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Accurately simulating non-Markovian quantum dynamics in system–bath coupled problems remains challenging. In this work, we present a novel memory truncation scheme for the iterative quasi-adiabatic propagator path integral (iQuAPI) method to improve accuracy. Conventional memory truncation in iQuAPI discards all influence functional beyond a certain time interval, which is not effective for problems with a long memory time. Our proposed scheme selectively retains the most significant parts of the influence functional using the density matrix renormalization group algorithm. We validate the effectiveness of our scheme through simulations of the spin-boson model across various parameter sets, demonstrating faster convergence and improved accuracy compared to the conventional scheme. Our findings suggest that the new memory truncation scheme significantly advances the capabilities of iQuAPI for problems with a long memory time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eltrombopag combined with immunosuppressive therapy (IST) was superior to IST alone for severe aplastic anemia (SAA) in the previous studies. But in China, horse antithymocyte globulin (hATG) is not available, instead, we use rabbit ATG (rATG). Here, we compared the efficacy and safety of IST (rATG combined with cyclosporine) combined with or without eltrombopag for the first-line treatment of SAA and very severe aplastic anemia (VSAA). A total of 371 patients in ten institutions in China from April 1, 2017 to December 1, 2022 were enrolled. The overall response (OR) rate at 3 months (54.2% vs. 41%; P = 0.046), the complete response (CR) (31.3% vs. 19.4%; P = 0.041) and OR (78.3% vs. 51.1%; P < 0.0001) rates at 6 months were significantly higher with IST combined with eltrombopag than with IST alone in SAA patients. While in VSAA patients, the addition of eltrombopag to IST only increased the CR rate at 6 months (29.8% vs. 9.43%; P = 0.010). Liver injury increased significantly in groups treated with IST combined with eltrombopag (P < 0.05). Serious treatment-related toxicities were similar (P > 0.05). In patients with SAA, 3-year failure-free survival (FFS) of eltrombopag combined with IST group was significantly higher than that of IST group (70.7 ± 5.3% vs. 50.3 ± 3.9%; P = 0.007). In patients with VSAA, the addition of eltrombopag significantly improved 3-year overall survival (OS) (82.2 ± 5.7% vs. 57.3 ± 7.2%; P = 0.020). Our findings suggested that IST combined with eltrombopag could improve the hematological recovery of newly diagnosed SAA without increasing severe toxicities. But in VSAA, the addition of eltrombopag seemed to show no other improvement to efficacy except the CR rate at 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), a prevalent condition among teenagers, is often accompanied by osteopenia. However, the impact of brace treatment on bone density in AIS patients remains a matter of debate. The Vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score, derived from MRI signal intensity, has been shown to correlate with bone mineral density (BMD). Yet, no studies to date have drawn comparisons between VBQ scores in preoperative AIS patients who had brace treatment history and those who have not received brace treatment. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the influence of brace treatment on bone density in AIS patients using VBQ score. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 243 AIS patients, each with Cobb angles ranging from 50–70°, who had undergone preoperative MRI scans. The patients were segregated into two cohorts: those who received brace treatment (n = 174) and those who did not (n = 69). Through propensity score matching, a total of 53 matched pairs were selected for further analysis. VBQ scores were extracted from T1-weighted MRI scans. Results: Post-matching, no significant baseline discrepancies were observed between the two groups. Interestingly, brace-treated patients exhibited lower average VBQ scores than their non-brace-treated counterparts (2.43 ± 0.11 vs. 2.55 ± 0.12, p < 0.01), suggesting a higher bone density. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between VBQ scores and the duration of brace usage (R2 = 0.3853, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Brace treatment may potentially enhance bone density in AIS patients by mitigating vertebral fat infiltration. The utilization of VBQ scores presents an alternative, potentially robust approach to assessing bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li−CO2 batteries utilizing greenhouse gas CO2 possess advantages of high energy density and environmental friendliness. However, these batteries following Li2CO3‐product route typically exhibit low work voltage (<2.5 V) and energy efficiency. Herein, we have demonstrated for the first time that cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) as homogeneous catalyst can elevate the work plateau towards 2.98 V, which is higher than its theoretical discharge voltage without changing the Li2CO3‐product route. This unprecedented discharge voltage is illustrated by mass spectrum and electrochemical analyses that CoPc has powerful adsorption capability with CO2 (−7.484 kJ mol−1) and forms discharge intermediate of C33H16CoN8O2. Besides high discharge capacity of 18724 mAh g−1 and robust cyclability over 1600 hours (1000 mAh g−1 cut‐off) at a current density of 100 mA g−1, the batteries show high temperature adaptability (−30–80 °C). Our work is paving a promising avenue for the progress of high‐efficiency Li−CO2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li−CO2 batteries utilizing greenhouse gas CO2 possess advantages of high energy density and environmental friendliness. However, these batteries following Li2CO3‐product route typically exhibit low work voltage (<2.5 V) and energy efficiency. Herein, we have demonstrated for the first time that cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) as homogeneous catalyst can elevate the work plateau towards 2.98 V, which is higher than its theoretical discharge voltage without changing the Li2CO3‐product route. This unprecedented discharge voltage is illustrated by mass spectrum and electrochemical analyses that CoPc has powerful adsorption capability with CO2 (−7.484 kJ mol−1) and forms discharge intermediate of C33H16CoN8O2. Besides high discharge capacity of 18724 mAh g−1 and robust cyclability over 1600 hours (1000 mAh g−1 cut‐off) at a current density of 100 mA g−1, the batteries show high temperature adaptability (−30–80 °C). Our work is paving a promising avenue for the progress of high‐efficiency Li−CO2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Directly coupling N2 and CO2 to synthesize urea by photocatalysis paves a sustainable route for urea synthesis, but its performance is limited by the competition of photogenerated electrons between N2 and CO2, as well as the underutilized photogenerated holes. Herein, we report an efficient urea synthesis process involving photogenerated electrons and holes in respectively converting CO2 and N2 over a redox heterojunction consisting of WO3 and Ni single‐atom‐decorated CdS (Ni1‐CdS/WO3). For the photocatalytic urea synthesis from N2 and CO2 in pure water, Ni1‐CdS/WO3 attained a urea yield rate of 78 μM h−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 0.15 % at 385 nm, which ranked among the best photocatalytic urea synthesis performance reported. Mechanistic studies reveal that the N2 was converted into NO species by ⋅OH radicals generated from photogenerated holes over the WO3 component, meanwhile, the CO2 was transformed into *CO species over the Ni site by photogenerated electrons. The generated NO and *CO species were further coupled to form *OCNO intermediate, then gradually transformed into urea. This work emphasizes the importance of reasonably utilizing photogenerated holes in photocatalytic reduction reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Directly coupling N2 and CO2 to synthesize urea by photocatalysis paves a sustainable route for urea synthesis, but its performance is limited by the competition of photogenerated electrons between N2 and CO2, as well as the underutilized photogenerated holes. Herein, we report an efficient urea synthesis process involving photogenerated electrons and holes in respectively converting CO2 and N2 over a redox heterojunction consisting of WO3 and Ni single‐atom‐decorated CdS (Ni1‐CdS/WO3). For the photocatalytic urea synthesis from N2 and CO2 in pure water, Ni1‐CdS/WO3 attained a urea yield rate of 78 μM h−1 and an apparent quantum yield of 0.15 % at 385 nm, which ranked among the best photocatalytic urea synthesis performance reported. Mechanistic studies reveal that the N2 was converted into NO species by ⋅OH radicals generated from photogenerated holes over the WO3 component, meanwhile, the CO2 was transformed into *CO species over the Ni site by photogenerated electrons. The generated NO and *CO species were further coupled to form *OCNO intermediate, then gradually transformed into urea. This work emphasizes the importance of reasonably utilizing photogenerated holes in photocatalytic reduction reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-sorting transmission is one of the primary RF stealth signals, as well as radio frequency (RF) stealth is one of the greatest significant study areas in radar stealth technology. This study first examines the anti-sorting signal's design basis. Next, it is suggested to use a quadratic stochastic appropriate algorithm on the cosine exponent. Furthermore, utilizing the suggested nonlinear chaotic mapping, a more unpredictable wide-interval PRI signals is created while taking the sorting individual's allowable limits into account. Finally, evaluations of intricacy, equilibrium, and unpredictability confirm the effectiveness of the suggested chaotic mapping. The transmitter capacity for anti-sorting is then modeled. The outcomes demonstrate the intended signal's strong anti-sorting capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) is strongly associated with poor prognosis. We aimed to build a machine learning (ML)-based clinical model to predict 1-year mortality in patients with SA-AKI. Methods: Six ML algorithms were included to perform model fitting. Feature selection was based on the feature importance evaluated by the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability of the prediction model. Calibration curve and Brier score were employed to assess the calibrated ability. Our ML-based prediction models were validated both internally and externally. Results: A total of 12,750 patients with SA-AKI and 55 features were included to build the prediction models. We identified the top 10 predictors including age, ICU stay and GCS score based on the feature importance. Among the six ML algorithms, the CatBoost showed the best prediction performance with an AUROC of 0.813 and Brier score of 0.119. In the external validation set, the predictive value remained favorable (AUROC = 0.784). Conclusion: In this study, we developed and validated a ML-based prediction model based on 10 commonly used clinical features which could accurately and early identify the individuals at high-risk of long-term mortality in patients with SA-AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The process of spermatogenesis is complex involving multiple regulatory mechanisms and requiring complex interactions between germ cells and somatic cells. The mechanisms of Sertoli cells involving in spermatogenesis remain to be explored. Methods We collected single-cell RNA sequencing data from a high-throughput gene expression database (GEO: GSE113293) from wild-type C57BIL6J male mice with normal spermatogenesis and four different mutant mouse strains (knockout Mlh3, Hormadl, and Cul4a; Cnp transgene). Then bioinformatics analyses such as gene function enrichment analysis (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enriched pathway analysis, protein- protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, transcription factor regulation analysis (SCENIC), and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) on the Sertoli cells were further indentified. Results We identified nine subtypes of spermatogenic cell clusters (undiferentiated spermatogonia, diferentiating sperrmatogonia, leptotene/zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, round sperrmatids, elongating spermatids, and spermatozoa), and two types of somatic cell clusters (Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells), and one unknown type of cell cluster. Compared to the normal spermatogenesis model, 276 genes were upregulated and 234 genes were downregulated in the Sertoli cells of the mouse spermatogenesis defect model. GO analysis showed that differential genes in Sertoli cells were significantly enriched in spermatogenesis and energy metabolism. KEGG enrichment analyses showed that the homogeneous ribosomal pathway, glycolytic pathway, and oxidative phosphorylation pathway were significantly enriched in Sertoli cells. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of diferentially expressed genes identified 20 hub genes, all of which belonged to ribosomal genes, and GSVA analysis revealed that the upregulated genes in Sertoli cells were closely related to the Notch signaling pathway. Conclusion The hub genes and the Notch signaling pathway in Sertoli cells are involved in the process of spermatogenesis. This study provides new perspectives on infertility caused by spermatogenesis dis orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Currently, anterior‐only (AO), posterior‐only, and combined anterior–posterior spinal fusions are common strategies for treating cervical kyphosis in patients with neurofibromatosis‐1 NF‐1. Nevertheless, the choice of surgical strategy remains a topic of controversy. The aim of our study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of anterior decompression and spinal reconstruction for the treatment of cervical kyphosis in patients with NF‐1. Methods: Twelve patients with NF‐1‐associated cervical kyphotic deformity were reviewed retrospectively between January 2010 and April 2020. All patients underwent AO correction and reconstruction. The X‐ray was followed up in all these patients to assess the preoperative and postoperative local kyphosis angle (LKA), the global kyphosis angle (GKA), the sagittal vertical axis, and the T1 slope. The visual analog scale score, Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) score were used to evaluate the improvement inclinical symptoms. The results of the difference in improvement from preoperatively to the final follow‐up assessment were assessed using a paired t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Results: The LKA and GKA decreased from the preoperative average of 64.42 (range, 38–86) and 35.50 (range, 10–81) to an average of 16.83 (range, −2 to 46) and 4.25 (range, −22 to 39) postoperatively, respectively. The average correction rates of the LKA and GKA were 76.11% and 111.97%, respectively. All patients had achieved satisfactory relief of neurological symptoms (p < 0.01). JOA scores were improved from 10.42 (range, 8–16) preoperatively to 15.25 (range, 11–18) at final follow‐up (p < 0.01). NDI scores were decreased from an average of 23.25 (range, 16–34) preoperatively to an average of 7.08 (range, 3–15) at the final follow‐up (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Anterior‐only correction and reconstruction is a safe and effective method for correcting cervical kyphosis in NF‐1 patients. In fixed cervical kyphosis cases, preoperative skull traction should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important part of fruit cultivation is transplanting, which can be completed efficiently by an automatic transplanter. In this study, an automatic solanum lycopersicum transplanter was developed. It is primarily composed of the following devices: a seedling tray fixator, a mechanical transplanting arm, double horizontal driving modules, double vertical driving cylinders, a seedling separation device, double-crank five-bar planting devices, a power distribution system, and a PLC control system. An experimental test on an automatic transplanter was carried out on dry land. The experimental results showed that when the planting frequency was 80 plants/(min·row), the transplanting success rate was 93.89%, the missed planting rate was 1.58%, the replanting rate was 0.65%, the lodging rate was 1.94%, and the exposed seedling rate was 1.94%. Each device of the automatic transplanter was coordinated to complete the transplanting process. The automatic transplanter met the operation requirements, and it not only transplanted in dry land but also provided a theoretical basis for fruit cultivation in solar greenhouses in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas sensors for ammonia (NH3) play a crucial role in the maintenance of air quality, preservation of the atmosphere, and evaluation of human health. However, the endeavor to attain a high level of sensitivity in detecting NH3 under ambient conditions remains a challenging task. In this work, poly(3‐hexylthiophene)s and titanium dioxide (P3HT‐TiO2) heterostructure NH3 gas‐sensitive material was prepared, and by drop‐casting the material onto a substrate with Au interdigital electrodes, a sensor for high‐response detection of NH3 at room temperature was constructed. The designed gas sensor exhibited a high response signal of 114.61 % toward 15 ppm NH3 at room temperature (25 °C) with good reproducibility, strong long‐term stability, and excellent selectivity. Moreover, by analyzing the response law of the sensor under different humidity conditions, it has been noted that both excessively high and excessively low levels of humidity adversely affect the sensor's response. The remarkable increase in NH3 sensing properties is attributed to the synergistic enhancement effect of P−N heterojunction formed between P3HT and TiO2. This NH3 gas sensor exhibits tremendous potential for use due to its straightforward structure and outstanding ammonia sensing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are received the extensive attention due to their high-safety, huge cost competitiveness, and eco-friendliness. However, they are still limited by advanced cathode materials in terms of cycle stability and energy density. Herein, hierarchical α-MnO2@LaxMn1-xO2-δ(α-MnO2@LMO) core–shell nanostructures are developed to improve the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. In this structure, the internal hollow nanotubes mechanically support the external LaxMn1-xO2-δ nanosheets, forming a porous, open, and robust electrode architecture. Benefiting from unique structure, the α-MnO2@LMO cathode exhibits good initial specific capacity (240 mAh g−1) and cyclic stability. Moreover, the α-MnO2@LMO cathode delivers a specific capacity of 115 mAh g−1 with 90% of the initial capacity after 1500 cycles at 1 A g−1. The electrochemical dynamics test, charge–discharge mechanism study and phase and structure evolution analysis show that the formation of core–shell structure not only enhance the structural stability of MnO2, alleviate the dissolution of Mn, and improve the transport kinetics of Zn2+, but also inhibit the irreversible ZnMn2O4 produced in the process of repeated H+ and Zn2+ co insertion/extraction. This study intends to provide an alternative method for the next generation cathode materials for AZIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To demonstrate the feasibility and improve the implementation of laser weeding, a static movable lift-adjustable closed fiber laser weeding device and system have been developed, followed by experiments and performance evaluations. Physical experiments were conducted on the energy required for laser cutting of weed stems, targeting four common larger weeds (Chenopodium album, Amaranthus spinosus, Setaria viridis, and Eleusine indica) in farmland and orchards. At the same irradiation distances, the energy required to cut the same type of large weed generally increases with increasing distances and stem diameters but decreases with increasing irradiation time. The variance of stems' power density after irradiation was larger and the values were more dispersed for Chenopodium album and Setaria viridis weeds, and the values were relatively scattered, while the power density values of Amaranthus spinosus and Eleusine indica weeds were more concentrated. When the irradiation time was 10 s, the 3.892 W/mm2 laser was sufficient to eliminate weeds and plants with the irradiation distances of 2 m. The 2.47 W/mm2 laser was more effective, as it killed weeds within a distance of 1 m in less than 1 s. This work demonstrates the feasibility of the laser weeding device and system that can completely cut off the stems of large weeds, and this technology has the potential to promote sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate positioning at the inter-row canopy can provide data support for precision variable-rate spraying. Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a reliable positioning method for the inter-row canopy of closed orchards (planted forests). In the study, the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) fusion positioning method (method C) was first constructed by calibrating the IMU and encoder with errors. Meanwhile, 3D Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations were introduced to be fused into Method C. An EKF fusion positioning method (method D) based on 3D LiDAR corrected detection was designed. The method starts or closes method C by the presence or absence of the canopy. The vertically installed 3D LiDAR detected the canopy body center, providing the vehicle with inter-row vertical distance and heading. They were obtained through the distance between the center of the body and fixed row spacing. This can provide an accurate initial position for method C and correct the positioning trajectory. Finally, the positioning and canopy length measurement experiments were designed using a GPS positioning system. The results show that the method proposed in this study can significantly improve the accuracy of length measurement and positioning at the inter-row canopy, which does not significantly change with the distance traveled. In the orchard experiment, the average positioning deviations of the lateral and vertical distances at the inter-row canopy are 0.1 m and 0.2 m, respectively, with an average heading deviation of 6.75°, and the average relative error of canopy length measurement was 4.35%. The method can provide a simple and reliable inter-row positioning method for current remote-controlled and manned agricultural machinery when working in standardized 3D crops. This can modify the above-mentioned machinery to improve its automation level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) offers a promising way for both alleviating the greenhouse effect and meeting the industrial demand. Herein, we constructed a Co single-atom catalyst with intentional low-coordination environment design on porous ZnO (denoted as Co1/ZnO). Impressively, Co1/ZnO exhibited a remarkable activity with a CO yield rate of 22.25 mmol·g−1·h−1 and a selectivity of 80.2% for CO2 photoreduction reactions under visible light. The incorporation of single Co atoms provided an additional photo-generated electron transfer channel, which suppressed the carrier recombination of photocatalysts. Moreover, the unsaturated Co active sites were capable to adsorb CO2 molecule spontaneously, thus facilitating the activation of CO2 molecule during CO2 reduction course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the clinical and radiological outcomes in the coronal and sagittal planes after treatment of congenital complex lumbosacral hemivertebrae (LSHV) with or without posterior concave reconstruction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients with congenital LSHV deformities treated by posterior-only hemivertebra resection. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. The patients were divided into a concave-cage group and a non-cage group. The radiographic and clinical results were compared between the two groups. Results: Forty patients were categorized into the cage group (n = 14) and non-cage group (n = 26). At the end of the propensity score matching analysis, 14 patients from the cage group were matched to 14 patients in the non-cage group. The lumbosacral curve and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve improved significantly in both groups at the final postoperative follow-up (P < 0.001), and the lumbosacral curve at the final follow-up was remarkably lower in the cage than non-cage group. The correction rates of the lumbosacral curve and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve were significantly higher in the cage than non-cage group. The lower lumbar lordosis improved significantly in both groups at the final postoperative follow-up (P < 0.05), and the lower lumbar lordosis at the final follow-up and its correction were remarkably higher in the cage than non-cage group (both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Posterior column reconstruction with insertion of a concave cage may achieve a higher correction rate of large lower lumbar lordosis and lumbosacral coronal deformity, attain better sagittal balance, and have fewer complications related to implant failure than posterior-only hemivertebra resection in patients with congenital LSHV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology is the key technology to establish and express the objective world by using computer, and it is widely used in real 3D, automatic driving, aerospace, navigation and industrial robot applications. According to different principles, it is mainly divided into methods based on traditional multi-view geometry and methods based on deep learning. This paper introduces the above methods from the perspective of three-dimensional space representation. The feature extraction and stereo matching theory of traditional 3D reconstruction methods are the theoretical basis of 3D reconstruction methods based on deep learning, so the paper focuses on them. With the development of traditional 3D reconstruction methods and the development of deep learning related theories, the explicit deep learning 3D reconstruction method represented by MVSNet and the implicit 3D reconstruction method represented by NeRF have been gradually developed. At the same time, the dataset and evaluation indicators for 3D reconstruction were introduced. Finally, a summary of image based 3D reconstruction was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a clinical study on the combination therapy of ruxolitinib and emapalumab for the treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The study found that the combination therapy resulted in improved response rates compared to mono-therapy with either drug. The decrease in IL-6 and IL-10 levels correlated with the therapeutic effect, while the decline in IFN-γ levels was not associated with disease response. The study suggests that the combination therapy is a more effective and safe treatment for HLH, particularly in cases of EBV- and lymphoma-associated HLH. However, careful titration of the drug doses and schedules is necessary for maximum benefit. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of constructing onboard observation mission queues is to improve the execution efficiency of onboard tasks and reduce energy consumption, representing a significant challenge in achieving efficient global military reconnaissance and target tracking. Existing research often focuses on the aspect of task scheduling, aiming at optimizing the efficiency of single-task execution, while neglecting the complex dependencies that might exist between multiple tasks and payloads. Moreover, traditional task scheduling schemes are no longer suitable for large-scale tasks. To effectively reduce the number of tasks within the network, we introduce a network aggregation graph model based on multiple satellites and tasks, and propose a task aggregation priority dynamic calculation algorithm based on graph computations. Subsequently, we present a dynamic merging-based method for multi-satellite, multi-task aggregation, a novel approach for constructing onboard mission queues that can dynamically optimize the task queue according to real-time task demands and resource status. Simulation experiments demonstrate that, compared to baseline algorithms, our proposed task aggregation method significantly reduces the task size by approximately 25% and effectively increases the utilization rate of onboard resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze and summarize the clinicopathological features, risk factors for cervical nodal metastasis, and prognostic factors of malignant sublingual gland tumors (MSLGT). Methods: Patients diagnosed with MSLGT were retrospectively reviewed from January 2005 to December 2017 at Shanghai Ninth Hospital. The clinicopathological features were summarized, and the correlations between clinicopathological parameters, cervical nodal metastasis, and local–regional recurrence were evaluated using the Chi‐square test. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the survival and independent prognostic factors. Results: Seventy‐nine patients were included, and the 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival rates was 85.7% and 71.7%, respectively. Gender and clinical tumor stage were risk factors for cervical nodal metastasis. Tumor size and pathological lymph node (LN) stage were independent prognostic factors for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the sublingual gland; while age, pathological LN stage, and distant metastasis were prognostic factors for patients with non‐ACC of the sublingual gland. Patients with higher clinical stage were more likely to undergo tumor recurrence. Conclusions: Malignant sublingual gland tumors are rare, and neck dissection should be performed in male MSLGT patients with higher clinical stage. Among patients with both ACC and non‐ACC MSLGT patients, pN+ indicate a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin oxide-based (SnO2) materials show high theoretical capacity for lithium and sodium storage benefiting from a double-reaction mechanism of conversion and alloying reactions. However, due to the limitation of the reaction thermodynamics and kinetics, the conversion reaction process of SnO2 usually shows irreversibility, resulting in serious capacity decay and hindering the further application of the SnO2 anode. Herein, SnO2/SnS heterojunction was anchored on the surface and inside of CMK-3 by in situ synthesis method, forming a stable 3D structural material (SnO2/SnS@CMK-3). The electrochemical properties of SnO2/SnS@CMK-3 composite show high capacity and reversible conversion reaction, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of CMK-3 and SnO2/SnS heterojunction. To further investigate the influence of the heterojunction on the reversibility of the conversion reaction, the Gibbs free energy (Δ G) was calculated using density functional theory. The results show that SnO2/SnS heterojunction has a closer to zero Δ G for lithium/sodium ion batteries compared to SnO2, indicating that the heterojunction enhances the reversibility of the conversion reaction in chemical reaction thermodynamics. Our work provides insights into the reversibility of the conversion reaction of SnO2-based materials, which is essential for improving their electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study compared the outcomes of unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (URD-HSCT) and immunosuppressive therapy plus eltrombopag (IST + EPAG) as first-line treatments for adults with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). The study found that URD-HSCT had improved survival outcomes compared to IST + EPAG, but there was no significant difference in hematologic response or health-related quality of life between the two treatments. The study suggests that URD-HSCT could be considered as a first-line option for adult SAA patients without a matched sibling donor. Another study focused on the outcomes of URD-HSCT in patients with non-severe aplastic anemia. The results showed successful engraftment and low rates of graft failure, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). The incidence of aGVHD was higher in patients who received a mismatched unrelated donor compared to those who received a matched unrelated donor. Overall, URD-HSCT appears to be a favorable treatment option for adult SAA patients without a matched sibling donor, but further research is needed. [Extracted from the article]

The hazy weather is currently one of the most common atmospheric environments. It is an urgent problem to realize clear imaging in hazy environment. Orthogonal polarization dehazing is one of the classical dehazing techniques attracting a widespread attention from research workers. However, while using this method, the extinction ratio (ER) parameter of the polarizer was neglected leading to poor dehazing. Therefore, we have introduced the ER of polarizers into the orthogonal polarization dehazing technique in this paper. In the process of sky region division, this study proposes to use HSV, RGB and Lab colour channels to create a comprehensive mask to select the sky region. And the morphological corrosion operation is utilized to increase the region connectivity for better sky region division. Based on subjective visualization, it can be found that the dehazing effect is significantly enhanced with the introduction of ER. The dehazing effect was evaluated based on four parameters of contrast (C0), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and information entropy (En). It is further demonstrated the necessity of introducing ER. The experimental results show that the ER can make the dehazing effect of the orthogonal polarization dehazing technique improved, which is valuable for the engineering application of image processing in hazy environment. The experimental results proved to be encouraging. The main highlights of this work are the following three points: The NDC parameter of the polarizer is a crucial factor that many researchers tend to overlook when utilizing polarizers for detection in the polarization dehazing process. This study aims to address this oversight by incorporating polarizers for detection and introducing the NDC parameter to rectify images at varying polarization angles. Consequently, the polarization dehazing operation yields superior results compared to those achieved without NDC polarization dehazing technology. The separation of the sky area from the non-sky area is achieved through the utilization of a multi-channel mask. This model employs multi-channel processing, specifically the HSV colour channel, RGB colour channel, and Lab colour channel. By generating an appropriate mask to delineate the sky area and the non-sky area, merging the three masks into a comprehensive mask, and subsequently applying morphological etching on the comprehensive mask to enhance the connectivity of the sky area, it is observed that the effectiveness of separating the sky area from the non-sky area is significantly improved. The amalgamation of image restoration and image enhancement is a critical process. Once the polarization dehazing operation is accomplished, we proceed with an image enhancement operation on the restored image. To regulate the filtering level, we employ the standard deviation of the Gaussian function. Furthermore, we utilize the Laplacian operator to intensify the edges of the current channel. By adjusting the parameters, we can control the intensity and scope of the enhancement effect, thereby achieving edge enhancement and augmenting the details of the image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special work involves hot work, confined space, blinding‐pipeline operation with stop plate, work at height, lifting work, temporary electricity, excavation work, work for road breaking, and other work, which may cause harm or damage to the operators themselves, surrounding buildings, equipment, and facilities. In this article, we conducted a statistical investigation on 154 large and above hazardous chemical accidents that occurred between 2008 and 2021 in China, and found that there were 58 accidents that occurred in special work alone, accounting for 37.7% of the total number of accidents. However, at present, no statistical analysis has been conducted on the characteristics of special work accidents in China. Therefore, this paper analyzes the special work accidents in terms of six aspects: categories of special work, industry distribution, enterprise scales, provincial location distribution, time‐volatility characteristics, and accident causes. Moreover, this article puts forward countermeasures and suggestions, aiming to provide useful information for the prevention of special work accidents in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is no consensus on the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe rigid scoliosis. Anterior release and three‐column osteotomy are excessively traumatic, whereas posterior column osteotomy (PCO) alone results in poor outcomes. An emerging surgical technique, posterior intervertebral release (PR), can release the rigid spine from the posterior approach. This study was performed to compare the multi‐segment apical convex PR combined with PCO and PCO alone in patients with moderate‐to‐severe rigid scoliosis. Methods: From June 2021 to June 2022, this prospective study of moderate‐to‐severe (Cobb: 70–90°) rigid scoliosis (flexibility of main curve <25%) involved two groups defined by surgical procedure: the PR group, the patients undergoing PR combined with PCO; and the PCO group, the patients undergoing PCO alone. Follow‐up was at least 12 months. Radiographic results mainly included main curve Cobb, correction of per PR/PCO segment, apical vertebra rotation (AVR) and apical vertebra translation (AVT). Demographics, surgical data, complications were also recorded. Student's independent samples t test and Pearson's chi‐square test were used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Forty patients with an average age of 16.65 years were included (PR group, n = 20; PCO group, n = 20). The main curves averaged 77.56° ± 5.86° versus 78.02° ± 5.72° preoperatively and 20.07° ± 6.73° versus 33.58° ± 5.76° (p < 0.001) at the last follow‐up in the PR and PCO groups, respectively. The mean correction rates were 74.30% and 56.84%, respectively (p < 0.001). The average coronal curve correction was 13.49° per release segment, which was significantly higher than the PCO correction of 6.20° (p < 0.001). The correction of apical vertebra rotation and translation in the main thoracic curve was significantly better in the PR group than in the PCO group (p < 0.05). Several minor complications in the two groups improved after conservative treatment. Conclusion: The multi‐segment apical convex PR combined with PCO offers more advantages than PCO alone in the treatment of patients with moderate‐to‐severe rigid scoliosis. Owing to its excellent corrective effect and few complications, this is a high benefit–risk ratio surgical strategy for rigid scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a retrospective study on myelodysplastic syndrome-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (MDS-HLH), a rare condition characterized by blood disorders and immune system abnormalities. The study found that MDS-HLH is underexplored in previous literature and provided insights into its clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. Patients in the study exhibited bone marrow dysplasia and karyotypic abnormalities, and the timing of HLH onset correlated with the risk of MDS. Treatment should prioritize controlling HLH, although the prognosis for MDS-HLH remains poor. The study was conducted ethically and the raw data will be available for non-commercial use. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: It is the first study to evaluate the predictive value of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) on postoperative delirium (POD) after transforaminal lumber interbody fusion (TLIF) in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar diseases. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the outcomes of TLIF surgery in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative disease between the years 2016 and 2022. Delirium was diagnosed by reviewing postoperative medical records during hospitalization, utilizing the Confusion Assessment Method. The geriatric nutritional risk index was calculated using the baseline serum albumin level and body weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the association between preoperative GNRI and postoperative delirium (POD). Additionally, a receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to determine the optimal GNRI cutoff for predicting POD. Results: POD was observed in 50 of the 324 patients. The GNRI was visibly reduced in the delirium group. The mean GNRI was 93.0 ± 9.1 in non-delirium group and 101.2 ± 8.2 in delirium group. On multivariate logistic regression, Risk of POD increases significantly with low GNRI and was an independent factor in predicting POD following TLIF (OR 0.714; 95% CI 0.540–0.944; p = 0.018). On receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under curve (AUC) for GNRI was 0.738 (95% CI 0.660–0.817). The cutoff value for GNRI according to the Youden index was 96.370 (sensitivity: 66.0%, specificity: 70.4%). Conclusion: Our study indicated that lower GNRI correlated significantly with POD after TLIF. Performing GNRI evaluation prior to TLIF may be an effective approach of predicting the risk for POD among elderly patients with degenerative lumbar diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gradient current collector (GCC) can encourage preferential Li metal deposition on the more lithiophilic/conductive bottom of 3D anodes, enhancing the reversibility of the battery. However, as the deposition proceeds, the reduction of lithophilicity/conductivity easily causes the disturbance of Li+ flux. Herein, a brand‐new bicomponent‐bidirectional gradient current collector (BGCC) is proposed. The BGCC constructs slow‐release additives with reverse gradient distribution (SA gradient) based on GCC, allowing it to build a position‐responsive solid electrolyte interface layer. Additionally, as the deposition amount increases, the slow‐release additives will release more and present a stronger ability to regulate Li+ flux, ensuring the anodereversibility under large deposition amounts conditions. Consequently, asymmetric cells can exhibit high reversibility with an average coulomb efficiency (CE) of 97.8% and sustain over 200 cycles using carbonate‐based electrolytes. The Li@BGCC||LiFePO4 full cells hold a capacity retention of 94.8% over 400 cycles with thin Li. Notably, even at low temperatures, the Li@BGCC anodes can exhibit a CE as high as 98.46% and excellent capacity retention of 97.8% after 100 cycles paired with NCM811 cathodes. This strategy opens up a new direction for the development of 3D current collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recently, the MRI‐based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score has been shown to correlate with Hounsfeld units (HU) value, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) T‐score and predict osteoporotic fractures. Preoperative cervical HU value is an independent correlative factor for early titanium mesh cage (TMC) subsidence after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). However, to date the direct association between cervical VBQ score and TMC subsidence has not been studied. This study aims to investigate the predictive effect of cervical VBQ score derived from sagittal non‐contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI on the early TMC subsidence after ACCF. Methods: Patients who underwent one‐level ACCF from January 2016 to January 2020 were included. We retrospectively collected baseline data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), disease type, level of surgery and radiology parameters. The cervical VBQ score was measured using preoperative non‐contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to screen the independent risk factors of TMC subsidence. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were performed to assess the predictive ability of TMC subsidence based on the cervical VBQ score. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations between the cervical VBQ score and TMC subsidence. Results: A total of 134 patients who underwent one‐level ACCF were included in this study, and 46 (34.33%) patients had TMC subsidence. Univariable analyses demonstrated that the age, TMC placement depth and VBQ score were associated with subsidence. The cervical VBQ score in the subsidence group was significantly higher than that in the no subsidence group (3.75 ± 0.45 vs. 3.20 ± 0.42, p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis proved that the higher VBQ score (odds ratio[OR] = 13.563, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.968 ‐ 37.031, p < 0.001) was the only variable that significantly predicted subsidence. Using a VBQ score cutoff value of 3.445, the cervical VBQ score yielded a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 85.2% with an AUC of 0.810 to differentiate patients with subsidence and with no subsidence. Conclusion: Preoperative higher cervical VBQ score is an independent risk factor for TMC subsidence after ACCF. The cervical VBQ score may be a valuable tool for assisting in distinguishing the presence of TMC subsidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) was controversially associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the association between RBP4 level and T2DM risk. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant studies up to 3 December 2022. Random effects model was used to pool multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias was estimated by Funnel plot and Egger's test, it was considered to be significant when P < 0.05. Eight studies including 8087 participants were finally included. Compared to those with the lowest level, subjects with the highest level of RBP4 have a higher risk of T2DM (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16–1.78, P < 0.001, I2 = 86.9%). No publication bias among the included studies was found (t = 0.94, P = 0.377). This meta-analysis indicated that high RBP4 level was associated with increasing risk of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a common complication following corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a Lenke 5 curve. Previous studies have suggested that PJK may be associated with osteopenia, which is prevalent in AIS patients. MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores have been proposed as a valuable tool to assess preoperative bone quality. However, accurately measuring VBQ scores in Lenke 5 AIS patients with a structural lumbar curve can be challenging. Recently, a simplified S1 VBQ score has been proposed as an alternative method when the traditional VBQ score is not applicable. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of the simplified S1 VBQ score in predicting the occurrence of PJK after corrective surgery for Lenke 5 AIS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient data to assess the predictive utility of the S1 VBQ score for PJK in Lenke 5 AIS patients. Demographic, radiographic, and surgical data were collected, and S1 VBQ scores were calculated based on preoperative T1-weighted MRI images. Univariate analysis, linear regression, and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify potential risk factors for PJK and to assess the correlation between other variables and the S1 VBQ score. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and area under the curve values were used to evaluate the predictive efficiency of the S1 VBQ score for PJK. Results: A total of 105 patients (aged 15.50 ± 2.36 years) were included in the analysis, of whom 24 (22.9%) developed PJK. S1 VBQ scores were significantly higher in the PJK group compared to the non-PJK group (2.83 ± 0.44 vs. 2.48 ± 0.30, P < 0.001), and there was a significant positive correlation between the S1 VBQ score and proximal junctional angle (PJA) (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the S1 VBQ scores and preoperative thoracic kyphosis (TK) were significant predictors of PJK. Conclusion: This study provided evidence that higher S1 VBQ scores were independently associated with PJK occurrence following corrective surgery for Lenke 5 AIS. Preoperative measurement of the S1 VBQ score on MRI may serve as a valuable tool in planning surgical correction for Lenke 5 AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of adenoid basal cell carcinoma (ABC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) with basaloid characteristics and improve the diagnostic and differential diagnostic ability of clinicians and pathologists for these lesions. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of 4 cases of ABC, 1 case of ACC, and 3 cases of BSCC diagnosed and treated at Shenzhen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Southern Medical University from April 2018 to December 2022. Pathological slides were reviewed and relevant literature was analyzed and summarized. Results All three types of tumors were common in postmenopausal women and were associated with high-risk HPV infection. ABC was a low-grade cancer and patients were often clinically asymptomatic. It was usually detected incidentally during cervical screening due to cytological abnormalities, or after cervical cone biopsy or hysterectomy for HSIL. It presented as superficial cervical infiltration and clinical staging was often early. ACC and BSCC were intermediate to high-grade cancers and they often presented with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. A visible mass was observed on the cervix. The clinical staging was intermediate to advanced. The three types of lesions could coexist. Careful observation of the morphological characteristics and immunohistochemical staining could help with differential diagnosis. None of the 8 patients experienced recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. Conclusion Cervical ABC, ACC and BSCC are rare and they originate from reserve cells. They share the similarities in clinical and pathological morphology, but differ in treatment and prognosis. So, accurate differentiation among them has important clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel indoor positioning method for a pigsty based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is proposed via reasonably arranging the base stations and positioning tags, which can provide strong support for the accurate positioning of specific pig pens in the pig house. The distribution of Dilution of Precision (DOP) values is analyzed in different deployment schemes which include the amount, the height, the deployment shape, and the distance of the base stations through positioning simulation. Moreover, the positioning effect of dynamic following positioning, the root-mean-square error (RMSE), and the variance of static positioning are measured. It is noteworthy that the Kalman filtering algorithm is adopted to smooth the dynamic following positioning experimental data for reducing the positioning error. The simulated results show that the DOP values decrease with the increase in height and distance, and these results and laws are consistent with the experimental results. However, the DOP values are best reached when the height is from 1.75 m to 2.75 m, and the distance is over 3.00 m. Furthermore, the DOP values of quadrilateral deployment are smaller than the ones of triangular deployment. In addition, the variance of static positioning and dynamic following positioning is decreased by utilizing the Kalman filtering algorithm. Therefore, the excellent positioning system and its solutions in a pigsty can be provided by our proposed indoor positioning method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) has been demonstrated as an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in certain populations. However, this relationship in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) remains unclear. Our study sought to elucidate the relationship between SHR and AKI in patients with CHF. Methods: A total of 8268 patients with CHF were included in this study. We categorized SHR into distinct groups and evaluated its association with mortality through logistic or Cox regression analyses. Additionally, we applied the restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis to explore the relationship between SHR as a continuous variable and the occurrence of AKI. The primary outcome of interest in this investigation was the incidence of AKI during hospitalization. Results: Within this patient cohort, a total of 5,221 (63.1%) patients experienced AKI during their hospital stay. Upon adjusting for potential confounding variables, we identified a U-shaped correlation between SHR and the occurrence of AKI, with an inflection point at 0.98. When the SHR exceeded 0.98, for each standard deviation (SD) increase, the risk of AKI was augmented by 1.32-fold (odds ratio [OR]: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.46). Conversely, when SHR was below 0.98, each SD decrease was associated with a pronounced increase in the risk of AKI. Conclusion: Our study reveals a U-shaped relationship between SHR and AKI in patients with CHF. Notably, we identified an inflection point at an SHR value of 0.98, signifying a critical threshold for evaluating AKI in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death that is featured in a wide range of diseases. Exosome therapy is a promising therapeutic option that has attracted much attention due to its low immunogenicity, low toxicity, and ability to penetrate biological barriers. In addition, emerging evidence indicates that exosomes possess the ability to modulate the progression of diverse diseases by regulating ferroptosis in damaged cells. Hence, the mechanism by which cell-derived and noncellular-derived exosomes target ferroptosis in different diseases through the system Xc−/GSH/GPX4 axis, NAD(P)H/FSP1/CoQ10 axis, iron metabolism pathway and lipid metabolism pathway associated with ferroptosis, as well as its applications in liver disease, neurological diseases, lung injury, heart injury, cancer and other diseases, are summarized here. Additionally, the role of exosome-regulated ferroptosis as an emerging repair mechanism for damaged tissues and cells is also discussed, and this is expected to be a promising treatment direction for various diseases in the future. 4WxzRHXWYmfm3Upmac56cr Video Abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The treatment of scoliosis with a severe rib hump remains a major challenge. Traditional vertebral rotation techniques are not satisfactory, and thoracoplasty has many pulmonary complications that limit its application. A novel surgical device, the multiple screw distraction reducer (MSDR) system, provides longitudinal distraction during the corrective operation while at the same time providing lateral translation and axial derotation, which may facilitate the correction of a rib hump. This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of the MSDR system for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a severe rib hump. Methods: This was a case‐matched study of patients with retrospectively collected data from our hospital between January 2017 and December 2021. Sixty‐eight patients who underwent one‐stage posterior pedicle screw‐instrumented spinal fusion were matched by the Cobb angle of the main curve and rib hump. All patients underwent a minimum of 2 years of follow‐up. The patients were divided into two groups: the MSDR group (using the MSDR system, n = 34) and the DVR group (using direct vertebral derotation, n = 34). The patients were evaluated for the height of the rib hump, deformity correction, complications, and SRS‐30 scores. The unpaired Student's t‐test and Pearson's χ2‐test were used to compare the outcome measures between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the variables that affected the correction of a rib hump. Results: The rib hump was 30.21 ± 6.21 mm versus 29.35 ± 6.52 mm (p = 0.583) preoperatively and 9.18 ± 4.06 mm versus 13.82 ± 5.54 mm (p < 0.001) at the last follow‐up in the MSDR and DVR groups, respectively. The correction rates were 70.83% and 53.56%, respectively (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, the main thoracic curve was 58.43° ± 7.97° and 57.84° ± 6.32° (p = 0.736) and was corrected to 10.92° ± 5.47° and 19.14° ± 5.32° (p < 0.001) at last follow‐up in the MSDR and DVR group, respectively. Thoracic kyphosis was restored from 18.24° ± 5.19° and 17.98° ± 5.28° (p = 0.836) in the MSDR and DVR group to 24.59° ± 4.41° and 19.32° ± 4.96° (p < 0.001), respectively. Correction of apical vertebra rotation and translation in the main thoracic curve were significantly better in the MSDR group than in the DVR group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the Lenke type, implant density, estimated blood loss, or follow‐up duration between the two groups, whereas the operation time in the DVR group was significantly less than that in the MSDR group. There were only two minor pulmonary complications in the MSDR group. At the last follow‐up, the MSDR group scored higher in terms of appearance and satisfaction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The MSDR system, enabling better coronal alignment, thoracic kyphosis, and axial derotation, could be a safe and effective technique for severe rib hump correction in AIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous studies have confirmed that the nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide‐66 (n‐HA/PA66) cage is an ideal alternative material for degenerative lumbar disease (DLD) comparable to the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cage due to its similar radiographic fusion, subsidence rate, and clinical results. However, these studies were restricted to one‐level surgery. The aim of this study was to analyze the long‐term clinical and radiologic outcomes between n‐HA PA66 cage and PEEK cage for patients with multi‐level degenerative lumbar diseases (DLDs). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent multi‐level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) from June 2010 to December 2016 with a minimum 6‐year follow‐up. Matched‐pair analysis was performed using a 1‐to‐1 closest neighbor approach to match patients who received an n‐HA PA66 cage with those who received a PEEK cage. Clinical outcomes and radiographic evaluations were compared between the two groups. The independent student's t‐test and χ2‐test were applied to compare the differences between groups. Results: At the end of the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, 48 patients from n‐HA/PA66 group were matched to 48 patients in the PEEK group. No significant difference was observed in cage subsidence and bony fusion except for adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). The occurrence of ASD was 14.58% (7/48) in the n‐HA/PA 66 group, which was significantly less than that in the PEEK group (33.33% [16/48]) (p = 0.031). Although the intervertebral space height (IH), segmental angle (SA) and lumbar lordosis (LL) significantly increased after surgery in both groups, there was no significant difference at any time point after surgery (p > 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores significantly improved in both groups at 3m postoperative, 1y postoperative and at final follow‐up. However, there were no significant differences in the VAS and ODI score at any time point (p > 0.05). The total complications and re‐admission rate were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Overall, our data suggest that the outcomes of n‐HA/PA66 cage group are comparable to those of the PEEK cage group, with a similar high fusion rate and low cage subsidence rate as PEEK cages, except its lower rate of ASD occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the value of the orbital septum attachment site on the levator aponeurosis (OSASLA) sling in correcting mild congenital blepharoptosis. Methods: A total of 60 patients (92 eyes) with mild congenital blepharoptosis (levator function ≥ 8 mm) were treated in our hospital from January to October 2021, and relevant data of these patients were collected. All patients underwent OSASLA sling for ptosis correction. The distances from the superior tarsal border to the OSASLA were measured. The primary outcome was the number of postoperative changes in the marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1). Pearson's correlation coefficient between the distance from the superior tarsal border to the OSASLA and the height of the upper eyelid elevated was analyzed. Results: Fifty-eight patients (89 eyes) successfully underwent OSASLA sling surgery. The preoperative MRD1 was 1.4–3.6 mm (mean 2.1 ± 0.5 mm), and the postoperative MRD1 was 3.4–5.0 mm (mean 3.7 ± 0.6 mm). The distance from the superior tarsal border to the OSASLA sling was significantly and positively correlated with the height of the upper eyelid elevation (r = 0.7328, P < 0.0001). The eyelid margin positions of the patients did not regress substantially during 6–18 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Compared with the shortening of levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) and pleating of LPS, the OSASLA sling is a less invasive, more effective, and easy-operating surgery for mild congenital blepharoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socially regulated learning (SoRL) is an important way to maintain the sustainable development of collaborative learning (CL). Usually, learners can achieve sustainable and high-quality SoRL with the intervention of teachers. To improve the appropriateness of the intervention, teachers need to clarify the profiles of SoRL to which learners belong, as well as the influence of collaborative learning motivation (CLM) and the relevant background variables. This study used three non-duplicate samples to provide evidence for the psychometric properties of the SoRL and CLM scales through item analysis, exploratory factor analysis (sample 1, n = 531), and confirmatory factor analysis (sample 2, n = 1278). The profiles of SoRL among university students were determined through latent profile analysis (sample 3, n = 909). This study identified three profiles of regulation (strong SoRL, progressive SoRL, and weak SoRL). The analysis of multivariate variance and multiple logistic regression methods further explored the differences in the dimensions of SoRL structures across different profiles and the extent to which CLM and background variables predicted profiles. The results showed that collaborative motivation (CM) and learning motivation (LM) were the predictors of learners' transformation from a low regulation level to a medium regulation level. CM, LM, altruistic motivation, and major background were the predictors of learners' transition from the medium regulation level to the high regulation level. Accordingly, teachers can provide learners with an appropriate external intervention to promote the improvement of SoRL. This study contributes to improving learners' SoRL levels and promoting the sustainable development of education. In the future, the changing characteristics of learners' SoRL profiles over time will be explored, and the application of learning process data will be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Comparative study Objective: To compare manual and deep learning-based automated measurement of Cobb angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: We proposed a fully automated framework to measure the Cobb angle of AIS patients. Whole-spine images of 500 AIS individuals were collected. 200 digital radiographic (DR) images were labeled manually as training set, and the remaining 300 images were used to validate by mean absolute error (MAE), Pearson or spearman correlation coefficients, and intra/interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The relationship between accuracy of vertebral boundary identification and the subjective image quality score was evaluated. Results: The PT, MT, and TL/L Cobb angles were measured by the automated framework within 300 milliseconds. Remarkable 2.92° MAE,.967 ICC, and high correlation coefficient (r =.972) were obtained for the major curve. The MAEs of PT, MT, and TL/L were 3.04°, 2.72°, and 2.53°, respectively. The ICCs of these 3 curves were.936,.977, and.964, respectively. 88.7% (266/300) of cases had a difference range of ±5°, with 84.3% (253/300) for PT, 89.7% (269/300) for MT, and 93.0% (279/300) for TL/L. The decreased bone/soft tissue contrast (2.94 vs 3.26; P=.039) and bone sharpness (2.97 vs 3.35; P=.029) were identified in the images with MAE exceeding 5°. Conclusion: The fully automated framework not only identifies the vertebral boundaries, vertebral sequences, the upper/lower end vertebras and apical vertebra, but also calculates the Cobb angle of PT, MT, and TL/L curves sequentially. The framework would shed new light on the assessment of AIS curvature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]