Energy Blockchain in Smart Communities: Towards Affordable Clean Energy Supply for the Built Environment

The rapid growth of distributed renewable energy penetration is promoting the evolution of the energy system toward decentralization and decentralized and digitized smart grids.This study was based on energy blockchain,and developed a dual-biding mechanism based on the real-time energy surplus and demand in the local smart grid,which is expected to enable reliable,affordable,and clean energy supply in smart communities.In the proposed system,economic benefits could be achieved by replacing fossil-fuel-based electricity with the high penetration of affordable solar PV electricity.The reduction of energy surplus realized by distributed energy production and P2P energy trading,within the smart grid results in less transmission loss and lower requirements for costly upgrading of existing grids.By adopting energy blockchain and smart contract technologies,energy secure trading with a low risk of privacy leakage could be accommodated.The prototype is examined through a case study,and the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed mechanism are further validated by scenario analysis.

The Benefits of Solar Energy on the Provision of Sustainable Affordable Housing in Nigeria

Solar energy is the most abundant form of energy on Earth. Solar energy brings impactful benefits and products that are expected to make homes more reliable, sustainable, and affordable. Thanks to technological advancements like the solar cell, we can gather this energy and turn it into electricity. The construction industry has an exceptional chance of benefiting from this sustainable energy. Many recognised benefits have been spelled forth in the construction industry, such as providing homes with clean energy with no trace of ozone depleting material emission. There are many people in Nigeria who are not linked to the public electric grid, and the energy sector produces and generates less than 58% of the entire amount of energy required. As stated in the Nigeria’s National Energy General Plan, the Sustainable Energy programme aims to enhance the country’s use of solar electricity. This paper focuses on the role of solar energy in the provision of sustainable affordable housing in Nigeria. It considers the description, method, and utilisation of solar energy with a focus on residential and commercial buildings.

The Challenges in Providing Affordable Housing in Nigeria and the Adequate Sustainable Approaches for Addressing Them

Despite multiple schemes implemented by various governments around the country, affordable housing remains elusive to the average Nigerian. Because the situation is comparable to that of other developing nations, it remains a key concern in these countries’ socioeconomic development. Over 52% of Nigeria’s population has been claimed to live in shanties, squatter communities, and informal settlements. This article, therefore, reviews the challenges to the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria and the Sustainable approaches to address them. The article’s findings were based on a thorough examination of the literature. The article’s findings indicated that sustainable approaches for addressing Nigeria’s affordable housing barriers may best be examined through the economic, ecological, social, institutional, and technical factors. The paper urges the present regime, investors, lawmakers, and private developers in Nigeria to implement these approaches for affordable housing provision. The findings from this article will add to the current body of knowledge by providing important information on affordable housing provision and re-directing research interest towards affordable housing in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Utility of a Relatively Affordable In-House HIV-1 Genotyping Assay for Drug Resistance Testing among Non B HIV-1 Infected Drug Naive Patients in Nigeria

Background: The introduction of antiretroviral (ARV) in resource-limited settings has increased life expectancy among non-B HIV-1 infected individuals. We used a validated In-house genotyping assay to characterize non-B HIV-1 and to determine drug resistance mutations among treatment-naive patients. Methods: Plasma samples from 105 HIV-1 infected drug-naive adult patients attending a tertiary hospital Jos, Nigeria were subjected to HIV-1 RNA extraction, reverse transcription amplification, and population-based sequencing of the partial pol gene on the ABI 3130xl genetic analyzer. Subtyping and phylogenetic analyses were performed by REGA Subtyping Tool v2.0 and MEGA v5.0 respectively. Drug resistance profiles were evaluated according to IAS-USA 2013 drug resistance mutations list. Result: One hundred samples (95.2%) were successfully genotyped. The distribution of the non-B HIV-1 subtypes were;CRF02_AG-48%, G-41.0%, CRF06_cpx-6.0%, and A-5.0%. Ten percent of the isolates had at least one major drug resistance mutation in the pol gene. The drug-class specific resistance prevalences were 6.0% for NRTIs;M41L-1.0%, K65KR-1.0%, M184IM-1.0%, M184V-2.0%, and T215ADNT-1%, 8.0% for NNRTIs;K103N-2%, 1.0% for K101E, E138A, G190A, P225HP, Y181I, Y188L, Y181C including protease inhibitors’ Q58E (1.0%). Conclusion: HIV-1 was heterogeneously distributed;CRF02_AG and G predominate and some known major mutations associated with NRTIs and NNRTIs were determined. The In-house assay is suitable for both characterization of non-B HIV-1 subtypes and detection of drug resistance at a significant lower cost than available commercial genotyping assays. This finding underscores the need to consider use of low-cost In-house genotyping assay as an alternative in resource-limited settings with non-B HIV-1 epidemic.

Effectual Planning on Affordable Housing—The Case of Nanjing

This research scrutinize how the Chinese system applied to reduces cost effectiveness in order to curves housing affordability for the purpose of land prices for the social housing popularly known as low cost social housing schemes as the government took measures throughout the years, however the paper describes the key characteristics of Chinese urban planning and design system, subsidies to social rented housing producers are being cut and equates this with practice within Chinese spectrum. The paper describes the key characteristics of the national planning, as per the recent trends housing policy on-affordability, this planning system assists overall housing requirements and how it has been adapted. It explains the new arrangements the government has put into place to lower land prices for social housing and argues that this represents provide and expand the supply of good quality housing units;make housing more affordable and readily available;promote economic diversity in residential neighborhood;help households build wealth;and promote balanced metropolitan growth.

Patient Advocacy and the Affordable Care Act: The Growing Need for Nurses to Be Culturally Aware

The nurse-patient relationship is centered on patient advocacy. Patient advocacy is essential in providing individualized care and improving health outcomes. With the recent implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the patient advocacy concept requires further exploration. Published literature involving patient advocacy’s history, uses, definition, past analyses and nursing perceptions were examined. Outcomes of this literature review lead to further examining patient advocacy and how it is applied to culturally diverse patient populations, patient advocacy in nursing curricula and related research. Overall study results indicate that patient advocacy is associated with enhanced health encounters that include nurses presenting patients with understandable healthcare options and supporting patients with their healthcare preference. Although, this review identified positive outcomes of patient advocacy, nursing research must be directed toward creating a patient advocacy definition and measuring advocacy from a patient’s perspective. There is also a need for nursing leaders to consider placing a higher emphasis on cultural awareness research and education due to an increased rate of culturally diverse patients now seeking care through the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act: Disparities in emergency department use for mental health diagnoses in young adults

BACKGROUND: There is little consensus as to the effects of insurance expansion on emergency department(ED) utilization for mental health purposes. We aimed to study the race specifi c association between the dependent coverage provision of the Affordable Care Act(ACA) and changes in young adults' usage of emergency department services for psychiatric diagnoses.METHODS: We utilized a Quasi-Experimental analysis of ED use in California from 2009–2011 for behavioral health diagnoses of individuals aged 19 to 31 years. Analysis used a difference-indifferences approach comparing those targeted by the ACA dependent provision(19–25 years) and those who were not(27 to 31 years), evaluating changes in ED visit rates per 1 000 in California. Primary outcomes measured included the quarterly ED visit rates with any psychiatric diagnosis. Subgroups were analyzed for differences based on race and gender.RESULTS: The ACA dependent provision was associated with 0.05 per 1 000 people fewer psychiatric ED visits among the treatment group(19–25 years) compared to the control group(27–31 years). Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders were the only racial subgroups who did not see this significant reduction and were the only racial subgroups that did not see significant gains in the proportion of psychiatric ED visits covered by private insurance.CONCLUSION: The ACA dependent provision was associated with a modest reduction in the growth rate of ED use for psychiatric reasons, however, racial disparities in the effect of this provision exist for patients of Hispanic and Asian/Pacifi c Islander racial groups.

Quantifying Embodied Energy Using Green Building Technologies under Affordable Housing Construction

The building construction industry is a major contributor of environmental pollution, with high levels of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, all of which contribute to climate change. Housing is the single largest subsector of the construction industry. It is also a basic need associated with social and economic benefits, and its demand in most emerging economies is substantial. Hence it is a sector with significant potential not to mitigate just the negative impact of climate change on buildings and people, but also to reduce the impact of the construction industry on the natural environment. Green buildings technology has advanced greatly in recent years, but most “high performance” green buildings are capital intensive, often with high-tech applications that are not in easy reach of the mass housing market. In the developing country context, where huge segments of the population lack access to essential services or housing, the green buildings approach to addressing climate change is perceived to be largely unaffordable. For green technology to be adopted in poorer nations and have scalable impact, it will have to be low-cost and affordable. According to a 2010 report, buildings in the commercial, office and hospitality sectors are poised to grow at 8% annually over the next 10 years in India. While the retail sector has been growing rapidly at 8% per annum, the residential sector has seen growth of 5% per annum during this period. It is estimated that over 70 million New Urban Housing Units will be required over the next 20 Years.

Engaging Freshman Undergraduate Students in Faculty Environmental Science Research: Testing the Local Surface Waters for Nitrate, Phosphate, and Ammonium Ions Using Two Affordable Methods as an Example

Clean water is a crucial factor that contributes to the health of eco-systems and their inhabitants. Testing local surface water is an exciting way to engage freshman undergraduates in research which shows them the importance of protecting their communities and environment. Two affordable methods: a Colorimeter and Ion-Selective Probe were used to analyze nitrate, phosphate and ammonia levels in local surface water samples. The samples were collected from the Muskingum River which runs through Southeastern Ohio (Muskingum County) and were collected at 2 mile increments. We believe that this set of experiments would be beneficial if implemented into a college freshman level chemistry lab, thereby, promoting self-awareness of water safety, eco-system safety and community involvement. In addition, the students will learn how our environment is effected by our actions when we neglect to properly monitor the type of pollutants we allow into our water ways.

Green Affordable Social Housing: A Survey-Based Passive Cooling Design, with Focus on Jakande Housing Estate in Lagos, Nigeria

With rising health risks escalating from temperatures in the Global South, the shortage of essential indoor cooling is frequently seen as a dimension of energy poverty and human wellbeing. As a result, this study assessed ventilation and passive cooling in Jakande, Lagos Housing estate to design social housing that integrates proper cross ventilation and cooling. A total of 1215 housing units in the estate were used for the sampling frame. Based on the survey, the authors proposed an analytical housing design equipped with urban greenery that allows for free air movement with minimal thermal discomfort. The design methodology aids continuous cooling within the housing envelope and also improves aesthetics and landscaping within the environment.

Applications of Housing Affordability Measurement Approaches Used in Planning Affordable Housing: A Systematic Review

Housing affordability measurement is a recurring subject in planning literature. Research evidence suggests that in planning for affordable housing, planners typically apply the normative (ratio and residual income) measures to all variants of affordability stress. Hence, proffering intervention strategies that often fail to address peculiar situations in their towns. This systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence in the literature relating to various applications of housing affordability measurement approaches. To ascertain the various application fields/domains, present findings, specify relevant literature gaps, and propose future research themes. The review findings demonstrate that the accurateness of conclusions reached, about the severity of the housing affordability problem is highly dependent on the measurement approach used. The study concludes that the application of appropriate methods to specific situations leads to better planning outcomes.

Bring Affordable Medical Service to Farmers

Huo Yulan had suffered from hydrocephalus, a brain disease, for decades before she finally agreed to have an operation for it in the Beipiao County Hospital, Liaoning Province in Northeast China last March.

“示能”(Affordance)概念的演化——诺曼设计心理学理论中的Affordance词用考析

具有实用主义特质的设计心理学与强调个体生命性的生态心理学在“知觉—行动”的发生机制问题上有着根本分歧,因此,诺曼在设计领域使用吉布森所创的Affordance概念时无法完全遵照原意,而是突出追求“确定性”和“可操作性”的方法理路,Affordance概念的内涵发生了变化。在设计心理学中探索一条融合生态知觉思想的研究进路是有可能并有价值的。

Living in a Condominium Regime:Neighborhood Conflicts in Low-Income Housing,Tijuana,Baja California-A Secondary Publication

This paper analyzes neighborhood conflicts arising from the condominium property regime,under which social housing promoted by Mexican government institutions and private developers is acquired.This regime has facilitated access to housing for the salaried population,but it is far from contributing to the attainment of the right to housing.The research takes as case studies housing complexes located in the city of Tijuana,Baja California,Mexico.The analysis included a mixed methodology.Firstly,similar case studies were analyzed;secondly,a review of the Condominium Property Regime Law was carried out in order to understand its implications.In view of the pandemic situation,a virtual survey was applied to the inhabitants of these areas,as well as interviews with presidents of neighborhood committees of these complexes.From the above,it was found that this form of ownership generates conflicts,reflected in the dissatisfaction of the inhabitants with their housing,disagreements and controversies in their organization and coexistence.The inhabitants have to collectively solve the problems they face,related to the maintenance and use of common areas,insecurity,and cleanliness,among others.In addition,there is a lack of support from local authorities.With this,it is concluded that although the inhabitants have a space that solves their housing problem,it does not manage to be a space that adequately guarantees their right to housing.

A Review of Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries:Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Zinc-air batteries(ZABs)are gaining attention as an ideal option for various applications requiring high-capacity batteries,such as portable electronics,electric vehicles,and renewable energy storage.ZABs offer advantages such as low environmental impact,enhanced safety compared to Li-ion batteries,and cost-effectiveness due to the abundance of zinc.However,early research faced challenges due to parasitic reactions at the zinc anode and slow oxygen redox kinetics.Recent advancements in restructuring the anode,utilizing alternative electrolytes,and developing bifunctional oxygen catalysts have significantly improved ZABs.Scientists have achieved battery reversibility over thousands of cycles,introduced new electrolytes,and achieved energy efficiency records surpassing 70%.Despite these achievements,there are challenges related to lower power density,shorter lifespan,and air electrode corrosion leading to performance degradation.This review paper discusses different battery configurations,and reaction mechanisms for electrically and mechanically rechargeable ZABs,and proposes remedies to enhance overall battery performance.The paper also explores recent advancements,applications,and the future prospects of electrically/mechanically rechargeable ZABs.

基于计算机视觉的Affordance理解研究综述

利用基于计算机视觉的Affordance理解研究行为者和周围环境之间的交互属性,对指导机器人导航、抓取具有重要意义。因此,全面、深入地综述了基于计算机视觉的Affordance理解研究现状。首先,对近年来提出的方法依据研究方向进行归类,综述不同方法的思路和特点;然后,对多个常用的公开数据集进行介绍,并对不同方法在这些数据集上的性能进行对比分析;最后,阐述基于计算机视觉的Affordance理解各类方法的优势与不足及未来的发展趋势。

IMAGE-BUILDING AND FRAMING PROCESSES OF AN ANTI-MOTHER/-WOMAN IN CICERO’S PRO CLUENTIO

In this case study we explore Cicero’s processes of framing and image-building regarding the concept of an anti-mother/-woman.For this we examine Cicero’s portrayal of Sassia,a woman who features as one of the main antagonists of his speech Pro Cluentio.We analyse Cicero’s depiction of Sassia’s evilness towards her son,Cluentius,through the lens of frame and framing theories.By doing so,this case study aims to present a deeper understanding of Cicero’s stratagems(e.g.,priming,calling for action;nudging,pushing someone towards action;and affordance,offering a frame to act outside of or within)which were employed in order to devise a negative characterisation of Sassia.The application of this methodological approach to Cicero’s framing of Sassia provides a new scope for analysing not only the classical text itself but also for the analysis of ancient human society to which it belonged.

A model study on affordable steel residential housing in China

The main research purpose of this paper is to acquire a series of designed concept of"affordable housing"in key geographical areas of East China through the development of innovative,economical,flexible,reproducible and affordable residential houses using intensive steel solutions.Toward this goal,both the residential housing conditions and the development of steel residential building in China are widely investigated.Affordable housing in China is then,based on the investigation,defined as green humanized multi-storey housing comprised of medium-small type dwellings whose construction cost is not much higher than that of traditional reinforced concrete buildings and the maintenance cost is low.Taking this definition as a guiding ideology,detailed architectural and structural design of a steel affordable housing model in terms of a collective housing form with repeatable living units has been carried out.Comparisons of project cost and energy consumption between the designed steel residential housing and the corresponding reinforced concrete building show that the former is not more expensive and consumes less energy than the latter.

No Pain, All Gain

Chinese doctors in Rwanda revolutionise childbirth by making painless deliveries affordable In a move that could transform childbirth procedures in Rwanda,Chinese doctors at the Masaka District Hospital in Kicukiro have successfully facilitated natural birth by a woman living with HIV.This milestone marks a significant step towards safer and more accessible childbirth practices in the country.

The Optimization Path of Research Support Services in University Libraries from the Perspective of Affordance Theory

University libraries,as an integral component of university research capabilities,are tasked with serving education by providing research support to faculty and students.This study adopts an affordance research perspective originating from ecological psychology to explore the optimization path of research support services in libraries in the new media era.Based on the characteristics of university library services,this research analyzes three aspects:production affordance,mobile affordance,and social affordance,and proposes practical recommendations to guide future research service practices of university libraries.