Stages Of Process Research Articles

Shear wave velocity model using HVSR inversion beneath Bandar Lampung City

The horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method has been used to characterize site-effect parameters that are indispensable in seismic hazard and risk-reduction studies in urban areas and rapid land-use planning. This method is widely used because it is the cheapest and simplest geophysical method for the acquisition and processing stages. In subsequent developments, the HVSR method has been widely used to determine elastic rock parameters, particularly shear wave velocity (vS), through the HVSR curve inversion process. Furthermore, the vS structural model can be used to delineate the presence of complex geological structures, particularly faults and sedimentary basins. Bandar Lampung is a city in Lampung Province with many fault structures and groundwater basins to the south. There are 83 HVSR measurement points around Bandar Lampung for delineating the presence of fault structures and groundwater basins. We produced the HVSR curve from the measurement results and then performed an inversion process using the particle swarm optimization algorithm to obtain vS for the depth profile. Subsequently, from this profile, we produced a two-dimensional (2D) lateral and vertical model. The mean vS value was calculated from all the measurement points, and we found stiff soil layers reaching depths of approximately 5 m, with a value of vS < 330 m/s. A bedrock layer with a velocity exceeding 1250 m/s was visible at a depth of 100 m. Based on the 2D model, the vS structure shows that the city of Bandar Lampung is divided into two zones, with a NW-SE boundary. The north-middle-eastern part of the city consists of harder rocks. This harder rock is characterized by extremely high vS values, starting from a depth of 50 m. In contrast, the south-middle-west exhibits a low-moderate vS anomaly associated with groundwater basins SW of the city. From the 2D vS structural model, fault structures can be found along the city, characterized by a contrast of vS values from low to medium and from medium to high.

Field-programmable gate array implementation of efficient deep neural network architecture

Deep neural network (DNN) comprises multiple stages of data processing sub-systems with one of the primary sub-systems is a fully connected neural network (FCNN) model. This fully connected neural network model has multiple layers of neurons that need to be implemented using arithmetic units with suitable number representation to optimize area, power, and speed. In this work, the network parameters are analyzed, and redundancy in weights is eliminated. A pipelined and parallel structure is designed for the fully connected network information. The proposed FCNN structure has 16 inputs, 3 hidden layers, and an output layer. Each hidden layer consists of 4 neurons and describes how the inputs are connected to hidden layer neurons to process the raw data. A hardware description language (HDL) model is developed for the proposed structure and the verified model is implemented on Xilinx field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The modified structure comprises registers, demultiplexers, weight registers, multipliers, adders, and read-only memory lookup table (ROM/LUT). The modified architecture implemented on FPGA is estimated to reduce area by 87.5% and improve timing by 3x compared with direct implementation methods.

From spatial prioritization to conservation management in the Southern Ocean using the marine IBAs approach

Implementing effective conservation action requires spatial prioritization exercises to be functionally integrated with a process for developing an implementation strategy. There is great potential for animal tracking data to inform marine management in the Southern Ocean. Using information on penguin distribution, a set of marine Important Bird Areas (mIBAs) has recently been identified around Antarctica. Large-scale spatial analyses like this are key to guide resources and the attention of decision-makers towards areas of significant value. Yet, protecting marine resources requires translating prioritization exercises into legally-binding conservation measures. Here we use one of the largest gentoo colonies in Antarctica as a case study to explore pathways for the utilization of the mIBAs approach in the design and implementation of conservation measures in the Southern Ocean. For scientists and organizations willing to have a policy impact, there are two main routes to contribute to Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) decision-making: through Parties' National Delegations, or through Experts and Observers. We provide three main recommendations for incorporating the results of spatial prioritization analyses into the agenda of ATS governance bodies using the mIBAs approach: 1. Differentiate the potential contribution of mIBAs to spatial prioritization from the potential contribution to conservation planning, two different stages in the conservation process; 2. Use methods, criteria and data for delineating boundaries of potential conservation areas according to the stage of the conservation process that the outputs are expected to contribute to; 3. Understand how Antarctic mIBAs might fit into the ATS conservation measures framework and ongoing deliberations.

The anchoring effect and cooperative interactions in 5CB/CNC molecular films

ABSTRACT The advances in nanotechnology allow for the creation of hybrid materials (HMs) composed of LCs (LC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Cellulose is a natural polymer whose structural properties are used for designing new LC composite materials. The properties of CNC strongly depend on the origin and technological processes used. The LCs are materials displaying different structural properties in function of temperature or concentration that find applications mainly in electronics. The combination of LC and CNC results in enhanced properties, like an extended temperature range of mesophases, higher stability and mechanical strength of LC films. The CNC obtained through transition metal catalysed oxidative process allows obtaining hydroxyl groups active for interactions with LC molecules. By synergic combination and cooperative interaction between components, we have stabilised the 5CB molecules at the air-water interface by the anchoring effect, creating stable and compressible 5CB/CNC molecular films. The π-A isotherms, compressibility modules, Gibbs free energy of spreading, lift-of area, collapse pressure and surface pressure increment for investigated systems at different stages of the formation process are determined. We have demonstrated that creating a hybrid 5CB/CNC Langmuir film is a two-stage process. Obtained films display enhanced stability, strength and ability to form multilayers.

Bringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay along with HPTLC fingerprinting study

BackgroundThe wound healing process, restoring the functionality of the damaged tissue, can be accelerated by various compounds. The recent experimental analysis highlights the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in improving skin regeneration and wound healing. In traditional medicine, one of the widespread plants used for treating different injuries or skin afflictions is Galium aparine L. (GA). Besides, previously reported chemical compounds of GA suggested its therapeutic effects for the wound healing process, yet its regulatory effects on the cellular and molecular stages of the wound healing process have not been investigated.MethodsIn the present study, the phytochemical profile of the GA extract was analyzed using HPTLC fingerprinting, and further scientific evaluation of its phytochemicals was done. The wound-healing effects of GA extract were explored at the cellular and molecular levels while accounting for cell toxicity. The wound closure enhancing effect, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity were assessed.ResultsThe HPTLC fingerprinting of the GA extract proved its previously reported phytochemical profile including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, plant acids, ergot alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, sterols, salicin, lipophilic compounds, saponins, iridoids, and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Antimicrobial assessment, of the extract, indicated the more susceptibility of S. aureus to the inhibitory effects of GA rather than E. coli and S. epidermidis. DPPH test results revealed the antioxidant property of GA extract, which was comparable to ascorbic acid. The results of the viability assay showed no cytotoxicity effects on human umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines treated with different concentrations of whole plant extract and cell viability increased in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the scratch assay showed improved cell migration and wound closure.ConclusionsThis study shows the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and in vitro wound healing wound-healing effects of GA hydroalcoholic extract, which aligns with its use in traditional medicine. No cytotoxicity effects were shown. The results from this study can be the basis for further investigations such as animal models and phytochemical studies. Further evaluation of its effects on mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the wound healing processes such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation can provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic effects of the GA extract.

Uniform stretching behavior of single crease origami arrays

Origami arrays featuring ideal purely rotational creases inherently possess multiple kinematic degrees of freedom. The incorporation of crease rotational stiffness introduces additional constraint relations to the kinematic morphology of the origami array, due to the interaction between the plate and the crease. This paper concentrates on elucidating the coupling effect, employing two theoretical models to systematically analyze the uniform stretch process of a single crease origami array. The validity of our theoretical approaches is substantiated through verification in the finite element method. Firstly, the mechanical equations of the origami unit, together with the length and angle constraint equations of the origami array, are amalgamated to formulate a comprehensive set of morphological computational equations specific to the single crease origami array. This set enables the realization of morphological analysis for general origami arrays. Moreover, energy equations for the origami array are computed using an equivalent rigid plate nonlinear creasing element. When combined with constraint equations corresponding to horizontal stretch displacement, these energy equations contribute to the establishment of a nonlinear optimization framework for determining the morphology of uniform single crease origami arrays. Notably, our investigation reveals that during the early stages of the unfolding process for a single crease origami array, even a small relative horizontal stretch displacement can induce a drastic change in the center crease. Through finite element analysis of general origami arrays, it is shown that the proposed theoretical analysis method applies to different crease stiffness, both unfolding and folding processes, and different plate types. The research method in this paper can provide ideas for systematically analyzing the influence mechanism of crease properties on the morphological features of origami structures.

Impact and Assessment of Research Integrity Teaching: A Systematic Literature Review

Presented here is a systematic literature review of what the academic literature asserts about: (1) the stages of the ethical decision-making process (i.e. awareness, reasoning, motivation, and action) that are claimed to be improved or not improved by RI teaching and whether these claims are supported by evidence; (2) the measurements used to determine the effectiveness of RI teaching; and (3) the stage/s of the ethical decision-making process that are difficult to assess. Regarding (1), awareness was the stage most claimed to be amenable to improvement following RI teaching, and with motivation being the stage that is rarely addressed in the academic literature. While few, some sources claimed RI teaching cannot improve specific stages. With behaviour (action) being the stage referenced most, albeit in only 9% of the total sources, for not being amenable to improvement following RI teaching. Finally, most claims were supported by empirical evidence. Regarding (2), measures most frequently used are custom in-house surveys and some validated measures. Additionally, there is much debate in the literature regarding the adequacy of current assessment measures in RI teaching, and even their absence. Such debate warrants caution when we are considering the empirical evidence supplied to support that RI teaching does or does not improve a specific stage of the decision-making process. Regarding (3), only behaviour was discussed as being difficult to assess, if not impossible. In our discussion section we contextualise these results, and following this we derive some recommendations for relevant stakeholders in RI teaching.

Inverse distance weight-assisted particle swarm optimized indoor localization

Indoor localization using wireless fidelity (WiFi) fingerprint has attracted considerable attention due to its extensive deployment and low cost. Most indoor fingerprint localization methods could be computationally inefficient and behave with unsatisfactory positioning accuracy. Therefore, an inverse distance weight (IDW) assisted particle swarm optimized (PSO) indoor localization (IDWPSOInLoc) algorithm is proposed. It is an optimized positioning process in the online stage rather than an offline optimization approach. The main idea is to find the optimal particle with the most similar generated fingerprint to the real-time testing one in the online stage. K nearest neighbors and boundary constraints are combined to initialize particles’ positions. The generated fingerprint of each particle is interpolated based on the IDW algorithm and nearby reference points within a specified range. A new fitness function, the sum of standard deviations between the generated and real-time testing fingerprints, is proposed to find the optimal particle. The position of the optimal particle with the minimal fitness value is taken as the estimated coordinate through iterations updating the particles’ velocities, positions, and generated fingerprints. IDWPSOInLoc achieves a mean positioning accuracy of 2.477 meters in the local environment experimental test and that of about 6 meters using selected floor in the UJIIndoorLoc dataset. Compared with state-of-the-art algorithms, positioning error is decreased by at least 11.9%. In addition, IDWPSOInLoc has the characteristic of low computational complexity. Experimental results show that the proposed IDWPSOInLoc outperforms the considered WiFi indoor positioning algorithms.

China clinical practice guideline for stage Ⅳ primary lung cancer (2024 edition)

Primary lung cancer (abbreviated as lung cancer) stands as the most prevalent malignant disease and the leading cause of cancer-related death in China, with an estimated 106.06×104 incident cases and 73.33×104 deaths in 2022. Due to the absence of effective early screening methods, most patients with lung cancer in China are in stage Ⅳ when diagnosed. Multi-disciplinary treatment based on systemic therapy is the treatment principle for patients with stage Ⅳ lung cancer. Chemotherapy remains the cornerstone, but its effectiveness is still unsatisfactory. In recent years, with the rapid development of molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the treatment concept for stage Ⅳ lung cancer has been continually evolving, leading to significant improvements in patient treatment outcomes. To ensure timely updates on the global progress in the treatment of stage Ⅳ lung cancer and further improve the level of standardized diagnosis and treatment of stage Ⅳ lung cancer in China, Medical Oncology Branch of China International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care and Chinese Association for Clinical Oncologists organized experts to compile "China clinical practice guideline for stage Ⅳ primary lung cancer (2024 edition)". This guideline systematically and comprehensively updates epidemiological data, TNM staging, new drugs, treatment regimens, and new indications approved by China National Medical Products Administration before June 30, 2024, etc. Based on the " Clinical practice guideline for stage Ⅳ primary lung cancer in China(2021 version)" and the " Clinical practice guideline for stage Ⅳ lung cancer in China (2023 edition)." This guideline incorporates recommendation levels for therapeutic drugs and treatment flowcharts for stage Ⅳ lung cancer. The guideline covers common clinical issues and corresponding guidance in the diagnosis and treatment process of stage Ⅳ lung cancer. The guideline aims to guide the clinical practice of stage Ⅳ lung cancer, comprehensively improve the standardized diagnosis and treatment level in China, prolong the survival time of patients with stage Ⅳ lung cancer, and improve patients' quality of life.

EMPOWERMENT UMKM BANDAR LAMPUNG MELALUI PROGRAM E-CASM (E-COMMERCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA) SEBAGAI UPAYA PERLUASAN PASAR GUNA MENINGKATKAN PENDAPATAN UMKM

This activity discusses how MSMEs use e-commerce and social media to market their products. Through this activity, it is hoped that it can create a wider market share so that it can increase the income of MSME players. Apart from that, at the same time, MSMEs are becoming more innovative and creative in developing their businesses. The target of this activity is MSMEs in 7 sub-districts of Bandar Lampung City who are still not utilizing e-commerce and social media and are ready to develop their businesses more widely using digital platforms. The method used consists of 3 stages, namely the preparation stage, process stage and evaluation stage. The benefit of this activity is to provide knowledge to MSME players about the use of e-commerce and social media. This activity will also provide an opportunity for MSMEs to network with other business actors and learn from their experiences. Participants will be given hands-on training on how to use e-commerce platforms and social media to market their products. So the expected output is that participants can better understand the use of e-commerce and the role of digital marketing through social media

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF DIGITAL ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL LEADERSHIP ON EXPLORATORY INNOVATION

In order to meet customer and market demands, exploratory innovation necessitates innovative designs and creative approaches. The goal of this research is to ascertain the mediating effect of digital organisational culture on the impact of digital leadership, which embodies the desire to proactively use technology to add value to an organisation. The 7.023 personnel that are registered in the computer engineers' room make up the study's population. Of the people who are employed, 414 computer engineers have been chosen as the study's sample. Frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, normality analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were all used to analyse the data. According to the findings of the correlation analysis carried out as part of the study, there is a positive and significant relationship between digital leadership and exploratory innovation, a positive and significant relationship between digital organisational culture and digital leadership, and a positive and significant relationship between digital leadership and digital leadership. The initial stage of the hierarchical regression analysis process revealed that exploratory innovation is significantly impacted by digital leadership. It was discovered in the second phase that digital organisational culture is significantly impacted by digital leadership. Exploratory innovation is significantly impacted by digital organisational culture, according to the results of the third level of hierarchical regression analysis. The impact of digital leadership on exploratory innovation is somewhat mediated by digital organisational culture, it was found in the fourth and final step. Digital organisational culture was found to have a negative impact on exploratory innovation when it was included in the hierarchical regression analysis. Consequently, steps that should be taken to guarantee that digital organisational culture predominates in the companies where the people in the sample work have been recommended. There aren't many research examples in the literature that show how digital organisational culture mediates the effect of digital leadership on exploratory innovation. As such, this study is regarded as original.

Human brain dynamics dissociate early perceptual and late motor-related stages of affordance processing.

Affordances, the opportunities for action offered by the environment to an agent, are vital for meaningful behaviour and exist in every interaction with the environment. There is an ongoing debate in the field about whether the perception of affordances is an automated process. Some studies suggest that affordance perception is an automated process that is independent from the visual context and bodily interaction with the environment, whereas others argue that it is modulated by the visual and motor context in which affordances are perceived. The present paper aims to resolve this debate by examining affordance automaticity from the perspective of sensorimotor time windows. To investigate the impact of different forms of bodily interactions with an environment, that is, the movement context (physical vs. joystick movement), we replicated aprevious study on affordance perception in which participants actively moved through differently wide doors in an immersive 3D virtual environment. In the present study, wedisplayed the same environmenton a 2D screen with participants moving through doors of different widths using the keys on a standard keyboard. We compared components of the event-related potential (ERP) from the continuously recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) that were previously reported to be related to affordance perception of architectural transitions (passable and impassable doors). Comparing early sensory and later motor-related ERPs, our study replicated ERPs reflecting early affordance perception but found differences in later motor-related components. These results indicate a shift from automated perception of affordances during early sensorimotor time windows to movement context dependence of affordance perception at later stages, suggesting that affordance perception is a dynamic and flexible process that changes over sensorimotor stages.

Modelling chemical processes in explicit solvents with machine learning potentials

Solvent effects influence all stages of the chemical processes, modulating the stability of intermediates and transition states, as well as altering reaction rates and product ratios. However, accurately modelling these effects remains challenging. Here, we present a general strategy for generating reactive machine learning potentials to model chemical processes in solution. Our approach combines active learning with descriptor-based selectors and automation, enabling the construction of data-efficient training sets that span the relevant chemical and conformational space. We apply this strategy to investigate a Diels-Alder reaction in water and methanol. The generated machine learning potentials enable us to obtain reaction rates that are in agreement with experimental data and analyse the influence of these solvents on the reaction mechanism. Our strategy offers an efficient approach to the routine modelling of chemical reactions in solution, opening up avenues for studying complex chemical processes in an efficient manner.

Orexin and Sleep Disturbances in Alpha-Synucleinopathies: a Systematic Review.

Sleep disturbances are amongst most frequent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), and they are similarly frequently reported in other alpha-syncleinopathies, such as Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). More recently, the orexin system has been implicated in control of arousal based on salient environmental set points, and its dysregulation in sleep issues in alpha-synucleinopathies suggested by the findings from the translational animal models. However, its role in the patients with alpha-synucleinopathies remains unclear. We thus set to systematically review, and to critically assess, contemporary evidence on the association of the orexinergic system and sleep disturbances in alpha-synucleinopathies. In this systematic review, studies investigating orexin and sleep in alpha-synucleinopathies (Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Behaviour Disorder (RBD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)) were identified using electronic database searches of PubMed, Web of Science and PsychINFO using MeSH terms, keywords, and title words such as "Alpha-synucleinopathies" AND "Orexin" AND "Sleep Disturbances". 17 studies were included in this systemic review, of which 2 studies on RBD, 10 on PD, 4 on DLB, and 1 on MSA patients. Taken together, RBD and PD studies suggest a potential adaptive increase in orexin levels in early stages of the neurodegenerative process, with reduced levels more often reported for later, more advanced stages of illness. To date, no differences in orexin levels were demonstrated between MSA patients and healthy controls. There is a dearth of studies on the role of orexin levels in alpha-synucleinopathies. Moreover, significant methodologic limitations in the current body of work, including use of non-standardised research protocols and lack of prospective, multi-centre studies, disallow for any finite conclusion in regards to underlying pathomechanisms. Nonetheless, a picture of a complex, multifaceted relationship between the dysregulation of the orexinergic pathway and sleep disturbances in alpha-synucleinopathies is emerging. Hence, future studies disentangling orexinergic pathomechanisms of alpha-syncleinopathies are urgently needed to obtain a more comprehensive account of the role of orexinergic pathway in alpha-synucleinopathies. Pharmacological manipulations of orexins may have multiple therapeutic applications in treatment strategies, disease diagnosis, and might be effective for treating both motor and non-motor symptoms.

Orthogonal DNA Self-Assembly-Based Expansion Microscopy Platform for Amplified, Multiplexed Biomarker Imaging.

Expansion microscopy (ExM) facilitates nanoscale imaging under conventional microscopes, but it frequently encounters challenges such as fluorescence losses, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and limited detection throughput. To address these issues, a method of orthogonal DNA self-assembly-based ExM (o-DAExM) platform is developed, which employs hybridization chain reaction instead of conventional fluorescence labeling units, showcasing signal amplification efficacy, enhancement of SNR, and expandable multiplexing capability at any stage of the ExM process. In this work, o-DAExM has been applied to compare with immunofluorescence-based ExM for cellular cytoskeleton imaging, and the resolved nanoscale spatial distributions of cytoskeleton show outstanding performance and reliability of o-DAExM. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the utility of o-DAExM in accurately revealing exosome heterogeneous information and multiplexed analysis of protein targets in single cells, which provides infinite possibilities in super-resolution imaging of cells and other samples. Therefore, o-DAExM offers a straightforward expansion and signal labeling method, highlighting future prospects to study nanoscale structures and functional networks in biological systems.

Neural mechanisms for secondary suppression of emotional distractors: Evidence from concurrent electroencephalography-magnetoencephalography data.

Distractor suppression allows us to remain on-task in the presence of distractions by filtering task-irrelevant information from ongoing cognitive processing and responding. Electrophysiological studies have revealed that this key feature of selective attention is a dynamic process that involves at least two distinct stages of processing. Two important aspects of these processing stages remain unclear: Whether the processing of emotional distractors at an earlier stage is automatic, as reflected in the N2/early posterior negativity (EPN) component; and what functional-anatomical brain systems are recruited in each stage. The present study addresses these issues by measuring brain activity with concurrent electroencephalography-magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings while participants performed a combined rapid serial visual presentation and motion tracking task. Event-related potentials (ERP) showed significant effects of attentional capture and attentional modulation during two time windows marked by the N2/EPN and P3b ERP components. Source reconstruction of concurrent MEG measurements revealed activation of the left visual association cortex and anterior cingulate cortex during the N2/EPN time window, activation of the insula during the early phase of the P3b and anterior cingulate cortex activity during the later phase of the P3b. The findings provide novel evidence establishing a connection between the increased N2 response to negative pictures and the activation of the cingulate gyrus, which facilitates the suppression of distractions during demanding cognitive tasks. In addition, distinct activation patterns were observed in the insula and anterior cingulate cortex during the P3b time window, indicating that attentional control mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex operates to suppress the processing of distracting emotional stimuli. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

"This whole journey was sacred": Latter-day Saint parents' process in coming to accept a transgender child.

This constructivist grounded theory (CGT) study examines Latter-day Saint (LDS) parents' process in coming to accept a transgender or gender diverse (TGD) child and the factors that impact acceptance. Data come from interviews with 38 LDS parents of TGD children and 130 Facebook posts from the same population. Data were analyzed using CGT methodology in coding and theory construction. A model of LDS parents' process in accepting a TGD child and the factors that impact that process are presented. The results indicate that coming to accept a TGD child tends to engage LDS parents cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, and is a developmental process. We identified four stages of parents' process: assimilation of new information, deconstruction and disequilibrium, reconstruction and accommodation, and acceptance; as well as typical emotional responses in each stage. We found that factors thatimpacted parents' process included parents' pre-process characteristics and contexts, religiously defined meaning making, social embeddedness, external resources, community building, and spiritual autonomy. Additionally, we found that parents' commitment to their child's wellbeing and connection with their child (i.e., attachment) motivates their process and that their personal spiritual experiences tend to guide it. Parents in the study who reached a state of acceptance expressed that their process had been both deeply challenging and profoundly, personally meaningful. This study strengthens the case for using attachment-based therapies with this population and indicates the value of incorporating spirituality into the therapeutic work.

Intelligent process monitoring of smart polymer composites using large area graphene coated fabric sensor.

Herein, we report the development of an online process monitoring system for vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process using large area graphene coated in-situ fabric sensor. Besides imparting excellent mechanical properties to the final composites, these sensors provide critical information during the composite processing including detecting defects and evaluating processing parameters. The obtained information can be used to create a digital passport of the manufacturing phase to develop a cost-effective production technique and fabricate high-quality composites. The fabric sensor was produced using a scalable dip-coating process by coating 1-, 3- or 5-layers of thermally reduced graphene oxide (rGO) onto glass fabric surface according to the number of dips of the fabrics into GO solution. The electrical resistances from all electrode pairs were simultaneously and continuously recorded during distinct stages of the VARTM process to determine the relative conductance. During the vacuum cycle, the range of relative conductance increased with the number of coated rGO layers, with the 5-layer rGO-coated sensor showing the highest conductance range of 16.9 %. Additionally, it was observed that the 5-layer coated sensor showed a consistent decrease in conductance during the infusion phase due to the fluid flow pressure dominating the resin electrical conductivity.

Multifunctional Glycopeptide-Based Hydrogel via Dual-Modulation for the Prevention and Repair of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury.

The radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) remains a great challenge for clinical wound management and care after radiotherapy, as patients will suffer from the acute radiation injury and long-term chronic inflammatory damage during the treatment. The excessive ROS in the early acute stage and prolonged inflammatory response in the late healing process always hinder therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we developed an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic multifunctional glycopeptide hydrogel (oCP@As) to promote and accelerate RISI repair via a dual-modulation strategy in different healing stages. The oCP@As hydrogel not only can form an ECM-like nanofiber structure through the Schiff base reaction but also exhibits ROS scavenging and DNA double-strand break repair abilities, which can effectively reduce the acute radiation damage. Meanwhile, the introduction of oxidized chondroitin sulfate, which is the ECM polysaccharide-like component, enables regulation of the inflammatory response by adsorption of inflammatory factors, accelerating the repair of chronic inflammatory injury. The animal experiments demonstrated that oCP@As can significantly weaken RISI symptoms, promote epidermal tissue regeneration and angiogenesis, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Therefore, this multifunctional glycopeptide hydrogel dressing can effectively attenuate RISI symptoms and promote RISI healing, showing great potential for clinical applications in radiotherapy protection and repair.

Separation of nickel and iron from ferronickel via sulfuric acid leaching and hydrothermal precipitation

ABSTRACT Here, a hydrometallurgical process was proposed to separate nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) from ferronickel. The effects of different factors, namely hydrothermal temperature, initial Fe2+ concentration, and Ni2+ concentration, on the hematite precipitation process, were detail investigated. Ferronickel powders were leached using a 120 g/L H2SO4 solution at 85 °C for 8 h. The final pH of the leaching solution was controlled at 3.0−4.5, and the Fe2+ concentration was maintained at 50−60 g/L. Copper from the ferronickel powder was first leached in the early stage of the leaching process, and then it was reduced by an excess of ferronickel powder, leading to its enrichment in the leaching residue. Approximately 50 g/L of Fe ions was successfully removed and precipitated as hematite containing 60% Fe, 0.3% Ni, and 1.5% S during hydrothermal precipitation at 200 °C for 3 h. Through evaporation crystallization at 90 °C for 8 h, large particles of nickel sulfate hexahydrate (NiSO4·6H2O) containing 19.4% Ni, 0.074% Fe, and 10.69% S were obtained. Moreover, through freezing crystallization at −8 °C for 1 h, smaller particles of NiSO4·6H2O product containing 20.3% Ni, 0.014% Fe, and 11.13% S were synthesised.