Upcycling plastic wastes into value-added products via electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis

Plastic,renowned for its versatility,durability,and cost-effectiveness,is indispensable in modern society.Nevertheless,the annual production of nearly 400 million tons of plastic,coupled with a recycling rate of only 9%,has led to a monumental environmental crisis.Plastic recycling has emerged as a vital response to this crisis,offering sustainable solutions to mitigate its environmental impact.Among these recycling efforts,plastic upcycling has garnered attention,which elevates discarded plastics into higher-value products.Here,electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic treatments stand at the forefront of advanced plastic upcycling.Electrocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic treatments involve chemical reactions that facilitate electron transfer through the electrode/electrolyte interface,driven by electrical or solar energy,respectively.These methods enable precise control of chemical reactions,harnessing potential,current density,or light to yield valuable chemical products.This review explores recent progress in plastic upcycling through electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic pathways,offering promising solutions to the plastic waste crisis and advancing sustainability in the plastics industry.

Women’s empowerment and food consumption:Evidence from female-headed households in Tanzania

Despite the growing recognition of women’s increasing role in the household and corresponding empowerment programs in sub-Saharan Africa,intensive research on the relationship between women’s influence and household food consumption is minimal.Using the most recent(2017-2018)national household survey data from Tanzania,this study examined the influence of women’s empowerment on household food consumption.First,we compared the monthly consumption of eight food categories between female-headed households(FHHs)and male-headed households(MHHs)using both descriptive statistics and the propensity score matching(PSM)method.Furthermore,we adopted the two-stage Linear Expenditure System and Almost Ideal Demand System model(LES-AIDS)to estimate income and price elasticities for the two household types.The results show that FHHs consume bread and cereals,fish,oils and fats,vegetables,and confectionery(sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.)more than MHHs.Moreover,FHHs have a significantly higher income elasticity of demand for all food groups than MHHs.They are also more price elastic than MHHs in meat,fish,oils,fats,sugar,jam,honey,chocolate,etc.

Valorization of Camellia oleifera oil processing byproducts to value-added chemicals and biobased materials: A critical review

The C.oleifera oil processing industry generates large amounts of solid wastes,including C.oleifera shell(COS)and C.oleifera cake(COC).Distinct from generally acknowledged lignocellulosic biomass(corn stover,bamboo,birch,etc.),Camellia wastes contain diverse bioactive substances in addition to the abundant lignocellulosic components,and thus,the biorefinery utilization of C.oleifera processing byproducts involves complicated processing technologies.This reviewfirst summarizes various technologies for extracting and converting the main components in C.oleifera oil processing byproducts into value-added chemicals and biobased materials,as well as their potential applications.Microwave,ultrasound,and Soxhlet extractions are compared for the extraction of functional bioactive components(tannin,flavonoid,saponin,etc.),while solvothermal conversion and pyrolysis are discussed for the conversion of lignocellulosic components into value-added chemicals.The application areas of these chemicals according to their properties are introduced in detail,including utilizing antioxidant and anti-in-flammatory properties of the bioactive substances for the specific application,as well as drop-in chemicals for the substitution of unrenewable fossil fuel-derived products.In addition to chemical production,biochar fabricated from COS and its applications in thefields of adsorption,supercapacitor,soil remediation and wood composites are comprehensively reviewed and discussed.Finally,based on the compositions and structural characteristics of C.oleifera byproducts,the development of full-component valorization strategies and the expansion of the appli-cationfields are proposed.

From Control to Empowerment:A Paradigm Shift in the Discourse of Educational Supervision

As educational reforms intensify and societal emphasis shifts towards empowerment,the traditional discourse paradigm of management and control in educational supervision faces growing challenges.This paper explores the transformation of this discourse paradigm through the lens of empowerment,analyzing its distinct characteristics,potential pathways,and effective strategies.This paper begins by reviewing the concept of empowerment and examining the current research landscape surrounding the discourse paradigm in educational supervision.Subsequently,we conduct a comparative analysis of the“control”and“empowerment”paradigms,highlighting their essential differences.This analysis illuminates the key characteristics of an empowerment-oriented approach to educational supervision,particularly its emphasis on dialogue,collaboration,participation,and,crucially,empowerment itself.Ultimately,this research advocates for a shift in educational supervision towards an empowerment-oriented discourse system.This entails a multi-pronged approach:transforming ingrained beliefs,embracing renewed pedagogical concepts,fostering methodological innovation,and optimizing existing mechanisms and strategies within educational supervision.These changes are proposed to facilitate the more effective alignment of educational supervision with the pursuit of high-quality education.

Analysis of the Effect of Family-Centered Empowerment Model(FCEM)Health Education Through WeChat on Medication Compliance and Blood Pressure of Elderly Hypertensive Patients in Rural Areas

Objective: To validate the effectiveness of a Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM) health education through WeChat on medication compliance and blood pressure among elderly hypertensive patients in rural areas. Methods: One hundred and two rural elderly hypertensive patients aged 65-80 years were selected and randomly divided into an experimental and control group of 51 each. The control group implemented conventional health education, and the experimental group implemented FCEM health education through WeChat platform for 4 consecutive weeks. The Therapeutic Adherence Scale for Hypertensive Patients (TASHP) scores and blood pressure measurements were compared between and within the two groups. Results: After the intervention, there were significant differences in medication compliance and blood pressure between the two groups (P < 0.001). In the control group, before and after the intervention, there was a significant difference in medication compliance (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in blood pressure (P > 0.05). In the experimental group, there were significant differences in medication compliance and blood pressure before and after the intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The FCEM health education through an online social platform significantly improved medication compliance and led to effective blood pressure control in rural elderly hypertensive patients. Therefore, as an effective, safe, and economical model, it is also necessary to explore its effectiveness in improving health problems in other chronic diseases and other age groups.

Exploration of Curriculum Reform in the Context of Digital Empowerment:Taking the“Class Management”Course in the Primary Education Major of Higher Vocational Normal School as an Example

In the era of digital empowerment,the digital reform of higher vocational courses has become an inevitable trend.To explore professional curriculum reform,this study takes the“Class Management”course in the primary education major of higher vocational teachers as the research object,analyzes the importance of digital empowerment to curriculum reform,and discusses the teaching of the“Class Management”course new model and content reform plan.Digital technology empowering traditional courses is a new trend,which is both an opportunity and a challenge.This study aims to explore the application of digital technology in courses and provide certain guidelines for curriculum reform in the field of education.

Research on Interdisciplinary Project-Based Teaching in Primary Schools Catalyzed by Digital Intelligence Empowerment

With the rapid development of information technology,digital intelligence empowerment has gradually become an important direction of educational innovation.This paper uses the case analysis method to explore in depth how digital intelligence empowerment and project-based teaching can promote the integration of primary school curricula.Taking the teaching of intelligent patrol cars as an example,this paper analyses the positive role of digital intelligence empowerment in improving teaching effectiveness and cultivating students’comprehensive ability.The research results show that digital intelligence empowerment not only enriches teaching resources but also optimizes the teaching process.Combined with project-based teaching methods,it can effectively improve students’interest in learning and performance.This study provides a useful reference and inspiration for the project-based teaching of curriculum integration in primary schools and has certain practical significance and theoretical value for promoting the process of educational informatization.

Empowerment in chronic wound care——exploring the scope for patient contribution

Objective:In this study,we investigated the concept of empowerment in chronic wound care and propose to facilitate patient control by making use of degrees of freedom(DOF):that is,shaping of everyday wound care tasks initiated by patients and based on their wishes,mostly in terms of patients executing treatment steps,requesting or directing health care professionals to under take changes,or modifications of internal states.Methods:As a first step,we conducted a systematic literature search,followed by an inductive form of qualitative content analysis,which resulted in the identification of 5 dimensions as main elements of empowerment:education and shared decision making,adherence to self-care behaviors,responsibility and control,general call for empowerment,and DOF.However,the latter are noticeably absent in the literature.To investigate patients'freedom in shaping the wound care process,we conducted a second literature search.Results:A number of possibilities for patients to influence the wound care process could be identified,but experimental or clinical evidence about their effects is missing,their variety is limited,and they are only inadequately described.Conclusions:However,DOF should be an indispensable aspect of genuine empowerment,since they allow patients to occupy the role of the agent in the treatment process and give rise to the subjective experience of feeling empowered.Thus,in the third part,we develop a research proposal on how to investigate and include DOF in the clinical practice of wound care.Finally,limitations about implementations are discussed(e.g.,patients being reluctant to overcome their passive role,resulting in frustration for health care professionals).

Problems and Countermeasures in the Training of Master of Translation and Interpreting Talents in the Context of Technological Empowerment

This paper aims to explore the problems and countermeasures in the training of Master of Translation and Interpreting(MTI)talents in the context of technological empowerment.Through methods such as questionnaires and literature review,the study analyzes the problems in the training of MTI talents under technological empowerment and,by examining the feasibility and applicability of technologies,proposes countermeasures to these problems.The research finds that there are still problems in four areas:training concept,teaching content,research in the current training of MTI talents,and mutual empowerment of technology and education.Four countermeasures are suggested to address these problems,including utilizing technology to promote personalized training and optimize teaching content.This study provides valuable references for future educators to leverage technology in the training of MTI talents.

Empowerment of Precise Ideological and Political Education in Higher Education with Educational Digitalization

The study explores how educational digitalization enables the precise development of ideological and political education in colleges and universities.Digital transformation enables colleges and universities to accurately define educational objectives,content strategies,effect evaluation,and process management,and realize the precision and intelligence of ideological and political education.The application of big data technology enhances the data-oriented thinking of teachers and students,promotes the accurate application of data,and improves the efficiency of ideological and political education.The research also prospected a new vision of the digital construction of ideological and political courses and clarified the theoretical and practical path of the implementation and evaluation mode of ideological and political courses under digital empowerment.Education digitalization enables precise ideological and political education,which is a key way to promote the innovative development of ideological and political education in colleges and universities and will strongly support the improvement of the overall quality of higher education and the training of excellent talents.

The Impact of Nurses Recognition, and Empowerment Related to Nurses Job Satisfaction at KFSH-D

Introduction: Nurses’ job satisfaction is referring to the level to which people feel that they are able to have an influence on their workplace. Nurse leaders should use a variety of empowerment strategies that are important to nurses’ job satisfaction. Meanwhile, meaningful recognition for nurses is considered a powerful tool to enhance nurses’ sense of self-efficacy especially facing an emotional challenge that may affect their wellbeing. Aim: The aim of the studies is to analyze the importance of nurses’ recognition, and empowerment towards nurses’ job satisfaction at KFSH-D. Method: This study takes the form of a quantitative research methodology, and descriptive-analytical technique. A questionnaire used to gather data from registered nurses employed at King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam (KFSH-D) about the structural empowerment and nurses’ recognition program impact on their job satisfaction. Following the collection of data, the descriptive statistic used to describe the personal characteristics of the respondents, while inferential statistics used to determine the statistical relationship existing between independent variable job satisfaction and the structural empowerment and nurses’ recognition program among the registered nurses at KFSH-D as dependent variables. Recommendation: The researcher only focuses on the in-patient units, future studies, are recommended to focus on every dimension and category level of units. Apart from that, when looking into job satisfaction and empowerment, to be more specific, the researcher could investigate another dimension by comparing age, and clinical working experience which may provide a depth of understanding of the contribution perception of structural empowerment. Conclusion: The findings of the studies reveal recognition and empowerment are assets to make nurses stay and increase their level of job satisfaction and task assignments.

Reactive ball-milling synthesis of Co-Fe bimetallic catalyst for efficient hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to value-added hydrocarbons

Catalytic hydrogenation of CO_(2) using renewable hydrogen not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions,but also provides industrial chemicals.Herein,a Co-Fe bimetallic catalyst was developed by a facile reactive ball-milling method for highly active and selective hydrogenation of CO_(2) to value-added hydrocarbons.When reacted at 320℃,1.0 MPa and 9600 mL h^(-1) g_(cat)^(-1),the selectivity to light olefin(C_(2)^(=)-C_(4)^(=)) and C_(5)+ species achieves 57.3% and 22.3%,respectively,at a CO_(2) co nversion of 31.4%,which is superior to previous Fe-based catalysts.The CO_(2) activation can be promoted by the CoFe phase formed by reactive ball milling of the Fe-Co_(3)O_(4) mixture,and the in-situ Co_(2)C and Fe_(5)C_(2) formed during hydrogenation are beneficial for the C-C coupling reaction.The initial C-C coupling is related to the combination of CO species with the surface carbon of Fe/Co carbides,and the sustained C-C coupling is maintained by self-recovery of defective carbides.This new strategy contributes to the development of efficient catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO_(2) to value-added hydrocarbons.

ChatGPT Fervor:The Empowerments,and Challenges of EST Translation Teaching with Natural Language Models

The development and widespread adoption of new technologies like ChatGPT have had a profound impact on education.This paper discusses how ChatGPT empowers the teaching and learning of technical English translation and sheds light on the negative effects and the challenges it brings.Furthermore,it presents strategies for technical English translation teaching assisted by ChatGPT.

System Assimilation of E-Skills in Tertiary Institutions to Empower Graduates in South Africa

The value of system assimilation is to improve working relationships between tutors and learners while increasing workflow efficiency among tertiary institutions with low operational costs. E-skills could be described as electronic education development, to assist ICT professionals to reach their future career goals and aim to help users boost their ICT skills. In a society that is expanding, it is also a crucial issue to take into account. Researchers have turned their attention to this topic because of its significance and contribution to the empowerment of graduates in digital education. Many scholars have proposed many methods for integrating e-skills into society with impressive results, but the rising rate of graduate unemployment in South Africa is gradually becoming a big worry in our society. A model based on Activity Theory (AT) and e-skills will be developed in our tertiary institution to equip graduates with skills that will increase their employability and provide more individualized work opportunities as part of this study’s effort to solve this issue. With the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Cronbach’s Alpha for validity and reliability testing, the study will create an experimental performance to assess the approach taken to measure e-skills in tertiary institutions to empower graduates in South Africa. The study established that system development and e-skilled models for tertiary institutions are growing gradually, especially in South African institutions, that empower graduates with profitable employability with experiences to improve work operation in the industries. In conclusion, system development and e-skills are very demanding but important to empower graduate employability to determine competency in the professional workforce.

走向重塑权能:empowerment含义的反思性诠释

Empowerment是源于西方社会工作学的概念。基于对追求标的物的不同理解,国内形成了关于empowerment的三种视角,即能力视角、权利视角和权力视角。这三个视角虽然相互分化,但却并不相互断裂,而是在领域、关系和主体等方面具有一定的联结性。从更深一层次看,empowerment中的能力、权利和权力是相互转化的,内含着权能辩证法。从统合角度看,empowerment其实是一个历史性的总体性概念,本质上是在社会转型的情境中,聚焦相对弱势者的发展问题,并通过建立在潜能本体基础之上的能力、权利和权力之间的权能辩证法,推动实现更加均衡、更加公平发展的过程。在此意义上,empowerment可以被理解为重塑权能。

Diabetes empowerment scores among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and its correlated factors: A cross-sectional study in a primary care setting in Malaysia

BACKGROUND There are limited studies on diabetes empowerment among type 2 diabetes patients,particularly in the primary care setting.AIM To assess the diabetes empowerment scores and its correlated factors among type 2 diabetes patients in a primary care clinic in Malaysia.METHODS This is a cross sectional study involving 322 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)followed up in a primary care clinic.Systematic sampling method was used for patient recruitment.The Diabetes Empowerment Scale(DES)questionnaire was used to measure patient empowerment.It consists of three domains:(1)Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes(9 items);(2)Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change(9 items);and(3)Setting and achieving diabetes goal(10 items).A score was considered high if it ranged from 100 to 140.Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and multiple linear regressions was used to identify the predictors of total diabetes empowerment scores.RESULTS The median age of the study population was 55 years old.56%were male and the mean duration of diabetes was 4 years.The total median score of the DES was 110[interquartile range(IQR)=10].The median scores of the three subscales were 40 with(IQR=4)for"Managing the psychosocial aspect of diabetes";36 with(IQR=3)for"Assessing dissatisfaction and readiness to change";and 34 with(IQR=5)for"Setting and achieving diabetes goal".According to multiple linear regressions,factors that had significant correlation with higher empowerment scores among type 2 diabetes patients included an above secondary education level(P<0.001),diabetes education exposure(P=0.003),lack of ischemic heart disease(P=0.017),and lower glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Diabetes empowerment scores were high among type 2 diabetes patients in this study population.Predictors for high empowerment scores included above secondary education level,diabetes education exposure,lack of ischemic heart disease status and lower HbA1c.

Increase in the functional capacity and quality of life among stroke patients by family caregiver empowerment program based on adaptation model

Purpose:The family caregiver's role is an important influence factor of patient's adaptation behaviour and quality of life after stroke.The purpose of this research was to identify the effect of caregiver empowerment program based on the adaptation model(CEP-BAM)on functional capacity and quality of life of patients after stroke.Methods:This research was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-and post-test control group design.The total participants who completed the research were 80 patients and their families,40 participants in the intervention group and 40 participants in the control group.We conducted home visits to perform the intervention.The measurement of functional capacity and quality of life performed four times(pre-test and three times post-test).Data analysis was performed using the repeated measurement ANOVA or general linear model repeated measure(GLM-RM).Results:This research proves a significant difference in functional capacity and quality of life between the two groups and between pre-test and sixth months after intervention(P<0.05).The quality of life of the intervention group in the sixth month after intervention was better than that of the control group(33.40±3.65 vs 30.60±2.78)with a significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusion:It is concluded that CEP-BAM effectively increased patients'functional capacity and quality of life after a stroke in the sixth month after intervention.

Artificial photosynthesis for high-value-added chemicals:Old material,new opportunity

Solar energy utilization has drawn attention due to ever-increasing environmental and energy issues.Photoelectrochemical(PEC)and photocatalytic(PC)water splitting for hydrogen production,which is the most popular and well-established solar-to-chemical conversion process,has been studied thoroughly to date but is now facing limitations related to low conversion efficiency.To resolve this issue,research in PEC cells or photocatalysts has recently aimed to produce alternative value-added chemicals by modifying their redox reactions,which potentially enables high economic reward to compensate for the low efficiency.Here,various kinds of redox reactions that decouple classic water splitting reactions to produce value-added chemicals via PEC and PC processes are introduced.Successful coupling of CO_(2) reduction,O_(2) reduction and organic synthesis with either water oxidation or water reduction is comprehensively discussed from the perspective of basic fundamental and product selectivity in terms of the band structure of materials,cocatalyst design,and thermodynamics and kinetics of the reactions.Throughout the review,future challenges and opportunities are suggested with respect to the redesigned artificial synthesis,which might be an alternative development for the commercialization of PEC or PC value-added chemical production technologies in the near future.

Family empowerment and quality of life of parents raising children with Developmental Disabilities in 78 Japanese families

Objectives: The families of these children experience distress both at the time of diagnosis and afterward.A top priority is to understand family empowerment,family function,and family members' quality of life (QoL) and to effectively support these families in Japan.The objective of this study was to assess the actual conditions of families living with children having DDs and to explore the factors associated with family empowerment and parents' QoL.Methods: We surveyed ninety-three parents (78 mothers,15 fathers) from 78 families which lived with children with DDs in the capital region of Japan.We assessed two main outcomes using the Japanese versions of the following instruments: Family Empowerment Scale (FES),World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 (WHOQOL26),and other six outcomes.Correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted.Results: No medication,cooperation with child rearing,assistance from a developmental support center,solved problems related to child rearing,and higher scores in Problem Solving contributed to higher FES scores.Higher WHOQOL26 scores were related to being a full-time housewife,higher self-esteem,no developmental support,a broad emotional support network,higher scores in Problem Solving and Role Function,and lower scores in Affective Reaction and General Function.Conclusions: We revealed that family empowerment and QoL of parents rearing children with DDs in Japan were affected by various subscales of family function and other family attributes.Effective interventions for improving family empowerment and QoL should be researched in the future.

Food processing wastewater purification by microalgae cultivation associated with high value-added compounds production——A review

Microalgae have been considered as an efficient microorganism for wastewater treatment with simultaneously bioenergy and high value-added compounds production.However,the high energy cost associated with complicated biorefinery(e.g.microalgae cultivation,harvesting,drying,extraction,conversion,and purification)is a critical challenge that inhibits its large-scale application.Among different nutrition(e.g.carbon,nitrogen and phosphorous)sources,food processing wastewater is a relative safe and suitable one for microalgae cultivation due to its high organic content and low toxicity.In this review,the characteristic of different food wastewater is summarized and compared.The potential routes of value-added products(i.e.biofuel,pigment,polysaccharide,and amino acid)production along with wastewater purification are introduced.The existing challenges(e.g.biorefinery cost,efficiency and mechanism)of microalgal-based wastewater treatment are also discussed.The prospective of microalgae-based food processing wastewater treatment strategies(such as microalgae-bacteria consortium,poly-generation of bioenergy and value-added products)is forecasted.It can be observed that food wastewater treatment by microalgae could be a promising strategy to commercially realize waste source reduce,conversion and reutilization.