Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 28 in total

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  1. Jiang H, Mani MP, Jaganathan SK
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2019;14:8149-8159.
    PMID: 31632024 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S214646
    Introduction: Recently several new approaches were emerging in bone tissue engineering to develop a substitute for remodelling the damaged tissue. In order to resemble the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of the human tissue, the bone scaffolds must possess necessary requirements like large surface area, interconnected pores and sufficient mechanical strength.

    Materials and methods: A novel bone scaffold has been developed using polyurethane (PE) added with wintergreen (WG) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The developed nanocomposites were characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle measurement, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tensile testing. Furthermore, anticoagulant assays, cell viability analysis and calcium deposition were used to investigate the biological properties of the prepared hybrid nanocomposites.

    Results: FESEM depicted the reduced fibre diameter for the electrospun PE/WG and PE/WG/TiO2 than the pristine PE. The addition of WG and TiO2 resulted in the alteration in peak intensity of PE as revealed in the FTIR. Wettability measurements showed the PE/WG showed decreased wettability and the PE/WG/TiO2 exhibited improved wettability than the pristine PE. TGA measurements showed the improved thermal behaviour for the PE with the addition of WG and TiO2. Surface analysis indicated that the composite has a smoother surface rather than the pristine PE. Further, the incorporation of WG and TiO2 improved the anticoagulant nature of the pristine PE. In vitro cytotoxicity assay has been performed using fibroblast cells which revealed that the electrospun composites showed good cell attachment and proliferation after 5 days. Moreover, the bone apatite formation study revealed the enhanced deposition of calcium content in the fabricated composites than the pristine PE.

    Conclusion: Fabricated nanocomposites rendered improved physico-chemical properties, biocompatibility and calcium deposition which are conducive for bone tissue engineering.

  2. Jiang H, Qian X, Carroli G, Garner P
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2017 Feb 08;2(2):CD000081.
    PMID: 28176333 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub3
    BACKGROUND: Some clinicians believe that routine episiotomy, a surgical cut of the vagina and perineum, will prevent serious tears during childbirth. On the other hand, an episiotomy guarantees perineal trauma and sutures.

    OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects on mother and baby of a policy of selective episiotomy ('only if needed') compared with a policy of routine episiotomy ('part of routine management') for vaginal births.

    SEARCH METHODS: We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register (14 September 2016) and reference lists of retrieved studies.

    SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing selective versus routine use of episiotomy, irrespective of parity, setting or surgical type of episiotomy. We included trials where either unassisted or assisted vaginal births were intended. Quasi-RCTs, trials using a cross-over design or those published in abstract form only were not eligible for inclusion in this review.

    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. A third author mediated where there was no clear consensus. We observed good practice for data analysis and interpretation where trialists were review authors. We used fixed-effect models unless heterogeneity precluded this, expressed results as risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

    MAIN RESULTS: This updated review includes 12 studies (6177 women), 11 in women in labour for whom a vaginal birth was intended, and one in women where an assisted birth was anticipated. Two were trials each with more than 1000 women (Argentina and the UK), and the rest were smaller (from Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Malaysia, Pakistan, Columbia and Saudi Arabia). Eight trials included primiparous women only, and four trials were in both primiparous and multiparous women. For risk of bias, allocation was adequately concealed and reported in nine trials; sequence generation random and adequately reported in three trials; blinding of outcomes adequate and reported in one trial, blinding of participants and personnel reported in one trial.For women where an unassisted vaginal birth was anticipated, a policy of selective episiotomy may result in 30% fewer women experiencing severe perineal/vaginal trauma (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94; 5375 women; eight RCTs; low-certainty evidence). We do not know if there is a difference for blood loss at delivery (an average of 27 mL less with selective episiotomy, 95% CI from 75 mL less to 20 mL more; two trials, 336 women, very low-certainty evidence). Both selective and routine episiotomy have little or no effect on infants with Apgar score less than seven at five minutes (four trials, no events; 3908 women, moderate-certainty evidence); and there may be little or no difference in perineal infection (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.82, three trials, 1467 participants, low-certainty evidence).For pain, we do not know if selective episiotomy compared with routine results in fewer women with moderate or severe perineal pain (measured on a visual analogue scale) at three days postpartum (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.05, one trial, 165 participants, very low-certainty evidence). There is probably little or no difference for long-term (six months or more) dyspareunia (RR1.14, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.53, three trials, 1107 participants, moderate-certainty evidence); and there may be little or no difference for long-term (six months or more) urinary incontinence (average RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.44, three trials, 1107 participants, low-certainty evidence). One trial reported genital prolapse at three years postpartum. There was no clear difference between the two groups (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.41; 365 women; one trial, low certainty evidence). Other outcomes relating to long-term effects were not reported (urinary fistula, rectal fistula, and faecal incontinence). Subgroup analyses by parity (primiparae versus multiparae) and by surgical method (midline versus mediolateral episiotomy) did not identify any modifying effects. Pain was not well assessed, and women's preferences were not reported.One trial examined selective episiotomy compared with routine episiotomy in women where an operative vaginal delivery was intended in 175 women, and did not show clear difference on severe perineal trauma between the restrictive and routine use of episiotomy, but the analysis was underpowered.

    AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In women where no instrumental delivery is intended, selective episiotomy policies result in fewer women with severe perineal/vaginal trauma. Other findings, both in the short or long term, provide no clear evidence that selective episiotomy policies results in harm to mother or baby.The review thus demonstrates that believing that routine episiotomy reduces perineal/vaginal trauma is not justified by current evidence. Further research in women where instrumental delivery is intended may help clarify if routine episiotomy is useful in this particular group. These trials should use better, standardised outcome assessment methods.

  3. Ono H, Hee AK, Jiang H
    Insects, 2021 Jan 26;12(2).
    PMID: 33530622 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020106
    Dacini fruit flies mainly contain two genera, Bactrocera and Zeugodacus, and include many important pests of fruits and vegetables. Their life cycle is affected by various environmental cues. Among them, multiple characteristic semiochemicals have remarkable effects on their reproductive and host-finding behaviors. Notably, floral fragrances released from so-called fruit fly orchids strongly attract males of several Dacini fruit fly species. Focusing on the strong attraction of male flies to particular chemicals, natural and synthetic lures have been used for pest management. Thus, the perception of semiochemicals is important to understand environmental adaptation in Dacini fruit flies. Since next-generation sequencers are available, a large number of chemosensory-related genes have been identified in Dacini fruit flies, as well as other insects. Furthermore, recent studies have succeeded in the functional analyses of olfactory receptors in response to semiochemicals. Thus, characterization of molecular components required for chemoreception is under way. However, the mechanisms underlying chemoreception remain largely unknown. This paper reviews recent findings on peripheral mechanisms in the perception of odors in Dacini fruit flies, describing related studies in other dipteran species, mainly the model insect Drosophilamelanogaster. Based on the review, important themes for future research have also been discussed.
  4. Jiang H, Xiang X, Hao W, Room R, Zhang X, Wang X
    PMID: 29761160 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-018-0070-2
    Background: The paper reviews alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related social and health issues among 15-29-year old young people in Asian countries, and discusses strategies for preventing and controlling alcohol use and related harms.

    Methods: We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science for reports, reviews and journal articles published in English between 1st Jan 1990 and 31st August 2016.

    Results: Forty-one reports, reviews and journal papers were identified and included in the final review. The current drinking levels and prevalence among young people are markedly different between eight included Asian countries, ranging from 4.2% in Malaysia to 49.3% in China. In a majority of the selected Asian countries, over 15% of total deaths among young men and 6% among young women aged 15-29 years are attributable to alcohol use. Alcohol use among young people is associated with a number of harms, including stress, family violence, injuries, suicide, and sexual and other risky behaviours. Alcohol policies, such as controlling sales, social supply and marketing, setting up/raising a legal drinking age, adding health warning labels on alcohol containers, and developing a surveillance system to monitor drinking pattern and risky drinking behaviour, could be potential means to reduce harmful use of alcohol and related harm among young people in Asia.

    Conclusions: The review reveals that drinking patterns and behaviours vary across eight selected Asian countries due to culture, policies and regional variations. The research evidence holds substantial policy implications for harm reduction on alcohol drinking among young people in Asian countries -- especially for China, which has almost no alcohol control policies at present.

  5. Ren D, Jiang H, Cheng J, Peng C, Zou Y
    Heliyon, 2023 Sep;9(9):e19200.
    PMID: 37662732 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19200
    Building on the upper echelons theory and demographic faultline theory, this paper investigates the role of the top management team (TMT) faultline as a mediator and explores the moderating effect of CEO power as an important contextual factor. We utilize a sample of A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2009 to 2020. Our findings show that outside CEO successors are significantly and positively related to corporate strategic change. TMT faultline mediates the effect of CEO successor origins on corporate strategic change, while CEO power reinforces the relationship between the two. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the effect of outside CEO successors on strategic change is insignificant in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) but has a significant impact on firms at their growth and maturity stages. Furthermore, our findings suggest that outside CEO successors inhibit the positive role of strategic change in promoting firm value.
  6. Lin W, Liang H, Jiang H, Mohd Nasir MA, Zhou H
    Psychol Res Behav Manag, 2023;16:4817-4828.
    PMID: 38047152 DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S428167
    PURPOSE: Harsh parenting is positively correlated with adolescents' smartphone addiction, according to a growing corpus of studies. The various mediating processes that could underlie this link, however, are not well understood. Based upon the experiential avoidance model, the current research aimed to identify the relation between harsh parenting and adolescents' smartphone addiction and the mediating roles of adolescents' depression and experiential avoidance.

    METHODS: We recruited 456 adolescents (female = 52.6%; Mage = 13.19 years, SD = 0.85) at a public junior high school in China to complete the harsh discipline scale, 90-item Hopkins symptom checklist, acceptance and action questionnaire version II, and smartphone addiction scale short version. SPSS24.0 was used to conduct independent samples t-test, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and common method bias test, PROCESS were used to conduct a significance test of the chain mediation effect on the data. Age, gender, and grade were used as con-founders that were controlled in order to make cautious predictions.

    RESULTS: The results showed that (1) harsh parenting was positively correlated with adolescents' depression, experiential avoidance, and smartphone addiction; (2) both depression and experiential avoidance fully mediated the link between harsh parenting and smartphone addiction; and (3) depression and experiential avoidance also sequentially mediated the link between harsh parenting and smartphone addiction. These findings have significant implications for the prevention and intervention of adolescents' smartphone addiction.

    CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that harsh parenting may have an indirect impact on smartphone addiction in both a simple way (parallel mediation) and a complicated way (serial mediation). In addition, these studies shed light on smartphone addiction prevention and intervention.

  7. Liu WY, Li HM, Jiang H, Zhang WK
    Pediatr Rheumatol Online J, 2024 Mar 04;22(1):33.
    PMID: 38438855 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-024-00967-3
    OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the efficacy and safety of exercise training on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This study aims to investigate the effect of exercise on health, quality of life, and different exercise capacities in individuals with JIA.

    METHOD: A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception to October, 2023. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effects of exercise on JIA patients. Two independent reviewers assessed the literature quality using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were combined using random or fixed effects models. The level of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

    RESULT: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria, containing 216 female participants and 90 males. The meta-analysis results showed that exercise had no significant effect on JIA patients based on the Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) (SMD=-0.32, 95%CI: -0.83, 0.19; I2 = 73.2%, P = 0.011) and Quality of Life (QoL) (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI: -0.04, 0.58; I2 = 29.4%, P = 0.243) and no significant effect on peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). However, exercise significantly reduced visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores in JIA patients (SMD = 0.50, 95%CI: -0.90, -0.10; I2 = 50.2%, P = 0.134). The quality of evidence assessed by GRADE was moderate to very low.

    CONCLUSION: Exercise does not significantly affect the quality of life and exercise capacity in JIA patients but may relieve pain. More RCTs are needed in the future to explore the effects of exercise on JIA.

  8. Xu J, Jiang H, Li J, Cheng KK, Dong J, Chen Z
    PLoS One, 2015;10(4):e0119654.
    PMID: 25849323 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119654
    Wilson's disease (WD), also known as hepatoleticular degeneration (HLD), is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder of copper metabolism, which causes copper to accumulate in body tissues. In this study, rats fed with copper-laden diet are used to render the clinical manifestations of WD, and their copper toxicity-induced organ lesions are studied. To investigate metabolic behaviors of 'decoppering' process, penicillamine (PA) was used for treating copper-laden rats as this chelating agent could eliminate excess copper through the urine. To date, there has been limited metabolomics study on WD, while metabolic impacts of copper accumulation and PA administration have yet to be established.
  9. Jiang H, Peng H, Guo H, Zeng Y, Li L, Zhang Y, et al.
    ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2020 Nov 18;12(46):51344-51356.
    PMID: 33146507 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13139
    Thin-film lithium-ion microbatteries with a high energy density and long lifespan are exceedingly desired for developing self-powered integrated micro-nano devices and systems. However, exploring high-performance thin-film anodes still remains a challenge. Herein, a double-layer-structure diamond-like carbon-ZnS (DLC-ZnS) thin-film anode fabricated by radio frequency magnetron sputtering exhibits high specific capacity and good cycling stability up to 1000 cycles, superior to the pure ZnS thin-film anode. To understand the mechanism, the bimodal amplitude modulated-frequency modulated atomic force microscopy was used to explore the mechanical properties of the thin films, and the DLC layer shows significantly higher Young's modulus than the ZnS thin film. The DLC interface with a high Young's modulus can effectively buffer the mechanical stress originating from the huge volume changes of the ZnS layer during lithiation/delithiation processes; therefore, the DLC interface maintains the higher mechanical integrity of the DLC-ZnS thin film and improves the utilization of ZnS. In addition, the electrochemical kinetics of the DLC-ZnS and ZnS thin films were also investigated by electrochemical methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests indicate the obstacle of the DLC interface to Li+ ion diffusion in the initial charge/discharge processes; however, the DLC-ZnS thin film exhibits lower total resistance than the ZnS thin film afterward. In particular, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique tests were performed to find out the differences between the two thin films during the galvanostatical charge/discharge processes. The results demonstrate the obviously enhanced conversion reaction reversibility and decreased alloy reaction polarization of the DLC-ZnS thin film; therefore, it delivers higher reversible capacity.
  10. Zhang J, Chu R, Chen Y, Jiang H, Zeng Y, Zhang Y, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2018 Dec 20.
    PMID: 30572323 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aafa25
    Carbon-coated nickel cobaltate on nickel foam (C@NCO@NF) with stable pseudocapacitive lithium storage capacity was prepared via a two-step strategy. NiCo hydroxide were initially grown on Ni foam via electrodeposition. Subsequent glucose soaking and annealing converted the intermediate into C@NCO@NF. Carbon coating could significantly improve cycling stability and rate performance of the binder-free anode. The C@NCO@NF electrode could stably deliver a reversible capacity of 513 mAh∙g-1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 500 mA∙g-1. It could even stably cycle at a high current density of 5000 mA∙g-1 for 3000 times, with a reversible capacity of 115 mAh∙g-1. Kinetic analysis revealed that surface-controlled pseudo-capacitance play a dominate role in the lithium ion storage. Improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergetic effect of pseudo-capacitance and carbon coating.
  11. Lee G, McMahon CG, McCabe M, Jiang H, Lee SW, Lim P, et al.
    Sex Med, 2016 Aug 12.
    PMID: 27528556 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2016.07.002
    Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most prevalent yet under-reported sexual disorders. Differing sociocultural norms across the Asia-Pacific region provide unique challenges in PE management.
  12. Lin Y, Hu J, Li S, Hamzah SS, Jiang H, Zhou A, et al.
    Molecules, 2019 Jun 27;24(13).
    PMID: 31252525 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24132374
    Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are the main sources of foodborne illness outbreaks with implicated pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes. This study aimed at investigating the influence of two key parameters (concentration of curcumin and illumination time) on the effects of curcumin-based photodynamic sterilization on the preservation of fresh-cut Hami melons. The results indicated that illumination with 50 μmol/L curcumin for 60 min using a blue LED lamp reduced the total aerobic microorganism count by ~1.8 log CFU/g in fresh-cut Hami melons. Besides this, the effects of photodynamic sterilization on the soluble solids content, color, water content, firmness, and sensory indices of the fresh-cut Hami melons were also evaluated. Compared to the control group, photodynamic sterilization can effectively delay the browning rate and maintain the luminosity, firmness, water content, and soluble solids content of fresh-cut Hami melon. The sensory quality was indeed preserved well after 9 days of storage in a fridge. These results showed that photodynamic sterilization is an effective and promising technology to prolong the shelf life of fresh-cut Hami melons.
  13. Jiang H, Zhang J, Zeng Y, Chen Y, Guo H, Li L, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2021 Nov 18;33(6).
    PMID: 34724657 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac3540
    Metal sulfides are promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries because of the high specific capacities and better electrochemical kinetics comparing to their oxide counterparts. In this paper, novel monocrystalline wurtzite ZnS@N-doped carbon (ZnS@N-C) nanoplates, whose morphology and phase are different from the common ZnS particles with cubic phase, are successfully synthesized. The ZnS@N-C nanoplates exhibit long cycle life with a high reversible specific capacity of 536.8 mAh · g-1after 500 cycles at a current density of 500 mA · g-1, which is superior to the pure ZnS nanoplates, illustrating the obvious effect of the N-doped carbon coating for mitigating volume change of the ZnS nanoplates and enhancing the electronic conductivity during charge/discharge processes. Furthermore, it is revealed that the ZnS single crystals with wurtzite phase in the ZnS@N-C nanoplates are transformed to the polycrystalline cubic phase ZnS after charge/discharge processes. In particular, the ZnS@N-C nanoplates are combined with the commercial LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2cathode to fabricate a new type of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2/ZnS@N-C complete battery, which exhibits good cycling durability up to 120 cycles at a charge/discharge rate of 1 C after the prelithiation treatment on the ZnS@N-C anode, highlighting the potential of the ZnS@N-C nanoplates anode material applied in lithium ion battery.
  14. Zhu J, Li Y, Jiang H, Liu C, Lu W, Dai W, et al.
    Ecotoxicology, 2018 May;27(4):411-419.
    PMID: 29404868 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-018-1904-x
    The novel mesoionic insecticide triflumezopyrim was highly effective in controlling both imidacloprid-susceptible and resistant planthopper populations in Malaysia. However, the toxicity of triflumezopyrim to planthopper populations and their natural enemies has been under-investigated in China. In this study, the median lethal concentrations (LC50) of triflumezopyrim were determined in eight field populations of Nilaparvata lugens and one population of Sogatella furcifera from China under laboratory conditions. Triflumezopyrim showed higher toxicity to planthopper populations than the commonly-used insecticide, imidacloprid. Furthermore, the lethal effect of triflumezopyrim on eight beneficial arthropods of planthoppers was investigated in the laboratory and compared with three commonly-used insecticides, thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos and abamectin. Triflumezopyrim was harmless to Anagrus nilaparvatae, Cyrtorhinus lividipennis and Paederus fuscipes, while thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos and abamectin were moderately harmful or harmful to the insect parasitoid and predators. Triflumezopyrim and thiamethoxam were harmless to the predatory spiders Pirata subpiraticus, Ummeliata insecticeps, Hylyphantes graminicola and Pardosa pseudoannulata, and slightly harmful to Theridion octomaculatum. Chlorpyrifos caused slight to high toxicity to four spider species except U. insecticeps. Abamectin was moderately to highly toxic to all five spider species. Our results indicate that triflumezopyrim has high efficacy for rice planthoppers populations and is compatibile with their natural enemies in China.
  15. Zhang J, Chu R, Chen Y, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Huang NM, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2018 Jan 19.
    PMID: 29350621 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaa94c
    Binder-free nickle cobaltite on carbon nanofiber (NiCo2O4@CNF) anode for lithium ion batteries was prepared via a two-step procedure of electrospinning and electrodeposition. The CNF was obtained by annealing the electrospun poly-acrylonitrile (PAN) in the nitrogen (N2). The NiCo2O4 nanostructures were then grown on the CNF by electrodeposition, followed by annealing in the air. Experimental results showed vertically aligned NiCo2O4 nanosheets were uniformly grown on the surface of CNF, forming an interconnected network. The NiCo2O4@CNF possessed considerable lithium storage capacity and cycling stability. It exhibited a high reversible capacity of 778 mAhg-1 after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.25 C (1 C = 890 mAg-1) with an average capacity loss rate of 0.05% per cycle. The NiCo2O4@CNF had considerable rate capacities, delivering a capacity of 350 mAhg-1 at a current density of 2.0 C. The outstanding electrochemical performance could be mainly attributed to these following reasons. (1) The nanoscale structure of NiCo2O4 could not only shorten the diffusion path of lithium ions and electrons but also increase the specific surface area, providing more active sites for electrochemical reactions. (2) The CNF with considerable mechanical strength and electrical conductivity could function as anchor the NiCo2O4 nanostructure and ensure an efficient electron transfer. (3) The porous structure resulted in high specific surface area and effective buffer the volume changes during the repeated charge-discharge processes. Compared with the conventional hydrothermal method, the electrodeposition could significantly simplify the preparation of NiCo2O4, with shorter preparation period and lower energy consumption. This work provided an alternative strategy to obtain high performance anode for the lithium ion batteries.
  16. Wang W, Hafeez M, Jiang H, Ashraf MU, Asif M, Akram MW
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Mar;30(12):32751-32761.
    PMID: 36469267 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24218-8
    The presented work analyzes the energy prices, climate shock, and health deprivation nexus in the BRICS economies for the period 1995-2020. Panel ARDL-PMG technique is used to reveal the underexplored linkages. The long-run estimates of energy prices are observed to be negatively significant to the health expenditure and life expectancy model, whereas, positively significant to the climate change model. These findings suggest that energy prices significantly reduce health expenditures and life expectancy and, thus, increase the death rate in the BRICS economies. The long-run country-wise estimate of energy prices is found negatively significant in case of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. Alongside, the group-wise significance of CO2 emissions is discovered to be negatively, positively, and insignificant in the cases of life expectancy, death rate, and health expenditure models, respectively. Besides, country-wise long-run estimate of CO2 emissions witnesses negative significance for Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
  17. Yu L, Jiang H, Mei Q, Mohamad NI, Fernandez J, Gu Y
    Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 2023;11:1229574.
    PMID: 37614628 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1229574
    Introduction: Playing badminton has been reported with extensive health benefits, while main injuries were documented in the lower extremity. This study was aimed to investigate and predict the knee- and ankle-joint loadings of athletes who play badminton, with "gold standard" facilities. The axial impact acceleration from wearables would be used to predict joint moments and contact forces during sub-maximal and maximal lunge footwork. Methods: A total of 25 badminton athletes participated in this study, following a previously established protocol of motion capture and musculoskeletal modelling techniques with the integration of a wearable inertial magnetic unit (IMU). We developed a principal component analysis (PCA) statistical model to extract features in the loading parameters and a multivariate partial least square regression (PLSR) machine learning model to correlate easily collected variables, such as the stance time, approaching velocity, and peak accelerations, with knee and ankle loading parameters (moments and contact forces). Results: The key variances of joint loadings were observed from statistical principal component analysis modelling. The promising accuracy of the partial least square regression model using input parameters was observed with a prediction accuracy of 94.52%, while further sensitivity analysis found a single variable from the ankle inertial magnetic unit that could predict an acceptable range (93%) of patterns and magnitudes of the knee and ankle loadings. Conclusion: The attachment of this single inertial magnetic unit sensor could be used to record and predict loading accumulation and distribution, and placement would exhibit less influence on the motions of the lower extremity. The intelligent prediction of loading patterns and accumulation could be integrated to design training and competition schemes in badminton or other court sports in a scientific manner, thus preventing fatigue, reducing loading-accumulation-related injury, and maximizing athletic performance.
  18. Zhang DW, Johnstone SJ, Sauce B, Arns M, Sun L, Jiang H
    PMID: 37257770 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110802
    Improving neurocognitive functions through remote interventions has been a promising approach to developing new treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Remote neurocognitive interventions may address the shortcomings of the current prevailing pharmacological therapies for AD/HD, e.g., side effects and access barriers. Here we review the current options for remote neurocognitive interventions to reduce AD/HD symptoms, including cognitive training, EEG neurofeedback training, transcranial electrical stimulation, and external cranial nerve stimulation. We begin with an overview of the neurocognitive deficits in AD/HD to identify the targets for developing interventions. The role of neuroplasticity in each intervention is then highlighted due to its essential role in facilitating neuropsychological adaptations. Following this, each intervention type is discussed in terms of the critical details of the intervention protocols, the role of neuroplasticity, and the available evidence. Finally, we offer suggestions for future directions in terms of optimizing the existing intervention protocols and developing novel protocols.
  19. Wei Y, Wang D, Li G, Yu H, Dong X, Jiang H
    Water Sci Technol, 2023 Nov;88(10):2566-2580.
    PMID: 38017678 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.365
    In recent years, chemical water treatment equipment has gained significant attention due to its environmental-friendly features, multifunctionality, and broad applicability. Recognizing the limitations of existing chemical treatment equipment, such as challenges in scale removal and the high water content in scale deposits, we propose a novel drum design for both anode and cathode, enabling simultaneous scale suction and dehydration. We constructed a small experimental platform to validate the equipment's performance based on our model. Notably, under the optimal operating parameters, the hardness removal rate for circulating water falls within the range of 19.6-24.46%. Moreover, the scale accumulation rate per unit area and unit time reaches 13.7 g h-1 m-2. Additionally, the energy consumption per unit weight of the scale remains impressively low at 0.16 kWh g-1. Furthermore, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration decreased from an initial 106.0 mg L-1 to a mere 18.8 mg L-1, resulting in a remarkable total removal rate of 82.26%. In conclusion, our innovative electrochemical water treatment equipment demonstrates exceptional performance in scale removal, organic matter degradation, and water resource conservation, offering valuable insights for future research and development in chemical treatment equipment and electrochemical theory.
  20. Yang R, Zhou Z, Jiang H, Kam TS, Chen K, Ma Z
    Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2024 Jan 15;63(3):e202316016.
    PMID: 38038685 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316016
    The first asymmetric total synthesis of the monoterpenoid indole alkaloid arboduridine has been accomplished. The tricyclic A/B/D ring system was constructed by an enantioselective Michael reaction followed by intramolecular nucleophilic addition. Intramolecular α-amination of a ketone forged the piperidine ring, while a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction was used to form the pyrrolidine ring. A reduction cyclization cascade led to formation of the tetrahydrofuran ring.
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