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This study aims to explore the problem of H∞ fuzzy control with an adjustable convergence rate for switched nonlinear systems with time-varying delays under the persistent dwell time (PDT) switching. Compared to the widely studied dwell time (DT) switching or average dwell time (ADT) switching in existing literature, PDT switching provides a more comprehensive consideration of the switching frequency and has a broader range of applicability. Subsequently, by combining the interval stability definition, T-S fuzzy model, PDT technique, and Lyapunov-Krasovskii (L-K) functional, a new H∞ fuzzy control criterion for adjusting the convergence rate of switched nonlinear systems with time-varying delays is proposed. This criterion enables the development of a novel method for constructing H∞ fuzzy controllers, which can regulate the system’s convergence rate and achieve the specified H∞ performance. Combining the above methods, an algorithm is introduced to precisely control the convergence rate of the target system. Finally, the effectiveness of this method is validated through a control example of a single-link robot arm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The influenza A virus is the primary cause of respiratory infections and poses a global health risk. Pudilan Xiaoyan oral liquid (PDL) exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. PDL is commonly employed in clinical practice to manage upper respiratory tract infections. However, there is still much to uncover regarding its potential therapeutic mechanism. Methods: Institute of cancer research mice were infected with influenza A virus via nasal drip. The general state of the mice, lung index, and lung index inhibition rate were used to evaluate the efficacy of PDL. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the presence of proteins and cytokines in the lung tissue. Apoptosis was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. Results: PDL improved the mental state of influenza A virus-infected mice, reduced the lung index, and inhibited viral replication. The expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were decreased, whereas the expression of interleukin-10 in the lung tissue was increased due to PDL treatment. In addition, PDL treatment modulated Toll-like receptor 4 and MyD88 expressions in the lung tissues. PDL significantly reduced apoptosis and decreased cleaved caspase-3 and PARP levels, whereas increased B-cell lymphoma-2 expression in the lung tissue. Notably, the moderate-dose group of PDL exhibited a more pronounced effect. These findings indicate that PDL exerts a protective effect against pneumonia injury in influenza A virus-infected mice. Conclusion: PDL inhibited the inflammatory response and regulated apoptosis by regulating Toll-like receptor 4 and MyD88 protein expressions, thereby protecting the lung tissue from viral infection-induced lung tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro-physical characteristics of a typical sea of clouds process in Jiuxian Mountain are investigated by comprehensively analyzing parameters that delineate the micro-physical characteristics of clouds and atmospheric stratification based on data from a cloud radar, wind profiler, meteorological gradient observation in high mountains, and other observations. The results show that water vapor condenses into cloud particles via an entrained and mixing process accompanied by an updraft originating from orographic uplift. During the thickening stage of the sea of clouds, atmospheric motion within the clouds is featured as "downdraft on the top—updraft on the bottom". The zero vertical velocity area is located closely to the maximum of liquid water content. The thermal inversion layer is formed during the maintenance stage; however, the enhancement of inversion on the cloud top could suppress updraft in areas with a high liquid water content. The values mainly concentrate on the cloud top, and repetitively lifting and falling processes caused by the atmospheric upward and downward motion are in favor of the coalescence growth of cloud particles, which result in the persistence of strong radar echo. At the dissipation stage, warming on the cloud top is greater than that on the cloud bottom due to the short-wave absorption of clouds as the solar radiation enhances. As a result, the inversion layer thickens and elevates, evaporation caused by heating outweighs the condensation caused by cooling, a strong radar echo band descends from the top to the middle part of clouds, a sea of clouds dissipates gradually as cloud particles evaporates, and the particle size and concentration number of cloud particles decrease simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The highly conserved tubby-like proteins (TLPs) play key roles in animal neuronal development and plant growth. The abiotic stress tolerance function of TLPs has been widely explored in plants, however, little is known about comparative studies of TLPs within crops. Methods: Bioinformatic identification, phylogenetic analysis, Cis-element analysis, expression analysis, Cis-element analysis, expression analysis and so on were explored to analysis the TLP gene family of multiple crops. Results: In this study, a comprehensive analysis of TLP genes were carried out in seven crops to explore whether similar function of TLPs in rice could be achieved in other crops. We identified 20, 9,14,11,12, 35,14 and 13 TLP genes in Glycine max, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa Japónica, Triticum aestivum, Setaria italic and Zea mays, respectively. All of them were divided into two groups and ten orthogroups (Ors) based on amino acids. A majority of TLP genes had two domains, tubby-like domain and F-box domain, while members of Or5 only had tubby-like domain. In addition, Or5 had more exons and shorter DNA sequences, showing that characteristics of different Ors reflected the differentiated function and feature of TLP genes in evolutionary process, and Or5 was the most different from the other Ors. Besides, we recognized 25 cis-elements in the promoter of TLP genes and explored multiple new regulation pathway of TLPs including light and hormone response. The bioinformatic and transcriptomic analysis implied the stresses induced expression and possible functional redundancy of TLP genes. We detected the expression level of 6 OsTLP genes at 1 to 6 days after seed germination in rice, and the most obvious changes in these days were appeared in OsTLPIO and OsTLP12. Discussion: Combined yeast two-hybrid system and pull down assay, we suggested that the TLP genes of Or1 may have similar function during seed germination in different species. In general, the results of comprehensive analysis of TLP gene family in multiple species provide valuable evolutionary and functional information of TLP gene family which are useful for further application and study of TLP genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen heterocycles are a class of organic compounds with extremely versatile functionality. Imidines, HN[C(NH)R]2, are a rare class of heterocycles related to imides, HN[C(O)R]2, in which the O atoms of the carbonyl groups are replaced by N—H groups. The useful synthesis of the imidine compounds succinimidine and glutarimidine, as well as their partially hydrolyzed imino–imide congeners, was first described in the mid‐1950s, though structural characterization is presented for the first time in this article. In the solid state, these structures are different from the proposed imidine form: succinimidine crystallizes as an imino–amine, 2‐imino‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐5‐amine, C4H7N2 (1), glutarimidine as 6‐imino‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐2‐amine methanol monosolvate, C5H9N3·CH3OH (2), and the corresponding hydrolyzed imino–imide compounds as amino–amides 5‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐one, C4H6N2O (3), and 6‐amino‐4,5‐dihydropyridin‐2(3H)‐one, C5H8N2O (4). Imidine 1 was also determined as the hydrochloride salt solvate 5‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐iminium chloride–2‐imino‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐5‐amine–water (1/1/1), C4H8N3+·Cl−·C4H7N3·H2O (1·HCl). As such, 1 and 2 show alternating short and long C—N bonds across the molecule, revealing distinct imino (C=NH) and amine (C—NH2) groups throughout the C—N backbone. These structures provide definitive evidence for the predominant imino–amine tautomer in the solid state, which serves to enrich the previously proposed imidine‐focused structures that have appeared in organic chemistry textbooks since the discovery of this class of compounds in 1883. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National University's Master of Science in Educational Counseling underwent a revision in 2022 utilizing the approach of deriving program learning outcomes directly from the California Teaching Commission standards for school counselors. The program is offered solely in an online format. This study was undertaken to assess the program in terms of student self-assessment of teaching and learning both before and after the program revision to align with the professional standards. Data were collected from student end-ofcourse self-assessment questionnaires, revealing a statistically significant difference between the pre-realignment group (Group 1) and the post-realignment group (Group 2) in student perceptions of learning and teaching. These findings suggest that the revised, standards-aligned program may be more effective in enhancing student educational experiences. A Mann-Whitney U test was also conducted to evaluate whether students' cohort and curriculum differed by students' perception of teaching. The results indicated that students taking courses in the revised curriculum had significantly better perceptions of teaching than students who took courses using the previous curriculum, z = 5.70, p < .001. A Mann-Whitney U test was also conducted to evaluate whether students' cohort and curriculum differed by students' perception of learning. The results indicated that students taking courses in the revised curriculum had significantly greater perception of learning than students who took courses using the previous curriculum, z = 6.00, p < .001. Future research could explore the long-term impact of standards-aligned curricula on graduates' career readiness and professional success, further validating this approach to curriculum development. Additionally, investigating alternative assessment methods to capture more nuanced data on student learning outcomes and teaching effectiveness would enhance the validity of future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study examined the relationship among foreign language enjoyment (FLE), second language L2 grit, online learning self-efficacy (OLSE), and online learning engagement among Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. The study involved 578 Iranian EFL learners who completed self-report measures of the four constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to confirm the validity of the scales and test the hypothesized model. The findings indicate that FLE positively affects online learning engagement and OLSE positively influences online learning engagement. Additionally, the study found that online self-efficacy mediates the relationship between L2 grit and online learning engagement. These results highlight the importance of FLE and OLSE in promoting online learning engagement, and the mediating role of online self-efficacy in the interplay between L2 grit and online learning engagement. This research sheds more light on the understanding of the factors that influence online learning engagement among EFL learners and has important implications for both theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores strategic hybridization in Jeffrey Lau's four films, which reinterpret the classic Journey to the West, and analyses Hong Kong-mainland film co-productions from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s. Adopting a media industries perspective, it examines how strategic hybridization navigates economic pressures and policy environments influencing production decisions, creative choices, and industrial imperatives. The study illustrates that strategic hybridization is not merely a consequence of co-production but a deliberate strategy reflecting the collaborative dynamics between Hong Kong and the mainland, contributing to an increasingly integrated and mainland-centric co-production model. By analyzing strategic decisions across industrial and production dimensions, the article underscores the impact of policy interventions, cross-cultural collaboration, and financial factors in shaping co-production models. The evolution of co-productions is further demonstrated through a detailed look at Lau's films, suggesting that strategic hybridization serves as a set of adaptive strategies fostering a symbiotic, albeit mainland-centric, relationship between the two film industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda is the improvement of vocational education and training at international and national levels, achieving, among other things, the internationalization of such education. To meet this objective, it is necessary to improve linguistic competence in English as L2 of students undergoing vocational training. The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of affective variables on the level of self-efficacy of English linguistic competence (L2) in early childhood education vocational education and training. Seventy-six students (M = 20.82; SD =2.30) in higher vocational education in this domain, with an average B1 level proficiency (according to CEFR) were selected and administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the English Willingness to Communicate Questionnaire (WTC), the Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB), and an ad hoc questionnaire on selfefficacy in English language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing, reading comprehension, and English language in general). The results indicate that anxiety, willingness to communicate in English, and attitude/motivation toward English predict students' self-efficacy in their level of English language proficiency (L2). Anxiety has a negative influence, explaining the low 15.6 percent of self-efficacy, and willingness to communicate and attitude have a positive influence explaining the 23 and 22.7 percent of self-efficacy, respectively. The practical educational implications, aimed at methodological proposals to improve the level of linguistic competence in English as L2 in vocational training, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc finger-homeodomain transcription factors (ZF-HDs) are pivotal in regulating plant growth, development, and diverse stress responses. In this study, we found 8 ZF-HD genes in barley genome. Theses eight HvZF-HD genes were located on five chromosomes, and classified into ZHD and MIF subfamily. The collinearity, gene structure, conserved motif, and cis-elements of HvZF-HD genes were also analyzed. Real-time PCR results suggested that the expression of HvZF-HD4, HvZF-HD6, HvZF-HD7 and HvZF-HD8 were up-regulated after hormones (ABA, GA3 and MeJA) or PEG treatments, especially HvZF-HD6 was significantly induced. These results provide useful information of ZF-HD genes to future study aimed at barley breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Accurate recognition of endoscopic instruments facilitates quantitative evaluation and quality control of endoscopic procedures. However, no relevant research has been reported. In this study, we aimed to develop a computer-assisted system, EndoAdd, for automated endoscopic surgical video analysis based on our dataset of endoscopic instrument images. Methods: Large training and validation datasets containing 45,143 images of 10 different endoscopic instruments and a test dataset of 18,375 images collected from several medical centers were used in this research. Annotated image frames were used to train the state-of-the-art object detection model, YOLO-v5, to identify the instruments. Based on the frame-level prediction results, we further developed a hidden Markov model to perform video analysis and generate heatmaps to summarize the videos. Results: EndoAdd achieved high accuracy (>97%) on the test dataset for all 10 endoscopic instrument types. The mean average accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were 99.1%, 92.0%, 88.8%, and 89.3%, respectively. The area under the curve values exceeded 0.94 for all instrument types. Heatmaps of endoscopic procedures were generated for both retrospective and real-time analyses. Conclusions: We successfully developed an automated endoscopic video analysis system, EndoAdd, which supports retrospective assessment and real-time monitoring. It can be used for data analysis and quality control of endoscopic procedures in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile phone dependence refers to the excessive use of mobile phones by individuals, which may cause problems in study, work and life. We compared differences in mobile phone dependence among Chinese and Czech university students, and explore the relationship between mobile phone dependence and academic achievement among them in this paper. The subjects of this study included 358 Chinese university students and 282 Czech university students who was recruited during March to April 2022. We collected data through online questionnaires, using the Short Version of the Smartphone Dependence Scale (SAS-SV) to assess the level of students' mobile phone dependence and the Academic Achievement Questionnaire (AAQ) to assess the level of students' academic achievement. The results show that for the level of mobile phone dependence are negatively correlated with the scores of various dimensions of academic achievement and the total score of academic achievement, among them, Chinese students have more significant effect in the relationship between mobile phone dependence and study performance, moreover, the correlations between the three sub-factors of academic achievement in Chinese students were stronger. It can be concluded that mobile phone dependence may lead to lower study performance, more difficulty in handling study demands, and lower social adaptation, or lower academic achievement may also lead to more severe mobile phone dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MOOC attrition rates have become a research hotspot in open and online education, requiring researchers to pinpoint psychological, technological, pedagogical, and technical factors that could mitigate this problem. For this aim, the current study applied a tri-phenomenon approach to explore language learners' perceptions of support coupled with the moderation role of their motivation plays in shaping their learning approaches to MOOC. To do so, 428 language learners who completed their online language course on the Iranian MOOC platform answered the study survey before getting their course certificate. An analysis of structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that MOOC instructional and peer support were positively correlated with learners' deep approach while negatively correlated with the surface one. Although technical support was provided in this instance, it did not contribute to shaping language learners' motivation and deep approach. Moreover, language learners who attended MOOCs to learn language intrinsically perceived more instructional support, whereas language learners who joined these courses to pass some obligations or get course certificates perceived greater peer support that could help them pass such criteria and shape their deep approach to MOOC. Further, both types of motivation significantly mediate learners' instructional and peer support within their deep language learning approach in MOOC. As a result of these findings, both theoretical and practical contributions have been reported in the study to lead MOOCs' enrolment to have a deep approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Natural plant-based medicines have gained popularity recently as a major source of inventive, risk-free, and more potent secondary bioactive compounds with medicinal potential. Catharanthus ovalis is a perennial shrub containing various indole alkaloids cultivated extensively for local medical purposes. Methods: This research is conducted to identify the phytocompounds present in the leaves of C. ovalis and its central and peripheral analgesic, thrombolytic, and membrane-stabilizing activities through tail immersion, acetic acid-induced writhing, human blood clot lysis, and erythrocyte lysis by heat and hypotonic solution methods, respectively. Results and discussion: A total of 39 compounds were identified using GC-MS/MS techniques, including hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (56.749%), methyl stearate (29.782%), carvacrol and its TBDMS derivative (12.586%), and 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)-] (9.297%) presented in high quantity. The highest tail immersion latency was observed for the 600 mg/kg extract of C. ovalis crude extract. Both 400 and 600 mg/kg doses of C. ovalis crude extract exhibited prominent peripheral analgesic activity. The maximum thrombolytic effect was observed by DCM soluble fraction extract by inhibiting 54.87% of the clot. However, the aqueous-soluble fraction of this extract manifested an excellent membrane-stabilizing effect by showing 73.98% and 87.51% hemolysis against heat- and hypotonic-induced hemolysis, respectively. Some of the compounds were identified as active agents against different receptors related to these diseases, which supported the findings of in vitro and in vivo tests. Conclusion: Further investigation needs to be conducted to specify and identify the exact mechanism of action of these compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural compounds hold promise in the search for cancer therapies due to their unique chemical structures and combinations that may effectively combat cancer while minimizing toxicity and side effects compared to conventional treatments. Silibinin, a natural lignan, has been found to possess strong anticancer activity against several types of human cancers based on emerging research. This study aims to provide an overview of the therapeutic potential of silibinin in the treatment and prevention of cancers. A comprehensive search was conducted using various internet databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect to identify relevant research papers. Silibinin has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity against several types of cancers, including liver, lungs, breast, prostate, colorectal, skin, and bladder cancers. Its multifaceted mechanisms of action contribute to its therapeutic effects. Silibinin exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, antimetastatic, and anti-angiogenic activities, making it a promising candidate for cancer therapy. One of the key mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of silibinin is its ability to modulate multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. It can inhibit the activation of various oncogenic pathways, including PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK pathways, thereby suppressing cancer cell proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, and promoting apoptosis. Silibinin possesses great potential as an effective treatment agent for cancer. The multifaceted mechanisms of action, favorable safety profile, and potential synergistic effects of silibinin with conventional therapies make it an attractive candidate for further investigation and development as a cancer treatment. However, more extensive clinical studies are necessary to fully establish the efficacy, optimal dosage, and long-term effects of silibinin in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Law is a phenomenon born of human reason and designed to achieve a specific end. Legislation is a scientific method that is carried out in order to achieve a specific goal, without which legislation remains a pile of rules that are unrelated to each other. Therefore, the legislator must always take into account the goals he is trying to achieve when creating new legal regulations in order to avoid inconsistencies between legal regulations. Regarding the special importance of the objective of bankruptcy law, it should be said that the design and implementation of bankruptcy law affects the economy of the country, and the design of an efficient bankruptcy law also depends on the knowledge of the appropriate objectives of bankruptcy law. In addition to the authority of the legislation, the existence of the objective of the bankruptcy law helps to interpret the legal provisions correctly. Of course, setting appropriate goals for a law is not enough and must be accompanied by its effective implementation. Therefore, once the appropriate law has been enacted, it is necessary to monitor its objective results at the level of society to see whether it has achieved the desired goals in practice or not. In this research, the importance of paying attention to the principles and objectives of bankruptcy has been recalled and various theories that exist in this regard have been examined. In Iran's legal system, the basic goal of bankruptcy law is to protect the rights of creditors, but in this research, regardless of Iran's laws, the basic goal of bankruptcy law has been considered and studied. One of the common functions of bankruptcy law in different legal systems is to reduce the problems of coordination between debtors and creditors and to adjust the incompatible demands of them and other parties affected by bankruptcy, but the basic question in this research is what is the fundamental purpose of bankruptcy law? In fact, bankruptcy affects a wide range of groups, so the main issue is whether bankruptcy law should only protect creditors or should balance the rights of different groups? Another question is what is the main objective of bankruptcy law, to satisfy creditors' claims or to rehabilitate and survive the business and give the entrepreneur a fresh start? In response to this question, several theories have been expressed and analysed as follows: creditors' bargain theory, broad-based contractarian theory, multiple value theory, explicit value theory and fresh start theory.It seems that bankruptcy law should keep all creditors, debtors and different interested groups in proper conditions, and with the fair and optimal distribution of losses, bankruptcy law should balance the conflicting interests of different groups. Indeed, the most effective means of balancing the interests of disparate interest groups is to redistribute the losses incurred as a result of bankruptcy among them. The fundamental objectives of bankruptcy legislation can be distilled into two key principles: firstly, to achieve a balance between the interests of the various groups affected by bankruptcy, and secondly, to provide debtors with a fresh start and to stimulate the economic activity of companies. It appears that bankruptcy legislation should prioritise the provision of a fresh start for the merchant before preparing collective debt collection in an optimal and fair manner. The objective of enhancing the welfare of creditors represents only one aspect of the secondary goals of bankruptcy law. Furthermore, legislative and judicial policies should align with this fundamental objective. Indeed, rehabilitating viable businesses and offering a second chance to enterprising individuals can facilitate job retention, enhanced creditor repayment, sustained business relationships, economic growth, and increased social welfare. Ultimately, it is essential to integrate these objectives into the design of a bankruptcy system, with due consideration for their relative priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of current research was to examine the correlation between classroom participation and personality development of students in higher education. The population of the study included all social sciences students from 2-universities (Bahauddin Zakariya University &Women University) in Multan district. Two universities were selected from Multan district, only faculty of social sciences was selected, 25 students were selected from each department so total samples of study were 300 students. The questionnaire was designed by using 5-point Likert scale. Data was entered on SPSS sheet after completion of the data collection. Data was analyzed by using diverse statistical techniques, means, SD, correlation, regression, ANOVA and t-test. In data analysis, it was found that participants see classroom participation as enhancing effective management with peers, reflecting prime viewpoint and impact of strong communication skills helps peers on engaging with classmates. Students should participate in workshops or seminars that focus on personal growth including communication skills, emotional intelligence and self-awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe, a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae family, has a long history of traditional use in the treatment of several ailments including pain, inflammation, fever, cough, arthritis, skin diseases, and liver infections. This study sought to confirm the efficacy of Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Roscoe leaves methanol extract (ZrlME) as reported in traditional usage by evaluating its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic capabilities. In addition, in silico molecular docking of the metabolites identified in ZrlME was studied to verify the experimental outcomes. ZrlME demonstrated strong dose-dependent analgesic efficacy against all analgesic tests. ZrlME (400 mg/kg) showed higher antiinflammatory activity than the standard in the carrageenan-induced paw edema test model. A significant reduction of rectal temperature (3.97°F↓) was also recorded at the same dose of ZrLME after 24 h of treatment. Seven polyphenolic metabolites were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD analysis, including 3, 4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, (-) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, rosmarinic acid, and myricetin. Strong binding affinities (ranges from -5.8 to -8.5 Kcal/mol) between the aforesaid polyphenols and cyclooxygenase-2 were discovered. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) demonstrated that these polyphenols exhibit significant COX-2 inhibitory activity due to their high stability in the COX-2 active site. In computational prediction, the polyphenols were also found to be nontoxic, and a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and hepatoprotective, were observed. The results of this study revealed that ZrlME possesses notable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) stands as a prevalent and deadly global malignancy. Despite its role as a preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, Apatinib's effectiveness is curtailed among GC patients exhibiting elevated YY1 expression. YY1's connection to adverse prognosis, drug resistance, and GC metastasis is established, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aims to unravel potential pathogenic pathways attributed to YY1. Design: Utilizing bioinformatics analysis, we conducted differentially expressed genes, functional annotation, and pathway enrichment analyses, and further validation through cellular and animal experiments. Results: Higher YY1 expression correlated with diminished postoperative progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates in TCGA analysis, identifying YY1 as an independent DSS indicator in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Notably, YY1 exhibited significantly elevated expression in tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed noteworthy differentially expressed genes (DEGs), transcriptional targets, factors, and co-expressed genes associated with YY1. LASSO Cox analysis unveiled Transferrin as a prospective pivotal protein regulated by YY1, with heightened expression linked to adverse DSS and PFS outcomes. YY1's role in governing the p53 signaling pathway and ferroptosis in GC cells was further elucidated. Moreover, YY1 overexpression dampened immune cell infiltration within GC tumors. Additionally, YY1 overexpression hindered GC cell ferroptosis and mediated Apatinib resistance via the p53 pathway. Remarkably, IFN-a demonstrated efficacy in reversing Apatinib resistance and immune suppression in GC tissues. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the pivotal role of YY1 in driving GC progression and influencing prognosis, thus pinpointing it as a promising therapeutic target to enhance patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the imaging features, lymph node metastasis, and genetic mutations in micropapillary lung adenocarcinoma (imaging with mixed ground‐glass nodules) ≤2 cm, to provide a more precise and refined basis for the selection of lung segment resection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 162 patients with surgically resected pathologically confirmed cancers ≤2.0 cm in diameter (50 cases of micropapillary mixed ground‐glass nodules [mGGNs], 50 cases of nonmicropapillary mGGNs, and 62 cases of micropapillary SNs [solid nodules]) was performed. mGGNs were classified into five categories according to imaging features. The distribution of these five morphologies in micropapillary with mGGN and nonmicropapillary with mGGN was analyzed. The postoperative pathology and prognosis of lymph node metastasis were also compared between micropapillary mGGNs and micropapillary with SNs. After searching the TCGA database, we demonstrated heterogeneity, high malignancy and high risk of microcapillary lung cancer cancers. Results: Different pathological subtypes of mGGN differed in morphological features (p < 0.05). The rate of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in micropapillary mGGNs than in nonmicropapillary mGGNs. In the TCGA database samples, lactate transmembrane protein activity, collagen transcription score, and fibroblast EMT score were remarkably higher in micropapillary adenocarcinoma. Other pathological subtypes had a better survival prognosis and longer disease‐free survival compared with micropapillary adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: mGGNs ≤2 cm with a micropapillary pattern have a higher risk of lymph node metastasis compared with SNs, and computed tomography (CT) imaging features can assist in their diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a collection of summaries of research studies in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology. The studies cover a wide range of topics, including the use of different endoscopic procedures for diagnosing and treating various conditions. The findings suggest that these procedures can be effective and safe, but more research is needed to confirm their efficacy. The document also includes studies on the impact of pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus, as well as the management of liver disease. Overall, the studies provide valuable information for researchers and healthcare professionals in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Hollywood will encounter some cultural policies when its films are imported to the Chinese film market on a revenue-sharing basis. These include a quota system, a censorship system and an uncertain release schedule. However, China has been the fastest growing film market since 2008 and the second largest film market in the world since 2012 (yet the current film industries worldwide are recovering from the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic). Despite the restrictive cultural policies, Hollywood, attracted by the promising profitability, have incorporated more Chinese roles and more plots about China to please the Chinese film regulators and audiences in order to gain access to the lucrative Chinese film market. Furthermore, the depiction of China has become more positive and diverse in recent Hollywood blockbusters compared with the Orientalist stereotypical images in the past. The author intends to examine the reasons behind the phenomenon through analysing the positively changing images of China from early Hollywood films to the recent Hollywood blockbusters. In fact, the positively changing depiction of China illustrates China and the US negotiating the dynamic process of cross-cultural exchange in economic and political terms through compromise, competition and collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Endoscopic resection (ER) has been used to remove submucosal tumors (SMTs) in recent years; however, duodenal ER is associated with high rates of immediate or delayed bleeding and perforation. Whether ER can be recommended for the treatment of duodenal SMTs remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes associated with the ER of duodenal SMTs and to assess possible predictive factors for complications and incomplete resection. Methods: This retrospective study included 141 patients with duodenal SMTs. The therapeutic outcomes from ER and procedure-related complications were analyzed. Results: Of the 141 patients, 78.7% achieved complete resection and nine (6.4%) developed complications. The multivariate analysis suggested that location near the duodenal papilla (P = 0.010) and diameter exceeding 15 mm (P = 0.091) of duodenal SMTs were independent risk factors for complications in ER. Besides, submucosal fibrosis (P = 0.042), location near the duodenal papilla (P = 0.049), and irregular morphology (P = 0.067) were independent risk factors for incomplete resection. Conclusions: ER can be recommended as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for duodenal SMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the impact of Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) on the self-efficacy perceptions of high school students in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), along with their opinions about the ERT process. Framed through a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, the study employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools: The English Self-Efficacy Scale (E-SES) and semi-structured interviews with 109 high school students selected through purposive sampling. To explore the potential effects of ERT on the students' self-efficacy perceptions, the E-SES was administered before and after the students went through the ERT experience. By employing extreme-case sampling, 10 students were chosen for the semi-structured interviews. The students' views concerning their experience of ERT were elicited through these interviews held at the end of this experience. The findings indicated that the students' self-efficacy perceptions of their such language skills as listening, reading, speaking, and writing and their motivation and expectations in learning English improved in a more positive direction at the end of the ERT process as compared to those before the ERT process. The findings also revealed that the participants' opinions were mostly negative regarding the ERT process. The study found that integrating the online tools into the language learning process enabled information to be reached more easily and created more self-efficacious pupils with the help of acquiring the necessary information without time and place boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial high purity corundum brick, corundum-mullite brick, mullite brick, calcium hexaaluminate brick and calcium hexaaluminate-corundum brick were studied to investigate their reaction state and alkali vapor corrosion mechanism at 1 370 and 1 500 °C. The results show that: (1) served in hot alkali vapor, the high-purity corundum brick has no obvious slag layer but expands dramatically; (2) the corundum-mullite brick shows obvious reactive expansion at 1 370 °C and melting corrosion happens at 1 500 °C; (3) at 1 370 °C, alkali vapor and mullite brick react and form a slag layer without volume effect; when the temperature increases to 1 500 °C, the reaction melting corrosion intensifies; (4) the calcium hexaaluminate brick and the calcium hexaaluminate-corundum brick form a thin slag layer in alkali vapor, and the sample surface absorbs Na+ to form a dense layer with small volume effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a promising endoscopic technique for achalasia. We aimed to establish a regression model and develop a simple nomogram to predict the technical difficulty of POEM in a single center with large volume cases. Methods: 3385 achalasia patients treated with POEM were included, and the technical difficulty was systemically evaluated. All of them were randomized into the training cohort (n = 1693) or internal validation cohort (n = 1692). Then, the prediction model and nomogram were proposed based on multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training cohort and assessed in the validation cohort. Results: Of 3385 patients, technical difficulty happened in 417 (12.32%) cases. In the training stage, six factors were weighted based on the β coefficient from the regression model, including age, disease duration, sigmoid esophagus, mucosal edema, submucosal fibrosis, and tunnel length. The patients were categorized into low-risk (< 0.1), medium-risk (0.1–0.25), and high-risk (> = 0.25) groups. Our score model performed satisfying discrimination with the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.743 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.701–0.785) and calibration with goodness of fit in the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (P = 0.088) in internal validation. Conclusions: The prediction model and nomogram demonstrated good performance in predicting the technical difficulty of POEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal bowel preparation is a prerequisite for a successful colonoscopy; however, the rate of inadequate bowel preparation remains relatively high. In this study, we establish a smartphone app that assesses patient bowel preparation using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction system trained on labeled photographs of feces in the toilet and evaluate its impact on bowel preparation quality in colonoscopy outpatients. We conduct a prospective, single-masked, multicenter randomized clinical trial, enrolling outpatients who own a smartphone and are scheduled for a colonoscopy. We screen 578 eligible patients and randomize 524 in a 1:1 ratio to the control or AI-driven app group for bowel preparation. The study endpoints are the percentage of patients with adequate bowel preparation and the total BBPS score, compliance with dietary restrictions and purgative instructions, polyp detection rate, and adenoma detection rate (secondary). The prediction system has an accuracy of 95.15%, a specificity of 97.25%, and an area under the curve of 0.98 in the test dataset. In the full analysis set (n = 500), adequate preparation is significantly higher in the AI-driven app group (88.54 vs. 65.59%; P < 0.001). The mean BBPS score is 6.74 ± 1.25 in the AI-driven app group and 5.97 ± 1.81 in the control group (P < 0.001). The rates of compliance with dietary restrictions (93.68 vs. 83.81%, P = 0.001) and purgative instructions (96.05 vs. 84.62%, P < 0.001) are significantly higher in the AI-driven app group, as is the rate of additional purgative intake (26.88 vs. 17.41%, P = 0.011). Thus, our AI-driven smartphone app significantly improves the quality of bowel preparation and patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and nuclear-controlled fertility restoration system is a favorable tool for the utilization of heterosis in plant hybrid breeding. Many restorer-of-fertility (Rf) genes have been characterized in various species over the decades, but more detailed work is needed to investigate the fertility restoration mechanism. Here, we identified an alpha subunit of mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPPA) that is involved in the fertility restoration process in Honglian-CMS rice. MPPA is a mitochondrial localized protein and interacted with the RF6 protein encoded by the Rf6. MPPA indirectly interacted with hexokinase 6, namely another partner of RF6, to form a protein complex with the same molecular weight as the mitochondrial F1F0-ATP synthase in processing the CMS transcript. Loss-of-function of MPPA resulted in a defect in pollen fertility, the mppa+/− heterozygotes showed semi-sterility phenotype and the accumulation of CMS-associated protein ORFH79, showing restrained processing of the CMS-associated atp6-OrfH79 in the mutant plant. Taken together, these results threw new light on the process of fertility restoration by investigating the RF6 fertility restoration complex. They also reveal the connections between signal peptide cleavage and the fertility restoration process in Honglian-CMS rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article looks at Wang Chao's 2018 feature Looking for Rohmer (aka Seeking McCartney) as a cultural product that employs and breaks with the existing notions of queer Sinophone cinema. Utilizing the image of China's globalization project of 'going out', it argues that the film forms part of new Queer Cinemas of the Sinosphere that imagine China as an active participant in a global queer culture, where tourism, consumption, and free distribution are part and parcel of a new ethnonationalist imaginary of global Chineseness. The second half of the article contends that queer independent transnational cinema, which presents a similar view of China as part of the world, works alongside China's globalization project. Significantly, these film productions exhibit the potential for destabilization of the heteronormative family unit, proposing more nuanced investigations of queerness, community building, and national belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with a delay-independent output-feedback controller synthesis suppressing the -gain of linear time-delay systems with time-varying delays. We first proposed a continuous-time version of the existing discrete-time ellipsoidal -invariant set and established its existence condition in terms of some linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). This existence condition was further extended to characterizing the -gain of linear time-delay systems with time-varying delays. Because of the delay-independent property of the proposed -invariant set, the -gain analysis does not depend on the choice of delays including their magnitudes and time derivatives. Based on this analysis method, we also constructed an output-feedback controller synthesis for ensuring the -gain of time-delay systems bounded by a performance level . In an equivalent fashion to the -gain analysis method, this controller synthesis is independent of the delays in the sense that the obtained controller coefficients do not depend on the delay characteristics. Finally, numerical results were given to demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blended learning approach (BLA) is a popular trend in higher education because it combines the merits of traditional, face-to-face (FTF) learning, and online learning. This research aims to investigate the effect of implementing the BLA via eLearning on Egyptian undergraduates’ EFL reading and writing achievement compared to their peers’ achievement who only received FTF instruction. The study is quasi- experimental. A total of 55 freshmen at a private university in Egypt were divided into two experimental (study) groups and one control (FTF) group. Students had a reading and writing pre-test before the treatment, and after the treatment, they took a post-test and completed a survey about their satisfaction with the BLA. The results were analyzed using the T-test, post-hoc test, and one-way ANOVA. The study groups outperformed the control group in the post-tests, showing improvement in vocabulary acquisition and usage of language mechanics. Both groups perceived BLA as convenient; they were satisfied with options for eLearning and valued interaction with their peers and instructor. Results revealed that students’ attitudes toward technology, work load, and accessibility to stable connections could affect their satisfaction with BLA. Improving digital infrastructure and enhancing learners’ interaction in the BL environment are recommended to cater for students’ communicative needs that are required for sustainability educational goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxol is a precious and effective anticancer drug. Cerium and methyl jasmonate (MJ) have been shown to increase the yield of taxol in taxus cells. However, the mechanisms of cerium-mediated and MJ-mediated taxol biosynthesis remain unknown. RNA-Seq was applied to study the overall regulation mechanism of cerium and MJ on taxol biosynthesis and analyze the differences among T. mairei cells elicited by Ce3+, Ce4+ and MJ on transcriptional level. Using sequence homology, 179 unigenes were identified as taxol synthesis genes. Under the condition of 100 mM MJ, taxol synthesis genes were up-regulated. Notably, taxol synthesis genes were down-regulated expression at 1 mM Ce3+ and 1 mM Ce4+. Differential expression genes involved in some related functions were analyzed, such as MAPK signaling pathway and plantpathogen interaction. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of nine differentially expressed WRKYs in our data were carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The current paper studies the influencing factors of permeability in shales of the Longmaxi Formation, located in the southern Sichuan Basin, China. The methodologies used in the present study include overburden pore permeability experiments, whole rock analysis and geochemical tests, NMR measurements of fluid saturation, pore size distribution and specific surface area distribution, SEM and extraction of pore structure parameters, and core analysis. The results show the following: (1) high TOC and high maturity generate a large number of organic pores, which may improve the permeability of shale. (2) Mineral composition and rock relative permeability also have influence on permeability to a certain degree, since different minerals have different effects on shale permeability. Clay in the study area has an adverse effect on permeability. The results show that the organic-rich siliceous clay mixed shale facies in this area has the best permeability. (3) A large specific surface area and total pore volume are associated with good shale permeability, while average pore size does not correlate with permeability. A small fractal dimension of pore morphology and simple pore structure result in good permeability, and bedding is the key controlling factor for the anisotropy of shale permeability. (4) Water in shales can influence the permeability of microfractures by binding to clay minerals. Low permeability in shales with high bound water saturation suggests that water and clay mineral absorption may block flow channels, resulting in poor permeability. The purpose of this study is to clarify the influencing factors on shale permeability of the Longmaxi Formation in the study area and to provide a reference for the exploration and development of shale gas in this area of the Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper studies the influencing factors of permeability in shales of the Longmaxi Formation, located in the southern Sichuan Basin, China. The methodologies used in the present study include overburden pore permeability experiments, whole rock analysis and geochemical tests, NMR measurements of fluid saturation, pore size distribution and specific surface area distribution, SEM and extraction of pore structure parameters, and core analysis. The results show the following: (1) high TOC and high maturity generate a large number of organic pores, which may improve the permeability of shale. (2) Mineral composition and rock relative permeability also have influence on permeability to a certain degree, since different minerals have different effects on shale permeability. Clay in the study area has an adverse effect on permeability. The results show that the organic-rich siliceous clay mixed shale facies in this area has the best permeability. (3) A large specific surface area and total pore volume are associated with good shale permeability, while average pore size does not correlate with permeability. A small fractal dimension of pore morphology and simple pore structure result in good permeability, and bedding is the key controlling factor for the anisotropy of shale permeability. (4) Water in shales can influence the permeability of microfractures by binding to clay minerals. Low permeability in shales with high bound water saturation suggests that water and clay mineral absorption may block flow channels, resulting in poor permeability. The purpose of this study is to clarify the influencing factors on shale permeability of the Longmaxi Formation in the study area and to provide a reference for the exploration and development of shale gas in this area of the Sichuan Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a sessile organism, rice often faces various kinds of abiotic stresses, such as drought stress. Drought stress seriously harms plant growth and damages crop yield every year. Therefore, it is urgent to elucidate the mechanisms of drought resistance in rice. In this study, we identified a glycine-rich RNA-binding protein, OsGRP3, in rice. Evolutionary analysis showed that it was closely related to OsGR-RBP4, which was involved in various abiotic stresses. The expression of OsGRP3 was shown to be induced by several abiotic stress treatments and phytohormone treatments. Then, the drought tolerance tests of transgenic plants confirmed that OsGRP3 enhanced drought resistance in rice. Meanwhile, the yeast two-hybrid assay, bimolecular luminescence complementation assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay demonstrated that OsGRP3 bound with itself may affect the RNA chaperone function. Subsequently, the RNA-seq analysis, physiological experiments and histochemical staining showed that OsGRP3 influenced the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and further modulated lignin accumulation. Herein, our findings suggested that OsGRP3 enhanced drought resistance in rice by altering the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and further increasing lignin accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocabulary learning is often seen as an important but also difficult aspect of learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Thus, it is particularly important to promote the sustainable development of vocabulary acquisition. Many features of English words affect the sustainable development of vocabulary acquisition, including frequency, polysemy, word family, part of speech, and word length. The influence of most of these factors on vocabulary acquisition has been extensively explored in previous studies, but the effects of cognateness and lexicalization remain unclear. This is in part due to the measurement tool, the Vocabulary Size Test, which does not include enough cognates and non-lexicalized words to adequately represent the language used in authentic contexts. To better our understanding of the effect of word features in the context of Chinese EFL learners, the present study modified the Vocabulary Size Test by including additional 19 non-lexicalized words and 33 cognates and administered it to 527 Chinese non-English major sophomores. The results revealed that cognateness, frequency, and polysemy were positively correlated with vocabulary acquisition, whereas word length and lexicalization were negatively correlated with acquisition. Further, multiple regression analysis indicated that cognateness, polysemy, and frequency were the largest contributors to acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays an essential role in food digestion, absorption, and the mucosal immune system; it is also inhabited by a huge range of microbes. The GI tract is densely innervated by a network of 200–600 million neurons that comprise the enteric nervous system (ENS). This system cooperates with intestinal microbes, the intestinal immune system, and endocrine systems; it forms a complex network that is required to maintain a stable intestinal microenvironment. Understanding how gut microbes influence the ENS and central nervous system (CNS) has been a significant research subject over the past decade. Moreover, accumulating evidence from animal and clinical studies has revealed that gut microbiota play important roles in various neurological diseases. However, the causal relationship between microbial changes and neurological disorders currently remains unproven. This review aims to summarize the possible contributions of GI microbiota to the ENS and CNS. It also provides new insights into furthering our current understanding of neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]