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Abstract The escalating global plastic waste crisis has prompted a search for sustainable solutions, particularly in the construction industry. Recycling plastic waste to create sustainable construction materials, such as concrete, has emerged as a promising approach. This paper explores the potential of utilizing plastic waste in concrete to mitigate environmental impacts while enhancing construction practices. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable practices in response to increasing plastic consumption and waste generation. By recycling plastic waste into concrete, the construction industry can reduce dependence on natural aggregates and minimize environmental pollution. The paper also highlights the economic feasibility and long-term performance of plastic-containing concrete, addressing key challenges and limitations. Through a comprehensive analysis of the environmental, economic, and technical aspects, this paper aims to provide valuable insights into the sustainable use of plastic waste in concrete construction.

Connectivity enhancement of ecological networks is an efficient and advantageous spatial planning strategy, and it is a hot research topic to analyze ecological networks based on complex systems theory and perform model optimization. As a typical geographic network, the evolution process of ecological network, such as node and edge growth, will be subject to geospatial constraints, and the current research lacks optimization models that take the geospatial constraints into account. This study focused on urban ecological network connectivity and the distribution of nodes as well as structural fractures where the connectivity of the ecological network was hindered were analyzed. Then it introduced a local world network model to optimize network connectivity and designed a network growth mechanism with limited added nodes and optimal connections. An ecological network optimization model considering geospatial constraints was constructed, and the network closeness index was used to fit the objective function curve to select optimization schemes. This study used Shenzhen, China as a case study, and the results indicated that the initial ecological network was significantly fractured by urban construction. In the optimization scenario, the network evolution reached its optimal state at the simulation step size of t = 26. At this point, the closeness index of the optimized network was increased by 15%. The optimization model constructed in this paper emphasizes the importance of functional restoration of existing network nodes, and the results of the study can provide support for ecospatial layout optimization and management.

Objectives To follow up four previously identified classes ‘pure axial spondyloarthritis’ (axSpA) (‘axial’), ‘axSpA with peripheral signs’ (‘inflammatory back pain+peripheral’), ‘axSpA at risk’ and ‘no spondyloarthritis’ (‘no SpA’). They reflect the expert-opinion-free construct or ‘Gestalt’ of chronic back pain suspicious of axSpA. The aim was to assess participants’ transitions between these classes over time.Methods Participants with chronic back pain of ≤2 years duration, suspicious of axSpA from the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early cohort were analysed. Latent class (LCA) and latent transition analysis (LTA) using clinical, laboratory and imaging data at baseline and 2 years were calculated. Conditional and marginal probabilities were obtained, reflecting the probability of a spondyloarthritis feature in a class and the probability of the participant’s class membership, respectively. Transitional probabilities were extracted revealing potential switches across classes. The analyses were performed in all participants using imputations for missing data and in participants with full data at baseline and 2 years.Results Baseline and 2 years LCA models were constructed for 702 participants, resulting in the same four-class model as previously described. LTA revealed only a 3% transition from the ‘no SpA’ to the ‘at-risk’ class from baseline to 2 years with all other participants remaining in their initially assigned class. Sensitivity analysis on 384 participants with complete data at both baseline and 2 years showed similar results, underlining the model’s robustness.Conclusions Transitions between the four classes over 2 years were basically inexistent, highlighting the unlikelihood of developing new class-defining features of axSpA after an initial clinical workup.

Rationale: If one of the partners is having balanced autosomal translocation, it is usually observed that the offspring inherit either normal chromosomes, balanced translocation identical to one of the parent or unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements of the same parental chromosome having translocation. Concern: A unique case presented with history of 8 miscarriages for genetic counseling. The last abortus material evaluation showed monosomy of chromosome X (Turner syndrome) in all the analysed cells. There was a history of infertility and also repeated second trimester abortions on the paternal side. On the maternal side, there was a history of intellectual disability. Diagnose: History of repeated abnormal pregnancy outcomes. Wife’s karyotype is normal; however, husband shows translocation between chromosome 4 and 22. Intervention: Peripheral blood sample around 3 mL was collected for karyotype. Embryo biopsy was done and DNA was extracted and processed for whole exome sequencing. Outcomes: Wife’s karyotype is normal and husband has translocation between chromosome 4 and 22. Surprisingly, the entire pregnancy outcome including embryo screening has different, complete or partial aneuploidies of chromosomes other than chromosome 4 and 22. Main lesson: Though the translocation in one of the parent is balanced, we have to think beyond traditional ways for evaluating a couple with repeated pregnancy loss as we cannot predict the errors at cell division. Option of in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis in couples having balanced translocations should be discussed so that early intervention can prevent the agony of pregnancy loss.

Abstract Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a potent greenhouse gas. Here we use long-term atmospheric observations to determine SF6 emissions from China between 2011 and 2021, which are used to evaluate the Chinese national SF6 emission inventory and to better understand the global SF6 budget. SF6 emissions in China substantially increased from 2.6 (2.3-2.7, 68% uncertainty) Gg yr−1 in 2011 to 5.1 (4.8-5.4) Gg yr−1 in 2021. The increase from China is larger than the global total emissions rise, implying that it has offset falling emissions from other countries. Emissions in the less-populated western regions of China, which have potentially not been well quantified in previous measurement-based estimates, contribute significantly to the national SF6 emissions, likely due to substantial power generation and transmission in that area. The CO2-eq emissions of SF6 in China in 2021 were 125 (117-132) million tonnes (Mt), comparable to the national total CO2 emissions of several countries such as the Netherlands or Nigeria. The increasing SF6 emissions offset some of the CO2 reductions achieved through transitioning to renewable energy in the power industry, and might hinder progress towards achieving China’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 if no concrete control measures are implemented.

Indigenous Life Promotion and strengths-based approaches to mental wellness and suicide prevention are important strategies that promote sovereignty, holistic wellness, and healing at the individual, family, and community levels. As part of the Patient and Community Engagement Research (PaCER) program, our team facilitated three focus groups with Indigenous young people in Alberta to better understand how they wish to be supported to live life with continued resilience, meaning and hope. Our team conducted a thematic analysis on the focus group transcripts and derived five key themes from their contents: 1. Accessible, meaningful, and ongoing supports; 2. Indigenous-centered, culturally meaningful and safe supports; 3. Fostering meaningful connections and relationships; 4. Surviving/ ‘Existing’; and 5. Thriving; living with purpose and meaning beyond surviving. Based on these themes, six recommendations for better supporting the wellbeing of Indigenous youth were developed: 1. Indigenous-centred resources; 2. Accountability; 3. Person-centred support; 4. Enhancing empowerment in children & youth; 5. Holistic health liaison/navigators; 6. Increased funding. Attending to the voices of Indigenous youth in planning and enhancing supports will continue to bolster their inherent resilience and contribute to the process of reconciliation in Alberta and Canada.

Abstract Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC‐12) is an ozone‐depleting substance and potent greenhouse gas, which was required to be phased out after 2010 under the Montreal Protocol. CFC‐12 emissions need to be quantitatively traced. However, estimates of CFC‐12 emissions in China based on atmospheric inversions are unavailable after 2010. Here, using atmospheric observations at nine sites across China and inversion techniques, we quantify CFC‐12 emissions in China during 2011–2020 (on average 11.0 ± 0.6 Gg yr−1). The emissions derived from observations are 8.5 times larger than the previously reported inventories. Apart from emissions from eastern China revealed in previous studies, this study reveals that 71% of national total emissions were from other parts of China. Moreover, this study reconciled the global CFC‐12 emissions during 2011–2020: 28% were traced to China by this study, 9% of emissions were traced in previous studies, while 63% remain untraced, indicating the need for more regional emission inversion studies.

The article discusses the Norwegian judicial framework for the work by boards of limited liability companies with sustainability. Sustainability regulation is no longer a result of more or less targeted political initiatives, it largely presents as a coherent system of rules and it has in many ways indisputably been integrated into the field of company law in Norway. The starting point for the analysis is that the boards of Norwegian limited liability companies and public limited liability companies are expected to create value for their owners, but they are also expected to do this in a sustainable manner. Therefore, we firstly give a description of the ‘company interestʼ and its central elements. The article seeks among other things to demonstrate the trade-off between profit seeking and the boardʼs right and duty to integrate sustainability in the management of the company. The boardʼs work on sustainability in limited liability companies and public limited liability companies must be carried out within the framework stipulated by company law and other legislation, the companyʼs articles of association, and the companyʼs other governing bodies. Neither the Limited Liability Companies Act nor the Public Limited Liability Companies Act includes any specific statutory regulation of sustainability. A starting point is, therefore, that the company law framework for the boardʼs work on sustainability is constituted by the general rules in the Companies Acts on the boardʼs right and duty to manage the company in accordance with the company interest. Norwegian company law is stakeholder-oriented and takes into account both shareholder interests and stakeholder interests. Company interest includes the interests of shareholders, employees, counterparties, creditors and society as a whole. As pointed out in the article, these interests include what can be described as ‘sustainability considerationsʼ. The boards of limited liability companies and public limited liability companies must exercise their management of the company within the statutory framework. This framework also includes mandatory legislation other than the Companies Acts, for example the legislation dealing with sustainability matters. For public limited companies listed on the stock exchange, the Norwegian Code of Practice for Corporate Governance includes a specific expectation that the board must integrate sustainability into its governance of the companyʼs business activities. Another important question is to what extent the board can attach importance to sustainability considerations. It is a prerequisite for companies to be able to consider environmental and social considerations that they are financially sustainable. However, it is conceivable that the profit motive can come into conflict with social and environmental considerations. The article discusses the balance between the profit motive and social and environmental considerations. One question deals with the boardʼs ability to attach weight to sustainability in the light of the companyʼs advertising and reputation values (‘goodwillʼ). The article discusses also the relationship between sustainability and the companyʼs ability to make gifts.

Background: Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin V2-receptor antagonist, can elicit a diuretic effect without significant electrolyte loss. The aims were to evaluate multiple-dose pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety of daily administration of 15 mg tolvaptan in Chinese adult patients with confirmed Child-Pugh Class B cirrhosis accompanied by ascites.Methods: This was an open-label, single-center, single- and multiple-dose study. All patients received a daily 15 mg dose of tolvaptan for 7 consecutive days. The plasma concentrations of tolvaptan and its two metabolites (DM-4103, DM-4107) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). In addition, various pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated. The pharmacodynamic outcomes evaluated changes in serum sodium and potassium concentrations, daily urine volume, daily water consumption, fluid balance and body weight. Safety profiles, including the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), were carefully recorded.Results: Eleven patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis were eventually enrolled in the study. Plasma concentrations of tolvaptan and DM-4107 reached steady-states after 7 days of consecutive oral administration. No accumulation of tolvaptan or DM-4107 was found, but DM-4103 accumulated 18.2-fold after multiple-dosing. The daily urine volume and daily water consumption were statistically significantly increased after administration of tolvaptan from Day 1 to Day 7 (all p < 0.05), accompanied by an increased serum sodium concentration. Of 11 patients, 9 (81.8%) reported 20 TEAEs, with the majority being mild to moderate in severity. The most commonly occurring TEAEs were thirst (45.5%), pollakiuria (36.4%) and dry mouth (27.3%).Conclusion: Tolvaptan at a daily dose of 15 mg had a diuretic effect but did not increase serum sodium excretion or lead to tolvaptan accumulation. It is therefore can be safely used for short-term treatment of Chinese adult patients with confirmed Child-Pugh B cirrhosis.Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=NCT01359462, identifier NCT01359462.

With the successful implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the atmospheric abundance of ozone-depleting substances continues to decrease slowly and the Antarctic ozone hole is showing signs of recovery. However, growing emissions of unregulated short-lived anthropogenic chlorocarbons are offsetting some of these gains. Here, we report an increase in emissions from China of the industrially produced chlorocarbon, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2). The emissions grew from 231 (213-245) Gg yr-1 in 2011 to 628 (599-658) Gg yr-1 in 2019, with an average annual increase of 13 (12-15) %, primarily from eastern China. The overall increase in CH2Cl2 emissions from China has the same magnitude as the global emission rise of 354 (281-427) Gg yr-1 over the same period. If global CH2Cl2 emissions remain at 2019 levels, they could lead to a delay in Antarctic ozone recovery of around 5 years compared to a scenario with no CH2Cl2 emissions.

Unabated activation of the NLR family pyrin domain–containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is linked with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) has been widely studied for its role in mitosis. Here, using both pharmacological and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that PLK1 promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation at cell interphase. Using an unbiased proximity-dependent biotin identification (Bio-ID) screen for the PLK1 interactome in macrophages, we show an enhanced proximal association of NLRP3 with PLK1 upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We further confirmed the interaction between PLK1 and NLRP3 and identified the interacting domains. Mechanistically, we show that PLK1 orchestrated the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) structure and NLRP3 subcellular positioning upon inflammasome activation. Treatment with a selective PLK1 kinase inhibitor suppressed IL-1β production in in vivo inflammatory models, including LPS-induced endotoxemia and monosodium urate–induced peritonitis in mice. Our results uncover a role of PLK1 in regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation during interphase and identify pharmacological inhibition of PLK1 as a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases with excessive NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

This paper presents a digital twin-driven fault diagnosis approach based on a graphical model and an adaptive extended Kalman filter algorithm for autonomous surface vehicles. In contrast with the traditional adaptive Kalman filter algorithm, where the fault parameters are treated as extended state variables, the newly proposed adaptive extended Kalman filter algorithm estimates the magnitude of the faults by calculating the parameter estimation gains directly from the sensor systems. To this end, the algorithm utilizes data from a global navigation satellite system receiver assuming the persistence of excitation conditions on the control inputs. The algorithm is tested in the Otter, an autonomous surface vehicle developed by Maritime Robotics, in which one of its propellers is faulty. Technically, the digital twin receives real-time data from the sensor system, estimates the magnitude of the actuator faults, and visualizes the results in a web-based application using JavaScript with Three.js library and Mapbox for real-world 3D map generation. Information regarding the magnitude of the faults is important for fault-tolerant control. Simulation and experimental results show the proposed approach is able to detect and estimate the actuator faults accurately.

Abstract Background Home care workers perform physically strenuous tasks, in particular when handling patients with high care demands. Thus, musculoskeletal pain and sick leave is greater in this group than in the general population. To ease these issues, we will implement a Goldilocks Work intervention (GoldiCare), redistributing schedules between workers to achieve a “just right” weekly structure of physical work that can promote health. This protocol paper describes the content, design, implementation and evaluation of the cluster randomized controlled trial of the GoldiCare intervention in home care. Methods The cluster randomized controlled trial is a 16-week workplace organizational intervention implemented through operations managers at the home care units. The operations managers will be introduced to the Goldilocks Work Principle and a GoldiCare tool, to assist the operations managers when composing a “just right” distribution of work schedules throughout the week. The GoldiCare tool provides an overview of the physical strain for each shift, based on the number of patients and their need for care. We expect to include 11 units, which will be randomized to either intervention or control at a 1:1 ratio. Home care workers assigned to the control group will continue to work as normal during the intervention period. Musculoskeletal pain in neck/shoulder and lower back will be the primary outcomes and we will also evaluate the composition of physical behaviors as well as fatigue after work as secondary outcomes. We will collect data using (1) daily questions regarding musculoskeletal pain and fatigue after work, (2) 7 days of objective measurements of physical behavior, (3) questionnaires about the participant’s characteristics, health, and workplace psychosocial stressors and (4) information on the implementation of the GoldiCare tool. In addition, a process evaluation will be conducted using focus group discussions and individual interviews. Discussion Due to the increasing aging population in need of care, measures that can improve the health of home care workers are paramount for the sustainability of this sector. This organizational intervention is based on information available nation-wide, and therefore has the potential to be scaled to all municipalities in Norway if proven effective. Trial registration This clinical trial was registered on 08/05/2022 under NCT05487027 .

【Objective】To establish a comprehensive evaluation system for Chrysanthemum cultivars applied to flower sea landscape, taking the "2021 Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Festival" in Zhongshan City, Guangdong as an example, the Chrysanthemum cultivars that can be planted in the open air and suitable for the configuration of flower sea landscape in Lingnan area are screened out.【Method】Flower sea planting, observation and statistical analysis of cultivation and ornamental characters, and tourist questionnaire survey were carried out on 31 commonly used Chrysanthemum cultivars in Lingnan, and a comprehensive evaluation system of the Chrysanthemum cultivars applied to flower sea was constructed by using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).【Result】According to the weight values of the evaluation indicators, it is found that the growth vigor, flower color, survival rate and flowering uniformity are the key indicators that affect the application of Chrysanthemum cultivars to the flower sea landscape. The 31 Chrysanthemum cultivars are divided into 4 grades according to the total score (Ri) of the comprehensive evaluation: 10 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅰ (Ri≥4.0) are most suitable for application in flower sea landscape, 11 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅱ (3.6≤Ri < 4.0) are suitable, 5 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅲ (3.0≤Ri < 3.6) are less suitable, and 5 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅳ (Ri < 3.0) are not suitable.【Conclusion】Ten Chrysanthemum cultivars including Jinwu, Hongxique, Baertasa, Banlihuang, Lvanna, Huang'anna, Hongpingpang, Fenshuijing, Huangshuijing and Xinghuo are screened out and most suitable for flower sea landscape. And 11 Chrysanthemum cultivars such as Baianna, Hongshuijing, Fenpingpang, Shuijingfen, and Lvpingpang are suitable for flower sea landscape. These cultivars show excellent overall traits, which are suitable for Chrysanthemum flower sea planting in Lingnan area.

Unabated activation of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is linked with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) has been widely studied for its role in mitosis. Here, using both pharmacological and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that PLK1 promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation at cell interphase. Using an unbiased proximity-dependent biotin identification (Bio-ID) screen for the PLK1 interactome in macrophages, we show an enhanced proximal association of NLRP3 with PLK1 upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We further confirmed the interaction between PLK1 and NLRP3 and identified the interacting domains. Mechanistically, we show that PLK1 orchestrated the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) structure and NLRP3 subcellular positioning upon inflammasome activation. Treatment with a selective PLK1 kinase inhibitor suppressed IL-1[beta] production in in vivo inflammatory models, including LPS-induced endotoxemia and monosodium urate-induced peritonitis in mice. Our results uncover a role of PLK1 in regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation during interphase and identify pharmacological inhibition of PLK1 as a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases with excessive NLRP3 inflammasome activation., Introduction NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation is tightly coordinated by collaborative action of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), and its excessive activation is associated with various diseases including [...]