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Abstract Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a key technology for investigating cell development and analysing cell diversity across various diseases. However, the high dimensionality and extreme sparsity of scRNA-seq data pose great challenges for accurate cell type annotation. To address this, we developed a new cell-type annotation model called scGAA (general gated axial-attention model for accurate cell-type annotation of scRNA-seq). Based on the transformer framework, the model decomposes the traditional self-attention mechanism into horizontal and vertical attention, considerably improving computational efficiency. This axial attention mechanism can process high-dimensional data more efficiently while maintaining reasonable model complexity. Additionally, the gated unit was integrated into the model to enhance the capture of relationships between genes, which is crucial for achieving an accurate cell type annotation. The results revealed that our improved transformer model is a promising tool for practical applications. This theoretical innovation increased the model performance and provided new insights into analytical tools for scRNA-seq data.

Abstract Objective This systematic review aimed to analyse the effect of early weight bearing versus late weight bearing on rehabilitation outcomes after ankle fractures, which primarily include ankle function scores, time to return to work/daily life and complication rates. Methods The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The focus was on identifying randomised controlled trials centred on early weight‐bearing interventions for post‐operative ankle fracture rehabilitation. All databases were searched for eligible studies published within the period from database inception to 20 June 2023. The eligible studies were screened according to the inclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using the methodology recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for the Systematic Evaluation of Interventions. Two authors independently performed the literature search and data extraction. Eligible studies were subjected to meta‐analyses using Review Manager 5.3. Based on the time points at which post‐operative ankle function was reported in the studies included in this paper, we decided to perform a meta‐analysis of ankle function scores at 6 weeks post‐operatively, 12 weeks post‐operatively, 24–26 weeks post‐operatively and 1 year post‐operatively. Results A total of 11 papers, comprising 862 patients, were included. Meta‐analysis indicated that patients receiving early weight‐bearing interventions, which referred to weight‐bearing for 6 weeks post‐operatively, experienced enhancements in ankle function scores (Olerud–Molander score, AOFAS score or Baird–Jackson score) at various post‐operative milestones: 6 weeks (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49–0.88 and p 0.05). Conclusion The results showed that early weight bearing is effective in improving ankle function among post‐operative ankle fracture patients and allows patients to return to daily life earlier. Significantly, the safety profile of early weight bearing remains favourable, with no higher risk of complications than late weight bearing.

During the process of terahertz (THz) wave generation via femtosecond laser filamentation in air, as well as through the mixing of THz waves with externally injected plasma filaments, THz waves engage in interactions with the plasma. A characteristic feature of this interaction is the modulation of the THz radiation spectrum by the plasma, which includes the generation of THz spectral dips. This information is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms of THz–plasma interactions or for inferring plasma parameters. However, a current debate exists on the number of THz spectral dips observed after the interaction, with different opinions of single versus multiple dips, thus leaving the interaction mechanisms still ambiguous. In this work, we retrospectively analyzed the experimental appearance of multiple dips in the THz spectrum and found that the current observations of such dips are predominantly a result of the water vapor absorption with a low spectral resolution. Additionally, we observed that altering the acquisition width of the temporal THz signal also influenced the dips’ number. Hence, in future research, simultaneous attention should be paid to the following two aspects of THz–plasma interactions: (1) It is necessary to ensure a sufficiently wide time-domain window to accurately represent the spectral dip characteristics. (2) The spectral dips should be carefully distinguished from the water absorption lines before being further studied. On the other hand, for the case of a single dip in the THz spectrum, we also put forward a new viewpoint of the resonance between surface plasmon waves and THz waves, which should also be taken into consideration in future studies.

This study investigated the effects of plyometric training on lower‐limb muscle strength and knee biomechanical characteristics during the landing phase. Twenty‐four male subjects were recruited for this study with a randomised controlled design. They were randomly divided into a plyometric training group and a traditional training group and underwent training for 16 weeks. Each subject was evaluated every 8 weeks for knee and hip isokinetic muscle strength as well as knee kinematics and kinetics during landing. The results indicated significant group and time interaction effects for knee extension strength (F = 74.942 and p = 0.001), hip extension strength (F = 99.763 and p = 0.000) and hip flexion strength (F = 182.922 and p = 0.000). For landing kinematics, there were significant group main effects for knee flexion angle range (F = 4.429 and p = 0.047), significant time main effects for valgus angle (F = 6.502 and p = 0.011) and significant group and time interaction effects for internal rotation angle range (F = 5.475 and p = 0.008). The group main effect for maximum knee flexion angle was significant (F = 7.534 and p = 0.012), and the group and time interaction effect for maximum internal rotation angle was significant (F = 15.737 and p = 0.001). For landing kinetics, the group main effect of the loading rate was significant (F = 4.576 and p = 0.044). Significant group and time interaction effects were observed for knee extension moment at the moment of maximum vertical ground reaction force (F = 5.095 and p = 0.010) and for abduction moment (F = 8.250 and p = 0.001). These findings suggest that plyometric training leads to greater improvements in hip and knee muscle strength and beneficial changes in knee biomechanics during landing compared to traditional training. Highlights: Plyometric training changes landing biomechanics.Changes help to reduce the risk of ACL injury.Changes from long‐term training are more noticeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is easily affected by decay fungi, mildew fungi, insects, water, UV, and other factors when used outdoors. In particular, mildew on the surface of wood negatively affects the appearance and practical use of wood or wood-based engineered products. In recent years, as a class of popular crystalline materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely applied in electrochemistry, adsorption, anti-mildew efforts, and other areas. In this study, we first grew a Co-based metal–organic framework (Co-MOF) in situ on a wood surface and subsequently converted the Co-MOF in situ into a cobalt–nickel double hydroxide layer, which formed micro- and nanohierarchical composite structures on the wood surface. The low surface energy of the CoNi-DH@wood was further modified via impregnation with sodium laurate to obtain the superhydrophobic wood (CoNi-DH-La@wood). We characterized the microstructure, chemical composition, water contact angle, and anti-mold properties of the CoNi-DH-La@wood using SEM, XRD, XPS, water contact angle tests, and anti-fungal tests. The SEM, XRD, and XPS results confirmed that the metal–organic framework was coated on the wood surface, with the long-chain sodium laurate grafted onto it. The CoNi-DH-La@wood had a water contact angle of 151°, demonstrating excellent self-cleaning ability. In addition, the fabricated superhydrophobic balsa wood exhibited excellent chemical and environment stability. Lastly, the CoNi-DH-La@wood exhibited excellent anti-mildew properties in a 30-day anti-mildew test because the superhydrophobic coating was successfully coated on the wood surface. In summary, this work presents an attractive strategy for obtaining wood with superhydrophobic properties at room temperature, thereby endowing the wood or wood-based engineered products with excellent anti-mildew properties.