure (CM) and food waste (FW) were adapted and applied during batch PAD of CM and FW to bioaugment methane production at 15 °C. Cold adaptation and PAD with BI resulted in cumulative specific methane yields of 0.874 ± 0.231 and 0.552 ± 0.089 L CH4 g−1 volatile solids, respectively, after 14 weeks, while the absence of BI (control) led to acidification and no methane production during PAD. Following 16S rRNA V4–V5 amplicon sequencing and metagenomic analyses, Methanosarcina was revealed as a key driver of methanogenesis during cold adaptation and PAD bioaugmentation. Furthermore, based on the predictive functional and metabolic analysis of the communities, possible synergies were proposed in terms of substrate production and utilization by the dominant microbial groups. For instance, during methane production, Bacteroides and Methanobrevibacter were possibly involved in a syntrophic relationship, which promoted methanogenesis by Methanosarcina. These findings provide insight into the prospective microbial synergies that can be harnessed and/or regulated in cold-adapted inoculum for the improvement of methane production during PAD.
Natural Pigments Recovery from Food By-Products: Health Benefits towards the Food Industry
Authors: Magalhães Daniela , Gonçalves Ricardo , Rodrigues Cristina V. , Rocha Helena R. , Pintado Manuela , Coelho Marta C.
Published: July 2024

Given the health risks associated with synthetic colorants, natural pigments have emerged as a promising alternative. These renewable choices not only provide health benefits but also offer valuable technical and sensory properties to food systems. The effective application of natural colorants, however, requires the optimization of processing conditions, exploration of new sources, and development of novel formulations to ensure stability and maintain their inherent qualities. Several natural pigment sources have been explored to achieve the broad color range desired by consumers. The purpose of this review is to explore the current advances in the obtention and utilization of natural pigments derived from by-products, which possess health-enhancing properties and are extracted through environmentally friendly methods. Moreover, this review provides new insights into the extraction processes, applications, and bioactivities of different types of pigments.
Multi-Point Seawall Settlement Prediction with Limited Data Volume Using an Improved Fractional-Order Grey Model
Authors: Qin Peng , Cheng Chunmei , Meng Zhenzhu , Ding Chunmei , Zheng Sen , Su Huaizhi
Published: July 2024

Settlement prediction based on monitoring data holds significant importance for engineering maintenance of seawalls. In practical engineering, the volume of the collected monitoring data is often limited due to the restrictions of devices and engineering budgets. Previous studies have applied the fractional-order grey model to time series prediction under the situation of limited data volume. However, the performance of the fractional-order grey model is easily affected by the inappropriate settings of fractional order. Also, the model cannot make dynamic predictions due to the characteristic of fixed step size. To solve the above problems, in this paper, the genetic algorithm with enhanced search capabilities was employed to solve the premature convergence problem. Additionally, to solve the problem of the fractional-order grey model associated with fixed step size, the real-time tracing algorithm was introduced to conduct equal-dimensionally recursive calculation. The proposed model was validated using monitoring data of four monitoring points at Haiyan seawall in Zhejiang province, China. The prediction performance of the proposed model was then compared with those of the fractional-order GM(1,1), integer-order GM(1,1), and fractal theory model. Results indicate that the proposed model significantly improves the prediction performance compared to other models.
Expression Patterns of TGF-β1, TβR-I, TβR-II, and Smad2 Reveal Insights into Heterosis for Growth of Hybrid Offspring between Acanthopagrus schlegelii and Pagrus major
Authors: Du Xinran , Zhao Yue , Li Jingbo , Xie Wenli , Lyu Linna , Chen Shuyin , Jia Chaofeng , Yan Jie , Li Peng
Published: July 2024

TGF-β1/Smads is a classic signaling pathway, which plays important roles in the development process of organisms. Black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegelii and red porgy Pagrus major are valuable economic fishes, and their hybrid offspring show excellent heterosis traits. Yet the molecular regulation mechanism of the heterosis traits is less clear. Here, we explored the TGF-β1/Smads pathway’s molecular genetic information for heterosis in A. schlegelii ♂ × P. major ♀ (AP) and A. schlegelii ♀ × P. major ♂ (PA) in terms of growth and development. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1, TβR-I, TβR-II, and Smad2 genes in different developmental stages of A. schlegelii were detected. Furthermore, the expression levels of TGF-β1, TβR-I, TβR-II, and Smad2 genes in different tissues of adult (mRNA level) and larva (mRNA and protein level) of A. schlegelii, P. major, and their hybrids were determined by both real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot techniques. The results indicated the ubiquitous expression of these genes in all developmental stages of A. schlegelii and in all tested tissues of A. schlegelii, P. major, and its hybrids. Among them, the mRNA of TGF-β1, TβR-I, and TβR-II genes is highly expressed in the liver, gill, kidney, and muscle of black porgy, red porgy, and their hybrid offspring. There are significant changes in gene and protein expression levels in hybrid offspring, which indirectly reflect hybrid advantage. In addition, there was no correlation between protein and mRNA expression levels of Smad2 protein. The results provide novel data for the differential expression of growth and development genes between the reciprocal hybridization generation of black porgy and red porgy and its parents, which is conducive to further explaining the molecular regulation mechanism of heterosis in the growth and development of hybrid porgy.
Utilising an Allied Health Practitioner Capability Audit and Confidence Survey to Identify Implications for Telehealth Safety and Risk—A Chronicle of a Health Service Improvement Activity
Authors: Parker Raeleen , Gough Hayley , Laakso E-Liisa
Published: July 2024

Whilst the benefits of telehealth were identified during the COVID-19 pandemic, we noted barriers to its use at a vital time. Through a health service improvement approach, we sought to increase allied health professional capability in telehealth, but we also sought to understand if there were risks associated with its use. We designed and implemented tools to evaluate allied health professional competence and confidence in using telehealth with private and public patients in a metropolitan teaching hospital setting. With an emphasis on technology capability, we undertook audits over three consecutive years (2020 to 2022) of allied health professional telehealth occasions of service reporting on compliance with the audit criteria and investigating staff confidence in undertaking telehealth sessions using a co-designed survey. The audit tool and confidence survey results were used to identify risk factors to telehealth service delivery using a Modified Health Failure Modes, Effects Analysis. Although confidence levels were relatively high among staff, confidence in managing safety factors and technology risks associated with telehealth were not initially verified by the audit findings. Remedial efforts resulted in service improvements in many identified risk factors, yet technology performance and its troubleshooting remained a primary variable in the ability of staff to comply with the requirements of the real-time audits. Health workers using telehealth should have training to engage safely and effectively in telehealth care and the technology.
Long COVID among Brazilian Adults and Elders 12 Months after Hospital Discharge: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Salci Maria Aparecida , Carreira Lígia , Oliveira Natan Nascimento , Pereira Natan David , Covre Eduardo Rocha , Pesce Giovanna Brichi , Oliveira Rosana Rosseto , Höring Carla Franciele , Baccon Wanessa Cristina , Puente Alcaraz Jesús , Santos Giovana Alves , Bolsoni Ludmila Lopes Maciel , Gutiérrez Carmona Andrés , Vissoci João Ricardo Nickenig , Facchini Luiz Augusto , Laranjeira Carlos
Published: July 2024

The persistence of symptoms for more than three months following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is referred to as “Long COVID”. To gain a deeper understanding of the etiology and long-term progression of symptoms, this study aims to analyze the prevalence of Long COVID and its associated factors in a cohort of Brazilian adults and elders, twelve months after hospital discharge. An observational, prospective, and follow-up study was performed with a cohort of adults and older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Twelve months after hospital discharge, patients answered a phone questionnaire about the persistence of symptoms after three levels of exposure to COVID-19’s acute phase (ambulatory, medical ward, and intensive care unit). According to the characteristics of participants, the prevalence of Long COVID-19 was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. We analyzed data from 1822 participants (980 adults [≥18–<60 years] and 842 older people [≥60 years]) across three exposure levels. The overall Long COVID prevalence was 64.2%. Long COVID was observed in 646 adults (55%; of which 326 were women) and 523 older people (45%; of which 284 were women). Females had a higher prevalence of long-term symptoms (52%) compared with men. The most common post-COVID-19 conditions in the 12-month follow-up were neurological (49.8%), followed by musculoskeletal (35.1%) and persistent respiratory symptoms (26.5%). Male individuals were less likely to develop Long COVID (aOR = 0.50). Other determinants were also considered risky, such as the presence of comorbidities (aOR = 1.41). Being an adult and having been hospitalized was associated with the development of Long COVID. The risk of developing Long COVID was twice as high for ward patients (aOR = 2.53) and three times as high for ICU patients (aOR = 3.56) when compared to non-hospitalized patients. Presenting clinical manifestations of digestive (aOR = 1.56), endocrine (aOR = 2.14), cutaneous (aOR = 2.51), musculoskeletal (aOR = 2.76) and psychological systems (aOR = 1.66) made adults more likely to develop Long COVID. Long COVID was present in a large proportion of people affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Presence of Long COVID symptoms displayed a dose–response relationship with the level of disease exposure, with a greater prevalence of symptoms associated with the severe form in the acute period.
Impact of Education as a Social Determinant on the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Korean Adults
Authors: Lee Mi-Joon , Seo Bum-Jeun , Kim Yeon-Sook
Published: July 2024

Education is correlated with health literacy, which is a combination of reading and listening skills, data analysis, and decision-making during the necessary health situations. This study aims to evaluate the effect of education on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This is a population-based cross-sectional study using the 2019 nationwide survey data in Korea. There were 3951 study subjects, after excluding participants with missing data for key exposures and outcome variables. Descriptive statistics, χ2 (chi-square) test, and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. The prevalence of T2DM was associated with educational attainment, sex, age, smoking status, physical activity, carbohydrate intake, and obesity. In the logistic regression model, the odds ratio (OR) of having T2DM was much lower among people educated in college or higher (OR = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.34–0.64) than those with only or without primary education after adjusting for biological factors (sex, age) and health behaviors (smoking status, physical activity, carbohydrate intake, and obesity). This study shows that educational attainment is a significant social determinant influencing health outcomes both directly and indirectly. Therefore, it is necessary to develop policies to reduce the health inequity of T2DM caused by differences in educational attainment.
Earthen Architectural Heritage in the Gourara Region of Algeria: Building Typology, Materials, and Techniques
Authors: Kassou Younes , Alkama Djamel , Bouzaher Soumia
Published: July 2024

This article investigates the status of earthen architectural heritage (EAH) in the Gourara region of Algeria in light of contemporary developments and the sovereign decisions taken by the Algerian state, specifically the upgrading of the region to a wilaya (province) in 2019, and the accompanying direct impact on the oasis system, which is renowned for its fragile character. The research started by focusing on perplexing questions: What factors contribute to the region’s abandonment of earthen architecture? Moreover, could documentation serve as the optimal method for its preservation? In an attempt to explore and comprehend this distinctive heritage, characterized by its diversity, durability, and sustainability, this heritage has been linked to identity and local civilization dating back to prehistoric times, with evidence of their existence still present. Following a research approach and with the prospective purpose of preserving these buildings and what remains of them, the associated skills, materials, and construction techniques used in their development were investigated based on a descriptive, analytical, and documentary historical approach. Finally, the authors interviewed several qualified builders to collect knowledge of the local indigenous building practices. The research findings suggest that there is an urgency to consider a new perspective and strategies to preserve and protect EAH.
A Species-Specific PCR Differentiates Two Causal Agents of Hazel Powdery Mildew and Reveals the Occurrence of Erysiphe corylacearum
Authors: Kalmár Klementina , Borostyán Katalin , Molnár Orsolya , Ágoston János , Preininger Éva , Németh Márk Z.
Published: July 2024

The demand for common hazel (Corylus avellana) fruit increases constantly. Powdery mildew (PM) on hazels in Hungary and throughout Europe was previously caused mainly by Phyllactinia guttata. However, less than a decade ago, another fungus of Asian origin, Erysiphe corylacearum, appeared on hazels in Europe, including Hungary. Our investigation aimed to develop a species-specific PCR (ssPCR) to aid the identification of P. guttata and E. corylacearum, and to assess the presence of the latter, non-native fungus in Hungary. For this study, 59 samples were collected from Hungary between 2021 and 2023. The chasmothecial morphology of the PM fungi was observed, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of ribosomal DNA was sequenced in representative samples. Morphological analysis distinguished two types of chasmothecia. Parts of the chasmothecia, typical of P. guttata, were flattened and spherical with bristle-like appendages, while other chasmothecia, characteristic of E. corylacearum, were distinctly smaller, bearing appendages with branched apices. Sequence data also verified the presence of P. guttata and E. corylacearum in our samples. The developed ssPCR revealed that E. corylacearum was present in more than three-quarters of the samples, more than a quarter of the samples contained both fungi and about one-fifth carried solely P. guttata. The alien fungus E. corylacearum was found in all but one of the sampled regions and was found on C. avellana and also on C. colurna. Erysiphe corylacearum spreads rapidly and can be considered an invasive pathogen. Its practical importance lies in its ability to infect hazelnuts, potentially causing economic losses. Our ssPCR ensures accurate and quick identification of the fungus, which is essential for effective plant protection.
Hospital Chaplain Burnout, Depression, and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Palmer Patricia K. , Siddiqui Zainab , Moore Miranda A. , Grant George H. , Raison Charles L. , Mascaro Jennifer S.
Published: July 2024

Healthcare personnel experienced unprecedented stressors and risk factors for burnout, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may have been particularly true for spiritual health clinicians (SHCs), also referred to as healthcare chaplains. We administered a daily pulse survey that allowed SHCs to self-report burnout, depression, and well-being, administered every weekday for the first year of the pandemic. We used a series of linear regression models to evaluate whether burnout, depression, and well-being were associated with local COVID-19 rates in the chaplains’ hospital system (COVID-19 admissions, hospital deaths from COVID-19, and COVID-19 ICU census). We also compared SHC weekly rates with national averages acquired by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data during the same timeframe. Of the 840 daily entries from 32 SHCs, 90.0% indicated no symptoms of burnout and 97.1% were below the cutoff for depression. There was no statistically significant relationship between any of the COVID-19 predictors and burnout, depression, or well-being. Mean national PHQ-2 scores were consistently higher than our sample’s biweekly means. Understanding why SHCs were largely protected against burnout and depression may help in addressing the epidemic of burnout among healthcare providers and for preparedness for future healthcare crises.
Exploring the Support Needs of Chinese Family Carers of People Living with Dementia in New Zealand during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Resilience Resources Framework Perspective
Authors: Li Fei , Parsons John , Cheung Gary
Published: July 2024

Caring for people living with dementia during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted the emotional, physical, and social well-being of carers. However, no study has focused on the well-being of Chinese carers of people living with dementia in New Zealand during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore the support needs of Chinese carers of people living with dementia in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by two bilingual and bicultural researchers. Thematic analysis was used to explore the resilience resources for Chinese carers. Twelve Chinese carers were recruited from four community organizations in New Zealand. Four themes were identified: (1) social isolation, (2) emotional loneliness, (3) ambivalent feelings of being a carer, and (4) a variety of unmet needs. The findings of our study provide new insights into the multiple support needs of Chinese carers of people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for practice include the establishment of culturally appropriate care support services and the development of tailored resilience-building interventions to address the unmet needs of Chinese carers of people living with dementia.