Decrease In Consumption Research Articles

Influence of short-time resistance training on appetite and energy intake in young women with and without obesity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6-weeks resistance training (RT) on appetite, energy intake and body composition in young women with and without obesity, and to examine the relationship between these variables. Thirty-five young women were divided according to the amount of body fat [with obesity (n = 16) and without obesity (n = 19)]. Appetite was assessed through self-reported hunger, fullness, desire to eat, satiety quotient, food frequency diary and motivations to eat palatable food (power of food scale) in both fasted and fed states (after a standardized breakfast). Energy intake and body composition were evaluated at pre- and post-6 weeks of RT. Results showed that self-reported hunger increased significantly in both fasted and fed states (p = 0.007 and p = 0.029, respectively), while self-reported fullness decreased at the fasted state (p = 0.030) in both groups. There were no significant effects for desire to eat fatty, sweet, savory and salty foods, motivation to eat palatable foods, or for total energy intake. Food frequency analysis indicated a decrease in consumption of soup and past (p = 0.045), vegetables and eggs (p = 0.034), and leafy vegetables (p = 0.022) in both groups. Fat-free mass increased significantly in both groups (p = 0.011 and p = 0.003), while fat mass did not show significant changes. There were no correlations between changes in appetite/energy intake and changes in body composition. In conclusion, following the 6-week RT program, both women with and without obesity exhibited increased self-reported hunger alongside decreased fullness, suggesting an increase in orexigenic drive. However, neither group showed an increase in energy intake and fat mass, while both groups experienced an increase in fat-free mass.Registered under Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials n°. RBR-1024f4qs.

Undernutrition, socio-demographic characteristics and eating habits of the elderly

Ageing is often accompanied by a decrease of food consumption, possibly leading to undernutrition. A single nutritional study was conducted in 2011 in the general population, showing that 5.5% of people aged >65 years were undernourished. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in the elderly and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary habits. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of subjects aged ≥60 years in urban and rural areas of the country's eight administrative regions. A questionnaire including socio-demographic data, food consumption frequencies and anthropometric measurements was used. Student's t-test and Man Whitney test were used with a significance level of 5%. A multivariate analysis was performed between undernutrition and the other factors collected. 1698 older adults were included (male: 63.5%, sex ratio M/F=1.7), with a mean age of 71.6±9.4 years and a BMI of 22.6±4.4kg/m2. The prevalence of undernutrition was 14.4%. Undernutrition was significantly associated with age 80-89 years and ≥90 years, (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001 respectively), male sex (p=0.006), rural areas (p=0.002), being in activity (p=0.009) and fish consumption (p=0.039). Breakfast was consumed every day in 87.2% of cases, lunch in 74.3% and dinner in 83.2%. Rice and bread were the most consumed food. Early detection of nutritional disorders, nutritional education and promotion of a balanced diet could help improve the health of the elderly.

Pathways for the US food processing sector under economy-wide net zero in a multisector dynamic framework

The food processing sector is a large, energy-consuming and CO2-emitting industrial sector. The sector was estimated to account for 6 % of US industrial CO2 emissions in 2020. The sector uses significant amounts of fossil fuels, biomass, and electricity to perform a range of operations such as baking, drying, and refrigeration. Additionally, the sector is tightly linked to the agriculture and land use sectors. In this analysis, we use the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM), a coupled, energy-economy-agriculture-land-use-water-climate systems model, to examine the role of the food processing sector in the EMF37 2050 US net-zero CO2 scenario. We explore the implications for technology and fuel choice and go beyond to examine US food consumption, food prices, and land-use change. To better understand the sensitivity of our results to alternative developments, we assess multiple sensitivity scenarios for the US and other world regions, with a focus on varied food processing energy intensity pathways.We find that along the EMF37 US net-zero path, the food processing sector electrifies the majority of its process heat. We also find that the industry phases-down natural gas use and completely phases-out coal. Additionally, we observe a marginal decrease in US food consumption per capita relative to our reference scenario. This primarily occurs due to the increase in consumer food prices resulting from increased demand for purpose-grown biomass crops, which compete with food crops for land resources. Finally, cumulative energy savings of 4.2 EJ are achieved from 2020 to 2050 in a scenario in which the US reduces its food processing intensity to EU-15 levels.

Sensor-based modelling of suction sails to integrate into a numerical simulation tool for a wind-assisted vessel and its application to green shipping

In order to achieve reductions in ship emissions and operational costs while complying with increasingly stringent regulations, ship owners need to consider combining multiple efficiency enhancing strategies where synergistic benefits are possible. One such option is to couple wind assistance with speed reduction. Realizing this solution’s maximum potential requires both an experimental characterization of the forces present when the vessel is sailing as well as a numerical tool to analyse instantaneous energy consumption at specific conditions to suggest optimal operating strategies over a route. Therefore, this paper focuses on processing strain gauge measurements for real-world wind propulsion units, coupled with a numerical modelling tool for a wind-assisted container vessel. These measurements are then integrated into the numerical model and simulations are conducted to suggest improved operating strategies for increased fuel efficiency of a vessel across different speeds and along a route while considering real-world wind conditions. The results suggest that an increased travel time through speed reduction of approximately 8% can result in a fuel consumption decrease of nearly 16% due to the reduction in ship resistance and the increasing share of propulsive thrust provided by wind-assistance.

The Frequency and Predictive Factors of Change in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Multi-Country Longitudinal Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had multiple health and behavioral effects in the general population worldwide, including effects on nutritional and lifestyle behavior such as alcohol consumption. This study aimed to determine the frequency of and predictors for change in alcohol consumption two years after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among participants from the general population of six countries. Longitudinal study design with 4999 participants (47% male; aged 18-75 years) from a general population cohort from six countries: Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US). Three web-based surveys at different time waves: T1 = 22 April-1 June 2020; T2 = 2 May-29 June 2021 and T3 = 29 April-25 June 2022. The surveys included questions on self-reported retrospective alcohol consumption, demographics, health, anxiety and depression symptoms and recent life events. Of 4999 respondents, most (82.3%) reported no change in drinking habits during the pandemic, whereas 12.5% reported drinking less and 5.1% drinking more. Predictive factors for increased alcohol consumption include age 35-54 years, male gender, high educational level, moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the COVID-19 pandemic, no change in general health status and job loss. Predictive factors for decreased alcohol consumption were age 18-34 years, male gender, having chronic disease(s), moderate-severe depression symptoms, excessive drinking before the pandemic and job loss. The proportion of participants who reported a decrease in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher compared to those who reported an increase. Excessive drinking before the pandemic, depression symptoms and job loss were predictors for both drinking more and drinking less alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic with an stronger association for an increase in alcohol consumption.

Energy efficient improved content addressable memory using quantum-dot cellular automata

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an emerging technology with high integration density, low power consumption, and high operating speed. This study introduces a QCA-based modified content addressable memory (CAM) cell employing a five-input minority gate. The functionality, temperature sensitivity, and heat distribution of this modified CAM cell are comprehensively analyzed using QCADesigner E and QCA Pro simulation tools. The results reveal significant advancements over existing designs, with a remarkable 8.33% reduction in area and a substantial 63.7% decrease in energy consumption. Additionally, this modified CAM cell exhibits a notable 5% enhancement in temperature tolerance. These findings emphasize the QCA-based modified CAM cell is more efficient and thermally robust.

Electrocoagulation efficiency probed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Electrocoagulation efficiency probed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Alcohol consumption among older adults in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Alcohol consumption is responsible for numerous life-threatening diseases, including liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and various cancers. During the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths increased from 2019 to 2021, topping out at approximately 108,000 deaths related to alcohol. This trendalso introduced the question whether heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased during the pandemic, particularly in those 65 and older. The objective of this study is to determine whether heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased during the pandemic in older adults in the United States. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to determine whether rates of overall alcohol consumption, heavy consumption, or binge drinking deviated from 2017 through 2021. We utilized chi-square tests to determine changes in rates over the included years. Our findings show that the overall rate of alcohol use in populations 65 and older from 2017 through 2021 wasapproximately 42.1 %, which peaked in 2017 at 43.7 % and declined each year, resulting in the lowest rate (41.3 %) in 2021 (χ 2 =8.96, p<0.0001). Binge and heavy drinking rates were 5.1 % and 4.2 % overall during this time frame, respectively, and the annual changes were not statistically significant. The impact of COVID-19 on the drinking behavior of older US adults was minimal in terms of binge orheavy drinking, although the overall rates of alcohol consumption among this group declined. Reports among other US age groups showed increased consumption and deaths from alcohol use. Future research is needed to determine the causes for the overall decrease in consumption or adaptive measures that this group may have taken, which led tominimal changes in binge or heavy drinking in contrast toyounger populations.

Intravenous lidocaine for postoperative analgesia management in paediatrics: A systematic review with meta-analysis of published studies.

The administration of intravenous lidocaine during the peri-operative period may improve pain management after paediatric surgery. To explore the decrease in postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption associated with peri-operative lidocaine administration in the paediatric population. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) analysis. Extensive literature review. This study includes clinical trials conducted during surgery that examined the effect of intravenous lidocaine compared with placebo on postoperative pain management. Lidocaine administration decreased pain intensity in PACU (standardised mean difference (SMD) = -1.89 [-3.75, -0.03], I2 = 97%, P of I2 < 0.001) and on postoperative day 1 (SMD = -2.02 [-3.37, -0.66], I2 = 96%, P of I2 < 0.001, number of studies = 5). Lidocaine was associated with a decrease in opioid consumption on postoperative day 1 (SMD = -1.2 [-2.19, -0.2], I2 = 93%, P of I2 < 0.001) but not on postoperative day 2 (SMD = -1.73 [-3.9, 0.44], I2 = 96%, P of I2 < 0.001). GRADE analyses resulted in low-quality results. Subgroup analyses revealed that pain intensity in PACU and opioid consumption on postoperative day 1 decreased when lidocaine was administered during both the intra-operative and postoperative periods. The use of lidocaine is associated with improved pain management. However, further studies are needed to increase the level of evidence and determine the optimal administration regimen for pain management.

Brain Perception of Different Oils on Appetite Regulation: An Anorectic Gene Expression Pattern in the Hypothalamus Dependent on the Vagus Nerve.

(1) Background: We examined the effect of the acute administration of olive oil (EVOO), linseed oil (GLO), soybean oil (SO), and palm oil (PO) on gastric motility and appetite in rats. (2) Methods: We assessed food intake, gastric retention (GR), and gene expression in all groups. (3) Results: Both EVOO and GLO were found to enhance the rate of stomach retention, leading to a decrease in hunger. On the other hand, the reduction in food intake caused by SO was accompanied by delayed effects on stomach retention. PO caused an alteration in the mRNA expression of NPY, POMC, and CART. Although PO increased stomach retention after 180 min, it did not affect food intake. It was subsequently verified that the absence of an autonomic reaction did not nullify the influence of EVOO in reducing food consumption. Moreover, in the absence of parasympathetic responses, animals that received PO exhibited a significant decrease in food consumption, probably mediated by lower NPY expression. (4) Conclusions: This study discovered that different oils induce various effects on parameters related to food consumption. Specifically, EVOO reduces food consumption primarily through its impact on the gastrointestinal tract, making it a recommended adjunct for weight loss. Conversely, the intake of PO limits food consumption in the absence of an autonomic reaction, but it is not advised due to its contribution to the development of cardiometabolic disorders.

Stimulating the capacity to govern the commons.

The ability to strengthen governance institutions and fisheries restrictions and laws is needed to improve conservation and management of common-pool resources. We evaluated the potential for stimulating change with modest interventions by studying fishing village households before and after a 27-month intervention period in a high-priority coral reef conservation area. Interventions included training in catch monitoring, stock assessment, mapping fishing grounds, microcredit, gender inclusion, theatrical skills, fuel efficient stoves, and participation in the planning of a conservation proposal. There was a background increase in reported formal education, household size, group membership, and household wealth but a decrease in fish consumption and public services. Of conservation importance, the perceived strength of 13 governance institutions and benefits of 6 fisheries restrictions increased over the intervention period. Finally, correspondence between knowledge of and agreement with recent national fisheries laws was moderate to high and positively correlated. The intervention period was stronger than demographic factors that often influence perceptions, such as village, government services, gender, household size, membership in community groups, and age responses. In general, perceptions of strengths of governance and benefits of restrictions increased more among women and youth than adult men respondents. The largest changes in perceptions of increased benefits were among strict restrictions initially ranked low, specifically fisheries closures, parks, and species restrictions. Consequently, capacity building overrode demographic factors common to poor people with limited employment capacity that can have negative perceptions of strict conservation.

Colostrum intake and neonatal characteristics in piglets experiencing varying lengths of expulsion phase

The objective of this study was to investigate how the cumulative expulsion interval, litter size, and birth order influence the characteristics of newborn piglets from hyperprolific sows, as well as their intake of colostrum. Analysis was conducted on the temporal aspects of parturition in 254 sows, including 3920 piglets. Newborn piglet characteristics examined encompassed delivery time, birth order, birth status, umbilical cord rupture, meconium staining, delivery ease, birth weight, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate. From the raw data, colostrum intake, birth interval, and cumulative birth interval of each piglet were computed. Piglets were sorted based on the cumulative expulsion interval into nine categories: 0–30, 31–60, 61–90, 91–120, 121–150, 151–180, 181–210, 211–240, and >240 min. Litter sizes were categorized into three groups: 10–13, 14–17, and ≥18 piglets per litter. The birth-order ranking referred to the piglet's position within a litter and was categorized into four quartiles: 1, 2, 3, and 4. On average, the expulsion interval, cumulative expulsion interval, and colostrum consumption were 14.8 ± 21.8 min, 138.6 ± 155.7 min, and 407.6 ± 162.1 g, respectively. In litters with ≥18 piglets, the percentage of piglets with inadequate colostrum intake (<300 g) was higher compared to litters with 10–13 piglets (33.1 % vs. 12.9 %, P < 0.001) and 14–17 piglets (23.9 %, P < 0.001). The occurrence of stillbirths in the fourth quartile of the litter was higher than in the first (16.0 % vs. 2.2 %, P < 0.001), second (4.0 %, P < 0.001), and third (7.8 %, P < 0.001) quartiles. Among litters with ≥18 piglets, those born in the third quartile exhibited lower colostrum consumption compared to those born in the first quartile (346.0 ± 9.9 vs. 391.4 ± 8.6 g, P = 0.028). Colostrum intake decreased with longer cumulative expulsion intervals, evident from a notable decline starting at 90 min post-farrowing compared to piglets born within the first 30 min (P = 0.004). Interestingly, colostrum consumption exhibited a negative correlation with the cumulative expulsion interval (P < 0.001), but not with individual piglet expulsion intervals (P = 0.460). Piglets born with meconium staining were most prevalent among those with a cumulative expulsion interval of >240 min. In summary, both the cumulative expulsion interval and birth-order ranking significantly impact the physiological characteristics of newborn piglets and their colostrum intake. Colostrum consumption decreases and newborn piglet characteristics change with higher cumulative expulsion intervals. Identifying piglets at high risk of hypoxia and implementing appropriate treatments and management strategies within an optimal timeframe could aid pig producers in reducing pre-weaning mortality among piglets born to hyperprolific sows.

Evaluating hybrid nuclear-thermal power systems for reduced carbon footprint: A comparative analysis

The article provides an estimated substantiation of the concept of expanding the fuel and energy base and reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emissions with the joint use of organic and nuclear fuel in the structure of hybrid nuclear-thermal power plants. It is shown that the technological scheme (the production of saturated steam in a nuclear steam-producing plant - NPPU, and then overheating to the maximum achieved parameters in the thermal power industry due to organic fuel) leads to a decrease in the specific consumption of gas fuel for the production of electrical energy by 25–30 %, emissions of combustion products by 2.5 times (compared to thermal power plants), consumption of industrial water (compared to nuclear power plants) - by 1.5 times. It is indicated that it is possible to expand the fuel base of modern nuclear energy with thermal neutron reactors through the use of technologies mastered (breeder reactors) and promising (hybrid thermonuclear reactors). The fundamental advantage of the considered complex - JPPP-TPP - its feasibility in a short period of time with a significant reduction in the carbon footprint per unit of energy produced, which is an important condition for the sustainable growth of energy production while maintaining the ecological balance in the geosphere.

Integrating vertical greenery for complex building patterns towards sustainable urban environment

Rapid urbanization has increased the urban density and functional diversity, exacerbating environmental challenges such as urban heat islands (UHI), increased building energy consumption and carbon emissions, etc., hindering the sustainable urban development. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions that could offer the strategic cooling of urban buildings. Vertical greenery, affixed to building façades, offers a promising approach to provide benefits of cooling, energy savings, carbon reduction and urban space saving. However, there is a lack of quantitative design for integrating vertical greenery into complex urban buildings. Therefore, this study conducts a systematic investigation for low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise buildings incorporating vertical greenery, while performing comprehensive assessments on indoor and outdoor thermal conditions, building energy usage, and carbon emissions. The findings suggest that low-rise buildings benefit from a vertical greenery layout, while mid-rise and high-rise buildings are better suited for a horizontal greenery layout. Compared to scenarios without greenery, buildings with vertical greenery experience a maximum reduction of 0.66 °C in outdoor air temperature and 0.72 °C in indoor air temperature, along with a 5.9 % decrease in energy consumption and carbon emissions. This study addresses urban challenges through a quantified vertical greenery design, offering valuable insights for sustainable urban development.

Off-design analysis of the inverted Brayton cycle engine

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to perform an off-design analysis of the inverted Brayton cycle engine.Design/methodology/approachThe off-design analysis equations of the inverted Brayton cycle engine were first derived in this study and the control parameters of the inverted Brayton cycle engine were first determined and investigated.FindingsIt is observed that by controlling the total temperature decrease in cooling section, it is possible to adapt the engine for low specific fuel consumption working conditions or high thrust working conditions. Specific fuel consumption is reduced by 27.1 % by stopping cooling in the cooling section and thrust is increased by 27.6 % by working with full load of the cooling section (500 K temperature decrease in cooling section). It is observed that thrust depending on the flight Mach number increases with an increase in flight Mach number and reaches a peak value at 5.21 flight Mach number and reduces by 80.8 % at 6 flight Mach number relative to the peak value. The specific fuel consumption increases rapidly as the Mach number increases, and the specific fuel consumption is 49.0 g/[kN.s] at Mach 1, reaches 70.4 g/[kN.s] at Mach 5 and increases to 412 g/[kN.s] at Mach 6. The specific fuel consumption increases from 68.1 to 73.0 g/(kN.s) and the thrust decreases from 16.5 to 13.3 kN as the total preburner exit temperature increases from 1,500 to 2,000 K. Specific fuel consumption decreases from 83.1 to 64.8 g/(kN.s) and thrust increases from 4.60 to 11.08 kN depending on afterburner exit total temperature increase from 1,800 to 2,500 K.Research limitations/implicationsThe cooling section reduces total temperature of the gas flow to lower values to increase the compressor total pressure ratio. The compressor increases the total pressure of the gas flow to the optimum total pressure ratios to increase the nozzle exit Mach number and gain more thrust. The afterburner increases the total temperature of the gas flow to increase the sound speed in the nozzle exit to increase thrust. The nozzle expands the gas flow to reduce the static pressure of the gas flow to near the optimum value, atmosphere pressure, to increase thrust and reduce specific fuel consumption.Practical implicationsHypersonic and supersonic air vehicles can use the current engine model for the its own propulsion systems.Social implicationsAfter first heavier than air flight, aero engines was designed for only used for aero vehicle. Internal combustion engines were used for propelled propeller aircraft at the first term of aircraft. However, propeller-propelled aircrafts are not sufficient to increase aircraft velocity to supersonic Mach numbers due to the shock losses of propeller, so the supersonic era was only introduced by revolution in propulsion systems with new concept. A jet engine was developed to be candidate for supersonic flight.Originality/valueOff-design analysis equations of an inverted Brayton cycle engine were first derived in this study. Furthermore, the control parameters of the inverted Brayton cycle engine were first determined and investigated in this paper.

Evaluation of teplizumab's efficacy and safety in treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Islets of Langerhans beta cells diminish in autoimmune type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Teplizumab, a humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, may help T1DM. Its long-term implications on clinical T1DM development, safety, and efficacy are unknown. To assess the effectiveness and safety of teplizumab as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with T1DM. A systematic search was conducted using four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to select publications published in peer-reviewed journals written in English. The odds ratio (OR) and risk ratio (RR) were calculated, along with their 95%CI. We assessed heterogeneity using Cochrane Q and I 2 statistics and the appropriate P value. There were 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the current meta-analysis with a total of 1908 T1DM patients from diverse age cohorts, with 1361 patients receiving Teplizumab and 547 patients receiving a placebo. Teplizumab was found to have a substantial link with a decrease in insulin consumption, with an OR of 4.13 (95%CI: 1.72 to 9.90). Teplizumab is associated with an improved C-peptide response (OR 2.49; 95%CI: 1.62 to 3.81) and a significant change in Glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in people with type 1 diabetes [OR 1.75 (95%CI: 1.03 to 2.98)], and it has a RR of 0.71 (95%CI: 0.53 to 0.95). In type 1 diabetics, teplizumab decreased insulin consumption, improved C-peptide response, and significantly changed HbA1c levels with negligible side effects. Teplizumab appears to improve glycaemic control and diabetes management with good safety and efficacy.

Trends in Complementary Feeding Indicators in Children Aged 6-23 Months According to Participation in a Conditional Cash Transfer Program: Data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2015-2019.

Inadequate practices during complementary feeding are associated with malnutrition, especially in children experiencing vulnerable conditions and social inequality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in complementary feeding indicators (CFIs) according to participation in a Brazilian cash transferu program-the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). This was a time-series study with secondary data from 600,138 children assisted from 2015 to 2019 and registered within the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. The CFIs assessed were food introduction, minimum meal frequency and appropriate consistency, minimum dietary diversity, iron-rich food, vitamin A-rich food, ultra-processed food consumption, and zero vegetable or fruit consumption. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the CFIs according to BFP, the region of residence, and the child's age. The Prais-Winsten regression method was used to analyze the temporal trend. There was a steady trend for all CFIs of a healthy diet. A decrease in ultra-processed food consumption for both BFP (-10.02%) and non-BFP children (-9.34%) was observed over the years. Children residing in the North and Northeast regions and those enrolled in the BFP were more distant from the recommended feeding practices when compared to the other regions and non-BFP children. The results highlight the relevance of nutritional surveillance and the need to improve food and nutrition public policies for children aged 6-23 months, particularly for those experiencing greater social vulnerability.

The role of alcohol control policies in the reversal of alcohol consumption levels and resulting attributable harms in China

Yearly adult per capita consumption of alcohol in China between 2016 and 2019 decreased by 2.4 L of pure alcohol, or 33%. According to the World Health Organization, this decrease in consumption was accompanied by reductions in alcohol-attributable mortality of 23% between 2015 and 2019. This paper examines the contribution of alcohol control policies in China to these public health gains. A systematic search of the literature was conducted on alcohol control policies and their effectiveness in China as part of a larger search of all countries in WHO Western Pacific Region. In addition to articles on empirical evidence on the impact of such alcohol control policies, we also searched for reviews. The plausibility of changes of traditional alcohol control policies (taxation increases, availability restrictions, restriction on advertisement and marketing, drink-driving laws, screening and brief interventions) in explaining reductions of consumption levels and attributable mortality rates was explored. There was some progress in the successful implementation of strict drink-driving policies, which could explain reductions in traffic injuries, including fatalities. Other traditional alcohol control policies seem to have played a minimal role in reducing alcohol consumption and attributable harms during the time period 2016–2019. However, an anti-corruption campaign was extensive enough to have substantially contributed to these reductions. The campaign prohibited the consumption of alcoholic beverages in everyday life of government officials and thus contributed to a de-normalization of alcohol. While this anti-corruption campaign was the only policy to potentially explain marked decreases in levels of alcohol consumption and attributable mortality, more detailed research is required to determine exactly how the campaign achieved these decreases.

Fouling Reduction and Thermal Efficiency Enhancement in Membrane Distillation Using a Bilayer-Fluorinated Alkyl Silane-Carbon Nanotube Membrane.

In this study, we report the robust hydrophobicity, lower fouling propensity, and high thermal efficiency of the 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS)-coated, carbon nanotube-immobilized membrane (CNIM) when applied to desalination via membrane distillation. Referred to as FAS-CNIM, the membrane was developed through a process that combined the drop-casting of nanotubes flowed by a dip coating of the FAS layer. The membranes were tested for porosity, surface morphology, thermal stability, contact angle, and flux. The static contact angle of the FAS-CNIM was 153 ± 1°, and the modified membrane showed enhancement in water flux by 18% compared to the base PTFE membrane. The flux was tested at different operating conditions and the fouling behavior was investigated under extreme conditions using a CaCO3 as well as a mixture of CaCO3 and CaSO4 solution. The FAS-CNIM showed significantly lower fouling than plain PTFE or the CNIM; the relative flux reduction was 34.4% and 37.6% lower than the control for the CaCO3 and CaCO3/CaSO4 mixed salt solution. The FAS-CNIM exhibited a notable decrease in specific energy consumption (SEC). Specifically, the SEC for the FAS-CNIM measured 311 kwh/m3 compared to 330.5 kwh/m3 for the CNIM and 354 kwh/m3 for PTFE using a mixture of CaCO3/CaSO4. This investigation underscores the significant contribution of the carbon nanotubes' (CNTs) intermediate layer in creating a durable superhydrophobic membrane, highlighting the potential of utilizing carbon nanotubes for tailored interface engineering to tackle fouling for salt mixtures. The innovative design of a superhydrophobic membrane has the potential to alleviate wetting issues resulting from low surface energy contaminants present in the feed of membrane distillation processes.

Developing an integrated simulator and optimizer model for liquid desiccant dehumidification system “LDDSim”

This study introduces “Liquid Desiccant Dehumidification Simulator” (LDDSim), a novel software tool aimed at simplifying the construction of adiabatic liquid desiccant systems, with a particular focus on innovative series two-stage regenerator configurations. LDDSim enables parametric studies and optimizations, enhancing system design and selection. Moreover, LDDSim facilitates thorough system analyses through informative graphical outputs and employs multi-objective optimization tools to boost efficiency. This paper outlines the software’s main inputs, outputs, subroutines, inference engine, and complexity analysis and verification using a real case study utilizing multiple-effect regeneration (MER). Results highlight the advantages of employing a series two-stage regenerator, such as lower power consumption and more flexibility in space compared to single-stage setups. Furthermore, system optimization efforts led to a significant reduction in power consumption while maximizing dehumidifier efficiency and moisture removal rate, yielding promising results with a 36.2 % decrease in power consumption, alongside a dehumidifier efficiency of 94.02 % and a moisture removal rate of 9.84 g/s. LDDSim is a valuable tool for engineers and researchers in liquid desiccant dehumidification systems for design, simulation and optimization.