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Ferroelectric polymers for energy storage and conversions suffer from high energy losses. Despite great efforts in polymer composites with organic or inorganic fillers, limited successes are achieved with an often compromised dielectric constant (K). Here, a synthesized organic-inorganic hybrid-perfluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (F-POSS) is presented for creating an ultralow-loss ferroelectric polymer composite. The incorporation of such perfluorinated organosilicons with unique "cage-arm" structure into the polymer not only modulates chain conformations but also inhibits charge transport through its wide bandgap and strong carrier-trapping capabilities. This results in a significant reduction of dielectric/conduction losses and enhanced electric breakdown strength while maintaining a high K, yielding a discharged energy density (U e ) of 22.3 J cm -3 with a high efficiency (η) of 82.3%. The utility of F-POSS is further demonstrated in sandwiched devices (with high-K layers comprising quantum dots) that deliver a high U e of over 32 J cm -3 and a η > 80%, alongside an efficient alternating current-driven electroluminescence (luminance > 670 cd m -2 at 10 MV m -1 ). This work presents a facile strategy for achieving high-K, low-loss ferroelectric polymers, broadening their applications toward advanced energy storage and optoelectronic technologies., (© 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Objective: This review focuses on the clinical and preclinical studies pertaining to the use of phytochemicals in the prevention of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis., Methods: A thorough overview of the relevant literature was provided by the narrative review approach. The PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were used to retrieve publications on the phytochemicals preventing oral cancer metastasis. Clinical trials of phytochemicals on oral cancer patients were retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/., Results: An increasing number of scientific literature provides evidence suggesting that phytochemicals might possess the capacity to impede cancer invasion and metastasis. Plant extracts and phytochemical substances, including genistein, curcumin, lycopene, resveratrol, isothiocyanates, and green tea extract, have shown promise in recent novel research as potential weapons against this cancer., Conclusion: A crucial prognostic factor for oral cancer is distant metastasis (DM). Chemoprevention is a comprehensive concept that encompasses the use of synthetic or natural substances to impede the development or progression of cancer. This current literature review enumerates the data supporting these potential phytochemicals' benefits in OSCC., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Drug resistance remains a significant challenge in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), leading to therapeutic failure and poor patient prognosis. Numerous mechanisms, including drug efflux pumps, altered tumor microenvironment (TME), and dysregulated cell death pathways, contribute to the development of resistance against conventional chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. As resistance to traditional treatments continues to emerge, there is an urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies to overcome these challenges. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring bioactive compounds and have demonstrated remarkable potential in targeting multiple resistance mechanisms simultaneously., Method: This review comprehensively overviews the current understanding of drug resistance mechanisms in HNSCC and explores innovative strategies utilizing phytochemicals and their nanoformulations to overcome these resistance mechanisms, with a particular focus on recent developments and future perspectives in this field., Results and Discussion: Phytochemicals with anticancer properties include a wide range of herbal-derived molecules such as flavonoids, stilbenes, curcuminoids, alkaloids, traditional Chinese medicine, and others. These compounds can modulate ATP-binding cassette transporters, reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), target cancer stem cells (CSCs), and regulate various signaling pathways involved in drug resistance. The integration of phytochemicals into advanced nanoformulation systems has also shown a remarkable improvement in enhancing their bioavailability, stability, and targeted delivery to the TME, potentially improving their therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the combination of phytochemicals with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, targeted molecular therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has exhibited synergistic effects, offering a promising approach to restoring drug sensitivity in resistant HNSCC cells., Conclusion: Phytochemicals and their nanoformulations may improve response of HNSCC to therapy by alleviating drug resistance., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical Approval: This article does not contain human or animal studies performed by any of the authors. Informed Consent: Not Applicable. Conflict of Interest: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Quantum dot (QD)-converted micrometer-scale light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) are regarded as an effective solution for achieving high-performance full-color micro-LED displays because of their narrow-band emission, simplified mass transfer, facile drive circuits, and low cost. However, these micro-LEDs suffer from significant blue light leakage and unsatisfactory electroluminescence properties due to the poor light conversion efficiency and stability of the QDs. Herein, the construction of green and red QD luminescence microspheres with the simultaneously high conversion efficiency of blue light and strong photoluminescence stability are proposed. These luminescence microspheres exhibit high external photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 46% under 450 nm excitation, along with excellent reliability against blue light, heat, and water-oxygen degradation, owing to the waveguide and spatial confinement effects of the microspheres. The microsphere-based green and red micro-LEDs achieve world-record external quantum efficiencies of 40.8% and 22.1%, respectively, and high brightness values of 1.7 × 10 8 and 7.6 × 10 7  cd m -2 , respectively. Finally, 0.6 inch red, green, and blue monochrome micro-LED displays are demonstrated by integrating microsphere-converted micro-LED arrays with thin-film transistor backplanes, which show a pixel resolution as high as 1700 PPI and brightness exceeding 10 000 cd m -2 ., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Film capacitors are widely used in advanced electrical and electronic systems. The temperature stability of polymer dielectrics plays a critical role in supporting their performance operation at elevated temperatures. For the last decade, the investigations for new polymer dielectrics with high energy storage performance at higher temperatures (>200 °C) have attracted much attention and numerous strategies have been employed. However, there is currently still a large gap between lab research and large-scale production. In this review, the main effects of high temperature on the dielectric properties are analyzed and core modification strategies are summarized. The scientific and technological reasons for the performance difference between lab research and practical application are also discussed. Further, several processes for large-scale film preparation and typical device structure design are reviewed. The current research and product launches pertaining of high-temperature film capacitors are also summarized. Conclusive insights and future perspectives are delineated to offer strategic direction for the ongoing and prospective innovation in polymer dielectric materials., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Fabricating poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its composite ferroelectrics are essential for the development of next-generation lightweight, portable, wearable, and implantable intelligent devices. However, integrating and maximizing spontaneous polarization and interfacial electromechanical conversion efficiency remain major challenges in the contemporary PVDF-based composites field. Herein, inspired by the tenon-and-mortise structure associated with ancient Chinese architecture, an amino-anchored metal-organic framework (MOF)/PVDF piezoelectric composite using a dipole-engineering strategy to deliver enhanced piezocatalytic performance is constructed. Homogeneous and long-range ordered hydrogen-bond networks have been formed with the PVDF matrix after introducing periodically arranged amino anchors into the NH 2 -HU MOF. The NH 2 -HU 10wt% /PVDF composite exhibits a 40% greater β-phase content and a remnant polarization value more than 550% higher than that of the bare PVDF fibers. These amino anchors synergistically enhance both the local electric field and collaborative dipole alignment resulting in a piezocatalytic bactericidal performance of 97.4% when irradiated under clinical ultrasound conditions. Moreover, the enhanced polarizability within the MOF/PVDF composite simultaneously improves its responsiveness to X-rays via its periodic amino anchoring networks, thereby doubling CT imaging efficacy for implants at lower voltages. Integrating piezoelectric MOFs and polymer matrices through molecular design presents a viable approach for optimizing ferroelectric properties and expanding piezoelectric-composite applications., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Single-mode photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on photochemical reactions is limited by the tumor microenvironment, which reduces the ablation efficiency for solid tumors. Making it vital to seek ways to improve the tumor therapeutic effect. Based on this, we propose a dual-mode intelligent nanotherapeutic system (HAP@BMPns) based on photochemical-biological effects. HAP@BMPns is composed of an acid-responsive high-calcium biomimetic nanomaterial (HAP) and photosensitizer (BMP), which can spontaneously activate photochemical (Type-I PDT) and biological effects for synergistic cancer therapy. HAP@BMPns breaks down upon entering tumor cells under acidic conditions, releasing a large amount of Ca 2+ and BMP. Triggering intracellular Ca 2+ overload, which induces mitochondrial damage, leading to apoptosis. Synchronously, Type-I PDT of BMP under two-photon (800 nm) laser irradiation becomes activated, resulting in enhanced destruction of tumor cells by the photochemical effect. Cell studies have indicated that HAP@BMPns (41.6 μg/mL) exhibits a strong inhibitory efficiency on tumor cells growth, with low (22.4 %) survival rate. However, the individual components, i. e. BMP (5.0 μM) and HAP (41.6 μg/mL) display low inhibitory efficiency with high survival rates (55.9 % and 63.0 % respectively). Therefore, this dual-mode synergistic treatment strategy using acid-triggered photochemical-biological effects significantly enhances the ablation of solid tumors, realizing the synergistic effect. We hope that this design strategy can provide guidance for the design and development of a tumor therapeutic platform., (© 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Layered anion-mixed oxycompounds have emerged as pivotal materials across diverse technological domains encompassing electronics, optics, sensing, catalysis, and energy applications. Capitalizing on the unique properties imparted by the additional anion, these compounds exhibit exceptional characteristics including ultra-large charge carrier mobility, giant second-harmonic generation, visible-light-driven photocatalysis, and outstanding thermoelectricity. This article aims to provide a comprehensive summary of layered anion-mixed oxychalcogenides, oxyhalides, oxynitrides, and oxypnictides. Organized by chemical composition and crystal structures, the classification of these oxycompounds precedes an in-depth exploration of various synthesis methodologies. Subsequently, their properties are elucidated in electronics, optics, magnetics, and ferroelectrics, contextualizing their utility in electronic, optical, and catalytic applications. The review culminates in a critical assessment of extant challenges and opportunities within this realm. Furthermore, insights are proffered into the future trajectory of research, underpinning the significance of advancing novel 2D multi-anion oxygenated compounds and their attendant applications., (© 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Relaxor ferroelectric (RFE) films represent promising candidates for high-performance energy storage applications for miniaturized electronic devices and power systems. However, achieving substantial energy storage performance always involves complex component or structural design. Herein, we employed a nanocomposite approach to obtain ultrahigh-efficiency and robust energy density in simple BaTiO 3 -based lead-free films. Our lead-free composition of simple (1-x)BaTiO 3 -xCeO 2 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) contains only four elements (Ba, Ti, Ce and O). The incorporation of stiff and insulating CeO 2 nanocomposites within BaTiO 3 matrix could disrupt the long-range-ordered micrometer-size domains into short-range-ordered nanodomains. This disruption suppresses hysteresis and delays polarization of BaTiO 3 films. Combined with the enhanced breakdown strength, this formulation yielded an ultrahigh efficiency of ≈90% and a robust energy density of 45 ± 3 J cm -3 at CeO 2 contents of x = 0.3 and 0.4. Meanwhile, these two films with x = 0.3 and 0.4 exhibit superior frequency (50 Hz to 2 kHz) and thermal stability (20 °C to 120 °C), demonstrating stable energy storage performance. The proposed strategy opens up a new avenue for designing high-performance nanocomposite films by incorporating stiff secondary phase embedded in BaTiO 3 or even linear SrTiO 3 dielectrics., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Self-adaptive dielectrics (SADs), with the characteristics of rapid charge dissipation in electric field distortion, is regarded as the future material for package insulation of advanced electronic devices. The current landscape of SADs is incapable to achieve tunable nonlinear electrical conductivity and threshold field strength due to the inherent Schottky barrier, significantly limiting the application scenarios of SADs. Here, a strategy is reported to construct a stepped Schottky barrier through virus-like structures, which are composed of subminiature metal particles and semiconductor microspheres. It is found that the metal particles can serve as the capture center to attract the free charge in the matrix, precisely instructing the charge transfer pathway. The barriers between metal particles and semiconductor filler, flexibly controlled by the composition of metal particles, endow with extra source of nonlinear conductivity. Under the optimal composition and size of metal particles, SADs exhibit prominent nonlinear electrical conductivity and reliable adaptive charge release characteristics under pulsed electric field. The work pioneers a breakthrough by overcoming the constraint that SADs are previously limited to the inherent Schottky barrier of semiconductor materials and enabling the unprecedented controllability and flexibility of nonlinear electrical characteristics by metal particles, contributing a distinctive perspective to the development of SADs., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Wound healing is a dynamic, multi-stage process essential for restoring skin integrity. Dysregulated wound healing is often linked to impaired macrophage function, particularly in individuals with chronic underlying conditions. Macrophages, as key regulators of wound healing, exhibit significant phenotypic diversity, ranging from the pro-healing M2 phenotype to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype. Imbalances in the M1/M2 ratio or hyperactivation of the M1 phenotype can delay the normal healing. Consequently, strategies aimed at suppressing the M1 phenotype or promoting the shift of local skin macrophages toward the M2 phenotype can potentially treat chronic non-healing wounds. This manuscript provides an overview of macrophages' role in normal and pathological wound-healing processes. It examines various therapeutic approaches targeting M2 macrophages, such as ex vivo-activated macrophage therapy, immunopharmacological strategies, and biomaterial-directed macrophage polarization. However, it also highlights that M2 macrophage therapies and immunopharmacological interventions may have drawbacks, including rapid phenotypic changes, adverse effects on other skin cells, biotoxicity, and concerns related to biocompatibility, stability, and drug degradation. Therefore, there is a need for more targeted macrophage-based therapies that ensure optimal biosafety, allowing for effective reprogramming of dysregulated macrophages and improved therapeutic outcomes. Recent advances in nano-biomaterials have demonstrated promising regenerative potential compared to traditional treatments. This review discusses the progress of biomaterial-assisted macrophage targeting in chronic wound repair and addresses the challenges faced in its clinical application. Additionally, it explores novel design concepts for combinational therapies, such as incorporating regenerative particles like exosomes into dressing materials or encapsulating them in microneedling systems to enhance wound healing rates., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: All the authors have viewed and agreed to the final manuscript before submission. Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted without commercial or financial relationships, which could be considered a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Achieving high-performance dielectric materials remains a significant challenge due to the inherent trade-offs between high energy storage density and low energy loss. A central difficulty lies in identifying a suitable dipolar unit that can enhance the polarity and dielectric constant of the material while effectively suppressing the high energy losses associated with polarization relaxation, charge injection, and conduction. To address this, a novel strategy is proposed that introduces electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents on the benzene ring of polystyrene-based polymers, creating bulky dipole groups that are resistant to reorientation under an electric field. This approach mitigates relaxation losses associated with dipole reorientation and manipulates the band structure via substituent modification to suppress conduction losses. Additionally, the deformation of the π-electron cloud under an electric field enhances the dielectric constant and energy storage density. Ultimately, the optimized chlorostyrene-methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymer exhibits an 85% discharge efficiency and an energy storage density of 18.3 J cm - 3 , nearly three times that of styrene-based copolymers under the same conditions. This study introduces a new approach for designing high-energy density, low-loss polymer dielectric materials by precisely controlling electron-donating and electron-withdrawing effects to modulate the distribution of π-conjugated electron clouds., (© 2025 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Over the past decade, semiconducting halide perovskite lasers have emerged as a transformative platform in optoelectronics, owing to unique properties such as high photoluminescence quantum yields, tunable bandgaps, and low-cost fabrication processes. This review systematically examines the advancements in halide perovskite lasers, covering diverse laser architectures, such as whispering gallery mode, Fabry-Pérot, plasmonic, bound states in the continuum (BIC), quantum dot, and polariton lasers. The mechanisms of optical gain, the role of material engineering in optimizing lasing performance, and the challenges associated with continuous-wave (CW) pumping and electrically driven lasing are discussed. Furthermore, recent progress in improving the stability and scalability of perovskite lasers, essential for their integration into practical applications in displays, optical communications, sensing, and integrated photonics is highlighted. Finally, future research directions are discussed, emphasizing the potential of perovskite lasers to revolutionize various technological domains by enabling the development of next-generation photonic devices., (© 2025 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Due to their substantial energy density, rapid charging and discharging rates, and extended lifespan, lithium-ion batteries have attained broad application across various industries. However, their limited theoretical capacity struggles to meet the growing demand for battery capacity in consumer electronics, automotive, and aerospace applications. As a promising substitute, solid-state lithium-metal batteries (SSLBs) have emerged, utilizing a lithium-metal anode that boasts a significant theoretical specific capacity and non-flammable solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) to address energy density limitations and safety concerns. For SSLBs to attain large-scale commercial viability, SSEs require heightened ionic-conductivity, improved mechanical characteristics, and enhanced chemical and electrochemical stability. Furthermore, tackling the challenges related to interfacial contacts between SSEs and the lithium-metal anode is imperative. This review comprehensively overviews the primary methods used to prepare garnet SSEs and summarizes doping strategies for various sites on Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) garnet SSEs, aiming to optimize the crystal phase to achieve more favorable properties in SSE applications. Additionally, it discusses strategies for modifying the interfacial contact between the lithium-metal anode and SSEs, classifying them into three areas: surface modification, interlayer-modification, and composite anodes. This review aims to serve as a valuable reference for future researchers working on high-performance garnet SSEs and effective interfacial-modification strategies., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Anthracophyllum hirsutum and Stereum hirsutum produce manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase to break down lignin, a potential biological pretreatment for lignocellulosic biomass. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) added to olive mill solid waste (OMSW) inoculated with A. discolor and S. hirsutum on ligninolytic enzyme activity, lignin degradation, and phenolic compound removal. Different optimal metal dosages were determined for each fungal strain. For S. hirsutum, the addition of 6.1 mg Cu kg⁻1 and 7.3 mg Mn kg⁻1 resulted in 173 ± 5 U·L⁻1 MnP activity (an 863% increase compared to no metal addition) and 42 ± 3% lignin degradation (183% higher than with no metal addition, 15 ± 3%). These conditions also led to 65–75% phenol removal efficiencies in OMSW at 25 days and 80–95% in leachates between 20 and 30 days. For A. discolor, 14.6 mg Mn kg⁻1 yielded 37 ± 7 U·L⁻1 MnP activity (a 142% increase compared to no metal addition) and 38 ± 7% lignin degradation (150% higher than with no metal addition, 15 ± 3%). Under these conditions, A. discolor achieved 80–90% phenol removal in leachates at 20 days. These results demonstrate the positive effect of optimised metal supplementation, highlighting the potential of S. hirsutum and A. discolor for effective lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment and future mycoremediation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axon guidance proteins not only play a role in the formation of proper neural circuits but also have other important functions, such as cell survival, migration, and proliferation in the brain. Therefore, mutations in the genes encoding these proteins frequently cause various types of neurological disorders, including psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. We previously identified an axon guidance protein, draxin, that is essential for the development of several neural circuits and cell survival in the brain. Recently, the deletion of the draxin gene was identified in an inbred BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR/J) mouse, which is a widely used model of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), suggesting that draxin deletion is a genetic factor for ASD-like characteristics in BTBR/J mice. In this review, I summarize the neuroanatomical abnormalities in draxin knockout mice by comparing them to BTBR/J mice and discuss the possible contributions of draxin to anatomical and behavioral phenotypes in BTBR/J mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, and Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, have been epidemiologically linked, showing a positive association that suggests a shared etiology. This association implies that individuals with one condition may have an increased risk of developing the other. However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis of gene expression profiles in both PD and melanoma to identify common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may contribute to the pathophysiological overlap between these two conditions. Methods: We analyzed two independent publicly available genomic datasets to identify overlapping DEGs associated with both PD and melanoma. Regulatory networks, including transcription factors (TFs), DEGs, and microRNAs (miRNAs), were constructed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established to identify hub genes. Additionally, we investigated the interplay between PD, melanoma, and immune cell infiltration to uncover potential correlations between the expression levels of hub genes and specific subsets of immune cells. Molecular docking studies were performed to identify potential therapeutic agents targeting the DEGs. Results: A total of 41 overlapping DEGs were identified, including VSNL1, ATP6V1G2, and DNM1, which were significantly down-regulated in both PD and melanoma patients. These genes play critical roles in biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions relevant to the pathogenesis of both diseases. VSNL1 is associated with synaptic vesicle fusion and may impact neuronal communication compromised in PD. ATP6V1G2, a subunit of the V-ATPase, is involved in the dysregulated pH homeostasis observed in melanoma. DNM1, a key player in vesicle trafficking, may influence aberrant cellular transport processes in both diseases. Regulatory and PPI networks revealed potential hub genes and their interactions. Molecular docking studies identified retinoic acid as a potential therapeutic agent targeting VSNL1, ATP6V1G2, and DNM1. Discussion: Our study provides insights into the shared molecular characteristics of PD and melanoma, identifying potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis and revealing new therapeutic targets. The discovery of retinoic acid as a promising therapeutic agent represents a significant step forward in drug development and treatment strategies for these diseases. This comprehensive analysis enhances our understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the association between PD and melanoma, paving the way for further research and therapeutic advancements. The findings hold the promise of improved diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies for individuals affected by these debilitating diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper studies the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and user loyalty to them. In doing so, our study offers fresh insights into the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles, filling gaps in the existing body of research. Methods: A non-probability purposive sample of adults who engage in physical exercise and use monitoring apps was selected, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. Results: Our findings are suggestive that (i) physical exercise is more strongly associated with the continuous use of applications than with specific loyalty strategies; (ii) widespread use of apps that record and display historical results can boost regular physical activity, as users are motivated to surpass their previous outcomes. These results support the principle that 'more is better' in practice and intensity, suggesting that mobile technologies should be integrated into national health plans. Conclusions: Mobile technologies should be encouraged by public policies, as these tools offer an accessible alternative for promoting public health. Policies could subsidize or facilitate the development of applications that integrate self-monitoring and personalized health plans aligned with public health guidelines. They could also include educational campaigns informing the population about these technologies' benefits and explaining how to use them to improve physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is a severe, often life-threatening form of organ dysfunction that arises from an inappropriately regulated host response to infectious pathogen exposure. As the largest gland in the body, the liver serves as a regulatory hub for metabolic, immune, and detoxification activity. It is also an early sepsis target organ such that hepatic dysfunction is observed in 34-46% of patients with sepsis. The precise mechanisms that give rise to sepsis-induced liver injury, however, remain incompletely understood. Based on the research conducted to date, dysregulated systemic inflammation, microbial translocation, microcirculatory abnormalities, cell death, metabolic dysfunction, and liver inflammation may all contribute to the liver damage that can arise in the context of septicemia. This review was developed to provide an overview summarizing the potential mechanisms underlying sepsis-induced liver injury, informing the selection of potential targets for therapeutic intervention and providing a framework for the alleviation of patient symptoms and the improvement of prognostic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The island of Bohol in central Philippines is tectonically active with frequent seismic activities. The disastrous October 2013 earthquake, which occurred on a previously unmapped active fault, shows the urgent need for better understanding of potential seismogenic structures in and around the island. Toward this end, we mapped and analyzed the late Quaternary marine terraces along the southern coast of Bohol Island. Our results show that at least six levels of marine terraces are preserved in southern Bohol. Among them, Terrace 3 was likely formed during the MIS (Marine Isotope Stage) 5e, and is distributed throughout the coast. Three higher terraces are present west of the Loboc River and may have been formed during older sea-level highstands, and two lower terraces are found east of the river, which may correlate with MIS 5a and 5c. Based on the proposed ages and the elevation of the terraces, we calculated the late Quaternary uplift rates of the southern Bohol coast to be between 0.1 and 0.4 mm/yr. We propose the coastal uplift is produced by the activity of the North Mindanao Sea fault offshore southern Bohol, which appears to be a major active fault in the area. The prominent difference of terrace distribution patterns and uplift rates across the Loboc River indicates a potential active backthrust there, probably branching out from the North Mindanao Sea fault, rather than the previously mapped East Bohol fault. The North Mindanao Sea fault poses significant earthquake and tsunami hazard for both Bohol and surrounding islands, making it crucial to further analyze the characteristics of this fault and its paleoseismological records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents significant medical challenges due to its elevated rates of morbidity and mortality, with limited therapeutic options currently available. Hence, the exploration of novel medicinal treatments for AKI management remains vital. Substances of medicine food homology (SMFH), referring to substances having characteristics of both food and medicine, have been applied in China for thousands years.They could be used for daily diets and body conditioning. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its naturally derived components and demonstrated effectiveness, presents distinctive benefits in AKI treatment. Numerous studies have shown that SMFH and TCM phytochemicals could function satisfactorily with nephroprotective effects and have a significant effect on alleviating AKI as well as its complications. In this review, the pathogenesis of AKI was illustrated. We concentrated on SMFH and TCM phytochemicals against AKI and tried to summarize the underlying mechanisms in various kinds of AKI, highlighting the crucial phytochemical components in AKI prevention and therapy. Besides, strategies for SMFH and TCM phytochemicals globalization are analysed. This review comprehensively reveals that SMFH and TCM phytochemicals exhibit promising potential for AKI intervention by targeting various signal pathways and targets, which would contribute to AKI's cognition, preventive treatments, as well as global promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing and regulating the ferroelectric polarization in ferroelectric nano-scale catalysts has been recognized as an emerging strategy to advance water splitting reactions, with the merits of improved surface charge density, high charge transfer rate, increased electronic conductivity, the creation of real active sites, and optimizing the chemisorption energy. As a result, engineering and tailoring the ferroelectric polarization induced internal electric field provides significant opportunities to improve the surface and electronic characteristics of catalysts, thereby enhancing the water splitting reaction kinetics. In this review, an interdisciplinary and comprehensive summary of recent advancements in the construction, characterization, engineering and regulation of the polarization in ferroelectric-based catalysts for water splitting is provided, by exploiting a variety of external stimuli. This review begins with a detailed overview of the classification, benefits, and identification methodologies of the ferroelectric polarization induced internal electric field; this offers significant insights for an in-depth analysis of ferroelectric-based catalysts. Subsequently, we explore the underlying structure–activity relationships for regulating the ferroelectric polarization using a range of external stimuli which include mechanical, magnetic, and thermal fields to achieve efficient water splitting, along with a combination of two or more fields. The review then highlights emerging strategies for multi-scale design and theoretical prediction of the relevant factors to develop highly promising ferroelectric catalysts for efficient water splitting. Finally, we present the challenges and perspectives on the potential research avenues in this fascinating and new field. This review therefore delivers an in-depth examination of the strategies to engineer the ferroelectric polarization for the next-generation of water electrolysis devices, systems and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We examine the impact of corporate sustainability performance (CSP) on corporate cash holdings, focusing on the moderating impacts of industry's concentration, financial constraints, and institutional environments. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical analysis is conducted on a sample of 31 countries from 2002 to 2018. We use the pooled OLS regressions controlling for fixed effects. We further address endogeneity issues using an instrumental variable approach, the Difference-in-Differences regression based on an exogenous shock, and the propensity score matching. Findings: We find that firms with superior CSP hold more cash. This result is valid after a series of tests for robustness and endogeneity issues, suggesting a causal effect of CSP on corporate cash holdings. In the cross section, the positive impact of CSP on cash holdings is more pronounced for firms operating in highly concentrated industries, but attenuated for firms with financial constraints and for those operating in countries with better institutional environments. We further show that CSP affects cash holdings through the channel of financial distress risk. Practical implications: In making investment decisions, investors should not only examine corporate financial performance and sustainability profile, but also understand the related cash holding levels and financial distress costs. Corporate managers making decisions on levels of cash holdings should pay more attention to their sustainability behavior, especially for firms operating in concentrated industries and/or facing financial constraints. Governments and authorities can apply regulations to encourage firms to engage more in sustainable activities, as well as establish good institutional environments in the country. Originality/value: Using a comprehensive international dataset, our paper contributes to two strands of literature: the economic impact of CSP and the driver of cash holdings. We further focus on the moderating role of industry concentration and firms' financial constraints. Our international sample also allows us to exploit the effect of country-level informal institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term operation of tunnels is influenced by factors such as material degradation and variations in service loads, resulting in varying degrees of lining cracks and water leakage. Addressing the challenge of low target contrast and significant background interference in thermal imaging detection of tunnel lining cracks, this study established an experimental system capable of simulating tunnel operational humidity and temperature environments. The lining cracks were localized and the temperature field distribution on the cracked lining surface was characterized by computer vision techniques. Additionally, numerical simulations using thermal-flow coupling were employed to validate and extend the results of indoor experiments. Based on the distribution patterns of the temperature field, a gain transformation function for thermal images was established. The findings indicate that the processed images were 2–6 times better than the conventional algorithm in terms of SCRG (Signal Clutter Ratio Gain) and BSF (Background Suppression Factor) metrics. This research provides valuable insights and references for the practical application of thermal imaging detection in tunnel water leakage scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetes foot disease (DFD) contributes to poor quality of life, clinical and economic burden. Multidisciplinary diabetes foot teams provide prompt access to specialist teams thereby improving limb salvage. We present a 17-year review of an inpatient multidisciplinary clinical care path (MCCP) for DFD in Singapore. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for DFD and enrolled in our MCCP to a 1700-bed university hospital from 2005 to 2021. Results: There were 9279 patients admitted with DFD with a mean of 545 (±119) admissions per year. The mean age was 64 (±13.3) years, 61% were Chinese, 18% Malay and 17% Indian. There was a higher proportion of Malay (18%) and Indian (17%) patients compared to the country's ethnic composition. A third of the patients had end stage renal disease and prior contralateral minor amputation. There was a reduction in inpatient major lower extremity amputation (LEA) from 18.2% in 2005 to 5.4% in 2021 (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.40, P <.001) which was the lowest since pathway inception. Mean time from admission to first surgical intervention was 2.8 days and mean time from decision for revascularization to procedure was 4.8 days. The major-to-minor amputation rate reduced from 1.09 in 2005 to 0.18 in 2021, reflecting diabetic limb salvage efforts. Mean and median length of stay (LOS) for patients in the pathway was 8.2 (±14.9) and 5 (IQR = 3) days, respectively. There was a gradual trend of increase in the mean LOS from 2005 to 2021. Inpatient mortality and readmission rate was stable at 1% and 11%. Conclusion: Since the institution of a MCCP, there was a significant improvement in major LEA rate. An inpatient multidisciplinary diabetic foot care path helped to improve care for patients with DFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the issues of detail loss, natural texture distortion, small receptive field, overly smooth reconstructed images, and the limitations of single-scale convolution kernels in existing super-resolution models, we have designed a lightweight super-resolution network based on a multi-scale enhanced large-kernel attention transformer (MELTN). First, we propose a multi-scale shallow feature extraction module to expand the feature space, using blueprint separable convolutions instead of standard convolutions to reduce computational and memory requirements. Second, we construct the MELKAFormer module, based on multi-scale enhanced large-kernel attention and an efficient feedforward network, as the core component for efficient feature extraction. Third, we use edge-oriented convolution block and introduce a residual structure at the network output to effectively capture image edge details and texture features. Experimental results show that the proposed model maintains high image quality with significantly fewer parameters and FLOPs compared to other deep neural network models across various benchmark datasets, demonstrating the effectiveness of the model in terms of image quality and computational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Cantharidin can or cannot reverse the drug resistance of non-small cell lung cancer to cisplatin (DDP) by reducing the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Materials and Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method was used to screen for sublethal doses of cantharidin and determine its sensitizing effect on DDP. Detect the apoptosis rate of A549/DDP cells treated with cantharidin, DDP, or the combination of cantharidin and DDP. The effects of cantharidin on the expressions of p53 and PD-L1 in the cell line were investigated. Furthermore, pifithrin-α (PFT-α) pretreatment was performed to inhibit the function of p53 and verify whether cantharidin can affect the expression of PD-L1 through p53. Results: Cantharidin significantly enhanced the sensitivity of cells to DDP and increased the apoptosis of cells induced by DDP. Cantharidin upregulated the expression of p53 in A549/DDP cells with wild-type p53 and downregulated the expression of PD-L1. Pretreatment with PFT-α inhibited the apoptosis of cells induced by the combination treatment of cantharidin and DDP. Conclusion: Cantharidin can regulate the expression of p53 and downregulate the PD-L1 in non-small cell lung cancer with wild-type p53. It may enhance the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer to DDP by further altering the levels of PD-L1 through the regulation of p53 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pattern mining, high-utility itemset mining (HUIM) is useful for discovering high-utility patterns. The study of HUIM using heuristic techniques reflects issues in producing better offspring. It is ineffective in terms of search space organization, population diversity, and utility calculation, which impact runtime and accuracy. It is observed that very few researchers have experimented with genetic algorithm (GA) and are still facing the same issues as mentioned before. To overcome these problems, a novel approach is proposed for HUIM using modified GA and optimized local search (HUIM-MGALS) with six potential contributions. First is linking the utility with the Bitmap dataset to reduce utility access time, leading to effective search space organization. Second, HUIM-MGALS employs a fitness scaling strategy to avoid redundancy. Third, a high-utility itemset (HUI) revision strategy is employed to explore significant HUIs. Modified population diversity maintenance strategy and iterative crossover help to preserve significant HUIs and improve search capability as fourth and fifth contributions. Sixth, the use of multiple mutations refines the wasted individuals to boost accuracy. Extensive experimentation showed that HUIM-MGALS significantly outperforms the presented algorithms, up to 8.6 times faster. It also demonstrates superior HUI discovery capabilities for both sparse and dense datasets. This is supported by the modified population diversity maintenance strategy, which is proved to be the most impactful modification for HUI discovery in HUIM-MGALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): This study investigated the effects of young plasma therapy (YPT) compared to estrogen therapy (E2T) on motor and cognitive impairments in aged ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty female Wistar rats were divided as follows: 1). 2-3 months control young group. Five 22-24 months old groups: 1) Control, 2) Sham, 3) OVX, 4) OVX.E2, and 5) OVX. YP. Young plasma (1 ml plasma, through the tail vein, 3 days weekly for 4 weeks) and E2 (30 mg/kg, SC, 5 days weekly for 4 weeks) were administrated to OVX rats. The open field, elevated plus maze, and Barne's maze were used to assess the behaviors. Then, miR-134 and miR-124 (RT-RCR), SIRT1, CREB, and BDNF (western blot), and anti-oxidants/oxidants markers (Photometry) levels were assessed in the rat's hippocampal tissues. Results: OVX caused up-regulated hippocampal miR-134 and miR-124 expression levels (P<0.001) while down-regulated SIRT1, CREB, and BDNF protein expressions (P<0.001). Also, ovariectomy Increased TOS, OSI, and MDA (P<0.001) while decreasing TAC (P<0.001) compared to sham. Treatment with both E2T and YPT significantly improved all oxidative stress indexes (P<0.0.001) and increased p-CREB, BDNF, and SIRT1 protein levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) while decreasing the expression of miR-134 and miR-124 (P<0.001). Conclusion: YPT is a non-pharmacological therapeutic as much as or more than E-2T, which can exhibit anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory potential in the hippocampal tissue and improve cognitive deficits in aged OVX rats without unknown side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

lmage captioning is a multimodal task involving both computer vision and natural language processing. Recently, there has been a substantial improvement in the performance of image captioning with the introduction of multi-feature extraction methods. However, existing single-feature and multi-feature methods still face challenges such as a low refinement degree, weak feature complementarity, and lack of an end-to-end model. To tackle these issues, we propose an end-to-end image captioning model called GRPIC (Grid-Region-Pixel Image Captioning), which integrates three types of image features: region features, grid features, and pixel features. Our model utilizes the Swin Transformer for extracting grid features, DETR for extracting region features, and Deeplab for extracting pixel features. We merge pixel-level features with region and grid features to extract more refined contextual and detailed information. Additionally, we incorporate absolute position information and pairwise align the three features to fully leverage their complementarity. Qualitative and quantitative experiments conducted on the MSCOCO dataset demonstrate that our model achieved a 2.3% improvement in CIDEr, reaching 136.1 CIDEr compared to traditional dual-feature methods on the Karpathy test split. Furthermore, observation of the actual generated descriptions shows that the model also produced more refined captions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Transformer has demonstrated significant performance in single image deraining tasks. However, the standard self-attention in the Transformer makes it difficult to model local features of images effectively. To alleviate the above problem, this paper proposes a high-quality deraining Transformer with effective large kernel attention, named as ELKAformer. The network employs the Transformer-Style Effective Large Kernel Conv-Block (ELKB), which contains 3 key designs: Large Kernel Attention Block (LKAB), Dynamical Enhancement Feed-forward Network (DEFN), and Edge Squeeze Recovery Block (ESRB) to guide the extraction of rich features. To be specific, LKAB introduces convolutional modulation to substitute vanilla self-attention and achieve better local representations. The designed DEFN refines the most valuable attention values in LKAB, allowing the overall design to better preserve pixel-wise information. Additionally, we develop ESRB to obtain long-range dependencies of different positional information. Massive experimental results demonstrate that this method achieves favorable effects while effectively saving computational costs. Our code is available at github [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables cerebral perfusion measurement, which is crucial in detecting and managing neurological issues in infants born prematurely or after perinatal complications. However, cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimation in infants using ASL remains challenging due to the complex interplay of network physiology, involving dynamic interactions between cardiac output and cerebral perfusion, as well as issues with parameter uncertainty and data noise. We propose a new spatial uncertainty-based physics-informed neural network (PINN), SUPINN, to estimate CBF and other parameters from infant ASL data. SUPINN employs a multi-branch architecture to concurrently estimate regional and global model parameters across multiple voxels. It computes regional spatial uncertainties to weigh the signal. SUPINN can reliably estimate CBF (relative error − 0.3 ± 71.7), bolus arrival time (AT) (30.5 ± 257.8) , and blood longitudinal relaxation time ( T 1 b ) (−4.4 ± 28.9), surpassing parameter estimates performed using least squares or standard PINNs. Furthermore, SUPINN produces physiologically plausible spatially smooth CBF and AT maps. Our study demonstrates the successful modification of PINNs for accurate multi-parameter perfusion estimation from noisy and limited ASL data in infants. Frameworks like SUPINN have the potential to advance our understanding of the complex cardio-brain network physiology, aiding in the detection and management of diseases. Source code is provided at: https://github.com/cgalaz01/supinn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flavivirus infections pose a significant global health burden, highlighting the need for safe and effective vaccination strategies. Co-administration of different vaccines, including licensed flavivirus vaccines, is commonly practiced providing protection against multiple pathogens while also saving time and reducing visits to healthcare units. However, how co-administration of different flavivirus vaccines de facto affects immunogenicity, particularly with respect to T cell responses, is only partially understood. Methods and findings: Antigen-specific T cell responses were assessed in study participants enrolled in a previously conducted open-label, non-randomized clinical trial. In the trial, vaccines against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), or yellow fever virus (YFV) were administered either individually or concomitantly in different combinations in healthy study participants. Peripheral blood samples were collected before vaccination and at multiple time points afterward. To analyze antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, PBMCs were stimulated with overlapping peptide pools from TBEV, JEV, YFV, and Zika virus (ZIKV) envelope (E), capsid (C), and non-structural protein 5 (NS5) viral antigens. A flow cytometry-based activation-induced marker (AIM) assay was used to quantify antigen-specific T cell responses. The results revealed remarkably similar frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, regardless of whether vaccines were administered individually or concomitantly. In addition, administering the vaccines in the same or different upper arms did not markedly affect T cell responses. Finally, limited cross-reactivity was observed between the TBEV, JEV, and YFV vaccines, and related ZIKV-specific antigens. Conclusions: TBEV or JEV vaccines can be co-administered with the live attenuated YFV vaccine without any markedly altered antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to the respective flaviviruses. Additionally, the vaccines can be delivered in the same or different upper arms without any significant altered influence on the T cell response. From a broader perspective, these results provide valuable insights into the outcome of immune responses following simultaneous administration of different vaccines for different but related pathogens. Author summary: Why was this study done? The World Health Organization recently declared a global initiative to control arboviral diseases. Many of these are caused by pathogenic flaviviruses, most transmitted by mosquitos and other arthropod vectors such as ticks. Vaccination is a key intervention for diseases caused by flaviviruses. Co-administration of different vaccines, including currently licensed flavivirus vaccines, is commonly practiced. Co-administration of vaccines saves time and reduces the number of visits to healthcare facilities and vaccine clinics. Cellular immune responses have not been thoroughly evaluated upon co-administration of currently licensed flavivirus vaccines, including yellow fever virus (YFV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines. What did the researchers find? The magnitude and specificity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to virus-specific antigens remained largely unaltered by the concomitant delivery of the studied flavivirus vaccines. Concomitant delivery of vaccines in the same or different upper arms of the study participants had minimal impact on CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. What do these findings mean? The studied vaccines maintained distinct CD4+ and CD8+ T cell reactivity across their respective viral antigens without generating any marked cross-reactivity to each other or ZIKV-antigens, with exception for some signs of CD8+ T cell cross reactivity. Along with recently published data from the present study cohort, co-administration of three commonly used current licensed flavivirus vaccines is feasible without increasing the risk of adverse events or significantly affecting the development of either neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) or T cell responses against the respective viral antigens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone malignancy in children and adolescents, and although current neoadjuvant chemotherapy has shown efficacy against OS, the long-term survival rate for patients with OS remains low, highlighting the need to find more effective treatments. In cancer cells, abnormal activation of signaling pathways can widely affect cell activity from growth and proliferation to apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Wnt/β-catenin is a complex and unique signaling pathway that is considered to be one of the most important carcinogenic pathways in human cancer. Research have confirmed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important driving factor for the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma, and abnormal activation of this pathway can promote the pathological processes of cell proliferation, invasion, migration, tumor angiogenesis and chemical resistance of osteosarcoma. However, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can effectively inhibit or reverse the above pathological processes. Therefore, manipulating the expression or function of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be a potential targeted pathway for the treatment of OS. In this review, we describe the characteristics of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and summarize the role and mechanism of this pathway in OS. This paper discusses the therapeutic significance of inhibiting or targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway in OS and the shortcomings of current studies on this pathway in OS and the problems to be solved. This review helps us to understand the role of Wnt/β-catenin on OS, and provides a theoretical basis and new ideas for targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a therapeutic target for OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A streamlined design for nanoarchitecture can substantially enhance the performance of battery-type electrodes, leading to advanced hybrid supercapacitors (HSCs) with improved redox properties. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for electrochemical energy storage; however, they often suffer structural damage during calcination. We present a method to fabricate hierarchically layered sheet-like NiCo2O4 (NCO) nanostructures from MOFs. These nanostructures facilitate improved electron and ion transport while offering numerous electroactive sites. As supercapacitor electrodes, they exhibit a high specific capacity (∼597 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1) and notable rate capability (69.2% retention). The NCO//AC HSC demonstrates a broad voltage window, a specific capacitance of ∼152 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, a high energy density (∼47.3 W h kg−1 at ∼908.2 W kg−1), and excellent cycle stability (∼90.8% retention after 10 000 cycles). This approach is both cost-effective and scalable for commercial energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is one of the most lethal cancers (survival ~ 12%). As the conventional therapeutic interventions are mostly futile, a deep understanding of the disease pathophysiology is an urgent need. Ion channels, located on cell membrane, contribute significantly to cancer hallmarks, through dysregulation of various ion translocation; however, the fundamental mechanisms remain uncertain. Methods: To identify these oncochannels in Indian cohort of PanCa, we utilized 450 K data, published in our previous study, and identified potential pathways involved. Their expressions were evaluated using TCGA data and an independent Indian paired patient cohort (n = 20). The top genes were further validated using GEO and ScRNA seq dataset. Potential target ability of KCNJ5 was identified through molecular dynamic based drug designing. Results: A set of 7 differentially methylated and differentially expressed genes of ion-channel proteins namely KCNJ5, CACNB2, KCNA3, KCNA6, RASA3, GABBR2 and CLIC5 were identified in Indian PanCa cohort only. KCNJ5 was significantly upregulated and associated with worse survival in Indian cohort, whereas downregulated in TCGA and other Caucasians patient populations. Two TFs controlling the KCNJ5 expression are POU2F1 and POU3F1. Few predicted small molecules targeting Kcnj5 are, Amiloride, Vernakalant hydrochloride, Dalfampridine, Glyburide and Levcromakalim. It also showed notable interactions with a steroidal anticancer agent, protodioscin. Conclusion: An onco-channel gene, KCNJ5 significantly upregulated, and showing adverse survival in highly expressed KCNJ5 group in Indian cohort of PanCa, can be targeted with Amiloride, Vernakalant hydrochloride, Dalfampridine, Glyburide Levcromakalim and protodioscin. This understanding can lead to novel target identification for PanCa therapy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dancers face significant physical demands and are at high risk for lower extremity injuries due to the complexity and intensity of their movements, which require strong dynamic balance. Improving dynamic balance through training can potentially enhance performance and reduce injury risk. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week combined balance and plyometric training program (BP) compared to plyometric training alone (PL) on dynamic balance and lower extremity injury risk among college dancers. Methods: A total of 30 female college dancers were randomly assigned to either the BP group (n = 15) or the PL group (n = 15). Both groups participated in a 12-week training program, with the BP group engaging in both balance and plyometric exercises, and the PL group performing only plyometric exercises. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Dynamic Posture Stability Index (DPSI). Lower extremity injury risk was evaluated using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) and Center of Pressure (COP) measurements, pre- and post-intervention. Results: The BP group showed significant improvements in dynamic balance compared to the PL group, with a reduction in DPSI values (DF-DPSI: p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.625; DL-DPSI: p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.559). Additionally, the BP group showed significant reductions in COP displacements, particularly in the anterior-posterior direction (DF-COPAP: p < 0.015, partial η2 = 0.101; DL-COPAP: p = 0.019, partial η2 = 0.094). The BP group also demonstrated greater improvements in LSI-3C and LSI-6, which reflect dynamic stability (LSI-3C: p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.229; LSI-6: p = 0.006, partial η2 = 0.128). Conclusion: The 12-week combined balance and plyometric training program was more effective than plyometric training alone in improving dynamic balance and reducing lower extremity injury risk in college dancers. This combined training approach is recommended for improving performance and preventing injuries in dancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although pristine graphene is nonphotoactive, it develops the ability to absorb UV/vis light when it incorporates different light-harvesting molecules through various chemical functionalization modes or band gap engineering methods. This has become one of the most exciting topics in graphene research over the last few years, as photoactive graphene-based materials have found numerous applications that have dramatically helped in producing green energy and preserving the green environment. This review article provides a novel perspective of the topic under discussion and includes a complete overview of the field that is taken into consideration here. Furthermore, the overall development of photoactive graphene-based materials, particularly from the point of view of modification strategies that enhance their photoactive performance, is discussed along with their photocatalytic mechanisms. Moreover, efforts made by researchers to utilize natural resources are highlighted for producing green energy, particularly in converting solar light into electrical energy, producing green hydrogen from water splitting, and transforming biomass into green fuels. Wastewater treatments using advanced graphene-based photocatalysts for dye degradation and eliminating heavy metals are also exemplified with special reference to the latest photocatalytic coupling technologies for wastewater purification. According to this perspective, the different types of photoactive graphene-based nanomaterial used as photocatalysts are discussed, which simultaneously address environmental concerns about reducing pollution levels in the atmosphere and alleviate environmental degradation of various forms. With properties like an atom-thick, two-dimensional structure, high surface area, exceptional conductivity, electron mobility, anticorrosion ability, photosensitivity, and chemical stability, graphene serves as an efficient photocatalyst. Graphene derivatives are potential nanomaterials that are currently being widely investigated for diverse applications due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical, physical, and chemical properties. Technically, the review focuses on recent developments in graphene-based photocatalysts, specifically incorporating Z-scheme and S-scheme heterostructures to enhance efficiency in artificial photosynthesis for H2 production, organic pollutant degradation, and CO2 reduction. These processes, aligned with green chemistry principles, address energy and environmental concerns associated with global warming and green energy consumption. This approach goes well with the UN directives on SDG no. 7 that are making efforts towards clean energy and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop an immersive virtual reality (VR) mirrored-hand system with real-life activities designed for the upper limb rehabilitation of people with stroke and to evaluate its clinical usability and feasibility. This VR mirrored-hand system was developed using Blender and Unity software on a MacOS Apple Silicon platform. Fifteen individuals with stroke were recruited to evaluate the system’s clinical usability and feasibility using the system usability scale (SUS), a self-designed user feedback questionnaire, and the virtual reality sickness questionnaire (VRSQ). The immersive VR mirrored-hand system, featuring 3D virtual environments simulating the real-life activities of cooking, driving, shopping, and housework, was successfully developed. Participants reported average scores of 56.67 (out of 100) on the SUS, 36.93 (out of 50) on the self-designed user feedback questionnaire, and 6.28 (out of 100) on the VRSQ. These scores suggest moderately acceptable levels of clinical usability and feasibility, with minimal incidence of motion sickness during the VR headset use. The VR mirrored-hand system, demonstrating moderately acceptable clinical usability and feasibility, shows promise for clinical application in post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation. Further research is warranted to explore its therapeutic effects on upper-limb motor function and daily activities in people with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How can human feedback be effectively integrated into generative models? This study addresses this question by proposing a method to enhance image denoising and achieve domain adaptation using human feedback. Deep generative models, while achieving remarkable performance in image denoising within training domains, often fail to generalize to unseen domains. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a novel approach that fine-tunes a denoising model using human feedback without requiring labeled target data. Our experiments demonstrate a significant improvement in denoising performance. For example, on the Fashion-MNIST test set, the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) increased by 94%, with an average improvement of 1.61 ± 2.78 dB and a maximum increase of 18.21 dB. Additionally, the proposed method effectively prevents catastrophic forgetting, as evidenced by the consistent performance on the original MNIST domain. By leveraging a reward model trained on human preferences, we show that the quality of denoised images can be significantly improved, even when applied to unseen target data. This work highlights the potential of human feedback for efficient domain adaptation in generative models, presenting a scalable and data-efficient solution for enhancing performance in diverse domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hedgehog (Hh) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways play a pivotal role in driving the initiation and progression of various cancers, including hematologic malignancies such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These pathways are often dysregulated in leukemia cells, leading to increased cell growth, survival, and drug resistance while also impairing mechanisms of cell death. In leukemia, the Hh pathway can be abnormally activated by genetic mutations. Additionally, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is frequently overactive due to genetic changes. A key aspect of these pathways is their interaction: activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway can trigger a non-canonical activation of the Hh pathway, which further promotes leukemia cell growth and survival. Targeted inhibitors of these pathways, such as Gli inhibitors and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have gained popularity as novel treatment options in the management of glaucoma and corneal endothelial disorders. Among the various ocular side effects, reticular corneal epithelial edema has been most frequently reported, mainly after treatment with netarsudil. To explain the potential mechanisms, we comparatively analyzed the effects of ripasudil and netarsudil on corneal endothelial and epithelial function in vitro. Primary human corneal endothelial and epithelial cells were incubated with netarsudil dihydrochloride and ripasudil hydrochloride dihydrate for up to 7 days. Gene and protein expression analyses were performed by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Functional assays assessed the cell migration, proliferation, viability, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, transcellular electrical resistance, and FITC–dextran permeability. Reticular bullous corneal epithelial edema was observed in a patient following netarsudil 0.02%/latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution (Roclanda®) for elevated intraocular pressure. In the subsequent laboratory analyses, both netarsudil and ripasudil were found to improve the corneal endothelial pump and barrier function, but they showed differential effects on corneal epithelial cells. Whereas ripasudil improved the epithelial barrier function by upregulating major components of the tight and adherens junctions and reducing paracellular permeability, netarsudil had no or even adverse effects on the epithelial barrier properties by downregulating the expression levels of cell-junction-associated genes. The expression changes normalized after discontinuation of ROCK inhibitors. The findings support the concept that ROCK inhibitors can act as a double-edged sword by having beneficial effects on corneal endothelial cells and adverse effects on epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The publishing industry, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, produced approximately 730 Mt CO2eq globally in 2020 during the paper production phase alone. Unlike other sectors, decarbonization in publishing requires systematic reforms across the supply chain, production efficiency, energy transitions, consumption patterns, and recycling processes, as reliance on renewable energy alone is insufficient. This study focuses on China's physical publishing industry, developing a comprehensive, high-resolution carbon emissions dataset that spans multiple publication types, stages, and processes. It reveals the emission characteristics across the life cycle, aiming to quantify the emissions accurately and address the lack of life-cycle-based research. This study explores efficient, replicable, and scalable strategies to facilitate the industry's low-carbon transformation and sustainable development. The findings are as follows. (1) Books are the primary carbon emissions source, contributing approximately 77.05% of the total emissions, while journals and newspapers account for 13.20% and 9.75%, respectively. (2) Annual carbon accounting across the life-cycle identifies paper production and printing as the most carbon-intensive stages, responsible for about 85% of the total emissions. (3) In terms of recycling efforts, carbon reductions of approximately 347,000 t CO2eq per year can be achieved through measures such as waste paper and plastic packaging recycling, second-hand publication exchanges, and energy recovery from incineration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]