bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Condition-Based Maintenance of Gensets in District Heating Using Unsupervised Normal Behavior Models Applied on SCADA Data
Authors: Barnabei Valerio Francesco , Bonacina Fabrizio , Corsini Alessandro , Tucci Francesco Aldo , Santilli Roberto
Published: April 2023

Increasing interest in natural gas-fired gensets is motivated by District Heating (DH) network applications, especially in urban areas. Even if they represent customary solutions, when used in DH, duty regimes are driven by network thermal energy demands resulting in discontinuous operation, which affects their remaining useful life. As such, the attention on effective condition-based maintenance has gained momentum. In this paper, a novel unsupervised anomaly detection framework is proposed for gensets in DH networks based on Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) data. The framework relies on multivariate Machine-Learning (ML) regression models trained with a Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation method. Model residuals generated during the testing phase are then post-processed with a sliding threshold approach based on a rolling average. This methodology is tested against nine major failures that occurred on the gas genset installed in the Aosta DH plant in Italy. The results show that the proposed framework successfully detects anomalies and anticipates SCADA alarms related to unscheduled downtime.
Power Output Optimisation via Arranging Gas Flow Channels for Low-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles
Authors: Chilver-Stainer James , Elbarghthi Anas F. A. , Wen Chuang , Tian Mi
Published: April 2023

As we move away from internal combustion engines to tackle climate change, the importance of hydrogen-powered vehicles and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology has dramatically increased. In the present study, we aimed to determine the optimal configuration for the power output of a PEMFC system using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to analyse variations of the primary serpentine design of gas flow channels. This helps improve efficiency and save on valuable materials used, reducing potential carbon emissions from the production of hydrogen vehicles. Different numbers of serpentine gas channels were represented with various spacing between them, within the defined CFD model, to optimise the gas channel geometry. The results show that the optimum configuration was found to have 11 serpentine channels with a spacing of 3.25 mm. In this optimum configuration, the ratio between the channel width, channel spacing, and serpentine channel length was found to be 1:2.6:38 for PEMFCs. Furthermore, the inclusion of fillets to the bends of the serpentine gas channels was found to have a negative effect on the overall power output of the fuel cell. Moreover, the optimisation procedures with respect to the number of gas channels and the spacing revealed an optimal power density exceeding 0.65 W/cm2.
Investigation of Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Power Generation System Based on Vortex Tube
Authors: Rui Huang , Kang Zhou , Guo Pengcheng , Wei Ma
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a transcritical carbon dioxide power generation system based on a vortex tube is studied, which has the advantage of the self-condensation of carbon dioxide. The thermodynamic performance of the system was investigated by establishing a mathematical model. The results showed that under fundamental working conditions, the system could output a net power of 271.72 kW, and the thermal efficiency as well as the exergy efficiency of the system could reach 7.38% and 27.09%, respectively. Exergy analysis showed that the turbine had the greatest exergy loss among the system’s components, followed by the vortex tube, pump, heater and cooler. Parameter analysis showed that increasing the outlet pressure and inlet temperature of the vortex tube can improve the thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency of the system. In addition, the improvement in the turbine component’s efficiency is the most beneficial to the system’s performance, among which the turbine’s efficiency has the greatest impact. Carbon dioxide can be effectively liquified by expanding it in the vortex tube, and its liquefaction ratio increases with the decrease in the vortex tube’s inlet temperature and the increase in the vortex tube’s inlet pressure.
Thermal Performance Optimization Simulation Study of a Passive Solar House with a Light Steel Structure and Phase Change Walls
Authors: Cheng Lei , Zhuang Chunlong , Li Shengbo , Huang Guangqin , Zhang Hongyu , Gan Fei , Xu Ningge , Hou Shanshan
Published: April 2023

Phase change materials are used in passive solar house construction with light steel structure walls, which can overcome the problems of weak heat storage capacity and poor utilization of solar heat and effectively solve the thermal defects of light steel structure walls. Based on this, on the basis of preliminary experimental research, this study further carried out theoretical analysis and simulation research on the thermal performance of a light steel structure passive solar house (Trombe form) with PCM walls. Through the heat balance analysis of heat transfer in the heat collecting partition wall, the theoretical calculation formula of the phase change temperature of the PCM was obtained, and it verified theoretically that the phase change temperature value should be 1–3 °C higher than the target indoor air temperature. The evaluation index “accumulated daily indoor temperature offset value” was proposed for evaluating the effect of phase change materials on the indoor temperature of the passive solar house, and “EnergyPlus” software was used to study the influence of the phase change temperature, the amount of material, and the thickness of the insulation layer on the indoor air temperature in a natural day. The results showed that there was a coupling relationship among the performance and between of the thickness of the PCM layer and the phase change temperature. Under typical diurnal climate conditions in the northern Tibetan Plateau of China, the optimal combination of the phase change temperature and the layer thickness was 17 °C and 15 mm, respectively. Especially at a certain temperature, excessive increases in the thickness of the phase transition layer could not improve the indoor thermal environment. For this transition temperature, there exists an optimal transition layer thickness. For a Trombe solar house, the thickness of the insulation layer has an independent impact on indoor temperature compared to other factors, which has an economic value, such as 50 mm in this case. In general, this paper studied the relationship between several important parameters of the phase change wall of a solar house by using numerical simulation methods and quantitatively calculated the optimal parameters under typical meteorological conditions, thus providing a feasible simulation design method for similar engineering applications.
An Ab Initio RRKM-Based Master Equation Study for Kinetics of OH-Initiated Oxidation of 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran and Its Implications in Kinetic Modeling
Authors: Mai Tam V.-T. , Bui Thanh Q. , Nhung Nguyen Thi Ai , Quy Phan Tu , Shrestha Krishna Prasad , Mauss Fabian , Giri Binod Raj , Huynh Lam K.
Published: April 2023

Cyclic ethers (CEs) can be promising future biofuel candidates. Most CEs possess physico-chemical and combustion indicators comparable to conventional fuels, making them suitable for internal combustion engines. This work computationally investigates the kinetic behaviors of hydrogen abstraction from 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2MTHF), one of the promising CEs, by hydroxyl radicals under combustion and atmospheric relevant conditions. The various reaction pathways were explored using the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus-based master equation (RRKM-ME) rate model, including treatments for hindered internal rotation and tunneling, was employed to describe time-dependent species profiles and pressure and temperature-dependent rate coefficients. Our kinetic model revealed that the H-abstraction proceeds via an addition-elimination mechanism forming reaction complexes at both the entrance and exit channels. Eight different reaction channels yielding five radical products were located. The reaction exhibited complex kinetics yielding a U-shaped Arrhenius behavior. An unusual occurrence of negative temperature dependence was observed at low temperatures, owing to the negative barrier height for the hydrogen abstraction reaction from the C-H bond at the vicinity of the O-atom. A shift in the reaction mechanism was observed with the dominance of the abstraction at Cα-H of 2MTHF ring (causing negative-T dependence) and at CH3 (positive-T dependence) at low and high temperatures, respectively. Interestingly, the pressure effect was observed at low temperatures, revealing the kinetic significance of the pre-reaction complex. Under atmospheric pressure, our theoretical rate coefficients showed excellent agreement with the available literature data. Our model nicely captured the negative temperature-dependent behaviors at low temperatures. Our predicted global rate coefficients can be expressed as k (T, 760 Torr) = 3.55 × 101 × T−4.72 × exp [−340.0 K/T] + 8.21 × 10−23 × T3.49 × exp [918.8 K/T] (cm3/molecule/s). Our work provides a detailed kinetic picture of the OH-initiated oxidation kinetics of 2MTHF. Hence, this information is useful for building a kinetic me chanism for methylated cyclic ethers.
A Review of Tropical Organic Materials for Biodiesel as a Substitute Energy Source in Internal Combustion Engines: A Viable Solution?
Authors: Souza Anderson Breno , Ochoa Alvaro Antonio Villa , Costa José Ângelo Peixoto da , Leite Gustavo de Novaes Pires , Silva Héber Claudius Nunes , Tómas Andrezza Carolina Carneiro , Barbosa David Campos , Michima Paula Suemy Arruda
Published: April 2023

In this article, the most important publications on the subject are compiled to highlight the progress in biodiesel production from tropical cultivars, including energy and environmental potential, raw materials, and the advantages and disadvantages of this biofuel. A critical and objective review of biodiesel production as an alternative fuel for power generation systems and its importance in the energy matrix was conducted. A survey of real applications, new computational and experimental trends, and proposals in internal combustion engines employing organic biofuel was performed. The main findings were as follows: (i) there is the possibility of integration and support in the energy matrix of different countries, as well as the competing with and complementing, energetically, other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind; (ii) Jatropha curcas, sunflowers, soybean, Moringa oleifera, palm, cottonseed, castor, rubber seed, and coconut are tropical cultivars used to obtained oils into biodiesel; (iii) the findings can be utilized as a theoretical basis for future policies influencing the energy sector through regulatory measures.
A Method for Assessing the Feasibility of Integrating Planned Unidirectional EV Chargers into the Distribution Grid: A Case Study in Danang, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Nam Hoai , Tran Quynh T. , Nguyen Thao V. , Tran Nam , Roose Leon , Sepasi Saeed , Di Silvestre Maria Luisa
Published: April 2023

The journey towards transportation electrification started with electric vehicles and has attracted more and more attention on a global scale in recent years. EVs are seen as a substantial, effective, and urgent solution for transportation electrification. In this paper, we investigate the operation requirements for integrating charger stations into the distribution grid in Vietnam. We also propose a simple evaluation method for assessing the feasibility of integrating planned unidirectional EV chargers into the distribution grid. The assessment method is applied to two main distribution feeders in Danang, Vietnam, where the new charger stations are already planned to be deployed in 2025 and 2030. The results showed that with addition of pre-planned EV chargers, both feeders still meet operation requirements in 2025 and 2030. However, the feeder with voltage indices close to the limit needs to be considered for an upgrade in configuration.
Numerical Investigation of Flow and Structural Characteristics of a Large High-Head Prototype Pump–Turbine during Turbine Start-Up
Authors: Yin Xilong , Huang Xingxing , Zhang Shaozheng , Bi Huili , Wang Zhengwei
Published: April 2023

Transient processes that occur in pumped storage power plants can cause high-pressure conditions, which in turn can result in vibrations in the pump–turbine structure and even damage to structural components. It is therefore crucial to research the transient process of the large pump–turbine units and the flow-induced vibrations of the structural components. The three-dimensional flow field and structural field models of a high-head prototype pump–turbine were constructed to study its flow characteristics and structural characteristics under the turbine start-up. Calculations and analyses were performed on the pressure variation and the flow-induced stress concentrations of the pump–turbine during start-up in turbine mode. The simulated pressure distributions during the turbine start-up were mapped onto the finite element calculation model of the structures of the pump–turbine to calculate the flow-induced stress concentrations. This study provides a reference to improve the design and operation of high-head prototype pump–turbines based on the findings of the flow and structural characteristics.
Pressure Anomalies Beneath Solitary Waves with Constant Vorticity
Authors: Flamarion Marcelo V. , Castro Eduardo M. , Ribeiro-Jr Roberto
Published: April 2023

While some studies have investigated the particle trajectories and stagnation points beneath solitary waves with constant vorticity, little is known about the pressure beneath such waves. To address this gap, we investigate numerically the pressure beneath solitary waves in flows with constant vorticity. Through a conformal mapping that flats the physical domain, we develop a numerical approach that allows us to compute the pressure and the velocity field in the fluid domain. Our experiments indicate that there exists a threshold vorticity such that pressure anomalies and stagnation points occur when the intensity of the vorticity is greater than this threshold. Above this threshold, the pressure on the bottom boundary has two points of local maxima and there are three stagnation points in the flow, and below it the pressure has one local maximum and there is no stagnation point.
The Development of a Set of Novel Low Cost and Data Processing-Free Measuring Instruments for Tree Diameter at Breast Height and Tree Position
Authors: Sun Linhao , Feng Zhongke , Shao Yakui , Wang Linxin , Su Jueying , Ma Tiantian , Lu Dangui , An Jiayi , Pang Yongqi , Fahad Shahzad , Wang Wenbiao , Wang Zhichao
Published: April 2023

In current forestry investigation studies, the research hotspots have tended to concentrate on ascertaining the precision of certain tree parameters. This has resulted in an augmented intricacy of the technique in terms of algorithms and observation instruments. The complexity of the technology and the cost of the equipment make it impossible to use for large-scale forest surveys, for example, a national forest inventory (NFI). The aim of our study was to design a new type of low-cost measuring method that could be utilized in a NFI and in developing countries. Meanwhile, the newly designed method was expected to be able to output certain forest measurement factors without necessitating data processing by NFI field investigators. Based on these objectives, we developed a measuring method that included hardware comprised of two tools. The first tool was an electronic measuring tape that contained a microcontroller unit (MCU) and could automatically record and collaborate with other equipment via wireless protocols. The second tool was a tree stem position mapper that utilized our own designed mechanisms. The results showed that the tree DBH measurements exhibited a 0.05 cm (0.20%) bias and a 0.36 cm (1.45%) root mean square error (RMSE), and the biases on the x-axis and the y-axis of the tree position estimations were −15.92–9.92 cm and −25.90–10.88 cm, respectively, accompanied by corresponding RMSEs of 15.27–29.40 cm and 14.49–34.68 cm. Moreover, an efficiency test determined that the average measurement time per tree was 20.34 s, thus, demonstrating a marked improvement in speed by nearly one-fold compared to the conventional method. Meanwhile, this measurement kit costs less than 150 Euros and is economically suitable for large-scale applications. We posit that our method has the potential to serve as a standard tool in a Chinese NFI and in developing countries in the future.
Impact of Land Use Change on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Ecosystem Service Values in South China Karst Areas
Authors: Chi Yongkuan , He Cheng
Published: April 2023

Resource depletion, land-use change, and population growth triggered by the industrial revolution represent serious issues shared globally that have altered the structure, processes, and functions of ecosystems and had significant impacts on human well-being and survival security. This paper assesses changes in ecosystem service values (ESVs) in karst areas based on the perspective of land-use change. Guizhou province, which is typical of the South China Karst (SCK) ecologically fragile areas, was taken as a research subject. The past, current, and future spatial-temporal evolution of karst ESVs were assessed, using equivalence factors and CA-Markov modelling methods. The results show that: (1) from 1980 to 2040, arable land, woodland, and grassland occupy the main land types in the study area; at the same time, the water and built-up areas show a steady growth trend, with dramatic land use shifts occurring in the western, middle, and northern parts. (2) The overall ESVs increased by US$ 31.12 million during the study period, showing a temporal change trend of first decreasing and then increasing; forest land, grassland, and arable land area shift are the main factors of ESVs change; soil conservation, biodiversity conservation, and gas regulation functions are enhanced and play a vital role in the single ESVs increase; ESVs show a basin-type spatial distribution pattern. (3) The sensitivity index is <1, the ESV is inelastic to the VC factor adjustment, and the results are true and valid. This paper found that using quantitative methods to predict land use change of the South China Karst can provide accurate assessment of the differences in supply and demand for natural and social ecosystem services (ES) in a region, clarifying the trade-offs and synergies of ecosystem service functions, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, and providing a practical reference for global land landscape optimization and land resource planners.
Degradability of Vicia ervilia Grain Using In Situ and CNCPS Methods, and Model-Based Analysis of Its Ruminal Degradation
Authors: Taghavi Marziyeh , Taghizadeh Akbar , Mehmannavaz Yousef , Hoseinkhani Ali , Mohammadzadeh Hamid , Macit Muhlis , Palangi Valiollah , Lackner Maximilian
Published: April 2023

Using nylon bag techniques, Cornell net carbohydrates and protein systems (CNCPS), and scanning electron microscopy, the authors examined the digestibility and structure of Vicia ervilia (ervil, bitter vetch) after steam flaking, roasting, and microwave processing. During the in situ technique, the samples were incubated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, and 48 h. For the description of the ruminal DM (dry matter) and CP (crude protein) degradation kinetics of treated and untreated Vicia ervilia, different models were selected as the best fit for the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation parameters of steam flaked samples. The results showed that both the steam flaking and microwave treatment samples contained high levels of non-protein nitrogen and buffer soluble protein, respectively. In comparison with steam flaking and microwave treatment, roasting decreased and increased the buffer soluble protein and neutral detergent insoluble protein, respectively. The control treatments showed the highest levels of neutral detergent soluble protein and the lowest levels of acid detergent soluble protein. Moreover, steam flaking and roasting decreased and increased the amount of acid detergent insoluble protein, respectively. When using dry heat (microwave and roasting), the acid detergent soluble and insoluble protein fractions were increased. As a result of this experiment, the nitrogen fractions were altered using heat processing. Hence, protein fermented feed and ruminal fermentation conditions can be expressed using these results.
Blockchain-Based Loyalty Management System
Authors: Santos André F. , Marinho José , Bernardino Jorge
Published: April 2023

Loyalty platforms are designed to increase customer loyalty and thus increase consumers’ attraction to purchase. Although successful in increasing brand reach and sales, these platforms fail to meet their primary objective due to a lack of incentives and encouragement for customers to return. Along with the problem in originating sales, they bring excessive costs to brands due to the maintenance and infrastructure required to make the systems feasible. In that sense, recent blockchain technology can help to overcome some of these problems, providing capabilities such as smart contracts, which have the potential to reinvent the way loyalty systems work and solve current problems. Although blockchain is a relatively new technology, some brands are already investigating its usefulness and rebuilding their loyalty systems. However, these platforms are independent and linked directly to a brand. Thus, there is a need for a generic platform capable of creating and managing different loyalty programs, regardless of the size of the business. This paper explores the shortcomings of current loyalty programs identified through the literature review, and proposes a loyalty management system with blockchain integration that allows any retailer to create and manage their loyalty programs and have customers interact directly with multiple programs in a single application.
Fire Behavior in a Hermetic Pressurization Building for Reducing the Effects of High Altitude: A Case Study
Authors: Yuan Jian-Ping , Li Shi-Jie , Zhang Kun , Wang Kai-Qiang , Liu Zhi-Mao , Ye Zhi-Wu , Zhou Ji-Yun , Zhang Chao
Published: April 2023

Hermetic pressurized buildings have been developed to reduce the effects of high altitude. The behavior and effect of fire in this new type of building have not been studied before. Unlike common buildings, the inside pressure in this new type of building is maintained at around standard atmospheric pressure, which is significantly higher than the outside environment pressure in high altitude regions. In addition, at the early stage of a fire, the oxygen required to maintain combustion in the sealed building is supplied by mechanical vents (if in operation) instead of opening windows or doors as in common buildings. This paper presents a case study on the behavior of fire in a sealed pressurized hotel building located in Tibet. Fire dynamics simulator (FDS) is used to study fire behavior under different design fire scenarios. Available evacuation time under different fire scenarios are obtained by analyzing oxygen concentration, gas content, temperature, visibility and other indicators. Based on this, a fire protection design scheme is suggested.
Breadsticks Flavoured with Olives and Onions: One-Year Shelf Life
Authors: Giuffrè Angelo , Caracciolo Manuela , Zappia Clotilde , Capocasale Marco , Poiana Marco
Published: April 2023

In this work, we compared breadsticks (known as Treccine) flavoured with onions and olives and prepared with olive pomace oil (OPO) or with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The effect on one-year shelf life was also studied. The following physical, chemical and sensory analyses were conducted on the breadsticks: water activity, moisture content, colour, texture and sensory analysis (appearance, colour, flavour, taste, texture and overall acceptability). For the oil extracted from the Treccine, we determined acidity, peroxide value, spectrophotometric parameters, ABTS and DPPH assay on the hydrolitic fraction, DPPH on the lipid fraction, and fatty acids. We detected a progressive deterioration in the quality of breadsticks with a decrease in shelf life after 4–6 months in relation to each studied parameter. In the analysed breadsticks, water activity was 0.342 (OPO recipe) and 0.387 (EVOO recipe) after one-year storage; in the same storage period, the moisture content was 6.34 times (OPO) and 5.32 times (EVOO) greater. Appearance and colour were the only two sensory parameters which, after 12 months, remained above or equal to five stated as the minimum quality value. In the extracted oil, Free acidity increased from 0.35 to 0.56% (OPO) and from 0.71 to 0.98% (EVOO); Peroxide value ranged between 6.10 and 102.89 meq/kg oil (OPO) and between 4.41 and 20.91 meq/kg oil (EVOO). K232 was highest in OPO (2.43–3.70) and lowest in EVOO (1.76–2.92), K268 was 1.32–1.580 (OPO recipe) and 0.570–0.640 (EVOO recipe). Treccine prepared with extra virgin olive oil showed better biological properties and longer shelf life.
Entanglement between Water Un-Extractable Arabinoxylan and Gliadin or Glutenins Induced a More Fragile and Soft Gluten Network Structure
Authors: Li Fan , Li Tingting , Zhao Jiajia , Fan Mingcong , Qian Haifeng , Li Yan , Wang Li
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water-unextractable arabinoxylan (WUAX) on the gluten network structure, especially on gliadins and glutenins. The results indicated that the free sulfhydryl (free SH) of gliadins increased by 25.5% with 100 g/kg WUAX, whereas that of glutenins increased by 65.2%, which inhibited the formation of covalent bonds. Furthermore, β-sheets content decreased 5.63% and 4.75% for gliadins and glutenins with 100 g/kg WUAX, respectively, compared with the control. WUAX increased β-turns prevalence for gliadins, while the content of α-helixes and random coils had less fluctuation. In glutenins, the contents of α-helixes and β-sheets decreased and β-turns increased. Moreover, compared with the control, the weight loss rate for gliadins and glutenins increased by 2.49% and 2.04%, respectively, with 60 g/kg WUAX. The dynamic rheological analysis manifested that WUAX impaired the viscoelasticity property of gliadin and glutenin. Overall, WUAX weakened the structure of the gliadins and glutenins, leading to quality deterioration of gluten.
Extrusion Modification of Wheat Bran and Its Effects on Structural and Rheological Properties of Wheat Flour Dough
Authors: Li Ranran , Wang Chenyang , Wang Yan , Xie Xuan , Sui Wenjie , Liu Rui , Wu Tao , Zhang Min
Published: April 2023

The study investigated the extrusion modification of wheat bran and its effects on structural and rheological properties of wheat flour dough. Extruded bran showed better solubility of dietary fiber and structural porosity, leading to higher hydration and swelling power. Addition of extruded bran to dough caused water redistribution as an intensive aggregation of bound water to gluten matrix with reduced mobility. The bran–gluten interaction influenced by water sequestering caused partial gluten dehydration and conversion of β-turn into β-sheet, which demonstrated the formation of a more polymerized and stable gluten network. Farinographic data confirmed the promotion of dough stability with extruded bran addition at lower gluten content, while viscoelastic data suggested improved dough elasticity at all gluten contents by increasing elastic moduli and decreasing loss tangent. This study would be useful for interpreting the modification effect and mechanism of extrusion on cereal brans and provide valuable guidance for applying it as an effective modification technology on the commercial production of cereal bran and its flour products.
Burnout in Nurses of an Intensive Care Unit during COVID-19: A Pilot Study in Portugal
Authors: Almeida Cecília , Poeira Ana Filipa
Published: April 2023

Background: This study aimed to evaluate burnout in intensive care unit nurses and describe the relationship between burnout dimensions and sociodemographic and professional variables. Methods: A pilot study was carried out with 29 intensive care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic characterization and the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey. In the comparative statistical analysis, the nonparametric Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used (p < 0.05). Results: The Emotional Exhaustion dimension represented an average of 27.9 ± 10.4, and the Personal Fulfillment of 30.8 ± 7.0 was considered high. Regarding Depersonalization, medium-level results (8.1 ± 6.0) were found. There was a prevalence of 41.3% of high levels of burnout. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison between the three dimensions and sociodemographic and professional variables (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The global results point to high levels of burnout in nurses, with greater expression in the Emotional Exhaustion and Professional Fulfillment domains. There were no differences between groups, demonstrating homogeneity in the team’s level of burnout. The incidence of burnout in this study was higher than that identified in other studies carried out in Portugal with health professionals. This pilot study will allow the defining of strategies for reducing burnout and, consequently, a proposed extension of the study to other organization wards.
Exploring Loneliness, Fear and Depression among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study in Greek Provincial Towns
Authors: Moustakopoulou Lamprini , Adamakidou Theodoula , Plakas Sotirios , Drakopoulou Marianna , Apostolara Paraskevi , Mantoudi Alexandra , Mastrogiannis Dimos , Zartaloudi Afroditi , Parissopoulos Stelios , Koreli Alexandra , Mantzorou Marianna
Published: April 2023

Background: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, life changed abruptly for older adults in Greece. Social isolation, lockdowns, the fear of serious illness and death, all contributed to an increased risk of developing depression. Objective: To explore the presence and severity of depression in older adults in Greek provincial towns during the pandemic and to explore any possible relationships with loneliness and fear. Methods: A convenience sample of 200 participants aged >65, completed a socio-demographic form, the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Geriatric Depression-15 Scale (GDS-15) and the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S). Data were collected from April to May 2022. Results: The average age of participants was 76.6 years and 35.5% of the participants presented depressive symptoms (mean prevalenceof depression 5 ± 3.7). A moderate to low level of loneliness (mean value 39 ± 11.3) and a moderate level of COVID-19 fear (mean value 18.9 ± 6.5) were also experienced. Higher levels of loneliness were found among participants with lower perceived health status and among those participants registered in Primary Health and Social Care (PHSC) services. Loneliness was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.7, p < 0.001), and increased loneliness and depression were associated with an increase in fear of COVID-19 (r = 0.2, p = 0.01 for both). Conclusions: During the pandemic, older adults experienced loneliness, fear of COVID-19 and depression which were positively associated with each other. It is imperative to develop PHSC policies that are aimed at addressing the mental health problems of the older population, which have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, through developing their resilience, offering psychological support and promoting social connections.
Factors Affecting Users’ Continuous Usage in Online Health Communities: An Integrated Framework of SCT and TPB
Authors: Cao Zhuolin , Zheng Jian , Liu Renjing
Published: April 2023

Background: Online health communities (OHCs) provide a new channel for users to obtain more health-related information and support, playing an important role in alleviating hospital congestion and uneven medical resource distribution, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. An in-depth study of users’ continuous usage is of great value for the long-term development of OHCs. Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence users’ continuous usage in online health communities based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and social cognitive theory (SCT). Methods: Data from 480 users with experience in online health communities were collected through a questionnaire survey, and structural equations were applied to verify the model hypotheses empirically. Results: Self-efficacy and controllability have significant effects on users’ continuous intention; attitude has a significant relationship with continuous intention; social norms have a positive effect on continuous intention. Moreover, the relationship between continuous intention and behavior is positive. Self-efficacy and outcome expectations have significant positive associations with continuous usage. Finally, system quality, information quality, and social interaction ties have significant and positive relationships to continuous usage. Conclusion: To improve the level of user’s continuous usage, online health service providers can improve the quality of the community by organizing the website’s page layout, navigation menus, and site elements to ensure users quickly search and find what they want meanwhile try to change people’s cognition gradually, in addition, decision and policymakers should provide more favorable policies to stimulate and help provider in building and managing strategic plans for sustaining a thriving online community. A supportive climate in society through public service advertisements and others for the sake of OHCs is necessary. Limitations: (1) This study collected data through a cross-sectional survey. Thus, it lacked the process of capturing the changes in participants’ attitudes toward all variables. (2) The environmental factors in SCT theory need to be more comprehensive, containing online factors without offline factors. (3) The dates were obtained from China, which neglects the different cultural content.
Are Perceptions of Government Intervention Related to Support for Prevention? An Australian Survey Study
Authors: Grunseit Anne Carolyn , Howse Eloise , Williams Julie , Bauman Adrian Ernest
Published: April 2023

Background: In Australia, despite the success of tobacco control policy interventions, policymakers remain resistant to policy-based approaches to diet, alcohol, physical inactivity and obesity, concerned about community perceptions of such interventions as “nanny-statist”. We examined how people’s general positions on government intervention related to their positions on different preventive policy options. Methods: Data were from a 2018 nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey of 2601 Australian adults. Survey questions related to endorsement of different conceptualisations of government intervention (nanny state, paternalistic, shared responsibility and communitarian) and support for specific health interventions, using forced-choice questions about preferences for individual/treatment measures versus population/preventive health measures. We analysed associations between scores on different conceptualisations of government intervention and support of different policy options for tobacco and diet, and preferences for prevention over treatment. Results: The Nanny State Scale showed an inverse relationship with support for tobacco- and diet-related interventions, and alternative conceptualisations (paternalistic, shared responsibility and communitarian) showed a positive relationship. Effect sizes in all cases were small. Those aged 55+ demonstrated greater support for policy action on tobacco and diet, and greater preference for systemic rather than individual-level interventions. Conclusion: General disposition towards government intervention, although correlated with support for specific policy actions, is not deterministic.
Comparison of Two Methods of Capillary Sampling in Blood Pre-Donation Anemia Screening in Brazil
Authors: Flor Cristina Rabelo , Baldoni André de Oliveira , Garcia Mateos Sheila de Oliveira , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Oliveira Cláudia Di Lorenzo
Published: April 2023

Background: The laboratory tests most used by blood banks to diagnose anemia are the hemoglobin (Hb) and microhematocrit (Hct) tests, measured from capillary samples. Objective: To analyze the two capillary screening methods for pre-donation anemia by comparing their agreement in diagnosing anemia. Method: A cross-sectional study in a population of 15,521 blood donation candidates for whom information was available on Hb and Hct, performed from capillary blood samples. Hb was determined using the HemoCue® test and Hct by the centrifugation method. The Kappa coefficient was calculated to assess the agreement between the methods. Pearson’s correlation tests and gender-adjusted linear regression were used to assess the change in the response variable (Hb) as a function of the explanatory variable (Hct). Results: The majority of the study population were men (70.4%), aged between 18 and 44 years (72.1%), who declared themselves white or mixed skin color (85.6%), and had undergone at least 11 years of complete education (72.4%). The Kappa coefficient found was 92.7 and 99.2 for women and men, respectively. Pearson’s correlation showed a correlation coefficient of 0.98 and the linear regression graph showed an adequate relationship between the tests with R2 = 0.97. Conclusions: Comparing the Hb and Hct capillary tests, it was found that Hct can be safely used to screen for anemia in pre-blood donation.
Investigating the Use of Sentinel-1 for Improved Mapping of Small Peatland Water Bodies: Towards Wildfire Susceptibility Monitoring in Canada’s Boreal Forest
Authors: Schultz Samantha , Millard Koreen , Darling Samantha , Chénier René
Published: April 2023

Peatlands provide vital ecosystem and carbon services, and Canada is home to a significant peatland carbon stock. Global climate warming trends are expected to lead to increased carbon release from peatlands, as a consequence of drought and wildfire. Monitoring hydrologic regimes is a key in understanding the impacts of warming, including monitoring changes in small and temporally variable water bodies in peatlands. Global surface water mapping has been implemented, but the spatial and temporal scales of the resulting data products prevent the effective monitoring of peatland water bodies, which are small and prone to rapid hydrologic changes. One hurdle in the quest to improve remote-sensing-derived global surface water map quality is the omission of small and temporally variable water bodies. This research investigated the reasons for small peatland water body omission as a preparatory step for surface water mapping, using Sentinel-1 SAR data and image classification methods. It was found that Sentinel-1 backscatter signatures for small peatland water bodies differ from large water bodies, due in part to differing physical characteristics such as waves and emergent vegetation, and limitations in detectable feature sizes as a result of SAR image processing and resolution. The characterization of small peatland water body backscatter provides a theoretical basis for the development of SAR-based surface water mapping methods with high accuracy for our purposes of wildfire susceptibility monitoring in peatlands. This study discusses the implications of small peatland water body omission from surface water maps on carbon, climate, and hydrologic models.
Tides of Change—Barriers and Facilitators to Beach Accessibility for Older People and People with Disability: An Australian Community Survey
Authors: Job Sasha , Heales Luke , Obst Steven
Published: April 2023

The beach is Australia’s most popular recreational destination with participation in beach-based activities associated with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits. Unfortunately, access to beach environments is not possible for many older people and people with a disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers and facilitators of beach accessibility using a framework that recognises the complex interconnections between blue space, accessibility, physical activity, and health and wellbeing. A 39-item anonymous online cross-sectional survey was developed and administered to explore the perspectives of older people and people with a disability regarding beach accessibility. In total, 350 people completed the survey (69% female, age range 2–90 years (mean = 52)). Disability was reported by 88% of respondents, with 77% requiring a community mobility aid. Two-thirds (68%) of respondents were unable to visit the beach as often as they wanted, with 45% unable to visit at all. The most frequently reported barriers to beach access included difficulty moving on soft sand (87%), no specialised mobility equipment (75%), and inaccessible lead-up pathways (81%). If beach access was improved, respondents reported they would visit the beach more often (85%), for longer (83%), and have an improved experience (91%). The most frequently reported facilitators to beach access were the presence of accessible lead-up pathways (90%), sand walkways (89%), and parking (87%). Older people and people with disability have limited beach access, primarily due to a lack of accessible equipment, excluding them from the wide range of health benefits associated with visiting the beach.
Imbalance of Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cell-Expression of Metalloproteinases and Their Endogenous Inhibitors Promotes Septic Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Jayawardena Devika P. , Masciantonio Marcello G. , Wang Lefeng , Mehta Sanjay , DeGurse Natalie , Pape Cynthia , Gill Sean E.
Published: April 2023

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease characterized by excessive inflammation leading to organ dysfunction. During sepsis, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) lose barrier function associated with inter-PMVEC junction disruption. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAM), which are regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), can cleave cell–cell junctional proteins, suggesting a role in PMVEC barrier dysfunction. We hypothesize that septic PMVEC barrier dysfunction is due to a disruption in the balance between PMVEC-specific metalloproteinases and TIMPs leading to increased metalloproteinase activity. The effects of sepsis on TIMPs and metalloproteinases were assessed ex vivo in PMVEC from healthy (sham) and septic (cecal ligation and perforation) mice, as well as in vitro in isolated PMVEC stimulated with cytomix, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and cytomix + LPS vs. PBS. PMVEC had high basal Timp expression and lower metalloproteinase expression, and septic stimulation shifted expression in favour of metalloproteinases. Septic stimulation increased MMP13 and ADAM17 activity associated with a loss of inter-PMVEC junctional proteins and barrier dysfunction, which was rescued by treatment with metalloproteinase inhibitors. Collectively, our studies support a role for metalloproteinase–TIMP imbalance in septic PMVEC barrier dysfunction, and suggest that inhibition of specific metalloproteinases may be a therapeutic avenue for septic patients.
m6Aminer: Predicting the m6Am Sites on mRNA by Fusing Multiple Sequence-Derived Features into a CatBoost-Based Classifier
Authors: Liu Ze , Lan Pengfei , Liu Ting , Liu Xudong , Liu Tao
Published: April 2023

As one of the most important post-transcriptional modifications, m6Am plays a fairly important role in conferring mRNA stability and in the progression of cancers. The accurate identification of the m6Am sites is critical for explaining its biological significance and developing its application in the medical field. However, conventional experimental approaches are time-consuming and expensive, making them unsuitable for the large-scale identification of the m6Am sites. To address this challenge, we exploit a CatBoost-based method, m6Aminer, to identify the m6Am sites on mRNA. For feature extraction, nine different feature-encoding schemes (pseudo electron–ion interaction potential, hash decimal conversion method, dinucleotide binary encoding, nucleotide chemical properties, pseudo k-tuple composition, dinucleotide numerical mapping, K monomeric units, series correlation pseudo trinucleotide composition, and K-spaced nucleotide pair frequency) were utilized to form the initial feature space. To obtain the optimized feature subset, the ExtraTreesClassifier algorithm was adopted to perform feature importance ranking, and the top 300 features were selected as the optimal feature subset. With different performance assessment methods, 10-fold cross-validation and independent test, m6Aminer achieved average AUC of 0.913 and 0.754, demonstrating a competitive performance with the state-of-the-art models m6AmPred (0.905 and 0.735) and DLm6Am (0.897 and 0.730). The prediction model developed in this study can be used to identify the m6Am sites in the whole transcriptome, laying a foundation for the functional research of m6Am.
Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome in Children
Authors: Di Filippo Paola , Venanzi Annamaria , Ciarelli Francesca , Panetti Beatrice , Di Pillo Sabrina , Chiarelli Francesco , Attanasi Marina
Published: April 2023

Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (DIES) is a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction non-IgE mediated involving the gastrointestinal system that occurs 2 to 4 h after drug administration. Antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate, represent the most frequent drugs involved. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, pallor, lethargy, and dehydration, which can be severe and result in hypovolemic shock. The main laboratory finding is neutrophilic leukocytosis. To the best of our knowledge, 12 cases of DIES (9 children-onset and 3 adult-onset cases) were described in the literature. DIES is a rare clinically well-described allergic disease; however, the pathogenetic mechanism is still unclear. It requires to be recognized early and correctly treated by physicians.