Description:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Characterised as narrowing of the coronary arteries that results obstruction, lack of blood flow and ischemic injury. CAD progression is regulated by a host of complex molecular pathways pertaining to inflammation, lipid disturbance and cellular dysfunction. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of these CAD-associated molecular pathways. CircRNAs represent a relatively recent discovery in the realm of non-coding RNAs, challenging the initial misconception that they are ‘by-products’ of mRNA splicing. Instead, these circRNA molecules have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression in various diseases, spanning from cancers to heart disease. CircRNAs exert their regulatory functions through several mechanisms. They can act as 'miRNA sponges,' sequestering microRNAs (miRNAs) and preventing them from regulating their target genes. Additionally, circRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), modulating RNA stability and localisation. Some circRNAs also function as 'protein sponges,' influencing protein expression and gene regulation. While circRNAs have gained recognition in the context of obstructive cardiovascular diseases like CAD and atherosclerosis, no circRNAs derived from the Y chromosome have been experimentally characterised in this context. The Y chromosome, typically associated with male-specific traits and sexual development, remains relatively unexplored but recently has been implicated in the regulation of human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The exploration of Y-linked circRNAs represents a promising avenue for advancing our understanding of male-specific diseases and may open new possibilities for personalised health interventions.
Description:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Characterised as narrowing of the coronary arteries that results obstruction, lack of blood flow and ischemic injury. CAD progression is regulated by a host of complex molecular pathways pertaining to inflammation, lipid disturbance and cellular dysfunction. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of these CAD-associated molecular pathways. CircRNAs represent a relatively recent discovery in the realm of non-coding RNAs, challenging the initial misconception that they are ‘by-products’ of mRNA splicing. Instead, these circRNA molecules have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression in various diseases, spanning from cancers to heart disease. CircRNAs exert their regulatory functions through several mechanisms. They can act as 'miRNA sponges,' sequestering microRNAs (miRNAs) and preventing them from regulating their target genes. Additionally, circRNAs interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), modulating RNA stability and localisation. Some circRNAs also function as 'protein sponges,' influencing protein expression and gene regulation. While circRNAs have gained recognition in the context of obstructive cardiovascular diseases like CAD and atherosclerosis, no circRNAs derived from the Y chromosome have been experimentally characterised in this context. The Y chromosome, typically associated with male-specific traits and sexual development, remains relatively unexplored but recently has been implicated in the regulation of human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The exploration of Y-linked circRNAs represents a promising avenue for advancing our understanding of male-specific diseases and may open new possibilities for personalised health interventions.
Description:
The transition to a circular economy paradigm is critical for addressing the growing challenges of waste management and resource depletion. Hence, this thesis examines a way to expand circular economy practices in Australia, with a special emphasis on the role of municipal waste management in generating value through the local processing of household glass waste in Ararat Rural City, Victoria. It integrates insights from two independent but interconnected studies to provide a multidimensional study on the circular economy and value creation through such local processing, and on glass remanufacturing feasibility, thus highlighting their synergistic potential for sustainable development. First, this thesis explores Australia’s circular economy and waste management landscape, focusing on challenges and opportunities associated with the household waste crisis. It analyses data from 520 municipalities across the six Australian states to understand waste generation, disposal methods and circular economy initiatives at the local government level. Despite initiatives such as the National Waste Policy Action Plan, disparities persist, which calls for sophisticated policy interventions and collaborative solutions. Using publicly available data, the study establishes a detailed database on waste management practices and circular economy projects. While most councils offer general waste bins, fewer councils provide bins for food organic and garden organic (FOGO) waste and glass waste. Engagement in waste management and circular economy projects varies across councils, indicating the necessity for targeted interventions and incentives to promote consistent policies nationwide. Of the 520 councils surveyed, 481 offer general waste bins, 246 provide FOGO bins and 406 supply mixed recyclable bins. However, only 14 councils, all from Victoria, have separate bins for glass waste. Nationally, 171 councils actively participate in waste management and circular economy projects, whereas 80 do not engage in either. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, financial support and incentives to foster formal waste management and circular economy policies across Australia. Then, this thesis focuses on the feasibility of, and stakeholder perspectives about, creating social, environmental and economic value through establishing a glass remanufacturing plant in Ararat, Victoria. Using a qualitative approach, comprising 16 semi-structured interviews with representatives from local governments, academia, state government waste management authorities and the recycling industry, this thesis explores the economic, social and environmental benefits of glass remanufacturing. Recognising the critical significance of glass remanufacturing in promoting energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring environmental sustainability, this thesis assesses the feasibility of establishing a glass remanufacturing business in Ararat Rural City. Stakeholder engagement and empirical study reveal the subtle aspects of glass remanufacturing sustainability, such as resource availability, regulatory challenges and community engagement methods, and environmental advantages, such as reduction in carbon emission and landfill. The study also explores the short-term and long-term viability of establishing a glass remanufacturing business in Ararat, Victoria. It finds that in the short term (>5 years), although this business has economic feasibility, it will face challenges. Initial investments in technology, infrastructure and human resources are crucial for market penetration, yet short-term profitability relies heavily on factors such as glass waste feedstock availability, regulatory stability and consumer demand. Addressing these challenges requires coordination with local authorities and innovative waste management initiatives to ensure a consistent supply of at least 50,000 tonnes per year. Moreover, regulatory concerns and the need to attract qualified personnel underscore the importance of complementary services and amenities for workforce retention. Looking ahead to 2030, the long-term viability appears more promising, with anticipated improvements in waste management methods, technological advancements and strategic investments positioning the business for sustainable growth and competitiveness, as identified from stakeholder analysis in this study. This thesis advocates for a comprehensive strategy for circular economy advancement, with municipal waste management serving as a key driver in unlocking value from household glass waste in Ararat. By bridging the gap between policy imperatives and on-the-ground execution, local governments may lead transformative projects that not only reduce waste but also promote socioeconomic development and environmental stewardship. Keywords: Circular economy, municipal waste management, household glass waste, remanufacturing feasibility, stakeholder perspectives, sustainable development
Commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation Zao Ren An Shen prescription for primary insomnia : a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Description:
Background: Natural products are widely used for primary insomnia (PI). This systematic review with trial sequential analysis (TSA) aimed to summarize evidence pertaining to the effectiveness and safety of Zao Ren An Shen (ZRAS) prescription, a commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation, for treating PI. Methods: Controlled clinical trials appraising ZRAS compared to controls or as an add-on treatment were systematically searched across seven databases until January 2024. Cochrane ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools were adopted to determine risk of bias. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. Results: We analyzed 22 studies, involving 2,142 participants. The effect of ZRAS in reducing Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores was found to be comparable to benzodiazepines [MD = 0.39, 95%CI (
Description:
Background: Natural products are widely used for primary insomnia (PI). This systematic review with trial sequential analysis (TSA) aimed to summarize evidence pertaining to the effectiveness and safety of Zao Ren An Shen (ZRAS) prescription, a commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation, for treating PI. Methods: Controlled clinical trials appraising ZRAS compared to controls or as an add-on treatment were systematically searched across seven databases until January 2024. Cochrane ROB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools were adopted to determine risk of bias. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. Results: We analyzed 22 studies, involving 2,142 participants. The effect of ZRAS in reducing Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores was found to be comparable to benzodiazepines [MD = 0.39, 95%CI (
Description:
This book focuses on community energy and microgrids with details including system control, operation, optimization, as well as communication requirements. It provides insight into future community microgrids development for scholars/engineers in academic and industry communities with conceptual illustration, investigations, and examples in the changing energy landscape. The topics covered includes Basic understanding of community energy and microgrids; Overview of cutting-edge technologies in power converter control and distributed power generation; Energy storage systems and electric vehicles in home energy systems; Demand response and fault protection with working principles; Monitoring, communication and control of a microgrid from a practical point of view, toward operational benefit optimization. This book can promote research in renewable energy and future smart grid and motivate the generation of new technologies to address the current challenges. The target audiences include scholars, researchers, students, lab technicians, engineers, managers in both academic and industry broader communities.
Description:
Driving simulators have emerged as instrumental tools, providing secure, regulated environments for scholarly investigation, driving appraisal, and training. These simulators negate the inherent risks associated with real-world driving experiments and offer a platform for methodical, cost-efficient research. Despite these advantages, the efficacy of driving simulators remains a contentious issue in academia, primarily regarding the transferability of acquired skills to actual driving conditions and the veracity of training and evaluation results. The current study aimed to contribute to this ongoing discourse by comparing four driving experiences—three driving simulator setups (Three-monitor based, video-based, and Virtual Reality-based) and one real on-road driving scenario. The research focused on various aspects such as immersion, performance, physiology, emotion, and simulator sickness. Data were collected from a small but intensively studied sample size of two participants who engaged in all four driving conditions. Metrics such as heart rate, breath rate, speed, acceleration, as well as responses to presence, simulator sickness, and mood questionnaires were amassed. The results revealed that pre-driving mood exerted a marginal influence on participants' physiological responses in this research context. In terms of presence, the three-monitor setup received the highest ratings, followed by Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D video configurations. Intriguingly, VR was implicated in eliciting the most substantial symptoms of simulator sickness. The study also observed individual disparities in baseline physiological measurements and cognitive tasks, elucidating the intricate nature of human interaction within simulated environments. Moreover, no clear relationship was established among immersion, simulator sickness, emotion, physiology, and performance across the four driving conditions, which included three different simulation setups and one real on-road experience. While no statistically significant distinctions in performance were observed among participants, notable variances manifested across distinct speed limit zones and simulator configurations. Given the methodological limitation of only assessing mood pre-experience, the study highlights the imperative to incorporate additional contextual factors, such as mood oscillations during the driving experience, in future research endeavours to enhance our understanding of their consequent impact on performance metrics.
Description:
Driving simulators have emerged as instrumental tools, providing secure, regulated environments for scholarly investigation, driving appraisal, and training. These simulators negate the inherent risks associated with real-world driving experiments and offer a platform for methodical, cost-efficient research. Despite these advantages, the efficacy of driving simulators remains a contentious issue in academia, primarily regarding the transferability of acquired skills to actual driving conditions and the veracity of training and evaluation results. The current study aimed to contribute to this ongoing discourse by comparing four driving experiences—three driving simulator setups (Three-monitor based, video-based, and Virtual Reality-based) and one real on-road driving scenario. The research focused on various aspects such as immersion, performance, physiology, emotion, and simulator sickness. Data were collected from a small but intensively studied sample size of two participants who engaged in all four driving conditions. Metrics such as heart rate, breath rate, speed, acceleration, as well as responses to presence, simulator sickness, and mood questionnaires were amassed. The results revealed that pre-driving mood exerted a marginal influence on participants' physiological responses in this research context. In terms of presence, the three-monitor setup received the highest ratings, followed by Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D video configurations. Intriguingly, VR was implicated in eliciting the most substantial symptoms of simulator sickness. The study also observed individual disparities in baseline physiological measurements and cognitive tasks, elucidating the intricate nature of human interaction within simulated environments. Moreover, no clear relationship was established among immersion, simulator sickness, emotion, physiology, and performance across the four driving conditions, which included three different simulation setups and one real on-road experience. While no statistically significant distinctions in performance were observed among participants, notable variances manifested across distinct speed limit zones and simulator configurations. Given the methodological limitation of only assessing mood pre-experience, the study highlights the imperative to incorporate additional contextual factors, such as mood oscillations during the driving experience, in future research endeavours to enhance our understanding of their consequent impact on performance metrics.
Comprehensive review and future perspectives on prediction and mitigation of tunnel-induced ground settlement : a bibliometric analysis and methodological overview (2002–2022)
Description:
Refactoring for locks is widely used to improve the scalability and performance of concurrent programs. However, when refactoring from coarse-grained locks to ¯ne-grained locks, the behavior of concurrent programs may be changed. To this end, we present LockCheck, a consistency-checking approach based on the parallel extended ¯nite automaton for ¯ne-grained locks. First, we model the critical sections of concurrent programs through control °ow analysis and dependency analysis. Second, we sequentialize the concurrent programs to get all the possible transition paths. Furthermore, it reduces the exploration of the redundant paths using partial order theory to obtain the compared transition paths. Finally, we combine consistency rules to check the consistency of the program before and after refactoring. We evaluated LockCheck in ¯ve open-source projects. A total of 1528 refactoring operations have been evaluated and 93 inconsistent refactoring operations have been detected. The results show that LockCheck can e®ectively detect inconsistent behavior when coarse-grained locks are refactored into ¯ne-grained locks. #c World Scienti¯c Publishing Company.