Rare Metal Mat. Eng.

Highly electro-conductive nano-sized zinc oxide powders were prepared by calcining the precursor synthesized from ZnSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, GaCl3 and NH4HCO3 by the co-precipitation method. The obtained zinc oxide powders were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and BET techniques, and the influence of Ga3+ doping on the electrical conductivity of zinc oxide was investigated. It was found that the volume resistivity of the zinc oxide decreases to 2.0 Omega(.)cm when the Ga3+ doping content is 2.2 mol%, much lower than the conventional zinc oxide powders. This material can be effectively used as electro-conductive fillers in ceramics, fibers, dopes, rubbers and other fields.Highly electro-conductive nano-sized zinc oxide powders were prepared by calcining the precursor synthesized from ZnSO4 center dot 7H(2)O, GaCl3 and NH4HCO3 by the co-precipitation method. The obtained zinc oxide powders were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and BET techniques, and the influence of Ga3+ doping on the electrical conductivity of zinc oxide was investigated. It was found that the volume resistivity of the zinc oxide decreases to 2.0 Omega(.)cm when the Ga3+ doping content is 2.2 mol%, much lower than the conventional zinc oxide powders. This material can be effectively used as electro-conductive fillers in ceramics, fibers, dopes, rubbers and other fields

Dynamic Tracking Matched Filter with Adaptive Feedback Recurrent Neural Network for Accurate and Stable Ship Extraction in UAV Remote Sensing Images

In an increasingly globalized world, the intelligent extraction of maritime targets is crucial for both military defense and maritime traffic monitoring. The flexibility and cost-effectiveness of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in remote sensing make them invaluable tools for ship extraction. Therefore, this paper introduces a training-free, highly accurate, and stable method for ship extraction in UAV remote sensing images. First, we present the dynamic tracking matched filter (DTMF), which leverages the concept of time as a tuning factor to enhance the traditional matched filter (MF). This refinement gives DTMF superior adaptability and consistent detection performance across different time points. Next, the DTMF method is rigorously integrated into a recurrent neural network (RNN) framework using mathematical derivation and optimization principles. To further improve the convergence and robust of the RNN solution, we design an adaptive feedback recurrent neural network (AFRNN), which optimally solves the DTMF problem. Finally, we evaluate the performance of different methods based on ship extraction accuracy using specific evaluation metrics. The results show that the proposed methods achieve over 99% overall accuracy and KAPPA coefficients above 82% in various scenarios. This approach excels in complex scenes with multiple targets and background interference, delivering distinct and precise extraction results while minimizing errors. The efficacy of the DTMF method in extracting ship targets was validated through rigorous testing

Factors associated with male involvement in reproductive care in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Men’s active involvement in reproductive healthcare has shown to be positively associated with maternal and child health outcomes. Bangladesh has made appreciable progress in its pursuance of maternal mortality related goals in the framework of the MDGs. However, there remains a lot to be accomplished to realise the long-term goals for which active participation of male counterparts in reproductive care is crucial. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate factors associated with male involvement in reproductive health among Bangladeshi men. Methods We used data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) conducted in 2011. Study participants were 1196 married men, aged between 15 and 69 years and living in both urban and rural households. Level of male involvement (outcome variable) was measured based on the responses on knowledge, awareness and practice regarding reproductive health. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were performed for data analysis. Results Out of 1196 participants, only 40% were found to be active about partners’ reproductive healthcare. Chi-square test showed significant association between active involvement and ever hearing about family planning (FP) in television, learning about FP through community health events, community health workers and poster/billboard. Results from logistic regression analysis revealed that type of residency [p = 0.004, AOR = 0.666, 95% CI = 0.504–0.879], literacy [secondary/higher education- p = 0.006. AOR = 0.579, 95% CI = 0.165–0.509], learning about family planning from Newspaper [p < 0.001. AOR = 1.952, 95% CI = 1.429–2.664], and television [p = 0.017. AOR = 1.514 95% CI = 1.298–1.886], and having been communicated about family planning by community health workers [p = 0.017. AOR = 1.946, 95% CI = 1.129–3.356] were significantly associated with active involvement of men in reproductive health issues. Conclusions Level of male involvement was associated with schooling experience, type of residency and exposure to electronic media. National health policy programs aimed at promoting male involvement in reproductive care should focus on improving knowledge and awareness of reproductive health though community health education programs with a special focus in the rural areas

Economic burden of malaria inpatients during National Malaria Elimination Programme: estimation of hospitalization cost and its inter-province variation

Abstract Background Apart from its direct impact on public health and well-being, malaria had placed significant socioeconomic burden on both individuals and whole health systems. This study was conducted to investigate the hospitalization cost of malaria and explore the inter-province variation during the National Malaria Elimination Programme in China. Methods Information on medical expenditure for malaria treatment was extracted from inpatient medical records in Henan, Hainan and Guangxi Province. The costs were adjusted to the price in 2014 and converted to USD (United States Dollars). Non-parametric and parametric methods were employed to estimate hospitalization costs and non-parametric bootstrap method was used for the comparison of hospitalization costs among sample provinces and to estimate the uncertainty of differences in inter-province hospitalization costs. Results The hospitalization cost and daily cost of 426 malaria inpatients were 929.8 USD and 143.12 USD respectively. The average length of stay was 11.95 days. The highest cost of hospitalization services occurred in tertiary hospitals (956 USD per episode). Whereas the lowest ones occurred in internal departments (424 USD). Medications, laboratory tests and supportive resources for treatment were the most important components of hospitalization costs, respectively responsible for 45.31, 24.70, and 20.09% of the total hospitalization costs. The hospitalization cost per episode in Henan Province was significantly higher than that in Hainan an in Guangxi Province, with incremental costs of 713 USD (95% confidence interval 419.70, 942.50) and of 735.58 USD (95% CI 606.50, 878.00), respectively. The differences in the daily costs between Henan and Hainan along with Guangxi provinces were 75.33 USD (95% CI 40.33, 96.67) and 93.56 USD (95% CI 83.58, 105.28), respectively. Conclusions Although the prevalence of malaria cases has considerably declined, the direct hospitalization costs of malaria in the household remain high and the inter-province variations need to be seriously considered in the formulation the further interventions regarding hospitalization cost control. This study suggests that economic risk protection mechanisms targeting at malaria inpatients should be redesigned. The drug price addition policy in public hospitals should be gradually reformed or abolished coupling with increasing government subsidies along with the charges for treatment services to reduce the hospitalization cost. The policy for cost control in the provincial hospitals should be implemented in comparison with the policy in other provinces, where the status of economic and geography are similar

Improving local health workers’ knowledge of malaria in the elimination phase—determinants and strategies: a cross-sectional study in rural China

Abstract Background The current stage of malaria elimination in China requires experienced local health workers with sufficient knowledge of malaria who help to keep the public health system vigilant about a possible resurgence. However, the influencing factors of local health workers’ knowledge level are not fully comprehended. This study aims to explore the factors with heavy impact on local health worker’s knowledge of malaria and propose corresponding suggestions. Methods Underpinned by stratified sampling method, a cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2014 and April 2016. Chi square test was performed to identify the factors with potential influence on health workers’ knowledge level of malaria. Bivariate logistic regression was employed to explore the relationship between the predictors and local health workers’ knowledge level of malaria. Layered Chi square test was used to calculate the homogeneity of the interaction between training approaches and the percentage of participants with high-level knowledge. Results The endemic type of county and type of organization played the most significant role in influencing local health workers’ knowledge level regarding malaria in the sample population. The participants from Type 1 and Type 2 counties were 4.3 times (4.336 and 4.328, respectively) more likely to have high-level knowledge of malaria than those who work in Type 3 counties. The probability of having high-level knowledge amongst the participants from county-level facilities (county hospitals and CDCs) were more than 2.2 times higher than those who work in villages. Other socio-demographic factors, such as education and work experience, also affected one’s knowledge regarding malaria. Amongst the six most-used training approaches, electronic material (OR = 2.356, 95% CI 1.112–4.989), thematic series (OR = 1.784, 95% CI 0.907–3.508) and supervision (OR = 2.788, 95% CI 1.018–7.632) were proven with significant positive impact on local health workers’ knowledge of malaria. Conclusion Village doctors and who served in Type 3 counties were identified as the ones in urgent need of effective training. Three types of training approaches, including electronic material, thematic series and supervision, were proven to be effective in improving local health workers’ knowledge. Nevertheless, the coverage of these training approaches was still limited. This study suggests expanding the coverage of training, especially the three particular types of training, to local health workers, particularly to the target populations (village doctors and who served in Type 3 counties). Online training, small group discussion and targeted skill development may be the directions for the future development of training programmes