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In this study, we designed a novel hybrid underwater sound-absorbing material of the metastructure that contains a viscoelastic substrate with a microperforated panel. Two types of sound-absorbing metastructures were combined to achieve satisfactory sound absorption performance in the low-frequency range. A homogenized equivalent layer and the integrated transfer matrix method were used to theoretically evaluate the sound absorption performance of the designed nonhomogeneous hybrid metastructure. The theoretical results were then compared with the results obtained using the finite-element method. The designed hybrid sound-absorbing metastructure exhibited two absorption peaks because of its different sound-absorbing mechanisms. The acoustic performance of the developed metastructure is considerably better than that of a traditional sound absorber, and the sound absorption coefficient of the developed metastructure is 0.8 in the frequency range of 3–10 kHz. In addition, an adjustment method for the practical underwater application of the designed metastructure is described in this research. Further studies show that the sound absorption coefficient of the adjusted metastructure still has 0.75 in the frequency range of 3–10 kHz, which indicates that this metastructure has the potential to be used as an underwater sound-absorbing structure. The results of this study can be used as a reference in the design of other novel hybrid underwater sound-absorbing structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the impact of cervical cerclage combined with one or more uterine contraction inhibitors in persistent inhibition of uterine contraction for the treatment of late abortion and premature delivery. This retrospective case series study analysed the medical data of 58 patients who underwent cervical cerclage for cervical insufficiency and simultaneously received one or more uterine contraction inhibitors (indomethacin, ritodrine, and atosiban) and magnesium sulphate at the Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2019 and December 2020. Patients are normal pregnancy who received cervical cerclage without complications. The rate of successful treatment was 74.14% (43/58). The prolonged gestation duration was 16.42 ± 7.84 weeks, and the average delivery gestational age was 35.91 ± 5.16 weeks. The longest duration of treatment with a uterine contraction inhibitor or inhibitors in combination or with magnesium sulphate alone was 15.34 ± 13.16 days, and nine cases developed adverse reactions. Persistent uterine contraction inhibition after cervical cerclage could prolong pregnancy and improve pregnancy outcomes. What is already known on this subject? A crucial reason for treatment failure of cervical cerclage is that uterine contraction was not effectively inhibited. What do the results of this study add? Persistent inhibition of uterine contraction after cervical cerclage prolonged pregnancy duration, increased gestational age at delivery, and improved pregnancy outcomes. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study may provide a clinical basis for prolonging gestational age, preventing late abortion and premature delivery, and improving the survival rate and quality of life of premature infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caregiving burden is common among family caregivers (FCs). In Taiwan, no reports have compared caregiving burden according to disease stage, or explored the comprehensive factors of caregiving burden in the FCs of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate caregiving burden at different diagnosis stages and its potential predictors in the FCs of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 192 FCs. Caregiving burden was measured using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment tool. The predictive factors of caregiving burden in the FCs of patients with HCC were identified using a linear regression model. Results: The global caregiving burden had no significant differences between the four disease stages. The lack of family support and impact on schedule were significantly higher at the terminal stage than at the earlier stage. The risk factors of caregiving burden were high depression, high financial demand, heavy caregiving tasks, advanced age and frequent patient contact, which obtained a variance of 47.8% in the regression model. Conclusion: Healthcare providers need to proactively identify and assess FCs with risk factors of caregiving burden and provide appropriate interventions specific to individual needs at different disease stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study is the first to compare the validity of SARC-F, SARC-Calf, calf circumference, and Yubi-wakka tests for sarcopenia screening among community-dwelling older adults. • This study shows that calf circumference has excellent discrimination ability for both males and females with a diagnosis of sarcopenia. • This study shows that the Yubi-wakka test in the "smaller" and "just fits" categories is significantly associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic values of SARC-F (strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls), SARC-Calf (SARC-F combined with calf circumference), CC (calf circumference), and the Yubi-wakka (finger-ring) test for screening for sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria were used as a standard reference. A total of 209 participants were enrolled, and 40.7% were identified as sarcopenia. The sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were respectively 54.1%, 70.2%, and 0.687 for SARC-F; 76.5%, 73.4% and 0.832 for SARC-calf, 86.7%, 82.4%, and 0.906 for CC in men, and 85.5%, 63.3%, and 0.877 for CC in women. Relative to the "bigger," a significant association between sarcopenia and the Yubi-wakka test ("just fits" OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 1.57–10.98; "small" OR: 27.5, 95% CI: 10.14–74.55) was observed. The overall accuracy of CC was better than SARC-Calf for sarcopenia screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Used the Twenty Statements Test to investigate the development of self-concept of Chinese students in grades 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14. As students' age increased, their self-concept became more abstract. Comparisons between Chinese and American students indicated differences in the content and speed of the concrete-abstract development of self-concept. (Author/BB)

Heavy equipment is often driven synchronously by multi-actuator hydraulic system. However, when the load deviation of the actuators is large, such systems exhibit serious energy loss and inferior synchronization performance. Inspired by the cluster flight of wild goose, a bionic hydraulic actuator and a bionic driving method are proposed. Different from traditional two-chamber hydraulic actuator, the redundant freedom of the bionic hydraulic actuator is used to simulate the airflow vortex formed by wild goose. By doing so, the bionic actuators can provide or accept auxiliary driving force from other actuators according to different topology. In addition, the optimal load balance performance of multi-actuators can be realized by adjusting the auxiliary driving pressure between actuators. In this study, topology switching rules and auxiliary pressure control strategies are discussed. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can reduce the maximum load deviation by over 85% and the synchronization error by over 80% in typical cases.

C40H34Se2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 13.377(3) Å, b = 14.843(3) Å, c = 16.003(4) Å, β = 93.922(4)°, V = 3170.0(12) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt (F) = 0.0336, wRref (F 2) = 0.0717, T = 113(2) K.