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To solve the problem of controlling mining in the open-pit mine end slope fire-burned area, applying multivariate function fitting to the roof and floor modeling of multi-coal seam open pit mines, introducing the factor of coal quality changes in the fire-burned area, determining coal quality information at each location through proximate analysis of coal, to establish the net profit model of the mining area, it is determined the net profit of each mining position by numerical integration, the final mining position was determined without failure by calculating the slope stability based on the numerical simulation of strength reduction. Taking the Dananhu No. 2 open-pit mine in Hami, Xinjiang, China as the engineering background, the fire-burned area III within the southern end slope boundary of the first mining area is 240 m. It was finally determined that the optimal mining position is when the advancement degree is 182 m, the ultimate pit slope angle is 25°, the three-dimensional slope stability is 1.305, the profit is 671.96 million yuan, The deep boundary of the southern end slope fire-burned area of the slope is reduced by 58 m. This paper solves the problem of end slope mining in Dananhu No. 2 mine, and maximizes its net profit under the condition of ensuring safe production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent homology is a powerful tool for quantifying various structures, but it is equally crucial to maintain its interpretability. In this study, we extracted interpretable geometric features from the persistent diagrams (PDs) of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images of self-assembled Pt-CeO2 nanostructures synthesized under different annealing conditions. We focused on PD quadrants and extracted five interpretable features from the zeroth and first PDs of nanostructures ranging from maze-like to striped patterns. A combination of hierarchical clustering and inverse analysis of PDs reconstructed by principal component analysis through vectorization of the PDs highlighted the importance of the number of arc-like structures of the CeO2 phase in the first PDs, particularly those that were smaller than a characteristic size. This descriptor enabled us to quantify the degree of disorder, namely the density of bends, in nanostructures formed under different conditions. By using this descriptor along with the width of the CeO2 phase, we classified 12 Pt-CeO2 nanostructures in an interpretable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To summarize the clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients with ceftriaxone-induced liver injury and guide the selection of safe medication. Methods: Retrieved domestic and foreign databases from inception to October 2023, collected case data conforming to ceftriaxone-induced liver injury, and statistically analyzed the data. Results: A total of 617 articles were retrieved, and 16 articles with 33 cases (10 children, 23 adults) were included. Males represented 60% (18/30), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. The age of onset ranged from 2 days to 96 years, with 15 of 23 adults (65%) over 55 years old. The time from ceftriaxone use to liver injury fluctuated between 0.5 and 47 days. Only 9 patients (27.3%, 9/33) had clinical symptoms, and the clinical classification was dominated by cholestatic injury (46.2%, 12/26). There was a significant difference in the clinical classification of ceftriaxone-induced liver injury between children and adults (P = 0.0126), with hepatocellular injury predominating in children and cholestatic injury predominating in adults. The severity of liver injury was mainly mild (66.7%, 12/18). Peak values of alanine aminotransferase ranging from 228.5 to 8098 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase ranging from 86.7 to 21575 U/L, alkaline phosphatase ranging from 143 to 2434 U/L, and total bilirubin ranging from 3.35 to 66.1 mg/dL. There was a significant difference in peak values of alkaline phosphatase between children and adults (P = 0.027), with a higher peak value of alkaline phosphatase in adults (1039 ± 716.4 U/L vs. 257 ± 134.9 U/L). Patients with normal imaging examinations accounted for the majority (61.5%, 7/13). The prognosis of 32 patients (97%, 32/33) was good, and one child with sickle cell anemia who developed immune hemolysis, progressive renal failure, and acute liver injury after using ceftriaxone died in the end. Conclusion: Ceftriaxone-induced liver injury can occur at any age, with a higher risk in the elderly, and age may be related to the clinical classification. Although the clinical manifestations are not specific, close monitoring of liver biochemical indicators during the use can detect liver injury early. Most cases have a good prognosis, but for people with concomitant sickle cell anemia, it is necessary to be vigilant about the occurrence of severe hemolytic anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture behavior of welding material at elevated temperatures can significantly affect the performance of steel welded connections in fires. Therefore, this paper investigates the fracture behavior and fracture model of welding material in steel welded connections exposed to elevated temperatures up to 700°C. Firstly, using the standard tension test data and numerical analysis method, the true stress–strain model of E7018 welding materials at elevated temperatures was derived for fracture prediction of steel welded connections. The fracture parameters of the welding materials at elevated temperatures in tension and shear were calibrated from the results of the standard tension test and longitudinal fillet-welded connection tension test, respectively. The 2D fracture models of welds at elevated temperatures were developed considering the relationship between stress triaxiality and equivalent plastic strain at fracture. The 3D fracture models of welds at elevated temperatures were then established from the 2D fracture model by considering the effect of Lode angle parameters in tension and shear. The 3D fracture models of welds were validated against the tension tests on the fillet welded connections at elevated temperatures under different load angles including 0°, 45°, and 90°. Finally, the fracture model as the function of temperature, stress triaxiality, Lode angle parameter, and plastic strain at fracture was proposed for E7018 welding material. According to the results, the welding material demonstrates ductile fracture behavior at elevated temperatures. The developed 3D fracture model can reasonably predict the fracture behavior of the welding material in steel welded connections at elevated temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research purposes and design: This study aimed to compare the effects of different explicit approaches used in modeling-based instruction on students' understanding of scientific models and modeling (USMM). In Study 1, a self-study approach was compared to a preliminary explicit approach. In Study 2, preliminary explicit approach and embedded explicit approach were compared. Methods: For the data analysis, t tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare students' USMM under the conditions of using different explicit approaches. Findings: Results showed that in the first study, no statistically significant difference was found between self-study approach and the preliminary explicit approach in any of the USMM subscales. In the second study, students who learned with the embedded explicit approach had better understandings in all subscales of USMM, but not in the changing nature of scientific models (CNM) subscale, than those who learned with the preliminary explicit approach. Through qualitative analysis of the data, categories and examples of the teacher's embedded epistemic guidance were illustrated. Suggestions for future professional development and research instrument design are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Design Methods Results Conclusion Clinical Relevance The effectiveness of health interventions delivered via a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services for caregivers of stroke survivors remains uncertain. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing educational and peer support programs for these caregivers through such platforms.Quasi‐experimental design.This study included 105 caregiver–survivor dyads, with 54 dyads allocated to the intervention group and the remaining 51 to the control group. The LINE intervention comprised a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services including stroke and rehabilitation education, problem‐solving skills training, long‐term care information support, and 24‐h peer and professional support for caregivers. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 1 month, and after 3 months, and encompassed caregivers' care burden, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and quality of life, as well as the rehabilitation adherence and depressive symptoms of stroke survivors. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine group differences. The data were collected between August 2021 and October 2022.The average age of the caregivers was 48.3 years. Caregivers in the intervention group reported reduced care burdens and enhanced perceptions of social support and quality of life as compared to those in the control group. Additionally, stroke survivors in the intervention group were less likely to exhibit high‐risk depressive symptoms.Delivering a stroke caregiver support intervention via in‐person and electronic social networking services, such as LINE, effectively reduced the care burden for caregivers of stroke survivors. Additionally, it enhanced caregivers' perceived social support and quality of life.This study demonstrated that caregiver education and peer support programs administered through a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services can serve as an effective support system for the psychosocial health of stroke caregivers. These findings support the integration of such interventions into standard clinical practice by healthcare providers or governmental bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to understand and meet the multi-dimensional affective image needs of users for product form in a user demand-oriented product development model. Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms based on decomposition will be introduced into the field of kansei engineering to carry out research on product form optimisation design based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms. A constrained multi-objective discrete optimisation model was established using the kansei engineering prediction model constructed through machine learning techniques as the objective function, and a reference vector guided evolutionary algorithm was used to solve it. The superiority of this method was verified by comparing it with other commonly used solving methods in this field. Combining entropy weight method and TOPSIS, select the optimisation design scheme that best meets the multi-dimensional affective needs of users from the obtained pareto set. Taking the train as an example, the proposed method was explained. The results indicate that the optimisation scheme obtained by this method can achieve the improvement and optimisation of product form in multiple affective dimensions. Meanwhile, a comparative study on the applicability of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms in the form optimisation problem of different affective dimensions is carried out to provide reference and suggestions for subsequent product design research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sertoli cell (SC) proliferation plays an important role in sperm production and quality; however, the regulatory mechanism of SC proliferation is not well understood. This study investigated the role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the regulation of immature boar SC activity. Cell counting kit-8, Seahorse XFe96, mitochondrial respiratory enzyme-related assay kits, and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect SC proliferative viability, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity, and the ultrastructure of primary cultured SCs in vitro from the testes of 21-day-old boars. A dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the miRNA-mRNA target interaction. Western blotting was used to analyze cell proliferation-related protein expression of p38, p21, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), Cyclin D3, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Each experiment had a completely randomized design, with three replicates in each experiment. The results showed that the AMPK inhibitor (Compound C, 20 μM-24 h) increased cell proliferation viability, ATP production, and maximal respiration of SCs by 0.64-, 0.12-, and 0.08-fold (p < 0.05), respectively; increased the SC protein expression of PCNA, CDK4, Cyclin D3, and p-Rb by 0.13-, 0.09-, 0.88-, and 0.12-fold (p < 0.05), respectively; and decreased the SC protein expression of p38 and p21 by 0.36- and 0.27-fold (p < 0.05), respectively. The AMPK agonist AICAR (2 mM-6 h) significantly inhibited SC ultrastructure, OCR, mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity, and cell proliferation-related protein levels. AMPK was validated to be a target gene of miR-1285 based on the result in which the miR-1285 mimic inhibited the luciferase activity of wild-type AMPK by 0.54-fold (p < 0.001). MiR-1285 mimic promoted the OCR of SCs, with 0.45-, 0.15-, 0.21-, and 0.30-fold (p < 0.01) increases in ATP production, basal and maximal respiration, and spare capacity, respectively. MiR-1285 mimic increased the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity of SCs, with 0.63-, 0.70-, and 0.97-fold (p < 0.01) increases in NADH-Q oxidoreductase, cytochrome c oxidase, and ATP synthase, respectively. Moreover, the miR-1285 mimic increased the protein expression of PCNA, CDK4, Cyclin D3, and p-Rb by 0.24-, 0.30-, 0.22-, and 0.13-fold (p < 0.05), respectively, and reduced the protein expression of p38 and p21 by 0.58- and 0.66-fold (p < 0.001). MiR-1285 inhibitor showed opposite effects on the above indicators and induced numerous autophagosomes and large lipid droplets in SCs. A high dose of estradiol (10 μM-6 h, showed a promotion of AMPK activation in a previous study) significantly inhibited SC ultrastructure, mitochondrial function, and proliferation-related pathways, while these adverse effects were weakened by Compound C treatment or miR-1285 mimic transfection. Our findings suggest that the activation and inhibition of AMPK induced by specific drugs or synthesized targeted miRNA fragments could regulate immature boar SC proliferative activity by influencing the CDK4/Cyclin D3 pathway and mitochondrial function; this helps to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of male sterility in clinical practice. • Compound C increases immature boar SC proliferative activity. • MiR-1285 mimic can target and inhibit AMPK. • AMPK inhibition increases SC mitochondrial function and CDK4/Cyclin D3 pathway. • AMPK activation damages SC ultrastructure. • AMPK inhibition reduces adverse effects of estradiol on SCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization has identified methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) as the most effective treatment for reducing patient dependence on heroin. In Taiwan, MMT has been used as a heroin harm reduction strategy since 2006. Although the effectiveness of MMT in reducing heroin addiction has been examined quantitatively in prison samples, little attention has been paid to the experiences and perspectives of patients with heroin addiction receiving MMT. This study was designed to address this gap in scientific knowledge. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of individuals struggling with heroin addiction who are receiving MMT in the community. Methods: A qualitative descriptive research approach and semistructured interviews were used in this study. We interviewed 14 participants who had received MMT in a medical center in central Taiwan. All of the interview data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: (a) a chance to change one's life, (b) the helpfulness of MMT, (c) a sense of being restricted and controlled, and (d) need for support. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: This article fills a gap in current scholarly understanding of patient experiences and their perspectives on the helpfulness of MMT. Understanding patient experiences and perspectives is critical to informing and developing concrete strategies for clinical practice and MMT policy. Clinical professionals should assess patient needs and concerns to determine whether they are met by current treatment programs. Policymakers should design more flexible policies to facilitate easier access by patients to methadone to reduce the risk of relapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While surgery remains the primary treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), induction chemotherapy (IC) can be used as a bridging or neoadjuvant therapy. This nationwide study in Taiwan examines the survival outcomes of OCSCC patients who received IC before surgery. Methods: We analyzed data from 29,891 patients with OCSCC. Of these, 29,058 initially underwent surgery (OP group), whereas 833 received IC before surgery (IC + OP group). A propensity score (PS)‐matched analysis (4, 1 ratio, 3260 vs. 815 patients) was performed considering tumor subsite, sex, age, Charlson comorbidity index, clinical T1–T4b tumors, clinical N0–3 disease, and clinical stage I–IV. Results: In the PS‐matched cohort, the 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 65% and 57%, respectively. When comparing the OP and IC + OP groups, the 5‐year DSS rates were 66% and 62%, respectively (p = 0.1162). Additionally, the 5‐year OS rates were 57% and 56%, respectively (p = 0.9917). No significant intergroup differences in survival were observed for specific subgroups with cT4a tumors, cT4b tumors, cN3 disease, pT4b tumors, and pN3 disease. However, for patients with pT4a tumors, the OP group demonstrated superior 5‐year outcomes compared to the IC + OP group, with a DSS of 62% versus 52% (p = 0.0006) and an OS of 53% versus 44% (p = 0.0060). Notably, patients with cT2–3, cN1, and c‐Stage II disease in the IC + OP group were significantly more likely to achieve pT0–1 status (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Following PS matching, the IC + OP group generally exhibited similar prognosis to the OP group. However, for pT4a tumors, the OP group showed superior 5‐year outcomes. While IC may not universally improve survival, it could be advantageous for patients who respond positively to the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes and develops a novel flexible 3D multi-point stretch-bending and twisting (3D MPSBT) forming equipment with six degrees of freedom to manufacture profiles with different bending radii and twisting angles at a lower tooling cost. Due to the discretization of the machine, the deformation characteristics and forming accuracy of the profiles differ from those of continuous molds. The size of the forming error for rectangular profiles is investigated by employing two different arrangements and numbers of dies. The results show that the forming errors occur in the free deformation zone due to stress effects. When the number of dies is the same, arranging the dies uniformly along the formed arc length yields higher accuracy in the shape of the formed profile. For a rectangular hollow aluminum profile with half the length of 1500 mm, the forming error in the free deformation zone of the profile can be reduced to less than 0.6 mm by using 12 die units arranged along the arc length. However, when the dies are uniformly arranged along the pre-deformation length of the profile, the minimum forming error exceeds 0.6 mm when the number of dies increases to 15. The minimum number of dies required for forming different bending radii is determined. Finally, the accuracy of the numerical simulation and the feasibility of forming complex-shaped aluminum profiles using the 3D MPSBT machine is validated through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Joint destruction is a major burden and an unsolved problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We designed an intra-articular mesoporous silica nanosystem (MSN-TP@PDA-GlcN) with anti-inflammatory and joint protection effects. The nanosystem was synthesized by encapsulating triptolide (TP) in mesoporous silica nanoparticles and coating it with pH-sensitive polydopamine (PDA) and glucosamine (GlcN) grafting on the PDA. The nano-drug delivery system with anti-inflammatory and joint protection effects should have good potency against RA. Methods: A template method was used to synthesize mesoporous silica (MSN). MSN-TP@PDA-GlcN was synthesized via MSN loading with TP, coating with PDA and grafting of GlcN on PDA. The drug release behavior was tested. A cellular inflammatory model and a rat RA model were used to evaluate the effects on RA. In vivo imaging and microdialysis (MD) system were used to analyze the sustained release and pharmacokinetics in RA rats. Results: TMSN-TP@PDA-GlcN was stable, had good biocompatibility, and exhibited sustained release of drugs in acidic environments. It had excellent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. It also effectively repaired joint destruction in vivo without causing any tissue toxicity. In vivo imaging and pharmacokinetics experiments showed that the nanosystem prolonged the residence time, lowered the Cmax value and enhanced the relative bioavailability of TP. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that MSN-TP@PDA-GlcN sustained the release of drugs in inflammatory joints and produced effective anti-inflammatory and joint protection effects on RA. This study provides a new strategy for the treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stepped wedge design is often used to evaluate interventions as they are rolled out across schools, health clinics, communities, or other clusters. Most models used in the design and analysis of stepped wedge trials assume that the intervention effect is immediate and constant over time following implementation of the intervention (the "exposure time"). This is known as the IT (immediate treatment effect) assumption. However, recent research has shown that using methods based on the IT assumption when the treatment effect varies over exposure time can give extremely misleading results. In this manuscript, we discuss the need to carefully specify an appropriate measure of the treatment effect when the IT assumption is violated and we show how a stepped wedge trial can be powered when it is anticipated that the treatment effect will vary as a function of the exposure time. Specifically, we describe how to power a trial when the exposure time indicator (ETI) model of Kenny et al. (Statistics in Medicine, 41, 4311–4339, 2022) is used and the estimand of interest is a weighted average of the time-varying treatment effects. We apply these methods to the ADDRESS-BP trial, a type 3 hybrid implementation study designed to address racial disparities in health care by evaluating a practice-based implementation strategy to reduce hypertension in African American communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Train wheels are crucial components for ensuring the safety of trains. The accurate and fast identification of wheel tread defects is necessary for the timely maintenance of wheels, which is essential for achieving the premise of conditional repair. Image-based detection methods are commonly used for detecting tread defects, but they still have issues with the misdetection of water stains and the leaking of small defects. In this paper, we address the challenges posed by the detection of wheel tread defects by proposing improvements to the YOLOv8 model. Firstly, the impact of water stains on tread defect detection is avoided by optimising the structure of the detection layer. Secondly, an improved SPPCSPC module is introduced to enhance the detection of small targets. Finally, the SIoU loss function is used to accelerate the convergence speed of the network, which ensures defect recognition accuracy with high operational efficiency. Validation was performed on the constructed tread defect dataset. The results demonstrate that the enhanced YOLOv8 model in this paper outperforms the original network and significantly improves the tread defect detection indexes. The average precision, accuracy, and recall reached 96.95%, 96.30%, and 95.31%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactide acid) (PLA) foams have shown considerable promise as eco-friendly alternatives to nondegradable plastic foams, such as polystyrene (PS) foams. Nevertheless, PLA foam typically suffers from low heat-resistance and poor cellular structure stemming from its inherent slow crystallization rate and low melt strength. In this study, a high-performance PLA foam with well-defined cell morphology, exceptional strength and enhanced heat-resistance was successfully fabricated via a core-back microcellular injection molding (MIM) process. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results revealed that the added hydrazine-based nucleating agent (HNA) significantly increased the crystallization temperature and accelerated the crystallization process of PLA. Remarkably, the addition of a 1.5 wt% of HNA led to a significant reduction in PLA's cell size, from 43.5 µm to 2.87 µm, and a remarkable increase in cell density, from 1.08×107 cells/cm3 to 2.15×1010 cells/cm3. This enhancement resulted in a final crystallinity of approximately 55.7% for the PLA blend foam, a marked improvement compared to the pure PLA foam. Furthermore, at 1.5 wt% HNA concentration, the tensile strength and tensile toughness of PLA blend foams demonstrated remarkable improvements of 136% and 463%, respectively. Additionally, the Vicat softening temperature of PLA blend foam increased significantly to 134.8 °C, whereas the pure PLA foam exhibited only about 59.7 °C. These findings underscore the potential for the preparation of lightweight injection-molded PLA foam with enhanced toughness and heat-resistance, which offers a viable approach for the production of high-performance PLA foams suitable for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate and quantify age-related changes in lower limb muscle stiffness in typically developing children and adolescents using acoustic radiation force impulse shear wave elastography. Materials and methods: Shear wave velocities of bilateral rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius muscles at rest were obtained in typically developing children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years. The participants were classified into three age groups: Group 1 (children), 3 to 7 years old; Group 2, 8 to 12 (pre-adolescent); and Group 3 (adolescent), 13 to 18. The shear wave velocities of muscle were compared across the three age groups, as well as compared between right- and left-side limbs. The correlation between shear wave velocities and body weight or body mass index was assessed. Results: Of the 47 participants, 21 were in Group 1, 17 in Group 2, and 9 in Group 3. There were no significant differences among the three age groups' shear wave velocities of bilateral lower limb muscles, and no significant differences between right and left sides. There was no correlation between muscle stiffness and body weight or body mass index. Conclusion: The present pilot study applied acoustic radiation force impulse shear wave elastography to quantify lower limb muscle stiffness in typically developing children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 years, suggesting no marked change in muscle stiffness occurs as they develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid urbanization in Taiwan, the green space has become a key factor in modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. We investigated the relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), green space, and cerebrovascular disease (CBD) at the township level in Taiwan, focusing on urban–rural disparities. Analyzing data from 358 townships (2011–2020), we examined SES indicators (e.g., low-income households, education levels, median tax payments), green space (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index—NDVI), and CBD mortality rates using the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and random-effect models (REM) in panel regression. Additionally, we explored the mediating role of the NDVI in the SES-CBD mortality association. CBD mortality decreased more in urban areas over the decade, with consistent NDVI patterns across regions. Rural areas experienced a decline in low-income households, contrasting with an increase in urban areas. SES variables, NDVI, and time significantly affected CBD mortality in rural areas but not urban ones. Notably, the NDVI had a stronger impact on CBD mortality in rural areas. Mediation analysis revealed the NDVI's indirect effects, especially in rural areas. Despite overall declines in CBD mortality in Taiwan, urban–rural disparities in SES and green space persist. Addressing these disparities is critical for understanding and developing interventions to mitigate health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the design, synthesis, and antibacterial activity study of pleuromutilin derivatives with 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline and 2‐methoxy‐4‐nitroaniline side chains at the C22 position. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR and HRMS. The inhibitory activity of the compounds against MSSA, pyogeniccoccus, streptococcus, and MRSA strains was determined using the micro broth dilution method. The results showed that the compounds exhibited certain activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, among which compounds A8a, A8b, A8c, A8d, and A7 demonstrated superior antibacterial activity against MSSA, MRSA, and pyogeniccoccus compared to tiamulin, although the derivatives showed lower antibacterial activity against streptococcus compared to the control drug. Based on the favorable in vitro activity of A8c, the time‐kill kinetics against MRSA were evaluated, revealing that compound A8c could inhibit bacterial proliferation in a concentration‐dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new isochromenes, 1-(8-methoxy-3-methyl-1H-isochromen-6-yl)propan-1-one (1) and 3-hydroxy-1-(8- methoxy-3-methyl-1H-isochromen-7-yl)propan-1-one (2), along with five known ones, (3–7) were isolated from the fermentation products of a cigar tobacco-derived endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas syringae (the main pathogenic sources of tobacco angular spot disease). Compounds 1 and 2 showed activity with MIC50 values of 6.8 and 8.4 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the MIC50 value of the positive control (agricultural streptomycin) is 2.2 μg/mL. The efficiencies of 1 and 2 are lower than that of the positive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two new naphthoquinones, 6-isopropyl-7-methoxy-2-(2-oxopropyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione (1) and 7-hydroxy-6-isopropyl-2-(2-oxopropyl)naphthalene-1,4-dione (2), together with five known new naphthoquinones (3–7) were isolated from the cigar-tobacco-derived endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Their structures were determined by means of HR-ESI-MS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) activity. The results showed that compound 1 exhibited potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with IC50 of 18.2 μM for the Delta strain and 24.6 μM for Omicron BA.1 strain, compound 2 also showed potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with IC50 of 14.6 μM for the Delta strain and 18.0 μM for Omicron BA.1 strain, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between glaucoma and B vitamin dietary intake. A total of 5025 enrolled individuals participated in self-reported glaucoma questionnaire and 3264 participated in International Society Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. In self-reported glaucoma, the risk of having self-reported glaucoma was lower in the third quartile of vitamin B1 intake (odds ratio [odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–0.97), and P trend (P trend = 0.004) for vitamin B12 was significant; in males, the third quartile of vitamin B1 intake (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.24–0.83) and the fourth quartile of vitamin B2 intake (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17–0.89) were associated with a lower risk. In glaucoma based on ISGEO criteria, the increase of niacin intake (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99) was negatively associated with the odds of self-reported glaucoma. After sex-stratified analysis, the third quartile of vitamin B6 intake (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08–0.60) in males were associated with reduced odds of glaucoma. The restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear association of vitamin B2 (p for nonlinearity = 0.04) and B9 (p for nonlinearity = 0.024) intake with glaucoma diagnosed by ISGEO criteria in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent mitochondria‐targeting photosensitizers (PSs) hold great potential for efficient image‐guided cancer phototherapy, but it remains challenging to develop PSs concurrently integrating high‐contrast NIR‐II fluorescence imaging and efficient therapeutic capabilities. Herein, a heptamethine cyanine (HCy) PS (termed I2HCy‐TPE nanoparticles (NPs)) by a molecular engineering strategy combining the heavy atom effect and structural distortion is reported. The heavy atom iodine is introduced to boost the intersystem crossing process, and the bulky tetraphenylethylene (TPE) moiety placed at the meso‐position of the heptamethine chain creates a highly distorted conformation in I2HCy‐TPE, theoretically verified by density functional theory calculations. This strategy synergistically promotes the 1O2 generation efficiency and assure the strong NIR fluorescence emission in aggregated states. Combining with the intrinsic mitochondria‐targeting capability, I2HCy‐TPE NPs are able to cause mitochondria‐targeted damage of cancer cells via the PDT and immunogenetic cell death‐triggered immune responses under NIR laser irradiation. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the biocompatible I2HCy‐TPE NPs present exceptional capability for in vivo NIR‐II fluorescence bioimaging of whole‐body and blood vessels, and exert efficient NIR‐II fluorescence‐guided photodynamic immunotherapy against triple‐negative breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the return to level I sports, concomitant injuries, foot-related problems, and other factors would increase the risk of knee reinjury after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: This study used a prospective cohort study design. Online enrolment from August 2018 to January 2019 in ACL Community Indonesia recruited 148 patients who had undergone ACLR less than one month prior to injury. Knee injury occurrence after ACLR was diagnosed through a physical examination and positive MRI or arthroscopic findings. Results: During the study, 55 knee reinjuries occurred. The proportional hazards model analysis revealed that the risk of knee reinjury at 12 and 24 months for patients who returned to level I sports (hazards ratio (HR)=3.17 and HR=3.90, respectively) was significantly higher than that of the patients who did not return to sports and that the risk for those who returned to level II/III sports did not significantly increase at 12 or 24 months. Patients with concomitant meniscus injury had a significantly higher risk of knee reinjury at 12 and 24 months (HR=3.33 and HR=2.25, respectively) than those without, and the risk of knee reinjury for patients with concomitant posterior cruciate ligament injury was significantly higher at 12 months (HR=3.05) but not at 24 months. Fewer knee symptoms after ACLR were significantly associated with a lower risk of knee reinjury (HR=0.98) at 12 and 24 months. Conclusions: The return to level I sports, concomitant meniscus and posterior cruciate ligament injury, and knee symptoms after ACLR may increase the risk of knee reinjury for post-ACLR patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enhanced communication in end-of-life care (EOL) improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life. Question prompt list (QPL) has been shown to enhance physician–patient communication in patients with cancer, but there is a lack of systematic review and meta-analysis for those with advanced cancer. Enhanced communication in end-of-life care improves preparation and treatment decisions for patients with advanced cancer, affecting their quality of life at the end of life. Objective: To review the effectiveness of QPL intervention on physician–patient communication and health outcomes during consultation in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were undertaken using inclusion criteria for relevant articles up to August 2021. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool and modified Jadad scale to assess the quality of the studies. Results: Seven RCTs with 1059 participants were included, of which six studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled meta-analysis results indicated that QPL in patients with advanced cancer had a significant positive effect on the total number of questions asked (SMD, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.18; I2 = 83%) and on the patients’ expectations for the future (SMD, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.08 to 1.25; I2 = 88%). There were no significant improvements in health-related outcomes such as end of life, anxiety, and quality of life. Conclusions: Using QPL in advanced cancer consultations boosts patient questions which helps communication but not health-related indicators. Optimal results depend on full reading, but timing varies. Future research should examine the relationship between communication and health outcomes, including patient/physician behavior and social context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about the efficacy and safety of exercise training on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This study aims to investigate the effect of exercise on health, quality of life, and different exercise capacities in individuals with JIA. Method: A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception to October, 2023. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effects of exercise on JIA patients. Two independent reviewers assessed the literature quality using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were combined using random or fixed effects models. The level of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Result: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria, containing 216 female participants and 90 males. The meta-analysis results showed that exercise had no significant effect on JIA patients based on the Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) (SMD=-0.32, 95%CI: -0.83, 0.19; I2 = 73.2%, P = 0.011) and Quality of Life (QoL) (SMD = 0.27, 95%CI: -0.04, 0.58; I2 = 29.4%, P = 0.243) and no significant effect on peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). However, exercise significantly reduced visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores in JIA patients (SMD = 0.50, 95%CI: -0.90, -0.10; I2 = 50.2%, P = 0.134). The quality of evidence assessed by GRADE was moderate to very low. Conclusion: Exercise does not significantly affect the quality of life and exercise capacity in JIA patients but may relieve pain. More RCTs are needed in the future to explore the effects of exercise on JIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the association of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with the use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) versus long‐acting insulins (LAIs), which are the two commonly prescribed injectable glucose‐lowering agents (GLAs) for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after the failure of multiple oral GLAs. Methods: We emulated a target trial using the nationwide data of a Taiwanese cohort with T2D. Incident new users of GLP‐1RAs and LAIs during 2013–2018 were identified, and propensity score (PS) matching was applied to ensure between‐group comparability in baseline patient characteristics. The primary outcome was the composite liver disease including cirrhosis or HCC. Each patient was followed until the occurrence of a study outcome, death, or the end of 2019, whichever came first. Subdistribution hazard models were employed to assess the treatment‐outcome association. Sensitivity (e.g., stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis, time‐dependent analysis), E‐value, and negative control outcome analyses were performed to examine the robustness of study findings. Results: We included 7171 PS‐matched pairs of GLP‐1RA and LAI users with no significant between‐group differences at baseline. Compared with LAIs, the use of GLP‐1RAs was associated with significantly reduced risks of composite liver disease (subdistribution hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.56 [0.42–0.76]), cirrhosis (0.59 [0.43–0.81]), and HCC (0.47 [0.24–0.93]). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and among patients with different baseline characteristics. Conclusion: Among T2D patients who require injectable GLAs, the use of GLP‐1RAs versus LAIs was associated with lower risks of cirrhosis and HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study that analyzed the bacterial load in meconium and second-pass feces of newborn infants. The researchers used the spike-in plasmid method to obtain quantitative results and found that the abundance of bacteria in meconium samples was 1.14 x 10^7 copies/g, while in second-pass feces samples it was 1.59 x 10^9 copies/g. The mode of delivery was found to significantly influence the composition of gut bacteria in newborns within 72 hours. The study also examined the differences in microbial composition between infants born via C-section and eutocia. The findings contribute to our understanding of the early colonization of the gut microbiota in infants. [Extracted from the article]

Studies utilizing the discrepancy model of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4 (MPAI-4) have commonly used the cognitive and physical domains to estimate self-awareness. This study included other aspects of self-awareness such as awareness of one's social and emotional status and daily functioning to explore their effects on caregiver burden for ABI survivors. We studied 64 patient-caregiver pairs up to 29 years post-discharge from a holistic, milieu-oriented outpatient neurorehabilitation program. Discrepancy scores between ABI survivors' and caregivers' reports on the MPAI-4 subscales (i.e. Abilities, Adjustment, and Participation) and Total Score were used to determine self-awareness. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Exploratory linear regression analyses revealed that caregiver burden derived from the ZBI was predicted by the discrepancy scores generated from the Abilities (p < 0.0001), Adjustment (p < 0.01), Participation subscales (p = 0.01), and Total Score (p < 0.001), respectively. Among the exploratory models generated, the Total Score model had the highest predictive value (R2 =.33) for caregiver burden. Measures of self-awareness should be comprehensive by considering diverse components of self-awareness. Increasing ABI survivors' self-awareness in different domains has the potential to effectively alleviate caregiver burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor functional status relating to heart failure (HF) negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with HF, especially those with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV HF, often exhibit poor HRQOL because of physical limitations and HF-related symptoms. Although sense of coherence (SOC) has been reported to be a determinant of HRQOL, its role as a mediator between functional status and HRQOL remains unclear, and few studies have explored the prevalence of HF in patients in NYHA Classes I and II. Purpose: This study was designed to investigate SOC as a mediator between different functional status classes and HRQOL in patients with HF. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with HF recruited from a hospital in northern Taiwan from April 2020 to September 2020. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics; functional classification in terms of NYHA Classes I, II, and III; and SOC were administered. The PROCESS v3.5 (by Andrew F. Hayes) macro was applied to analyze the effects, and Model 4 was used to examine the mediating role of SOC on the relationship between NYHA functional class and HRQOL. Results: Of the 295 participants, SOC was found to mediate the effects of functional status on HRQOL more significantly in patients in Class II than those in Class III but not more significantly in patients in Class I than those in Class III. A weaker mediating effect of SOC was noted on the relationship between functional status and HRQOL in patients with HF in NYHA Class II than those in Class III. Conclusions: In patients with HF, poor functional status often reduces HRQOL significantly. SOC mediates the relationship between functional status and HRQOL more significantly in those in NYHA Class II than those in Class III. Nursing staff should work to increase patients' SOC by strengthening their coping capacity and improving their functional status to improve their HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent incurable neurodegenerative disorder accompanied by neuroinflammation, amyloid accumulation, and memory impairment. It begins decades before the first clinical symptoms appear, and identifying early biomarkers is key for developing disease-modifying therapies. We show now in a mouse model of AD that before any amyloid deposition the brains of 1.5-month-old mice contain increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, decreased levels of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain and brain mitochondria and increased amounts of α7 nAChR-bound Aβ 1–42 , along with impaired episodic memory and increased risk of apoptosis. Both acute (1-week-long) and chronic (4-month-long) treatments with α7-selective agonist PNU282987, starting at 1.5 months of age, were well tolerated. The acute treatment did not affect the levels of soluble Aβ 1–42 but consistently upregulated the α7 nAChR expression, decreased the level of α7-Aβ 1–42 complexes, and improved episodic memory of 1.5-month-old mice. The chronic treatment, covering the disease development phase, strongly upregulated the expression of all abundant brain nAChRs, reduced both free and α7-coupled Aβ 1–42 within the brain, had anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, and potently upregulated cognition, thus identifying α7 nAChRs as both early biomarker and potent therapeutic target for fighting this devastating disease. [Display omitted] • Impairment of episodic memory in pre-depositing APPswe/PS1 G384A mice. • Decreased levels of nicotinic ACh receptors in the brain and brain mitochondria. • Overt proinflammatory state accompanied by increased binding of Aβ to α7 nAChR. • α7 nAChR-agonist treatment improves multiple disease-related dysfunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A bridge dynamic response analysis method considering the spatial dependency of uncertain parameters. • The uncertain parameter is described by a non-probabilistic interval field model. • The spatial dependency of the interval field is quantified by the Karhunen-Loève expansion. • The proposed method significantly reduces the computational effort and improves the computational efficiency. Uncertain parameters with spatial dependency exist in actual bridges inevitably, which significantly affect the bridge dynamic response. However, such spatial dependency is often neglected when investigating its influence on bridge response. This study proposes a bridge dynamic response analysis method considering the spatial dependency of uncertain parameters. Firstly, the bridge uncertain parameter is described by a non-probabilistic interval field model, and the spatial dependency between adjacent values of the interval field is quantified by the Karhunen-Loève like expansion. Thus the bridge is transformed into a system with multidimensional interval parameters by finite element method. Then, the system with multidimensional interval parameters is decomposed into several one-dimensional subsystems with only one interval parameter. Finally, the interval parameters of each one-dimensional system are divided into several subintervals with small uncertainties, and the dynamic response is obtained by combining analysis of subinterval results. Numerical examples are used to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, and the results indicate that the proposed method significantly reduces the computational effort and improves the computational efficiency. Higher level of spatial dependency of the interval field, larger subinterval number, and lower uncertainty level of the non-probabilistic interval field leads to higher dynamic analysis accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique high isoelectric point of lysozyme (LYZ) restricts its application in composite antibacterial coating due to the unfavorable liability to electrostatic interaction with other components. In this work, the antibacterial activity of a dispersible LYZ–carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) polyelectrolyte complex was evaluated. Kinetic analysis revealed that, compared with free LYZ, the complexed enzyme exhibited decreased affinity (K m) but markedly increased V max against Micrococcus lysodeikticus , and QCM and dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed that the complex could bind with the substrate but in a much lower ratio. The complexation with CMKGM did not alter the antibacterial spectrum of LYZ, and the complex exerted antibacterial function by delaying the logarithmic growth phase and impairing the cell integrity of Staphylococcus aureus. Since the LYZ–CMKGM complex is dispersible in water and could be assembled easily, it has great potential as an edible coating in food preservation. [Display omitted] • Complexation with carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan increased the K m of lysozyme. • Complexation with carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan increased the V max of lysozyme. • The complexation did not change the antibacterial spectrum of lysozyme. • The complexed lysozyme inhibits cell growth by delaying the logarithmic phase. • The complexed lysozyme sterilizes by impairing cell wall and membrane integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the lack of a suitable tool for detecting the unmet needs of young stroke survivors, this study aims to develop a validated questionnaire for evaluating these unmet needs.A cross-sectional, observational research design.Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou and Taoyuan branches in Taiwan.A total of 211 participants (average age 53 years; within 6 months post-stroke) completed the questionnaire.A qualitative approach was used to create an item pool. Experts verified item suitability, and content validity was evaluated using the item content validity index. Item analysis was applied to determine item quality, and factor analysis was used to explore construct validity. In addition, parallel analysis was employed to ascertain the optimal number of factors.The scale development procedure resulted in a 27-item questionnaire that assesses the unmet needs of young stroke survivors after a stroke. The item content validity index was 1.0. The Unmet Needs Questionnaire has five factors: restoring prestroke abilities and life, rehabilitation-related resources, social support and self-adjustment, economic and post-stroke life adjustment, and stroke-related information. These five factors accounted for 54% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.91, while the alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.74 to 0.88.The Unmet Needs Questionnaire showed acceptable reliability and validity. It can help clinical professionals and government agencies identify stroke survivors’ unmet needs and develop tailored care plans. Future research should explore the trajectory of post-stroke unmet needs using this tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01587-1.Correction to: Prevention Science https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-023-01587-1In this article, the Funding information section was updated and should have read 'This research was supported by NIH grants AI29168, UG3HL151310-01, and UH3HL151310-04.'The original article has been corrected.Publisher's NoteSpringer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.By James P. Hughes; Wen-Yu Lee; Andrea B. Troxel and Patrick J. HeagertyReported by Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Sample Size Calculations for Stepped Wedge Designs with Treatment Effects that May Change with the Duration of Time under Intervention." The original article was published without open access on September 20, 2023, but the authors later decided to make it available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The correction notice confirms that the original article has been corrected. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. The authors of the article are James P. Hughes, Wen-Yu Lee, Andrea B. Troxel, and Patrick J. Heagerty. [Extracted from the article]

Levels of biological thiols, or “biothiols,” in mitochondria can be used to assess environmental and biological oxidative stress, which can cause health issues such as malignant tumors and neurological diseases. Here, we review fluorescent probes for detecting biothiols, targeting mitochondria, and emitting red and near-infrared light, with focus on nitrogen cation and oxonium ion units as mitochondrial biomarkers. Red-emitting and near-infrared fluorescent probes for detecting biothiols are classified according to the way they target mitochondria. We present the structure, fluorescence behavior, and biological imaging of the probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that are attracting increasing interest from researchers, and the safety of drinking water is greatly affected by their transportation during filtration. Polystyrene (PS) was selected as a representative MPs, and three filter media (quartz sand, zeolite, and anthracite) commonly found in water plants were used. The retention patterns of PS-MPs by various filter media under various background water quality conditions were methodically investigated with the aid of DLVO theory and colloidal filtration theory. The results show that the different structures and elemental compositions of the three filter media cause them to exhibit different surface roughnesses and surface potentials. A greater surface roughness of the filter media can provide more deposition sites for PS-MPs, and the greater surface roughness of zeolite and anthracite significantly enhances their ability to inhibit the migration of PS-MPs compared with that of quartz sand. However, surface roughness is not the only factor affecting the migration of MPs. The lower absolute value of the surface potential of anthracite causes the DLVO energy between it and PS-MPs to be significantly lower than that between zeolite and PS-MPs, which results in stronger retention of PS-MPs by anthracite, which has a lower surface roughness, than zeolite, which has a higher surface roughness. The transport of PS-MPs in the medium is affected by the combination of the surface roughness of the filter media and the DLVO energy. Under the same operating conditions, the retention efficiencies of the three filter materials for PS-MPs followed the order of quartz sand < zeolite < anthracite. Additionally, the conditions of the solution markedly influenced the transport ability of PS-MPs within the simulated filter column. The transport PS-MPs in the simulated filter column decreased with increasing solution ionic strength and cation valence. Naturally, dissolved organic matter promoted the transfer of PS-MPs in the filter layer, and humic acid had a much stronger facilitating impact than fulvic acid. The study findings might offer helpful insight for improving the ability of filter units ability to retain MPs. [Display omitted] • The retention efficiency of the three media for PS-MPs followed: anthracite > zeolite > quartz sand. • The medium surface roughness and the DLVO between the medium and PS-MPs can jointly affect the transport of PS-MPs. • Natural organic matter HA promotes PS-MPs transport more than FA. • CFT can well describe the deposition behavior of PS-MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ship-borne Stewart platform compensates for the six-degree-of-freedom motion induced by the ship, thereby enhancing operational reliability, safety, and expanding the operational window. Firstly, this paper investigates the dynamical characteristics during the motion compensation process. It reveals that the platform's motion generates an inertia force that counteracts the inertia force generated by the ship's motion, then only the gravity is left to compensate for each leg. Subsequently, the nonsingular terminal sliding mode control law of the platform is derived based on the dynamical characteristics to achieve robust control performance, followed by a comprehensive analysis of Lyapunov stability. To improve the accuracy of the robust controller, an adaptive estimation method utilizing time-delay estimation and Kalman filtering is employed to estimate the time-varying gravity. This approach significantly enhances the precision of the controller. Finally, to validate the compensation effect of the proposed method under conditions of parameter uncertainty, measurement uncertainty, and disturbances, a simulation model of the Stewart platform is established. Comparative analysis with the PID(Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control method and RBSMC(Recursive Backstepping Sliding Mode Control) demonstrates that the proposed method effectively improves the compensation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative trading, relying on diverse parameter combinations, is becoming increasingly the norm for trading strategies in financial investments. The performance of these strategies is intricately linked to these parameters. However, the performance on the training set after backtesting does not ensure success on a test set and may lead to overfitting. This study emphasizes enhancing stability and robustness in trading-strategy parameters by introducing a 'parameter plateau.' Traditional brute-force methods for exploring high-dimensional parameter spaces can be intricate and time-consuming. To address this challenge, we present an efficient alternative that identifies stable and robust parameters by configuring parameter plateaus to mitigate overfitting risks. A step-by-step search algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal parameters, leveraging the power of particle-swarm optimization. In continuous, multi-dimensional solution spaces, particle-swarm optimization is invaluable for the swift and effective discovery of the desired solutions. Experiments underscore the substantial influence of the parameter plateau concept on parameter selection, highlighting the pivotal role of particle-swarm optimization in efficiently navigating complex solution spaces and thereby enabling the discovery of stable and profitable trading strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) can cause serious health problems, but data are scarce. We have previously developed a grid-scale model (GSM) to simulate PM 2.5 -PAH levels on an hourly basis. This study aims to verify the applicability of the model to different years and to reasonably assess the long-term spatiotemporal effects on PAH variation in Kaohsiung. From the resulting database, the annual mean of PM 2.5 -PAH was found to have decreased from 3.18 in 2005 to 1.78 ng m−3 in 2018, representing an overall decrease of 44%. Thus, this study found that the progressive decrease in PAH levels was closely related to green transport and the gradual tightening of industrial operation regulations. Namely, in the urban area near the central public transport hubs, the estimated PAHs had significantly decreased by 16% (0.37 ng m−3) in 2009 with the operation of the high-speed railway in 2007 and the mass rapid transit in 2008. Near industrial areas, PAHs were reduced by environmental regulations, including air pollution control fees and cap-and-trade policies. By using GSM simulation, this study demonstrated a useful and feasible urban planning tool, and can serve as a reference for future studies related to epidemiology and environmental management. [Display omitted] • Estimating hourly PAH levels from 2005 to 2018 in Kaohsiung using grid-scale model. • Despite increasing population, estimated PAHs decreased by 44% from 2005 to 2018. • After adopting green public transport, PAHs reduced by 16% at Transport Center Hub. • Industrial PAHs reduced through air pollution control fees and cap-and-trade policies. • Relocating factories and creating new industrial zones effective in controlling PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the impact of freshwater shortage on coastal areas, coastal factories have gradually chosen seawater circulation cooling towers for industrial cooling. The circulating seawater easily generates thick scales, obstructs pipes, and affects heat transfer. Different from the development of scale inhibitors and membrane treatment, there are few fundamental researches on scale formation in seawater pretreatment. In this study, the effects of seawater concentration on scaling time and crystal shapes were investigated through on-line monitoring scaling experiments and scale collection. When the concentration of seawater increased (0.5–2.5 times), the scaling time was delayed, and the formation of large aggregates decreased. Subsequently, the scale delay of calcium carbonate caused by high ion concentration was confirmed by sodium and potassium ion gradient tests and the Visual MINTEQ model. The dynamic simulation further revealed that high ion saturation inhibits calcium and carbonate ions' collision, binding, and agglomeration. Sodium ions inhibit scale formation through electrostatic repulsion with calcium ions, while potassium ions occupy spatial sites around calcium ions. Furthermore, the aragonite formation tendency in highly ion-saturated solutions provides a theoretical basis for industrial carbon capture technology at the end of cyclic cooling. [Display omitted] • High concentration ratio of seawater inhibits scale formation. • Concentration of sodium or potassium solution affects the scaling time and the crystal form. • Collision, combination, and agglomeration process of scale-prone ions are hindered by other ions. • Seawater with a high circulation ratio is favorable for the formation of aragonite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsunamis are sometimes observed to lead with a wave trough, causing the shoreline to recede before the main tsunami wave arrives and floods the coast. The widely adopted benchmark wave, the solitary wave, is unable to capture this drawback phenomenon, amongst the many shortcomings in using the solitary wave to mimic a tsunami. To investigate how the drawback phenomenon affects wave runup, in this study we performed laboratory experiments using leading-depression N-waves (LDNs). A 1 : 10 uniform slope was placed in the wave flume to study wave runup. Emphases were placed on how the runup of LDNs deviate from the runup of solitary waves of the same amplitude. By adopting consistent and parameterized methods for generating LDNs and comparing them with solitary waves, we successfully categorized LDNs into three types and explained their runup trends. Based on the 88 cases of LDNs realized in the laboratory experiments, we found that the leading depression tends to facilitate and intensify wave breaking, hence lowering the runup of breaking LDNs. On the other hand, since the leading depression tends to increase wave front steepness, steep nonbreaking LDNs may cause higher runup than solitary waves. Overall, we observed that the runup of small-amplitude LDNs can potentially be larger than the runup of solitary waves, whereas the runup of finite-amplitude LDNs has the same order of magnitude as the runup of solitary waves. As real tsunamis are generally small-amplitude waves, our laboratory observations suggest that using solitary waves as opposed to LDNs to mimic tsunamis may underpredict the runup. • Large number of experiments are performed using leading-depression N-waves (LDNs). • Leading depression tends to facilitate and intensify wave breaking, reducing runup. • Bore-like feature of an LDN tends to increase runup. • Non- or mildly breaking LDN with steep wave front tends to cause higher runup. • Overall, small-amplitude LDNs may cause higher runup than solitary waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing elderly population is driving higher utilization rates of long-term care facilities, where residents often have multiple chronic diseases, making them potential candidates for palliative care. Timely palliative care interventions can improve their quality of life and medical autonomy. This study systematically reviews the effectiveness of palliative care programs in long-term care facilities. Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Airiti Library were searched up to 31 December 2023, using PICO criteria and the following keywords: 'care home', 'nursing home', 'residential aged care facility', and 'long-term care facility' for patients; and 'Gold Standard Framework in Care Homes', 'integrated care pathway', 'care home project', and 'palliative care program' for interventions. Seven articles were included. The results indicate that the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) intervention did not significantly influence overall quality of life but did improve the quality of death. There were no statistical differences in comfort or quality of death between the dementia and non-dementia groups. However, PACE significantly reduced healthcare costs. The implementation of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) notably enhanced the control of terminal symptoms, while the Gold Standard Framework in Care Homes (GSFCH) effectively improved end-of-life care rates, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) signing rates, advance care planning (ACP) completion rates, and reduced inappropriate readmission rates. While palliative care interventions are shown to improve the quality of end-of-life care, their practical application should be adapted to fit the implementation conditions and capabilities of domestic long-term care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Leptotrombidium imphalum (a chigger species) can serve as a transmitting vector of scrub typhus. Based on the field investigation in southwest China from 2001 to 2022, this article presents the first report on the distribution and infestation of L. imphalum on small mammals in the region. A total of 2161 L. imphalum were identified from 218 small mammal hosts that crossed three orders, and the majority of the mites were found on the order Rodentia (rodents). Different host species had different susceptibility to the infestation of L. imphalum, and the shrew gymnure (Neotetracus sinensis) was much more susceptible to the infestation than other host species. Leptotrombidium imphalum exhibited an aggregated distribution among different individuals of its hosts. The positive correlation between the infestation indices for L. imphalum on small mammals and the occurrence of scrub typhus, together with the low host specificity of the mite, indicates the potential risk of the mite. Leptotrombidium imphalum is a species of chigger mites, and it can serve as a transmitting vector of scrub typhus. Southwest China is an important focus of scrub typhus. Based on the field investigation in southwest China from 2001 to 2022, this article presents the first report on the distribution and infestation of L. imphalum on rodents and other sympatric small mammals in the region. A total of 2161 L. imphalum were identified from 218 small mammal hosts in 21 of 114 survey sites. The 17 host species of L. imphalum crossed 13 genera and 5 families in 3 orders (Rodentia, Eulipotyphla, and Scandentia), indicating the low host specificity of the mite. The Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) was the dominant host species in the 21 sites where L. imphalum were collected, and 49.38% of mites were found on R. tanezumi. Different small mammals had different susceptibility to the infestation of L. imphalum. The prevalence (PM = 27.66%), infestation mean abundance (MA = 6 mites/per examined host), and mean intensity (MI = 21.69 mites/per infested host) for L. imphalum on the shrew gymnure (Neotetracus sinensis) were much higher than those on other host species (p < 0.05), indicating N. sinensis had a high susceptibility to the infestation of L. imphalum. The infestation indices for L. imphalum on small mammal hosts varied along different altitude and latitude gradients (p < 0.05), indicating the environmental heterogeneity of the mite infestation. Leptotrombidium imphalum exhibited an aggregated distribution among different individuals of its hosts. Besides the low host specificity of L. imphalum, the prevalence of the mite was positively correlated with the occurrence of scrub typhus, indicating the potential risk of the mite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor (GABA B R) encephalitis is an uncommon form of autoimmune encephalitis associated with a poor prognosis and a high fatality rate. We aim to find diagnostic markers for anti- GABA B R encephalitis as well as the effects of immune cell infiltration on this pathology. For quantitative proteomic analysis, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation were used in conjunction with LC-MS/MS analysis. To conduct functional correlation analyses, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Following that, we used bioinformatics analysis to screen for and determine the diagnostic signatures of anti- GABA B R encephalitis. ROC curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic values. To assess the inflammatory status of anti- GABA B R encephalitis, we used cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of the RNA transcript (CIBERSORT) and explored the link between diagnostic markers and infiltrating immune cells. Overall, 108 robust DEPs (47 upregulated and 61 downregulated) were identified, of which 11 were immune related. The most impressively enriched pathways were complemented and coagulation cascades, actin cytoskeleton regulation, and cholesterol metabolism; GSEA revealed that the enriched pathways were considerably differentially connected to immune modulation. Eleven immune-related DEPs were chosen for further investigation. We developed a novel diagnostic model based on CSF1R and AZGP1 serum levels using ROC analysis (area under the ROC curve = 1). M1 macrophages and activated natural killer cells are likely to play a role in course of anti- GABA B R encephalitis. We identified CSF1R and AZGP1 are possible anti-GABA B R encephalitis diagnostic indicators, and immune cell infiltration may have a significant impact on the development and occurrence of anti- GABA B R encephalitis. • M1 macrophages and natural killer cells function in anti-GABA B R encephalitis. • CSF1R and AZGP1 are possible anti-GABA B R encephalitis diagnostic biomarkers. • Immune cell infiltration may impact anti-GABA B R encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Secondary and tertiary carbamates are prepared in high efficiency in an unprecedentive strategy. • Active transition metal-functionalized MOFs are synthesized via an in situ -grown protocolunder solvent-free mechanochemical conditions. • Both aminesand aniline are well tolerated. The solvent-free synthesis of MOF represents a promising and environmentally benign protocol. This paper outlines a green one-pot mechanochemical method for the synthesizing of UiO-66 in the absence of solvent, along with the implantation of three different metals (Cu, Ni, and Pd) into the defect sites. The materials have proven to be effective catalysts in the transformation between azidocarbonate and amines/anilines in moderate to excellent isolated yields (up to 94%), exhibiting better advantages compared with the exiting methodologies. More interestingly, Cu and Ni exhibited very good catalytic performance towards primary and secondary amines, respectively. It also should be noted that high yield was still observed after six cycles. Our work presents a novel and straightforward strategy for the preparation of secondary and tertiary carbamates in an unprecedented fashion, greatly enriched the toolbox for the synthetic community. Moreover, the combination of experimental studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations gave more insight and evidence for the mechanism. Accompanied by the advantages of the effective and recyclable catalyst, the broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance, and excellent reaction yields made the established method attractive in heterogeneous catalysis and the carbamates synthesis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kagome lattices have attracted much attention because of their potential in superconductivity and topological applications. In this work, we proposed three two-dimensional Janus breathing-Kagome lattices, Nb 3 TeCl 7 , Nb 3 TeBr 7 and Nb 3 TeI 7 , and further investigated their stability, electronic and thermoelectric (TE) transport performance. We illustrated that the three materials all possess high stability, and low cleavage energy of 0.21–0.22 J/m2. Besides, they exhibit common features of Kagome lattices, such as fat bands and van Hove singularities near band-edges, which lead to high Seebeck coefficient (0.37–0.57 mV/K) and TE power factor of (2.79 − 3.71 mW/K2m). Further, owing to their asymmetric Janus structures, the strong coupling between acoustic and optical phonons, as well as low frequency for lying-phonons, the three lattices also possess low lattice thermal conductivity of 1.06–2.76 W/mK. Ultimately, they deliver promising TE figure of merit of {0.28, 0.39, 0.43} at 300 K, and increase further to {1.09, 1.39, 1.40} at 700 K, demonstrating breathing-Kagome lattice Nb 3 TeX 7 are suitable candidates in TE application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser manipulation of nuclear decay has extremely promising applications. In this study, cutting-edge Gaussian lasers were combined with the latest data on α decay to thoroughly investigate the factors that impact the penetration probability in laser-assisted α decay of nuclei, while considering the deformation of the nucleus. Our calculations reveal that using state-of-the-art laser fields can marginally alter the half-life of α decay by affecting the penetration probability within a narrow range. Moreover, our findings demonstrate two key points: (1) By deriving an analytical formula for the rate of change of the α decay penetration probability in an ultra-intense laser field, we unveil the negative correlation between the α decay energy and the rate of change of the α decay penetration probability. (2) We attribute the wavelength as the determinant of the effect of the average rate of change of the penetration probability, which we explain by reconstructing the laser pulse width and wavelength. This research offers a rapid method to estimate the rate of change of the α -decay penetration probability and serves as a valuable reference for future experimental investigations of laser-nuclear interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]