Australian Consumer Attitudes and Decision Making on Renewable Energy Technology and Its Impact on the Transformation of the Energy Sector

This paper critically examines research on consumer attitudes and behavior towards solar photovoltaic (PV) and renewable energy technology in Australia. The uptake of renewable energy technology by residential consumers in Australia in the past decade has transformed the electricity supply and demand paradigm. Thus, this paper reviews Australian research on consumer behavior, understanding and choices in order to identify gaps in knowledge. As the role of the consumer transforms, there is a critical need to understand the ways that consumers may respond to future energy policies to mitigate unforeseen negative social and economic consequence of programs designed to achieve positive environmental outcomes.

Language affects length of stay in emergency departments in Queensland public hospitals

BACKGROUND:A long length of stay(LOS) in the emergency department(ED) associated with overcrowding has been found to adversely affect the quality of ED care.The objective of this study is to determine whether patients who speak a language other than English at home have a longer LOS in EDs compared to those whose speak only English at home.METHODS:A secondary data analysis of a Queensland state-wide hospital EDs dataset(Emergency Department Information System) was conducted for the period,1 January 2008 to 31 December 2010.RESULTS:The interpreter requirement was the highest among Vietnamese speakers(23.1%)followed by Chinese(19.8%) and Arabic speakers(18.7%).There were significant differences in the distributions of the departure statuses among the language groups(Chi-squared=3236.88,P<0.001).Compared with English speakers,the Beta coefficient for the LOS in the EDs measured in minutes was among Vietnamese,26.3(95%Cl:22.1-30.5);Arabic,10.3(95%Cl:7.3-13.2);Spanish,9.4(95%CI:7.1-11.7);Chinese,8.6(95%Cl:2.6-14.6);Hindi,4.0(95%Cl:2.2-5.7);Italian,3.5(95%Cl:1.6-5.4);and German,2.7(95%Cl:1.0-4.4).The final regression model explained 17%of the variability in LOS.CONCLUSION:There is a close relationship between the language spoken at home and the LOS at EDs,indicating that language could be an important predictor of prolonged LOS in EDs and improving language services might reduce LOS and ease overcrowding in EDs in Queensland's public hospitals.

Spatial analysis of the osteoarthritis microenvironment: techniques, insights, and applications

Osteoarthritis(OA)is a debilitating degenerative disease affecting multiple joint tissues,including cartilage,bone,synovium,and adipose tissues.OA presents diverse clinical phenotypes and distinct molecular endotypes,including inflammatory,metabolic,mechanical,genetic,and synovial variants.Consequently,innovative technologies are needed to support the development of effective diagnostic and precision therapeutic approaches.Traditional analysis of bulk OA tissue extracts has limitations due to technical constraints,causing challenges in the differentiation between various physiological and pathological phenotypes in joint tissues.This issue has led to standardization difficulties and hindered the success of clinical trials.Gaining insights into the spatial variations of the cellular and molecular structures in OA tissues,encompassing DNA,RNA,metabolites,and proteins,as well as their chemical properties,elemental composition,and mechanical attributes,can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease subtypes.Spatially resolved biology enables biologists to investigate cells within the context of their tissue microenvironment,providing a more holistic view of cellular function.Recent advances in innovative spatial biology techniques now allow intact tissue sections to be examined using various-omics lenses,such as genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics,with spatial data.This fusion of approaches provides researchers with critical insights into the molecular composition and functions of the cells and tissues at precise spatial coordinates.Furthermore,advanced imaging techniques,including high-resolution microscopy,hyperspectral imaging,and mass spectrometry imaging,enable the visualization and analysis of the spatial distribution of biomolecules,cells,and tissues.Linking these molecular imaging outputs to conventional tissue histology can facilitate a more comprehensive characterization of disease phenotypes.This review summarizes the recent advancements in the molecular imaging modalities and methodologies for in-depth spatial analysis.It explores their applications,challenges,and potential opportunities in the field of OA.Additionally,this review provides a perspective on the potential research directions for these contemporary approaches that can meet the requirements of clinical diagnoses and the establishment of therapeutic targets for OA.

Synergistic effect of carbon nanotube and encapsulated carbon layer enabling high-performance SnS_2-based anode for lithium storage

Tin disulfide(SnS_(2)),due to large interlayer spacing and high theoretical capacity,is regarded as a prospective anode material for lithium-ion batteries.Nevertheless,the poor electron conductivity of SnS_(2) and huge volumetric change during the lithiation/delithiation process lead to a rapid capacity decay of the battery,hindering its commercialization.To address these issues,herein,SnS_(2) is in-situ grown on the surface of carbon nanotubes(CNT)and then encapsulated with a layer of porous amorphous carbon(CNT/SnS_(2)@C)by simple solvothermal and further carbonization treatment.The synergistic effect of CNT and porous carbon layer not only enhances the electrical co nductivity of SnS_(2) but also limits the huge volumetric change to avoid the pulverization and detachment of SnS_(2).Density functional theo ry calculations show that CNT/SnS_(2)@C has high Li^(+)adsorption and lithium storage capacity achieving high reaction kinetics.Consequently,cells with the CNT/SnS_(2)@C anode exhibit a high lithium storage capacity of 837mAh/g after 100 cycles at 0.1 A/g and retaining a capacity of 529.8 mAh/g under 1.0 A/g after 1000 cycles.This study provides a fundamental understanding of the electrochemical processes and beneficial guidance to design high-performance SnS_(2)-based anodes for LIBs.

A novel saliva-based miRNA profile to diagnose and predict oral cancer

Oral cancer (OC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer. Despite the high incidence and unfavourable patient outcomes, currently, there are no biomarkers for the early detection of OC. This study aims to discover, develop, and validate a novel saliva-based microRNA signature for early diagnosis and prediction of OC risk in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD).The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) miRNA sequencing data and small RNA sequencing data of saliva samples were used to discover differentially expressed miRNAs. Identified miRNAs were validated in saliva samples of OC (n=50), OPMD (n=52), and controls(n=60) using quantitative real-time PCR. Eight differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-7-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-215-5p,miR-431-5p, miR-486-3p, miR-3614-5p, and miR-4707-3p) were identified in the discovery phase and were validated. The efficiency of our eight-miRNA signature to discriminate OC and controls was:area under curve (AUC):0.954, sensitivity:86%, specificity:90%,positive predictive value (PPV):87.8%and negative predictive value (NPV):88.5%whereas between OC and OPMD was:AUC:0.911,sensitivity:90%, specificity:82.7%, PPV:74.2%and NPV:89.6%. We have developed a risk probability score to predict the presence or risk of OC in OPMD patients. We established a salivary miRNA signature that can aid in diagnosing and predicting OC,revolutionising the management of patients with OPMD. Together, our results shed new light on the management of OC by salivary miRNAs to the clinical utility of using miRNAs derived from saliva samples.

Unveiling the tailorable electrochemical properties of zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived Ni-doped LiCoO_(2) for lithium-ion batteries in half/full cells

As a prevailing cathode material of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),LiCoO_(2)(LCO)still encounters the tricky problems of structural collapse,whose morphological engineering and cation doping are crucial for surmounting the mechanical strains and alleviating phase degradation upon cycling.Hereinafter,we propose a strategy using a zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF)as the self-sacrificing template to directionally prepare a series of LiNi_(0.1)Co_(0.9)O_(2)(LNCO)with tailorable electrochemical properties.The rational selection of sintering temperature imparts the superiority of the resultant products in lithium storage,during which the sample prepared at 700℃(LNCO-700)outperforms its counterparts in cyclability(156.8 mA h g^(-1)at 1 C for 200 cycles in half cells,1 C=275 mA g^(-1))and rate capability due to the expedited ion/electron transport and the strengthen mechanical robustness.The feasibility of proper Ni doping is also divulged by half/full cell tests and theoretical study,during which LNCO-700(167 mA h g^(-1)at 1 C for 100 cycles in full cells)surpasses LCO-700 in battery performance due to the mitigated phase deterioration,stabilized layered structu re,ameliorated electro nic co nductivity,a nd exalted lithium sto rage activity.This work systematically unveils tailorable electrochemical behaviors of LNCO to better direct their practical application.

An Exploratory Study of Chinese University Students＇English Textual Competence

This paper argues that the textual competence is one of the important abilities for English learners to organize their spoken or written discourse effectively. However, the investigation found that Chinese university students were weak in textual competence in English reading. It concludes that English teachers had better to be conscious of what communicative competence includes and the training of students＇ textual competence should be reinforced in communicative English classroom.

Epidural pressure measurement using a fiber-optic sensor(proof-of-principle in vivo animal trial)

Background:An increase in epidural pressure around the stenosis has been observed in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS)with positive signs of sedimentation or redundant nerve roots.Further analysis of the pressure conditions in the stenotic area would be of great interest.We hypothesized that it would be possible to determine the physiological parameters of the epidural pulse wave and its course in pathological stenosis as a basis for objective identification of LSS based on pressure using a new measuring method with continuous spatial and temporal resolution.Methods:We performed a single-case proof-of-principle in vivo animal trial and used a newly developed hybrid pressure-measurement probe with a fiber-tip Fabry-Pérot interferometer and several fiber Bragg gratings(FBG).Results:With reproducible precision,we determined the mean epidural pressure to be 7.5 mmHg and the peak-to-peak value to be 4-5 mmHg.When analyzing the pres-sure measured by an FBG array,both the heart and respiratory rates can be precisely determined.This study was the first to measure the pulse wave velocity of the cer-ebrospinal fluid pressure wave as 0.97 m/s using the newly developed pressure probe.A simulated LSS was detected in real time and located exactly.Conclusions:The developed fiber-optic pressure sensor probe enables a new objec-tive measurement of epidural pressure.We confirmed our hypothesis that physiologi-cal parameters of the epidural pulse wave can be determined and that it is possible to identify an LSS.

Enhanced dealkalization of bauxite residue through calcium-activated desulfurization gypsum

A novel integrated approach to remove the free alkalis and stabilize solid-phase alkalinity by controlling the release of Ca from desulfurization gypsum was developed.The combination of recycled FeCl_(3)solution and EDTA activated desulfurization gypsum lowered the bauxite residue pH to 7.20.Moreover,it also improved the residual Ca state,with its contribution to the total exchangeable cations increased(68%-92%).Notably,the slow release of exchangeable Ca introduced through modified desulfurization gypsum induced a phase transition of the alkaline minerals.This treatment stabilized the dealkalization effect of bauxite residue via reducing its overall acid neutralization capacity in abating pH rebound.Hence,this approach can provide guidance for effectively utilizing desulfurization gypsum to achieve stable regulation of alkalinity in bauxite residue.

User Experience Survey for Improvement of Australia's University Campus Spatial Safe Design

As the third vital industry supporting Australia's economic development,the education domain and related services are deserved to be emphasized.The domestic university as the major used space of the educational industry is acquiring increasingly government investments.One of the investment aspects is the improvement of safety infrastructure.By providing students and staff a convenient and safe campus experience is an effective approach to produce greater benefits.However,in most Australia universities,the safety issue is still a problem that needs to be enhanced.In this research paper,the Garden City Campus of the Queensland University of Technology is used as the case study.It will be analyzed using the methodologies of observation and survey.

Health system interventions for the cost containment of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and exploration of how the results could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context

Objectives:Cardiovascular disease(CVD)in low and middle-income countries(LMICs),accounts for over 80%of global CVD-related deaths.The high cost of drugs is a major concern in not of managing CVD.This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive review to identify interventions for cost containment of cvD drugs and use the inter-vention scalability assessment tool(ISAT)to examine the acceptability and application of relevant interventions in the Sri Lankan context,that can also be adaptable to other LMICs.Methods:A systematic search across three databases(Medline,Web of Science and Embase)was completed to identify relevant health system interventions.The ISAT assessed the feasibility of adapting the identified interven-tions to Sri Lanka,using structured interviews with 25 Sri Lankan stakeholders representing five groups:health managers,cardiologists,pharmacists,nursing officers,and patients.Results:The search yielded nine publications.Five were conducted on a national scale,while others were con-ducted at the regional levels.Seven were published in developed countries.The identified interventions were categorised into six intervention themes:Imposing a ceiling price or reference price;introduction of the polypill;introduction of volume price contract initiatives;prescribing generic and essential drugs;one intervention pack-age including generics,essential medicine,90-day drugs,and free delivery;and a second intervention package including discounts,rebates,cost-free medicine,and bundling.Assessment of six intervention themes revealed that methods of setting ceiling prices and controlling generic drug prescribing were the most popular,while other interventions were least popular..Conclusions:The study provides a roadmap for future interventions based on successful scaling,emphasizing the importance of understanding contextual variables and encourages stakeholder participation in policy assessments and advocacy.The findings highlighted the potential for enhancing the access to affordable CVD drugs not only in Sri Lanka,but also adaptable to other LMICs.These outcomes can contribute to policy decisions,aimed at reducing the significant global burden of CVD.

Plasma-assisted synthesis of porous bismuth nanosheets for electrocatalytic CO_(2)-to-formate reduction

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction(eCO_(2)RR)to formate,driven by clean energy,is a promising approach for producing renewable chemicals and high-value fuels.Despite its potential,further development faces challenges due to limitations in electrocatalytic activity and durability,especially for nonnoble metal-based catalysts.Here,naturally abundant bismuth-based nanosheets that can effectively drive CO_(2)-to-formate electrocatalytic reduction are prepared using the plasma-activated Bi_(2)Se_(3) followed by a reduction process.Thus-obtained plasma-activated Bi nanosheets(P-BiNS)feature ultrathin structures and high surface areas.Such nanostructures ensure the P-BiNS with outstanding eCO_(2)RR catalytic performance,highlighted by the current density of over 80 mA cm^(-2) and a formate Faradic efficiency of>90%.Furthermore,P-BiNS catalysts demonstrate excellent durability and stability without deactivation following over 50h of operation.The selectivity for formate production is also studied by density functional theory(DFT)calculations,validating the importance and efficacy of the stabilization of intermediates(^(*)OCHO)on the P-BiNS surfaces.This study provides a facile plasma-assisted approach for developing high-performance and low-cost electrocatalysts.

Alcohol and illicit drugs:prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use and their predictors in young people from Argentina,Bulgaria,Chile and Romania

Background:Alcohol and illicit drugs(AID)continue to be a major global health concern.Although preventable,AID is linked to millions of deaths annually worldwide.The situation is particularly grave for young people,with AID being a major direct risk factor for disability-adjusted youth life-years lost and death.It further contributes to assaults,road crashes,accidental poisoning,and suicide,leading to long-term issues and public health concerns.Objective:This study aimed at disclosing current AID prevalence data for Argentinian,Bulgarian,Chilean and Romanian youth.It shed light on the predictors of AID in young people from those countries.Method:The study used an online survey to gather data from people aged 18 to 25(n=1,297).The survey was underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour(TPB).Predictors were investigated separately for drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs.Results:Our data revealed that across the four target countries,49%to 90%of the participants drank alcohol,and 8%to 35%used illicit drugs in the past three months.Between 20%and 91%of them intended to drink,and between 8%and 31%intended to use illicit drugs in the following three months.Our TPB model predicted statistically significant(P<0.001)amounts of variance in drinking alcohol(between 61%and 72%)and using illicit drugs(between 20.3%and 74.4%).Intention was consistent in significantly predicting both behaviours.Evidence around the predictive validity of self-efficacy,age and gender was mixed across the investigated countries.Conclusion:This research provided an update on the scarce AID epidemiological data.It also supplied evidence about what theoretically-informed measures might be useful targets of interventions in the case of Argentina,Bulgaria,Chile and Romania.This new knowledge of understanding substance abuse determinants and prevalence may help researchers and practitioners better meet young people's health prevention needs.

The Influence of Aerial Exposure on Sea Anemones Aulactinia veratra Mucin Genes Expression Using the RNA Sequencing

Mucin genes are the main component of mucus. The sea anemone species, Aulactinia veratra (Phylum Cnidaria) contains different types of mucin genes. In the intertidal zone, A. veratra is found to be exposed to air during the low tide and produces large quantities of mucus as an external covering. The relation between low tide and mucus secretion is still unclear, and what is the role of mucin during arial exposure is not yet investigated. This study hypothesised that the mucin genes in A. veratra would have significantly high expression in response to aerial exposure. Therefore, the aim of current study was to examine and analyses the response of A. veratra mucins in response to an experiment involving three hours of aerial exposure. To achieve this, aim the RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to examine the expression profile of A. veratra mucin genes in response to aerial exposure. The generated results have shown that, Mucin4-like and mucin5B-like were up-regulated in response to the three hours of aerial exposure in A. veratra. This finding shows a significant role of mucin5B-like and mucin4-like genes in response to air stress at low tide. The data generated from this study could be used in conjunction with future mucin gene studies of sea anemones and other cnidarians to compare A. veratra mucin gene expression results across time, and to extend our understanding of mucin stress response in this phylum.

Selection of Fe as a barrier for manufacturing low-cost MgB2 multifilament wires-Advanced microscopy study between Fe and B reaction

The high cost of using the niobium(Nb)barrier for manufacturing magnesium diboride(MgB2)mono-and multi-filamentary wires for large-scale applications has become one of the barriers to replacing current commercial niobium-titanium superconductors.The potential of replacing the Nb barrier with a low-cost iron(Fe)barrier for multifilament MgB2 superconducting wires is investigated in this manuscript.Therefore,MgB2 wires with Fe barrier sintered with different temperatures are studied(from 650°C to 900°C for 1 h)to investigate the non-superconducting reaction phase of Fe-B.Their superconducting performance including engineering critical current density(Je)and n-value are tested at 4.2 K in various external magnetic fields.The best sample sintered at 650°C for 1 h has achieved a Je value of 3.64×10^(4) A cm^(−2) and an n-value of 61 in 2 T magnetic field due to the reduced formation of Fe2B,better grain connectivity and homogenous microstructure.For microstructural analysis,the focused ion beam(FIB)is utilised for the first time to acquire three-dimensional microstructures and elemental mappings of the interface between the Fe barrier and MgB2 core of different wires.The results have shown that if the sintering temperature can be controlled properly,the Je and n-value of the wire are still acceptable for magnet applications.The formation of Fe2B is identified along the edge of MgB2,as the temperature increases,the content of Fe2B also increases which causes the degradation in the performance of wires.

Characterisation of the Bacteria and Archaea Community Associated with Wild Oysters, At Three Possible Restoration Sites in the North Sea

With 85% of the global oyster reefs destroyed, there is an urgent need for large scale restoration to benefit from the ecosystem services provided by biogenic oyster reefs and their associated biodiversity, including microorganisms that drive marine biogeochemical cycles. This experiment established a baseline for the monitoring of the bacterial and archaeal community associated with wild oysters, using samples from their immediate environment of the Voordelta, with cohabiting Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea edulis, Duikplaats with only C. gigas attached to rocks, and the Dansk Skaldyrcentre, with no onsite oysters. The microbial profiling was carried out through DNA analysis of samples collected from the surfaces of oyster shells and their substrate, the sediment and seawater. Following 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics, alpha indices implied high species abundance and diversity in sediment but low abundance in seawater. As expected, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Thaumarchaeota dominated the top 20 OTUs. In the Voordelta, OTUs related to Colwellia, Shewanella and Psychrobium differentiated the oysters collected from a reef with those attached to rocks. Duikplaats were distinct for sulfur-oxidizers Sulfurimonas and sulfate-reducers from the Sva 0081 sediment group. Archaea were found mainly in sediments and the oyster associated microbiome, with greater abundance at the reef site, consisting mostly of Thaumarchaeota from the family Nitrosopumilaceae. The oyster free site displayed archaea in sediments only, and algal bloom indicator microorganisms from the Rhodobacteraceae, Flavobacteriaceae family and genus [Polaribacter] huanghezhanensis, in addition to the ascidian symbiotic partner, Synechococcus. This study suggests site specific microbiome shifts, influenced by the presence of oysters and the type of substrate.

Variable-based Ramberg-Osgood constitutive model of power spinning bushing

The influences of power spinning process parameters on the mechanical properties of spinning parts were analyzed with an SXD100/3-CNC numerical control power spinning machine.The unidirectional tensile tests were carried out.Based on the experimental data,a ternary quadratic regression equation was established by orthogonal experiment.The Ramberg-Osgood constitutive model of tin-bronze connecting rod bushing was obtained.Referred to the constitutive relation of macroscopic incremental,the incremental elastoplastic constitutive relation of spinning parts was deduced based on the Mises yield criterion and kinematic hardening model.The results can be applied to the elastoplastic analysis in finite element numerical simulation.

Distribution characteristics of respiratory aerosols in enclosed environments

This paper studies the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0 to 10.0 μm in an office room with three air distribution methods,including mixing ventilation（MV）,displacement ventilation（DV）,and under-floor air distribution（UFAD）.The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets with diameters up to 10.0 μm from normal respiration process are uniformly distributed in MV.However,they become trapped at the breathing height by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD,resulting in a high droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other occupants.Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV.Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.

Prussian Blue Analogue‑Templated Nanocomposites for Alkali‑Ion Batteries:Progress and Perspective

Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have dominated the portable electronic and electrochemical energy markets since their commercialisation,whose high cost and lithium scarcity have prompted the development of other alkali-ion batteries(AIBs)including sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)and potassium-ion batteries(PIBs).Owing to larger ion sizes of Na^(+)and K^(+)compared with Li^(+),nanocomposites with excellent crystallinity orientation and well-developed porosity show unprecedented potential for advanced lithium/sodium/potassium storage.With enticing open rigid framework structures,Prussian blue analogues(PBAs)remain promising self-sacrificial templates for the preparation of various nanocomposites,whose appeal originates from the well-retained porous structures and exceptional electrochemical activities after thermal decomposition.This review focuses on the recent progress of PBA-derived nanocomposites from their fabrication,lithium/sodium/potassium storage mechanism,and applications in AIBs(LIBs,SIBs,and PIBs).To distinguish various PBA derivatives,the working mechanism and applications of PBA-templated metal oxides,metal chalcogenides,metal phosphides,and other nanocomposites are systematically evaluated,facilitating the establishment of a structure–activity correlation for these materials.Based on the fruitful achievements of PBA-derived nanocomposites,perspectives for their future development are envisioned,aiming to narrow down the gap between laboratory study and industrial reality.

Clonal Characterization of Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells and Their Application for Bone Regeneration

Tissue engineering allows the design of functionally active cells within supportive bio-scaffolds to promote the development of new tissues such as cartilage and bone for the restoration of pathologically altered tissues. However, all bone tissue engineering applications are limited by a shortage of stem cells. The adult bone marrow stroma contains a subset of nonhematopoietic cells referred to as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs）. BMSCs are of interest because they are easily isolated from a small aspirate of bone marrow and readily generate singlecell-derived colonies. These cells have the capacity to undergo extensive replication in an undifferentiated state ex vivo. In addition, BMSCs have the potential to develop either in vitro or in vivo into distinct mesenchymal tissues,including bone, cartilage, fat, tendon, muscle, and marrow stroma. Thus, BMSCs are an attractive cell source for tissue engineering approaches. However, BMSCs are not homogeneous and the quantity of stem cells decreases in the bone marrow in aged population. A sequential loss of lineage differentiation potential has been found in the mixed culture of bone marrow stromal cells due to a heterogenous popu- lation. Therefore, a number of studies have proposed that homogenous bone marrow stem cells can be generated from clonal culture of bone marrow cells and that BMSC clones have the greatest potential for the application of bone regeneration in vivo.