64623 research outputs found
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Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Nutrition Efficiency: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis
Full text linkBackground: Paying particular attention to sustainable food consumption in low-income households is essential for increasing human health. Due to the growing population globally, this concept will likely become more serious soon.Methods: Following the importance of optimizing food consumption for sustainability, in this study, a novel methodology is introduced for calculating nutrient intake efficiency and determining choices of food in different locations. The impact of socio-economic factors on nutrition efficiency is assessed. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) as a well-known linear programming (LP) and a Tobit model are used to achieve the goals. Household Consumption and Expenditure Surveys (HCESs) of 30,000 rural and urban Iranian households in all provinces in 2016 are analyzed. A Nutrient Efficiency Map (NEM) of Iran was depicted by GIS software.Results: The results showed that many townships had nutrient efficiency scores of less than 70%. Northeast townships had the lowest scores, with an efficiency score of less than 50%. Overall, townships have lower efficiency in the North (seaside cities), East (desert cities), and North East (isolated cities) when compared with other areas.Conclusion: Therefore, it is suggestible that the government should modify the support policies and the protection packages based on social, geographical, and cultural status
How, when, and why do inter-organisational collaborations in healthcare work? A realist evaluation
Full text linkBackgroundInter-organisational collaborations (IOCs) in healthcare have been viewed as an effective approach to performance improvement. However, there remain gaps in our understanding of what helps IOCs function, as well as how and why contextual elements affect their implementation. A realist review of evidence drawing on 86 sources has sought to elicit and refine context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) to understand and refine these phenomena, yet further understanding can be gained from interviewing those involved in developing IOCs.MethodsWe used a realist evaluation methodology, adopting prior realist synthesis findings as a theoretical framework that we sought to refine. We drew on 32 interviews taking place between January 2020 and May 2021 with 29 stakeholders comprising IOC case studies, service users, as well as regulatory perspectives in England. Using a retroductive analysis approach, we aimed to test CMOCs against these data to explore whether previously identified mechanisms, CMOCs, and causal links between them were affirmed, refuted, or revised, and refine our explanations of how and why interorganisational collaborations are successful.ResultsMost of our prior CMOCs and their underlying mechanisms were supported in the interview findings with a diverse range of evidence. Leadership behaviours, including showing vulnerability and persuasiveness, acted to shape the core mechanisms of collaborative functioning. These included our prior mechanisms of trust, faith, and confidence, which were largely ratified with minor refinements. Action statements were formulated, translating theoretical findings into practical guidance.ConclusionAs the fifth stage in a larger project, our refined theory provides a comprehensive understanding of the causal chain leading to effective collaborative inter-organisational relationships. These findings and recommendations can support implementation of IOCs in the UK and elsewhere. Future research should translate these findings into further practical guidance for implementers, researchers, and policymakers.</p
Stable and convective boundary-layer flows in an urban array
Full text linkIn this paper non-neutral approaching flows were employed in a meteorological wind tunnel on a regular urban-like array of rectangular buildings. As far as stable stratication is concerned, results on the flow above and inside the canopy show a clear reduction of the Reynolds stresses and an increment of the Monin-Obukhov length up to 80%. The roughness length and displacement height were also affected, with a reduction up to 27% for the former and an increment up to 5% for the latter. A clear reduction of the turbulence within the canopy was observed. In the convective stratication cases, the friction velocity appears increased by both the effect of roughness and unstable stratication. The increased roughness causes a reduction in the surface stratication, reflected in an increase of the Monin-Obukhov length, which is double over the array compared to the approaching ow. The effect on the aerodynamic roughness length and displacement height are specular to the SBL case, an increase up to 55% of the former and a reduction of the same amount for the latter
A comprehensive numerical study on electrochemical-thermal models of a cylindrical lithium-ion battery during discharge process
No full textModelling the electrochemical and thermal behaviours of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is complicated by their multi-unit jellyroll structure. To evaluate the accuracy of cylindrical LIB models, eight electrochemical-thermal models (ECT) with different levels of fidelity and dimensionality (from one-dimensional (1D) to three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical and thermal models) are established for a Li[Ni8Co1Mn1]O2/graphite 18,650 type cylindrical LIB. The effect of different levels of model simplification on the predicted LIB thermal and electrochemical characteristics are compared under different discharge and cooling rates. Non-uniformity indexes are also introduced to compare the differences between the eight models for predicting electrochemical reactions and heat generation non-uniformity. The accuracy and computation time of different models are compared, and the applicable scope of different models is discussed comprehensively. Furthermore, the non-uniformity mechanism inside the battery are also analysed. The present work can be used to help other researchers select appropriate electrochemical thermal models under different applicable conditions and study the battery thermal management system
Sulfur infiltration and allotrope formation in porous cathode hosts for lithium-sulfur batteries
No full textWe investigate sulfur infiltration and formation of lower order allotropes in heated porous hosts during fabrication of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery cathodes. Sulfur existence in cathode ultramicropores has been an important question for Li-S batteries, as ultramicropores reduce the polysulfides " shuttle effect " but also delay sulfur dissolution and Li + ion diffusion in the trapped solid sulfur. A novel continuum-level model is presented including heat transfer and sulfur infiltration, either from the top of a porous host or from the porous host particle surface, and taking into account the pore size distribution. A novel decay factor in modeling sulfur infiltration incorporates the pore wall repulsion energy and allotrope formation energy (predicted by density functional theory [DFT] simulations). Simulations are performed for a microporous carbon fabric host and an activated carbon powder host with bimodal micropore and macropore size distribution , with Raman and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopy confirming the predicted existence of linear S 6 and S 4 in ultramicropores. K E Y W O R D S lithium-sulfur batteries, melt and vapor infiltration, pore size distribution in cathode, sulfur allotropes 1 | INTRODUCTION Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been in the research focus in the last decade because of their high theoretical energy density, 2510 Wh kg À1 , abundance and low toxicity of sulfur. 1 Intensive effort has been devoted on the cathode, where sulfur is incorporated in a porous conductive host with the aim for the host to not only enhance electronic conductivity but also allow for cathode expansion on the insertion of Li + ions and formation of polysulfides Li 2 S x during discharge. 2 Additionally, effective cathode hosts offer means to trap the sulfur and polysulfides to limit polysulfide shuttling between cathode and anode, which would cause reduction in capacity and coulombic efficiency. 3,4 Suitable microstructural architectures, including small pores, pores with necks and hollow particles, 5,6 and hosts functionalized with chemical groups with high adsorption energy to sulfur and sulfides 7 can provide such good traps. Additional specifications for host porosity and pore size distribution (PSD) target a sulfur mass greater than 5 mg cm À2 , making up at least 70% of the cathode weight, to realize the high theoretical energy density of Li-S batteries. 8 There is a vast range of porous host material candidates for Li-S battery cathodes: porous carbons, 5,6,9 activated carbon (AC) fabrics or fibers, 10,11 graphene and graphene oxide, 12–15 an
Exposure assessment of PM2.5 in temple premises and crematoriums in Kanpur, India
Full text linkRegular use of incense and earthen lamps in temples leads to the release of particulate matter (PM), airborne flecks, and gaseous pollutants. Similarly, the cremation of dead bodies using timber and other accessories such as incense, organic chemicals containing carbon, and clothes generates air pollutants. It is currently unclear how much emissions and exposure these activities may lead. This work attempts to fill this gap in our understanding by assessing the associated emissions of PM2.5 and the corresponding exposure. Ten temples and two cremation grounds were considered for the sampling of PM2.5. The average PM2.5 concentration at the ten temples and the two crematoriums was found to be 658.30 ± 112.63 µg/m3 and 1043.50 ± 191.63 µg/m3, respectively. The range of real-time PM2.5 data obtained from the nearest twelve stations located in the vicinity was 113–191 µg/m3. The exposure assessment in terms of deposition dose was carried out using the ICRP model. The maximum and minimum total respiratory deposition dose rate for PM2.5 for temples was 175.75 µg/min and 101.15 µg/min, respectively. For crematoriums, the maximum and minimum value of same was 252.3 µg/min and 194.31 µg/min, respectively, for an exposure period of 10 min
Cerium oxide catalysts for oxidative coupling of methane reaction: Effect of lithium, samarium and lanthanum dopants
Full text linkThe work presented herein reports on the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) performance of a series of Li-free and Li-doped CeO2 and CeO2 modified with Sm3+ and La3+ catalysts. The supporting materials (Ce, Sm-Ce and La-Sm-Ce metal oxides) were synthesized using the microwave assisted sol-gel method in order to achieve nanophase complex materials with increased particle surface energy and reactivity. Lithium ions were added, using the wet impregnation technique, in order to further improve the physicochemical characteristics and reinforce the activity and selectivity, in terms of C2H6 and C2H4 production. All materials were characterized using N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, CO2-TPD, H2-TPR, SEM and XPS. We showed that the addition of lithium species changed the reaction pathway and drastically enhanced the production of ethylene and ethane, mainly for the promoted catalysts (Li/Sm-Ce and Li/La-Sm-Ce). In particular, the presence and the synergy between the electrophilic oxygen species (peroxide and superoxide), population of oxygen vacancy sites and the surface moderate basic sites determined the reaction pathway and the desirable product distribution
Livelihood Diversification Through Tourism: Identity, Well-Being, and Potential in Rural Coastal Communities
No full textTraditional rural livelihoods are disappearing due to natural resource decline, climate pressure and, also modernization. This study explores livelihood diversification from primary economic activities into tourism employment in rural communities. We examine the developmental role of tourism in areas where traditional activities, in this case fishing, have declined and tourism is growing. This article presents the findings of two case studies: the coastal communities of Padstow (UK) and Paternoster (South Africa). The approach is qualitative and draws on sustainable livelihoods and social well-being notions to examine how affected people “cope with change” with respect to tourism diversification, and individual and community well-being. While the socioeconomic and sociopolitical contexts in the two research sites differ, the findings show that narratives about belonging and identity feature prominently with respect to fishing livelihoods in both cases. Small-scale fishing, perceived as a way of life for fishers, is under threat in both areas, yet there is limited evidence of concerted efforts to plan and manage the potential diversification processes into tourism. Nonetheless, we observe that tourism does provide some opportunities for fishing-dependent communities and outline some avenues for stronger collaboration, particularly by focusing on culinary tourism
Exploring the Interplay Between Pay, Career Barriers and Management Support: An Intersectional Study of Migrant Doctors
Full text linkThe UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is heavily reliant on migrant labour to deliver essential services. While evidence indicates that overseas doctors have less positive career outcomes that may result in pay gaps in comparison to UK-trained counterparts, extant theoretical explanations have been slow to consider the crucial role of workplace practices, and the degree to which pay gaps differ between multiple identity sub-groups. Adopting an intercategorical approach to analyse statistical survey data from 5,753 NHS doctors, we examine how pay gaps stem from career barriers and management support in male and female International Medical Graduate, European Economic Area and UK doctors. Our findings provide insights into intersectional variations in career barriers and pay gaps for skilled medical migrants which point to penalties for migrants, especially migrant ethnicized women. Based on our findings we extend the literature in two ways. First, we extend theoretical explanations of pay gaps by conceptualizing pay differences as a complex multi-layered concept that embrace workplace practices as well as intersecting demographic identities. Second, we contribute to theory on skilled migration by highlighting the counter-intuitive shape of management support on migrants’ careers and diversifying extant understandings of constraint and enablement in migrant careers
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