Background: Multiple sclerosis is often a longitudinal disease continuum with an initial relapsing-remitting phase (RRMS) and later secondary progression (SPMS). Most currently approved therapies are not sufficiently effective in SPMS. Early detection of SPMS conversion is therefore critical for therapy selection. Important decision-making tools may include testing of partial cognitive performance and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Aim of the work: To demonstrate the importance of cognitive testing and MRI for the prediction and detection of SPMS conversion. Elaboration of strategies for follow-up and therapy management in practice, especially in outpatient care. Material and methods: Review based on an unsystematic literature search. Results: Standardized cognitive testing can be helpful for early SPMS diagnosis and facilitate progression assessment. Annual use of sensitive screening tests such as Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and Brief Visual Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) or the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) test battery is recommended. Persistent inflammatory activity on MRI in the first three years of disease and the presence of cortical lesions are predictive of SPMS conversion. Standardized MRI monitoring for features of progressive MS can support clinically and neurocognitively based suspicion of SPMS. Discussion: Interdisciplinary care of MS patients by clinically skilled neurologists, supported by neuropsychological testing and MRI, has a high value for SPMS prediction and diagnosis. The latter allows early conversion to appropriate therapies, as SPMS requires different interventions than RRMS. After drug switching, clinical, neuropsychological, and imaging vigilance allows stringent monitoring for neuroinflammatory and degenerative activity as well as treatment complications.
Increasing water consumption has increased using of synthetic nutritional methods for enriching groundwater resources. Artificial feeding is a method that can save excess water for using in low level water time in underground. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the flood dispersal and artificial feeding system in the Red Garden of Shahr-e-Daghshan and improving, saving quality of the groundwater table in the area. In order to investigate the performance of these plans, an area of 1570 km2 was considered in the Southern of Shah-Reza. The statistics data from 5 years before the design of the plans (1986-2002) related to flood control fluctuations in 20 observation wells and many indicator Qanat were surveyed in this area. The annual fluctuations in the level of the station show a rise in the level of the station after the depletion of the plan. Dewatering of the first and second turns, with an increase of more than one meter above groundwater level, has had the highest impact on the level of groundwater table in the region. Reduced permeability at sediment levels, wasted flood through evaporation and wasteful exploitation of groundwater resources, cause to loss of the impact on the increase in the level and quality of groundwater in the area, especially in the dry, drought season and recent high droughts.
In this article, generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) is used to study the free vibrational behavior of variable cross section nano beams. Eringen's nonlocal elastic theory is taken into account to model the small scale effects and nonuniformity is assumed by exponentially varying the width of nano beam. Governing equation of motion is solved using generalized differential quadrature method with different numbers of sampling points. Effects of increasing the sampling points in reaching more accurate results for first three frequency parameters are presented and it is shown that after a specific number of sampling points, results merge to a certain accurate number. It is concluded that generalized differential quadrature method is able to reach the correct answers comparing to analytical results. Moreover, due to the stiffness softening behavior of small-scale structures, necessity of using Eringen's nonlocal elastic theory to model the small scale effects due to the frequency variation is observed. |
This work investigates epoxy composites reinforced by randomly oriented, short glass fibres and silica microparticles. A full-factorial experiment evaluates the effects of glass fibre mass fraction (15 wt% and 20 wt%) and length (5 mm and 10 mm), and the mass fraction of silica microparticles (5 wt% and 10 wt%) on the apparent density and porosity, as well as the compressive and tensile strength and modulus of the hybrid composites. Hybrid epoxy composites present significantly higher tensile strength (9%) and modulus (57%), as well as compressive strength (up to 15%) relative to pure epoxy.
The rapid digitalisation of business processes and the widespread adoption of remote work since the COVID‑19 pandemic have forced private enterprises to re‑examine the role of human resource management (HRM). Drawing on the resource‑based view, this study investigates how digital HR strategies—covering recruitment & selection, training & development, performance management and digital employee services—affect employee engagement and firm performance in a context where a significant portion of the workforce operates remotely. Using survey data from 150 employees and managers in 50 privately owned firms in Chongqing, China, supplemented by semi‑structured interviews with HR leaders, we develop a digital HR adoption index and test its impact on remote work effectiveness and organisational performance. The results show that higher levels of digital HR adoption positively influence employee engagement, reduce perceptions of relative deprivation and cyberloafing, and enhance remote work effectiveness. Regression analysis further indicates that remote work effectiveness mediates the relationship between digital HR adoption and organisational performance. Qualitative insights highlight the importance of leadership support, training and the integration of platforms such as WeChat Work, DingTalk and Tencent Meeting for managing remote teams. Our findings offer evidence‑based recommendations for private enterprises in emerging economies to align digital HR strategies with remote working arrangements, support employee well‑being and sustain performance.
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