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Flood season in our country is characterized by frequent heavy rains, and flood problems are becoming increasingly serious. The uneven distribution of water resources causes conflicts in the occurrence of floods and droughts. Implementing effective flood control planning and solving drought and flood disasters are the research highlights of relevant institutions both domestic and abroad. This study develops a multiscale method of urban flood control planning based on microcirculation. A microcirculation water ecosystem, which consists of six elements, namely, collecting, interacting, precipitating, reserving, storing, and purifying, is introduced. This study investigates precipitation; peak shaving; recycle mode of filtration at the macro level in different regions; “hierarchy” in rainwater ecosystems in rain parks, heavy rain garden parks, and wetland parks at the meso level; and the concept of zero-emission rain in residential areas and roads at the micro level. Finally, this study analyzes a rain garden and its domestic application. A conclusion is drawn that the flood control planning model based on microcirculation can effectively reduce rain runoff. Empirical measurement proves that the proposed multiscale model for city flood control planning based on microcirculation promotes flood control and effectively reduces the occurrence of droughts and floods.

Graduated compression shaping pants (GCSPs) are shapewears sharing the same action mechanisms as medical compression stockings (MCSs), setting four stages of pressure on lower limbs that gradually decreasing from the ankle to the thigh root. They are claimed to be able to not only shaping bodies but also promoting blood circulation in legs. However, there are few studies on whether GCSPs perform the advertised functions and how effective GCSPs could be. The purpose of this paper is to explore and evaluate the pressure distribution and body-shaping effectivity of GCSPs.

The authors first select two graduated compression shaping pants (GCSPs-A, GCSPs-B) and a pair of professional shaping pants as the Controls. Then objective pressure test and 3D body scanning test are conducted. Finally, the pressure distribution and body-shaping effectivity are demonstrated by ORIGIN and MATLAB, compared with controls.

GCSPs-A perform significant body-shaping effectivity at the calf, thigh and thigh root, which are less effective than the Controls. The body-shaping effectivity of GCSPs-B is predicted weaker than GCSPs-A at the calf and thigh, while better at the thigh root. Both GCSPs-A and GCSPs-B show gradual pressure, which could be classified into Class I or II of MCSs. Comprehensively, GCSPs-A are superior than GCSPs-B.

In this paper, authors evaluate the pressure distribution and body-shaping effectivity of GCSPs, which could provide guidance for enterprises to further optimize and produce GCSPs, performing better functions that meet consumers' needs better.

The study of Malcolm Tims, principal at Boobook Primary School, is one example of the descriptive case studies written for ten primary school principals in one N.S.W. Inspectorate. The Stephens Tissue Perfusion Monitor was used as a physiological device to monitor the levels of stress. A plethysmograph worn by the principal and connected to a small transmitter relayed signals to a receiver connected to the Tissue Perfusion Monitor. As stress levels increased, the amount of blood flowing to the tissues decreased and this was shown on the meter and numerically represented as the Tissue Perfusion Index (TPI). As stress levels decreased the TPI levels rose. Each principal was observed for several days and detailed notes were made of the various factors that caused the stress levels to vary. Changes of staff, conflicting values, attitudes and behaviours in teachers and executive staff, staff meetings and poor performance of ancillary staff were common stressors. Recalcitrant pupils, dissatisfied parents, and dealings with other officials, curriculum and policy changes, problems with school buildings and equipment (including break‐and‐enters), work overload and time pressures were also significant stressors. Principals' days seemed to be characterised by a large number of “hassles” and “uplifts”, with intervening periods of either heavy of severe stress or periods of relative calm. Stress levels were found to decrease when positive and beneficial events occurred. The study was able to determine 14 categories of such “uplifts”. Positive support, a “challenge” mentality, confidence, a higher locus of control, as well as individual application of techniques for relaxation, appeared to assist principals in lowering stress levels.

This study seeks to investigate the effect of palm‐based phytonutrient complex (PPC) on stress‐induced gastric lesions and accompanying changes in the gastric acidity and gastrin level.

A total of 40 rats were divided between a control group that was given a vitamin E deficient diet and a treatment group that was given a vitamin deficient diet with oral supplementation of PPC at 60 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period half of the number of rats were subjected to restraint‐stress for two hours for four consecutive days. Following stress exposure, blood was taken for measurement of gastrin level, after which all the rats were disposed of. The gastric acid was collected for measurement of acid concentration, while the stomachs were opened along the greater curvature and examined for lesions.

Rats exposed to stress developed hemorrhagic gastric lesions. PPC supplemented rats had fewer gastric lesions compared with their respective control group. Stress without supplementation with PPC also caused a reduction in the gastric acid concentration and the serum gastrin levels. Compared with their corresponding controls, the pre‐ and post‐values of gastric acid and serum gastrin concentration in rats with PPC supplementation remained comparable.

Stress is an identified risk factor for the development of gastric lesions. The current study showed that PPC was able to reduce the development of gastric lesions induced by stress and blocks the stress‐induced changes in the gastric acid concentration and gastrin level. It is possible that part of the protective effect of PPC in stress is through maintenance of the normal gastrin level, which results in the maintenance of gastrin trophic action in the gastric mucosa.

To solve several “inorganic” problems generated recently by community development in China (e.g., waste of social resources, environmental pollution, and decreased economic energy efficiency), focus should be on improving the community traffic organic micro-circulation system. As a historic and mixed functional urban community, the micro-circulation system of Xi'an Railway Bureau exhibits representativeness and complexity. Based on existing research results and years of follow-up investigations, which concentrate on circulation patterns and inherent organic development requirements of the community traffic micro-circulation system, this paper builds an evaluation index system. Value function method was used to implement the index factor quantitative analysis and comprehensive evaluation. Several related strategies were proposed to improve the organic micro-circulation system of the community, which is based on the analysis of the evaluation, in order to adopt the trend in both increasing urban development and stock updating. The analysis results demonstrate that it is necessary to present guiding renewal strategies on community land, road, people, and the environment for those mixed functional communities which use progressive renewed mode. It compensates the problems of overly strong export-oriented system, which is caused by the lack of organic traffic micro-circulation, so as to achieve the selective opening of community external. The study mainly highlights the significance of the systematic analysis of evaluation in influencing strategies on community renewal.

Far infrared radiation (FIR) has been shown to have physiological effects when used as a treatment modality for certain medical conditions. Athletic apparel are currently commercially available that are constructed with fabrics that purportedly emit FIR. If apparel with this technology are capable of inducing positive physiological effects, then there may be important implications when worn by an athlete during exercise. The purpose of this study is to examine whether FIR apparel has an effect on oxygen consumption during exercise at submaximal intensities. Twelve male cyclists have completed submaximal incremental cycling tests. Each subject is tested on 4 separate days, twice while wearing a full body Control garment, and twice while wearing a similar garment made out of FIR fabric. Throughout each cycling test, the volume of oxygen uptake is monitored by using a breathing mask and metabolic analysis cart. At lower cycling intensities, the subjects consume statistically significantly less oxygen when wearing the FIR apparel compared to the Control garment, despite performing the same amount of mechanical work. Additional research is required to determine the implication of this effect for a training or competing athlete; however, the results indicate that this apparel technology does elicit a physiological effect.

Lead is a known reproductive toxicant in humans and animals. Data on cadmium reproductive effects in humans are inconclusive, and in female animals are lacking. More information on the toxicokinetics and toxicity of Pb and Cd during the reproductive period and in developing young is needed. Experimental studies on rats conducted in laboratories in Croatia and in the USA separately and as collaborative research show that Pb or Cd have effects on reproductive function. Chronic or subchronic oral Pb or Cd exposure of the dams causes decreased pup weight and survival, and depressed serum progesterone concentration in Cd‐exposed dams at the term. No paternally mediated Pb effects were found in offspring. Organ Pb or Cd accumulation was accompanied by changes in essential element concentrations in both dam and foetus. Acute in vivo and in vitro exposure to Cd had specific effects on gonadal steroidogenesis in both males and females. Proposes possible sites of action of Cd in the steroidogenic pathway.

Personal thermal management by controlling the radiation energies of both the body and the sun can be used in all environments and contributes to sustainability components with the advantages of energy saving, low chemical usage and comfort enhancements under dynamic conditions. In this study, passive radiative heating nanocomposite films were produced using sodium alginate as the matrix and zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles as nanofillers having far infrared radiation reflecting, hence passive heating functions.

Nanocomposite film solutions were prepared by stirring sodium alginate powder, deionized water, ZnO and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (20% wt of matrix polymer) with surfactant using magnetic and ultrasonic stirrers in turn. Films produced within Petri dishes after drying at room temperature were analyzed by FT-IR, UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and SEM for chemical, radiation management and morphological characteristics, respectively. Emissivity values giving idea about the heating performances of the films were determined with an IR camera and a hotplate system. Moreover, direct heating performances were measured by the hotplate system including a far-infrared lamp.

Results showed that the emissivity of the films increased by approximately 18% and 16% with ZnO and Al₂O₃ nanoparticles, respectively. Moreover, NaAlg–Al₂O₃ nanocomposite film exhibited passive radiative heating performance of 3.58 °C, higher than the heating performance of NaAlg–ZnO nanocomposite film which is 2.97 °C when compared to the reference NaAlg film. These results indicate that both NaAlg–ZnO and especially NaAlg–Al₂O₃ nanocomposite films have excellent far-infrared emission and absorption properties ensuring a significant heating effect.

In addition to other clothing types, the heating performance obtained with the produced nanocomposite structures may be applied to different types of cosmetic/medical applications (beauty mask, wound dresses, etc.) enabling skincare/healing with the advantage of the sodium alginate matrix.

Customer lifetime value (CLV) is one of the key indicators to measure the success or health of an organization. How can an organization assess the organization's customers' lifetime value (LTV) and offer relevant strategies to retain prospective and profitable customers? This study offers an integrated view of different methods for calculating CLVs for both loyalty members and non-membership customers.

This study outlines eleven methods for calculating CLV considering (1) the deterministic aspect of NPV (Net present value) models in both finite and infinite timespans, (2) the geometric pattern and (3) the probabilistic aspect of parameter estimates through simulation modeling along with (4) the migration models for including “the probability that customers will return in the future” as a key input for CLV calculation.

The CLV models are validated in the context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)in the healthcare industry. The results show that understanding CLV can help the organization develop strategies to retain valuable customers while maintaining profit margins.

The integrated CLV models provide an overview of the mathematical estimation of LTVs depending on the nature of the customers and the business circumstances and can be applied to other business settings.

The waste generated in the process of obtaining orange juice (J) may be used as a natural source of bioactive compounds, thus contributing to the profitability and sustainability of the process. To offer orange J as a dried matter would contribute to the integral valorisation of the J waste and also may expand the field of application.

To find out whether the JW matrix protects the bioactive compounds, the study compares the behaviour of the extracts of the compounds against drying with that resulting from drying the JW for further extraction. Dehydration was carried out at 25 or 50 C and gum Arabic (GA) and bamboo fibre (BF) were used as stabilising biopolymers (Bp). Vitamin C (VC) (L-ascorbic and L-dehydroascorbic acids [AA and DHAA, respectively]) and hesperidin (HES) were analysed before and after the drying.

The results suggest that to dry the JW gives a higher yield of bioactive compounds, which are also more stable, than when the extract is dried. Furthermore, both the higher temperature and the presence of the Bp favour the extraction of both VC and HES. In this way, all the waste from the orange J-processing industries is converted into a high-value product to be used for cosmeceutical or nutraceutical purposes and also as an ingredient for human food.

The utilisation of organic waste for use in human food, but also in other sectors, is part of the new economic model that aims to do away with the concept of waste as people know it, focussing on a new paradigm in which each resource is a nutrient for nature, industry or society.

The results suggest that to dry the waste gives a higher yield of bioactive compounds, which are also more stable, than when the extract is dried. Furthermore, both the higher temperature and the presence of the Bp favour the extraction of both VC and HES. In that way, all the waste from the orange J-processing industries are converted into a high-value product to be used for cosmeceutical or nutraceutical purposes and also as an ingredient for human food.