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Highlighting the Advancement of Nuclear Waste Water Treatment with Modular Porous Scaffolds
No full textWith the rapid expansion of the nuclear industry, the safe and efficient management of nuclear waste has emerged as a pressing global imperative that is crucial for protecting both the environment and future generations. The release of hazardous radionuclides such as uranium (U), americium (Am), technetium (Tc), rhenium (Re), iodine (I), selenium (Se), thorium (Th), cesium (Cs), and strontium (Sr) into the environment may pose serious threats to human health and can significantly disrupt the ecological balance. Addressing these issues requires the development of advanced materials capable of selectively adsorbing these hazardous radionuclides. This review highlights the potential of modular advanced functional porous materials (AFPMs), specifically those based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs), as the next-generation adsorbents for radionuclide remediation. We provide comprehensive outlines of the modular porous materials along with an in-depth analysis of their adsorption efficiency, selectivity, stability, and reusability, offering insights into their sorption mechanisms and structural advantages. Furthermore, we discuss the latest advancements in the synthesis, functionalization, and application of these materials in nuclear waste treatment. Additionally, we evaluate the chemical toxicity, radiation hazards, and detection strategies for key radionuclides. With their exceptional tunability and superior performance, these advanced porous materials hold significant promises for advancing sustainable nuclear waste management strategies, positioning them as the pivotal sorbent materials in both environmental and industrial applications. This comprehensive review underscores the transformative potential of tailor-made porous materials in mitigating the risks associated with radioactive contamination, marking a significant step toward achieving a cleaner and safer nuclear future
A Situated Model for Understanding and Cultivating Creative Actions in Sport
No full textCreativity in sport is often framed as a rare trait linked to performance outcomes and match-winning moments. This chapter challenges such narrow perspectives by introducing the Situated Model of Creative Action in Sport (SIMCAS), a developmental and inclusive framework grounded in cultural psychology. SIMCAS conceptualizes creativity as a dynamic, relational quality of action that emerges through the interaction between individuals and their environment. The model outlines fourinterrelated dimensions – normativity, intentionality, materiality, and capability – that shape the affordances available to players and coaches in specific contexts. Rather than treating creativity as a performative end, SIMCAS positions it as a developmental means to enhance learning, wellbeing, and long-term engagement in sport. Drawing on empirical studies and practical examples, the chapter demonstrates how creativity can be cultivated through safe, playful, and autonomy-supportive environments that encourage exploration, risk-taking, and habit-breaking. By shifting focus from outcomes to processes, SIMCAS offers a conceptual foundation for designing and delivering creativity-nurturing practices in team ball sports. The model invites practitioners, researchers, and educators to rethink creativity as a shared, situated, and accessible resource for all participants – regardless of age, skill level, or position
A Secure Blockchain Network with Quantum Key Encryption and Authentication
No full textIn this paper, we present a network based on quantum key distribution (QKD) security. Photon has been used here to exchange keys between sender and receiver as photon possess unique quantum properties such as superposition, entanglement, and non-cloning, making them ideal for secure key exchange protocols. The proposed model integrates overlay networks with blockchain and quantum keys to ensure security against interception, cryptanalysis, including attacks from quantum computers, and provides a robust approach to key management. Additionally, Message Authentication Code (MAC) is incorporated for data authentication, using shared quantum keys. In digital signatures, quantum keys together with hash protocols are used to authenticate data between sender and receiver.</p
Passivity-Based Zero-Sequence LC Resonance Suppression Method for Parallel Inverters System With Modified LCL Filter
No full textParallel inverters system with modified LCL filters may trigger zero-sequence LC (ZSLC) resonances. Especially in high-power applications, lower switching frequencies are usually adopted to reduce switching losses. In this situation, conventional inverter-side circulating current feedback (ICCF) control cannot behave as expected and introduces new stability issues due to high control delays. To deal with this situation, a passivity-based ZSLC resonance damping method is proposed. First, the equivalent admittance model of ICCF control is established for the first time, which is decomposed into passive component and active component. The results show that the system stability is determined by the active component and the inverter output admittance ratio. Second, by analyzing the frequency-domain characteristics of active components, it is found that the control delay introduces a negative conductance that affects the stability of the ICCF control. Accordingly, a controllable admittance component is added to correspondingly reshape the inverter output admittance characteristics under high control delay conditions, which can mitigate the detrimental impact of control delay in the active component. Thus, the proposed control strategy can enhance the system stability and the circulating resonance current can be effectively attenuated in high-power applications. Finally, the feasibility and correctness of the proposed scheme are verified by the experiments.</p
A nociceptor excitability test for identifying alterations of the Nav1.7 channels in humans
No full textSodium channel variants are associated with small fiber neuropathy. While in vitro recordings allow detailed assessment of sodium channel function, their contribution to peripheral small nerve fiber excitability remains unstudied. The perception threshold tracking (PTT) method allows indirect assessment of small fiber function by transcutaneous electrical stimulation and psychophysics. Here, we developed a Sodium channel Excitability Nociceptor Test that allows for the identification of alterations in selected subtypes of sodium channels in small fibers of awake humans. We hypothesize that due to the unique dynamics of sodium channels, it is possible to derive a nerve excitability test to uniquely identify alterations in the Nav1.7 channel. Using a multicompartmental nerve fiber model, a set of 5 electrical pulse shapes was developed. These pulse shapes consist of rectangular and ramp test pulses preceded by either a hyperpolarizing or depolarizing prepulse. To validate the predictive power of our in silico simulations, we used an automated whole-cell patch clamp on Nav1.7 expressed in HEK293T cells and a PTT experiment in healthy participants. The computational model predicted that an alteration of Nav1.7 can be classified with an accuracy of 92% (n = 30) when the standard deviation of the perception threshold is 11%, which was measured by the PTT experiment. The peak Nav1.7 current elicited in vitro corresponded well with the prediction of the in silico model. The study thus provides an excitability test to predict the involvement of Nav1.7, and potentially also Nav1.8 and Nav1.9, in the generation of neuropathic pain in small fiber neuropathy.</p
A pragmatic individually randomized trial to evaluate bivalent RSV prefusion F protein–based vaccine effectiveness for preventing RSV hospitalizations in adults aged 60 years or above (DAN-RSV):Rationale and trial design
Full text linkBackground: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious illness in older adults and those with chronic conditions. While the bivalent RSVpreF vaccine has been shown to protect against RSV-related respiratory tract disease, its impact on severe RSV-related and broader cardiorespiratory hospitalizations remains untested in a fully powered randomized trial. This pragmatic, individually randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial aims to evaluate RSVpreF vaccine effectiveness (VE) in reducing the risk of RSV-related and all-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalizations in adults aged 60 and older. Methods: DAN-RSV is randomizing Danish adults 1:1 to receive either RSVpreF or no RSV vaccine. The trial uses nationwide registries for recruitment, where eligible citizens are identified and invited via the national electronic messaging system and can provide electronic informed consent remotely. Baseline, safety, and outcome data are collected through the national health registries using the civil registration number provided at consent. Up to 130,000 participants will be enrolled during the 2024/2025 winter season. The primary objective is to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) against RSV-related respiratory tract disease hospitalization. Secondary endpoints include RSV-related and all-cause lower respiratory tract disease hospitalizations, RSV-related and all-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalizations, and all-cause death. Conclusion: DAN-RSV is an innovative trial combining the gold standard of individual randomization with pragmatic data collection via centralized health records and national health registries. This design offers a feasible approach to assess the impact of RSVpreF on clinically meaningful cardio-respiratory outcomes in adults ≥60 years in a real-world setting – while minimizing bias through use of randomization. The results will support cost-effectiveness analyses and inform future vaccination policies. Trial registration: NCT06684743, registered November 9, 2024 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06684743)</p
Cost analysis of admitting nursing home residents to hospital at home:A Danish micro-costing approach
Full text linkOBJECTIVES: Hospital at Home (HaH) is a new care concept aimed at reducing hospital admissions by providing specialised healthcare to patients at home. The aim of this study was to compare the cost of a HaH model with traditional hospital admission for nursing home residents with acute illness in the Northern Region of Denmark.STUDY DESIGN: This study employed a retrospective micro-costing approach based on initial findings from the early implementation of the HaH model. The analysis was conducted from a healthcare sector perspective.METHODS: A comprehensive framework for cost analysis was developed based on policy documents, clinical guidelines, and interviews with administrative and leading healthcare professionals. Data on resource usage was obtained from clinical experts and case notes. Costs for resource usage were valued using payroll data for different job categories and Danish DRG-tariffs. The estimated costs of care models were compared and deterministic sensitivity analysis identified important factors for the cost difference.RESULTS: The analysis showed that the HaH model is associated with cost savings of 40-45 % compared to traditional hospital admissions. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis indicate that it is crucial to consider the extent of additional time healthcare professionals allocate to extra care, when a nursing home resident is admitted at home, as this parameter significantly influences the costs associated with HaH.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the costing framework, we found that the HaH model was cheaper than traditional hospitalisations. These results were robust to variations in resource use of different activities in the HaH model.</p
Impacts of Experimental Knee Pain on Gait Biomechanics and Pain Sensitivity:A Randomised Crossover Trial of Young and Pain-Free Volunteers
No full textBackground Knee osteoarthritis is hallmarked by pain and structural changes, impacting biomechanical function. However, the interplay between pain and biomechanics is poorly understood. Experimental knee pain may act as a surrogate model of clinical pain to study potential changes in pain mechanisms and biomechanics. Methods This randomised, controlled crossover study induced knee pain with hypertonic saline (7%) injected into the infrapatellar fat pad, controlled by isotonic saline (0.9%) injections. Gait biomechanics (speed, braking impulse, propulsion impulse) were measured using motion capture. Cuff-pressure algometry estimated pressure pain and tolerance thresholds (PPT and PTT), temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation. Sleep, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing and pain were assessed by questionnaires. Results Thirty-four young, healthy participants had a mean peak pain of 58 (0?100) after the hypertonic saline injection. Changes in PPT (F(2,62)?=?8.0, p?Background: Knee osteoarthritis is hallmarked by pain and structural changes, impacting biomechanical function. However, the interplay between pain and biomechanics is poorly understood. Experimental knee pain may act as a surrogate model of clinical pain to study potential changes in pain mechanisms and biomechanics. Methods: This randomised, controlled crossover study induced knee pain with hypertonic saline (7%) injected into the infrapatellar fat pad, controlled by isotonic saline (0.9%) injections. Gait biomechanics (speed, braking impulse, propulsion impulse) were measured using motion capture. Cuff-pressure algometry estimated pressure pain and tolerance thresholds (PPT and PTT), temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation. Sleep, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing and pain were assessed by questionnaires. Results: Thirty-four young, healthy participants had a mean peak pain of 58 (0–100) after the hypertonic saline injection. Changes in PPT (F (2,62) = 8.0, p < 0.001) and propulsion impulse (F (1.8,50.0) = 1.79, p = 0.039) were observed after pain induction. Multiple linear regression revealed that a combination of baseline PPT, depression scores, speed and propulsion impulse explained 38.7% of the variability in peak knee pain (F (4,29) = 4.6, p < 0.01), while a combination of PTT, speed, braking and propulsion impulse measured during experimental pain explained 57.4% (F (4,29) = 9.8, p < 0.001) of the variability. Conclusion: Changes in PPTs and propulsion impulse were observed after the knee pain induction. Peak knee pain variability can be partly explained using a combination of biomechanics, pain sensitivity and cognitive factors. This forms the basis for a targeted clinical evaluation of patients. Significance Statement: Knee osteoarthritis has been increasingly recognised as a multifactorial condition influenced by, for example, cognitive factors and pain sensitivity. This study demonstrated an experimental pain model that mimicked clinical pain experienced by people with moderate-to-severe OA pain. Additionally, this study provides novel insights into the interplay between pain sensitivity, biomechanics and cognitive factors and experimental knee pain.</p