Ultrasonic scalpel design for minimally invasive surgical procedures is mainly focused on optimizing cutting performance.However,an important issue is the low fatigue life of traditional ultrasonic scalpels,which affe...Ultrasonic scalpel design for minimally invasive surgical procedures is mainly focused on optimizing cutting performance.However,an important issue is the low fatigue life of traditional ultrasonic scalpels,which affects their long-term reliability and effectiveness and creates hidden dangers for surgery.In this study,a multi-objective optimal design for the cutting performance and fatigue life of ultrasonic scalpels was proposed using finite element analysis and fatigue simulation.The optimal design parameters of resonance frequency and amplitude were determined.By setting the transition fillet and keeping the gain structure away from the node position to enable the scalpel to have a high service life with excellent cutting performance.The frequency modulation method of setting the vibration node bosses at the node position and setting the vibration antinode grooves at the antinode position was compared.Then,the mechanism of the influence of various design elements,such as tip,shank,node position,and antinode position,on the resonance frequency,amplitude,and fatigue life of the ultrasonic scalpel was analyzed,and the optimal design principles of the ultrasonic scalpel were obtained.The proposed ultrasonic scalpel design was confirmed by simulations,impedance measurements,and liver tissue cutting experiments,demonstrating its feasibility and enhanced performance.This research introduces innovative design strategies to improve the fatigue life and performance of ultrasonic scalpels to address an important issue in minimally invasive surgery.展开更多
Crystalline@amorphous NiCo_(2)S_(4)@MoS_(2)(v-NCS@MS)nanostructures were designed and constructed via an ethylene glycol-induced strategy with hydrothermal synthesis and solvothermal method,which simultaneously realiz...Crystalline@amorphous NiCo_(2)S_(4)@MoS_(2)(v-NCS@MS)nanostructures were designed and constructed via an ethylene glycol-induced strategy with hydrothermal synthesis and solvothermal method,which simultaneously realized the defect regulation of crystal NiCo_(2)S_(4) in the core.Taking advantage of the flexible protection of an amor-phous shell and the high capacity of a conductive core with defects,the v-NCS@MS electrode exhibited high specif-ic capacity(1034 mAh·g^(-1) at 1 A·g^(-1))and outstanding rate capability.Moreover,a hybrid supercapacitor was assembled with v-NCS@MS as cathode and activated carbon(AC)as anode,which can achieve remarkably high specific energy of 111 Wh·kg^(-1) at a specific power of 219 W·kg^(-1) and outstanding capacity retention of 80.5%after 15000 cycling at different current densities.展开更多
Microphallus/Micropenis is a rare condition with significant physical and psychological implications for affected individuals.This article comprehensively reviews micropenis,its etiology,epidemiology,and various treat...Microphallus/Micropenis is a rare condition with significant physical and psychological implications for affected individuals.This article comprehensively reviews micropenis,its etiology,epidemiology,and various treatment options.We conducted a thorough literature review to collect relevant information on micropenis and microphallus,as well as related disorders.Our primary databases were PubMed,Medline,and Google Scholar.We searched for articles published in English between 2000 and 2023.Our analysis included 67 review articles,56 research studies,11 case reports,one guideline,and one editorial.Our search terms included"microphallus","micropenis","congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism","androgen insensitivity syndrome","pediatric management of micropenis","testosterone therapy",and"psychosocial implications of micropenis".We focused on diagnosing micropenis and related conditions,including hormonal assessments,medical and surgical treatment options,psychosocial and psychological well-being,sexual development of adolescents,and sociocultural influences on men's perceptions of penile size.Additionally,we explored parenting and family dynamics in cases of micropenis and disorders of sex development,implications of hormonal treatment in neonates,and studies related to penile augmentation procedures and their effectiveness.The article highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in addressing the physical and psychological well-being of individuals with micropenis.Surgical procedures,such as penile lengthening and girth enhancement,and non-surgical approaches like hormonal therapy are explored.The significance of psychological support,education,and lifestyle modifications is emphasized.Early management and comprehensive care are crucial for individuals with micropenis,from infancy to adolescence and beyond.A multidisciplinary approach involving urologists,endocrinologists,and mental health professionals is recommended.Regular assessment of treatment effectiveness and the need for updated guidelines are essential to provide the best possible care.Healthcare professionals should prioritize early diagnosis,and neonatologists should measure stretched penile length in neonates.A collaborative effort is needed among professionals,parents,and affected individuals to create a supportive environment that recognizes worth beyond physical differences.Continuous research and evidencebased updates are crucial for improving care standards.展开更多
“The Law of Life”is one of Jack London’s representative works,depicting the story of an elderly Native American abandoned by his family,alone and waiting for life to fade away.This paper,based on narrative theory,a...“The Law of Life”is one of Jack London’s representative works,depicting the story of an elderly Native American abandoned by his family,alone and waiting for life to fade away.This paper,based on narrative theory,aims to explore how the author employs narrative techniques to present the image of the old man in the short story.The narrative techniques of dual focalization and dual narrative timelines in the text demonstrate the abandonment of the old man’s homeland and his inescapable death under a naturalistic view of life and reflect a desolate life picture of resignation towards death under naturalistic determinism,depicting a grim elderly world under the naturalistic concept of“survival of the fittest.”Studying this short story helps us reflect on the living conditions of the elderly and provides insights into how to better care for the elderly population amid the global trend of aging.展开更多
In 1993,the World Bank released a global report on the efficacy of health promotion,introducing the disability-adjusted life years(DALY)as a novel indicator.The DALY,a composite metric incorporating temporal and quali...In 1993,the World Bank released a global report on the efficacy of health promotion,introducing the disability-adjusted life years(DALY)as a novel indicator.The DALY,a composite metric incorporating temporal and qualitative data,is grounded in preferences regarding disability status.This review delineates the algorithm used to calculate the value of the proposed DALY synthetic indicator and elucidates key methodological challenges associated with its application.In contrast to the quality-adjusted life years approach,derived from multi-attribute utility theory,the DALY stands as an independent synthetic indicator that adopts the assumptions of the Time Trade Off utility technique to define Disability Weights.Claiming to rely on no mathematical or economic theory,DALY users appear to have exempted themselves from verifying whether this indicator meets the classical properties required of all indicators,notably content validity,reliability,specificity,and sensitivity.The DALY concept emerged primarily to facilitate comparisons of the health impacts of various diseases globally within the framework of the Global Burden of Disease initiative,leading to numerous publications in international literature.Despite widespread adoption,the DALY synthetic indicator has prompted significant methodological concerns since its inception,manifesting in inconsistent and non-reproducible results.Given the substantial diffusion of the DALY indicator and its critical role in health impact assessments,a reassessment is warranted.This reconsideration is imperative for enhancing the robustness and reliability of public health decisionmaking processes.展开更多
Pavement performance and economic efficiency are researched on the perpetual test pavement of Yijiang-Suzhou Express Highway in Jiangsu province, China. Test sections were continuously monitored. The conditions and de...Pavement performance and economic efficiency are researched on the perpetual test pavement of Yijiang-Suzhou Express Highway in Jiangsu province, China. Test sections were continuously monitored. The conditions and developing laws of deflection, rutting and cracking are compared among the perpetual pavement with the rich binder layer (RBL), the perpetual pavement without the RBL, and the conventional semi-rigid asphalt pavement in the past eight years after opening for traffic. Economical evaluation is conducted via life cycle cost analysis (LCCA). Based on the performance comparison and LCCA analysis, sections with the RBL have good crack resistance, but they are not very satisfactory in the aspect of permanent deformation; the conventional semi-rigid asphalt pavement is the least economic one due to requiring more frequent maintenance. Research results show that the perpetual pavement without RBL is a more appropriate structure for the test site.展开更多
Shrinkage porosity exists more or less in heavy castings, and it plays an important role in the fatigue behavior of cast materials. In this study, fatigue tests were carried out on the QT400-18 cast iron specimens con...Shrinkage porosity exists more or less in heavy castings, and it plays an important role in the fatigue behavior of cast materials. In this study, fatigue tests were carried out on the QT400-18 cast iron specimens containing random degrees of shrinkage porosity defect. Experimental results showed that the order of magnitude of life scattered from 103 to 106 cycles when the shrinkage percentage ranged from 0.67% to 5.91%. SEM analyses were carried out on the shrinkage porosity region. The inter-granular discontinuous, micro cracks and inclusions interfered with the fatigue sliding or hindering process. The slip in shrinkage porosity region was not as orderly as the ordinary continuous medium. The shrinkage porosity area on fracture surface(SPAFS) and alternating stress intensity factor(ASIF) were applied to evaluate the tendency of residual life distribution; their relationship was fitted by negative exponent functions. Based on the intermediate variable of ASIF, a fatigue life prediction model of nodular cast iron containing shrinkage porosity defects was established. The modeling prediction was in agreement with the experimental results.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compres...BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compression or ventilation throughout a response of average emergency medical services because of increased rescuer fatigue. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) in training of military medical university students during a prolonged basic life support(BLS).METHODS: A 3-hour BLS training was given to 120 military medical university students. Six months after the training, 115 students performed single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8 minutes. The qualities of chest compressions as well as ventilations were assessed.RESULTS: The average compression depth and rate were 53.7±5.3 mm and 135.1±15.7 compressions per minute respectively. The proportion of chest compressions with appropriate depth was 71.7%±28.4%. The average ventilation volume was 847.2±260.4 m L and the proportion of students with adequate ventilation was 63.5%. Compared with male students, significantly lower compression depth(46.7±4.8 vs. 54.6±4.8 mm, P<0.001) and adequate compression rate(35.5%±26.5% vs. 76.1%±25.1%, P<0.001) were observed in female students.CONCLUSIONS: CPR was found to be related to gender, body weight, and body mass index of students in this study. The quality of chest compressions was well maintained in male students during 8 minutes of conventional CPR but declined rapidly in female students after 2 minutes according to the latest national guidelines. Physical fitness and rescuer fatigue did not affect the quality of ventilation.展开更多
Achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our society today. The de-mand for more safe environmentally benign products is rising and many companies are lookin...Achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our society today. The de-mand for more safe environmentally benign products is rising and many companies are looking for new ways to progressively improve the sus-tainability of their products. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities and countless innovations, technological as well as non-technologi-cal,that need to be exploited to improve the sustainability of products. Manufacturing industry is an important sector of any economy and hasthe potential to become a driving force for enabling sustainable patterns of production and consumption through introducing efficient productionpractices and developing products and services that help reduce environmental impacts. The benefits of adopting an integrated policy towardsproduct development based on life cycle thinking and eco-design to stimulate improvement of the environmental performance of each part ofproduct life cycle phases and achieve sustainable patterns of production and consumption are emphasized. The challenges in implementingsustainable manufacturing and the circular economy approaches are listed. A number of solutions are suggested to face up these challenges,for instance, increased awareness of enterprises particularly SME's of product life cycle issues and the opportunities that are available for costsavings and profit making from eco-innovation in product development for both the domestic and export markets and providing practical helpand advice directly to enterprises on integrated product development to promote enterprise led Eco-innovation. Aiming at contributing to sus-tainable manufacturing in China, Sino-UK Low Carbon Manufacturing Consortium, a multi-disciplinary research and educational partnershipbetween academia, industry and government agencies in the UK and China with interest in sustainable manufacturing issues, has been formedrecently.The vision, aims and benefits of membership of the consortium are also discussed.展开更多
HIV/AIDS is increasing in prevalence in China and spread of infection from highly risk populations to the general populations was recognized. Despite the fact, there are still only few scientific reviews on quality of...HIV/AIDS is increasing in prevalence in China and spread of infection from highly risk populations to the general populations was recognized. Despite the fact, there are still only few scientific reviews on quality of life (QOL) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). However, many PLWHAs are struggling with social and psychological influences such as substances abuse, cultural beliefs, depression, stigma, poverty, which can affect their QOL. Public unawareness about infection and disease, willingness to seek medical care and motivation to follow therapy are indirectly influencing health outcome. In 2003 Chinese government has established the so-called the "Four Frees and One Care" policy. The policy was officially implemented from 2004 in some areas, yet to date it is not implemented nationwide. This paper discussed the epidemiology of HIV, underlying psychosocial factors affecting PLWHAs and their impact on QOL. We put forward some recommendations for stakeholders, advocacy groups, non-government organizations and Chinese government.展开更多
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and su...Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and subsequently shorten the on-tree storability. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid on quality and shelf life of the mandarin fruit. GA<sub>3</sub> at 10, 20, and 30 ppm as against of control were evaluated. Observations on fruit weight (g), fruit firmness (kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), rind colour (1 - 5 index), juice recovery (%), TSS/acid ratio, PLW (%), decay loss (%), and ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml) were recorded at three harvesting dates i.e. 20 Nov, 5 Dec, and 20 Dec and storage condition. It has been revealed that the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 20 ppm retained higher fruit weight (128.6 g), more firmness (3.54 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), better juice recovery (57.75%), and greater TSS/acid ratio (21.24) at the end of study (20 December). The PLW was found less with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm in both ambient (5.17%) and cellar (6.69%) condition as against untreated fruits (9.52% and 11.76%). Similarly, the decay loss was minimum in the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm both with ambient (1.02%) and cellar condition (8.21%) as against control with ambient (5.54%) and cellar (21.58%).展开更多
Hydrous ruthenium oxide(h-Ru O) nanoparticles and its composite with multiwalled carbon nanotubes(h-Ru O/MWCNT) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and proved to have potential application as hybrid super...Hydrous ruthenium oxide(h-Ru O) nanoparticles and its composite with multiwalled carbon nanotubes(h-Ru O/MWCNT) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and proved to have potential application as hybrid supercapacitor material.The h-Ru Oand h-Ru O/MWCNT were characterized for their physico-chemical properties by PXRD,BET surface area,Raman,SEM-EDS and TEM techniques.The electrochemical performance of the materials were investigated,specific capacitance(Cs) of h-Ru Oand hRu O/MWCNT estimated by their cyclic voltammetric studies were found to be 604 and 1585 F/g respectively at a scan rate of 2 m V/s in the potential range 0–1.2 V.Further,this value was found to be nearly three times higher than that of pure h-Ru O.An asymmetric supercapacitor(AS) device was fabricated by employing h-Ru O/MWCNT as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode.The device exhibited Cs of 61.8 F/g at a scan rate of 2 m V/s.Further,the device showed excellent long term stability for 20,000 cycles with 88% capacitance retention at a high current density of 25 A/g.展开更多
Technologies that accelerate the delivery of reliable battery-based energy storage will not only contribute to decarbonization such as transportation electrification,smart grid,but also strengthen the battery supply c...Technologies that accelerate the delivery of reliable battery-based energy storage will not only contribute to decarbonization such as transportation electrification,smart grid,but also strengthen the battery supply chain.As battery inevitably ages with time,losing its capacity to store charge and deliver it efficiently.This directly affects battery safety and efficiency,making related health management necessary.Recent advancements in automation science and engineering raised interest in AI-based solutions to prolong battery lifetime from both manufacturing and management perspectives.This paper aims at presenting a critical review of the state-of-the-art AI-based manufacturing and management strategies towards long lifetime battery.First,AI-based battery manufacturing and smart battery to benefit battery health are showcased.Then the most adopted AI solutions for battery life diagnostic including state-of-health estimation and ageing prediction are reviewed with a discussion of their advantages and drawbacks.Efforts through designing suitable AI solutions to enhance battery longevity are also presented.Finally,the main challenges involved and potential strategies in this field are suggested.This work will inform insights into the feasible,advanced AI for the health-conscious manufacturing,control and optimization of battery on different technology readiness levels.展开更多
Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has witnessed a rise in its prevalence worldwide and in the Middle East region. The overall burden associated with the disease is well characterized, but little is known a...Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has witnessed a rise in its prevalence worldwide and in the Middle East region. The overall burden associated with the disease is well characterized, but little is known about patient satisfaction in the region. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction of patients T2DM. Methods: The SIMPLIFY study was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter, regional study that used patient-reported outcomes of T2DM patients in Jordan and Lebanon. Results: Patients were more satisfied when they were treated exclusively with oral medications, mainly metformin alone or combined with either sulfonylurea or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Targets for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were better reached in patients treated with oral medications. Occurrence of comorbidities did not seem to be affected by oral or injectable medications or to affect patients’ satisfaction. Data highlighted a suboptimal screening for albuminuria and showed that most patients were overweight or obese and around 30% suffered from hypoglycemia episodes. Conclusion: Data shed the light on the management of T2DM in Jordan and Lebanon and suggested the need for a more comprehensive approach to T2DM management and selection of medications that would support weight control and a lower hypoglycemia incidence.展开更多
Objectives Quality of life(QoL) is a priority outcome in older adults suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Frailty and poor nutritional status may affect the QoL through mobility disorders and exhaustion. The objec...Objectives Quality of life(QoL) is a priority outcome in older adults suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Frailty and poor nutritional status may affect the QoL through mobility disorders and exhaustion. The objective of this study was to determine if physical frailty and nutritional status were associated with QoL, in older cardiology patients. Methods Cross sectional, observational study conducted in a cardiology department from a university hospital. Participants(n = 100) were aged 70 and older. Collected data included age, sex, cardiac diseases, New York Heart Association(NYHA) classification, comorbidities(Charlson Index) and disability. A Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), including walking speed assessment was performed;handgrip strength were measured as well as Fried’s frailty phenotype. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA) and Body Mass Index(BMI), inflammation by C-reactive protein(CRP). QoL was assessed using the EORTC–QLQ questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the associations between all recorded parameters and QoL. Results In participants(mean age: 79.3 ± 6.7 years;male: 59%), Charlson index, arrhythmia, heart failure, NYHA class III-IV, MNA, disability, walking speed, SPPB score, frailty and CRP were significantly associated with QoL in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that NYHA class III-IV(P < 0.001), lower MNA score(P = 0.03), frailty(P < 0.0001), and higher CRP(P < 0.001) were independently associated with decreased QoL. Conclusions Frailty, nutritional status and inflammation were independently associated with poor QoL. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of nutritional and physical interventions on QoL in this population.展开更多
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.52005199,42241149)Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program of China (Grant Nos.JCYJ20200109150425085,JCYJ20220818102601004)+1 种基金Knowledge Innovation Program of Wuhan-Basic Research of China (Grant No.2022010801010203)Shenzhen Science and Technology Program of China (Grant Nos.JSGG20201103100001004,JSGG20220831105800001)。
文摘Ultrasonic scalpel design for minimally invasive surgical procedures is mainly focused on optimizing cutting performance.However,an important issue is the low fatigue life of traditional ultrasonic scalpels,which affects their long-term reliability and effectiveness and creates hidden dangers for surgery.In this study,a multi-objective optimal design for the cutting performance and fatigue life of ultrasonic scalpels was proposed using finite element analysis and fatigue simulation.The optimal design parameters of resonance frequency and amplitude were determined.By setting the transition fillet and keeping the gain structure away from the node position to enable the scalpel to have a high service life with excellent cutting performance.The frequency modulation method of setting the vibration node bosses at the node position and setting the vibration antinode grooves at the antinode position was compared.Then,the mechanism of the influence of various design elements,such as tip,shank,node position,and antinode position,on the resonance frequency,amplitude,and fatigue life of the ultrasonic scalpel was analyzed,and the optimal design principles of the ultrasonic scalpel were obtained.The proposed ultrasonic scalpel design was confirmed by simulations,impedance measurements,and liver tissue cutting experiments,demonstrating its feasibility and enhanced performance.This research introduces innovative design strategies to improve the fatigue life and performance of ultrasonic scalpels to address an important issue in minimally invasive surgery.
文摘Crystalline@amorphous NiCo_(2)S_(4)@MoS_(2)(v-NCS@MS)nanostructures were designed and constructed via an ethylene glycol-induced strategy with hydrothermal synthesis and solvothermal method,which simultaneously realized the defect regulation of crystal NiCo_(2)S_(4) in the core.Taking advantage of the flexible protection of an amor-phous shell and the high capacity of a conductive core with defects,the v-NCS@MS electrode exhibited high specif-ic capacity(1034 mAh·g^(-1) at 1 A·g^(-1))and outstanding rate capability.Moreover,a hybrid supercapacitor was assembled with v-NCS@MS as cathode and activated carbon(AC)as anode,which can achieve remarkably high specific energy of 111 Wh·kg^(-1) at a specific power of 219 W·kg^(-1) and outstanding capacity retention of 80.5%after 15000 cycling at different current densities.
文摘Microphallus/Micropenis is a rare condition with significant physical and psychological implications for affected individuals.This article comprehensively reviews micropenis,its etiology,epidemiology,and various treatment options.We conducted a thorough literature review to collect relevant information on micropenis and microphallus,as well as related disorders.Our primary databases were PubMed,Medline,and Google Scholar.We searched for articles published in English between 2000 and 2023.Our analysis included 67 review articles,56 research studies,11 case reports,one guideline,and one editorial.Our search terms included"microphallus","micropenis","congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism","androgen insensitivity syndrome","pediatric management of micropenis","testosterone therapy",and"psychosocial implications of micropenis".We focused on diagnosing micropenis and related conditions,including hormonal assessments,medical and surgical treatment options,psychosocial and psychological well-being,sexual development of adolescents,and sociocultural influences on men's perceptions of penile size.Additionally,we explored parenting and family dynamics in cases of micropenis and disorders of sex development,implications of hormonal treatment in neonates,and studies related to penile augmentation procedures and their effectiveness.The article highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in addressing the physical and psychological well-being of individuals with micropenis.Surgical procedures,such as penile lengthening and girth enhancement,and non-surgical approaches like hormonal therapy are explored.The significance of psychological support,education,and lifestyle modifications is emphasized.Early management and comprehensive care are crucial for individuals with micropenis,from infancy to adolescence and beyond.A multidisciplinary approach involving urologists,endocrinologists,and mental health professionals is recommended.Regular assessment of treatment effectiveness and the need for updated guidelines are essential to provide the best possible care.Healthcare professionals should prioritize early diagnosis,and neonatologists should measure stretched penile length in neonates.A collaborative effort is needed among professionals,parents,and affected individuals to create a supportive environment that recognizes worth beyond physical differences.Continuous research and evidencebased updates are crucial for improving care standards.
文摘“The Law of Life”is one of Jack London’s representative works,depicting the story of an elderly Native American abandoned by his family,alone and waiting for life to fade away.This paper,based on narrative theory,aims to explore how the author employs narrative techniques to present the image of the old man in the short story.The narrative techniques of dual focalization and dual narrative timelines in the text demonstrate the abandonment of the old man’s homeland and his inescapable death under a naturalistic view of life and reflect a desolate life picture of resignation towards death under naturalistic determinism,depicting a grim elderly world under the naturalistic concept of“survival of the fittest.”Studying this short story helps us reflect on the living conditions of the elderly and provides insights into how to better care for the elderly population amid the global trend of aging.
文摘In 1993,the World Bank released a global report on the efficacy of health promotion,introducing the disability-adjusted life years(DALY)as a novel indicator.The DALY,a composite metric incorporating temporal and qualitative data,is grounded in preferences regarding disability status.This review delineates the algorithm used to calculate the value of the proposed DALY synthetic indicator and elucidates key methodological challenges associated with its application.In contrast to the quality-adjusted life years approach,derived from multi-attribute utility theory,the DALY stands as an independent synthetic indicator that adopts the assumptions of the Time Trade Off utility technique to define Disability Weights.Claiming to rely on no mathematical or economic theory,DALY users appear to have exempted themselves from verifying whether this indicator meets the classical properties required of all indicators,notably content validity,reliability,specificity,and sensitivity.The DALY concept emerged primarily to facilitate comparisons of the health impacts of various diseases globally within the framework of the Global Burden of Disease initiative,leading to numerous publications in international literature.Despite widespread adoption,the DALY synthetic indicator has prompted significant methodological concerns since its inception,manifesting in inconsistent and non-reproducible results.Given the substantial diffusion of the DALY indicator and its critical role in health impact assessments,a reassessment is warranted.This reconsideration is imperative for enhancing the robustness and reliability of public health decisionmaking processes.
基金The Science and Technology Project of Jiangsu Provincial Communications Department(No.7621000078)
文摘Pavement performance and economic efficiency are researched on the perpetual test pavement of Yijiang-Suzhou Express Highway in Jiangsu province, China. Test sections were continuously monitored. The conditions and developing laws of deflection, rutting and cracking are compared among the perpetual pavement with the rich binder layer (RBL), the perpetual pavement without the RBL, and the conventional semi-rigid asphalt pavement in the past eight years after opening for traffic. Economical evaluation is conducted via life cycle cost analysis (LCCA). Based on the performance comparison and LCCA analysis, sections with the RBL have good crack resistance, but they are not very satisfactory in the aspect of permanent deformation; the conventional semi-rigid asphalt pavement is the least economic one due to requiring more frequent maintenance. Research results show that the perpetual pavement without RBL is a more appropriate structure for the test site.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51305350)the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(No.2013JM6011)the Basic Researches Foundation of NWPU(No.3102014JCQ01045)
文摘Shrinkage porosity exists more or less in heavy castings, and it plays an important role in the fatigue behavior of cast materials. In this study, fatigue tests were carried out on the QT400-18 cast iron specimens containing random degrees of shrinkage porosity defect. Experimental results showed that the order of magnitude of life scattered from 103 to 106 cycles when the shrinkage percentage ranged from 0.67% to 5.91%. SEM analyses were carried out on the shrinkage porosity region. The inter-granular discontinuous, micro cracks and inclusions interfered with the fatigue sliding or hindering process. The slip in shrinkage porosity region was not as orderly as the ordinary continuous medium. The shrinkage porosity area on fracture surface(SPAFS) and alternating stress intensity factor(ASIF) were applied to evaluate the tendency of residual life distribution; their relationship was fitted by negative exponent functions. Based on the intermediate variable of ASIF, a fatigue life prediction model of nodular cast iron containing shrinkage porosity defects was established. The modeling prediction was in agreement with the experimental results.
基金supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC81271656,YL)
文摘BACKGROUND: The quality of chest compressions can be significantly improved after training of rescuers according to the latest national guidelines of China. However, rescuers may be unable to maintain adequate compression or ventilation throughout a response of average emergency medical services because of increased rescuer fatigue. In the present study, we evaluated the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) in training of military medical university students during a prolonged basic life support(BLS).METHODS: A 3-hour BLS training was given to 120 military medical university students. Six months after the training, 115 students performed single rescuer BLS on a manikin for 8 minutes. The qualities of chest compressions as well as ventilations were assessed.RESULTS: The average compression depth and rate were 53.7±5.3 mm and 135.1±15.7 compressions per minute respectively. The proportion of chest compressions with appropriate depth was 71.7%±28.4%. The average ventilation volume was 847.2±260.4 m L and the proportion of students with adequate ventilation was 63.5%. Compared with male students, significantly lower compression depth(46.7±4.8 vs. 54.6±4.8 mm, P<0.001) and adequate compression rate(35.5%±26.5% vs. 76.1%±25.1%, P<0.001) were observed in female students.CONCLUSIONS: CPR was found to be related to gender, body weight, and body mass index of students in this study. The quality of chest compressions was well maintained in male students during 8 minutes of conventional CPR but declined rapidly in female students after 2 minutes according to the latest national guidelines. Physical fitness and rescuer fatigue did not affect the quality of ventilation.
文摘Achieving sustainable patterns of consumption and production is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our society today. The de-mand for more safe environmentally benign products is rising and many companies are looking for new ways to progressively improve the sus-tainability of their products. Moreover, there are numerous opportunities and countless innovations, technological as well as non-technologi-cal,that need to be exploited to improve the sustainability of products. Manufacturing industry is an important sector of any economy and hasthe potential to become a driving force for enabling sustainable patterns of production and consumption through introducing efficient productionpractices and developing products and services that help reduce environmental impacts. The benefits of adopting an integrated policy towardsproduct development based on life cycle thinking and eco-design to stimulate improvement of the environmental performance of each part ofproduct life cycle phases and achieve sustainable patterns of production and consumption are emphasized. The challenges in implementingsustainable manufacturing and the circular economy approaches are listed. A number of solutions are suggested to face up these challenges,for instance, increased awareness of enterprises particularly SME's of product life cycle issues and the opportunities that are available for costsavings and profit making from eco-innovation in product development for both the domestic and export markets and providing practical helpand advice directly to enterprises on integrated product development to promote enterprise led Eco-innovation. Aiming at contributing to sus-tainable manufacturing in China, Sino-UK Low Carbon Manufacturing Consortium, a multi-disciplinary research and educational partnershipbetween academia, industry and government agencies in the UK and China with interest in sustainable manufacturing issues, has been formedrecently.The vision, aims and benefits of membership of the consortium are also discussed.
文摘HIV/AIDS is increasing in prevalence in China and spread of infection from highly risk populations to the general populations was recognized. Despite the fact, there are still only few scientific reviews on quality of life (QOL) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). However, many PLWHAs are struggling with social and psychological influences such as substances abuse, cultural beliefs, depression, stigma, poverty, which can affect their QOL. Public unawareness about infection and disease, willingness to seek medical care and motivation to follow therapy are indirectly influencing health outcome. In 2003 Chinese government has established the so-called the "Four Frees and One Care" policy. The policy was officially implemented from 2004 in some areas, yet to date it is not implemented nationwide. This paper discussed the epidemiology of HIV, underlying psychosocial factors affecting PLWHAs and their impact on QOL. We put forward some recommendations for stakeholders, advocacy groups, non-government organizations and Chinese government.
文摘Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and subsequently shorten the on-tree storability. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid on quality and shelf life of the mandarin fruit. GA<sub>3</sub> at 10, 20, and 30 ppm as against of control were evaluated. Observations on fruit weight (g), fruit firmness (kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), rind colour (1 - 5 index), juice recovery (%), TSS/acid ratio, PLW (%), decay loss (%), and ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml) were recorded at three harvesting dates i.e. 20 Nov, 5 Dec, and 20 Dec and storage condition. It has been revealed that the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 20 ppm retained higher fruit weight (128.6 g), more firmness (3.54 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), better juice recovery (57.75%), and greater TSS/acid ratio (21.24) at the end of study (20 December). The PLW was found less with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm in both ambient (5.17%) and cellar (6.69%) condition as against untreated fruits (9.52% and 11.76%). Similarly, the decay loss was minimum in the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm both with ambient (1.02%) and cellar condition (8.21%) as against control with ambient (5.54%) and cellar (21.58%).
基金financially supported by NRB-Naval Research Board(Project Number-NRB-290/MAT/12-13)
文摘Hydrous ruthenium oxide(h-Ru O) nanoparticles and its composite with multiwalled carbon nanotubes(h-Ru O/MWCNT) were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and proved to have potential application as hybrid supercapacitor material.The h-Ru Oand h-Ru O/MWCNT were characterized for their physico-chemical properties by PXRD,BET surface area,Raman,SEM-EDS and TEM techniques.The electrochemical performance of the materials were investigated,specific capacitance(Cs) of h-Ru Oand hRu O/MWCNT estimated by their cyclic voltammetric studies were found to be 604 and 1585 F/g respectively at a scan rate of 2 m V/s in the potential range 0–1.2 V.Further,this value was found to be nearly three times higher than that of pure h-Ru O.An asymmetric supercapacitor(AS) device was fabricated by employing h-Ru O/MWCNT as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode.The device exhibited Cs of 61.8 F/g at a scan rate of 2 m V/s.Further,the device showed excellent long term stability for 20,000 cycles with 88% capacitance retention at a high current density of 25 A/g.
基金This work was supported by the UK HVM Catapult project(8248 CORE)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52072038,62122041).
文摘Technologies that accelerate the delivery of reliable battery-based energy storage will not only contribute to decarbonization such as transportation electrification,smart grid,but also strengthen the battery supply chain.As battery inevitably ages with time,losing its capacity to store charge and deliver it efficiently.This directly affects battery safety and efficiency,making related health management necessary.Recent advancements in automation science and engineering raised interest in AI-based solutions to prolong battery lifetime from both manufacturing and management perspectives.This paper aims at presenting a critical review of the state-of-the-art AI-based manufacturing and management strategies towards long lifetime battery.First,AI-based battery manufacturing and smart battery to benefit battery health are showcased.Then the most adopted AI solutions for battery life diagnostic including state-of-health estimation and ageing prediction are reviewed with a discussion of their advantages and drawbacks.Efforts through designing suitable AI solutions to enhance battery longevity are also presented.Finally,the main challenges involved and potential strategies in this field are suggested.This work will inform insights into the feasible,advanced AI for the health-conscious manufacturing,control and optimization of battery on different technology readiness levels.
文摘Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has witnessed a rise in its prevalence worldwide and in the Middle East region. The overall burden associated with the disease is well characterized, but little is known about patient satisfaction in the region. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction of patients T2DM. Methods: The SIMPLIFY study was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter, regional study that used patient-reported outcomes of T2DM patients in Jordan and Lebanon. Results: Patients were more satisfied when they were treated exclusively with oral medications, mainly metformin alone or combined with either sulfonylurea or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Targets for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were better reached in patients treated with oral medications. Occurrence of comorbidities did not seem to be affected by oral or injectable medications or to affect patients’ satisfaction. Data highlighted a suboptimal screening for albuminuria and showed that most patients were overweight or obese and around 30% suffered from hypoglycemia episodes. Conclusion: Data shed the light on the management of T2DM in Jordan and Lebanon and suggested the need for a more comprehensive approach to T2DM management and selection of medications that would support weight control and a lower hypoglycemia incidence.
文摘Objectives Quality of life(QoL) is a priority outcome in older adults suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Frailty and poor nutritional status may affect the QoL through mobility disorders and exhaustion. The objective of this study was to determine if physical frailty and nutritional status were associated with QoL, in older cardiology patients. Methods Cross sectional, observational study conducted in a cardiology department from a university hospital. Participants(n = 100) were aged 70 and older. Collected data included age, sex, cardiac diseases, New York Heart Association(NYHA) classification, comorbidities(Charlson Index) and disability. A Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), including walking speed assessment was performed;handgrip strength were measured as well as Fried’s frailty phenotype. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA) and Body Mass Index(BMI), inflammation by C-reactive protein(CRP). QoL was assessed using the EORTC–QLQ questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the associations between all recorded parameters and QoL. Results In participants(mean age: 79.3 ± 6.7 years;male: 59%), Charlson index, arrhythmia, heart failure, NYHA class III-IV, MNA, disability, walking speed, SPPB score, frailty and CRP were significantly associated with QoL in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that NYHA class III-IV(P < 0.001), lower MNA score(P = 0.03), frailty(P < 0.0001), and higher CRP(P < 0.001) were independently associated with decreased QoL. Conclusions Frailty, nutritional status and inflammation were independently associated with poor QoL. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of nutritional and physical interventions on QoL in this population.