As an established environmental scholar once mentioned,“we do not inherit resources from the earth,we borrow them from the future”.Since 2011,the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has continued to ...As an established environmental scholar once mentioned,“we do not inherit resources from the earth,we borrow them from the future”.Since 2011,the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has continued to rise.In 2019,the annual average concentration of carbon dioxide reached 410 ppm,methane reached 1,866 ppb,and nitrous oxide reached 332 ppb.展开更多
Beta thalassemia(β-thalassemia)syndromes are a heterogeneous group of inherited hemoglobinopathies caused by molecular defects in the beta-globin gene that lead to the impaired synthesis of beta-globin chains of the ...Beta thalassemia(β-thalassemia)syndromes are a heterogeneous group of inherited hemoglobinopathies caused by molecular defects in the beta-globin gene that lead to the impaired synthesis of beta-globin chains of the hemoglobin.The hallmarks of the disease include ineffective erythropoiesis,chronic hemolytic anemia,and iron overload.Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic carriers to severe anemia requiring lifelong blood transfusions with subsequent devastating complications.The management of patients with severeβ-thalassemia represents a global health problem,particularly in low-income countries.Until recently,management strategies were limited to regular transfusions and iron chelation therapy,with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation available only for a subset of patients.Better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms ofβ-thalassemia syndromes and associated clinical phenotypes has paved the way for novel therapeutic options,including pharmacologic enhancers of effective erythropoiesis and gene therapy.展开更多
Accurate Global Horizontal Irradiance(GHI)forecasting has become vital for successfully integrating solar energy into the electrical grid because of the expanding demand for green power and the worldwide shift favouri...Accurate Global Horizontal Irradiance(GHI)forecasting has become vital for successfully integrating solar energy into the electrical grid because of the expanding demand for green power and the worldwide shift favouring green energy resources.Particularly considering the implications of the aggressive GHG emission targets,accurate GHI forecasting has become vital for developing,designing,and operational managing solar energy systems.This research presented the core concepts of modelling and performance analysis of the application of various forecasting models such as ARIMA(Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average),Elaman NN(Elman Neural Network),RBFN(Radial Basis Function Neural Network),SVM(Support Vector Machine),LSTM(Long Short-Term Memory),Persistent,BPN(Back Propagation Neural Network),MLP(Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network),RF(Random Forest),and XGBoost(eXtreme Gradient Boosting)for assessing multi-seasonal forecasting of GHI.Used the India region data to evaluate the models’performance and forecasting ability.Research using forecasting models for seasonal Global Horizontal Irradiance(GHI)forecasting in winter,spring,summer,monsoon,and autumn.Substantiated performance effectiveness through evaluation metrics,such as Mean Absolute Error(MAE),Root Mean Squared Error(RMSE),and R-squared(R^(2)),coded using Python programming.The performance experimentation analysis inferred that the most accurate forecasts in all the seasons compared to the other forecasting models the Random Forest and eXtreme Gradient Boosting,are the superior and competing models that yield Winter season-based forecasting XGBoost is the best forecasting model with MAE:1.6325,RMSE:4.8338,and R^(2):0.9998.Spring season-based forecasting XGBoost is the best forecasting model with MAE:2.599599,RMSE:5.58539,and R^(2):0.999784.Summer season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:1.03843,RMSE:2.116325,and R^(2):0.999967.Monsoon season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:0.892385,RMSE:2.417587,and R^(2):0.999942.Autumn season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:0.810462,RMSE:1.928215,and R^(2):0.999958.Based on seasonal variations and computing constraints,the findings enable energy system operators to make helpful recommendations for choosing the most effective forecasting models.展开更多
The key developments in Indian Irrigation sector have been presented by briefly discussing the following topics:1.Present Indian Irrigation Challenges and Way Forward.2.Regulatory Interventions in Water Sector in Indi...The key developments in Indian Irrigation sector have been presented by briefly discussing the following topics:1.Present Indian Irrigation Challenges and Way Forward.2.Regulatory Interventions in Water Sector in India(Maharashtra’s Example).3.Roles and Activities of Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority(MWRRA).4.Major Achievements of MWRRA.5.Indian National Committee On Irrigation and Drainage(INCID).6.Irrigation,Command Area Development and Micro Irrigation in India.7.Flood Management and Its Measures.8.Capacity Building.展开更多
Let me start by saying that it is always dangerous to make general assessments, as there will always be cases that point to another direction. Let me also state that I believe that flexibility is a must to doing busin...Let me start by saying that it is always dangerous to make general assessments, as there will always be cases that point to another direction. Let me also state that I believe that flexibility is a must to doing business in any part of the world. Therefore, my comments are always personal and on relative, average terms. The frequent changes in policies in regulations usually impact both展开更多
For over four decades China has implemented a wide range of economic reforms and strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and opening up the economy,the results of which are often dubbed an“economic miracle.”An im po...For over four decades China has implemented a wide range of economic reforms and strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and opening up the economy,the results of which are often dubbed an“economic miracle.”An im portant part of this econom ic growth has recently taken place in Chongli.A district located on the outer edge of Beijing,Chongli,in Zhangjiakou City,is surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural scenery.展开更多
Purpose-Following the regional restructuring,the number of joint-venture railway companies in which the Group participates has significantly increased.This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by China Railway G...Purpose-Following the regional restructuring,the number of joint-venture railway companies in which the Group participates has significantly increased.This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by China Railway Group in managing participation in joint-venture railway companies.The study seeks to propose specific approaches to ensure the effective management of these companies,thereby maximizing the benefits of the regional restructuring and supporting the development of a strong transportation country and a modern infrastructure system.Design/methodology/approach-Based on the change in the shareholding relationship between China Railway Group and the joint-venture railway companies,and considering the current situation of the regional restructuring of these companies,as well as the insights from existing literature and typical case studies,this paper proposes some specific paths for effective management of joint-stock railway companies which China Railway Group participated in.Findings-The problems in participation management are the unclear dual leadership role of the party committee,the lack of discourse power,the lack of synergy between shareholders,the increasing risk of sustainable operation of the loss-making companies and the role of dispatched personnel is not fully played.Based on the theories,combined with the existing research and practical cases,the paper proposed specific approaches,such as perfecting top-level system design,maintaining the discourse power,carrying out differentiated management,arranging personnel rationally,arranging shareholders synergy,and innovating methods to provide references for China Railway Group’s subsequent management of joint venture railway companies.Originality/value-This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by China Railway Group in managing participation in joint-venture railway companies following the regional restructuring.The study offers novel insights and practical recommendations for addressing these challenges.The findings can serve as valuable references for China Railway Group’s subsequent management of joint-venture railway companies which participated in,as well as for other stateowned enterprises facing similar challenges in managing their joint ventures.展开更多
Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultura...Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultural perceptions, scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical industry influence. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) to provide a thorough and structured overview, the research addresses these factors with transparency and reproducibility. Key findings reveal that negative cultural perceptions, the dominance of Western medicine, and skepticism towards traditional healers, especially in urban and educated populations, marginalize TAM. Additionally, religious beliefs and historical influences, such as colonialism, further devalue indigenous knowledge systems. The study also highlights a significant lack of scientific research and clinical trials, which challenges the conventional validation of TAM’s efficacy. Moreover, inconsistent international and national regulatory frameworks and the pharmaceutical industry’s dominance impede TAM’s integration into global healthcare systems. To enhance TAM’s credibility and global acceptance, the study advocates for standardized regulatory policies, increased scientific research, and a reevaluation of intellectual property laws. This shift towards a more inclusive and integrative approach in global health systems could bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices, promoting a more holistic understanding of health and wellness.展开更多
BACKGROUND Suprasellar germinomas are rare intracranial tumors frequently associated with permanent endocrine disorders.We present the clinical picture,treatment,and complications of suprasellar germinoma at pediatric...BACKGROUND Suprasellar germinomas are rare intracranial tumors frequently associated with permanent endocrine disorders.We present the clinical picture,treatment,and complications of suprasellar germinoma at pediatric age which,besides being lifethreatening,has lifelong endocrinological consequences.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old female patient was presented having had intensive headaches for three weeks and visual disturbances for six months.An ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral papilledema and a marked loss of vision.Emergency brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed a suprasellar tumor,involving the infundibulum and the optic chiasm,extending to the third ventricle.Laboratory tests confirmed decreased levels of thyroxine,cortisol,gonadotropins,and insulin-like growth factor 1.Maximal tumor reduction was performed,and immunohistopathology established the diagnosis of suprasellar germinoma.MRI of the spine and cerebrospinal fluid cytology confirmed the localized disease.Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed according to the SIOP CNS GCT II protocol.A post-treatment MRI showed no residual tumor,but pituitary function had not recovered.Three and a half years after the end of the treatment,the patient is in a complete remission,requiring hormonal replacement therapy,continuous education,and psychological support.CONCLUSION This complex case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis,a multidisciplinary approach,and close follow-up in children with suprasellar germinomas.展开更多
Introduction: WHO estimated that uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment and second leading cause of blindness globally. University students are prone to developing refractive errors d...Introduction: WHO estimated that uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment and second leading cause of blindness globally. University students are prone to developing refractive errors due to their curriculum that requires a lot of near work affecting their performance and quality of life unknowingly. Genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of refractive errors. This study addresses the paucity of knowledge about refractive errors among university students in East Africa, providing a foundation for further research. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with refractive errors among students in the Faculty of Medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study in which 368 undergraduate students selected using random sampling were assessed for refractive errors from March 2021-July 2021. Eligible participants were recruited and their VA assessment done after answering a questionnaire. Students whose VA improved on pin hole had subjective retinoscopy and results were compiled and imported to STATA 14 for analysis. Results: The prevalence of refractive errors was 26.36% with (95% CI) among university students especially myopia. Myopia is most predominant at 60%, followed by 37% Astigmatism and hyperopia of 3% among medical students. Astigmatism consisted of largely myopic astigmatism 72% (26) and 28% (10) compound/mixed astigmatism only. Student positive family history of refractive error was found to have a statistically significant relationship with refractive errors with AOR 1.68 (1.04 - 2.72) (95% CI) and P (0.032). Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive errors among university students, especially myopia, was found to be high and family history was associated with students having refractive errors.展开更多
Tremendous advances in artificial intelligence(AI)in medical image analysis have been achieved in recent years.The integration of AI is expected to cause a revolution in various areas of medicine,including gastrointes...Tremendous advances in artificial intelligence(AI)in medical image analysis have been achieved in recent years.The integration of AI is expected to cause a revolution in various areas of medicine,including gastrointestinal(GI)pathology.Currently,deep learning algorithms have shown promising benefits in areas of diagnostic histopathology,such as tumor identification,classification,prognosis prediction,and biomarker/genetic alteration prediction.While AI cannot substitute pathologists,carefully constructed AI applications may increase workforce productivity and diagnostic accuracy in pathology practice.Regardless of these promising advances,unlike the areas of radiology or cardiology imaging,no histopathology-based AI application has been approved by a regulatory authority or for public reimbursement.Thus,implying that there are still some obstacles to be overcome before AI applications can be safely and effectively implemented in real-life pathology practice.The challenges have been identified at different stages of the development process,such as needs identification,data curation,model development,validation,regulation,modification of daily workflow,and cost-effectiveness balance.The aim of this review is to present challenges in the process of AI development,validation,and regulation that should be overcome for its implementation in real-life GI pathology practice.展开更多
AIM: To determine the gene expression profile data for the whole liver during development of dimethylni-trosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: Marker genes were identified for different types of hepatic cel...AIM: To determine the gene expression profile data for the whole liver during development of dimethylni-trosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: Marker genes were identified for different types of hepatic cells, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Kupffer cells (including other inflammatory cells), and hepatocytes, using independent temporal DNA microarray data obtained from isolated hepatic cells. RESULTS: The cell-type analysis of gene expression gave several key results and led to formation of three hypotheses: (1) changes in the expression of HSC-specific marker genes during fibrosis were similar to gene expression data in in vitro cultured HSCs, suggesting a major role of the self-activating characteristics of HSCs in formation of fibrosis; (2) expression of mast cell-specific marker genes reached a peak during liver fibrosis, suggesting a possible role of mast cells in formation of fibrosis; and (3) abnormal expression of hepatocyte-specific marker genes was found across several metabolic pathways during fibrosis, including sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and drug metabolism, suggesting a mechanistic relationship between these abnormalities and symptoms of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Analysis of marker genes for specific hepatic cell types can identify the key aspects of fibro-genesis. Sequential activation of inflammatory cells and the self-supporting properties of HSCs play an important role in development of fibrosis.展开更多
Seismic risk evaluation(SRE) in early stages(e.g., project planning and preliminary design)for a mountain tunnel located in seismic areas has the same importance as that in final stages(e.g.,performance-based design, ...Seismic risk evaluation(SRE) in early stages(e.g., project planning and preliminary design)for a mountain tunnel located in seismic areas has the same importance as that in final stages(e.g.,performance-based design, structural analysis, and optimization). SRE for planning mountain tunnels bridges the gap between the planning on the macro level and the design/analysis on the micro level regarding the risk management of infrastructural systems. A transition from subjective or qualitative description to objective or quantitative quantification of seismic risk is aimed to improve the seismic behavior of the mountain tunnel and thus reduce the associated seismic risk. A new method of systematic SRE for the planning mountain tunnel was presented herein. The method employs extension theory(ET)and an ET-based improved analytical hierarchy process. Additionally, a new risk-classification criterion is proposed to classify and quantify the seismic risk for a planning mountain tunnel. This SRE method is applied to a mountain tunnel in southwest China, using the extension model based on matter element theory and dependent function operation.The reasonability and flexibility of the SRE method for application to the mountain tunnel are illustrated.According to different seismic risk levels and classification criteria, methods and measures for improving the seismic design are proposed, which can reduce the seismic risk and provide a frame of reference for elaborate seismic design.展开更多
The objective of this paper is to illustrate behavioural aspects and a collaborative Delphi-based planning approach in the maritime transport chain. Therefore, this paper analyses changes in behavioural routines and g...The objective of this paper is to illustrate behavioural aspects and a collaborative Delphi-based planning approach in the maritime transport chain. Therefore, this paper analyses changes in behavioural routines and governance structures in the maritime transport chain using a case study that depicts mutual projections of expected container transhipment moderated by a neutral third for reducing the uncertainty in planning within the whole maritime transport chain. The actors＇ different views on container transport are collected and directly confronted to an expert panel showing bounded rationality and thus asymmetric information can be circumvented The planning approach shows how actors＇ different internal planning can be improved and evident to the market. The whole maritime transport chain expects the future development in container transport which can be given by using collaborative Delphi-based planning. As a result, an overall picture for planning issues can be constituted, improving both individual planning of the actors and expected market growth.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Placenta extract is used as an alternative medicine especially in Asian countries as it is a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive molecules. The effects of placenta extract on s...<strong>Background:</strong> Placenta extract is used as an alternative medicine especially in Asian countries as it is a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive molecules. The effects of placenta extract on skin conditions have been previously reported, however, the mechanism underlying for reduced wrinkle formation remains unclear. <strong>Objective:</strong> The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the continuous application of porcine placenta extract (PPE) alleviates wrinkle formation in humans and explore the underlying mechanism. <strong>Methods:</strong> Wrinkle formation, skin hydration, and skin elasticity were measured in 15 volunteers at weeks 0 and 6 after continuous application of a gel containing PPE. The production of type I collagen and hyaluronic acid from fibroblasts and keratinocytes, respectively, were measured using ELISA. Expression levels of ceramide synthase 3 (CERS3), filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), and kallikrein-7 (KLK7) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. <strong>Results:</strong> The wrinkle index was significantly reduced to 72.1% after a 6-week of applying the PPE gel, along with a significant increase in skin hydration to 126.5%. Type I collagen production from fibroblasts was enhanced slightly but significantly following treatment with PPE. PPE accelerated the expression of CERS3 (1.85-fold), FLG (1.35-fold), TGM1 (1.76-fold), and KLK7 (1.62-fold). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Treatment with PPE alleviates wrinkle formation and simultaneously enhances skin hydration, which is induced via the accelerated expression of moisturizing-related proteins. These findings suggest that PPE is effective for combating dryness-induced wrinkle formation.展开更多
<span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">This research aims to obtain useful information for development of medical devices such as wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product, using a sp...<span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">This research aims to obtain useful information for development of medical devices such as wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product, using a spongy sheet composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen (Col). The spongy sheets were manufactured by freeze vacuum drying of HA and Col aqueous solution, followed by UV irradiation to introduce intermolecular crosslinks between Col molecules. These spongy sheets are referred to as Sponge-A (ratio of HA/Col = 5/1) and Sponge-B (ratio of HA/Col = 5/5). Both surfaces of Sponge-A and Sponge-B treated with UV irradiation for 15 minutes are referred to as Sponge-A-15 and Sponge-B-15, respectively. The weight change of spongy sheet was determined by immersing a peace of spongy sheet in water at 37°</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">C</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">. The weight of sponge-A-15 collected 1/2, 1, 3, 7 days after immersion in water was 63.5%, 62.1%, 56.6%, 54.4% of the original weight, respectively. The weight of Sponge-B-15 was 78.3%, 76.7%, 79.1%, 71.9% of the original weight, respectively. The weight change of spongy sheet was determined by immersing a peace of spongy sheet in water containing collagenase at 37°</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">C</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">. The weight of Sponge-A-15 collected 6, 8, 10, 12 hours after immersion in water containing collagenase (0.0005</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">w/v%) was 65.7%, 59.8%, 57.9%, 55.2% of the original weight, respectively. The weight of Sponge-B-15 was 63.5%, 52.1%, 42.0%, 43.2% of the original weight, respectively. This spongy sheet is considered to have the unique structure, where HA molecules are entrapped in an intermolecular cross-linked network structure of Col molecules. When immersed in water containing collagenase, the weight loss of spongy sheet is accelerated by easy extraction of HA molecules from the enzymatic degraded Col network structure. The performance of wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product is considered to depend on appropriate ratio of HA and Col, and also on appropriate rate of intermolecular crosslinks between Col molecules. These findings obtained in this study provide useful information for product development such as wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product.展开更多
The CO2 separation from natural gas, syngas or flue gas represents an important industrial field of applications. An economic and energy-efficient CO2 separation from these gas streams is a prerequisite for sustainabl...The CO2 separation from natural gas, syngas or flue gas represents an important industrial field of applications. An economic and energy-efficient CO2 separation from these gas streams is a prerequisite for sustainable industry contributions to the megatrends resource efficiency and globalization of technologies. One way of reducing operational expenditure for these separation processes is the development of better performing CO2 absorbents. Although a number of absorbents for the separation of CO2 from process gas streams exist, the need for the development of CO2 absorbents with an improved absorption performance, less corrosion and foaming, no nitrosamine formation, lower energy requirement and therefore less operational expenditure remains. Recent industrial activities have led to the development of novel high-performance CO2 scrubbing agents that can be employed in numerous industrial processes such as natural gas treatment, purification of syngas and the scrubbing of flue gas. The objective of this paper is to introduce these new high-performance scrubbing agents and to compare their performance with other state-of-the-art absorbents. It turned out, that the evaluated absorbents offer high cyclic capacities in the range of 2.4 to 2.6 mol CO2/kg absorbent and low absorption enthalpies (–30 kJ/mol) allowing for distinctive savings in the regeneration energy of the absorbent. Calculations with the modified Kremser model resulted in a reduction of the specific reboiler heat duty of 55%. Furthermore, the absorbents are less corrosive than standard amines as indicated by the measured corrosion rates of 0.21 mm/y versus 1.18 mm/y for a piperazine/methyldiethanolamine mixture. Based on new experimental results it is shown how substantial savings in operational and capital expenditure can be realized due to favorable absorbent properties. The novel high-performance CO2 system solutions meet recent industrial absorbent requirements and allow for more efficient or new CO2 separation processes.展开更多
Local atomic structures of an amorphous Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy and the structural changes by thermal annealing have been studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure （EXAFS）. The correlation between structural ch...Local atomic structures of an amorphous Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy and the structural changes by thermal annealing have been studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure （EXAFS）. The correlation between structural changes and mechanical properties for the Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy has also been discussed. Results showed that Cu atoms around Gd in Mg65Cu25Gd10 lost rapidly during annealing , resulting in the segregation of Cu atoms. The coordination number NGd-Mg of Mg65Cu25Gd10 annealed at 373 K first diminished and then augmented with the increase of annealing time. The formation of polyhedral short-range order unit with coordination number of nearly 12 around Gd atoms is in favor of the improvement of mechanical properties. The chemical short-range order, not topological short-range order in the amorphous Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy had obvious changes during annealing.展开更多
文摘As an established environmental scholar once mentioned,“we do not inherit resources from the earth,we borrow them from the future”.Since 2011,the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has continued to rise.In 2019,the annual average concentration of carbon dioxide reached 410 ppm,methane reached 1,866 ppb,and nitrous oxide reached 332 ppb.
文摘Beta thalassemia(β-thalassemia)syndromes are a heterogeneous group of inherited hemoglobinopathies caused by molecular defects in the beta-globin gene that lead to the impaired synthesis of beta-globin chains of the hemoglobin.The hallmarks of the disease include ineffective erythropoiesis,chronic hemolytic anemia,and iron overload.Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic carriers to severe anemia requiring lifelong blood transfusions with subsequent devastating complications.The management of patients with severeβ-thalassemia represents a global health problem,particularly in low-income countries.Until recently,management strategies were limited to regular transfusions and iron chelation therapy,with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation available only for a subset of patients.Better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms ofβ-thalassemia syndromes and associated clinical phenotypes has paved the way for novel therapeutic options,including pharmacologic enhancers of effective erythropoiesis and gene therapy.
文摘Accurate Global Horizontal Irradiance(GHI)forecasting has become vital for successfully integrating solar energy into the electrical grid because of the expanding demand for green power and the worldwide shift favouring green energy resources.Particularly considering the implications of the aggressive GHG emission targets,accurate GHI forecasting has become vital for developing,designing,and operational managing solar energy systems.This research presented the core concepts of modelling and performance analysis of the application of various forecasting models such as ARIMA(Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average),Elaman NN(Elman Neural Network),RBFN(Radial Basis Function Neural Network),SVM(Support Vector Machine),LSTM(Long Short-Term Memory),Persistent,BPN(Back Propagation Neural Network),MLP(Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network),RF(Random Forest),and XGBoost(eXtreme Gradient Boosting)for assessing multi-seasonal forecasting of GHI.Used the India region data to evaluate the models’performance and forecasting ability.Research using forecasting models for seasonal Global Horizontal Irradiance(GHI)forecasting in winter,spring,summer,monsoon,and autumn.Substantiated performance effectiveness through evaluation metrics,such as Mean Absolute Error(MAE),Root Mean Squared Error(RMSE),and R-squared(R^(2)),coded using Python programming.The performance experimentation analysis inferred that the most accurate forecasts in all the seasons compared to the other forecasting models the Random Forest and eXtreme Gradient Boosting,are the superior and competing models that yield Winter season-based forecasting XGBoost is the best forecasting model with MAE:1.6325,RMSE:4.8338,and R^(2):0.9998.Spring season-based forecasting XGBoost is the best forecasting model with MAE:2.599599,RMSE:5.58539,and R^(2):0.999784.Summer season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:1.03843,RMSE:2.116325,and R^(2):0.999967.Monsoon season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:0.892385,RMSE:2.417587,and R^(2):0.999942.Autumn season-based forecasting RF is the best forecasting model with MAE:0.810462,RMSE:1.928215,and R^(2):0.999958.Based on seasonal variations and computing constraints,the findings enable energy system operators to make helpful recommendations for choosing the most effective forecasting models.
文摘The key developments in Indian Irrigation sector have been presented by briefly discussing the following topics:1.Present Indian Irrigation Challenges and Way Forward.2.Regulatory Interventions in Water Sector in India(Maharashtra’s Example).3.Roles and Activities of Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority(MWRRA).4.Major Achievements of MWRRA.5.Indian National Committee On Irrigation and Drainage(INCID).6.Irrigation,Command Area Development and Micro Irrigation in India.7.Flood Management and Its Measures.8.Capacity Building.
文摘Let me start by saying that it is always dangerous to make general assessments, as there will always be cases that point to another direction. Let me also state that I believe that flexibility is a must to doing business in any part of the world. Therefore, my comments are always personal and on relative, average terms. The frequent changes in policies in regulations usually impact both
文摘For over four decades China has implemented a wide range of economic reforms and strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and opening up the economy,the results of which are often dubbed an“economic miracle.”An im portant part of this econom ic growth has recently taken place in Chongli.A district located on the outer edge of Beijing,Chongli,in Zhangjiakou City,is surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural scenery.
基金China State Railway Group Co.,Ltd.has supported this work as a critical project(Grant No.:N2022Z020).
文摘Purpose-Following the regional restructuring,the number of joint-venture railway companies in which the Group participates has significantly increased.This paper aims to explore the challenges faced by China Railway Group in managing participation in joint-venture railway companies.The study seeks to propose specific approaches to ensure the effective management of these companies,thereby maximizing the benefits of the regional restructuring and supporting the development of a strong transportation country and a modern infrastructure system.Design/methodology/approach-Based on the change in the shareholding relationship between China Railway Group and the joint-venture railway companies,and considering the current situation of the regional restructuring of these companies,as well as the insights from existing literature and typical case studies,this paper proposes some specific paths for effective management of joint-stock railway companies which China Railway Group participated in.Findings-The problems in participation management are the unclear dual leadership role of the party committee,the lack of discourse power,the lack of synergy between shareholders,the increasing risk of sustainable operation of the loss-making companies and the role of dispatched personnel is not fully played.Based on the theories,combined with the existing research and practical cases,the paper proposed specific approaches,such as perfecting top-level system design,maintaining the discourse power,carrying out differentiated management,arranging personnel rationally,arranging shareholders synergy,and innovating methods to provide references for China Railway Group’s subsequent management of joint venture railway companies.Originality/value-This paper contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by China Railway Group in managing participation in joint-venture railway companies following the regional restructuring.The study offers novel insights and practical recommendations for addressing these challenges.The findings can serve as valuable references for China Railway Group’s subsequent management of joint-venture railway companies which participated in,as well as for other stateowned enterprises facing similar challenges in managing their joint ventures.
文摘Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultural perceptions, scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical industry influence. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) to provide a thorough and structured overview, the research addresses these factors with transparency and reproducibility. Key findings reveal that negative cultural perceptions, the dominance of Western medicine, and skepticism towards traditional healers, especially in urban and educated populations, marginalize TAM. Additionally, religious beliefs and historical influences, such as colonialism, further devalue indigenous knowledge systems. The study also highlights a significant lack of scientific research and clinical trials, which challenges the conventional validation of TAM’s efficacy. Moreover, inconsistent international and national regulatory frameworks and the pharmaceutical industry’s dominance impede TAM’s integration into global healthcare systems. To enhance TAM’s credibility and global acceptance, the study advocates for standardized regulatory policies, increased scientific research, and a reevaluation of intellectual property laws. This shift towards a more inclusive and integrative approach in global health systems could bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices, promoting a more holistic understanding of health and wellness.
文摘BACKGROUND Suprasellar germinomas are rare intracranial tumors frequently associated with permanent endocrine disorders.We present the clinical picture,treatment,and complications of suprasellar germinoma at pediatric age which,besides being lifethreatening,has lifelong endocrinological consequences.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old female patient was presented having had intensive headaches for three weeks and visual disturbances for six months.An ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral papilledema and a marked loss of vision.Emergency brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed a suprasellar tumor,involving the infundibulum and the optic chiasm,extending to the third ventricle.Laboratory tests confirmed decreased levels of thyroxine,cortisol,gonadotropins,and insulin-like growth factor 1.Maximal tumor reduction was performed,and immunohistopathology established the diagnosis of suprasellar germinoma.MRI of the spine and cerebrospinal fluid cytology confirmed the localized disease.Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed according to the SIOP CNS GCT II protocol.A post-treatment MRI showed no residual tumor,but pituitary function had not recovered.Three and a half years after the end of the treatment,the patient is in a complete remission,requiring hormonal replacement therapy,continuous education,and psychological support.CONCLUSION This complex case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis,a multidisciplinary approach,and close follow-up in children with suprasellar germinomas.
文摘Introduction: WHO estimated that uncorrected refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment and second leading cause of blindness globally. University students are prone to developing refractive errors due to their curriculum that requires a lot of near work affecting their performance and quality of life unknowingly. Genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of refractive errors. This study addresses the paucity of knowledge about refractive errors among university students in East Africa, providing a foundation for further research. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with refractive errors among students in the Faculty of Medicine at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study in which 368 undergraduate students selected using random sampling were assessed for refractive errors from March 2021-July 2021. Eligible participants were recruited and their VA assessment done after answering a questionnaire. Students whose VA improved on pin hole had subjective retinoscopy and results were compiled and imported to STATA 14 for analysis. Results: The prevalence of refractive errors was 26.36% with (95% CI) among university students especially myopia. Myopia is most predominant at 60%, followed by 37% Astigmatism and hyperopia of 3% among medical students. Astigmatism consisted of largely myopic astigmatism 72% (26) and 28% (10) compound/mixed astigmatism only. Student positive family history of refractive error was found to have a statistically significant relationship with refractive errors with AOR 1.68 (1.04 - 2.72) (95% CI) and P (0.032). Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive errors among university students, especially myopia, was found to be high and family history was associated with students having refractive errors.
文摘Tremendous advances in artificial intelligence(AI)in medical image analysis have been achieved in recent years.The integration of AI is expected to cause a revolution in various areas of medicine,including gastrointestinal(GI)pathology.Currently,deep learning algorithms have shown promising benefits in areas of diagnostic histopathology,such as tumor identification,classification,prognosis prediction,and biomarker/genetic alteration prediction.While AI cannot substitute pathologists,carefully constructed AI applications may increase workforce productivity and diagnostic accuracy in pathology practice.Regardless of these promising advances,unlike the areas of radiology or cardiology imaging,no histopathology-based AI application has been approved by a regulatory authority or for public reimbursement.Thus,implying that there are still some obstacles to be overcome before AI applications can be safely and effectively implemented in real-life pathology practice.The challenges have been identified at different stages of the development process,such as needs identification,data curation,model development,validation,regulation,modification of daily workflow,and cost-effectiveness balance.The aim of this review is to present challenges in the process of AI development,validation,and regulation that should be overcome for its implementation in real-life GI pathology practice.
文摘AIM: To determine the gene expression profile data for the whole liver during development of dimethylni-trosamine (DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: Marker genes were identified for different types of hepatic cells, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), Kupffer cells (including other inflammatory cells), and hepatocytes, using independent temporal DNA microarray data obtained from isolated hepatic cells. RESULTS: The cell-type analysis of gene expression gave several key results and led to formation of three hypotheses: (1) changes in the expression of HSC-specific marker genes during fibrosis were similar to gene expression data in in vitro cultured HSCs, suggesting a major role of the self-activating characteristics of HSCs in formation of fibrosis; (2) expression of mast cell-specific marker genes reached a peak during liver fibrosis, suggesting a possible role of mast cells in formation of fibrosis; and (3) abnormal expression of hepatocyte-specific marker genes was found across several metabolic pathways during fibrosis, including sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and drug metabolism, suggesting a mechanistic relationship between these abnormalities and symptoms of liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Analysis of marker genes for specific hepatic cell types can identify the key aspects of fibro-genesis. Sequential activation of inflammatory cells and the self-supporting properties of HSCs play an important role in development of fibrosis.
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFB1200401)the Western Construction Project of the Ministry of Transport (Grant No. 2015318J29040)
文摘Seismic risk evaluation(SRE) in early stages(e.g., project planning and preliminary design)for a mountain tunnel located in seismic areas has the same importance as that in final stages(e.g.,performance-based design, structural analysis, and optimization). SRE for planning mountain tunnels bridges the gap between the planning on the macro level and the design/analysis on the micro level regarding the risk management of infrastructural systems. A transition from subjective or qualitative description to objective or quantitative quantification of seismic risk is aimed to improve the seismic behavior of the mountain tunnel and thus reduce the associated seismic risk. A new method of systematic SRE for the planning mountain tunnel was presented herein. The method employs extension theory(ET)and an ET-based improved analytical hierarchy process. Additionally, a new risk-classification criterion is proposed to classify and quantify the seismic risk for a planning mountain tunnel. This SRE method is applied to a mountain tunnel in southwest China, using the extension model based on matter element theory and dependent function operation.The reasonability and flexibility of the SRE method for application to the mountain tunnel are illustrated.According to different seismic risk levels and classification criteria, methods and measures for improving the seismic design are proposed, which can reduce the seismic risk and provide a frame of reference for elaborate seismic design.
文摘The objective of this paper is to illustrate behavioural aspects and a collaborative Delphi-based planning approach in the maritime transport chain. Therefore, this paper analyses changes in behavioural routines and governance structures in the maritime transport chain using a case study that depicts mutual projections of expected container transhipment moderated by a neutral third for reducing the uncertainty in planning within the whole maritime transport chain. The actors＇ different views on container transport are collected and directly confronted to an expert panel showing bounded rationality and thus asymmetric information can be circumvented The planning approach shows how actors＇ different internal planning can be improved and evident to the market. The whole maritime transport chain expects the future development in container transport which can be given by using collaborative Delphi-based planning. As a result, an overall picture for planning issues can be constituted, improving both individual planning of the actors and expected market growth.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Placenta extract is used as an alternative medicine especially in Asian countries as it is a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive molecules. The effects of placenta extract on skin conditions have been previously reported, however, the mechanism underlying for reduced wrinkle formation remains unclear. <strong>Objective:</strong> The primary objective of this study was to determine whether the continuous application of porcine placenta extract (PPE) alleviates wrinkle formation in humans and explore the underlying mechanism. <strong>Methods:</strong> Wrinkle formation, skin hydration, and skin elasticity were measured in 15 volunteers at weeks 0 and 6 after continuous application of a gel containing PPE. The production of type I collagen and hyaluronic acid from fibroblasts and keratinocytes, respectively, were measured using ELISA. Expression levels of ceramide synthase 3 (CERS3), filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), and kallikrein-7 (KLK7) were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. <strong>Results:</strong> The wrinkle index was significantly reduced to 72.1% after a 6-week of applying the PPE gel, along with a significant increase in skin hydration to 126.5%. Type I collagen production from fibroblasts was enhanced slightly but significantly following treatment with PPE. PPE accelerated the expression of CERS3 (1.85-fold), FLG (1.35-fold), TGM1 (1.76-fold), and KLK7 (1.62-fold). <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Treatment with PPE alleviates wrinkle formation and simultaneously enhances skin hydration, which is induced via the accelerated expression of moisturizing-related proteins. These findings suggest that PPE is effective for combating dryness-induced wrinkle formation.
文摘<span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">This research aims to obtain useful information for development of medical devices such as wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product, using a spongy sheet composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen (Col). The spongy sheets were manufactured by freeze vacuum drying of HA and Col aqueous solution, followed by UV irradiation to introduce intermolecular crosslinks between Col molecules. These spongy sheets are referred to as Sponge-A (ratio of HA/Col = 5/1) and Sponge-B (ratio of HA/Col = 5/5). Both surfaces of Sponge-A and Sponge-B treated with UV irradiation for 15 minutes are referred to as Sponge-A-15 and Sponge-B-15, respectively. The weight change of spongy sheet was determined by immersing a peace of spongy sheet in water at 37°</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">C</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">. The weight of sponge-A-15 collected 1/2, 1, 3, 7 days after immersion in water was 63.5%, 62.1%, 56.6%, 54.4% of the original weight, respectively. The weight of Sponge-B-15 was 78.3%, 76.7%, 79.1%, 71.9% of the original weight, respectively. The weight change of spongy sheet was determined by immersing a peace of spongy sheet in water containing collagenase at 37°</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">C</span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">. The weight of Sponge-A-15 collected 6, 8, 10, 12 hours after immersion in water containing collagenase (0.0005</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height:1.5;font-family:Verdana;">w/v%) was 65.7%, 59.8%, 57.9%, 55.2% of the original weight, respectively. The weight of Sponge-B-15 was 63.5%, 52.1%, 42.0%, 43.2% of the original weight, respectively. This spongy sheet is considered to have the unique structure, where HA molecules are entrapped in an intermolecular cross-linked network structure of Col molecules. When immersed in water containing collagenase, the weight loss of spongy sheet is accelerated by easy extraction of HA molecules from the enzymatic degraded Col network structure. The performance of wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product is considered to depend on appropriate ratio of HA and Col, and also on appropriate rate of intermolecular crosslinks between Col molecules. These findings obtained in this study provide useful information for product development such as wound dressing and tissue anti-adhesive product.
文摘The CO2 separation from natural gas, syngas or flue gas represents an important industrial field of applications. An economic and energy-efficient CO2 separation from these gas streams is a prerequisite for sustainable industry contributions to the megatrends resource efficiency and globalization of technologies. One way of reducing operational expenditure for these separation processes is the development of better performing CO2 absorbents. Although a number of absorbents for the separation of CO2 from process gas streams exist, the need for the development of CO2 absorbents with an improved absorption performance, less corrosion and foaming, no nitrosamine formation, lower energy requirement and therefore less operational expenditure remains. Recent industrial activities have led to the development of novel high-performance CO2 scrubbing agents that can be employed in numerous industrial processes such as natural gas treatment, purification of syngas and the scrubbing of flue gas. The objective of this paper is to introduce these new high-performance scrubbing agents and to compare their performance with other state-of-the-art absorbents. It turned out, that the evaluated absorbents offer high cyclic capacities in the range of 2.4 to 2.6 mol CO2/kg absorbent and low absorption enthalpies (–30 kJ/mol) allowing for distinctive savings in the regeneration energy of the absorbent. Calculations with the modified Kremser model resulted in a reduction of the specific reboiler heat duty of 55%. Furthermore, the absorbents are less corrosive than standard amines as indicated by the measured corrosion rates of 0.21 mm/y versus 1.18 mm/y for a piperazine/methyldiethanolamine mixture. Based on new experimental results it is shown how substantial savings in operational and capital expenditure can be realized due to favorable absorbent properties. The novel high-performance CO2 system solutions meet recent industrial absorbent requirements and allow for more efficient or new CO2 separation processes.
基金Funded by National 863 Program (No. 2003AA305071)YingTong Education Foundation(No.114014)
文摘Local atomic structures of an amorphous Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy and the structural changes by thermal annealing have been studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure （EXAFS）. The correlation between structural changes and mechanical properties for the Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy has also been discussed. Results showed that Cu atoms around Gd in Mg65Cu25Gd10 lost rapidly during annealing , resulting in the segregation of Cu atoms. The coordination number NGd-Mg of Mg65Cu25Gd10 annealed at 373 K first diminished and then augmented with the increase of annealing time. The formation of polyhedral short-range order unit with coordination number of nearly 12 around Gd atoms is in favor of the improvement of mechanical properties. The chemical short-range order, not topological short-range order in the amorphous Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy had obvious changes during annealing.
