Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively ...Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively to have reliable data to optimize the urological management of women. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical and descriptive study that was conducted at the CNHU-HKM over a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017 on the epidemiological aspects of female urological diseases from the study of patient records. The variable studied was: the age, the profession, the year of admission, the organ affected, and the type of pathology. The confidentiality of the data has been ensured. Results: Female urological disorders over 10 years accounted for 9.62% of all patients received in Urology Department. The age group greater than 50 years was the most common at 31.34%. Traders and housewives were the most numerous (39.93% and 14.55%). Bladder diseases were the most frequent (51.50), dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas (29.85%). In addition to fistulas, tumoral affections were most prevalent at 27.99% followed by infectious diseases at 8.21%. The lithiasic affections were infrequent at 6.72%. Conclusion: Female urological conditions are infrequent but not negligible, dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas and tumors in the context of developing countries. The specific evaluation of each pathology group can help optimize management.展开更多
As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This ...As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This study investigates the coupled effects of field-representative vertical self-weight and horizontal rockwall closure stresses,along with in-situ temperatures,on the mechanical behavior and pore water pressure(PWP)evolution of CPB.Experiments were conducted using a novel apparatus capable of controlling multiaxial stress and temperature during curing,replicating in-situ stress paths and thermal profiles typical of deep mine environments.Results show that multiaxial stress enhances CPB strength and stiffness by promoting denser particle packing,reducing porosity,and increasing frictional resistance.Elevated temperatures independently accelerate early-age cement hydration,further improving bond strength and stiffness.When combined,multiaxial stress and elevated temperature produce a synergistic enhancement in unconfined compressive strength(UCS)and elastic modulus,as confirmed by two-way ANOVA and synergy index analysis.PWP responses were also highly sensitive to thermo-mechanical conditions.The evolution of positive and negative PWP was governed by the interplay of thermal expansion,hydration-induced desaturation,and mechanical compaction.Multiaxial stress amplified early positive PWP and delayed its dissipation,whereas elevated temperature accelerated hydration and reduced pore pressure,leading to enhanced suction at later ages.A transient“stress-induced resaturation”effect was observed under late-stage excessive horizontal stress but was mitigated by elevated temperatures.These findings provide critical insights into the coupled mechanical and hydraulic behavior of CPB under realistic field conditions and offer guidance for optimizing backfill design,binder content,and barricade stability in deep mining applications.展开更多
Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large Spanish prospective cohort.Methods:We analyz...Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large Spanish prospective cohort.Methods:We analyzed data from 14,288 participants of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra(SUN)Project,followed for a mean of 12.8 years(mean baseline age=38.3 years;60.1%women).Data were collected at baseline and through biennial follow-up questionnaires(up to 10 waves,depending on year of entry).The participants self-reported 24-h movement behaviors at baseline and were categorized based on the number of guidelines met(0-3).Behaviors were assessed at baseline only;changes in adherence during follow-up were not accounted for.Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)for all-cause and cause-specific mortality,adjusting for sociodemographic,lifestyle,and clinical covariates.Results:Meeting a greater number of 24-Hour Movement Guidelines at baseline was associated with a progressively lower risk of all-cause mortality.Compared with those meeting none,the multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.52(95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.33-0.82)for meeting 1 guideline,0.47(95%CI:0.30-0.73)for meeting 2 guidelines,and 0.44(95%CI:0.28-0.71)for meeting all 3 guidelines.Only adherence to the physical activity guidelines was independently associated with a significantly lower mortality risk(HR=0.70;95%CI:0.55-0.89).A reduced risk was also observed for cancer and other-cause mortality among those meeting 2 or more guidelines.Conclusion:Adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines at baseline,particularly physical activity,was associated with a lower risk of mortality.Promoting an integrated approach to movement behaviors may be an effective strategy for improving population health and longevity.展开更多
Efficient energy utilization in covert communication sustains covertness while assuring communication quality and efficiency.This paper investigates covert communication energy efficiency(EE)in direct uplink satellite...Efficient energy utilization in covert communication sustains covertness while assuring communication quality and efficiency.This paper investigates covert communication energy efficiency(EE)in direct uplink satellite-ground communications,focusing on enhancing system EE via optimized transmit beamforming and satellite orbit altitude selection.This paper first establishes an optimization problem to maximize system EE in a direct uplink satelliteground covert communication scenario.To solve this non-convex optimization problem,it is decomposed into two subproblems and solved using the successive convex approximation(SCA)method.Based on the above methods,this paper proposes an overall iterative optimization algorithm.Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm surpasses the conventional baseline algorithms in terms of system EE.Furthermore,they elucidate the correlation between the amount of information received by the receiver and the variations in the satellite’s orbital altitude.展开更多
Conventional low-carbon concrete design approaches have often overlooked carbonation durability and the progressive loss of cover caused by surface scaling,both of which can increase the long-term risk of reinforcemen...Conventional low-carbon concrete design approaches have often overlooked carbonation durability and the progressive loss of cover caused by surface scaling,both of which can increase the long-term risk of reinforcement corrosion.To address these limitations,this study proposes an improved design framework for low-carbon slag concrete that simultaneously incorporates carbonation durability and cover scaling effects into the mix proportioning process.Based on experimental data,a linear predictive model was developed to estimate the 28-day compressive strength of slag concrete,achieving a correlation coefficient of R=0.87711 and a root mean square error(RMSE)of 7.55 MPa.The mechanism-based equation exhibits strong physical interpretability,as each parameter corresponds to a clear physical process,satisfying the requirements of design codes for physical significance.By integrating the strength and carbon-emission models,the carbon-emission efficiency was further analyzed.Across all water–binder ratios(0.3,0.4,0.5),CO_(2) emissions per unit strength decreased steadily with increasing slag content,indicating that carbon efficiency is primarily governed by slag replacement rather than the water/binder ratio.Four design cases,all with a design strength of 30 MPa,were then evaluated to illustrate the combined effects of carbonation and scaling.In Case 1,without considering carbonation durability,the carbonation depth after 50 years exceeded the 25 mm cover,leading to potential corrosion.In Case 2,when carbonation durability was considered,the required actual strength increased to 31.28 MPa.When mild cover scaling of 3 mm was introduced(Case 3),the required strength rose to 34.59 MPa,and under severe scaling of 10 mm(Case 4),it increased to 45.73 MPa.These results indicate that intensified scaling demands higher strength and lower water/binder ratios to maintain durability.Overall,the proposed framework quantitatively balances strength,durability,and embodied carbon,supporting sustainable low-carbon concrete design.展开更多
This study aimed to investigate the effects of infant feces-derived Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1078 on rheumatoid cachexia(RC).Twenty-four female Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups:CON group(normal saline by gavage)...This study aimed to investigate the effects of infant feces-derived Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1078 on rheumatoid cachexia(RC).Twenty-four female Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups:CON group(normal saline by gavage),CIA group(collagen-induced arthritis(CIA),normal saline by gavage),and CCFM1078 group(CIA,3×10^(9)CFU/(rat·day)B.breve CCFM1078 gavage).The results demonstrated that B.breve CCFM1078 not only improved skeletal muscle function in CIA rats,but also modulated the gut microbiota,skeletal muscle metabolism and hormone levels,reduced inflammation in the knee joint and skeletal muscles,decreased activity of the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)inflammatory signaling pathway,enhanced the insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway,promoted skeletal muscle differentiation,and maintained skeletal muscle fiber diameter,consequently slowing down the progression of RC.These findings suggested that B.breve CCFM1078 may have a beneficial role as part of a dietary intervention for RC,enhancing overall therapeutic effects.展开更多
Qingke,a staple crop grown on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau,has evolved a metabolomic profile providing both environmental stress resilience and human nutrition.We review the hypothesis that the metabolites that c...Qingke,a staple crop grown on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau,has evolved a metabolomic profile providing both environmental stress resilience and human nutrition.We review the hypothesis that the metabolites that confer cold and UV resistance on the crop also facilitate human adaptation to high-altitude stresses.Specifically,β-glucans regulate blood glucose primarily via short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)produced through gut microbiota fermentation,which directly mediate glucose homeostasis.Phenolamides accumulate via the phenylpropanoid pathway,with chalcone isomerase(CHI)serving as a key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis and enhancing UV-B resistance.Under low temperatures,β-glucans improve frost tolerance by modulating osmotic balance and inhibiting ice-nucleating proteins,while lipids maintain membrane fluidity to sustain cellular function during cold stress.Importantly,we explore the hypothesis that these same metabolites,upon consumption,may facilitate human adaptation to high-altitude stresses.This hypothesis is supported by preliminary epidemiological associations between Qingke consumption and favorable health outcomes in high-altitude populations,as well as established bioactivities of the implicated metabolites in vitro and in animal models.However,direct causal evidence in humans and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms remain key knowledge gaps that warrant future investigation.Qingke as a unique resource at the interface of agricultural resilience and human nutrition.Understanding its metabolic blueprint will inform the development of functional foods and climate-resilient crops.展开更多
A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or l...A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or livelocks.The proposed method takes an uncontrolled and bounded PN model(UPNM)of the FMS.Firstly,the reduced PNM(RPNM)is obtained from the UPNM by using PN reduction rules to reduce the computation burden.Then,the set of strict minimal siphons(SMSs)of the RPNM is computed.Next,the complementary set of SMSs is computed from the set of SMSs.By the union of these two sets,the superset of SMSs is computed.Finally,the set of subnets of the RPNM is obtained by applying the PN reduction rules to the superset of SMSs.All these subnets suffer from deadlocks.These subnets are then ordered from the smallest one to the largest one based on a criterion.To enforce liveness on these subnets,a set of control places(CPs)is computed starting from the smallest subnet to the largest one.Once all subnets are live,this process provides the LES,consisting of a set of CPs to be used for the UPNM.The live controlled PN model(CPNM)is constructed by merging the LES with the UPNM.The SbDaC policy is applicable to all classes of PNs related to FMS prone to deadlocks or livelocks.Several FMS examples are considered from the literature to highlight the applicability of the SbDaC policy.In particular,three examples are utilized to emphasize the importance,applicability and effectiveness of the SbDaC policy to realistic FMS with very large state spaces.展开更多
Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have ...Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable qual-ity drinking water is delivered to consumers.While manganese(Mn)was previously known only as a mer...Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable qual-ity drinking water is delivered to consumers.While manganese(Mn)was previously known only as a mere aesthetic issue,recent epidemiological data has shown to have negative neurological effects on humans,especially on children,prompting new health-based guidelines by Health Canada and the World Health Organization.In drinking water,Mn exists predomi-nantly as Mn(II)and Mn(IV),and is regulated based on total Mn levels.Interestingly,measurement of Mn particulate using electroanalytical methods has not yet been reported in the literature.Herein,a digestion procedure for insoluble manga-nese dioxide(MnO_(2))using ferrous(Fe^(2+))ions was optimized in preparation for Mn detection by cyclic voltammetry(CV).Digestion conditions including concentration of Fe^(2+)ions,pH and digestion time were explored and optimized.Digestion of MnO_(2)was found to be successful in both perfect and imperfect stoichiometric ratios;however,digestion was shown to be most effective in perfect stoichiometric conditions.CV proved to be an effective technique for the detection of different particulate Mn concentrations with good reproducibility using glassy carbon electrodes.According to the CV data,the detection limits of 0.3 mmol·L^(-1)and 0.1 mmol·L^(-1)for MnO_(2)were determined after the digestion time of 4.5 h and 24 h,re-spectively.The digestion method,in addition to CV detection,was found to be impacted by the presences of Cu^(2+)and Fe^(3+)ions.This interference suggests that this method may offer value as a multi-plexed technique.The Mn reduction signal was found to be enhanced in the presence of Mn^(2+),indicating that this method has the potential to be used to detect soluble and insoluble Mn species simultaneously.These digestion and detection methods are simple and reproducible methods which introduce the opportunity for total Mn detection in drinking water.展开更多
Dear Editor,On March 8–15,2022,a board of international scientists assembled in Lyon to evaluate the carcinogenicity of cobalt metal,cobalt(Ⅱ)salts,antimony trioxide,and weaponsgrade tungsten alloy harboring nickel ...Dear Editor,On March 8–15,2022,a board of international scientists assembled in Lyon to evaluate the carcinogenicity of cobalt metal,cobalt(Ⅱ)salts,antimony trioxide,and weaponsgrade tungsten alloy harboring nickel and cobalt[1].The 131st International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC)Monograph is the result of a 6–9-month work of perusing the literature,slide evaluation,data interpretation,and interim meetings.The assessment of cobalt,antimony,and nickelcontaining alloys will have tremendous consequences for the industry,health,and defense departments[1].展开更多
Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects i...Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects in both clinical and preclinical studies.This comprehensive review aims to consolidate and analyze the existing body of evidence surrounding the immunological impact of black seeds.In this review,we analyze the immunomodulatory potentials of black seeds(N.sativa).For the purpose of finding pertinent publications,the literatures was searched in web-based databases,including Web of Science,Medline/PMC/PubMed,Embase,EBSCO,Google Scholar,Science Direct,and reference lists.Several clinical,in vivo,and in vitro studies have demonstrated that supplementation with black seeds(N.sativa)has potential immunomodulatory activity.Black seeds(N.sativa)may influence immune responses through a variety of mechanisms.By synthesizing and critically assessing the current state of knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of black seeds,this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic uses and future research directions for harnessing the immunological benefits of this natural remedy.展开更多
With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They ...With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They also know why.Pumping out pollutants has transformed our world into a greenhouse;heat from the sun is now trapped by a“dirty”atmosphere.展开更多
Cyber-physical systems(CPSs)are regarded as the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution,in which communication,physical processes,and computer technology are integrated.In modern industrial systems,CPSs are widel...Cyber-physical systems(CPSs)are regarded as the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution,in which communication,physical processes,and computer technology are integrated.In modern industrial systems,CPSs are widely utilized across various domains,such as smart grids,smart healthcare systems,smart vehicles,and smart manufacturing,among others.Due to their unique spatial distribution,CPSs are highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks,which may result in severe performance degradation and even system instability.Consequently,the security concerns of CPSs have attracted significant attention in recent years.In this paper,a comprehensive survey on the security issues of CPSs under cyber-attacks is provided.Firstly,mathematical descriptions of various types of cyberattacks are introduced in detail.Secondly,two types of secure estimation and control processing schemes,including robust methods and active methods,are reviewed.Thirdly,research findings related to secure control and estimation problems for different types of CPSs are summarized.Finally,the survey is concluded by outlining the challenges and suggesting potential research directions for the future.展开更多
A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for d...A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for different durations.Each specimen consisted of a 20M rebar bolt at 1300 mm embedment length grouted inside a Schedule 80 steel pipe using Portland cement grout at a 0.4 water-to-cement ratio.Two temperatures(20℃and 45℃)were explored to investigate the effects of geothermally active temperature conditions on fully grouted rock bolts.Distributed fiber optic sensors were employed to provide continuous strain profiles along the entire embedment length to observe micro-mechanisms and monitor internal specimen temperature change during testing.The specimens cured at 45℃generally resulted in higher grout UCS(in certain cases 25%e50%higher)compared to those at 20℃;the ultimate capacity was not significantly impacted as the specimens'embedment length allowed full development of the rock bolt's capacity.The resulting strain profile trends showed generally higher strains experienced by the shorter(i.e.3-d)curing duration specimens under both curing temperatures compared to long-term curing.The 45℃specimens generally experienced lower strains and faster strain profile attenuation compared to specimens cured at 20℃.Understanding these effects and further analysis of FGRB specimen behaviours over time provide insights for mobilized and critical embedment lengths,capacity development,and support system stabilization.This paper highlights the results of this study and aims to bridge selected gaps in existing literature with a view to aid practitioners.展开更多
This study investigates the dark side of the non-fungible token(NFT)marketplace,with a focus on understanding the risks,and underlying factors driving fraud in the NFT ecosystem.Using the fraud triangle framework,this...This study investigates the dark side of the non-fungible token(NFT)marketplace,with a focus on understanding the risks,and underlying factors driving fraud in the NFT ecosystem.Using the fraud triangle framework,this study examines pressure,opportunity,and rationalization from individual and organizational perspectives.The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors to NFT marketplace fraud by analyzing the reasons behind fraudulent actions.A conceptual framework is developed that includes ten propositions to aid in understanding the complexity of this issue.This study’s outcomes will assist policymakers in crafting efficient approaches to mitigate fraud within the NFT marketplace.展开更多
This study investigates the critical issue of radiation contamination in Mailuu-Suu,Kyrgyzstan,a legacy of extensive uranium mining and milling operations during the Soviet era.The research centers on the environmenta...This study investigates the critical issue of radiation contamination in Mailuu-Suu,Kyrgyzstan,a legacy of extensive uranium mining and milling operations during the Soviet era.The research centers on the environmental behavior and health impacts of radon-222 and associated radionuclides emanating from uranium mill tailings.A comprehensive year-long indoor radon monitoring program(July 2001-July 2002)revealed radon concentrations that substantially exceeded the national Radiation Safety Standards(RSS-96),posing serious health risks to local populations.Approximately 1.9 million cubic meters of uranium mill tailings,distributed across multiple unsecured waste dumps,were assessed for their radiological burden.While precise activity levels remain undocumented,it is estimated that these tailings represent tens of thousands of tonnes of radioactive material.Based on typical uranium ore residue densities and grades,this volume could contain over 3-5 million tonnes of material,with estimated activities ranging from 10^(13) to 10^(15) becquerels,depending on radionuclide composition.Epidemiological data indicate elevated rates of cancer,respiratory illnesses,and congenital anomalies,particularly among vulnerable groups such as children,pregnant women,and the elderly.The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted environmental remediation,continuous radiological surveillance,and public health strategies to mitigate long-term risks and enhance ecological and human safety in the region.展开更多
Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.Th...Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.These expectations,however,are tempered by the realization of numerous challenges,including imperfections of the lens itself,noise sources,the properties of the imaging target and difficult technical issues.We discuss,in particular,a subject not previously addressed,the impact of temporally varying surface features,notably a variable cloud cover,obscuring the target exoplanet.This has a substantial detrimental effect on image recovery,leading to our cautious assessment of the practical feasibility of using the Sun’s gravitational field as an effective telescope.展开更多
文摘Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively to have reliable data to optimize the urological management of women. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical and descriptive study that was conducted at the CNHU-HKM over a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017 on the epidemiological aspects of female urological diseases from the study of patient records. The variable studied was: the age, the profession, the year of admission, the organ affected, and the type of pathology. The confidentiality of the data has been ensured. Results: Female urological disorders over 10 years accounted for 9.62% of all patients received in Urology Department. The age group greater than 50 years was the most common at 31.34%. Traders and housewives were the most numerous (39.93% and 14.55%). Bladder diseases were the most frequent (51.50), dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas (29.85%). In addition to fistulas, tumoral affections were most prevalent at 27.99% followed by infectious diseases at 8.21%. The lithiasic affections were infrequent at 6.72%. Conclusion: Female urological conditions are infrequent but not negligible, dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas and tumors in the context of developing countries. The specific evaluation of each pathology group can help optimize management.
基金the University of Ottawa, the China Scholarship Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for their financial support.
文摘As underground mining advances to greater depths,cemented paste backfill(CPB)is increasingly subjected to complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions,including multiaxial stress states and elevated temperatures.This study investigates the coupled effects of field-representative vertical self-weight and horizontal rockwall closure stresses,along with in-situ temperatures,on the mechanical behavior and pore water pressure(PWP)evolution of CPB.Experiments were conducted using a novel apparatus capable of controlling multiaxial stress and temperature during curing,replicating in-situ stress paths and thermal profiles typical of deep mine environments.Results show that multiaxial stress enhances CPB strength and stiffness by promoting denser particle packing,reducing porosity,and increasing frictional resistance.Elevated temperatures independently accelerate early-age cement hydration,further improving bond strength and stiffness.When combined,multiaxial stress and elevated temperature produce a synergistic enhancement in unconfined compressive strength(UCS)and elastic modulus,as confirmed by two-way ANOVA and synergy index analysis.PWP responses were also highly sensitive to thermo-mechanical conditions.The evolution of positive and negative PWP was governed by the interplay of thermal expansion,hydration-induced desaturation,and mechanical compaction.Multiaxial stress amplified early positive PWP and delayed its dissipation,whereas elevated temperature accelerated hydration and reduced pore pressure,leading to enhanced suction at later ages.A transient“stress-induced resaturation”effect was observed under late-stage excessive horizontal stress but was mitigated by elevated temperatures.These findings provide critical insights into the coupled mechanical and hydraulic behavior of CPB under realistic field conditions and offer guidance for optimizing backfill design,binder content,and barricade stability in deep mining applications.
文摘Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large Spanish prospective cohort.Methods:We analyzed data from 14,288 participants of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra(SUN)Project,followed for a mean of 12.8 years(mean baseline age=38.3 years;60.1%women).Data were collected at baseline and through biennial follow-up questionnaires(up to 10 waves,depending on year of entry).The participants self-reported 24-h movement behaviors at baseline and were categorized based on the number of guidelines met(0-3).Behaviors were assessed at baseline only;changes in adherence during follow-up were not accounted for.Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)for all-cause and cause-specific mortality,adjusting for sociodemographic,lifestyle,and clinical covariates.Results:Meeting a greater number of 24-Hour Movement Guidelines at baseline was associated with a progressively lower risk of all-cause mortality.Compared with those meeting none,the multivariable-adjusted HRs were 0.52(95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.33-0.82)for meeting 1 guideline,0.47(95%CI:0.30-0.73)for meeting 2 guidelines,and 0.44(95%CI:0.28-0.71)for meeting all 3 guidelines.Only adherence to the physical activity guidelines was independently associated with a significantly lower mortality risk(HR=0.70;95%CI:0.55-0.89).A reduced risk was also observed for cancer and other-cause mortality among those meeting 2 or more guidelines.Conclusion:Adherence to the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines at baseline,particularly physical activity,was associated with a lower risk of mortality.Promoting an integrated approach to movement behaviors may be an effective strategy for improving population health and longevity.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grants 62025110,62271093sponsored by Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,China,under Grant CSTB2023NSCQ-LZX0108.
文摘Efficient energy utilization in covert communication sustains covertness while assuring communication quality and efficiency.This paper investigates covert communication energy efficiency(EE)in direct uplink satellite-ground communications,focusing on enhancing system EE via optimized transmit beamforming and satellite orbit altitude selection.This paper first establishes an optimization problem to maximize system EE in a direct uplink satelliteground covert communication scenario.To solve this non-convex optimization problem,it is decomposed into two subproblems and solved using the successive convex approximation(SCA)method.Based on the above methods,this paper proposes an overall iterative optimization algorithm.Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm surpasses the conventional baseline algorithms in terms of system EE.Furthermore,they elucidate the correlation between the amount of information received by the receiver and the variations in the satellite’s orbital altitude.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52463034)supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning funded by the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy(No.2025-02314098)of the Republic of Koreasupported by the Regional Innovation System&Education(RISE)program through the Gangwon RISE Center,funded by the Ministry of Education(MOE)and the Gangwon State(G.S.),Republic of Korea(2025-RISE-10-002).
文摘Conventional low-carbon concrete design approaches have often overlooked carbonation durability and the progressive loss of cover caused by surface scaling,both of which can increase the long-term risk of reinforcement corrosion.To address these limitations,this study proposes an improved design framework for low-carbon slag concrete that simultaneously incorporates carbonation durability and cover scaling effects into the mix proportioning process.Based on experimental data,a linear predictive model was developed to estimate the 28-day compressive strength of slag concrete,achieving a correlation coefficient of R=0.87711 and a root mean square error(RMSE)of 7.55 MPa.The mechanism-based equation exhibits strong physical interpretability,as each parameter corresponds to a clear physical process,satisfying the requirements of design codes for physical significance.By integrating the strength and carbon-emission models,the carbon-emission efficiency was further analyzed.Across all water–binder ratios(0.3,0.4,0.5),CO_(2) emissions per unit strength decreased steadily with increasing slag content,indicating that carbon efficiency is primarily governed by slag replacement rather than the water/binder ratio.Four design cases,all with a design strength of 30 MPa,were then evaluated to illustrate the combined effects of carbonation and scaling.In Case 1,without considering carbonation durability,the carbonation depth after 50 years exceeded the 25 mm cover,leading to potential corrosion.In Case 2,when carbonation durability was considered,the required actual strength increased to 31.28 MPa.When mild cover scaling of 3 mm was introduced(Case 3),the required strength rose to 34.59 MPa,and under severe scaling of 10 mm(Case 4),it increased to 45.73 MPa.These results indicate that intensified scaling demands higher strength and lower water/binder ratios to maintain durability.Overall,the proposed framework quantitatively balances strength,durability,and embodied carbon,supporting sustainable low-carbon concrete design.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32021005)111 project(BP0719028)the Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control in Jiangsu Province.
文摘This study aimed to investigate the effects of infant feces-derived Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1078 on rheumatoid cachexia(RC).Twenty-four female Wistar rats were assigned to 3 groups:CON group(normal saline by gavage),CIA group(collagen-induced arthritis(CIA),normal saline by gavage),and CCFM1078 group(CIA,3×10^(9)CFU/(rat·day)B.breve CCFM1078 gavage).The results demonstrated that B.breve CCFM1078 not only improved skeletal muscle function in CIA rats,but also modulated the gut microbiota,skeletal muscle metabolism and hormone levels,reduced inflammation in the knee joint and skeletal muscles,decreased activity of the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)inflammatory signaling pathway,enhanced the insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathway,promoted skeletal muscle differentiation,and maintained skeletal muscle fiber diameter,consequently slowing down the progression of RC.These findings suggested that B.breve CCFM1078 may have a beneficial role as part of a dietary intervention for RC,enhancing overall therapeutic effects.
基金supported by the Financial Special Fund,grant number XZ202401JD0027National Barley Industry Technology System(CARS-05-01A-08)+3 种基金the Xizang Agri-Tech Innovation Project(XZNKY-2025-CXGC-T01)the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U20A2026)the Financial Special Fund,grant number(32401784,2017CZZX001/2,XZNKY-2018-C-021 and NYSTC202401)the China Agriculture Research System of Barley(CARS-05).
文摘Qingke,a staple crop grown on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau,has evolved a metabolomic profile providing both environmental stress resilience and human nutrition.We review the hypothesis that the metabolites that confer cold and UV resistance on the crop also facilitate human adaptation to high-altitude stresses.Specifically,β-glucans regulate blood glucose primarily via short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)produced through gut microbiota fermentation,which directly mediate glucose homeostasis.Phenolamides accumulate via the phenylpropanoid pathway,with chalcone isomerase(CHI)serving as a key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis and enhancing UV-B resistance.Under low temperatures,β-glucans improve frost tolerance by modulating osmotic balance and inhibiting ice-nucleating proteins,while lipids maintain membrane fluidity to sustain cellular function during cold stress.Importantly,we explore the hypothesis that these same metabolites,upon consumption,may facilitate human adaptation to high-altitude stresses.This hypothesis is supported by preliminary epidemiological associations between Qingke consumption and favorable health outcomes in high-altitude populations,as well as established bioactivities of the implicated metabolites in vitro and in animal models.However,direct causal evidence in humans and a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms remain key knowledge gaps that warrant future investigation.Qingke as a unique resource at the interface of agricultural resilience and human nutrition.Understanding its metabolic blueprint will inform the development of functional foods and climate-resilient crops.
基金The authors extend their appreciation to King Saud University,Saudi Arabia for funding this work through the Ongoing Research Funding Program(ORF-2025-704),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘A novel siphon-based divide-and-conquer(SbDaC)policy is presented in this paper for the synthesis of Petri net(PN)based liveness-enforcing supervisors(LES)for flexible manufacturing systems(FMS)prone to deadlocks or livelocks.The proposed method takes an uncontrolled and bounded PN model(UPNM)of the FMS.Firstly,the reduced PNM(RPNM)is obtained from the UPNM by using PN reduction rules to reduce the computation burden.Then,the set of strict minimal siphons(SMSs)of the RPNM is computed.Next,the complementary set of SMSs is computed from the set of SMSs.By the union of these two sets,the superset of SMSs is computed.Finally,the set of subnets of the RPNM is obtained by applying the PN reduction rules to the superset of SMSs.All these subnets suffer from deadlocks.These subnets are then ordered from the smallest one to the largest one based on a criterion.To enforce liveness on these subnets,a set of control places(CPs)is computed starting from the smallest subnet to the largest one.Once all subnets are live,this process provides the LES,consisting of a set of CPs to be used for the UPNM.The live controlled PN model(CPNM)is constructed by merging the LES with the UPNM.The SbDaC policy is applicable to all classes of PNs related to FMS prone to deadlocks or livelocks.Several FMS examples are considered from the literature to highlight the applicability of the SbDaC policy.In particular,three examples are utilized to emphasize the importance,applicability and effectiveness of the SbDaC policy to realistic FMS with very large state spaces.
文摘Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
基金financial support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through the Discovery Grant programsupports from the Department of Chemistry,the Department of Civil Engineering,and Beaty Water Research Centre。
文摘Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable qual-ity drinking water is delivered to consumers.While manganese(Mn)was previously known only as a mere aesthetic issue,recent epidemiological data has shown to have negative neurological effects on humans,especially on children,prompting new health-based guidelines by Health Canada and the World Health Organization.In drinking water,Mn exists predomi-nantly as Mn(II)and Mn(IV),and is regulated based on total Mn levels.Interestingly,measurement of Mn particulate using electroanalytical methods has not yet been reported in the literature.Herein,a digestion procedure for insoluble manga-nese dioxide(MnO_(2))using ferrous(Fe^(2+))ions was optimized in preparation for Mn detection by cyclic voltammetry(CV).Digestion conditions including concentration of Fe^(2+)ions,pH and digestion time were explored and optimized.Digestion of MnO_(2)was found to be successful in both perfect and imperfect stoichiometric ratios;however,digestion was shown to be most effective in perfect stoichiometric conditions.CV proved to be an effective technique for the detection of different particulate Mn concentrations with good reproducibility using glassy carbon electrodes.According to the CV data,the detection limits of 0.3 mmol·L^(-1)and 0.1 mmol·L^(-1)for MnO_(2)were determined after the digestion time of 4.5 h and 24 h,re-spectively.The digestion method,in addition to CV detection,was found to be impacted by the presences of Cu^(2+)and Fe^(3+)ions.This interference suggests that this method may offer value as a multi-plexed technique.The Mn reduction signal was found to be enhanced in the presence of Mn^(2+),indicating that this method has the potential to be used to detect soluble and insoluble Mn species simultaneously.These digestion and detection methods are simple and reproducible methods which introduce the opportunity for total Mn detection in drinking water.
文摘Dear Editor,On March 8–15,2022,a board of international scientists assembled in Lyon to evaluate the carcinogenicity of cobalt metal,cobalt(Ⅱ)salts,antimony trioxide,and weaponsgrade tungsten alloy harboring nickel and cobalt[1].The 131st International Agency for Research on Cancer(IARC)Monograph is the result of a 6–9-month work of perusing the literature,slide evaluation,data interpretation,and interim meetings.The assessment of cobalt,antimony,and nickelcontaining alloys will have tremendous consequences for the industry,health,and defense departments[1].
文摘Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects in both clinical and preclinical studies.This comprehensive review aims to consolidate and analyze the existing body of evidence surrounding the immunological impact of black seeds.In this review,we analyze the immunomodulatory potentials of black seeds(N.sativa).For the purpose of finding pertinent publications,the literatures was searched in web-based databases,including Web of Science,Medline/PMC/PubMed,Embase,EBSCO,Google Scholar,Science Direct,and reference lists.Several clinical,in vivo,and in vitro studies have demonstrated that supplementation with black seeds(N.sativa)has potential immunomodulatory activity.Black seeds(N.sativa)may influence immune responses through a variety of mechanisms.By synthesizing and critically assessing the current state of knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of black seeds,this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic uses and future research directions for harnessing the immunological benefits of this natural remedy.
文摘With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They also know why.Pumping out pollutants has transformed our world into a greenhouse;heat from the sun is now trapped by a“dirty”atmosphere.
文摘Cyber-physical systems(CPSs)are regarded as the backbone of the fourth industrial revolution,in which communication,physical processes,and computer technology are integrated.In modern industrial systems,CPSs are widely utilized across various domains,such as smart grids,smart healthcare systems,smart vehicles,and smart manufacturing,among others.Due to their unique spatial distribution,CPSs are highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks,which may result in severe performance degradation and even system instability.Consequently,the security concerns of CPSs have attracted significant attention in recent years.In this paper,a comprehensive survey on the security issues of CPSs under cyber-attacks is provided.Firstly,mathematical descriptions of various types of cyberattacks are introduced in detail.Secondly,two types of secure estimation and control processing schemes,including robust methods and active methods,are reviewed.Thirdly,research findings related to secure control and estimation problems for different types of CPSs are summarized.Finally,the survey is concluded by outlining the challenges and suggesting potential research directions for the future.
基金funded by the Canadian Department of National Defence(DND),the RMC Green Team Military GeoWorks Lab,and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC)of Canada.
文摘A series of laboratory pull-out tests was conducted to study the effects of temperature on the performance and behaviours of fully grouted rock bolt specimens cured within a specific temperature range,as well as for different durations.Each specimen consisted of a 20M rebar bolt at 1300 mm embedment length grouted inside a Schedule 80 steel pipe using Portland cement grout at a 0.4 water-to-cement ratio.Two temperatures(20℃and 45℃)were explored to investigate the effects of geothermally active temperature conditions on fully grouted rock bolts.Distributed fiber optic sensors were employed to provide continuous strain profiles along the entire embedment length to observe micro-mechanisms and monitor internal specimen temperature change during testing.The specimens cured at 45℃generally resulted in higher grout UCS(in certain cases 25%e50%higher)compared to those at 20℃;the ultimate capacity was not significantly impacted as the specimens'embedment length allowed full development of the rock bolt's capacity.The resulting strain profile trends showed generally higher strains experienced by the shorter(i.e.3-d)curing duration specimens under both curing temperatures compared to long-term curing.The 45℃specimens generally experienced lower strains and faster strain profile attenuation compared to specimens cured at 20℃.Understanding these effects and further analysis of FGRB specimen behaviours over time provide insights for mobilized and critical embedment lengths,capacity development,and support system stabilization.This paper highlights the results of this study and aims to bridge selected gaps in existing literature with a view to aid practitioners.
文摘This study investigates the dark side of the non-fungible token(NFT)marketplace,with a focus on understanding the risks,and underlying factors driving fraud in the NFT ecosystem.Using the fraud triangle framework,this study examines pressure,opportunity,and rationalization from individual and organizational perspectives.The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors to NFT marketplace fraud by analyzing the reasons behind fraudulent actions.A conceptual framework is developed that includes ten propositions to aid in understanding the complexity of this issue.This study’s outcomes will assist policymakers in crafting efficient approaches to mitigate fraud within the NFT marketplace.
文摘This study investigates the critical issue of radiation contamination in Mailuu-Suu,Kyrgyzstan,a legacy of extensive uranium mining and milling operations during the Soviet era.The research centers on the environmental behavior and health impacts of radon-222 and associated radionuclides emanating from uranium mill tailings.A comprehensive year-long indoor radon monitoring program(July 2001-July 2002)revealed radon concentrations that substantially exceeded the national Radiation Safety Standards(RSS-96),posing serious health risks to local populations.Approximately 1.9 million cubic meters of uranium mill tailings,distributed across multiple unsecured waste dumps,were assessed for their radiological burden.While precise activity levels remain undocumented,it is estimated that these tailings represent tens of thousands of tonnes of radioactive material.Based on typical uranium ore residue densities and grades,this volume could contain over 3-5 million tonnes of material,with estimated activities ranging from 10^(13) to 10^(15) becquerels,depending on radionuclide composition.Epidemiological data indicate elevated rates of cancer,respiratory illnesses,and congenital anomalies,particularly among vulnerable groups such as children,pregnant women,and the elderly.The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted environmental remediation,continuous radiological surveillance,and public health strategies to mitigate long-term risks and enhance ecological and human safety in the region.
文摘Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.These expectations,however,are tempered by the realization of numerous challenges,including imperfections of the lens itself,noise sources,the properties of the imaging target and difficult technical issues.We discuss,in particular,a subject not previously addressed,the impact of temporally varying surface features,notably a variable cloud cover,obscuring the target exoplanet.This has a substantial detrimental effect on image recovery,leading to our cautious assessment of the practical feasibility of using the Sun’s gravitational field as an effective telescope.
