Dynamic Pricing of Tropical Fruits in Hainan Based on Internet of Things Technology

In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology has been widely used in the production and sales of tropical fruits, with strong practicability and wide application prospects. The tropical fruit dynamic pricing model based on the IoT technology can promote the healthy development of the tropical fruit industry in Hainan and ensure the income of fruit farmers. Based on IoT technology, the quality grade of tropical fruits in Hainan is obtained. According to the dynamic pricing strategy of revenue management, a dynamic pricing model based on the quality of tropical fruits and a dynamic pricing model based on consumer segmentation are established to study the dynamic pricing problem under the condition of maximum profit for tropical fruit sellers. The research results show that for different fruit quality and consumer groups, different pricing models are required for pricing, in order to get the maximum profit from tropical fruit sales. Sellers must flexibly adopt different dynamic pricing models to price tropical fruits to enhance the competitiveness of the tropical fruit industry

Coordinated deformation behavior of Cu-10wt.%FeC alloys through controlling structure, morphology and distribution of Fe–C phases

The phase transformation and coordinated deformation behaviors of Cu-10wt.%FeC alloys in the different thermo-mechanical treatment conditions were systematically studied. The results reveal that the γ-Fe (FCC FeC-rich phase), and α-Fe (BCC FeC-rich phase) are simultaneously formed in the rapidly solidified alloy. Although the martensite transformation can be further induced in the alloy by a solution and quenching treatment, the strength and elongation are all reduced compared with the rapidly solidified alloy. Additionally, the martensite transformation of γ-Fe (FCC) →α-Fe (BCC) can be induced in the two alloys during the 80% cold rolling, and resulting in the significantly increased strength. But the alloy without a solution and quenching treatment possesses the higher strength. Particularly, under the same strength conditions, the alloys in the final cold rolling state can still have a higher elongation than those of traditional Cu-based composites strengthened by ceramic particles (no phase transformation). The mechanisms of phase transformation and coordinated deformation of alloys were also deeply discussed in the paper

Absorption and Bio-Transformation of Selenium Nanoparticles by Wheat Seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Elemental selenium is one of the dominant selenium species in soil, but the mechanism of its uptake by plants is still unclear. In this study, nanoparticles of elemental selenium (SeNPs) with different sizes were prepared, and their uptake and transformation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were analyzed in hydroponic experiments by HPLC-ICP-MS. We found that the SeNPs can be absorbed by wheat seedlings, and the process is energy independent. The addition of aquaporins inhibitor caused 92.5 and 93.4% inhibition of chemosynthesized SeNPs (CheSeNPs) and biosynthesized SeNPs (BioSeNPs) absorption by wheat roots, respectively. The 40 nm SeNPs uptake by wheat roots was 1.8-fold and 2.2-fold higher than that of 140 and 240 nm, respectively. The rate of SeNPs uptake in wheat was much slower than that of selenite [Se (IV)], and CheSeNPs were more efficiently absorbed than BioSeNPs. The SeNPs were rapidly oxidized to Se (IV) and converted to organic forms [selenocystine (SeCys2), se-methyl-selenocysteine (MeSeCys), and selenomethionine (SeMet)] after they were absorbed by wheat roots. Additionally, we demonstrated that the aquaporin function in some way is related to the absorption of SeNPs. The particle size and synthesis method of the SeNPs affected their uptake rates by plants. Taken together, our results provide a deep understanding of the SeNPs uptake mechanism in plants

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding intra-abdominal pressure monitoring among pediatric intensive care nurses: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and the training requirements of pediatric intensive care nurses regarding intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring, in order to provide a reference for the development of relevant training programs and operational procedures in clinical practice. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 2023 to June 2023. A convenience sample was created by recruiting 212 pediatric intensive care nurses in eight hospitals in Zhejiang Province. A self-developed IAP monitoring KAP assessment tool was used for evaluation, which included knowledge (14 items), attitude (6 items), and practice (8 items), three dimensions, 28 items. Results: The overall KAP score was 60.73 ± 8.35; the knowledge score was 7.84 ± 2.35, with a scoring rate of 56.0%; the attitude score was 25.16 ± 3.23, with a scoring rate of 83.9%; and the practice score was 28.44 ± 6.46, with a scoring rate of 69.3%. Nurses wh-o have received IAP monitoring training have higher KAP score, knowledge score and practice score than those who have not received it (P  30 (P < 0.05). Among the participants, 55.7% of the nurses believed the current knowledge was insufficient to perform IAP measurement effectively. Difficulty in identifying the high-risk population of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) (64.6%), unfamiliarity with the operation process of IAP measurement (55.6%), and unreasonable nurse-patient ratio allocation (52.8%) were the main obstacles for nurses to monitor IAP. Conclusions: Pediatric intensive care nurses have a positive attitude towards IAP monitoring, but the knowledge level and practical behavior still need to be strengthened. In particular, the knowledge of published consensus definitions, measurement techniques, and frequency for IAP monitoring is inadequate. It is necessary to implement tailored IAP monitoring training based on their training needs and potential obstacles to promote the standardization and scientificity of IAP monitoring

Simultaneous Biofortification: Interaction between Zinc and Selenium Regarding Their Accumulation in Wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food worldwide, and agronomic biofortification with selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) is a simple and effective way to increase nutrient intake. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of Zn and Se on the biofortification of wheat grain. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·H2O, 1.74, 2.61 and 3.48 kg Zn hm−2) and sodium selenite (Na2SeO3, 15 and 30 g Se hm−2) were sprayed individually or simultaneously at key stages of wheat growth (the jointing, booting, and filling stage) under field conditions. On the basis of soil Zn application, the foliar application of Zn or Se alone greatly increased grain Zn by 12.07–71.88% (up to 41.66–64.30 mg kg−1), and grain Se content by 131.81–527.21% (up to 0.21–0.50 mg kg−1), while the soil application of Zn had little effect on grain Zn. Compared with the foliar application of Zn or Se alone, the co-application of Se increased the grain Zn content by 1.74–16.15%, while the co-application of Zn significantly reduced grain Se content by 25.43–86.34% and the effect was more pronounced with an increase in Zn dosage. Moreover, positive correlations were found between Zn and copper (Cu) in grains, and wheat grains could provide adequate dietary intakes of manganese (Mn), Cu, and molybdenum (Mo) for humans. In summary, the soil application of 11 kg Zn hm−2 combined with the foliar application of 2.61 kg Zn hm−2 and 30 g Se·hm−2 is a feasible Zn-Se co-enrichment strategy, which would provide the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of 113.63–124.72% (female) and 68.18–74.84% (male) of Zn and 81.30–95.85% of Se

Serum N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Is Associated with Atrial Fibrillation and Left Atrial Enlargement

Purpose. Recent studies have indicated that N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) plays a key role in severe coronary artery diseases, involving RhoA signaling pathway activation, which is critically involved in cardiac fibrosis. There is convincing evidence from many studies that left atrium fibrosis is involved in the pathophysiology of AF. Therefore, we speculated that Neu5Ac may be associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and involved in the development of AF. This study aims to investigate the clinical relationship between Neu5Ac and AF and left atrial enlargement. Methods. Forty-five patients with AF (AF group) and forty-five patients with non-AF (control group) matched for age, sex, and hospitalization date were recruited for our study. Plasma concentrations of Neu5Ac from peripheral venous blood were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The baseline characteristics, plasma level of Neu5Ac, and echocardiographic characteristics were evaluated. Results. The plasma level of Neu5Ac was significantly higher in the AF group than in the control group (107.66 ± 47.50 vs 77.87 ± 39.09  ng/ml; P<0.05); the left atrial diameters were positively correlated with the plasma Neu5Ac level (R = 0.255; P<0.05). The plasma Neu5Ac level (R = 0.368; P<0.05) and the left atrial diameters (R = 0.402; P<0.05) were positively correlated with AF history times. Neu5Ac (odds ratio 1.018, 95% CI 1.003–1.032; P<0.05) and the left atrial diameter (odds ratio 1.142, 95% CI 1.020–1.280; P<0.05) were independent risk factors for AF in multivariate regression analysis. Conclusions. Serum Neu5Ac is associated with atrial fibrillation, and the mechanism may involve left atrial enlargement

Novel Monomethoxy Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Modified Hydroxylated Tung Oil for Drug Delivery

Novel monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) modified hydroxylated tung oil (HTO), denoted as mPEG-HTO-mPEG, was designed and synthesized for drug delivery. mPEG-HTO-mPEG consists of a hydroxylated tung oil center joined by two mPEG blocks via a urethane linkage. The properties of mPEG-HTO-mPEG were affected by the length of the mPEG chain. Three mPEG with different molecular weights were used to prepare mPEG-HTO-mPEG. The obtained three mPEG-HTO-mPEG polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), respectively. Furthermore, the particle sizes of mPEG-HTO-mPEG micelles were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). A critical aggregation concentration (CAC) ranged from 7.28 to 11.73 mg/L depending on the chain length of mPEG. The drug loading and release behaviors of mPEG-HTO-mPEG were investigated using prednisone acetate as a model drug, and results indicated that hydrophobic prednisone acetate could be effectively loaded into mPEG-HTO-mPEG micelles and exhibited a long-term sustained release. Moreover, compared with HTO, mPEG-HTO-mPEG had no obvious cytotoxicity to HeLa and L929 cells. Therefore, monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) modified hydroxylated tung oil mPEG-HTO-mPEG may be a promising drug carrier