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In recent years, virtual reality training technology (VRTT) has been considered by many scholars as a new training method instead of traditional training (TT) to reduce unsafe behaviors ascribed to construction workers (CWs) and corporate accident rates. However, in this process, a conflict of interest arises among the government, construction enterprises (CEs), and CWs. Therefore, this study introduces a quantitative research method, the three-party evolutionary game and creatively combining them with the product life cycle (PLC) to solve this problem by analyzing the equilibrium and evolutionarily stable strategies of the system. Finally, collaborative players' decision-making behaviors and their sensitivity to critical factors are examined. This paper will illustrate these in each stage through numerical simulations. The results of the study indicate that the government plays a dominant role in the VRTT introduction stage. When the government gives CEs appropriate subsidies, CEs will eventually realize the importance of VRTT for CWs. Then the government will gradually reduce the amount of the subsidies in this process. In addition, we also find that the continually high cost will lead to negative policies by the government, which requires the active cooperation and attitude change from CEs and CWs. Ultimately, the government, CEs and CWs adopt the best strategy in the evolutionary process to facilitate the promotion, application and sustainability of VRTT in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a real-time fatigue sensing and enhanced feedback system designed for video terminal operating groups. This paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various current acquisition devices and various algorithms for fatigue perception. After comparison, this study uses an eye movement instrument to collect user PERCLOS, and then calculates and determines the user's fatigue state. A detailed fatigue discrimination calculation method is provided in this paper. The fatigue level is divided into three levels: mild fatigue, moderate fatigue and severe fatigue. Finally, this study uses the fatigue method demonstrated above to achieve real-time discrimination of the fatigue level of the user in front of the video operation terminal. This paper elaborates a method for waking up users and enhancing feedback based on their fatigue level and the importance of information. This study provides a solution for avoiding the operational risks caused by fatigue and lays the foundation for the machine to sense the user and provide different service solutions based on the user's status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione peroxidase-like enzyme is an important enzymatic antioxidant in plants. It is involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species, which can effectively prevent oxidative damage and improve resistance. GPXL has been studied in many plants but has not been reported in potatoes, the world's fourth-largest food crop. This study identified eight StGPXL genes in potatoes for the first time through genome-wide bioinformatics analysis and further studied the expression patterns of these genes using qRT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of StGPXL1 was significantly upregulated under high-temperature stress, indicating its involvement in potato defense against high-temperature stress, while the expression levels of StGPXL4 and StGPXL5 were significantly downregulated. The expression of StGPXL1, StGPXL2, StGPXL3, and StGPXL6 was significantly upregulated under drought stress, indicating their involvement in potato defense against drought stress. After MeJA hormone treatment, the expression level of StGPXL6 was significantly upregulated, indicating its involvement in the chemical defense mechanism of potatoes. The expression of all StGPXL genes is inhibited under biotic stress, which indicates that GPXL is a multifunctional gene family, which may endow plants with resistance to various stresses. This study will help deepen the understanding of the function of the potato GPXL gene family, provide comprehensive information for the further analysis of the molecular function of the potato GPXL gene family as well as a theoretical basis for potato molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginseng root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum is serious disease that impacts ginseng production. In the present study, 145 strains of bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy ginseng plants. Three strains with inhibitory activity against Fusarium oxysporum (accession number AF077393) were identified using the dual culture tests and designated as YN-42(L), YN-43(L), and YN-59(L). Morphological, physiological, biochemical, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were used to identify the strains as Bacillus subtilis [YN-42(L)] (accession number ON545980), Delftia acidovorans [YN-43(L)] (accession number ON545981), and Bacillus polymyxae [YN-59(L)] (accession number ON545982). All three isolates effectively inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum in vitro and the antagonistic mechanism used by the three strains involved the secretion of multiple bioactive metabolites responsible for the hydrolysis of the fungal cell wall. All three biocontrol bacteria produce indoleacetic acid, which has a beneficial effect on plant growth. From our findings, all three antagonistic strains can be excellent candidates for ginseng root rot caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. These bacteria have laid the foundation for the biological control of ginseng root rot and for further research on the field control of ginseng pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more Chinese enterprises have participated in the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) since its launch in 2013. However, have they all actually benefited? Which companies otherwise have benefited most from the plan? To answer these questions, this paper analyzes the impact of the BRI on Chinese enterprises. Among several findings, it reveals that the performance of companies remained low even though the initiative policy initially stimulated performance, the performance of enterprises depends on the geographical location of enterprises and that the returns of China's outward foreign direct investment in various industries became more volatile with only the mining industry enjoying better returns. Thus, the paper shows that the BRI offers Chinese enterprises opportunities but also brings challenges for companies to optimize the allocation of their resources and improve the performance of their investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical soil fumigation (CSF) and reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) have been proven to be effective agricultural strategies to improve soil quality, restructure microbial communities, and promote plant growth in soil degradation remediation. However, it is still unclear how RSD and CSF ensure soil and plant health by altering fungal communities. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of CSF with chloropicrin, and RSD with animal feces on soil properties, fungal communities and functional composition, and plant physiological characteristics were evaluated. Results showed that RSD and CSF treatment improved soil properties, restructured fungal community composition and structure, enhanced fungal interactions and functions, and facilitated plant growth. There was a significant increase in OM, AN, and AP contents in the soil with both CSF and RSD treatments compared to CK. Meanwhile, compared with CK and CSF, RSD treatment significantly increased biocontrol Chaetomium relative abundance while reducing pathogenic Neonectria relative abundance, indicating that RSD has strong inhibition potential. Furthermore, the microbial network of RSD treatment was more complex and interconnected, and the functions of plant pathogens, and animal pathogen were decreased. Importantly, RSD treatment significantly increased plant SOD, CAT, POD activity, SP, Ca, Zn content, and decreased MDA, ABA, Mg, K, and Fe content. In summary, RSD treatment is more effective than CSF treatment, by stimulating the proliferation of probiotic communities to further enhance soil health and plant disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a method for covalent quaternization of porous carbon nanospheres (PCNSs) and their application as anion exchanging stationary phase for ion chromatography. The PCNSs were covalently quaternized via the dehydration condensation between surface carboxyl groups and polyethyleneimine. This was followed by a repeated epoxy-amine addition reaction with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. As a result, surface methylamino groups are formed. The electrostatic interaction between quaternized PCNSs and sulfonated poly(polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene) resulted in the formation of an agglomerated stationary phase. The capacities (41.5-90.2 μequiv) and pressures (540-1150 psi) of column packed with novel phases (100 × 4.0 mm i.d.) were further increased with grafted polymer layer counts (2-5). Common inorganic anions, small organic acids and saccharides were rapidly separated on the new phases. The column efficiencies for seven inorganic anions ranged from 38,400 to 13,200 plates m−1. Through 8 days of flushing test, the RSD values for retention time and efficiencies varied from 0.56% to 1.32%, and from 0.34% to 0.74%, respectively.Schematic presentation of the covalent modification of porous carbon nanospheres (PCNSs) with hyperbranched quaternized polymers via the amidation and epoxy-amine addition reaction was depicted. Functionalized PCNSs were further applied as agglomerated materials of polymeric stationary phase for ion chromatography (IC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The bulk production of hydrothermal carbon microspheres (1.1–7.1 μm) was achieved. • This method is simple, rapid, high-yield and applicable for various carbohydrates. • The hierarchical porosity was formed by H 2 O 2 oxidation and air-assisted calcination. • Porous carbon spheres were covalently quaternized with hyperbranched polymers. • Modified porous carbon spheres show good separation for inorganic anions and sugars. Monodisperse micron-grade carbon spheres (MCSs) (1.1–7.1 μm) were prepared via the hydrothermal carbonization of maltose with the addition of polyacrylic and inorganic acid. The synthesis could be accomplished in 3 h and still take effect at a large maltose concentration (∼800 g/L) or in tenfold enlarged experiments. This strategy was also applicable to form MCSs with good monodispersity for various carbohydrates including glucose, sucrose, soluble starch, xylan, glucan and barley starch. The simple H 2 O 2 oxidation and calcination under static air atmosphere could introduce good surface meso- and macroporosity (average pore size of 4.2 nm, 79% of total pore volume) onto MCSs. The covalent grafting of porous MCSs with hyperbranched quaternized polymers was implemented in aqueous solution, via amidation with polyvinylamine and following amine-epoxy addition reaction with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether. As ion chromatographic stationary phases, the modified porous MCSs rapidly accomplished the baseline separation of typical inorganic anions and carbohydrates with high efficiency and satisfactory stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the thermal performance of thermal energy storage systems, a packed bed thermal energy storage systems unit using spherical capsules filled with multiple phase change materials (multi-PCM) for use in conventional air-conditioning systems is presented. A 3-D mathematical model was established to investigate the charging characteristics of the thermal energy storage systems unit. The optimum proportion between the multi-PCM was identified. The effects of heat transfer fluid-flow rate and heat transfer fluid inlet temperature on the liquid phase change materials volume fraction, charging time and charging capacity of the thermal energy storage system unit are studied. The results indicate that the charging capacity of multi-PCM units is higher than that of the conventional single-PCM (HY-2). For proportions 0:1:0, 2:3:3, 3:2:3, 3:3:2, 4:1:3, and 4:2:2, the charging capacity decreases by approximately 24.84%, 14.69%, 6.47%, 3.82%, and 1.13%, respectively, compared to the 4:2:2 proportion. Moreover, decreasing the heat transfer fluid inlet temperature can obviously shorten the complete charging time of the thermal energy storage systems unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]