Selection Factors Research Articles

FAAH inhibitor URB597 shows anti-hyperalgesic action and increases brain and intestinal tissues fatty acid amides in a model of CRF1 agonist mediated visceral hypersensitivity in male rats.

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system includes ligands (anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, 2-AG), receptors and catabolizing enzymes (fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH and monoacylglycerol lipase) expressed in both the brain and gut. We investigated whether the FAAH inhibitor, URB597, influenced visceral pain to colorectal distension (CRD) in an acute stress-related model of visceral hypersensitivity induced by the selective corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 1 (CRF1) agonist, cortagine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously (SC) with URB597 (3 mg/kg) or vehicle and 2 h later, intraperitoneally with cortagine (10 μg/kg) or vehicle. The visceromotor responses (VMR) were assessed to a first CRD (baseline) before injections, and to a second CRD 15 min after the last treatment. Brain, jejunum, and proximal colon were collected from treated and naïve rats for levels quantification of three fatty acid amides (FAAs) [anandamide (arachidonyl-ethanolamide, AEA), oleoyl-ethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoyl-ethanolamide (PEA)], and 2-AG. In separate animals, defecation/diarrhea were monitored after URB597 and cortagine. URB597 inhibited cortagine-induced increased VMR at 40 mmHg (89.0 ± 14.8% vs. 132.5 ± 15.6% for vehicle SC, p < 0.05) and 60 mmHg (107.5 ± 16.1% vs. 176.9 ± 24.4% for vehicle SC, p < 0.001) while not influencing basal VMR. In URB597 plus cortagine group, FAAs levels increased in the brain and intestinal tissue while 2-AG did not change. URB597 did not modify cortagine-induced defecation/diarrhea versus vehicle. URB597 shows efficacy to elevate brain and intestinal FAAs and to counteract the colonic hypersensitivity induced by peripheral activation of CRF1 signaling supporting a potential strategy of FAAH inhibitors to alleviate stress-related visceral hypersensitivity.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ ИНФОРМАТИВНОСТИ КРИТЕРИЕВ СПОРТИВНОЙ УСПЕШНОСТИ НА ЭТАПАХ МНОГОЛЕТНЕЙ СПОРТИВНОЙ ПОДГОТОВКИ ПЛОВЦОВ

Sports science is considered to have a certain responsibility for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive system for finding and selecting athletically gifted children, given the involvement of state authorities dealing with the development of sports and mass physical culture in this issue. It is well known that the selection of appropriate criteria for managing such systems largely depends on how well they function. The article examines the complexity and methods of choosing the dominant selection factors and selection regulators

콜드체인 운송플랫폼의 IPA분석을 통한 가구 특성별 물류서비스에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study suggests logistics service improvements by analyzing the importance of, and satisfaction with, a domestic cold chain transportation platform. In addition, it differs from previous studies in that it is divided into single-person and multi-person households to understand the importance and satisfaction. Research design, data, and methodology: Data were collected on the importance of, and satisfaction with, service reliability, empathy, convenience, stability, and economic feasibility for service consumers who have used a cold chain transportation platform. Results: The cold chain transportation platform needs to provide additional services that can reduce the burden of transportation costs or increase satisfaction, and there is a need to improve the UI to make the delivery platform easier. In addition, in cold chain transportation services for single-person households, service quality improvement taking this into account is required. Conclusions: Through prior research, selection factors for a cold chain transportation platform were derived, and the implication is that service improvement is suggested through the IPA.

Nest-site selection and nest predation in a tropical passerine in relation to food, friends, and foes

ABSTRACT Nest-site selection is an important determinant of avian reproductive success, mainly through its effect on predation risk. However, which environmental and social factors affect nest-site selection and predation risk remains less well understood. Optimal nest positioning may depend on the balance of many distinct factors such as nest predation, food availability, extra-pair mating opportunities, presence of helpers, and interactions with neighboring conspecifics. We investigated how these factors affect nest-site selection and nest survival in Acrocephalus sechellensis (Seychelles Warbler), a facultative cooperative-breeding passerine that defends stable territories year-round. We found that daily nest survival increased by ~1% for each meter higher in the canopy that a nest was placed. Nests were more likely to be located in food-rich parts of the territory, especially in territories with low overall densities of arthropods. Further, we found that nests in territories with helpers, which reduce nest predation in A. sechellensis, were built in areas with higher food availability, whereas nests in territories without helpers were built in areas with fewer nest predators. Finally, we found that females build their nests 0.5 m closer to the border for each year the nearest neighboring male was older than their partner. Our results suggest that nest-site selection in A. sechellensis is affected by nest predation, food availability, helper presence, and possibly, the female’s opportunity for extra-pair copulations. Clarifying the relative importance of these different selective factors is key to the understanding of optimal nest-site selection to maximize reproductive success.

The selection traits of mite non-reproduction (MNR) and Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) show high variance in subsequent generations and require intensive time investment to evaluate

The honey bee ectoparasite Varroa destructor is the main cause of honey bee colony losses worldwide. Over the last decades, several projects have focused on improving the robustness of Apis mellifera against this parasitic mite. Selection traits, such as mite non-reproduction (MNR) and Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH), are favored selection factors in Varroa resistance projects. VSH is a trait where adult honey bees remove the Varroa-infested brood. During this process, the female mites are arrested in their reproductive cycle leading to a reduction of the Varroa population within the bee colony. From 2019 to 2022, 1402 queens were instrumentally inseminated with single or multiple drones in a breeding program. Colonies headed by these queens were established annually, and the MNR and VSH levels were analyzed. VSH was evaluated in response to cells artificially infested with Varroa, and colonies with high VSH values were used to generate our selected VSH stock. Despite crossing high VSH drones and queens, we measured a remarkable heterogeneity of MNR and VSH in the next generation(s), most likely due to the well-described, high recombination rate in the honey bee genome. When assessed multiple times in the same colony, great variance between measurements was observed. Detailed evaluations of daughter colonies are thus required if selection programs want to breed colonies with reliable VSH traits. This constant need to evaluate all offspring to ensure the desirable resistance traits are present results in high workloads and great expenses in selection programs. Furthermore, such large-scale breeding programs are inefficient due to high fluctuations between measurements and generations, indicating we need to develop new approaches and improved methods for assessing Varroa resistance.

Mathematical modeling study to optimize the production of molybdenum and silica absorbing thin films

Reducing costs in renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy, can be achieved by optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance the performance of solar absorbers. This study investigates the optical characteristics of molybdenum (Mo) films deposited on AISI 304 stainless steel substrates, both with and without a silicon dioxide (SiO2) anti-reflective layer. The work involves optimizing film thickness and deposition conditions to improve solar absorption and minimize thermal emission. A mathematical model was developed to determine the optimal film thickness for achieving high optical selectivity, and this model was validated through experimental deposition and characterization. The results show that a 53 nm Mo film achieved a selectivity factor of 10.35, with an emissivity of 9.30 % and an absorptivity of 96.28 %. The addition of an 18 nm SiO2 layer further increased the spectral selectivity to 13.95, with an absorptivity of 98.00 % and an emissivity of 7.02 %. These findings confirm that the theoretical predictions align with the experimental data, validating effectiveness of the optimized deposition parameters in enhancing the performance of solar absorbers.

Analysis of a Biopolymer Implementation in the Automotive Instrument Panel

Objective: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of different materials for vehicle dashboards in mitigating knee injuries during accidents, with a focus on environmentally friendly options. Theoretical Framework: The research is based on the premise that modern vehicle design should not only prioritize safety standards but also integrate sustainable practices. This framework underscores the importance of utilizing materials that not only meet safety requirements but also minimize environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Method: The study compares the performance of two materials, polypropylene and poly-lactic acid (PLA), in vehicle dashboards. Data is gathered through experimentation to assess each material's ability to absorb energy and reduce knee impact injuries, as well as their environmental sustainability. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that PLA demonstrates superior performance compared to Polypropylene in mitigating knee injuries during collisions, while also being more environmentally friendly due to its biodegradability and renewable sourcing. Research Implications: This research contributes to the development of safer vehicle designs by identifying materials that better protect occupants from knee injuries, while also considering the environmental impact of vehicle production and disposal. Implementing materials like PLA could lead to reduced injury rates and improved vehicle safety standards, benefiting both manufacturers and consumers, and promoting sustainability in the automotive industry. Originality/Value: This study offers original insights into the potential of PLA as a superior material for vehicle dashboards in terms of both safety and ecological impact. By exploring alternative materials, such as biopolymers, the research adds value to the ongoing efforts to enhance passive safety measures in automobiles while considering environmental sustainability as a critical factor in material selection.

Evolving Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine fellowship application process: a program director survey

Background and objectivesMost Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM) fellowship programs transitioned to virtual interviews in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, the RAAPM fellowship match started in...

Two major bovine milk whey proteins induce distinct responses in IEC-6 intestinal cells

Abstract α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) are major whey proteins in bovine milk. We studied the effects of these molecules on the intestinal cell response by comparing the native form with the denatured form containing oligomers obtained by treatment with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). We previously reported that proteins in native and TFE-treated forms exhibited cell growth stimulation and cytotoxicity, respectively, in undifferentiated rat crypt IEC-6 and human colon Caco-2 cells. However, neither whey protein showed cytotoxicity even in the TFE-treated form in differentiated Caco-2 cells. Only undifferentiated immature intestinal cells can distinguish between these native and denatured proteins. Moreover, α-LA and β-LG exhibited different oligomer formation characteristics during the TFE treatment. In the present study, we compared the effects of native and TFE-treated whey proteins on IEC-6 cells in more detail. The native forms of both whey proteins exhibited cell proliferative effects in a concentration-dependent manner. For the TFE-treated forms, α-LA showed rapid and potent cytotoxicity, whereas β-LG altered cell responses depending on its concentration and exposure time; lower concentration/shorter exposure and higher concentration/longer exposure induced cell growth stimulation and cytotoxicity, respectively. Pre-treatment of the cell membrane with cholesterol suppressed the effects on the cell response only in TFE-treated β-LG (TFE-β-LG). In a preliminary examination using inhibitors of signal transduction, TFE-treated α-LA acted on the intrinsic apoptosis pathway via Bcl-2-associated X and p53, whereas the action of TFE-LG did not require this pathway. Tyrosine phosphorylation is necessary for the cell proliferation effect of both native whey proteins; however, native α-LA, but not native β-LG, also required activation of the pathway with selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase and Janus kinase 2/3. In summary, the two major bovine milk whey proteins induced similar yet discrete responses in undifferentiated intestinal cells. Even when oligomers are formed, β-LG may be much less hazardous to immature intestinal cells than α-LA.

Advanced lithium extraction nanofiltration membrane with fast transport channels via competitive diffusion and reaction of rigid electropositive phenylbiguanide molecules

The utilization of nanofiltration membranes for lithium extraction from Salt-Lake holds the potential to address lithium resource scarcity and drive energy transformation. Nevertheless, the trade-off effect between water permeability and Mg2+/Li+ separation selectivity poses a challenge in the application of these membranes. In this work, rigid-flexible interpenetration and competitive diffusion reaction strategies were proposed to regulate the pore structure and charge density of the functional layer, thus enhancing the overall separation performance of nanofiltration membrane. Phenylbiguanide (PBG) possessing rigid structure, high positive charge density, and low energy transfer barrier was embedded into flexible polyethyleneimine-based polyamide network. This integration facilitated the formation of continuous and semi-permanent microcavities with rigid-flexible coupled structure, and meanwhile, elevated the density of positive charges. Consequently, the modification extended the water molecular transport channels within the functional layer, leading to a notable enhancement in pure water flux, from 7.40 to 26.43 L m−2h−1. In addition, due to the faster diffusion of PBG than polyethyleneimine with high molecular weight (70000 Da, as aqueous monomer in this work), it could react with excess 1,3,5-trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the surface of initial membrane to form a new polyamide layer, which repaired the defects in the functional layer and also enhanced the charge density inside pore channels. Therefore, Mg2+/Li+ separation selectivity factor increased from 3.79 of TFC membrane to 22.98 of PBG membrane, i.e., by about 6 times. This study provided an effective strategy to develop nanofiltration membranes with both good water permeability and Mg2+/Li+ selectivity.

Abstract A119: Disparities in mammography screening adherence throughout phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract Background Early detection of breast cancer through mammography screening reduces mortality risk. Disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States worsened disparities in mammography use, and it is unclear if the impact persisted after the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine in 2021. We aim to describe disparities among minority and underserved women in breast cancer screening before and during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and assess any changes in screening patterns following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Methods We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data for years before (2018), during (2020), and after (2022) the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the United States. We estimated the proportion of women aged 50–74 years who were non-adherent to the United States Preventive Services Taskforce screening guidelines (no mammography in the past two years) by select sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Weighted frequencies, Chi-square tests with Rao-Scott correction, and log-binomial regression models with a Poisson family were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) for non-adherence by selected factors to identify sub-populations more likely to be non-adherent. Results A total of 116,756, 102,778, and 110,456 women were included in the analytic samples from 2018, 2020, and 2022, respectively. The prevalence of non-adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines was 21.1%, 20.6%, and 21.6%, in 2018, 2020, and 2022, respectively. Comparing 2018 to 2022, the proportion of non-adherent women significantly increased among those who did not graduate high school (26.7% vs 34.7%), those without health insurance (45.3% vs 61.9%), and women with incomes below $15,000 (28.1% vs 35.1%). Insurance status had the largest impact on screening adherence, with uninsured women more than twice as likely to be non-adherent compared to insured women both before (PR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.94, 2.38) and after the COVID-19 vaccine rollout (2.24, 95% CI: 2.05, 2.45). Prevalence ratios of nonadherence significantly increased between 2018 and 2020, then returned back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022 among those living in non-metropolitan versus metropolitan areas, never married versus married, self-employed versus employed, and those reporting poor versus excellent health. Hispanics were more likely than non-Hispanics to be non-adherent in 2020 and 2022, but no difference was seen in 2018. Conclusions Persistent disparities in breast cancer screening adherence among eligible women in the United States were observed throughout the phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although overall adherence remained stable, certain subgroups, such as those with lower education, no health insurance, Hispanic, rural residence, and lower income, experienced worsening adherence. Health insurance status was the most significant factor associated with non-adherence, highlighting the need for targeted interventions among those who are uninsured. Citation Format: Gregory Chang C Chang, James L. Fisher, Electra D. Paskett. Disparities in mammography screening adherence throughout phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A119.

A Study of Factors in Women’s Choice of a Potential Partner in the Context of Internet Dating

Introduction. The study aims to investigate the factors of women’s choice of partner in an online dating situation. In the period of digitalization, many women seek to expand their opportunities to find a suitable partner through the use of online dating services. At the same time, many women have certain concerns and do not know what exactly to pay attention to when dating so that it leads to the creation of a romantic relationship. This is the first time that the question of the existence of a relationship between the factors of partner selection and the consequences of online dating is considered, which determines the novelty of the study. Its results will help to identify the most successful strategies for choosing a potential partner that lead to the establishment of long-term relationships. Objective. To identify the most common factors among women in selecting a potential partner in an Internet dating situation. Materials and Methods. A translated version of Liesel Sharabi’s questionnaire-questionnaire was used to establish the peculiarities of women’s use of dating services. Binomial criterion, Fisher’s exact test, and conjugacy test were used as methods of statistical data analysis.Results. The empirical object of the study was women aged 18 to 60 (n = 61). It was found that women are quite selective in the situation of choosing potential partners in dating services. The majority of women feel apprehension regarding the use of dating services, which is associated with the fear of not meeting a suitable partner there. At the same time, women remain convinced of the effectiveness of dating services and hope to get married through their use. The main factor in choosing a partner among women is the way he or she shows himself or herself in correspondence. At the same time, women who got married as a result of online dating also took into account such a factor as the appearance of the chosen one. Discussion. The obtained data are confirmed by the results of other authors’ studies. Thus, women’s selectivity in the situation of Internet dating is explained by the increase in their self-confidence, as well as by the desire to demonstrate themselves from the “right” side. At the same time, women’s fears seem to be quite justified, taking into account that men are much more likely to describe their desired, rather than real, characteristics in questionnaires. Women more often make a choice based on the features of correspondence, since most of the criteria important for selection are revealed in the course of communication.

TAF1D promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a malignant tumor needs more effective treatments. TATA box-binding protein-associated factor RNA polymerase I subunit D (TAF1D) is a member of the selective factor 1 complex and functions in RNA polymerase I-dependent transcription. Higher TAF1D expression was found in ccRCC tumor tissues and indicated worse survival. Our study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of TAF1D in ccRCC. The proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells were significantly inhibited after TAF1D knockdown, while TAF1D overexpressing had opposite effects. Moreover, TAF1D knockdown induced cells to undergo G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and blockade of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Mechanistically, TAF1D affect the cell cycle and EMT through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby promoting the proliferation and metastasis of ccRCC cells in vivo and in vitro. The inhibitory effect of TAF1D knockdown could be reverted by the AKT activator SC79 in ccRCC cells, confirming this mechanism. Besides, TAF1D knockdown in ccRCC cells had a sensitizing effect on sunitinib and enhanced tumor cell inhibiting induced by sunitinib. In conclusion, TAF1D may be a promising target for the treatment of ccRCC and for overcoming sunitinib resistance.

Machine learning-enabled mental health risk prediction for youths with stressful life events: A modelling study

BackgroundYouths face significant mental health challenges exacerbated by stressful life events, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Immature coping strategies can worsen mental health outcomes. MethodsThis study utilised a two-wave cross-sectional survey design with data collected from Chinese youth aged 14–25 years. Wave 1 (N = 3038) and Wave 2 (N = 539) datasets were used for model development and external validation, respectively. Twenty-five features, encompassing dimensions related to demographic information, stressful life events, social support, coping strategies, and emotional intelligence, were input into the model to predict the mental health status of youth, which was considered their coping outcome. Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) was used to determine the importance of each risk factor in the feature selection. The intersection of top 10 features identified by random forest and XGBoost were considered the most influential predictors of mental health during the feature selection process, and was then taken as the final set of features for model development. Machine learning models, including logistic regression, AdaBoost, and a backpropagation neural network (BPNN), were trained to predict the outcomes. The optimum model was selected according to the performance in both internal and external validation. ResultsThis study identified six key features that were significantly associated with mental health outcomes: punishment, adaptation issues, self-regulation of emotions, learning pressure, use of social support, and recognition of others' emotions. The BPNN model, optimized through feature selection methods like SHAP, demonstrated superior performance in internal validation (C-index [95 % CI] = 0.9120 [0.9111, 0.9129], F-score [95 % CI] = 0.8861 [0.8853, 0.8869]). Additionally, external validation showed the model had strong discrimination (C-index = 0.9749, F-score = 0.8442) and calibration (Brier score = 0.029) capabilities. LimitationsAlthough the clinical prediction model performed well, the study it still limited by self-reported data and representativeness of samples. Causal relationships need to be established to interpret the coping mechanism from multiple perspectives. Also, the limited data on minority groups may lead to algorithmic unfairness. ConclusionsMachine learning models effectively identified and predicted mental health outcomes among youths, with the SHAP+BPNN model showing promising clinical applicability. These findings emphasise the importance and effectiveness of targeted interventions with the help of clinical prediction model.

Synthesis, recognition properties and drug release behavior of diltiazem‐imprinted chitosan‐based biomaterials

AbstractIn this study, we prepared diltiazem (DTZ)‐imprinted biomaterials for TDDS using chitosan, PVA, plasticizers, and sulfosuccinic acid. DTZ and the prepared biomaterials were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. DTZ recognition properties were confirmed by the binding isotherm, Scatchard plot analysis, the adsorption of materials with structures similar to DTZ, selectivity factor (α), and the imprinting‐induced promotion of binding (IPB). Results revealed that adsorbed amount (Q) of DTZ‐imprinted biomaterials was 1.63–2.53 times higher than that of non‐imprinted biomaterials. In addition, it could be verified that DTZ‐imprinted biomaterials have a binding site for DTZ according to Scatchard plot analysis. Furthermore, the results of α and IPB indicated that the recognition capacity of the prepared DTZ‐imprinted biomaterials is superior to that non‐imprinted biomaterials. DTZ release properties were evaluated under various pH buffers and artificial skin. Results indicated that the DTZ release in buffers at low pH was faster than that in buffers at high pH. The DTZ release using artificial skin was continuous over 20 days. Furthermore, the DTZ release profile in the buffer followed the pseudo‐Fickian diffusion mechanism, whereas the profile in the artificial skin test followed a non‐Fickian diffusion mechanism.

Evaluation of Health Service Quality in City Hospitals

In Turkey, city hospitals play a significant role in the provision of healthcare services. This survey looked at the level of satisfaction with various hospitals. In the study, social media was one of the tools. The hospitals' websites were used to compile satisfaction ratings. After that, content analysis was used to look at the hospitals' indicators for technological, communicative, and physical quality. The study considered hospitals with 1200 beds or greater as a sampling factor in hospital selection. Hospitals are classified with the designation "Hospital" in objectives of information security and ethics. Encoding was carried out like Hos1, Hos2, Hos3, etc. for every hospital. The results of this article, which are considered significant research findings, are believed to had an important effect on improving hospital service requirements. Additionally, improvements can be made in health service delivery in line with the opinions of stakeholders. Additionally, the importance of patient satisfaction in terms of health tourism was emphasized.

Adsorption dynamics of gaseous toluene with and without formaldehyde and water vapors on composites of UiO-66-NH2 and microporous carbon

To improve the adsorption capacity/selectivity of activated carbon (AC) against diverse volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a series of AC-based composites have been prepared with UiO-66-NH2 (U6N) and coded as AC-U6Nx (x = 1–20 wt/wt%). The adsorption potential of AC-U6Nx is evaluated against toluene in relation to the effects of composite compositions and the presence of competing feed gases/vapors (e.g., formaldehyde (FA) and water vapor). Although AC-U6N(1%) adsorbs toluene preferentially over FA, the selectivity factor of the former decreases from 6.4 to 2.63 as the x value increases from 1 to 20 wt%. This indicates the crucial role of U6N-NH2 groups in active capturing of FA over toluene through Schiff-base adsorption mechanism. Interestingly, the partition coefficient (PC100%: 0.045 ± 0.004 mol kg−1 Pa−1) of AC-U6N(1%) for 100 ppm FA remains nearly constant across varying toluene levels (1–100 ppm), suggesting the preferential occupation of active sites by FA (pore-filling). The contrasting role of relative humidity (RH) is also evidenced, as AC-U6N(1%), exhibits the highest capacity for toluene and FA under dry (0 % RH) and humid (20 % RH) conditions, respectively. The adsorption behavior of VOC on AC-U6N(1%) surface active sites (e.g., graphitic basal planes, NH2, COO–, and Zr sites) is predictable with a good fit of experimental data to the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order (PSOM) kinetic models. A density functional theory (DFT) simulation supports the enhancement of toluene adsorption on the interface of AC and U6N-based systems. Overall, this work offers practical guidelines for the construction of advanced functional adsorbents against diverse VOCs under both competitive and non-competitive conditions.

From dim to glow: dynamic illuminance adjustment for simultaneous exposure correction and low-light image enhancement

Acquiring high-quality images in diverse lighting conditions is challenging, particularly in the constantly evolving driving landscape. From the harsh brilliance of daylight to the subtle shadows of nighttime scenarios, the complexity of capturing accurate images intensifies. Therefore, addressing exposure issues across various lighting conditions is imperative. This study introduces a novel multi-task end-to-end dynamic illumination adjustment approach termed CPGA-DIA. By incorporating feature selection and gamma factor correction techniques, our method effectively handles extreme variations in light conditions for both low-light image enhancement and exposure correction. Comprehensive experimental evaluations demonstrate superior performance to existing processes, showcasing our method’s adaptability and robustness in real-world driving scenarios. Furthermore, our approach extends its capabilities to include the control and estimation of explainable factors related to changing lightness, enabling our model to understand better the environmental conditions that influence image perception and clarity. This research contributes to advancing image capture methodologies, particularly in dynamic lighting conditions, with promising implications for applications ranging from photography to various other fields.

Prioritizing freight carrier selection factors with the best worst method

Prioritizing freight carrier selection factors with the best worst method

Post-Transition State Bifurcation Controls Torsional Selectivity in Radical Addition of Allenes.

Post-transition state bifurcation (PTSB) has received wide attention in the field of reaction mechanism research due to its role in producing nonstatistical reaction selectivity, which cannot be solely explained by transition state theory. Particularly, even subtle molecular motions such as bond torsion can precipitate PTSB, thereby significantly complicating the quantitative understanding of dynamic selectivity. In this work, we found that the radical addition of allenes is an elementary transformation that generally exhibits PTSB stereoselectivity, where a single radical addition transition state can lead to both Z- and E-allylic radicals via the post-transition state allylic single bond torsion. Interestingly, dynamic Z/E-selectivity favors the Z-allylic radicals, which contrasts the thermodynamic preference. Based on the dynamics study of twenty-five radical additions of mono-substituted allenes with diverse electronic and steric effects, we have identified that this dynamic stereoselectivity is synergistically controlled by the transition state structure and the differential trends within specific dimensions of the bifurcating reaction coordinates, which also holds true for di-substituted allene substrates. This study refines the mechanism of radical addition of allenes and underscores the importance of the differential trend of the reaction coordinates in controlling dynamic selectivity, offering a deeper insight into PTSB selectivity factors.