Higher Decrease Research Articles

Post-bariatric changes in ingestive behavior: Shift in macronutrient preferences in rats and dynamic adaptation of the within-meal microstructure in humans

This invited review is based on a presentation given at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior in July 2022 and provides the summary of two recent studies on changes in ingestive behavior following bariatric surgery (BS). First, long-term changes in daily absolute and relative macronutrient intake are reported in a rodent model of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Rats undergoing RYGB progressively decreased their daily calorie- and daily fat intake compared to their preoperative baseline and to the intake of sham operated animals. Second, postbariatric changes in the within-meal ingestive microstructure are portrayed, based on longitudinal data collected in RYGB patients using a drinkometer. The post-RYGB meal size showed a dynamic adjustment process, with the highest decrease in the early postoperative phase, followed by a steady convalescence up to 1-year, at which point the meal size of RYGB patients became comparable to the normal weight adults’. Results are contextualized and contrasted to recent reports on the effect of BS on taste and food choices and consumption. The showcased evidence supports the role of ingestive adaptation and learning in the achievement of reduced calorie intake after RYGB, both in humans and in rodents. The reorganized upper-gastrointestinal anatomy supposedly leads to increased postingestive caloric sensibility, which might be an important behavioral mediator of decreased postbariatric meal size and consequent weight loss.

Effect of 6 weeks of aerobic training with nanocurcumin consumption on IL1β, nitric oxide, and depression in women with metabolic syndrome

Backgrounds and ObjectivesThe use of anti-inflammatory supplements is important in improving the executive function of obese people. This research aims to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of aerobic exercise with moderate intensity as well as the consumption of nanocurcumin on IL1β, nitric oxide (NO), and depression in women aged 60–65 with metabolic syndrome.Materials and MethodsFourty-four women with metabolic syndrome were randomly selected and divided into four groups of 10 based on their use of nanocurcumin supplement. The treatment included the training (T), nanocurcumin (N), training + nanocurcumin (TN), and the control groups. The groups exposed to training performed aerobic exercise for 6 weeks (three sessions per week). Blood samples were obtained before and after the training period for antioxidant indicators and lipid degradation measurement. Also, the Beck anxiety questionnaire was used for evaluating levels of anxiety. T-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were used for the assessment of within-group and between-group differences, respectively.ResultsThere was a significant difference in IL1β, NO, and depression before and after exercise in all three experimental groups (p ≤ 0.05). Also, the results showed a significant difference in the level of NO and depression in the experimental groups. The highest decrease in these variables was observed in the T and TN groups (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionThese findings indicated that 6-week nanocurcumin supplementation with aerobic training is a suitable method for reducing IL1β, NO, and depression, preventing metabolic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases in women with metabolic syndrome.Name of the registry: IR.SEMUMS.REC.1396.107Trial registration number: IRCT2017082335857N1

Effect of (bio)surfactant type and concentration on the gas-liquid equilibrium partitioning of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds.

The biological removal of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is limited by their low water solubility and, therefore, low bioavailability. The addition of surfactants is a promising strategy, but to gain understanding and broaden its applicability, its effect on the solubility of hydrophobic VOCs should be investigated. This study evaluates the effect of 2 synthetic surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Tween 80) and 3 biological surfactants (surfactin, rhamnolipid and saponin) on the gas-to-liquid equilibrium partitioning coefficient (KGL) of 7 hydrophobic VOCs at different critical micelle concentrations (CMC). For all VOCs, a decrease in their KGL was observed when a (bio)surfactant was added at 1 and 3 CMC. The highest decrease in KGL (71 - 96%) was observed for all compounds when SDS was added at 3 CMC, whereas the smallest effect was noticed when Tween 80 or surfactin (5.1 - 75%) were added at both concentrations. The results are explained in terms of the (bio)surfactant and VOC physical-chemical properties (e.g. CMC and polarity). This is the first study evaluating the effect of biological surfactants on KGL. These fundamental data are essential to improve the design and modeling of air treatment systems using (bio)surfactants.

Effect of Nano Liquid Food Formula Made from Catfish and Moringa Flours on Oxidative Stress and Reduction of Burn Size in Rats

The high catabolism and inflammatory responses due to the burn injury can affect the increase of free radicals resulting in oxidative stress condition that delays the healing process of wounds. Providing protein can help to improve protein loss during catabolism, as for antioxidants, they prevent the occurrence of oxidative stress situation. One product of protein and antioxidants source that have been developed is a liquid food formula made from Catfish and Moringa flour which were processed using nanotechnology. This study aims to analyze the effect of liquid food formula made from Catfish and Moringa flour processed using nanotechnology on Sprague Dawley rats with burn injury, especially on malondialdehyde levels and reduction in wound area. The design of this study was an experimental study with 6 experimental groups, namely rats with aquadest intervention (K), 15% liquid food formula (MCB 15), 30% liquid food formula (MCB 30), 15% nano liquid food (MCN 15), and 30% nano liquid food (MCN 30) that given for 14 days. The One Way ANOVA test indicated that there was no significant difference in malondialdehyde levels among all experimental groups. However, the highest decrease in malondialdehyde levels occurred in the MCN 30 group. Moreover, the MCN 30 group also showed the highest reduction in the wound area and was significantly different from the control group, MCB 15, MCN 15, and MCK 30, but didn’t show a significant difference from the MCB 30 group based on the One Way ANOVA test and a further test of Duncan.

Penentuan Lokasi dan Kapasitas Kapasitor Bank pada Jaringan Distribusi Penyulang Americano untuk Meminimalkan Rugi-Rugi Daya dengan Metode Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO)

The installation of capacitor banks is one way to reduce power losses and increase the voltage profile. Banks capacitor will supply capacitive reactive power, so that the impedance value can be reduced resistance. The increase in resistance leads to a decrease in the voltage profile and an increase in power reduction. Based on data from the simulation experiment with software ETAP 19.01, the highest decrease in voltage profile in Americano feeder at daylight load was 4.1 kV with total power losses of 449.5 kW and during night loads of 6 kV with total power losses of 917 kW. Based on this, the adding of capacitor banks is carried out using the Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) method to help the process of finding the location and capacity of capacitor banks. Decrease in active power loss after installing the capacitor bank during daytime loads was 148.5 kW, with an increase in the average voltage of 1,212 kV and during night loads was 374 kW, with an increase in the average voltage of 1.46 kV. Determining the location and capacity of the capacitor bank, the value of the power decrease and the maximum voltage profile increase are obtained.

English

Indonesia lies in a tropical climate area and depends on rainfall as the main source of irrigation. Changes in rainfall patterns and air temperature directly impact the water availability for irrigation purposes, including Danda Besar Swamp Irrigation Area (DIR). DIR Danda Besar is a tidal swamp irrigation field, but the tidal power cannot reach several areas, so it needs to use rainwater to supply water demand and becomes rainfed agriculture. The observation of changes in rainfall patterns and air temperature from 2001 to 2020 was conducted using daily TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission) data split into 2 observation periods: Period I from 2001 to 2010 and period II from 2011 to 2020. The data analysis process consists of validation and correction to the TRMM data before it is used for water balance analysis, calculation of effective rainfall for rice and evapotranspiration, and analysis of water availability and demand. From the comparison of water availability discharge between Period I (2001-2010) and Period II (2011-2020), the highest increase in mid-month water availability occured on December 1 and December 2, and the highest decrease in water availability occured on November 1 and November 2. The results of the water balance analysis are based on water demand according to the cropping scenario with two cropping scenarios. Water balance 1 has a deficit in water availability for Periods I and II; water balance 2 is recommended for cropping patterns due to climate change, so the water balance is calculated based on water availability for Period II. No water deficit in Water balance 2.

Prediction of Life Quality Index Value Rankings of Countries After the COVID-19 Pandemic by Artificial Neural Networks

There are some indexes that affect the quality of life of countries. Economic crises, pandemics, natural events, etc. affect these indexes. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a direct impact on all these indexes. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of countries was investigated. In this context, 29 different artificial neural networks were trained between 2012 and 2019 with the data of 29 countries in the European continent, consisting of a total of six indexes. The countries' quality of life indexes for 2020 were predicted and compared with the quality of life indexes realized in 2020. The study was evaluated according to the performance criteria R, R2, RMSE and MAPE in the range "very good, good, valid and invalid" and showed “very good” results. In this study, it was found that the country with the highest decrease in quality of life after the pandemic was Germany and the country with the highest increase was Bulgaria. In Turkey and Spain, the change in quality of life indexes was close to zero. In accordance with the results, evaluations were made and suggestions were made.

Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid Improves Physiological and Biochemical Attributes of Morus alba Saplings under Soil Water Deficit

Morus alba L. is a multipurpose and fast-growing tree species. However, its growth and productivity are susceptible to water stress. Therefore, a study was conducted to check the effectiveness of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) in improving the water stress tolerance of M. alba. A pot experiment was conducted and the morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes of young M. alba saplings were assessed under control (CK, 90% of field capacity (FC)), moderate (MS, 60% of FC) and high soil water deficits (HS, 30% of FC), along with MS and HS + foliar application of SA 0.5 and 1.0 mM (MS + 0.5; HS + 0.5; MS + 1.0, and HS+1.0, respectively). Results demonstrated that the highest decrease in plant growth, leaf, stems and roots’ dry biomass, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid contents and leaf gas exchange parameters was observed under HS, whereas the lowest decrease was evidenced for HS + 1.0 mM SA. Electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde contents, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals significantly increased under HS, while the lowest increase was evidenced for HS + 1.0 mM SA. The highest increase in proline content, total soluble sugar, total phenolic content, soluble protein and superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase was also found under HS + 1.0 mM SA. Based on the results, it can be concluded that foliar application of SA can help improve the water deficit tolerance of Morus alba saplings, especially under high soil water deficit.

Evaluation of sugar beet pectin viscosity, surface activity, conductivity and zeta potential in sodium chloride aqueous solutions

Application of hydrocolloids is highly dependent on their structural and conformational properties. Molecular weight, macromolecular geometry, hydrophobicity and electric charge are, therefore, often researched. In the presented study, influence of sodium chloride on conformation and structure of sugar beet pectin in aqueous solutions was first time thoroughly characterized. Viscosity, surface tension, specific conductivity, zeta potential and pH of sugar beet pectin aqueous solutions were monitored and measured following the addition of sodium chloride. Relative viscosity of sugar beet pectin aqueous solutions decreased by up to 29.19% following the addition of sodium chloride. The highest decrease in relative viscosity values was noticed at the lowest sodium chloride concentrations used (0.2 g L−1 to 2 g L−1). The corresponding changes at the lowest sodium chloride concentrations used were also noticed in the obtained specific conductivity curves. Calculated diameter of sugar beet pectin macromolecule decreased by 19.98% following the addition of 10 g L−1 sodium chloride. Surface tension values of sugar beet pectin aqueous solutions were strongly influenced by the addition of sodium chloride. Decrease in zeta potential of sugar beet pectin aqueous solutions with addition of sodium chloride was observed. Presented results suggested that the addition of sodium chloride to sugar beet pectin aqueous solution could cause conformational changes of macromolecular chain suggesting possible transition from linear to globular conformation.

Dynamic changes in volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds in lemon flavedo during freeze-drying and hot-air drying

This study investigated the effects of three drying methods, i.e., integrated freeze-drying, conventional freeze-drying, and hot-air drying, on the dynamic changes in volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds in lemon flavedo. Compared with the fresh samples, the three drying methods resulted in significant loss in the types of volatile flavor compounds of the final dried samples (P < 0.05). Conventional freeze-drying resulted in the highest decrease in volatile compounds, followed by integrated freeze-drying and hot-air drying, however, integrated freeze-drying preserved more volatile flavor types than conventional freeze-drying and hot-air drying. The amount and types of amino acids of the final dried samples were found to be highest in integrated freeze-drying followed by conventional freeze-drying and hot-air drying. The results of correlation analysis indicated positive and negative correlations between various amino acids, soluble sugars, and volatile flavor compounds. These variations in type and content of flavor compounds in lemon flavedo during drying processes may be attributed to physical diffusion of these compounds and biochemical reactions including enzymatic reactions, thermal degradation, Maillard reactions, heating oxidation etc.

The Addition of Red Dragon Fruit and Lemon Peels for the Improvement of Fermented Beverage Products

Coconut water is part of the coconut fruit, that has bioactive compounds that are thought to own high inhibitor activity to the presence of tannin compounds. However, this compound is antinutritional because it can interfere with macromolecule out there within the body. Considering chance of tannins, these parts are often reduced by fermentation techniques using lactic acid bacteria. This analysis aims to review the addition of dragon fruit and lemon peels in fermentation coconut water using lactic acid bacteria in order to reduce tannin levels and its potential capability as antioxidants. Coconut water fermented drink was prepared by fermentation technique using lactic acid bacteria with the addition of variations in mass of dragon fruit peel and lemon peel consisting of 5 treatments. The optimum conditions for fermentation of coconut water were determined from the decrease in tannin levels, total acid, and the highest total lactic acid bacteria. The optimum conditions for fermentation of coconut water were then tested using an HPLC instrument. Finally, the antioxidantactivity was tested using the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) method. The results showed that the addition of dragon fruit and lemon peels in fermented coconut water can reduce tannin levels, can increase total acid levels and the number of lactic acid bacteria formed in coconut water fermented drinks. The best proportion was obtained in the treatment of rasio of mass 1:2 resulted in the highest decrease in tannin content of 83.94 mg/100 g followed by a total acid value of 1.13% and the number of lactic acid bacteria was 8.4 × 107 CFU/mL. The HPLC chromatogram showed that fermented coconut water using lactic acid bacteria contained organic acid compounds such as lactic acid, acetic acid, and ascorbic acid. The highest antioxidant activity test was 82.37 mmgAAE/g. This study confirmed that the addition of dragon fruit and lemon peels affected the degradation of tannins and increased antioxidant activity during coconut water fermentation using lactic acid bacteria.

Impact of Sodium Carbonate on Seepage Reduction in Farm Irrigation Ponds

In this research, an economic layer using simple technology is evaluated to minimize seepage at the bottom of irrigation ponds. Since sodium carbonate diverges clay particles and decreases permeability by reducing porosity, it is recommended that sodium salts be used in mixed with soil at the bottom of irrigation ponds. The three types of soils were selected. First, the texture of the soils, second, chemical properties were determined for all three types of soils. Sodium carbonate were utilized in the percentages of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 by weight. Finally, the falling head test and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis were conducted. The results were illustrated as the tables and the graphs, and counter curves. The Results show that the soil 20% clay, the soil 15% clay and the soil 10% clay decrease seepage on average 42%, 64% and 71% respectively. The soil 10% clay has the greatest decrease of the three soil samples. Furthermore, in all three soil samples, the highest decrease in permeability was observed at 10% sodium carbonate. Overall, the results show that this pond sealer can be a suitable solution to reduce seepage in this type of pond.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED DUCKWEED (Lemna minor), CYANOBACTERIA IN THE DEGRADATION FOR CADMIUM (Cd) AND IRON (Fe) METALS

The high content of cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) is one of the causes of environmental and health problems. This study aims to test the combined effectiveness of duckweed (Lemna minor) and Cyanobacteria in the degradation of heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) in leachate water at the Gampong Jawa landfill. This effectiveness test was carried out with a variation of contact times of 2, 4, and 6 days and the test was carried out using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Physical changes occurred in the water, and Cyanobacteria became blackened and duckweed (Lemna minor) was pale in color. The highest decrease in heavy metal cadmium (Cd) occurred on day 4 with a percentage of 94.55% and in iron (Fe) occurred on day 2 with a percentage of 62.58%. This demonstrates the effectiveness of incorporating duckweed (Lemna minor) and Anabaena in reducing heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) in leachate water.

Changes in the dynamics of humus of the soil content in the continuous sowing of cotton

This article is one of the only long-term scientific experiments in Central Asia, which has been conducted for 96 years since 1926 at the Scientific Research Institute of Cotton Breeding, Seed Production and Agrotechnology in Kibray district of Tashkent region. Option 1 monoculture, 30 t / ha fertilizer per hectare + 30 kg / ha phosphorus per year, Option 2 monoculture, N P K 250:175: 125 kg / ha per year and Option 3 monoculture, absolute fertilizer, control options humus content 96 analytical scientific data on changes during the year. In the article, the highest decrease in humus content was observed in the control variant where was not used fertilizers, the amount of humus after 20 years was 21.4% or 11.4 t / ha compared to the initial amount, after 40 years it was 30.9% or 16.46 t / ha, after 60 years it was 35.7% or 19.05 t / ha, after 80 years it was 49.3% or 26.29 t / ha, and 54.3% or 29.17 t / ha after 96 years, this indicator is 12.2% -6,487 t / ha. In the experiment, the highest rate of humus reduction for 96 years was 54.3% in the control variant, 30 t / ha of manure + 25 kg / ha per year in P2O, 47.5% in variant 1, N P K 250:175:125 kg / year. The norm was found to decrease by 36.9% in variant 2, where the norm was applied.

Commercially Caught Freshwater Fishes in the Philippines: Status, Issues, and Recommendations

The Philippines is endowed with 406,328 hectares of inland waters consisting of lakes, marshes, and reservoirs. In 2018, the production of inland fisheries in the country was 164,835 metric tons (3.8% of total fisheries production) with a value of PHP 5.8 billion. This study was conducted to determine the status of commercially caught freshwater fishes in major inland waters based on available data, literature, and information from key informants and personal observations, and identify issues and recommend strategies for the sustainability of such fishes. Results of the analyses showed that the top 10 commercially caught freshwater fishes in 2017 were tilapia (50%), carp (16.4%), mudfish (11.0%), Asiatic catfish (6.6%), gourami (5.0%), white goby (3.8%), Manila catfish (2.6%), climbing perch (2.4%), silver perch (1.7%), and freshwater sardine (1.5%). Between 2005 and 2017, the highest increases in production were for the freshwater sardine (+49.7%), Asiatic catfish (+41.6%), and carp (+32.5%) while the highest decreases were for the silver perch (-69.8%), white goby (-39.5%), and Manila catfish (-26.6%). There was an average annual increase of 4.2% in the production of the 10 fishes for 2005-2017. The tilapia, mudfish, Asiatic catfish, and climbing perch were found in all regions of the country while the carp, gourami, white goby, Manila catfish, and silver perch were found in most regions. The freshwater sardine, on the other hand, was only found in the Lake Taal of Region IV-A (CALABARZON). The major issues threatening the sustainability of freshwater fishes were identified as overfishing, water pollution, invasive fishes, and environmental degradation. Recommendations for addressing such issues include the imposition of a closed fishing season, strict implementation of water quality standards, firm enforcement of rules and regulations for foreign/exotic fishes, and the reforestation of denuded forests.

Assessing the weathering-induced degradation on the structural integrity of high-density polyethylene

Marine plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, with plastic debris in the ocean having negative impacts on marine life and human health. One of the major challenges in addressing this problem is the slow degradation rate of plastics in the marine environment. In this study, the degradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), being extremely common in marine debris, is investigated when exposed to either (a) marine or (b) atmospheric environmental exposure. The weathering effects for this type of plastic were examined through ultraviolet spectrophotometer and tensile investigations. A chain-breaking activity in the microstructure of the weathered HDPE specimens was revealed. During the investigated eight (8) months of atmospheric and sea weathering, an approximate 10 % and 6 % decrease in ultimate tensile strength σUTS was noticed for the two different environments, respectively. Higher decrease was noticed for the respective elastic modulus E (Young’s modulus) that was approximate 23 % and 21 %, respectively. Based on the available experimental test results, a linear decrease rate equation of all the investigated mechanical properties was proposed, to give valuable information regarding the residual tensile mechanical properties of HDPE after weathering exposure.

LED Continuous Lighting Reduces Nitrate Content in Brassicaceae Microgreens

The study was carried out to assess whether continuous lighting (CL) can be used to reduce nitrate content in Brassicaceae microgreens. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic), mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica) and radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula) seedlings were grown in the controlled climate chambers under 16 h or 24 h photoperiod provided by light-emitting diode (LED) or fluorescent (FLU) lamps. At the pre-harvest stage, half of microgreens were treated by CL for 3 days. The results show that nitrogen content was decreased significantly in plants grown under LED CL compared to plants grown under 16 h photoperiod. The highest decrease (by 40 %) was observed in arugula microgreens. In contrast, CL provided by FLU lamps had little effect (decrease by 11 and 6 %) on nitrate content in mizuna and broccoli and no effect in arugula and radish. Pre-harvest treatment by CL resulted in significant decrease of nitrate content in all four plant species. In conclusion, continuous LED lighting applied during microgreen cultivation or at the pre-harvest stage effectively reduces nitrate content in Brassicaceae microgreens.

Comparative analysis of commercial partnership in the context of changes in Polish tax law

The aim of the article was to examine the implications of changes in the rules of taxation of the income of limited joint-stock partnerships (LJSP) and limited partnerships (LP) for their dynamics and structure, especially against the background of other commercial partnerships. The hypothesis is that the changes in the rules of taxation of the income of limited joint-stock partnerships and limited partnerships negatively influenced their attractiveness as legal forms of running a business. The research methods used in the article were the analysis of the dynamics of time series, the Fisher-Snedecor test to verify the hypothesis of equality variance and the least squares method. It turns out that the amendment to the tax laws of legal persons/ entities (01.01.2014) by equalising the tax status of the LJSP with the status of legal persons/entities contributed to the increase in the tax burden of those companies, the decline in their numbers in both the commercial partnerships (CP), as well as companies in total in Poland, and in this way the decrease of the structure and dynamics indices. In turn, further changes from 1 January 2021 meant that not only the LJSP ceased to be attractive as a tool to minimise the tax burden for the owners, but also LP. In 2020, the highest decrease in the number of all companies in Poland, amounting to 6.8%, was recorded by LJSP, while in 2021 – LP (7.1%). The results of the Fisher-Snedecor test for the difference in the number of companies calculated year on year confirmed that after 2014 there was a large change in the level of differentiation in the number of limited joint-stock partnerships compared to the previous years. The number of companies decreased rapidly from year to year, which proves the decline in interest in this form of business, and the decline was manifested by a significant increase in data variability, as demonstrated by the Fisher-Snedecor test. The author observed a similar situation for limited partnerships as the change in their number year-on-year was also very differentiated before and after 2014. However, such a conclusion cannot be drawn in relation to general partnerships and partnerships, which indicates that the change in regulations introduced on 1 January 2014 did not affect the trend to create these activities. Additionally, the estimation of regression model parameters for CP group companies showed that the change in the number of LJSP year on year did not change the number of companies of other types.

The impact of climate change on air source heat pumps

Climate change will impact the building sector, but the related consequences are not fully known, especially at energy system level. This paper investigates the effect of a changing climate on heat pumps, worldwide recognized as one of the most promising technology to decarbonize the building sector. Being highly dependent on outdoor temperature, the research aims to understand how air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) will perform within climate change depending on locations and scenarios. ASHPs are considered in several locations around the world selected to cover the climate variability of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. Future projected climate scenarios to the years 2030, 2050, and 2070 are studied under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs: 2.6, 4.5, 8.5) that reflect an increasing climate change severity. The forecast analysis is conducted in terms of ASHPs seasonal coefficients of performance, working hours, seasonal and annual energy consumption.Results show how a rising average temperature facilitates, in winter, the energy transition to the use of electric heat pumps to replace fossil fuels. However, differences are found among locations, scenarios, and RCPs. The research illustrates how the two effects of heating decrease and cooling increase offset or whether one seasonal consumption prevails and where this occurs. The general trend foresees a noteworthy reduction of winter energy consumption in all climate zones. Higher decreases are found for RCP 8.5 compared to RCP 2.6 and RCP 4.5 scenarios, for both radiant floor panels and fan coils, with most variations in Hanoi (-48,24 % in 2070) and Cairo (-39,59 % in 2070). Concurrently, a major rise is estimated in cooling consumption in almost each climate zone, with wider differences within RCP 8.5. In this scenario, the increase in summer energy consumption is more extreme, ranging from a minimum in Singapore (+4.20 %) and Mombasa (+4.66 %), to a maximum in Anchorage (+87.31 %), Reykjavik (+49.89 %) and Lethbridge (+56.53 %). This increase is only partly offset by the reduction in winter energy consumption, with an overall net increment in the forecasted building’s energy consumption.

Trends in prostate cancer mortality in the United States of America, by state and race, from 1999 to 2019: estimates from the centers for disease control WONDER database.

In the United States of America (USA), prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in men and the second cause of cancer mortality. Black men (BM) have a higher incidence and worse mortality when compared to white men (WM). We compared trends in PC mortality in the USA by race and state from 1999 to 2019. We extracted PC mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) WONDER database using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 code C61. Age-Standardized Mortality Rates (ASMR) were divided into racial groups and reported by year and state. Due to the lack of available data in many states, analyses were conducted only for WM and BM using Joinpoint regression for trend comparisons. Between 1999-2019, ASMR decreased at the national level in Black (-44.6%), Asian (-44.8%), White (-31.8%), and American Indian or Alaskan native men (-19.0%). ASMR decreased in all states for both races. The greatest drop in ASMR was in Kentucky (-47.0%) for WM and Delaware (-57.8%) for BM. In 2019, ASMRs in BM (13.4/100 000) were significantly higher than WM (7.3/100 000), American Indian or Alaskan Native (3.2/100 000), and Asian men (3.2/100 000) (p < 0.001). The highest ASMRs were in Nebraska (33.5/100 000) for BM and Alaska (11/100 000) for WM. During the last 20 years, the PC mortality rate dropped in all states for all races, suggesting an advancement in management strategies. Although a higher decrease in ASMR was observed in BM, ASMR remain higher among BM. ASMRs were also found to be increasing in many states post USPSTF guideline change (2012), indicating a need for more education around optimized prostate cancer screening.