Aerogel-based adsorbents present extraordinary sorption capacity for hexavalent uranium that can be as high as 8.8 mol kg–1 (2088 g kg–1). The adsorption data follow generally the Langmuir isotherm model and the kinetic data are better described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which is associated with chemisorption. Evaluation of the thermodynamic data reveals that the adsorption is generally an endothermic, entropy-driven process (ΔHo, ΔSo > 0). Spectroscopic studies (e.g., FTIR, XPS) indicate that the adsorption is based on the formation of in-ner-sphere complexes between surface active moieties and the uranyl cation. Regeneration and uranium recovery by acidification and complexation using carbonate or chelating ligands (e.g., EDTA) have been found to be successful. The application of aerogel-based adsorbents to uranium removal from industrial processes and uranium-contaminated waste waters was also successful, assuming that these materials could be very attractive as adsorbents in water treatment and uranium recovery technologies. However, the selectivity of the studied materials towards hexavalent uranium is limited suggesting further development of aerogel materials which could be modified by surface derivatization with chelating agents (e.g., salophen, iminodiacetate) presenting high selectivity for uranyl moieties.

COVID-19 has harmful impact on health. It is especially important for endurance athletes (EAs). Sleep and psychology influence sport performance. Aims of this study were: (1) investigation of the consequences of mild COVID-19 on sleep and psychology and (2) assessment of the conse-quences of the infection on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) results. 49 EAs (males= 43; 87.76%, females= 6; 12.24%, age= 39.9±7.8 years, height= 178.4±6.8 cm, weight= 76.3±10.4 kg; BMI= 24.0±2.6 kg·m−2) underwent maximal cycling or running CPET pre- and post- COVID-19 and completed a survey. Exercise performance was deteriorated after COVID-19 (maximal oxy-gen uptake; VO2max= 47.81±7.81 vs 44.97±7.00 ml·kg·min−1 respectively pre- and post- infection; p<0.001). Waking up at night affected heart rate (HR) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP) (p=0.028). Sleep time influenced pulmonary ventilation (p=0.013), breathing frequency (p=0.010), and blood lactate concentration (Lac) (p=0.013) at RCP. Maximal power/speed (p=0.046) and HR (p=0.070) linked with the quality of sleep. Stress management and relaxation techniques linked with VO2max (p=0.046), maximal power/speed (p=0.033), and maximal Lac (p=0.045). Cardiorespiratory fitness was deteriorated after mild COVID-19 and was correlated with sleep and mental health. Medical Professionals should encourage EAs to maintain proper mental health and sleep after COVID-19 infection to facilitate recovery.

The multidimensionality of chronic pain forces us to look beyond isolated pain assessment such as pain intensity, which does not consider multiple key parameters, particularly in patients suffering from post-operative Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS-T2). Our ambition was to provide a novel Multi-dimensional Clinical Response Index (MCRI), including not only pain intensity but also functional capacity, anxiety-depression, quality of life and objective quantitative pain mapping assessments, the objective being to capture patient condition instantaneously, using machine learning techniques. Two hundred PSPS-T2 patients were enrolled in a real-life observational prospective PREDIBACK study with 12-month follow-up and received various treatments. From a multitude of questionnaires/scores, specific items were combined using exploratory factor analyses to create an optimally accurate MCRI; as a single composite index, using pairwise correlations between measurements, it appeared to better represent all pain dimensions than any other classical score. It appeared to be the best compromise among all existing indexes, showing the highest sensitivity/specificity related to Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Novel composite indexes could help to refine pain assessment by changing the physician’s perception of patient condition on the basis of objective and holistic metrics, and by providing new insights to therapy efficacy/patient outcome assessments, before ultimately being adapted to other pathologies.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up digital health transformation across the health sectors to enable innovative health service delivery. Such transformation relies on competent managers with the capacity to lead and manage. However, the health system has not adopted a holistic approach in addressing the health management workforce development needs, with many hurdles to overcome. The objectives of this paper are to present the findings of a three-step approach in understanding the current hurdles in developing a health management workforce that can enable and maximise the benefits of digital health transformation, and to explore ways of overcoming such hurdles. Methods: A three-step, systematic approach was undertaken, including an Australian digital health policy documentary analysis, an Australian health service management postgraduate program analysis, and a scoping review of international literatures. Results: The main findings will guide the formulation of strategies in developing a digitally enabled health management workforce in the digital health era. Conclusions: With the ever-changing landscape of digital health, being able to lead and manage in times of system transformation requires a holistic approach to develop the necessary health management workforce capabilities and system-wide capacity. The evidence would support that this can be achieved with the required system, policy, educational and professional organizational enablers, which drive a digital health focused approach across all the healthcare sectors, in a coordinated and contextual manner.

A delayed crosslinked polymer gel was developed for indepth water control in mature oilfields. The thermal gelation behavior of nonionic polyacrylamide (NPAM) and PEI was investigated, and sodium citrate (NaCit) was selected as a new retarder to prolong the gelation time. The gelation performance of NPAM/PEI gel system can be adjusted by the variation of NPAM or PEI concentration, and a quadratic model was developed by statistical analysis, which predict the gelation time of NPAM/PEI gel system. The obtained model showed high significance and good reliability as suggested by the F-ratio of 175.16 and high adjusted R-square value (0.9732). The decrease of the initial pH value of gelling solution leads to the weaker gel viscosity and longer gelation time due to the protonation of amine groups on the PEI chains. Increasing temperature resulted in higher gel viscosity but shorter gelation time. The addition of NaCit showed a good delayed gelation effect on the NPAM/PEI gel system, and the gel system in the presence of NaCit exhibited a good compatibility with injected and formation water. A dense three-dimensional structure was observed in matured NPAM/PEI/NaCit gel, and it could keep stable below 150℃. The gel system could effectively reduce the permeability (>95%) and restricted the flow of water after matured in natural cores.

There is a balanced plant-water relationship in the primary vegetation of desert area. With the increase of population and social development in desert areas, people’s need for forest vegetation ecosystem’s goods and service have been changed. To meet the growing demand for plant community goods and services, more original vegetation has been changed into non-native vegetation such as in China loess plateau. However, with the plant growth, sometime soil drying happens and then becomes gradually serious with times in most of desert regions. Serious drying of soil eventually result in soil degradation, vegetation decline and agriculture failure，which influence the produce and supply of forest vegetation goods and service in market in dry year or waste of soil water resources in wet year, which wastes precious nature resources. In order to solve these problems, the soil water resources have to be used in sustainable way and plant-water relationship have to be regulated on Carrying Capacity of Soil Water for Vegetation in the key period of plant water relationship regulation, to carry out sustainable use of nature resources, high-quality and sustainable development of forest and grass or high-quality produce of fruit and crop in desert re-gions.

Sinkhole flooding is an essential hydrological process to recharge karst aquifer in arid to dry sub-humid regions. On the other hand, the increase of rain extremes is one of the major consequences of the global warming, together with the expansion of drylands. Thus, appropriate runoff regulation in endorheic karst basins in order to reduce the risk of flooding and improve the quantity and quality of the water drained by sinkholes will be more and more crucial. With these premises, a systematic review was performed by using WoS engine to infer the best practices for the karst water management in regions actually or potentially affected by water scarcity. Hydrological models are essential to manage the consequences of climate change on karst water resource, however the review shows that providing the tools necessary for reliable modeling is still challenging. Finally, due to the intrinsic vulnerability of the karst aquifers, pollution reduction and wastewater recycling policy will play key role in the next decades.

Healthcare professionals and resource planners can use healthcare delivery process mining to ensure the optimal utilisation of scarce healthcare resources when developing policies. Within hospitals, patients' Length of Stay (LOS) and volume of admitted patients, in terms of number and characteristics (age, gender, and social deter-minants), are significant factors determining daily resource requirements. In this study, we used Coxian phase-type Distribution (C-PHD) based Phase-Type Survival (PTS) trees for analysing how covariates such as admission date, gender, age, district, and admissions source influence the admission rate and LOS distribution. PTS trees. This study used a two-year data set (2011-2012) of patients admitted to the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital to generate models and an independent one-year data set (2013) of patients admitted to the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital to evaluate. The PTS tree effectively clusters patients based on their LOS, considering the prognostic significance of different covariates related to patients' characteristics. Charac-terising these covariates provided meaningful results about LOS. Similarly, the PTS tree was used to effectively cluster patients based on the admission rate, considering the prognostic significance of these covariates.

As a follow-up to previously published research, this paper examines the responses of a group (n=185) of professional and volunteer firefighters directly involved in fighting extreme wildfire events of the 2017 summer season in Portugal. The data used in this research stem from two open-ended questions in response to a web-based survey: i) lessons learned and ii) proposals for improving the Civil Protection service. The replies were qualitatively examined. Participants exhibit incomplete awareness of extreme wildfires, and their only answers are i) the improvement of both the current organization and the technical and human resources of the suppression model (question 1), and ii) the increase in human and material resources, the single command, the in-dependence from Civil Protection and the valorization of experience, as the main aspects for the improvement of Civil Protection (question 2). Little attention is given to prevention and to the concept of control capacity, respectively. The answers to both questions showcase scarce knowledge of the paradigm shift in reference to the prevention model. The ratios of missing re-plies to both questions were 32.43% and 47.57%, respectively. The work stands out for its novelty and originality, as to our knowledge there is a total lack of similar works in all European Union literature.

Rotary tillage is a main management tillage practices and widely applied in the North China Plain. However, the long term rotary tillage (depth of 20 cm) results in soil compaction and plow pan formation, which reduces water use efficiency and nutrient uptake, and then impedes the yield increase. In this study, a 3-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different depths of tillage on soil bulk density, field capacity, water use, photosynthetic rate, nutrients and maize yields in the North China Plain. Three depths of tillage (D20, depth of 20 cm; D25, depth of 25 cm; D30, depth of 30 cm) were assessed. D25 and D30 significantly reduced soil bulk density and improved field capacity in 10-20 and 20-30 cm soil layer, compared to D20. Soil water consumption for D25 was significantly higher 10.12% and 6.61% than that for D20 and D30, respectively. Photosynthetic rate for D25 significantly improved than that for D20 and D30. Total nitrogen in 0-20cm soil layer decreased with the depths of tillage. The maize yields for D25 significantly increased by 20.92% and 21.56% compared to that for D20 and D30, respectively. Structural equation models showed that the total effects of tillage, total nitrogen, photosynthesis and soil water consumption on yields were 0.019, -0.628, 0.121, and 0.895 (path coefficients λ), respectively. The results demonstrated that D25 could improve maize yields, water use efficiency, photosynthetic rate by improving soil water consumption. Depth of 25 cm is optimal tillage practice for the maize production in the North China Plain.

The efficiency, durability, and overall performance of a car engine are influenced by several critical factors. The quality and properties of engine oil play a crucial role, and oil is used in internal combustion engines for lubrication and cooling purposes. This research study aimed to compare the impact of fullerene-C60 (99.5%), Fe2O3, and TiO2 nanoparticles on the thermal properties of C.A.L.T.E.X. red engine oil with grades 10W30, 20W40, and 20W50. This study focused on the effect of a nanoparticle concentration of 0.01 wt.% in different engine oil grades at various temperature values of 30-120 ℃. The Nanofluids were prepared using the two-step direct mixing method, employing a magnetic stirrer and an ultrasonicator, ensuring uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the base fluids. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and volumetric heat capacity of the base fluids and nanofluids were measured using the FLUCON LAMBDA thermal conductivity meter. Additionally, flash points were measured using the flash point tester. It was concluded that the thermal properties of TiO2 and Fe2O3 showed considerable enhancement; in contrast, Fullerene only showed the 212 ℃ flash point.

An exact spherically symmetric and magnetically charged black hole solution in 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics (NED) is obtained. The NED Lagrangian is given by ${\cal L}_{NED} = -{\cal F}/(1+\sqrt[4]{2\beta{\cal F}})$, where ${\cal F}$ is the field invariant. We study the thermodynamics calculating the Hawking temperature and the heat capacity of the black hole. The phase transitions take place when the Hawking temperature has an extremum and the heat capacity is singular. We demonstrate that black holes are thermodynamically stable in some range of event horizon radii where the heat capacity is positive. The BH shadow radii are calculated. It is shown that when increasing the nonlinearity parameter $\beta$ the BH shadow radius is decreased.

The impacts of climate change are already felt across the globe, and (SIDS) are at the forefront. Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to climate change and adaptation is crucial, however they often lack funding or the fiscal capacity to make the necessary invest-ments and require support from climate finance instruments. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was designed with the objective of achieving a “paradigm shift” towards low-carbon and climate resilient country-driven development pathway. Despite the amounts invested, assessing the impacts of climate finance on adaptation and adaptive capacity, particularly at the institutional level remains a challenge. Researchers identified two key components for more efficient adapta-tion policies at the national level: the degree of adaptation mainstreaming and institutional adaptive capacity. In SIDS, institutional capacity at the national level is seen as a key component to achieve the objectives of climate change strategies, and is supported by several programmes, including the Green Climate Fund Readiness Preparatory Support Programmes. However, to date few studies have analysed the linkages between climate finance, adaptation mainstreaming and adaptive institutional capacity. Through the review of the Readiness Grants and semi-structured interviews in three Caribbean SIDS, this research assess how climate finance may promote in-stitutional change through the mainstreaming of adaptation policies at the national level and contribute to more institutional adaptive capacity. It shows that the grants had a positive impact, which can be limited to by the strength of the institutions in place. These results demonstrate that access to climate finance can create a window of opportunity for countries to accelerate institu-tional change and allow to make recommendations on how to maximise the impacts adaptation funds. More in-depth studies would be needed to examine the complementary influence of the different climate finance flows (multilateral or bilateral) and their interplay with national institu-tional mechanisms.

This single-blind and cross-sectional study evaluated the role of Rho-kinase (ROCK) as a biomarker of the cardiovascular remodelling process assessed by echocardiography in competitive long-distance runners (LDR) during the training period before a marathon race. Thirty-six healthy male LDR (37.0±5.3 years; 174.0±7.0 height; BMI: 23.8±2.8; VO2-peak: 56.5±7.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) were separated into two groups according to previous training level: high-training (HT, n=16) ≥100 km·week-1 and low-training (LT, n=20) ≥70 and &lt;100 km·week-1. Also, twenty-one healthy nonactive subjects were included as a control group (CTR). A transthoracic echocardiography was performed and ROCK activity levels in circulating leukocytes were measured at rest (48-hr without exercising) the week before the race. HT group showed higher left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) than other groups (p&lt;0.05, for both), also higher levels of ROCK activity were found in LDR (HT=6.17±1.41 vs CTR=1.64±0.66 (p&lt;0.01); vs LT=2.74±0.84; (p&lt;0.05)). In LDR a direct correlation between ROCK activity levels and LVMi (r=0.83; p&lt;0.001), and LAVi (r=0.70; p&lt;0.001) were found. In conclusion, in male competitive long-distance runners, the load of exercise implicated in marathon training is associated with ROCK activity levels and the left cardiac remodelling process assessed by echocardiography.

Air traffic congestion is caused by the unbalance between increasing traffic demand and saturating capacity. Flight delay not only causes huge economical lost, but also has very negative environmental impact in the whole air transportation system. In order to identify the impact of extended TMA on airport capacity, an airspace capacity assessment method based on augmented cell transmission model was proposed. Firstly, the airspace structure was modeled with points, segments, layers, and cells. Secondly, mixed integer linear programming model was built up with maximum throughput or capacity as the objective function. Finally, genetic algorithm was used to find the optimal result, and the results were validated by comparing with the fast-time simulation results generated by total airspace and airport modeler (TAAM) software. It is found that the proposed method could achieve a relatively accurate result in a much affordable and fast way. The numerical results could be very helpful for air traffic controllers to analyze the dynamic traffic flow entering and exiting TMA, so as to make decisions via reasonable analysis and do planning in advance by referring to the airport capacity.

Nowadays, there is extensive production and use of plastic materials for different industrial activities. These plastics, either from their primary production sources or through degradation processes of the plastics themselves, can contaminate the ecosystem with micro and nanoplastics. Once in the aquatic environment, these microplastics can be the basis for the adsorption of chemical pollutants, favoring that these chemical pollutants disperse more quickly in the environment and can affect living beings. Due to the lack of information on adsorption, three machine learning models (random forest, support vector machine, and artificial neural network) to predict different microplastic/water partition coefficients (log Kd) were developed using two different approximations (based on the number of input variables). The best-selected machine learning models present, in general, correlation coefficients upper than 0.92 in the query phase, which indicate that these type of models could be used for a rapid estimation of the absorption of organic contaminants on microplastics.

A high-voltage transmission tower consists of structures to avoid the risk of electric shock and to prevent the risk of collapse. Hence, towers are generally designed to be high-rise for efficiency. The main posts of the tower are primary structural members that resist loads under various load conditions. Therefore, the contribution of the secondary member to securing the stiffness and strength of the main posts by reducing the effective buckling length is important. However, there are no detailed design criteria for secondary members. In this study, the structural effects of horizontal members and braces on the torsional stiffness, elastic buckling strength, and load-carrying capacity of transmission towers were observed through various structural analysis methods including linear-elastic, eigenvalue, and geometric nonlinear and inelastic analyses under governing load combinations. According to the analytical study, rather than the horizontal members, the brace spacing significantly affects the structural performance. Therefore, the number of horizontal members can be minimized if sufficient brace members are erected. If the brace spacing is wide, it is recommended that the horizontal members be erected to create K bracing, and the buckling resistance of the main posts can be thus enhanced.

The quickest and easiest way to avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is to purchase renewable electricity and offset the remaining emissions. However, the industrial sector’s electricity needs already exceed renewable electricity generation. Moreover, electricity accounts for only one third of the industry’s energy needs. Simultaneously, the advance of sectoral coupling and the decarbonisation of industrial processes, as well as the desire to rapidly decrease dependence on fossil fuels, are creating significant additional demand for renewable energy. Neither existing nor planned generation and transmission infrastructure will suffice to meet the expected short-term demand. Based on survey data from the German Industry Energy Efficiency Index, this article therefore examines the share of GHG savings that companies intend to achieve on- and off-site. Understanding how much additional generation and transmission capacity is needed by the industry to decarbonise and by when is crucial to identify and address the extent of excess demand. On average, companies plan to avoid 22 % of their 2019 emissions by 2025 and 27 % by 2030, primarily through on-site measures. In combination with the extrapolation of the entire industry’s needs for off-site capacity, the data calls for a rapid expansion of planning authority and green generation capacities.

This work discusses the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and pollution in Spain using an autoregressive distributed lag regression model (ARDL) from 1961 to 2018. The authors apply the theoretical context of pollution haven/halo and conclude that FDI in Spain does not contribute to the transfer of green technologies for cleaner production, despite being included within the European environmental regulatory framework. The authors also verify the adequacy of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) and the Load Capacity Curve hypothesis (LCC) in the Spanish environmental context and find that income per capita has a positive effect on environmental sustainability and quality. In this sense, the further development of an efficient renewable energy infrastructure could efficiently drive to a better standards all pollution indexes in Spain, including nuclear energy production, contributing the emissions neutrality aimed by the EU by 2050.

This study investigates multiple extrusion regimens with twin screw extruder for valorising soy press cakes (by-products of soy drink & tofu manufacturing process) by varying physical conditions of extrusion (temperature and moisture content) for improving their morphological, physico-chemical, technological, and sensory parameters. Valorised soy press cakes were compared before and after extrusion. Four extrusion regimens (moisture content 30%-60% and temperature 110°C -120°C) were designed for producing different extruded samples. Small amounts (3%-6%) of untreated and extruded press cakes were utilised in the development of meat analogues. All samples showed comparable nutritional and trypsin inhibition activity with almost all samples possessing most essential amino acids above significant amounts. Press cakes with higher moisture indicated improved bulk density, water holding and oil holding capacity. Interestingly, the same samples also reportedly had texture more closely resembling native meat texture and scored the highest in overall sensory acceptance. Our results thus indicate that soy press cake samples from drink manufacturing process, when extruded with the regimen with 60% moisture and temperature of 120°C show the greatest potential in developing meat analogues.

Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT) with increasingly higher energy output are being developed to meet energy demand, posing challenges for their foundation design. Several foundation types are used to support these turbines with monopiles (MP) accounting for 80% of the installed capacity. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element models (FEM) were employed to investigate the behaviour of monopile foundation supporting a 5MW wind turbine when subjected to lateral loading. Results indicate that the MP behavior depending on the pile length to diameter (L/D) ratio and the soil shear strength. Inspection of bending moment profiles at the lateral ultimate capacity indicated the monopiles can behave in flexible manner even with low L/D ratio. The L/D ratio affected the MP normalized lateral ultimate capacity at varying degrees and the biggest effect was for soft clays, amounting to around 5 folds increase for L/D values of 3.33 to 13.33. Lesser effects were found for stiff clays.

Multi-level shaking table tests were performed on 1:3 reduced scale two-story RC IMRF frames conforming to ACI-318-19. The exterior joints lacked shear reinforcement to assess the viability of the ACI model recommended for determining the design shear strength of the beam-column joint panel. The Northridge-1994 earthquake accelerogram was input to the frame for multi-level shaking table testing. Plastic hinges developed in beams under base input motion with a maximum acceleration equal to 0.40g. The exterior joints incurred extensive damage under base input motion with a maximum acceleration equal to 0.70g. The frame achieved displacement ductility and overstrength factors equal to 2.40 and 2.50 respectively. This gives a response modification factor equal to 6. The satisfactory performance of the frame is attributed to the high efficiency of the beam-column joint, which was confined by spandrel beams on two faces, and the high strength of the concrete. The inherent minimal confinement is sufficient to ensure good seismic behavior. The analysis confirmed overstrength equal to 1.58 for joint shear strength in comparison to the design strength determined using the ACI model. The data might serve as a reference for calibrating and validating numerical modeling techniques for performance evaluation, which are crucial in the context of performance-based engineering.

Waterlogging induced by rain in urban areas has a potential risk impact on property and safety. This paper focuses on the impact of rain on waterlogging and evaluates the waterlogging risk in the central city of Shanghai. A simplified waterlogging depth model is developed in different areas with different drainage capacity and rainfall in consumption of simplifying the effect of complex terrain characteristics and hydrological situation. Based on urban waterlogging depth and its classification collection, a Rain-induced Urban Waterlogging Risk Model(RUWRM) is further established to evaluate waterlogging risk in the central city. The results show that waterlogging depth is closely linked with rainfall and drainage, with a linear relationship between them. More rainfall leads to higher waterlogging risk, especially in the central city with imperfect drainage facilities. Rain-induced urban waterlogging risk model can rapidly gives the waterlogging rank caused by rainfall with a clear classification collection. The results of waterlogging risk prediction indicate that it is confident to get the urban waterlogging risk rank well and truly in advance with more accurate rainfall prediction. This general study is a contribution that allows the public, policy makers and relevant departments of urban operation to assess the appropriate management to reduce traffic intensity and personal safety or strategy to lead to less waterlogging risk.

To further explore the bearing capacity and sustainable construction of vacuum drainage pipe (VDP) piles, field tests were carried out to compare and analyze the ultimate single pile bearing capacity, pile side friction and pile end resistance of ordinary piles and vacuum drainage pipe piles. The effect of the VDP pile on energy conservation and emission reduction in practical projects is discussed. The results shows that the VDP pile basically eliminated the soil squeeze and did not cause excessive relative displacement of pile and soil after vacuum consolidation. The VDP pile enhances pile side friction resistance, resulting in a 17.6% increase in ultimate bearing capacity compared to traditional piles. The VDP pile method can reduce carbon emissions by 31.4% compared to traditional methods. This study provides guidance for the production and design of VDP piles in the future and demonstrates their potential for energy conservation and emission reduction benefits compared to traditional methods.

The cold-formed steel sections are becoming popular for different steel structures because it has a high resistance against the different straining actions with minimum weight compared with hard steel sections. Recently, the perforated cold-formed steel (PCFS) sections are used in many applications such as storage perforated uprights racks. Experimental research into the behaviour of steel storage rack uprights subjected to axial compression is presented in this paper. The material qualities of cold-formed steel uprights were determined by tensile tests. The seventeen perforated specimens were examined under axial compression, with five different cross-sections, three different web heights and thicknesses, and varying lengths. The study's goals are to find out how perforations affect the performance and failure mode of steel storage rack uprights, discuss the interaction of distortional and global buckling, and verify the accuracy of using the Direct Strength Method (DSM) for predicting the ultimate strength of uprights failing in buckling interactions for perforated uprights. It is found that the failure modes of perforated specimens with stiffeners generally cannot be well predicted by the Direct Strength Method. But when the modifications proposed by Xianzhong Zhao etc. al. are used, their accuracy is acceptable.

This study examined the spatial-temporal distribution of sulfur and iron compounds (dissolved sulfide, iron sulfide, and ionized iron) in sediments from April 2015 to March 2016 at four stations in Mikawa Bay, Japan. Seasonal changes were observed in dissolved sulfide, iron sulfide, and ionized iron in the upper part of the sediment (0–4 cm depth) at all stations. The maximum concentration in the upper part of the central bay was 2.8 mmol L-1. The maximum values of dissolved sulfide (ranging from 1.4 to 8.1 mmol L-1) at stations located in a water way varied among stations. The iron sulfide concentration in the upper part of the sediment at a station where dissolved sulfide concentration in the waterway was relatively low exceeded that at other stations in the waterway during spring to summer. Ionized iron concentration was highest at the station where the dissolved sulfide concentration was low. The study results suggest that iron plays an important role in determining the magnitude of dissolved sulfide accumulation in sediments by binding with dissolved sulfide. The results imply the possibility of mitigating the accumulation of free sulfides, which causes extreme hypoxia, by artificially adding sufficient iron to the seabed.

The behaviour of steel frame buildings under progressive collapse conditions depends on a combination of several parameters including the interplay between different collapse resistance mechanisms mobilized in different structural components. Previous studies have shown that the extent to which these mechanisms may contribute to progressive collapse resistance depends on the ability of the beam-column connections to undergo large inelastic deformations prior to reaching their deformation capacity limits. For this reason, and due to the important role of their flexural strength and tying capacity in the development of essential collapse resistance mechanisms, the response of beam-column connections is one of the most important features of progressive collapse performance. Based on the knowledge gained through previous studies on the mechanics of the problem, the role of the connections is critically reviewed by examining the results of several experimental studies conducted during the past decade. The factors that may adversely affect progressive collapse resistance – such as failure modes of certain connection types – are evaluated, and novel approaches of limiting these factors which are currently under development are reviewed. The assessment of these parameters leads to useful conclusions of practical significance, while highlighting the aspects of the problem that need further study and understanding.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) is a natural sweetener with diterpenic glycosides, offering 300 times more sweetness than sucrose, and boasting low-calorie content, along with medicinal and therapeutic properties. To address a limited genetic diversity, a germplasm bank comprising 115 segregated lines of stevia was established in Colombia. Notwithstanding, the fungus Athelia rolfsii adversely impacted key stevia lines, leading to wilting and plant mortality. For this reason our study aimed to explore the biocontrol potential of native strains of Trichoderma spp., isolated from productive lots in Colombia's Cordoba department, as a solution to manage A. rolfsii. Soil samples underwent serial dilution technique (103 conidia.mL-1) to obtain Trichoderma spp. isolates, which were thoroughly morphologically and molecularly characterized. A total five native strains were identified through sequencing the PCR products using universal ITS primers, and comparisons with the GENBANK database confirmed their identity (OK310695.1, ON237703.1, ON238106.1, ON237737.1, and ON237923.1). Their biocontrol efficacy against A. rolfsii was evaluated using the dual culture technique. Remarkably, all strains exhibited significant biocontrol capacity against the A. rolfsii isolate INVEPAR-05 (OK271308.1), except for Trichoderma viride INVEPAR-T10 (ON237923.1). These findings suggest that Trichoderma spp. could be a potential option to manage the fungus in stevia.

The research aims to improve some of the physical and hydro-physical properties of some Vertisols in the southern region (part of the eastern Houran Plateau) in Sweda Governorate at the south of Syria. Using different quantities of volcanic ash, soil samples were collected from the Al-Thahallah village from a depth of (0-30) cm, The experiment was designed according to the complete random design with one factor that represents the ash quantity (1.25, 2.5, 5) %, with three replicates for each treatment in addition to the control treatment a0. The experiment was carried out within the plastic pots during agricultural season 2018/2019, in which the wheat of the Sham variety 3 were cultivated as a cover plant. The results showed that the addition of volcanic ash at the quantity of 5% led to a significant increase in the infiltration rate by (328.60) %,%, where the filtration rate increased from 0.42 cm/hr -1 to 1.80 cm.h-1, as well as for each of the air porosity by (89) % and the volume of infiltrate water by (40) %, compared with the control. The above-mentioned addition also resulted in a decrease in both dry bulk density, total soil porosity and volumetric swelling coefficient by (18.60, 5.80, 314) % Respectively, compared to the control. The addition also contributed to the reduce in the weighted moisture content when saturation and the field capacity, at the level of significance of 5%. The research recommends adding volcanic ash to the soil at a quantity of 5%, and adding enhancements with volcanic ash at various levels such as organic waste.

The removal of H2S from natural gas and other gases such as biogas, refinery gases, and coal gas is required because H2S is toxic and corrosive, even in traces. Zeolites are widely used in the removal of H2S from the above-mentioned gases. In this work, we prepared an Ag-exchanged 13X molecular sieve by using different concentrations of AgNO3 to increase its adsorption properties. XRD, SEM, and BET techniques were used to characterize samples. When compared to unmodified 13X, the adsorption capacity of AgII-13X increased by about 50 times. The results of this study suggest that the silver-modified 13X molecular sieve is highly effective at extracting H2S from natural gas.

To effectively estimate airport terminal area capacity and assess the maximum throughput the sector can achieve when the capacity is given, this research proposes an approach to assess the terminal area capacity from the viewpoint of service provision resources. Terminal area capacity is optimized based on the equilibrium of air traffic service resource supply and demand. The supply-demand nexus is examined in consideration of terminal area route structure, traffic flow characteristics, and safety regulations. A flight service probability matrix and a terminal area demand and supply service time model are constructed to quantify resource expenditure at varied capacity levels. A optimization model is then developed to apportion maximal capacity under resource limitations. Model computation and computation results demonstrate the deviation between estimated and amended capacities is under 0.3 flight sorties per hour. The outcomes are congruent with historical statistics, thereby validating the accuracy and reliability of the model proposed in this study. Given capacity parameters, the model can deduce the maximal aircraft quantity served concurrently in terminal areas during peak periods. These revelations indicate the submitted model furnishes theoretical foundation and reference for terminal area sector partition and traffic alerting.

The high demand for lithium (Li) relates to clean renewable storage devices and the advent of electric vehicles (EVs). The extraction of Li ions from aqueous media calls for efficient adsorbent materials with various characteristics, such as good adsorption capacity, good selectivity, easy isolation of the Li-loaded adsorbent, and good recovery of the adsorbed Li ions. The widespread use of metal-based adsorbent materials for Li ions extraction relates to various factors: (i) the ease of preparation via inexpensive and facile templation techniques, (ii) excellent selectivity for Li ions in a matrix, (iii) high recovery of the adsorbed ions, and (iv) good cycling performance of the adsorbents. However, the use of nano-sized metal-based LISs is limited due to challenges associated with isolating the loaded adsorbent material from the aqueous media. Adsorbent granulation process employing various binding agents (e.g., biopolymers, synthetic polymers, and inorganic materials) affords functional particles with modified morphological and surface properties that support easy isolation from the aqueous phase upon adsorption of Li ions. Biomaterials (e.g., chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and agar) are of particular interest because their structural diversity renders them amenable to coordination interactions with metal-based LISs to form 3D microcapsules. The current review highlights recent progress in the use of biopolymer binding agents for the granulation of metal-based LISs, along with various crosslinking strategies employed to improve the mechanical stability of the granules. The study reviews the effects of granulation and crosslinking on adsorption capacity, selectivity, isolation, recovery, cycling performance and the stability of the LISs. Adsorbent granulation using biopolymer binders has been reported to modify the uptake properties of the bio-adsorbent materials to varying degrees, in accordance with the surface and textural properties of the binding agent. The review further highlights the importance of granulation and crosslinking for improving the extraction process of Li ions from aqueous media. This review contributes to manifold areas related to industrial application of LISs, as follows: 1) to highlight recent progress in the granulation and crosslinking of metal-based adsorbents for Li ions recovery, 2) to highlight the advantages, challenges, and knowledge gaps of using biopolymer-based binders for granulation of LISs, and finally, 3) to catalyze further research interest into the use of biopolymer binders and various crosslinking strategies to engineer functional adsorbent materials for application in Li extraction industry. Properly engineered extractants for Li ions are expected to offer various cost benefits in terms of capital expenditure, percent Li recovery, and reduced environmental footprint.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (hereafter CRPD) has provided a radical imperative for the reform of mental health and capacity legislation around the world. The interpretation of the CRPD has been controversial, ranging from complete abolition of detention, forcible treatment and substitute decision making, to acceptance that elements of these measures need to be retained but based on non-discriminatory criteria, additional safe-guards and a comprehensive shift towards supported decision-making. While the potential ef-fects of the CRPD on mental health social work and social work generally are considerable given their shared commitment towards social justice, to date there has been no review of research evi-dence exploring their relationship. In addressing this knowledge gap, this study held a prelimi-nary discussion with practitioners and academics at the European Association of Social Work Mental Health Special Interest Group in Amsterdam 2022, followed by a scoping literature re-view on the question: What impact, if any, has the CRPD had on social work practice? The review produced four main findings: impact on legislation; positive impact on practice; limited impact on practice; and impact on social work education and research. In sum, while there were some positive indications of social work and mental health social work practice being influenced by the CRPD, these were scant. Barriers to change included tendencies among some social workers to practise substitute decision-making, in part related to resourcing and policy contexts, and under-standings of disability aligned to individualised/medical rather than social perspectives. The results indicate that legal reform on its own is insufficient to impact social work practice, and that realising the potential of the CRPD will necessitate good quality training, as well as improv-ing social workers’ knowledge of the human rights of people with mental impairment.

The main goal of the study is to assess the Decision criteria, and the determining factor for the sustainability of entrepreneurial startups in order to contribute towards social inclusion and capacity building. Both concepts are in the development phase and are the outcome of entrepreneurial ecosystem and individual behavior and traits. The current study observed the research problem as entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial startups are the continuous phenomena required for every economy. The lack of an efficient ecosystem and incompetent trait of an entrepreneur drags the entrepreneurial startup to a failure. Therefore, an assessment on decision criteria and determining factors categorizing them with their importance may provide requisites to lead a successful entrepreneurial startup contributing to the social inclusion and capacity building. The study solved the research problem by statistical assessment of decision criteria and determining factors and categorizing them with their importance may provide requisites to lead a successful entrepreneurial startup. The research is built on research questions, objectives, conceptual model, and hypothesis which are tested based on the data collected. The collection of data was done through a survey questionnaire on a sample of established entrepreneurs. The study concludes that five components of decision criteria are Region, Competition, Funding Opportunities, Tax System, and Country Economic Situation, whereas the eight components Consciousness and Reliable, Pursuit Results, Flexibility, Stress Resistance, Skills Identification Exploitation Potential Market Opportunities, Leadership, Creativity and Innovation, and Delegation Decision Making of determining factor are required for a successful entrepreneurial startup to be able to work towards social inclusion and capacity building.

Clinching is a manufacturing method of mechanical joining two or more materials without the use of heat or additional components. This process relies on high plastic deformation to create a secure bond. Clinching technology is widely used for joining various grades and thickness of materials. Especially in the automotive industry, clinching is an alternative to spot resistance welding. However, the load-bearing capacity of clinched joints is comparatively lower when compared to resistance spot welded joints. This research aimed to enhance the load-carrying capacity of clinched joints. Experimental tests were conducted on clinched joints with locally modified microstructures to optimize their placement within the joint. The microstructure distribution in the clinched joint region was analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as microhardness measurements. Two material grades, micro-alloyed steels HX420LAD+Z and dual-phase ferritic-martensitic steels HCT600X+Z, were tested. Each grade underwent five groups of ten samples, subject to identical experimental conditions of local heating by resistance spot welding (RSW) and clinching. The application of RSW to the clinched joint area resulted in increase of load-bearing capacity for both joined types of materials.

Global and human development and freedoms increasingly thrive on robust and policy-oriented research and related activities. Yet, the African research landscape faces a myriad of challenges, resulting in a very unequal continent in terms of research and research capacity. The prevailing research inequities and challenges in Africa are even more pronounced in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and related fields (SSHA). Here, the strengths and impact of scholarship in SSHA fields are often overshadowed by deficits and apparent preferential investment in research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. In response, the African Academy of Sciences commissioned a study in 2020 to generate evidence on the SSHA research support landscape in Africa. This paper summarizes findings from the literature review, key informant interviews, a bibliometric analysis, a survey with a sample of 670 respondents from SSHA communities in Africa, and a series of focus group discussions. We highlight key messages and make recommendations focussing on lessons learnt opportunities, and priorities for intervention to enhance significant SSHA research leadership capacity strengthening and, ultimately, minimize research inequalities in Africa.

To ensure high-quality care, operationalize resilience and fill the knowledge gap regarding how to improve the prerequisites for resilient performance, it is necessary to understand how adaptive capacity unfolds in practice. Coronavirus 2019 stress-tested complex healthcare systems, and intensive care was driven to an unprecedented escalation. The main aim of this research was to explain the escalation process of intensive care from a microlevel perspective, including expressions of resilient performance, intervening conditions at the micro-meso-macrolevels and short- and long-term consequences. A secondary aim was to provide clinical recommendations regarding how to optimize the prerequisites for resilient performance in intensive care. A grounded theory methodology was used. First-person stories from different healthcare professionals (n70) in two Swedish regions were analyzed using the constant comparative method. A novel conceptual model of the escalation process of intensive care emerged, and 41 clinical recommendations concerning the optimal prerequisites for resilient performance were identified. Escalation was conceptualized as a transition from threatening chaos to temporary order through a complex process of adaptation. To prepare for the future, the components space, stuff, staff, system and science with associated continuity plans must be implemented, anchored and communicated to actors at all levels of the system.

(1) Background: The issue of human adaptation to the Arctic environmental factors is relevant. The adaptation can be assessed through dynamic monitoring of the functional state of a person during his/her stay there. The vitamin D level in blood is one of the markers of the functional reserves of the human body and can contribute to more successful adaptation in the Arctic. (2) Methods: The study involved 38 participants in the scientific and educational expeditionary project "Arctic Floating University-2021". Blood collection for determination of vitamin D content was carried out at the beginning of the expedition. A dynamic study was carried out for 20 days in the morning and in the evening during a marine scientific expedition to the Arctic. The main parameters of the functional state of the participants were assessed using instrumental psychophysiological, projective and questionnaire methods. Statistical methods: Mann-Whitney U-test, correlation analysis using the Spearman coefficient. (3) Results: It was found that at the beginning of the expedition, the functional state of participants with severe vitamin D deficiency is characterized by a shorter average duration of RR intervals and reduced SDNN values, which may indicate a higher level of regulatory mechanisms tension. The pronounced differences in the nature of the dynamic series of objective and projective working capacity parameters were manifested most clearly. According to the subjective questionnaire characteristics of well-being, activity and mood, no significant features of the participants with vitamin D deficiency were revealed. (4) Conclusion: The participants with vitamin D deficiency in blood are characterized by a reduced adaptive capacity during the expedition to the Arctic.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus is recognized as a serious public health concern with a considerable impact on human life, long-term health expenditures, and substantial health losses. In this context, the use of dietary polyphenols to prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes mellitus is widely documented. These dietary compounds exert their beneficial effects by several actions, including the protection of pancreatic islet β-cell, the antioxidant capacities of these molecules, their effects on insulin secretion and actions, the regulation of intestinal microbiota, and their contribution to ameliorating diabetic complications, particularly those of vascular origin. In the present review, we intend to highlight these multifaceted actions and the molecular mechanisms by which these plant-derived secondary metabolites exert their beneficial effects on type-2 diabetes patients.

As development progresses, when the bottom hole flowing pressure or formation pressure is less than the saturation pressure of crude oil in the reservoir, oil and gas two-phase seepage occurs in the reservoir. Due to the characteristics of oil and gas two-phase seepage, after the oil and gas two-phase seepage occurs in the reservoir, the well production will be reduced, or even greatly reduced. Therefore, how to predict the horizontal well capacity better in this case is an important problem that needs to be solved urgently. In this paper, the method and process of establishing the transient calculation model of two-phase flow in horizontal wells are introduced in detail from three aspects: fluid physical properties, reservoir oil-gas two-phase seepage, and the coupling model of Inflow Performance and Flow in Wellbore. The model is more reliable through the verification of production data from five wells in two oilfields.

A Hayward black hole and magnetically charged black hole based on rational nonlinear electrodynamics with the Lagrangian ${\cal L} = -{\cal F}/(1+2\beta{\cal F})$ (${\cal F}$ is a field invariant) are considered. It was shown that the metric function in both models possesses a de Sitter core without singularities as $r\rightarrow 0$. The behavior of the Hawking temperature and the heat capacity in these models are similar. The phase transitions take place when the Hawking temperature has the maximum, and black holes are thermodynamically stable at some event horizon radii when the heat capacity is positive. We show that the source of gravity in the Hayward model is questionable.

Achieving universal access to water and sanitation services in developing countries requires a coherent legal, political, and institutional environment, along with a clear financial strategy. Regionalizing utilities may be crucial for addressing disparities, economic inequalities, and governance challenges. Regionalization offers economies of scale, resource efficiency, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. The cornerstone will be ensuring the financial-economic viability of regional utilities, considering their social impacts in terms of affordability. The State of Santa Catarina case study is assessed. In the case of Santa Catarina, only four regional utilities currently generate sufficient revenue, without factoring in necessary investments, indicating the need to review design parameters to improve operational efficiency and increase revenues. Additional financial support may be required to ensure universal access. Tariff adjustments must strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and affordability for families.

Research for a theory of quantum gravity has recently led to the use of presheaf topos. Quantum uncertainty is linked to the truth values of intuitionistic logic. This paper proposes transposing this model into a classic probability context, that of conditional mathematical expectations. A simulation of Brownian motion is offered for illustrative purposes.

Early weaning of piglets caused excessive concentration of free radicals, which would oxidize and damage the intestinal tract of piglets, resulting in dyspepsia, low growth, diarrhea, microbiota disorders and intestinal infections. This research studied on effect of different levels of taurine in diets on intestinal oxidative damage in early weaned piglets. A total of 48 weaned piglets (6.71 ± 0.73 kg) of 28-day-old crossbred "Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire" were assigned to 4 groups with 12 replicates per group and 1 pig per replicate: piglets were fed a basal diet with 0.0% (CON), 0.2% taurine (L-Tau), 0.3% taurine (M-Tau), or 0.4% taurine (H-Tau). The animal experiment lasted for 30 days. With the increase of dietary taurine dosage, the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase（SOD）,glutathione peroxidase（GPX）,catalase（CAT） and peroxidase（POD） were up-regulated (Linear, P &lt; 0.05), the mRNA abundance of antioxidant enzymes including SOD1, SOD2, GPX1 and heme oxygenase-1（HO-1）were up-regulated (P &lt; 0.05), glutathione (GSH) concentrations was up-regulated (Linear, P &lt; 0.05) , nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations were down-regulated (Linear, P &lt; 0.05);The villus height (VH) and villus height/ crypt depth (VH/CD) of jejunum and ileum were increased (Linear, P &lt; 0.05); The expression of tight junction proteins including zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1), occludin (OCLN) and closure protein 1(CLDN-1) in the jejunum mucosa were up-regulated (Linear, P &lt; 0.05), the mRNA abundance of ZO-1, OCLN and CLDN-1 were up-regulated (P &lt; 0.05),and the D-lactose (D-LA) content in blood was down-regulated (Linear, P &lt; 0.05); the colonization abundance of Firmicutes was increased (Linear, P &lt; 0.05), while Proteobacteria and Spirochaetota was decreased (Linear, P &lt; 0.05); The diarrhea index decreased (Linear, P &lt; 0.05), while the feed conversion rate increased (Linear, P &lt; 0.05). Collectively, supplementation of 0.3% and 0.4% taurine in feed can significantly alleviate intestinal oxidative damage by enhancing antioxidant capacity of piglets, and improve feed utilization of piglets after repairing intestinal damage.

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are becoming increasingly popular for their nutritional and health benefits, and their economic value is therefore increasing. Loss of quality that can occur due to softening and fungal attack is an important consideration when marketing blueberries. Despite the added value of blueberries, no studies have been carried out on how the fruit arrives at the outlets just before purchase by the consumer in terms of firmness, physico-chemical parameters, phenolic compounds and fungal growth. The aim of this work has been, therefore, to investigate possible differences in quality parameters between blueberries purchased from ten different outlets, regardless of the supplier. The results showed that all samples were of acceptable quality, although they all had a low maturity index at the point of sale. On the other hand, differences in the parameters measured were observed between samples of the same cultivar while we could not find differences between conventionally and organically grown blueberries, suggesting that preharvest and postharvest factors could influence the final quality when they reach the consumer.

During the last years, the increasing evidence of dietary antioxidant compounds and reducing chronic diseases and the relationship between diet and health have promoted an important innovation on the baked product sector, aiming at healthier formulations. This study aims to develop a tool based on mathematical models to predict baked goods total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The high variability of antioxidant properties of flours based on the aspects related to type of grains, varieties, proximal composition and processing, among others, makes very difficult to innovate on food product development without specific analysis. Using Total phenol content (TP), Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) as proxies of antioxidant capacity. Three Bayesian-type models are proposed based on a double exponential parameterised curve that reflects the initial decrease and subsequent increase as a consequence of the observed processes of degradation and generation, respectively, of the antioxidant compounds. Once the values of the main parameters of each curve have been determined, support vector machines (SVR) with exponential kernel were used to predict, based on the temperature and duration of baking as well as the values of proteins and fibers of each native grain, the values of TAC during the baking time.

The goods and services produced by forest vegetation ecosystem are the driving force for the rapid, high-quality and sustainable development of human society. In history, with the increase of population and economic development, there is an increasing demand for the quantity and variety of forest vegetation ecosystem products and services in a country or a region. To meet the demands, most of the original forest has become farmland, plantation and grass and crops land. As a result, the plant water relationship changed from equilibrium to non-equilibrium, which easily led to soil drought, soil degradation and vegetation decline in dry years or waste of soil water in rainy years in most of water-limited regions. In order to solve the question and realize the sustainable utilization of soil water resources and the high-quality sustainable development of forest, it is necessary to apply the limit theory of plant utilization of soil water resources and the vegetation carrying capacity theory in the critical period of plant-water relationship regulation to adjust the relationship between plant growth and soil moisture to obtain the maximum yield and benefit and realize high-quality and sustainable development.

For a wide industrial application of magnesium alloys, a method for imparting high damping properties while maintaining mechanical properties is required. Controlling the crystallographic texture seems to be useful, because dislocations are known to have a significant influence on the damping characteristics of magnesium alloys. Therefore, the effect of twinning and annealing, which can affect to the recrystallization were investigated in this study. An AZ31 alloy was hot rolled at 673K with a reduction ratio of 10 % and 50 %, and then annealed at 673K and 723K for 0.5, 1, 2, and 3H respectively. SEM-EBSD was used to examine the microstructure and texture. In addition, each specimen’s hardness and internal friction were contemporarily measured. As a result, hot rolling produced tensile twins and their fraction increased with internal friction when the reduction ratio increased. Due to annealing, a discontinuous type of static recrystallization occurred within the twinning grains, and was highly activated along with the increasing annealing temperature and the fraction of twinning. In the samples annealed at 723K, the internal friction continuously increased over the annealing time, whereas in the samples annealed at 673K, the decrease in dislocation density was delayed while, the internal friction showed a relatively low value.

Microalgae have gained attention as alternative food sources due to their nutritional value and biological effects. This study investigated the effect of salt stress on the antioxidant activity, phenolic profile, bioa-vailability of bioactive compounds, and microbial counts in the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis and di-atom species Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Culturing these microalgae in different salt concentrations (15 35‰), we observed the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in the control groups. S. platensis (20‰) exhibited higher antioxidant activity compared to P. tricornutum (30‰), which decreased with in-creasing salt stress. Using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS, we identified and quantified 20 phenolic compounds in P. tricornutum and 24 in S. platensis. The bioavailability of these compounds was assessed through in vitro di-gestion, with the highest amounts observed in the intestinal phase. Salt stress negatively affected the syn-thesis of bioactive substances. Microbial counts ranged from 300 to 2.78x104 cfu/g for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and from 10 to 1.35x104cfu/g for yeast/mold in P. tricornutum samples, while S. platensis samples ranged from 300 to 1.9x104cfu/g and 10 to 104 cfu/g, respectively. This study suggests that adding salt at different ratios to the nutrient media during the production of P. tricornutum and S. platensis can impact phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, microbial load evaluation, and in vitro bioaccessibility of the studied microalgae.

The effect of seven different thawing methods (atmospheric temperature thawing (AT), microwave thawing (MT), microwave magnetic nanoparticles thawing (MMT), microwave vacuum thawing (MVT), far-infrared thawing (FT), far-infrared magnetic nanoparticles thawing (FMT) and far-infrared ultrasonic thawing (FUT)) on water mobility and microstructure of frozen pork was examined. The results showed that the thawing loss, cooking loss, and centrifugal loss of MVT treatment were lower than those of other thawing methods. The results of LF-NMR and NMRI showed that in MVT and FUT treatment, the proportion of bound water and non-flowing water increased, while the proportion of free water decreased. The microstructure was significantly improved by microwave or far-infrared thawing assisted by magnetic nanoparticles, and the frozen pork samples had a more compact and granular microstructure. In summary, MVT and FUT improved the quality of thawed meat and have broad potential applications in thawing meat.

Adaptation to external forces relies on a well-functioning proprioceptive system including muscle spindle afferents. Muscle length-tension control in reaction to external forces is most important regarding the Adaptive Force (AF). This study investigated the effect of different procedures, which are assumed to influence the function of muscle spindles, on the AF. 19 elbow flexors of 12 healthy participants were assessed by an objectified manual muscle test (MMT) with different procedures: regular MMT, MMT after pre-contraction (self-estimated 20% MVIC) in lengthened position with passive return to test position (CL) and MMT after CL with a second pre-contraction in test position (CL-CT). During regular MMTs, muscles maintained their length up to 99.7±1.0% of the maximal AF (AFmax). After CL, muscles started to lengthen at 53.0±22.5% of AFmax. For CL-CT, muscles were again able to maintain the isometric position up to 98.3±5.5% of AFmax. AFisomax differed highly significantly between CL vs. CL-CT and regular MMT. CL is assumed to generate a slack of muscle spindles which led to a substantial reduction of the holding capacity. This was immediately erased by a pre-contraction in test position. The results substantiate that muscle spindle sensitivity seems to play an important role for neuromuscular functioning and musculoskeletal stability.

The substrate N1, N3, N5 -tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (Sensor A) was prepared in the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimesic acid) and o-aminophenol in ethanol. The prepared organic sensor fulfills the chemiluminescent requirements including luminophore, spacer, and suitable binding receptor that distress the probe's luminescent features, providing selective and sensitive detection of mercury and iron ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor selectively detects mercury and iron ions in a water matrix containing various metal ions including sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and nickel. Strong and immediate binding was observed between mercury ions and the substrate at pH 7.0 with a binding affinity toward Hg (II) enhanced by nine folds higher than that observed for iron sensor binding affinity, which makes the substrate a distinctive luminescence sensor for mercury detection at ambient conditions. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg (II) in the concentration range from 4.2 x 10-5 to 2.0 x 10-8 M with a limit of detection of 1.0 x 10-8 M. Further, Sensor A provides linear detection for iron ions in the range from 1.5 x 10-3 to 1.5 x 10-8 M. The measured adsorption capacity of Sensor A toward mercury ions ranged from 1.25 to 1.97 mg/g and the removal efficiency from water samples reached 98.8% at pH 7.0. The data demonstrate that Sensor A is an excellent probe for detecting and removing mercury ions from water bodies.

A field experiment was conducted on the farm of Abi Jarash in Agricultural Collage, different rates of olive solid waste and cow manure were used, as follows: (control, fresh olive solid waste 100%, fresh olive solid waste 75%+ cow manure 25%, fresh olive solid waste 50%+ cow manure 50%, fresh olive solid waste 25+ cow manure 75%, Fermented Olive Solid Waste 100%, Fermented olive solid waste 75%+ cow manure 25%, Fermented olive solid waste 50%+ cow manure 50%, Fermented olive solid waste 25+ cow manure 75%), wheat was seeded. The impact of fresh and fermented olive solid waste and cow manure on some chemical and fertility soil properties was studied. the olive solid waste treatment 100% which added had more effect on the organic matter, exchange capacity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil, plant and productivity, after that the fermented olive solid waste 75% + cow manure, fresh olive solid waste 100% comparing with the control, the values of organic matter were (25% 2.73, 2.39) and the cation exchange capacity (21.76, 20.44, 19.38) and for phosphorus (303.3, 277.8, 171.8) mg / kg, while the values of potassium ​​were (303.3, 277.8, 171.8) mg / kg. In terms of plant content, the plant content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were the same as for grains (2.784, 2.606, 2.126), (0.4535, 0.4226, 0.2753), (1.876, 1.762, 1.234) respectively, (0.2875, 0.2016) respectively for the same previous treatments and elements. olive solid waste 100% was the highest productivity comparing with the other treatments, where the productivity of wheat was (9.513) ton. ha-1.

We aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of exercise physiology of adult Fontan patients (FP) and factors limiting functional capacity (FC). A prospective single-centre study of 37 FP aged ≥16years and 19 healthy-controls (HC), who underwent CPET on cycle-ergometer in February-March 2022. Lung function was impaired in FP, mostly mild restrictive pattern (56.8%). Mean peakVO2 was 21±5.4ml/kg/min, 55% predicted. Morphologically left-single ventricle showed higher peakVO2%predicted (57.4±14.4% vs 43.4±8.1%, p=0.045). A lower peakVO2%predicted was observed in patients with an early flattened and/or descending O2 pulse at maximal exertion (52±14% vs 62±12.5, p=0.04 and 47.6±9% vs 60±14 respectively, p=0.018) and chronotropic insufficiency (53±12% vs 69.8±20%, p=0.008). Strong positive correlation was observed between %OUES and peakVO2%predicted (r=0.726, p>0.001). PeakVO2%predicted was progressively higher as the level of physical activity increased (low-level 49.5±14%, moderate-level 55±12%, intense-level 69±20%). FP showed lower inspiratory muscle strength compared to HC but it was no statistically associated with either peakVO2 or VE/VCO2 slope. In FP OUES is a useful submaximal parameter in those who fail to reach maximal exertion. Chronotropic insufficiency and early flattened or descending oxygen pulse slope were factors associated with low peakVO2. Regular intense physical activity improves FC. Although FP have inspiratory muscle weakness, its impact on FC is unclear.

Geriatric decisional capacity assessment is a complex medico-legal activity that evaluates normal subjects involved in specific civil matter like wealth transfer, access to treatment or voluntary hospitalization. Our objective was to evaluate how geriatric extrajudicial capacity exams impacted a general psychiatric unit over a decade. We also assessed the value of a surrogate biomarker (neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio) as a screening factor in the capacity assessment process. 72 cases were assessed in one psychiatric unit over a decade (2009-2018). As population was fast ageing, the total number of capacity exams per year doubled in time. None of the subjects had an active diagnostic of severe cognitive impairment or active psychiatric disease. The percentage of subjects receiving an “absence of capacity” conclusion remained constant over time (approx. 20% of all cases). 81% of the subjects within this subgroup had a clinical diagnostic of mild cognitive impairment compared to 46% in the “presence of capacity” subgroup (p&lt;0.001). The surrogate biomarker neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the “absence of capacity” subgroup, mainly related to a cognitive impairment diagnostic. The ratio has to be validated by larger studies before to be included in the capacity assessment process as an early screening tool.

eHealth applications are an essential component in achieving Universal Health Coverage. (1) Background: The lack of skilled healthcare personnel has hindered successful integration and use, especially in developing and low and middle-income countries. (2) Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using an online survey to collect quantitative data from 37 organizations to address this issue. (3) Results: The findings showed that there are limited training opportunities available for policymakers and eHealth specialists. Additionally, obstacles such as insufficient funds, inadequate infrastructure, poor leadership, and governance were identified and found to be context specific. To mitigate these challenges, the study proposed continuous in-service training, the implementation of computer-based systems, and the integration of academic modules. The importance of strong eHealth policies and committed leaders was also emphasized. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study support previous research and emphasize the importance of implementing practical and uncomplicated solutions to overcome eHealth barriers to capacity building in low- and middle-income countries. It is essential to recognize that the data collected for this study only pertains to BETTEReHEALTH.

Antarctic krill protein-iron complex and peptide-iron complex were obtained to investigate their iron bioavailability, expression of iron-regulated genes, and in vivo antioxidant capacity. Results indicated that Antarctic krill peptide-iron complex increased significantly the hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (SI) and iron content in the liver and spleen in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) mice (P < 0.05) compared with those of Antarctic krill protein-iron complex. Despite the gene expressions of divalent metal transporter 1(DMT1), transferrin (Tf) and transferrin receptor (TfR) could be better regulated by both Antarctic krill peptide-iron complex and protein-iron complex, the relative iron bioavailability of the Antarctic krill peptide-iron complex group (152.53±21.05%) was significantly higher than that of the protein-iron complex group (112.75±9.60%) (P<0.05). Moreover, Antarctic krill peptide-iron complex could enhance the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in IDA mice compared with the protein-iron complex, reducing the cell damage caused by IDA. Therefore, these results demonstrated that Antarctic krill peptide-iron complex could be used as a highly efficient and multifunctional iron supplement.

This article postulates that, in principle, it is possible (1) to develop linkages between the extractive sector and other economic sectors; (2) for such linkages to contribute to economic diversification; and (3) for economic diversification to potentially drive positive economic transformation. We argue that achieving this three-stepped pathway is impossible without also achieving some level of political and social transformation. Empirically, many resource-rich countries have failed to develop linkages. Or, if they have, the linkages built remain limited to the development of supply chains serving the extractive sector, contributing little to economic diversification. In this article, we refer to limited linkages and dependence on exporting unprocessed minerals as the centripetal force of the extractive sector. This implies that capital investments and economic activities are concentrated around the extractive sector. We propose an alternative theoretical model that strives to foster the centrifugal force of the extractive sector – a term we use to capture the three-stepped pathway. This model is underpinned by multiple factors and their interactions, which are within the purview of the complex state and market relationship (posing as a challenge) and the role of minerals in the global transformation towards a clean energy system (posing as an opportunity).

The functional capacity of the cervical spine plays a central role in healthy living. This study evaluated and created a comprehensive strength, range of motion (ROM), and musculoskeletal pain profile of the cervical spine in young adults. 60 physically active individuals (30 males/30 females; 19-24 year-old) participated in the study. Cervical ROM (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation), maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion), and musculoskeletal pains were assessed using an electronic goniometer, a handheld dynamometer, and the Nordic questionnaire, respectively. Data analysis revealed that: a) fe-males had higher ROM values, during extension and lateral flexion, than males (p<0.05), b) males had higher absolute strength values than females in all movement directions, higher rela-tive strength values/body mass (at forward flexion) and flexion/extension ratio values (p<0.05), c) ROM and strength values were not significantly different between right-left sides (p>0.05), d) a great proportion (43.3%) of the participants had cervical pains (no sex-related differences) and e) cervical strength showed significant small negative correlation with pains (p<0.05; r=-0.225 to -0.345). The reference values created may be used by health and fitness professionals to exten-sively evaluate the cervical spine and to design specific exercise programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

In this study, three new demountable joints consisting of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams were proposed and their seismic performance was investigated using cyclic loading tests. The test results demonstrated that the three demountable RCS joints had good seismic performance. Using the finite element software ABAQUS, the influence of parameters such as beam flange thickness, bolt strength, and connector steel strength on the seismic performance of each joint was analyzed, and the influence of different parameters on the seismic behavior of the joint was determined. The results also showed that the three demountable RCS joints were sensitive to changes in the thickness of the steel beam flange, while the connector steel strength and bolt type had little impact on the joint's capacity. Additionally, shear capacity calculation formulas for the joint core area provided by different codes and researchers were compared with test and finite element results. The results showed that the calculation results of the ASCE guidance method, the Nishiyama method, and the CECS 347-2013 method were higher than the test values, while the calculation results of the Para method were lower because it did not consider the contribution of the cylindrical steel plate to the shear capacity of the joint core area.

The worldwide population is undergoing a fundamental change in its age structure, which challenges the health and social services system. The need to migrate towards a more person-centered and coordinated model of care that supports the optimization of abilities and capacities for older people has to be matched. In this sense, eHealth technologies can play a fundamental role. In this paper, through a questionnaire-based data collection on 30 primary (older people) and 32 secondary (informal caregivers) end-users, we share the sustainable way to develop a product optimizing the user experience and ensuring adoption. Both older adults and caregivers consider the use of smartphone and smartwatch to be very important, but also the use of digital devices for healthcare can be helpful. Seniors care about self-monitoring of health parameters using wearable devices, regardless of their health status, and would like to be included in the process of making good health decisions, because they need to feel in control of their healthcare process. Digital solutions in health and care can support the wellbeing of older adults in many areas of their daily lives at home and in their communities, but only if such innovation is designed around the natural voice of the intended target.

In this study, three paddy harvesting systems; manual harvesting of paddy (MHP), reaper harvesting of paddy (RHP), and combine harvesting of paddy (CHP) were evaluated considering field capacities, field efficiencies, time and fuel consumption, mechanization indices, greenhouse gas emissions, straw availability, and direct and indirect costs. Field experiments were conducted in North central province of Sri Lanka. The effective field capacity, field efficiency and fuel consumption of the combine harvester were 0.34 hah-1, 60.8%, and 34.1 Lha-1, respectively, and those of the paddy reaper were 0.185 hah-1, 58.2%, and 3.8 Lha-1, respectively. The total time consumed by MHP, RHP, and CHP were 76.05 hha-1, 39.76 hha-1, and 2.94 hha-1, respectively. The highest energy utilization was recorded by the CHP, at 1851.09 MJha-1, while MHP recorded the lowest at 643.20 MJha-1. The direct cost of the MHP was 1.50 and 1.52 times higher than those of the CHP and RHP, respectively. MHP recorded the lowest greenhouse gas emissions (32.94 kgCO2eqha-1), while CHP recorded the highest (176.29 kgCO2eqha-1). The RHP exhibited an intermediate level in all aspects. Although the CHP has higher field performance and direct costs, it brings higher GHG emissions and indirect costs. Therefore, an optimum level of mechanization should be introduced for the long-term sustainability of both the environment and farming.

For a number of years heritage resources have suffered the negative effects of tourist pressure. Overtourism has been generating a wide-ranging debate on this issue. This work focuses on the strategies and measures adopted to address overtourism during the last 30 years in heritage attractions, which are much less studied than urban heritage centres. Specifically, it analyses measures relating to the management of site capacities, based on the concept of tourist carrying capacity, using the content analysis as a methodology. We have used the Alhambra in Granada as a case study, as one of the most visited Spanish World Heritage Sites. The results obtained reflect a strong consensus on the need to introduce measures to restrict tourist activity, although these measures imply a great effort in terms of management and tend to be taken advantage of by some stakeholders for their own benefit. The extensive time frame of the measures adopted allows us to reflect on the possibilities and limitations of dealing with overtourism by using capacity management strategies, and to extract useful conclusions for other heritage sites with similar problems.

Osteoconductive granulated biopolymers (OGB) are used to restore the lost volume of the jaw bone. OGB is employed as a loose fraction and exhibits physical traits common to bulk mixtures. By removing air bubbles and industrial dust from the OGB fraction through special processing, more accessible spaces are left over for the adsorption of bone growth factors. The recipient site's biological environment alters the OGB fraction's physical characteristics. This is the cause of the OGB fraction's volume changing uncontrollably during the first three weeks following surgery. Predictive indicators for describing the physical processes of osteoconduction include the compaction coefficient and adsorption capacity. Taking into account the prognostic indicators of the dynamics of changes in the physical properties of the OGB fraction in the postoperative period, 3D planning of the bioengineered structure should be done. The OGB fraction's adsorption and drainage properties are optimized by raising the purity of OGB production and preparing the biopolymer for clinical studies.

Electrophysiological mapping (EM) using acute electrode probes is a common procedure performed during functional neurosurgery. Due to their constructive specificities, the EM probes are lagging in innovative enhancements. This work addressed complementing a clinically employed EM probe with carbonic and circumferentially segmented macrocontacts that are operable both for neurophysiological sensing ("recording") of local field potentials (LFP), and for test stimulation. The paper illustrates in-depth the development, that is based on direct writing of functional materials. The unconventional fabrication processes were optimized on planar geometry and then transferred to the cylindrically thin probe body. We report and discuss on the constructive concept and architecture of the probe, characteristics of the electrochemical interface deduced from voltammetry and chronopotentiometry, and the results of in vitro and in vivo recording and pulse stimulation tests. Two and three directional macrocontacts were added on probes having shanks of 550 and 770 m diameters and 10-23 cm lengths. The graphitic material presents a ~2.7 V-wide, almost symmetric water electrolysis window, and an ultra-capacitive charge transfer. When tested with 150 s biphasic current pulses, the interfacial polarization stayed safely away from the water window for pulse amplitudes up to 9 mA (135 C/cm2). The in vivo experiments on adult rat models confirmed the high-quality sensing of LFPs. Additionally, the in vivo-prevailing increase of the electrode impedance and overpotential are discussed and modeled by an ionic mobility-reducing spongiform structure; this restricted diffusion model gives new applicative insight into the in vivo-uprisen stimulation overpotential.

Over-capacity flight scheduling by commercial airlines due to the surging demand in recent years creates congestion and significant delays at major airports. This maximizing throughput attitude calls for tactical flight rescheduling to comply with airports’ capacity limitations and distribute the peak hour demand over the course of a day. Such displacements of flights may cause significant problems and costs for airlines and some cancellations or missed connections for the passengers. This paper presents an optimization model for flight rescheduling at a schedule-coordinated airport to minimize congestion and flight delays. The optimization model is used to make better scheduling intervention decisions considering the airport resource constraints and safety of operation. We have also developed a simulation method to replicate arrival and departure processes in such an airport. The simulation adheres to a first come first served (FCFS) discipline and enforces runway capacity constraints and minimum turnaround times. We compare the delays caused by an ad hoc FCFS operation with those obtained by the optimization model. Computational results from a case study demonstrate that a reduction of 40.7% and 61.6% in total delay times for the arrival and departure flights can be achieved by the optimization model. It also facilitates implementing a collaborative decision-making system for better coordination with commercial airlines.

Developing nanomaterials with the capacity to restrict the growth of bacteria and fungus is of current interest. In this study, nanocomposites of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functionalized with primary amine, hydroxyl, and carboxyl groups were prepared, and characterized. An analysis by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that PHEMA chains were grafted to the functionalized CNTs. The morphology of the prepared nanocomposites studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows significant changes with respect to the observed for pure PHEMA. The thermal behavior of the nanocomposites studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revels that the functionalized CNTs affects strongly the mobility of the PHEMA chains. Tests carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to calculate the degree of grafting of the PHEMA chains. The ability of prepared nanocomposites to inhibit the growth of the fungus Candida albicans, and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli was evaluated. A moderated antifungal and antibacterial capacity of the prepared nanocomposites was determined.

Respiratory therapist(RT)internet-supervised At-Home Telespirometry(AHT)was validated in pilot 22/95=23% ALS Clinic population. Erect, supine Vital Capacity(eFVC, sFVC)were measured longitudinally using ZephyRx smartphone interface and database recording in-clinic-conventional(Viaire-Vyasis-)and at-home-portable(MIR-Spirobank-Smart-)spirometers. Bland-Altman(BA)analysis supported content validity-precision and 7-day-test-re-test-validity [mean difference=0.15L(conventional–portable;95%CI -0.40L, 0.70L); = 2.7% predicted (conventional-portable;95%CI -12.1%, 17.5%) ]meeting ATS-ERS performance standards. RT Internet-supervised AHT measured sFVC was more frequently obtained[35/52=67.3 %]in-home-vs-in-clinic sFVC[9/21=42.9 %](Chi-Square;P=0.0533). Monthly mean eFVC slope decline for the eFVC > 60 % predicted baseline cohort was – 1.24% predicted per month[95% CI -2.15 ,-0.33% predicted]statistically significantly(P=0.015)less compared with the – 5.86% predicted per month[95% CI -9.44, -2.29 % predicted]decline for the eFVC < 60 % predicted baseline cohort and in this cohort was associated with statistically significant decreased survival(P=0.0219). RT Internet-supervised AHT facilitated initiation of non-invasive ventilation(NIV)in 5/22[23%]patients including 3/4[75%] homebound subjects. RT Internet-supervised AHT can be deployed for ALS patients stratified according to baseline eFVC for earlier detection of eFVC and sFVC decreases between clinic visits. A prospective research study[NCT05106569]is ongoing to further define the capability of online deployment of Respiratory therapist(RT)internet-supervised AHT in the timely initiation of NIV use to improve ALS respiratory care in larger numbers of ALS subjects.

Lithium-ion batteries are key elements in the development of electrical energy storage solutions. However, due to cycling, environmental and operating conditions, battery capacity tends to degrade over time. Capacity fade is a common indicator of battery state of health (SOH) because it is an indication of how capacity has been degraded. However, battery capacity cannot be measured directly, so there is an urgent need to develop methods for estimating battery capacity in real time. By analyzing the historical data of a battery in detail, it is possible to predict the future state of the battery and forecast its remaining useful life. This paper develops a real-time, simple and fast method to estimate the cycle capacity of a battery during the charge cycle using only data from a short period of each charge cycle. This proposal is attractive because it does not require data from the entire charge period, since batteries are rarely charged from zero to full. The proposed method allows simultaneous and accurate real-time prediction of the health and remaining useful life of the battery over its lifetime. The accuracy of the proposed method has been tested using experimental data from several lithium-ion batteries with different cathode chemistries under various test conditions.

The Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) has peculiar edaphoclimatic characteristics that provide a suitable terroir for premium wine production. As climate change effects continue to emerge, ensuring productivity and quality becomes increasingly important for viticulturists, as those directly determine their profits. Cultural approaches, such as the use of biostimulants, are actively being developed to mitigate abiotic stress. The main objective of this work was to assess the effect of foliar sprays of a seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) based extract (ANE) and glycine betaine (GB) on grape berry quality, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. A trial was installed in a commercial vineyard (cv. Touriga Franca) in the Douro Superior (Upper Douro) sub-region of the Douro Demarcated Region. In 2020, a total of three foliar sprayings were performed during the growing season, namely at pea-size, bunch closure, and veraison. There was a positive effect of both biostimulants (ANE and GB) on the physiological and biochemical performance of cv. Touriga Franca exposed to summer stress. In general, the GB 0.2% spraying was the most promising treatment for this grape cultivar, as it increased berry quality, the concentration of bioactive compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids and ortho-diphenols), and the antioxidant activities. These results revealed the efficacy of biostimulants sprayings as sustainable viticultural practice, improving berry quality under summer stress conditions.

Soil resilience has become a central theme in research aimed at understanding the impacts of human activities on the environment and mitigating the negative effects of soil disturbance. To evaluate how soil management practices affect soil resilience, 26 small farms were studied in a mountainous district of Lebanon. Farms were categorized into conventional (C), neutral (N), and regenerative (R), based on the practices adopted including tillage, amendments, rotation, cover crops, residues management, and pest control. Common practices included intercropping (85%), residue retention (73%), cover crops (61%), and organic amendments (46%). Qualitative assessment of soil health used indicators from Latin American Society for Agroecology (SOCLA) as well as from ‘Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation’ of the FAO. The indicators aligned with the classification of farms into their respective C/N/R groups. The sustainability scores were 4.28 (Low) for conventional, 6.34 (Moderate) for neutral, and 7.88 (Good) for regenerative farms. Quantitative analysis determined for 15 selected farms showed significant differences in soil organic matter (1.86% C, 2.75% N, 3.32% R), soil respiration (156C, 296N, 380R mg C-CO₂. week⁻¹), and earthworm abundance/liter (2.92C, 4.24N, 5.72R). The Soil Quality Index (SQI) provided an accurate representation of the current soil health condition, with increment from 0.05, 0.27 (low), to 0.49 (good) in conventional, neutral, and regenerative farms, respectively. The research highlights that soil resilience is influenced by a combination of intricate factors, encompassing biotic interactions, as well as physical, chemical, and biological processes. Particularly in regions like the Mediterranean basin, adopting sustainable soil management practices contributes to enduring productivity while preserving the functional integrity and resilience characteristics of the soil.

The study investigated the changes that occurred in the Mexican power sector pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on energy sustainability goals. The study is based on the variability of the installed capacity, consumption, generation, and demand of the National Electric System (SEN), covering the period from 2017 to 2021. The data were collected from the Development of the National Electric System (PRODESEN), the Ministry of Energy, the National Energy Balance, and the government's official website. The results indicated that in-stalled capacity and generation increased by 22.83% and 27.86%, respectively, despite the pan-demic. This growth was attributed to clean energy, mainly photovoltaic solar and wind sources. Another finding is that the gross domestic product (GDP), consumption, and demand were seri-ously affected by COVID-19. They had a fall of 8.2%, 2.2%, and 4.4%, respectively, which trans-lates into a significant economic lag and a slowdown in energy self-sufficiency and the Mexican Energy Transition (TEM). Moreover, the objective of generating 35% and 40% of electrical ener-gy through clean energy will be achieved by 2031 and 2035, instead of 2021 and 2035, respec-tively.

The present paper contains data on the density (ρ), sound velocity (u), specific heat capacity (c_p ) of the mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide + 1-butanol (DMF + BuOH) determined in the entire concentration range of solution and in the temperature range: (293.15–318.15) K. The analysis of thermodynamic functions such as isobaric molar expansion, isentropic and isothermal molar compression, isobaric and isochoric molar heat capacity, as well as their excess functions (〖 E〗_(p,m)^E,〖 K〗_(S,m)^E,〖 K〗_(T,m)^E,〖 C〗_"p,m" ^E,〖 C〗_"V,m" ^E) and also V_m^E was undertaken. The analysis of changes in the physicochemical quantities was based on consideration of the system in an aspect of intermolecular interactions with resulting changes in the mixture structure. The results available in the literature are confusing during the analysis and became the reason for our decision to thoroughly examine the system. What is more, for a system whose components are widely used, there is no information in the literature regarding the heat capacity of the tested mixture, which was also achieved and presented in this publication. The conclusions drawn from so many data allow us to approximate and understand the changes that occur in the structure of the system due to repeatability and consistency of the obtained results

Major emergencies can have a devastating impact on society, becoming a catalyst for social disorder and unrest and a trigger for social or political change. In today's world of frequent emergencies, the emergency management capacity of local governments is key to promoting safe operations and maintaining stability in cities and towns. Aiming to explore the direction and focus of local government emergency management capacity building, this paper establishes a local government emergency capacity evaluation system based on the emergency management process and combines Gray-Dematel, a gray decision laboratory analysis method, and AISM, an adversarial explanatory agency model, to derive the importance and intrinsic relationship among emergency capacity indicators. The algorithm describes the importance degree of each indicator in the system and also helps better understand the intrinsic relationship among the indicators. The outcomes of this research can be used to outline directional suggestions for the development of local government emergency response capacity and provide a new theoretical basis for more effective construction of local government emergency response capacity.

Chest trauma is one of the most serious and difficult injuries, with various complications that can lead to ventilation - perfusion (V/Q) mismatch and systemic hypoxia. We are presenting a case of 53 – year - old male with no comorbidities or chronic therapy, who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to severe respiratory failure after chest trauma. He developed right - sided pneumothorax and then thoracic drain was placed. On admission, the patient was hemodynamically unstable and tachypneic. The patient was intubated and mechanically ventilated, febrile (38.9°C) and unconscious. A lung CT showed massive non-ventilated areas predominantly in the right lung. He was ventilated with PEEP of 10 cmH2O with a FiO2 of 0.6 – 0.8. Empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy was immediately initiated. Both high FiO2 and moderate PEEP were maintained and adjusted according to the current blood gas values and oxygen saturation. After Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was identified and treated with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim his general condition gradually improved, and he was weaned from mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, both ventilatory and antibiotic therapy were needed to improve oxygenation and outcome of the patient with pneumonia due to the resistant S. maltophilia with V/Q mismatch.

The mushroom industry generates large amounts of stems, a co-product with valuable sensory and health characteristics. This work aimed to study the influence of particle size (L — &gt;0.510 mm; LI — 0.510-0.315 mm; SI—0.315-0.180 mm; S — &lt;0.180 mm) and species in the characterization and antioxidant activity of flours from stems of Agaricus bisporus (ABSF) and Pleurotus ostreatus (POSF). ABSF was rich in protein (14 g/100 g), calcium (428.23-700.77 mg/100 g), and sorbitol (22.57-26.60 g/100 g), while POSF in β-glucans (36.62-40.34 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (20.57-39.86 g/100 g of lipid). Both species were flush in amino acids with umami flavor. The highest hydration properties and oil holding capacity were exhibited in the S size of both species. ABSF showed elevated values for emulsifying activity than POSF. ABSF-S recorded the heightened antioxidant capacity in vitro, in consonance with the total phenolic compounds (0.91 mg/g). However, this antioxidant assays in POSF presented a positive correlation with β-glucans content. According to these results, there could be several food applications for these co-products, such as emulsifier stabilizer, sweetener or fortifier in the development of functional food.

(1) Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by immune system dysregulation with frequent extraintestinal manifestations, including airways involvement. Reduction in CO diffusing capacity and functional alterations in small airways have been described. The extended analysis of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), may distinguish the sites of production and the presence of small airways inflammation being a useful, non-invasive marker for these patient’s follow up. The aim of our study was to compare PFTs, FeNO and CANO values of UC patients with different clinical disease activity and healthy subjects to reveal lung function abnormalities and the presence of subclinical airway inflammation. (2) Methods: We enrolled 42 adult outpatients with different clinical activity stages of UC (mean age 39±13 years) and a healthy control group of 41 subjects (mean age 29±3 years). C-reactive protein (CRP) and FeNO values at different flows (50,100 and 200 ml/sec) were collected. All patients performed pulmonary function tests (PFT’s) with static volumes and diffusing capacity (DLCO). (3) Results: FENO, CANO and CRP values were significantly increased in UC patients when compared with controls (p=0.02 and p&lt;0.0001, respectively) and proportionally to the disease activity (FeNO class 3: 27.1 ppb vs class 1-2: 6.2 ppb; CANO values class 3: 8.1 ppb vs class 1-2: 2.0 ppb (p &lt; 0.0001). TLC and DLCO were significantly reduced in UC patients compared to controls (p=0.011 and p&lt;0.0001, respectively). (4) The results of this study show significant lung functional abnormalities in UC patients and suggest the presence of airway inflammation directly correlated with the disease activity suggesting an integrated approach in routine assessment.

A healthy lifestyle and environmental protection play a big role in today's modern society. The production of organic wine, as with other organic commodities, is therefore increasingly popular with consumers. The selling price of organic wine is higher than that of wine that is not declared organic or BIO, so the question arises from consumers whether these wines contain more bioactive compounds and substances beneficial to the body. From a general point of view, it is known that grapevines contain a wide range of natural phenols and polyphenols. These substances affect the sensory properties of wines, especially color, and taste. The most of phenolic substances are found in red wines, slightly less in orange, and the lowest amounts are found in white wines. However, the representation of individual substances and their ratios differ based on the varieties and age of the wines. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the profile (chemical, physical and sensory) of organic wines compared to wines made from non-organic grapes, which are grown in a selected wine region - Kutná Hora. The analyzed wines were made from the same grape wine cultivar in the Kutná Hora area. The following analyzes were performed on the wine samples: the phenolic and antioxidant profile, the content of sulfites (free and total), alcohol, sugars, vitamins, density determination, and also sensory evaluation. The present study showed exact differences between samples of wines produced from the same cultivar, and same region, but declared as organic wines and wines from conventional production. Although a higher amount of bioactive substances is expected in wines from organic production, in most cases of presented analyzes, it did not show a statistically significant difference in the sense of a higher amount in BIO wines, on the contrary, in many cases the content of these substances was higher in wines from integrated production.

The increasing amount of data transmitted through digital broadcasting and communication channels requires efficient transmission methods that make the most of limited resources such as frequency, time, and power. The layered division multiplexing (LDM) system, which is adopted by the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standard, is considered one of a solution for achieving efficient transmission. Additionally, the layered time-division multiplexing (LTDM) and time layered division multiplexing (TLDM) systems have been developed as well. These layered transmission systems, utilizing multiple physical layer pipes (PLPs), offer a wide range of services including mobile and rooftop TV. To compare the efficiencies of different layered transmission systems, the article introduces the concept of normalized channel capacity. This measure allows for a fair comparison among the systems by taking into account the specific channel capacity requirements of each service. By summing the normalized channel capacities, a method is proposed to select the most efficient transmission system among the four systems: LDM, LTDM, TLDM, and time division multiplexing (TDM). The Lagrange multiplier method is employed to find the parameters that maximize the sum of the normalized channel capacities in these systems. Through simulations conducted with the determined parameters, it is demonstrated that the LDM system exhibits the highest efficiency among the four systems.

We study the short−term memory capacity of ancient readers of the original New Testament written in Greek, of its translations to Latin and modern languages. To model the short–term capacity, we have considered the number of words per interpunctions, the “word interval” , because this parameter can model how the human mind memorizes “chunks” of information. Since can be calculated for any alphabetical text, we can perform experiments − otherwise impossible − with ancient readers by studying the literary works they used to read. The “experiments” compare the of texts of a language/translation to those of another language/translation by measuring the minimum average probability of finding joint readers (those who can read both texts because of their similar short–-term memory capacity) and by defining an “overlap index”. We also define a population of universal readers who can read any the New Testament written in alphabetical language. More than 50% of the readers of specific languages overlap with the universal readers with probability . Future work is vast, with many research tracks, because alphabetical literatures are very large and allow many experiments, such as comparing authors, translations or even texts written by artificial intelligence tools.

This paper presents the experimental and numerical study on a ductile beam-column connection between a composite reinforced concrete truss (CRCT) beam and Concrete Filled Tube (CFT) column subjected to bending and shear loads. Two experimental models with different beam-column joint testing schemes, extracted from the same prototype three-dimensional structure designed according to the rules of the capacity design provided by seismic code, were subjected to quasi-static cyclic tests by applying gravitational loads and the horizontal seismic force. The main objective of this paper is to verify the experimental ductile behavior of both specimens and to simulate the experimental global and local response by nonlinear static analysis considering different modelling approaches. The comparison between the experimental and numerical results highlights, for both models considered, the ductile and dissipative capacity of the connection system, designed following the criterion of the hierarchy of resistances proposed by the current Italian code. Different experimental setup showed similar results demonstrating the repeatability of the test and its reproducibility through the nonlinear numerical analysis.

The promotion of active travel is deemed a crucial component of the transition to sustainable urban mobility. Several barriers hinder its policy implementation and uptake. Some evidence suggests that capacity building could be a useful tool for deepening sustainability efforts. However, a clear framework for understanding the dimensions of capacity building for active travel is lacking. Most research and findings use cases within a Global North context, constricting implications and transferability to the Global South, especially to African cities. This study responds to the dearth of scholarly work exploring Global South cases and fills a knowledge gap regarding capacity building in the case of active travel. Through a literature review, this study examines the dimensions of capacity building that are necessary to improve active travel in selected African countries. We focus on multilevel trans-portation governance, with highlights from five (5) African cities. Our findings suggest that the literature and policies on transport in Africa have key dimensions for capacity building for active travel but lack the introduction of key instruments and strategic pathways to meet these requirements for improved sustainable mobility. We propose a thematic guiding framework under three (3) levels of governance for integrating capacity building for active travel policies and implementation at institutional, individual, and environmental levels.

Electrical energy demand increase does evolve rapidly due to several socioeconomic factors such as industrialization, population growth, urbanization and of course the evolution of modern technologies in this 4th industrial revolution era. Such rapid increase in energy demand introduces a huge challenge in power system. Such has paved way for network operators to seek for alternative energy resources other than the conventional fossil fuel system. Hence, the penetration of renewable energy into the electricity supply mix has evolved rapidly in the past three decades. However, the grid system has to be well planned ahead to accommodate such increase in energy demand in the long run. Transmission Network Expansion Planning (TNEP) is a well ordered and profitable expansion of power facilities that meets the expected electric energy demand with an allowable degree of reliability. This paper proposes a TNEP model that minimises the network reinforcements, operational costs and costs of renewable energy penetrations, while satisfying the increase in demand. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem. The developed model has been tested in several IEEE test systems in multi-period scenarios. The paper also carried out a detailed derivation of the new non-negative variables in terms of the power flow magnitudes, the bus voltage phase angles and the lines’ phase angles for proper mixed integer variables’ decomposition techniques. Moreover, this paper tends to provide additional recommendation in terms of which particular year (within 20 years of planning period) can the network operators install new line(s), new corridor(s) and/or additional generation capacity to the respective existing power networks. Such is achieved by running incremental periods simulations from base year through the planning horizon. The results show the efficacy of the developed model in solving the TNEP problem with a reduced and acceptable computation time even for large power grid system.

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) transmit information over time through recurrent connections. In contrast, biological neural networks use many other temporal processing mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is the inter-neuron delays caused by varying axon properties. Recently, this feature was implemented in echo state networks (ESNs), a type of RNN, by assigning spatial locations to neurons and introducing distance-dependent inter-neuron delays. These delays were shown to significantly improve ESN task performance. However, thus far it is still unclear why distance-based delay networks (DDNs) perform bettern than ESNs. In this paper, we show that by optimizing inter-node delays, the memory capacity of the network matches the memory requirements of the task. As such, networks concentrate their memory capabilities to the points in the past which contain the most information for the task at hand. Moreover, we show that DDNs have more total linear memory capacity, with the same amount of non-linear processing power.

Climate change impacts threaten sustainable development efforts. The magnitude of the impacts, however, varies with socio-ecological characteristics of locations. This is the reason there is con-sensus on the necessity for climate change adaptive capacity building that is country driven, based on and responsive to local needs. However, information on context specific capacity building needs in developing countries is not readily available. The objective of this study was to establish location specific awareness, training, educational, research and technology capacity building needs for climate change adaptation among small-holder farmers in Uganda. Structured interviews were undertaken with 465 households from five agro-ecological zones selected based on the level of vulnerability of agricultural systems to the main climate variation and change hazards. Results reveal substantial capacity building needs in all the zones. Majority of the farmers needed capacity building for interventions on soil water conservation practices for adapting to drought and un-predictable rainfall. For all zones, education, research, and technology were perceived as key needs. However, the needs varied among zones. These results demonstrate the importance of context specificity in adaptation efforts. The study provides agro-ecological and social system specific in-formation for climate change adaptation planning and policy interventions for effective capacity building

Silicon has been proved to be one of the most promising anode materials for the next generation of lithium-ion battery. For the application in batteries, Si anode should have high capacity and must be industrially scalable. In this study, we have designed and synthesised a hollow structure to meet these requirements. All the processes are carried out without special equipment. The Si nanoparticles that are commercially available are used as the core sealed inside TiO₂ shell, with rationally designed void space between the particles and shell. The Si@TiO₂ are characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The optimised hollow structured silicon nanoparticles, when used as anode in lithium-ion battery, exhibit a high reversible specific capacity over 600 mAhg-1. This excellent electrochemical property of the nanoparticles can be attributed to their optimised phase and unique hollow nanostructure.

Curcumin, a nontoxic and cheap natural medicine, has high therapeutic efficacy for many diseases including diabetes and cancers. Unfortunately, its exceedingly low water-solubility and rapid degradation in the body severely limit its bioavailability. In this work, we prepare a series of biocompatible poly(vinyl anisole)@nonlinear poly(ethylene glycol) (PVAS@PEG) core-shell nanogels with different PEG gel shell thickness to provide high water solubility, good stability, and controllable sustained release of curcumin. The PVAS nanogel core is designed to attract and store curcumin molecules for high drug loading capacity and the hydrophilic nonlinear PEG gel shell is designed to offer water dispersibility and thermo-responsive drug release. The obtained nanogels are monodispersed in spherical shape with clear core-shell morphology. The size and shell thickness of the nanogels can be easily controlled by changing the core-shell precursor feeding ratios. The optimized PVAS@PEG nanogels display a high curcumin loading capacity of 38.0 wt%. The nanogels can stabilize the curcumin from degradation at pH =7.4 and release the curcumin in response to heat in the physiologically important temperature range. The nanogels can enter cells effectively and exhibit negligible cytotoxicity to both the B16F10 and HL-7702 cells at a concentration up to 2.3 mg/mL. Such designed PVAS@PEG nanogels have a great potential to be used for delicate drug delivery.

Tracked vehicles play a vital role in accessing challenging terrains, offering stability, traction, and versatility for various applications, including deep-sea exploration. However, the seafloor and sediment contain valuable but poorly understood resources, making it a significant challenge for tracked vehicles during exploration. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct comprehensive studies before considering these terrains for off-road purposes. In this study, we developed a rigid, flexible track vehicle equipped with various sensors, focusing on monitoring pressure sinkage. Cohesive soils like Bentonite and Diatom soil, particularly when combined with sand and gravel mixtures, were used for the investigation and assessed for ground pressure, bearing capacity, and sinkage in rigid-flexible tracked vehicles on these characterized terrains under varying moisture conditions. Our findings indicated that increased moisture content in bentonite soil resulted in significantly higher track slippage and sinkage compared to diatomaceous earth soil. Regarding soil behavior, diatom soil exhibited notable compaction and sinkage characteristics compared to bentonite soil. These significant variations between these two soil types under changing moisture conditions highlight the complexity of such terrains. Therefore, understanding the soil and its physical properties is crucial before applying them to natural terrains. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of precision in assessing the physical properties of natural terrains for the development of tracked vehicles for off-road exploration. This knowledge contributes to better vehicle design and a deeper comprehension of terrain mechanics.

Cryopreserved semen is widely used in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) enabling the conservation and broad use of genetically superior semen. The quality of semen post-thawing determines the success of ART and despite the great advances in cryopreservation methods, the quality of frozen/thawed semen is still sub-optimal. Post-thawing spermatozoa endure oxidative stress (OS) due to the high levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, which are produced during the freezing/thawing process, and the depletion of antioxidants. To counteract this depletion, supplementation of sperm preparation medium with antioxidants has been widely applied. Melatonin is a hormone with diverse biological roles and a potent antioxidant, with an ameliorative effect on spermatozoa. In the present study, the effect of melatonin on bovine spermatozoa was evaluated during in vitro sperm handling and under oxidative conditions in terms of sperm quality parameters and antioxidant capacity. Melatonin (100 μΜ) improved the kinematic parameters of spermatozoa, enhanced viability and reinforced the antioxidant status of spermatozoa by increasing cellular GSH levels and inhibiting iNOS protein expression.

This study investigated the impact of chitosan (CH, 1%) and aloe vera gel (AL, 30%) edible coatings on the preservation of blue honeysuckle quality during a 28-day storage at -1°C. Coating with CH, AL, and CH+AL led to notable enhancements in several key attributes. These included increased firmness, total soluble solids, acidity, pH, and antioxidant capacity (measured through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), as well as the preservation of primary (ascorbic acid) and secondary metabolites (TPC, TAC, and TFC). These coatings also resulted in reduced weight loss, respiration rate, color, abscisic acid, ethylene production, and malondialdehyde content. Notably, the CH+AL treatment excelled in preserving secondary metabolites and elevating FRAP-reducing power, demonstrating a remarkable 1.43-fold increase compared to the control after 28 days. Overall, CH+AL exhibited superior effects compared to CH or AL treatment alone, offering a promising strategy for extending shelf life and preserving quality of blue honeysuckle during storage.

Optical networks, characterized by using optical fibers as a transmission medium, constitute the fundamental infrastructure employed today by network operators to deliver services to users. As network capacity is one of the key factors influencing optical network performance, it is important to comprehend its limitations and have the capability to estimate its value. In this context, we revisit the concept of capacity from various perspectives, including channel capacity, link capacity, and network capacity, thus providing an integrated view of the problem. Hence, we review the fundamental concepts behind optical networks, along with the basic physical phenomena present in optical fiber transmission and provide methodologies for estimating the different types of capacities, mainly using simple formulations. In particular, we propose a method to evaluate the network capacity that relies on the optical reach to account for physical layer aspects, in conjunction with capacitated routing techniques for traffic routing. We apply this method to three reference networks and obtain capacities ranging from tens to hundreds of Terabits/s. Whenever possible, we also compare our results with published experimental data to understand how they relate.

The global consumption of vegan foods is experiencing an expressive upward trend, underscoring the critical need for quality control measures based on nutritional and functional considerations. This study aimed to evaluate the functional quality of caviar and salmon analogs food inks, based on pulses combined with nano ingredients. The primary objective of this work was to determine the total antioxidant compounds contained in these samples using a voltammetric technique with a glassy carbon electrode. Approximately 100 mg of samples underwent ethanolic extraction (70%) with 1 hour of stirring. The voltammograms were acquired under specific conditions: 10 mL of phosphate buffer electrolyte with a pH of 3.0; an initial potential (Ei) of 0.0 V; a final potential (Ef) of 1.0 V; a pulse amplitude of 50 mV; and a scan rate of 50 mV s-1. The reference electrode used was Ag/AgCl (KCl 3 mol L-1), and the auxiliary electrode was a platinum wire. The voltammograms revealed prominent anodic current peaks at 0.76-0.78 V, which are attributed to isoflavones. Isoflavones, known secondary metabolites with substantial antioxidant potential commonly found in pulses, were identified. The total isoflavone concentrations obtained ranged from 31.5 to 64.3 mg Eq genistein 100 g-1. The results not only validated the efficacy of the electrochemical sensor for quantifying total antioxidant compounds in the samples but also demonstrated that the concentration of total isoflavones in caviar and salmon analogs fell within the expected limits.

Tourism carrying capacity remains pivotal for ensuring sustainable development within protected terrains, accentuating the balance between conservation, socio-economic benefits, and visitor satisfaction. This study delves into the intricate dimensions of this balance, focusing on the Katon-Karagay National Park (KKNP). Merging comprehensive empirical data accrued from fieldwork within the park, calculations surrounding recreational loads, and a synthesis of relevant literature, the study designed a methodology. This included calculated techniques incorporating ecological and tourist social capacities, the psychocomfort approach, and an ongoing monitoring approach, supplemented by exclusive data from the park's administration. Key findings underscored the significance of an adaptive balance, revealing specific permissible recreational loads for different park zones. For instance, zones of quiet recreation evidenced up to 5 people/ha, while active recreation zones fluctuated between 20 to 100 people/ha. Monitoring evidenced critical environmental changes, shaping recommendations for effective tourism flow regulation, ensuring alignment with established norms and ecological preservation. The exploration substantiates the indispensability of a meticulously structured approach to ascertain tourism carrying capacity, emphasizing the harmony achievable between environmental sanctity and human pursuits. KKNP's empirical data serves as a paradigm, guiding sustainable tourism frameworks for similar ecologically sensitive regions.

In view of the problem of charging and hydrogen filling facilities construction in the transition from fuel vehicles to electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, in order to meet the electric energy demand of electric vehicles and hydrogen energy demand of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at the same time, this paper puts forward a method of siting and capacity determination of electric-hydrogen refueling integrated station (EHRIS) based on Voronoi diagram and particle swarm algorithm based on calculating the demand of charging and filling of hydrogen in vehicles. Firstly, OD pair(Origin-Destination) is used to represent the starting point and end point of the car to portray the travel demand of the car, and on the basis of the traffic network model, the shortest driving path of the new energy car is determined by Dijkstra algorithm, and Monte Carlo simulation is used to get the electric-hydrogen energy demand of the car; secondly, the Voronoi diagram is introduced to classify the service scope of the electric-hydrogen charging station to determine the equipment capacity of the electric-hydrogen charging station, while taking into account the electric-hydrogen charging and refueling capacity. Secondly, a Voronoi diagram is introduced to divide the service scope of the EHRIS, determine the capacity of the equipment in the EHRIS, and consider the distance constraints between the sites of EHRIS, so as to make the division of the site and service scope more reasonable. Finally, a dynamic optimal current model framework for distribution networks based on second-order cone relaxation is established, and each element of the active distribution network is planned, so that the distribution network can operate safely and stably after being connected to the EHRIS. With the objective of minimizing the total social cost of EHRIS and considering the constraints of the charging equipment and hydrogen production and injection equipment of the EHRIS, a siting and capacity model to meet the electric-hydrogen energy demand of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is developed, and solved by a particle swarm algorithm. Finally, the simulation planning is carried out with Sioux Falls city and IEEE33 network, which ensures the stable operation of the power grid while meeting the energy demand of automobiles, and the results verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.

Key thermophysical properties necessary for the successful design and use of CoCrFeNi alloy in thermophysical applications have been measured experimentally, and the results have been compared with literature values and results previously obtained for commercial Ni-Cr alloys and equiatomic CoCrFeNi alloy. In particular, the thermal diffusivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and specific heat capacity were measured for the as-cast and homogenized equiatomic CoCrFeNi alloy over a temperature range allowing the thermal conductivity to be calculated up to 1173 K. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the equiatomic CoCrFeNi alloy were found to deviate from monotonic behavior in the temperature range from 773 to 1100 K. Such a deviation was previously observed in the behavior of the temperature dependence of CTE and specific heat capacity of the equiatomic CoCrFeNi alloy. The non-linear behavior is primarily the result of order/disorder phenomena for the as-cast and homogenized sample, as well as additionally for the as-cast sample, non-equilibrium solidification under arc melting conditions. The measured data of thermophysical properties are provided for thermally differently treated samples, and it is shown that there is a difference in the behavior of the temperature dependences of CTE, thermal diffusivity, and heat capacity.

Oxidative stress (OS) is reported in several chronic diseases. Extra-cellular superoxide dismutase (ec-SOD) catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide anion with a protective role on endothelial cells. In chronic kidney diseases (CKD), OS and thyroid dysfunction (low T3 syndrome) are fre-quently present, but their relationship has not been investigated. This cohort study evaluated ec-SOD activity in CKD patients during haemodialysis, divided into: “acute hemodialytic pa-tients” (AH, 1-3 months of treatment) and “chronic hemodialytic patients” (CH, treated for a longer period). We also evaluated plasmatic total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the relation-ships with thyroid hormones. Two basal samples (“basal 1”, 3 days after the last dialysis and “basal 2”, 2 days after the last dialysis) were collected. On the same day of basal 2, a sample was collected 5 and 10 min after the standard heparin dose and at the end of the procedure. The ec-SOD values were significantly higher in CH vs AH in all determinations. Moreover, they pre-sented lower TAC values. Dividing CH patients into two subgroups according to fT3 levels (nor-mal or low) we found significantly lower ec-SOD values in the group with low fT3 at basal, 5 and 10 min samples. Finally, a significant correlation was observed between fT3 and ec-SOD in the basal 1 samples. These data, confirming OS and low T3 syndrome in CKD, suggest that low fT3 concentrations can influence ec-SOD activity and therefore contribute to possible endothelial oxi-dative damage in such a situation.

Background. The measurement of physical performance constitutes an indicator of physical functional capacity and allows the design of physical exercise programs adapted to the individual abilities and needs of older adults with and without frailty. Aim. To present a synthesis of knowledge on the effect of exercise programs on physical performance in older adults with and without frailty in the community. Method. A systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA-2020 criteria. The search for articles was made until May 4, 2023 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SciELO and LILACS. The outcome variable was physical performance, measured through the SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery). The mean difference (MD) was estimated to evaluate the effect. Results. We found 2,483 studies, of which 12 met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review and 9 for the meta-analysis. The effect of exercise on SPPB score was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to control in non-frail older adults with MD=0.51 [95% CI, 0.05 to 0.96, p&lt;0.05]. Likewise, in older adults with frailty, the effect of exercise on the global SPPB score was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the control with an MD=0.66 [95% CI, 0.09 to 1.24, p&lt;0.05 ]. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that exercise programs are effective in increasing and/or maintaining physical performance in older adults with and without frailty, whose effect is more evident in older adults with frailty, probably due to the greater margin of recovery of intrinsic capacity.

In the field of engineering, tracked vehicles play a significant role in accessing challenging terrains. Maintaining trafficability is of the utmost importance when it comes to tracked vehicles traversing rugged terrains; it provides stability, traction, and adaptability for a wide range of applications, including deep-sea exploration. The terrain characteristics pertain to the interactions that determine the mobility of tracked vehicles. Traditional Terramechanics models are in-adequate in depicting the correlation between tracks and soil. An important issue is the lack of consideration for the moisture content in the soil and the rate at which sinking occurs in these models. Examining sinkage speed helps describe the ability of tracked vehicles to move at high speeds. The focus is on the critical factors influencing the mobility of tracked vehicles, precisely the sinkage speed and its relationship with pressure. Experimental tests in a soil bin, utilizing Bentonite/Diatom sediment soil, aim to measure these terrain factors. The study introduces a rubber-tracked vehicle, pressure, and moisture sensors to monitor pressure sinkage and moisture, evaluating cohesive soils (Bentonite/Diatom) in combination with sand and gravel mixtures. Findings reveal that higher moisture content in Bentonite soil leads to increased track slippage and sinkage compared to Diatom soil. Regarding soil behavior, diatom soil exhibited notable compaction and sinkage characteristics in contrast to bentonite soil. The distinct behaviors of these soils underscore the complexity of terrains, emphasizing the need for a meticulous understanding of soil properties before applying them in natural environments. Furthermore, this study contributes precision in assessing natural terrains, enhancing tracked vehicle design, and advancing terrain mechanics comprehension for off-road exploration. This knowledge contributes to better vehicle design and a deeper comprehension of terrain mechanics.

To investigate the effect of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) primed on seed germination and seedling growth of oilseed rape under salt stress, to alleviate the inhibition of soil salinization on the growth of oilseed rape, and to improve the sustainability of agricultural production. Using Huayouza 158R and Huayouza 62 as test materials, the regulation of seed germination and seedling growth under the stresses of 0, 100, and 150 mM NaCl (S0, S100, and S150) was investigated after the primed of Pro-Ca. We conducted six treatments, S0: non-primed + 0 mM NaCl, PCS0: Pro-Ca primed + 0 mM NaCl, S100: non-primed + 100 mM NaCl, PCS100: Pro-Ca primed + 100 mM NaCl, S150: non-primed + 150mM NaCl, Pro-Ca+S150: Pro-Ca primed + 150 mM NaCl. The results showed that salt stress inhibited seed germination and seedling growth, and Pro-Ca primed significantly increased the germination index and vigor index of oilseed rape seeds. The average germination time and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly reduced, which resulted in the optimal initiation fiddling concentration of 8mg·L-1. The morphological parameters of oilseed rape decreased significantly under salt stress, with leaf area decreasing by 70.69% and 75.03% and total chlorophyll content decreasing by 18.55% and 18.68% at S150. With the rise of salt stress, the changes of each photosynthetic parameter were somewhat similar, and Pn, Gs, Ci, and Tr continued to decline, indicating that the effects of salt stress on photosynthesis in oilseed rape might be mainly attributed to stomatal restriction and inhibition of photosynthetic pigment synthesis. While Na+ and MDA contents increased significantly, reaching a peak at S150, indicating that Na+ content increased significantly under salt stress, which resulted in the slow growth of oilseed rape and weak plants under the influence of Na+ salt damage. After Pro-Ca primed, leaf area and photosynthetic pigment synthesis increased, and the initiation treatment promoted the rise of Pn, Gs, Ci, and Tr under salt stress. The Na+ content decreased by 7.29% and 6.96% in PCS100 compared with S100, decreased by 9.23% and 25.02% in PCS150 compared with S150, and increased in K+ and Mg2+ after Pro-Ca primed. At this time, the antioxidant enzyme activities increased, and the MDA content and relative conductivity decreased. It was concluded that Pro-Ca primed improved the photosynthetic capacity of oilseed rape by promoting leaf growth, stomatal opening, and photosynthetic pigment synthesis. At the same time, reducing Na+ content and promoting K+ and Mg2+ absorption and antioxidant enzyme activities together alleviate salt damage and improve salt tolerance of oilseed rape.

As the most important component of soft robot, the pneumatic actuator can drive robot movement. However, the effect of the actuator pneumatic network geometry on the actuator load capacity is insufficient. In this paper, the finite element analysis method is applied to calculate the load force and stability torque of the pneumatic actuator under a wide range of length and height dimensions of the pneumatic network. The effect of the network size on the structure rigidity, load capacity and deformation of the actuator is analyzed. Based on the calculation results, the effect of network structure size on the deformation and load capacity is analyzed, and the optimal geometric results with the maximum load capacity are obtained. This study provides theoretical guidance for the structural design and optimization of the pneumatic actuator.