An exploration of desired abstinent and non-abstinent recovery outcomes among people who use methamphetamine.

Background: In the United States, complete abstinence persists as the standard for demonstrating recovery success from substance use disorders (SUDs), apart from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although the FDA has recently indicated openness for non-abstinence outcomes as treatment targets, the traditional benchmark of complete abstinence for new medications to treat SUDs remains a hurdle and overshadows other non-abstinent outcomes desired by people with SUDs (e.g.

Advanced microgrid optimization using price-elastic demand response and greedy rat swarm optimization for economic and environmental efficiency.

In this paper, a comprehensive energy management framework for microgrids that incorporates price-based demand response programs (DRPs) and leverages an advanced optimization method-Greedy Rat Swarm Optimizer (GRSO) is proposed. The primary objective is to minimize the generation cost and environmental impact of microgrid systems by effectively scheduling distributed energy resources (DERs), including renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar and wind, alongside fossil-fuel-based generators. Four distinct demand response models-exponential, hyperbolic, logarithmic, and critical peak pricing (CPP)-are developed, each reflecting a different price elasticity of demand.

Database energy saving strategy using blockchain and Internet of Things.

This paper aims to construct a green environmental protection system by advancing database energy-saving techniques and optimizing the energy-saving mechanism against the backdrop of blockchain integration. The protocol classification of wireless sensor networks is examined within the context of the rapid growth of information technology. The analysis draws upon the database storage and sharing model and recent research examples that connect blockchain and database technology.

Biomimetic Confined Assembly of Plasmonic CuS from Electronic Waste for Rapid Photothermal Disinfection.

Photothermal disinfection (PTD) offers promising potential for water purification due to its sustainable and broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, although it is hindered by slow charge separation in photosensitizers. Herein, we present a plasma-mediated PTD technique utilizing an efficient localized heating effect induced by incident light at specific wavelengths for rapid bacterial inactivation. A metallic CuS photosensitizer, derived from electronic waste through a biomimetic transmembrane confined-assembled strategy, facilitates collective and coherent oscillation of free electrons around Cu atoms in the near-infrared range.

Symptoms among patients with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy: Application of latent profile analysis and network analysis.

Purpose: To identify the subgroups and symptom networks associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design using convenience sampling to select patients from a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 406 patients were invited to complete demographic and clinical questionnaires and the Chinese Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Scale was used to assess their symptoms.

Composition and functional diversity of soil and water microbial communities in the rice-crab symbiosis system.

Rice-crab co-culture is an environmentally friendly agricultural and aquaculture technology with high economic and ecological value. In order to clarify the structure and function of soil and water microbial communities in the rice-crab symbiosis system, the standard rice-crab field with a ring groove was used as the research object. High-throughput sequencing was performed with rice field water samples to analyze the species and abundance differences of soil bacteria and fungi.

Evaluating energy consumption patterns in novel foamed ternary alkali-activated masonry blocks.

This study endeavors to tackle the energy requirements of the building sector by employing passive design strategies. However, there exists a dearth of comprehension regarding the energy efficiency performance of foamed alkali-activated materials. To bridge this research gap, the study proposes a solution in the form of a thermally proficient wall material crafted from ceramic tile dust (CTD), class C fly ash (FA), and Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS), all of which are industrial by-products.

Socioeconomic disparities in mortality from indoor air pollution: A multi-country study.

Background: Indoor air pollution is a major public health concern, contributing to approximately 2.9 million deaths and 81.1 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually.

Calorie (energy) labelling for changing selection and consumption of food or alcohol.

Background: Overconsumption of food and consumption of any amount of alcohol increases the risk of non-communicable diseases. Calorie (energy) labelling is advocated as a means to reduce energy intake from food and alcoholic drinks. However, there is continued uncertainty about these potential impacts, with a 2018 Cochrane review identifying only a small body of low-certainty evidence.

Integrated system for electrolyte recovery, product separation, and CO capture in CO reduction.

Challenges in CO capture, CO crossover, product separation, and electrolyte recovery hinder electrocatalytic CO reduction (COR). Here, we present an integrated electrochemical recovery and separation system (ERSS) with an ion separation module (ISM) between the anode and cathode of a water electrolysis system. During ERSS operation, protons from the anolyte flow through the anodic cation exchange membrane (CEM) into the ISM, acidifying the COR effluent electrolyte.

Dynamic event-triggered tolerant containment control protocol for discrete multiagent systems based on finite index policy iteration algorithm.

For tolerant containment control of multi-agent systems, considering the challenges in modeling and the impact of actuator faults on system security and reliability, a finite index dynamic event-triggered policy iteration algorithm is proposed. This algorithm only requires input and output data, without relying on system models, and simultaneously considers the faults and energy consumption issues to improve the system reliability and save energy consumption. The conditions are provided to demonstrate the convergence and optimality of the algorithm, including a convergence speed, that is, the number of iterations required for convergence is finite.

From policy to progress: Environmental taxation to mitigate air pollution in OECD countries.

Environmental taxes play a critical role in mitigating air pollution and fostering sustainability by internalizing the social costs of environmental damage. By imposing financial disincentives on polluters, these taxes encourage cleaner practices and technological innovation. Using panel ARDL models, this study examines the impact of environmental taxes on CO₂ emissions across 38 OECD countries, accounting for cross-sectional dependence, non-stationarity, and heterogeneity.

Ultrafast Synthesis of Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-ion Batteries: An Intense-Pulsed-Light-Assisted Approach to Photothermal Carbonization of Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composite Films.

The conventional carbonization process for synthesizing hard carbons (HCs) requires high-temperature furnace operations exceeding 1000 °C, leading to excessive energy consumption and lengthy processing times, which necessitates the exploration of more efficient synthesis methods. This study demonstrates the rapid preparation of HC anodes using intense pulsed light (IPL)-assisted photothermal carbonization without the prolonged and complex operations typical of traditional carbonization methods. A composite film of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is carbonized at high temperatures in less than 1 min.

Preparation of soluble starch/zinc oxide nanocomposites by solid-phase reaction and study of their antibacterial properties.

Soluble starch/zinc oxide nanocomposites could be promising candidates for eco-friendly antimicrobial, food packaging, and a wide range of other utilization. In order to find a new way for the preparation of this kind of nanocomposites, an efficient and energy-saving reaction for the synthesis of soluble starch/zinc oxide nanocomposites has been investigated. The reaction was implemented in a solid state at room temperature without post-reaction calcination.

Effect of static magnetic field-assisted freezing at different temperatures on the structural and functional properties of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) myofibrillar protein.

The effects of static magnetic field-assisted freezing (MF) on the structural and functional characteristics of Litopenaeus vannamei myofibrillar protein (MP) at various temperatures (-35 ∼ -20 °C) were examined to assess its influence on MP and its energy-saving potential. The results indicated that -35 °C MF (MF-35) exhibited greater solubility and lower turbidity than -35 °C immersion freezing (IF-35), suggesting that MF-35 inhibited MP aggregation. MF-35 prevented the reduction in fluorescence intensity and α-helix content, protecting the MP tertiary and secondary structures.

Structural analysis of socioeconomic factors and school jet lag in traumatic dental injury among children.

The objective of this study was to analyze the directions by which school jet lag is associated with traumatic dental injury in children, evaluating direct and indirect effects of socioeconomic factors and sleep. A representative, population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 739 schoolchildren eight to ten years of age. Parents/guardians answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and the Circadian Energy Scale.

Testing a Web-Based Interactive Comic Tool to Decrease Obesity Risk Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Preadolescents: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Childhood obesity prevalence remains high, especially in racial and ethnic minority populations with low incomes. This epidemic is attributed to various dietary behaviors, including increased consumption of energy-dense foods and sugary beverages and decreased intake of fruits and vegetables. Interactive, technology-based approaches are emerging as promising tools to support health behavior changes.

[Implementation and evaluation of a solution for automated documentation of the doctor-patient dialogue (ADAPI) in ophthalmology using the example of the IVI routine].

Background: The increasing bureaucratic burden in everyday clinical practice impairs doctor-patient communication (DPC). Effective use of digital technologies, such as automated semantic speech recognition (ASR) with automated extraction of diagnostically relevant information can provide a solution.

Objective: The aim was to determine the extent to which ASR in conjunction with semantic information extraction for automated documentation of the doctor-patient dialogue (ADAPI) can be integrated into everyday clinical practice using the IVI routine as an example and whether patient care can be improved through process optimization.

Willingness to pay for cooking with electricity among rural households: The case of Southern Ethiopia.

One way to fulfill the worldwide goal of clean energy outlined in SDG 7 is by adopting modern and alternative energy sources, specifically through electric cooking. Most rural households in developing countries, however, lack access to a clean and affordable energy source; thus, a significant part of the population relies on solid fuels. This study investigates the factors influencing households' willingness to pay for electricity services for cooking in rural areas of Southern Ethiopia, where access to clean and affordable energy is limited.

Advanced Materials Research at CUHK: From Biomedicine to Electronics and Beyond.

This special issue spans a diverse array of topics, including nanomedicine, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, organs-on-chips, biosensing, soft robotics, smart devices, nanofabrication, energy saving and storage, catalysis, spintronics, soft electronics, and neuromorphic computing. It showcases the breadth and depth of advanced materials research at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), highlighting the innovation, collaboration, and excellence of CUHK's materials scientists.

UV-Cured Robust and Transparent Double-Layer Membrane on Windows for Water Harvesting and Room Cooling.

The increasing demand for energy in cooling systems due to global warming presents a significant challenge. Conventional air-conditioning methods exacerbate climate change by contributing to heightened carbon emissions. Glass facades, renowned in modern architecture for their versatility and aesthetic appeal, inadvertently trap solar radiation, resulting in heat buildup and the greenhouse effect.

Reverse design of broadband sound absorption structure based on deep learning method.

This research presents a method based on deep learning for the reverse design of sound-absorbing structures. Traditional methods require time-consuming individual numerical simulations followed by cumbersome calculations, whereas the deep learning design method significantly simplifies the design process, achieving efficient and rapid design objectives. By utilizing deep neural networks, a mapping relationship between structural parameters and the sound absorption coefficient curve is established.

The hummingbird's adipostat: can a simple rule explain torpor frequency and duration in hummingbirds?

Because hummingbirds are small and have an expensive mode of locomotion, they have constrained energy budgets. Torpor is used to buffer against these energetic challenges, but its frequency and duration vary. We measured lipid content, metabolic rates and torpor use in two species of migrating hummingbirds, calliope () and rufous hummingbirds () at a stopover site.

Nutritional assessment of adolescents: A cross-sectional study from public schools of North India.

Background: Technological advancements and globalization have shifted dietary behaviours, contributing to increased chronic disease prevalence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like India. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to these changes, which can impact their lifelong health. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of adolescents in public schools in Chandigarh, India.

Advanced Functional NiCoS@CoMoS Heterojunction Couple as Electrode for Hydrogen Production via Energy-Saving Urea Oxidation.

The urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is characterized by a lower overpotential compared to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) during electrolysis, which facilitates the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode. Charge distribution, which can be modulated by the introduction of a heterostructure, plays a key role in enhancing the adsorption and cleavage of chemical groups within urea molecules. Herein, a facile all-room temperature synthesis of functional heterojunction NiCoS/CoMoS grown on carbon cloth (CC) is presented, and the as-prepared electrode served as a catalyst for simultaneous hydrogen evolution and urea oxidation reaction.