Examining the evolving structures of intercity knowledge networks: The case of scientific collaboration in China

Drawing on data on scientific co-publications derived from the Web of Science for the periods 2002–2006 and 2012–2016, we construct and analyse a key element of China’s intercity knowledge networks (CIKNs): scientific collaboration networks. Employing networkanalytical and exponential random graph modelling techniques, we examine the evolving structures and driving mechanisms underlying these CIKNs. Our results show that the density of the CIKNs has significantly increased over time. CIKN flows are dense in the Southeastern but sparse in the Northwestern part of China, with the Hu Line acting as a clearly visible border. As the dominant knowledge centre, Beijing is involved in scientific collaboration networks throughout the country, with the diamond-shaped structure anchored by Beijing-Shanghai- Guangzhou-Chengdu becoming evident. We find that preferential attachment and transitivity are significant endogenous processes driving scientific collaboration, while a city’s administrative level and R&D investment are the strongest exogenous factors. The impact of GDP and geographical proximity is limited, with institutional proximity being the most sizable of the well-known suite of proximity effects

Post-stroke experiences and health information needs among Chinese elderly ischemic stroke survivors in the internet environment: a qualitative study

BackgroundElderly stroke survivors are encouraged to receive appropriate health information to prevent recurrences. After discharge, older patients seek health information in everyday contexts, examining aspects that facilitate or impair healthy behavior.ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of older stroke patients when searching for health information, focusing on search methods, identification of health information, and difficulties faced during the search process.MethodsUsing the qualitative descriptive methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen participants.ResultsParticipants associated the health information they sought with concerns about future life prospects triggered by perceived intrusive changes in their living conditions. Based on the participants’ descriptions, four themes were refined: participants’ motivation to engage in health information acquisition behavior, basic patterns of health information search, source preferences for health information, and difficulties and obstacles in health information search, and two search motivation subthemes, two search pattern subthemes, four search pathway subthemes, and four search difficulty subthemes were further refined.ConclusionOlder stroke patients face significant challenges in searching for health information online. Healthcare professionals should assess survivors’ health information-seeking skills, develop training programs, provide multichannel online access to health resources, and promote secondary prevention for patients by improving survivors’ health behaviors and self-efficacy

Comparison of uncut Roux-en-Y anastomosis and Billroth-II with Braun anastomosis after distal gastrectomy

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and patient benefits of uncut Roux-en-Y (URY) anastomosis and Billroth-II with Braun (BB) anastomosis after distal gastrectomy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent URY or BB anastomosis after distal gastrectomy between March 2015 and December 2017. Clinical characteristics, survival data, postoperative recovery data, and long-term outcomes were recorded and compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 231 patients were included, with 167 in the URY group and 64 in the BB group. Kaplan–Meier curves for overall survival showed no differences after propensity score matching (p = 0.488). Long-term postoperative quality of life evaluation also showed no significant differences. Compared to the BB group, patients in the URY group had a significantly shorter time to start a liquid diet after propensity score matching (67.6 h vs. 46.5 h, p = 0.003), and a lower occurrence of bile reflux on follow-up gastroscopy (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe URY anastomosis appears to be a feasible method for digestive tract reconstruction after distal gastrectomy, resulting in less bile reflux and better postoperative recovery. However, there is no significant difference between URY and BB anastomosis in terms of overall survival and long-term quality of life

COMPARISON OF EXTRAPOLATION METHODS FOR ESTIMATING EXTREME METOCEAN CONDITIONS

Master'sMASTER OF ENGINEERING (CDE

Implementation of a human-machine interface as well as external sensor technology in a test stand for human-robot interaction

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema der Mensch-Maschine Interaktion, mit dem Ziel der Implementierung einer Mensch-Maschine-Schnittstelle sowie externer Sensorik in einen Versuchsstand. Zur Realisierung dieses Vorhabens wurde ein Versuchsstand zur Montage individualisierter Produkte verwendet. Dieser besteht aus einem kollaborierenden Leichtbauroboter und einem externen Rechner. Ziel ist es, ein Bedienfeld bestehend aus Tastern und Schaltern zur Steuerung des Systems zu integrieren. Weiterhin soll mittels Ultraschallsensor eine Positionsbestimmung des platzierten Bauteils erfolgen. Das Bedienfeld wurde in den Versuchsaufbau integriert und der Ultraschallsensor wurde am Roboter befestigt, anschließend erfolgte der direkte Anschluss an die Robotersteuerung. Die Sensorwerte werden an den externen Rechner übermittelt, anschließend ausgewertet und für die Prozesssteuerung genutzt. Somit konnte die Steuerung eines kooperativen Prozesses über externe Sensorik umgesetzt werden.The present work deals with the topic of human-machine interface, aiming the implementation of a human-machine interface and external sensors in a test bed. To realize this proposition, a test bed was used to assemble individualized products. This test bed consists of a collaborating lightweight robot and an ex-ternal computer. The aim is to integrate a control panel, which consists of but-tons and switches and is used to control the system. Furthermore, a determina-tion of the placed component by means of ultrasonic sensor should be complet-ed. The control panel would be integrated in the experimental assembly, mean-while the ultrasonic sensor would be fixed by the Robot. Afterwards it ensured the direct connection to the control. The sensor values are transmitted to the ex-ternal computer, then evaluated and used for the process control. Therefore the control of a cooperative process could be implemented via external sensor

Cooperation Modes of Operations and Financing in a Low-Carbon Supply Chain

With the significant increase of fossil energy consumption and the ever-worsening pollution of environment, low-carbon development becomes an inevitable choice. Carbon finance can help firms alleviate the finance pressure from carbon emission reduction. This research explores two financing methods, delay-in-payment and bank loan; and two cooperation decisions, carbon emission reduction cooperation and price cooperation. Four scenarios are considered: non-cooperation, partial-cooperation delay-in-payment, supply chain carbon finance (SCCF), and full-cooperation. We discuss how firms make their pricing and carbon emission reduction decisions under different cooperative levels and financing methods. For a manufacturer-dominated supply chain, the results show that SCCF will help the small and medium enterprise seek cooperation with the monopoly manufacturer, and improve supply chain’s profit compared to green loan. What’s more, SCCF pattern can effectively control the total carbon emission. In addition, we extend the model to consider the retailer-dominated case. The results show that SCCF pattern can help increase the emission reduction rate of the whole supply chain. From the perspective of emission reduction efficiency, it is better for the government to promote the SCCF mode in the retailer-dominated supply chain

Facilitating Water Permeation in Graphene Oxide Membranes via Incorporating Sulfonato Calix[n]arenes

Graphene oxide (GO) with its atomic thickness and abundant functional groups holds great potential in molecular-scale membrane separation. However, constructing high-speed and highly selective water transport channels within GO membranes remains a key challenge. Herein, sulfonato calix[n]arenes (SCn) molecules with a cavity structure, hydrophilic entrance, and hydrophobic wall were incorporated into GO interlayer channels through a layer-by-layer assembly approach to facilitate water permeation in a water/ethanol separation process. The hydrophilic entrance enables preferential access of water molecules to the cavity over ethanol molecules, while the high hydrophobicity of the cavity wall confers low resistance for water diffusion. After incorporating SCn molecules, the membrane shows a remarkable increase in the water/ethanol separation factor from 732 to 1260, while the permeate flux also increases by about 50%. In addition, the strong electrostatic interactions between the building blocks endow the membrane with excellent swelling resistance even under a high water content. This work provides an effective strategy of constructing high-efficiency water transport channels in membrane

One-Step Synthesis of Ultrathin Zeolitic Imidazole Framework-8 (ZIF-8) Membrane on Unmodified Porous Support via Electrophoretic Deposition

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are regarded as the next-generation, disruptive membrane materials, yet the straightforward fabrication of ultrathin MOF membranes on an unmodified porous support remains a critical challenge. In this work, we proposed a facile, one-step electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method for the growth of ultrathin zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes on a bare porous support. The crystallinity, morphology and coverage of ZIF-8 particles on support surface can be optimized via regulating EPD parameters, yet it is still difficult to ensure the integrity of a ZIF-8 membrane with the constant voltage mode. In contrast, the constant current mode is more beneficial to the growth of a defect-free ZIF-8 membrane due to the steady migration rate of colloid particles toward the electrode. With a current of 0.65 mA/cm2 and deposition time of 60 min, a 300 nm thick ZIF-8 membrane was obtained, which exhibits a CO2 permeance of 334 GPU and a CO2/CH4 separation factor of 8.8, evidencing the defect-free structure