Effectiveness of Histopathological Examination of Ultrasound-guided Puncture Biopsy Samples for Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of histopathological examination of ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy samples in extrapulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB).Methods This study was conducted at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center.A total of 115patients underwent ultrasound-guided puncture biopsy,followed by MGIT 960 culture(culture),smear,Gene Xpert MTB/RIF(Xpert),and histopathological examination.These assays were performed to evaluate their effectiveness in diagnosing EPTB in comparison to two different diagnostic criteria:liquid culture and composite reference standard(CRS).Results When CRS was used as the reference standard,the sensitivity and specificity of culture,smear,Xpert,and histopathological examination were(44.83%,89.29%),(51.72%,89.29%),(70.11%,96.43%),and(85.06%,82.14%),respectively.Based on liquid culture tests,the sensitivity and specificity of smear,Xpert,and pathological examination were(66.67%,72.60%),(83.33%,63.01%),and(92.86%,45.21%),respectively.Histopathological examination showed the highest sensitivity but lowest specificity.Further,we found that the combination of Xpert and histopathological examination showed a sensitivity of 90.80%and a specificity of 89.29%.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided puncture sampling is safe and effective for the diagnosis of EPTB.Compared with culture,smear,and Xpert,histopathological examination showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity.The combination of histopathology with Xpert showed the best performance characteristics.

Energy-Saving Distributed Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Optimization with Dual Resource Constraints Based on Integrated Q-Learning Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimizer

The distributed flexible job shop scheduling problem(DFJSP)has attracted great attention with the growth of the global manufacturing industry.General DFJSP research only considers machine constraints and ignores worker constraints.As one critical factor of production,effective utilization of worker resources can increase productivity.Meanwhile,energy consumption is a growing concern due to the increasingly serious environmental issues.Therefore,the distributed flexible job shop scheduling problem with dual resource constraints(DFJSP-DRC)for minimizing makespan and total energy consumption is studied in this paper.To solve the problem,we present a multi-objective mathematical model for DFJSP-DRC and propose a Q-learning-based multi-objective grey wolf optimizer(Q-MOGWO).In Q-MOGWO,high-quality initial solutions are generated by a hybrid initialization strategy,and an improved active decoding strategy is designed to obtain the scheduling schemes.To further enhance the local search capability and expand the solution space,two wolf predation strategies and three critical factory neighborhood structures based on Q-learning are proposed.These strategies and structures enable Q-MOGWO to explore the solution space more efficiently and thus find better Pareto solutions.The effectiveness of Q-MOGWO in addressing DFJSP-DRC is verified through comparison with four algorithms using 45 instances.The results reveal that Q-MOGWO outperforms comparison algorithms in terms of solution quality.

Linear endoscopic ultrasound:Current uses and future perspectives in mediastinal examination

This editorial elaborates on the current and future applications of linear endoscopic ultrasound(EUS),a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic modality for various anatomical regions.The scope of endosonographic assessment is broad and,among other factors,allows for the evaluation of the mediastinal anatomy and related pathologies,such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and the staging of central malignant lung lesions.Moreover,EUS assessment has proven more accurate in detecting small lesions missed by standard imaging examinations,such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.We focus on its current uses in the mediastinum,including lung and esophageal cancer staging,as well as evaluating mediastinal lymphadenopathy and submucosal lesions.The editorial also explores future perspectives of EUS in mediastinal examination,including ultrasound-guided therapies,artificial intelligence integration,advancements in mediastinal modalities,and improved diagnostic approaches for various mediastinal lesions.

An Empirical Study of the Socratic Method in Nongraded English Teaching in Senior High School Under the Background of the New National College Entrance Examination

With the reform of the New National College Entrance Examination(Gaokao),the nongraded education will become an inevitable trend.In senior high school,the traditional test-oriented education is popular.The knowledge is mainly taught by the teachers,and the students passively absorb it.This study examines a problem-oriented Socratic experiment in nongraded English teaching in senior high school.The teachers seek output from students,who respond by interpreting questions,fostering critical thinking,and enhancing problem-solving skills.This teaching experiment indicates that the Socratic method has a significant positive effect on cultivating nongraded senior high English students’critical thinking under the New National College Entrance Examination.

Operation optimization strategy of existing residential building energy-saving renovation market:From the perspective of subject behavior

The energy-saving renovation of existing residential buildings is a crucial measure to achieve the strategic goal of energy conservation and emission reduction in China and build ecologically livable cities.This article focuses on the perspective of subject behavior,starting from analyzing the current situation and difficulties of the operation of the energy-saving renovation market for existing residential buildings in China,drawing on the practical experience of the operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market abroad.Based on principles such as systematicity,humanization,feasibility,and sustainability,the article constructs an operation optimization system of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market from the perspective of subject behavior.In order to provide a reference for the healthy and orderly operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market,this paper proposes implementation strategies for optimizing the operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market.Suggestions are proposed from four aspects:optimizing the market environment,innovating the financing model,building the information sharing platform,and utilizing the synergies of the main subjects.

Profile of Radiological Examinations in the Radiology and Medical Imaging Department of the Medical Clinic “KALALE” in Mali

Introduction: Radiology and medical imaging examinations bring together the means of acquiring and restoring images of the human body from different physical phenomena such as the absorption of X-rays, nuclear magnetic resonance, reflection of ultrasound waves or radioactivity, with which we sometimes associate optical imaging techniques such as endoscopy. The objective of our study was to study the profile of radiological examinations in the radiology and medical imaging department of the “KALALE” medical clinic. Methodology: This was a descriptive, prospective study that took place over a period of six (6) months in the radiology and medical imaging department of the “KALALE” medical clinic and the centers of health of communes III and IV of Bamako in Mali. Data collection was carried out on a survey form. The parameters studied were sociodemographic data, clinical data, radiological data. Results: We recorded 6030 radiology examinations of which 19% of the examination frequency cases came from the “KALALE” medical clinic and 81% of the cases were referrals from the reference health centers of communes III and IV. There were 1500 X-rays or 24.9% of cases including 54% cases of bone X-rays;5% of cases of skull and face X-rays;5% of cases of Intravenous Urography (IVU);4% of cases of Hysterosalpingography (HSG);3% of cases of Retrograde Ureterocystography (UCR) and 1% of cases of X-ray of the Abdomen without preparation (ASP). We found 4530 ultrasounds or 75.1% of cases. Conclusion: Medical imaging has become essential in the study of the human body and now constitutes an essential tool for the detection and treatment of most pathologies, from simple fractures to the most serious tumors.

Energy-Saving Construction Technologies for Buildings

The development of the construction industry is shifting towards low-carbon construction,so it is necessary to improve and optimize related construction concepts,methods,and processes.By improving resource and energy control efficiency in building projects,minimizing construction waste,and reducing environmental impact,a foundation for the sustainable development of the industry can be established.This paper mainly analyzes the significance of low-carbon energy-saving construction technology and the control factors of construction,summarizes the status quo of the development of building energy-saving construction,and puts forward strategies for applying building energy-saving construction technology.These strategies serve to achieve low-carbon and energy-saving goals to promote the healthy development of energy-saving construction.

Application of Energy-Saving Materials in Architectural Design

The conventional process of building construction is associated with issues such as the waste of construction materials and environmental pollution.Sustainable development highlights the importance of energy conservation and eco-friendly practices.It is essential to use energy-efficient and green materials in building designs to ensure the healthy growth of construction companies.This article discusses the advantages and principles of incorporating energy-saving materials in architectural design.It examines the strategies and critical control points for using energy-saving materials in architectural design,offering guidance for the sustainable development of the construction industry.

Improved Mechanism for Detecting Examinations Impersonations in Public Higher Learning Institutions: Case of the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy (MNMA)

Currently, most public higher learning institutions in Tanzania rely on traditional in-class examinations, requiring students to register and present identification documents for examinations eligibility verification. This system, however, is prone to impersonations due to security vulnerabilities in current students’ verification system. These vulnerabilities include weak authentication, lack of encryption, and inadequate anti-counterfeiting measures. Additionally, advanced printing technologies and online marketplaces which claim to produce convincing fake identification documents make it easy to create convincing fake identity documents. The Improved Mechanism for Detecting Impersonations (IMDIs) system detects impersonations in in-class exams by integrating QR codes and dynamic question generation based on student profiles. It consists of a mobile verification app, built with Flutter and communicating via RESTful APIs, and a web system, developed with Laravel using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The two components communicate through APIs, with MySQL managing the database. The mobile app and web server interact to ensure efficient verification and security during examinations. The implemented IMDIs system was validated by a mobile application which is integrated with a QR codes scanner for capturing codes embedded in student Identity Cards and linking them to a dynamic question generation model. The QG model uses natural language processing (NLP) algorithm and Question Generation (QG) techniques to create dynamic profile questions. Results show that the IMDIs system could generate four challenging profile-based questions within two seconds, allowing the verification of 200 students in 33 minutes by one operator. The IMDIs system also tracks exam-eligible students, aiding in exam attendance and integrates with a Short Message Service (SMS) to report impersonation incidents to a dedicated security officer in real-time. The IMDIs system was tested and found to be 98% secure, 100% convenient, with a 0% false rejection rate and a 2% false acceptance rate, demonstrating its security, reliability, and high performance.

Exploration of Energy-Saving Technologies in Building Electrical System Design

Green energy conservation is the mainstream trend in the current development of the construction industry.The application of energy-saving technology in building electrical system design can effectively reduce energy consumption,avoid unnecessary energy consumption,and truly achieve energy conservation and environmental protection.Based on this,the article elaborates on the principles of energy-saving design in building electrical systems,and actively explores the application of energy-saving technologies from different perspectives such as optimizing power supply and distribution system design,adopting high-efficiency energy-saving lighting equipment,applying renewable energy,promoting smart home technology,and improving the efficiency of building electrical equipment.

Research on the Evaluation of the Implementation Effect of Curriculum Examination Reform: Taking the Course of “Introduction to Language” as an Example

“Introduction to Language,”as the core course of the English major,mainly reveals the basic laws of language,enabling the students to have the ability to apply linguistic theories to explain language phenomena and solve specific language problems.This course is highly theoretical and has a certain degree of difficulty.The evaluation of student grades has always been based on examination reform,but several problems have been encountered during the implementation process.This article analyzes the current situation of the reform and implementation of the“Introduction to Language”course examination in applied universities and puts forth suggestions and specific measures to improve the assessment of the course,aiming to enhance the teaching effectiveness of the course and scientifically and comprehensively evaluate students’abilities.

Awareness, Practice and Intention to Practice Testicular Self-Examination among Professional Working Males in Ghana

Background: The aetiology of Testicular Cancer (TC) is still unknown to researchers but many of the associated risk factors have been identified. These include family history, age, racial origin, cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, testicular atrophy, and infertility. Given the lack of scientific data on the causes of the disease, it has been asserted in previous studies that the promotion of awareness and early detection are prerequisites to mitigating risks of metastasis as well as improving survival. This study is to assess the awareness, practice, and intention to practice testicular self-examination among professional working males in Accra. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design with a structured research instrument was used to collect data from respondants. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 300 men at Accra in Ghana. The study was conducted at two (2) Universities and a Senior High school at Accra in Ghana. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results: From the study findings, 37% of male participants rated their knowledge of testicular self-examination and related symptoms as good, 28% of participants practised testicular self-examination monthly, while 65% of respondents expressed their intention to practice monthly testicular self-examination. The findings from logistic regression demonstrated that level of education, age, and marital status of participants had a significant influence on testicular self-examination. Additionally, the multiple linear regression results revealed knowledge and self-efficacy significantly predict testicular self-examination intention. The path coefficient results from the structural equation model are consistent with results from the regression models. Conclusion: This research is the first to investigate testicular self-examination among men in Ghana. The findings revealed awareness and practice of TSE are low among participants. Therefore, the research findings would improve the expertise of physicians and nurses in providing counsel, intervention, and support for patients at risk of testicular cancer.

Green,Sustainable Architectural Bamboo with High Light Transmission and Excellent Electromagnetic Shielding as a Candidate for Energy-Saving Buildings

Currently,light-transmitting,energy-saving,and electromagnetic shielding materials are essential for reducing indoor energy consumption and improving the electromagnetic environment.Here,we developed a cellulose composite with excellent optical transmittance that retained the natural shape and fiber structure of bamboo.The modified whole bamboo possessed an impressive optical transmittance of approximately 60%at 6.23 mm,illuminance of 1000 luminance(lux),water absorption stability(mass change rate less than 4%),longitudinal tensile strength(46.40 MPa),and surface properties(80.2 HD).These were attributed to not only the retention of the natural circular hollow structure of the bamboo rod on the macro,but also the complete bamboo fiber skeleton template impregnated with UV resin on the micro.Moreover,a multilayered device consisting of translucent whole bamboo,transparent bamboo sheets,and electromagnetic shielding film exhibited remarkable heat insulation and heat preservation performance as well as an electromagnetic shielding performance of 46.3 dB.The impressive optical transmittance,mechanical properties,thermal performance,and electromagnetic shielding abilities combined with the renewable and sustainable nature,as well as the fast and efficient manufacturing process,make this bamboo composite material suitable for effective application in transparent,energy-saving,and electromagnetic shielding buildings.

Low-content Pt-triggered the optimized d-band center of Rh metallene for energy-saving hydrogen production coupled with hydrazine degradation

Utilizing the hydrazine-assisted water electrolysis for energy-efficient hydrogen production shows a promising application, which relies on the development and design of efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts. Herein, we reported a low-content Pt-doped Rh metallene(Pt-Rhene) for hydrazine-assisted water electrolysis towards energy-saving hydrogen(H_(2)) production, where the ultrathin metallene is constructed to provide enough favorable active sites for catalysis and improve atom utilization.Additionally, the synergistic effect between Rh and Pt can optimize the electronic structure of Rh for improving the intrinsic activity. Therefore, the required overpotential of Pt-Rhene is only 37 mV to reach a current density of-10 mA cm^(-2) in the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER), and the Pt-Rhene exhibits a required overpotential of only 11 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm^(-2) in the hydrazine oxidation reaction(HzOR). With the constructed HER-HzOR two-electrode system, the Pt-Rhene electrodes exhibit an extremely low voltage(0.06/0.19/0.28 V) to achieve current densities of 10/50/100 mA cm^(-2) for energy-saving H_(2) production, which greatly reduces the electrolysis energy consumption. Moreover,DFT calculations further demonstrate that the introduction of Pt modulates the electronic structure of Rh and optimizes the d-band center, thus enhancing the adsorption and desorption of reactant/intermediates in the electrocatalytic reaction.

ISHD:Intelligent Standing Human Detection of Video Surveillance for the Smart Examination Environment

In the environment of smart examination rooms, it is important to quickly and accurately detect abnormal behavior(human standing) for the construction of a smart campus. Based on deep learning, we propose an intelligentstanding human detection (ISHD) method based on an improved single shot multibox detector to detect thetarget of standing human posture in the scene frame of exam room video surveillance at a specific examinationstage. ISHD combines the MobileNet network in a single shot multibox detector network, improves the posturefeature extractor of a standing person, merges prior knowledge, and introduces transfer learning in the trainingstrategy, which greatly reduces the computation amount, improves the detection accuracy, and reduces the trainingdifficulty. The experiment proves that the model proposed in this paper has a better detection ability for the smalland medium-sized standing human body posture in video test scenes on the EMV-2 dataset.

Contribution of Simulation to the Skills Laboratory for the Learning of Obstetrical Examination in an African Setting with Limited Resources

Objective: To evaluate the interest of the simulation in the learning of the obstetric examination of parturient by medical students. Materials and methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study that took place from 1 to 28 February 2020 at the Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The study population was made up of medical students at the Doctorate II level. The previous experience of the students in the obstetric examination of the parturient, the contribution of the simulation on their feelings and on their skills towards this examination were studied. The Mc Nemar Chi2 test was used to compare percentages on paired samples. Results: The level of difficulty in performing the obstetrical examination in the parturient evolved downwards after the practice of the simulation. The stress level to perform the obstetric exam has been significantly reduced. On the other hand, confidence has increased. The students’ ability to appreciate each of the elements of the obstetric examination studied had improved after the practice of simulation. Conclusion: The simulation in the skills laboratory was a great contribution and the acquisition of models of better fidelity would help to improve the contribution to the confidence building and the acquisition of skills by learners.

A Holistic Approach to Enhance FRCS General Surgery Examination Training Using Adult Learning Model: A Non-Profit Initiative

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of adult learning and simulation-based learning (SBL) on surgical trainees’ learning experiences and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) Section 2 General Surgery examination pass rate. Methods: This was a cross-sequential study involving 148 surgical candidates (72 UK trainees, 75 non-UK trainees) who had attended our revision course (Phoenix FRCS Course) from June 2017 until 2023. Each course comprised a two-day weekend preparation with dedicated sections for clinical, viva, and academic reading, incorporating SBL as its key learning style. We maintained a prospective database of candidate and course details, examination results, and feedback since the course inception. Results: We found that 97% of candidates passed the FRCS examination after their first attempt. The course was attended once by 89% of candidates, and only 3 of the 148 candidates exhausted all four attempts at the examination. Candidate feedback for the course and its style of learning was positive, with simulation-based table viva sessions and virtual clinical sessions proving the most popular learning sessions (95% and 80% of candidates attending courses run in December 2017, April 2018, and May 2021 rated them “Excellent” respectively). Conclusions: The course is centered around shared adult learning and mindfulness tools to encourage candidates to learn from each other and develop confidence and mastery in all domains of surgical practice. These methods have been shown to be effective in achieving high success rates in the Intercollegiate and International FRCS examinations for UK and overseas surgeons.

Design of Diversified Intelligent Control System for Energy-saving Optimization of Solar Greenhouse in North China

Intelligent greenhouse can promote the development of modern agriculture, realize the high quality and high yield of crops, and also bring greater economic benefits. In accordance with the climate conditions in northwest China, a set of intelligent control system for diversified environment of solar greenhouse was designed. The system divides the annual greenhouse control into six stages according to the optimal energy saving. It uses modern detection technology to collect the greenhouse environmental temperature, environmental humidity, soil humidity, CO_(2) concentration and illumination parameters under different working modes. It uses programmable logic control technology to realize the data processing of various parameters and the action control of rolling film, wet curtain fan and other actuators. It uses KingView monitoring software to realize the monitoring and manual control of greenhouse environment parameters. The operation results indicate that the control system runs stably and basically meets the control requirements.

The Infection Control Measures Taken in MRI Examination During the COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Period

Objective:To optimize the magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)detection process in view of the COVID-19 pandemic,standardize and strengthen the infection control and management MRI rooms.Methods:According to the Technical Guide for COVID-19 Prevention and Control in Medical Institutions(3rd Edition),with reference to the current COVID-19 infection control plan,there are three aspects involved in the planning of MRI examination:MRI room management,medical staff management and protection,and patient management,especially the use of full plastic nose strip medical masks.Infection prevention measures are formulated,scientific prevention and control are made,and accurate policies are implemented.Results:MRI examination was carried out according to the infection control and management of MRI room plan during the epidemic,so as to ensure the safety of examination,the safety of patients and the safety of medical staff and no cross infection in hospital.Conclusion:The implementation of proper infection prevention measures during MRI examination in light of COVID-19 ensures that patients wear medical surgical masks with full plastic nose strips throughout the process to avoid cross-infection,ensure the safety of doctors and patients,and maintain the health of the population.

Behavior characteristics and market operation problems of existing building energy-saving renovation market

The long-term and effective implementation of the existing building energy efficiency renovation depends on the development of the existing building energy efficiency renovation market.The key to the development of the existing building energy efficiency renovation market is the joint role of the market players.Starting with the analysis of the externalities and information asymmetry of the existing building energy efficiency renovation market,this paper analyzes the behavioral characteristics and influencing factors of the existing building energy efficiency renovation market entities(central government,local government,owners,energy conservation service enterprises,third-party evaluation institutions,and other market entities),and reveals the problems of the existing building energy efficiency renovation market,such as the absence of government,the lack of main power,and the lack of financing channels,Thus,it lays a platform foundation for the research on the behavior strategy and security system of the existing building energy-s aving renovation market.