bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal performance of the photovoltaic module with evaporative cooling ventilated cavity
Authors: Liu Y H , Yan W C , Yang C J , Zhang Y , He C W , Cui X , Jin L W
Published: July 2024

Energy is indispensable in modern life, and solar photovoltaic technology stands out for its substantial advantages. However, the current conversion rate remains suboptimal, ranging from 15% to 20%. Compounding this, a portion of solar energy undergoes conversion into thermal energy, resulting in an elevation of the PV (photovoltaic) module’s temperature and a subsequent reduction in electricity generation efficiency. In response to this challenge, a solution was conceived—a design featuring an evaporative cooling ventilated cavity crafted to alleviate the operating temperature of the photovoltaic module. This innovative system integrates a photovoltaic facade with an evaporative cooling ventilation cavity, encompassing crucial components such as solar photovoltaic panels, an evaporative cooling layer, and a ventilated cavity equipped with thermal regulation. An experimental system was meticulously developed. The results illuminate the system’s efficacy in temperature reduction: approximately 5°C for the PV back sheet, 5°C for the cavity back sheet, and 5.2°C inside the cavity. Furthermore, the system achieves a noteworthy average operating temperature reduction of about 14.1%, 20.2%, and 20.4%, respectively. These findings underscore the substantial impact of the evaporative cooling system on regulating and enhancing the thermal performance of PV modules.
The determination of elements influencing successful collaboration factors in preventing oil spills during bunkering at port
Authors: Ishak I C , Charles I , Ramli M K , Arof A M , Salleh H S , Isha A S N
Published: July 2024

This study is concerned with the factors that could concern the successful collaboration in preventing oil spills during bunkering operations. This study encompasses individual staff at port and bunkering companies in Sabah, Malaysia. The oil spill incidents from bunkering activities are possible to occur while the ships are moving. The primary causes of bunker activities that could lead to the oil spill are overflow, leak incidents, inadequate planning, and human error. This study aims to validate the factors of successful collaboration toward preventing oil spills during bunkering operations. This study utilized a Delphi questionnaire survey distributed to respondents with working experiences between two years and more than 10 years of working experience. The data has been accumulated from the related departments within the individual staff at Jabatan Pelabuhan dan Dermaga Sabah (JPDS) and Kota Kinabalu Port. This study applied an online Delphi questionnaire survey from the required purposive sampling. The Delphi questionnaire survey assembles information about respondents and the importance of and factors influencing successful collaboration by applying Likert scale point of 5 ranging from not important to extremely important. This study has included 59 respondents from JPDS and related bunkering companies and bunkering operators. The data have been analysed using SPSS analysis tools such as Cronbach alpha and Correlation analysis. The result revealed that the Cronbach alpha value shows a high value of 0.960. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient (r) shows at 0.775. It has shown a positive and strong relationship between the importance of successful collaboration and the factors influencing successful collaboration to prevent oil spills during bunkering. The recommendation of this study could facilitate other port authorities to collaborate or coordinate with other sectors or companies in bunkering operations to gain a successful collaboration in preventing oil spills during bunkering activities. It is also anticipated to contribute to the deficiency of literature on the determination of elements influencing successful collaboration factors in preventing oil spills during bunkering at port.
Extraction of anthocyanin from mangosteen rind using ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Tan Z L , Cheok C Y
Published: July 2024

Anthocyanins is natural pigments found in many plants that not only impart colours but also have potential health benefits and used as natural colorant in food processing industries. Mangosteen rind, although rich in anthocyanins, is normally disposed of as waste after consuming the delicate pulp. Anthocyanins is stored within the membrane cell wall inside the mangosteen rind, and it is usually recovered from the rind using solvent. Hence, this study investigated potential alternative green solvents, e.g., ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents in extracting anthocyanins from mangosteen rind. This study is designed in conjunction with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations, particularly SDG3 where good health and well-being equalities are emphasized and SDG12 in which efficient management of natural resource is addressed. Anthocyanins yield was determined using pH-differential method and result was expressed in milligram of cyanidin-3-glucoside per gram of mangosteen rind (mg cy-3-glu/g). Results showed that mangosteen rind extracted using both ionic liquids e.g., 1-ethy-3metylimidazolium bromide (EMIM) and 1-butyl-3methylimidazolium bromide (BMIM) solutions gave higher anthocyanins yields of 0.72 mg cy-3-glu/g and 0.69 mg cy-3-glu/g, respectively, in comparison to the 50% ethanol and deep eutectic solvents. This study revealed that high viscosity of deep eutectic solvent was the main factor that hindered the penetration of the solvent into the cell membrane of mangosteen rind, as a result, lower anthocyanins yields were obtained. Hence, in bioactive compounds extraction from plant materials, deep eutectic solvent incorporated with ultrasound or microwave is recommended as it could enhance the penetration of solvent into the plant’s matrix.
Optimization of acetic acid – infused insecticide from avocado (persea americana) seed extract using microwave – assisted extraction method
Authors: Medrano H A , Dungque J , Espulgar H R , Chavez L V , Bautista L S , Sevilla T , Del Mundo C M , Tugade C
Published: July 2024

Insecticides are widely used in households to control and manage pest populations. Biological insecticides are a more sustainable alternative, but they are often less effective. This study evaluated the effectiveness of avocado seed oil extract with added acetic acid as a bio-insecticide against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The researchers used microwave-assisted extraction to obtain the avocado seed oil. Avocado oil and acetic acid were formulated in different volume concentrations: 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% (v/v) avocado seed oil extract-infused acetic acid. Assessment of its effectiveness is performed by directly spraying it on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in a 70x70x70 cm glass cylinder setup and conducting knockdown and mortality tests. The avocado seed oil insecticide showed significant knockdown effectiveness (p= 2.07E-7, α= 0.95) against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes compared to both the positive control (Neem Oil) and negative control (acetic acid). At 1 mL application, all the concentrations have significant differences (p= 0.0044, α= 0.95). The 50% and 90% concentration show the highest efficacy, showing no significant difference (p-value= 0.0527, α= 0.95), the % Knockdown is 25.00% and 20.00%, respectively, while 30% is the lowest at 13.33% within 60 minutes. However, none of the test samples reached 50% knockdown in 60 minutes. At a 3 mL rate, all concentrations resulted in 100% mortality, and the 50% concentration was the fastest in 6 minutes but had no significant difference (p= 0.9746, α= 0.95) with 90% concentration at 10 minutes. All concentrations yield higher efficacy compared to the positive control in both 1 mL and 3 mL rates. In the 1 mL and 3 mL tests, there were no recorded instances of mortality in the pure acetic acid sample. Based on the results, the optimum product among all the formulated concentrations is 50% (v/v) avocado seed oil extract-infused acetic acid having a significant difference (p=2.83E-13, α= 0.95).
Analysis of fire protection design strategies for commercial renovation of villagers’ self-built houses
Authors: Fan L , Wei W B , Pang L L
Published: July 2024

The current situation of self-built houses by villagers is prevalent in rural areas, where many villagers construct their own residential dwellings based on their personal needs and economic circumstances. These self-built houses are typically constructed using basic materials and traditional building techniques, often without adherence to strict building regulations and standards. As a result of the lack of professional knowledge and technical guidance, the structural integrity and safety of these houses are often compromised. In addition, the lack of firefighting facilities and fire prevention measures further increase the risk of fire accidents. This situation contributes to a higher incidence of fires in rural areas, posing a significant threat to the lives and assets of villagers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to improve the current state of self-built houses by villagers. Strengthening fire safety awareness and implementing robust fire prevention measures are vital in this regard. This paper aims to summarize the challenges involved in fire protection design for renovating rural buildings. Additionally, it proposes fire protection design principles specifically for the commercial transformation of self-built houses by villagers. By analyzing real-world engineering cases, this study puts forth specific fire protection measures concerning fire rescue, fire control zones (groups), evacuation design, and fire systems. To ensure the fire safety of these buildings, special fire protection design methods are employed. The effectiveness of the proposed fire protection measures are validated through the use of FDS fire and smoke numerical simulation analysis software and Pathfinder evacuation simulation software, ensuring the fire safety of the buildings. The results show that the available safe evacuation time that can be provided by this scenario is 1200 s as calculated by the FDS simulation, and the necessary safe evacuation time is less than the available safe evacuation time in case of a fire on the first floor of this building, and the safe evacuation of the people can be guaranteed. This study can provide a valuable resource for architects, engineers, and decision makers to implement effective fire protection measures during commercial remodeling of village-owned houses.
Mechanistic indoor air quality model and data-driven calibration for intelligent HVAC AI control system through real-time data in underground buildings
Authors: Jeong C H , Heo S K , Woo T Y , Kim S Y , Park D S , Kim M J , Yoo C K
Published: July 2024

Modeling the dynamics of indoor air quality (IAQ) in subway environments is challenging due to the complex interplay of variables like subway schedules, ventilation, and passenger numbers. This study developed a high-precision mechanistic model for IAQ management and intelligent HVAC control in underground buildings, focusing on Y-station. Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) highlighted the significance of the train piston factor during operational hours and the increased sensitivity of penetration and deposition factors when trains are not operational. The model, calibrated in real-time using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), exhibited remarkable accuracy in simulating PM2.5 levels, affirming its effectiveness in forecasting future air quality. The model adeptly captures the complexities of air quality dynamics, providing a comprehensive understanding of temporal IAQ variations. The result demonstrates the model’s efficacy as a tool offering a foundation for strategies to forecast IAQ and control the HVAC system in underground buildings.
Developing a solar PV system for cost-effective electricity reduction in an aluminium extrusion plant
Authors: Yee C Z , Saw L H , Yeo W H , Chua K H , Loo W W , Lim H K , Lim Y P
Published: July 2024

The demand for solar photovoltaic systems has been steadily increasing over the years, driven by the collective goal to reduce both CO2 emissions and electricity bills in order to foster a sustainable world. Industries with high energy consumption, particularly manufacturing, are actively pursuing the establishment of more sustainable plants to align with net-zero objectives. The primary aim of this project is to design a solar photovoltaic system tailored for an aluminium manufacturing plant, with the intent to curtail electricity consumption and minimize CO2 emissions by harnessing and utilizing energy generated from the photovoltaic system. The comprehensive analysis encompasses meteorological data, daily load demand configuration, photovoltaic array assessment, and simulation of grid-connected inverter sizing through the utilization of PVsyst software. According to the simulation results, the collective operational capacity of the solar photovoltaic system reaches 5240 kWp, effectively meeting 85% of the factory’s maximum demand. To fulfil the plant’s requirements, a total of 12780 panels are necessary. The analysis reveals that this solar system can generate a total of 7,609,690 kWh annually, constituting approximately 26.10% of the total electricity bill for the year 2022, amounting to 29,146,841.28 kWh. The estimated savings from implementing this solar solution amount to around RM 2,701,518 per year. Moreover, the solar system significantly reduces CO2 emissions by an annual total of 4,224.467 tons, contributing to a healthier surrounding environment. The anticipated return on investment, as per the PVsyst projections, is expected to occur within approximately 3.4 years.
Optimizing a dew point evaporative cooler in data center applications
Authors: Yan W C , Yang C J , Liu Y L , Jin L W , Cui X , Meng X Z
Published: July 2024

The escalating energy consumption of data centers has led to a pressing need for energy-efficient cooling solutions. This paper presents a countercurrent dew point evaporative cooler (DPEC) for data center refrigeration. We developed and experimentally validated a numerical model for DPEC, then formulated regression models using the response surface method. These models link eight key design factors, including geometrical and operational factors, to three performance indices: cooling capacity per unit volume, coefficient of performance, and outlet primary air temperature. We assessed the extent of factor influence on these indices. By using these regression models as objective functions, we used the genetic algorithm for design optimization under two climatic conditions, resulting in various optimal parameter combinations. Our findings highlight the strong predictive accuracy of these models. In comparison to the original design, the optimal design achieved an improvement of 104.8%, an increase of 23.9%, and a reduction of 13.8% in the three indices.
Dynamic interaction in sustainable energy: Learning from South Sumatra in transforming conflict into collaboration to accelerate energy mix targets
Authors: Hermawan Pri , Ardianto Rafi Ndari , Suryanto Crista Fialdila , Aryansyah
Published: July 2024

Energy transition is an alternative solution that emerged as an effort to achieve zero net emissions. The countries that signed the Paris Agreement are expected to reach their targets by 2030. Indonesia targets this agreement by performing the energy mix set at 25% nationally. Many provinces have difficulties achieving its implementation due to conflicts between related stakeholders, including industry. However, some provinces have shown promising transition changes with accelerated target achievement. This research aims to identify how the government of South Sumatra can reach beyond the National Target by turning the conflict into a collaboration between government and industry. The collaboration impacts accelerating the achievement of the energy mix target. A multi-layered approach was used to analyze the dynamics of the energy transition by demonstrating the energy transition process in Indonesia using Actor Interaction analysis, Dilemma analysis, and System Analysis. Therefore, the bottom-up approach chosen, systematically uncovering actor interactions within and across systems. Interviews were carried out for data collection. The results of the interviews were identified until a series of methods emerged that were used to identify the collaboration that occurred. The analysis found that local governments encounter dilemmatic situations to balance a smooth energy transition process and ensure stable socioeconomic conditions. The system dynamic simulation has proven to be a vital addition to Drama Theory and Graph Model for Conflict Resolution, offering a temporal perspective that is fundamental for the decision-making process that concerns the ever-changing environmental situation.
Improving building natural ventilation simulation accuracy: calibration of standard k − ε closure coefficients using design of experiment
Authors: Li Q , Tai V C , Moey L K , Go T F , Rahman N F A
Published: July 2024

The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of the standard k − ε (SKE) turbulence model for natural ventilation simulation, a critical component in the analysis and design of energy-efficient buildings. The methodology involves generating 17 design points for the four closure coefficients (C

ɛ

1,C

ɛ

2,C

µ
,σ

k
) for the SKE model using 2k full-factorial design of experiment (DOE) with a centre point. A sheltered single storey-building with windward and leeward openings is modelled and simulated using computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to obtain the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Factor of two observation (FAC2) for each design point. Response models for RMSE and FAC2 are then generated, and optimization is employed to maximize FAC2, minimize RMSE, and the combination of both. The results are validated and compared with experimental and simulation data reported in existing literature. The findings indicate that the indoor velocity profiles with closure coefficients obtained by maximizing FAC2 are better aligned with the actual experimental results. Compared with the existing calibration method, the proposed calibration method can yield superior results with fewer sampling points, highlighting the efficiency of the proposed approach. The calibration framework developed in this study can be extended to other simulation scenarios, contributing to the robust and efficient modelling of natural ventilation systems in various contexts. This research presents a novel calibration method for the SKE model in natural ventilation simulation, providing a more accurate and efficient approach compared to existing methods. The results have important implications for researchers and practitioners working in the field of building energy simulation and sustainability.
Reinforcement learning optimal control method for multi chiller HVAC system in an existing office building
Authors: Wang H Y , Ge Q , Ma C , Cui T
Published: July 2024

Given that buildings consume approximately 33% of global energy, and HVAC systems contribute nearly half of a building’s total energy demand, optimizing their efficiency is imperative for sustainable energy use. Many existing buildings operate HVAC systems inefficiently, displaying non-stationary behavior. Current reinforcement learning (RL) training methods rely on historical data, which is often obtained through costly modeling or trial-and-error methods in real buildings. This paper introduces a novel reinforcement learning construction framework designed to improve the robustness and learning speed of RL control while reducing learning costs. The framework is specifically tailored for existing office buildings. Applying this framework to control HVAC systems in real office buildings in Beijing, engineering practice results demonstrate: during the data collection phase, energy efficiency surpasses traditional rule-based control methods from the previous year, achieving significantly improved energy performance (a 17.27% reduction) with minimal comfort sacrifices. The system achieves acceptable robustness, learning speed, and control stability. Reduced ongoing manual supervision leads to savings in optimization labor. Systematic exploration of actions required for RL training lays the foundation for RL algorithm development. Furthermore, by leveraging collected data, a reinforcement learning control algorithm is established, validating the reliability of this approach. This construction framework reduces the prerequisites for historical data and models, providing an acceptable alternative for systems with insufficient data or equipment conditions.
Ion- and surface-sensitive interactions during oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Angeles P D , Bustamante A R I , Sasil H A S , Loresca D E D , Paraggua J A D R
Published: July 2024

Clean and sustainable energy has turned towards electrochemical water splitting as a viable solution in minimizing carbon emissions. Electrolysis of water converts electrical energy to chemical energy, through the production of hydrogen and oxygen gases, which can be harnessed for potential applications without contributing to greenhouse emissions. While this energy storage process shows great potential, its efficiency is hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). As a result, its widespread application in green electrolytic technologies is limited hence investigations on improving OER kinetics are of utmost importance. Recent research breakthroughs indicate that alkali metal cations are more than passive observers. They play complex roles in the electric double layer (EDL), which positively influences the OER kinetics. The presence of numerous ions and their combinations presents a challenge of complexity. This study aims to delve into the impact of alkali metal cations on OER activity due to the variance in their hydration energies. Specific investigations focusing on different alkali metal cations in solution, such as Li+, Na+, and K+, was conducted on RuO2 to gain a deeper understanding of how these ions interact with both reactants and intermediate species in the reaction kinetics. Traditional electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and accelerated degradation test (ADT) measurements were employed to elucidate critical aspects such as surface activation, electric double layer interactions, catalytic activity and stability, ohmic resistance, and mass and charge transport.
Thermoeconomic analysis of novel hydrogen liquefaction assisted by absorption refrigeration utilizing heat from Brayton cycle
Authors: Rahadiyan L , Aziz M , Nasruddin N
Published: July 2024

Current research presents a novel method for reducing the energy consumption of hydrogen liquefaction through heat recovery of hydrogen liquefier. An ammonia absorption refrigeration cycle on the hydrogen precooling utilizes the heat generated by the compressor intercooler and aftercooler of the reverse Brayton cycle of hydrogen liquefier to precool hydrogen feedstock. The system is analyzed from exergy, energy, and economic perspective. The results are compared with the reference case without a heat recovery system. The proposed system can reduce SEC (specific energy consumption) from 7.37 kWh/kgLH2 to 6.23 kWh/kgLH2 and exergy efficiency improvement from 55.2% to 60.90%. The economic analysis shows that the levelized cost of energy to produce 5.07 tons/day of liquid hydrogen for the reference and novel case is 5.88 USD/kgLH2 and 5.03 USD/kgLH2, respectively. The results imply that the proposed method can be a reference for designing an integrated hydrogen liquefaction system to minimize energy consumption.
Influence of drying condition on the drying constants and activation energy for robusta coffee using heat pump drying
Authors: Fauzi M B , Kosasih E A , Dzaky M I
Published: July 2024

Heat pump drying (HPD) is a method of drying agricultural products which has great potential due to its high efficiency and energy savings. Coffee is a heat sensitive product, HPD was chosen as an alternative to existing drying methods for coffee processing. Understanding of the HPD process is important to know for optimizing the coffee drying process with HPD especially in drying characteristics. The purpose of this research is to determine the number for the drying rate constant and the energy of activation in coffee drying. The material used in this study was wet parchment Robusta coffee beans (Coffea canephora). The research was carried out experimentally for 5 h at 700 lpm air flow with varying drying air conditions by adjusting the drying temperature and specific humidity. The drying temperatures used were 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 °C. The drying temperature is limited to 80 °C based on SNI 7467-2008. Variations in specific humidity are determined based on temperature settings in the refrigeration system of 10, 15, 20 °C and without a refrigeration system. The maximum drying rate constant was 10.69×10-3 s-1, achieved at a temperature of drying variation of 80 °C while a specific humidity of 6.16 g H2O/kg dry air, while the minimum activation energy value was 23.43 kJ/mol at the same specific humidity. The lowest drying rate constant value was 5.79×10-3 s-1, achieved at a temperature of drying variation of 60 °C and a specific humidity of 17.24 g H2O/kg dry air, while the greatest activation energy level was 26.18 kJ/mol at the same specific humidity.
Research on the adaptability of energy management to thermal management of PEMFCs
Authors: Luo Y , Ali M A H , Ghazali N N N , Chong W T , Liu H C , Chen H , Zhang S K
Published: July 2024

The stable output of power and the effective control of stack temperature play a very important role in the durability and stability of fuel cell hybrid vehicles. In actual working conditions, energy management of power system and thermal management of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) need to be coordinated with each other to jointly ensure the efficient and stable operation of vehicles, however, most of the research in these two directions is independent. In response to the research gaps mentioned above, the concept of adaptability has been proposed for the first time with the aim of combining these two systems for research. This paper takes the fuel cell hybrid vehicle as the research object and establishes the energy management system and thermal management system model based on Matlab/Simulink software. In order to investigate the adaptability of energy management strategies to the temperature control system, two representative types of rule-based and optimization-based energy management strategies (power-following strategy, PFS, and adaptive equivalent hydrogen consumption minimization strategy, A-EHMS) are designed to be numerically simulated in the driving cycle condition of the UDDS, and then combined with the temperature control system of the fuel cell to comparatively analyze the above two types of energy management strategies from the perspectives of power allocation and the impact on the thermal management system. The results show that the PFS provides better protection for the battery under the same operating conditions. And from the perspective of fuel economy and adaptability to the temperature control system, the fuel consumption of A-EHMS is reduced by 12.5% and the adaptability to the temperature control system is improved by about 13.5% compared to PFS.
Fabricating vascularized, anatomically accurate bone grafts using 3D bioprinted sectional bone modules, in-situ angiogenesis, BMP-2 controlled release, and bioassembly
Authors: Grottkau Brian E , Hui Zhixin , Ran Chongzhao , Pang Yonggang
Published: July 2024

Bone grafting is the most common treatment for repairing bone defects. However, current bone grafting methods have several drawbacks. Bone tissue engineering emerges as a promising solution to these problems. An ideal engineered bone graft should exhibit high mechanical strength, osteogenic properties, and pre-vascularization. Both top–down (using bulk scaffold) and bottom–up (using granular modules) approaches face challenges in fulfilling these requirements. In this paper, we propose a novel sectional modular bone approach to construct osteogenic, pre-vascularized bone grafts in anatomical shapes. We 3D-printed a series of rigid, thin, sectional, porous scaffolds from a biodegradable polymer, tailored to the dimensions of a femur bone shaft. These thin sectional modules promote efficient nutrition and waste removal due to a shorter diffusion distance. The modules were pre-vascularized via in-situ angiogenesis, achieved through endothelial cell sprouting from the scaffold struts. Angiogenesis was further enhanced through co-culture with bioprinted fibroblast microtissues, which secreted pre-angiogenic growth factors. Sectional modules were assembled around a porous rod incorporated with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2), which released over 3 weeks, demonstrating sustained osteogenic activity. The assembled scaffold, in the anatomical shape of a human femur shaft, was pre-vascularized, osteogenic, and possessed high mechanical strength, supporting 12 times the average body weight. The feasibility of implanting the assembled bone graft was demonstrated using a 3D-printed femur bone defect model. Our method provides a novel modular engineering approach for regenerating tissues that require high mechanical strength and vascularization.
Event-triggered based adjustable containment control scheme design for multi-agent systems
Authors: Jiang Mengyi , Yang Yonghui , Gao Chuang , Pogodaev Anatolii K
Published: July 2024

The traditional containment control problem uses a mapping method with a fixed communication topology to generate a set of reference signals for followers, which may lead to a situation where the position of the reference signal cannot be adjusted and causes collisions. Therefore, based on backstepping theory, we propose a novel containment control scheme to address this problem, where the generated reference signals can be adjusted arbitrarily. In particular, it is important to point out that an estimator is designed to guide the follower if the reference signal is not available, so that the collision problem is avoided. In addition, the computational complexity of the controller is also reduced and the communication resources are saved by introducing the command filters and event-triggered mechanism. It is proved that the tracking errors of the closed multi-agent systems are uniformly and ultimately bounded through Lyapunov theory. Finally, experimental simulations verify that the proposed control scheme is reasonable and effective. Furthermore, the proposed scheme provides a more flexible solution for containment control studies, especially for collision avoidance research of multi-agents.
Social and environmental outcomes of urban street tree bed stewardship
Authors: Heid Kelly Baldwin , Sousa-Silva Rita , Sachs Ashby Lavelle , Fünfgeld Hartmut
Published: July 2024

As projections of exponential urbanization persist, promoting the health of urban populations is one of the most urgent and challenging issues of the 21st century. By taking a planetary health approach and considering the reciprocal relationship between human health and the health of ecosystems, the integration of nature-based solutions into cities can address multiple urban challenges at once. Citizen stewardship of street trees and street tree beds is one such nature-based solution that challenges rapid urbanization while offering a healthier and greener future. Not only does citizen stewardship of street trees play a significant role in tree longevity, but our research suggests that the process of stewardship itself also positively impacts the health and wellbeing of stewards themselves. In this study, we sought to assess the motivations of street tree citizen stewards and the perceived social, environmental, and health effects of stewarding street tree beds in Freiburg, Germany. Based on a questionnaire-based survey and semi-structured interviews with tree stewards, we found that the most common motivations of citizen stewards were modeling positive environmental behavior as well as a desire to help the environment and one’s community. The perceived outcomes included a strong sense of place, a meaningful connection to nature, and the belief that stewarding a street tree bed is good for one’s mental health as well as the environment. Participants also considered street tree beds to be their personal gardens, suggesting that street tree beds may serve as restorative spaces that strengthen public health and social capital while sustaining urban greening. This case study supports and expands the scientific discourse of urban gardening while suggesting that citizen stewardship of street trees and tree beds offers myriad co-benefits for urban ecosystems and public health.
Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Havik Philip J.
Published: July 2024

Guinea-Bissau’s current frontiers were drawn in 1886, while the territory was occupied militarily by Portugal in 1915. Its complex sociocultural mosaic derives from the long-standing presence of farming communities in the coastal wetlands and the transitional forested zone. Its rich precolonial and proto-colonial history is associated with the Kaabú federation, which resulted from the westward expansion of the Mali Empire under Sundjata Keita. Following the first Euro-African encounters in the 1440s, small Afro-Atlantic settlements began to dot the landscape along the region’s many rivers. Forming a dispersed network of trading posts, they served as hubs for the export of slaves to the Cabo Verde archipelago, Europe, and the Americas. Cross-cultural exchange created conditions for the formation of creolized strata and trade lineages in riverine ports, as well as for the emergence of a new lingua franca, Guinean Creole. The transformation of these settlements into Portuguese garrison towns in the 1600s set in motion the transition toward the proto-colonial period and Euro-African tensions. The advent of “legitimate” trade and export crop cultivation culminated in the occupation of the region by Portuguese—and French—troops, creating conditions for the establishment of an extractive colonial state. The indigenato system, based on racial discrimination imposed by the Portuguese colonial administration, was soon challenged by nationalist movements in the 1950s, resulting in a protracted guerrilla war and the unilateral declaration of independence in 1973. Portugal’s refusal to decolonize set in motion an international momentum while mobilizing the largely rural population in favor of self-determination. High expectations were soon dashed as successive governments failed to develop and modernize the country. Chronic political instability has dominated Guinea-Bissau’s troubled postcolonial trajectory. Despite the transition toward multiparty elections in 1994, the presidential regime has contributed to characterized as a failed or “narco” state, boasting a doubtful record of military coups and political violence. It has largely remained dependent on international development aid and multilateral peacekeeping missions.
Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currency: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Choi Jaewon , Kim Hugh
Published: July 2024

Stablecoins have emerged as a popular medium of exchange in decentralized finance platforms, largely due to their pegging to fiat currencies. However, their largely unregulated status as a tool of private money creation poses significant financial fragility risks, highlighted by multiple episodes of mass withdrawals and collapses of several stablecoins. The increasing interconnectivity of stablecoins with traditional financial institutions, both as investors and custodians, has led to heightened concerns about potential risk spillovers between digital asset markets and traditional financial sectors. In contrast, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to revolutionize payment infrastructures and bolster the efficacy of monetary policies and banking systems. Yet, the realization of these advantages hinges on their careful and sophisticated design. Stablecoins and CBDCs are reshaping the landscape of financial markets, balancing their potential for innovation against the risks they may introduce to financial stability.
The Investment Case for Strengthening Primary Healthcare and Community Health Worker Programs in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Perry Henry B. , Sachs Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2024

Universal health coverage is within reach of even the poorest countries if these countries are helped to expand their systems of primary healthcare (PHC). The overriding theme is that PHC (with a strong community outreach component) is the best bargain on the planet—alongside spending on primary and secondary education. Investing in PHC, both from domestic revenues and international grants and loans as necessary, can save millions of lives per year at a remarkably low cost. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) direct too many resources to tertiary care rather than PHC. Community outreach programs, notably those that include community health workers, are chronically underfunded, even disproportionately relative to overall funding government for healthcare. In many or most LMICs, the political pressure on national policymakers is, strangely enough, to expand investments in higher level health facilities and specialized care—especially for hospitals. As a result, the underfunding of PHC leads to a vicious cycle. Because PHC services are underfunded, the quality of these services is weak, and patients bypass these facilities to obtain urgent PHC services they need at hospitals. Underutilization of PHC services at PHC facilities and provision of PHC services at hospitals leads to increased funding for hospitals, at leading to progressively lower levels of funding for PHC facilities and for strong community outreach. There is an immediate need to recognize community-level health programs as a permanent feature of effective health systems (even in high-income countries). Additional funding is needed to enable the concerted strengthening and expansion of PHC services in low- and lower-middle-income countries. This would enable, among other things, community health workers to reach their full potential and provide a broad range of life-saving and life-improving services by allocating the skills, supplies, supervision, salaries, and career opportunities that are needed.
Food and UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Program
Authors: Herman Jenny L. , Matta Raúl
Published: July 2024

[This is an advance summary of a forthcoming article in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Food Studies. Please check back later for the full article.]

Since the first inscriptions of food-related elements in UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (ICH) in 2010, the concept of food-as-heritage has grown and transformed, much like the field of food studies, to encompass an ever-expanding array of foodways, culinary products, and practices across the globe. Today’s social, digital, economic, and ecological realities have greatly transformed from the moment of these first inscriptions, which listed the “Gastronomic meal of the French,” the Mediterranean diet,” and “traditional Mexican cuisine.” Tracing its roots back to the 1989 “Recommendation in the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore,” and passing through the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, we can trace a shift from valorizing and giving visibility to cultural elements, with an eye on the Global South (departing from the dominant Western concept of built heritage, focused on churches or monuments) to an intention to preserve cultural practices through education and generational transmission. Food, however, according to Chérif Khaznadar (senior advisor for the French Cultural Commission to UNESCO) and other skeptics, was never intended to enter into this realm of internationally protected cultural recognition. Following inscription, critics worried about the inherent commercial component of foodways, the essentialization of practices, the impacts of tourism, and imbalances of power related to both representation and access to economic benefits. The state of UNESCO-inscribed ICH foodways today raises questions linking back to these initial concerns. This article will trace the emergence of food as part of UNESCO’s ICH program and outline key considerations and debates surrounding foodways and processes of heritagization. From discussing the concept of universal values and questioning top-down initiatives and power structures to exploring nation-branding, commodification, and links with culinary nationalism, this article presents the complexities of safeguarding food and of striking a balance between tradition and innovation. These discussion points will return to central questions relevant to the broader heritage field: By whom, for whom, and for what purposes is inscription sought?
Aboriginal Religions in Australia
Authors: Moore David
Published: July 2024

Aboriginal Religions are the Indigenous religions of Australia. There are a diverse range of religions throughout Australia, with religion defined as the “transmission of authoritative traditions.” Despite change and disruption in the past two and a half centuries of European occupation and colonization, Aboriginal Religions retain their distinctiveness and vitality. This article explores some of the common aspects of the Aboriginal Religions of Australia. These are the importance of the land and the sacred places of that land. Aboriginal Religions can best be researched by phenomenological approaches which are based upon language.
The National and International Politics of Flood Risk Management
Authors: Warner Jeroen , Coates Robert
Published: July 2024

A major flood disaster reveals the state of society at its starkest, highlighting political divides and, potentially, calling into question the implicit social contract between state and society and solidarity between social groups. How disasters are handled can boost or ruin political reputations and careers, according to some analysts, with poorly handled disasters even believed to have triggered revolutions. Blame is highly salient in flood disasters, which are political from the start, as actors argue over the allocation of credit (political capital) and blame.

Politics extend to what makes a disaster. After all, a disaster is only a disaster after a disaster declaration, releasing special powers and resources and fast-tracking interventions. Some destructive flood events never arrive at the status of “disaster,” despite negative impacts for specific populations. Who gets a disaster declaration can be a highly partisan decision, often informed by media attention and collective emotion. But zooming out to the disaster life cycle, political opportunity and clientelism often influence which disaster risk reduction measures are funded, who gets the best protection, and who gets saved and rehabilitated. Increasing attention paid to “disaster capitalism” points to political opportunism in disaster recovery, where the financial gain of powerful business actors may occur at the expense of vulnerable populations’ land or livelihood. Whether intentional or unintentional, political effects must be anticipated when planning disaster preparedness or response, whether structural or nonstructural flood risk management measures, which differentially affect actors across society. Internationally, disaster politics are visible in how state leaders are interested in under- or overrepresenting the state of disaster to attract or resist humanitarian intervention to protect their sovereignty. Disasters are also believed to open special windows of opportunity to change in relations between states or between state and centrifugal political forces such as liberation movements (“disaster diplomacy”). While transboundary coordination of flood warning and data exchange may bring adversarial states together, concern has mounted over governments’ use of an anticipatory politics of “climate disaster” to speed up the displacement of vulnerable/poor urban communities or to authorize controversial flood engineering in the interest of capital-intensive development.
The electronic frailty index and outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Lowry Matthew T H , Kimenai Dorien M , Doudesis Dimitrios , Georgiev Konstantin , McDermott Michael , Bularga Anda , Taggart Caelan , Wereski Ryan , Ferry Amy V , Stewart Stacey D , Tuck Christopher , Newby David E , Mills Nicholas L , Anand Atul
Published: July 2024

Background

Frailty is increasingly present in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The electronic Frailty Index (eFI) is a validated method of identifying vulnerable older patients in the community from routine primary care data. Our aim was to assess the relationship between the eFI and outcomes in older patients hospitalised with acute myocardial infarction.

Study design and setting

Retrospective cohort study using the DataLoch Heart Disease Registry comprising consecutive patients aged 65 years or over hospitalised with a myocardial infarction between October 2013 and March 2021.

Methods

Patients were classified as fit, mild, moderate, or severely frail based on their eFI score. Cox-regression analysis was used to determine the association between frailty category and all-cause mortality.

Results

In 4670 patients (median age 77 years [71–84], 43% female), 1865 (40%) were classified as fit, with 1699 (36%), 798 (17%) and 308 (7%) classified as mild, moderate and severely frail, respectively. In total, 1142 patients died within 12 months of which 248 (13%) and 147 (48%) were classified as fit and severely frail, respectively. After adjustment, any degree of frailty was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death with the risk greatest in the severely frail (reference = fit, adjusted hazard ratio 2.87 [95% confidence intervals 2.24 to 3.66]).

Conclusion

The eFI identified patients at high risk of death following myocardial infarction. Automatic calculation within administrative data is feasible and could provide a low-cost method of identifying vulnerable older patients on hospital presentation.