Search Results (67)

The paper deals with the issue of obtaining iron-sulfur-containing binders through their mechanochemical treatment using mutual neutralization and detoxification structure formation, and the curing stage of arbolite concrete composites based on industrial waste under long-term loading were also studied. Due to abrasion and impact, the mutual neutralization and detoxification methods of industrial waste toxic components through their mechanochemical treatment on the structures of ball mill LShM-750, were used to obtain iron-sulfur-containing binders. Pyrite cinders acted as oxidizing agents, and elementary technical sulfur had reduced properties. To determine the rate of creep strain growth, the load on prism samples was applied in the form of specially made spring units at stress levels of 0.15 R_bn, 0.44 R_bn, and 0.74 R_bn, where R_bn is the prism strength of iron-sulfur-containing arbolite concrete in compression. The strength and fracture formations of lightweight iron-sulfur concrete were studied using strain gauge apparatus and depth strain gauges glued on shredded reed fibers using adhesive, installed before concreting. It was revealed that the introduction of a sulfur additive within the range from 10 to 13% increases the compressive strength of iron-sulfur-containing concrete composites prepared with that of mortars at a water/solid ratio equal to 0.385 in wet and dry states. It is found that the deformations occurring under applied load growth proportionally to it, and deviation from this regularity was observed for lightweight iron-sulfur-containing concrete only at high compressive stresses. It was also proved that the destruction of iron-sulfur-containing arbolite occurs sequentially. First, the destruction of the mortar component is observed, and then the organic aggregate in the form of crushed reed fiber is destroyed. It was confirmed that arbolite concrete composite can be used as an effective wall material for civil engineering structure, especially in seismic regions of Kazakhstan. Full article

Emotional attunement, or emotional co-regulation in a relationship, can manifest as interpersonal neural synchrony, where partners exhibit similar anti-phase or phase-shifted brain activity. In adult romantic relationships, emotional attunement may differ according to relationship satisfaction. No study has examined how relationship satisfaction difference influences interpersonal neural synchrony. This exploratory pilot study on 17 couples (unmarried Chinese undergraduate couples in a Southeast Asian university) investigated whether relationship satisfaction difference influenced interpersonal neural synchrony during a shared emotive experience. Each couple wore an fNIRS cap to measure brain activity in their prefrontal cortex (PFC) while co-viewing seven videos intended to evoke positive, negative or neutral emotions. We found preliminary evidence that relationship satisfaction difference modulated interpersonal neural synchrony in the right ventral PFC regions, including the right ventromedial PFC (involved in the encoding of emotional values to stimuli and emotional regulation), right ventrolateral PFC (involved in voluntary emotional regulation) and the right orbitofrontal cortex (involved in processing of emotional experiences and regulation of emotions). This suggested that couples with mismatched relationship satisfaction displayed greater interpersonal neural synchrony, possibly due to mutual social cognitive processes when viewing emotive videos together. Further studies can replicate the findings with larger, diverse samples. Full article

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for neuronal survival. Amyloid-β monomers (Aβ42M) and oligomers (Aβ42O) have trophic and toxic effects on neuronal survival, respectively. Branched oligosaccharides (BOs) and catechins (CAs) can specifically bind to Aβ42M/Aβ42O, influencing both effects. However, whether and how Aβ42M/Aβ42O influences BDNF remains unknown. This study investigated the interaction between Aβ42M/Aβ42O and BDNF, the effects of Aβ42M and Aβ42O on BDNF binding to the TrkB/p75 receptor and their impact on BDNF-supported cell survival, and the roles of BOs and CAs in these processes. BDNF exhibited stronger binding affinity for Aβ42M and Aβ42O than BOs/CAs. Aβ42M increased neuronal viability by synergistically enhancing BDNF binding to TrkB and p75, whereas Aβ42O decreased neuronal viability by inactivating/consuming BDNF, thereby reducing its binding to these receptors. BDNF-Aβ42O binding appeared to mutually neutralize/counteract each other’s biological effects; therefore, increasing BDNF levels might reduce Aβ42O’s neurotoxicity. By competitively targeting Aβ42M/Aβ42O rather than BDNF or its receptors, BOs and CAs enhanced these effects. These findings suggest that Aβ42M’s neurotrophicity was directly linked to its synergistic enhancement of BDNF activity, whereas Aβ42O’s neurotoxicity was primarily due to its inactivation or consumption of BDNF. This study provided valuable insights for developing BOs/CAs-based neuroprotective therapeutics or nanomaterials against AD. Full article

From the perspective of social media data, this study investigates the coupling relationship between tourists’ spatial perception and tourism image in traditional old urban areas. Using Nanxun Ancient Town as a case study, this paper reveals the interaction and mutual influence between tourists’ perception of space and tourism image in the development of traditional ancient town tourism. We employed Python 3.13.0 to gather 10,789 valuable comments from tourists from Dianping 11.35.3, Ctrip 8.78.4, and Mafengwo 11.2.6. Mini Tag Cloud software is used to analyze the text data, systematically classify the cognitive image of tourists, and identify negative emotional factors. This paper constructs a four-dimensional landscape spatial perception evaluation system centered on “high-frequency words”, “perceptual dimensions”, “semantic networks”, and “emotional tendencies”. The key findings are as follows: (1) Tourists’ spatial perception exhibits pronounced characteristics of subjective preference and emotional attachment influenced by emotional factors. Overall, tourists exhibited positive emotional perceptions, with 59.51% positive emotions, 21.16% neutral emotions, and 19.33% negative emotions. (2) The perception of Nanxun Ancient Town’s tourism image can be summarized into four dimensions. Here are the dimensions in order of how important they are: historical culture and folk heritage (34.18%), perceptions of natural landscape and architectural style (31.03%), perceptions of tourism services and facilities (18.37%), and psychological identity and emotional interaction (16.42%). (3) Tourism image reciprocally influences tourists’ spatial perception. A positive tourism image is anticipated to encourage tourists to explore the spatial details of the ancient town more deeply, enhancing their positive spatial perception and experience. There exists a coupling relationship between tourists’ spatial perception and tourism image. (4) Key aspects of tourists’ perception of Nanxun Ancient Town include its historical and cultural significance, as well as commercialization. Future studies could focus on tourists’ spatial perception and tourism destination brand image building, and tourism policy makers should pay attention to tourists’ perception of Nanxun Ancient Town’s history, culture and commercialization, and use the coupling of the two to improve development and service policies. Full article

With the concurrent circulations of SARS-CoV-2 omicron and influenza A viruses in the community, there is evidence showing co-infection with both viruses. However, disease severity may vary due to the complex immunity landscape of the patients and the neutralizing antibody waning status. The intrinsic dynamic relationship and pathological significance for such co-infections remain largely unknown. The replication kinetics and innate immune responses from the co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron BA.1 and D614G variant) and influenza A viruses (pandemic H1N1, seasonal H3N2 and highly pathogenic avian H5N1) were characterized in human respiratory tissue explants, human airway, and alveolar epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 reduced the replication of influenza A viruses, but not vice versa, during co-infections in human bronchial tissues and airway epithelial cells. In lung tissues, the co-infections showed minimal effects on each other, but the viral replications of the two viruses were mutually reduced except for H1N1pdm in the alveolar epithelial cells irrespective of the enhancement of the ACE2 receptor. Notably, the co-infections showed a significant upregulation of the innate immune responses of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to single infections in both respiratory epithelial cells, suggesting that co-infections of influenza A viruses potentially lead to more severe damage to the host than SARS-CoV-2 single infections. Full article

In an air-conditioned multinational graduate students’ office in Japan during the winter season, we examined indoor environmental conditions, occupants’ perceptions, and their acceptance levels over five consecutive days. Indoor air quality (IAQ) acceptance peaked on the third day, coinciding with the most favourable thermal sensation vote, which was “neutral” at a geometric mean indoor temperature of 25.1 °C. Aural comfort received the lowest acceptance due to ongoing construction work, but did not significantly impact overall IEQ acceptance, thus suggesting that unacceptable aspects of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can be offset by acceptable aspects. IAQ and thermal comfort compensated for its effects, offering insights into occupants’ environmental tolerance. IAQ sensation votes and visual comfort votes exhibit a strong relationship with overall comfort, as indicated by their respective R² values. However, variations in overall comfort are primarily explained by IAQ, which has the highest R² value of 0.50, suggesting that IAQ accounts for 50% of the changes in overall occupant comfort. Non-Japanese participants had lower IEQ acceptance and a significantly higher number of complaints than Japanese participants more so in visual comfort where acceptable luminance levels were higher in Japan than other participants’ countries of origin. Thermal comfort was mutually highly accepted by both groups. Nose and eye irritation were significantly experienced by the international participants due to low RH levels but experiencing loss of concentration and lethargy was comparable in both groups (p > 0.05, t-test). We recommend global coherence in indoor environmental quality standards as is the case with drinking water standards for public health protection and seamless transitions in new indoor environments. Full article

This study examines the impact of the Kahramanmaraş Earthquake on four key sectors of Borsa Istanbul: Basic Metal, Insurance, Non-Metallic Mineral Products, and Wholesale and Retail Trade using neutral delayed fractional differential equations. Employing the Chebyshev collocation method, we numerically solved the neutral delayed fractional differential equations with initial conditions scaled by each sector’s log difference standard deviation to accurately reflect market volatility. Fractional orders were derived from the Hurst exponent, and time delays were identified using average mutual information, autocorrelation function, and partial autocorrelation function methods. The results reveal significant changes post-earthquake, including reduced market persistence and increased volatility in the Basic Metal and Insurance sectors, contrasted by enhanced stability in the Non-Metallic Mineral Products sector. Neutral delayed fractional differential equations demonstrated superior performance over traditional models by effectively capturing memory and delay effects. This work underscores the efficacy of neutral delayed fractional differential equations in modeling financial resilience amid external shocks. Full article

An eight-element MIMO antenna with a neutralization line was utilized for future 5G mm-wave applications. The MIMO configuration was designed for two ports, four ports and eight ports to validate the desired impedance and radiation characteristics. The measured results in terms of MIMO and scattering parameters correlate well with the simulated one. The printed eight-port antenna was a miniaturized size of 44 × 70 × 0.8 mm³. Roger RT/duroid 5880 substrate was used to print antennas. The presented antenna produced a vast bandwidth of 18 GHz, varying from 28 to 46 GHz, and achieved a reduced mutual coupling of 30 dB with 6.8–8.5 dBi gain. The eight-port antenna is compared with contemporary antennas considering size, isolation, impedance bandwidth, diversity characteristics and radiation properties, confirming that the presented antenna is a promising candidate for future 5G mm-wave applications. Full article

In the midst of the push for dual-carbon goals, urban centers are faced with the imperative of reducing emissions and conserving energy, while rural regions are harnessing their abundant new energy resources to promote balanced urban–rural development. Photovoltaic (PV) power generation, known for its cleanliness, safety, and emission-free nature, is playing a crucial role in the evolution of Henan Province’s power supply industry. This paper delves into the current state of Henan’s power supply infrastructure, the trajectory of its low-carbon development, and the policies that shape the PV sector. It also examines the establishment of an urban–rural mutual aid model through the lens of alternative energy technologies. By utilizing a combination of case studies and systematic theoretical research, this paper uncovers the economic potential that remains untapped of new energy sources in rural areas and presents strategies for synergistic development in alignment with dual-carbon goals within the power supply industry. The research underscores the significance of an urban–rural mutual assistance model in achieving carbon neutrality, addressing urban–rural development gaps, fostering shared prosperity, and contributing Chinese insights to global climate governance frameworks. Full article

The total and differential cross-sections and final state distribution for mutual neutralization in collisions of Li⁺ with O⁻ were calculated using an ab initio quantum mechanical approach based on potential energy curves and non-adiabatic coupling elements computed with the multi-reference configuration interaction method. The final state distributions favored channels with excited oxygen states, indicating a strong effect of electron correlation, and the electron transfer could not be described by a simple one-electron exchange process. Full article

This article introduces a broadband sub-6 GHz 8 × 8 MIMO (multi-input multi-output) antenna array for 5G (fifth-generation) metal-frame mobile phone applications. The unique advantage of this compact antenna design is its placement in the corners of the mobile phone, allowing for significant PCB board space reduction. The proposed antenna’s 6 dB impedance bandwidth ranged from 3.3 to 6 GHz, covering the n77/78/79 and WiFi-5GHz bands. The main radiating element was an open-slot antenna coupled by a T-shaped structure connected to a 50-Ω transmission line. The size of the single-antenna element was 12.25 mm × 2.5 mm × 7 mm, and these antennas were symmetrical at four corners of the smartphone. A wide slot and neutral line were incorporated to reduce mutual coupling between adjacent antennas. The MIMO antenna array achieved isolation above 12 dB. The peak realized gain ranged from 2 to 5.28 dBi, and the total efficiency spanned 37% to 71%. The ECC (envelope correlation coefficient) was less than 0.34, and the CC (channel capacity) ranged from 33 and 41 bps/Hz. Full article

As climate change intensifies and countries actively pursue carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets, agriculture has emerged as a significant source of carbon emissions. A comprehensive analysis of global agricultural carbon emission research can enhance the agricultural environment and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome for environmental protection and economic development. Despite the evolution of research domains and methodologies, the global context remains closely connected to the current state of the discipline. Drawing on the Web of Science core collection, this paper develops a knowledge network framework, examines the current status and hotspots of agricultural carbon emissions, forecasts future development trends, and analyzes the findings using CiteSpace visualization software. The findings indicate that the number of papers on agricultural carbon emissions has been increasing annually, with minor fluctuations; time series analysis and sustainable development have emerged as the current focal points, and relevant institutions are collaborating increasingly closely. However, cooperation among scholars requires further enhancement. Countries such as China, the United States, and Germany are the primary nations for paper publication. The hotspot analysis reveals a high frequency of keywords such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, indicating that research on agricultural carbon emissions has matured and the emphasis has shifted from accounting to management. This paper develops a domain knowledge framework to assist readers in understanding agricultural carbon emission patterns and provide resources for further research. Follow-up studies should enhance both comprehensiveness and breadth, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, provide a scientific foundation for policymakers, and outline future research directions. Full article

Background. The combined or multivalent vaccines are actively used in pediatric practice and offer a series of advantages, including a reduced number of injections and visits to the doctor, simplicity of the vaccination schedule and minimization of side effects, easier vaccine monitoring and storage, and lower vaccination costs. The practice of widespread use of the combined vaccines has shown the potential to increase vaccination coverage against single infections. The mRNA platform has been shown to be effective against the COVID-19 pandemic and enables the development of combined vaccines. There are currently no mRNA-based combined vaccines approved for use in humans. Some studies have shown that different mRNA components in a vaccine can interact to increase or decrease the immunogenicity and efficacy of the combined vaccine. Objectives. In the present study, we investigated the possibility of combining the mRNA vaccines, encoding seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2 antigens. In our previous works, both vaccine candidates have shown excellent immunogenicity and efficacy profiles in mice. Methods. The mRNA-LNPs were prepared by microfluidic mixing, immunogenicity in mice was assessed by hemagglutination inhibition assay, enzyme-linked immunoassay and virus neutralization assay. Immunological efficacy was assessed in a mouse viral challenge model. Results. In this work, we demonstrated that the individual mRNA components of the combined vaccine did not affect the immunogenicity level of each other. The combined vaccine demonstrated excellent protective efficacy, providing a 100% survival rate when mice were infected with the H1N1 influenza virus and reducing the viral load in the lungs. Four days after the challenge with SARS-CoV-2 EG.5.1.1., no viable virus and low levels of detectable viral RNA were observed in the lungs of vaccinated mice. Conclusions. The combination does not lead to mutual interference between the individual vaccines. We believe that such a combined mRNA-based vaccine could be a good alternative to separated human vaccinations for the prevention of COVID-19 and influenza. Full article

In the context of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, the power industry has become a key and challenging place to promote the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society. We selected green power generation enterprises and thermal power generation enterprises in the power industry as the research objects and applied relevant theories such as game theory and low-carbon economy theory to analyze the low-carbon transformation path of electricity under the “dual carbon” goal. We quantitatively analyzed the competition and cooperation relationship between green power and thermal power. Based on mutual benefit preferences, a competitive game model was constructed, and the optimal competitive equilibrium electricity quantity and price of both parties were discussed in different scenarios. The master–slave game problem was transformed into a double-layer game model and solved using the GA algorithm. We draw the following conclusions: (1) When green power enterprises and thermal power enterprises compete to achieve equilibrium, a high degree of altruistic willingness is a necessary condition for both parties to maximize their own utility. (2) A high-level mutually beneficial relationship is a key factor in effectively improving overall profits. (3) In the long-term mutually beneficial competitive relationship between green power and thermal power, by quantitatively adjusting the internal and external factors that affect system evolution, the quantitative adjustment of the feasible domain boundaries of the evolution of the mutually beneficial competitive relationship can be achieved, thereby influencing the existing transformation of the competitive relationship to evolve toward the desired direction. Full article

In this paper, an eight-port antenna array is presented for 5G handheld terminals to support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) operations. The reported design involves three layers: the top contains eight circular microstrip feed elements; the middle is a low-cost FR-4 substrate, and the bottom layer is a ground plane with four etched octagonal slots. Each resonating element is fed by 50-ohm sub-miniature connectors. To mitigate the detrimental effects of mutual coupling of ports and enhance overall isolation between the adjacent microstrip-fed circular patch elements, a neutralization line is strategically implemented between the feed lines of the antenna array. The design configuration involves two elements at each vertex of the printed circuit board (PCB). The overall dimensions of the PCB are 150 × 75 mm². Each slot and its corresponding radiating elements exhibit linear dual polarization and diverse radiation patterns. The proposed antenna design achieves the required operating bandwidth of more than 1000 MHz spanning from 3 to 4.2 GHz, effectively covering all the upper C-band frequency range of 3.3 GHz to 4.2 GHz allocated for 5G n77 and n78 frequency range 1 (FR1). Required port isolation and lower envelop correlation coefficient (ECC) are achieved for the band of interest. The proposed design gives a peak gain of up to 4 dB for the said band. In addition to these results, degradation in the performance of the antenna array is also investigated during different operating modes of the handheld device. Measured results from the fabricated unit cell and whole array also have a good match with simulated results. On the whole, the proposed antenna possesses the potential to be used in 5G and the open radio access network (ORAN) compliant handheld devices. Full article