Equal Effect Research Articles

What are the main factors of fuzzy inequality in Chad?

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of multidimensional (fuzzy) inequalities and marginal changes on the Gini coefficients of various factors. This allows a range of social policies to be specifically targeted to reduce broader inequalities, but these policies are focused primarily on health, education, housing, sanitation, energy and drinking water. It is necessary to target policy areas that are unequally distributed, such as those with access to unevenly distributed drinking water policies. The data are from the Household and Consumption Survey of 6695 households in 2003 and 9259 households in 2011. This paper uses Lerman and Yitzhaki’s method. The results revealed that the main contributors to inequalities over the two periods were health and education. These sources have a potentially significant effect on total inequality. Health increases overall inequalities, but sources such as housing, sanitation and energy reduce them. This article provides resources to disadvantaged and vulnerable target groups. Multiple inequalities are analyzed for different subgroups of households, such as place of residence and the gender of the head of household. Analyzing fuzzy poverty inequalities makes it possible to develop targeted measures to combat poverty and inequality. This study is the first to investigate the sources of Gini’s fuzzy inequality in Chad via data analysis techniques, and in general, it is one of the few studies in Saharan Africa to be interested in this subject. Some development policies in sub-Saharan Africa should therefore focus on different sources (negative effect), sources (positive effect) and the equalization effect.

Technology Focus: Flow Assurance (November 2024)

This year’s Flow Assurance Technology Focus provides a trio of papers, selected by ChampionX’s Celestina Kissi, concerning the use of advanced techniques in detection, mitigation, and risk calculation. SPE technical conferences and meetings remain a critical conduit for the transfer of forward-thinking research and insight to both project developers and field practitioners who make certain that production is optimized and that goals are met. Paper SPE 216216 investigates asphaltene risks inherent in the gas-injection enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. The authors’ research identifies what they term “stealth” asphaltenes, referring to asphaltenes detectable only by laser-light-scattering techniques and not by traditional microscopy. These asphaltenes are still flowable and can still pose risks to flow assurance. In the second selection, SPE 218101, the authors delve into the risks posed by hydrate formation in water-alternating-gas EOR operations, particularly during changeover operations, an area in need of further research in the literature. Additionally, the authors explore the effect of natural gas composition on these phenomena. Finally, paper SPE 218700 describes an operator’s development and deployment of a suite of cloud-based digital-twin tools designed to provide online, real-time calculation of scale risk and barrier health on a well-by-well basis. The complete paper includes four diverse case studies in which the described toolkit proved its value. As the technology used in the field sharpens, it will simultaneously overcome long-standing obstacles and discover entirely new ones, such as the challenge posed in the first presented paper. SPE technical conferences will continue to ensure that the flow of innovation reaches the page and the field with equal effect.

Equal Effects of Low- and Moderate-Volume Supplementary Plyometric Training on Sprint, Change of Direction Ability, and Lower-Limb Power in Preadolescent Female Handball Players

Background: This study compared the effects of low- and moderate-volume supplementary plyometric training in preadolescent female handball players. Methods: Thirty-nine preadolescent handball players (age: 12.9 ± 0.5 years, maturity offset: −1.50 ± 0.56 years) were randomly assigned into three groups: low-volume plyometric training group (LPT, n = 12); moderate-volume plyometric training group (MPT, n = 15); and control group (CG, n = 12). The supplementary plyometric training program was performed twice per week for 10 weeks, along with normal training (3 times/week). Each supplementary session included two upper- and three lower-body exercises performed for two sets (LPT, 36–54 foot contacts, duration 12 min) or four sets (MPT, 72–108 foot contacts, duration 24 min). The CG performed technical handball drills for 20 min. Results: Compared with the control group, both LPT and MPT resulted in similar improvements in modified T-test performance (15.1% and 18.6%, p < 0.01, respectively); linear sprint performance over 5, 10, and 20 m (between 5.1% and 8.8%, p = 0.02 to 0.001); countermovement jump (28.0% and 22.1%, p < 0.05, respectively); and standing long jump (12.6% and 12.5%, p = 0.024, respectively). Handgrip strength and overarm shot ball velocity improved similarly in all groups (CG, MPT, and LPT), by 8–11% (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Very-low-volume supplementary plyometric training performed for 12 min per session for two sessions per week results in considerable improvements in running speed, change of direction ability, and leg power and is as effective as a moderate-volume program. These findings are important for pre-adolescent female team sports players, who may benefit from a minimal but effective supplementary training, resulting in large benefits in leg speed and power.

Links between disasters of natural origin, economic development and gender inequality: evidence for latin America and the Caribbean

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between gender and disasters of natural origin (ND) by considering how the level of economic growth influences the losses caused by these events and how disasters also contribute to gender inequality. To this end, the effects of ND occurring during the 2000–2021 period in 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are analysed using a structural equation approach with fixed effects panel data (SEM-FE) as an analytical tool. The results obtained are in line with previous literature that identifies population growth and economic growth as variables that drive the increase in loss of human life from NDs. The results show evidence of the mitigating effects of gender equality on the impact of NDs measured in terms of human life and of the negative effects of the impact of NDs on gender equality. The findings reinforce gender equality as a key element in preventing disasters and rebuilding a sustainable environment in their aftermath.

Perceptual and conceptual novelty independently guide infant looking behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Human infants are born with their eyes open and an otherwise limited motor repertoire; thus, studies measuring infant looking are commonly used to investigate the developmental origins of perception and cognition. However, scholars have long expressed concerns about the reliability and interpretation of looking behaviours. We evaluated these concerns using a pre-registered ( https://osf.io/jghc3 ), systematic meta-analysis of 76 published and unpublished studies of infants' early physical and psychological reasoning (total n = 1,899; 3- to 12-month-old infants; database search and call for unpublished studies conducted July to August 2022). We studied two effects in the same datasets: looking towards expected versus unexpected events (violation of expectation (VOE)) and looking towards visually familiar versus visually novel events (perceptual novelty (PN)). Most studies implemented methods to minimize the risk of bias (for example, ensuring that experimenters were naive to the conditions and reporting inter-rater reliability). There was mixed evidence about publication bias for the VOE effect. Most centrally to our research aims, we found that these two effects varied systematically-with roughly equal effect sizes (VOE, standardized mean difference 0.290 and 95% confidence interval (0.208, 0.372); PN, standardized mean difference 0.239 and 95% confidence interval (0.109, 0.369))-but independently, based on different predictors. Age predicted infants' looking responses to unexpected events, but not visually novel events. Habituation predicted infants' looking responses to visually novel events, but not unexpected events. From these findings, we suggest that conceptual and perceptual novelty independently influence infants' looking behaviour.

Experimental and real-life effectiveness of the herbal drug Sinupret® extract in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis in the context of the strategy for the rational use of antibacterial drugs

Aim. To substantiate the clinical and experimental effectiveness of the herbal medicine Sinupret® extract for acute rhinosinusitis (ARS), with an emphasis on the strategy of rational use of antibiotics. Materials and methods. A meta-analysis of clinical studies ARhiSi-1 (EudraCT No. 2008-002794-13) and ARhiSi-2 (EudraCT No. 2009-016682-28), which included 676 patients, was performed. The main focus was on reducing Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) scores and improving Sinus Osteopathy Test (SNOT-20) scores with Sinupret® extract. In addition, a retrospective cohort study involving 203,382 patients was conducted to compare the real-world effectiveness of Sinupret® extract in reducing ARS-related side effects with antibiotics and other conventional treatments. Results. The use of the drug Sinupret® extract contributed to the improvement of symptoms of ARS, which was reflected in a decrease in the average score on the CVS by 1.9 points (p0.0001) and an improvement in the quality of life (QoL) of patients according to the SNOT-2 test, by 3.5 points (p=0.001) compared to placebo. In patients with moderate and severe symptoms, the effect of Sinupret® extract was even more significant (PVS -2.3 points; p0.0001; SNOT-20 -4.9 points; p=0.0158). Moreover, the use of the drug Sinupret® extract showed equal or greater effectiveness in reducing the risk of adverse outcomes associated with ARS, such as prescription of antibiotics, prolongation of illness by ≥7 days or the need to visit a doctor, especially compared with antibiotics. Conclusion. Sinupret® extract is a safe and effective treatment for ARS, which may help reduce the overuse of antibiotics.

Signal processing for enhancing railway communication by integrating deep learning and adaptive equalization techniques.

With the increasing amount of data in railway communication system, the conventional wireless high-frequency communication technology cannot meet the requirements of modern communication and needs to be improved. In order to meet the requirements of high-speed signal processing, a high-speed communication signal processing method based on visible light is developed and studied. This method combines the adaptive equalization algorithm with deep learning and is applied to railway communication signal processing. In this research, the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) techniques are used, and fuzzy C equalization algorithm is used to softly divide the received signals, reduce signal distortion and interference suppression. The experimental results showed that increasing the step size could reduce the equalization effect, while increasing the modulation parameter will increase the bit error rate. Through deep learning to achieve channel equalization, visible light communication could effectively mitigate multi-path transmission and reflection interference, thereby reducing the bit error rate to the level of 0.0001. Under various signal-to-noise ratios, the system using the channel compensation method achieved the lowest bit error rate. This outcome was achieved by implementing hybrid modulation scheme, including Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and direct current-biased optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DCO-OFDM) techniques. It has been proved that this method can effectively reduce the channel distortion when the receiver is moving. This study develops a dependable communication system, which enhances signal recovery, reduces interference, and improves the quality and transmission efficiency of railway communication. The system has practical application value in the field of railway communication signal processing.

New Therapeutic Rargets for Cynodon Dactylon in Atherosclerosis: Attenuation of TMAO Generation and Down-regulation of TLR-4 in Rats

Purpose: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic disease with worldwide incidence. The current study was conducted to highlight the molecular pathogenesis of AS and equal effectiveness of cynodon dactylon’s ethanolic extract (CDE) on the AS-induced injuries. Methods: Atherosclerosis was induced experimentally in healthy male rats with a hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) for 24 weeks. The HCD-received animals were either treated with normal saline or various doses of CDE and/or atorvastatin. After 24 weeks of the treatment period, the effects of HCD on lipid profile, oxidative/nitrosative stress status, inflammatory enzymes (LDH, ALP and CKMB) activities, trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) concentration in serum along with the expression of TLR-4 (qPCR) and CD31 (Immunohistochemistry) in coronary and aorta were analyzed Results: CDE was able to reduce the HCD-enhanced cholesterol and triglycerides. The HCDelevated activities of LDH, ALP and CK-MB were declined by CDE. The antioxidant potency of CDE was comparable with atorvastatin on HCD-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress. The serum concentration of TMAO was lowered (1.7-fold) by CDE in a dose-dependent manner, while CD31 expression in the endothelial of coronary arterials and aorta in CDE and atorvastatin-received animals was remarkably increased. The up-regulated expression of TLR-4 (2.5-fold) at mRNA level was regulated significantly (p < 0.05) and returned to normal level by CDE treatment. Conclusion: Results of the current study indicate that the up-regulation of TLR-4 as a main inflammatory gene and elevation of TMAO are involved in the pathophysiology of AS. Moreover, the protective effects of CDE on AS may be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic properties.

Indirect involvement of α2-adrenoceptors in the mechanical antihypersensitivity effect induced by the spinally administered imidazoline I1 receptor ligand LNP599 in a rat model of experimental neuropathy

Here we assess whether neuropathic pain hypersensitivity is attenuated by spinal administration of the imidazoline I1-receptor agonist LNP599 and whether the attenuation involves co-activation of α2-adrenoceptors. Spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathy was used to induce mechanical hypersensitivity in male and female rats with a chronic catheter for intrathecal drug administrations. Mechanical sensitivity and heat nociception were assessed behaviorally in the injured limb. Additionally, GTPγS radioligand binding assay, β-arrestin recruitment and intracellular cAMP levels were used for receptor profiling in vitro. LNP599 (imidazoline I1 receptor agonist) and clonidine (α2-adrenoceptor agonist) produced equal dose-related mechanical antihypersensitivity effects in both sexes. LNP599 attenuated heat nociception preferentially in males, while clonidine reduced heat nociception equally in males and females. Carbophenyline (another imidazoline I1 receptor agonist) had no significant effect on mechanical hypersensitivity or heat nociception in males or females. Mechanical antihypersensitivity and heat antinociception induced by LNP599 in SNI males was prevented by pretreatments with yohimbine or atipamezole (two α2-adrenoceptor antagonists) but not by efaroxan (a mixed imidazoline I1 receptor/α2-adrenoceptor antagonist). In vitro assays indicated that LNP599 does not activate α2A- or other subtypes of α2-adrenoceptors. However, LNP599 was a weak partial agonist for 5-HT2B receptors and bound to sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors that all are involved in modulation of spinal nociception. The results indicate that the suppression of neuropathic pain hypersensitivity by LNP599 is not due to action on spinal imidazoline I1 receptors, but rather due to indirect activation of spinal α2-adrenoceptors.

A Model‐Based Investigation of the Recent Rebound of Shelf Water Salinity in the Ross Sea

AbstractIntense atmosphere‐ocean‐ice interactions in the Ross Sea play a vital role in global overturning circulation by supplying saline and dense shelf waters. Since the 1960s, freshening of the Ross Sea shelf water has led to a decline in Antarctic Bottom Water formation. However, during 2012–2018, salinity of the western Ross Sea has rebounded. This study adopts a global ocean‐sea ice model to investigate the causes of this salinity rebound. Model‐based surface salinity budget analysis indicates that the salinity rebound was driven by increased brine rejection from sea ice formation, triggered by nearly equal effects of local anomalous winds and surface heat flux. The local divergent wind anomalies promoted local sea ice formation by creating a thin ice area, while cooling heat flux anomaly decreased the surface temperature, increasing sea ice production as well. This highlights the importance of understanding local climate variability in projecting future dense shelf water change.

Better together? Group incentives and the demand for prevention

In a field experiment with 400 groups of informal entrepreneurs in El Salvador, we compare the impact of group incentives (linked to compliance of all members) to equivalent individual ones to encourage cardiovascular check-ups. We test two incentive designs: small rewards and lotteries. Group incentives are as effective as individual ones at increasing demand for prevention, but, unlike individual incentives, they fail to target those with potentially higher health risks. The equal effectiveness of group incentives is linked to more communication, coordination between members and, to some extent, peer pressure. These social dynamics contribute to reduce uncertainty about other group members’ decisions and enhance the perceived net benefit of prevention. Although the preventive check-ups do not induce short-term lifestyle changes, they substantially increase the detection of new risk factors, making all incentives highly cost-effective interventions in this population.

Unveiling the antiurolithiatic potentiality of two benzene sulfonamide derivatives against ethylene glycol-induced renal calculi

ObjectiveOxidative stress and inflammation play crucial roles in the onset of kidney injury and crystal formation caused by hyperoxaluria. Indapamide is a potent medication for treating renal calculi, but it has severe side effects such as hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hyperuricemia. Therefore, it is advisable to explore alternative treatments that do not have these side effects. The study aimed to reveal the antiurolithiatic potential of two benzene sulfonamide derivatives (SBCl and SBF; A and B, respectively) against ethylene glycol-induced kidney stones. MethodsThe rats were divided into two main groups: the first group consisted of 20 rats with induced kidney stones, and the second group included 15 control rats. This division enabled a comparative analysis between rats with kidney stones and those without, offering insights into the effects of kidney stone induction on various physiological parameters and biochemical markers. The effectiveness of benzene sulfonamide derivatives (compounds A and B) was assessed in rats with induced kidney stones. The treatment was given orally by gavage for 21 days, administered every 48h after inducing kidney stones with 0.12ml of 5% ethylene glycol (EG). ResultsThe influence of compounds A and B on electrolytes, biochemical, antioxidant, and inflammatory reactions in induced kidneys underscores their potential therapeutic advantages in alleviating the advancement of kidney stone disease and related complications. ConclusionBoth compounds were found to possess equal effectiveness in inhibiting the complications of stone formation. However, SBCl-EG showed superior antioxidant and inflammatory parameters effects compared to SBF-EG. Our study's findings underscore the potential benefits of derivatives in treating nephrolithiasis and related oxidative disorders, highlighting their superior effects on antioxidant and inflammatory responses compared to standard treatments.

The Quantitative Genetics of Human Disease: 2 Polygenic Risk Scores

In this the second of an anticipated four papers, we examine polygenic risk scores from a quantitative genetics perspective. In its most simplistic form, a polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis involves estimating the genetic effects of alleles in one study and then using those estimates to predict phenotype in another sample of individuals. Almost since the first application of these types of analyses it has been noted that PRSs often give unexpected and difficult-to-interpret results, particularly when applying effect-size estimates taken from individuals with ancestry very different than those to whom it is applied (applying PRSs across differing populations). To understand these seemingly perplexing observations, we deconstruct the effects of applying valid statistical estimates taken from one population to another when the two populations have differing allele frequencies at the sites contributing effect, when alleles with effects in one population are absent from the other, and finally when there is differing linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns in the two populations. It will be shown that many of the seemingly most confusing results in the field are natural consequences of these factors. Given our best current understanding of human demographic history, most of the patterns seen in PRS analysis can be predicted as resulting from systematic differences in allele frequency and LD. Put the other way around, the most challenging and confusing results seen in cross population application of PRSs are likely to be the result of allele frequency and LD differences, not differences in the genetic effects of individual alleles. PRS analysis is an important tool both for understanding the genetic basis of complex phenotypes and, potentially, for identifying individuals at risk of developing disease before such disease manifests. As such it has the potential to be among the most important analysis frameworks in human genetics. Nevertheless, when a PRS is trained in people with one ancestry and then applied to people with another, the PRS’s behavior is often unpredictable, and sometimes is seemingly perverse. PRS distributions are often nearly non-overlapping between individuals with differing ancestry, i.e., odds ratios for unaffected people with one ancestry might be vastly larger than affected individuals from another. The correlation between a PRS and known phenotype might differ substantially, and sometimes the correlation is higher among people with ancestry different than the one used to create the PRS. Naively, one might conclude from these observations that the genetic basis of traits differs substantially among people of differing ancestry, and that the behavior of a PRS is difficult to predict when applied to new study populations. Differing definitions of genetic effect sizes are discussed, and key observations are made. It is shown that when populations differ in allele frequency, a locus affecting phenotype could have equal differences in allelic (additive) effects or equal additive variances, but not both. They cannot have equal additive effects, equal allelic penetrances, or equal odds ratios. PRS is defined, and its moments are derived. The effect of differing allele frequency and LD patterns is described. Perplexing PRS observations are discussed in light of theory and human demographic history. Suggestions for best practices for PRS construction are made. The most confusing results seen in cross population application of PRSs are often the predictable result of allele frequency and LD differences. There is relatively little evidence for systematic differences in the genetic basis of disease in individuals of differing ancestry, other than that which results from environmental, allele frequency, and LD differences.

Therapeutic efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma in four golden retrievers with acute otitis externa.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a new therapeutic tool used to treat various skin diseases in humans and animals. To evaluate the effect of CAP in the treatment of canine acute otitis externa (AOE). Four client-owned golden retriever dogs with bilateral AOE. After cleaning with a commercial ear cleanser, right ears (STANDARD group) were treated with an antibiotic/antifungal/corticosteroid combination and left ears (CAP group) were treated with CAP every three days for a total of four treatments. Cytological score and otitis index score (OTIS)3 were recorded for each ear on Day (D)0, D10 and D15. At D10 and D15, owners and investigators recorded an overall assessment. In both groups, OTIS3 and cytological score decreased over the study period. The overall assessment scale ranged from moderate to excellent in both groups. Cold atmospheric plasma treatment showed equal therapeutic effect compared with a commercial topical anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ear treatment.

Identifying health and healthcare priorities in rural areas: A concept mapping study informed by consumers, health professionals and researchers

BackgroundIt is vital that health service delivery and health interventions address patients’ needs or preferences, are relevant for practice and can be implemented. Involving those who will use or deliver healthcare in priority-setting can lead to health service delivery and research that is more meaningful and impactful. This is particularly crucial in rural communities, where limited resources and disparities in healthcare and health outcomes are often more pronounced. The aim of this study was to determine the health and healthcare priorities in rural communities using a region-wide community engagement approach.MethodsThis multi-methods study was conducted in five rural communities in the Grampians region, Western Victoria, Australia. It involved six concept mapping steps: (1) preparation, (2) generation (brainstorming statements and identifying rating criteria), (3) structuring statements (sorting and rating statements), (4) representation of statements, (5) interpretation of the concept map and (6) utilization. Community forums, surveys and stakeholder consultations with community members and health professionals were used in Step 2. An innovative online group concept mapping platform, involving consumers, health professionals and researchers was used in Step 3.ResultsOverall, 117 community members and 70 health professionals identified 400 health and healthcare issues. Six stakeholder consultation sessions (with 16 community members and 16 health professionals) identified three key values for prioritizing health issues: equal access for equal need, effectiveness and impact (number of people affected). Actionable priorities for healthcare delivery were largely related to access issues, such as the challenges navigating the healthcare system, particularly for people with mental health issues; the lack of sufficient general practitioners and other health providers; the high travel costs; and poor internet coverage often impacting technology-based interventions for people in rural areas.ConclusionsThis study identified actionable health and healthcare priorities from the perspective of healthcare service users and providers in rural communities in Western Victoria. Issues related to access, such as the inequities in healthcare costs, the perceived lack of quality and availability of services, particularly in mental health and disability, were identified as priorities. These insights can guide future research, policy-making and resource allocation efforts to improve healthcare access, quality and equity in rural communities.

Clinical Efficacy of Concentrated Growth Factors for the Management of Marginal Tissue Recession: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To systematically review existing scientific literature to determine, compare, and evaluate whether concentrated growth factors (CGF) or connective tissue grafts (CTG) is a better treatment alternative for patients with marginal tissue recession (MTR). Electronic databases like PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar were screened from the last 20 years reporting treatment of MTR using CGF or CTG and other techniques. Periodontal parameters like probing depth, clinical attachment level, recession depth, recession width, keratinized tissue width, root coverage, increase in gingival thickness and plaque index, and gingival index were compared. Standardized mean difference was used as a summary statistic measure with a random effect model and P value <0.05 as statistically significant. Six studies fulfilled eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis, of which only 4 studies were suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled estimate through standardized mean difference signifies that CGF was superior to CTG in the reduction of probing depth, gingival index, and plaque index and gain in clinical attachment level while CTG was superior in reducing the recession depth and recession width. Both the procedures had an overall equal effect on keratinized tissue width and root coverage, but these differences were statistically insignificant ( P >0.05). Publication bias through the funnel plot showed symmetric distribution without systematic heterogeneity. The present study suggests that treatment of MTR with CTG or CGF resulted in clinically favorable outcomes, but no statistically significant differences was observed between these 2 procedures regarding the outcome.

A Review on Traditional Medicine Used for Burn Treatment.

Considering the high consumption of and preference for traditional treatments among people and the lack of enough studies on the effectiveness of these treatments, we aimed to review articles on the use of traditional and complementary medicine, focusing on how they affect healing, debridement, and hypertrophic scars. In this study, we conducted the literature search in international databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, as well as Persian databases Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, Iranmedex, and IranDoc. Retrieved hits were reviewed by three authors for screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the screening process is expressed as Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework flow chart. Twenty-two studies were included. The evaluated outcomes were wound healing in 19, pain control in 5, itching in 4, and scar appearance in 2 studies. All of the studies showed equal or improved effects compared to common treatments. Aloe vera, Centella asiatica, and Arnebia euchroma were the most common plants. We revealed that traditional medicine is beneficial in burn wound treatment. The diversity in ingredients that are used in traditional medicine brings up the need for further controlled prospective studies to evaluate the precise superiority of these treatments compared to standard care.

AR Dancee: An Augmented Reality-Based Mobile Persuasive Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity Through Dancing

The importance of physical activity (PA) for overall health and well-being cannot be overstated, especially in today’s fast-paced and sedentary society. Engaging in enjoyable activities like dancing can significantly enhance PA levels and positively affect one’s mood. Advances in technology have the potential to increase individuals’ engagement in more physical activities. This work explores the effectiveness of augmented reality-driven persuasive intervention in enhancing users’ physical activity and mood. To achieve our goal, we developed AR Dancee, a mobile-driven intervention combining Augmented Reality, Machine Learning, and persuasive technology to encourage adults to increase their PA through dancing, ultimately improving their mood. A 15-day user study with 104 participants showed that the intervention effectively increased PA levels, with equal effectiveness across genders and a stronger impact on younger adults. The results also show that the intervention improved participants’ mood while reducing anxiety levels, demonstrating its potential for stress management. Overall, the contribution of this work to the HCI fields is threefold: (1) the design and development of an AR-driven persuasive mobile app, (2) providing design recommendations, and (3) pinpointing limitations and providing suggestions for future work.

Self-Discharge and Calendar Aging Behavior of Li-Ion and Na-Ion Cells

The calendar aging and self-discharge behavior of Na-Ion cells containing a layered oxide NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3 (NFM) cathode were investigated and compared to two Li-Ion cell chemistries, G/LiFePO4 (LFP) and SiG/LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811). The self-discharge measurements were performed via voltage hold experiments at different states of charge (10%, 40%, 50%, 70%, 90%, and 100%) and temperatures (25 °C, 40 °C and 55 °C). A high-precision coulometry analysis was conducted to investigate the coulombic efficiency (CE), differential voltage analysis (DVA), and end-point slippage. The results show that the Na-Ion cells present a similar self-discharge behavior to the NMC811 Li-Ion cells. In addition, via CE and end-point slippage analysis, strong reversible reactions were observed for the Na-Ion cells. Despite the poor CE values, the cells presented a low capacity loss. Post-mortem analysis showed sodium plating on the edges of all the SOCs investigated. The LFP results presented mainly calendar losses from lithium inventory loss with almost no cathode-related degradation. At high SOCs, both transition metal cathodes, NMC811 Li-Ion and NFM Na-Ion, exhibited more cathode-related processes dominating the self-discharge current and presumably improving the capacity retention due to electrolyte oxidation. Finally, the Na-Ion cells showed anode overhang equalization effects like Li-Ion cells.

Study on the daily thermal radiation iso-disturbance on a building by trees in summer

Many studies have demonstrated that the cooling and energy-saving effects of planting trees around buildings vary depending on their location. However, most research has focused on a limited number of representative planting sites. This study evaluates the reduction in thermal radiation absorbed by walls over a single day due to trees, defined as daily thermal radiation disturbance (TRDD). Using a combination of experiments and ENVI-met software simulations, we established a coordinate system to map the TRDD distribution of trees at various locations around a building. The findings reveal that trees at different locations exhibit isoTRDD lines, which are symmetrical about the building’s centerline. Trees planted along these isoTRDD lines exert equal effects on TRDD. The isoTRDD lines form a series of ellipses that decay in two stages with increasing distance between the tree crowns and the walls (DW-T): rapid decay when DW-T is less than 3 m and slower decay beyond 3 m. Additionally, we found a linear positive correlation between the change in the sky view factor (ΔSVF) on the wall surface caused by trees and the TRDD. Trees near the north and south walls, as well as those along the building's diagonal, primarily block sky-scattered radiation (R²>0.97). Trees around the east and west walls block both sky-scattered and direct solar short-wave radiation (R²>0.85). This indicates a significant relationship between isoTRDD and SVF of the building. The methodology proposed in this study allows for a comprehensive assessment of the spatial evolution of TRDD for trees around the building, providing a scientific basis for the spatial design of trees to optimize cooling and energy savings. Moreover, the relationship between ΔSVF and TRDD enables rapid calculations and comparisons of the cooling effects of trees at different locations.