Weight History Correlates of Resting Energy Expenditure in Women With Bulimia Nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Among those with bulimia nervosa, weight suppression has been associated with illness severity and treatment prognosis. Although significant weight loss is known to reduce metabolic rate, the relation between weight suppression and resting energy expenditure (REE) in bulimia nervosa has not been examined. This study tested the hypothesis of an inverse relation between weight suppression and REE in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa (N = 84). METHODS: In primary analyses, linear regressions were conducted between weight suppression and REE, corrected for fat-free mass. In follow-up, exploratory analyses, stepwise linear regressions were conducted to explore the main and interaction effects of weight history and weight suppression on REE. RESULTS: Neither traditional (TWS) nor developmental weight suppression (DWS) correlated with REE. Results from exploratory analyses, however, revealed a medium-to-large inverse relation between several weight history variables and REE (highest past weight, sr2 = 0.05; lowest postmorbid weight, sr2 = 0.07; current weight, sr2 = 0.05). Additionally, DWS interacted with current (sr2 = 0.08) and highest premorbid (sr2 = 0.05) z-BMI to influence REE with a medium-to-large effect. For individuals low in current and premorbid z-BMIs, higher DWS associated with lower REE levels. However, for individuals at higher premorbid z-BMIs, higher DWS unexpectedly associated with greater REE levels. DISCUSSION: In this sample of women with bulimia nervosa, reduced REE associated with higher weights across all timepoints. If the interaction effect between DWS and z-BMI history persists in future studies, this may indicate unique challenges faced by individuals low in z-BMI and high in DWS related to weight gain and normalization of eating.

Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Youth With Spina Bifida: Protocol for a Multisite, Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity prevalence in youth with spina bifida is higher than in their typically developing peers. Obesity is associated with lifelong medical, psychological, and economic burdens. Successful prevention or treatment of obesity in individuals with spina bifida is compromised by (1) the lack of valid and reliable methods to identify body fat in a clinical setting and (2) limited data on energy expenditure that are necessary to provide daily caloric recommendations. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study will be to develop 2 algorithms for use in youth with spina bifida in a clinical setting, one to model body fat and one to predict total daily energy expenditure. In addition, physical activity and dietary intake will be described for the sample. METHODS: This multisite, prospective, national clinical study will enroll 232 youth with myelomeningocele aged 5 to 18 years (stratified by age and mobility). Participants will be enrolled for 1 week. Data obtained include 4 measures of body composition, up to 5 height measures, a ramped activity protocol, and a nutrition and physical activity screener. Participants will wear an accelerometer for the week. On the final study day, 2 samples of urine or saliva, which complete the doubly labeled water protocol, will be obtained. The analysis will include descriptive statistics, Bland-Altman plots, concordance correlation, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The study received extramural federal funding in July 2019. Data collection was initiated in March 2020. As of April 2024, a total of 143 (female participants: n=76, 53.1%; male participants: n=67, 46.9%) out of 232 participants have been enrolled. Data collection is expected to continue throughout 2024. A no-cost extension until November 2025 will be requested for data analysis and dissemination of findings. CONCLUSIONS: This study furthers previous pilot work that confirmed the acceptability and feasibility of obtaining alternate height, body composition, and energy expenditure measures. The findings from this study will enhance screening, prevention, and treatment of abnormal weight status by facilitating the accurate identification of youths' weight status category and recommendations of daily caloric needs for this population that is at higher risk of obesity. Furthermore, the findings have the potential to impact outcomes for youth diagnosed with disabilities other than spina bifida who experience similar challenges related to alterations in body composition or fat distribution or measurement challenges secondary to mobility issues or musculoskeletal problems. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52779.

Unpacking the effects of natural gas price transmission on electricity prices in Nordic countries.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, European electricity prices have experienced considerable turbulence, primarily attributed to a shortage in the natural gas supply. We investigate the relationship between natural gas prices in the European continent and electricity prices in Nordic countries before and after the outbreak of war. Despite the low proportion of natural gas electricity generation, the empirical analysis reveals both direct and indirect transmission paths for natural gas prices in Nordic countries. Meanwhile, the theoretical analysis demonstrates how Nordic renewable (wind and solar) and other non-gas generators exercise market power through price bidding in the anticipation of an increase in gas prices or a shortage of gas supply, which results in higher electricity prices. Understanding the underlying factors and dynamics driving substantial price fluctuations in the Nordic electricity market is essential for comprehending the intricate interconnections within the European energy landscape.

[Assessment of carbon reduction and sink enhancement potential of photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration model]. / å ‰ä¼+矿山生态修复模式的减碳增汇潜力评估.

The energy oriented mine ecological restoration mode of photovoltaic+ecological restoration provides a breakthrough for alleviating the dilemma of photovoltaic land development and solving the urgent need for restoration of abandoned mining land. Taking a mining area in central Liaoning Province as an example, we established three photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration modes, including forest-photovoltaic complementary, agriculture-photovoltaic, and grass photovoltaic complementation. Combined with the life cycle assessment method, we calculated and assessed the potential of photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration in carbon reduction and sink enhancement. The average annual carbon reduction and sink increase was 514.93 t CO2·hm-2 under the photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration mode, while the average annual carbon reduction per megawatt photovoltaic power station was 1242.94 t CO2. The adoption of photovoltaic+ecological restoration mode in this mining area could make carbon reduction and sink enhancement 6.30-7.79 Mt CO2 during 25 years. The carbon reduction and sink increment mainly stemmed from the photovoltaic clean power generation induced carbon reduction, accounting for 96.4%-99.4%, while the contribution of ecosystem carbon sink increment was small, accounting for only 0.6%-3.7% of the total. Among different photovoltaic+ecological restoration modes, the carbon reduction and sink increment was the largest in forest-photovoltaic complementary (7.11 Mt CO2), followed by agriculture-photovoltaic (7.04 Mt CO2), and the least in grass photovoltaic complementation (6.98 Mt CO2). Constructing the development mode of "photovoltaic+mining ecological restoration" could effectively leverage the dual benefits of reducing emissions from photovoltaic power generation and increase sinks from mining ecological restoration, which would be helpful for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality in China.

An Assessment of the Effects of Guanidinoacetic Acid on the Performance and Immune Response of Laying Hens Fed Diets with Three Levels of Metabolizable Energy.

Different levels of metabolizable energy (ME) and the inclusion of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in the diet of 53-week-old Lohmann LSL-CLASSIC hens were used to evaluate its effect on reproductive parameters, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and the immune response. Six diets were used in a 3 × 2 factorial design, with three levels of ME (2850, 2800, and 2750 kcal/kg), and with (0.08%) or without the inclusion of GAA. The addition of GAA to diets with low levels of ME increased (p < 0.05) egg production and egg mass. Moreover, hens fed with 2800 kcal/g without GAA had the highest concentration (p < 0.05) of serum interleukin IL-2, while those fed diets with the same amount of ME but supplemented with 0.08% GAA had the lowest concentration. Finally, the inclusion of 0.08% GAA increased (p < 0.05) the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), regardless of the ME level in the diet. This study highlights the potential role of GAA in decreasing the energy level of ME (50-100 kcal/g) in the feeding of hens and in the modulation of specific immune responses. Further research is recommended to fully understand the mechanisms of action of GAA on the mechanism target of rapamycin and its relationship with the immune response.

Examining and Comparing the Energy Expenditure of Two Modes of a Virtual Reality Fitness Game (Supernatural): Indirect Calorimetry Study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) fitness games as a form of moderate to vigorous physical activity has yet to be thoroughly quantified through gold standard energy expenditure measures. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the energy expenditure of 2 medium-intensity modes ("Flow and "Boxing") of a VR fitness game, Supernatural, using indirect calorimetry. METHODS: Indirect calorimetry was used to examine relative and objective maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), metabolic equivalents of task (METs), and calories burned during medium-intensity bouts of both Flow and Boxing gameplay modes in young (mean age 25.42, SD 3.25 years), active individuals (n=12 female and n=11 male). METs and calories were also compared using a triaxial waist-worn accelerometer, an Apple smartwatch, and a VR headset. Mood states were assessed pre- and postbout using the shortened Profile of Mood States Questionnaire. Paired 2-tailed t tests were used to examine differences in game modes, between sexes, and pre-post exercise sessions. RESULTS: Objective and relative VO2 max averaged 1.93 (SD 0.44) L/min and 27.61 (SD 5.60) mL/kg/min, respectively, between modes. Flow (mean 8.2, SD 1.54 METs) and Boxing (mean 7.6, SD 1.66 METs) are both classified as high energy expenditure, vigorous activities. Calorie expenditure data of the accelerometer and VR headset differed significantly from the metabolic cart. Mood changes pre- to post exercise were consistent with expected values for moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, with participants reporting that they felt more "active," "full of pep," "vigorous," and "lively" (P<.05) following bouts. Male individuals reported higher objective oxygen consumption (VO2) for both Flow and Boxing modes; no other sex-specific differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both Flow and Boxing gameplay modes of Supernatural classify as vigorous physical activity and demonstrate the potential to promote mental and physical health benefits. Supernatural may be an effective exercise modality in a VO2 training program.

Evolving waste management: The impact of environmental technology, taxes, and carbon emissions on incineration in EU countries.

Amid the urgent global imperatives concerning climate change and resource preservation, our research delves into the critical domains of waste management and environmental sustainability within the European Union (EU), collecting data from 1990 to 2022. The Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) results reveal a resounding commitment among EU member states to diminish their reliance on incineration, which is evident through adopting green technologies and environmentally conscious taxation policies, aligning with the European Union's sustainability objectives. However, this transition presents the intricate task of harmonizing industrial emissions management with efficient waste disposal. Tailoring waste management strategies to accommodate diverse consumption patterns and unique circumstances within individual member states becomes imperative. Cointegrating regressions highlighted the long-run relationship among the selected variables, while Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) estimates roughly confirmed MMQR results. ML analyses, conducted through two ensemble methods (Gradient Boosting, GB, and Extreme Gradient Boosting, XGBoost) shed light on the relative importance of the predictors: in particular, environmental taxation, consumption-based emissions, and production-based emissions greatly contribute to determining the variation of combustible renewables and waste. This study recommends that EU countries establish monitoring mechanisms to advance waste management and environmental sustainability through green technology adoption, enhance environmental taxation policies, and accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Achieving zero emission targets: The influence of green bonds on clean energy investment and environmental quality.

The effectiveness of green finance in driving clean energy and environmental sustainability in the current era is receiving attention. Therefore, this study proposes an empirical framework highlighting the effects of green bonds (GB) on clean energy investment (CEI), clean energy investment efficiency (CEE) and environmental sustainability of 29 green bond issuing countries between 2014 and 2022. Using system and difference GMM approaches, this study finds that (i) green bond issuance drives clean energy investment. (ii) Green bonds sufficiently enhance the selected countries' environmental quality. These results supplement the promotion of green bonds in increasing the transfer of funds towards renewable energy projects by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. (iii) Using Driscoll & Kraay, Fully Modified-OLS, and changing the dependent variable, this study further supported the idea that green bonds effectively promote the CEE and environmental sustainability of the chosen countries. (iv) Similarly, this study conducted income heterogeneity, showing that green bonds improve high- and middle-income countries' CEI and environmental quality. (v) Finally, the results indicate that resource consumption escalates CO2 emissions by declining the CEI. Technological innovations increase CEI, whereas they do not mitigate CO2 emissions directly, hinting at the requirement for a comprehensive approach. Therefore, inclusive policies on green bond frameworks, robust incentives, and rigorous environmental criteria should be implemented to attract investment in clean energy development and ensure the environmental sustainability of the selected countries.

Comparative thermal assessment and emission analysis of various green biodiesel from novel feedstocks for CI engines: a sustainable approach towards emission reduction.

In order to replace conventional diesel, biodiesel from various feedstocks is being researched for diesel engines. This study explores novel biodiesel blends produced from unconventional resources such as mentha piperita (peppermint), pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth), tamarindus indica (tamarind), and trichosanthes cucumerina (snake gourd) to assess the outcomes of a diesel engine. The fuel samples are designated as MP20, PC20, TC20, and TI20, which consist of 80% biodiesel and 20% diesel. The assessment is carried out on a four-stroke, one-cylinder diesel engine that is water-cooled and set to operate at 1500 rpm with a 17.5 compression ratio under various engine loading scenarios with quarter-incremental loading from one-fourth to full loading conditions. The fuel samples are injected with 220 bar injection pressure into the combustion chamber 23° before TDC. An extensive analysis of engine parameters is performed using engine configuration, fuel characteristics, and applied boundary conditions. This comprises brake-specific energy consumption (BSEC), fuel consumption (BSFC), thermal efficiency (BTE), cylinder pressure (CP), heat release rate (HRR), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. At 100% load, the biodiesel blends show an increase in BSFC (2.8-12.6%) and BSEC (1.1-7.1%) but a minor decrease in CP (0.9-6.9%), HRR (0.8-16.2%), and BTE (1.2-2.9%). For biodiesel blends at full engine load, the emissions of PM (8.9-21.4%), NOx (1.4-16.2%) and CO2 (2.4-7.9%) are all significantly reduced. The results emphasize the distinct benefits of biodiesel blends, demonstrating enhanced engine performance and substantial decreases in emissions, which supports the aim of providing sustainable energy solutions.

Developing abundant rare-earth iron perovskite electrodes for high-performance and low-cost solid oxide fuel cells.

The swift advancement of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) sector necessitates a harmony between electrode performance and commercialization cost. The economic value of elements is frequently linked to their abundance in the Earth's crust. Here, we develop abundant rare-earth iron perovskite electrodes of Ln0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd) with high abundant rare-earth metals and preferred iron metal for SOFCs. All three symmetric electrode materials display a cubic perovskite phase and excellent chemical compatibility with Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-δ electrolyte. All three electrodes possess exceptional surface oxygen exchange ability. At 800°C, single cells with La0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ, Pr0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ, and Nd0.6Sr0.4FeO3-δ symmetric electrodes attained excellent open circuit voltages of 1.108, 1.101, and 1.097 V, respectively, as well as peak powers of 213.52, 281.12, and 254.58 mW cm-2. The results suggest that overall performance of abundant rare-earth iron perovskite electrodes has a favorable impact on the extensive expansion of SOFCs, presenting significant potential for practical applications.

Energy expenditure and effort of patients with stroke during sit to stand: A pilot study.

Background: Sit-to-stand (STS) is a mechanically demanding task. Little is known about the energy expenditure (EE) and the perceived effort of patients with stroke during STS. Objectives: The objectives of our study were to assess the perceived effort and EE of patients with stroke when moving from STS and to determine whether an association between actual energy expended and patient-perceived effort exists. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional pilot study assessed participants' EE and perceived effort during STS, with a triaxial accelerometer and the modified Borg scale (MBS), respectively. Results: The team screened 428 individuals for potential inclusion, with nine participants (n = 5 female, 55.5%) meeting the criteria for our pilot study. Participants had a mean age of 52.77 (standard deviation [SD] ± 11.33) years, the majority had a haemorrhagic stroke (n = 6, 66.6%) and left hemiplegia (n = 6, 66.6%), and they were assessed 9.11 (SD ± 6.57) days post-stroke. The mean EE during STS was 2.82 (SD ± 1.9) kCal. Most participants (n = 7, 77.77%) perceived STS as more than a 'moderate' effort on the MBS. The correlation coefficient between the metabolic equivalent of task (METs) and MBS was r = 0.34 (p = 0.38). Conclusion: Our study found a fair positive correlation between METs and MBS for patients with stroke during STS. Clinical implications: The increased EE shown can be a key point for rehabilitation to lessen the extent of EE during STS. Further research is warranted.

Environmental impact assessment of ocean energy converters using quantum machine learning.

The depletion of fossil energy reserves and the environmental pollution caused by these sources highlight the need to harness renewable energy sources from the oceans, such as waves and tides, due to their high potential. On the other hand, the large-scale deployment of ocean energy converters to meet future energy needs requires the use of large farms of these converters, which may have negative environmental impacts on the ocean ecosystem. In the meantime, a very important point is the volume of data produced by different methods of collecting data from the ocean for their analysis, which makes the use of advanced tools such as different machine learning algorithms even more colorful. In this article, some environmental impacts of ocean energy devices have been analyzed using machine learning and quantum machine learning. The results show that quantum machine learning performs better than its classical counterpart in terms of calculation accuracy. This approach offers a promising new method for environmental impact assessment, especially in a complex environment such as the ocean.

In vitro blood sample assessment: investigating correlation of laboratory hemoglobin and spectral properties of dual-energy CT measurements (ρ/Z).

OBJECTIVES: Our study comprised a single-center retrospective in vitro correlation between spectral properties, namely ρ/Z values, derived from scanning blood samples using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with the corresponding laboratory hemoglobin/hematocrit (Hb/Hct) levels and assessed the potential in anemia-detection. METHODS: DECT of 813 patient blood samples from 465 women and 348 men was conducted using a standardized scan protocol. Electron density relative to water (ρ or rho), effective atomic number (Zeff), and CT attenuation (Hounsfield unit) were measured. RESULTS: Positive correlation with the Hb/Hct was shown for ρ (r-values 0.37-0.49) and attenuation (r-values 0.59-0.83) while no correlation was observed for Zeff (r-values -0.04 to 0.08). Significant differences in attenuation and ρ values were detected for blood samples with and without anemia in both genders (p value < 0.001) with area under the curve ranging from 0.7 to 0.95. Depending on the respective CT parameters, various cutoff values for CT-based anemia detection could be determined. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study investigated the correlation between DECT measurements and Hb/Hct levels, emphasizing novel aspects of ρ and Zeff values. Assuming that quantitative changes in the number of hemoglobin proteins might alter the mean Zeff values, the results of our study show that there is no measurable correlation on the atomic level using DECT. We established a positive in vitro correlation between Hb/Hct values and ρ. Nevertheless, attenuation emerged as the most strongly correlated parameter with identifiable cutoff values, highlighting its preference for CT-based anemia detection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: By scanning multiple blood samples with dual-energy CT scans and comparing the measurements with standard laboratory blood tests, we were able to underscore the potential of CT-based anemia detection and its advantages in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: Prior in vivo studies have found a correlation between aortic blood pool and measured hemoglobin and hematocrit. Hemoglobin and hematocrit correlated with electron density relative to water and attenuation but not Zeff. Dual-energy CT has the potential for additional clinical benefits, such as CT-based anemia detection.

A techno-economic perspective on efficient hybrid renewable energy solutions in Douala, Cameroon's grid-connected systems.

Cameroon is currently grappling with a significant energy crisis, which is adversely affecting its economy due to cost, reliability, and availability constraints within the power infrastructure. While electrochemical storage presents a potential remedy, its implementation faces hurdles like high costs and technical limitations. Conversely, generator-based systems, although a viable alternative, bring their own set of issues such as noise pollution and demanding maintenance requirements. This paper meticulously assesses a novel hybrid energy system specifically engineered to meet the diverse energy needs of Douala, Cameroon. By employing advanced simulation techniques, especially the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) Pro program, the study carefully examines the intricacies of load demands across distinct consumer categories while accommodating varied pricing models. The paper offers a detailed analysis of the proposed grid-connected PV/Diesel/Generator system, aiming to gauge its performance, economic feasibility, and reliability in ensuring uninterrupted energy supply. Notably, the study unveils significant potential for cost reduction per kilowatt-hour, indicating promising updated rates of $0.07/kW, $0.08/kW, and $0.06/kW for low, medium, and high usage groups, respectively. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of overcoming operational challenges and constraints such as temperature fluctuations, equipment costs, and regulatory compliance. It also acknowledges the impact of operational nuances like maintenance and grid integration on system efficiency. As the world progresses towards renewable energy adoption and hybrid systems, this investigation lays a strong foundation for future advancements in renewable energy integration and energy management strategies. It strives to create a sustainable energy ecosystem in Cameroon and beyond, where hybrid energy systems play a pivotal role in mitigating power deficiencies and supporting sustainable development.

Evolution and driving factors of inequality in CO2 emissions from agricultural energy consumption in China.

The inequality in CO2 emissions from agricultural energy consumption is a major challenge for coordinating low-carbon agricultural development across regions in China. However, the evolutionary characteristics and driving factors of inequality in China's agricultural energy-related CO2 emissions are poorly understood. In response, the Kaya-Theil model was adopted to examine the three potential factors influencing CO2 emission inequality in China's agricultural energy consumption. The results revealed that, from 1997 to 2021, agricultural energy-related CO2 emissions per capita showed a significant upward trend, with prominent polarization and right-tailing phenomena. Overall, the inequality was on a downward trend, with the Theil index falling from 0.4109 in 1997 to 0.1957 in 2021. Meanwhile, the decomposition of the national inequality revealed that the within-group inequality declined from 0.3991 to 0.1634, which was greater than between-group inequality, based on zoning the 28 provinces into three grain production functional areas. As for the three kaya factors, the energy intensity contributed the most to the overall inequality, followed by the agricultural economic development and CO2 emission intensity. Based on these results, this study provided some potential strategies to reduce agricultural-related CO2 emissions.

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of organic municipal solid waste for energy production.

Addressing the critical conundrum of escalating municipal solid waste (MSW) and shrinking landfill spaces in urban areas, this research pioneers a sustainable approach for Bangladesh by exploring the potential of biogas production from MSW. Distinctly, it fills the research gap by providing a detailed techno-economic and environmental analysis of decentralized fixed-dome anaerobic digestion facilities in the urban context of Chittagong, Bangladesh, a domain previously underexplored. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of converting MSW into a renewable energy source, offering an innovative solution that simultaneously tackles waste management and energy generation challenges. Each proposed plant showcases the capability to generate 536 m³ of biogas daily, sufficient to power a 50 kW gas engine and supply 44 households, thereby contributing significantly to urban waste reduction and CO2 emissions mitigation by approximately 500 tons monthly. The economic analysis reveals an attractive investment payback period of two years, underscoring the model's viability and its potential as a replicable framework for similar urban settings grappling with waste management crises. This study not only bridges a critical knowledge gap but also introduces a novel, sustainable waste-to-energy model, marking a pivotal step towards achieving energy security and environmental sustainability in developing nations.

Rural electrification in Nigeria: A review of impacts and effects of frugal energy generation based on some of e-waste components.

Nigeria is the seventh most populous country in world being the highest in Africa. The country is blessed with vast natural resources and is one of the highest producers of oil in the world. However, the inadequate supply of electrical energy is a major setback in the nation's economic development. Thus, there is need for an urgent and immediate solution to address the electricity access situation in Nigeria. It is in view of this that we first present an overview of the electrical energy situation of Nigeria (especially in the rural areas). The benefits of rural electrification and it impacts are discussed to buttress the need for electrifying rural areas and an overview of the abundant renewable energy resources in Nigeria is presented. As a proposed solution to improve the electricity situation, the concept of a reuse solar photovoltaic system based on e-waste components and old materials is presented. The system comprises repurposed Power Supply Unit (PSU) from old desktop computers, old thermal car Lead-acid batteries, old solar panels and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units. The possibility of adopting this solution in Nigeria depends on the amount of e-wastes generated annually thus necessitating the need for an analysis to see the annual impact of this system on electricity access based on the amount of available e-waste. Using the huge amount of e-waste generated/received annually in Nigeria, the feasibility of our solution is assessed by estimating the possible number of households that could be electrified by the second life renewable energy systems we propose. Due to the lack of official data in this field, certain constraints and assumptions were defined for the purpose of this analysis which resulted in obtaining a range of results that showed the possible impacts of adopting the reuse system. The analysis showed the minimum and maximum impacts the reuse solution could have on electricity access in Nigeria, based on best and worst case scenario respectively. The results further showed that an average of 287,000 households can be electrified annually if this solution is adopted, causing 2.2 % increment in population with electricity access in a year (between 620 thousand and 4.1 million individuals). Thus, the result is an indication that it is possible to achieve immediate growth in electricity access based on renewable energy integration, frugal innovation and reuse/repurposing of e-waste materials. In addition, this extension of their lifespan reduces their ecological footprint. It is expected that the energy demands of the continuously growing population can be met by strict adherence to set targets including adoption of smart-grids, generation diversification and focusing on rural electrification.

Sequential high-recovery nanofiltration and electrochemical degradation for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater.

The presence of antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems poses a significant concern for public health and aquatic life, owing to their contribution to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Effective wastewater treatment strategies are needed to ensure that discharges from pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities are adequately controlled. Here we propose the sequential use of nanofiltration (NF) for concentrating a real pharmaceutical effluent derived from azithromycin production, followed by electrochemical oxidation for thorough removal of pharmaceutical compounds. The NF membrane demonstrated its capability to concentrate wastewater at a high recovery value of 95 % and 99.7 ± 0.2 % rejection to azithromycin. The subsequent electrochemical oxidation process completely degraded azithromycin in the concentrate within 30 min and reduced total organic carbon by 95 % in 180 min. Such integrated treatment approach minimized the electrochemically-treated volume through a low-energy membrane approach and enhanced mass transfer towards the electrodes, therefore driving the process toward zero-liquid-discharge objectives. Overall, our integrated approach holds promises for cost-effective and sustainable removal of trace pharmaceutical compounds and other organics in pharmaceutical wastewater.

Feasibility of a laboratory-based protocol for measuring energy expenditure and accelerometer calibration in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Adults with intellectual disabilities experience numerous health inequalities. Targeting unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as high levels of sedentary behaviour and overweight/obesity, is a priority area for improving the health and adults with intellectual disabilities and reducing inequalities. Energy expenditure is a fundamental component of numerous health behaviours and an essential component of various free-living behaviour measurements, e.g. accelerometry. However, little is known about energy expenditure in adults with intellectual disabilities and no population-specific accelerometer data interpretation methods have been calibrated. The limited research in this area suggests that adults with intellectual disabilities have a higher energy expenditure, which requires further exploration, and could have significant impacts of device calibration. However, due to the complex methods required for measuring energy expenditure, it is essential to first evaluate feasibility and develop an effective protocol. This study aims to test the feasibility of a laboratory-based protocol to enable the measurement of energy expenditure and accelerometer calibration in adults with intellectual disabilities.We aimed to recruit ten adults (≥ 18 years) with intellectual disabilities. The protocol involved a total of nine sedentary, stationary, and physical activities, e.g. sitting, lying down, standing, and treadmill walking. Each activity was for 5 min, with one 10 min lying down activity to measure resting energy expenditure. Breath by breath respiratory gas exchange and accelerometry (ActiGraph and ActivPAL) were measured during each activity. Feasibility was assessed descriptively using recruitment and outcome measurement completion rates, and participant/stakeholder feedback.Ten adults (N = 7 female) with intellectual disabilities participated in this study. The recruitment rate was 50% and 90% completed the protocol and all outcome measures. Therefore, the recruitment strategy and protocol are feasible.This study addresses a significant gap in our knowledge relating to exercise laboratory-based research for adults with intellectual disabilities The findings from this study provide essential data that can be used to inform the development of future protocols to measure energy expenditure and for accelerometer calibration in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Customer's response to dynamic pricing in utility energy Tariff quality and reliability with the time of use: An Empirical case study of household electricity customers in Indonesia.

Time of Use (ToU) is one of the types of dynamic pricing strategies at which a pricing scheme employs a variable rate rather than a fixed one causing electricity tariffs over a particular consumption period to rise once in high consumer demand at peak times and to fall once the demand is low at off-peak times. Owing to the important factor of perceiving customers' response to the successful implementation of the ToU tariff scheme, this study examines the household electricity customers' response in Indonesia - especially residents of Java Island and Bali Island - to future implementation of this dynamic pricing strategy in utility energy tariff quality and reliability. Data on the behavior of the PLN customers need to be thoroughly gathered and then analyzed quantitatively for well-informed decisions on a set of variable rates based on peak/off-peak times of the day and the season to establish in a board of directors' room. Hence, survey work is conducted, and a questionnaire is carefully designed and developed in this study to help collect and analyze the data on consumer behavior. The results show that customers' response exhibits a promising outcome. At the total number of 451 respondents, 63 % of the survey participants expect to opt into the ToU scheme and the reason for this is their sensitivity to a bargain price of the electricity rate. However, 37 % of the respondents find ToU burdensome to implement and very demanding, as a result they opt out of the ToU scheme. From the results of the survey, it can also be inferred household energy-related activities that customers are quite willing to shift are washing and ironing clothes where a shift in these activities would lead to potential savings in the electricity bills of 26 % off the regular price. From the use of the quantitative method in this study, the total potential daily load reduction of energy consumption with the ToU tariff scheme could reach 3,23 kW for each customer. The findings conclude that customers have presented an encouraging response to future implementation of ToU and express their thoughts ToU seems to bring potential benefits of saving electricity bills and looks as if it is fairly easy for customers to adapt to shifting their energy usage from peak times to off-peak times.