Contribution to Computer Waste Management:Knowledge of the Regulatory Framework by Industry Stakeholders in Guinea

In African countries,regulations on the management of WTE(Waste from Information Technology Equipment)are non-existent or sometimes insufficient,if they exist.This study shows how to mention waste from information technology equipment in a country that does not have a regulatory legislative framework or organized management channels.A methodological approach based on documentary research and semi-directed interviews was adopted in this work.The results showed that 54.55%of institutional managers are unaware of the existence of regulations for the management of WTE,both at the national and international levels;72.72%of these managers do not have a specific implementing text for this management;72.73%of institutions have adopted an acquisition policy based on the needs of workers and 81.82%of institutions store WTE in warehouses.Relations with waste collection SMEs(Small and Midsize Enterprises),especially for IT equipment,are limited for 72.73%of institutions.In terms of improving the capacity to manage WEEE(Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment),90.91%of institutions do not offer training or awareness raising.Overall,no significant indicators are in place to assess WEEE management in institutions,which reflects a lack of commitment and awareness among institutional managers.In addition,there are no financial means for ecological and sustainable management.Although 27.27%of managers are aware of the dangers to human health and the environment related to IT equipment,they are often unaware of the harmful consequences of abandoning it in nature.

Heat transfer enhanced inorganic phase change material compositing carbon nanotubes for battery thermal management and thermal runaway propagation mitigation

Developing technologies that can be applied simultaneously in battery thermal management(BTM)and thermal runaway(TR)mitigation is significant to improving the safety of lithium-ion battery systems.Inorganic phase change material(PCM)with nonflammability has the potential to achieve this dual function.This study proposed an encapsulated inorganic phase change material(EPCM)with a heat transfer enhancement for battery systems,where Na_(2)HPO_(4)·12H_(2)O was used as the core PCM encapsulated by silica and the additive of carbon nanotube(CNT)was applied to enhance the thermal conductivity.The microstructure and thermal properties of the EPCM/CNT were analyzed by a series of characterization tests.Two different incorporating methods of CNT were compared and the proper CNT adding amount was also studied.After preparation,the battery thermal management performance and TR propagation mitigation effects of EPCM/CNT were further investigated on the battery modules.The experimental results of thermal management tests showed that EPCM/CNT not only slowed down the temperature rising of the module but also improved the temperature uniformity during normal operation.The peak battery temperature decreased from 76℃to 61.2℃at 2 C discharge rate and the temperature difference was controlled below 3℃.Moreover,the results of TR propagation tests demonstrated that nonflammable EPCM/CNT with good heat absorption could work as a TR barrier,which exhibited effective mitigation on TR and TR propagation.The trigger time of three cells was successfully delayed by 129,474 and 551 s,respectively and the propagation intervals were greatly extended as well.

Personal Thermal Management by Radiative Cooling and Heating

Maintaining thermal comfort within the human body is crucial for optimal health and overall well-being.By merely broadening the setpoint of indoor temperatures,we could significantly slash energy usage in building heating,ventilation,and air-conditioning systems.In recent years,there has been a surge in advancements in personal thermal management(PTM),aiming to regulate heat and moisture transfer within our immediate surroundings,clothing,and skin.The advent of PTM is driven by the rapid development in nano/micro-materials and energy science and engineering.An emerging research area in PTM is personal radiative thermal management(PRTM),which demonstrates immense potential with its high radiative heat transfer efficiency and ease of regulation.However,it is less taken into account in traditional textiles,and there currently lies a gap in our knowledge and understanding of PRTM.In this review,we aim to present a thorough analysis of advanced textile materials and technologies for PRTM.Specifically,we will introduce and discuss the underlying radiation heat transfer mechanisms,fabrication methods of textiles,and various indoor/outdoor applications in light of their different regulation functionalities,including radiative cooling,radiative heating,and dual-mode thermoregulation.Furthermore,we will shine a light on the current hurdles,propose potential strategies,and delve into future technology trends for PRTM with an emphasis on functionalities and applications.

Patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence to glaucoma case management clinic in China

AIM:To assess glaucoma patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence in case management and identify associated predictors to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study,a total of 119 patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Clinical data was obtained from the case management system.Follow-up adherence was defined as completing each follow-up within±30d of the scheduled time set by ophthalmologists during the study period.RESULTS:Average satisfaction scored 78.65±7,with an average of 4.39±0.58 across the seven dimensions.Age negatively correlated with satisfaction(P=0.008),whilst patients with follow-up duration of 2 or more years reported higher satisfaction(P=0.045).Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that longer follow-up durations were associated with lower follow-up adherence(OR=0.97,95%CI,0.95-1.00,P=0.044).Additionally,patients with suspected glaucoma(OR=2.72,95%CI,1.03-7.20,P=0.044)and those with an annual income over 100000 Chinese yuan demonstrated higher adherence(OR=5.57,95%CI,1.00-30.89,P=0.049).CONCLUSION:The case management model proves effective for glaucoma patients,with positive adherence rates.The implementation of this model can be optimized in the future based on the identified factors and extended to glaucoma patients in more hospitals.

Overview of the immunological mechanisms in hepatitis B virus reactivation:Implications for disease progression and management strategies

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)reactivation is a clinically significant challenge in disease management.This review explores the immunological mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation,emphasizing disease progression and management.It delves into host immune responses and reactivation’s delicate balance,spanning innate and adaptive immunity.Viral factors’disruption of this balance,as are interac-tions between viral antigens,immune cells,cytokine networks,and immune checkpoint pathways,are examined.Notably,the roles of T cells,natural killer cells,and antigen-presenting cells are discussed,highlighting their influence on disease progression.HBV reactivation’s impact on disease severity,hepatic flares,liver fibrosis progression,and hepatocellular carcinoma is detailed.Management strategies,including anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches,are critically analyzed.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy during immunosuppressive treatments is explored alongside novel immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and prevent reactivation.In conclusion,this compre-hensive review furnishes a holistic view of the immunological mechanisms that propel HBV reactivation.With a dedicated focus on understanding its implic-ations for disease progression and the prospects of efficient management stra-tegies,this article contributes significantly to the knowledge base.The more profound insights into the intricate interactions between viral elements and the immune system will inform evidence-based approaches,ultimately enhancing disease management and elevating patient outcomes.The dynamic landscape of management strategies is critically scrutinized,spanning anti-viral and immunomodulatory approaches.The role of prophylactic anti-viral therapy in preventing reactivation during immunosuppressive treatments and the potential of innovative immunotherapeutic interventions to restore immune control and proactively deter reactivation.

Systematic review of risk factors,prognosis,and management of colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma(CSRCC)is a rare clinical entity which accounts for approximately 1%of all colorectal cancers.Although multiple studies concerning this specific topic have been published in the past decades,the pathogenesis,associated risk factors,and potential implications on treatment are still poorly understood.Besides the low incidence,historically confusing histological criteria have resulted in confusing data.Nevertheless,the rising incidence of CSRCC along with relatively young age at presentation and associated dismal prognosis,highlight the actual interest to synthesize the known literature regarding CSRCC.AIM To provide an updated overview of risk factors,prognosis,and management of CSRCC.METHODS A literature search in the MEDLINE/PubMed database was conducted with the following search terms used:‘Signet ring cell carcinoma’and‘colorectal’.Studies in English language,published after January 1980,were included.Studies included in the qualitative synthesis were evaluated for content concerning epidemiology,risk factors,and clinical,diagnostic,histological,and molecular features,as well as metastatic pattern and therapeutic management.If possible,presented data was extracted in order to present a more detailed overview of the literature.RESULTS In total,67 articles were included for qualitative analysis,of which 54 were eligible for detailed data extraction.CSRCC has a reported incidence between 0.1%-2.4%and frequently presents with advanced disease stage at the time of diagnosis.CSRCC is associated with an impaired overall survival(5-year OS:0%-46%)and a worse stagecorrected outcome compared to mucinous and not otherwise specified adenocarcinoma.The systematic use of exploratory laparoscopy to determine the presence of peritoneal metastases has been advised.Surgery is the mainstay of treatment,although the rates of curative resection in CSRCC(21%-82%)are lower compared to those in other histological types.In case of peritoneal metastasis,cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy should only be proposed in selected patients.CONCLUSION CSRCC is a rare clinical entity most often characterized by young age and advanced disease at presentation.As such,diagnostic modalities and therapeutic approach should be tailored accordingly.

Benefits Realization Management of Computer Vision in Construction:A Missed,Yet Not Lost,Opportunity

1.Introduction While the applications of computer visions are varied in construction,research has tended to focus on measuring the accuracy of object detectors such as faster region-based-convolution neural networks(Faster R-CNN)and single shot detector algorithms(SDD)[1].Limited,if any,attention has focused on determining the benefits of such technology in construction beyond the claims that it can help detect problems quickly and accurately.Reinforcing this point are the numerous review papers that have frequented the literature[2,3].

Whole-process case management effects on mental state and selfcare ability in patients with liver cancer

BACKGROUND Regarding the incidence of malignant tumors in China,the incidence of liver cancer ranks fourth,second only to lung,gastric,and esophageal cancers.The case fatality rate ranks third after lung and cervical cancer.In a previous study,the whole-process management model was applied to patients with breast cancer,which effectively reduced their negative emotions and improved treatment adherence and nursing satisfaction.METHODS In this single-center,randomized,controlled study,60 randomly selected patients with liver cancer who had been admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were randomly divided into an observation group(n=30),who received whole-process case management on the basis of routine nursing mea-sures,and a control group(n=30),who were given routine nursing measures.We compared differences between the two groups in terms of anxiety,depression,the level of hope,self-care ability,symptom distress,sleep quality,and quality of life.RESULTS Post-intervention,Hamilton anxiety scale,Hamilton depression scale,memory symptom assessment scale,and Pittsburgh sleep quality index scores in both groups were lower than those pre-intervention,and the observation group had lower scores than the control group(P<0.05).Herth hope index,self-care ability assessment scale-revision in Chinese,and quality of life measurement scale for patients with liver cancer scores in both groups were higher than those pre-intervention,with higher scores in the observation group compared with the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Whole-process case management can effectively reduce anxiety and depression in patients with liver cancer,alleviate symptoms and problems,and improve the level of hope,self-care ability,sleep quality,and quality of life,as well as provide feasible nursing alternatives for patients with liver cancer.

Application of Specialized Group Management in the Quality Control of Perioperative Nursing

Objective:To explore the role of specialized group management in the quality control of perioperative nursing.Methods:45 surgical nurses from our hospital were selected as the research subjects.Traditional operating room management was adopted from July 2019 to June 2020,and specialized group management was adopted from July 2020 to June 2021.The surgeon’s satisfaction,surgical nurses’core professional competence,and surgical patients’satisfaction were obtained through surveys and the results were analyzed.Results:Surgeon satisfaction before the implementation of specialized group management was significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Besides,surgical nurses’core professional competency scores before the implementation of specialized group management were significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Lastly,surgical patients’satisfaction before the implementation of specialized group management was significantly lower than after its implementation(P<0.05).Conclusion:Specialized group management helps to improve the quality of perioperative care and should be applied in clinical practice.

Role of outdoor trees on pedestrian wind and thermal conditions around a pre-education building for sustainable energy management

Finding sustainable energy resources is essential to face the increasing energy demand.Trees are an important part of ancient architecture but are becoming rare in urban areas.Trees can control and tune the pedestrian-level wind velocity and thermal condition.In this study,a numerical investigation is employed to assess the role of trees planted in the windward direction of the building complex on the thermal and pedestrian wind velocity conditions around/inside a pre-education building located in the center of the complex.Compared to the previous studies(which considered only outside buildings),this work considers the effects of trees on microclimate change both inside/outside buildings.Effects of different parameters including the leaf area density and number of trees,number of rows,far-field velocity magnitude,and thermal condition around the main building are assessed.The results show that the flow velocity in the spacing between the first-row buildings is reduced by 30%-40% when the one-row trees with 2 m height are planted 15 m farther than the buildings.Furthermore,two rows of trees are more effective in higher velocities and reduce the maximum velocity by about 50%.The investigation shows that trees also could reduce the temperature by about 1℃around the building.

Ultra Reliable Load-Aware Connection Management(LACM)Algorithm in WIA-FA Systems

The increasing demand for industrial automation and intelligence has put forward higher requirements for the reliability of industrial wireless communication technology.As an international standard based on 802.11,Wireless networks for Industrial Automation-Factory Automation(WIA-FA)greatly improves the reliability in factory automation scenarios by Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA).However,in ultra-dense WIA-FA networks with mobile users,the basic connection management mechanism is inefficient.Most of the handover and resource management algorithms are all based on frequency division multiplexing,not suitable for the TDMA in the WIA-FA network.Therefore,we propose Load-aware Connection Management(LACM)algorithm to adjust the linkage and balance the load of access devices to avoid blocking and improve the reliability of the system.And then we simulate the algorithm to find the optimal settings of the parameters.After comparing with other existing algorithms,the result of the simulation proves that LACM is more efficient in reliability and maintains high reliability of more than 99.8%even in the ultra-dense moving scenario with 1500 field devices.Besides,this algorithm ensures that only a few signaling exchanges are required to ensure load bal-ancing,which is no more than 5 times,and less than half of the best state-of-the-art algorithm.

On Designs of Decentralized Reputation Management for Permissioned Blockchain Networks

In permissioned blockchain networks,the Proof of Authority(PoA)consensus,which uses the election of authorized nodes to validate transactions and blocks,has beenwidely advocated thanks to its high transaction throughput and fault tolerance.However,PoA suffers from the drawback of centralization dominated by a limited number of authorized nodes and the lack of anonymity due to the round-robin block proposal mechanism.As a result,traditional PoA is vulnerable to a single point of failure that compromises the security of the blockchain network.To address these issues,we propose a novel decentralized reputation management mechanism for permissioned blockchain networks to enhance security,promote liveness,and mitigate centralization while retaining the same throughput as traditional PoA.This paper aims to design an off-chain reputation evaluation and an on-chain reputation-aided consensus.First,we evaluate the nodes’reputation in the context of the blockchain networks and make the reputation globally verifiable through smart contracts.Second,building upon traditional PoA,we propose a reputation-aided PoA(rPoA)consensus to enhance securitywithout sacrificing throughput.In particular,rPoA can incentivize nodes to autonomously form committees based on reputation authority,which prevents block generation from being tracked through the randomness of reputation variation.Moreover,we develop a reputation-aided fork-choice rule for rPoA to promote the network’s liveness.Finally,experimental results show that the proposed rPoA achieves higher security performance while retaining transaction throughput compared to traditional PoA.

Insights into the interplay between gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in the obesity management of canines and felines

Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease that has significant negative impacts on humans and our companion animals,including dogs and cats.Obesity occurs with multiple comorbidities,such as diabetes,hypertension,heart disease and osteoarthritis in dogs and cats.A direct link between lipid metabolism dysregulation and obesity-associated diseases has been implicated.However,the understanding of such pathophysiology in companion animals is lim-ited.This review aims to address the role of lipid metabolism in various metabolic disorders associated with obesity,emphasizing the involvement of the gut microbiota.Furthermore,we also discuss the management of obesity,including approaches like nutritional interventions,thus providing novel insights into obesity prevention and treatment for canines and felines.

The Chinese guideline for management of snakebites

In 2009,the World Health Organization included snakebite on the list of neglected tropical diseases,acknowledging it as a common occupational hazard for farmers,plantation workers,and others,causing tens of thousands of deaths and chronic physical disabilities every year.This guideline aims to provide practical information to help clinical professionals evaluate and treat snakebite victims.These recommendations are based on clinical experience and clinical research evidence.This guideline focuses on the following topics:snake venom,clinical manifestations,auxiliary examination,diagnosis,treatments,and prevention.

For Mega-Constellations: Edge Computing and Safety Management Based on Blockchain Technology

In mega-constellation Communication Systems, efficient routing algorithms and data transmission technologies are employed to ensure fast and reliable data transfer. However, the limited computational resources of satellites necessitate the use of edge computing to enhance secure communication.While edge computing reduces the burden on cloud computing, it introduces security and reliability challenges in open satellite communication channels. To address these challenges, we propose a blockchain architecture specifically designed for edge computing in mega-constellation communication systems. This architecture narrows down the consensus scope of the blockchain to meet the requirements of edge computing while ensuring comprehensive log storage across the network. Additionally, we introduce a reputation management mechanism for nodes within the blockchain, evaluating their trustworthiness, workload, and efficiency. Nodes with higher reputation scores are selected to participate in tasks and are appropriately incentivized. Simulation results demonstrate that our approach achieves a task result reliability of 95% while improving computational speed.

Self‑Healing Dynamic Hydrogel Microparticles with Structural Color for Wound Management

Chronic diabetic wounds confront a significant medical challenge because of increasing prevalence and difficult-healing circumstances.It is vital to develop multifunctional hydrogel dressings,with well-designed morphology and structure to enhance flexibility and effectiveness in wound management.To achieve these,we propose a self-healing hydrogel dressing based on structural color microspheres for wound management.The microsphere comprised a photothermal-responsive inverse opal framework,which was constructed by hyaluronic acid methacryloyl,silk fibroin methacryloyl and black phosphorus quantum dots(BPQDs),and was further re-filled with a dynamic hydrogel.The dynamic hydrogel filler was formed by Knoevenagel condensation reaction between cyanoacetate and benzaldehyde-functionalized dextran(DEX-CA and DEX-BA).Notably,the composite microspheres can be applied arbitrarily,and they can adhere together upon near-infrared irradiation by leveraging the BPQDs-mediated photothermal effect and the thermoreversible stiffness change of dynamic hydrogel.Additionally,eumenitin and vascular endothelial growth factor were co-loaded in the microspheres and their release behavior can be regulated by the same mechanism.Moreover,effective monitoring of the drug release process can be achieved through visual color variations.The microsphere system has demonstrated desired capabilities of controllable drug release and efficient wound management.These characteristics suggest broad prospects for the proposed composite microspheres in clinical applications.

A theoretical framework for improved fire suppression by linking management models with smart early fire detection and suppression technologies

Bushfires are devastating to forest managers,owners,residents,and the natural environment.Recent tech-nological advances indicate a potential for faster response times in terms of detecting and suppressing fires.However,to date,all these technologies have been applied in isola-tion.This paper introduces the latest fire detection and sup-pression technologies from ground to space.An operations research method was used to assemble these technologies into a theoretical framework for fire detection and suppres-sion.The framework harnesses the advantages of satellite-based,drone,sensor,and human reporting technologies as well as image processing and artificial intelligence machine learning.The study concludes that,if a system is designed to maximise the use of available technologies and carefully adopts them through complementary arrangements,a fire detection and resource suppression system can achieve the ultimate aim:to reduce the risk of fire hazards and the dam-age they may cause.

Digital Twins for Engineering Asset Management:Synthesis,Analytical Framework,and Future Directions

Effective engineering asset management(EAM)is critical to economic development and improving livability in society,but its complexity often impedes optimal asset functionalities.Digital twins(DTs)could revolutionize the EAM paradigm by bidirectionally linking the physical and digital worlds in real time.There is great industrial and academic interest in DTs for EAM.However,previous review studies have predominately focused on technical aspects using limited life-cycle perspectives,failing to holistically synthesize DTs for EAM from the managerial point of view.Based on a systematic literature review,we introduce an analytical framework for describing DTs for EAM,which encompasses three levels:DT 1.0 for technical EAM,DT 2.0 for technical-human EAM,and DT 3.0 for technical-environmental EAM.Using this framework,we identify what is known,what is unknown,and future directions at each level.DT 1.0 addresses issues of asset quality,progress,and cost management,generating technical value.It lacks multi-objective self-adaptive EAM,however,and suffers from high application cost.It is imperative to enable closed-loop EAM in order to provide various functional services with affordable DT 1.0.DT 2.0 accommodates issues of human-machine symbiosis,safety,and flexibility management,generating managerial value beyond the technical performance improvement of engineering assets.However,DT 2.0 currently lacks the automation and security of human-machine interactions and the managerial value related to humans is not prominent enough.Future research needs to align technical and managerial value with highly automated and secure DT 2.0.DT 3.0 covers issues of participatory governance,organization management,sustainable development,and resilience enhancement,generating macro social value.Yet it suffers from organizational fragmentation and can only address limited social governance issues.Numerous research opportunities exist to coordinate different stakeholders.Similarly,future research opportunities exist to develop DT 3.0 in a more open and complex system.

Adaptive battery thermal management systems in unsteady thermal application contexts

With the increasing attention paid to battery technology,the microscopic reaction mechanism and macroscopic heat transfer process of lithium-ion batteries have been further studied and understood from both academic and industrial perspectives.Temperature,as one of the key parameters in the physical fra mework of batteries,affects the performa nce of the multi-physical fields within the battery,a nd its effective control is crucial.Since the heat generation in the battery is determined by the real-time operating conditions,the battery temperature is essentially controlled by the real-time heat dissipation conditions provided by the battery thermal management system.Conventional battery thermal management systems have basic temperature control capabilities for most conventional application scenarios.However,with the current development of la rge-scale,integrated,and intelligent battery technology,the adva ncement of battery thermal management technology will pay more attention to the effective control of battery temperature under sophisticated situations,such as high power and widely varied operating conditions.In this context,this paper presents the latest advances and representative research related to battery thermal management system.Firstly,starting from battery thermal profile,the mechanism of battery heat generation is discussed in detail.Secondly,the static characteristics of the traditional battery thermal management system are summarized.Then,considering the dynamic requirements of battery heat dissipation under complex operating conditions,the concept of adaptive battery thermal management system is proposed based on specific research cases.Finally,the main challenges for battery thermal management system in practice are identified,and potential future developments to overcome these challenges are presented and discussed.

Functional thermal fluids and their applications in battery thermal management:A comprehensive review

With the increasing requirements for fast charging and discharging,higher requirements have been put forward for the thermal management of power batteries.Therefore,there is an urgent need to develop efficient heat transfer fluids.As a new type of heat transfer fluids,functional thermal fluids mainly includ-ing nanofluids(NFs)and phase change fluids(PCFs),have the advantages of high heat carrying density,high heat transfer rate,and broad operational temperature range.However,challenges that hinder their practical applications remain.In this paper,we firstly overview the classification,thermophysical prop-erties,drawbacks,and corresponding modifications of functional thermal fluids.For NFs,the high ther-mal conductivity and high convective heat transfer performance were mainly elaborated,while the stability and viscosity issues were also analyzed.And then for PCFs,the high heat carrying density was mainly elaborated,while the problems of supercooling,stability,and viscosity were also analyzed.On this basis,the composite fluids combined NFs and PCFs technology,has been summarized.Furthermore,the thermal properties of traditional fluids,NFs,PCFs,and composite fluids are compared,which proves that functional thermal fluids are a good choice to replace traditional fluids as coolants.Then,battery thermal management system(BTMS)based on functional thermal fluids is summarized in detail,and the thermal management effects and pump consumption are compared with that of water-based BTMS.Finally,the current technical challenges that parameters optimization of functional thermal fluids and structures optimization of BTMS systematically are presented.In the future,it is necessary to pay more attention to using machine learning to predict thermophysical properties of functional thermal fluids and their applications for BTMS under actual vehicle conditions.