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Background Most of the existing studies on the influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis incidence are based on temporal or spatial regression models, and the results are limited. Objective To explore the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of pulmonary tuberculosis in China, and to analyze the temporal and spatial correlations between the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis and meteorological and air quality factors, offering a scientific reference for the development of measures containing tuberculosis. Methods Monthly statistical data of pulmonary tuberculosis in China from 2016 to 2018 were collected. After being tested with multicollinearity and spatial-autocorrelation between incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis and meteorological and air quality factors, the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis was used as the dependent variable, and meteorological and air quality factors as independent variables to construct OLS, GWR and GTWR models, respectively. Then the goodness of the three models was evaluated, and the optimal model was selected to describe the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Kernel density plot and spatio-temporal graph were used to describe the spatio-temporal specificity of the fitting coefficients of each variable. Results The overall incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in China during 2016-2018 decreased annually, with clustered spatial distribution. The GTWR model had higher R2 value and lower AICc value compared to other two models, indicating that it had better performance in explaining the influence of meteorological and air quality factors on the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The kernel density plot of each variable showed that the increase of wind speed was associated with decreased pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in most cities. But the increase of humidity and air pollutant concentration was associated with increased incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the strength of association varied across cities. Conclusion Meteorological and air quality factors may significantly influence the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the influence had spatio-temporal specificity. So prevention methods for pulmonary tuberculosis should be developed according to region-specific factors influencing the disease.

The full matrix parameters of a piezoelectric material are crucial for designing and evaluating piezoelectric devices. However, due to their inverse problematic nature, commonly used single‐sample characterization methods heavily depend on the accuracy of initial values and mode matching. In this paper, we propose a quasi‐31‐vibrator method to directly evaluate these parameters by designing the sample geometry and establishing the relationship equation between the parameters. This approach completely bypasses the need for characteristic spectrum simulation and mode identification processes. Subsequently, we tested the full matrix parameters of PZT‐5H ceramics and compared the simulated impedance spectra with the measured ones. The presence of well‐fitting spectra validates the feasibility of the method. This method will contribute to characterize the parameters of new piezoelectric materials and advance the intelligent implementation of measuring full matrix parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most small rodent populations worldwide exhibit fascinating population dynamics, capturing the attention of numerous scholars due to their multiyear cyclic fluctuations in population size and the astonishing amplitude of these fluctuations. Hulunbuir steppe stands as a crucial global hub for livestock production, yet in recent decades, the area has faced recurring challenges from steppes rodent invasions, with Brandt's vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii, BV) being particularly rampant among them. They not only exhibit seasonal reproduction but also strong social behavior, and are generally considered pests, especially during population outbreak years. Prior studies suggest that BV population outbreaks tend to occur across a wider geographic area, and a strong indicator for identifying rodent outbreaks is recognizing their burrow clusters (burrow systems). Hence, this paper conducts target object detection of BV burrow clusters in the typical steppes of Hulunbuir using two GF-2 satellite images from 2021 (the year of the BV outbreak). This task is accomplished by incorporating the Faster R-CNN model in combination with three detection approaches: object-based image classification (OBIC), based on vegetation index classification (BVIC), and based on texture classification (BTC). The results indicate that OBIC demonstrated the highest robustness in BV burrow cluster detection, achieving an average AP of 63.80% and an F1 score of 0.722 across the two images. BTC exhibited the second-highest level of accuracy, achieving an average AP of 55.95% and an F1 score of 0.6660. Moreover, this approach displayed a strong performance in BV burrow clusters localization. In contrast, BVIC achieved the lowest level of accuracy among the three methods, with an average AP of only 29.45% and an F1 score of 0.4370. Overall, this study demonstrates the crucial role of utilizing high-resolution satellite imagery combined with DL-based object detection techniques in effectively monitoring and managing the potential outbreaks of steppe rodent pests across larger spatial extents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike traditional two-dimensional layered materials, tellurium (Te) shows its one-dimensional van der Waals structure and triggers intensive researches. Through a density functional theory coupled with the nonequilibrium Green’s function calculation, we found that bilayer tellurene has a broad photoelectric response over the range from the visible to the near-infrared region. Besides, bilayer tellurene photodetector presents an ultra-strong anisotropic photo-responsivity and an ultra-high extinction ratio (~2812 at the photon energy of 3.4 eV) because of its non-layer/chain structure, which is superior to the antimonene (~145) and phosphorene/blue phosphorene bilayers (~240). Time-domain first principle study further reveals that the ultra-strong anisotropy comes from the transition of Te 5p bonding orbitals along or perpendicular to the chain directions. With these excellent optoelectronic merits, bilayer tellurene may become a promising candidate for next-generation photoelectronic devices.

Animal studies have shown that capsaicin plays a positive role in weight management. However, the results in human research are controversial. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of capsaicin on weight loss in adults. We searched PubMed, Embase, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane library and clinical registration centre, identifying all randomised controlled trials (RCT) published in English and Chinese to 3 May 2022. A random-effect model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 % CI. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by the Cochran Q statistic and I -squared tests (I 2 ). Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 15.1. P -values < 0·05 were considered as statistically significant. From 2377 retrieved studies, fifteen studies were finally included in the meta-analyses. Fifteen RCT with 762 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, the supplementation of capsaicin resulted in significant reduction on BMI (WMD: −0·25 kg/m2, 95 % CI = –0·35, –0·15 kg/m2, P < 0·05), body weight (BW) (WMD: −0·51 kg, 95 % CI = –0·86, –0·15 kg, P < 0·05) and waist circumference (WC) (WMD: −1·12 cm, 95 % CI = –2·00, –0·24 cm, P < 0·05). We found no detrimental effect of capsaicin on waist-to-hip ratio (WMD: −0·05, 95 % CI = –0·17, 0·06, P > 0·05). The current meta-analysis suggests that capsaicin supplementation may have rather modest effects in reducing BMI, BW and WC for overweight or obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of the existing project management maturity models and software capability maturity models, this study proposes a novel two-dimensional project management maturity (TPMM) model, which emphasizes the project business management (PBM) and information technology application (ITA) simultaneously. It is the first to present the TPMM concept with PBM maturity and ITA maturity, and the first to evaluate ITA maturity based on the 49 processes of PMBOK. After the PBM and ITA maturities of 49 management processes are obtained using an expert evaluation method, the two-dimensional maturity of the knowledge area and enterprise layers can be calculated by statistical method. The comparison of maturities at three layers and two dimensions is helpful for enterprises to find problems in PBM and ITA, and to find the right direction for advancement. It is also helpful for enterprises to take corresponding improvement measures. The integrated framework provides a new perspective on improving the efficiency and capability of project management through positive cycle development between PBM and ITA. The application case sets an example for other enterprises to improve their project management capability and efficiency along a maturity ladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]