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Molecular simulation and ANN modelling for Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) adsorption from water using zeolites
Get PDFHeavy metal contamination in water threatens health and ecosystems, driving the search for effective, eco-friendly removal techniques. Zeolites show great potential for extracting heavy metals from water. Understanding the structure and chemistry of zeolites at the atomistic level is crucial for designing water treatment processes. In this work, 24 zeolites were evaluated using computational chemistry approach to find the most efficient adsorbents, thereby avoiding experimental hurdles. In this context, a computational framework for molecular simulation employing Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics had been utilized to study Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) adsorption capacities of zeolites. Simulation calculation was performed at pH 6, temperature 24.85 °C, and 101.3 kPa pressure. The most effective adsorbents for Cd removal were LTA and FAU with adsorption capacities of 212.5 and 199.9 mg/g. On the other hand, CLO and FAU were most efficient for Pb removal with adsorption capacities of 489.5 and 420.6 mg/g, respectively. The effects of pH (1 to 14), temperature (8 to 68 °C), and pressure (100 to 350 kPa) were examined for Cd removal using LTA and for Pb removal using CLO zeolite. Moreover, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed for CLO and LTA with R2 values during training, validation, and test phases 0.9978, 0.9842, 0.9854 for Pb adsorption (for CLO) and 0.9797, 0.9424, 0.9876 (for LTA), respectively. Incorporating molecular simulation and ANN in the field of water treatment can serve industries without delay and less expenses, while supporting the potential integration of machine learning into water treatment applications
Feminism: “WAR” and “JOURNEY” Metaphors in Ms. and Bust Magazines
Get PDFAs an important medium to spread feminist ideas, magazines have attracted attention in their presentation of feminism. Metaphor analysis helps to understand the public’s cognition and attitude towards social issues, and reveals the role of metaphor in influencing thinking and decision-making. Based on conceptual metaphor theory and using corpus analysis, this paper focuses on feminism-related metaphors in the American magazines Ms. and Bust. Metaphor analysis was conducted for 1,098 articles with 1,664,733 words published from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that the “WAR” metaphor and “JOURNEY” metaphor were the top two metaphors related to feminism, yet they encode distinct ideological priorities. The “WAR” metaphor emphasized the plight and struggle women face in opposing gender discrimination and fighting for equal pay and other equal rights, lexicalized through terms like “campaign,” “fight,” and “attacks.” The metaphor of “JOURNEY” highlighted the continuity and development of the feminist movement in the pursuit of political participation and educational equality, lexicalized through terms like “progress,” “ways,” and “course.” This study contributes to existing literature by uncovering the metaphorical patterns of feminism in the American women’s magazines and providing novel perspectives on the understanding of American feminist movement, as well as a useful reference for related research and gender equality practice
Floral biology and pollination mechanism of Salacca vermicularis Becc. (Areceae: Calameae)
Get PDFSalacca (Arecaceae), a genus of palms with 23 accepted species, has its centre of diversity in Borneo.
Salacca vermicularis Becc. which is endemic to Borneo, has, despite its edible fruits, has never been
studied concerning its floral biology and pollination mechanisms. In this study, the phenology, floral
rewards, floral visitors, and possible seed dispersal agents of S. vermicularis were investigated, and
experiments performed on the breeding mechanisms of S. vermicularis. Anthesis in staminate
flowers begins around noon and persists until early morning on the second day whilst anthesis in
pistillate flowers begins around evening and may take up to 40 hours to fully bloom. Floral scent was
present throughout the anthesis for staminate and pistillate plants. Apomixis is not present in this
species. Several insect visitors were observed, namely Heterotrigona (Apidae) sp. as well as members of
Curculionidae, Sciaridae, Formicidae, and Acaridae. Three species of visitors are likely the dispersal
agents of S. vermicularis, namely Hystrix sp. (Hystricidae: Hystricinae), Tragulus sp. (Tragulidae) and
Lariscus insignis (Sciuridae: Callosciurinae). A mongoose (Herspetidae) was observed foraging nearby
but is unlikely as a dispersal agent
The Evaluation and Improvement of Children Friendliness in Urban Village Space in Foshan
Get PDFhis study aims to evaluate child friendliness in urban village spaces and propose strategies for improvement. There are approximately 116 urban villages in Foshan, where urban villages serve as an important spatial carrier for children's growth and life. The friendliness of the space environment for children has significant implications for their growth. This study starts from the perspective of child-friendliness and, through a literature review, points out that the human settlement discipline in various countries has increasingly attached importance to the child population, and the research trend has shown a vigorous interdisciplinary development. Researchers have systematically studied the planning and environmental design of children's spaces, but research on the child-friendly environment of urban villages is still insufficient. In recent years, the research scope and methods have been updated to provide a foundation for child-friendly residential environment research. This study conducted a spatial environment survey of 18 urban villages from March to May 2023, including alleys, outdoor spaces, and children's activities, using field observation to record children's behaviors and spatial features. Five key villages were selected for a survey of children's activity characteristics, and data were collected through field observation, questionnaires, and interviews. Based on the indicators proposed by Meng Xue (2020), a five-point scale was used to collect parents' opinions and analyze the child-friendliness. The outdoor space environmental elements were analyzed using spatial analysis tools, and the interview and questionnaire data were sorted and charted using Excel 2019. Through on-site investigation and analysis, key findings indicate that safety hazards, limited facilities, and inadequate green spaces constrain the child-friendliness of urban villages. The study, based on the investigation findings, proposed the following improvement suggestions based on the investigation results: (1) Enhancing the safety and suitability of road space: establishing safe road space, setting up suitable pedestrian systems and continuous school pathways, partitioning restrictions on vehicle access, conducting safety knowledge education, and utilizing electronic monitoring to ensure safety. (2) Increasing green space area and creating high-quality playgrounds: concentrating on building parking buildings to release space, differentiating park green space configuration to allocate game facilities, and utilizing scattered plots to build point-shaped small parks. In the end, the article combined the child-friendly space construction guidelines to propose the following design strategies to enhance the child-friendliness of the urban village space environment: (1) Solving vehicle parking problems; (2) transforming road cross-section; (3) planning children's commuting routes; (4) child-friendly transformation of roads; (5) adding children's service facilities; (6) child-friendly transformation of green space; (7) utilizing marginal spaces. This research applies child-friendly design principles to urban villages, a setting that has been previously underexplored. The findings align with biophilia theory, emphasizing children's need for natural and engaging spaces. Future research should incorporate children's perspectives and expand other urban settings
Designing Resilient Thin Shell Structures : A Comprehensive Approach to Extreme Loading Resistance in Building Foundations
Get PDFThis study aims to explore the potential of thin shell structures as large foundations to improve flood resilience and enhance structural robustness. While thin shell structures have shown promise in resisting various loads, their application as foundations for buildings has not been fully investigated. Thus, this study focuses on
designing the necessary reinforcement for a proposed thickness of 304mm. The reinforcement design follows
Eurocode 2 guidelines, utilizing T32-300 as the main reinforcement rebar of the thin shell and 5T40 and 4T40
rebars for compression and tension of the ring beam, respectively. R12-150 links are incorporated for added strength
and connectivity. This optimized design approach extends the application of thin shell structures beyond lightweight
usage, making them viable for withstanding hydrodynamic and seismic loads. This advancement expands possibilities
for architects and engineers and improves the resilience of buildings in flood-prone areas. Overall, this study presents
a comprehensive design procedure for utilizing thin shell structures as large foundations, contributing to the
development of resilient buildings capable of withstanding extreme conditions and safeguarding lives and
infrastructure
Interactivity in VR Therapy : Assessing Efficacy Across Acrophobia Severity
Get PDFVirtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have gained popularity in medical treatments, including for acrophobia- a common but often untreated fear of heights. Traditional therapies are often expensive and complex, making VR therapy a convenient and safe alternative. This study evaluates the efficacy of an AI-augmented interactivity VR therapy for acrophobia, focusing on user satisfaction and treatment outcomes. Graded exposure VR therapy was used where participants were gradually exposed to VR environments tailored to their severity levels of acrophobia, guided by an AI agent based on the Behavioral Avoidance Test (BAT). Participants engaged in interactive tasks such as collecting flowers or coins, enhancing
immersion and reducing anxiety. The participants were included based on the visual Height Intolerance Severity Scale (vHISS), which measured posttherapy fear levels with the Attitudes Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ). Results showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels, with
ATHQ scores dropping by an average of 25% across all severity groups (p<0.05). These findings suggest that AI-augmented VR therapy is a promising tool for treating acrophobia. Future research should explore optimizing interactivity to maximize therapeutic effectiveness for various severity levels
Evaluation of landscape resources and legal protection boundary setting in Xinchang County, China
Get PDFLandscapes are vital for ecological protection and cultural heritage, facing challenges from urbanization, agricultural modernization, and climate change. By setting legal boundaries, land use can be regulated to prevent unreasonable development and ensure the sustainable use of landscapes. This paper assesses the forest, geological, aquatic, cultural, and religious relic landscape resources of Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy evaluation methods to quantify their protection needs. The study finds that establishing nature reserves, ecological protection red lines, and historical and cultural villages can effectively maintain ecosystem stability and biodiversity, and protect cultural heritage. Legal protection has significantly improved forest coverage and water quality in Tianmu Mountain National Forest Park and Wozhou Lake Scenic Area, while Meizhu Ancient Village and Waipo Keng Village have excelled in cultural landscape protection. However, challenges such as inadequate law enforcement, low public participation, and insufficient funding hinder the execution of legal boundaries. Recommendations include strengthening law enforcement, raising public environmental awareness, and expanding funding sources. This paper provides a scientific basis and practical guidance for the formulation and implementation of landscape protection policies, contributing to the sustainable utilization and long-term protection of landscape resources in Xinchang County and other regions
Developing a Culturally and Methodologically Adapted Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Protocol for Major Depressive Disorder in Pakistan
Get PDFMajor depressive disorder (MDD) ranks as the 24th leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, contributing substantially to the global mental health burden. In Pakistan, socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, political instability, and inadequate mental health resources exacerbate the high prevalence of MDD. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, although globally recognized as an effective evidence-based intervention for MDD, reflects Western psychological frameworks that may not align with the sociocultural realities of non-Western contexts like Pakistan. Moreover, limited empirical research exists on the cultural and methodological adaptation of EMDR therapy in Pakistan. To bridge these research gaps, this study focused on developing a culturally and methodologically adapted DeprEnd EMDR therapy protocol to suit the distinct needs of clients and therapists in Pakistan. Utilizing a qualitative exploratory research design, the study integrated insights from a narrative literature review and expert focus group discussions to identify essential adaptations across all phases of the DeprEnd EMDR therapy protocol. The findings of this study revealed several critical cultural and methodological adaptations necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the DeprEnd EMDR therapy protocol in Pakistan. Key cultural themes included integration of local languages, cultural metaphors, and religious practices; addressing stigma; involving families for support; and ensuring gender-sensitive practices. Methodological themes emphasized restructured therapy phases, use of visual assessment tools, simplified language, and adaptation for online delivery to improve accessibility and therapeutic outcomes. These adaptations align the DeprEnd EMDR therapy protocol with the collectivist, resource-limited context of Pakistan, promoting its acceptance and efficacy. To conclude, this research created a culturally and methodologically adapted DeprEnd EMDR therapy protocol specifically designed for Pakistan. The adapted protocol is scalable and holds promise for broader use in other South Asian nations with comparable cultural contexts. Therefore, by bridging global practices with local needs, this research provides a major contribution to the evolving field of culturally competent mental healthcare
Antidiabetic and Pharmacokinetic Properties of Shorea macrophylla Fruits’ Extracts in Borneo
Get PDFThe global rise in diabetes prevalence has intensified the search for effective and safer natural antidiabetic agents. Shorea macrophylla fruits, known for their lipogenesis effects, present a promising avenue. This study explores the antidiabetic properties of S. macrophylla fruits’ crude
extracts through in vitro assays for α-amylase and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) inhibition, alongside molecular docking for inhibitor prediction and in silico pharmacokinetic evaluation. While all extracts exhibited mild inhibitory effects on α-amylase, they are significantly less effective than acarbose. Methanolic (MeOH) extract demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on AGEs, surpassing other extracts at 100 µg/ml. However, it exhibits no significant differences compared to Aminoguanidine (AG), suggesting its potential to become an alternative antiglycation source. Molecular docking revealed that five compounds, methyl stearate, methyl palmitate, methyl arachidate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate, had higher binding energies than acarbose for Human pancreatic alpha-amylase (HPA) (PDB ID: 5E0F). However, their binding energies with the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) (PDB ID: 3O3U) were lower than AG (-3.515 kcal/mol), ranging from -5.760 to -6.510 kcal/mol with amino acid residue ARG-66 consistently involved in hydrogen bonding interactions. Analysis of pharmacokinetic properties confirmed that these compounds adhere to Lipinski’s Rule
of Five, indicating their drug-like properties despite generally poor solubility and potential skin irritation. In summary, S. macrophylla fruits’ crude extracts, particularly the MeOH extract, show promise as antiglycation agents, necessitating further in vivo studies to validate
these findings for drug development
Exploring nursing interventions in family-based approaches for preventing bullying among children and adolescents : a scoping review
Get PDFBackground Bullying is a prevalent issue faced by children and adolescents in both school and community settings.
One contributing factor to bullying behavior is the limited involvement or inadequate role of the family in addressing
this issue. However, there is a noticeable gap in existing research regarding nursing interventions that focus on
family-centered approaches to prevent bullying. Identifying and analyzing these interventions is crucial to enhancing
the role of families in reducing bullying behavior. The aim of this study is to explore and map the various nursing-led,
family-based interventions designed to mitigate bullying among children and adolescents, and thereby addressing
this critical scientific gap.
Methods This study employed a scoping review method following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, including
identifying research questions, systematically searching CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. The databases used are
CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus. The major keywords used are parenting, family interventions, bullying, adolescents,
and children. Inclusion criteria in article selection were family-based intervention, English language, full-text,
original research, and publication period in the last 15 years (2010-2024). Data analysis was carried out descriptively
qualitatively.
Results The results of this research show that there are 10 articles that discuss Interventions focused on Family to
reduce bullying behavior in children and adolescents. Various types of Interventions focused on Family are effective
in reducing bullying behavior in children and adolescents, including improving parenting patterns, family-based
education, and collaboration between school and family (p value<0.05). Some of the activities carried out are
education, role play, counseling, managing conflict, and conducting assessments. Interventions can be carried out
offline and online. Interventions focused on Family offer a holistic and sustainable approach to dealing with bullying
behavior in children and adolescents. The advantages of this intervention include improving family relationships,
strengthening communication skills, and better understanding of children’s emotions