6664 research outputs found
Sort by
Forecasting infrastructure needs, environmental impacts, and dynamic pricing for electric vehicle charging
Get PDFIn recent years, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have increased at the fastest rates ever recorded. This is a trend that contradicts global efforts to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations and prevent long-term climate change. Over 90% of global transport relies on oil-based fuels. The continued use of diesel and petrol raises concerns related to oil costs, supply security, GHG emissions, and the release of air pollutants and volatile organic compounds. This study explored electric vehicle (EV) charging networks by assessing environmental impacts through GHG and petroleum savings, developing dynamic pricing strategies, and forecasting infrastructure needs. A substantial dataset of over 259,000 EV charging records from Palo Alto, California, was statistically analysed. Machine learning models were applied to generate insights that support sustainable and economically viable electric transport planning for policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders. Findings indicate that GHG and gasoline savings are directly proportional to energy consumed, with conversion rates of 0.42 kg CO2 and 0.125 gallons per kilowatt-hour (kWh), respectively. Additionally, dynamic pricing strategies such as a 20% discount on underutilised days and a 15% surcharge during peak hours are proposed to optimise charging behaviour and improve station efficiency
Targeting recipient Dendritic Cells with Sialic acid-modified donor alloantigen prolongs skin transplant survival
Get PDFMature dendritic cells (DCs) are known to activate effector immune responses, whereas steady state immature DCs can induce tolerance. Several studies have targeted immature murine quiescent DCs in vivo with antigen, including donor alloantigens, for the induction of tolerance. Receptors expressed by specific DC subsets have been also targeted with antibodies linked with antigens to induce tolerance; for instance, in vivo targeting of the DCIR2+ DC subset with donor alloantigen resulted in long-term survival of heart and skin transplants. DCs also express sialic acid immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) receptors, and these have been successfully targeted with myelin oligiodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antigen to induce tolerance in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We investigated, in a mismatched model of skin transplant (B6Kd into B6 recipient mice), whether targeting a sialylated alloantigen Kd (Sia-Kd) to Siglecs on recipient DCs promoted transplant survival. The injection of α2,3 Sia-Kd into B6 recipient mice prior to B6Kd skin transplantation, by binding to Batf3 dependent DCs, resulted in prolonged skin graft survival and an increase in CD4+CD62L+Foxp3+ Tregs. Targeting Siglecs on DC subsets in vivo represents a novel way of improving transplant survival
Symptom-Based Active Tuberculosis Screening in Two Nigerian Correctional Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a pressing health challenge in Nigerian correctional facilities, where the prevalence can be ten times higher than in the general population. Many facilities rely on passive TB case detection, often missing asymptomatic TB cases. This study evaluated a systematic active case-finding (ACF) approach using symptom-based screening followed by GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing across two high-volume Nigerian correctional facilities in Lagos and Ogun States.
Methods: Between April and September 2021, 2,244 inmates underwent standardized TB symptom screening (e.g., cough ≥2 weeks, weight loss, fever). Individuals with presumptive symptoms of TB provided sputum for GeneXpert analysis. The intervention comprised three strategies: (1) outreach screening in awaiting-trial mass cells, (2) cell-to-cell active case search, and (3) contact tracing of confirmed TB cases. Collected data were analysed to determine detection rates per 100,000 inmates and the overall positivity yield. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Lagos and Ogun State Ministries of Health, with formal permission granted by authorities of correctional facilities.
Results: Of the 2,244 inmates screened, 678 were identified as presumptive and tested, 45 were confirmed TB cases with estimated prevalence of 0.5% (approximately 489 per 100,000 inmates). The estimated prevalence is more than double the national prevalence 0.2% (219 per 100,000). The overall TB positivity rate among presumptive inmates was 7%. Inmates from Lagos recorded a TB point prevalence of 500 per 100,000, while prevalence in Ogun state was 458 per 100,000. A targeted outreach in one facility achieved a 32% TB yield. All detected TB cases were rifampicin-sensitive, and no drug-resistant strains was found in this cohort.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the effectiveness of symptom-based GeneXpert screening within correctional facilities which was substantially higher that conventional passive TB detection rates. All confirmed TB cases (n = 45) were rifampicin-sensitive, and no MDR or XDR strains were identified, an important observation in the prison environment. Regular, systematic ACF, especially in overcrowded and high-turnover environments, can significantly enhance early TB diagnosis and treatment initiation. Policymakers should institutionalize routine ACF in correctional facilities through universal entry screening for all new admissions and at least annual facility-wide screening, with symptom checklists plus rapid molecular testi. Where feasible, this should be combined with portable digital CXR/CAD triage alongside improvement in living conditions and post-release linkage to DOTS
Sociotechnical design for citizen participation and democracy: a special issue of Interacting with computers
No full textExtract:
In 507 BCE, the Athenian Kleisthenes faced with a conflict with rival aristocrat Isagoras, “took the demos into his faction” in the words of Herodotos.1 This move gave him the power to become the ruler of Athens and to bring in the important changes to the shared political structure of the city–state that laid the foundations for the later transfer to full democratic rule in 462 under Ephialtes and then Perikles.
We know that Kleisthenes introduced ostracism early in his program of change, but the fact that this measure was not used for another 20 years has led to some confusion among scholars of Ancient Athens.2 From a realist democratic perspective, however, the logic of this is clear: the facility for the demos to send an unwanted leader into 10 years of exile was part of the deal by which Kleisthenes obtained the support of the demos in his move to gain power. To put it another way: it was a condition imposed by the demos in return for their supp
Glass fibre concrete: experimental investigation and predictive modeling using advanced machine learning with an interactive online interface
Get PDFThis study investigates the mechanical properties of glass fibre concrete (GFC) through experimental and predictive analysis using advanced machine learning (ML) techniques. The experimental work focuses on the mechanical and durability characteristics of GFC. The data obtained in the experimental testing were added to the dataset collected from the literature for the application of machine learning algorithms. The dataset contains 108 compressive strength and 87 split tensile strength data points that evaluated vital factors, including fly ash, cement, aggregates, water, fibre content, superplasticizer, fibre length, fibre diameter, and micro-silica. Optuna, a state-of-the-art hyperparameter optimization library utilizing deep learning, was employed to determine the optimal hyperparameters for each model. The best hyperparameters were selected based on the highest average performance from 5-fold cross-validation. Experimental results showed significant influences of fibre content on GFC mechanical and durability characteristics. The Gradient Tree Boosting Regression (GTBR) model was identified as the optimal model for predicting the compressive and split tensile strength of GFC. The model demonstrated high predictive accuracy for both compressive and split tensile strengths, with R2 values of 0.968 and 0.954, respectively. Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis emphasized the significant impact of fine aggregate, cement, and the amount of glass fibre on both compressive and split tensile strengths, providing valuable insights into the contribution of each feature and enhancing the explainability of the optimum ML model. Finally, a user-friendly online interface was developed, allowing users to predict GFC properties based on the trained GTBR model. This tool, featuring interactive sliders for input variables, ensures precise predictions within the collected data range
Shear performance of RC beams strengthened via sustainable NSM-SHCC strips reinforced by high strength steel wires
No full textThis study investigates strengthening defective beams in shear using strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCC) applied through the near-surface mounted (NSM) technique. It examines the risks of structural failure in elements and the use of sustainable construction materials. This technique includes embedding NSM-SHCC layers, reinforced with steel wires, onto the faces of the beams at different orientations: 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. Additionally, four and five strips oriented at 90° were examined with and without using an anchoring system. The study was developed in two modes, experimentally and numerically. The test findings are evaluated in terms of failure mode, load-deflection relationships, elastic stiffness index, and absorbed energy. Results revealed that a shear-defected beam strengthened using five NSM-SHCC strips at 90° with anchors succeeded in restoring the shear capacity and strength of the beam designed with sufficient shear reinforcement, with a shear capacity increase of 65 % compared to the shear-defective beam (DB). The shear capacity improvement for other beams was as follows: 11 % for DB-4–90, 19 % for DB-5–90, 40 % for DB-4–90-A, 65 % for DB-5–90-A, 21 % for DB-4–60, 52 % for DB-4–45, and 36 % for DB-4–30. Furthermore, the developed numerical models effectively estimated the ultimate load capacities and corresponding deflections for all beams, with differences between the numerical and experimental results ranging from 2 % to 6 %
Fermented beetroot modulates gut microbial carbohydrate metabolism in prediabetes and prevents high-fat diet induced hyperglycemia in a prediabetic model
Get PDFThe global increase in prevalence of (pre-)diabetes demands immediate intervention strategies. In our earlier work, we demonstrated in vitro antidiabetic potential of a fermented beetroot product (PN39). Here, we examined the impact of PN39 on glucose tolerance and gut microbiota in C57BL/6J male mice and on prediabetic (PD) subjects’ stool microbiota. In mice, high-fat diet (HFD) consumption for 9 weeks resulted in hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance (GT) while concomitant consumption of PN39 and HFD (PN39+HFD) prevented GT impairment. Meanwhile, feeding the mice with HFD for 5 weeks to induce PD and later administering them with PN39 for 4 weeks (PD + PN39) neither improved fasting blood glucose nor GT. Relative to control groups, the gut microbiota of both PD mice and humans were characterized by decreased Clostridia UCG-014 and Lactobacilli as well as significantly altered gut microbial carbohydrate metabolism. Feeding PN39 together with HFD preserved Clostridia UCG-014 and Lactobacilli, increased short chain fatty acid production relative to mice fed with HFD only. Treating gut microbiota of PD subjects with PN39 however increased Clostridia UCG-014 and Lactobacilli populations and increased short chain fatty acids concentrations in the stools. In both mice and humans, PN39 treatment rectified the altered microbial carbohydrate metabolism observed in their PD counterparts. This suggests that the gut microbial modulatory effects of PN39 coupled with its capacity to regulate gut microbial glucose metabolism, likely played a role in preventing PD in mice receiving PN39+HFD. Taken together, our results indicate that PN39 could act as a potent antidiabetic functional food for preventing diabetes and its associated dysbiosis
Chronicling untold stories of accessing maternal healthcare Services among Low-Income Residents of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe.
Get PDFThe study explores women's lived experience regarding maternal health care services and the challenges women face in accessing maternal health care services at Chitungwiza Hospital in Zimbabwe. The researchers adopted a qualitative case study research design to answer the research questions. The target populations were women of childbearing age and the staff at Chitungwiza Hospital. A sample of 25 participants was targeted using convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and documentary analysis. Based on these findings, this study concluded that women in Chitungwiza face a lot of sociocultural and economic challenges when accessing maternal healthcare services. They face several challenges, including distance, education level, economic hardships, and sociocultural and administrative challenges. Patriarchal has also led some women to be voiceless; hence, there is a need for relevant institutions such as the government to spearhead gender mainstreaming to counteract such challenges. A multi-stakeholder approach is recommended for service provision in low-income towns such as Chitungwiza.
KEYWORDS: Maternal Health Care, Low-Income Residents, Wome
Enhancing durability in bacteria-based AAS composites at varied alkali environments.
No full textMicrobially induced calcium carbonate precipitation has been introduced as a novel solution for high-shrinkage cracking of alkali-activated slag (AAS) systems. The high shrinkage rate of AAS is one of the main limitations hindering the full-scale application of AAS composites. AAS shrinkage cracks are micro, inaccessible, and propagate through the section. Hence, incorporating bacteria would be an innovative, autonomous solution for this critical behavior. To the knowledge of this article, the feasibility of bacteria within different AAS alkaline environments has never been addressed or investigated. This study assesses the performance of Bacillus subtilis at various alkali environments of alkali dosage (6 % and 8 %) and modulus silicate (0.8 and 1.2). The microbial performance was evaluated by examining mechanical characteristics, durability, and cracking behavior. Bacillus subtilis was proved to have great potential for precipitating calcium carbonate within different AAS alkaline concentrations as detected utilizing spectroscopy electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The bacteria impact was more pronounced with the AAS of the lowest alkali dosage, around 6 %, and modulus silicate of 0.8, which increased 49.6 % and 150 % in compressive and flexural strengths, respectively. Nevertheless, the impact was still substantial within the AAS characterization at the highest alkali dosage among the other mixes of 8 % and modulus silicate of 1.2. Furthermore, the maximum healing crack width achieved was 650 µm
An efficient sequential method for enhanced landfill leachate treatment and detoxification: Electrocoagulation/permanganate, peroxymonosulfate-based process, and electro-peroxone.
No full textThis study investigates the electrocoagulation/permanganate (EC/PM) process as a pre-treatment, followed by UV-activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and electro-peroxone (EP) treatments. This sequence is designed to effectively mineralize organic matter. Notably, PM was integrated into the EC process for the first time to enhance removal efficiency. The iron sludge generated from the EC/PM process (sludge-derived electrocoagulation; SDEC) was repurposed as a cost-effective source of iron oxide in the PMS/SDEC/UV treatment. Treatment optimization was achieved by adjusting the main operating parameters. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess the biodegradability and toxicity of the leachate post-treatment, including measurements of COD, BOD, TOC, ammonia levels, average oxidation state, biodegradability, organic carbon content, and spectroscopic methods. The results demonstrated substantial removal efficiencies across the treatment stages, with 98.9 % for COD, 94.9 % for BOD, 96.4 % for TOC, and 97.7 % for ammonia. Spectroscopic changes indicated that the leachate was broken down into smaller, more oxidized, and highly acidic molecules with an increased aliphatic structure while effectively eliminating aromatic compounds. The BOD5/COD ratio improved to 0.55, indicating that the treated leachate is suitable for biological treatment processes with significantly reduced toxicity. Overall, the sequence of treatment processes yielded promising results