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Low-ionization-state Mg ii gas has been extensively studied in quasar sightline observations to understand the cool, ∼104 K gas in the circumgalactic medium. Motivated by recent observations showing that the Mg ii gas around low-redshift galaxies has significant angular momentum, we use the high-resolution EAGLE cosmological simulation to analyze the morphological and rotation structures of the z 0.3 circumgalactic Mg ii gas and examine how they change with the host galaxy properties. Around star-forming galaxies, we find that the Mg ii gas has an axisymmetric instead of a spherical distribution, and the axis of symmetry aligns with that of the Mg ii gas rotation. A similar rotating structure is less commonly found in the small sample of simulated quiescent galaxies. We also examine how often Mg ii gas around galaxies selected using a line-of-sight velocity cut includes gas physically outside of the virial radius (r vir). For example, we show that at an impact parameter of 100 pkpc, a ±500 km s-1 velocity cut around galaxies with stellar masses of 109-109.5 M o (1010-1010.5 M o) selects Mg ii gas beyond the virial radius 80% (6%) of the time. Because observers typically select Mg ii gas around target galaxies using such a velocity cut, we discuss how this issue affects the study of circumgalactic Mg ii gas properties, including the detection of corotation. While the corotating Mg ii gas generally extends beyond 0.5r vir, the Mg ii gas outside of the virial radius contaminates the corotation signal and makes observers less likely to conclude that gas at large impact parameters (e.g., 0.25r vir) is corotating.

We constrain gas inflow speeds in star-forming galaxies with color gradients consistent with inside-out disk growth. Our method combines new measurements of disk orientation with previously described circumgalactic absorption in background quasar spectra. Two quantities, a position angle and an axis ratio, describe the projected shape of each galactic disk on the sky, leaving an ambiguity about which side of the minor axis is tipped toward the observer. This degeneracy regarding the 3D orientation of disks has compromised previous efforts to measure gas inflow speeds. We present Hubble Space Telescope and Keck/LGSAO imaging that resolves the spiral structure in five galaxies at redshift z ≈ 0.2. We determine the sign of the disk inclination for four galaxies, under the assumption that spiral arms trail the rotation. We project models for both radial infall in the disk plane and circular orbits onto each quasar sightline. We compare the resulting line-of-sight velocities to the observed velocity range of Mg ii absorption in spectra of background quasars, which intersect the disk plane at radii between 69 and 115 kpc. For two sightlines, we constrain the maximum radial inflow speeds as 30-40 km s-1. We also rule out a velocity component from radial inflow in one sightline, suggesting that the structures feeding gas to these growing disks do not have unity covering factor. We recommend appropriate selection criteria for building larger samples of galaxy-quasar pairs that produce orientations sensitive to constraining inflow properties.

We present observations of 50 pairs of redshift z ≈ 0.2 star-forming galaxies and background quasars. These sightlines probe the circumgalactic medium (CGM) out to half the virial radius, and we describe the circumgalactic gas kinematics relative to the reference frame defined by the galactic disks. We detect halo gas in Mg ii absorption, measure the equivalent-width-weighted Doppler shifts relative to each galaxy, and find that the CGM has a component of angular momentum that is aligned with the galactic disk. No net counter-rotation of the CGM is detected within 45° of the major axis at any impact parameter. The velocity offset of the circumgalactic gas correlates with the projected rotation speed in the disk plane out to disk radii of roughly 70 kpc. We confirm previous claims that the Mg ii absorption becomes stronger near the galactic minor axis, and we show that the equivalent width correlates with the velocity range of the absorption. We cannot directly measure the location of any absorber along the sightline, but we explore the hypothesis that individual velocity components can be associated with gas orbiting in the disk plane or flowing radially outward in a conical outflow. We conclude that centrifugal forces partially support the low-ionization gas and galactic outflows kinematically disturb the CGM producing excess absorption. Our results firmly rule out schema for the inner CGM that lack rotation and suggest that angular momentum as well as galactic winds should be included in any viable model for the low-redshift CGM.

Numerous observations indicate that galaxies need a continuous gas supply to fuel star formation and explain the star formation history. However, direct observational evidence of gas accretion remains rare. Using the EAGLE cosmological hydrodynamic simulation suite, we study cold gas accretion onto galaxies and the observational signatures of the cold gas kinematics. For EAGLE galaxies at z = 0.27, we find that cold gas accretes onto galaxies anisotropically with typical inflow speeds between 20 and 60 km s-1. Most of these galaxies have comparable mass inflow rates and star formation rates, implying that the cold inflowing gas plausibly accounts for sustaining the star-forming activities of the galaxies. As motivation for future work to compare the cold gas kinematics with measurements from quasar sightline observations, we select an EAGLE galaxy with an extended cold gas disk, and we probe the cold gas using mock quasar sightlines. We demonstrate that by viewing the disk edge on, sightlines at azimuthal angles below 10° and impact parameters out to 60 pkpc can detect cold gas that corotates with the galaxy disk. This example suggests that cold gas disks extending beyond the optical disks possibly explain the sightline observations that detect corotating cold gas near galaxy major axes.

We describe the kinematics of circumgalactic gas near the galactic plane, combining new measurements of galaxy rotation curves and spectroscopy of background quasars. The sightlines pass within 19-93 kpc of the target galaxy and generally detect Mg ii absorption. The Mg ii Doppler shifts have the same sign as the galactic rotation, so the cold gas co-rotates with the galaxy. Because the absorption spans a broader velocity range than disk rotation can explain, we explore simple models for the circumgalactic kinematics. Gas spiraling inwards (near the disk plane) offers a successful description of the observations. An appendix describes the addition of tangential and radial gas flows and illustrates how the sign of the disk inclination produces testable differences in the projected line-of-sight velocity range. This inflow interpretation implies that cold flow disks remain common down to redshift z ≈ 0.2 and prolong star formation by supplying gas to the disk.

We present the first observation of a galaxy (z = 0.2) that exhibits metal-line absorption back-illuminated by the galaxy (down-the-barrel) and transversely by a background quasar at a projected distance of 58 kpc. Both absorption systems, traced by Mg II, are blueshifted relative to the galaxy systemic velocity. The quasar sight line, which resides almost directly along the projected minor axis of the galaxy, probes Mg I and Mg II absorption obtained from the Keck/Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer as well as Lyα, Si II, and Si III absorption obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. For the first time, we combine two independent models used to quantify the outflow properties for down-the-barrel and transverse absorption. We find that the modeled down-the-barrel deprojected outflow velocities range between V dtb = 45-255 km s-1. The transverse bi-conical outflow model, assuming constant-velocity flows perpendicular to the disk, requires wind velocities V outflow = 40-80 km s-1 to reproduce the transverse Mg II absorption kinematics, which is consistent with the range of V dtb. The galaxy has a metallicity, derived from Hα and N II, of [O/H] = -0.21 ± 0.08, whereas the transverse absorption has [X/H] = -1.12 ± 0.02. The galaxy star formation rate is constrained between 4.6-15 M yr-1 while the estimated outflow rate ranges between 1.6-4.2 M yr-1 and yields a wind loading factor ranging between 0.1-0.9. The galaxy and gas metallicities, the galaxy-quasar sight-line geometry, and the down-the-barrel and transverse modeled outflow velocities collectively suggest that the transverse gas originates from ongoing outflowing material from the galaxy. The 1 dex decrease in metallicity from the base of the outflow to the outer halo suggests metal dilution of the gas by the time it reached 58 kpc. © 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..

As the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) intensifies, two primary challenges emerge: limited range due to battery constraints and extended charging times. The traditional charging stations, particularly those near highways, exacerbate these issues with necessary detours, inconsistent service levels, and unpredictable waiting durations. The emerging technology of dynamic wireless charging lanes (DWCLs) may alleviate range anxiety and eliminate long charging stops; however, the driving speed on DWCL significantly affects charging efficiency and effective charging time. Meanwhile, the existing research has addressed load balancing optimization on Dynamic Wireless Charging (DWC) systems to a limited extent. To address this critical issue, this study introduces an innovative eco-driving speed control strategy, providing a novel solution to the multi-objective optimization problem of speed control on DWCL. We utilize mathematical programming methods and incorporate the longitudinal dynamics of vehicles to provide an accurate physical model of EVs. Three objective functions are formulated to tackle the challenges at hand: reducing travel time, increasing charging efficiency, and achieving load balancing on DWCL, which corresponds to four control strategies. The results of numerical tests indicate that a comprehensive control strategy, which considers all objectives, achieves a minor sacrifice in travel time reduction while significantly improving energy efficiency and load balancing. Furthermore, by defining the energy demand and speed range through an upper operation limit, a relatively superior speed control strategy can be selected. This work contributes to the discourse on DWCL integration into modern transportation systems, enhancing the EV driving experience on major roads.

Este trabalho analisou contribuições teórico-metodológicas da ludicidade com idosas institucionalizadas. Para isso, contou com a Hermenêutica-Dialética como método, que busca na compreensão de falas, texto e contexto, a concepção dos fenômenos estudados, os quais foram evidenciados pela entrevista semiestruturada com 19 (dezenove) participantes envolvidos num programa de extensão com intervenção em Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPI) da cidade do Recife. As falas tratadas pela análise de conteúdo categorial por temática revelaram duas categorias empíricas, das quais, optamos pela ludicidade. Como conclusão, foram evidenciados princípios lúdicos, a saber: alegria, diversão, gratuidade, imaginação, plenitude, liberdade e cultura, sendo facetas que fundamentam a prática lúdica num viés teórico-metodológico, revelando contribuições para a melhoria da interação social em ILPI.

Effective catalysts for the thermal depolymerization of biomass present an attractive way to reduce energy consumption. This study investigated the effect of spent ZSM-5 catalysts on product distribution through thermal catalytic depolymerization. The spent catalyst has similar properties to the commercial fresh catalysts, as assessed through characterization analysis. The utilization of spent catalysts can enhance the production of bio-oil. The bio-oil yields for rice straw, brown solid, alkaline, and dealkaline lignin by catalytic depolymerization are 11%, 31%, 6%, and 21%, respectively. Therefore, depolymerization using a spent catalyst is a promising method to degrade lignocellulose.

Carbon capture and utilization are crucial parts of minimizing the negative impacts of climate change caused by CO2 emissions. Furthermore, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has emerged as the predominant option for beverage packaging and textile fiber on a global scale. Moreover, CO2 capture and utilization can be a great solution to produce PET feedstocks effectively, such as ethylene glycol (EG), terephthalic acid (TPA), and dimethyl. Several strategies have been used to obtain the raw materials for PET production through CO2 utilization, including EG production from ethylene carbonate, EG production from coal, TPA production from benzene, TPA production from p-xylene, and EG production by the electrochemical process. CO2 utilization is often used for chemical production and recycling. However, there is limited information available regarding CO2 utilization in PET production and recycling. This review presents CO2 utilization for PET raw material supply and recycling from an environmental sustainability standpoint.

Abstract This study investigates the characteristics of a ceramic phosphor (CP) for the converter of a high-power laser diode-based automobile headlamp synthesized by high-frequency induction heated press (HFP) sintering. The CP prepared by an HFP method exhibits remarkable optical properties that are comparable to spark plasma sintering. The effects of post-treatment process for controlling residual pores, as well as sintering temperature, sintering pressure and heating rate for optimization of the HFP sintering method, were studied. The HFP sintering process can be widely used in ceramics and lighting fields because it is designed relatively low cost compared to other techniques and exhibits excellent productivity.

Rubrics were traditionally a perfect choice for assessing performance. Yet, most rubrics and previous research only focused on its traditional summative aspect, limiting its functions, or even leading to some inappropriate usage or misconception of using rubrics. As formative assessment was found to favor low-achieving students, it has become increasingly popular that rubrics can also be used for formative use and help reduce learning diversity. In this study, different types of rubrics in a Hong Kong Secondary School were investigated, which has been a popular tool that has been widely used among various subjects as an assessment tool. The classification of the rubrics based on different learning areas unveiled that distinct learning areas tended to use heterogeneous rubrics, so the implementation and learning outcomes were then reviewed. It was also noted that a rubric was used for formative assessment in a newly developed STEM curriculum, hence the effectiveness was examined.

This study investigates the feasibility of using biodegradable secondary alcohol ethoxylate (SAE) non-ionic surfactant as a building block for the formation of reverse micelles, functioning as reactive dye carriers for the dyeing of cotton fabric in non-aqueous octane medium. Ten dyeing parameters were optimised, by a one-factor-at-a-time approach, namely: (i) effect of colour fixation agent; (ii) surfactant-to-water mole ratio; (iii) surfactant-to-co-surfactant mole ratio; (iv) volume of soda ash; (v) volume of dye; (vi) solvent-to-cotton ratio; (vii) dyeing temperature; (viii) dyeing time; (ix) fixation time; (x) soda-ash-to-cotton ratio. The colour properties, fastness properties and physical properties of SAE-dyed samples were experimentally compared with the conventional water-dyed samples. The optimised condition was found when SAE samples were dyed as follows: (a) 1:20 surfactant-to-water ratio; (b) 1:8 surfactant-to-co-surfactant ratio; (c) 10:1 solvent ratio; (d) 40 min dyeing time; (e) 60 min fixation time; and (f) 70 °C dyeing and fixation temperature. The results showed that SAE-dyed samples have better colour strength, lower reflectance percentage and comparable levelness, fastness and physical properties than that of water-dyed samples. SEM images revealed that the dyed cotton fibres had no severe surface damage caused by an SAE-based reverse micellar dyeing system. The TEM image depicts that the reverse micelle was of nanoscale, spherical-shaped and had a core–shell structure, validating the presence of reverse micelle as a reactive dye carrier and the potential of an SAE-based reverse micellar system for dyeing of cotton fabrics.

In C. elegans mail tail, the peripheral sensory structures comprise of nine pairs of rays embedded in a cuticular fan. Each ray has its own specific morphological and functional identity as defined by a group of regulatory genes. Among them, mab-21 regulates ray 6 formation . Since its isolation, mab-21's cellular role is by large unknown. To establish the role of mab-21 in normal development, we have tried to dissect the elements in the mab-21 locus. A minimal length of genomic fragment that can efficiently rescue the mab-21 mutant male tail was defined. The results showed that mab-21 locus contains many transcriptional regulatory elements including hypodermal, neuronal and activity enhancer. We present data showing that not all these enhancer elements are required for the ray development. Knowing the localization of the gene product is crucial for addressing the mab-21 function. A full length MAB-21::GFP fusion protein was employed as a reporter. We found that the fusion protein can efficiently rescue the mab-21 mutant sensory ray phenotype. The green fluorescence signal could be detected in the hypodermal tissue, neuronal cells as well as a group of ray cells. The expression are reflective to the phenotype we observed in mab-21 mutant; relatively short body length, backward uncoordinated movement and ray fusion. Taken together, we can define the elements in the locus which are required for wild type mab-21 expression and sensory ray differentiation in the male tail. (The research is supported by the Research Grant Council, Hong Kong.)

Jayme Reaves uses Genesis 19:1–14; Joshua 2:1–22; Judges 19:14–27; and the cities of refuge texts in Deuteronomy 4:41–3 and 19:1–10 as biblical sources to conceptualize a so-called “protective hospitality.” This article utilizes the book of Proverbs to argue that it reflects the same protective motivations regarding hospitality, with a sapiential twist. Specifically, Proverbs 1–9 depicts two forms of hospitality: sapiential hospitality and pseudo hospitality. Sapiential hospitality protects the stranger from fraudulent hospitality. It is a form of absolute hospitality, meant to avert strangers from falling into the trap of false hospitality offered by organized crime syndicates. Although Lady Wisdom is vulnerable to attack from villainous strangers, she is also resilient enough to make strangers wise and thrive.

O estudo objetivou analisar os sistemas táticos do time de ouro húngaro e do carrossel holandês a fim de identificar as suas contribuições para o futebol moderno. Para isto, a pesquisa caracteriza-se como qualitativa do tipo documental, onde os dados analisados foram vídeos dos jogos de ambas as seleções disponíveis em plataformas online devido a sua disponibilidade e praticidade, Os dados obtidos indicaram que a seleção húngara de 1954 e a holandesa de 1974 apresentavam sistemas táticos a frente do seu tempo, o que contribuiu para revolucionar o futebol em diversos aspectos. Com isso, concluímos que ao analisar os sistemas táticos dessas seleções percebemos a sua importância para o cenário atual do futebol onde diversos times campeões empregam seus conceitos de jogo.

Background: The use of international telemedicine conferences for doctor-to-doctor education has increased following the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to ensure health and safety. Previous studies have shown that administrative tasks are an obstacle to promoting international telemedicine conferences but have not identified the type of system needed to alleviate this burden. Objective: The Asia-Pacific Advanced Network Medical Working Group (APAN-MWG) is an international telemedicine network that includes 1171 medical institutions and 3653 members as of July 21, 2021. The APAN-MWG has supported international telemedicine conferences since 2005 and implemented a program management system in 2014. The present study explores the conference organizers' tasks and evaluates the APAN-MWG management system through a survey of organizers. Methods: We developed a system called med-hok for managing conference programs, international medical institutions, and their members. We investigated all event programs using the med-hok system from June 3, 2015 to July 21, 2021. The target samples included 64 conference programs in 12 series hosted by 13 program organizers. The effectiveness of the system was evaluated using a four-point Likert scale (very good, good, poor, and very poor). The User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) was used to assess user experience. Results: The survey response rate of the program organizers, who hosted 11 different program series in 7 Asian countries, was 92% (12/13). The administrative tasks for managing the programs were primarily handled by physicians (67%, 8/12), followed by technicians (17%, 2/12). The average program scope encompassed 7 countries, 10 institutions, and 44 members. The largest program comprised 194 members from 49 institutions in 25 countries and was managed by two physicians and one technician. Most program organizers (8/12, 67%) indicated that verifying member information was the most burdensome aspect of organizing teleconferences. Over 90% of respondents positively evaluated med-hok in the following areas: “Confirmation of institution information,” “Confirmation of member information,” “Confirmation of technical information,” “Maintaining the latest status of the program,” “Announcing and publicizing the event,” and “Formatting and correcting misspellings.” They rated user experience positively for all aspects (attractiveness: 1.22; practical quality: 1.42; and hedonic quality: 1.24). Conclusions: Many tasks of organizing casual international telemedicine conferences are handled by physicians and technicians with no operating funds or staff, unlike those in large academic conferences. The proposed system was found to help program organizers manage participants and communicate information effectively. These findings suggest that international telemedicine networks should implement an administrative support system to conduct program operations efficiently.

OBJETIVO: : A pesquisa objetivou analisar as contribuições teórico-metodológicas para o ensino da esgrima nas aulas de Educação Física. MÉTODOS: Para isto, caracteriza-se pela abordagem qualitativa do tipo pesquisa-participante, em que as técnicas para coleta dos dados foram a observação-participante e a filmagem, e, para a análise, nos subsidiamos da técnica de análise de conteúdo do tipo categorial por temática. RESULTADOS: Durante o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, identificamos contribuições teórico-metodológicas no ensino dessa luta, como o desenvolvimento da pesquisa escolar, da construção de materiais, das estratégias e das habilidades motoras. CONCLUSÃO: Assim, concluímos que tratar desse conteúdo, nas aulas de Educação Física, corrobora uma ampliação nas possibilidades de práticas corporais a serem vivenciadas pelos estudantes, instigando-os na busca por novos conhecimentos.

Abstract Background The mechanisms of endocrine resistance are complex, and deregulation of several oncogenic signalling pathways has been proposed. We aimed to investigate the role of the EGFR and Src-mediated STAT3 signalling pathway in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. Methods The ER-positive luminal breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and T47D, were used. We have established an MCF-7-derived tamoxifen-resistant cell line (TamR) by long-term culture of MCF-7 cells with 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Cell viability was determined using an MTT assay, and protein expression levels were determined using western blot. Cell cycle and annexin V staining were analysed using flow cytometry. Results TamR cells showed decreased expression of estrogen receptor and increased expression of EGFR. TamR cells showed an acceleration of the G1 to S phase transition. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated Src, EGFR (Y845), and STAT3 was increased in TamR cells, while phosphorylated Akt was decreased. The expression of p-STAT3 was enhanced according to exposure time of tamoxifen in T47D cells, suggesting that activation of STAT3 can cause tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Both dasatinib (Src inhibitor) and stattic (STAT3 inhibitor) inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in TamR cells. However, stattic showed a much stronger effect than dasatinib. Knockdown of STAT3 expression by siRNA had no effect on sensitivity to tamoxifen in MCF-7 cells, while that enhanced sensitivity to tamoxifen in TamR cells. There was not a significant synergistic effect of dasatinib and stattic on cell survival. TamR cells have low nuclear p21(Cip1) expression compared to MCF-7 cells and inhibition of STAT3 increased the expression of nuclear p21(Cip1) in TamR cells. Conclusions The EGFR and Src-mediated STAT3 signalling pathway is activated in TamR cells, and inhibition of STAT3 may be a potential target in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. An increase in nuclear p21(Cip1) may be a key step in STAT3 inhibitor-induced cell death in TamR cells.

Trata-se de uma pesquisa que tem como objetivo analisar as contribuições do lúdico para o processo de hospitalização das crianças com câncer. Durante a sua hospitalização, a criança é afetada em seu estado físico, psicológico ou emocional, porém isso pode ser amenizado através de atividades lúdicas. Metodologicamente, esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida na abordagem qualitativa com método da hermenêutica-dialética, que envolveu crianças em tratamento no hospital de referência na cidade de Recife/PE. Nesse caso, a comunicação foi tratada através dos dados recolhidos em fontes bibliográficas, observações dos jogos através do diário de campo e das entrevistas semiestruturadas com as crianças com câncer e seus acompanhantes. Com isso, foi constatado que a ludicidade é um recurso terapêutico enriquecedor, que contribuiu para ao desenvolvimento das crianças com câncer.

Introduction: End-of-life patients face difficulties in reporting respiratory distress. The Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) is a well-known tool; however, field implementation has been challenging from ground feedback. We sought to develop a simpler scale. Setting: Patients referred for palliative consult in a tertiary hospital in Singapore were recruited. Methods: A priori, we identified 18 dyspnea physical signs and documented their presence through bedside observation. Dyspnea severity was self-reported. The cohort was randomly split into training and test sets. Partial least square regression with leave-one-out cross-validation was used to develop a four-point model from the training set. Using the test set, data fit was compared using Akaike and Bayesian Information Criterion. Discrimination was assessed using receiver operating characteristics. Results: Of 122 patients, mean age was 67.9 years (range 23?93, standard deviation 12.9), 71.3% had a primary cancer diagnosis, and 58.1% were chair/bedbound with a Palliative Performance Scale of ?50. Median reported dyspnea scale was 5 (interquartile range 3?7). Our model (modRDOS-4) consisted of four predictors (grunting, respiratory rate, accessory muscle use, paradoxical breathing). A modRDOS-4 of ?6 identified moderate-to-severe dyspnea with a sensitivity of 0.78 and specificity of 0.90. Using the test set, with the modRDOS-4, the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) is 149.8, Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) is 154.1, and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) is 0.74. With the original RDOS, the AIC is 145.2, BIC is 149.5, and ROC is 0.76. Conclusion: For a quick assessment of dyspnea, we developed a four-item tool with a pilot web-based nomogram. External validation is needed.

The production of 1,3-butadiene from ethanol was carried out using ash as a catalyst in combination with Zr and Mg. The catalytic experiments were carried out at 350–400 °C with a different weight hourly space velocity (WHSV). The catalysts that were used were combined as follows: Ash, Ash:MgO (weight ratio 1:1), Ash:MgO (1:2), Ash:MgO (1:3), and Ash: MgO/ZrO2 (1:1:1). The characterization of the catalyst was carried out using BET, SEM, XRD, TGA, and XPS, respectively. The yield of 1,3-butadiene using bare ash was 65% at 400 °C and 2.5 h−1 of WHSV. Using the Ash:MgO (1:2) catalyst led to an ethanol conversion rate of 79 % at 350 °C; the yield and selectivity of 1,3-butadiene were 48% and 87.8 %, respectively. Using the Ash:MgO(1:3) catalyst led to a 1,3-butadiene yield of 25% and a selectivity of 82% at 350 °C. The Ash:MgO(1:2) catalyst had a 1,3-butadiene yield of 50% and selectivity of 83%, and the Ash:MgO(1:1) had a 1,3-butadiene yield of 30% and selectivity of 80%, while the Ash:MgO/ZrO2 (1:1:1) catalyst had a 1,3-butadiene yield of 50% and selectivity of 90.8% at 2.5 h−1 of WHSV.

Cardiorenal syndrome is rarely discussed in patients with obstructive uropathy. On the other hand, there is currently no accurate and convenient clinical biomarker to predict the recovery of renal function after the resolution of ureteral obstruction. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between hydronephrosis and cardiorenal syndrome by measuring the change of the N-terminal prohormone of brain-natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is a biomarker typically used for cardiac failure, in patients receiving surgery to relieve obstructive uropathy. A total of 212 patients admitted for ureteroscopic (URS) procedures to relieve hydronephrosis were enrolled in this study. The severity of hydronephrosis as well as plasma and urine NT-proBNP levels were obtained before and after surgery. The results showed a significant correlation between urine NT-proBNP levels and renal function recovery following the resolution of hydronephrosis (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.09–9.70, p = 0.035). Urine NT-proBNP could even predict the recovery of renal function with an area under the ROC = 0.775 (0.65–0.88, p < 0.001). In conclusion, urine NT-proBNP could be a useful early marker of renal function recovery after URS surgery, identifying patients whose renal and heart functions were compromised by the obstruction.

Abstract. Introduction:. The cognitive model of hope suggests that people with high levels of hope are able to think about the ways to goals (pathways) and motivated to pursue those pathways to reach their goals (agency). We hypothesized that higher levels of hope would be related to lower levels of pain and less psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depression) and better adjustment. Objectives:. This study aims to examine the relationship, if any, between cognition of hope and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methods:. One hundred and six patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited by convenient sampling from 2 public hospitals in Hong Kong. We assessed the hope level, psychological distress, and health outcomes by psychometric inventories. Results:. Zero-order correlation results showed that hope was inversely associated with psychological distress (ie, anxiety and depression) and positively related to subjective self-efficacy. There was no significant relationship with severity of pain. Patients presented with longer duration of chronic musculoskeletal pain have higher hope level while pain developed after injury on duty have lower hope level. Conclusion:. The findings of this cross-sectional study highlight the potential importance of hope in understanding adjustment to chronic musculoskeletal pain. Future longitudinal research could help reveal how hope and adjustment interact over the treatment of chronic pain cases.

O estudo objetivou analisar as contribuições interculturais do ensino dos jogos chineses para a formação dos estudantes nas aulas de Educação Física. Para isto, a pesquisa configura-se como qualitativa do tipo participante, onde os procedimentos para coleta dos dados foram as filmagens e a observação-participante, enquanto que para a análise nos subsidiamos da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os dados obtidos indicaram que o ensino dos jogos chineses nas aulas de Educação Física, contribuiu de forma significativa para que os estudantes conhecessem outra cultura, e no processo também desenvolvessem competências cognitivas e motoras através da sua prática. Com isso, concluímos que a presença desses jogos no ambiente escolar favorece a formação intercultural de um sujeito crítico e conhecedor de outros contextos e culturas.

C12H15N3S, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 11.9612(5) Å, b = 8.1215(3) Å, c = 27.5865(12) Å, V = 2679.83(19) Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0520, wRref(F2) = 0.1514, T = 293(2) K.

Blastocystis sp. is a globally distributed protozoan parasite with uncertain pathogenicity. Phenotypic variation in Blastocystis sp. suggests its adaptation; however, the phenotypic features of Blastocystis sp. ST3 from a distinct source of isolation is unknown. Blastocystis sp. isolated from individuals in urban and orang asli (indigenous population in Selangor, Malaysia) settlements were studied for phenotypic characteristics such as growth profile, morphology, ultrastructure, and resistance to harsh conditions. Subsequently, pathogenic potentials, such as in protease activity and the ability to stimulate the proliferation of cancer cells, were assessed. Higher parasite counts with granular and apoptotic forms were found in Blastocystis sp. from orang asli individuals. Cells with fuzzy coats and amoebic structures which seemingly implicate increased interaction with bacteria were seen predominantly in urban symptomatic persons. Also, Blastocystis sp. from orang asli isolates resisted harsh environments, suggesting longer co-adaptation to the hosts. Urban and orang asli symptomatic isolates possessed a predominance of only cysteine protease, whereas all the asymptomatic isolates showed significantly higher cysteine, serine, or aspartic protease activity. However, only solubilized antigen from urban symptomatic isolates showed significant stimulation of cancer cell proliferation. For the first time, our findings demonstrate significant phenotypic variation in a single subtype, ST3 of Blastocystis sp., isolated from urban and orang asli populations that are known to have distinct gut microbial compositions. The outcome emphasizes the importance of identifying people’s locations and lifestyles during sample collection before forming conclusions on the prevailing data and implicating subtypes to pathogenicity. The environment plays a significant role in Blastocystis sp. infection.

Klebsiella pneumoniae with crude glycerol-utilizing and hydrogen (H2)-producing abilities was successfully isolated from return activated sludge from Shatin Sewage Treatment Works. The H2 production strategy used in this study was optimized with crude glycerol concentrations, and 1,020 μmol of H2 was generated in 3 h. An organic–microbe hybrid system was constructed with metal-free hydrothermal carbonation carbon (HTCC) microspheres to enhance the H2 production under visible light (VL) irradiation. Under optimized VL intensity and HTCC concentration, an elevation of 35.3% in H2 production can be obtained. Electron scavenger study revealed that the photogenerated electrons (e–) from HTCC contributed to the additional H2 production. The variation in intercellular intermediates, enzymatic activity, and reducing equivalents also suggested that the photogenerated e– interacted with K. pneumoniae cells to direct the metabolic flux toward H2 production. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using an organic–microbe hybrid system as a waste-to-energy technology.

Abstract Although pretensioned concrete structures have increasingly been used worldwide, a number of design issues need to be addressed to further improve the structural performance. Transfer length of pretensioned members was investigated with several test variables in this study by adopting various sensing technologies including the Smart Strands with embedded fiber optic sensors. The effect of increased strength in 2360 MPa high-strength strand on the transfer length was also analyzed. Representative provisions widely used in design were compared with the test results for consistency and appropriate conservatism. The strain distribution required for the transfer length depended partly on the type and location of sensors, which suggests the challenges associated with reasonable determination of the transfer length. According to the results of the analysis, the predictive equation in ACI 318 was relatively accurate and conservative under various conditions including high-strength strands. However, the transfer lengths based on the strand strains rather than the conventional surface strains of concrete require further investigation depending on the bonding behavior between the strand and the surrounding concrete inside a member. Thus, this study also introduces a new sensing technology utilizing the Smart Strand to reliably measure the strain distribution along a strand.

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) is the major constituent of kidney stones. Growing evidence shows a close connection between hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the formation of kidney stones. Owing to their antioxidant properties, statins control hyperlipidemia and may ameliorate CaOx stone formation. The present study was designed to investigate the suppressive effects of statins on CaOx urolithiasis and their potential mechanism. We used rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to achieve hyperlipidemia (HL) and hydroxyproline (HP) water to establish a hyperoxaluric CaOx nephrolithiasis model; the animals were administered statins (A) for 28 days. The rats were divided into eight groups treated or not with A, i.e., Control, HP, HL, HL + HP. HL aggravated urinary calcium crystallization compared to the control. Due to increased expression of renal osteopontin (OPN), a key anti-lithic protein, and reduced free radical production, the calcium crystals in the urinary bladder increased as renal calcium deposition decreased. The levels of the ion activity product of CaOx (AP(CaOx)) decreased after statins administration, and AP(Calcium phosphate) (CaP) increased, which suggested the dominant calcium crystal composition changed from CaOx to CaP after statin administration. In conclusion, atorvastatin decreases renal CaOx stone deposits by restoring OPN expression in hyperoxaluric rats fed a HFD.

The oxidative methanol reforming reaction was carried out using Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/Cr2O3/CeO2 (15/15/2.5/1.25/1.25 mol%), with washcoat by EC sol on microchannel reactor. The experimental conditions were used various sol for washcoat of catalyst, various method for calcinations of catalyst, steam to methanol mole ratio, the mole ratio of oxygen to methanol, weight hourly space velocity, reaction temperature. The experiment result shows that methanol conversion achieved 98.8 % and carbon monoxide concentration equal to 1204 ppm when using Cu/ZnO/Al2O3/Cr2O3/CeO2 (15/15/2.5/1.25/1.25 mol%) catalyst mixed with EC sol at the reaction temperature of 200 oC.

The increasing demand for petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) grows population impacts daily. A greener and more sustainable raw material, lignocellulose, is a promising replacement of petroleum-based raw materials to convert into bio-PET. This paper reviews the recent development of lignocellulose conversion into bio-PET through bioethanol reaction pathways. This review addresses lignocellulose properties, bioethanol production processes, separation processes of bioethanol, and the production of bio-terephthalic acid and bio-polyethylene terephthalate. The article also discusses the current industries that manufacture alcohol-based raw materials for bio-PET or bio-PET products. In the future, the production of bio-PET from biomass will increase due to the scarcity of petroleum-based raw materials.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the primary care system in many places, but research evidence on its effectiveness is largely lacking. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness between TCM and Western medicine (WM) consultations in primary care. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether medical consultations could improve the quality of life and health condition of patients in primary care and to find out whether there was any difference in the effectiveness bewteen TCM and WM. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: This was a prospective, longitudinal study on 290 patients of one TCM public and 841 patients of two WM general outpatient clinics (GOPC) in Hong Kong when they consulted for an episodic illness. METHODS: All patients attending a TCM GOPC in TWH, and the two WM GOPC (TWH and ALC), who fullfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate. Each patient answered a structured questionnaire on the presenting complaint, socio-demography, chronic morbidity and service utilization, the Chinese Quality of Life instrument (ChQOL) and the SF-36V2 Health Survey immediately before and two weeks after the doctor consultation. The Global Rating on change Scale (GRS) was also administered in the week 2 assessment. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were changes in the ChQOL and SF-36V2 HRQOL scores. Secondary outcomes included the GRS score. The significance of the change within individual were tested by paired t-tests. The differences in change in scores between WM and TCM were tested by independent sample-t-tests or chi-square, as appropriate. Multivariate regresions were used to determine the independent effect of type of medicine on the change in HRQOL scores. RESULTS: Mean ChQOL and SF-36V2 scores of subjects improved significantly two weeks after TCM or WM consultations in all domains except for the Physical form domain of ChQOL. The greatest improvements were found in the SF-36V2 physical-health related domains. 78% TCM clinics and 71% of subjects WM clinics reported an improvement in GRS. The proportion of subjects who had improvement in HRQOL scores were lower among subjects consulting the WM clinic (72.3%) than those consulting TCM clinics (100%) but the difference was not significant after correction for baseline scores. CONCLUSIONS: Both TCM and WM consultations were associated with significant improvement in HRQOL in over 90% of patients. There was no singificant difference between the effectiveness of TCM and WM consultations. The results support the role of TCM as an alternative primary care service in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastocsytis sp. is a protozoan parasite that has been linked to common gastrointestinal illnesses. Metronidazole, the first line therapy, was reported to show frequent inefficacy. Previously, Blastocystis sp. isolated from different population showed varying metronidazole resistance. However, the effect of metronidazole treatment on pathogenic potentials of Blastocystis sp. isolated from different populations, which is known to have different gut environment, is unclear. This study investigates the in vitro effect of metronidazole on the pathogenic potentials of Blastocystis sp. isolated from urban and orang asli individuals. Blastocystis sp. ST 3 isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals were treated with a range of metronidazole concentration. The parasites' growth characteristics, apoptotic rate, specific protease activity and the ability to proliferate cancer cells were analyzed upon treatment with 0.001 mg/l metronidazole. The study demonstrates that Blastocystis sp. isolates showed increase in the parasite numbers especially the amoebic forms (only in urban isolates) after treating with metronidazole at the concentration of 0.001 mg/ml. High number of cells in post-treated isolates coincided with increase of apoptosis. There was a significant increase in cysteine protease of Blastocystis sp. isolates upon treatment despite the initial predominance of serine protease in asymptomatic isolates. Metronidazole resistant Blastocystis sp. also showed significant increase in cancer cell proliferation. Resistance to metronidazole did not show significant different influence on the pathogenicity between Blastocystis sp. isolated from urban and orang asli individual. However, an increase in parasite numbers, higher amoebic forms, cysteine protease and ability to proliferate cancer cells implicates a pathogenic role. The study provides evidence for the first time, the effect of metronidazole towards enhancing pathogenic potentials in Blastocystis sp. when isolated from different gut environment. This necessitates the need for reassessment of metronidazole treatment modalities.

In the present study, we aimed to obtain a high yield and productivity for glucosamine using a low-cost solid-state culture with Aspergillus sydowii BCRC 31742. The fermentation conditions, such as inoculum biomass, moisture content, and supplemental volume and mineral salt, were chosen to achieve high productivity of glucosamine (GlcN). When the initial supplemental volume used was 3 mL/g substrate, the yield and productivity of GlcN were 48.7 mg/gds and 0.69 mg/gds·h, respectively. This result will be helpful for the industrialization of the process.

The main objective of this study was to examine the quantitative performance of the electrochemical redox reaction of glucose by glucosidase and oxygen with laccase in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.0. The characterization of electrode performance was performed by using electrochemical analysis such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The use of such electrochemical analysis (CV and EIS) enables a better understanding of the redox process, the charge transfer resistance, and, hence, the potential mass transfer among the electrode materials in phosphorus buffer solution. The experimental results show that the maximum power densities of the bioanode and the biocathode electrodes were 800 µA/cm2 and 600 µA/cm2, respectively. Both the bioanode and biocathode show high internal resistance. The occurrence of peak-separation shows an excellent mass-transfer mechanism and better chemical reactivity in the electrode.