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As one of the main problems in the processing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), tool wear affects the quality and efficiency of hole making. As a new CFRP hole making process, the suction-type internal chip removal method can effectively slow down the tool wear rate. In order to further clarify the reasons for this method to slow down the tool wear, this study investigates the wear mechanism of the internal chip removal tool. The main contents include: first, the experimental parameters such as drilling axial force, drilling temperature, and tool wear are obtained through the experimental method, and the drawing of the drilling temperature change curve of internal chip drilling is completed; second, the polar analysis method is used to study the influence of the drill parameters on the drilling axial force and the tool wear, and the basis for the selection of the structure of the internal chip drill is given; finally, the method of comparative experiments of the internal chip drilling process and the non-internal chip drilling process is used to conclude that the use of the internal chip drilling process can effectively slow down the tool wear rate. Finally, the method of comparing the internal chip removal and non-internal chip removal processes is used to conclude that the use of internal chip removal processing method can effectively reduce the axial force, drilling temperature, and slow down the tool wear.

Entrepreneurship-related modules have become increasingly popular over the years, not only among business school students but also among those from other disciplines, including engineering and the arts and humanities. In some circumstances, they are offered as optional modules for students across different faculties and disciplines. While it is beneficial to mix students with different backgrounds, bringing in a wide range of perspectives, there are also challenges relating to course design and student engagement. With these challenges in mind, the authors trialled a new approach in the hope of motivating students from diverse academic and socio-cultural backgrounds to engage more fully in the classroom by utilising student entrepreneurs as guest speakers. The student-centric approach has proved effective in enhancing student engagement, as evidenced by both informal and formal feedback.

Background: The fields of gamification and game-based learning are growing and changing quickly, with researchers investigating the use of gamification in education using various methods and in numerous case studies, however, no research investigates the significance pre-perception of higher education students has in gamification, game-based learning, and serious games studies. Objective: We perform a systematic mapping to identify the gaps in our understanding on the effects of pre-perception in gamification, focusing on the under-researched area of gamification and game-based learning applications for higher education. Results: We present three main findings: (1) Current research on the effects of higher education's students' pre-perception of gamification and game-based learning are limited. (2) The limited available research indicates perception towards gamification and game-based learning in participants may impact on the effectiveness of game-based solutions, but more research is required to better understand the relationship. (3) A significant body of new research work is required to examine how student perception can affect the effectiveness of gamification and game-based learning solutions in higher education. Conclusion: Our understanding of the effect pre-perception may have on the results reported by research on gamification applications for higher education is limited. We encourage more, non-empirical research, to be conducted around pre-perception, and more research that considers gamification and game-based learning applications for higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality degradation and eutrophication of lakes are global ecological and environmental concerns, especially shallow lakes. This study collected hydrochemical data from 2935 samples of the Chinese part of Xingkai (Khanka) Lake, based on 40 published papers spanning the period from 2001 to 2023. Using the water quality index (WQI), improved geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and redundancy analysis (RDA), we analyzed the overall contamination characteristics of the water environment in Xingkai Lake. Additionally, we explored the impact of climate change and human activities on the lake's water quality. The results showed that the annual WQI for Xingkai Lake ranged from 47.3 to 72, with a general downward trend, indicating improving water quality. Notably, the average WQI in May and total nitrogen (TN) content decreased significantly, signaling further improvement in water quality. The average concentration of TN in sediments was 1401.3 mg/kg, reflecting mild contamination. The Igeo values for the heavy metals Hg and Cr were greater than 1, indicating moderate contamination, while the Igeo values for Cd and Pb were between 0 and 1, which is in the range of uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. Land use and climate change (average annual temperature and annual precipitation) were key factors influencing water quality, with cumulative explanatory ratios of 67.3% and 50.1%. This study utilized land-use change as a metric for human activities, highlighting the potential impacts of climate change and human activities on the water quality of Xingkai Lake. It offers vital insights for the sustainable management of Xingkai Lake and provides valuable references into the management of similar transboundary lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prior research has underscored the importance of sphingolipid metabolism in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. Our objective was to explore the associations between plasma ceramide levels and PD patients with cognitive dysfunction (PD‐CD). Methods: We enrolled two study populations from Eastern China and the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), comprising 290 (100 HCs, 160 PDs, and 30 MSAs) and 429 (125 HCs and 304 PDs) participants, respectively. The plasma levels of ceramides (Cer 16:0, Cer 18:0, Cer 24:0, and Cer 24:1) were tested via HPLC–MS/MS analysis. Results: Compared with those in the HC group, the plasma levels of Cer 18:0, Cer 24:1, Cer 16:0/Cer 24:0, Cer 18:0/Cer 24:0, and Cer 24:1/Cer 24:0 were higher in both the PD and MSA groups. Significant differences in the plasma levels of Cer 16:0/Cer 24:0, Cer 18:0/Cer 24:0, and Cer 24:1/Cer 24:0 were observed among the PD‐NC (PD with normal cognition), PD‐MCI (PD with mild cognitive impairment), and PDD (PD dementia) groups, with the PDD group exhibiting the highest levels. PD patients with higher baseline levels of plasma ceramides (specifically, Cer 18:0, Cer 16:0/Cer 24:0, Cer 18:0/Cer 24:0, and Cer 24:1/Cer 24:0) demonstrated accelerated cognitive decline compared with individuals who had lower baseline plasma ceramide levels during the 5‐year follow‐up period. A biomarker panel including Cer 18:0/Cer 24:0 and Cer 24:1/Cer 24:0 could effectively differentiate PD‐CD from PD‐NC with notable diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: Our results indicate that plasma ceramide levels could potentially be used as diagnostic biomarkers for PD‐CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that tea consumption may have a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact causal relationship between tea consumption and the precursor stages of certain neurodegenerative diseases, namely, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), remains unclear. To evaluate the causal association between tea consumption and RBD, we employed a Mendelian randomization study. Methods: We identified genetic instrumental variables that are significantly associated with tea consumption through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in European populations. Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization was utilized to determine the causal relationship between tea consumption and RBD, while sensitivity analyses were further employed to evaluate the robustness of the results. The multivariate Mendelian randomization method was used to assess the influence of relevant confounding factors on the results. Results: In the MR analysis using the inverse-variance weighting method, a significant causal relationship between tea consumption and RBD was observed (OR = 0.046, 95% CI: 0.004–0.563, p = 0.016). The consistency of findings across maximum likelihood, MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier, and multivariate MR after adjusting for potential confounding further supports this causal association. Sensitivity analyses revealed no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Conclusions: The findings of our study demonstrate a robust causal association between tea consumption and RBD, indicating that tea consumption may serve as a protective factor against the development of RBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have innate immune systems and protective mechanisms to resist the attack of pathogenic microorganisms. Unlike mammals, they lack mobile defensive cells and therefore rely on autonomous cell events for protection. These cells have a wide range of recognition capabilities for detecting pathogens, thus filling the gap of the adaptive immune system. These protective mechanisms will remain inactive or latent until they are activated after exposure to inducers or application of stimuli. Only after they are affected by pathogens or the same elicitors do they begin to show an active state. The role of oligosaccharides in plant immunity is gradually attracting widespread attention. Therefore, this paper summarizes the functions of oligosaccharides related to plant immunity and provides examples of induced defense events. The recognition of sugar molecules as signal molecules in plants has also been proposed. In this review, we focus on the development andapplication of oligosaccharides in plant immunity and their potential value in agricultural field.

Many resource‐oriented regions on plateaus (RORP) are facing the double threat of ecological destruction and resource exploitation. The traditional development mode will destroy fragile ecosystems in RORP, resulting in substantial environmental governance costs and environmental restoration difficulties. Therefore, realizing the sustainable development of these regions has become a major topic of interest. In this study, we designed a sustainable development mode, that is, "conservation mining‐ecological restoration‐substitute industries‐energy saving and emission reduction" (CESE), for RORP. The integration of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Service and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the system dynamics (SD) model were used to evaluate and simulate the comprehensive effect and future trends of the sustainable development mode in the RORP. The evaluation and simulation results clearly show that through long‐term stable operation, this sustainable development mode can alleviate the double threat of the "unbridled development‐fragile ecosystem"(UDFE) and achieve synchronous growth of ecological, economic, and social benefits. Additionally, this study further proposes the potential risks of this mode and directions for iterative improvements, serving as goals of regional optimization and improvement in the future. The sustainable development mode of RORP proposed in this study has important theoretical significance and practical value for mitigating the double threat associated with the development of RORP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines resource use issues and the anthropogenic impact on the environment of companies operating in the mineral resource sector of northern Asian regions. The research aims to comprehensively analyze resource consumption and environmental intensity indicators for leading companies in mineral extraction. A set of indicators reflecting the necessary parameters for mineral resource consumption and pollution intensity due to their production activities is constructed based on quantitative and cost indicators. A pollution intensity assessment is carried out based on environmental intensity indicators. The sectoral and corporate-level indicators are of the most interest in industrial production. The study identified seven critical northern Asian companies that play a decisive role in the mining industry, which were examples for analyzing material resource consumption and production greening pace. Reducing resource use and environmental impact is a crucial task for sustainable development. This study emphasizes the importance of evaluating resource consumption and environmental impact for companies in the mineral resource sector, providing valuable insights for companies, government bodies, and international organizations working towards the region's sustainable development and efficient resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of countries are concerned, to a certain degree, about the prospects for the implementation of the Chinese strategic initiative for the joint creation of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” (SREB). These concerns relate to fears of the transfer from China to the “belt” countries of excessive capacities of the polluting primaries industries, possible environmental degradation, and the destruction of the traditional way of life as a result of the implementation of mega-projects, and the fragility and vulnerability of many ecosystems along the routes of the prospective throughways between the eastern provinces of China and Europe [Bezrukov, 2016]. Environmental problems are clearly of key importance for the prospects of China’s initiative. The initiative’s program documents have stressed the need to take into account the interests of all parties and act solely on the basis of mutual benefit. The authors briefly consider the variety of natural and socio-economic conditions in the SREB zone and the sharp differences in the degree of economic development of the territory, which require close attention and scientific justification for political and economic decisions. Particular differences include temperature regime, precipitation, modern atmospheric circulation, transport of particulate matter and contaminants, soils, vegetation, land use, and risks of desertification in the SREB zone. The potential of complementarity of the natural resources of China and a number of neighboring countries may be realized. The paper also discusses China’s present policy in the transition to sustainable development and its underlying concepts and achievements, especially at the level of regions and cities, including the concept of “ecological civilization” and the six stages of greening of cities. The authors believe that tourism related activities should be coordinated specifically at the city level as part of “green development.” It is necessary to create free economic zones in the “economic corridors” along the planned transcontinental lines and utilize the existing national special zones. Such zones are particularly effective in border regions and cities. In conclusion, it is recommended to develop international research networks in the SREB zone, to establish an International Data Center, and to collect, organize, exchange, and publish jointly scientific information on the problems of transition to sustainable development.