Large Areas Research Articles

The association between triglyceride glucose index and the risk of cardiovascular disease in obstructive sleep apnea

PurposeThe triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a dependable indicator of insulin resistance (IR), serves as a valuable biomarker for identifying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and predicting its comorbidities. Both OSA and the TyG index are significantly related to the incidence and development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We focus on investigating the relationship between the TyG index and the incidence of CVD risk in OSA.MethodsThe TyG index, homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index, and polysomnography were assessed in 191 participants with OSA and without pre-existing CVD. To estimate the lifetime CVD risk, we employed the ‘Prediction for Atherosclerotic CVD Risk in China’ equation. The TyG index’s association with CVD risk was scrutinized using multivariable logistic regression models, contrasting it with the HOMA-IR index. We compared the predictive power for high lifetime CVD risk of the TyG index and the HOMA-IR index using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsA total of 89 participants had high lifetime CVD risk. In fully adjusted model and additionally adjusted for HOMA-IR index, participants situated within the fifth quantile of the TyG index exhibited an increased lifetime CVD risk, with OR of 4.32 (95% CI, 1.19–15.67). The TyG index demonstrated significant predictive power for high lifetime CVD risk across varying severities of OSA and outperformed the HOMA-IR index, as evidenced by a larger area under the ROC curve.ConclusionThe TyG index, independent of the HOMA-IR index and obesity, was linked to an increased lifetime CVD risk. In predicting cardiovascular outcomes, the TyG index could potentially outperform the HOMA-IR index among individuals with OSA.

Clinical study of a new nutritional index for predicting long-term prognosis in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease following percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Background and Objective Some patients continue to experience major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in frigid places. Indexes of inflammation and nutrition alone were shown to predict outcomes in patients with PCI. However, the clinical predictive value of mixed indicators is unclear. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the albumin/neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A total of 608 post-PCI CHD patients were categorized into low- and high-index groups based on the optimal cut-off values for albumin and NLR. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint comprising all-cause mortality and major adverse cerebrovascular events. The secondary outcome was the comparison of the predictive efficiency of the new nutritional index, albumin/NLR, with that of albumin or NLR alone. Results Over the five-year follow-up period, 45 patients experienced the composite endpoint. The incidence of endpoint events was significantly higher in the low-index group (12%) compared to the high-index group (4.9%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the albumin/NLR index had a larger area under the curve (AUC: 0.655) than albumin (AUC: 0.621) or NLR (AUC: 0.646), indicating superior predictive efficiency. The prognostic nutritional index had an AUC of 0.644, further supporting the enhanced predictive value of the albumin/NLR index over individual nutritional and inflammatory markers. Conclusion The albumin/neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with the long-term prognosis of CHD patients post-PCI and demonstrates superior predictive efficiency compared to individual nutritional and inflammatory markers.

Origami electronic membranes as highly shape-morphable mechanical and environmental sensing systems

This work introduces a concept of highly shape-morphable macro-scale origami electronic membranes based on the design and fabrication of flexible electronics and engineering origami. The origami electronic membranes can change shapes, provide multi-modal mechanical and environmental sensing capabilities in room and harsh temperatures, and/or switch functions by mechanical shape reconfiguration. This paper presents the materials, design, and fabrication methods for realizing six origami electronic membranes capable of reconfiguring planar or three-dimensional shapes based on the modified flasher, Kresling, Miura-ori, circular, letter, and Tachi-Miura origami patterns. They can be folded into small, stowed geometries and controllably deployed into larger areas or volumes to cover expanded spaces for spatial sensing, enabling significant shape adaptability for flexible electronics beyond simple stretching or bending. The mechanical and environmental sensing modalities include measuring motions, mechanical strains, temperatures, UV light, and humidity. The results reported here may expand the use of flexible electronics to applications that especially require aggressive shape transitions between a small, folded geometry and a large surface or volume such as deployable sensing systems for space explorations and accessing and monitoring highly confined locations.

Coastal lake sediments from Arctic Svalbard suggest colder summers are stormier

The Arctic is rapidly losing its sea ice cover while the region warms faster than anywhere else on Earth. As larger areas become ice-free for longer, winds strengthen and interact more with open waters. Ensuing higher waves also increase coastal erosion and flooding, threatening communities and releasing permafrost carbon. However, the future trajectory of these changes remains poorly understood as instrumental observations and geological archives remain rare and short. Here, we address this critical knowledge gap by presenting a continuous Holocene-length reconstruction of Arctic eolian activity using coastal lake sediments from Svalbard. Exposed to both polar Easterlies and Westerly storm tracks, sheltered by a bedrock barrier, and subjected to little post-glacial uplift, our study site provides a stable baseline to assess Holocene changes in the dominant wind systems of the Barents Sea region. To do so with high precision, we rely on multiple independent lines of proxy evidence for wind-blown sediment input. Our reconstructions reveal quasi-cyclic summer wind maxima during regional cold periods, and challenge the view that a warmer and less icy future Arctic will be stormier.

Mountain Hydrology Based on the Water Balance of the Tropical Basin of the Topo River (Tungurahua–Ecuador)

The Topo River basin, located in the tropical region of Ecuador, is considered a little-known and well-preserved basin, with limited access conditions and scarce data that hinder its hydrological understanding. However, this gap can be addressed through this study, which evaluates morphometric and hydrometeorological factors, relating them to water storage in the Topo River basin and comparing these results with other watersheds. The aim is to identify the morphometric and hydrometeorological factors that control the variability in water storage. Firstly, a morphometric characterization was conducted. Then, a hydrometeorological characterization was carried out based on climatic data from a single station with less than two years of data, along with the calculation of the water balance. Finally, water storage in the Topo basin was compared with the main morphometric and hydrometeorological characteristics of other basins. The results showed that the Topo River basin stores 9.1 mm annually (0.20% of its precipitation), and this storage is the result of its high runoff coefficient. It was concluded that basins with lower precipitation, higher evapotranspiration ranges, larger areas, gentler slopes, smaller altitude ranges, longer rivers, and basins that are narrow and oval-shaped may have higher water storage capacity.

Unraveling lead sources in a tropical urban Swamp Forest: Insights and challenges

We investigate the contributions of natural (geogenic) and anthropogenic sources of lead (Pb) to the Nee Soon Swamp Forest, a relatively undisturbed catchment in Singapore. Using a Bayesian statistical source tracking approach with Pb isotopes preserved in sediment sections, our findings reveal a predominance of geogenic Pb in contemporary sediments, despite the significant presence of anthropogenic Pb in aerosols from local and distant sources. However, the geogenic Pb isotope signatures of the two main soil types in the catchment overlap with those of anthropogenic sources, introducing considerable uncertainty in using Pb isotopes as tracers within this catchment and potentially across larger areas. This uncertainty raises concerns about past interpretations of Pb contamination in both terrestrial and aquatic environments in Singapore and the broader region. To address these challenges, we emphasize the importance of accurately determining the signatures of all natural sources before using Pb isotopes as tracers in future studies. We also suggest that incorporating additional Pb isotope ratios or other stable isotope ratios (e.g., Ba, Cu, Sr, Zn) could enhance our ability to distinguish between natural and anthropogenic Pb sources. Ultimately, our study highlights the complexity of Pb sources in the environment and underscores the need for more comprehensive approaches to assessing their impacts. SynopsisThis paper highlights insights and challenges in lead (Pb) source tracing studies conducted in urban catchments. These challenges primarily stem from the inadequate identification of all Pb isotope sources. We address these challenges by employing a Bayesian statistical approach to effectively identify, discriminate, and quantify Pb sources within a wetland ecosystem in Singapore.

Characteristics of an antistatic semiconductor bridge based on micro/nano processing techniques

Abstract Regarded as a novel type of igniter, semiconductor bridge (SCB) prove superior in burst time and burst energy (less than 5 mJ). Nevertheless, SCB discharged by strong electrostatic discharge (ESD) inevitably leads to damage. To enhance the electrostatic safety of the semiconductor bridge initiator, an antistatic semiconductor bridge (ASCB) initiator incorporating a transient suppression (TVS) diode was fabricated based on micro/nan processing techniques. Three sizes of polysilicon bridge (10440 µm2, 17020 µm2, and 23760 µm2) and two breakdown voltages of TVS (7.3V and 8.6V) were designed. Then constant discharge test and ESD test were carried out to investigate the effects of bridge area and TVS breakdown voltage on the performance of ASCB. The results showed that, the energy density of polysilicon bridge is a linear function of the ratio of the square of the current to the area of the polysilicon (ISCB2/A). The breakdown voltage will affect the shunt of TVS. During polysilicon heat accumulation process, owing to shunt of TVS, the energy applied to the polysilicon bridge reduced. In addition , the bridge with a larger area were more difficult to reach the explosive limit. Therefore, both the breakdown voltage of the TVS and the area of the polysilicon bridge influenced the explosive characteristics of the ASCB. The antistatic performance of ASCB is obviously stronger than that of SCB, and A2 (ASCB with bridge area of 23760 µm2 and breakdown voltage of 7.3V) is the strongest among the three types of ASCB. Reducing the breakdown voltage of TVS and increasing the bridge area of polysilicon can effectively improve the antistatic performance of ASCB.

Association between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and periodontitis in US adults: analysis of NHANES data (2009–2014)

BackgroundThe cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a new predictor of obesity-related diseases, but its link to periodontitis is under-researched. This study aims to examine the potential association between the CMI and periodontitis.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2009–2014) to examine the potential association between CMI and periodontitis. The study utilized a weighted multivariate logistic model to assess the association between TG, HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, obesity indices (BMI, WC, WHtR, CMI), and periodontitis, employing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) to estimate areas under the curve (AUC). Furthermore, generalized smooth curve fitting was conducted to examine the relationship between CMI and periodontitis. Finally, the study incorporated subgroup analysis and interaction tests to examine consistency across different populations.ResultsTG/HDL-C, WHtR, and CMI were positively associated with periodontitis in the fully adjusted classification model. It was observed that for each unit increase in CMI, there was a corresponding 17.8% increase in the prevalence of periodontitis [1.178 (1.049, 1.322) 0.00562] and 18.7% increase in the prevalence of moderate/severe [1.187 (1.057, 1.334) 0.00376] in the fully adjusted model. When CMI was used as a categorical variable, the adjusted OR for periodontitis prevalence increased significantly with increasing CMI after adjusting for all potential covariates (T3 vs. T1: OR, 1.28 [1.06, 1.55], p < 0.05). The ROC analysis indicated that a larger area under the curve was found in the CMI [0.554 (0.538–0.570)] than in the WC [0.544 (0.528–0.560)] and WHtR [0.544 (0.528–0.561)]. Nonetheless, the discrepancy observed did not reach statistical significance (all p > 0.05). Further generalized smooth curve fitting and threshold effect models indicated a positive linear correlation between CMI and periodontitis. Moreover, there is no interactive association between TG/HDL-C, WHtR, CMI, and periodontitis.ConclusionsThis cross-sectional study revealed a positive relationship between CMI and periodontitis. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Development and validation of the prediction score for augmented renal clearance in critically Ill Japanese adults.

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) decreases the therapeutic concentration of drugs excreted by the kidneys in critically ill patients. Several ARC prediction models have been developed and validated; however, their usefulness in Japan has not been comprehensively investigated. Thus, we developed a unique ARC prediction model for a Japanese mixed intensive care unit (ICU) population and compared it with existing models. This retrospective study enrolled a mixed ICU population in Japan from January 2019 and June 2022. The primary outcome was the development and validation of a model to predict ARC onset based on baseline information at ICU admission. Patients admitted until May 2021 were included in the training set, and external validation was performed on patients admitted thereafter. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to develop an integer-based predictive scoring system for ARC. The new model (the JPNARC score) was externally validated along with the ARC and Augmented Renal Clearance in Trauma Intensive Care (ARCTIC) scores. A total of 2,592 critically ill patients were enrolled initially, with 651 patients finally included after excluding 1,941 patients. The training and validation datasets comprised 456 and 195 patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis was performed to develop the JPNARC score, which incorporated age, sex, serum creatinine, and diagnosis upon ICU admission (trauma or central nervous system disease). The JPNARC score had a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve than the ARC and ARCTIC scores in the validation dataset (0.832, 0.633, and 0.740, respectively). An integer-based scoring system was developed to predict ARC onset in a critically ill Japanese population and showed high predictive performance. New models designed to predict the often-unrecognized ARC phenomenon may aid in the decision-making process for upward drug dosage modifications, especially in resource- and labor-limited settings.

Comparison of corneal indices between normal and keratoconus (kc) using pentacam hr for patients aged 6-21 years

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to compare normal and KC corneas using Pentacam keratometry, curvature indices, elevation indices, and pachymetry indices for patients aged between 6 to 21 years in the Riyadh area and analyze the indicators' sensitivity and specificity in differentiating between normal and KC corneas. METHOD: The present study employed a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, multicenter design to gather data from patients aged 6 to 21 who were seen in several non-ophthalmic emergency departments in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in 2017. Scheimpflug corneal tomography system in rotation was used to measure the cornea. Following optometric exams, corneal imaging and KC index measurements were performed using the Pentacam. RESULTS: Between the normal and KC groups, the majority of variables showed noteworthy statistical differences (p &lt; 0.001). The most effective indicators for keratoconus discrimination were K Max, ISV, and IHD. K Max, ISV, and IHD each had an area under the curve of 0.94, 0.90, and 0.93. IHA, IHD, and in the paired study of the ROC curves, CKI indices performed significantly better than the other topometric variables. (p &lt; 0.05). Nevertheless, when comparing the ROC curves with ISV, IVA, and KI pairwise, there are no statistically significant variations. Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC for display TP in the pairwise comparison was smaller than that of Pachy apex (p 0.002). PPI max, ART average, and TP all had larger areas under the curves than TP (p&lt;0.05) CONCLUSION: Pentacam indices are vital to the diagnosis of KC. K Max, ISV, and IHD are the best diagnostic indices for KC. Yet, using a combination of indices is advised to improve the diagnosis and accuracy of Pentacam indices to differentiate KC from normal.

Intraoperative hyperthermia is associated with increased acute kidney injury following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a retrospective cohort study

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after cytoreduction surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) for peritoneal surface malignancies. Herein we analyzed the association between intraoperative hyperthermia and AKI following CRS-HIPEC. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we collected baseline and perioperative data from patients who underwent CRS-HIPEC mainly for pseudomyxoma peritonei between 2014 and 2020. Nasopharyngeal temperature was recorded at 5-min intervals. The area above the threshold was calculated for intraoperative hyperthermia (>37.0 °C). AKI was diagnosed and classified according to the KDIGO creatinine criteria. A multivariable logistic regression model was established to assess the association between hyperthermia and AKI. Results A total of 480 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 10.6% (51/480) developed AKI within 7 postoperative days. After correction for confounding factors, a larger area above the threshold of hyperthermia was significantly associated with an increased risk of AKI (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% CI 1.14–1.63, p = 0.001). Among other factors, older age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.09, p = 0.002), postoperative hypotension requiring vasopressors (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.02–4.27, p = 0.042), and intraperitoneal chemotherapy containing cisplatin (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.20–6.33, p = 0.017) were also associated with an increased risk of AKI. Patients with AKI required longer mechanical ventilation, stayed longer in the intensive care unit and hospital, developed more complications, and required more intensive care unit readmission. Conclusions Among patients undergoing CRS-HIPEC, intraoperative hyperthermia was independently associated with a higher risk of AKI; this effect was additive to other risk factors including cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

Quantitative Comparison of ROV and Diver‐Based Photogrammetry to Reconstruct Maerl Bed Ecosystems

ABSTRACTIn a time of ever‐increasing pressure on the coastal ocean and rising costs, the development of effective and efficient methods for assessing the health of marine ecosystems is becoming essential for continued conservation efforts. Taking advantage of technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) may be a way of achieving this, but a quantitative check on the quality of ROV‐derived data is necessary. Here, using coralline algae reefs (maerl beds) as a model habitat, we compared 3D seabed reconstructions obtained from structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry surveys from diver‐held and ROV‐mounted camera systems. We found that both approaches achieved satisfactory alignment and mm‐scale resolution, allowing small‐scale features and individual organisms in the maerl bed to be resolved. The higher quality camera system available to divers resulted in generally lower modelling errors, but the spatial extent of surveys was highly restricted. In contrast, although associated with a slightly higher error, we show that much larger areas can be surveys by ROVs—we reconstructed 11,285 m2 of seabed in just 400 min of ROV deployment time. Moving forward, we recommend that a hybrid survey approach is adopted: utilising ROV surveys for large‐scale monitoring and diver surveys for higher detail insights that are informative for areas with highly complex and fine‐scale morphologies (like coralline algae reefs). Here, even small changes in complexity can be indicative of habitat change, and associated species can be small in size so multiscale visual assessment is beneficial.

Application of Multiple Linear Regression Models in Forming Priority patterns of Village Fund Budget Use

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the level of utilization of the village fund budget in Dolok Maraja Village, Simalungun Regency. Descriptive quantitative method with Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used to achieve the objective. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between the independent variable (village fund budget) and the dependent variable (the utilization rate of the village fund budget). The factors that most influence the utilization rate of the village fund budget are population, area, and poverty level. Implication of The implication of this study is that the government should consider these factors in the process of allocating village fund budgets. Villages with larger populations, larger areas, and higher poverty rates require larger budget allocations to ensure effective and efficient village development. In addition, the importance of good governance of village fund budgets and active community participation in the process of planning and implementing village development is also highlighted in this study. Specifically, this study shows that every year, the utilization rate of the village fund budget increases by an average of 6.5632. Meanwhile, each increase in the number of poor people and the Village Fund Ceiling decreases and increases the utilization rate of the village fund budget by an average of 2.6104 and 3.7433, respectively. Village area did not have a significant effect. Although this regression model has low explanatory power, it is statistically valid and fits the observed data. This research highlights the importance for the government to consider the factors of population, area, and Village Fund Ceiling in allocating the village fund budget, as well as improving governance and community participation in village development.

Association of keel bone morphometry with keel bone damage and skeletal quality in the laying hen

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of this work was to identify a heritable keel bone phenotype with a correlation to keel bone damage and/or skeletal bone strength that could be easily measured in the living hen to aid selection to prevent welfare issues. 2. The scoring system used reflected the observed damage, keel bone dimensions and shape compared to traditional measurements of bone quality. 3. Increased keel bone damage was associated with poor humerus and tibia breaking strengths (p < 0.01). Bone damage was associated with higher whole keel density (p < 0.01) due to the effect of callus formation. 4. Keel bone depth and area was moderately heritable at indices of 0.32 and 0.40, respectively. Keel bone depth was genetically correlated with tibia (0.36) and humerus density (0.68) and keel bone area was correlated with humerus density (0.59). Deeper keel bones and those with larger areas had small, negative phenotypic correlations with keel bone damage (−0.07 and −0.11, respectively). The second principal component of keel bone shape represented the caudal section of the keel bone and cranial edge concavity. The third principal component represented the differences in the caudal tip of the keel bone, the concavity of the dorsal edge and convexity of the ventral edge. Heritability estimates were 0.44 and 0.39, respectively. 5. The results suggested that genetics contribute to morphometric traits. Hens with poorer skeletal quality are likely to accumulate more damage. Some of the traits may be a predictor of damage, although mid keel depth or concavity may simply reflect the effect of damage or deviation.

Mechanical, thermal, and microstructure analysis of 3D printed polyolefin elastomer-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends for tunable mechanical properties

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) has emerged as a cost-effective and user-friendly technique that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, challenges persist when printing soft materials using FDM technology. This study proposes a solution by blending a soft polyolefin elastomer (POE) with a stiffer material, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). A comprehensive experimental investigation utilizing a direct pellet printing method was conducted to 3D print POE-ABS blends in various ratios (10%, 30%, and 50% ABS content). The study encompassed material preparation, 3D printing, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), uniaxial tensile testing, and compression testing to assess the mechanical properties and energy absorption capabilities of the 3D printed blends. The results of the DMTA showed that the blends with a higher amount of ABS have a larger area under the Tan δ curve, indicating their ability to absorb more energy. The SEM images revealed that as the proportion of ABS increases, the gaps between layers and beads become smaller. The mechanical properties of the pure printed POE, such as its elongation at break and tensile strength, were 2138% and 2.83 MPa, respectively. However, as the ABS content increased, the samples exhibited more rigid behavior, with a final transition to 50/50 ratio resulting in 9.4 MPa tensile strength and 160% elongation at break. The energy absorption test demonstrated that the sample with 30% ABS content has the highest energy absorption capability among all the tested samples. This research underscores the potential of blending soft and stiff materials to tailor properties for additive manufacturing applications, emphasizing the significance of material composition in achieving desired mechanical performance, printability, and functionality in printed objects.

Efficient and stable inverted perovskite solar cells enabled by homogenized PCBM with enhanced electron transport

Fullerene derivatives are extensively employed in inverted perovskite solar cells due to their excellent electron extraction capabilities. However, [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) agglomerates easily in solution and exhibits a relatively low ionization barrier, increasing charge recombination losses and charge accumulation in the interface. Here, tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMDS) is introduced into the PCBM solution to induce the formation of reducing sulfur radicals through UV light irradiation, allowing for n doping of the PCBM material. The resulting modified PCBM layer exhibits enhanced conductivity and electron mobility, significantly suppressing charge recombination. As a result, the resulting devices incorporating TMDS achieve a champion efficiency of 26.10% (certified 25.39%) and 24.06% at a larger area (1.0 cm2) with negligible hysteresis. More importantly, the optimized devices retain 95% and 90% of their initial efficiency after 1090 h under damp heat testing (85 °C and 85% relative humidity) and after 1271 h under maximum power point-tracking conditions, respectively.

High granularity resistive micromegas for future detectors

The resistive Micromegas technology can stably operate up to O (10 MHz/cm2) particle rate thanks to novel resistive spark-protection structures suitable for readout pads of a few mm2 area. These structures are made by Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) in a double-layer configuration in most of the investigated detectors with active surfaces of about 25 cm2 and in the new one with an active area of about 400 cm2. The performance in terms of gain, rate capability, robustness, dependence on the irradiated area, and space–time dedicated studies will be presented. With the proven high performance of the medium size detector and the already-started construction of a high granularity resistive Micromegas with an even larger area, our R&D is reaching the goal of establishing the technology for future large-scale and high-rate employment in Particle Physics and other fields.

Construction of cellulose 3D network composite membrane supported by hydroxylated boron nitride with high surface charge density to achieve high-efficiency osmotic energy harvesting

Ion selectivity and mechanical persistence are critical properties of membranes to harvest osmotic energy. Two-dimensional nanofluidic membranes have been studied to enhance those properties, whereas they are usually constrained due to unsatisfactory mass transfer performances. Herein, a ternary three-dimensional membrane (T-CNF/PVDF/BN-OH composite membrane, abbreviated as CPBN) with distinct mechanical strength and high surface charge density (−2.65 mC·m−2) for sustainable osmotic energy harvesting is designed. In CPBN, negatively charged TEMPO-oxidized cellulose acts as a scaffold and constructs a 3D network structure together with the hydroxylated boron nitride (BN-OH) via a self-assembly process. The affluent nano-constrained ion channels effectively enhance the controllability and effectiveness of ion transport. The abundant ionized carboxyl groups extremely facilitate the selective transportation of the cations, while the BN-OH also assist this process, promoting the one-way transmission of cations in the channel. Additionally, the participation of PVDF polymer forms a network interlock structure, which significantly improves mechanical performances and stability in water. The membrane demonstrates a high power density (10.6 W/m2), measured in minimal testing areas, and an average power density around 1 W/m2 in larger areas, with an energy conversion efficiency of up to 30.7 %. This study provides a promising exploration of replacing traditional two-dimensional layered structure with three-dimensional network structure of cellulose for osmotic energy harvesting.

Using Advanced InSAR Techniques and Machine Learning in Google Earth Engine (GEE) to Monitor Regional Black Soil Erosion—A Case Study of Yanshou County, Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China

The black soil region experiences complex erosion due to natural processes and intense human activities, leading to soil degradation and adverse ecological and agricultural impacts. However, the complexities involved in quantifying regional erosion poses remarkable challenges in accurately assessing the current status of regional soil erosion for effective soil conservation. To solve this issue, we proposed a new method for monitoring soil erosion using Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology and machine learning algorithms within the Google Earth Engine platform. The new method not only enables regional-scale monitoring, but also ensures high accuracy in measurement (millimeter-level). The erosion susceptibility of the study area (Yanshou County, Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China) was also classified using random forest algorithms to refine the monitored and predicted soil erosion. The results indicate that the five-year (2016–2021) deformation in Yanshou County was −11.08 mm, with a significant mean cumulative deformation of −8.08 mm yr−1 occurring in 2017. The driving factor analysis shows that the region was subject to the compound effect of water and freeze–thaw erosion, closely related to crop phenological stages. The susceptibility analysis indicates that 73.3% of the region was susceptible to erosion, with a higher probability in river areas, at high altitudes, and on steep slopes. However, good vegetation cover can reduce the risk of soil erosion to some extent. This study offers a new perspective on monitoring regional soil erosion in the black soil region of China. The proposed method holds potential for future expansion to monitor soil erosion in a larger areas, thereby guiding the strategies development for protection of the agriculturally important black soil.

Six years of spreading BLSD skills in schools: empowering teachers as trainers.

To increase the population's ability to handle emergencies, life-saving maneuvers should be universally acquired as an automatic skill starting from school through frequent and practical retraining. Teachers could be ideal multipliers, but it is necessary to design pathways that train and motivate them, since Basic Life Support and Defibrillation (BLSD) skills are not part of their academic curricula. This study explores innovative training solutions and facilitating factors to enhance BLSD education in schools by focusing on the training and motivation of teachers. In the 1st year, an in-service training program for teachers was provided and assessed in a lower middle school in central Italy. The study compared the skills of a group of students trained by teachers with those trained by certified instructors, immediately after the course and 6 months later. Both the procedural skills and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated, through a hands-on simulation. Over the next 5 years, the project was expanded to three more schools, and a field study was conducted where researchers monitored the teachers in their classroom work, supporting them in resolving critical issues. Quantitative assessments showed significant differences in student abilities immediately after the course, which diminished after 6 months. Qualitative evaluations indicated that teachers, initially reluctant, gained confidence and effectively taught BLSD skills. Over 5 academic years, the project expanded to additional schools, training 5,661 students in life-saving maneuvers with a ratio of 1 teacher for every 111 trained students, over the whole period of time. Sustainability factors included regular retraining of teachers, continually updated and free didactic materials and equipment, internal coordinators, allowing teachers the freedom to structure a customized course schedule in terms of timing and delivery methods. The study highlights the effectiveness of trained teachers as BLSD knowledge multipliers. Standardizing teacher training, including follow-up retraining, is crucial, but flexibility in student training is beneficial, allowing adaptation to the specific needs of schools. Future research should focus on the long-term sustainability of chain training in larger areas, identifying strategies to overcome organizational and motivational barriers.