Overcoming the Potential Drawbacks of Artificial Intelligence in Psychotherapy: Literature Updates

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has progressively impacted healthcare around the world. The increasing need for readily available mental health services, coupled with the swift advancement of novel technologies, prompts conversations over the viability of psychotherapy approaches using engagements with AI. Despite the positive impacts, there are recognizable drawbacks associated with the application of AI in psychotherapy. Establishing a therapeutic alliance is difficult for non-human entities. Psychotherapy is a task too complex for limited artificial intelligence. AI appears capable of handling jobs that are clearly defined and relatively straightforward. Besides, AI malfunctions, data confidentiality, informed consent, and risk of bias are potential concerns. We present a literature update of possible solutions to overcome these concerns.

FKFS和IFS氢能车辆驱动系统研究

本文介绍氢气在交通运输领域的相关应用,以氢气直喷(H2-DI)内燃机的开发过程为例,阐述斯图加特汽车工程与车辆发动机研究所(FKFS)和斯图加特大学汽车工程学院(IFS)的研究工作。在单缸乘用车发动机试验台上研究氢气高压直喷特性(FVV项目),目标是实现氢气发动机在当量混合条件下稳定运行,从而以较低的增压需求输出较大功率。当发动机在高负荷条件下工作时,当量混合比更容易导致爆震现象。为了防止末端气体发生预反应,喷射氢气将在点火上止点(TDCF)前不久开始,随后由火花塞点燃。喷射持续时间以及喷射的最大质量流量都将在不同程度上影响燃烧的持续时间。此外,本研究还探讨了氢气燃烧过程中所存在的问题,如较高的氮氧化合物排放量,以及未燃氢气进入排气系统等。

Comparison of the Overall CO_(2) Emissions of Different Powertrain Systems Depending on the Energy Sector Emissions

A circular and sustainable economy for the private transport sector requires a holistic view of the emitted CO_(2) emissions.Looking at the energy supplied to the vehicle in terms of a circular economy leads to defossilisation.The remaining energy sources or forms are renewable electric energy,green hydrogen and renewable fuels.A holistic view of the CO_(2) emissions of these energy sources and forms and the resulting powertrain technologies must take into account all cradle-to-grave emissions for both the vehicle and the energy supply.In order to compare the different forms of energy,the three most relevant forms of powertrain technology are considered and a configuration is chosen that allows for an appropriate comparison.For this purpose,data from the FVV project“Powertrain 2040”are used[1]and combined with research data on the energy supply chain for passenger cars.The three comparable powertrain configurations are a battery electric vehicle,a fuel cell electric vehicle and an internal combustion engine hybrid vehicle fueled with electric fuel.First,the three selected powertrain configurations are presented in terms of their performance,weight,technology and other characteristics.A comparative analysis is carried out for different CO_(2) emissions of the electricity mix.The electricity mix is used for both the production of the vehicle and the energy.The results are presented in the form of cradle-to-wheel emissions,which consider the total CO_(2) emissions of the vehicle over its life cycle.Finally,the results are analyzed and discussed to determine which powertrain technology fits best into which energy sector CO_(2) emissions window.

Comparative Efficacy of Lifestyle Modifications versus Pharmacotherapy on Weight Loss and Metabolic Health Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Obesity has become a serious global public health challenge, given that it leads to various adverse health outcomes that include cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that, at the end of 2022, 1 out of every 8 individuals were obese, and that the global adult obesity rates have over doubled since 1990, even as the adolescent obesity rates have quadrupled. Thus, as of 2022, nearly 2.5 billion adults, aged 18 years and above, were overweight, with 890 million being obese. Obesity and overweight incidence rate has been gradually increasing over the years, presenting significant challenges to the healthcare systems throughout the globe. In this regard, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of lifestyle modifications (diet and physical activity) and pharmacotherapy in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health in overweight adults. Methodology: To attain the above stated study objective, a systematic evaluation of previous studies was carried out, particularly studies that assessed the effectiveness and safety of lifestyle modifications (diet and physical activity) and pharmacotherapy in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health in overweight adults. The authors have used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) in the selection of eligible studies for inclusion in the study. Results: The findings indicate that lifestyle interventions resulted in 5% - 10% weight reduction and significant improvements in metabolic indicators, while pharmacotherapy (GLP-1 receptor agonists) achieved up to 15% weight reduction and considerable metabolic health benefits. Further, comparative studies show lifestyle modifications provide overall health benefits, while medication is necessary for non-responders. Conclusion: Individualized treatment strategies are crucial, and further research is needed on long-term consequences and combination therapies.

Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and DNA Binding Studies of a Tetradentate N2O2 Amino Acid Schiff Base and Its Coordination Compounds

Aminoethanoic acid undergoes condensation with 1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde to form an O, N, N, O donor Schiff base, N,N'-di(carboxymethylene) terephthalaldehyde, Ligand L. Coordination compounds of this Schiff base using Ni (II), Cu (II), VO (IV) and Co (II) were then obtained in-situ. The Schiff base and the complexes were evaluated for their antimicrobial and DNA binding abilities. Molecular docking studies of the ligand and synthesized compounds were also carried out. Evidence for the formation of the Schiff base coordination compounds and the coordinating atoms was obtained from 1H NMR, infrared and ultraviolet spectral data, EDX, EDTA complexometric titration and magnetic susceptibility measurement. The results obtained are consistent with octahedral geometry for Ni (II) complex, the metal ion coordinating to one molecule of Ligand L and with additional coordination with two oxygen atoms of two molecules of the solvent. A square-planar geometry was suggested for both Co (II), and Cu (II) complexes and a five-coordinate, square pyramidal geometry for the VO (IV) complex. The results further indicated that the carboxylic acid of Ligand L was not deprotonated both in the free base and also the complexes. In addition, the results showed that Compound 2 elicited the best antimicrobial activity potential. Generally, the compounds exhibited considerable good affinity to CT-DNA.

Synthesis and Characterization of Pure and Ag-TiO2-Modified Diatomaceous Aluminosilicate Ceramic Membranes for Water Remediation

Mesoporous ceramic membranes were prepared from raw and modified diatomaceous earth alumi-nosilicate mineral precursors. The main modification component of the ceramic membranes was Ag-loaded TiO2 nanoparticles (STOX). Chemical and microstructural characterizations of the raw materials and the modified precursors were carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE-IBA), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The precursors and membranes were prepared and subsequently subjected to a high temperature sintering treatment for physico-chemical modification and stability. Remediation functionalities of the ceramic membranes on water samples were studied using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Total Bacterial Count Enumeration;Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, and Electroconductivity (EC). Remediation experiments showed reductions in the concentration of certain cations such as Mg2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Ni2+ and K+ by the modified ceramic membrane samples, while increased concentrations were observed for Ca2+, Na+ and Mg2+. The antimicrobial microfiltration process showed 100% bacterial removal and 70% fungi removal in most of the samples. Membranes exhibited good flux output from 5.607 L/hr·m2 (STOX-Z) to 39.245 L/hr·m2 (ZEO-T) under a pressure of 0.0196 MPa.

A Cytogenetic Analysis of Enteromius parablabes (Daget, 1957) from Aho Stream, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

In this study, Enteromius parablabes [1] was analyzed with the aim of providing baseline information regarding the diploid chromosome number and karyotype differences of both sexes. The diploid chromosome number (2n) was 50 for both sexes, and this corresponds to the diploid chromosome number reported for most small African Barbus species. The fundamental number (NFa) of the male and female was 81 and 98 respectively. The first pair of metaphase chromosomes which has been suggested to be a marker for the small African Barbus group was conspicuously larger in the female karyotype. The karyotype of the female consisted more of metacentric (39m + 7sm + 2st + 2t) which is common in the group while the karyotype of the male which consisted more of telocentric chromosomes (10m + 21st + 19T) is scarce. The chromosomal number obtained for E. parablabes demonstrates its diploid status in the context of the ploidy lines characteristic of the African Barbus assemblage.

Syntheses, Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity and Extraction Studies of Tetraaza Macrocyclic/Linear Schiff Bases Derived from Benzene-1,4-Dicarboxaldehyde and Their Coordination Compounds

Non-template [2 + 2] condensation of benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehyde with two diamines: ethane-1,2-diamine and propane-1,2-diamine was carried out to give Ligands 1 and 2. Additionally, template [1 + 2] condensation of benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehyde with ethane-1,2-diamine and propane-1,2-diamine were also carried out to give Ligands 3 and 4. These were characterized using 1H and 13C NMR, UV-Vis and infra-red spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Coordination compounds of each ligand were further synthesized using Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. They were characterized by Uv-vis, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility and energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy EDX. The ligands and complexes were further analyzed for their antimicrobial activities and extraction efficiency. The results obtained suggested that tetraaza macrocyclic and linear compounds were obtained for [2 + 2] and [1 + 2] condensation reactions respectively. Coordination compounds of the macrocyclic ligand yielded octahedral geometry for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of Ligand 1 and square planar geometry for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of Ligand 2. On the other hand square planar geometry was proposed for coordination compounds of Ligand 3 and 4 exception for the Ni(II) complex of Ligand 3. All ligands coordinated to the metal ion in a tetradentate fashion. In some cases chelation enhanced the antimicrobial activity of some of the ligands. The results further showed that Ligands 1-4 effectively extracted cadmium(II). zinc(II) and lead(II) ions in solution.

Effects of Increasing Impervious Surface on Water Quality in Ile-Ife Urban Watershed, Southwestern Nigeria

The urban environment has continued to experience changes from increasing impervious surfaces, which alters the proper functioning of the ecological zones and impairs water quality in the watershed. Impervious cover is predominantly used as an indicator to assist in understanding and forecasting the impact of human actions and other related activities on aquatic resources. In this study, the rate of change in land uses using the impervious surface as an indicator, and the percentage of imperviousness on the effect on water quality in the urban watershed were assessed. Ile-Ife was delineated as an urban watershed, and the percentage of imperviousness from 2008 to 2016 and the effect of imperviousness on water bodies were assessed. The study utilized ASTERDEM, Worldview (0.46 m), IKONOS (1.4 m), Landsat (30 m) for 2008 and 2016, GPS and Drone (10 cm). Water sampling was carried out in selected locations as generated by the impervious surface analyst tool, (ISAT). The percentage (%) of impervious surfaces accounted for 59.4% (4567.1/7691.5ha) in 2008 and 70.3% (5408.2/7691.5ha) in 2016, from the total number of lands investigated. The turbidity values from low to high regions were 32.3, 55.9 and 82.4 NUT. Changes in LULC of the watershed led to increased surface temperature, impermeable surfaces, and decreased vegetation, which exposes the area to flooding and reduced water quality. This study emphasized the importance of GIS and its integration into urban changes and water quality assessment.

Street Mapping of Ife Metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria

The importance of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System in map making cannot be overemphasized because of its ability to integrate spatial data with non-spatial data and also communicate the resulting information in a way that everyone would understand. Several works have taken advantage of the abilities of these technologies to produce street maps using High Resolution Images. The increase in development in Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, has brought about navigation challenge and associated difficulties. This work intends to produce a street map that will ease navigation within the study area and help in road network analysis, site suitability analysis etc. Aerial Photographs, captured in the year 2009 and GeoEye1 Satellite Image of 2011 were used to extract the road network of Ife Metropolis. The image was imported into ArcGIS environment, where the database was created having feature datasets such as roads and special features. To have all the elements in vector format, the image was digitized. The street names collected from the field work was inputted into the database and then subjected to cartographical processes. 512 Roads were captured within four classes of Road Network namely Express road (5), Secondary Road (25), Primary Roads (22) and Street Road (460). This field work revealed that a larger percentage of the roads were not paved, while most of the paved ones have deteriorated and the newly constructed ones were not documented. It also showed that some of the roads were not named according to the standard and some were not named at all. From this study, we recommend that the naming system should be standardized across the study area. It is also recommended that provision should be made for street map revision on a yearly basis so as to account for changes.

Comparative Geospatial Planning Model for “Location Specific” Intervention and Continuous Improvement Strategy

Sustainable development can only be achieved by conscious planning and implementation of action plans. Decision making requires a careful selection of the right conceptual framework and models for planning and implementation processes. Planning process models dictate in very clear terms what must be done and how it is done to achieve a successful completion of a process of activity [1]. Since about 80% of data used to support decisions are geographically related [3], it is necessary to put Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the core of the planning and implementation model. There exists a great disparity in a heterogeneous world. The locational disparity in achieving sustainable development, therefore, necessitates a planning model that is “location specific” i.e. identifies areas (locations) requiring intervention and areas (locations) requiring continuous improvement strategies. This was achieved in this study by reviewing Bell’s Information System Strategic Planning Model and Kaufman’s Strategic Planning Model, and the designing of new model to overcome the limitation of existing models. Practical application of the new model was carried out in education planning and administration in order to achieve the global goals for sustainable development 4 (quality education). Finding shows that the Comparative Geospatial Planning Model for “Location Specific” Intervention and Continuous Improvement Strategy is useful to support the achievement of sustainable development goals in multidisciplinary, multi-sector applicable instances.

Identifying Gaps in Real-World Management of Diabetes in Nigeria: A Subset Analysis of Cross-Sectional Wave-7 Data from the International Diabetes Management Practices Study

Background/Purpose: Poor glycemic control in Nigeria necessitates assessment and standardization of diabetes care. This study aimed to assess real-world management of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional phase of the seventh wave of International Diabetes Management Practices Study, conducted between 22nd August and 30th September 2016, included adults with T1DM or T2DM during a two-week recruitment period. Results: Of 304 people with T2DM, 187 received oral glucose lowering drugs (OGLDs) only;88 received OGLDs + insulin;27 received insulin only. Metformin + sulfonylureas (128/187;68.45%) and premix only (76/115;66.09%) were the most used OGLD and insulin regimens respectively. Of 77 people with TIDM, all received insulin;six (7.79%) received OGLDs. Insulin initiation was noted around five years after diabetes diagnosis in T2DM (diabetes duration: 8.69 + 7.16 years;duration of insulin treatment: 3.17 ± 4.49 years). Proportion of people achieving glycemic targets (HbA1c Conclusion: Early insulinization and subsidized healthcare can improve long-term diabetes outcomes in Nigeria.

Lifetime-tunable organic persistent roomtemperature phosphorescent salts for large-area security printing

Organic persistent room-temperature phosphorescent(RTP)materials are promising for applications requiring the secure recording and anti-counterfeiting features owing to their appealing optical properties.Several critical challenges,such as the difficulty to obtain high-quality patterns over large areas and low security levels,need to be addressed to meet the requirements for commercial purpose.Here,we prepared a series of quaternary phosphonium salts with different alkyl chains,which showed interesting organic persistent RTP.The ionic characteristics and the alkyl chains of these molecules impart abundant weak intermolecular interactions.This confers the molecules a high crystallinity,which helps to preserve the persistent RTP properties and cover large areas.Moreover,the RTP lifetime of these organic salts varies over a wide range(1.27 to 884.71 ms)and can be tuned by simply changing the alkyl chain length and counterions,which opens new possibilities in multi-level information encryption applications.It is believed that the engineering of organic salts with tunable persistent RTP lifetimes and large-area printing can promote early-stage demonstrations of security applications into mature commercialization.

Preliminary Investigation of Copper(II) Ion Binding or Complex Coordination in Lysozeme Molecules

Hydrophobic Val derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes and dipeptide (AlaAla, GlyGly) derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes were introduced into egg white lysozyme. X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed amino acid derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes were obtained. Herein we discuss primarily on the binding mode of copper(II) of the complexes obtained with egg white lysozyme. The electron density of copper(II) ions was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The Val derivative Schiff base copper(II) complex was weakly bound at Arg114 of egg white lysozyme. In other copper(II) complexes, binding of copper(II) ions with dissociated ligands to various residues was observed. The binding sites of copper(II) ions were compared with computational scientific predictions.

实验教育与3D打印合金:创新探索与学生培养

实验教育是一种被广泛认可的教学方法,通过实践活动来培养学生的问题解决能力和创新思维。而3D打印多元合金材料是当前电催化中备受关注的领域。本文将实验教育与3D打印合金相结合,研究了其对学生的影响和教育效果。本文首先介绍了实验教育的重要性和作用,以及合金材料的特点和应用前景。其次,讨论了3D打印技术在合金制备中的应用潜力。通过让学生参与实验设计和进行实验来提高学生的参与度、学习动机和科学素养。本研究旨在为教育实践提供新思路和方法,培养学生的科学思维和实践能力,为材料科学和工程领域培养更多的创新人才。

单原子催化剂在电催化CO_(2)还原中的应用进展

电催化CO_(2)还原(ECR)是减少碳排放和促进碳循环的理想方法之一。单原子催化剂(SACs)由于其最大的原子利用率、优异的活性和选择性,已成为多相催化领域的前沿之一进以得到广泛应用。鉴于SACs在ECR领域的探索和应用,本文综述了基于SACs在ECR中应用的研究进展,并提出了SACs在ECR中应用的挑战和前景。具体介绍:(1)介绍了ECR的反应机理,(2)SACs的常用制备策略,(3)SACs在新型Zn-CO_(2)电池中的应用。最后,提出了SACs在ECR中所面临的挑战和机遇。

元认知深化研究生课程思政的多元化教学——以“太阳能电池性能提升技术”为例

本文以“太阳能电池性能提升技术”课程为案例,通过引入元认知理论,深化研究生专业课程的思政教育元素融入。详细探讨了元认知深化对专业课程思政教育的影响,包括专业深度与广度的统一、跨学科思维、自主学习与批判性思维、社会责任感、创新能力和个体终身学习态度。通过反思性学习活动,促进学生元认知能力提升,将专业知识学习与思政教育元素有机融合,培养全面发展的高层次专业人才。为培养全面素质研究生人才提供了有益思路,符合当前高等教育趋势,也契合中国特色社会主义培养目标。

3D打印柔性钙钛矿荧光发光凝胶的创新实验设计与研究

柔性钙钛矿器件是未来柔性光电技术的研究热点。结合3D打印光聚合物技术,可实现柔性钙钛矿荧光器件的兼容制造。其研究内容属交叉学科前沿,涵盖材料、高分子、化学、半导体物理、柔性电子等相关领域专业知识。为培养本科生的创新意识和科研思维,巩固专业理论知识和动手能力,我们设计了一项3D打印柔性钙钛矿荧光发光凝胶的创新实验。实验包括3D打印成型、钙钛矿结晶后处理、实验结果表征分析等过程,可以让学生亲身参与实践。在自主完成钙钛矿柔性器件全流程制备的同时,也能培养科研兴趣和分析解决问题的综合能力,从而达到创新型教学实验目的。

An Effective 3D-CFD Methodology for the Complementary Virtual Development of Alternative Fuels and Engine Concepts

With the aim of reducing the cost of developing internal combustion engines,while at the same time investigating different geometries,layouts and fuels,3D-CFD-CHT simulations represent an indispensable part for the development of new technologies.These tools are increasingly used by manufacturers,as a screening process before building the first prototype.This paper presents an innovative methodology for virtual engine development.The 3D-CFD tool QuickSim,developed at FKFS,allows both a significant reduction in computation time and an extension of the simulated domain for complete engine systems.This is possible thanks to a combination of coarse meshes and self-developed internal combustion engine models,which simultaneously ensure high predictability.The present work demonstrates the capabilities of this innovative methodology for the design and optimization of different engines and fuels with the goal of achieving the highest possible combustion efficiencies and pollutant reductions.The analysis focuses on the influence of different fuels such as hydrogen,methanol,synthetic gasolines and methane on different engine geometries,in combination with suitable injection and ignition systems,including passive and active pre-chambers.Lean operations as well as knock reduction are discussed,particularly for methane and hydrogen injection.Finally,it is shown how depending on the chosen fuel,an appropriate ad-hoc engine layout can be designed to increase the indicated efficiency of the respective engines.

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.