A Quantitative Investigation on Awareness of Renewable Energy Building Technology in the United Arab Emirates

Sustainability in architecture engages a wide range of considerations in the light of the significant negative impact of buildings on the environment. One aspect of research in this parlance engages the technological and the social dimensions of building innovation, which promote the use of renewable technology as a mitigation strategy. The challenge, however, is that the end-users or building clients do not always have sufficient awareness and information regarding these technologies to guide their decision to accept it. Consequently, the diffusion of said innovations is slow, and the environmental or building problems they were invented to solve persist at the expense of both humanity and the environment. This study, therefore, focuses on a quantitative investigation to ascertain the level of awareness and interest of residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) as an example of renewable energy-based building technology. In this study, 289 residents participated, following the distribution of a questionnaire to demographically distinct individuals. This distinction was used in the analysis to highlight different groups such as, gender, generations, and occupational background of the respondents. The findings of the study show, firstly, that there is a high level of awareness of BIPV in the sample. The study also shows that comparing awareness with each of these demographic variables produced a second layer of findings. For example, the statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the level of awareness and any of the demographic characteristics of the study participants. However, there is a significant statistical difference (p = 0.000) between awareness and interest in BIPV. In concluding this study, recommendations for further research that elaborates other statistical variables and tests, as well as a follow-up qualitative investigation are planned and outlined for future studies. The findings of this investigation may be of benefit to researchers, policy makers, as well as energy companies and marketing agencies within and outside the region.

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Biochemical and molecular characterization of Alternaria alternata isolates highly resistant to procymidone from broccoli and cabbage

Phytopathology Research ◽

10.1186/s42483-021-00092-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bingran Wang ◽

Tiancheng Lou ◽

Lingling Wei ◽

Wenchan Chen ◽

Longbing Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alternaria Alternata ◽

Single Point ◽

Sodium Dodecyl ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Single Point Mutation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Leaf Blights ◽

High Level

AbstractAlternaria alternata, a causal agent of leaf blights and spots on a wide range of hosts, has a high risk of developing resistance to fungicides. Procymidone, a dicarboximide fungicide (DCF), has been widely used in controlling Alternaria leaf blights in China for decades. However, the resistance of A. alternata against DCFs has rarely been reported from crucifer plants. A total of 198 A. alternata isolates were collected from commercial fields of broccoli and cabbage during 2018–2019, and their sensitivities to procymidone were determined. Biochemical and molecular characteristics were subsequently compared between the high-level procymidone-resistant (ProHR) and procymidone-sensitive (ProS) isolates, and also between ProHR isolates from broccoli and cabbage. Compared with ProS isolates, the mycelial growth rate, sporulation capacity and virulence of most ProHR isolates were reduced; ProHR isolates displayed an increased sensitivity to osmotic stresses and a reduced sensitivity to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); all ProHR isolates showed a reduced sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) except for the isolate B102. Correlation analysis revealed a positive cross-resistance between procymidone and iprodione, or fludioxonil. When treated with 10 μg/mL of procymidone, both mycelial intracellular glycerol accumulations (MIGAs) and relative expression of AaHK1 in ProS isolates were higher than those in ProHR isolates. Sequence alignment of AaHK1 from ten ProHR isolates demonstrated that five of them possessed a single-point mutation (P94A, V612L, E708K or Q924STOP), and four isolates had an insertion or a deletion in their coding regions. No significant difference in biochemical characteristics was observed among ProHR isolates from two different hosts, though mutations in AaHK1 of the cabbage-originated ProHR isolates were distinct from those of the broccoli-originated ProHR isolates.

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Treatment patterns and appropriateness of antipsychotic prescriptions in patients with schizophrenia

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-92731-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Verónica Gamón ◽

Isabel Hurtado ◽

José Salazar-Fraile ◽

Gabriel Sanfélix-Gimeno

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Current Treatment ◽

Treatment Patterns ◽

Mental Condition ◽

Comorbid Condition ◽

Concomitant Treatment ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Wide Range ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

High Level

AbstractSchizophrenia is a chronic mental condition presenting a wide range of symptoms. Although it has a low prevalence compared to other mental conditions, it has a negative impact on social and occupational functions. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of antipsychotic medications administered to schizophrenic patients and describe current treatment patterns for schizophrenia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in all patients over the age of 15 with an active diagnosis of schizophrenia and treated with antipsychotics between 2008 and 2013 in the Valencia region. A total of 19,718 patients were eligible for inclusion. The main outcome assessed was inappropriateness of the pharmacotherapeutic management, including polypharmacy use. Altogether, 30.4% of patients received antipsychotic polypharmacy, and 6.8% were prescribed three or more antipsychotics. Overdosage affected 318 individuals (1.6%), and 21.5% used concomitant psychotropics without an associated psychiatric diagnosis. Women and people with a comorbid condition like anxiety or depression were less likely to receive antipsychotic polypharmacy. In contrast, increased polypharmacy was associated with concomitant treatment with other psychoactive drugs, and only in user on maintenance therapy, with more visits to the mental health hospital. Overall, we observed a high level of inappropriateness in antipsychotic prescriptions. Greater adherence to guidelines could maximize the benefits of antipsychotic medications while minimizing risk of adverse effects.

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Overview of the Genetic Diversity of African Macrotermes (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) and Implications for Taxonomy, Ecology and Food Science

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12060518 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 518

Author(s):

Bronwyn Egan ◽

Zwannda Nethavhani ◽

Barbara van Asch

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Food Science ◽

Cryptic Diversity ◽

African Species ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Wide Range ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

High Level

Macrotermes termites play important ecological roles and are consumed by many communities as a delicacy and dietary complement throughout Africa. However, lack of reliable morphological characters has hampered studies of Macrotermes diversity in a wide range of scientific fields including ecology, phylogenetics and food science. In order to place our preliminary assessment of the diversity of Macrotermes in South Africa in context, we analysed a comprehensive dataset of COI sequences for African species including new and publicly available data. Phylogenetic reconstruction and estimates of genetic divergence showed a high level of incongruity between species names and genetic groups, as well as several instances of cryptic diversity. We identified three main clades and 17 genetic groups in the dataset. We propose that this structure be used as a background for future surveys of Macrotermes diversity in Africa, thus mitigating the negative impact of the present taxonomic uncertainties in the genus. The new specimens collected in Limpopo fell into four distinct genetic groups, suggesting that the region harbours remarkable Macrotermes diversity relative to other African regions surveyed in previous studies. This work shows that African Macrotermes have been understudied across the continent, and that the genus contains cryptic diversity undetectable by classic taxonomy. Furthermore, these results may inform future taxonomic revisions in Macrotermes, thus contributing to advances in termitology.

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37 Viability of sheep skin fibroblasts after vitrification

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv31n1ab37 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 144

Author(s):

Y. Toishibekov ◽

E. Asanova ◽

M. Yermekova ◽

A. Seisenbayeva ◽

D. Toishybek

Keyword(s):

Culture Medium ◽

Blue Staining ◽

Crystal Formation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Fetal Bovine ◽

Breeding Pool ◽

Student’S T ◽

High Level ◽

Skin Samples

Both tissue and cell cryopreservation can be applied for biodiversity conservation. The proper preservation of tissues and cells from a wide range of animals of different species is of paramount importance because these cell samples could be used to reintroduce lost genes back into the breeding pool by somatic cell cloning. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of vitrification on viability of vitrified sheep fibroblasts for conservation of biodiversity so that it might be used in the future to provide nuclear donors. Skin samples collected from 10 adult sheep were cut into small pieces (1×1mm), placed into culture Petri dishes containing DMEM supplemented with 20% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum, and covered with coverslips followed by incubation at 5% CO2, 95% RH, and 37°C. During culture, fibroblasts left skin samples and proliferated. Culture medium was changed every 4 days. After 21 to 22 days of incubation, a fibroblast monolayer was observed, culture medium was removed, and cells were incubated for 7 to 10min in the presence of Dulbecco’s PBS+0.25% trypsin. Dissociated fibroblasts were washed with DMEM by centrifugation at 300×g for 10min. For vitrification, fibroblast samples were then diluted at a concentration of 2×106cellsmL−1 in DMEM+ 20% ethylene glycol, 20% dimethylsulfoxide, and 0.5molL−1 of sucrose. The fibroblasts were then exposed to 50 and 100% vitrification solution (VS) at 37°C for 5min and 30s, respectively. Fibroblasts after saturation in VS were transferred and placed into 0.25-mL plastic straws. Straws were sealed with modelling clay and plunged into LN. Viability of frozen-thawed fibroblast samples was detected using the Trypan Blue staining method (frozen-thawed: 53.0±2.6%; control (fresh): 98.5±1.2%). The values obtained are expressed as mean±standard error of the mean. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s t-test. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in viability between fresh and cryopreserved fibroblasts. Importantly, our data suggest that the use of vitrification reduced the toxic elements contained in the cryopreservation solution while maintaining a similar ability to produce viable fibroblasts after cryopreservation. Although further work on the viability of sheep skin fibroblast with the vitrification method is needed, these data suggest that with vitrification a faster cooling rate and high level of cryoprotectants are able to minimize ice crystal formation and should be further evaluated as a routine mechanism for cryopreserving sheep fibroblasts.

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Enhancing Green Building Rating of a School under the Hot Climate of UAE; Renewable Energy Application and System Integration

Energies ◽

10.3390/en11092465 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2465 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Joud Al Dakheel ◽

Kheira Tabet Aoul ◽

Ahmed Hassan

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

System Integration ◽

Cooling System ◽

Electricity Consumption ◽

Green Building ◽

Energy Performance ◽

The Government ◽

High Level

Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population and urbanization growth. The building sector accounts for a major share of its electricity consumption, reaching up to 70%. To encourage sustainable development and reduce energy consumption and emissions, the government introduced a sustainability initiative called “Estidama”, which employs the use of the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS). Government buildings, which constitute 20% of the built environment, aim to lead the way, and are therefore required to attain a high level of achievement, based on their PBRS ranking (minimum of two out of five pearls). Schools, led by Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC), are governmental buildings and aim to attain a higher level of achievement (three out of five pearls). The ADEC plans to build one hundred schools to be built by 2020, through its Future Schools Program. Over half of the schools have been completed, but only 20% reached the targeted rating (of three out of five pearls). The Renewable Energy (RE) application in the UAE is minimal, although it represents 25% of the local rating code. The objective of this paper is to explore the sustainable performance of one representative school that did not reach the desired green rating level, with the objective to assess opportunities for an enhanced performance. This is done through testing the performance and the application of three RE systems comprising of photovoltaics (PV) array, an absorption cooling system and a geothermal cooling system through Transient Systems Simulation (TRNSYS) software. Cumulatively, implementation of these options results in RE potentially contributing to 19% of the school’s annual energy consumption, enhancing the school’s performance by up to 14 additional credit points, and reaching the target level of achievement (a three pearl rating). Furthermore, system integration of RE into the existing school were also considered. Results indicate the significant potential of integrating RE systems in future schools in hot climatic contexts, for an improved energy performance.

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Predictors of a suicidal behavior in patients with dementia

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.463 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S399-S399

Author(s):

N. Maruta ◽

I. Mudrenko

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cognitive Disorders ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Self Awareness ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Level

IntroductionCognitive disorders are associated with a wide range of psychopathological syndromes and behavioral disorders, and suicidal manifestations in dementia are understudied nowadays.ObjectivesTo investigate clinical-psychopathological predictors of a suicidal behavior in patients with dementia.MethodologyForty-four patients with dementia were examined: 23 patients with suicidal manifestations and 21 patients without them (control group). Clinical and psychometrical methods were used: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale; Assessment of Suicide Risk scale; Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS), and statistical ones.ResultsIt was determined that male patients with dementia had suicidal behavioral manifestations more often than female patients (69.6%; P < 0.05). An average age of the patients was 69.88 ± 1.85 years with no significant difference between the main and control groups.The majority of the patients with dementia (52.3%) had suicidal manifestations. Real suicidal intentions were the most frequent (25%; P < 0.05); 20.5% of patients expressed passive thoughts (anti-vital sentences, fantasies, ideas concerning death); 2 patients (6.82%; P < 0.05) had suicidal attempts. Patients with suicidal tendencies in their clinical picture more often had hallucinatory syndrome (39.1%; P < 0.05); features of severe depression (35.04 ± 1.54 points; P < 0.01); a high level of suicidal risk (26.34 ± 1.68 points; P < 0.01); a severe cognitive deficit (ММSE score 0–10); and a significantly lower level of self-awareness of death (18.53 ± 0.72 points; P < 0.05) in comparison with the control group.ConclusionsA high suicide risk in dementia correlated with a level of depressive symptoms (r = 0.6), moderate and/or severe grades of dementia (r = 0.45), and a low level of self-awareness of death (r = 0.35).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Features of vibration mixers design

Vibrations in engineering and technology ◽

10.37128/2306-8744-2019-4-3 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 24-30

Author(s):

Dzhedzhula Olena

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Vibration Exciter ◽

Mixing Process ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Main Disadvantage ◽

Mixing Method ◽

Time Savings ◽

The Creation ◽

Forced Mixing

The article presents the results of the analysis of vibration mixers designs, presents their classification. The classification is based on the principle of action and the method of mixing. Practice has shown that mixing by vibration produces a significant effect. With vibrational mixing, all the expected components are evenly distributed throughout the volume of the mixture. The main disadvantage of the vibration method is the negative impact on the design of the mixer, as well as on the environment and humans. The problems that complicate the design of vibration mixers include a wide range of physicomechanical properties of the mixed components, a significant difference in the concentration of the components of the mixtures. The advantages are the intensification of the mixing process, the possibility of more efficient mixing of materials with different physicochemical properties compared with other mixing methods, significant time savings on the process, and energy efficiency of vibration technologies. Three main categories of vibration mixers are distinguished by design features and the mixing method: vibration mixers with self-circulation of the mixture, vibration mixers with forced mixing with vibration effects on the components of the mixer, vibration mixers with free mixing with vibration effects on the components of the mixer. Based on the analysis, one can consider a perspective direction the design of vibration mixers of the first and second groups, increasing the efficiency of vibration mixers is possible through the introduction of the latest technologies and the use of modern materials. The creation of effective vibration exciters is one of the main tasks of improving the design of vibration mixers. A comparative analysis of vibration mixers with mechanical inertial, eccentric, electromagnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic and other types of vibration exciter is carried out. One of the promising directions for the design of vibration mixers is associated with the creation of effective vibration exciters with an amplitude controlled during operation.

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Treatment Patterns and Appropriateness of Antipsychotic Prescriptions in Patients with Schizophrenia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-177191/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Verónica Gamón ◽

Isabel Hurtado ◽

José Salazar-Fraile ◽

Gabriel Sanfélix-Gimeno

Keyword(s):

Antipsychotic Medication ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Mental Condition ◽

Comorbid Condition ◽

Concomitant Treatment ◽

Maximum Benefit ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Wide Range ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

High Level

Abstract Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition presenting a wide range of symptoms. Although this mental disorder has a low prevalence in comparison to other mental conditions, it has a negative impact on social and occupational functioning. This study is aimed to assess the inappropriateness of antipsychotic medication among schizophrenic patients and describe current patterns in the treatment of schizophrenia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted including all patients over the age of 15 with an active diagnosis of schizophrenia and treated with antipsychotics between 2008 and 2013 in the Valencia region. 19,718 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and treated with antipsychotic medication were identified. The main outcome was inappropriateness of the pharmacotherapeutic management, including polypharmacy use: 30.4% of patients received antipsychotic polypharmacy (6.8% were prescribed 3 or more antipsychotics); overdosage: a total of 318 individuals (1.6%) exceeded the maximum daily doses; and use of concomitant psychotropics without an associated diagnosis: 21.5% of patients received psychotropic drugs concomitantly without associated psychiatric diagnoses. Overall, females and those who had a comorbid condition, such as anxiety or depression, were less likely to receive antipsychotic polypharmacy. In contrast, concomitant treatment with other psychoactive drugs, such as antiparkinson drugs, anxiolytics and hypnotics and more visits to mental health hospital increased the risk of polypharmacy use. In conclusion, a high level of inappropriateness has been detected among antipsychotic prescriptions. Practitioners should follow guidelines recommendations whenever possible in order to obtain the maximum benefit of antipsychotic medications without an increased risk of adverse effects in patients.

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Moral hazard in producer organizations - some experiences of an empirical survey

Applied Studies in Agribusiness and Commerce ◽

10.19041/apstract/2016/4-5/10 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (4-5) ◽

pp. 77-83

Author(s):

Zoltán Kovács

Keyword(s):

Moral Hazard ◽

Direct Effect ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Trust Model ◽

Path Model ◽

Empirical Survey ◽

Wide Range ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Jel Code ◽

High Level

A wide range of empirical experiences shows that the performance of Hungarian producer organizations (aka TÉSZ) significantly falls behind the activity observed in the developed Western European countries. Regarding this issue, the present study examines how moral hazard - as one of the possible reasons - influences the producers’ activities in cooperative organizations. Information for the research was collected with the help of a questionnaire survey among the members of PaprikaKert TÉSZ Ltd. A statistical path model has been developed for the research, which assumed that - in addition to a direct effect - moral hazard also affects collaborative activity by eroding trust. The statistical model has been tested both in member-member and members-management relations. The experiences from the survey clearly show that moral hazard exists in the producer organization. According to my results, though its measure cannot be regarded numerically considerable, its negative effect on cooperative activity can be proved with statistical examinations. Its effect can be divided into two aspects: besides a direct effect, an indirect one can also be detected, which means that moral hazard is able to reduce producers’ willingness to cooperate by eroding trust. Moreover, our results have clearly pointed out that moral hazard has a negative impact on member-member and members-management relations to varying degrees and through different mechanisms. In addition to the above tests, the empirical testing of another model called Sholtes trust model has been carried out, too. The validating was successful, so the model - which attributes trust to the faith in the partner’s loyalty and capability - is basically acceptable. The argument says that high-level trust can be observed among partners only when faith both in loyalty and capability is strong enough. The research, however, revealed that the above-mentioned two factors determine it in a different way: regarding trust between members, the faith in capability is more important; while trust towards the management is more determined by faith in loyalty. JEL code: Q12, Q13

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Effectiveness of Brushing Associated with Oral Irrigation in Maintenance of Peri-Implant Tissues and Overdentures: Clinical Parameters and Patient Satisfaction.

Journal of Oral Implantology ◽

10.1563/aaid-joi-d-19-00092 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Marcela Moreira Salles ◽

Viviane de Cássia Oliveira ◽

Ana Paula Macedo ◽

Claudia Helena Silva-Lovato ◽

Helena de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Analogue Scale ◽

Ring System ◽

Complete Dentures ◽

Gingival Index ◽

Prosthetic Rehabilitation ◽

Mean Values ◽

Probing Depth ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Level

Implant-supported prostheses hygiene and peri-implant tissues health are considered to be predictive factors for successful prosthetic rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing associated with oral irrigation measured as biofilm-removing capacity, maintenance of healthy oral tissues, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted with 38 patients who wore conventional maxillary complete dentures and mandibular overdentures retained by the O-ring system. The patients were instructed to use the following hygiene methods for 14 days: mechanical brushing [MB (brush and dentifrice - Control)]; and MB with oral irrigation [WP (Waterpik - Experimental)]. Biofilm-removing capacity and maintenance of healthy oral tissues were evaluated by the Modified Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Depth (PD), and Bleeding on Probing Index (BP) recorded at baseline and after each method. In parallel, patients answered a specific questionnaire using a Visual Analogue Scale after each hygiene method. Data were analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (α=0.05). The results showed significantly lower PI, GI, PD, and BP indices after application of the hygiene methods (P<0.001) than those observed at baseline. However, no significant difference was found between MB and WP. The satisfaction questionnaire responses to both methods showed high mean values for all questions, with no statistically significant difference found between the answers given after the use of MB and WP (P>0.05). The findings suggest that WP was effective in reducing PI, GI, PD, and BP indices and provided a high level of patient satisfaction.

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