Participatory Agricultural Humanities for the new Ruralism Tea-Community Revitalization In Taiwan

This paper examines the most effective ways of engaging urban citizens to appreciate rural villages and agriculture traditions. Pondering on experiences of rural revitalization experiments in Asian societies, this paper proposes the concept of “participatory agricultural humanities.” Participatory agricultural humanities are tools and processes engaging citizens into eco-friendly farming and land related works or events. Based on action research and qualitative research methods, we have been working with peri-urban and rural communities in Taiwan since 2009. Only embracing agricultural humanities as our values, we could re-establish eco-friendly rural developments with biodiversity and cultural diversity as a whole.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: agricultural humanities, rural revitalization, participation, new ruralis

A method to produce periodic varied structural composite yarn by forced migrations of convergence point between polymer filaments and the staple strand

A novel composite yarn with a novel structure is prepared by the three-strand conversion method of double polymer filaments to staple fiber, that is, double polymer filaments to staple fiber repeated migration movement. The geometric principle of different relative positions of filament to helix structure change is analyzed theoretically, and the effect of filament position on the spinning-triangle of composite yarn is demonstrated. Furthermore, the structure of six different composite yarns is modeled and compared with each other, which shows the influence of different filament helical structures on the performance of spinning composite yarns. The repeated migration of filaments is observed using the online observation technique in the dynamic rotating triangle region. In addition, changes in yarn structure are caused by different geometric configurations. The results show that the stem, strength, and hair of six new composite yarns with different helical structures are slightly weakened. In summary, the three-strand conversion method is an effective new method to control the structure of filament and staple fibers

Modelling the Effects of Climatic Factors on the Biomass and Rodent Distribution in a Tibetan Grassland Region in China

To identify the main climatic factors from 2007 to 2009 that influence biomass and rodent distribution, 576 fixed sample plots within 81 million km2 of different climatic grassland in Tibet were monitored. The aboveground biomass, the total burrows, the active burrows, the burrow index, and the rodent density in the plots were measured yearly in October. The monthly precipitation and the average temperatures from April to November were obtained for four successive years (2006-2009). Correlative and modelling analyses between the aboveground biomass, the rodent density, and the climatic factors were performed. The results showed that biomass and rodent density were significantly correlated with the climatic factors. Using ridge regression analyses, models of the biomass and rodent density with respect to the monthly precipitations and average temperatures of the previous year were developed. The raw testing data demonstrated that the models can be used approximately to predict biomass and rodent density

Executive Compensation Level, Executive Characteristics and Quality of Internal Control

In the process of transformation of economic momentum, the digital transformation and upgrading of enterprises has become an inevitable trend. As an important human resource of enterprise operation and management, senior executives play an irreplaceable key role in the process of enterprise transformation and upgrading. therefores, A total of 2244 A-share listed companies in China from 2015 to 2019 are selected for panel data analysis to verify the influence of the level of executive compensation, characteristics of senior executives and quality of internal control. The results show that there is a correlation between the level of executive compensation and the quality of internal control, and the characteristics of senior executives have a partial moderating effect between the level of executive compensation and the quality of internal control, but this moderating effect is weak and may be negative

Prediction Model of Pumpkin Rootstock Seedlings Based on Temperature and Light Responses

Temperature and light are the key factors that affect the quality of pumpkin rootstock seedlings’ growth process. Responses to temperature and light are an important basis for optimizing the greenhouse environment. In order to determine the quantitative effects of temperature and light on the growth and development of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata cv. RTWM6018) rootstock seedlings, relationships between temperature, light, and pumpkin rootstock seedlings growth were established using regression analysis. The results indicated that the daily average temperature had a significant negative correlation with the development time of pumpkin rootstock seedlings, and the shoot dry weight of pumpkin rootstock seedlings increased within a certain range of the daily light integral (DLI). We established a prediction model of pumpkin rootstock seedling quality indicators (hypocotyl length, stem diameter, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root shoot ratio, and seedling quality index) based on thermal effectiveness and photosynthetic photon flux density (TEP). The coefficient of determinations (R2) of the hypocotyl length and seedling quality index prediction models of pumpkin rootstock seedlings, based on accumulated TEP, were 0.707 and 0.834, respectively. The hypocotyl length and seedling quality index prediction models of pumpkin rootstock seedlings, based on accumulated TEP, were y1 = 0.001 x2 − 0.180 x + 13.057 and y2 = 0.008 x0.722, respectively, which could be used for predicting the growth of pumpkin rootstock seedlings grown under different temperature and light conditions

miR-486 is potentially associated with the occurrence of OSAHS comlicated with secondary polycythemia

Objective To explore the regulation and clinical significance of miR-486 in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and secondary polycythemia. Methods Twenty-five healthy subjects who visited Outpatient Department and Health Examination Center of Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital from May 2020 to April 2021 were elected as the control group, and thirty cases of OSAHS patients with secondary polycythemia diagnosed by polysomnography and laboratory examination were selected as the OSAHS+SP group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) miR-486, Sirt1 and GATA-1 expression were measured by RT-qPCR, and the concen- tration of plasma Sirt1 was measured by ELISA. In addition, RT-qPCR was used for the miR-486,Sirt1 or expression in K562 cells after the IH treatment, miR-486 over-expression or miR-486 inhibition. The Sirt1 expression was measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. GATA-1 mRNA expression was checked by RT-qPCR in Sirt1 inhibited K562 cells. Results 1)Body mass index, red blood cells, hemoglobin (HB) and sleep apnea index(AHI) in OSAHS+SP group were significantly higher than those of control group(P＜0.001); 2)The expression of miR-486, Sirt1, and GATA-1 were significantly increased and plasma Sirt1 concentration was significantly decreased in OSAHS+SP patients PBMC(P＜0.001); 3)PBMC miR-486 and GATA-1 expression were positively correlated with AHI and HB(P＜0.05). PBMC Sirt1 expression and plasma Sirt1 level were negatively correlated with plasma Sirt1 concentration in OSAHS+SP group(P＜0.05); 4)IH promoted the expression of miR-486(P＜0.01) and inhibited Sirt1 expression in K562 cells(P＜0.01). RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that over-expression of miR-486 decreased Sirt1 expression(P＜0.01), whereas miR-486 inhibition increased the expression of Sirt1(P＜0.001). The GATA-1 expression was increased after the inhibition of Sirt1(P＜0.01). Conclusions miR-486 regulates the biological process of OSAHS patients with secondary polycythemia by targeting at Sirt1

Smart Biomimetic Nanozymes for Precise Molecular Imaging: Application and Challenges

New nanotechnologies for imaging molecules are widely being applied to visualize the expression of specific molecules (e.g., ions, biomarkers) for disease diagnosis. Among various nanoplatforms, nanozymes, which exhibit enzyme-like catalytic activities in vivo, have gained tremendously increasing attention in molecular imaging due to their unique properties such as diverse enzyme-mimicking activities, excellent biocompatibility, ease of surface tenability, and low cost. In addition, by integrating different nanoparticles with superparamagnetic, photoacoustic, fluorescence, and photothermal properties, the nanoenzymes are able to increase the imaging sensitivity and accuracy for better understanding the complexity and the biological process of disease. Moreover, these functions encourage the utilization of nanozymes as therapeutic agents to assist in treatment. In this review, we focus on the applications of nanozymes in molecular imaging and discuss the use of peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with different imaging modalities. Further, the applications of nanozymes for cancer treatment, bacterial infection, and inflammation image-guided therapy are discussed. Overall, this review aims to provide a complete reference for research in the interdisciplinary fields of nanotechnology and molecular imaging to promote the advancement and clinical translation of novel biomimetic nanozymes

Enhancing the Spun Yarn Properties by Controlling Fiber Stress Distribution in the Spinning Triangle with Rotary Heterogeneous Contact Surfaces

Control of tension distribution in the spinning triangle region that can facilitate fiber motion and transfer is highly desirable for high quality yarn production. Here, the key mechanisms and a mechanical model of gradient regulation of fiber tension and motion with rotary heterogeneous contact surfaces were theoretically analyzed. The linear velocity gradient, effected on a fiber strand using rotary heterogeneous contact surfaces, could balance and stabilize the structure and stress distribution of spinning triangle area, which could capture exposed fiber to reduce hairiness formation and enhance the internal and external fiber transfer to strengthen the fiber utilization rate. Then, varied yarns spun without and with the rotary grooved and rotary heterogeneous contact surfaces were tested to compare the property improvement for verifying above-mentioned theory. The hairiness, irregularity, and tensity of the yarns spun with rotary heterogeneous contact surfaces spun yarns were significantly improved compared to other spun yarns, which effectively corresponded well to the theoretical analysis. Based on this spinning method, this effective, low energy-consuming, easy spinning apparatus can be used with varied fiber materials for high-quality yarn production

Smart Biomimetic Nanozymes for Precise Molecular Imaging: Application and Challenges

New nanotechnologies for imaging molecules are widely being applied to visualize the expression of specific molecules (e.g., ions, biomarkers) for disease diagnosis. Among various nanoplatforms, nanozymes, which exhibit enzyme-like catalytic activities in vivo, have gained tremendously increasing attention in molecular imaging due to their unique properties such as diverse enzyme-mimicking activities, excellent biocompatibility, ease of surface tenability, and low cost. In addition, by integrating different nanoparticles with superparamagnetic, photoacoustic, fluorescence, and photothermal properties, the nanoenzymes are able to increase the imaging sensitivity and accuracy for better understanding the complexity and the biological process of disease. Moreover, these functions encourage the utilization of nanozymes as therapeutic agents to assist in treatment. In this review, we focus on the applications of nanozymes in molecular imaging and discuss the use of peroxidase (POD), oxidase (OXD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with different imaging modalities. Further, the applications of nanozymes for cancer treatment, bacterial infection, and inflammation image-guided therapy are discussed. Overall, this review aims to provide a complete reference for research in the interdisciplinary fields of nanotechnology and molecular imaging to promote the advancement and clinical translation of novel biomimetic nanozymes

Bifunctional Smart Textiles with Simultaneous Motion Monitoring and Thermotherapy for Human Joint Injuries

Abstract The motion detection and thermotherapy provides a convenient strategy for the diagnosis and rehabilitation assessment of joint injuries. However, it is still challenging to simultaneously achieve accurate joint motion monitoring and on‐demand thermotherapy. Herein, core‐sheath sensing yarns (CSSYs) is proposed and fabricated for excellent electrical and photothermal heating, which consists of carbon black (CB)‐coated nylon (sheath layer), silver‐plated nylon and elastic spandex yarns (core layer). The CSSYs demonstrates great joule heating performance, which reaches 75 °C at 2 V applied voltage. The good thermal management performance can be well maintained when weaving these yarns into bifunctional smart textile. Further, the optimized double‐ply CSSYs (DPCSSYs) with helically twisted structure possess several appealing sensing performance, including preferable strain sensitivity (0.854), excellent linearity (0.962), and superior durability (over 5000 cycles). The as‐woven bifunctional smart textile can provide instant and convenient thermotherapy to the injured joints, and simultaneously monitor the injury and recovery conditions of the joint. Therefore, the designed bifunctional smart textile can provide a promising route for developing next‐generation healthcare smart textile