Search

The effects of color and lighting on thermal perception and comfort have been studied through a multitude of methods, including virtual reality (VR) simulations as well as in vivo studies. The potential role of surface materials, however, remains poorly understood in this regard, even though materials and surface colors are clearly related factors in the perception of building interiors. In this study, we tested two Virtual Reality (VR) office spaces, one designed with wood and one with concrete. 38 participants (N = 38) were recruited to complete a simple reading task over fifteen minutes while being seated in a controlled temperature thermal booth. During this time, the booth temperature dropped by an average of 0.3 °C (0.5 °F) per minute from 22.2 °C (72 °F) to 17.7 °C (64 °F). Participants had the perceived ability to control the room's temperature via a virtual reality interface, an action that served as a measure of "thermal tolerance" based on how long it took participants to try and stop the constant temperature drop in the thermal booth during the experimental task. Participants were surveyed after the study to state their perceived starting and ending room temperature. The results confirmed the hypothesis that the wood room was perceived as warmer overall than the concrete room. However, the results for the "thermal tolerance" metric varied based on the current outside temperature as we predict participants expected different interior temperature regimes in warm compared to cool outdoor conditions. The perception of the concrete room as cooler than the wood room showed the greatest correllation with thermal tolerance when outdoor temperatures were warm, increasing thermal comfort in the concrete room. The results of the study validate the hue-heat hypothesis for architectural building materials and support the potential for thermal perception to induce actionable behavior and promote passive energy savings through the choice of interior building materials. • A material-based methodology was developed to assess thermal perception and thermal tolerance. • Thermal perception in VR confirmed expected warmth for wood and coolness for concrete. • Thermal tolerance demonstrated an opposite effect influenced by external temperatures. • Observed benefits of architectural material priming on operational energy in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethyl formate adsorption on CaO (001) is analyzed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with Van der Waals corrections, implemented through the Vienna ab Initio Simulation Package (VASP). Our calculations reveals a possible adsorption site at low coverage with adsorption energy of − 1. 21 eV , which is more stable than ethanol and less stable than formic acid. Both molecular oxygens bond to two Ca atoms and the C methyl bonds to a surface oxygen. The analysis of the electronic structure and bonding show a stabilization of ethyl formate as a result of a shift in its states to lower energies, with respect to the gas phase. A relaxed molecular geometry is obtained after adsorption with no dissociation detected. There is a charge transfer (0.20 e) from the adsorbate to the surface. At the same time, H C (formate) experiences a charge decrease of 0.16 e. The Ca O in the surface mostly shows a decrease in bond order after adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional calculations were performed on Zr 0.9 Ti 0.1 (Ni 0.5 Cr 0.5-x V x ) 2 Laves Phase, with x = 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375 and 0.5, in order to study its H absorption capacity. Binding energy, electronic structure and bonding were analyzed for the intermetallic compound with different V content and increasing amounts of hydrogen. The optimized geometry was found in good agreement with experimental data of the C14 Laves phase. Hydrogen locates preferentially in A 2 B 2 tetrahedral sites in the AB 2 matrix (A = Zr, Ti; B = Ni, Cr, V) but AB 3 and B 4 sites are also stable. The volume of the intermetallic and the H binding energy increases with vanadium content. Theoretically H absorption is possible up to 4.5 H/F.U. but the strongest binding energy is achieved with 3 H/F. U. The main contribution to density of states is due to d states of all components of the structure and an H-metal bonding is observed in the range −10 to −4 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suboptimal diet is one of the most important factors in preventing early death and disability worldwide. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the knowledge about the relation between intake of 12 major food groups, including whole grains, refined grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, fish, red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages, with risk of all-cause mortality. Design: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar for prospective studies investigating the association between these 12 food groups and risk of all-cause mortality. Summary RRs and 95% CIs were estimated with the use of a random effects model for high-intake compared with low-intake categories, as well as for linear and nonlinear relations. Moreover, the risk reduction potential of foods was calculated by multiplying the RR by optimal intake values (serving category with the strongest association) for risk-reducing foods or risk-increasing foods, respectively. Results: With increasing intake (for each daily serving) of whole grains (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.95), vegetables (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95, 0.98), fruits (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.92, 0.97), nuts (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.84), and fish (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.98), the risk of all-cause mortality decreased; higher intake of red meat (RR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.18) and processed meat (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.36) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in a linear dose-response meta-analysis. A clear indication of nonlinearity was seen for the relations between vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy and all-cause mortality. Optimal consumption of risk-decreasing foods results in a 56% reduction of all-cause mortality, whereas consumption of risk-increasing foods is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Selecting specific optimal intakes of the investigated food groups can lead to a considerable change in the risk of premature death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The German, Austrian and Swiss nutrition societies are the joint editors of the ‘reference values for nutrient intake’. They have revised the reference values for the intake of selenium and published them in February 2015. The saturation of selenoprotein P (SePP) in plasma is used as a criterion for the derivation of reference values for selenium intake in adults. For persons from selenium-deficient regions (China) SePP saturation was achieved with a daily intake of 49 μg of selenium. When using the reference body weights the D-A-CH reference values are based upon, the resulting estimated value for selenium intake is 70 μg/day for men and 60 μg/day for women. The estimated value for selenium intake for children and adolescents is extrapolated using the estimated value for adults in relation to body weight. For infants aged 0 to under 4 months the estimated value of 10 μg/day was derived from the basis of selenium intake via breast milk. For infants aged 4 to under 12 months this estimated value was used and taking into account the differences regarding body weight an estimated value of 15 μg/day was derived. For lactating women compared to non-lactating women a higher reference value of 75 μg/day is indicated due to the release of selenium with breast milk. The additional selenium requirement for pregnant women is negligible, so that no increased reference value is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep building layouts typical in the U.S. have led to a nearly complete reliance on artificial lighting in standard office buildings. The development of daylight control systems that maximize the penetration and optimize the distribution of natural daylight in buildings has the potential for saving a significant portion of the energy consumed by artificial lighting, but existing systems are either static, costly, or obstruct views towards the outside. We report the Dynamic Daylight Control System (DDCS) that integrates a thin cast transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based deformable array of louvers and waveguides within a millimeter-scale fluidic channel system. This system can be dynamically tuned to the different climates and sun positions to control daylight quality and distribution in the interior space. The series of qualitative and quantitative tests confirmed that DDCS exceeds conventional double glazing system in terms of reducing glare near the window and distributing light to the rear of the space. The system can also be converted to a visually transparent or a translucent glazing by filling the channels with an appropriate fluid. DDCS can be integrated or retrofitted to conventional glazing systems and allow for diffusivity and transmittance control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hydrogen adsorption on PdGa intermetallic compound is analyzed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Changes in the electronic structure of PdGa(100), (111) and surfaces and H bonding after adsorption are addressed. H interacts with Pd atoms with a tilted geometry on (100) and (111) surfaces. On the surface two possible forms for H adsorption are detected: one is observed atop perpendicular to the surface and the other one is subsuperficial, both with similar adsorption energies. The Ga–H interaction is energetically less stable and is only present on the (100) plane. Pd–Pd bond strength decreases up to 53.8% as the new Pd–H bond is formed. The Pd–H bond length differs less than 1%, compared to the gas phase value for the (100), (111) and atop . However in the subsurface-H bond length is about 2.17 Å. The effect of H is limited to its first Pd neighbor. Analysis of orbital interaction reveals that the Pd–H bond mainly involves s–s and s–p orbitals with lower participation of Pd 4d orbitals. The computed H vibration frequencies after adsorption show values of 1786, 1289 and 633.5 cm−1 that correspond to top, bridge and hollow sites respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

N -Methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors containing one or two GluN2B subunits play a crucial role in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. In order to increase selectivity for GluN2B NMDA receptors, the piperidine ring of eliprodil (2) was conformationally restricted by introduction of an ethano bridge across C-2 and C-6 resulting in a tropane scaffold. Benzylidenetropanes 15 and 16 and benzyltropanes 17 and 18 were prepared by nucleophilic opening of enantiomerically pure phenyloxiranes 13 and 14 with racemic secondary amines (Z / E)- 11 and diastereomeric mixtures (r / s)- 12. The diastereomers were separated by preparative HPLC to obtain enantiomerically pure test compounds 15 – 18. The absolute and relative configuration of the products were determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. Benzylidenetropanes 15 and 16 as well as benzyltropanes 17 and 18 display very high GluN2B affinity in receptor binding studies. Benzylidinetropanes with the phenyl moiety oriented towards C-5 of the tropane system showed higher GluN2B affinity than their analogs with the phenyl moiety oriented towards C-1. In benzyltropanes endo -configured stereoisomers exhibit higher GluN2B affinity than exo -configured diastereomers. Unfortunately, tropanes 15 – 18 show also high σ 1 and σ 2 affinity with the same trends for the stereoisomers as for GluN2B affinity. The high-affinity GluN2B ligand (R , r)- 17b was able to inhibit the ion flux in two-electrode voltage clamp experiments using GluN1a/GluN2B expressing oocytes. [Display omitted] • Conformationally restricted tropane analogs of piperidine eliprodil were prepared. • Benzyl-und benzylidenetropanes show low nanomolar affinity at GluN2B-NMDA receptors. • The GluN2B affinity depends on the orientation of the phenyl moiety. • Low selectivity against σ 1 and σ 2 receptors was observed. • High GluN2B affinity of (R,r)- 17b translated into inhibition of ion flux in TEVC experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Define values elicitation in the context of health-related decisions made by adults 2. Recognize at least 3 intrinsic or extrinsic conditions needed for values elicitation to occur 3. Identify at least 2 potential positive and negative outcomes of values elicitation Values elicitation is a commonly used term for an activity to help patients identify values and evaluate their application in healthcare decision making, such as when using decision aids, completing an advance directive, and having goals-of-care conversations. However, values elicitation has not been clearly defined and remains difficult to differentiate from other values activities to clarify or generate awareness of values. We conducted a concept analysis of values elicitation and formulated a conceptual definition. Walker and Avant's method, PubMed, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus were searched from inception to February 2021 for empirical studies exploring values elicitation within the health-related literature and focused on decisions made by adults related to their health. Analysis involved organization and reorganization until a framework of domains, attributes, and features of context emerged. Sixty-nine articles were identified, of which 14 met eligibility criteria. We identified 7 antecedents: (1) facing a choice or decision, (2) lacking clarity about available options, (3) understanding any tools or information presented during the elicitation process, (4) ability to communicate values, (5) performed early enough in the disease trajectory, and if elicitation was facilitated by another individual, (6) trust, and (7) sufficient time. Our concept analysis defines "values elicitation" as a process whereby people explore what matters most in life, alone or with others, with the objective of identifying a preference, or a lack thereof, for health or treatment options and framing decisions in concordance with their personal desires. The concept analysis provides a conceptual framework of values elicitation that helps clarify its meaning and objective and gives direction for future research, including measurement and intervention development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glycosyltransferases (GTs), which catalyze the attachment of a sugar moiety to an aglycone are key enzymes for the biosynthesis of many valuable natural products. Their use in pharmaceutical biotechnology is becoming more and more visible. The promiscuity of GTs has prompted efforts to modify sugar structures and alter the glycosylation patterns of natural products. Here, we present the state of the art in this field. After describing the importance of GTs in determining the functions of natural products, a general survey of glycosyltransferase‐catalyzed reactions is documented. This is followed by an overview of crystallized GT‐B superfamily members and a discussion of the amino acids of these GTs involved in substrate binding. The main chapter is concerned with emphasizing the application of GTs in metabolic pathway engineering leading to novel unnatural bioactive compounds. A strategy to explore new GTs is presented as well as strategies to generate artificial GTs either randomly or in a rational design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following the concept of conformational restriction to obtain high affinity σ 1 ligands, the piperidine ring of eliprodil was replaced by the bicyclic tropane system and an exocyclic double bond was introduced. The envisaged benzylidenetropanes 9 were prepared by conversion of tropanone 10 into the racemic mixture of (Z)- 14 and (E)- 14. Reaction of racemate (Z)- 14 /(E)- 14 with enantiomerically pure (R)- or (S)-configured 2-phenyloxirane provided mixtures of diastereomeric β-aminoalcohols (R , Z)- 9 and (R , E)- 9 as well as (S , Z)- 9 and (S , E)- 9 , which were separated by chiral HPLC, respectively. X-ray crystal structure analysis of (S , Z)- 9 allowed the unequivocal assignment of the configuration of all four stereoisomers. In receptor binding studies with radioligands, (R , E)- 9 and (S , Z)- 9 showed subnanomolar σ 1 affinity with eudismic ratios of 8.3 and 40. In both compounds the 4-fluorophenyl moiety is oriented towards (S)-configured C-5 of the tropane system. Both compounds display high selectivity for the σ 1 receptor over the σ 2 subtype but moderate selectivity over GluN2B NMDA receptors. In vivo , (R , E)- 9 (K i (σ 1) = 0.80 nM) showed high antiallodynic activity in the capsaicin assay. The effect of (R , E)- 9 could be reversed by pre-administration of the σ 1 agonist PRE-084 confirming the σ 1 antagonistic activity of (R , E)- 9. [Display omitted] • Conformational restriction of eliprodil resulted in benzylidenetropanes. • Elucidation of absolute configuration by X-ray crystal structure analysis. • The stereoisomer with (R , E)-configuration showed subnanomolar σ 1 affinity. • High antiallodynic activity in the mouse capsaicin assay. • Removal of antiallodynic activity by preadministration of the σ 1 agonist PRE-084. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The family business as a social institution contributes to the transition from latent to emergent entrepreneurship by shaping the entrepreneurial intentions of the next generation. • The enterprising family and the family enterprise, as two intertwined units of analysis pertaining to the family business context, influence the preferred mode to engage into emergent entrepreneurship, namely founding a new venture or succeeding in the family business. • The intention to pursue an entrepreneurial career is positively affected by the success of the parents' business and by parents acting as role models for their children. • The next generation is more likely to prefer succession over founding if it develops both normative and affective commitment to the family business and has the possibility to absorb capabilities tailored to the family business, thereby gaining self-confidence as successors. • When the family encourages excellence in education, the next generation develops the intention to found a new business rather than succeeding in the family firm. In this study, we explore how a unique social institution, the family business, contributes to the transition from latent to emergent entrepreneurship by shaping the entrepreneurial intentions of the next generation. In line with the family embeddedness perspective, we argue that the enterprising family and the family enterprise, as two intertwined units of analysis pertaining to the family business context, influence the intention to found a new venture or succeed in the family business. Using an international sample of 40,508 students with a family business background, our findings reveal which specific factors related to either the family or the business explain next generation's preferences for succeeding over founding. The results extend our understanding of the role played by institutions in knowledge spillover theory and contribute to family business research on the succession process and its determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of GluN2B NMDA receptor antagonists with conformationally restricted phenylethylamine substructure was prepared and pharmacologically evaluated. The phenylethylamine substructure was embedded in ring expanded 3-benzazocines 4 as well as ring-contracted tetralinamines 6 and indanamines 7. The ligands 4 , 6 and 7 were synthesized by reductive alkylation of secondary amine 11 , reductive amination of ketones 12 and 16 and nucleophilic substitution of nosylates 14 and 17. The moderate GluN2B affinity of 3-benzazocine 4d (K i = 32 nM) translated into moderate cytoprotective activity (IC 50 = 890 nM) and moderate ion channel inhibition (60% at 10 μM) in two-electrode voltage clamp experiments with GluN1a/GluN2B expressing oocytes. Although some of the tetralinamines 6 and indanamines 7 showed very high GluN2B affinity (e.g. K i (7f) = 3.2 nM), they could not inhibit glutamate/glycine inducted cytotoxicity. The low cytoprotective activity of 3-benzazocines 4 , tetralinamines 6 and indanamines 7 was attributed to the missing OH moiety at the benzene ring and/or in benzylic position. Docking studies showed that the novel GluN2B ligands adopt similar binding poses as Ro 25–6981 with the central H-bond interaction between the protonated amino moiety of the ligands and the carbamoyl moiety of Gln110. However, due to the lack of a second H-bond forming group, the ligands can adopt two binding poses within the ifenprodil binding pocket. Image 1 • Conformational restriction was achieved by embedding the phenylethylamine substructure into various ring systems. • Moderate GluN2B affinity of 3-benzazcoines translated into cytoprotective activity. • High GluN2B affinity of indanamines did not result in cytoprotective potential. • Docking studies led to two different binding poses in the ifenprodil binding site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating ship squat is necessary to maintain safe navigation in the approach channel of harbors. The trim pattern of ships in shallow and restricted water can vary from trim bow down to stern down or variable trim orientation in dependence of the speed. The sinkage and trim pattern of three Postpanmax container ships in extreme shallow and confined water, with a water depth to draft ratio of less than 1.2, are predicted by using a RANSE based CFD method. The developed CFD setup is also applied for simulations of the DTC (Duisburg Test Case) container ship benchmark of the 5th International Conference on Ship Manoeuvring in Shallow and Confined Water (MASHCON). The predicted results are compared with model test data to analyze the robustness of the CFD method and to evaluate the quality of the squat predictions. The presented RANS method is robust and the quality of the predicted squat values is better than 20% deviation. When both CFD and EFD share the same model setup, the prediction deviation is less than 10%. • CFD simulations for predicting sinkage and trim in extreme shallow water are robust. • Robust means: for different ship's trim characteristics (bow down/stern down). • The deviation of CFD calculations to EFD measurements is less than 20 percent. • The deviation reduces if both methods share the same setup regarding propulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EPIC (E mpowering P eople to I ndependence in C OPD) is a geriatric-palliative care telephonic, nurse coach intervention informed by Baltes' Theory of Successful Aging and adapted from the ENABLE (E ducate, N urture, A dvise, B efore L ife E nds) intervention. EPIC, focused on improving independence, mobility, well-being, and COPD symptoms, has undergone formative and summative evaluation for adults with COPD. The primary study aim is to assess the refined EPIC intervention's feasibility and acceptability via a pilot hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized control trial in community-dwelling older adults with moderate to severe COPD and their family caregivers. The secondary aim is to explore the impact of EPIC on patient and caregiver outcomes. Older adults with COPD and their family caregivers (target N = 60 dyads) will be randomized to EPIC (intervention) or usual COPD care (control). EPIC includes six patient and four family caregiver weekly, telephone-based nurse coach sessions using a manualized curriculum (Charting Your Course), plus three monthly follow-up calls. Feasibility will be measured as completion of EPIC intervention and trial components (e.g., recruitment, retention, data collection). Acceptability will be evaluated using satisfaction surveys and post-study feedback interviews. A blinded data collector will assess exploratory outcomes (e.g., Life-Space mobility, quality of life, caregiver burden, emotional symptoms, loneliness, cognitive impairment, functional status, healthcare utilization) at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. This intervention fills a gap in addressing the geriatrics and palliative care needs and equity for adults with COPD and their family caregivers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05040386 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Identify current barriers to palliative care integration into COPD care. 2. Discuss and evaluate unique considerations of integrating palliative care into geriatric COPD populations. Despite evidence demonstrating improved chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes, palliative care in COPD is rare. Few interventions have been systematically developed and tested in community-dwelling older adults with COPD. To address this gap, we developed Project EPIC (Early Palliative Care In COPD), a series of studies following the NIH Stage Model to develop, refine, and pilot test a telephonic nurse coach–led early palliative care intervention in COPD. Pilot testing is ongoing via a single-blind, hybrid type-1 effectiveness-implementation pilot randomized control trial of the refined EPIC intervention plus usual care versus usual care alone. Sixty dyads of older adults with COPD and their care partners are being recruited from outpatient pulmonary clinics at a Southeastern academic tertiary medical center and a county clinic. Those randomized to intervention receive nurse-led, semistructured weekly coaching sessions (six sessions for patients and four sessions for care partners of problem-solving, self-care, symptom management, mobility, communication, value elicitation, and legacy building) and monthly follow-up calls. Patient eligibility criteria includes age >60 years, COPD diagnosis with FEV1/FVC<0.70 + FEV1<0.80 with severe dyspnea (Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale Score >2), >1 COPD hospitalization in last year, or on supplemental oxygen. Care partner eligibility includes >18 years old and involved with patient's medical care. Primary outcomes are feasibility (trial, intervention, and data collection) and acceptability (Likert-scale survey plus semistructured interviews). Other geriatrics-palliative care outcomes (eg, life-space mobility, quality of life, caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, loneliness, etc.) are being collected at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks to guide a future trial. The EPIC early palliative care intervention for persons with COPD and their care partners was iteratively developed and refined over multiple studies and is currently undergoing pilot acceptability and feasibility testing in older adults to prepare for a fully powered efficacy trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]