Residential Settings Research Articles

A Review of Factors Affecting the Efficiency and Output of PV Systems Applied in the Tropical Climate of South-South Nigeria

The increasing adoption of renewable energy for electricity generation has led to a growing application of photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential and commercial settings across Nigeria. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the factors affecting the efficiency and output of PV systems applied in the tropical climate of South-South Nigeria. The environmental benefits of PV systems further enhance their appeal as a direct method of converting solar energy into electricity. For remote communities in South-South Nigeria, often disconnected from the national grid, PV systems offer a viable alternative electricity source. However, the efficiency and output of PV systems are significantly influenced by various environmental conditions prevalent in the tropical climate of South-South Nigeria. The methodology employed in this study includes an extensive literature review and analysis of PV system installations in the region. Data was collected from various sources, including journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, to identify the key factors impacting PV system performance in South-South Nigeria. The findings highlight that high temperatures, humidity levels, frequent dust accumulation, and potential sea salt effects due to coastal proximity are among the critical environmental factors affecting PV system efficiency in this tropical zone. The study concludes that while the region's climate provides advantages for solar energy harvesting, it also presents unique challenges that need to be addressed when implementing PV systems in South-South Nigeria. The authors recommend strategies to mitigate the environmental challenges faced by PV systems in this tropical climate, contributing to the optimization of solar energy utilization in the region.

Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression Among Orphan and Non-Orphan Adolescents in a Rural Residential School of Maharashtra

Abstract Background: Adolescence marks a critical stage of development characterized by profound physical, emotional, and social changes. This study explores the prevalence of anxiety and depression among orphan and non-orphan adolescents in a rural residential school setting, aiming to identify associated factors. Method: A community-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 adolescents (50 orphans and 50 non-orphans) aged 10-19 years in Warudi, Jalna from August 10 to October 10, 2022. Institutional ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained. Data collection included DSM-5 criteria for anxiety and depression assessment, using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Additional parameters assessed were sleep disturbances, academic performance, social interactions, duration of stay in the residential school, and type of orphanhood. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21, with qualitative parameters presented as percentages and the chi-square test used for comparisons (p<0.05 considered significant). Result: The study revealed notable disparities in mental health outcomes between orphan and non-orphan adolescents. Orphans, predominantly categorized as double orphans (54%), exhibited higher prevalence rates of anxiety (46%) and depression (30%) compared to non-orphans (anxiety 14%, depression 12%). Factors such as prolonged stays in residential schools and the duration of orphanhood were significantly associated with heightened levels of anxiety and depression among orphans. Conclusion: Orphan adolescents residing in rural residential school face significantly elevated risks of anxiety and depression compared to their non-orphan peers. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted psychological support and interventions tailored to the unique challenges of orphanhood, including the prolonged institutional care and the emotional impact of parental loss. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness of interventions and track mental health trajectories over time.

Temporal changes in the size resolved fractions of bacterial aerosols in urban and semi-urban residences

Despite the significant amount of time spent in the domestic environment, culture-independent size distribution data of bioaerosols are largely missing. This study investigated the temporal changes in size-resolved bacterial aerosols in urban and semi-urban residential settings. Overall, airborne bacterial taxa identified in both sites were dispersed across particles of various sizes. qPCR analysis showed that outdoors bacteria dominated particles > 8 μm, whilst indoor bacterial loadings were greater with 1–2 μm (winter) and 2–4 μm (summer) ranges. Indoor and outdoor aerosols harboured distinct bacterial communities due to the dominance of human-associated taxa (Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Corynebacterium) in indoor air. The aerosol microbiome exhibited significant temporal variation, with Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli predominant indoors, whereas Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were the most abundant taxa outdoors. The variation between the two residences was mostly driven by particles < 2 μm, whereas differences between indoors and outdoors were mostly influenced by particles > 2 μm. Source-tracking analysis estimated that household surfaces accounted for the greatest source proportion of bacteria, surpassing that of outdoor air, which varied due to natural ventilation throughout the year. Our findings provide new insights into the factors governing the aerosol microbiome in residential environments which are crucial for exposure assessment.

Chronic Toxicity of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance-Free Firefighting Foams to Aquatic Organisms.

Amid global concern regarding the health and environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), there is an urgent need to develop and implement alternative products without PFAS. Consequently, PFAS-free firefighting foams used for fire suppression have been developed for use in military and residential settings. To facilitate the selection of lower-risk PFAS-free foams, the present study focused on the chronic toxicity of seven PFAS-free and one PFAS-containing foam to six aquatic species. Target species included two cladocerans, Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia; the chironomid Chironomus dilutus; the mysid Americamysis bahia; and two fish species, Pimephales promelas and Cyprinodon variegatus, with endpoints including growth, development, reproduction, and survival. To facilitate comparison and product toxicity rankings, effective concentrations (20%, 50%) and no- and lowest-observed-effect concentrations (NOECs and LOECs, respectively) were calculated. Effective concentrations, NOECs, and LOECs varied by over an order of magnitude among foams and species, with several of the PFAS-free formulations ranked as highly toxic based on US Environmental Protection Agency alternatives assessment hazard criteria. Overall, the PFAS-free foams were found to exhibit either similar or greater toxicity compared to the PFAS-containing reference foam across several species and endpoints. Nonmonotonic and hormetic dose responses were observed in D. magna for several of the tested foams, with increased reproduction and growth at intermediate exposures. Generally, tested foam toxicity rankings were consistent with a related acute toxicity study using the same species and formulations, and other research using soil invertebrates. Combined with related efforts for other taxa including mammals, birds, and plants, the present research will facilitate the selection of appropriate PFAS-free firefighting foams that minimize harm to the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2436-2454. © 2024 SETAC.

Examining the Attitude–Behavior Gap in EU Ecolabel Adoption: A Mediation Path Analysis

The EU Ecolabel, established in 1992, aims to promote sustainable consumption, yet a significant gap persists between consumers’ positive environmental attitudes and their actual purchasing behavior of ecolabeled products. This study examines the attitude–behavior gap in EU Ecolabel adoption across Europe, leveraging data from the 2023 Eurobarometer survey with 26,630 valid responses from all EU member states. Using mediation path analysis, the research investigates the factors mediating the relationship between environmental knowledge and purchasing behavior, including environmental attitude, ecolabel trust, and environmental concern. The study applies an integrated theoretical framework combining the Knowledge–Attitude–Behavior model and Attitude–Behavior–Context theory to explain the complexities of consumer behavior towards ecolabeled products. The findings reveal the interplay of direct and indirect effects among ecolabel knowledge, trust, environmental concern, attitude, and buying behavior, while also considering demographic factors’ influence such as age, gender, education level, and residential setting. The research provides a comprehensive cross-country analysis within the EU, offering insights into bridging the attitude–behavior gap and enhancing the adoption of eco-friendly products. The results have significant implications for policymakers, marketers, and researchers in promoting sustainable consumer behavior, improving environmental label effectiveness, and developing targeted interventions to increase ecolabel adoption rates.

Associations between specialized dementia care, COVID-19 and central nervous system medication use in assisted living: a population-based repeated cross-sectional study

BackgroundAssisted living (AL) is an increasingly common residential setting for persons with dementia; yet concerns exist about sub-optimal care of this population in AL given its lower levels of staffing and services. Our objectives were to (i) examine associations between AL setting (dementia care vs. other), COVID-19 pandemic waves, and prevalent antipsychotic, antidepressant, anti-dementia, benzodiazepine, and anticonvulsant drug use among residents with dementia/cognitive impairment, and (ii) explore associations between resident and home characteristics and prevalent medication use.MethodsWe conducted a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study using linked clinical and health administrative databases for all publicly funded AL homes in Alberta, Canada, examined between January 2018 - December 2021. The quarterly proportion of residents dispensed a study medication was examined for each setting and period (pandemic vs. comparable historical [2018/2019 combined]) focusing on four pandemic waves (March-May 2020, September 2020-February 2021, March-May 2021, September-December 2021). Log-binomial GEE models estimated prevalence ratios (PR) for period (pandemic vs. historical periods), setting (dementia care vs. other) and period-setting interactions, adjusting for resident (age, sex) and home (COVID-19 cases, health region, ownership) characteristics.ResultsOn March 1, 2020, there were 2,779 dementia care and 3,013 other AL residents (mean age 83, 69% female) with dementia/cognitive impairment. Antipsychotic use increased during waves 2–4 in both settings, but this was more pronounced in dementia care than other AL during waves 3 and 4 (e.g., adjusted [adj]PR 1.20, 95% CI 1.14–1.27 vs. adjPR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17, interaction p = 0.023, wave 3). Both settings showed a statistically significant but modest increase in antidepressant use and decrease in benzodiazepine use. For dementia care AL residents only, there was a statistically significant increase in gabapentinoid use during several waves (e.g., adjPR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10–1.59, wave 3). Other than a modest decrease in prevalent anti-dementia drug use for both settings in wave 2, no other significant pandemic effects were observed.ConclusionsThe persistence of the pandemic-associated increase in antipsychotic and antidepressant use in AL residents coupled with a greater increase in antipsychotic and gabapentinoid use for dementia care settings raises concerns about the attendant risks for residents with cognitive impairment.

Perceived effects of residential design on mental well-being: A quasi-experimental study of the University of Michigan's Munger graduate residences

IntroductionResearch documents effects of residential settings on mental well-being (MWB), yet studies on graduate student housing and MWB are scarce. The University of Michigan's (UM) Munger Graduate Residences (“Munger”) building, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, offers students a central campus housing location, generous common areas, and residential units containing shared living spaces for six or seven residents who each receive their own private bedroom and bathroom. Of the building's 631 bedrooms, 87% do not have windows. MethodsThis quasi-experimental, multi-method study compared Munger (n = 124) and non-Munger (n = 132) graduate student residents’ self-reported MWB, identified design elements residents perceived to affect MWB, and explored how these design elements influenced MWB according to residents. A questionnaire was distributed virtually to 2295 UM graduate students (618 Munger residents, 1677 living elsewhere, locally) that consisted of an existing MWB scale (three subscales: Attentional Function Index, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and Social Connectedness Scale) and open-ended questions about design elements and MWB. MWB scale and subscale scores were compared for the 256 completed (of 447) responses using multiple linear regression, accounting for demographic, academic, and residential characteristics. Quantitative content analysis of 236 complete open-ended responses was used to identify and compare frequencies of design elements associated with MWB. Design elements most frequently associated with MWB were further analyzed using qualitative content analysis to understand how residents perceived design to affect MWB. ResultsWhen compared to non-Munger residents, Munger residents reported significantly lower MWB (p < .001), attentional function (p = .004), positive and negative affect (p = .001), and social connectedness (p = .002). Content analyses revealed 13 design element categories residents perceived to influence MWB. Positive MWB effects were reported for Munger's amenities and non-Munger units' amount of space for privacy and interaction. Munger residents reported more negative and fewer positive MWB effects of design than non-Munger residents. Although design elements reported to negatively affect MWB across groups primarily related to poor indoor environmental quality and control (e.g., lighting, temperature, ventilation) and social control over privacy and interaction, 75.9% of Munger (vs. 0%, non-Munger) residents reported that windowless bedrooms negatively affected MWB. ConclusionsAccording to residents, Munger's generous shared amenities and naturally lit common areas did not compensate for perceived negative MWB effects of windowless private bedrooms, inadequate indoor environmental quality, inability to control lighting, temperature, and ventilation, and high-density living with randomly-assigned roommates. Study findings have implications for designers, planners, developers, and policy makers working with future graduate student and multi-unit housing, as well as recommendations for existing housing management to support MWB.

Transitional challenges: Psychotropic medication and residential setting among young adults with intellectual disabilities

AbstractAs youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are transitioning from the school systems and special education supports, many of them are moving into the adult service system (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation, Home and Community‐Based Services). Thus, in addition to adolescence being a source of many psychological and behavioral needs, the change in service systems often leads to uncertainty and anxiety. Psychotropic medications tend to be used to treat challenging behavior and psychological conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, psychosis). This study used National Core Indicators‐In‐Person Survey 2020–2021 data to explore the prevalence of psychotropic medication use among two groups of people with IDD: disability service users of transition age (18–25 years) and disability service users of adult age (26–45 years) and the role of residential settings (where one lives) as related to psychotropic medication use. The results indicated that adults (aged 26–45 years) are more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications. This appears to be driven by the larger number of transition‐aged adults who still live with family, where prescription rates are much lower. Psychotropic drug use is an important issue due to its potential to lead to unintended negative consequences that affect health, social inclusion, and self‐determination if not carefully and effectively administered.

Occupants’ willingness to reduce in-room energy consumption − a discrete choice experiment (DCE) approach with occupants in a student apartment

This study pioneers a comprehensive methodology to quantify occupants’ willingness to reduce energy consumption behaviors, specifically focusing on student occupants within a student apartment under an all-inclusive payment rental scheme. Employing a dual-component approach, the study combines self-indicated energy consumption behavior attributes with the financial rebate occupants are willing to accept, shedding light on the intricate factors influencing their decisions regarding energy consumption. The Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) serves as a novel tool to identify and measure the financial value, conceptualized as Willingness-to-Accept (WTA), for specific energy-saving behaviors, contributing to a nuanced understanding of the economic valuation placed on sustainable practices. A pre-survey and a DCE-based survey were conducted within the student apartment, the former one comprehending general energy consumption behaviour patterns and rebate preferences, and the latter examining the impact of financial incentives on behavioral changes, providing a comprehensive and longitudinal perspective. The findings highlight the paramount influence of factors such as “air conditioning setpoint” on occupants’ decisions followed by “lighting time” and “shower time”, emphasizing the delicate balance between occupant comfort, financial considerations, and environmental consciousness. Despite limitations related to the specificity of the study context and potential discrepancies between hypothetical and real-world behavior, this research offers practical implications for designing effective energy-saving interventions tailored to the unique characteristics of student occupants. Policymakers and stakeholders can leverage these insights to inform incentive structures, energy conservation initiatives, or pricing strategies that align with consumer preferences, ultimately encouraging sustainable energy practices in residential settings.

Supporting older people during summer in nursing and residential care settings

Adrian Ashurst explains how to safely support older people when it is warm during the summer months.

Efficacy of the residential care transition module: A telehealth intervention for dementia family caregivers of relatives living in residential long-term care settings.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Residential Care Transition Module, a six-session, psychosocial, and psychoeducational telehealth intervention for family caregivers of cognitively impaired relatives living in a residential long-term care setting. Eligible participants (including care recipients, regardless of time since admission) were randomized to treatment or usual care control conditions. Survey data were collected at baseline, 4 months, 8 months, and 12 months (N = 240). Primary analytic outcomes included caregiver subjective stress (a stress process mechanism) and depressive symptoms (a measure of global well-being). Secondary analytic outcomes included secondary role strains, residential care stress, caregiver sense of competence, and self-efficacy (additional mechanisms of action). General linear models tested for the main effects of the intervention at 4 months, and longitudinal mixed models examined the 12-month effects of the intervention. Post hoc analyses also examined the influence of moderators. No significant differences between the treatment and control groups for any primary analytic outcome were apparent. Caregivers in the treatment group whose relatives were admitted to residential long-term care in the prior 3 months were more likely to indicate reductions in depressive symptoms over the first 4 months of participation. Over the 12-month study period, caregivers in the treatment group who were employed reported increased self-efficacy over time. The heterogeneity of dementia care requires a broader consideration of key contextual factors that may influence the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions. Aligning measures with the preferences, goals, and values of dementia caregivers may further demonstrate the direct benefits of interventions such as the Residential Care Transition Module. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Advancements and Applications of Wood-Based Sandwich Panels in Modern Construction

Wood sandwich panels are widely utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial settings due to their excellent thermal insulation characteristics, ease of installation, and high strength-to-weight ratio. This review provides an overview on experimental outcomes demonstrating the structural integrity and versatility of wood sandwich panels. It highlights recent advancements in meeting payload requirements and their effectiveness in reducing costs and weights for prefabricated houses. The review focuses on structural applications and material efficiency, showcasing their roles in lightweight, durable constructions for retrofitting and new projects. The potential of novel, sustainable materials in construction is explored, addressing current challenges and emphasizing the diverse applications and environmental benefits of wood-based sandwich panels, underscoring their importance in advancing energy-efficient and sustainable construction.

Economic Optimization and Performance Enhancement of Rooftop Solar Power Systems Using Concentrated Solar Technology and Advanced Materials

Abstract: This research investigates the economic optimization and performance enhancement of rooftop solar power systems through the integration of concentrated solar technology and advanced materials. The aim is to assess the viability and effectiveness of these innovations in both residential and commercial settings. By focusing on improving energy efficiency and reducing costs, the study provides a comprehensive economic perspective on the adoption of these advanced solar technologies. Key aspects of the research include the evaluation of lifecycle costs, energy yield, and payback periods, offering insights into the long-term financial benefits and feasibility of implementing such systems. The integration of concentrated solar technology enhances the intensity of solar energy captured, thereby significantly boosting the efficiency of rooftop solar panels. Advanced materials, such as perovskites, multi-junction cells, and nanomaterials, are examined for their potential to improve energy absorption, durability, and overall performance of solar panels. The research employs simulation software to model the performance of these optimized systems under various environmental conditions, providing a detailed analysis of their energy output and efficiency.

Key professional stakeholders roles in promoting older people's autonomy in residential care.

Older people's autonomy is an ethical and legal principle in everyday residential care, but there is a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of the key professional stakeholder groups involved. This study aimed to identify and define the roles and responsibilities of the key professional stakeholder groups involved in promoting older people's autonomy in residential care settings. We used a Delphi method with two iterative rounds of online group discussions and collected data from experts in older people's care in Finland in summer 2020. The data were analyzed using deductive-inductive content analysis methods. According to Finnish legislation, this type of research did not need approval from a research ethics committee. Informed consent from the participants was obtained and they were informed about the voluntary nature and confidentiality of the study and their right to withdraw at any time. Key professional stakeholders had different roles and responsibilities, but their shared, integrated goal was to achieve older people's autonomy in residential care settings. Their combined roles and responsibilities covered all aspects of promoting older people's autonomy, from care and service planning and daily decision-making to service structures that included ethical competencies and monitoring. Multipronged, variable, coordinated strategies were required to identify, assess, and promote autonomy at different levels of care. Key professional stakeholders need to work together to provide an unbroken chain of care that provides older people with autonomy in residential care settings. In future, more knowledge is needed about how to create structures to achieve the shared goal of older people's autonomy in these settings.

How adverse childhood experiences impact the professional quality of life of residential care workers: resilience as a mediator for burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction

IntroductionThe well-being of trauma-affected children and youth in residential care settings is contingent upon the well-being of the workers who care for them, who are increasingly expected to provide care in a trauma-informed manner. The well-being of residential care workers (RCWs) may be impacted by their own histories of adversity, their capacity individually and collectively to navigate to resources that sustain their well-being (resilience), and current perceptions of their professional quality of life.ObjectiveThis study aimed to fill a research gap by canvassing the perspectives of RCWs to determine what and how they need to be supported in their work. We sought to better understand what personal (adverse childhood experiences, resilience) and professional (compassion satisfaction, burnout, secondary traumatic stress) experiences and capacities they bring into their work that might impact the quality of care they provide to children and youth.MethodA sample of 226 residential care workers from four residential care organizations across three Canadian provinces completed a self-report questionnaire to provide a portrait of their history of adverse childhood experiences as measured by the ACE questionnaire, which included two additional questions reflecting the more nuanced and expanded understanding of potential adversity in childhood in the Canadian context; their resilience, as measured by the Adult Resilience Measure; and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, as measured by the Professional Quality of Life Measure. Mediation was conducted to examine whether and how resilience mediated the relationship between ACEs and professional quality of life indicators.Results(1) RCWs reported experiencing ACEs at rates much higher than general population and norm samples, especially regarding the experience of 4–5+ ACEs, known to be a threshold for increased severity in negative outcomes; (2) RCWs experienced levels of resilience and indicators of professional quality of life similar to those in other human services professions serving trauma-impacted individuals; and (3) RCW resilience significantly mediated the relationship between ACEs and compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, and had a significant total effect for the relationship between ACEs and secondary traumatic stress. These results suggest the importance of enhancing RCW resilience in multiple ways, mainly in their professional contexts. Recommendations for resilience enhancement and suggestions for future research are provided.

The impact of vacations on urban women's well-being from the perspective of feminist urbanism

Vacations are known to foster well-being outcomes, yet few researchers have accounted for the influence of individual attributes such as gender, residential setting, or cultural context. As a result, there is a noticeable gap in the well-being literature concerning well-being outcomes for female travelers whose subjectivities have been shaped in as well as by their residential environment (urban) and culture. Using qualitative inquiry informed by the feminist urbanism perspective, this study uncovered urban Chinese women's cognitive representations of well-being outcomes from vacations. Findings revealed that vacations provide liberation from cultural constraints, boosting of social bonds and relationship building, enabling reflection on life and personal identity, and fostering learning and personal growth. Our findings, which integrated a feminist urbanism perspective that allowed for the influence of context (e.g., culture) as well as gender, partly overlap with existing research but also introduced new cognitive representations of well-being that advance well-being research.

The Occupational Therapy Vocational Profile (OTVP): Supporting transition and employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities

ABSTRACT Transition to adulthood can be challenging for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), with and without concurrent mental health conditions. Research shows that young adults with disabilities face a variety of barriers and are more likely to be unemployed than those without a disability. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) can play an integral role in supporting young adults as they transition out of school and into supported or competitive employment. The Occupational Therapy Vocational Profile (OTVP) was developed to support young adults with IDD, with or without concurrent mental health conditions, as they leave school and transition to adulthood. The OTVP is a non-standardized, comprehensive evaluation tool that consists of three subtests based on the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model. It includes a summary of results that provides a description of an individual’s goals, interests, strengths, needs, and recommended vocational accommodations. This article discusses the development and pilot testing of the OTVP in a residential school setting. The OTVP may provide OT practitioners, educators, vocational staff, and employers with information to support young adults seeking supported or competitive employment after high school.

A Pilot Study of Twice-Weekly Group-Based Written Exposure Therapy for Veterans in Residential Substance Use Treatment: Effects on PTSD and Depressive Symptoms.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUDs), resulting in high prevalence of PTSD among individuals in residential SUD care. However, there is limited research on integrating trauma treatment into residential SUD care settings. The aim of the present project was to conduct an initial evaluation of the effects of group-based Written Exposure Therapy (WET) on PTSD and depressive symptoms that was integrated into programming for individuals in residential SUD treatment. Participants were 48 Veterans with comorbid PTSD-SUD from a 28-day residential SUD program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible participants were enrolled in 5 sessions of WET, delivered in twice-weekly in a group format. PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms were assessed at each session with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, DSM-5 version (PCL-5) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Of the enrolled sample of 48 participants, 92% (n = 44) completed 3 sessions, while 56% (n = 28) completed 5 sessions. Dependent samples t-tests showed significant reductions from baseline in PTSD symptoms within-persons at both the 3-session (t(43) = 4.77, p < .001, d = .72) and 5-session mark (t(27) = 4.36, p < .001, d = .82). In addition, there were significant reductions in depressive symptoms after 3 sessions (t(38) = 3.01, p < .01, d = .48) and after 5 sessions (t(23) = 2.97, p < .01, d = .61). Findings demonstrate that brief, group-delivered WET shows promise for addressing PTSD and depressive symptoms in residential SUD treatment. Results of the present evaluation could inform further efficacy testing and implementation of PTSD treatment into residential SUD settings.

Effect of Sm3+ concentration on reddish orange photoluminescence and electrochemical properties of copper aluminate nanoparticles for display and supercapacitor applications

In this report, a novel synthesis method for Sm3+-doped copper aluminate nanoparticles (1–9 mol %) is presented, utilizing Ocimumsanctum leaves extract as a reducing agent through the solution combustion method, followed by calcination at 600 °C for 3 h. The resulting cubic spinel structure, validated by Bragg reflections, demonstrates a decrease in crystallite size and a direct energy band gap correlated with increasing dopant concentration. The morphology exhibits irregularly shaped nanoparticles and hexagonal shaped nanoplates. On deconvolution, three peaks situated at 579, 590 and 600 nm. The emission peak observed at 579 and 590/600 nm can be attributed to transitions from excited level G5/24 to its lower lying levels, H5/26, H7/26 respectively, with noticeable concentration quenching at 7 mol %. CIE and CCT coordinates affirm the red emission of Sm3+ within the host lattice, suggesting potential applications in residential and hospital settings. Cyclic voltammetry analysis provides insights into redox reactions, electrode kinetics, and electrochemical behavior. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) elucidates ion transport kinetics, while Galvanostatic Charge–Discharge (GCD) analysis determines supercapacitance values ranging from 53.89 F/g with increasing dopant concentrations. This material exhibits promise for applications in energy storage and display technology.

Assessing Hydrogen Embrittlement in Pipeline Steels for Natural Gas-Hydrogen Blends: Implications for Existing Infrastructure

Governments worldwide are actively committed to achieving their carbon emission reduction targets, and one avenue under exploration is harnessing the potential of hydrogen. Blending hydrogen with natural gas is emerging as a promising strategy to reduce carbon emissions, as it burns cleanly without emitting carbon dioxide. This blending could significantly contribute to emissions reduction in both residential and commercial settings. However, a critical challenge associated with this approach is the potential for Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE), a phenomenon wherein the mechanical properties of pipe steels degrade due to the infiltration of hydrogen atoms into the metal lattice structure. This can result in sudden and sever failures when the steel is subjected to mechanical stress. To effectively implement hydrogen-natural gas blending, it is imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of how hydrogen affects the integrity of pipe steel. This necessitates the development of robust experimental methodologies capable of monitoring the presence and impact of hydrogen within the microstructures of steel. Key techniques employed for this assessment include microscopic observation, hydrogen permeation tests, and tensile and fatigue testing. In this study, samples from two distinct types of pipeline steels used in the natural gas distribution network underwent rigorous examination. The findings from this research indicate that charged samples exhibit a discernible decline in fatigue and tensile properties. This deterioration is attributed to embrittlement and reduced ductility stemming from the infiltration of hydrogen into the steel matrix. The extent of degradation in fatigue properties is correlated not only to the hydrogen content but also to the hydrogen permeability and diffusion rate influenced by steel’s microstructural features, with higher charging current densities indicating a more significant presence of hydrogen in the natural gas pipeline blend.