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We propose a quantum tomography (QT) approach to retrieve the temporally evolving reduced density matrix in electronic state basis, where the populations and coherence between the ground state and excited state are reconstructed from the ultrafast electron diffraction signal. In order to showcase the capability of the proposed QT approach, we simulate the nuclear wavepacket dynamics and ultrafast electron diffraction of photoexcited pyrrole molecules using the ab initio quantum chemical CASSCF method. From the simulated time-resolved diffraction data, we retrieve the evolving density matrix in a crude diabatic representation basis and reveal the symmetry of the excited pyrrole wavepacket. Our QT approach opens the route to make a quantum version of "molecular movie" that covers the electronic degree of freedom and equips ultrafast electron diffraction with the power to reveal the coherence between electronic states, relaxation, and dynamics of population transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the first fabrication and investigation of normally-off single crystal hydrogen-sterminated diamond MOSFETs with Ga2O3 dielectric has been successfully carried out. 50-nm-thick Ga2O3 was deposited by electron-beam evaporation technique at room temperature. The maximum drain current was −36 mA/mm, which was 164 times larger than previous work. Based on the transfer characteristic curve, the threshold voltage, on/off ratio and extrinsic transconductance were −0.37 V, 2.3 × 107, and 9.8 mS/mm, respectively. The effective mobility of the MOSFET was calculated to be 264.1 cm2/V ⋅s at VGS = − 1 V. This work may significantly promote the application of H-diamond FETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Motion complexity is necessary for adapting to external changes, but little is known about trunk motion complexity during seated perturbation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). We aimed to investigate changes following SCI in trunk segmental motion complexity across different perturbation directions and how they affect postural control ability in individuals with SCI. Methods: A total of 17 individuals with SCI and 18 healthy controls participated in challenging sagittal-seated perturbations with hand protection. Upper arm activation was measured using surface electromyography for trial consistency. Motion complexity parameters, quantified across three degrees of freedom, was assessed using relative angular acceleration from six trunk segments obtained through motion capturing system. Motion performance parameters were assessed using center of pressure (CoP) measurements from a force plate, including settling time, maximum CoP displacement (MD) variability, and steady-state error. Statistical analyses examined group and direction differences, while complexity-performance relationships were evaluated using multiple response least partial squares regression. Results: Compared to healthy controls, individuals with SCI showed significantly lower motion complexity in the lumbar and upper thoracic segments (approximately10% − 20%), with identical settling time and higher MD variability. Backward perturbations, as opposed to forward perturbations, resulted in reduced complexity in the aforementioned segments and increased steady-state error. Lower lumbar rotation complexity negatively correlated with MD variability (β = -0.240) and steady-state error (β = -0.485) in individuals with SCI, while showing a minor positive correlation with settling time (β = 0.152) during backward perturbation. Conclusion: Simplified motion control in individuals with SCI may arise from uncoordinated lumbar and overactive thoracic neuromuscular control, compromising stability despite maintaining speed. Increasing lumbar motion complexity could enhance postural stability and accuracy during backward perturbation, representing a potential target for developing seated balance rehabilitation strategies and promoting more adaptive trunk control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the influence of bias voltage on pulse waveform, energy resolution, and particle discrimination performance to optimize the performance of n/γ pulse shape discrimination (PSD) for plastic scintillator coupled with SiPM arrays. Experiments were carried out with the EJ‐276 plastic scintillator detection system based on 2 × 2 SiPM arrays in gamma sources (22Na, 60Co, 137Cs) and neutron source (252Cf). And the pulse amplitude, shape, and the dispersion degree of the pulse waveform with bias voltage in the range of 25.8–28.8 V were analyzed. Gauss expansion method and PSD method based on the charge integration were used to obtain accurate energy resolution and PSD parameter, respectively. The results showed that energy resolution and PSD performance improved firstly and then deteriorated as bias voltage increases, and the optimum bias voltage for both energy resolution and PSD performance was 27.6 V. Within the bias voltage range of 25.8–28.8 V, the energy resolutions at the optimal bias voltage were improved by 25.17% (0.341 MeV for 22Na source) and 22.24% (1.062 MeV for 22Na source). Additionally, the PSD performance for n/γ discrimination was improved by 19.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet (UV) birefringent crystals have important applications in polarizers, optical isolators and optical information processing. Crystals with large birefringence can enhance the modulation ability of light and realize the miniaturization of devices. However, the birefringence of cyanurates is often limited by the large dihedral angles between anionic groups. In this work, a chiral-driven approach is proposed for the first time to construct cyanurates with large birefringence. We combined racemic or chiral α-methylbenzylamine (α-MBA) molecules with a π-conjugated cyanurate group (CY), which led to the isolation of three organic hybrid cyanurates with wide band gaps >5.10 eV, namely, rac-α-MBACY, R-α-MBACY, and S-α-MBACY. Notably, the presence of chirality leads to a significant reduction of the dihedral angle between the α-MBA cation and (H2C3N3O3)− anion and a threefold increase in birefringence from 0.113@546 nm to 0.344@546 nm and 0.338@546 nm. The birefringence values of R-α-MBACY and S-α-MBACY exceed those of most of the cyanurates and commercial crystals, indicating their potential as UV birefringent crystals. This work provides new insights into the design and syntheses of UV birefringent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis due to its late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options. Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PC progression and identify potential molecular targets for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: DAZAP1 expression in PC tissues, normal tissues and cell lines was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and western blotting. DAZAP1 knockdown was achieved through plasmid transfection, and its effects on ferroptosis and PC progression were evaluated using RT–qPCR, western blotting, CCK-8 assays, EdU staining, Fe2+ content measurement, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, wound healing and Transwell migration assays. Results: DAZAP1 expression was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and cell lines compared to normal counterparts. DAZAP1 knockdown suppressed PC cell proliferation and induced ferroptosis, while ferroptosis inhibition reversed these effects, enhancing PC cell proliferation and metastasis. Conclusions: DAZAP1 suppression promotes ferroptosis, thereby inhibiting PC cell proliferation and metastasis. These findings suggest that DAZAP1 is a potential therapeutic target for PC. Highlights: DAZAP1 facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer; Downregulation of DAZAP1 in pancreatic cancer promotes ferroptosis; DAZAP1 regulates pancreatic cancer proliferation and metastasis through ferroptosis; DAZAP1 has therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The malignant growth and metastatic potential of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the major causes for its poor prognosis. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily A member 8 (ABCA8) exerts contradictive roles in the development of several cancers. Nevertheless, its role in NSCLC remains unclear. In this study, three GEO datasets and bioinformatics databases (GEPIA2 and UALCAN) revealed the obvious down-regulation of ABCA8 in NSCLC tissues and cells, and this expression was associated with cancer stages and lymph node metastasis. Low expression of ABCA8 predicted poor survival in NSCLC. ABCA8 elevation inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, ABCA8 overexpression suppressed cancer cell invasion. Mechanistically, ABCA8 was associated with TCF21 in NSCLC specimens and its overexpression enhanced TCF21 expression. ABCA8 elevation inactivated the PI3K/AKT signaling, which was reversed after TCF21 knockdown. Additionally, targeting TCF21 overturned the anti-oncogenic effects of ABCA8 elevation on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion. Thus, the current findings highlight that ABCA8 may be a promising prognostic marker and may act as a suppressor gene to regulate the malignancy of NSCLC cells via TCF21-mediated inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling, supporting a new promising target for the treatment of NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis due to its late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options. Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PC progression and identify potential molecular targets for its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: DAZAP1 expression in PC tissues, normal tissues and cell lines was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and western blotting. DAZAP1 knockdown was achieved through plasmid transfection, and its effects on ferroptosis and PC progression were evaluated using RT–qPCR, western blotting, CCK-8 assays, EdU staining, Fe2+ content measurement, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, wound healing and Transwell migration assays. Results: DAZAP1 expression was significantly upregulated in PC tissues and cell lines compared to normal counterparts. DAZAP1 knockdown suppressed PC cell proliferation and induced ferroptosis, while ferroptosis inhibition reversed these effects, enhancing PC cell proliferation and metastasis. Conclusions: DAZAP1 suppression promotes ferroptosis, thereby inhibiting PC cell proliferation and metastasis. These findings suggest that DAZAP1 is a potential therapeutic target for PC. Highlights: DAZAP1 facilitates the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer; Downregulation of DAZAP1 in pancreatic cancer promotes ferroptosis; DAZAP1 regulates pancreatic cancer proliferation and metastasis through ferroptosis; DAZAP1 has therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is strongly associated with autoimmune diseases (ADs), however, the genetic causality between them remains poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between common air pollutants and ADs through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We conducted a MR study using aggregated data from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with 5 common air pollutants are used as instrumental variables. Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) is used as the primary method to assess causal relationships, with results reported in terms of odds ratios (OR). In addition, we used a two-step MR to assess the mediating role of common risk factors for ADs in the effects of air pollution on ADs. Our analysis revealed causal associations between selected air pollutants and specific ADs. Exposure to nitrogen oxides was positively associated with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (OR = 1.47,95% CI 1.01–2.14, P = 0.043), Sjogren's syndrome (SS) (OR = 2.29,95% CI 1.08–4.89, P = 0.032), and systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 7.26,95% CI 2.25–23.40, P = 9.10E−04). Genetically predicted PM2.5 and PM10 were risk factors for ulcerative colitis (OR = 1.68,95% CI 1.05–2.68, P = 0.032) and psoriasis (OR = 1.34,95% CI 1.02–1.76, P = 0.037), respectively. Our results also suggest a negative causal relationship between PM2.5–10 and SS (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.10–0.90, P = 0.032). In risk factor-related mediation analyses, BMI and smoking mediated 6% (95% CI 1–10%) and 9% (95% CI 2–17%) of the effect of nitrogen oxides on RA, respectively. This study provides evidence of a causal relationship between air pollutants and specific ADs risks, suggesting that improving air pollution may be important in preventing ADs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In order to assess the associations between telomere length (TL) and diabetes mellitus (DM), especially type 2 diabetes (T2DM), we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were thoroughly searched up to July 11, 2023. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were evaluated using the random-effects model. Age, sex, study design, duration of diabetes, region, sample size, and body mass index (BMI) were used to stratify subgroup analyses. Results A total of 37 observational studies involving 18 181 participants from 14 countries were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. In this study, patients with diabetes had shorter TL than the non-diabetic, whether those patients had T1DM (−2.70; 95% CI: −4.47, −0.93; P <.001), T2DM (−3.70; 95% CI: −4.20, −3.20; P <.001), or other types of diabetes (−0.71; 95% CI: −1.10, −0.31; P <.001). Additionally, subgroup analysis of T2DM showed that TL was significantly correlated with age, sex, study design, diabetes duration, sample size, detection method, region, and BMI. Conclusion A negative correlation was observed between TL and DM. To validate this association in the interim, more extensive, superior prospective investigations and clinical trials are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hepatic drug metabolism, cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, particularly CYP3A4, catalyze the majority of drug biotransformations, accounting for over 50% of the CYP450 family's metabolic capacity. This study aimed to assess the catalytic efficiency of 22 CYP3A4 allelic variants on the in vitro oxidative metabolism of methadone. We utilized a baculovirus‐insect cell expression system to produce recombinant CYP3A4 variants and subsequently assessed their catalytic activity in the N‐demethylation of methadone. Of the 23 tested CYP3A4 allelic variants, CYP3A4*1 represents the wild type. Compared with CYP3A4*1, 12 variants displayed significantly lower intrinsic clearance of methadone, while 3 variants showed increased intrinsic clearance of methadone. Additionally, six variants demonstrated no significant difference in intrinsic clearance of methadone compared to CYP3A4*1, and one variant showed no detectable expression. Our evaluation of the enzymatic activity of CYP3A4 gene polymorphisms on methadone can aid in the personalized clinical use of methadone and facilitate the investigation into the relationship between genetic variations and clinical phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5‐(3′‐Indolyl)oxazole moiety is a privileged heterocyclic scaffold, embedded in many biologically interesting natural products and potential therapeutic agents. Compounds containing this scaffold, whether from natural sources or synthesized, have demonstrated a wide array of biological activities. This has piqued the interest of synthetic chemists, leading to a large number of reported synthetic approaches to 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazole scaffold in recent years. In this review, we comprehensively overviewed the different biological activities and chemical synthetic methods for the 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazole scaffold reported in the literatures from 1963 to 2024. The focus of this study is to highlight the significance of 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazole derivatives as the lead compounds for the lead discovery of anticancer, pesticidal, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agents, to summarize the synthetic methods for the 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazole scaffold. In addition, the reported mechanism of action of 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazoles and advanced molecules studied in animal models are also reviewed. Furthermore, this review offers perspectives on how 5‐(3′‐indolyl)oxazole scaffold as a privileged structure might be exploited in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumbar degeneration leads to changes in geometry and density distribution of vertebrae, which could further influence the mechanical property and behavior. This study aimed to quantitatively describe the variations in shape and density distribution for degenerated vertebrae by statistical models, and utilized the specific statistical shape model (SSM)/statistical appearance model (SAM) modes to assess compressive strength and fracture behavior. Highly detailed SSM and SAM were developed based on the 75 L1 vertebrae of elderly men, and their variations in shape and density distribution were quantified with principal component (PC) modes. All vertebrae were classified into mild (n = 22), moderate (n = 29), and severe (n = 24) groups according to the overall degree of degeneration. Quantitative computed tomography-based finite element analysis was used to calculate compressive strength for each L1 vertebra, and the associations between compressive strength and PC modes were evaluated by multivariable linear regression (MLR). Moreover, the distributions of equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) for the vertebrae assigned with the first modes of SSM and SAM at mean ± 3SD were investigated. The Leave-One-Out analysis showed that our SSM and SAM had good performance, with mean absolute errors of 0.335±0.084 mm and 64.610±26.620 mg/cm3, respectively. A reasonable accuracy of bone strength prediction was achieved by using four PC modes (SSM 1, SAM 1, SAM 4, and SAM 5) to construct the MLR model. Furthermore, the PEEQ values were more sensitive to degeneration-related variations of density distribution than those of morphology. The density variations may change the deformity type (compression deformity or wedge deformity), which further affects the fracture pattern. Statistical models can identify the morphology and density variations in degenerative vertebrae, and the SSM/SAM modes could be used to assess compressive strength and fracture behavior. The above findings have implications for assisting clinicians in pathological diagnosis, fracture risk assessment, implant design, and preoperative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of machines has not been fully exploited when processing large-scale dynamic graph in heterogeneous GPU clusters. To improve the performance of graph computing, a distributed heterogeneous engine (DHE) has been designed. A new heterogeneous graph partitioning algorithm is implemented, which can achieve load balancing among internal nodes in GPU clusters. DHE introduces synergy model to quantify the co-computing performance of heterogeneous processors and designs computing pipelines to optimize the performance of accessing memory. The graph algorithms PageRank, CC, SSSP and K-core are selected for the experiment. Under the same conditions, DHE’s partitioning algorithm improves scalability and load balancing ability compared to other graph partitioning algorithms. The heterogeneous computing pipeline exhibits better memory access compared to the basic engine. The experiments show that the synergy of this system converges to 1 stably. Compared with the other three graph partitioning algorithms, the system reduced processing time by approximately 20–30% and the performance is improved by a factor of 1.2 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-supervised graph representation learning has recently shown considerable promise in a range of fields, including bioinformatics and social networks. A large number of graph contrastive learning approaches have shown promising performance for representation learning on graphs, which train models by maximizing agreement between original graphs and their augmented views (i.e., positive views). Unfortunately, these methods usually involve pre-defined augmentation strategies based on the knowledge of human experts. Moreover, these strategies may fail to generate challenging positive views to provide sufficient supervision signals. In this paper, we present a novel approach named graph pooling contrast (GPS) to address these issues. Motivated by the fact that graph pooling can adaptively coarsen the graph with the removal of redundancy, we rethink graph pooling and leverage it to automatically generate multi-scale positive views with varying emphasis on providing challenging positives and preserving semantics, i.e., strongly-augmented view and weakly-augmented view. Then, we incorporate both views into a joint contrastive learning framework with similarity learning and consistency learning, where our pooling module is adversarially trained with respect to the encoder for adversarial robustness. Experiments on twelve datasets on both graph classification and transfer learning tasks verify the superiority of the proposed method over its counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmentation of brain tissue from MR images provides detailed quantitative brain analysis for accurate diagnosis, detection, and classification of brain diseases, and plays an important role in neuroimaging research and clinical environments. Recently, a plethora of deep learning-based approaches have been employed to achieve brain tissue segmentation in fetuses, infants, and adults with impressive outcomes. However, owing to the existence of noise, motion artifacts, and edge blurriness in MR images, automatically segmenting brain tissue accurately from MR images is still a very challenging task. This survey examines both deep learning and MRI, providing an overview of the latest advances in fetal, infant, and adult brain tissue segmentation techniques based on deep learning. It includes the performance and quantitative analysis of the state-of-the-art methods. Over 100 scientific papers covering various technical aspects, including network architecture, prior knowledge, and attention mechanisms, were reviewed and analyzed. This article also comprehensively discusses these technologies and their potential applications in the future. Brain tissue segmentation provides detailed quantitative brain analysis for accurate diagnosis, detection, and classification of brain diseases, and plays an important role in neuroimaging research and clinical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The congruency sequence effect (CSE) refers to the reduction in the congruency effect in the current trial after an incongruent trial compared with a congruent trial. Although previous studies widely suggested that CSE was observed only in the modality repeat condition, few studies have reported that CSE could also appear in the modality switch condition. However, it remains unclear whether these conflicting findings were caused by partial repetition effects under modality transition conditions. To address this issue, Experiment 1 controlled for partial repetition effects by ensuring that the modality relationships in both the repetition and switch conditions were either fully congruent or incongruent. The results revealed significant CSE only under the modality repetition condition. In particular, a larger CSE was observed in visual–auditory (VA) repetition than in auditory–visual (AV) repetition, indicating that modality asymmetry might affect the CSE by inducing the priming effect. Thus, Experiment 2 concurrently presented visual and auditory stimuli to eliminate priming effects and further validated CSE differences between auditory and visual modalities. The results revealed that the CSE was significantly greater under the VA condition than under the AV condition and confirmed that the visual modality played a dominant role in the CSE, as visual information is prioritized in processing and ultimately reduces the congruency effect in the next trial. Overall, the present study provides evidence for the specificity of CSE under modality repetition conditions by excluding partial repetition effects and further underscores the critical role of visual dominance in cross-modal CSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous spatial attention attenuates audiovisual integration (AVI). Previous studies on the effects of exogenous spatial attention on AVI have focused on the inhibition of return (IOR) effect induced by visual cues and the facilitation effect induced by auditory cues, but the differences between the effects of exogenous spatial attention (induced by visual and auditory cues) on AVI remain unclear. The present study used the exogenous spatial cue-target paradigm and manipulated cue stimulus modality (visual cue, auditory cue) in two experiments (Experiment 1: facilitation effect; Experiment 2: IOR effect) to examine the effects of exogenous spatial attention (evoked by cues in different modalities) on AVI. The results of Experiment 1 showed that the AVI effect at valid cue locations was significantly lower than that at invalid cue locations in both visual and auditory cue conditions, suggesting that the exogenous spatial facilitation effect evoked by both visual and auditory cues attenuated AVI. Further analysis showed that the facilitation effect induced by visual cues attenuated AVI to a greater extent than that induced by auditory cues. In Experiment 2, the AVI effect was significantly lower at valid cue locations than at invalid cue locations in the visual cue condition, whereas there was no significant difference in AVI effect between valid and invalid cue locations in the auditory cue condition, suggesting that the exogenous spatial IOR effect evoked by visual cues attenuated AVI, while the IOR effect evoked by auditory cues had no significant effect on AVI. Taken together, these results may suggest that exogenous spatial attention induced by visual cues has a greater effect on AVI than that induced by auditory cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exogenous spatial attention attenuates audiovisual integration (AVI). Previous studies on the effects of exogenous spatial attention on AVI have focused on the inhibition of return (IOR) effect induced by visual cues and the facilitation effect induced by auditory cues, but the differences between the effects of exogenous spatial attention (induced by visual and auditory cues) on AVI remain unclear. The present study used the exogenous spatial cue-target paradigm and manipulated cue stimulus modality (visual cue, auditory cue) in two experiments (Experiment 1: facilitation effect; Experiment 2: IOR effect) to examine the effects of exogenous spatial attention (evoked by cues in different modalities) on AVI. The results of Experiment 1 showed that the AVI effect at valid cue locations was significantly lower than that at invalid cue locations in both visual and auditory cue conditions, suggesting that the exogenous spatial facilitation effect evoked by both visual and auditory cues attenuated AVI. Further analysis showed that the facilitation effect induced by visual cues attenuated AVI to a greater extent than that induced by auditory cues. In Experiment 2, the AVI effect was significantly lower at valid cue locations than at invalid cue locations in the visual cue condition, whereas there was no significant difference in AVI effect between valid and invalid cue locations in the auditory cue condition, suggesting that the exogenous spatial IOR effect evoked by visual cues attenuated AVI, while the IOR effect evoked by auditory cues had no significant effect on AVI. Taken together, these results may suggest that exogenous spatial attention induced by visual cues has a greater effect on AVI than that induced by auditory cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of producer services agglomeration and urban green development efficiency in China, this study measures the influence and spatial spillover effects of producer services agglomeration on urban green development. Research results reveal that the specialization agglomeration level of producer services has undergone a dynamic decline process, demonstrating spatial characteristics where the east exhibits higher levels than the west, and the north surpasses the south. In contrast, the diversification agglomeration level of producer services has demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, characterized by a spatial distribution that is broadly scattered but concentrated on a smaller scale. Regarding China's urban green development, its efficiency shows a dynamic upward trend and displays characteristics of agglomeration and contiguous development in space. Overall, both modes of producer services agglomeration have beneficial diffusion impacts on urban ecological advancement. Furthermore, the impact of this agglomeration on the efficiency of green development notably varies across regions and industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saline soil is widely distributed in China and poses significant challenges to engineering construction due to its harmful effects, such as salt heaving, dissolution collapse, and frost heaving. The Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) method is an emerging environmental-friendly modification that can reduce or eliminate the environmental and engineering hazards of saline soil. To verify the feasibility of the MICP method for improving the properties of saline soil, laboratory tests were conducted to study the effects of salt content, activated carbon content and freeze-thaw cycles on the compression and water retention behavior of MICP modified saline soil. The following conclusions were drawn: calcium carbonate produced from the MICP can cement the soil particles of the modified soil structures, which resists the expansion damage caused by salt frost heaving and reduces soil compressibility. Additionally, calcium carbonate particles can fill pores of the soil structures, which improves the water retention capacity of the modified saline soil. The addition of activated carbon can enhance the MICP reaction leading to further reduction in compressibility and enhancement in water retention capacity of MICP modified saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (EMZL) is an indolent B-cell lymphoma that can involve various anatomic sites. EMZL is derived from post-germinal center marginal zone B cells and typically lacks bcl-6 expression. Herein, we report two post-treatment cases of EMZL where unexpected bcl-6 protein expression was observed in specimens obtained following recurrence or progression. This contrasts with the primary specimens, which were negative for the bcl-6. Additionally, we confirm that the altered bcl6 expression observed in relapsed EMZL cases is independent of BCL6 gene rearrangement, as demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Relevant literature was reviewed and summarized to enhance the understanding of this phenomenon, particularly for pathologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Test anxiety, a prevalent psychological issue among medical students, can profoundly impact their social, behavioral, and emotional development. This condition is significantly associated with challenges in emotional regulation, and to date, no effective clinical treatment has been established to address it. This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits and effects of group impromptu music therapy (GIMT) on enhancing emotional regulation skills and alleviating test anxiety in medical students. Methods: A total of 29 participants in the experimental group and 30 participants in the control group were finally included for data analysis. Four weeks prior to the final exams, the experimental group commenced GIMT treatment, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Following the four-week intervention period, both groups were assessed using standardized scales and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Results: The results revealed that students given the GIMT intervention reported significantly lower levels of test anxiety, as measured by the Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), and experienced fewer difficulties with emotional regulation, as indicated by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Additionally, these students achieved higher examination scores than the control group. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews further supported these observations. Discussion: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that GIMT is an effective method for enhancing the emotional regulation abilities of medical students and for relieving the symptoms of test anxiety, ultimately resulting in better academic performance. The study also indicates that GIMT could be a promising clinical auxiliary method for dealing with test anxiety and should be considered for inclusion in the curriculum of healthcare professional education programs. Nonetheless, more efforts are needed to address the limitations of this method before it can be widely used for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) plays a crucial role in assessing nutritional status and predicting clinical outcomes in older patients. This study explores the GNRI as a prognostic tool for clinical outcomes in older inpatients. Spanning from August 2013 to December 2020, the research involved 573 older patients at Tianjin Third Central Hospital, China. The study assessed the association of GNRI with 6-month hospital readmission and 3-year all-cause mortality rates. Our findings reveal that higher GNRI scores significantly correlate with reduced hospital readmissions and mortality, underscoring the utility of GNRI in predicting clinical outcomes and guiding interventions in geriatric care. The study highlights the potential of integrating GNRI assessments into routine clinical evaluations to enhance patient care and optimize resource utilization in healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of extraocular muscles (EOMs) in differentiating activity of thyroid eye disease (TED). Method: Forty-two TED patients who underwent diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) were retrospectively enrolled in this study, including 29 patients in analysis group and 13 patients in validation group. The mean, maximum and minimum ADC value of each EOM were regarded as ADCmean, ADCmax and ADCmin. The difference between ADCmax and ADCmin was regarded as △ADC. The correlations between ADCmean or △ADC of each EOM and clinical activity score (CAS) were assessed. Results: In analysis group, ADCmean differed between active and inactive eyes and positively correlated with CAS in IR (P < 0.05), not in SR,LR and MR(all p > 0.05). While △ADC differed between two groups and negatively correlated with CAS in all EOMs (all P < 0.05). ADCmean predicted active disease at cut-off value of 1259.3 × 10−6mm2s−1 with sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 71.4% in IR[area under curve = 0.667, P < 0.05]. △ADC predicted disease activity in all EOMs [area under curve 0.658–0.746,all P < 0.05]. The cut-off values of △ADC were 382, 823,520 and 572 × 10−6mm2s−1 with sensitivity of 80.0%, 50.0%, 43.3%, 83.3% and specificity of 67.9%, 85.7%, 89.3%, 60.7% in SR, IR, MR, and LR respectively. There were no significant differences in the predictive efficacy among all cut-off values. Conclusions: Our results showed that DTI is a valuable tool in the assessment of disease activity of TED. Both ADCmean of IR and △ADC of all four EOMs can be used in discriminating disease activity with the same predictive power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polyarteritis nodosa is a relatively uncommon type of systemic necrotizing vasculitis that primarily affects medium-sized arteries. While gastrointestinal involvement is known in polyarteritis nodosa, heavy gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric ulceration is relatively uncommon. We present the case of an 81-year-old male of Chinese ethnicity who experienced severe gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of polyarteritis nodosa and an innovative treatment approach for a better patient outcomes. Case presentation: Upon admission to the medical intensive care unit, the patient underwent a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, including examinations for cardiovascular and dermatological abnormalities, laboratory tests, autoantibody and tumor marker assessments, and imaging studies (such as endoscopies, whole-body computed tomography, and positron emission tomography–computed tomography scans), and a skin biopsy. The patient had tachycardia, hypotension, and extensive skin abnormalities on the lower extremities along with anemia, low platelets, and abnormal renal function. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed gastric and duodenal ulcers. Additional examinations, including electronic colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and whole-body computed tomography, were negative. A positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan showed increased uptake in the arterial walls and skin, which supported the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, later confirmed by a biopsy of the skin on the lower extremities. Methylprednisolone, octreotide, and omeprazole were administered, leading to improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, ulcer healing, and skin recovery. The patient continued with prednisone for 1 month. Conclusion: This case serves to inform gastroenterologists about the need to consider polyarteritis nodosa in severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding and underscores the importance of prompt, medication-based treatment for successful patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purely organic molecules exhibiting near‐infrared (NIR) emission possess considerable potential for applications in both biological and optoelectronic technological domains, owing to their inherent advantages such as cost‐effectiveness, biocompatibility, and facile chemical modifiability. However, the repertoire of such molecules with emission peaks exceeding 750 nm and concurrently demonstrating high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) remains relatively scarce due to the energy gap law. Herein, we report two open‐shell NIR radical emitters, denoted as DMNA‐Cz‐BTM and DMNA‐PyID‐BTM, achieved through the strategic integration of a donor group (DMNA) onto the Cz‐BTM and PyID‐BTM frameworks, respectively. We found that the donor‐acceptor molecular structure allows the two designed radical emitters to exhibit a charge‐transfer excited state and spatially separated electron and hole levels with non‐bonding characteristics. Thus, the high‐frequency vibrations are effectively suppressed. Besides, the reduction of low‐frequency vibrations is observed. Collectively, the non‐radiative decay channel is significantly suppressed, leading to exceptional NIR PLQE values. Specifically, DMNA‐Cz‐BTM manifests an emission peak at 758 nm alongside a PLQE of 55 %, whereas DMNA‐PyID‐BTM exhibits an emission peak at 778 nm with a PLQE of 66 %. Notably, these represent the pinnacle of PLQE among metal‐free organic NIR emitters with emission peaks surpassing 750 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purely organic molecules exhibiting near‐infrared (NIR) emission possess considerable potential for applications in both biological and optoelectronic technological domains, owing to their inherent advantages such as cost‐effectiveness, biocompatibility, and facile chemical modifiability. However, the repertoire of such molecules with emission peaks exceeding 750 nm and concurrently demonstrating high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) remains relatively scarce due to the energy gap law. Herein, we report two open‐shell NIR radical emitters, denoted as DMNA‐Cz‐BTM and DMNA‐PyID‐BTM, achieved through the strategic integration of a donor group (DMNA) onto the Cz‐BTM and PyID‐BTM frameworks, respectively. We found that the donor‐acceptor molecular structure allows the two designed radical emitters to exhibit a charge‐transfer excited state and spatially separated electron and hole levels with non‐bonding characteristics. Thus, the high‐frequency vibrations are effectively suppressed. Besides, the reduction of low‐frequency vibrations is observed. Collectively, the non‐radiative decay channel is significantly suppressed, leading to exceptional NIR PLQE values. Specifically, DMNA‐Cz‐BTM manifests an emission peak at 758 nm alongside a PLQE of 55 %, whereas DMNA‐PyID‐BTM exhibits an emission peak at 778 nm with a PLQE of 66 %. Notably, these represent the pinnacle of PLQE among metal‐free organic NIR emitters with emission peaks surpassing 750 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low Li+ transport and poor interface have consistently been two major impediments to practical applications of Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based composite solid‐state electrolytes (PCPE). In this work, a polymerizable deep eutectic electrolyte is meticulously designed with high fluidity which consists of Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate (PEGDA), Fluoroethylene Carbonate (FEC), Succinonitrile (SN) and dual salts (LiTFSI/LiDFOB) to promote Li+ transport and ameliorate the interface of PCPE. Inclusion of PEGDA monomers and FEC alters the crystallinity of SN, enhancing the wettability of thick electrode, and formation of polymeric 3D network from polymerization of PEGDA can anchor SN and suppress the side reactions between SN and lithium metal. Consequently, the modified PCPE exhibit an enhanced conductivity of 4.47 × 10−4 S cm−1 with Li‐ion transference number of 0.60, and show an excellent lithium stability. LiCoO2(LCO)/SP‐PCPE/Li batteries with higher loading (3–4.4 V, 6 mg cm−2) can work for over 300 cycles at 0.5 C. Even with an ultra‐high loading of 16 mg cm−2, LCO/SP‐PCPE/Li batteries achieve an excellent cycling performance. This work provides new insights into how to construct a robust interface for solid‐state batteries with high‐loading cathode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tau accumulation in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM) has been documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its relationship to neuropathological changes in other brain regions and cognitive deficits remains unclear, particularly between early-onset AD (EOAD) and late-onset AD (LOAD). Objective: To evaluate tau accumulation patterns in the nbM and other brain regions in EOAD and LOAD using 18F-florzolotau PET and examine correlations with cognitive function. Methods: Thirty-eight amyloid-positive AD patients (15 EOAD, 23 LOAD) and 46 healthy controls underwent 18F-florzolotau PET. Tau levels were quantified in the nbM and Braak-staging regions. Postmortem brain samples were examined to assess 18F-florzolotau binding to tau deposits. Results: EOAD showed a higher overall tau burden, including in the nbM, compared with LOAD. However, nbM tau levels correlated more strongly with cognitive decline in LOAD than EOAD. The relationship between nbM tau and neocortical tau differed between EOAD and LOAD. Histopathology revealed abundant 18F-florzolotau labeling of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and ghost tangles in AD nbM samples. Conclusions: This study provides the first in vivo PET evidence of differential nbM tau pathology between EOAD and LOAD, with higher accumulation but weaker correlation to cognition in EOAD. The distinct relationships between nbM and cortical tau in EOAD and LOAD suggest divergent pathological trajectories. 18F-florzolotau PET successfully visualized NFTs and extracellular ghost tangles in the nbM across AD stages. These findings highlight the importance of considering age of onset when evaluating tau pathology and its clinical correlates in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an innovative dual closed-loop DC control system for intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, designed to address the challenges of high power factor, low harmonic pollution, and high efficiency in EV charging applications. The research implements a three-level Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) rectifier with a diode-clamped topology and Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), achieving a power factor of 0.99, a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 1.12%, and an efficiency of 95% through rigorous simulation. These results surpass those of wireless charging technology and bidirectional DC–DC converters, demonstrating the system's superiority in key performance metrics. The dual closed-loop strategy, integrating a current inner loop and a voltage outer loop, ensures rapid response and high steady-state accuracy, with the PI regulator effectively managing phase coupling for balanced power flow. The voltage outer loop's stability is critical for the system's reliable operation. The study also discusses the challenges in the dynamic variation of midpoint source current and proposes future work to increase the system's switching frequency, improve anti-interference capabilities, and enhance the accuracy of the sampling process. Advanced computational intelligence and optimization techniques are highlighted as essential for tackling the complex challenges of modern EV charging systems. The study contributes to the development of efficient, secure technology for the next generation of wireless networks and power systems, providing a robust empirical basis for the proposed control strategies through MATLAB/Simulink simulations. This research sets a solid foundation for the performance assessment of EV charging systems, offering high-performance, environmentally friendly, and economically viable solutions for sustainable transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pathogenesis of dental caries, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) plays a central role. S. mutans can produce extracellular polysaccharides, which can help the bacteria form biofilms on the tooth surface, create a stable living environment, and hinder the removal of bacteria by natural defense substances in the oral cavity such as saliva. Meanwhile, the oral microbiota and dietary habits exert long-term influences on its development. This study, employing the BALB/c mouse model, explored the effects of L. paracasei L9 on dental caries. In the experiment, mice underwent the S. mutans inoculation and were subsequently treated with L. paracasei L9 or S. salivarius K12 for 28 consecutive days. The results showed that L. paracasei L9 significantly ameliorated early enamel caries, and both L. paracasei L9 and S. salivarius K12 cooperatively downregulated the expressions of critical cariogenic factors, effectively suppressing the initial adhesion of S. mutans and the formation of dental plaques. L. paracasei L9 reshaped the oral microbiota of caries-affected mice, selectively reducing pathogens abundances and augmenting abundances of probiotics such as Lactobacillaceae and Streptococcus salivarius. This study offers a strategic approach for the management of dental caries, highlighting the potential of these probiotics in the field of oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) is one of the most productive and economically important species globally. However, the development and continuous expansion of the farming scale led to an increase in the risk of disease occurrence in shrimp farming. The application of probiotics as an effective method for controlling diseases in aquaculture has been widely considered. In shrimp farming, several probiotics have been used and shown benefits to the health of the host. To diverse the sources of bacterial species as probiotics in shrimp farming, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of dietary probiotics (Clostridium butyricum I9 (I9), Clostridium butyricum G15 (G15), or Paraclostridium bifermentans X13) on the growth, immune response and intestinal microbiome of white shrimp. Shrimps were fed with diets containing either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), I9 (107 CFU/g feed), G15 (107 CFU/g feed), or X13 (107 CFU/g feed) for 30 days and followed by the challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). The results showed that the survival rate, body weight gain, and special growth rate of shrimps in the I9, X13, and G15 groups significantly increased, compared to the PBS. The supplementation of probiotics increased the content of short-chain fatty acids and effectively maintained the normal morphology and structure of the intestinal tract and hepatopancreas. The I9, X13, or G15 groups showed a positive change in the diversity and abundance of gut bacteria. There was a significant up-regulation of CTL, SOD, proPO, Crustin, PEN2-4, and ALF1-3 genes in shrimps in the I9, X13, and G15. Additionally, dietary probiotics significantly increased the survival rate, maintained the intestinal structure, promoted the activities of SOD, AKP, ACP, and T-AOC enzymes, and reduced the level of MDA in shrimps after Vp infection. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of I9, G15, or X13 improved the growth, immunity, and disease resistance of Pacific white shrimp, providing a scientific basis for shrimp farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study compared the timing effects of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICIs) administration on the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods: This study included patients with advanced cervical cancer who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with ICIs. The patients were divided into early-application (n=51) and late-application groups (n=56) according to the ICI application timing. The primary objective was assessing progression-free survival (PFS) and its associated factors; secondary objectives included assessing objective remission rates (ORR) and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Results: Before propensity score matching (PSM), the median PFS (mPFS) times were significantly different: 11.5 months (95% CI: 11.0–13.2) and 7.5 months (95% CI: 6.5–9.0) for the early and late groups, respectively (P<0.001). After PSM, the mPFS times remained significantly different: 11.5 months (95% CI: 11.0–13.8) and 6.5 months (95% CI: 6.1–9.0), respectively (P<0.001). The PSM tumor-response ORR in the early combination group (74.3%) was significantly greater than the 31.4% in the late combination group (P<0.001). After PSM, multivariate Cox analysis showed tumor diameter (P=0.004), distant organ metastasis (P=0.047), and timing of combination therapy (P<0.001) were independently associated factors affecting PFS. The most common TRAEs in the two groups of patients were neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue, with no significant difference in incidence (P>0.050).All adverse reactions were resolved, and no adverse reaction-related deaths occurred. Conclusion: In patients with cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, earlier immunotherapy improves survival and is equivalent in safety to ICIs late application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Guided endodontics represents an effective method for achieving safe and reliable endodontic surgery in human medicine. However, it is rarely employed in small animal dentistry. This study employed finite element analysis and three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques to explore the feasibility of guided endodontics in Beagle mandibular teeth. Methods: The methodology included the processing of Computed Tomography (CT) data, the creation of mathematical and 3D printing templates of the root canal pathways, and the evaluation of dog 3D printing guided endodontics compared with classic root canal method using radiograph. Results: In this experiment, the coordinates of the central point of pulp crown and apex point for each tooth were recorded. Based on the extension line of the central point of dental root canal orifice and the apex point, guided endodontic templates were designed on each root canal of 20 teeth in the Beagle mandible. Among them, the average relative deviation of guided endodontics and classic root canal method was 4.28% ± 2.75%, and the mean angular deviation was 1.90 ± 0.25°. Discussion: Our research indicated that dog 3D printing guided endodontics has accurate position, direction, and length, which may assist veterinary dentistry in root canal treatment in small animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), characterized by poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of HJURP expression in LUAD using data from four cohorts: TCGA-LUAD (n = 453), GSE31210 (n = 226), GSE68465 (n = 442), and GSE72094 (n = 386). Univariate Cox regression analysis was employed to identify prognostic genes, with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis used to assess the predictive power of HJURP. Functional enrichment analyses were performed using MetaScape and FGSEA, and spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing data were analyzed to explore HJURP's distribution and potential functions. Additionally, correlations between HJURP expression and genetic alterations, immune cell infiltration, and potential therapeutic responses were evaluated. Results: HJURP was identified as a significant prognostic biomarker in all four cohorts, with high expression associated with increased risk of overall survival (OS) death (TCGA-LUAD: HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.321–2.815, P < 0.001; GSE31210: HR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.319–5.735, P = 0.007; GSE68465: HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.215–2.038, P < 0.001; GSE72094: HR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.485–3.27, P < 0.001). Functional analyses indicated that HJURP is involved in DNA metabolic processes, cell cycle regulation, and mitotic processes, with significant activation of pathways related to MYC targets, G2M checkpoint, and DNA repair. High HJURP expression was associated with higher mutation frequencies in TP53, CSMD3, TTN, and MUC16, and positively correlated with pro-inflammatory immune cell infiltration and several immune checkpoints, including PD-L1 and PD-L2. Chemotherapeutic agents such as gefitinib and sorafenib were predicted to be effective against high HJURP-expressing tumors. Conclusion: HJURP is a pivotal biomarker for LUAD, consistently associated with poor prognosis and advanced disease stages. Its high expression correlates with specific genetic alterations and immune profiles, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Future studies should validate these findings in larger cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is one of the main pathways for plant cells to internalize membrane proteins in response to changing environmental conditions. The Epsin-like Clathrin Adaptor (ECA) proteins play important roles in the assembly of the clathrin coat; however, their involvement in plant responses to heat stress remains unclear. Here we report that in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Epsin-like Clathrin Adaptor 4 (SlECA4) expression responded to heat stress. The silencing and knockout of SlECA4 increased tomato sensitivity to heat stress while the overexpression of SlECA4 enhanced tomato tolerance to heat stress. Treatment with a CME inhibitor, ES9-17, reduced tomato heat tolerance. SlECA4 localized to the plasma membrane, the trans -Golgi network/early endosomes, and the prevacuolar compartment/late endosomes. In a SlECA4 knockout line, both CME and recycling from the trans -Golgi network/early endosomes to the plasma membrane were inhibited. These data indicate that SlECA4 is involved in CME. After heat treatment, more punctate structures of SlECA4–green fluorescent protein accumulated in tobacco leaf epidermal cells by transient expression. Furthermore, compared with wild type, the rate of CME was inhibited under heat stress in the SlECA4 knockout line. Taken together, the ECA protein SlECA4 plays a positive role in tomato tolerance to heat stress via the CME pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study systematically reviews recent research comparing clinical outcomes and gait function changes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) versus unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Methods: A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted, covering publications from January 2013 to September 2024, to identify studies evaluating changes in clinical scores and gait parameters in patients undergoing TKA or UKA. Following stringent selection criteria, data were synthesized from studies involving 171 TKA and 148 UKA patients, focusing on reported gait outcomes and aggregating findings for comprehensive analysis. Direct comparisons between TKA and UKA were performed to assess differences in clinical scores and gait parameters, aiming to elucidate the relative efficacy of each surgical approach and provide robust evidence for clinical decision-making. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria for post-operative gait outcome comparisons between TKA and UKA, with seven studies also addressing clinical scores. One study reported greater improvement in WOMAC scores for the UKA group at 6 months post-operation (P < 0.05), while another found superior EQ-5D scores for UKA patients at 1 year post-surgery (P < 0.05). Conversely, five studies found no significant differences in clinical scores between groups at 1 year (P > 0.05). All ten studies assessed gait parameter recovery, with three studies showing no significant differences at 1 year (P > 0.05). However, seven studies identified superior gait recovery in the UKA group across various parameters, including walking speed, step and stride length, single support time, heel strike force, knee joint range of motion, knee flexion angles during different gait phases, peak knee adduction moment, peak tibial internal rotation moment, gait symmetry, and stride length symmetry (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The analysis indicates that UKA offers certain advantages in post-operative gait improvements compared to TKA, though these do not translate into significant differences in conventional clinical scoring systems. To enhance the reliability and generalizability of these findings, future studies should involve larger-scale, prospective randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Long-term parental psychological control tends to cause adolescents to become oversensitive in interpersonal relationships, and there is a gap in the mechanism of action between parental psychological control and the interpersonal trust of junior high school students. This study intends to analyze the relationship between parental psychological control and interpersonal trust in middle school students and explore the sequential mediation role of shyness and interpersonal self-support. Methods: Based on self-determination theory and object-relations theory, this study administered questionnaires to 542 Chinese junior high school students using the Psychological Control Scale, Interpersonal Trust Scale, Shyness Scale, and Interpersonal Self-support Scale. Afterwards, structural equation modelling was used for testing. Results: The findings revealed that (1) parental psychological control significantly and negatively predicted interpersonal trust and that (2) shyness and interpersonal self-support sequentially mediated the association between parental psychological control and interpersonal trust. Conclusion: The findings suggest that parental psychological control can not only directly influence the interpersonal trust of junior high school students but also indirectly act on interpersonal trust through shyness and interpersonal self-support. This study contributes to an in-depth understanding of the relationship between parental psychological control and the interpersonal trust of junior high school students, which is important for increasing the level of interpersonal trust of junior high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early embryonic arrest (EEA) is a critical impediment in assisted reproductive technology (ART), affecting 40% of infertile patients by halting the development of early embryos from the zygote to blastocyst stage, resulting in a lack of viable embryos for successful pregnancy. Despite its prevalence, the molecular mechanism underlying EEA remains elusive. This review synthesizes the latest research on the genetic and molecular factors contributing to EEA, with a focus on maternal, paternal, and embryonic factors. Maternal factors such as irregularities in follicular development and endometrial environment, along with mutations in genes like NLRP5, PADI6, KPNA7, IGF2, and TUBB8, have been implicated in EEA. Specifically, PATL2 mutations are hypothesized to disrupt the maternal-zygotic transition, impairing embryo development. Paternal contributions to EEA are linked to chromosomal variations, epigenetic modifications, and mutations in genes such as CFAP69, ACTL7A, and M1AP, which interfere with sperm development and lead to infertility. Aneuploidy may disrupt spindle assembly checkpoints and pathways including Wnt, MAPK, and Hippo signaling, thereby contributing to EEA. Additionally, key genes involved in embryonic genome activation—such as ZSCAN4, DUXB, DUXA, NANOGNB, DPPA4, GATA6, ARGFX, RBP7, and KLF5—alongside functional disruptions in epigenetic modifications, mitochondrial DNA, and small non-coding RNAs, play critical roles in the onset of EEA. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the genetic and molecular underpinnings of EEA, offering a theoretical foundation for the diagnosis and potential therapeutic strategies aimed at improving pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalance is a distinctive feature of many datasets, and how to make the dataset balanced become a hot topic in the machine learning field. The Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) is the classical method to solve this problem. Although much research has been conducted on SMOTE, there is still the problem of synthetic sample singularity. To solve the issues of class imbalance and diversity of generated samples, this paper proposes a hybrid resampling method for binary imbalanced data sets, RE-SMOTE, which is designed based on the improvements of two oversampling methods parameter-free SMOTE (PF-SMOTE) and SMOTE-Weighted Ensemble Nearest Neighbor (SMOTE-WENN). Initially, minority class samples are divided into safe and boundary minority categories. Boundary minority samples are regenerated through linear interpolation with the nearest majority class samples. In contrast, safe minority samples are randomly generated within a circular range centered on the initial safe minority samples with a radius determined by the distance to the nearest majority class samples. Furthermore, we use Weighted Edited Nearest Neighbor (WENN) and relative density methods to clean the generated samples and remove the low-quality samples. Relative density is calculated based on the ratio of majority to minority samples among the reverse k-nearest neighbor samples. To verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed model, we conducted a comprehensive experimental study on 40 datasets selected from real applications. The experimental results show the superiority of radius estimation-SMOTE (RE-SMOTE) over other state-of-the-art methods. Code is available at: https://github.com/blue9792/RE-SMOTE (accessed on 30 September 2024). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ingestion of heavy metals in agricultural soils by the population has implications for human health. The research demonstrate that the concentration of Cd in the soil exceeded the national background level, with 62% of soil samples surpassing the Chinese soil screening value. Furthermore, 42% of the analyzed rice grains exhibited Cd levels that surpassed the established standard. Notably, there was no significant association between the concentration of Cd in soil and rice. The bio-effectiveness of heavy metals was enhanced in soils with low pH, and residue state was the main storage form for heavy metals. Cd exhibited a different distribution pattern compared to other heavy metals. Human health risk assessment revealed that children in the study area were at greater risk, particularly due to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects of Cd. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of strategies to remediate heavy metal contamination in similar areas.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo materials are known for their excellent toughness and seismic performance, which makes them a promising option for advancing their application in the field of structural engineering to enhance the seismic resilience of engineering structures. This study focused on mechanical behavior of bolted steel‐neosinocalamus affinis‐based bamboo scrimber and steel connections, and conducted shear test research and analysis on 54 specimens divided into 18 groups, aiming to promote the application of bamboo scrimber in the field of structural engineering. The study indicates that connections with thin steel plates (t = 0.5d, t = 1d) predominantly exhibit a single‐hinge yield mode, while those with thick steel plates (t = 2d) are inclined towards a double‐hinged yield mode. The yield and ultimate load‐carrying capacities of a connection are enhanced with the increase in bolt diameter. However, the influence of the steel plate's strength grade on these capacities is minimal. The yield load‐carrying capacity of connections with thick steel plates has a significant increase compared with the connection with thin steel plates. The thickness of the steel plate does not significantly affect the connection ultimate load‐carrying capacity. The initial stiffness of a connection is positively correlated with the bolt diameter, yet it remains unaffected by variations in the steel plate's thickness. The stiffness of a connection is categorized into two distinct types based on the steel plate strength grade. Connections using steel plates with a strength grade above Q235 exhibit similar stiffness levels, which are consistently higher than those using Q235‐grade steel plates. The angle between the load direction and the grain direction has an effect on the connection ductility. The ductility coefficient across various connections predominantly centers around 2.5. The research also validates that the Foschi theoretical model, traditionally applied to wood structures with bolted, nailed, and similar dowel‐type connections, accurately delineates the nonlinear load–displacement behavior of bolted steel–bamboo scrimber and steel connections for the entire duration of the process. When comparing the same configurations, connections utilizing neosinocalamus affinis‐based bamboo scrimber demonstrate a higher load‐carrying capacity than those using phyllostachys pubescens‐based bamboo scrimber, with a maximum enhancement in load‐carrying capacity of 18%. The design carrying capacity meets the test load requirements for the given end distances of 7d. This research can provide theoretical support for the engineering application of neosinocalamus affinis‐based bamboo scrimber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this retrospective patient chart review was to analyze the clinical data of 52 patients with benign parotid tumors who underwent modified buried vertical mattress sutures and to assess the postoperative complication rate and patient scarring. Methods: A total of 52 patients with benign parotid tumors underwent total parotidectomy and modified buried vertical mattress suture. Variables included general characteristics (age, gender, tumor diameter, and pathologic type), surgical indicators (suture time, wound healing time, operative time, hospital stay, bleeding volume, and drainage volume), complication rates, and Sunnybrook facial neurological function score, visual scar scale (VSS) score and patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) score. Results: Most tumors were less than 3 cm in diameter, with pleomorphic adenomas being the most common. Suture time was 14.83 ± 1.61 min, operative time was 58.90 ± 15.76 min and hospital stay were 5.12 ± 0.96 days. Postoperatively, salivary fistulae developed in one patient, Frey's syndrome in two patients, temporary facial paralysis in six patients and temporary numbness in the incision area in six patients. At 6 months postoperatively, 86.5% of patients had a Sunnybrook score of more than 80, and VSS scores and POSAS scores were between one and two. Conclusion: The postoperative complication rate was 30.8%, and the scarring in the facial incision area was mild and close to normal skin at 3 years postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The long‐term effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) largely depends on the accuracy of acetabular prosthesis placement. To improve the accuracy of acetabular prosthesis placement, we utilized a new surgical navigation system: visual treatment solution (VTS). The purpose of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of this system in assisting THA. Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. One hundred and twenty‐four patients undergoing primary THAs were included. The experimental group underwent VTS‐assisted THA, and the control group underwent traditional surgical techniques. The main efficacy evaluation indicators were the proportion of anteversion and inclination angles in the Lewinnek safe zone, and secondary evaluation indicators included operation time, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score, Harris score, short‐form‐36 (SF‐36) score, and hip dislocation rate. Statistical analysis was performed mainly by t‐test and chi‐square test. Results: The proportion of both anteversion and inclination angles in the safe zone was 93.1% in the experimental group and 50.9% in the control group; the difference was significant (p < 0.01). The average operation time was 112.5 min in the experimental group and 92.6 min in the control group; the difference was significant (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in WOMAC score, Harris score, or SF‐36 score between the experimental and control groups at 3 months after the operation (p > 0.05). The dislocation rate was 0% in the experimental group and 1.6% in the control group; the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: VTS‐assisted THA can significantly improve the accuracy of acetabular prosthesis placement. However, there were no differences in short‐term clinical outcomes or dislocation rates between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) have been regarded as green solvents owing to their unique properties. Among these, the melting point is key to their excellent performance in applications such as catalysis, biomass processing, and energy storage, where stability and operational temperature range are critical. The utilization of neural networks for forecasting the melting point is highly significant. Nevertheless, the excessive selection of descriptors obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations always leads to huge computational costs. Herein, this study strategically selected only 12 kinds of quantum chemical descriptors by employing a much more efficient semi-empirical method (PM7) to reduce computational costs. Four principles of data pre-processing were proposed, and the innovative use of a simulated annealing algorithm to search for the lowest energy molecular conformation improved accuracy. Based on these descriptors, a multi-layer perceptron neural network model was constructed to efficiently predict the melting points of 280 imidazolium-based ILs. The R2 value of the current model reached 0.75, and the mean absolute error reached 25.03 K, indicating that this study achieved high accuracy with very little computational cost. This study reveals a strong correlation between descriptors and melting points. Additionally, the model accurately predicts unknown melting points of imidazolium-based ILs, achieving good results efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]