Research Ideas Research Articles

Growth behavior of anisotropic monometallic MOFs derivatives with the high absorbing and thermal properties

The growth behavior and morphological characteristics of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) should be considered as important factors in understanding their structure. Therefore, MOFs with atypical shapes, heterogeneous structures or abnormal properties that grow anisotropic can serve as components and templates for further directed assembly or conversion into MOF derivatives with excellent performance in electromagnetic wave absorption. Cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) metals have good magnetic properties and are common materials for the preparation of monometallic MOF-derived. In this study, various MOF materials with anisotropic properties, such as rod-like, flower-like, and braided, were prepared by adjusting the molar ratio of Co and Ni solvent to the organic ligand. Due to the rich inter-facial polarization and strong magnetic coupling network of the magnetic composites, Ni-MOF-b (Ni-MOF with braided shape) was prepared for the first time when the molar ratio of nickel nitrate to linker was 1:1.2. The Ni-C-b was obtained after pyrolysis of Ni-MOF-b, the minimum reflection loss of Ni-C-b was –50.7 dB at 4.0 mm. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the film prepared with Ni-C-b as filler is 2.2 W/mK. The film with integrated good heat dissipation and wave absorbing properties provides a research idea for the design of multifunctional integrated film.

The art of research cohort construction using administrative datasets

ObjectivesUsing research case studies, I will give an overview as to how researchers can experience problems translating great research ideas, grounded in the relevant literature, into a robust research design. Assuming that the question cannot be reliably researched using small but rich sample surveys, I will present ways in which routine admin data can help in this context, along with the additional challenges posed when creating the correct cohort to address the research question. MethodsThe examples given are from a study which links together routinely collected administrative data for a representative sample of the population. It includes a wealth of information from census, civil registration data, education data, and with further permission health data can also be linked. The study in question is provided deidentified, and accessed within a data enclave. The size and scope of the study make it an unparalleled resource for analysing a range of socio-economic, demographic and health questions. ResultsI will demonstrate how despite the large number of study members, these cohorts must be carefully considered in order to research outcomes (events/results) due to inconsistency in the years that different admin data are available centrally in admin systems (health/education data). Examples include: life-course events for a cohort of women followed up to mid-life, and a complete sub-cohort followed up into later-life. ConclusionsTo showcase exciting ways in which linked admin data can be operationalised to take a longitudinal/life-course approach to address research questions, and to emphasise cohort construction is complex.

Tungsten-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator for water-flowing energy harvesting with low-resistance and high-DC density

In the new energy era, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) effectively converts weak water energy into electricity to drive sensors and electronic components, which has a very broad research prospect. However, the functional materials of TENG are usually insulating, resulting in low-current and high-resistance problems. Guided by Wang's electrical double layer model, we demonstrate that tungsten presents excellent electricity generation performance in flowing water due to its unique defect structure as evidenced by comparing the electricity generation of tungsten, tantalum, titanium, and copper, and testing their electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characteristics. Hence, the study proposes a novel tungsten-liquid TENG for water-flowing energy harvesting, which has outstanding advantages of high DC density, low internal resistance, simple structure, and no complex electrical power required. A tungsten-liquid TENG continuously outputs 3∼20μA in 0.1–2.0M NaCl liquids at a flow rate of 400 mL/min, with output current densities up to 230 mA/m2 and internal resistances down to 6.4–67 kΩ. Ten-tungsten-liquid TENG outputs nearly 40μA, and multiple tungsten electrodes in parallel can effectively enhance the current. Notably, the study is not only beneficial for capturing the current energy in oceans with high-ionic concentrations, but also broadens the research ideas of TENG for promoting the selection of novel functional materials.

The research progress and Hotspot analysis of polymer cement mortar based on bibliometrics

Ordinary cement mortar is commonly used in building engineering due to its high strength, affordability, and easy access to raw materials. However, it suffers from high shrinkage and poor impermeability, which result in reduced building service life and significant carbon dioxide emissions during production. Polymer additives have been found to enhance the mechanical properties of cement mortar, leading to increased interest in polymer cement mortar by researchers. This study collected and analyzed 420 papers published between 1995 and 2023 in the field of polymer cement mortar. The analysis included publication trends, author cooperation networks, national cooperation networks, published journals, co-citation of references, and keywords. The findings reveal a rapid publication growth from 2018 to 2023, with China making the most significant contribution in this field. Among the scholars, Ru Wang has published the highest number of articles in the field of polymer cement mortar, while Ohama’s papers have been cited the most. The journal with the most articles is Construction and Building Materials. Research in polymer cement mortar focuses on mechanical properties, performance, hydration process, microstructure, and other related aspects. The reinforcement effect of polymer-modified cement mortar on reinforced concrete and applying superabsorbent polymer-modified cement mortar and polymer fiber in cement mortar have emerged as recent research frontiers. This study can help scholars quickly identify high-quality references and research frontiers in the field of polymer cement mortar while also providing research directions and ideas.

The International Large-Scale Assessment market: Understanding its emergence and rationales

How did a network of passionate academics with limited funding but big, comparative, education research ideas lead to an international assessment market? This paper explores the interests, capitals, and power dynamics embedded in the International Large-Scale Assessment (ILSA) market through a network ethnography to understand how the market emerged and what drives actors despite the lack of direct profit. This paper constructs an interdisciplinary framework combining sociological and business studies to analyse qualitative data on OECD and IEA ILSAs. Highlighting the role of social-cultural-economic capitals and business expanding processes, the paper describes an ILSA market that was and remains a non-competitive, desirable, and exclusive market that is impenetrable to outside actors. The paper concludes by asking how the ILSA market contributes to education as a common good.

Comparative Study on the Performance of Gel Grease for High-End Equipment Based on the Synergistic Effect of Friction-Reducing Agents.

In the field of high-end equipment, the synergistic effect of friction-reducing agents plays an important role in the performance study of gel grease. Exploring its tribological and rheological properties can not only significantly reduce the coefficient of friction of mechanical components and enhance its viscosity at high temperatures but also effectively reduce energy consumption, thus improving the service life of high-end equipment. In this study, Schaeffler Load 460 gel grease was mixed with polysiloxane viscosity modifier (PV611) and molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate (RFM3000) according to (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3), and its tribological properties and rheological properties were investigated by the MRS-10G friction and wear tester, MCR302 rotational rheometer, and crossover test. Comparative analyses of tribological and rheological properties were carried out. The results showed that the average coefficient of friction of Schaeffler Load 460 grease was reduced by 57.2%, 60%, and 71.9%, respectively, with the addition of two different ratios of friction reducers; the average diameter of abrasive spots was reduced by 44.5%, 55.4%, and 61.3%; and the shear stress and viscosity were increased by 117.94 Pa and 1295.02 mPa∙s, respectively, compared with that of the original grease, which is a good example for the lubrication of gel grease in the high-end equipment industry. This study provides a new direction and idea for the lubrication research of gel grease in the high-end equipment industry.

Two identical twin pairs discordant for longstanding anorexia nervosa and OSFED: lived experience accounts of eating disorder and recovery processes

Research into the risk of anorexia nervosa (AN) has examined twin pairs to further the understanding of the contributions of genetics, trait inheritance, and environmental factors to eating disorder (ED) development. Investigations of twin experiences of EDs have been biologically-based and have not considered the qualitative, phenomenological aspects of twin experiences. A gap in the literature exists regarding understanding of discordant twins with EDs. This research was developed in response, with the aim to deepen understanding of AN in discordant twins and to create novel ideas for further research and testing. The case studies presented in this article provide lived experience insights of two identical discordant twin pairs: one twin pair discordant for longstanding AN and one twin pair discordant for ‘atypical’ AN (the twin with AN has recovered). The perspectives and experiences of each co-twin (one with AN and one without) explore a number of factors that may have contributed to twin discordance in these cases, and how each twin has responded to the impact of AN in their lives. Through use of first-person accounts in case study presentation, this article centres social justice values of lived experience leadership and involvement in research. This article aims to extend current knowledge and understanding of EDs in discordant twins, particularly regarding risk for ED development, ED duration, diagnosis and treatment, and recovery processes.

The Role and Challenges of Three-Stroke Script in Modern Calligraphy Education

Chinese calligraphy education (CCE), with world-renowned artistic and cultural values, is essential to Chinese culture. The “Three Strokes Script (TSS)” is an integral part of CCE, which not only improves the CCE’s efficiency and standardization but also meets the needs of modern life and promotes the wide dissemination and innovative development of CCE. There are more studies on TSS, but comprehensive review articles are still lacking. Therefore, there is a need to analyze the state of development and trends in TSS and use these insights to improve the quality of teaching and enhance students' comprehensive literacy. This study synthesizes a large amount of relevant literature from China and abroad. Comparative analysis demonstrates the educational value of TSS. It reveals the current state of implementation of TSS and identifies the challenges faced in the current practice of TSS. The results show that TSS significantly improves calligraphic skills, aesthetic literacy, cultural inheritance, and identity. Meanwhile, digital technology has brought new opportunities for TSS, immensely stimulating students' interest and participation in learning. Some challenges in TSS still need to be further explored and solved. The teaching quality can be effectively improved by innovating the education model, strengthening the teacher construction, and utilizing modern technology. Through systematic analysis, this paper provides new research ideas and directions for future TSS and modern calligraphy education.

Evodiamine: A Extremely Potential Drug Development Candidate of Alkaloids from Evodia rutaecarpa.

Evodiamine (EVO) is a tryptamine indole alkaloid and the main active ingredient in Evodia rutaecarpa. In recent years, the antitumor, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects of EVO have been reported. EVO exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell activity and proliferation, blocking the cell cycle, promoting apoptosis and autophagy, and inhibiting the formation of the tumor microvasculature. However, EVO has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Several derivatives with high antitumor activity have been discovered through the structural optimization of EVO, and new drug delivery systems have been developed to improve the solubility and bioavailability of EVO. Current research found that EVO could have toxic effects, such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and cardiac toxicity. This article reviews the pharmacological activity, derivatives, drug delivery systems, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of EVO and provides research ideas and references for its further in-depth development and clinical applications.

Sudanese Students’ Perceptions of Code Switching in English Language Classes

This study aims to learn how Sudanese students perceive their teachers' use of their mother tongues in English language classes and whether this usage aids or hinders student comprehension. The researchers used a descriptive and analytical approach. Sixty students completed one questionnaire, the primary tool for gathering pertinent data from the study. The researcher used the SPSS program to analyze and validate the assumptions. The findings of this research are as follows. First, the students had favorable opinions regarding the use of code-switching. Second, many instructors incorporated Arabic into their English classes. Considering these findings, the researcher suggests that code-switching is used more frequently to help students become fluent in bilingual and multilingual settings. Teachers can benefit from using code-switching to teach English because students have favorable attitudes toward its use in English language classes. Finally, the study offers several suggestions and ideas for additional research.

Research Progress on the Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Compounds Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating Inflammatory Response

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common benign diseases in middle-aged and elderly men. Its main clinical manifestations are frequent urination, urgent urination, weak urine flow, other lower urinary tract symptoms, serious urinary retention, and urinary incontinence. Chinese herbal compounds are widely used in the clinical treatment of BPH with good efficacy and safety, reflecting the advantages of multi-target and multi-approach traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. There is usually a high level of inflammation in the affected area of BPH, and its persistence affects the whole body, causing multiple complications and accelerating the development of the disease. Inflammation can directly stimulate the proliferation of prostate cells and drive other pathological mechanisms to jointly promote the development of diseases, such as participating in oxidative stress, driving growth factor synthesis, destroying the imbalance between apoptosis and proliferation, and promoting fibrosis. To more fully elucidate the mechanism of action of Chinese herbal compounds in the treatment of BPH, this paper reviews the literature in recent years, beginning with basic research on the intervention of Chinese herbal compounds in BPH inflammation, to provide further ideas for relevant research on the prevention and treatment of BPH inflammation by TCM.

Research on the co-pyrolysis of biomass and coal

Abstract Co-pyrolysis of biomass and coal has attracted much attention as a potential energy conversion technology. In this paper, the significant effects of n-hexane insoluble substance (INS) on tar, water, and coke residue yields were analyzed in depth using statistical analysis. With INS and mixing ratio as independent variables, multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to comprehensively investigate the effects of the interaction between the two on the yields of different pyrolysis products, revealing the significant interaction between different pyrolysis products. The genetic algorithm was used to establish an optimization model to optimize the mixing ratios of the co-pyrolysis, and the considerable differences between the experimental and theoretically calculated values of the product yields of the co-pyrolysis compounds were analyzed by statistical tests, and subgroup analyses were carried out to determine the specific differences under different mixing ratios. CNN prediction model was established, and model optimization confirmed the differences between the experimental and theoretically calculated values for different pyrolytic coupling ratio-specific ratios by data validation and subgroup analysis. The further extension and optimization of the model provide a new theoretical basis and idea for further research on the co-pyrolysis of biomass and coal, which can help to improve the energy conversion efficiency and product quality.

Cardioprotective Effects of Exercise: The Role of Irisin and Exosome.

Exercise is an effective measure for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, although the exact molecular mechanism remains unknown. Previous studies have shown that both irisin and exosomes can improve the course of cardiovascular disease independently. Therefore, it is speculated that the cardiovascular protective effect of exercise is also related to its ability to regulate the concentrations of irisin and exosomes in the circulatory system. In this review, the potential synergistic interactions between irisin and exosomes are examined, as well as the underlying mechanisms including the AMPK/PI3K/AKT pathway, the TGFβ1/Smad2/3 pathway, the PI3K/AKT/VEGF pathway, and the PTEN/PINK1/Parkin pathway are examined. This paper provides evidence to propose that exercise promotes the release of exosomes enriched with irisin, miR-486-5p and miR-342-5p from skeletal muscles, which results in the activation protective networks in the cardiovascular system. Moreover, the potential synergistic effect in exosomal cargo can provide new ideas for clinical research of exercise mimics.

Effect of vacuum combined with ultrasound on color protection of pomegranate juice

AbstractPomegranate juice is prone to color fission during processing and storage due to the instability of anthocyanins, resulting in significant economic losses. This study aims to inhibit the browning of pomegranate juice during processing using the combined technology of vacuum and ultrasound for maintaining its color as much as possible. Pomegranate juice was treated with vacuum (0.5 MPa) and ultrasound (300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 W; 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 min), respectively, to investigate the effects on the color, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin/polyphenol content, and polyphenol oxidase activity of pomegranate juice. The results showed that the combined treatment of vacuum and ultrasound had a better effect on improving the total anthocyanin content of pomegranate juice than vacuum or ultrasound treatment alone. Vacuum combined with ultrasound can reduce the browning during pomegranate juice processing, increasing browning inhibition rates by 46.01% and 46.19%; reduce the activity of PPO enzyme and increase the inhibition rate of PPO enzyme activity by 35.58%; maintain a high total phenolic content, increasing the total phenolic content of pomegranate juice by 29.27% and 33.79%, respectively; and improve the ABTS scavenging rates by 2.89% and 1.92%, and increase DPPH scavenging rates by 1.35% and 3.01%. Moreover, vacuum ultrasound treatment had no significant effect on the odor of pomegranate juice. Vacuum combined with ultrasonic treatment is beneficial for protecting the color of pomegranate juice and improving its antioxidant performance during the processing. Therefore, combined technology of vacuum and ultrasound would be a promising method for future food processing.Practical applicationsThis study provides a simple and novel method for protecting the color of pomegranate juice during processing. The combination of vacuum and ultrasound has a certain protective effect on the color of pomegranate juice during processing, and also provides new ideas for color protection research.

Experimental study on the mechanical properties of desert sand improved by the combination of additives and bio-cement.

Bio-cement is a green and energy-saving building material that has attracted much attention in the field of ecological environment and geotechnical engineering in recent years. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of bio-cement (enzyme-induced calcium carbonate precipitation-EICP) in combination with admixtures for the improvement of desert sands, which can effectively improve the mechanical properties of desert sands and is particularly suitable for sand-rich countries. In addition, the suitability of tap water in bio-cement was elucidated and the optimum ratio of each influencing factor when tap water is used as a solvent was derived. The results showed that peak values of unconfined compressive strength (maximum increase of about 130 times), shear strength (increase of 27.09%), calcium carbonate precipitation value (increase of about 4.39 times), and permeability (decrease of about 93.72 times) were obtained in the specimens modified by EICP combined with admixture as compared to the specimens modified by EICP only. The incorporation of skimmed milk powder, though significantly increasing the strength, is not conducive to cost control. The microscopic tests show that the incorporation of admixtures can provide nucleation sites for EICP, thus improving the properties of desert sand. This work can provide new research ideas for cross-fertilization between the disciplines of bio-engineering, ecology, and civil engineering.

On a priori estimate of periodic solutions of a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations of the second order

The question of a priori estimation of periodic solutions for a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations of the second order with a distinguished main positively homogeneous part is investigated. In this question, the well-known methods for deriving an a priori estimation of periodic solutions for similar systems of first-order ordinary differential equations are not directly applicable.Combining these methods with the idea of qualitative research of singularly perturbed ordinary differential equations, conditions are found that provide an a priori estimation of periodic solutions for the system of second-order equations.The conditions for the a priori estimation are formulated in terms of the properties of the main positively homogeneous part of the system of equations. The existence of periodic solutions is proved to be invariant under a continuous change of the main positively homogeneous part and the conditions of a priori estimation are preserved. Based on the results obtained, in the future, it is possible to investigate the existence of periodic solutions.

Editorial: Enhancing Regional Resilience

Welcome to this special issue where we explore the role of hospitality services in sustaining communities especially in terms of enhancing regional resilience. In this issue, a range of topic areas are covered including service learning, operational risk management, hotel subscription models, staycations, virtual reality, cultural resilience, luxury transportation and Vanaprastha Tourism. With each of the research papers in this issue, the focus is on the provision of hospitality services and in particular the unique relationship between hosts and guests. The studies show that various factors need to come together for quality hospitality services to be delivered and that it is the interplay between hosts and guests that has important implications for organisations and associated communities. The studies highlight that hospitality is about creating spaces where a range of services are experienced, e.g., food, drink, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment. In turn, hospitality spaces are at the intersections of a range of issues such as social interactions, physical spaces, symbolic places, loyalty, transformation, embodiment, inclusivity, and resilience. These papers present insights into the importance of hospitality services to not only travellers and their experiences and memories but also to sustained social and economic activities of communities and their respective regions. They contribute significantly to understanding and knowledge of regional resilience and augment past, present and emerging discourses on the nature and role of hospitality and provision of hospitality services for enhancing regional and community resilience and sustainability. They generate ideas for policies, practices and future research. Individually and collectively, the insights provided by these papers lend opportunities for establishing resilient and sustainable hospitality operations into the future.

An Assessment of the Urban Streetscape Using Multiscale Data and Semantic Segmentation in Jinan Old City, China

Urban street space is a significant component of urban public spaces and an important aspect of people’s perceptions of a city. Jinan Old City exemplifies the balance between the supply of and demand for green spaces in urban streets. The sense of comfort and the demand level of street spaces are measured via the space demand index. Open platform data, such as those from Baidu Maps and Amap, are evaluated using methods including ArcGIS network analysis and Segnet semantic segmentation. The results obtained from such evaluations indicate that, in terms of the green space supply, the overall level for Shangxin Street in Jinan is not high. Only 24% of the selected sites have an adequate green space supply. The level on Wenhua West Road is higher than that on Shangxin Street. The block on the western side of Shangxin Street has the highest green space demand, with a decreasing trend from west to east. There are several higher selection points in the middle section of Shangxin Street. The demand is lowest in the middle of Wenhua East Road. Shangxin Street’s demand is higher than that of Wenhua West Road. The supply and demand are highly matched on Wenhua West Road and poorly matched on Shangxin Street, with 44.12% of the area in the “low supply, high demand” quadrant. This study proposes targeted optimization strategies based on supply and demand, thereby providing research ideas and methods for urban renewal.

Analysis of the applications of probability and statistics in modern science

Probability and statistics are really important in modern scientific research. They give the basic theories and tools for doing scientific research and are used in lots of different areas, which helps science and society move forward. This paper wants to find out how probability and statistics are used, why they are important, and what the future might hold for them in modern science. It starts by explaining basic concepts and methods like probability distributions and hypothesis testing. Then, it looks at how they are used in medicine, economics, engineering, and other areas. It also talks about why they are important in scientific research, including analyzing data and helping with decisions. Finally, it sums up how crucial probability and statistics are in modern science and suggests ideas for future research. This paper finds that probability and statistics are crucial in modern science and are used in lots of areas like medicine, economics, and sociology. They are not only useful for scientific research, but also for solving practical problems. This study helps us understand how important probability and statistics are in modern science. It gives ideas and insights for improving how people use them, and its useful for researchers to work together across different areas.

Преимущества и риски использования ChatGPT в системе высшего образования: теоретический обзор

The author of this review publication has set himself the task of generalizing the ideas of Russian and foreign educational researchers regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using neural networks, namely, the large language model ChatGPT, in the higher education system. 130 of the latest printed and electronic sources in Russian and English on pedagogy and humanitarian disciplines, which date back to 2023 and the first half of 2024, served as the material for the analysis. The scientific novelty of the study lies in identifying the most effective methods for assessing the didactic potential and determining the problems of introducing artificial intelligence technologies in education as exemplified by the use of ChatGPT, including the SWOT analysis method, considered as an effective analytical tool for assessing the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of using ChatGPT for educational purposes. As a result, the universal trends and features of the implementation of ChatGPT as an innovative pedagogical technology are revealed. The problems of ChatGPT application in the higher education system are analyzed from the point of view of compliance with ethical standards, prevention of academic dishonesty, formation of cognitive abilities and research competencies of students, deepening of individualization of the educational process, development of critical and creative thinking, increase in the level of information literacy and improvement of universal competencies and professional skills of students. The prospects and risks of ChatGPT application in higher education are described.