An Extended Gradient Method for Smooth and Strongly Convex Functions

In this work, we introduce an extended gradient method that employs the gradients of the preceding two iterates to construct the search direction for the purpose of solving the centralized and decentralized smooth and strongly convex functions. Additionally, we establish the linear convergence for iterate sequences in both the centralized and decentralized manners. Furthermore, the numerical experiments demonstrate that the centralized extended gradient method can achieve faster acceleration than the compared algorithms, and the search direction also exhibits the capability to improve the convergence of the existing algorithms in both two manners

The burden, support and needs of primary family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia in Beijing communities: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Family caregivers play crucial roles in taking care of people experiencing schizophrenia in the community. The burdens on and needs of caregivers of these patients should be emphasized. This study aimed to explore the perspective of family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia in the communities of Beijing in terms of the burdens of care and the acquisition and further need for support in order to provide guidance to health care providers regarding how to target therapeutic interventions for families of individuals experiencing schizophrenia and to provide recommendations for policy makers to tailor countermeasures and services. Methods A total of 20 family caregivers of schizophrenia patients were enrolled in our study. A face-to-face and semi-structured in-depth qualitative interview study was conducted to explore the caregivers’ perspective on the burden on caregivers, support and further needs. This study was conducted in the community health service centres where the family caregivers regularly visit. The study was carried out according to good ethical practices, data analysis and reporting guidelines. Results Most participants reported that they were suffering from heavy life burdens and had negative experiences with respect to obtaining social support, and they emphasized that they would require more support. Economic and daily housework burdens, limited social communication, and psychological stresses were the principal burdens. Support including financial, medical and information and educational support did not satisfy the needs of the caregivers and their patients. More financial support, respect, and rehabilitation institutions were reported to be needs of the caregivers. Conclusions Family caregivers of people experiencing schizophrenia suffer from heavy physical and psychological burdens; however, the current support provided is insufficient. More services and better public attitudes should be considered for people experiencing schizophrenia and their caregivers

Sodium-ion diffusion coefficients in tin phosphide determined with advanced electrochemical techniques

Sodium ion insertion plays a critical role in developing robust sodium-ion technologies (batteries and hybrid supercapacitors). Diffusion coefficient values of sodium (DNa+) in tin phosphide between 0.1 V and 2.0 V vs. Na/Na+ are systematically determined by galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiostatic intermittent titration technique (PITT). These values range between 4.55 × 10−12 cm2 s−1 and 1.94 × 10−8 cm2 s−1 and depend on the insertion/de-insertion current and the thickness of the electrode materials. Additionally, DNa+ values differ between the first and second cation insertion because of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation. DNa+ vs. insertion potential alters non-linearly in a “W” form due to the strong interactions of Na+ with tin phosphide particles. The results reveal that GITT is a more appropriate electrochemical technique than PITT and EIS for evaluating DNa+ in tin phosphide

Tucked flower-like SnS2/Co3O4 composite for high-performance anode material in lithium-ion batteries

A novel tucked flower-like SnS2/Co3O4 structure is synthesized by growing Co3O4 in the gaps between petals of SnS2 microflowers through a facile solution method. In our strategy, the petals of the flowers are curled inwards due to the swelling force resulting from growth of Co3O4, resulting in the encapsulation of Co3O4 with the SnS2 petals forming a coating structure. The SnS2/Co3O4 composite displays greatly improved performance in comparison with pure SnS2. After 100 cycles, an outstanding reversible capacity of ∼715 mAh g-1 with negligible capacity fading is achieved at current density of 100 mA g-1 for SnS2/Co3O4. What is more, the SnS2/Co3O4 exhibits excellent rate capability, and a reversible capacity of up to ∼530 mAh g-1 is obtained, even at a current density as high as 1000 mA g-1. The morphology of tucked flower-like petals and the introduction of the secondary structure of Co3O4 are suggested to be responsible for the improved lithium storage capacity of the composite. The as-prepared SnS2/Co3O4 shows promise as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries due to its simple synthesis method and large capacity

EPAS1 Gain-of-Function Mutation Contributes to High-Altitude Adaptation in Tibetan Horses

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Rock-Climbing in the Region of the Bohemian Paradise in the Second Half of the 20th Century

Rock climbing in the cities of the Bohemian Paradise became widely popular already by the end of the 19th century. Quite specific qualities of the local sandstone attracted domestic as well as foreign climbers right from the beginning. After 1948, many of the regional climbers, whose qualities were undisputable even in the nationwide scale, remained reliant upon climbing merely within the borders of the former Czechoslovakia. Until 1989, majority of them were not allowed to travel abroad and thus they could not prove their skills and qualities worldwide. There was a very limited number of those who could participate in foreign expeditions and thus fulfil their dreams. The rare contact with foreign climbers became a source of new information, new styles and trends in climbing, and an access to new equipment and gear in general. To many domestic climbers, however, such sources remained unattainable, and without them they were often left to develop and produce their equipment by their own, until they were allowed to travel to the West. This paper, with the help of the method of the oral history and qualitative subject analysis, gives a concise picture of the history of rock climbing in the Bohemian Paradise in the context of the constraints set by the communist Czechoslovakia. The chapters trace the..