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An efficient time domain hybrid method is proposed, which integrate transmission line (TL) equations, finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, Norton and Substitution theorems together, to predict the EM fields coupling with the penetrated wire connecting two electronic devices. Within this method, the geometry of penetrated wire is divided into external and internal TLs according to the shielded enclosures of two devices firstly. Then the equivalent circuit model of penetrated wire is established by the Norton and Substitution theorems, which can represent the discontinuity of impedance between external and internal TLs and the transmitting of interference signals between terminal loads of the wire. Finally, the TL equations combined with FDTD method is utilized to compute the transient responses on external and internal TLs respectively. Numerical simulations of penetrated wire connecting two shielded enclosures in different environment are employed to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the status of cardiac rehabilitation knowledge and attitude of the medical staff. Patients and Methods: A questionnaire survey of doctors and nurses was performed in the departments of cardiology of 7 teaching hospitals with attitudes, knowledge toward CR in Zhejiang Province, China, from April to September 2018, to assess Chinese medical staff for the degree of mastery and attitude toward cardiac rehabilitation. Results: A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed and 152 valid were collected. The responding individuals included 106 nurses (69.74%) and 46 doctors (30.26%). The scores of cardiac rehabilitation knowledge were 56.68± 5.06, and those of cardiac rehabilitation attitude were 15.19± 3.86. Subgroup analysis showed the lower the job title (P< 0.001), the lower the educational level (P = 0.011), and the shorter the years of specialty experience (P=0.005), the more negative the attitude toward cardiac rehabilitation. Conclusion: The medical staff has a good mastery of cardiac rehabilitation knowledge. But we also find that staffs with lower education level and job title, shorter specialty work experience were associated with a more negative attitude toward implement rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social support can be a critical resource to help medical staff cope with stressful events; however, the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between burnout and anxiety symptoms has not yet been explored. Methods: The final sample was comprised of 514 intensive care unit physicians and nurses in this cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were used to collect data. A moderated model was used to test the effect of social support. Results: The moderating effect of social support was found to be significant (b = − 0.06, p = 0.04, 95%CI [− 0.12, − 0.01]). The Johnson-Neyman technique indicated that when social support scores were above 4.26 among intensive care unit medical staff, burnout was not related to anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: This is the first study to test the moderating effect of social support on the relationship between burnout and anxiety symptoms among intensive care unit staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the shielding structures of electronic system and coaxial lines feeding the antennas are complex, full‐wave algorithms applied for the coupling analysis of multiple linear antennas on electronic system excited by ambient wave should occupy amount of memories by meshing the structures of coaxial lines and electronic system in fine grid, which may affect the computation efficiency. This paper presents a time domain hybrid method, which consisting of thin wire finite‐difference time domain (FDTD) method, transmission line (TL) equations, higher order FDTD scheme, and an auto mesh generator technique. In this method, the thin wire FDTD combined with the auto mesh generator technique is utilized to mesh the shielding structure of electronic system rapidly and obtain the current responses on the conductor columns of linear antennas, which are extracted equivalent current sources for the further coupling analysis of coaxial lines. And then the TL equations are adopted to build the coupling models of coaxial lines, and solved by the higher order FDTD scheme to compute the transient responses on the coaxial lines and terminal loads of the lines. This method has one significant feature is that it can avoid modeling the structures of linear antennas and coaxial lines directly. The accuracy of this method has been verified by comparing with the simulation software Computer Simulation Technology (CST) via the coupling simulations of one and three linear antennas on electronic system excited by ambient plane wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the existing electromagnetic interference (EMI) analysis methods for the cavity with transmission lines (TLs) often need a large number of meshes to satisfy certain accuracy, which would seriously affect the calculation time, memory, and efficiency. Therefore, this paper presents a time-domain parallel method consisting of finite-difference time-domain method, TL equations, and message passing interface library. This method has two obvious advantages: one is that it does not need to mesh the TLs, which can reduce a lot of computational memory; and the other is that it can run on multiple processors or computers to save a lot of computational time. In order to verify the accuracy and validity of this method, the intracavity transmission of multiconductor TLs and coaxial cable under ambient wave excitation is simulated numerically and compared with the traditional method. The results show that the method can be well applied for the EMI analysis of the TLs in cavity under ambient excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the numerical methods used for the coupling analysis of the shielded cavity with penetrated wire excited by ambient wave are lack, an efficient time domain hybrid method is presented in this article, which consists of thin wire finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and hybrid FDTD and transmission line equations method (called FDTD‐TL method). In this method, the penetrated wire is decomposed into external and internal transmission lines according to the enclosure structure of the shielded cavity firstly. Then the thin wire FDTD method is applied to calculate the currents on the external transmission line, which are enforced as the boundary of the internal transmission line naturally. Meanwhile the FDTD‐TL method is used to build the coupling model of ambient wave to the internal transmission line to obtain the voltage and current responses on the terminal load of internal line. This method has one prominent advantage is that it can realize the cooperative calculations of electromagnetic field radiation and the coupling responses on the penetrated wire. Finally, two numerical simulations of ambient wave to one shielded cavity with penetrated wire in the free space and shielded cavity are utilized to verify the accuracy and efficiency of this presented method by comparing with the electromagnetic software CST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Manufactured C cloth /(Co, S, P)-MWCNTs air-diffusion cathode enhanced H 2 O 2 production. • EO-H 2 O 2 : 15.7 mM vs. 7.4 mM H 2 O 2 with catalyzed and uncatalyzed cathodes of 20 cm2. • Up to 100% current efficiency for H 2 O 2 generation during first minutes at 10 mA cm−2. • Faster bronopol and TOC removals with catalyzed cathode in EO-H 2 O 2 , EF, PEF and SPEF. • Superiority of SPEF (94% TOC removal) and formation of formic acid, NO 3 –, Br– and BrO 3 –. Abstract (Co, S, P)-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been synthesized following a hydrothermal route as electrocatalysts to manufacture large surface area air-diffusion cathodes with carbon cloth as substrate. The enhanced electrocatalytic H 2 O 2 production as compared with Co-free MWCNTs cathodes was demonstrated in a 2.5-L pre-pilot plant with either a RuO 2 -based or boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode, accumulating between 2- and 3-fold greater H 2 O 2 contents with the catalyzed cathode. The good stability of this new material was ensured from the low Co leaching, with less than 9% Co released to solutions upon repeated usage. Aqueous solutions of the brominated organic preservative bronopol with 0.050 M Na 2 SO 4 at pH 3.0 were comparatively treated by electro-oxidation (EO-H 2 O 2), electro-Fenton (EF), UVA-assisted photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) and solar PEF (SPEF) at constant current density. SPEF with BDD anode and the catalyzed cathode showed the best performance, with total bronopol removal at 210 min and 94% mineralization after 360 min at 40 mA cm−2, thanks to the action of OH, BDD(OH) and sunlight. Formic acid was identified as main reaction by-product, whereas Br and N atoms were mainly converted to Br–, BrO 3 – and NO 3 –. Some unidentified organic by-product containing Br and N was formed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time domain hybrid method consisting of transmission line (TL) equations, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, and a S-parameter cascade (SC) technique with the interpolation techniques is presented for the coupling analysis of unequal length multiconductor transmission lines (MTLs) with arbitrary heights excited by ambient electromagnetic wave efficiently. In this hybrid method, the unequal length MTLs are divided into several equal length MTLs via additional nodes. For each equal length MTLs, the FDTD method combined with the TL equations (FDTD-TL) and the interpolation techniques are used to compute the transient responses on the lines. And then, the S-parameters of the nodes are utilized to realize the signal transmission between these equal length MTLs. Three cases about the unequal length MTLs with arbitrary heights on the ground or in the cavity excited by ambient wave are given to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of this method by comparing with the traditional FDTD method. The computation time and memory cost by this hybrid method are much less than that of the FDTD method, because the MTLs do not need to be meshed in this hybrid method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Metribuzin solutions treated by AO-H 2 O 2 , EF and PEF with a BDD/air-diffusion cell. • Two kinetic stages in EF and PEF: uncomplexed and Fe(III)-complexed herbicide. • Overall mineralization by all methods is ensured at current densities ≥100 mA cm−2. • PEF as the best method: total combustion of 0.523 mM metribuzin at pH 3.0 in 420 min. • Heteroaromatic, dimeric and aliphatic by-products degraded by BDD(OH) and OH. Abstract This article reports the electrochemical degradation of the herbicide metribuzin (MTZ) in sulfate medium by advanced oxidation processes like anodic oxidation with electrogenerated H 2 O 2 (AO-H 2 O 2), electro-Fenton (EF) and UVA photoelectro-Fenton (PEF). A boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode was combined with an air-diffusion cathode with ability to produce H 2 O 2. Unprecedented overall combustion was feasible by all methods at a constant current density (j) ≥100.0 mA cm−2. The total organic carbon (TOC) removal achieved by AO-H 2 O 2 was independent from pH within the range 3.0–9.0, whereas the oscillatory dependence of the pseudo-first-order MTZ decay rate constant with this variable was ascribed to adsorption on the BDD surface. In EF and PEF at pH 3.0, 0.50 mM Fe2+ was determined as optimum catalyst content and the MTZ removal showed two consecutive pseudo-first-order kinetic stages. These were related to the fast reaction of the target molecule with OH formed from Fenton's reaction, followed by a slower attack of physisorbed BDD(OH) onto Fe(III)-MTZ complexes. The effect of j and MTZ content on decay kinetics and TOC removal was examined. PEF was the best treatment due to the decomposition of photoactive intermediates by UVA radiation, yielding total mineralization of a 0.523 mM herbicide solution after 420 min of electrolysis at 100.0 mA cm−2. A thorough reaction pathway for MTZ degradation is proposed from the sixteen heteroaromatic by-products and three aliphatic molecules identified by GC–MS and LC-MS/MS. Oxalic and oxamic acids were detected as final carboxylic acids by ion-exclusion HPLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This work reports the use of ferrioxalate complexes to assist solar photo-Fenton treatment of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in aqueous medium at mild pH, which inhibits the precipitation of iron hydroxides and allows working at a low iron dosage. The experimental parameters were optimized by assessing the effect of initial concentrations of H 2 O 2 (0–2.5 mM) and Fe(II) (2–10 mg/L), pH (3.0–9.0) and iron/oxalic acid molar ratios (1:0–1:13.5) on total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Ferrioxalate-assisted solar photo-Fenton achieved 97.5% mineralization in 120 min, clearly outperforming conventional Fenton and solar photo-Fenton. The presence of photosensitive ferrioxalate complexes accounted for the enhancement, as a result of Fe(II) regeneration that accelerated the hydroxyl radical (OH) production. The time course of H 2 O 2 and Fe(II) concentrations was evaluated under different iron/oxalic acid ratios. The five carboxylic acids determined by ion-exclusion HPLC and the eight aromatic by-products identified by GC-MS allowed the proposal of a degradation pathway that included hydroxylation, dechlorination and dimerization steps. Complete chloride ion release was achieved after 90 min of treatment. Highlights • Up to 97.5% mineralization achieved by ferrioxalate-assisted solar photo-Fenton process. • Similar TOC abatement was obtained within pH range 3.0–6.0 • Complete dechlorination of PCP at 90 min using low iron dosage (5 mg/L) at pH 5.0 • Fe(III) was maintained soluble, being efficiently reduced to Fe(II) in the presence of oxalate. • Up to 8 aromatic products found by GC-MS: hydroxylation, dechlorination and dimerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The removal of benzophenone-3 (BP-3), a ubiquitous pollutant in municipal wastewater treatment facilities, was optimal by means of a sequential electrocoagulation (EC)/UVA photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) treatment. Overall mineralization was attained upon combination of EC (Fe/Fe cell, 15 mA cm−2, 20 min) with PEF (boron-doped diamond/air-diffusion cell, 33.3 mA cm−2, 720 min), being superior to EC/electro-Fenton (EF) and requiring shorter time than single PEF. In EC, an Al/Al cell yielded the largest removal of BP-3 in a simulated matrix at pH 11.0 due to precipitation of its neutral form caused by a substantial pH drop, with optimum current density of 15 mA cm−2. EC of BP-3-loaded urban wastewater at natural pH was quite effective also with a Fe/Fe cell, being preferred since it provided the required metal catalyst for subsequent treatment. Among the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes tested, PEF was superior to electrochemical oxidation with electrogenerated H 2 O 2 (EO-H 2 O 2) and EF, especially when using the boron-doped diamond instead of a RuO 2 -based anode, due to the oxidation of generated active chlorine and hydroxyl radicals, along with the photolytic action of UVA irradiation. GC-MS revealed the formation of 14 cyclic products in PEF treatment, two of them being also formed during EC. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Best benzophenone-3 and TOC decays in simulated matrix at pH 11.0 by EC with Al/Al cell. • Greater pollutant degradation in urban wastewater by PEF with BDD/air-diffusion cell. • Identification of 14 organic products by GC-MS in PEF with BDD/air-diffusion cell. • Sequential EC (Fe/Fe cell)/PEF (BDD/air-diffusion cell) better than EC/EF and PEF. • First investigation of EC/EAOPs coupling to treat organic pollutants in urban wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Poor BHA and DOC decays in simulated matrix and urban wastewater by EC with Fe|Fe cell. • Active chlorine formed in simulated matrix accelerates BHA decay in EO-H 2 O 2. • Large mineralization of BHA in simulated matrix by EF and PEF with BDD/air-diffusion cell. • Growing mineralization in urban wastewater at pH 7.9: EO-H 2 O 2 < EF < PEF, greater with BDD. • Better performance of EF and PEF in urban wastewater at pH 3.0 by greater generation of OH. Abstract This work compares the removal of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a ubiquitous antioxidant in food and pharmaceuticals, from water either by electrocoagulation (EC) with an Fe|Fe cell or H 2 O 2 -based electrochemical advanced oxidation processes like electrochemical oxidation (EO-H 2 O 2), electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) with an air-diffusion cathode. BHA degradation by EC was very poor, whereas the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was more effectively abated in urban wastewater. The effect of pH, number of Fe|Fe pairs and current on the EC performance was examined. The additive was also slowly degraded by EO-H 2 O 2 with a RuO 2 -based or BDD anode in 50 mM Na 2 SO 4 solution. In the simulated matrix, BHA decay by EO-H 2 O 2 was substantially enhanced owing to active chlorine generation from anodic oxidation of Cl−, whereas the OH-mediated oxidation at the BDD surface accounted for DOC decay. In EF and PEF, the OH produced in the bulk upgraded the mineralization, primordially using BDD. In raw urban wastewater at natural pH 7.9, the time course of BHA and DOC contents was affected by NOM oxidation, being accelerated in the order: EO-H 2 O 2 < EF < PEF. The quickest decontamination of urban wastewater occurred in PEF at pH 3.0, because of the higher amounts of OH in the bulk along with UVA photolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determine the nucleon electromagnetic form factors and their uncertainties from world electron scattering data. The analysis incorporates two-photon exchange corrections, constraints on the low- Q 2 and high- Q 2 behavior, and additional uncertainties to account for tensions between different data sets and uncertainties in radiative corrections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an efficient hybrid method consisting of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, transmission line (TL) equations, and a novel time-domain S-parameter cascade (TD-SC) technique, which can be directly applied in time domain for the EMI analysis of transmission line network (TLN) in shielded electronic device excited by ambient electromagnetic wave. The FDTD method combined with an auto mesh generator is utilized to model the shielded structure of an arbitrary electronic device rapidly, and obtain the excitation fields of the TLN exactly. Then, the TD-SC technique based on TL equations, FDTD method, and S parameter of circuits is proposed for the further EMI analysis of the TLN consisting of multistage TLs and circuits. It has the advantage of without modeling the fine structures of TLs and circuits directly. Numerous examinations exhibit that this hybrid method is an efficient method for the EMI analysis of TLN by comparing with a three-dimensional FDTD method. The computation time and memory cost by this hybrid method is much less than that of the FDTD method, because the hybrid method provides a fast way to compute the transient responses on TLN in which the TLs and circuits do not need to be meshed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An iron single-atom catalyst, composed of robust FeN 4 moieties anchored on a nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (Fe-SAC/NC), has been developed via a surfactant-coordinated metal-organic framework (MOF) approach for application in heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) process. The cohesive interaction between the surfactant and MOF precursor enabled the formation of abundant and stable FeN 4 moieties. The Fe-SAC/NC-catalyzed HEF allowed the complete degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol with low iron leaching (1.2 mg L-1), being superior to nanoparticle catalyst synthesized without surfactant. The experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated the dominant role of single-atom FeN 4 sites to activate the electrogenerated H 2 O 2 yielding •OH. The dense FeN 4 moieties allowed harnessing the modulated electronic structure of the SAC to facilitate the electron transfer, whereas the adjacent pyrrolic N enhanced the adsorption of target organic pollutants. Moreover, the excellent catalysis, recyclability and viability of the Fe-SAC/NC were verified by successfully treating several organic pollutants even in urban wastewater. [Display omitted] • Synthesis of FeN 4 moieties on N-doped carbon for effective electro-Fenton treatment. • Simultaneous increase of activity and stability of catalysts by single-atom strategy. • Superiority of SAC over nanoparticle catalyst for degradation of organic pollutants. • H 2 O 2 activation mechanism validated through DFT analysis. • High recyclability of SAC and remarkable performance in urban wastewater matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MIL-88B(Fe)/Fe 3 S 4 hybrids for effective water treatment by heterogeneous electro-Fenton. • Hybrid catalyst: highly uniform composition due to excellent distribution of small Fe 3 S 4. • Sulfidation allows breaking the activity-stability trade-off for high performance HEF. • Good recyclability of hybrids and fast trimethoprim removal even in urban wastewater. • Great catalytic activity and degradation mechanism confirmed by DFT calculations. Fe-based metal–organic frameworks are promising catalysts for water treatment, although their viability is hampered by the slow regeneration of active Fe(II) sites. A facile sulfidation strategy is proposed to boost the catalytic activity of MIL-88B(Fe) in heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) treatment of organic micropollutants at mild pH. The synthesized MIL-88B(Fe)/Fe 3 S 4 hybrids possessed numerous and durable unsaturated iron sites, acting the S2− atoms as electron donors that enhanced the Fe(II) recycling. The sulfidated catalyst outperformed the MIL-88B(Fe), as evidenced by the 7-fold faster degradation of antibiotic trimethoprim by HEF and the fast destruction of micropollutants in urban wastewater. The hybrid catalyst was reused, obtaining >90% drug removal after four runs and, additionally, its inherent magnetism facilitated the post-treatment recovery. Electrochemical tests and DFT calculations provided mechanistic insights to explain the enhanced catalysis, suggesting that the accelerated Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling and the enhanced mass transport and electron transfer accounted for the efficient trimethoprim degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future experiments at the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV upgrade, in particular, the Solenoidal Large Intensity Device (SoLID), aim at a very precise data set in the region where the partonic structure of the nucleon is dominated by the valence quarks. One of the main goals is to constrain the quark transversity distributions. We apply recent theoretical advances of the global QCD extraction of the transversity distributions to study the impact of future experimental data from the SoLID experiments. Especially, we develop a simple strategy based on the Hessian matrix analysis that allows one to estimate the uncertainties of the transversity quark distributions and their tensor charges extracted from SoLID data simulation. We find that the SoLID measurements with the proton and the effective neutron targets can improve the precision of the u - and d -quark transversity distributions up to one order of magnitude in the range 0.05 < x < 0.6 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of electrochemical oxidation (EO), Fered-Fenton and solar Fered-Fenton processes using a recirculation flow system containing an electrochemical cell and a solar photo-reactor on biochemically treated landfill leachate were investigated. The most successful method was solar Fered-Fenton which achieved 66.5% COD removal after 120 min treatment utilizing the optimum operating conditions of 47 mM H 2 O 2 , 0.29 mM Fe 2+ , pH 0 of 3.0 and a current density of 60 mA/cm 2 . The generation of hydroxyl radicals ( OH) are mainly from Fered-Fenton process, which is enhanced by the introduction of renewable solar energy. Moreover, Fe 2+ /chlorine and UV/chlorine processes taking place in this system also result in additional production of OH due to the relatively high concentration of chloride ions contained in the leachate. The energy consumption was 74.5 kWh/kg COD and the current efficiency was 36.4% for 2 h treatment. In addition, the molecular weight (MW) distribution analysis and PARAFAC analysis of excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy for different leachate samples indicated that the organics in the leachate were significantly degraded into either small molecular weight species or inorganics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time-domain hybrid method is presented for efficiently solving the coupling problems of long cables above the ground excited by electromagnetic pulses. The proposed method is combined with transmission-line (TL) equations, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, and a novel fast calculation approach for excitation fields of long cables. In this hybrid method, the effect of the ground on the incident wave is equivalent to a time-domain reflection wave source, and the excitation fields of long cables are computed by the superposition of electric fields created by the incident and reflection wave sources. Then, the TL equations are employed to build the coupling model of long cables and the excitation fields are introduced into the TL equations as distribution sources. Finally, the transient responses on long cables are obtained by the TL equations with the FDTD method. Two examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy and high efficiency of this method. It shows that this method can tremendously decrease the memory requirement and computation time compared with the FDTD method, and has the ability of fast simulating the coupling problem of long cables excited by multiple pulse sources. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a novel time domain hybrid method consisting of finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method, transmission line (TL) equations, and circuit-based method, which can be directly applied in time domain for the electromagnetic interference (EMI) analysis of the lumped circuits in a shielded device excited by ambient electromagnetic wave. The FDTD method coupled with the TL equations is utilized to model the electromagnetic properties of arbitrary structures containing transmission lines and shielded enclosure of the electronic device with any ambient excitation. With numerical simulation, an equivalent circuit model considering the external EMI effects is extracted as an excitation source for the internal lumped circuit according to Thevenin's theorem. Then, the state variable approach is used for the further EMI analysis of the internal lumped circuit in time domain. Two cases, in which a transmission line and/or a transmission line network are connected to a lumped circuit within a shielded enclosure excited by an intense electromagnetic pulse, are computed with the proposed method. The numerical results are compared with those obtained by using the FDTD method, and they are almost in perfect agreements. Meanwhile, at last, an example of this method applied for the EMI protection of an electronic device is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The purpose of this paper was to fabricate PLLA/PCL nanofibrous scaffolds containing HAP to mimic the native bone extracellular matrix for potential applications as bone tissue engineering scaffolds materials and ultimately to help the repairing of bone defects. Materials and methods PLLA (MW 200 kDa), PCL (MW 80 kDa), HAP, dichloromethane, N , N -dimethylformamide; α-MEM, FBS, trypsin-EDTA, penicillin G, streptomycin, β-sodium glycerophosphate, l -ascorbic acid, dexamethasone; CCK-8, Alkaline Phosphatase Assay Kit, Mouse Osteocalcin ELISA Kit, MC3T3-E1 cells. PLLA, PCL and HAP were dissolved in the solution of DCM and DMF to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds through electrospinning. The morphology of the scaffolds was investigated with SEM, while the diameter of the fibers, pore size and water uptake of the scaffolds were tested, respectively. TGA was carried out to verify the percentage of HAP in the composite scaffolds fabricated with different HAP concentrations. Cell count kit-8 assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, and osteocalcin assay were applied to observe the MC3T3-E1 cells proliferation, differentiation on the composite scaffolds. Key findings MC3T3-E1 cells were found to grow actively on the composite scaffolds based on the results of CCK-8 assay. The level of MC3T3-E1 differentiation was evaluated through the ALP activity and osteocalcin concentration, which showed higher value with HAP containing (PLLA/PCL/HAP) than that ones without (PLLA/PCL). Significance The results demonstrated that the biocomposite PLLA/PCL/HAP nanofibrous scaffold should be a promising candidate for proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts, and potentially can be used for bone tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leachate, a highly polluted wastewater, is generated from landfill containing complex compositions which have great impact on the environment. The advanced treatment of biochemically treated landfill leachate using electrochemically assisted UV/chlorine process (UEC) in a flow reactor was investigated. The effects of pH and current density on COD and NH 3 -N removal by UEC process were evaluated. At the pH value of 5.0, current density of 60 mA/cm 2 , the removal efficiencies for COD and NH 3 -N were observed as 77% and 87%, respectively. The electrochemical process alone (EC) could obtain relatively high NH 3 -N removal but very low COD removal, compared with which, the UEC process significantly promoted the removal efficiency of COD while that of NH 3 -N increased to a very limited extent. Most of NH 3 -N was converted into N 2 and little nitrogen compounds and chloramines were remained in the leachate after 8 h treatment. Moreover, the variations of active chlorine and chloride ions were monitored in the EC and UEC systems, and a possible mechanism was proposed for the UEC process. The in situ electro-generated active chlorine and photo-generated radical species should be responsible for the efficient degradation of landfill leachate. The total energy consumption and current efficiency were 216.5 (kW h/kg COD) and 17.5%, respectively, for 8 h treatment. In addition, the molecular weight (MW) percentage distribution analysis and PARAFAC analysis of excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the organic matters in the leachate were significantly degraded into the fractions with small molecular weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-decorated ceramic membrane for combined filtration-EF at mild pH. • Almost total degradation of naproxen in Na 2 SO 4 after 90 min at 50 mA and 2 mL min−1. • Mechanism for heterogeneous EF with catalytic ceramic membrane (EFCCM) treatment. • Identification of 7 primary oxidation byproducts and EFCCM viability in urban wastewater. • Low iron release (<1 mg L−1 at pH ≥ 5) ensured a good CM reusability for at least 5 cycles. Process intensification based on innovative coupling between membrane microfiltration and catalytic oxidation technologies has become a promising strategy for water treatment. Here, a surface-nucleated metal–organic framework (MOF) was grown in situ to obtain an NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)-functionalized catalytic ceramic membrane (NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe)@CM), whose ability to remove naproxen from water matrices via the so-called electro-Fenton with catalytic ceramic membrane (EFCCM) process was systematically investigated. The physicochemical properties of the NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe) and membranes were characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS and SEM, revealing the formation of a well-defined NH 2 -MIL-88B(Fe) layer on the porous CM with a thickness of around 13.5 µm, which provides a large amount of active sites for H 2 O 2 activation to generate hydroxyl radical (OH). The EFCCM treatment of naproxen in Na 2 SO 4 solution under recirculation batch mode yielded almost complete drug removal in 90 min at 50 mA, whereas the stability and catalyst loss tests gave evidence of good membrane reusability for 5 cycles. The treatment of naproxen in urban wastewater confronted severe membrane fouling, but this was effectively mitigated by combining hot water backwash with EF self-cleaning. Finally, the naproxen degradation routes involving 7 byproducts are proposed. This is an effective approach to the fabrication of CCM, which could be used for wastewater treatment in continuous mode as suggested by the minimal NPX content at the membrane outlet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microbe-assisted phytoremediation has been considered as a promising measure for the remediation of heavy metal-polluted soils. In this study, a metal-tolerance and plant growth-promoting endophytic bacterium JN6 was firstly isolated from roots of Mn-hyperaccumulator Polygonum pubescens grown in metal-contaminated soil and identified as Rahnella sp. based on 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Strain JN6 showed very high Cd, Pb and Zn tolerance and effectively solubilized CdCO3, PbCO3 and Zn3(PO4)2 in culture solution. The isolate produced plant growth-promoting substances such as indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic deaminase, and also solubilized inorganic phosphate. Based upon its ability in metal tolerance and solubilization, the isolate JN6 was further studied for its effects on the growth and accumulation of Cd, Pb and Zn in Brassica napus (rape) by pot experiments. Rape plants inoculated with the isolate JN6 had significantly higher dry weights, concentrations and uptake of Cd, Pb and Zn in both above-ground and root tissues than those without inoculation grown in soils amended with Cd (25mgkg−1), Pb (200mgkg−1) or Zn (200mgkg−1). The isolate also showed a high level of colonization in tissue interior of rapes. The present results demonstrated that Rahnella sp. JN6 is a valuable microorganism, which can cost-effectively improve the efficiency of phytoremediation in soils contaminated by Cd, Pb and Zn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of radial oxygen loss (ROL) and external aeration on iron (Fe) plaque formation, and arsenic (As) accumulation and speciation in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The data showed that there were significant correlations between ROL and Fe concentrations in Fe plaque produced on different genotypes of rice. There were also significant differences in the amounts of Fe plaque formed between different genotypes in different positions of roots and under different aeration conditions (aerated, normal, and stagnant treatments). In aerated treatments, rice tended to have a higher Fe plaque formation than in a stagnant solution, with the greatest formation at the root tip decreasing with increasing distances away, in accordance with a trend of spatial ROL. Genotypes with higher rates of ROL induced higher degrees of Fe plaque formation. Plaques sequestered As on rice roots, with arsenate almost double that with arsenite, leading to decreased As accumulation in both roots and shoots. The major As species detected in roots and shoots was arsenite, ranging from 34 to 78% of the total As in the different treatments and genotypes. These results contribute to our understanding of genotypic differences in As uptake by rice and the mechanisms causing rice genotypes with higher ROL to show lower overall As accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The positive-feedback-based anti-islanding schemes invented by the authors are highly effective in preventing islanding without causing any degradation in power quality. This paper presents the basic principles of these schemes and their design guidelines. Moreover, their performance is investigated for inverter-based distributed generators (DGs). The parametric study reveals the factors significantly influencing the performance of these schemes. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of these schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Proposes a parallel three-phase converters system where individual converters connect both alternating and direct current sides directly without additional passive components to reduce size and cost of the overall parallel system. Features of a parallel three-phase converters; Approach in modeling of the zero-sequence current; Discussion on simulation and experimental results.

Background and aims: Water spinach readily uptakes cadmium (Cd), posing a risk to human health. Selecting low-Cd cultivars is a promising mitigation strategy, but its extensive utilization is limited without a clear understanding of the critical plant factors determining Cd accumulation. This study aimed to elucidate the effects and interactions of the radial oxygen loss (ROL) and iron (Fe) plaque on the Cd accumulation in different water spinach cultivars and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A pot and four hydroponic experiments using ten water spinach cultivars were conducted with different aeration, Fe supply, and Cd stress treatments. Results: The Cd accumulation of different cultivars was determined by both root uptake and root-to-shoot transport. There were 4.0-, 3.8- and 6.3-fold differences among different cultivars in ROL, Fe plaque, and shoot Cd accumulation, respectively. Rhizosphere and root Fe plaque reduced root Cd uptake and were regulated by Fe supply and ROL. Increased ROL under stagnant conditions enhanced Fe plaque and induced its redistribution along root axes. Root Cd retention through compartmentalization and chelation inhibited root-to-shoot Cd translocation. Conclusion: The Fe plaque, ROL, and root Cd retention formed an interactive system to decrease the Cd uptake and accumulation in water spinach. Low-Cd cultivars exhibited higher ROL, greater Fe plaque and more effective root Cd retention, and responded to stagnant conditions with greater ROL increases and more enhanced Fe deposition on root surfaces. This study provides new insights into the Cd accumulation mechanisms in water spinach and a theoretical basis for selecting low-Cd cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the novel application of an Fe-based 2D metal−organic framework (MOF), prepared with 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate (bpydc) as organic linker, as highly active catalyst for heterogeneous photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) treatment of the lipid regulator bezafibrate in a model matrix and urban wastewater. Well-dispersed 2D structures were successfully synthesized and their morphological, physicochemical and photocatalytic properties were assessed. UV/Vis PEF using an IrO 2 /air-diffusion cell with an extremely low catalyst concentration (0.05 g L−1, tenfold lower than reported 3D MOFs) outperformed electro-oxidation with electrogenerated H 2 O 2 , electro-Fenton and visible-light PEF. Its excellent performance was explained by: (i) the enhanced mass transport of H 2 O 2 (and organic molecules) at the 2D structure, providing active sites for heterogeneous Fenton's reaction and in-situ Fe(II) regeneration; (ii) the ability of photoinduced electrons to reduce H 2 O 2 to •OH, and Fe(III) to Fe(II); and (iii) the enhanced charge transfer and excitation of Fe–O clusters, which increased the number of electron-hole pairs. LC-QToF-MS and GC-MS allowed the identification of 16 aromatic products of bezafibrate. The complete removal of four micropollutants mixed in urban wastewater at pH 7.4 revealed the great potential of (Fe−bpydc)-catalyzed PEF process. Image 1 • Fe−based 2D MOF degrades various organic micropollutants at mild pH via PEF catalysis. • Complete degradation of bezafibrate by UV/Vis PEF using only 0.05 g L−1 Fe−based 2D MOF. • 16 primary oxidation products of bezafibrate detected by LC-QToF-MS and GC-MS. • Detailed mechanism for PEF with Fe−based 2D MOF: heterogeneous Fenton + photocatalysis. • Thorough study on the stability, recyclability and electronic structure of Fe−based 2D MOF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents corrections to the above named paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Successful heterogeneous EF process at mild pH using MIL-88B-derived catalysts. • Magnetic N-doped nano-ZVI@C rods by pyrolysis: high activity, stability and recyclability. • Almost overall gemfibrozil degradation in raw urban wastewater with several pollutants. • Identification of 6 aromatic and 6 aliphatic products upon gemfibrozil degradation. • ZVI promoted continuous conversion of Fe(III) to Fe(II): heterogeneous Fenton's reaction. The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as suspended heterogeneous catalysts in electro-Fenton (EF) process for water treatment is almost inexistent. Fe-MOFs synthesized from phthalic acid-based linkers were spindle-shaped MIL(Fe)-88B and NH 2 -MIL(Fe)-88B crystals, whereas their calcination yielded nano-ZVI@C and nano-ZVI@C-N. The lipid regulator gemfibrozil was spiked into 0.050 M Na 2 SO 4 solutions or urban wastewater and treated in electrolytic cells with an air-diffusion cathode to generate H 2 O 2. The nano-ZVI@C-N catalyst obtained at 800 °C showed the highest activity, with high stability as deduced from the low iron leaching and high recyclability. Almost total drug removal and significant mineralization was feasible in both matrices at near-neutral pH. The presence of core-shell nano-ZVI and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles encapsulated in N-doped fusiform porous carbon rods was revealed, ensuring the Fe(III) conversion to Fe(II). Carbon doping with N contributed to the enhanced catalytic activity, and the strong magnetism facilitated the post-treatment catalyst recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the first investigation on the use of EDDS as chelating agent in photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) treatment of water at near-neutral pH. As a case study, the removal of the antidepressant fluoxetine was optimized, using an electrochemical cell composed of an IrO 2 -based anode an air-diffusion cathode for in-situ H 2 O 2 production. Electrolytic trials at constant current were made in ultrapure water with different electrolytes, as well as in urban wastewater (secondary effluent) at pH 7.2. PEF with Fe(III)–EDDS (1:1) complex as catalyst outperformed electro-Fenton and PEF processes with uncomplexed Fe(II) or Fe(III). This can be explained by: (i) the larger solubilization of iron ions during the trials, favoring the production of •OH from Fenton-like reactions between H 2 O 2 and Fe(II)–EDDS or Fe(III)–EDDS, and (ii) the occurrence of Fe(II) regeneration from Fe(III)–EDDS photoreduction, which was more efficient than conventional photo-Fenton reaction with uncomplexed Fe(III). The greatest drug concentration decays were achieved at low pH, using only 0.10 mM Fe(III)–EDDS, although complete removal in wastewater was feasible only with 0.20 mM Fe(III)–EDDS due to the greater formation of •OH. The effect of the applied current and anode nature was rather insignificant. A progressive destruction of the catalytic complex was unveiled, whereupon the mineralization mainly progressed thanks to the action of •OH adsorbed on the anode surface. Despite the incomplete mineralization using BDD as the anode, a remarkable toxicity decrease was determined. Fluoxetine degradation yielded F− and NO 3 − ions, along with several aromatic intermediates. These included two chloro-organics, as a result of the anodic oxidation of Cl− to active chlorine. A detailed mechanism for the Fe(III)–EDDS-catalyzed PEF treatment of fluoxetine in urban wastewater is finally proposed. Image 1 • Total fluoxetine removal at near-neutral pH by Fe(III)–EDDS-catalyzed PEF process. • Fe(III)–EDDS complex: great photoactivity to form Fe2+, and long iron solubilization. • 2 Degradation stages: •OH-mediated, followed by M(•OH)-mediated once EDDS disappeared • 11 Primary degradation by-products detected, including two chloro-organics. • Detailed mechanism for Fe(III)–EDDS-catalyzed PEF treatment in urban wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel EF process to work at pH 3.0–9.0 upon catalysis with soluble Fe(III)–EDDS complex. • Carbon-felt cathode allowed 50% regeneration of Fe(II), promoting the formation of •OH. • SEM-EDS, XPS and voltammetry: precipitation + adsorption of Fe(III)–EDDS at t > 60 min. • Oxidation and cyclization/dimerization routes of BHA yielded 5 and 6 by-products each. • Degradation mechanism: homogeneous Fenton, heterogeneous Fenton, electrocatalysis. The feasibility of destruction of organic pollutants in water at near-neutral pH by homogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) process employing a soluble Fe(III)–EDDS complex as catalyst is demonstrated for the first time. The performance of the Fe(III)–EDDS-assisted EF process with carbon-felt or air-diffusion cathodes was evaluated from the degradation of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in sulfate medium. The influence of applied current, pH and Fe(III):EDDS ratio and dosage on BHA decay and mineralization was related to the evolution of H 2 O 2 and iron concentrations. Using Fe(III)–EDDS, up to 50% Fe(II) regeneration was achieved in 10 min, whereas only 23% was transformed using hydrated Fe3+. Almost total removal of BHA was achieved thanks to homogenous Fenton, heterogeneous Fenton with cathodically adsorbed Fe(III), and electrocatalysis. The mineralization partly corresponded to the gradual destruction of EDDS by hydroxyl radical (k abs = 5.22 × 109 M−1 s−1), and involved the formation of 5 oxidation and 6 dimerization or cyclization by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Total pelvic exenteration is the ultimate solution for rectovesicovaginal fistula caused by radiation therapy, yet total pelvic exenteration frequently causes intraoperative complications and postoperative complications. These complications are responsible for the dysfunction of lower extremities, impaired quality of life, and even the high long-term morbidity rate, thus multidisciplinary cooperation and early intervention for prevention of complications are necessary. Physical therapy was found to reduce the postoperative complications and promote rehabilitation, yet the effect on how physiotherapy prevents and treats complications after total pelvic exenteration and pelvic lymphadenectomy remains unclear. Case presentation: A 50-year-old Chinese woman gradually developed perianal and pelvic floor pain and discomfort, right lower limb numbness, and involuntary vaginal discharge owing to recurrence and metastasis of cervical cancer more than half a year ago. Diagnosed as rectovesicovaginal fistula caused by radiation, she received total pelvic exenteration and subsequently developed severe lower limb edema, swelling pain, obturator nerve injury, and motor dysfunction. The patient was referred to a physiotherapist who performed rehabilitation evaluation and found edema in both lower extremities, right inguinal region pain (numeric pain rate scale 5/10), decreased temperature sensation and light touch in the medial thigh of the right lower limb, decreased right hip adductor muscle strength (manual muscle test 1/5) and right hip flexor muscle strength (manual muscle test 1/5), inability actively to adduct and flex the right hip with knee extension, low de Morton mobility Index score (0/100), and low Modified Barthel Index score (35/100). Routine physiotherapy was performed in 2 weeks, including therapeutic exercises, mechanical stimulation and electrical stimulation as well as manual therapy. The outcomes showed that physiotherapy significantly reduced lower limb pain and swelling, and improved hip range of motion, motor function, and activities of daily living, but still did not prevent thrombosis. Conclusion: Standardized physical therapy demonstrates the effect on postoperative complications after total pelvic exenteration and pelvic lymphadenectomy. This supports the necessity of multidisciplinary cooperation and early physiotherapy intervention. Further research is needed to determine the causes of thrombosis after standardized intervention, and more randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of physical therapy after total pelvic exenteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To develop a scale for measuring nurse's perceived work environment during the public health emergencies (PHEs) and assess its reliability and validity. Background. Although there is extensive research on instruments for measuring nursing work environments in regular healthcare settings, there is a lack of specific scales tailored to address the unique work conditions experienced by nurses during PHEs. Design. This study employed a cross-sectional design for psychometric evaluation and adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. Methods. A self-report scale, the Chinese Nursing Work Environment Scale for Public Health Emergencies (C-NWE-PHE), was developed, integrating situational characteristics. Data on demographics, adapted scale scores, and subjective evaluations of nursing management performance were collected from 1156 nurses through online surveys conducted between January 2023 and March 2023. Confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlations, and Cronbach's alpha analyses were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. Results. The adapted C-NWE-PHE scale comprised 28 items organized into five subscales: Workforce and Deployment Support, Leadership and Emergency Management, Autonomy and Empowerment, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Logistics and Humanistic Care. Structural equation modelling showed satisfactory factor loadings for each subscale and a good model fit, confirming construct validity. The content validity and reliability of the total scale were confirmed. Conclusion. This study provides empirical evidence for understanding and assessing the nursing work environment during PHEs with a psychometrically sound scale. Implications for Nursing Management. The C-NWE-PHE scale, along with its five identified constructs, provides a nuanced comprehension of working conditions amid PHEs. Implementing this scale could foster specific enhancements, support nurse retention efforts, and enhance the effectiveness of responses during challenging emergency situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon and determinants of healthcare service utilization in Chinese older adults with multimorbidity. Methods We adopted a mixed-methods explanatory design from July 2022 to May 2023. The quantitative research was a social network analysis to explore the phenomenon of healthcare service utilization in target participants. The quantitative results were further interpreted as the participant's propensity for healthcare services and the potential for information sharing between healthcare providers through shared patients. Logistic regression was conducted to identify individual determinants for healthcare service utilization. The quantitative research was followed by qualitative interviews with stakeholders to deeply understand the phenomenon of interest from the individual, healthcare system, and societal perspectives. Results We recruited 321 participants for the quantitative study. They preferred using medication services from primary healthcare providers, pharmacists at private pharmacies, and hospital specialists, and preferred using other services from hospital specialists. Dense relationships arose from shared patients among healthcare providers across various professions and settings, making it possible to share patient information. Primary healthcare providers were particularly important in the process, as they were closely related to others through patient sharing. Health status was identified through logistic regression and qualitative interviews as an individual determinant for healthcare service utilization. More determinants were explored in qualitative interviews with 30 stakeholders, including trust, resource allocation, healthcare accessibility, medical treatment process, and healthcare awareness. Discussion Strategies should be proposed to intervene with patients' nonoptimal propensity toward healthcare services and promote information sharing among healthcare providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to translate the Roy adaptation model concept of adaptation level into measurable concepts when considering the health-related quality of life, social support, and self-efficacy of community-dwelling Chinese adults with metabolic syndrome. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 144 adults with metabolic syndrome in the suburban area of Hangzhou, China. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between environmental stimuli (sociodemographic characteristics), adaptation level (health-related quality of life and social support), and prerequisite of behavior (self-efficacy). Regression analysis was applied to test the effect of stimuli on adaptation level and their associations with behavior. Results: Adaptation level was potentially influenced by environmental stimuli and evaluated by the quality of life. Age and education level were related to physiological and psychological function. Besides, family income was related to physiological function. Thus, adaptation level may predict individuals' behavior towards illness management, with a percentage classification accuracy of 76.40%. The vitality and social functioning of the quality of life were identified as significant correlates of self-efficacy. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that individuals' internal and external resources should be considered when developing nursing interventions to improve patients' adaptation level. Future research should explore whether facilitating self-efficacy among community-dwelling adults with metabolic syndrome may positively influence an individual's adaptation process in health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited work has been done to explain how work-family conflict is related to anxiety symptoms and the roles of emotional exhaustion and social support may play. Methods: Based on a sample of 764 female nurses and physicians, a model was tested in which emotional exhaustion served as a mediator and social support was regarded as a moderator between work-family conflict and anxiety symptoms. Results: This current study supported a moderated mediation model where the relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety symptoms via emotional exhaustion was weakest for female medical staff who reported high levels of social support. Conclusions: This study contribute to providing an understanding of how and when work-family conflict affects anxiety symptoms. The results implicate a wide range of interventions aimed at promoting mental wellbeing among female medical staff for policymakers and individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To efficiently solve the coupling problems of two wires above the ground excited by incident electromagnetic pulses, a time domain hybrid method consisting of transmission line (TL) equations, finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, and a fast calculation approach to the excitation fields of the wires is presented. In this hybrid method, a novel coupling model of the two wires is established by the TL equations firstly, which is suitable for arbitrary heights of the two wires and for considering influences of the ground on distributed parameters of the two wires. Then, due to the obviously infinite dimension of the ground, a fast calculation approach is utilized to obtain the excitation fields of the wires to avoid modeling the ground directly. Finally, the FDTD method is adopted to discretize the TL equations to calculate the transient responses at the termination loads of the two wires. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of this hybrid method. It shows that this method can tremendously decrease the memory requirement and computation time, compared with the full‐wave method. The applicability of this method in fast coupling analysis of long two wires with arbitrary heights above the ground excited by multiple electromagnetic pulses is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the potential mechanisms of healthy eating and exercise change, and design interventions which aim to promote healthy eating and exercise change among individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to identify key determinants of healthy eating, exercise behaviors, and health among individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome using the integrated common-sense model of illness self-regulation. Method: A cross-sectional study with a multi-wave data collection strategy. A total of 275 participants at risk of metabolic syndrome based on the clinical prediction model were included in the final analysis. Path analysis was employed to explore the pattern of relationships between key variables using AMOS. Results: The mediation analysis suggested that personal and treatment control, and coherence can positively affect self-reported health via intentions and health behaviors (exercise and healthy eating). Additionally, relationships between self-efficacy (exercise and healthy eating) and health outcomes can be mediated by health behaviors, and both intentions and health behaviors. Conclusions: This current research used the integrated common-sense model of illness self-regulation to predict healthy eating, exercise behaviors, and self-reported health among individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome. The results suggested that self-efficacy, intention, consequences, personal control, treatment control, and coherence were the key determinants of behavior and health, which can help design interventions to encourage healthy eating and exercise changes among individuals with a high risk of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel catalyst acid-modified red mud (RM) supported by peanut shells (MRP) was synthesized by pyrolysis (700 ℃) using RM and peanut shells (PSL) for oxidative degradation of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution by activating peroxydisulfate (PDS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that MRP was porous and RM was well loaded on inside the pores and outer surface of the peanut shells biochar. In addition, the influence of different preparation conditions on the catalyst performance was explored. The SBET of MRP1 increased from 7.78 to 86.13 m2 g−1 and the Fe content reached 18.35% after treatment. About 96% removal ratio of MO was achieved within 80 min under the conditions of 1.0 mM PDS, 100 mg L−1 MO and 0.8 g L−1 MRP1. When MO and Cr6+ coexisted, the removal ratios of MO and Cr6+ achieved 85.98% and 76.07%, respectively. Kinetic analysis of experimental data has shown that the MO degradation reaction better fitted to the pseudo-first-order kinetics than other models such as pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance demonstrated that 1O2 was the main active substance to the degradation of MO in the MRP1/PDS system. 1O2 produced by different free radical reactions, which came from PDS activated by Fe2+ in MRP. The removal efficiency achieved 71% in the 5th reuse of MRP1, indicating the potential of MPR to treat MO in actual applications. Finally, this study provided new insights for the development of various functionalized RM-biochar composite materials as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the relatively low output voltage of photovoltaic (PV) source, a high step-up converter with high efficiency is needed when the PV source is connected to the power grid. A novel high step-up converter based on two switched capacitors and a coupled inductor is proposed in this paper. The operating principle is analyzed and the voltage gain is derived. A 100-W prototype is fabricated in the laboratory to verify the theoretical analysis, and the highest efficiency is 96.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: Adherence to diet and exercise recommendations is crucial among metabolic syndrome (MetS) individuals. However, no studies have focused on comprehensive behavioural changes of diet and exercise among individuals with MetS. The present study aimed to explore determinants of adherence to diet and exercise behaviours among people with MetS based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model. Methods and results: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a health promotion centre of a large and general university hospital in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2021. A total of 241 individuals with MetS completed all scales. The mediation model was tested using structural equation modelling with bootstrapped samples. In the regression-based path analysis, MetS knowledge (β = 0.140), socioeconomic status (β = 0.162), and social support (β = 0.143) directly positively influenced diet behaviour. In addition, social support indirectly positively influenced exercise behaviour through coping and adaptation (β = 0.090). The final theoretical model showed a good fit (root mean square error of approximation = 0.057, comparative fit index = 0.946). Conclusion: Factors associated with diet behaviour were knowledge of MetS, socioeconomic status, and social support. Adaptation may be a mediator between social support and exercise behaviour. Intervention programmes targeting increased adherence to diet and exercise could include these factors for individuals with MetS. Graphical Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The dose–response association between sedentary time and the risk of metabolic syndrome is unclear, which indicates an important knowledge gap in public health. The objective of this study was to determine the categorical and continuous dose–response associations between sedentary time and the risk of metabolic syndrome. A systematic literature search of English articles published in PubMed, CINHAL, Embase, and Web of Science Core Collection prior to June 2022 was conducted. All cohort and cross‐sectional studies that examined the association between sedentary time and the risk of metabolic syndrome were considered, and duplicate and non‐related studies were excluded. Data extraction using a standardized chart and quality assessment using two appraisal tools were also performed. Two independent reviewers were involved in these processes. In categorical meta‐analyses, the pooled effect sizes for metabolic syndrome associated with different categories of sedentary time were calculated by comparing the highest and intermediate with the lowest categories. In continuous meta‐analyses, the linear and nonlinear dose–response associations were estimated using generalized least squares and restricted cubic spline models, respectively. Data were collected and analyzed from March to June 2022. Four prospective cohort studies and 22 cross‐sectional studies with 105,239 participants and 16,185 MetS cases were included in this study. In categorical analyses, both intermediate (median duration: 4.11 h/day; pooled OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08–1.26, P < 0.001) and high levels (median duration: 7.26 h/day; pooled OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.43–2.04, P < 0.001) of total sedentary time were significantly associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Similarly, a significant association between screen time and the risk of metabolic syndrome was also found in intermediate (median duration: 2.22 h/day; pooled OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.10–1.32, P < 0.001) and high levels (median duration: 3.40 h/day; pooled OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.44–1.86, P < 0.001) of exposure. Of note, these associations were significantly stronger in women. Different patterns of the behavior‐disease association were not observed in children, adolescents, and adults. The findings of continuous meta‐analyses could not provide solid evidence for the linearity and nonlinearity of the behavior‐disease association. This study demonstrated that long‐time sedentary behavior was associated with a higher risk of MetS independent of physical activity and the patterns of association varied by gender instead of age. These findings have implications for future guideline recommendations on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and prevention of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adherence to physical activity is inadequate in adults with metabolic syndrome. Adherence to physical activity recommendations is crucial and can result in improved health outcomes and reduced medical burdens. A comprehensive behavior change intervention, including identifying determinants of adherence to physical activity recommendations, intervention options, intervention content and implementation options, was imperative for enhancing physical activity adherence. The aim of the study is to develop an intervention to increase physical activity adherence among individuals with metabolic syndrome.Methods: The study followed the eight steps of the Behavior Change Wheel guide, including defining the problem in behavioral terms (Step 1), selecting target behavior (Step 2), specifying target behavior (Step 3), identifying what needs to change (Step 4), identifying intervention functions (Step 5), identifying policy categories (Step 6), identifying behavior change techniques (Step 7), and determining model of delivery (Step 8). The semi-structured, in-depth interviews were employed to identify the determinants of adherence to physical activity among twenty-eight individuals with metabolic syndrome based on capability, opportunity, motivation and behavior model. Next, the intervention functions and policy categories were chosen to address these determinants. Finally, behavior change techniques were selected to assist in the delivery of the intervention functions and be translated into intervention content.Results: Our study identified eighteen facilitators and fifteen barriers to physical activity adherence. It resulted in the selection of seven intervention functions and nineteen behavior change techniques for the intervention program. Then, the current study identified an app as the delivery mode. Finally, a behavioral change intervention was generated for individuals with metabolic syndrome to increase physical activity recommendation adherence.Conclusions: The Behavior Change Wheel provided a systematic approach to designing a behavior change intervention, which helped improve the health outcomes and reduce medical burdens and economic burdens among individuals with metabolic syndrome. The findings suggested that potential intervention should pay special attention to increasing knowledge in metabolic syndrome, imparting skills of physical activity, offering a supportive environment, and providing suggestions on regular physical activity using the appropriate behavior change techniques. A feasibility study will be undertaken to assess the acceptability and effectiveness of the intervention program in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interwinding capacitance of the transformer and the primary-side circuit nodes to ground capacitance are critical coupling path for common-mode (CM) noise in isolated power converters. In order to analyze the CM noise, the transformer interwinding capacitance is usually equivalent to lumped capacitance. In this paper, a generalized lumped capacitance model for constructing the CM noise equivalent circuit that is valid at low frequencies is derived. By simplifying the CM noise equivalent circuit based on Thevenin’s theorem, the equivalent noise source (ENS) for CM noise is proposed. The ENS is expressed by a linear combination of voltages in the converter, where the coefficients of these voltages are determined by transformer winding structure and the circuit configuration. With the help of ENS, the CM noise of the converter under different circuit configuration can be systematically analyzed and conveniently compared, which develops an effective reference for selecting a proper circuit configuration. Finally, the lumped capacitance model and the ENS for CM noise are verified by the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In collaboration with the North Night Vision Science and Technology (Nanjing) Research Institute Co. Ltd, researchers at the Institute of High Energy of Physics in China have successfully developed the 20-inch micro-channel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) that exhibits high detection efficiency (DE) for use in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). Due to the long drift path of electrons from photocathode to MCP, the 20-inch MCP-PMT has a time resolution on the order of nanoseconds. Recently, the team has made advancements in ultra-fast MCP-PMTs (FPMTs), achieving picosecond-level time resolution with both 1-inch and 2-inch types. By now, prototypes featuring single-anode, 2 × 2 anodes, 4 × 4 anodes, and 8 × 8 anodes have been successfully manufactured and tested. The 8 × 8 anode FPMT, in particular, demonstrates a transit time spread (TTS) of 36 ps (Sigma) in single photon mode, thanks to its meticulously engineered structure. To assess the FPMT's time performance under beam conditions, two beam tests were conducted at Fermi Lab and CERN. In these tests, the 8 × 8 pixel arrays of four distinct radiators, including LYSO, BGO, Pb glass and quartz glass, were paired with the 8 × 8 anodes FPMT. This setup involved the use of two radiator-coupled FPMT detectors for particle detection. The best coincidence time resolution recorded was 64 ps (Sigma) with a 120 GeV proton beam and 56 ps (Sigma) with a 108 GeV muon beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a photovoltaic (PV)- or fuel-cell-based grid-connected power system, a high step-up dc–dc converter is required to boost the low voltage of a PV or fuel cell to a relatively high bus voltage for the downstream dc–ac grid-connected inverter. To integrate the advantages of the high voltage gain of a switched-capacitor (SC) converter and excellent output regulation of a switching-mode dc–dc converter, a method of combining the two types of converters is proposed in this paper. The basic idea is that when the switch is turned on, the inductor is charged, and the capacitors are connected in series to supply the load, and when the switch is turned off, the inductor releases energy to charge multiple capacitors in parallel, whose voltages are controlled by a pulsewidth modulation technique. Thus, a high voltage gain of the dc–dc converter can be obtained with good regulation. Based on this principle, a series of new topologies are derived, and the operating principles and voltage gains of the proposed converters are analyzed. Finally, the design of the proposed converter is given, and the experiment results are provided to verify the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and aims: Wetland plants have been widely used in constructed wetlands for the clean-up of metal-contaminated waters. This study investigated the relationship between rate of radial oxygen loss (ROL), root porosity, Zn uptake and tolerance, Fe plaque formation in wetland plants. Methods: A hydroponic experiment and a pot trial with Zn-contaminated soil were conducted to apply different Zn level treatments to various emergent wetland plants. Results: Significant differences were found between plants in their root porosities, rates of ROL, Zn uptake and Zn tolerance indices in the hydroponic experiment, and concentrations of Fe and Mn on roots and in the rhizosphere in the pot trial. There were significant positive correlations between root porosities, ROL rates, Zn tolerance, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations on roots and in the rhizosphere. Wetland plants with higher root porosities and ROL tended to have more Fe plaque, higher Zn concentrations on roots and in their rhizospheres, and were more tolerant of Zn toxicity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ROL and root porosity play very important roles in Fe plaque formation, Zn uptake and tolerance, and are useful criteria for selecting wetland plants for the phytoremediation of Zn-contaminated waters and soils/sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]