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The present study examined the usage of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) for the classification, segmentation, and detection of the images of surface defects in heritage buildings. A survey was conducted on the building surface defects in Gulang Island (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site), which were subsequently classified into six categories according to relevant standards. A Swin Transformer- and YOLOv5-based model was built for the automated detection of surface defects. Experimental results suggested that the proposed model was 99.2% accurate at classifying plant penetration and achieved a mean intersection-over-union (mIoU) of over 92% in relation to moss, cracking, alkalization, staining, and deterioration, outperforming CNN-based semantic segmentation networks such as FCN, PSPNet, and DeepLabv3plus. The Swin Transformer-based approach for the segmentation of building surface defect images achieved the highest accuracy regardless of the evaluation metric (with an mIoU of 90.96% and an mAcc of 95.78%), when contrasted to mainstream DCNNs such as SegFormer, PSPNet, and DANet.

Objective To investigate the effect of quality control circle (QCC) activities in improving the accuracy of inhalants usage in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A QCC team was established to conduct problem-solving QCC activities. The current situation and factors of inhalants usage in COPD patients were analyzed. Targeted nursing countermeasures were carried out including comprehensive health education, standard operating procedure, enhanced training and evaluation, and diversified exercise of respiratory function. Results The accuracy rate of inhalants usage in COPD patients was increased form 58. 25% before implementation of QCC activities to 83. 06% after implementation of QCC activities. Conclusion The QCC is effective to improve the accuracy of inhalants usage in COPD patients. (目的 开展品管圈活动提高慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者吸入剂的规范使用率。方法 成立品管圈圈组, 开展问题解决型品管圈活动, 通过现状把握、原因分析、制定了针对性的对策并予以实施, 包括打造无死角的宣教环境, 简单化、专业化、标准化完善操作流程, 加强培训夯实知识、质控考核提高水平和多元化、精细化进行呼吸功能锻炼。结果 COPD患者吸入剂的规范使用率由品管圈活动开展前的58. 25%上升至品管圈活动开展后的83. 06%。结论 品管圈活动能够提高COPD患者吸入剂的规范使用率。)

Background The elderly are a priority population for COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of developing severe and critically ill patients or even death in COVID-19 patients. However, the current vaccination rate of the elderly in China is relatively low, and the COVID-19 vaccination behavior among the elderly has been rarely reported in current studies. Objective To investigate COVID-19 vaccination behavior and its influencing factors among the elderly in China, and to provide a reference for improving the COVID-19 vaccination rate of the elderly. Methods A total of 1 323 older adults aged 60 years and above in Wujin District of Changzhou City, Zhongmu County of Zhengzhou City, Chengzhong District of Xining City and Linkou County of Mudanjiang City were selected as research subjects from August 3 to August 14 in 2022 by using a stratified random sampling method and investigated by self-designed questionnaires. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, full course of COVID-19 vaccination, and booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Results 96.60% (1 278/1 323) of the elderly received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 91.76% (1 214/1 323) completed the full course of COVID-19 vaccination, and 79.67% (1 054/1 323) received the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the older adults aged 60-64 years, the older adults aged 75 years and above were less likely to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine〔OR (95%CI) =0.27 (0.11, 0.62), P

This study focuses on a novel type of vortex drop shaft spillway, addressing the lack of comprehensive research on its hydraulic and aeration characteristics. A combination of experimental and theoretical methods was employed to investigate these characteristics in detail. The results reveal that the relationship between the swirl angle and the Froude number (Frx) remains unclear. However, a positive correlation was observed between the water layer thickness, flow velocity, and Frx. Analytical formulas derived for the swirl angle and water layer thickness showed a small relative deviation from experimental data, and the maximum relative differences are about 4% and 8%, respectively. Furthermore, a linear negative correlation was identified between vortex cavity length, relative aeration rate (β), and Frx. An empirical relationship between β and Frx was established. When Frx ranges from 0.064 to 0.89, the aeration concentration along the shaft gradually decreases, while it increases along the outlet tunnel. At lower Frx values, the transverse aeration concentration in the upper layer of the outlet tunnel is highest at the center and lower at the sides. In the lower layer, the concentration is higher at the sides and lower at the center. The aeration concentration near the wall of the outlet tunnel is more than 4%, which can effectively reduce the cavitation damage in the outlet tunnel. These findings deepen the understanding of the hydraulics and aeration mechanism in the vortex drop shaft spillway, offering theoretical support for its application and further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current guidelines have not recommended an upper age limit for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. However, elder age links to an increased risk of poor outcome. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of EVT in elderly versus non-elderly patients and determine the respective factors of poor outcome. Methods: Three hundred and two consecutive patients with LVO-stroke who underwent EVT were included, and we used sensitivity analysis with restricted cubic spline to define 75 years as the inflexion point. Participants were thus dichotomized into elderly (≥ 75 years) and non-elderly (< 75 years) groups. Brain frailty on neuroimaging was evaluated using the global cortical atrophy (GCA) scale and the Fazekas scale for white matter lesions (WML). The primary outcome was 3-month functional outcome, and the secondary outcomes were EVT efficacy and safety. Results: Elderly patients had significantly higher incidences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and more severe GCA and WML. The rate of good outcome in elderly patients was 32%, significantly lower than non-elderly patients (54%, p< 0.001). There was no difference in terms of reperfusion (89% vs 93%, p=0.363) and intracranial hemorrhage (38% vs 41%, p=0.826) between two groups. In elderly patients, high degree of GCA (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.02– 1.30, p=0.012) and moderate/severe WML (OR 5.88, 95% CI 1.47– 23.50, p=0.015) independently predicted 3-month poor outcomes. Conclusion: GCA and WML play pivotal roles for the functional outcomes in elderly patients undergoing EVT for LVO-stroke, providing valuable and practical information for early prediction of long-term prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most forest soils contain substantial amounts of gravel. However, unlike the more widely known root resource uptake behaviors which respond to resource patches in substrate without gravels, how roots respond to substrate containing different gravel levels is poorly understood. We grew roots in substrates with five gravel levels (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of volume) in a subtropical Schima superba Gardn. et Champ plantation, determined fine root dynamics and turnover rate with minirhizotrons, measured fine root morphological, architectural, mycorrhizal colonization, chemistry, and mass allocation. The presence of gravel in the substrate delayed the timing of peak root growth. In the substrate with higher gravel content, plants produced more in roots in autumn, but there were fewer roots in summer and the roots tended to exhibit lower fine root turnover rate and mycorrhizal colonization, but higher root biomass allocation. The higher root biomass in the substrate with higher gravel content was associated with higher root carbon/nitrogen ratio. Our findings emphasize the complexity of root resource uptake behavior in response to gravel content and suggest that incorporating substrate gravel content into root studies may help to improve the prediction of patch exploitation and nutrient acquisition in stony soils. Key words: heterogeneous patches, root phenology, root morphology, root architecture, mycorrhizal colonization. La plupart des sols forestiers contiennent des quantites substantielles de gravier. Cependant, contrairement aux comportements plus largement connus concernant le prelevement des ressources par les racines qui reagissent a des ilots riches en ressources dans un substrat exempt de gravier, la facon dont les racines reagissent a un substrat qui contient differentes quantites de gravier est mal connue. Nous avons fait croitre les racines dans des substrats contenant differentes proportions (cinq) de gravier (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% et 40% du volume) dans une plantation subtropicale de Schima superba Gardn. et Champ; determine la dynamique et le taux de renouvellement des racines fines a l'aide de minirhizotrons; mesure la morphologie, l'architecture, la colonisation mycorhizienne et les caracteristiques chimiques des racines fines ainsi que la repartition de la biomasse. La presence de gravier dans le substrat a retarde le moment ou la croissance des racines a atteint son niveau maximum. Dans le substrat contenant le plus de gravier, la plus forte croissance est survenue dans les racines a l'automne. Par contre les racines etaient moins abondantes durant l'ete et le taux de renouvellement ainsi que la colonisation mycorhizienne des racines fines avaient tendance a etre plus faibles, mais l'allocation de biomasse racinaire etait plus prononcee. La biomasse racinaire plus elevee dans le substrat contenant le plus de gravier etait associee a un rapport carbone:azote plus eleve dans les racines. Nos resultats font ressortir la complexite du comportement relie au prelevement des ressources par les racines en reaction a la teneur en gravier et indiquent que l'incorporation de la teneur en gravier du substrat dans les etudes portant sur les racines pourrait contribuer a ameliorer la prediction de l'exploitation des ilots riches en ressources et l'acquisition des elements nutritifs dans les sols pierreux. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : ilots heterogenes, phenologie racinaire, morphologie racinaire, architecture racinaire, colonisation mycorhizienne., 1. Introduction Resources in soil are heterogeneously distributed. Understanding fine root resource uptake strategies in heterogeneous patches is of primary importance for predicting plant growth and adaptation to changing environments [...]

Rationale: The development of analytical screening techniques for pesticides is crucial for preventing and mitigating environmental contamination. Mass spectrometry‐based screening methods differ based on the complexity of the sample matrix and the diversity of the target compounds. One of the major challenges is balancing cost reduction in the extraction process with the optimization of analytical results. This protocol introduces a universal and efficient scheme for the qualitative and quantitative schemes for 45 pesticides within a single analytical run. Methods: Water samples were extracted using an SPE column, with the pH adjusted to 7. Soil samples were processed using a modified QuEChERS method. The pretreatment for water samples emphasized selecting appropriate SPE columns and optimizing pH, while for soil samples, the focus was on choosing suitable extraction solvents and extraction salt packages. The enriched samples were then analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The method was evaluated for accuracy, precision, detection limits, and matrix effects. Results: The method enabled the simultaneous detection of 45 pesticides within a 15‐minute analysis period. SPE recoveries ranged from 56.1% to 118.8%. Instrumental detection limits varied between 0.02 and 1 pg, while method detection limits extended from 0.05 to 18.47 ng/l in soil and water matrices. The approach was successfully applied to water and soil samples, with the pesticide concentration ranging from 0.1 ng/L to 38 μg/L. Conclusions: The protocol substantially enhances the characterization and quantification of 45 pesticides in environmental samples, achieving a remarkable reduction in detection limits by an order of magnitude compared to previous research. This method enables the simultaneous detection of pesticides in both water and soil matrices using a single system, addressing the challenges of using separate systems for different environmental media. Furthermore, this protocol provides a crucial theoretical foundation for managing and safeguarding against pesticide pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon materials supported Fe-based catalysts possess great potential for the thermal-catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 into valuable chemicals, such as alkenes and oxygenates, due to the excellent active sites' accessibility, appropriate interaction between the active site and carbon support, as well as the excellent capacities in C-O bond activation and C-C bond coupling. Even though tremendous progress has been made to boost the CO2 hydrogenation performance of carbon-supported Fe-based catalysts, e.g., additives modification, the choice of different carbon materials (graphene or carbon nanotubes), electronic property tailoring, etc., the effect of carbon support porosity on the evolution of Fe-based active sites and the corresponding catalytic performance has been rarely investigated. Herein, a series of porous carbon samples with different porosities are obtained by the K2CO3 activation of petroleum pitch under different temperatures. Fe-based active sites and the alkali promoter Na are anchored on the porous carbon to study the effect of carbon support porosity on the physicochemical properties of Fe-based active sites and CO2 hydrogenation performance. Multiple characterizations clarify that the bigger meso/macro-pores in the carbon support are beneficial for the formation of the Fe5C2 crystal phase for C-C bond coupling, therefore boosting the synthesis of C2+ chemicals, especially C2+ alcohols (C2+OH), while the limited micro-pores are unfavorable for C2+ chemicals synthesis owing to the sluggish crystal phase evolution and reactants' inaccessibility. We wish our work could enrich the horizon for the rational design of highly efficient carbon-supported Fe-based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]