New insights on the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in neural stem cell–mediated repair in spinal cord injury

Extensive neurodegeneration is a hallmark of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) that underlies permanent sensorimotor and autonomic impairments (Alizadeh et al.,2019).Following the primary impact,the spinal cord undergoes a cascade of secondary injury mechanisms that are driven by disruption of the blood-spinal cord ba rrier,vascula r inju ry,glial reactivity,neu roinfla mmation,oxidative stress,lipid peroxidation,and glutamate excitotoxicity that culminate in neuronal and oligodendroglial cell death,demyelination,and axonal damage(Alizadeh et al.,2019).To achieve a meaningful functional recovery after SCI,regeneration of new neurons and oligodendrocytes and their successful growth and integration within the neural network are critical steps for reconstructing the damaged spinal cord tissue (Fischer et al.,2020).

Spatial Analysis of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in South St. Boniface and Mission Industrial Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) stays airborne for long periods and can enter the lungs, increasing respiratory and cardiovascular risks. Metal shredders are known sources of PM2.5, lead and other heavy metals. Winnipeg residents of South Saint Boniface (SSB) in Manitoba, Canada, live downwind of the Mission Industrial Area (MIA), which includes a metal shredder, train tracks and other industries. Residents are concerned about the MIA air and noise pollution and wanted ambient air quality monitoring in their mixed land-use area to understand its impact on their health. We measured and mapped the daytime PM2.5, from the MIA and South St. Boniface (SSB) neighborhoods using the Dylos DC 1700 PM over seven months. The Dylos air quality data for PM2.5 was validated by the two federal reference monitors in the city, finding a moderate to very strong correlation (r = 0.52 to 0.83;p-value 0.001), confirming good accuracy. A spatial analysis of the emission data showed that the highest pollution concentration was downwind of the scrap metal shredder in MIA. One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis revealed significantly higher levels of PM2.5 at MIA and SSB than at the reference sites, which are away from pollution sources. The PM2.5 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) of 27 μg/m3 was exceeded downwind of the property line of the scrap metal shredder in the MIA for five of the 35 monitoring days averaging between 28.9 μg/m3 to 38.1 μg/m3 over eight hours. The standard was not exceeded in the residential area, although PM2.5 levels higher than background levels increased SSB residents exposure levels. This exceedance of regulatory standards requires action to reduce emissions.

Metamodeling Transfer Capability of Manitoba-Ontario Electrical Interconnections

The electric power transfer capability on the Manitoba-Ontario interconnection depends on various system operating conditions such as area generation patterns and ambient temperatures. This work models the power network as a black-box function, which is evaluated with the system reliability analysis techniques to determine the maximum transfer capability under a given operating condition. A metamodel or an approximation model of the maximized power transfer capability is built based on the sampled system responses and optimized with respect to the corresponding operating conditions. An optimal metamodel is implemented as a prototype software tool, PTCanalyzer, and applied to Manitoba-Ontario interconnection power transfer calculations. This optimized metamodel technique provides an in-depth understanding of the dependency of the power transfer capability on system operating conditions and proves to be an effective tool in optimizing the operation planning of the interconnection for a given power system configuration. The PTCanalyzer has the potential to be used for optimization of other power network interconnections.

POWER CONSUMPTION COMPARISON OF FIVE BUILDING ENVELOPES IN THE NORTHERN PRAIRIE CLIMATE OF MANITOBA

The energy efficiency of a building depends on building envelope performance.The results presented in this paper are the first of a long-term building envelope research project at the Alternative Village at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.Five test buildings were constructed using the following systems:two wood frames with fiberglass batt insulation and dense pack cellulose,one polyurethane structural insulated panels(PUR SIP),and two with the Stay in place PVC concrete form building system using 102mm and 204mm of concrete externally insulated with 102mm of expanded polystyrene foam.All of the buildings had a common foundation and roof system with a footprint of 23.8 m2.Blower door tests were conducted to determine air tightness.Each structure was heated with an electrical resistance heater and maintained at a constant internal temperature.The thermal gradient through the wall and power consumption were monitored.The study period discussed in this report represents the main heating season from October 2011 to April 2012 consisting of 209 days.Based on the power consumption,the PUR SIP consumed the least at 2498 kWh,while the 204 mm Stay in place PVC concrete form building used the most at 2898 kWh for the same time period.The thermal gradient through the cross section of the wood frame structures was compared through the cavity insulation and at the stud.It was found that the cellulose building provided better thermal resistance along the stud when compared to the fiberglass batt insulation.

Fungal contaminations of indoor and outdoor air of buildings of the University of Cape Coast,Ghana

The presence of microscopic spores in the air affects the quality of air inhaled by animals including humans.Microbial contamination of air impacts the well-being of occupants of an indoor environment,sometimes with dire consequences.The study investigated fungal contaminations of indoor and outdoor air of the Hospital,Library and Senior Common Room(SCR)of the University of Cape Coast,Ghana.Indoor and outdoor air was sampled using the Koch’s sedimentation method.Colony forming units per cubic meter of air(cfu/m^(3))were determined with the Omeliansky formula.The isolated fungi were identified based on morphological and growth characteristics.For indoor air,the least colony counts were recorded in the SCR for both morning and afternoon samples,whilst the Hospital air had the highest colony counts.For outdoor air,the colony counts were lower in SCR and the Library for both morning and afternoon samples compared to the Hospital.The results further indicated that indoor concentrations of fungi,for morning and afternoon,ranged between 4.0x10^(4) and 2.1x10^(5) cfu/m^(3),whereas outdoor concentrations of fungi ranged between 1.1x105 and 3.0x10^(5) cfu/m^(3),revealing an overall higher levels of contamination of outdoor air than indoor air at all the three buildings.Consequently,estimated indoor/outdoor(I/O)concentration ratios of fungi revealed an exogenous source of indoor contaminations at all the three buildings sampled.Fungi isolated from indoor and outdoor air were of the genera Aspergillus,Curvularia,Cylindrocarpon,Fusarium,Mucor,Neurospora,Penicillium and Rhodotorula.We conclude that indoor and outdoor air of the buildings sampled were contaminated with airborne fungi;however,based on estimated I/O ratios,the indoor ambient conditions of the buildings were good.The implication of findings of this study is that the presence of airborne fungal contaminants of indoor and outdoor workplace environment may pose serious occupational health consequences,hence low productivity.

AN EVALUATION OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OCCUPANT WELL-BEING IN MANITOBA SCHOOL BUILDINGS

This exploratory research aims to evaluate indoor environmental quality in the classrooms of three school buildings in Southern Manitoba,Canada,and to evaluate the well-being of these schools’teachers as it pertains to their perception of their classrooms’indoor environment.The schools include a middle-aged,conventional school;a new,non-green school;and a new,green school certified using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.The methodology involved using a mobile instrument cart to conduct snapshot measurements of thermal comfort,indoor air quality,lighting and acoustics in classrooms and an occupant survey to evaluate teachers’long-term satisfaction with their classrooms’indoor environmental quality.The results showed that the new,green and new,non-green schools’classrooms performed better than the conventional,middle-aged school’s classrooms with respect to some aspects of thermal comfort and indoor air quality only.Teachers in the new,green school and in the new,non-green school were more satisfied than teachers in the conventional,middle-aged school with their classrooms’overall indoor environmental quality,lighting quality and indoor air quality.Surprisingly,the new,green and new-non green school classrooms’performance were very comparable with the new,green school’s classrooms performing statistically significantly better with respect to relative humidity.Similarly,none of the differences in teachers’satisfaction ratings between the new,green and new,non-green school were statistically significant.

A Discussion of Artificial Intelligence in Visual Art Education

Since ChatGPT emerged on November 30, 2022, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been increasingly discussed as a radical force that will change our world. People have become used to AI in which such ubiquitous technologies as Siri, Google, and Netflix deploy AI algorithms to answer questions, impart information, and provide recommendations. However, many individuals including originators and backers of AI have recently expressed grave concerns. In this paper, the authors will assess what is occurring with AI in Visual Arts Education, outline positives and negatives, and provide recommendations addressed specifically for teachers working in the field regarding emerging AI usage from kindergarten to grade twelve levels as well as in higher education.

Monitoring of Air Quality for Particulate Matter (PM2.5, PM10) and Heavy Metals Proximate to a Cement Factory in Ewekoro, Nigeria

A cement factory nearby communities raise pollution concerns. This study assessed air pollution levels for respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals (lead, chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc and copper) adjacent to a cement factory in Ewekoro and neighbouring communities (Papalantoro, Lapeleko and Itori) in Ogun State, Nigeria. Respirable particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and heavy metals were measured using an ARA N-FRM cassette sampler. Each location sampled was monitored for eight continuous hours daily for 12 days. The PM2.5, PM10 and heavy metals results were compared with different standards, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria’s National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS). The PM levels fell within 11 - 19 μg/m3 of the air management level of CAAQS, which signifies continuous actions are needed to improve air quality in the areas monitored but below the NESREA standard. The mean Cd, Cr and Ni concentrations in the cement factory area and the impacted neighbourhoods are higher than the WHO/EU permissible limits, while Zn and Cu were below the WHO/EU permissible limit. A risk assessment hazard quotient (HQ) for Cr was above the WHO/EU safe level (=1) in adults and children throµgh ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact at all the monitoring sites. The HQ for Ni and Cd was higher than the safe level in the cement factory area and Papalantoro, while Zn was at safe levels.

Geospatial Analysis of Environmental and Safety Risks of Railways on Vulnerable Land Users in Point Douglas and St. Boniface Communities in Winnipeg, Canada

Train rails are associated with environmental and safety risks, often concentrating industry near their yards and rails. ArcGIS was applied to map the rail network, land uses, and industrial sites in Point Douglas and St. Boniface in Winnipeg, Canada. We identified 123 land uses with vulnerable populations needing assistance in evacuation from hospitals, senior living facilities, schools and early childhood centres within a buffer of two km of the rails and conducted hotspot analysis. About two-fifths of the total population, 39% in Point Douglas and 40% in St. Boniface, are at risk from fire, spill or train derailment involving dangerous goods and requiring evacuations or isolation.

Detection of Partial and Extended Blockages: A Case Study of Edible Oil Pipeline System

This work focuses on the development and implementation of a simulation-based approach for the detection of partial and extended blockages within an edible oil pipeline system. Blockages, whether partial or extended, pose a significant operational and safety risks. This study employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to model the flow behaviour of edible oil through pipeline under varying conditions. It leverages advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze pressure, velocity, and temperature variations along the pipeline. By simulating scenarios with different blockage characteristics, there is establishment of distinctive patterns indicative of partial and extended obstructions. Through extensive analysis of simulation data, sensing element, and monitoring system, processing signal input and response output, the system can accurately pinpoint the location and severity of blockages, providing crucial insights for timely intervention. The detection system represents a significant advancement in pipeline monitoring technology, offering a proactive and accurate approach to identify blockages and mitigate potential risks and ensure the uninterrupted flow of edible oil, thereby enabling timely intervention and maintenance.

Brain age estimation:premise,promise,and problems

Premise:The com bined effects of modern healthcare practices which prolong lifespan and declining birthrates have created unprecedented changes in age demographics worldwide that are especially pronounced in Japan,South Korea,Europe,and North America.Since old age is the most significant predictor of dementia,global healthcare systems must rise to the challenge of providing care for those with neurodegenerative disorders.

Research and development of fringe projection-based methods in 3D shape reconstruction

This paper discusses current research and development of fringe projection-based techniques. A system based on Fourier transform profilometry (FTP) is proposed for three-dimensional (3D) shape recovery. The system improves the method of phase unwrapping to gain accurate 3D shapes of objects. The method uses a region-growing algorithm for the path prediction guided by the quality map to increase the recovering accuracy and provides a fast and simple tool for 3D shape recovery. The shape measurement and data recovery are integrated to offer a new method of 3D modelling. Examples are presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed method.

Nutritional and Metabolic Consequences of Feeding High-Fiber Diets to Swine： A Review

At present, substantial amounts of low-cost, fibrous co-products are incorporated into pig diets to reduce the cost of raising swine. However, diets that are rich in fiber are of low nutritive value because pigs cannot degrade dietary fiber. In addition, high-fiber diets have been associated with reduced nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, recent reports are often contradictory and the negative effects of high-fiber diets are influenced by the fiber source, type, and inclusion level. In addition, the effects of dietary fiber on pig growth and physiological responses are often confounded by the many analytical methods that are used to measure dietary fiber and its components. Several strategies have been employed to ameliorate the negative effects associated with the ingestion of high-fiber diets in pigs and to improve the nutritive value of such diets. Exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes are widely used to improve nutrient utilization and pig performance. However, the results of research reports have not been consistent and there is a need to elucidate the mode of action of exogenous enzymes on the metabolic and physiological responses in pigs that are fed high-fiber diets. On the other hand, dietary fiber is increasingly used as a means of promoting pig gut health and gestating sow welfare. In this review, dietary fiber and its effects on pig nutrition, gut physiology, and sow welfare are discussed. In addition, areas that need further research are suggested to gain more insight into dietary fiber and into the use of exogenous enzymes to improve the utilization of high-fiber diets by oils.

Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Traditional Chinese Medicines （TCMs） have been em-ployed for centuries in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. Previous reviews of this topic have focused on certain aspects of TCM treatment rather than an overall assessment of their value and mechanisms of action. Both the Chinese and English medical literatures were reviewed to identify where TCM might be of value in the treatment of HCC and the justifcation for such treatment. TCM treatment corrects the “internal disequilibriums” thought to be responsible for the development, growth, and spread of the tumor. It has also been used to manage symptoms associa-ted with HCC and the adverse effects of chemo- and radiation-therapies. Recent research has documented the precise effects of TCM on tumor biology. There are also increasing efforts to identify which of the many components of TCM herbal remedies are primarily res-ponsible for these beneficial effects. This review out-lines the benefits of TCM treatment of HCC and the laboratory data describing their anti-tumor properties.

Metabolic analyses reveal different mechanisms of leaf color change in two purple-leaf tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivars

Purple-leaf tea plants,as anthocyanin-rich cultivars,are valuable materials for manufacturing teas with unique colors or flavors.In this study,a new purple-leaf cultivar“Zixin”(“ZX”)was examined,and its biochemical variation and mechanism of leaf color change were elucidated.The metabolomes of leaves of“ZX”at completely purple,intermediately purple,and completely green stages were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTOF-MS).Metabolites in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway remained at high levels in purple leaves,whereas intermediates of porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism and carotenoid biosynthesis exhibited high levels in green leaves.In addition,fatty acid metabolism was more active in purple leaves,and steroids maintained higher levels in green leaves.Saponin,alcohol,organic acid,and terpenoid-related metabolites also changed significantly during the leaf color change process.Furthermore,the substance changes between“ZX”and“Zijuan”(a thoroughly studied purple-leaf cultivar)were also compared.The leaf color change in“Zijuan”was mainly caused by a decrease in flavonoids/anthocyanins.However,a decrease in flavonoids/anthocyanins,an enhancement of porphyrin,chlorophyll metabolism,carotenoid biosynthesis,and steroids,and a decrease in fatty acids synergistically caused the leaf color change in“ZX”.These findings will facilitate comprehensive research on the regulatory mechanisms of leaf color change in purple-leaf tea cultivars.

Association of Dietary Pattern during Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus： A Prospective Cohort Study in Northern China

Objective To examine the association of maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy with gestationa diabetes mellitus （GDM） in northern China. Methods The dietary intakes of pregnant women were recorded twice by 24-hour dietary recalls for three days prior to having been diagnosed with GDM, at 5-15 and 24-28 gestational weeks, respectively. GDM was diagnosed, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc） was measured at 24-28 weeks. Dietary patterns were assessed by factor analysis. The association of the dietary pattern with GDM and HbAlc was examined by multiple logistic models. Results Of 753 participants, 64 （8.5%） were diagnosed with GDM. Four dietary patterns were identified： Western pattern （dairy, baked/fried food and white meat）, traditional pattern （light-colored vegetables, fine grain, red meat and tubers）, mixed pattern （edible fungi, shrimp/shellfish and red meat） and prudent pattern （dark-colored vegetables and deep-sea fish）. Compared with the prudent pattern, both the Western pattern and the traditional pattern were associated with an increased risk of GDM （aOR = 4.40, 95% CI： 1.58-12.22; aOR = 4.88, 95% Ch 1.79-13.32） and a high level of HbAlc （aOR = 12.37, 95% Ch 1.47-103.91; aOR = 26.23, 95% CI： 2.54-270.74）. Compared to the lowest quartile （Q）, 0.3 of the Western pattern scores and Q3-Q4 of the traditional pattern scores were associated with a higher risk of GDM. Conclusion The consumption of the Western pattern or the traditional pattern during pregnancy may increase the risk of GDM.

The role of carbonate-fluoride melt immiscibility in shallow REE deposit evolution

The Lugiin Gol nepheline syenite intrusion, Mongolia, hosts a range of carbonatite dikes mineralized in rare-earth elements(REE). Both carbonatites and nepheline syenite-fluorite-calcite veinlets are host to a previously unreported macroscale texture involving pseudo-graphic intergrowths of fluorite and calcite. The inclusions within calcite occur as either pure fluorite, with associated REE minerals within the surrounding calcite, or as mixed calcite-fluorite inclusions, with associated zirconosilicate minerals. Consideration of the nature of the texture, and the proportions of fluorite and calcite present(～29 and 71 mol%,respectively), indicates that these textures most likely formed either through the immiscible separation of carbonate and fluoride melts, or from cotectic crystallization of a carbonatefluoride melt. Laser ablation ICP-MS analyses show the pure fluorite inclusions to be depleted in REE relative to the calcite. A model is proposed, in which a carbonate-fluoride melt phase enriched in Zr and the REE, separated from a phonolitic melt, and then either unmixed or underwent cotectic crystallization to generate an REE-rich carbonate melt and an REE-poor fluoride phase. The separation of the fluoride phase(either solid or melt) may have contributed to the enrichment of the carbonate melt in REE, and ultimately its saturation with REE minerals. Previous data have suggested that carbonate melts separated from silicate melts are relatively depleted in the REE, and thus melt immiscibility cannot result in the formation of REE-enriched carbonatites. The observations presented here provide a mechanism by which this could occur, as under either model the textures imply initial separation of a mixed carbonate-fluoride melt from a silicate magma. The separation of an REEenriched carbonate-fluoride melt from phonolitic magma is a hitherto unrecognized mechanism for REE-enrichment in carbonatites, and may play an important role in the formation of shallow magmatic REE deposits.

Review of local mean decomposition and its application in fault diagnosis of rotating machinery

Rotating machinery is widely used in the industry.They are vulnerable to many kinds of damages especially for those working under tough and time-varying operation conditions.Early detection of these damages is important,otherwise,they may lead to large economic loss even a catastrophe.Many signal processing methods have been developed for fault diagnosis of the rotating machinery.Local mean decomposition(LMD)is an adaptive mode decomposition method that can decompose a complicated signal into a series of mono-components,namely product functions(PFs).In recent years,many researchers have adopted LMD in fault detection and diagnosis of rotating machines.We give a comprehensive review of LMD in fault detection and diagnosis of rotating machines.First,the LMD is described.The advantages,disadvantages and some improved LMD methods are presented.Then,a comprehensive review on applications of LMD in fault diagnosis of the rotating machinery is given.The review is divided into four parts:fault diagnosis of gears,fault diagnosis of rotors,fault diagnosis of bearings,and other LMD applications.In each of these four parts,a review is given to applications applying the LMD,improved LMD,and LMD-based combination methods,respectively.We give a summary of this review and some future potential topics at the end.

A new genus of Asiatic short-tailed shrew (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla) based on molecular and morphological comparisons

Blarinellini is a tribe of soricine shrews comprised of nine fossil genera and one extant genus. Blarinelline shrews were once widely distributed throughout Eurasia and North America, though only members of the Asiatic short-tailed shrew genus Blarinella currently persist （mostly in southwestern China and adjacent areas）. Only three forms of Blarinella have been recognized as either species or subspecies However, recent molecular studies indicated a strikingly deep divergence within the genus, implying the existence of a distinct genus-level lineage. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes and one nuclear gene of three Asiatic short-tailed and two North American shrews and analyzed them morphometrically and morphologically. Our molecular analyses revealed that specimens ascribed to B. griselda formed two deeply diverged lineages, one a close relative to B. quadraticauda, whereas the other--comprised of topotype specimens from southern Gansu-iverged from other Blarinella in the middle Miocene （ca. 18.2 million years ago （Ma）, 95% confidence interval=13.4-23.6 Ma）. Although the skulls were similarly shaped in both lineages, we observed several diagnostic characteristics, including the shape of the upper p4. In consideration of the molecular and morphological evidence, we recognize B. griselda as the sole species of a new genus, namely, Pantherina gen. nov. Interestingly, some characteristics of Pantherina griselda are more similar to fossil genera, suggesting it represents an evolutionarily more primitive form than Blarinella.Recognition of this new genus sheds light on the systematics and evolutionary history of the tribe Blarinellini throughout Eurasia and North America.

Sliding-Mode PID Control of UAV Based on Particle Swarm Parameter Tuning

Due to the coupled motion between the rotor unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)and the manipulator,the underactuation characteristics of the system itself,and the influence of external uncertainties,the stability of the rotor UAV’s manipulator control system is difficult to control.Based on the dynamic model of the rotor UAV,the stability of the whole UAV manipulator control system is improved by using the piecewise cost function,the compression factor particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm and the sliding mode PID to establish the sliding mode PID control stability method based on the PSO.Compared with the sliding mode PID control method,this method solves the serious buffeting problem in the sliding mode control,reduces the influence of the external disturbance and realizes the attitude stabilization control of the UAV manipulator quickly and accurately,thus shortens the system adjustment time and improves the anti-interference ability.