Before nationwide implementation of waste classification programs in rural areas,identifying suitable pilot regions is crucial.This study develops a comprehensive framework for assessing and selecting these pilot regi...Before nationwide implementation of waste classification programs in rural areas,identifying suitable pilot regions is crucial.This study develops a comprehensive framework for assessing and selecting these pilot regions.Data were collected through 654 valid questionnaires and interviews with respondents from rural areas in six provinces across China.Primary assessment criteria included disposal methods for kitchen waste,recyclables,hazardous waste,and residual waste,as well as farmers’willingness to separate hazardous waste when offered compensation and the impact of centralized waste treatment in villages.Secondary criteria focused on disposal methods for agrochemical packages and other hazardous waste.Using the weighted sum of squares method,the study evaluated the suitability of six regions as pilot areas for waste classification.The results identified villages in Jiangsu province and Hebei province as the most suitable pilot regions.Based on the findings,the study provides recommendations to address weaknesses in these regions to enhance the effectiveness of future trials and offers tailored suggestions for other regions to improve their waste classification initiatives.展开更多
Practical activities are an indispensable piece of science education.As such,assessment of these practical activities is vital for continually enhancing the quality of science instruction.This article presents a tenta...Practical activities are an indispensable piece of science education.As such,assessment of these practical activities is vital for continually enhancing the quality of science instruction.This article presents a tentative framework structured for assessing practical activities in science education.The proposed framework is built upon seven components:engagement and participation,relational thinking,stepwise mastery,contextualization,multidimensional integration,empowerment,and scientific articulacy.The framework might provide science educators with an alternative lens through which to enhance the effectiveness of practical activities,promote student engagement,and better prepare learners for the future.This framework is designed to be additive and complementary to existing assessment approaches and can be adapted and customized to suit specific local contexts and varying grade levels by science educators in the pursuit of excellence in an ever-evolving science education landscape.展开更多
Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and unce...Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.展开更多
The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires,driven by climate change and human activities,pose a significant threat to vital forest ecosystems,particularly where fire is not a natural element in the regener...The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires,driven by climate change and human activities,pose a significant threat to vital forest ecosystems,particularly where fire is not a natural element in the regeneration cycle.This study aims to identify the indicators influencing forest fire vulnerability and compare maps of forest fire susceptibility that are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tripartite model,with a focus on the vulnerable Hyrcanian forest region in Golestan Province,northern Iran,where forest fires have caused considerable economic losses.On the basis of expert opinions and a literature review,we used geographic information systems,remote sensing and machine learning techniques to select and weigh 30 biophysical,environmental and socioeconomic indicators that affect forest fire vulnerability in the study area.These indicators were rigorously normalized,weighted and amalgamated into a comprehensive forest fire vulnerability index to analyze forest exposure,sensitivity and adaptive capacity.We thus identified and mapped areas with very high forest fire exposure,high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity for urgent targeted intervention and strategic planning to mitigate the impacts of forest fires.The results also revealed a set of critical indicators that contribute more significantly to forest fire vulnerability(e.g.,precipitation,elevation and factors related to biodiversity,human activity and economic reliance on forest resources).Our results provide insights that can inform policy-making,community engagement and environmental management strategies to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with forest fires in the Hyrcanian forest.展开更多
Assessing the vulnerability of a platform is crucial in its design.In fact,the results obtained from vulnerability analyses provide valuable information,leading to precise design choices or corrective solutions that e...Assessing the vulnerability of a platform is crucial in its design.In fact,the results obtained from vulnerability analyses provide valuable information,leading to precise design choices or corrective solutions that enhance the platform's chances of surviving different scenarios.Such scenarios can involve various types of threats that can affect the platform's survivability.Among such,blast waves impacting the platform's structure represent critical conditions that have not yet been studied in detail.That is,frameworks for vulnerability assessment that can deal with blast loading have not been presented yet.In this context,this work presents a fast-running engineering tool that can quantify the risk that a structure fails when it is subjected to blast loading from the detonation of high explosive-driven threats detonating at various distances from the structure itself.The tool has been implemented in an in-house software that calculates vulnerability to various impacting objects,and its capabilities have been shown through a simplified,yet realistic,case study.The novelty of this research lies in the development of an integrated computational environment capable of calculating the platform's vulnerability to blast waves,without the need for running expensive finite element simulations.In fact,the proposed tool is fully based on analytical models integrated with a probabilistic approach for vulnerability calculation.展开更多
This study aims to assess seismic hazards and develop effective mitigation strategies for the Mentawai-Siberut region in Indonesia.The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze historical seismic d...This study aims to assess seismic hazards and develop effective mitigation strategies for the Mentawai-Siberut region in Indonesia.The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze historical seismic data,predictive models,and stakeholder perspectives.The quantitative analysis includes seismic hazard estimation using the Gutenberg-Richter formula,ground movement analysis based on GMPE,and time interval calculations to forecast future earthquakes.Qualitative methods involve Policy Network Theory to explore the roles and interactions of various stakeholders in disaster management,including government agencies,Indonesian Archipelago Youth Association(NGOs),local communities,and academic researchers.Findings reveal significant seismic activity in the area,with historical earthquakes of magnitudes 8 and 9 occurring at intervals of 18 to 232 years.Predictions suggest a potential magnitude 8 earthquake around 2083,with a megathrust event likely around 2123.The study also identifies economic costs and losses,with damage from a megathrust estimated between USD 1.5–2.5 billion and 10-20 billion,including destroyed homes and displaced populations.Challenges include infrastructure limitations,logistical constraints,and enhancing disaster preparedness and response.The study emphasizes the importance of improving infrastructure,strengthening disaster preparedness,and updating early warning systems.Effective collaboration among stakeholders and integrating local knowledge into disaster management strategies are crucial for enhancing regional resilience.Recommendations include completing infrastructure projects like the Trans-Mentawai Road,increasing community engagement,and utilizing scientific data for evidence-based policymaking.Addressing these recommendations and limitations is essential for developing a robust disaster management framework to mitigate regional seismic risks.展开更多
Changes in lake levels, as an indicator of climate change, are crucial for understanding water resources.Satellite altimetry has proven to be an effective technique for monitoring water level changes in inland lakes. ...Changes in lake levels, as an indicator of climate change, are crucial for understanding water resources.Satellite altimetry has proven to be an effective technique for monitoring water level changes in inland lakes. However, high-altitude and high-latitude lakes undergo seasonal freezing and melting, affecting satellite altimetry accuracy. This paper evaluates the accuracy of lake level height observations by the CryoSat-2, which uses synthetic aperture radar(SAR) across seasons. First, we used lake boundary based on optical remote sensing data to extract the footprints of CryoSat-2 that fall on Namco and Zhari Namco.After elevation conversion and anomaly identification, we obtained the time series of lake levels. These data were compared and verified against lake levels from in-situ measurements to assess the accuracy of CryoSat-2. The results show that CryoSat-2 can monitor lake level height with an accuracy of about 10-13 cm. The correlation coefficient between CryoSat-2 observations and in-situ measurements over Namco is 0.80(p < 0.01), with a Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) of 13 cm. For Zhari Namco, the correlation coefficient is 0.91, with an RMSE of 10 cm, indicating a better match. At the seasonal scale, the seasonal correlation coefficients between CryoSat-2 and in-situ measurement in Namco are 0.47(spring),0.79(summer), and 0.91(fall) with no observations available for winter. The lower correlation in spring may be due to incomplete ice melting. For Zhari Namco, the seasonal correlation coefficients are 0.89(spring), 0.93(summer), 0.89(fall), and 0.87(winter). The results show that CryoSat-2 accuracy is higher in summer and fall, while slightly lower in spring and winter, indicating that ice formation affects accuracy. Even during winter, the altimetry results do not significantly exceed the in-situ lake water level observations.展开更多
Background:In this study,we aimed to validate and test the reliability of the Yonsei lifestyle profile(YLP)in assessing multifaceted health lifestyle levels in a study population from the United States.Methods:The YLP...Background:In this study,we aimed to validate and test the reliability of the Yonsei lifestyle profile(YLP)in assessing multifaceted health lifestyle levels in a study population from the United States.Methods:The YLP-English version and health-promoting lifestyle profile II were administered to 100 individuals living in the United States.Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient,and discriminant validity was examined by comparing sex and age differences through t-tests and multiple variance analysis.Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach'sαfor each sub-factor.Results:The YLP-English Version demonstrated concurrent validity with the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II,showing consistent correlations for the total score(0.3,p<0.01)and frequency sub-factors(0.25-0.69,p<0.01).Among the satisfaction sub-factors,only nutrition showed a weak negative correlation(-0.19,p<0.01);all others were nonsignificant.Discriminant validity revealed no significant sex differences,but physical activity frequency varied across age groups.Internal consistency was high(Cronbach'sα=0.80-0.86).Conclusion:In this study,we validated the YLP-English version as a reliable instrument for assessing health-related lifestyle behaviors.The YLP uniquely captures both lifestyle frequency and satisfaction,offering a comprehensive perspective on health behaviors.Although this tool is currently most applicable in population-level studies,future research should establish clinical thresholds to enhance its utility in individualized health assessments and interventions.展开更多
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) serves as a voluntary guideline aimed at helping organizations, tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and critical infrastructure operators, effectively manage cyber ris...The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) serves as a voluntary guideline aimed at helping organizations, tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and critical infrastructure operators, effectively manage cyber risks. Although comprehensive, the complexity of the NIST CSF can be overwhelming, especially for those lacking extensive cybersecurity resources. Current implementation tools often cater to larger companies, neglecting the specific needs of SMEs, which can be vulnerable to cyber threats. To address this gap, our research proposes a user-friendly, open-source web platform designed to simplify the implementation of the NIST CSF. This platform enables organizations to assess their risk exposure and continuously monitor their cybersecurity maturity through tailored recommendations based on their unique profiles. Our methodology includes a literature review of existing tools and standards, followed by a description of the platform’s design and architecture. Initial tests with SMEs in Burkina Faso reveal a concerning cybersecurity maturity level, indicating the urgent need for improved strategies based on our findings. By offering an intuitive interface and cross-platform accessibility, this solution aims to empower organizations to enhance their cybersecurity resilience in an evolving threat landscape. The article concludes with discussions on the practical implications and future enhancements of the tool.展开更多
Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal varia...Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal variability of xenobiotic metabolites(XM),repeated sampling is essential.Therefore,saliva offers a valuable tool for the longitudinal assessment of prenatal exposomes.Despite its potential,no studies have explored saliva for XM measurement.This study pioneered using saliva to assess XM detectability and investigate the associations between prenatal XM and endogenous metabolomes in pregnant women.Saliva samples were analysed using mass spectrometry from 80 pregnant women at 24–34 weeks gestation.Metabolomes and exposomes were annotated using the Human Metabolome and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency databases.Metabolome-XM associations were clustered using Glay community clustering.Linear regression models,adjusted for age,estimated associations between catecholamines and XMs.XM levels were validated in a cohort of women(n=14)with and without preeclampsia.Our study identified 582 metabolomes and 125 XM in saliva,demonstrating its potential as a matrix for exposure measurement.After false discovery rate correction,18109 significant metabolome-XM associations were identified.Community clustering revealed 37 connected clusters,with the largest cluster(238 nodes)enriched in tyrosine and catecholamine metabolism.Food-contactchemicals and food-additives were significantly associated with higher catecholamine and their metabolite levels.Subgroup analyses revealed higher concentrations of these chemicals in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy controls.This study demonstrates that saliva contains valuable molecular data for measuring exposomes.Food-related chemicals were associated with higher catecholamine levels,which may be relevant to the prevalence of hypertensive crises in pregnancy.展开更多
Chronic diseases,or NCDs(noncommunicable diseases),constitute a major global health challenge,causing millions of deaths and imposing substantial economic burdens annually.This paper introduces the Health Score,a comp...Chronic diseases,or NCDs(noncommunicable diseases),constitute a major global health challenge,causing millions of deaths and imposing substantial economic burdens annually.This paper introduces the Health Score,a comprehensive framework for assessing chronic disease risk by integrating diverse determinants of health,including social,economic,environmental,behavioral,treatment,culture,and nature factors.The Health Score,ranging from 0 to 850,quantifies indivi dual and population-level health risks while identifying protective factors through a structured methodology that supports targeted interventions at individual,corporate,and community scales.The paper highlights the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States,projecting that nearly half of the population will be affected by 2030,alongside a global economic burden expected to reach trillions of dollars.Existing surveillance tools,such as the CDS(Chronic Disease Score)and CDIs(Chronic Disease Indicators),are examined for their roles in monitoring health disparities.The Health Score advances a holistic,proactive approach,emphasizing lifestyle modifications,equitable healthcare access,economic opportunities,social support,nature exposure,cu ltural awareness,and community engagement.By elucidating the complex interplay of health determinants,this framework equips stakeholders with actionable insights to implement effective prevention strategies,ultimately fostering healthier,more resi lient populations.展开更多
This paper analyses the design and implementation of Listening Course of New College English(Book 3) within the second year non-English major students in Yunnan Agricultural University, China. This includes the course...This paper analyses the design and implementation of Listening Course of New College English(Book 3) within the second year non-English major students in Yunnan Agricultural University, China. This includes the course's planning and delivery with attention upon its learning theories and frameworks. Furthermore, it focuses on how it impacts upon the teaching and learning process. This includes the identification and appropriateness of its learning outcomes, learning activities, its assessment criteria and evaluation. This paper specifically reflects on the course's concept of constructive alignment.展开更多
This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Sample...This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Samples with screening results showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASC-US） or worse were referred for colposcopy, and some samples were tested for high-risk HPV types with the Hybrid Capture II system （HC II）. Data on LCT （n=61,193） and HC II （n=1056） results were analysed. Overall test positivity for LCT was 2.53% using an ASC-US threshold, 3.11% using a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL） threshold, and 0.67% using a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） threshold. A total of 1839 women （84% of the 3893 patients with abnormal cytology） underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy. HPV was positive in 80.3% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 （CIN1）, 88.3% of those with CIN2, 79.2% of women with CIN3 and 50% （2 of 4） of women with invasive cancer. There was a significant increase in the detection of CIN2 or worse with adjunct HPV testing of women with ASC-US and LSIL However, there were detection of CIN2＋ cases no differences in the with adjunct HPV testing of women with HSlI.. The results indicate that HPV testing for HSlL triage should not be recommended in cervical cancer screening.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Ischemic stroke is often followed by the abnormalities of neurons and corticospinal tract, which can lead to corresponding clinical symptoms and signs. Recently, with the continuous perfection of high-fie...BACKGROUND： Ischemic stroke is often followed by the abnormalities of neurons and corticospinal tract, which can lead to corresponding clinical symptoms and signs. Recently, with the continuous perfection of high-field MRI instrument, it becomes possible to assess and investigate the cortical function and structural reconstruction following stroke by using MRI and diffusion tensor imaging （DTI）. OBJECTIVE： To observe the cortical motor function and changes of corticospinal tracts by using MRI and DTI in the patients with ischemic stroke at acute period, compare with the normal subjects, and assess the damage of corticospinal tract and muscle strength.DESIGN ： A case-control observation.SETTING： Department of Medical Imaging, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS ： Nine inpatients （5 males and 4 females） with injury of motor function induced by acute ischemic stroke were selected from Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between August and December in 2005, they aged 16-87 years with an average of 51 years old, and those with obvious conscious disturbances and severe cognitive disorders were excluded. At the same time, nine healthy right-handed physical examinees matched by age and gender with the patients were also selected, and they all had no nervous disease, epilepsy, mental diseases, cerebrovascular abnormalities and injury history, etc. All the subjects were informed with the detected items and agreed to participate in. METHODS： All the 9 patients with ischemic stroke at acute period and 9 healthy subjects were examined with MRI and DTI.① A block-based design was used in the MRI, the passive finger-to-finger exercise was used as the stimulative task, and the static condition was taken as the baseline task. The GE 1.5T MRI system was used, all the data were processed after off-line, and analyzed with the SPM2 software, the association between the activated area and local anatomy of brain was observed. ② The DTI image was processed with the dTV.Ⅱ.R1 software part of the anisotropic image and color anisotropic image were shown, and the three-dimensional white matter image of bilateral corticospinal tracts of the patients were reconstructed. ③ The muscle strength of the affected hand of the stroke patients was judged with the Brunnstorm standard. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The manifestations of MRI, DTI and corticospinal tracts of the 9 stroke patients were mainly observed. RESULTS： All the 9 stroke patients and 9 healthy subjects were involved in the analysis of results. ① Results of MRI examination： The handed exercise of the healthy subjects mainly activated contralateral sensorimotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex and bilateral supplementary motor areas. For the exercise of ipsilateral hand of 7 stroke patients, contralateral sensorimotor cortex was weakly activated, but ipsilateral posterial parietal cortex was obviously activated, and the activation of cerebrum was observed in 3 of them. For the other two patients, bilateral sensorimotor cortexes were activated during the exercise of ipsilateral hand, and the ipsilateral activated area was greater than the controlateral one. The exercise of contralateral hand activated contralateral sensorimotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex and contralateral supplementary motor area, and no obvious ipsilateral activated area was observed.② Results of DTI examination： The anisotropic values of the infarcted area were obviously lower than those of the contralateral part （t=4.570, P 〈 0.01）. the anisotropic value of the infarcted area were obviously was obviously correlated with bilateral muscle strength （t=0.888, P 〈 0.05）. ③ Results of the examination for corticospinal tracts： The reconstruction of bilateral corticospinal tracts, contralateral anatomic form were generally identical with those of normal subjects, the consistency of each continuous form from anterior central gyrus downward to internal capsule to bridge of varolius and bulbus medullae. Because of the involvement of infarcted area to different extent, ipsilateral corticospinal tract was manifested by the interruption of succession and loss of consistency of anatomic structural form. The severity for the injury of corticospinal tract was markedly correlated with the muscle strength of the ipsilateral hand （r=0.888, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION ： ① The MRI manifestations of stroke patients during the exercise of affected hand are different from those of normal subjects, suggesting that there is compensation and reconstruction of brain function.② DTI examination is good for the judgement of the correlation between the damaged severity of infarction and muscle strength.③The damaged severity of corticospinal tracts is correlated with muscle strength, and it can be used to judge the prognosis of rehabilitative treatment.展开更多
Metals and metalloids（termed as metals in this article）are important constituent elements of the earth＇s crust.A number of metals,if present in excess,are toxic to organisms and therefore they are usually defined a...Metals and metalloids（termed as metals in this article）are important constituent elements of the earth＇s crust.A number of metals,if present in excess,are toxic to organisms and therefore they are usually defined as toxic metals.展开更多
A type of velocity sensor CD 1, an auto recording instrument on blasting vibration YBJ 1 and a random signal and vibration analysis system (CRAS) were used to monitor the particle vibration induced by blasting at open...A type of velocity sensor CD 1, an auto recording instrument on blasting vibration YBJ 1 and a random signal and vibration analysis system (CRAS) were used to monitor the particle vibration induced by blasting at open pit slope in Hainan Iron Mine. The attenuating rules of blasting ground vibration on slope were developed. By means of the analysis and calculation of the blasting vibration data at open pit slope and the vertical particle vibration velocity assessment method based on the concept of vibration strength, the empirical attenuating equations which can be used for predicting and estimating the damage of slope were derived.展开更多
Wave energy resource is a very important ocean renewable energy. A reliable assessment of wave energy resources must be performed before they can be exploited. Compared with wave model, altimeter can provide more accu...Wave energy resource is a very important ocean renewable energy. A reliable assessment of wave energy resources must be performed before they can be exploited. Compared with wave model, altimeter can provide more accurate in situ observations for ocean wave which can be as a novel method for wave energy assessment.The advantage of altimeter data is to provide accurate significant wave height observations for wave. In order to develop characteristic and advantage of altimeter data and apply altimeter data to wave energy assessment, in this study, we established an assessing method for wave energy in local sea area which is dedicated to altimeter data.This method includes three parts including data selection and processing, establishment of evaluation indexes system and criterion of regional division. Then a case study of Northwest Pacific was performed to discuss specific application for this method. The results show that assessing method in this paper can assess reserves and temporal and spatial distribution effectively and provide scientific references for the siting of wave power plants and the design of wave energy convertors.展开更多
The present study aims to assess the externalities of a ski resort,that is planned to be built at Tzoumerka mountains,in Greece.The research relies on the Contingent Valuation method,which indirectly estimates the eco...The present study aims to assess the externalities of a ski resort,that is planned to be built at Tzoumerka mountains,in Greece.The research relies on the Contingent Valuation method,which indirectly estimates the economic value of environmental and other nonmarket assets,based on the expressed preferences of members of a social group.The investigation was based on primary data.The core idea of questionnaire’s design,is subject to the use of a double WTP(willingness to pay)question,aiming at the monetary assessment of the attitude of the residents,regarding the upcoming infrastructure project,taking into account both its positive and its negative externalities.Depending on the attitude of the survey respondents,they were asked to decide if they wish to offer an amount of money either to promote or to prevent the construction of the ski resort.Parametric and non-parametric models were then applied in order to calculate in economic terms the expressed opinion of the respondents.The primary question to be answered is whether the willingness to build the ski resort holds a higher economic value than the desire to prevent it.According to the results of the survey,the vast majority of residents(92.4%)supported the idea of building the ski resort,projecting their apparent desire for the tourist and economic development of the area.The reinforcement of the construction idea of the project was estimated on average at €378,200.The very low proportion of the participants who disagreed with the project(5%),did not allow the economic assessment of its prevention,leaving room for further research into the application of Contingent Valuation method and its contribution in cost-benefit analysis and decision making,regarding upcoming projects.展开更多
1.Introduction The assessment of movement quality became widespread in exercise settings following the introduction of Gray Cook’s Functional Movement Screen(FMS).1 Assessing muscle and joint function during real-wor...1.Introduction The assessment of movement quality became widespread in exercise settings following the introduction of Gray Cook’s Functional Movement Screen(FMS).1 Assessing muscle and joint function during real-world movement tasks,it changed the way many coaches assessed their clients.展开更多
Concussion and other forms of brain injury are not always detectable with conventional means such as radiographic imaging.The lack of accurate diagnostics,biomarkers,and outcome measures has a devastating impact.Indiv...Concussion and other forms of brain injury are not always detectable with conventional means such as radiographic imaging.The lack of accurate diagnostics,biomarkers,and outcome measures has a devastating impact.Individual patients may suffer in obscurity,self-medicate into an addictive spiral,have impaired professional activity,and develop failed interpersonal relationships.展开更多
基金supported by the Yunnan Provincial Education Department Scientific Research Fund Project(Grant No.2022J0525).
文摘Before nationwide implementation of waste classification programs in rural areas,identifying suitable pilot regions is crucial.This study develops a comprehensive framework for assessing and selecting these pilot regions.Data were collected through 654 valid questionnaires and interviews with respondents from rural areas in six provinces across China.Primary assessment criteria included disposal methods for kitchen waste,recyclables,hazardous waste,and residual waste,as well as farmers’willingness to separate hazardous waste when offered compensation and the impact of centralized waste treatment in villages.Secondary criteria focused on disposal methods for agrochemical packages and other hazardous waste.Using the weighted sum of squares method,the study evaluated the suitability of six regions as pilot areas for waste classification.The results identified villages in Jiangsu province and Hebei province as the most suitable pilot regions.Based on the findings,the study provides recommendations to address weaknesses in these regions to enhance the effectiveness of future trials and offers tailored suggestions for other regions to improve their waste classification initiatives.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Program of Hefei Normal University(2024KY71)the Partnership Program of Hefei Normal University(HXXM2022094).
文摘Practical activities are an indispensable piece of science education.As such,assessment of these practical activities is vital for continually enhancing the quality of science instruction.This article presents a tentative framework structured for assessing practical activities in science education.The proposed framework is built upon seven components:engagement and participation,relational thinking,stepwise mastery,contextualization,multidimensional integration,empowerment,and scientific articulacy.The framework might provide science educators with an alternative lens through which to enhance the effectiveness of practical activities,promote student engagement,and better prepare learners for the future.This framework is designed to be additive and complementary to existing assessment approaches and can be adapted and customized to suit specific local contexts and varying grade levels by science educators in the pursuit of excellence in an ever-evolving science education landscape.
文摘Overall bank performance in a particular year or period is important to all banking industry stakeholders,as it indicates their success or failure relative to predetermined targets.Due to conflicting criteria and uncertainties,assessing bank performance is a complicated decision-making problem.The current paper proposes the Fuzzy Level Based Weight Assessment(F-LBWA),the Fuzzy Logarithm Methodology of Additive Weights(F-LMAW),and the Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution(MARCOS)combination as a practical and robust decisionmaking tool to cope with many complex ambiguities.In the first phase,the suggested hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making(MCDM)approach estimates the weight coefficients of the performance criteria with the aid of a combined version of the F-LBWA and F-LMAW methods.In the second phase,the MARCOS method determines the ranking performance of the decision alternatives.The introduced model is tested and validated on a case study assessing publicly traded bank performance in Pakistan.The findings obtained from the sensitivity analysis revealed that the presented F-LBWAF-LMAW-MARCOS approach produces consistent solutions and is a reliable and effective procedure in rational decision-making.
基金funding provided by University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna(BOKU).
文摘The increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires,driven by climate change and human activities,pose a significant threat to vital forest ecosystems,particularly where fire is not a natural element in the regeneration cycle.This study aims to identify the indicators influencing forest fire vulnerability and compare maps of forest fire susceptibility that are based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tripartite model,with a focus on the vulnerable Hyrcanian forest region in Golestan Province,northern Iran,where forest fires have caused considerable economic losses.On the basis of expert opinions and a literature review,we used geographic information systems,remote sensing and machine learning techniques to select and weigh 30 biophysical,environmental and socioeconomic indicators that affect forest fire vulnerability in the study area.These indicators were rigorously normalized,weighted and amalgamated into a comprehensive forest fire vulnerability index to analyze forest exposure,sensitivity and adaptive capacity.We thus identified and mapped areas with very high forest fire exposure,high sensitivity and low adaptive capacity for urgent targeted intervention and strategic planning to mitigate the impacts of forest fires.The results also revealed a set of critical indicators that contribute more significantly to forest fire vulnerability(e.g.,precipitation,elevation and factors related to biodiversity,human activity and economic reliance on forest resources).Our results provide insights that can inform policy-making,community engagement and environmental management strategies to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with forest fires in the Hyrcanian forest.
文摘Assessing the vulnerability of a platform is crucial in its design.In fact,the results obtained from vulnerability analyses provide valuable information,leading to precise design choices or corrective solutions that enhance the platform's chances of surviving different scenarios.Such scenarios can involve various types of threats that can affect the platform's survivability.Among such,blast waves impacting the platform's structure represent critical conditions that have not yet been studied in detail.That is,frameworks for vulnerability assessment that can deal with blast loading have not been presented yet.In this context,this work presents a fast-running engineering tool that can quantify the risk that a structure fails when it is subjected to blast loading from the detonation of high explosive-driven threats detonating at various distances from the structure itself.The tool has been implemented in an in-house software that calculates vulnerability to various impacting objects,and its capabilities have been shown through a simplified,yet realistic,case study.The novelty of this research lies in the development of an integrated computational environment capable of calculating the platform's vulnerability to blast waves,without the need for running expensive finite element simulations.In fact,the proposed tool is fully based on analytical models integrated with a probabilistic approach for vulnerability calculation.
文摘This study aims to assess seismic hazards and develop effective mitigation strategies for the Mentawai-Siberut region in Indonesia.The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze historical seismic data,predictive models,and stakeholder perspectives.The quantitative analysis includes seismic hazard estimation using the Gutenberg-Richter formula,ground movement analysis based on GMPE,and time interval calculations to forecast future earthquakes.Qualitative methods involve Policy Network Theory to explore the roles and interactions of various stakeholders in disaster management,including government agencies,Indonesian Archipelago Youth Association(NGOs),local communities,and academic researchers.Findings reveal significant seismic activity in the area,with historical earthquakes of magnitudes 8 and 9 occurring at intervals of 18 to 232 years.Predictions suggest a potential magnitude 8 earthquake around 2083,with a megathrust event likely around 2123.The study also identifies economic costs and losses,with damage from a megathrust estimated between USD 1.5–2.5 billion and 10-20 billion,including destroyed homes and displaced populations.Challenges include infrastructure limitations,logistical constraints,and enhancing disaster preparedness and response.The study emphasizes the importance of improving infrastructure,strengthening disaster preparedness,and updating early warning systems.Effective collaboration among stakeholders and integrating local knowledge into disaster management strategies are crucial for enhancing regional resilience.Recommendations include completing infrastructure projects like the Trans-Mentawai Road,increasing community engagement,and utilizing scientific data for evidence-based policymaking.Addressing these recommendations and limitations is essential for developing a robust disaster management framework to mitigate regional seismic risks.
基金financial supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (42104010, 42174097, 41974093, and 41774088)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
文摘Changes in lake levels, as an indicator of climate change, are crucial for understanding water resources.Satellite altimetry has proven to be an effective technique for monitoring water level changes in inland lakes. However, high-altitude and high-latitude lakes undergo seasonal freezing and melting, affecting satellite altimetry accuracy. This paper evaluates the accuracy of lake level height observations by the CryoSat-2, which uses synthetic aperture radar(SAR) across seasons. First, we used lake boundary based on optical remote sensing data to extract the footprints of CryoSat-2 that fall on Namco and Zhari Namco.After elevation conversion and anomaly identification, we obtained the time series of lake levels. These data were compared and verified against lake levels from in-situ measurements to assess the accuracy of CryoSat-2. The results show that CryoSat-2 can monitor lake level height with an accuracy of about 10-13 cm. The correlation coefficient between CryoSat-2 observations and in-situ measurements over Namco is 0.80(p < 0.01), with a Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) of 13 cm. For Zhari Namco, the correlation coefficient is 0.91, with an RMSE of 10 cm, indicating a better match. At the seasonal scale, the seasonal correlation coefficients between CryoSat-2 and in-situ measurement in Namco are 0.47(spring),0.79(summer), and 0.91(fall) with no observations available for winter. The lower correlation in spring may be due to incomplete ice melting. For Zhari Namco, the seasonal correlation coefficients are 0.89(spring), 0.93(summer), 0.89(fall), and 0.87(winter). The results show that CryoSat-2 accuracy is higher in summer and fall, while slightly lower in spring and winter, indicating that ice formation affects accuracy. Even during winter, the altimetry results do not significantly exceed the in-situ lake water level observations.
基金supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Republic of Korea(NRF-2021S1A3A2A02096338).
文摘Background:In this study,we aimed to validate and test the reliability of the Yonsei lifestyle profile(YLP)in assessing multifaceted health lifestyle levels in a study population from the United States.Methods:The YLP-English version and health-promoting lifestyle profile II were administered to 100 individuals living in the United States.Concurrent validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient,and discriminant validity was examined by comparing sex and age differences through t-tests and multiple variance analysis.Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach'sαfor each sub-factor.Results:The YLP-English Version demonstrated concurrent validity with the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II,showing consistent correlations for the total score(0.3,p<0.01)and frequency sub-factors(0.25-0.69,p<0.01).Among the satisfaction sub-factors,only nutrition showed a weak negative correlation(-0.19,p<0.01);all others were nonsignificant.Discriminant validity revealed no significant sex differences,but physical activity frequency varied across age groups.Internal consistency was high(Cronbach'sα=0.80-0.86).Conclusion:In this study,we validated the YLP-English version as a reliable instrument for assessing health-related lifestyle behaviors.The YLP uniquely captures both lifestyle frequency and satisfaction,offering a comprehensive perspective on health behaviors.Although this tool is currently most applicable in population-level studies,future research should establish clinical thresholds to enhance its utility in individualized health assessments and interventions.
文摘The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) serves as a voluntary guideline aimed at helping organizations, tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and critical infrastructure operators, effectively manage cyber risks. Although comprehensive, the complexity of the NIST CSF can be overwhelming, especially for those lacking extensive cybersecurity resources. Current implementation tools often cater to larger companies, neglecting the specific needs of SMEs, which can be vulnerable to cyber threats. To address this gap, our research proposes a user-friendly, open-source web platform designed to simplify the implementation of the NIST CSF. This platform enables organizations to assess their risk exposure and continuously monitor their cybersecurity maturity through tailored recommendations based on their unique profiles. Our methodology includes a literature review of existing tools and standards, followed by a description of the platform’s design and architecture. Initial tests with SMEs in Burkina Faso reveal a concerning cybersecurity maturity level, indicating the urgent need for improved strategies based on our findings. By offering an intuitive interface and cross-platform accessibility, this solution aims to empower organizations to enhance their cybersecurity resilience in an evolving threat landscape. The article concludes with discussions on the practical implications and future enhancements of the tool.
基金supported by grants from Singhealth Duke-NUS Academic Medicine Research grant(AM/SU035/2020)NMRC Clinician-Scientist Individual Research Grant New Investigator Grant(CNIG20nov-0003).
文摘Chemical exposure during prenatal development has significant implications for both maternal and child health.Compared to blood,saliva is a non-invasive and less resource-intensive,alternative.Given the temporal variability of xenobiotic metabolites(XM),repeated sampling is essential.Therefore,saliva offers a valuable tool for the longitudinal assessment of prenatal exposomes.Despite its potential,no studies have explored saliva for XM measurement.This study pioneered using saliva to assess XM detectability and investigate the associations between prenatal XM and endogenous metabolomes in pregnant women.Saliva samples were analysed using mass spectrometry from 80 pregnant women at 24–34 weeks gestation.Metabolomes and exposomes were annotated using the Human Metabolome and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency databases.Metabolome-XM associations were clustered using Glay community clustering.Linear regression models,adjusted for age,estimated associations between catecholamines and XMs.XM levels were validated in a cohort of women(n=14)with and without preeclampsia.Our study identified 582 metabolomes and 125 XM in saliva,demonstrating its potential as a matrix for exposure measurement.After false discovery rate correction,18109 significant metabolome-XM associations were identified.Community clustering revealed 37 connected clusters,with the largest cluster(238 nodes)enriched in tyrosine and catecholamine metabolism.Food-contactchemicals and food-additives were significantly associated with higher catecholamine and their metabolite levels.Subgroup analyses revealed higher concentrations of these chemicals in women with preeclampsia compared to healthy controls.This study demonstrates that saliva contains valuable molecular data for measuring exposomes.Food-related chemicals were associated with higher catecholamine levels,which may be relevant to the prevalence of hypertensive crises in pregnancy.
文摘Chronic diseases,or NCDs(noncommunicable diseases),constitute a major global health challenge,causing millions of deaths and imposing substantial economic burdens annually.This paper introduces the Health Score,a comprehensive framework for assessing chronic disease risk by integrating diverse determinants of health,including social,economic,environmental,behavioral,treatment,culture,and nature factors.The Health Score,ranging from 0 to 850,quantifies indivi dual and population-level health risks while identifying protective factors through a structured methodology that supports targeted interventions at individual,corporate,and community scales.The paper highlights the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States,projecting that nearly half of the population will be affected by 2030,alongside a global economic burden expected to reach trillions of dollars.Existing surveillance tools,such as the CDS(Chronic Disease Score)and CDIs(Chronic Disease Indicators),are examined for their roles in monitoring health disparities.The Health Score advances a holistic,proactive approach,emphasizing lifestyle modifications,equitable healthcare access,economic opportunities,social support,nature exposure,cu ltural awareness,and community engagement.By elucidating the complex interplay of health determinants,this framework equips stakeholders with actionable insights to implement effective prevention strategies,ultimately fostering healthier,more resi lient populations.
文摘This paper analyses the design and implementation of Listening Course of New College English(Book 3) within the second year non-English major students in Yunnan Agricultural University, China. This includes the course's planning and delivery with attention upon its learning theories and frameworks. Furthermore, it focuses on how it impacts upon the teaching and learning process. This includes the identification and appropriateness of its learning outcomes, learning activities, its assessment criteria and evaluation. This paper specifically reflects on the course's concept of constructive alignment.
基金funded by Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission(No.Y0905001000091)
文摘This study compared HPV testing and liquid-based cytology （LCT） as performance indicators for cervical cancer screening in a hospital-based study. A total of 61,193 outpatients were screened initially by LCT. Samples with screening results showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance （ASC-US） or worse were referred for colposcopy, and some samples were tested for high-risk HPV types with the Hybrid Capture II system （HC II）. Data on LCT （n=61,193） and HC II （n=1056） results were analysed. Overall test positivity for LCT was 2.53% using an ASC-US threshold, 3.11% using a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （LSIL） threshold, and 0.67% using a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion （HSIL） threshold. A total of 1839 women （84% of the 3893 patients with abnormal cytology） underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy. HPV was positive in 80.3% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 （CIN1）, 88.3% of those with CIN2, 79.2% of women with CIN3 and 50% （2 of 4） of women with invasive cancer. There was a significant increase in the detection of CIN2 or worse with adjunct HPV testing of women with ASC-US and LSIL However, there were detection of CIN2＋ cases no differences in the with adjunct HPV testing of women with HSlI.. The results indicate that HPV testing for HSlL triage should not be recommended in cervical cancer screening.
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, No. Z0516079
文摘BACKGROUND： Ischemic stroke is often followed by the abnormalities of neurons and corticospinal tract, which can lead to corresponding clinical symptoms and signs. Recently, with the continuous perfection of high-field MRI instrument, it becomes possible to assess and investigate the cortical function and structural reconstruction following stroke by using MRI and diffusion tensor imaging （DTI）. OBJECTIVE： To observe the cortical motor function and changes of corticospinal tracts by using MRI and DTI in the patients with ischemic stroke at acute period, compare with the normal subjects, and assess the damage of corticospinal tract and muscle strength.DESIGN ： A case-control observation.SETTING： Department of Medical Imaging, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS ： Nine inpatients （5 males and 4 females） with injury of motor function induced by acute ischemic stroke were selected from Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between August and December in 2005, they aged 16-87 years with an average of 51 years old, and those with obvious conscious disturbances and severe cognitive disorders were excluded. At the same time, nine healthy right-handed physical examinees matched by age and gender with the patients were also selected, and they all had no nervous disease, epilepsy, mental diseases, cerebrovascular abnormalities and injury history, etc. All the subjects were informed with the detected items and agreed to participate in. METHODS： All the 9 patients with ischemic stroke at acute period and 9 healthy subjects were examined with MRI and DTI.① A block-based design was used in the MRI, the passive finger-to-finger exercise was used as the stimulative task, and the static condition was taken as the baseline task. The GE 1.5T MRI system was used, all the data were processed after off-line, and analyzed with the SPM2 software, the association between the activated area and local anatomy of brain was observed. ② The DTI image was processed with the dTV.Ⅱ.R1 software part of the anisotropic image and color anisotropic image were shown, and the three-dimensional white matter image of bilateral corticospinal tracts of the patients were reconstructed. ③ The muscle strength of the affected hand of the stroke patients was judged with the Brunnstorm standard. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The manifestations of MRI, DTI and corticospinal tracts of the 9 stroke patients were mainly observed. RESULTS： All the 9 stroke patients and 9 healthy subjects were involved in the analysis of results. ① Results of MRI examination： The handed exercise of the healthy subjects mainly activated contralateral sensorimotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex and bilateral supplementary motor areas. For the exercise of ipsilateral hand of 7 stroke patients, contralateral sensorimotor cortex was weakly activated, but ipsilateral posterial parietal cortex was obviously activated, and the activation of cerebrum was observed in 3 of them. For the other two patients, bilateral sensorimotor cortexes were activated during the exercise of ipsilateral hand, and the ipsilateral activated area was greater than the controlateral one. The exercise of contralateral hand activated contralateral sensorimotor cortex, posterior parietal cortex and contralateral supplementary motor area, and no obvious ipsilateral activated area was observed.② Results of DTI examination： The anisotropic values of the infarcted area were obviously lower than those of the contralateral part （t=4.570, P 〈 0.01）. the anisotropic value of the infarcted area were obviously was obviously correlated with bilateral muscle strength （t=0.888, P 〈 0.05）. ③ Results of the examination for corticospinal tracts： The reconstruction of bilateral corticospinal tracts, contralateral anatomic form were generally identical with those of normal subjects, the consistency of each continuous form from anterior central gyrus downward to internal capsule to bridge of varolius and bulbus medullae. Because of the involvement of infarcted area to different extent, ipsilateral corticospinal tract was manifested by the interruption of succession and loss of consistency of anatomic structural form. The severity for the injury of corticospinal tract was markedly correlated with the muscle strength of the ipsilateral hand （r=0.888, P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION ： ① The MRI manifestations of stroke patients during the exercise of affected hand are different from those of normal subjects, suggesting that there is compensation and reconstruction of brain function.② DTI examination is good for the judgement of the correlation between the damaged severity of infarction and muscle strength.③The damaged severity of corticospinal tracts is correlated with muscle strength, and it can be used to judge the prognosis of rehabilitative treatment.
文摘Metals and metalloids（termed as metals in this article）are important constituent elements of the earth＇s crust.A number of metals,if present in excess,are toxic to organisms and therefore they are usually defined as toxic metals.
文摘A type of velocity sensor CD 1, an auto recording instrument on blasting vibration YBJ 1 and a random signal and vibration analysis system (CRAS) were used to monitor the particle vibration induced by blasting at open pit slope in Hainan Iron Mine. The attenuating rules of blasting ground vibration on slope were developed. By means of the analysis and calculation of the blasting vibration data at open pit slope and the vertical particle vibration velocity assessment method based on the concept of vibration strength, the empirical attenuating equations which can be used for predicting and estimating the damage of slope were derived.
基金The Dragon III Project of ESA-MOST Dragon Cooperation under contract No.10412the Ocean Renewable Energy Special Fund Project of State Oceanic Administration under contract No.GHME2011ZC07the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)under contract No.41176157
文摘Wave energy resource is a very important ocean renewable energy. A reliable assessment of wave energy resources must be performed before they can be exploited. Compared with wave model, altimeter can provide more accurate in situ observations for ocean wave which can be as a novel method for wave energy assessment.The advantage of altimeter data is to provide accurate significant wave height observations for wave. In order to develop characteristic and advantage of altimeter data and apply altimeter data to wave energy assessment, in this study, we established an assessing method for wave energy in local sea area which is dedicated to altimeter data.This method includes three parts including data selection and processing, establishment of evaluation indexes system and criterion of regional division. Then a case study of Northwest Pacific was performed to discuss specific application for this method. The results show that assessing method in this paper can assess reserves and temporal and spatial distribution effectively and provide scientific references for the siting of wave power plants and the design of wave energy convertors.
文摘The present study aims to assess the externalities of a ski resort,that is planned to be built at Tzoumerka mountains,in Greece.The research relies on the Contingent Valuation method,which indirectly estimates the economic value of environmental and other nonmarket assets,based on the expressed preferences of members of a social group.The investigation was based on primary data.The core idea of questionnaire’s design,is subject to the use of a double WTP(willingness to pay)question,aiming at the monetary assessment of the attitude of the residents,regarding the upcoming infrastructure project,taking into account both its positive and its negative externalities.Depending on the attitude of the survey respondents,they were asked to decide if they wish to offer an amount of money either to promote or to prevent the construction of the ski resort.Parametric and non-parametric models were then applied in order to calculate in economic terms the expressed opinion of the respondents.The primary question to be answered is whether the willingness to build the ski resort holds a higher economic value than the desire to prevent it.According to the results of the survey,the vast majority of residents(92.4%)supported the idea of building the ski resort,projecting their apparent desire for the tourist and economic development of the area.The reinforcement of the construction idea of the project was estimated on average at €378,200.The very low proportion of the participants who disagreed with the project(5%),did not allow the economic assessment of its prevention,leaving room for further research into the application of Contingent Valuation method and its contribution in cost-benefit analysis and decision making,regarding upcoming projects.
基金supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.
文摘1.Introduction The assessment of movement quality became widespread in exercise settings following the introduction of Gray Cook’s Functional Movement Screen(FMS).1 Assessing muscle and joint function during real-world movement tasks,it changed the way many coaches assessed their clients.
文摘Concussion and other forms of brain injury are not always detectable with conventional means such as radiographic imaging.The lack of accurate diagnostics,biomarkers,and outcome measures has a devastating impact.Individual patients may suffer in obscurity,self-medicate into an addictive spiral,have impaired professional activity,and develop failed interpersonal relationships.
