Due to global warming and rapid urbanization, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in the United States have increased. Particularly for pedestrians, excessive heat has been reported as ...a critical barrier to walking activity, which, in turn, can deteriorate walkability and urban vitality. By using a multilevel spatial approach, this study investigates the combined effects of microclimatic urban design features on daytime pedestrian thermal comfort. For this purpose, it uses on-site field measurements taken in July 2019 and estimates how different scales of street- and block-scale design factor impact the physiological thermal comfort of pedestrians on the High Line in New York City. Based on the findings, the High Line experiences high thermal stress conditions, with clusters of hot spots particularly in its upper section. In addition, the urban design features at both the street and block scales are highly correlated with estimated pedestrian thermal comfort. Specifically, at the block-scale level, the mean energy budget value largely depends on block density and volume, while at the street-scale level, the height-to-width ratio, tree view factors, and tree canopy cover ratio have a negative linear relationship with absorbed solar radiation. Moreover, the findings indicate that the combination of urban design factors at the street- and block-scale levels significantly impact pedestrian thermal comfort. This study offers practical knowledge and a deeper understanding about climate-sensitive urban designs that are highly resistant to extreme heat events.
•The effect of microclimatic design features on summer daytime pedestrian thermal comfort is examined using a multilevel analysis.•Streets with high SVFs, low HW ratios, less greenery, and low-density blocks exhibit relatively high levels of thermal stress.•In a deep canyon, terrestrial radiation emitted from the wall and ground surface is the largest contributor to the pedestrians’ thermal loadings.•The combination of street- and block-scale urban design factors significantly impacted pedestrian thermal comfort.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
32.
Post-liver transplantation patient experience Kaplan, Alyson; Korenjak, Marko; Brown, Robert S.
Journal of hepatology,
June 2023, 2023-06-00, 20230601, Volume:
78, Issue:
6
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Given improvements in post-transplant patient and graft survival, there is a growing need to focus on patient experience and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Though liver transplantation can ...be life-saving, it can also be associated with significant morbidity and complications. Patient HRQOL improves after transplantation, but it may not improve to that of age-matched cohorts. Understanding patient experience and the factors that contribute to it, including physical and psychological health, immunosuppression and medication adherence, return to employment or school, financial burden, and expectations, helps when thinking creatively about potential interventions to improve HRQOL.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
► We model an updated 2000metric ton per day fast pyrolysis and hydroprocessing system. ► We incorporate recent commercialization and literature data on the pathway. ► We present the results of a ...techno-economic analysis of this system. ► We compare these results with those published in a 2010 Iowa State University study.
A previous Iowa State University (ISU) analysis published in 2010 investigated the technical and economic feasibility of the fast pyrolysis and hydroprocessing of biomass, and concluded that the pathway could produce cellulosic biofuels for a minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of $2.11/gal. The 2010 ISU study was largely theoretical in that no commercial-scale fast pyrolysis facilities were being constructed at the time of publication.
The present analysis expands upon the 2010 ISU study by performing an updated techno-economic analysis of the fast pyrolysis and hydroprocessing pathway. Recent advances in pathway technology and commercialization and new parameters suggested by the recent literature are accounted for. The MFSP for a 2000 MTPD facility employing fast pyrolysis and hydroprocessing to convert corn stover to gasoline and diesel fuel is calculated to quantify the economic feasibility of the pathway.
The present analysis determines the MFSP of gasoline and diesel fuel produced via fast pyrolysis and hydroprocessing to be $2.57/gal. This result indicates that the pathway could be competitive with petroleum, although not as competitive as suggested by the 2010 ISU study. The present analysis also demonstrates the sensitivity of the result to process assumptions.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Equity in access is one of the core goals of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN). However, disparities in liver transplantation have been described since the passage of the National ...Organ Transplant Act, which established OPTN in the 1980s. During the past few decades, several efforts have been made by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to address disparities in liver transplantation with notable improvements in many areas. Nonetheless, disparities have persisted across insurance type, sex, race/ethnicity, geographic area, and age. African Americans have lower rates of referral to transplant centers, females have lower rates of transplantation from the liver waiting list than males, and public insurance is associated with worse posttransplant outcomes than private insurance. In addition, pediatric candidates and older adults have a disadvantage on the liver transplant waiting list, and there are widespread regional disparities in transplantation. Given the large degree of inequity in liver transplantation, there is a tremendous need for studies to propose and model policy changes that may make the liver transplant system more just and equitable.
https://www.wileyhealthlearning.com/Activity2/7277057/Activity.aspx?parentActivityId=0
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralytic disorder caused by motor neuron degeneration. Mutations in more than 50 human genes cause diverse types of motor neuron pathology. Moreover, defects ...in five Mendelian genes lead to motor neuron disease, with two mutations reproducing the ALS phenotype. Analyses of these genetic effects have generated new insights into the diverse molecular pathways involved in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we present an overview of the mechanisms for motor neuron death and of the role of non-neuronal cells in ALS.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Pyrolysis is one of the most efficient and environmentally attractive thermochemical processes for conversion of both biomass and wastes to energy products. This review focuses on the use of auger ...reactors, also known as screw reactors, for the pyrolysis of carbonaceous solids into liquid, gaseous and solid products that can be used in the production of fuels and other valued-added products. The auger reactor is attractive for its versatility in transforming a wide range of feedstocks, and has been recognized as one of the technologies with better strengths not only for fast pyrolysis, but also for slow or intermediate pyrolysis. Auger pyrolyzers are of relatively simple design and overcome some of the problems of conveying heat for pyrolyzing biomass or wastes. The mechanical forces associated with auger reactors enhance particle mixing and heat transfer, which are key to successful pyrolysis. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the advantages and challenges of this technology and identify the main characteristics of both single- and twin-screw auger technology. The effect of operating conditions on yield and some properties of pyrolysis products are also provided. The review includes examples of commercial/demonstration-scale auger pyrolysis plants operated around the world.
•The literature on auger pyrolyzers is widely surveyed.•Auger technology is attractive for pyrolyzing a wide range of feedstocks.•Auger pyrolyzers are able to work for fast, intermediate and slow conditions.•Yields and products characteristics are described for different plants.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
According to the challenge of global warming, trees play an effective role in reducing heat islands and improving thermal comfort. In this study, the impact of urban greening on microclimate and ...pedestrian comfort is studied using ENVI met v4 for a residential district in Tabriz, Iran. In-situ measurements of air temperature and relative humidity have been preliminary performed on ten points in the studied site and collected data used to successfully validate the model. Four scenarios with different trees species and patterns were simulated during typical summer and winter days, to assess benefits and disadvantages during different seasons, in terms of air temperature (Ta) and relative humidity (RH), mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). Result showed that the best scenario provides great summer cooling without compromising winter comfort. In summer Ta and Tmrt are decreased by respectively 0.29 °C and 20.04 °C; while in winter, they reach respectively 6.92 °C and 13.22 °C, compared the reference scenario characterised by 6.28 °C (Ta) and 23.47 °C (Tmrt). These results in a summer PET improvement from 34.92 °C to 26.16 °C, thus moving from an original hot thermal sensation to a slightly warm one. Based on the outcomes of the study, it is possible to provide useful design recommendation for urban adaptation plans.
•Four scenarios with different trees species and patterns were simulated during typical summer and winter days.•From a qualitative point of view, trends highlight a good agreement among observed and predicted data.•Urban greening design can reduce mean radiant temperatures by 20.04 °C.•The change of RH both in summer and winter is modest and can be considered irrelevant for environmental comfort.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
38.
The Dark Before Dawn Brown, Robert S.
Liver transplantation,
April 2022, 2022-04-00, 20220401, Volume:
28, Issue:
4
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
39.
A New Hope for a New Year Brown, Robert S.
Liver transplantation,
January 2022, 2022-01-00, 20220101, Volume:
28, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, 34 liver-transplant recipients with recurrent HCV genotype 1 infection were treated with the interferon-free regimen of ombitasvir–ABT-450/r, dasabuvir, and ribavirin. The rate of ...sustained virologic response was 97% in this difficult-to-treat population.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents a global health care challenge, with approximately 170 million people chronically infected.
1
In 2012, approximately 24,000 liver transplantations were performed worldwide, with the largest proportion performed because of HCV-induced liver disease.
2
,
3
In the United States, more than 40% of registrants on the liver-transplant waiting list are infected with HCV.
3
,
4
After liver transplantation, recurrence of HCV infection is universal among recipients with viremia before transplantation.
5
,
6
Fibrosis progression may be accelerated and HCV viral loads may be markedly increased in patients receiving post-transplantation immunosuppressive therapy as compared with patients not undergoing transplantation.
7
–
9
Graft . . .
PDF
