Introduction: This study assesses rural providers’ perceptions of their ability to deliver high quality care via telehealth compared to usual care, and whether attending providers perceive that emergency department (...Introduction: This study assesses rural providers’ perceptions of their ability to deliver high quality care via telehealth compared to usual care, and whether attending providers perceive that emergency department (ED) telehealth visits influence clinical reasoning in regard to patient disposition, specifically in tele-behavioral and tele-neurological cases. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 134 ED providers (nurses [n = 126] and physicians [n = 8]) who were working in five Midwestern critical access hospitals (response rate 83%). Descriptive, correlational and stepwise regression analyses were employed to evaluate provider perceptions of 1) competency level in telehealth delivery, 2) patient health outcomes, 3) access to continuing education in telehealth, and 4) clinical influence of telehealth visit. Evaluation of preliminary set of N = 100 telehealth cases were assessed for influence of telehealth on clinical reasoning of attending physicians regarding patient disposition. Results: The majority (67%;n = 90) of participants had at least minimal experience with telehealth care delivery, with an average of 1 - 2 visits in teleneurology, and 3 - 4 visits in telebehavioral cases. Providers rated their overall mean competency level in telehealth care delivery as 3.01/5.00 based on a 5 point “novice (1) to expert” (5) scale. Mean scores for providers perceived competency level in 7 evidence-based sub-categories for telehealth care delivery were self-reported as relatively low to mid-range values, ranging from 2.64 - 3.57/5.00. Stepwise linear regression analysis of whether all providers “would recommend telehealth to their family and friends” revealed two predictors for model of best fit (n = 81;p 2 = 0.598): 1) their perceptions of telehealth experience compared to usual care;and 2) perceptions of patient health outcomes with telehealth compared to usual care. Providers rated “neutral” to “very unlikely” that they “would recommend telehealth to family and friends” (2.75/5.00;n = 122;91%). Attending physicians reported that for a majority of cases, telehealth visits influenced patient disposition and transfer decision-making (58.4%), and the influence of telehealth visits on patient disposition was statistically significantly higher for behavioral health cases (p Discussion: This study will be followed on to inform administrators/policy makers about 1) perceived level of competency of providers who implement tele-emergency care, 2) potential importance of telehealth equipment used and teamwork between rural providers and distant specialist, and 3) how use of telehealth may enhance ability of rural ED providers to improve quality of care. Perceived influence of telehealth on patient disposition is reported to be highest for telebehavioral patients. Healthcare educators need to place a priority on addressing provider competencies in telehealth through health professions degree programs and continuing education. Further research is needed to promote application and testing of evidence-based provider competencies in telehealth, and potentially relevant health communication models, to increase providers’ perceived efficacy and competency in telehealth care delivery, thus supporting high quality patient health outcomes.展开更多
Food production demand is constantly growing,entailing a proportional increment in fertilisers and pharmaceuticals use,which are eventually introduced to the environment,leading,among others,to an imbalance in the nit...Food production demand is constantly growing,entailing a proportional increment in fertilisers and pharmaceuticals use,which are eventually introduced to the environment,leading,among others,to an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle.Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction is a delocalised route for nitrates elimination and green ammonia production.In the present study,we carry out nitrates electroreduction over a commercial MoS_(2)catalyst,focusing on optimising selected input factors affecting the reaction.Concretely,Doehlert design of experiment and response surface methodology are employed to find the proper combination of supporting salt concentration in the electrolyte,applied potential,and catalyst loading at the working electrode,with the overall aim to boost Faradaic efficiency(FE)and ammonia production.As a matter of fact,varying these input factors,the obtained FE values ranged from∼2%to∼80%,highlighting the strength of the newly conceived approach.Moreover,our multivariate strategy allows the quantification of each factor effect and elucidates hidden interactions between them.Finally,successful extended durability tests are performed for 100 h at both FE and productivity(P)optimal conditions.In parallel,cell electrodes are characterised by in-depth structural,morphological,and surface techniques,before and after ageing,overall demonstrating the outstanding stability of the proposed electrochemical reactor.展开更多
Oxygenated fuels can reduce harmful emissions without affecting engine performance,meeting the big challenge in the transportation industry,which keeps the environment safe and reduces global warming.This study invest...Oxygenated fuels can reduce harmful emissions without affecting engine performance,meeting the big challenge in the transportation industry,which keeps the environment safe and reduces global warming.This study investigates the impact of biodiesel injection strategies and fuel injection pressures(FIP)on diesel engine exhaust emission characteristics.The engine is fuelled with 20%Jatropha biodiesel(JB)and 80%diesel,named JB20D.The ratios of fuel injection pressures started with injecting the fuel(diesel and JB20D)from 200 bar to 500 bar.The experimental outcomes indicate that the engine performance of brake-specific fuel consumption increased by 21.36%from the burning of JB20D compared with diesel,while brake thermal efficiency improved by 6.54%for low and high FIP compared to the diesel.The high fuel injection pressures slightly decrease the nitrogen oxide(NOX)emissions for both diesel and biodiesel.The emissions of NOX decreased from the combustion of JB20D by 18.7%under high fuel injection pressures compared to diesel.The concentration of soot particulate decreased by 20.4%form JB20D combustion than those combusted from diesel fuel.展开更多
In this paper,we develop a quantum communication protocol for the simultaneous preparation of a two-qubit and a three-qubit state at the positions of two different parties situated spatially apart.For one party,Alice,...In this paper,we develop a quantum communication protocol for the simultaneous preparation of a two-qubit and a three-qubit state at the positions of two different parties situated spatially apart.For one party,Alice,it is a remote state preparation of a known two-qubit state while for the other party,Bob,it is a joint remote state preparation with the help of a third party,Eve.The protocol is executed in a hybrid form bi-directionally in the presence of two controllers,Charlie and David.There is a hierarchy in the process through different levels of control under which the actions by Alice and Bob are performed.There is a need for a ten-qubit entangled channel connecting the five parties.The generation of this channel through a circuit is discussed.The protocol is executed on the IBM Quantum platform.We also study the effect of noise on our protocol.Here,amplitude-damping,bit-flip and phase-flip noisy environments are considered and the corresponding variations of fidelity are theoretically and numerically analyzed.展开更多
The worsening of global warming due to burning fossil fuels and the global energy crisis have led to an urgent need for renewable and clean energy sources that have little impact on the environment.One of the most imp...The worsening of global warming due to burning fossil fuels and the global energy crisis have led to an urgent need for renewable and clean energy sources that have little impact on the environment.One of the most important and largest alternative energy sources is marine waves,which have enormous energy that can be utilized using the correct and appropriate methods.The present work aims to study the possibility of investing wave energy by extracting the wave power at the northern coasts of the Arabian Gulf using numerical models for zero crossing and spectral analysis methods(SWAN model).Numerical models were used to analyze metrological data to estimate the wave power,estimated at 0.2664 kW/m by the zero-crossing method,and 0.386 kW/m by the spectral analysis method at a depth of 19 meters.The weak wave power may be due to the shallowness of the Gulf compared to other seas,in addition to the weather conditions in the study area,which are directly affected by weather phenomena,especially wind speed.The research recommends conducting further studies on wave energy and studying the most advanced methods for extracting it because of its great economic returns for Iraq.展开更多
Background Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)is a significant health concern among adolescents and young adults,often resulting from adverse childhood experiences(ACEs).Dissociation,post-traumatic symptoms and attachment ...Background Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)is a significant health concern among adolescents and young adults,often resulting from adverse childhood experiences(ACEs).Dissociation,post-traumatic symptoms and attachment style may have a role in shaping such associations.Aims This study aims to provide a unified model of the impact of ACEs on NSSI,exploring complex post-traumatic stress disorder(cPTSD)symptoms and dissociation as potential mediators and the role of the predominant attachment style in affecting such associations.Methods 1010 young individuals attending the last year of high school participated in this cross-sectional study.ACEs,cPTSD,dissociation and NSSI were evaluated using self-report questionnaires.We fitted a path model of NSSI,with ACEs as exogenous variables and cPTSD and dissociation as sequential mediators.Secure,fearful and preoccupied attachment styles were modelled as grouping variables.Results Our findings showed that dissociation mediated the impact of ACEs on NSSI in subjects with a fearful attachment style,as opposed to those with a preoccupied attachment for whom cPTSD symptoms mediated the ACEs-NSSI association.Conclusions Attachment styles moderate the relationship between ACEs and NSSI,with either dissociation or post-traumatic symptomatology mediating the impact of ACEs on NSSI,depending on the predominant attachment style.Our results highlight the importance of attachment as a pathway modifier in the relationships between different psychopathology dimensions,providing a useful framework to better conceptualise the ACEs-NSSI association.展开更多
Polymeric materials have emerged as a promising alternative to electrolytic solutions in energy storage applications.However,high crystallinity and poor ionic conductivity are the main barriers restricting their daily...Polymeric materials have emerged as a promising alternative to electrolytic solutions in energy storage applications.However,high crystallinity and poor ionic conductivity are the main barriers restricting their daily application.In this study,we propose a polymer electrolyte system consisting of methylcellulose-polyvinyl alcohol(MC-PVA)blend as host material and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate(LiCF_(3)SO_(3))as dopant,which was prepared using the solution-casting method.The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)analysis revealed a maximum conductivity of 5.42×10^(−6) S cm^(−1) with 40 wt.%LiCF_(3)SO_(3).The key findings demonstrated that the variation in the dielectric loss(εi)and dielectric constant(εr)was significantly correlated with the variation in ionic conductivity.Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)analysis was done to analyse the salt-polymer interaction by observing the shifting of selected bands.By deconvoluting FTIR spectra in the wavenumber range of 970–1100 cm^(−1),transport properties of electrolytes were investigated and found to be improved when the salt concentration was increased to 40 wt.%.Results from the X-ray diffraction(XRD)study suggested that the higher salt concentration promoted the formation of an amorphous phase,which is favourable for ionic conduction.Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)study demonstrated that the addition of salt altered the surface morphology of MC-PVA.展开更多
Computational modeling plays a vital role in advancing our understanding and application of soliton theory.It allows researchers to both simulate and analyze complex soliton phenomena and discover new types of soliton...Computational modeling plays a vital role in advancing our understanding and application of soliton theory.It allows researchers to both simulate and analyze complex soliton phenomena and discover new types of soliton solutions.In the present study,we computationally derive the bright and dark optical solitons for a Schrödinger equation that contains a specific type of nonlinearity.This nonlinearity in the model is the result of the combination of the parabolic law and the non-local law of self-phase modulation structures.The numerical simulation is accomplished through the application of an algorithm that integrates the classical Adomian method with the Laplace transform.The results obtained have not been previously reported for this type of nonlinearity.Additionally,for the purpose of comparison,the numerical examination has taken into account some scenarios with fixed parameter values.Notably,the numerical derivation of solitons without the assistance of an exact solution is an exceptional take-home lesson fromthis study.Furthermore,the proposed approach is demonstrated to possess optimal computational accuracy in the results presentation,which includes error tables and graphs.It is important tomention that themethodology employed in this study does not involve any form of linearization,discretization,or perturbation.Consequently,the physical nature of the problem to be solved remains unaltered,which is one of the main advantages.展开更多
The growing demand for flexible,lightweight,and highly processable electronic devices makes high-functionality conducting polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)an attractiv...The growing demand for flexible,lightweight,and highly processable electronic devices makes high-functionality conducting polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)an attractive alternative to conventional inorganic materials for various applications including thermoelectrics.However,considerable improvements are necessary to make conducting polymers a commercially viable choice for thermoelectric applications.This study explores nanopatterning as an effective and unique strategy for enhancing polymer functionality to optimize thermoelectric parameters,such as electrical conductivity,Seebeck coefficient,and thermal conductivity.Introducing nanopatterning into thermoelectric polymers is challenging due to intricate technical hurdles and the necessity for individually manipulating the interdependent thermoelectric parameters.Here,array nanopatterns with different pattern spacings are imposed on free-standing PEDOT:PSS films using direct electron beam irradiation,thereby achieving selective control of electrical and thermal transport in PEDOT:PSS.Electron beam irradiation transformed PEDOT:PSS from a highly ordered quinoid to an amorphous benzoid structure.Optimized pattern spacing resulted in a remarkable 70%reduction in thermal conductivity and a 60%increase in thermoelectric figure of merit compared to non-patterned PEDOT:PSS.The proposed nanopatterning methodology demonstrates a skillful approach to precisely manipulate the thermoelectric parameters,thereby improving the thermoelectric performance of conducting polymers,and promising utilization in cutting-edge electronic applications.展开更多
It is advisable to look into efficient and environmentally friendly materials that have the ability to turn lost energy into electricity in order to mitigate the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the ensuing environ...It is advisable to look into efficient and environmentally friendly materials that have the ability to turn lost energy into electricity in order to mitigate the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the ensuing environmental damage.In the present work density functional theory(DFT)was employed to analyze the structural,optical,electronic,and thermoelectric characteristics of novel half-Heusler AMnSb(A=La,Lu)materials.The structural stability of both compounds under consideration was verified by using the Birch-Murnaghan equations of states,which indicate that both compounds have structural stability due to ground-state energy levels being negative.Band structure and total density of state analysis display that LaMnSb has an energy band gap of 0.96 eV for spin-up(↑)and 0.21 eV for spin-down(↓)configurations.LuMnSb has band gap of 0.47 eV for spin-up and an indirect band gap of 0.3 eV for spin-down channel.In terms of its optical properties,LuMnSb exhibits maximal conductivity and absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range(99-462 nm),which makes it a desirable material for optoelectronic applications.Moreover,the transport characteristics of the examined materials were computed by means of the Boltztrap code based on Boltzmann transport theory.The thermoelectric parameters,like the thermal conductivity,Seebeck coefficient,and electrical conductivity are computed in the 200-1200 K temperature range.These anticipated results suggest that AMnSb(A=La,Lu)compounds would be the best choice for thermoelectric and green energy applications.展开更多
Background:Undernutrition poses a major threat for the growth and development of children in remote island regions of Bangladesh.Methods:This study investigated the prevalence and risk predictors of undernutrition amo...Background:Undernutrition poses a major threat for the growth and development of children in remote island regions of Bangladesh.Methods:This study investigated the prevalence and risk predictors of undernutrition among children under five in the island regions of Bangladesh.A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 13 unions across two islands,with a random sample of 549 children.Results:Descriptive analyses showed that underweight(Z‐score<−2),wasting(Z‐score<−2),and stunting(Z‐score<−2)were prevalent,with rates of 36.80%,24.60%,and 47.20%,respectively.Significant predictors of underweight included a history of diarrhea(AOR=2.24,p<0.001),acute respiratory infection(ARI)(AOR=1.84,p<0.01),anemic caregivers(AOR=1.52,p<0.05),and belonging to day labor families(AOR=0.29,p<0.01).Childhood wasting was significantly associated with partial vaccination(AOR=2.84,p<0.001),large family size(AOR=1.79,p<0.05),higher birth order(AOR=0.58,p<0.05),diarrhea(AOR=3.09,p<0.001),anemic mothers(AOR=1.89,p<0.05),primary(AOR=3.35,p<0.05)and secondary(AOR=4.11,p<0.01)maternal education,and fathers working abroad(AOR=0.42,p<0.05)or as daily laborers(AOR=0.17,p<0.001).Stunting was more common among children with partial vaccination,diarrhea,and ARI,and less common among those with a history of fever or those from day laborer families.Conclusion:Overall,undernutrition among children in the island areas of Bangladesh is influenced by multiple factors,necessitating a multisectoral approach to improve their nutritional status.展开更多
This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in aluminum-based conductor alloys engineered to achieve superior mechanical strength and thermal stability without sacrificing electrical conductiv...This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in aluminum-based conductor alloys engineered to achieve superior mechanical strength and thermal stability without sacrificing electrical conductivity.Particular emphasis is placed on the role of microalloying elements—particularly Sc and Zr-in promoting the formation of coherent nanoscale precipitates such as Al_(3)Zr,Al_(3)Sc,and core-shell Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)with metastable L1_(2)crystal structures.These precipitates contribute significantly to high-temperature performance by enabling precipitation strengthening and stabilizing grain boundaries.The review also explores the emerging role of other rare earth elements(REEs),such as erbium(Er),in accelerating precipitation kinetics and improving thermal stability by retarding coarsening.Additionally,recent advancements in thermomechanical processing strategies are examined,with a focus on scalable approaches to optimize the strength-conductivity balance.These approaches involve multi-step heat treatments and carefully controlled manufacturing sequences,particularly the combination of cold drawing and aging treatment to promote uniform and effective precipitation.This review offers valuable insights to guide the development of cost-effective,high-strength,heat-resistant aluminum alloys beyond conductor applications,particularly those strengthened through microalloying with Sc and Zr.展开更多
Network attacks have become a critical issue in the internet security domain.Artificial intelligence technology-based detection methodologies have attracted attention;however,recent studies have struggled to adapt to ...Network attacks have become a critical issue in the internet security domain.Artificial intelligence technology-based detection methodologies have attracted attention;however,recent studies have struggled to adapt to changing attack patterns and complex network environments.In addition,it is difficult to explain the detection results logically using artificial intelligence.We propose a method for classifying network attacks using graph models to explain the detection results.First,we reconstruct the network packet data into a graphical structure.We then use a graph model to predict network attacks using edge classification.To explain the prediction results,we observed numerical changes by randomly masking and calculating the importance of neighbors,allowing us to extract significant subgraphs.Our experiments on six public datasets demonstrate superior performance with an average F1-score of 0.960 and accuracy of 0.964,outperforming traditional machine learning and other graph models.The visual representation of the extracted subgraphs highlights the neighboring nodes that have the greatest impact on the results,thus explaining detection.In conclusion,this study demonstrates that graph-based models are suitable for network attack detection in complex environments,and the importance of graph neighbors can be calculated to efficiently analyze the results.This approach can contribute to real-world network security analyses and provide a new direction in the field.展开更多
Challenges in the prevention and treatment of mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease:Increased life expectancy due to advancements in medical care has given rise to an aging population,accom...Challenges in the prevention and treatment of mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease:Increased life expectancy due to advancements in medical care has given rise to an aging population,accompanied by a surge in the incidence of incurable neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs).These diseases primarily affect the cognitive and behavioral functions of older adults by impacting brain activity.Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is a neurodegenerative condition that affects a significant portion of the population.展开更多
Stress-induced failure is among the most common causes of instability in Canadian deep underground mines.Open stoping is the most widely practiced underground excavation method in these mines,and creates large stopes ...Stress-induced failure is among the most common causes of instability in Canadian deep underground mines.Open stoping is the most widely practiced underground excavation method in these mines,and creates large stopes which are subjected to stress-induced failure.The probability of failure(POF)depends on many factors,of which the geometry of an open stope is especially important.In this study,a methodology is proposed to assess the effect of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,using numerical modelling.Different ranges for each input parameter are defined according to previous surveys on open stope geometry in a number of Canadian underground mines.A Monte-Carlo simulation technique is combined with the finite difference code FLAC3D,to generate model realizations containing stopes with different geometrical features.The probability of failure(POF)for different categories of stope geometry,is calculated by considering two modes of failure;relaxation-related gravity driven(tensile)failure and rock mass brittle failure.The individual and interactive effects of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,are analyzed using a general multi-level factorial design.Finally,mathematical optimization techniques are employed to estimate the most stable stope conditions,by determining the optimal ranges for each stope’s geometrical parameter.展开更多
The precipitation behavior of Mn-containing dispersoids in Al-Mg-Si 6082 alloys with different Mn contents(0,0.5 and 1.0 wt%)during various heat treatments(300–500℃)was investigated.The effects of dispersoids on ele...The precipitation behavior of Mn-containing dispersoids in Al-Mg-Si 6082 alloys with different Mn contents(0,0.5 and 1.0 wt%)during various heat treatments(300–500℃)was investigated.The effects of dispersoids on elevated-temperature strength and recrystallization resistance during hot-rolling and post-rolling annealing were evaluated.The results showed that the dispersoids in the Mn-containing alloys(0.5 and 1.0%)began to precipitate at 350℃and reached the optimum conditions after 2–4 h at 400℃.However,the dispersoids coarsened with increasing holding time at temperatures above450℃.After the peak precipitation treatment at 400℃for 2 h,the yield strength at 300℃increased from 28 MPa(base alloy free of Mn)to 55 MPa(alloy with 0.5%Mn)and 70 MPa(alloy with 1%Mn),respectively,demonstrating a significant dispersoid strengthening effect at elevated temperature.In addition,the dispersoids were thermally stable at 300℃for up to 1000 h holding owing to its relative high precipitation temperature(350–400℃),leading to the superior constant mechanical performance at elevated temperature during the long service life.During hot rolling and post-rolling annealing,the presence of a large amount of dispersoids results in the higher Zener drag PZcompared with base alloy and then significantly improved the recrystallization resistance.The alloy containing 0.5%Mn exhibited the highest recrystallization resistance among three experimental alloys studied during the post-rolling process,likely resulted from the lower coarsening rate of dispersoids and the lower dispersoids free zone.展开更多
Hox genes are an evolutionary highly conserved gene family. They determine the anterior-posterior body axis in bilateral organisms and influence the developmental fate of cells. Embryonic stem cells are usually devoid...Hox genes are an evolutionary highly conserved gene family. They determine the anterior-posterior body axis in bilateral organisms and influence the developmental fate of cells. Embryonic stem cells are usually devoidof any Hox gene expression, but these transcription factors are activated in varying spatial and temporal patterns defining the development of various body regions. In the adult body, Hox genes are among others responsible for driving the differentiation of tissue stem cells towards their respective lineages in order to repair and maintain the correct function of tissues and organs. Due to their involvement in the embryonic and adult body, they have been suggested to be useable for improving stem cell differentiations in vitro and in vivo. In many studies Hox genes have been found as driving factors in stem cell differentiation towards adipogenesis, in lineages involved in bone and joint formation, mainly chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, in cardiovascular lineages including endothelial and smooth muscle cell differentiations, and in neurogenesis. As life expectancy is rising, the demand for tissue reconstruction continues to increase. Stem cells have become an increasingly popular choice for creating therapies in regenerative medicine due to their self-renewal and differentiation potential. Especially mesenchymal stem cells are used more and more frequently due to their easy handling and accessibility, combined with a low tumorgenicity and little ethical concerns. This review therefore intends to summarize to date known correlations between natural Hox gene expression patterns in body tissues and during the differentiation of various stem cells towards their respective lineages with a major focus on mesenchymal stem cell differentiations. This overview shall help to understand the complex interactions of Hox genes and differentiation processes all over the body as well as in vitro for further improvement of stem cell treatments in future regenerative medicine approaches.展开更多
Current statistical model(CSM) has a good performance in maneuvering target tracking. However, the fixed maneuvering frequency will deteriorate the tracking results, such as a serious dynamic delay, a slowly convergin...Current statistical model(CSM) has a good performance in maneuvering target tracking. However, the fixed maneuvering frequency will deteriorate the tracking results, such as a serious dynamic delay, a slowly converging speedy and a limited precision when using Kalman filter(KF) algorithm. In this study, a new current statistical model and a new Kalman filter are proposed to improve the performance of maneuvering target tracking. The new model which employs innovation dominated subjection function to adaptively adjust maneuvering frequency has a better performance in step maneuvering target tracking, while a fluctuant phenomenon appears. As far as this problem is concerned, a new adaptive fading Kalman filter is proposed as well. In the new Kalman filter, the prediction values are amended in time by setting judgment and amendment rules,so that tracking precision and fluctuant phenomenon of the new current statistical model are improved. The results of simulation indicate the effectiveness of the new algorithm and the practical guiding significance.展开更多
Metal contamination in the environment is a global concern due to its high toxicity to living organisms and its worldwide distribution. The principal goal of this review is to examine the current strategies and techno...Metal contamination in the environment is a global concern due to its high toxicity to living organisms and its worldwide distribution. The principal goal of this review is to examine the current strategies and technologies for the remediation of metal- contaminated soils by metal-accumulating plants and assess the roles of arbnscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi in remediation of soils under hyperaccumulator or non-accumulator plants. The use of plants to remove metals from the environment or reduce the toxicity, known as phytoremediation, is an environmentally sustainable and low cost remediation technology. The mechanisms of the use of hyperaccumulator plants for phytoremediation included solubilization of the metal in the soil matrix, the plant uptake of the metal, detoxification/chelation and sequestration, and volatilization. Recently, some ecologists have found that phytoremediation with the aids of mycorrhizae can enhance efficiency in the removal of toxic metals. AM fungi can facilitate the survival of their host plants growing on metal-contaminated land by enhancing their nutrient acquisition, protecting them from the metal toxicity, absorbing metals, and also enhancing phytostabilization and phytoextraction. Such information may be useful for developing phytoremediation program at metal-contaminated sites.展开更多
Electron beam melting(EBM) process is an additive manufacturing process largely used to produce complex metallic components made of high-performance materials for aerospace and medical applications.Especially,lattice ...Electron beam melting(EBM) process is an additive manufacturing process largely used to produce complex metallic components made of high-performance materials for aerospace and medical applications.Especially,lattice structures made by Ti-6A1-4V have represented a hot topic for the industrial sectors because of having a great potential to combine lower weights and higher performances that can also be tailored by subsequent heat treatments.However,the little knowledge about the mechanical behaviour of the lattice structures is limiting their applications.The present work aims to provide a comprehensive review of the studies on the mechanical behaviour of the lattice structures made of Ti-6A1-4V.The main steps to produce an EBM part were considered as guidelines to review the literature on the lattice performance:(1) design,(2) process and(3) post-heat treatment.Thereafter,the correlation between the geometrical features of the lattice structure and their mechanical behaviour is discussed.In addition,the correlation among the mechanical performance of the lattice structures and the process precision,surface roughness and working temperature are also reviewed.An investigation on the studies about the properties of heat-treated lattice structure is also conducted.展开更多
文摘Introduction: This study assesses rural providers’ perceptions of their ability to deliver high quality care via telehealth compared to usual care, and whether attending providers perceive that emergency department (ED) telehealth visits influence clinical reasoning in regard to patient disposition, specifically in tele-behavioral and tele-neurological cases. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 134 ED providers (nurses [n = 126] and physicians [n = 8]) who were working in five Midwestern critical access hospitals (response rate 83%). Descriptive, correlational and stepwise regression analyses were employed to evaluate provider perceptions of 1) competency level in telehealth delivery, 2) patient health outcomes, 3) access to continuing education in telehealth, and 4) clinical influence of telehealth visit. Evaluation of preliminary set of N = 100 telehealth cases were assessed for influence of telehealth on clinical reasoning of attending physicians regarding patient disposition. Results: The majority (67%;n = 90) of participants had at least minimal experience with telehealth care delivery, with an average of 1 - 2 visits in teleneurology, and 3 - 4 visits in telebehavioral cases. Providers rated their overall mean competency level in telehealth care delivery as 3.01/5.00 based on a 5 point “novice (1) to expert” (5) scale. Mean scores for providers perceived competency level in 7 evidence-based sub-categories for telehealth care delivery were self-reported as relatively low to mid-range values, ranging from 2.64 - 3.57/5.00. Stepwise linear regression analysis of whether all providers “would recommend telehealth to their family and friends” revealed two predictors for model of best fit (n = 81;p 2 = 0.598): 1) their perceptions of telehealth experience compared to usual care;and 2) perceptions of patient health outcomes with telehealth compared to usual care. Providers rated “neutral” to “very unlikely” that they “would recommend telehealth to family and friends” (2.75/5.00;n = 122;91%). Attending physicians reported that for a majority of cases, telehealth visits influenced patient disposition and transfer decision-making (58.4%), and the influence of telehealth visits on patient disposition was statistically significantly higher for behavioral health cases (p Discussion: This study will be followed on to inform administrators/policy makers about 1) perceived level of competency of providers who implement tele-emergency care, 2) potential importance of telehealth equipment used and teamwork between rural providers and distant specialist, and 3) how use of telehealth may enhance ability of rural ED providers to improve quality of care. Perceived influence of telehealth on patient disposition is reported to be highest for telebehavioral patients. Healthcare educators need to place a priority on addressing provider competencies in telehealth through health professions degree programs and continuing education. Further research is needed to promote application and testing of evidence-based provider competencies in telehealth, and potentially relevant health communication models, to increase providers’ perceived efficacy and competency in telehealth care delivery, thus supporting high quality patient health outcomes.
基金This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 948769, project title: SuN_2rise)the 《HYDREAM》 project–funded by European Union-Next Generation EU–within the PRIN 2022 program (D.D. 104-02/02/2022 Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca)supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101107906
文摘Food production demand is constantly growing,entailing a proportional increment in fertilisers and pharmaceuticals use,which are eventually introduced to the environment,leading,among others,to an imbalance in the nitrogen cycle.Electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction is a delocalised route for nitrates elimination and green ammonia production.In the present study,we carry out nitrates electroreduction over a commercial MoS_(2)catalyst,focusing on optimising selected input factors affecting the reaction.Concretely,Doehlert design of experiment and response surface methodology are employed to find the proper combination of supporting salt concentration in the electrolyte,applied potential,and catalyst loading at the working electrode,with the overall aim to boost Faradaic efficiency(FE)and ammonia production.As a matter of fact,varying these input factors,the obtained FE values ranged from∼2%to∼80%,highlighting the strength of the newly conceived approach.Moreover,our multivariate strategy allows the quantification of each factor effect and elucidates hidden interactions between them.Finally,successful extended durability tests are performed for 100 h at both FE and productivity(P)optimal conditions.In parallel,cell electrodes are characterised by in-depth structural,morphological,and surface techniques,before and after ageing,overall demonstrating the outstanding stability of the proposed electrochemical reactor.
文摘Oxygenated fuels can reduce harmful emissions without affecting engine performance,meeting the big challenge in the transportation industry,which keeps the environment safe and reduces global warming.This study investigates the impact of biodiesel injection strategies and fuel injection pressures(FIP)on diesel engine exhaust emission characteristics.The engine is fuelled with 20%Jatropha biodiesel(JB)and 80%diesel,named JB20D.The ratios of fuel injection pressures started with injecting the fuel(diesel and JB20D)from 200 bar to 500 bar.The experimental outcomes indicate that the engine performance of brake-specific fuel consumption increased by 21.36%from the burning of JB20D compared with diesel,while brake thermal efficiency improved by 6.54%for low and high FIP compared to the diesel.The high fuel injection pressures slightly decrease the nitrogen oxide(NOX)emissions for both diesel and biodiesel.The emissions of NOX decreased from the combustion of JB20D by 18.7%under high fuel injection pressures compared to diesel.The concentration of soot particulate decreased by 20.4%form JB20D combustion than those combusted from diesel fuel.
基金supported by the the University Grants Commission(UGC),Government of India(NTA Ref.No.:211610140697,dated:19th April 2022)supported by the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology,Shibpur。
文摘In this paper,we develop a quantum communication protocol for the simultaneous preparation of a two-qubit and a three-qubit state at the positions of two different parties situated spatially apart.For one party,Alice,it is a remote state preparation of a known two-qubit state while for the other party,Bob,it is a joint remote state preparation with the help of a third party,Eve.The protocol is executed in a hybrid form bi-directionally in the presence of two controllers,Charlie and David.There is a hierarchy in the process through different levels of control under which the actions by Alice and Bob are performed.There is a need for a ten-qubit entangled channel connecting the five parties.The generation of this channel through a circuit is discussed.The protocol is executed on the IBM Quantum platform.We also study the effect of noise on our protocol.Here,amplitude-damping,bit-flip and phase-flip noisy environments are considered and the corresponding variations of fidelity are theoretically and numerically analyzed.
文摘The worsening of global warming due to burning fossil fuels and the global energy crisis have led to an urgent need for renewable and clean energy sources that have little impact on the environment.One of the most important and largest alternative energy sources is marine waves,which have enormous energy that can be utilized using the correct and appropriate methods.The present work aims to study the possibility of investing wave energy by extracting the wave power at the northern coasts of the Arabian Gulf using numerical models for zero crossing and spectral analysis methods(SWAN model).Numerical models were used to analyze metrological data to estimate the wave power,estimated at 0.2664 kW/m by the zero-crossing method,and 0.386 kW/m by the spectral analysis method at a depth of 19 meters.The weak wave power may be due to the shallowness of the Gulf compared to other seas,in addition to the weather conditions in the study area,which are directly affected by weather phenomena,especially wind speed.The research recommends conducting further studies on wave energy and studying the most advanced methods for extracting it because of its great economic returns for Iraq.
基金supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU(NGEU)and funded by the Ministry of University and Research(MUR),National Recovery and Resilience Plan(NRRP),project MNESYS(PE0000006)-(DN.155311.10.2022)supported by Sapienza Grant 2021(RM12117A60BDF685).
文摘Background Non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)is a significant health concern among adolescents and young adults,often resulting from adverse childhood experiences(ACEs).Dissociation,post-traumatic symptoms and attachment style may have a role in shaping such associations.Aims This study aims to provide a unified model of the impact of ACEs on NSSI,exploring complex post-traumatic stress disorder(cPTSD)symptoms and dissociation as potential mediators and the role of the predominant attachment style in affecting such associations.Methods 1010 young individuals attending the last year of high school participated in this cross-sectional study.ACEs,cPTSD,dissociation and NSSI were evaluated using self-report questionnaires.We fitted a path model of NSSI,with ACEs as exogenous variables and cPTSD and dissociation as sequential mediators.Secure,fearful and preoccupied attachment styles were modelled as grouping variables.Results Our findings showed that dissociation mediated the impact of ACEs on NSSI in subjects with a fearful attachment style,as opposed to those with a preoccupied attachment for whom cPTSD symptoms mediated the ACEs-NSSI association.Conclusions Attachment styles moderate the relationship between ACEs and NSSI,with either dissociation or post-traumatic symptomatology mediating the impact of ACEs on NSSI,depending on the predominant attachment style.Our results highlight the importance of attachment as a pathway modifier in the relationships between different psychopathology dimensions,providing a useful framework to better conceptualise the ACEs-NSSI association.
基金Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS for the financial support provided through the YUTP-FRG grant(015LC0-631).
文摘Polymeric materials have emerged as a promising alternative to electrolytic solutions in energy storage applications.However,high crystallinity and poor ionic conductivity are the main barriers restricting their daily application.In this study,we propose a polymer electrolyte system consisting of methylcellulose-polyvinyl alcohol(MC-PVA)blend as host material and lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate(LiCF_(3)SO_(3))as dopant,which was prepared using the solution-casting method.The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)analysis revealed a maximum conductivity of 5.42×10^(−6) S cm^(−1) with 40 wt.%LiCF_(3)SO_(3).The key findings demonstrated that the variation in the dielectric loss(εi)and dielectric constant(εr)was significantly correlated with the variation in ionic conductivity.Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)analysis was done to analyse the salt-polymer interaction by observing the shifting of selected bands.By deconvoluting FTIR spectra in the wavenumber range of 970–1100 cm^(−1),transport properties of electrolytes were investigated and found to be improved when the salt concentration was increased to 40 wt.%.Results from the X-ray diffraction(XRD)study suggested that the higher salt concentration promoted the formation of an amorphous phase,which is favourable for ionic conduction.Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)study demonstrated that the addition of salt altered the surface morphology of MC-PVA.
文摘Computational modeling plays a vital role in advancing our understanding and application of soliton theory.It allows researchers to both simulate and analyze complex soliton phenomena and discover new types of soliton solutions.In the present study,we computationally derive the bright and dark optical solitons for a Schrödinger equation that contains a specific type of nonlinearity.This nonlinearity in the model is the result of the combination of the parabolic law and the non-local law of self-phase modulation structures.The numerical simulation is accomplished through the application of an algorithm that integrates the classical Adomian method with the Laplace transform.The results obtained have not been previously reported for this type of nonlinearity.Additionally,for the purpose of comparison,the numerical examination has taken into account some scenarios with fixed parameter values.Notably,the numerical derivation of solitons without the assistance of an exact solution is an exceptional take-home lesson fromthis study.Furthermore,the proposed approach is demonstrated to possess optimal computational accuracy in the results presentation,which includes error tables and graphs.It is important tomention that themethodology employed in this study does not involve any form of linearization,discretization,or perturbation.Consequently,the physical nature of the problem to be solved remains unaltered,which is one of the main advantages.
基金supported by Characterization of Mechanical/Thermal/Chemical Properties of EUV Absorption/Transmission Materials through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT(Grant 2020-M3H4A3081882)by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP)grant funded by the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy(MOTIE)(No.2021202080023D)the Characterization Platform for Advanced Materials(KRISS-2022-GP2022-0013)funded by the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science。
文摘The growing demand for flexible,lightweight,and highly processable electronic devices makes high-functionality conducting polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)an attractive alternative to conventional inorganic materials for various applications including thermoelectrics.However,considerable improvements are necessary to make conducting polymers a commercially viable choice for thermoelectric applications.This study explores nanopatterning as an effective and unique strategy for enhancing polymer functionality to optimize thermoelectric parameters,such as electrical conductivity,Seebeck coefficient,and thermal conductivity.Introducing nanopatterning into thermoelectric polymers is challenging due to intricate technical hurdles and the necessity for individually manipulating the interdependent thermoelectric parameters.Here,array nanopatterns with different pattern spacings are imposed on free-standing PEDOT:PSS films using direct electron beam irradiation,thereby achieving selective control of electrical and thermal transport in PEDOT:PSS.Electron beam irradiation transformed PEDOT:PSS from a highly ordered quinoid to an amorphous benzoid structure.Optimized pattern spacing resulted in a remarkable 70%reduction in thermal conductivity and a 60%increase in thermoelectric figure of merit compared to non-patterned PEDOT:PSS.The proposed nanopatterning methodology demonstrates a skillful approach to precisely manipulate the thermoelectric parameters,thereby improving the thermoelectric performance of conducting polymers,and promising utilization in cutting-edge electronic applications.
基金the Deanship of Research and Graduate studies at King Khalid University for funding this work through a large group research project under grant number RGP2/96/45。
文摘It is advisable to look into efficient and environmentally friendly materials that have the ability to turn lost energy into electricity in order to mitigate the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the ensuing environmental damage.In the present work density functional theory(DFT)was employed to analyze the structural,optical,electronic,and thermoelectric characteristics of novel half-Heusler AMnSb(A=La,Lu)materials.The structural stability of both compounds under consideration was verified by using the Birch-Murnaghan equations of states,which indicate that both compounds have structural stability due to ground-state energy levels being negative.Band structure and total density of state analysis display that LaMnSb has an energy band gap of 0.96 eV for spin-up(↑)and 0.21 eV for spin-down(↓)configurations.LuMnSb has band gap of 0.47 eV for spin-up and an indirect band gap of 0.3 eV for spin-down channel.In terms of its optical properties,LuMnSb exhibits maximal conductivity and absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range(99-462 nm),which makes it a desirable material for optoelectronic applications.Moreover,the transport characteristics of the examined materials were computed by means of the Boltztrap code based on Boltzmann transport theory.The thermoelectric parameters,like the thermal conductivity,Seebeck coefficient,and electrical conductivity are computed in the 200-1200 K temperature range.These anticipated results suggest that AMnSb(A=La,Lu)compounds would be the best choice for thermoelectric and green energy applications.
文摘Background:Undernutrition poses a major threat for the growth and development of children in remote island regions of Bangladesh.Methods:This study investigated the prevalence and risk predictors of undernutrition among children under five in the island regions of Bangladesh.A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 13 unions across two islands,with a random sample of 549 children.Results:Descriptive analyses showed that underweight(Z‐score<−2),wasting(Z‐score<−2),and stunting(Z‐score<−2)were prevalent,with rates of 36.80%,24.60%,and 47.20%,respectively.Significant predictors of underweight included a history of diarrhea(AOR=2.24,p<0.001),acute respiratory infection(ARI)(AOR=1.84,p<0.01),anemic caregivers(AOR=1.52,p<0.05),and belonging to day labor families(AOR=0.29,p<0.01).Childhood wasting was significantly associated with partial vaccination(AOR=2.84,p<0.001),large family size(AOR=1.79,p<0.05),higher birth order(AOR=0.58,p<0.05),diarrhea(AOR=3.09,p<0.001),anemic mothers(AOR=1.89,p<0.05),primary(AOR=3.35,p<0.05)and secondary(AOR=4.11,p<0.01)maternal education,and fathers working abroad(AOR=0.42,p<0.05)or as daily laborers(AOR=0.17,p<0.001).Stunting was more common among children with partial vaccination,diarrhea,and ARI,and less common among those with a history of fever or those from day laborer families.Conclusion:Overall,undernutrition among children in the island areas of Bangladesh is influenced by multiple factors,necessitating a multisectoral approach to improve their nutritional status.
文摘This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in aluminum-based conductor alloys engineered to achieve superior mechanical strength and thermal stability without sacrificing electrical conductivity.Particular emphasis is placed on the role of microalloying elements—particularly Sc and Zr-in promoting the formation of coherent nanoscale precipitates such as Al_(3)Zr,Al_(3)Sc,and core-shell Al_(3)(Sc,Zr)with metastable L1_(2)crystal structures.These precipitates contribute significantly to high-temperature performance by enabling precipitation strengthening and stabilizing grain boundaries.The review also explores the emerging role of other rare earth elements(REEs),such as erbium(Er),in accelerating precipitation kinetics and improving thermal stability by retarding coarsening.Additionally,recent advancements in thermomechanical processing strategies are examined,with a focus on scalable approaches to optimize the strength-conductivity balance.These approaches involve multi-step heat treatments and carefully controlled manufacturing sequences,particularly the combination of cold drawing and aging treatment to promote uniform and effective precipitation.This review offers valuable insights to guide the development of cost-effective,high-strength,heat-resistant aluminum alloys beyond conductor applications,particularly those strengthened through microalloying with Sc and Zr.
基金supported by the MSIT(Ministry of Science and ICT),Republic of Korea,under the ICAN(ICT Challenge and Advanced Network of HRD)support program(IITP-2025-RS-2023-00259497)supervised by the IITP(Institute for Information&Communications Technology Planning&Evaluation)and was supported by Institute of Information&Communications Technology Planning&Evaluation(IITP)grant funded by the Republic of Korea government(MSIT)(No.IITP-2025-RS-2023-00254129+1 种基金Graduate School of Metaverse Convergence(Sungkyunkwan University))was supported by the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation(NRF)funded by the Republic of Korean government(MSIT)(No.RS-2024-00346737).
文摘Network attacks have become a critical issue in the internet security domain.Artificial intelligence technology-based detection methodologies have attracted attention;however,recent studies have struggled to adapt to changing attack patterns and complex network environments.In addition,it is difficult to explain the detection results logically using artificial intelligence.We propose a method for classifying network attacks using graph models to explain the detection results.First,we reconstruct the network packet data into a graphical structure.We then use a graph model to predict network attacks using edge classification.To explain the prediction results,we observed numerical changes by randomly masking and calculating the importance of neighbors,allowing us to extract significant subgraphs.Our experiments on six public datasets demonstrate superior performance with an average F1-score of 0.960 and accuracy of 0.964,outperforming traditional machine learning and other graph models.The visual representation of the extracted subgraphs highlights the neighboring nodes that have the greatest impact on the results,thus explaining detection.In conclusion,this study demonstrates that graph-based models are suitable for network attack detection in complex environments,and the importance of graph neighbors can be calculated to efficiently analyze the results.This approach can contribute to real-world network security analyses and provide a new direction in the field.
基金supported by The Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education(RS-2023-00244901)(to RB)。
文摘Challenges in the prevention and treatment of mild cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease:Increased life expectancy due to advancements in medical care has given rise to an aging population,accompanied by a surge in the incidence of incurable neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs).These diseases primarily affect the cognitive and behavioral functions of older adults by impacting brain activity.Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is a neurodegenerative condition that affects a significant portion of the population.
基金funded by a grant from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)the authors would like to acknowledge the Niobec mine (Saint-Honoré, QuébecQuébec)
文摘Stress-induced failure is among the most common causes of instability in Canadian deep underground mines.Open stoping is the most widely practiced underground excavation method in these mines,and creates large stopes which are subjected to stress-induced failure.The probability of failure(POF)depends on many factors,of which the geometry of an open stope is especially important.In this study,a methodology is proposed to assess the effect of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,using numerical modelling.Different ranges for each input parameter are defined according to previous surveys on open stope geometry in a number of Canadian underground mines.A Monte-Carlo simulation technique is combined with the finite difference code FLAC3D,to generate model realizations containing stopes with different geometrical features.The probability of failure(POF)for different categories of stope geometry,is calculated by considering two modes of failure;relaxation-related gravity driven(tensile)failure and rock mass brittle failure.The individual and interactive effects of stope geometrical parameters on the POF,are analyzed using a general multi-level factorial design.Finally,mathematical optimization techniques are employed to estimate the most stable stope conditions,by determining the optimal ranges for each stope’s geometrical parameter.
基金the financial support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada(NSERC)Rio Tinto Aluminum through the NSERC Industry Research Chair in the Metallurgy of Aluminum Transformation at the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi.
文摘The precipitation behavior of Mn-containing dispersoids in Al-Mg-Si 6082 alloys with different Mn contents(0,0.5 and 1.0 wt%)during various heat treatments(300–500℃)was investigated.The effects of dispersoids on elevated-temperature strength and recrystallization resistance during hot-rolling and post-rolling annealing were evaluated.The results showed that the dispersoids in the Mn-containing alloys(0.5 and 1.0%)began to precipitate at 350℃and reached the optimum conditions after 2–4 h at 400℃.However,the dispersoids coarsened with increasing holding time at temperatures above450℃.After the peak precipitation treatment at 400℃for 2 h,the yield strength at 300℃increased from 28 MPa(base alloy free of Mn)to 55 MPa(alloy with 0.5%Mn)and 70 MPa(alloy with 1%Mn),respectively,demonstrating a significant dispersoid strengthening effect at elevated temperature.In addition,the dispersoids were thermally stable at 300℃for up to 1000 h holding owing to its relative high precipitation temperature(350–400℃),leading to the superior constant mechanical performance at elevated temperature during the long service life.During hot rolling and post-rolling annealing,the presence of a large amount of dispersoids results in the higher Zener drag PZcompared with base alloy and then significantly improved the recrystallization resistance.The alloy containing 0.5%Mn exhibited the highest recrystallization resistance among three experimental alloys studied during the post-rolling process,likely resulted from the lower coarsening rate of dispersoids and the lower dispersoids free zone.
基金BMBF,Adi Pa D,1720X06,BMBF,FHprof Unt,FKZ:03FH012PB2FH-Extra,"Europischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung","Europa-Investition in unsere Zukunft",FKZ:z1112fh012EFRE co-financed NRW Ziel 2:"Regionale Wettbewerbsfhigkeit und Beschftigung",DAAD,PPP Vigoni,FKZ:314-vigoni-dr and FKZ:54669218 for Edda Tobiasch
文摘Hox genes are an evolutionary highly conserved gene family. They determine the anterior-posterior body axis in bilateral organisms and influence the developmental fate of cells. Embryonic stem cells are usually devoidof any Hox gene expression, but these transcription factors are activated in varying spatial and temporal patterns defining the development of various body regions. In the adult body, Hox genes are among others responsible for driving the differentiation of tissue stem cells towards their respective lineages in order to repair and maintain the correct function of tissues and organs. Due to their involvement in the embryonic and adult body, they have been suggested to be useable for improving stem cell differentiations in vitro and in vivo. In many studies Hox genes have been found as driving factors in stem cell differentiation towards adipogenesis, in lineages involved in bone and joint formation, mainly chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, in cardiovascular lineages including endothelial and smooth muscle cell differentiations, and in neurogenesis. As life expectancy is rising, the demand for tissue reconstruction continues to increase. Stem cells have become an increasingly popular choice for creating therapies in regenerative medicine due to their self-renewal and differentiation potential. Especially mesenchymal stem cells are used more and more frequently due to their easy handling and accessibility, combined with a low tumorgenicity and little ethical concerns. This review therefore intends to summarize to date known correlations between natural Hox gene expression patterns in body tissues and during the differentiation of various stem cells towards their respective lineages with a major focus on mesenchymal stem cell differentiations. This overview shall help to understand the complex interactions of Hox genes and differentiation processes all over the body as well as in vitro for further improvement of stem cell treatments in future regenerative medicine approaches.
基金supported by Natural Science Foundation Research Project of Shanxi Science and Technology Department(2016JM1032)
文摘Current statistical model(CSM) has a good performance in maneuvering target tracking. However, the fixed maneuvering frequency will deteriorate the tracking results, such as a serious dynamic delay, a slowly converging speedy and a limited precision when using Kalman filter(KF) algorithm. In this study, a new current statistical model and a new Kalman filter are proposed to improve the performance of maneuvering target tracking. The new model which employs innovation dominated subjection function to adaptively adjust maneuvering frequency has a better performance in step maneuvering target tracking, while a fluctuant phenomenon appears. As far as this problem is concerned, a new adaptive fading Kalman filter is proposed as well. In the new Kalman filter, the prediction values are amended in time by setting judgment and amendment rules,so that tracking precision and fluctuant phenomenon of the new current statistical model are improved. The results of simulation indicate the effectiveness of the new algorithm and the practical guiding significance.
基金Supported by the Research Grant Council,Hong Kong SAR,China
文摘Metal contamination in the environment is a global concern due to its high toxicity to living organisms and its worldwide distribution. The principal goal of this review is to examine the current strategies and technologies for the remediation of metal- contaminated soils by metal-accumulating plants and assess the roles of arbnscular mycorrhizal （AM） fungi in remediation of soils under hyperaccumulator or non-accumulator plants. The use of plants to remove metals from the environment or reduce the toxicity, known as phytoremediation, is an environmentally sustainable and low cost remediation technology. The mechanisms of the use of hyperaccumulator plants for phytoremediation included solubilization of the metal in the soil matrix, the plant uptake of the metal, detoxification/chelation and sequestration, and volatilization. Recently, some ecologists have found that phytoremediation with the aids of mycorrhizae can enhance efficiency in the removal of toxic metals. AM fungi can facilitate the survival of their host plants growing on metal-contaminated land by enhancing their nutrient acquisition, protecting them from the metal toxicity, absorbing metals, and also enhancing phytostabilization and phytoextraction. Such information may be useful for developing phytoremediation program at metal-contaminated sites.
文摘Electron beam melting(EBM) process is an additive manufacturing process largely used to produce complex metallic components made of high-performance materials for aerospace and medical applications.Especially,lattice structures made by Ti-6A1-4V have represented a hot topic for the industrial sectors because of having a great potential to combine lower weights and higher performances that can also be tailored by subsequent heat treatments.However,the little knowledge about the mechanical behaviour of the lattice structures is limiting their applications.The present work aims to provide a comprehensive review of the studies on the mechanical behaviour of the lattice structures made of Ti-6A1-4V.The main steps to produce an EBM part were considered as guidelines to review the literature on the lattice performance:(1) design,(2) process and(3) post-heat treatment.Thereafter,the correlation between the geometrical features of the lattice structure and their mechanical behaviour is discussed.In addition,the correlation among the mechanical performance of the lattice structures and the process precision,surface roughness and working temperature are also reviewed.An investigation on the studies about the properties of heat-treated lattice structure is also conducted.
