A comprehensive look at the psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology of spinal cord injury and its progression: mechanisms and clinical opportunities

Spinal cord injury(SCI)is a devastating and disabling medical condition generally caused by a traumatic event(primary injury).This initial trauma is accompanied by a set of biological mechanisms directed to ameliorate neural damage but also exacerbate initial damage(secondary injury).The alterations that occur in the spinal cord have not only local but also systemic consequences and virtually all organs and tissues of the body incur important changes after SCI,explaining the progression and detrimental consequences related to this condition.Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology(PNIE)is a growing area of research aiming to integrate and explore the interactions among the different systems that compose the human organism,considering the mind and the body as a whole.The initial traumatic event and the consequent neurological disruption trigger immune,endocrine,and multisystem dysfunction,which in turn affect the patient's psyche and well-being.In the present review,we will explore the most important local and systemic consequences of SCI from a PNIE perspective,defining the changes occurring in each system and how all these mechanisms are interconnected.Finally,potential clinical approaches derived from this knowledge will also be collectively presented with the aim to develop integrative therapies to maximize the clinical management of these patients.

Realm of hepatitis E:Challenges and opportunities

Hepatitis E virus(HEV),responsible for widespread viral hepatitis,infects approximately 2.3 billion individuals globally,with a significant mortality burden in Asia.The virus,primarily transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat,is often underdiagnosed,particularly in immunocompromised patients.Current HEV treatments,while effective,are limited by adverse effects,necessitating research into safer alternatives.Moreover,HEV’s extrahepatic manifestations,impacting the nervous and renal systems,remain poorly understood.This study underscores the imperative for enhanced HEV research,improved diagnostic methods,and more effective treatments,coupled with increased public health awareness and preventive strategies.

Opportunities and Challenges of College Mental Health Education from the Perspective of Big Data

This paper explores the opportunities and challenges of college mental health education from the perspective of big data.Firstly,through literature review,the importance of mental health education and the current issues are elucidated.Then,from the perspective of big data,the potential opportunities of big data in college mental health education are analyzed,including data-driven personalized education,real-time monitoring and warning systems,and interdisciplinary research and collaboration.At the same time,the challenges faced by college mental health education under the perspective of big data are also pointed out,such as data privacy and security issues,insufficient data analysis and interpretation capabilities,and inadequate technical facilities and talent support.Lastly,the research content of this paper is summarized,and directions and suggestions for future research are proposed.

The Opportunities,Dilemmas,and Paths for the Development of Adult Higher Education in the New Era

This paper comprehensively analyzes the development opportunities and realistic dilemmas faced by adult higher education in China in the new era,and puts forward corresponding strategies as solutions.With the construction of a learning society,the development of digital technology,and the popularization of the concept of lifelong learning,adult higher education has unprecedented development opportunities.At the same time,these forms of education are facing a series of dilemmas due to challenges such as unsound guarantee mechanisms and traditional enrollment competition.Through the establishment of perfect legal and policy guarantees,transformation of school running mode,meeting the diversified needs of learners,and other multi-faceted measures,the development of adult higher education can be effectively promoted to meet the needs of individual and social development.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Countermeasures of China Myanmar Economic and Trade Cooperation under the Background of RCEP

China and Myanmar are geographically adjacent and have close economic and trade cooperation. China has been Myanmar’s largest trading partner and largest source of investment for many consecutive years. With the official entry into force of RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) for Myanmar on May 1, 2022, the reduction of trade tariffs on goods and flexible rules of origin between China and Myanmar will undoubtedly bring more practical results to China Myanmar economic and trade cooperation. However, the implementation of RCEP in Myanmar may face a series of challenges such as poor business environment, weak human resource management, and outdated infrastructure construction. Finally, the article provides countermeasures for China Myanmar economic and trade cooperation from three aspects: optimizing the business environment to attract Chinese investment, increasing investment in education and training to improve labor quality, strengthening infrastructure construction to enhance economic support.

Research on the Impact and Opportunities of the Digital Economy Promoting the Development of Real Economy

The digital economy has infused vitality into the transformation and development of the real economy,urging enterprises to break through core technological barriers,address bottleneck issues,and improve their core competitiveness.It fosters the comprehensive digital transformation of agriculture,manufacturing,and service sectors,improving the dynamism of the real economy and fostering more consumption hotspots.Efforts are underway to enhance industrial supply chains and innovation chains,optimize regional resource allocation,and promote a virtuous cycle within the real economy.Initiatives are being undertaken to standardize the development of digital economic platforms,promote the high-quality development of regional economies,and leverage the advantages of the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics.

Strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats(SWOT)analysis of supercapacitors:A review

The development of clean and sustainable energy sources has received widespread interest in the past few decades due to the rolling energy demands while extenuating the rising tiers of greenhouse gases and environmental pollution.Due to their intermittent nature,these green and sustainable sources require appropriate energy storage systems.Amongst different energy storage technologies,electrochemical energy storage devices,particularly supercapacitors(SCs),have fascinated global attention for their utilization in electric vehicles,power supports,portable electronics,and many others application requiring electric energy devices for their operation.Thus,the growth of SCs in the commercial market has squeezed requirements,and further developments are obligatory for their effective industrialization.In the meantime,SCs also face technical complications and contests for their introduction in industrial settings because of their low energy density and high Levelized cost.The present study combines core strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats(SWOT)analysis of SCs with new perspectives and recent ideas.The challenges and the future progressive prospects of SCs are also presented in detail.This review will afford consistent direction and new superhighways for the further development of SCs as standalone and complementary energy storage systems.

Towards a business model for second-life batteries: Barriers,opportunities, uncertainties, and technologies

Electric vehicles(EVs) and the recent pandemic outbreak give cities a new trend to primarily private and shared mobility with low noise and less air pollution.Crucial factors for the widespread of EVs are the electrical charging infrastructure,driving range,and the reduction of the cost of battery packets.For this reason,there is a massive effort from manufacturers,governments,and the scientific community to reduce battery costs and boost sustainable electrical production and distribution.Battery reuse is an alternative to reduce batteries’ costs and environmental impacts.Second-life batteries can be used in a wide variety of secondary applications.Second-life batteries can be connected with off-grid or on-grid photovoltaic and wind systems,vehicle charging stations,forklifts,and frequency control.The present work aims to analyze the main challenges imposed on the reuse of batteries,the leading technologies for their reuse,and the different types of batteries in terms of their feasibility for second-life use.The main novelty of this work is the discussion about the barriers,opportunities,uncertainties,and technologies for the second life market.Here we summarize the present state of the art in reusing lithium-ion batteries discussing technical and economic feasibility,environmental impacts,and perspectives.The results show five business models that have been proposed in the literature,three types of markets for trading second-life batteries,and the main opportunities and barriers for each actor in the battery supply chain.

A review of challenges and opportunities in micropillar compression studies in Mg alloys

This review paper provides an overview of the micropillar compression technique as applied to magnesium(Mg) and its alloys. It explores the influence of various factors, such as pillar size, shape, temperature, and strain rate on the mechanical properties of Mg.Additionally, the impact of alloying elements, aging, and precipitates in Mg alloys has been extensively examined, revealing their significant influence on mechanical performance. The study highlights the strength and strain hardening improvements in Mg with decreasing pillar size in micropillar compression. Furthermore, the role of precipitates as strengthening agents, affecting deformation mechanisms and overall mechanical response, is explored. These valuable insights are crucial for designing Mg-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties for advanced engineering applications.

Time is Not Money!——It Is a Providence of Opportunities

The essay discusses the interrelations between Time and Money and the right ways for managing them.Additionally it discusses other aspects of life and time,such as:definition of time,smart use of time,use of time as distincting between men and animals,time,age and responsibility,time and the“meaning of life”,quality and quantity of lifetime,social aspects of time and science,technology and time.The author clearly expresses his opinion,that Time is a neutral abstract entity,exists in free democratic regimes and in less-liberatated autocracies.It is the explicit responsibility of every man and woman,anywhere,and everywhere,to prepare and train themselves for a smart use of the time awarded to them.On the other hand,Time is available for everyone and everything.The busy diligent hard-working person always seeks more challenging missions,while the less-energetic idle person,is always busy and tire of doing nothing.The author also claims that Time is an opportunity.It is available and inviting every active person,a thinker,a doer,and an entrepreneur to use and have it to achieve their goals.The author advises:Do not complain I have no time-dare to make the first step and“the other will come,tumbling after”.Active individuals have time for every challenging initiative;passive ones have no time for anything.

Assessment of the Implementation of Energy Conservation Opportunities Arising from Energy Audits;A Study of Four-Star and Five-Star Hotels in Nairobi Kenya

This study assesses the implementation of energy conservation opportunities in four-star and five-star hotels in Nairobi. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Hospitality Industry. Currently, there is a growing inclination to furnish guests with superior and sustainable services in an energy-efficient and eco-friendly way. Comprehensive research was conducted from energy audits gathered from the establishments and contracted auditing companies, on top of this, hotel staff were given digital questionnaires. To add to the data, the researcher surveyed the hotels with engineering managers. The Energy Audits found that all 10 hotels had adopted Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs). After further analysis, the mean adoption rate of Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) during the past three years was 55.83%, which was below the aim of 100%. According to studies, hotel staff manages energy to cut costs. The researcher found that hotels use up a lot of energy. However, they have conservation potential, depending on government policies, costs, ease of implementation, and management commitment to sustainable practices. Essentially, Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) reduce energy expenditures and boost reliable revenues, especially during high energy prices and uncertainty.

Missed Opportunities for Diagnosing Bacilliferous Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Optical Microscopy versus GeneXpert MTB/RIF in Endemic Areas

Objective: To assess the missed opportunities from the diagnosis of bacilliferous pulmonary tuberculosis by optical microscopy compared to GeneXpert MTB/RIF between 2015 and 2019. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the diagnostic results of bacilliferous pulmonary tuberculosis in patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis at their first episode during the period. GeneXpert MTB/RIF (GeneXpert) and optical microscopy (OM) after Ziehl-Neelsen stained smear were performed on each patient’s sputum or gastric tubing fluid sample. Results: Among 341 patients suspected of pulmonary tuberculosis, 229 patients were declared bacilliferous tuberculosis by the two tests (67%), 220 patients by GeneXpert and 95 patients by OM, i.e. 64.5% versus 28% (p i.e. 58.5% of the positive cases detected by the two tests (134/229 patients) and 39.3% of the patients suspected of tuberculosis (134/341 patients). On the other hand, among 95 patients declared positive by OM, the GeneXpert ignored 9 (9.5%), i.e. 4% of all the positive cases detected by the two diagnostic tests (9/229 patients) and 3% of the patients suspected of tuberculosis (9/341 patients). The differences observed between the results of the two tests were statistically significant at the 5% threshold (p Conclusion: This study reveals missed diagnostic opportunities for bacilliferous pulmonary mycobacteriosis, statistically significant with optical microscopy than GeneXpert. The GeneXpert/optical microscopy couple could be a good contribution to the strategies for the elimination of pulmonary tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa.

International Dissemination of TCM Culture under the "Belt and Road" Initiative: Opportunities and Challenges

The international dissemination of TCM culture, as a carrier of the implementation of the"Belt and Road"Initiative, is being endowed with greater importance. However, the spread of TCM culture into the world faces opportunities as well as challenges. To better serve the"Belt and Road"Initiative, measures should be taken to strengthen TCM communication and cooperation in different aspects and build a sound intellectual property protection system.

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of reinitiation into methamphetamine abusers: qualitative findings from an exploration of methamphetamine abusers in Shanghai, China

Background Despite high relapse rate among methamphetamine (MA) abusers, there still have been little empirical data to date detecting the risk factors related to craving and relapse from the perspective of MA abusers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use qualitative research methods exploring the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat factors that could facilitate or impede individuals' abstinence in a real-life context from the perspectives of MA abusers. Aim To use qualitative research methods exploring the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threat factors relating to individuals' abstinence in a real-life context. Method Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 MA abusers recruited in Shanghai guided by open-ended questions on narrating the real-life catalysts and inhibitors related to craving, initiation, relapse and abstinence. All data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Results The results of the SWOT analysis revealed that contextual factors including peer influence, prevalence and availability of MA, familiar venue of MA use, discrimination, sexual behaviours, alcohol, emotional states and their attitudes towards smoking MA were important factors that contribute to reinitiation and relapse. Surveillance systems, antidrug social workers, vocational skills trainings, moving to another city and family responsibility might serve as counter measures targeti叩 those mentioned weaknesses and threats above. Conclusion This SWOT analysis highlights the complex nature of relapse. Comprehensive interventions strengtheni叩 coping skills such as virtual reality techniques are desperately needed to facilitate individuals1 sustained abstinence.

Combating maternal mortality in China:experience,challenges and opportunities

Since the People’s Republic of China founded,especially over the last 15 years,maternal mortality rate(MMR)has fallen dramatically.In 2014,China has achieved the target of a reduction of 75%MMR from 1990 to 2015(MDG 5)ahead of schedule.This achievement can be attributed to the improvement of legislation and policy,government commitment and investment on maternal health,extensive international cooperation,implementation of the maternal health program,development of maternal and child health(MCH)service system and development of MCH surveillance systems.Although China has achieved MDG 5,there are many kinds of difficulties and challenges in achieving the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Therefore,multi-strategy actions need to be considered to seize the opportunities to further reduce the MMR in the future.

Health technology assessment in traditional Chinese medicine in China: current status, opportunities, and challenges

Objectives:The widespread usage of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and the government's emphasis on TCM in China have created a positive macro-environment and great opportunities to develop and strengthen health technology assessment(HTA)in TCM.Over the past ten years,a series of policies have been issued by the government to promote the application of HTA and the development of TCM in China.This study reviews the concepts and characteristics of TCM,summarizes the current status of HTA in TCM,and analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by HTA development in TCM with respect to deepening of healthcare reforms.Methods:Literature review and website searches were used to acquire information regarding the basic theories of TCM and the current status,opportunities,and challenges for HTA in TCM.Results:The number of articles on HTA in TCM rose substantially,especially those published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI).With the optimistic policy environment and huge market demand for TCM,the development of HTA in TCM is expected to flourish in China.However,HTA in TCM also faces numerous challenges such as the absence of a clinical efficacy evaluation system for TCM and insufficient basic research evidence and qualified personnel.Conclusions:TCM has unique characteristic that distinguishes it from Western medicine.Currently,it is important to take all measures to address the existing main challenges and thereby take advantage of the present opportunities to develop and improve HTA in TCM.

Health technology assessment in China: challenges and opportunities

Objectives:Economic growth and rapid development of health technology in China have created opportunities to strengthen health technology assessment (HTA) capacity.Over the time,HTA institutions have been established to conduct HTA related work.This study reviewed the current status of HTA in China and analysed the challenges of HTA development in the context of health reform under'new normal'economy.Methods:Literature review and webpage searches were used to document the development of HTA in China.An institutional survey has also been conducted to collect information on the HTA research institutions in China.Results:The number of articles and research projects on HTA were rising and are continuing to rise.HTA development has made substantial progress in China in terms of growing number of research institutions and qualified HTA workforce.However,HTA has notable weaknesses such as low capacity for conducting HTA research,limited experience in HTA researchers,and lack of knowledge translation.Conclusion:Currently,the translation of HTA findings to policy-making is limited and the integration of HTA in the policy-making processes is still in its infancy.The HTA development in China has had opportunities due to demands of health care,health insurance,and health technology as a result of health reform.Capacity building and institutionalization of HTA are urgently needed for further development of HTA in China.

CO_2 capture:Challenges and opportunities

Although not everybody wants to admit,climate change has been happening with irreversible consequences.It is getting worse and worse and becoming more and more influential to not only the environment but also to all kinds of beings;our earth is now seriously threatened by climate change.It is a critical issue the whole society must face and actions must

Climate Change and Variability in Southeast Zimbabwe: Scenarios and Societal Opportunities

A lot of researches have been done on the negative impacts and challenges caused by extreme weather conditions due to climate change and variability. Not many researches have been focused on the positive side in form of opportunities presented due to climate change. The study aimed to show the climate change scenarios and explore possible opportunities that could be derived from such scenarios in the southeastern region of Zimbabwe. The research used climate data records from three Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department run weather stations in the region. The time series data were analyzed to show trends of rainfall and temperature over time. A questionnaire survey was also carried out to enquire from the farmers if they perceived climate change to have any opportunities. The rainfall trend analysis showed that rainfall amounts have declined at two of the three stations used. Rainfall total was also shown to be variable from year to year at all the stations. Ambient temperatures at all the stations were shown to have increased for both winter and summer. Opportunities that could be derived from climate change in the region were identified as the hydrological, agricultural and industrial. The research concludes that taking advantages of opportunities offered by climate change and variability provides the quickest way of embracing climate change adaptation.

Missed Opportunities for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Nigeria has the largest paediatric HIV-infected population in the world. Missed opportunities for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) compromise efforts at eliminating new pediatric HIV infections. Methods: Six hundred children, aged < 15 years, presenting to the pediatric units of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan Southwest Nigeria between June to December 2007 were studied. The demographics, HIV status and socioeconomic status of mothers and their children were studied. A 4-step hierarchy was used to assess the missed opportunities for PMTCT. Step 1: utilization of a health facility for antenatal care and delivery;Step 2: maternal HIV status determination during pregnancy;Step 3: provision of antiretroviral medication to HIV-infected mother and baby;and Step 4: avoidance of mixed feeding in HIV-exposed children. The rates of missed opportunities for PMTCT services at different steps in the PMTCT cascade, perinatal transmission rates, and associated factors were reported. Results: There were 599 mothers and 600 children (one set of twins), 60 (10%) were HIV infected and 56 (93.3%) of these were adjudged perinatally infected. Of 78 HIV-infected women, 7 (9.0%) accessed all interventions in the PMTCT cascade and 71 (91.0%) had missed opportunities for PMTCT. Missed opportunities for PMTCT occurred 42.9% in cascade Step 1, 64.2% in Step 2, 52.6% in step 3 and 73.7% in Step 4. All mother-baby pairs who accessed complete PMTCT interventions received care at a teaching hospital. Among infants with perinatal HIV infection, 53 (94.6%) were born to mothers who had missed opportunities for PMTCT. Most women with missed opportunities attended antenatal care outside the teaching hospital setting and belonged to low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: It is imperative to expand PMTCT access to women who receive antenatal care outside the teaching hospitals and to those of low socioeconomic status.