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To improve the understanding and treatment level of urogenital nerve fibroma by sharing the clinical manifestations, imaging features, and pathological characteristics of a case of urogenital nerve fibroma.The patient was a middle-aged male with initial symptoms of painless gross hematuria, bladder irritation, and pelvic mass. Imaging examination showed a bladder mass, and transurethral bladder tumor resection was performed to reduce the tumor. Pathology was confirmed to be bladder neurofibroma. After 6 months of surgery, follow-up examination showed a significant reduction in tumor volume and no recurrence. The successful diagnostic and therapeutic experience of this case can be referenced for clinical practice.

Objective: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) has an improving effect in cognitive function, but it is still not clear in what specific cognitive domains. We here combined a single session of TMS (HF-rTMS/iTBS) with electroencephalography (EEG) to clarify the effects of magnetic stimulation techniques on executive function, working memory, and visuospatial attention in healthy participants, and to investigate the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. Methods: Fifty-one healthy participants were randomly assigned to three stimulation groups (HF-rTMS, iTBS, and sham groups). Classical psychological paradigms (task-switching, 2-back with visual Oddball) and event-related potentials (ERPs) were performed to compare the behavioral indices of each paradigm before and after the two stimulations, as well as the changes in the ERP components. Results: Analysis of behavioral indicators showed that reaction times in the 2-back paradigm were faster after HF-rTMS and iTBS than after sham stimulation. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the behavioral changes in the task-switching and visual Oddball paradigms. ERP analysis showed that N2 amplitude in the frontal and central regions of the participants increased during the 2-back paradigm following HF-rTMS and iTBS; however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the ERP components of the task-switching and visual Oddball paradigms. Conclusion: Single sessions of HF-rTMS and iTBS on the L-DLPFC specifically enhanced working memory performance, with no significant effects on executive function and visuospatial attention. Both true stimulations elicited more negative N2 in the frontal and central channels during the 2-back paradigm, suggesting increased recruitment of cognitive resources from these brain areas. Although iTBS and HF-rTMS improved working memory behavior, iTBS’s shorter stimulation time suggests it may have greater potential for clinical applications in terms of time-benefit costs.

Abstract The design of dynamic wireless networks assisted by reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) mounted on aerial platforms (RIS‐APs) is conceived, where the connection status among users and RIS‐APs are selected according to the average channel quality dynamically and timely. Taking into account the time‐varying selection status and the mobility of users, we construct a long‐term dynamic process. The goal is to minimize the time‐averaged power consumption under the requirements of the time‐averaged minimum rate for users as well as the constraint of the maximum transmit power for the base station (BS), via jointly optimizing the active beamforming at the BS and passive beamforming at RIS‐APs. With the aid of Lyapunov concept‐based drift‐plus‐penalty (DPP) algorithm, the long‐term optimization problem is transformed into short‐term sub‐problems related to each other at each frame. Subsequently, the fractional programming method based on Lagrangian dual theory is applied to derive the solutions for active‐passive beamforming in a closed form. Finally, simulation results validate the convergence and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Abstract The hybrid visible light communication (VLC)/radio frequency (RF) communications are investigated with the aid of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) in dynamic wireless networks, where the RIS access selection processes of VLC/RF users are updated depending on the channel quality dynamically. Specifically, a dynamic optimization problem due to the mobility of users and time‐varying selection strategy is formulated. Under the constraints of the average minimum rate for VLC/RF users and the maximum transmit power constraints for VLC/RF access points (APs), the target is to minimize the average long‐term power consumption, by jointly considering the active beamforming at APs and the passive beamforming at RISs. Based on the Lyapunov optimization framework and the drift‐plus‐penalty (DPP) algorithm, the original optimization problem is transformed into corresponding short‐term problems at each frame. Furthermore, the closed form solutions with active‐passive beamforming are derived using the fractional programming method based on the Lagrangian dual theory. Finally, numerical results demonstrate the convergence and effectiveness of the proposed optimization algorithm.

Groundwater heat pump (GWHP) is a clean new energy technology. However, recharge clogging has always affected the operational efficiency of GWHP systems. The mechanism of the water–rock interaction inducing the chemical blockage of aquifers in particular is not clear enough. In this study, a sand column device was designed to simulate the recharge of GWHP, and the geothermal water and aquifer sand of the actual GWHP project were collected. Moreover, we have characterized the sand using SEM-EDS, XRD and FT-IR; meanwhile, the evolution of the hydrochemical components, the relationship between TDS and mineral dissolution and the concentration variation trend of [Na+ + K+] and [Mg2+ + Ca2+] were analysed. The results showed that the maximum reduction of the albite content in the column, except for P4 and P6, was 13.97%, while the calcite content in the P3–P4 and P7–P10 segments increased by 1.2%. The anhydrite content was reduced in the whole interval. Therefore, the precipitation and dissolution of minerals might occur in the process of recharge, which was more significant in the front of the column. In addition, the water–rock reaction induced by GWHP recharge is a process that also involves the cation exchange adsorption of Na+ with Mg2+ and Ca2+. HIGHLIGHTS A sand column was used to explore the water–rock interaction mechanism in a GWHP recharge process.; The sand samples were characterized after reinjection using SEM, XRD and FT-IR.; The concentration values of Na+, Cl− and in recharge water were linearly correlated with TDS.; The water–rock interaction mechanism involved the dissolution and precipitation of minerals and cation exchange adsorption.;

IntroductionIntermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a novel mode of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), has curative effects on patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). However, whether iTBS will be more applicable in clinical use than conventional high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is unknown. Our study aims to compare the difference in effect between iTBS and rTMS in treating PSCI based on a randomized controlled trial, as well as to determine its safety and tolerability, and to further explore the underlying neural mechanism.MethodsThe study protocol is designed as a single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Forty patients with PSCI will be randomly assigned to two different TMS groups, one with iTBS and the other with 5 Hz rTMS. Neuropsychological evaluation, activities of daily living, and resting electroencephalography will be conducted before treatment, immediately post-treatment, and 1 month after iTBS/rTMS stimulation. The primary outcome is the change in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version (MoCA-BJ) score from baseline to the end of the intervention (D11). The secondary outcomes comprise changes in resting electroencephalogram (EEG) indexes from baseline to the end of the intervention (D11) as well as the Auditory Verbal Learning Test, the symbol digit modality test, the Digital Span Test findings, and the MoCA-BJ scores from baseline to endpoint (W6).DiscussionIn this study, the effects of iTBS and rTMS will be evaluated using cognitive function scales in patients with PSCI as well as data from resting EEG, which allows for an in-depth exploration of underlying neural oscillations. In the future, these results may contribute to the application of iTBS for cognitive rehabilitation of patients with PSCI.

Several water treatment techniques have been combined using the sequencing batch reactor with the membrane bioreactor for addressing water pollution. However, cleaning of the membrane is dependent on the approach involved as well as the operating conditions. In the present study, the sequencing-batch membrane bioreactor was used to treat real mixed municipal wastewater. The pollutant removal and membrane filtration performances were examined. The results show that the average removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, NH3-N, total phosphorus, and turbidity were 90.75, 63.52, 92.85, 87.58, and 99.48%, respectively, when the system was in continuous operation for 95 days. The membrane had a significant effect on COD and turbidity removal and provided stable performances for nitrogen and phosphorus removal. By observing the appearance of the membrane modules before and after the cleaning operation, it was concluded that the deposited sludge and granular sediment on the membrane surface can be effectively removed by hydraulic cleaning. In addition, recovery of membrane filtration performance to 60% of that of a new membrane can be achieved. Furthermore, we found that different sequences and duration of cleaning have different effects on the recovery of membrane filtration performance. HIGHLIGHTS Sequencing-batch membrane bioreactor (SMBR) was used to treat municipal wastewater.; We examined pollutant removal and membrane filtration performances over 95 days.; Removal rates of COD, TN, NH3-N, TP, and turbidity varied from 63.52 to 99.48%.; Recovery of membrane filtration performance to 60% was possible by hydraulic cleaning.; Recovery increases to 97.6% if alkaline and acid washes follow hydraulic cleaning.;

In this paper, we consider unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled two-way relaying communications between two robot swarms in the absence of communication infrastructures in remote areas or post-disaster rescues. To be more specific, UAV is employed as the relay to expand the communication range between two disconnected ground robot swarms, due to its high maneuverability and flexible deployment. Meanwhile, the two-way relaying mode adopted can improve the transmission performance in terms of delay and throughput in comparison to the conventional one-way relaying, owing to the ability of allowing devices to exchange information simultaneously. In addition, the UAV's trajectory and power allocation are jointly optimized to maximize the sum-rate of the uplink and downlink, where the joint optimization problem is decoupled into two sub-problems to address the non-convexity. Limited to the non-convex formation of the objective function for the trajectory optimization sub-problem, we firstly handle the non-convexity based on successive convex approximation method, and then alternating optimization framework is carried out to obtain the joint suboptimal solution. Numerical results exhibit significant throughput gains of the proposed scheme as compared to other benchmark schemes.

This study is mainly about the optimization, simulation and experiment of a Counter-rotation Straw Returning Cultivator (CSRC), aiming at the problems that the existing CSRC has serious entanglement of grass, terrible jam of soil, large energy consumption, and poor straw coverage rate. Besides, an optimized Rotary Blade Roller (RBR) and a device to avoid the jam of soil were designed to optimize CSRC. A discrete element simulation model of straw-soil-RBR was established based on the EDEM software. The optimization simulation experiment of 4 factors and 3 levels, which took the single-blade operation width, bending angle, advance speed and rotation speed of RBR as factors, and used the straw coverage rate and power consumption as evaluation indicators, was carried out to optimize the structure parameters and working parameters of the RBR with the method of orthogonal experiment. The simulation experiment results showed that the optimal combination of parameters of the RBR at the tillage depth of 130 mm were 237.58 r/min of RBR rotation speed, 1.11m/s of forward speed, 35 mm of single-blade working width, and 134.09° of bending angle. Field tests showed that the straw coverage rate was 89.29%, the average torque was 517.25 N·m, the soil fragmentation rate was 83.21%, and the flatness of the surface after cultivation was less than 4 cm under the conditions of optimal parameters mentioned above. Therefore, the CSRC perfectly satisfied the industry standards, and meet the design requirements of machinery.

A sewage treatment plant is located in the middle of Inner Mongolia. There is a large amount of slaughtering wastewater in the influent with high COD, SS, low annual temperature, poor nitrogen removal effect, and the effluent quality is only grade B. In order to solve the above problems, A\A\O-MBBR + high efficiency sedimentation tank continuous sand filter process was adopted to establish a new anaerobic tank and a first stage AO-MBBR bioreactor. The selection tank and partial oxidation ditch were transformed into the second stage A pool (anoxic pool), and the remaining part of the existing oxidation ditch was transformed into the second stage O pond (aerobic pool), which further removed phosphorus and reduced the SS in the sewage, and solved the problem of low temperature biological treatment in winter in the north of China. The quality of the effluent reached level A after the upgrading.

It is difficult and costly to treat landfill leachate, but combining a certain amount of landfill leachate with proper scale of municipal sewage can reduce the burden of landfill leachate treatment in incineration plants, which can also supplement carbon source for municipal sewage plants with large amount of sewage and generally low C/N. In this study, the hydrolytic acidification (HA)- sequencing batch reactors (SBR)-membrane bioreactor (MBR) was employed to treat mixed municipal sewage and landfill leachate, and the effect of the system on pollutant removal and membrane fouling development was investigated without any physical or chemical cleaning of the membrane. The results of the average COD, TN, NH3-N, total phosphorus, and turbidity removal rates of the HA-SBR-MBR process were 95.1%, 61.9%, 97.5%, 91.1%, and 99.2%, respectively, shown under the conditions of the leachate ratio of 0.17%, pH of 6.56-7.10, hydrolysis time of 12- and 6-h SBR operating cycle. Hence, the pollutant removal efficiencies and effluent quality of the HA-SBR-MBR system were found to be excellent under these conditions, and the membrane separation process enhanced the efficacy of the system. During the operation of the system, membrane modules were used to intermittently filter the supernatant during the late period of the settlement stage, which maintained the stability of the membrane's filtration performance. The membrane fouling rate developed slowly, and the total membrane filtration resistance increased from the original 2.34 × 1012 to 5.03 × 1012 m-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When mining in mines, it is inevitable to produce water gushing; the influence of large amount of mine drainage on groundwater is a problem that should be taken seriously. Taking Shilou Iron Mine for example, based on regional hydrogeological concept model, the numerical model of groundwater was established, which was identified by water-level simulation and crossflow rate calculation, and then the additional drawdown hydrograph was analyzed by considering whether there was water bursting. The results showed that the maximum drawdown of water level of karst water aquifer in the mining area was 0.2753 and 0.2662 m when considering two months of water inrush and normal water gushing by the end of the third year. In addition, the area where groundwater drawdown was greater than 0.2 m was within the radius of 1,500 m at the center of the pit mine, and the mine drainage was of some influence on regional karst groundwater. Furthermore, the maximum value of pore water aquifer was 0.0126 and 0.0104 m in the same case, and the drawdown funnel was roughly stable, so it had little influence on regional pore groundwater during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]