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This study proposed an improved full-scale aggregated MobileUNet (FA-MobileUNet) model to achieve more complete detection results of oil spill areas using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The convolutional block attention module (CBAM) in the FA-MobileUNet was modified based on morphological concepts. By introducing the morphological attention module (MAM), the improved FA-MobileUNet model can reduce the fragments and holes in the detection results, providing complete oil spill areas which were more suitable for describing the location and scope of oil pollution incidents. In addition, to overcome the inherent category imbalance of the dataset, label smoothing was applied in model training to reduce the model's overconfidence in majority class samples while improving the model's generalization ability. The detection performance of the improved FA-MobileUNet model reached an mIoU (mean intersection over union) of 84.55%, which was 17.15% higher than that of the original U-Net model. The effectiveness of the proposed model was then verified using the oil pollution incidents that significantly impacted Taiwan's marine environment. Experimental results showed that the extent of the detected oil spill was consistent with the oil pollution area recorded in the incident reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an AI-immersing age, scholars look for new possibilities of employing AI technology to their fields, and how to strengthen security and protect privacy is no exception. In a coverless data hiding domain, the embedding capacity of an image generally depends on the size of a chosen database. Therefore, choosing a suitable database is a critical issue in coverless data hiding. A novel coverless data hiding approach is proposed by applying deep learning models to generate texture-like cover images or code images. These code images are then used to construct steganographic images to transmit covert messages. Effective mapping tables between code images in the database and hash sequences are established during the process. The cover images generated by a two-dimensional fractional Brownian motion (2D FBM) are simply called fractional Brownian images (FBIs). The only parameter, the Hurst exponent, of the 2D FBM determines the patterns of these cover images, and the seeds of a random number generator determine the various appearances of a pattern. Through the 2D FBM, we can easily generate as many FBIs of multifarious sizes, patterns, and appearances as possible whenever and wherever. In the paper, a deep learning model is treated as a secret key selecting qualified FBIs as code images to encode corresponding hash sequences. Both different seeds and different deep learning models can pick out diverse qualified FBIs. The proposed coverless data hiding scheme is effective when the amount of secret data is limited. The experimental results show that our proposed approach is more reliable, efficient, and of higher embedding capacity, compared to other coverless data hiding methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory research conducted a thematic analysis of students' experiences and utilization of AI tools by students in educational settings. We surveyed 87 undergraduates from two different educational courses at a comprehensive university in Western Canada. Nine integral themes that represent AI's role in student learning and key issues with respect to AI have been identified. The study yielded three critical insights: the potential of AI to expand educational access for a diverse student body, the necessity for robust ethical frameworks to govern AI, and the benefits of personalized AI-driven support. Based on the results, a model is proposed along with recommendations for an optimal learning environment, where AI facilitates meaningful learning. We argue that integrating AI tools into learning has the potential to promote inclusivity and accessibility by making learning more accessible to diverse students. We also advocate for a shift in perception among educational stakeholders towards AI, calling for de-stigmatization of its use in education. Overall, our findings suggest that academic institutions should establish clear, empirical guidelines defining student conduct with respect to what is considered appropriate AI use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence has garnered significant attention in recent years as a rapidly advancing field of computer technology. With the continual advancement of computer hardware, deep learning has made breakthrough developments within the realm of artificial intelligence. Over the past few years, applying deep learning architecture in medicine and industrial anomaly inspection has significantly contributed to solving numerous challenges related to efficiency and accuracy. For excellent results in radiological, pathological, endoscopic, ultrasonic, and biochemical examinations, this paper utilizes deep learning combined with image processing to identify spinal canal and vertebral foramen dimensions. In existing research, technologies such as corrosion and expansion in magnetic resonance image (MRI) processing have also strengthened the accuracy of results. Indicators such as area and Intersection over Union (IoU) are also provided for assessment. Among them, the mean Average Precision (mAP) for identifying intervertebral foramen (IVF) and intervertebral disc (IVD) through YOLOv4 is 95.6%. Resnet50 mixing U-Net was employed to identify the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen and achieved IoU scores of 79.11% and 80.89%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Mouse models of disease are commonly used to generate compelling data which are the basis for biological conviction in drug discovery. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a debilitating autoimmune disease which can often lead to kidney failure, and there are many mouse models that claim to mimic the disease, but none can completely reproduce all aspects of human SLE. To effectively utilize these models for drug development, we must understand which biological similarities they share with human SLE patients. Here, we compared a select number of lupus mouse models to see how well immune pathways in kidney samples mimic human disease in kidney samples from lupus patients. The mouse models vary in the type and intensity of immune responses that were observed. Each mouse model shares various aspects of immune response with human SLE patients and should be utilized based on drug targets and shared biological pathways. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease which can present with mixed organ involvement. Kidney involvement in lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication and major cause of mortality in SLE patients, second only to cardiovascular disease. While mouse models have helped uncover some molecular pathways involved in SLE/LN, we need a better understanding of the connection of these pathways and the immune cells involved in disease pathogenesis to develop new and effective therapies. Furthermore, models used for studying SLE/LN in mice have a heterogeneous immune response and may not always represent disease manifestations observed in patients. Identifying models that have shared pathways with human disease would allow for better translation for developing effective SLE/LN therapies. The molecular pathways of five different SLE/LN models (MRL/lpr, poly (I:C)-induced, interferon-α-induced, bm12 GvHD, and spontaneous NZB/W F1) were compared to characterize the immune response in mouse kidneys. These models demonstrated varied magnitudes in immune responses and proportions of innate vs. adaptive cell involvement. These findings were compared to human molecular pathways and cell types from public databases, including the Accelerating Medicine Partnership–Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Program (AMP-SLE), to help corelate mechanisms involved in mouse models to human disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosocial behavior is fundamental for healthcare students, shaped by their traits and the external environment. Online information seeking is the most commonly used way for healthcare students to access pandemics; however, it is unclear whether the willingness of healthcare students to help others will be affected by pandemic information via the Internet environment. The current study takes the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, investigating how 81 healthcare students with varying prosocial tendencies behaved helpfully after being exposed to pandemic-related pictures online. Study 1 measured the influence of emotional contagion (positive emotion/negative emotion) from online information on students' prosocial behavior; Study 2 examined online information's influence on prosocial behavior by controlling individuals' epistemic motivation (goal-directed task/no-goal-directed task) to gain pandemic information. The results indicated that negative pandemic information was more likely to influence students with low prosocial tendencies, which would then lead to a decrease in prosocial actions (F = 7.842, p = 0.005). Further, students with low prosocial tendencies were more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when they did not aim goal-directed attention to the pandemic-related information, compared to those with goal-directed attention (F = 9.159, p = 0.003). Participants with high prosocial tendencies did not differ much in helping others (p > 0.05). The results indicated that only healthcare students with limited prosocial tendencies were less inclined to assist others after receiving negative information about the pandemic. Thus, reducing their deliberate approach to online information related to the pandemic will increase their chances of taking prosocial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, with many cases being fully curable. However, resistance to anticancer drugs often leads to metastasis or recurrence, contributing to the failure of cancer therapy and, ultimately, patient mortality. The mechanisms underlying molecular differences in patients with metastatic or recurrent PTC, particularly those resistant to anticancer drugs through epigenetic reprogramming, remain poorly understood. Consequently, refractory PTC presents a critical challenge, and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to identify small-molecule inhibitors to enhance treatment efficacy in lenvatinib-resistant PTC. We observed an increase in sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) levels in patient-derived lenvatinib-resistant PTC cells compared with lenvatinib-sensitive ones, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. We subsequently identified two SERCA inhibitors [candidates 40 (isoflurane) and 42 (ethacrynic acid)] through in silico screening. These candidates demonstrated significant tumor shrinkage in a xenograft tumor model and reduced cell viability in patient-derived lenvatinib-resistant PTC cells when used in combination with lenvatinib. Our findings have potential clinical value for the development of new combination therapies to effectively target highly malignant, anticancer drug-resistant cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the impact of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with and without pigment epithelial detachment (PED) over a one-year period. Methods: Conducted at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan, this retrospective analysis included 88 eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence or absence of PED at baseline and 12 months post-treatment. Results: Significant reductions in central macular thickness (CMT) and PED height were observed, although no statistical difference was found in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The presence or type of PED did not negatively impact visual outcomes. Among nAMD patients with persistent PED throughout the first year of anti-VEGF treatment, linear regression analysis showed that mixed-type PED revealed poor final BCVA compared to those with serous PED. The analysis also identified older age and poorer initial BCVA as predictors of less favorable visual outcomes. Conclusions: This study highlights the effectiveness of anti-VEGF therapy in real-world settings and offers insights into factors influencing visual outcomes for nAMD patients with PED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-organizing networks of small satellites have gradually gained attention in recent years. However, self-organizing networks of small satellites have high topological change frequency, large transmission delay, and complex communication environments, which require appropriate networking and routing methods. Therefore, this paper, considering the characteristics of satellite networks, proposes the shortest queue length-cluster-based routing protocol (SQL-CBRP) and has built a satellite self-organizing network simulation platform based on OMNeT++. In this platform, functions such as the initial establishment of satellite self-organizing networks and cluster maintenance have been implemented. The platform was used to verify the latency and packet loss rate of SQL-CBRP and to compare it with Dijkstra and Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR). The results show that under high load conditions, the delay of SQL-CBRP is reduced by up to 4.1%, and the packet loss rate is reduced by up to 7.1% compared to GPSR. When the communication load is imbalanced among clusters, the delay of SQL-CBRP is reduced by up to 12.7%, and the packet loss rate is reduced by up to 16.7% compared to GPSR. Therefore, SQL-CBRP performs better in networks with high loads and imbalance loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilized electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) to investigate subsurface characteristics near Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station on the western Spitsbergen-Kaffiøyra Plain island in the Svalbard archipelago. Surveys along two lines, LN (148 m) collected in 2022 and 2023, and ST (40 m) collected in 2023, were conducted to assess resistivity and its correlation with ground temperatures. The LN line revealed a 1- to 2-m-thick resistive unsaturated outwash sediment layer, potentially indicative of permafrost. Comparing the LN resistivity result between 2022 and 2023, a 600 Ohm.m decrease in the unsaturated active layer in 2023 was observed, attributed to a 5.8 °C temperature increase, suggesting a link to global warming. ERI along the ST line depicted resistivity, reaching its minimum at approximately 1.6 m, rising to over 200 Ohm.m at 4 m, and slightly decreasing to around 150 Ohm.m at 7 m. Temperature measurements from the ST line's monitoring strongly confirmed that the active layer extends to around 1.6 m, with permafrost located at greater depths. Additionally, water content distribution in the ST line was estimated after temperature correction, revealing a groundwater depth of approximately 1.06 m, consistent with measurements from the S4 borehole on the ST line. This study provides valuable insights into Arctic subsurface dynamics, emphasizing the sensitivity of resistivity patterns to climate change and offering a comprehensive understanding of permafrost behavior in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing electrospun fibers by applying a potential difference between a polymeric solution and a contacting substrate is increasingly attracting attention in tissue engineering applications. Among the numerous polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) bioscaffold has been widely investigated due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Bioactive powder can be added to further improve its performance. In the present study, bioactive glass powder modified by adding 0–6 wt.% antibacterial zinc element (coded as ZBG) was prepared through the sol–gel process. Furthermore, PCL bioscaffolds with various ZBG additions were prepared using the electrospinning technique. The zinc-doped bioactive glass powder and electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to determine their structural properties. Additionally, in vitro bioactivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial performance were investigated. Experimental results showed that sol–gelled ZBG powder possessed superior bioactivity and 0.8 g ZBG was the optimal addition to prepare PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds with. All the electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were biocompatible and their antibacterial performance against two S. aureus strains (SA133 and Newman) improved with increasing zinc concentration. Electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds exhibited excellent bioactivity and have great potential for biomedical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This research investigates how personal and health-related factors impact the quality of life of head and neck cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy and surgery. By studying 150 patients—60 with nasopharyngeal cancer and 90 with oral cavity cancer—researchers utilized a specific survey to assess the effects of various elements, including cancer type, age, gender, relationship status, education, and employment. Findings revealed that cancer type, treatment history, and employment status significantly influenced quality of life. Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer reported better social and functional outcomes than those with oral cavity cancer. Additionally, unemployment was correlated with lower quality of life, while having a partner and undergoing certain surgeries positively impacted outcomes. These insights can aid research efforts to better support cancer survivors and customize treatment approaches for improved well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sociodemographic and clinical variables in survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy, with or without surgery. Materials and Methods: HRQoL was measured using the functional assessment of cancer therapy—head and neck (FACT-H&N) in a cross-sectional survey involving 150 patients. Of these, 60 had nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), treated exclusively with radiotherapy, while 90 had oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OSCC), undergoing radical surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Key variables included cancer type, age, gender, partnership status, education, and employment, with additional clinical variables assessed in patients with OSCC. Statistical analyses included multiple regression, ANOVA, and t-tests to explore relationships between variables and HRQoL. Results: Cancer type, surgical treatment, and employment status emerged as significant independent predictors of HRQoL in HNC patients. Patients with NPC reported better HRQoL on three FACT-H&N subscales—social/family well-being, functional well-being, and additional concerns—compared to patients with OSCC. Unemployed individuals exhibited lower HRQoL on four subscales. In patients with OSCC, partnership status and segmental mandibulectomy were found to predict HRQoL independently. Conclusions: This study concludes that cancer type, surgical intervention, and employment status notably influence HRQoL among HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy. In addition, partnership status is a key factor affecting HRQoL in patients with OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Geriatric hip fracture patients have an increased risk of malnutrition. Proper nutritional supply in the perioperative period is very important for their recovery. Oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) are recommended in geriatric hip fracture patients to improve dietary intake and prevent complications. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative ONSs after total hip arthroplasty in geriatric hip fracture patients. Methods: A retrospective study of elderly patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture was conducted. Data from patients who received ONSs postoperatively until hospital discharge (ONS group, n = 69) were compared with patients who did not receive ONSs (control group, n = 168). Laboratory test results, including serum protein and albumin levels, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of postoperative medical complications of the two groups, were analyzed. Results: Preoperative serum protein and albumin levels were significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.010, respectively). However, the degree of decline for both protein and albumin levels was significantly less in the ONS group (p < 0.001 for both). Serum albumin levels were significantly higher in the ONS group at postoperative two-week follow-up (p = 0.006). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the ONS group (p < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative delirium was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions: In geriatric hip fracture patients, postoperative ONSs can improve postoperative nutritional status, shorten the length of hospital stay, and reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oral cancer is a challenging disease to treat, and new therapies are needed to improve patient outcomes. Okanin, a natural compound derived from Bidens pilosa L., has been known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but its effects on cancer, particularly oral cancer, are less understood. In this study, we investigated the anticancer potential of okanin in human oral cancer cells. Our results showed that okanin effectively reduced the growth of oral cancer cells by inducing cell death through mechanisms involving both apoptosis and pyroptosis. Additionally, okanin inhibited tumor growth in a mouse model of oral cancer. These findings suggest that okanin may be a promising natural compound for developing new treatments for oral cancer. Background: Okanin, a flavonoid compound derived from Bidens pilosa L., has garnered attention for its anti-inflammatory properties. Although Bidens pilosa is commonly used in healthcare products and functional foods, the anticancer potential of okanin, particularly in oral cancer, remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the effects of okanin on oral cancer cell lines and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Methods: The study involved assessing the cytotoxic effects of okanin on oral cancer cell lines SAS, SCC25, HSC3, and OEC-M1. The IC50 values were determined using methylene blue assays, and the clonogenic capacity was evaluated through colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Caspase-3/7 activity assays and annexin V/7-AAD staining confirmed the induction of apoptosis and pyroptosis. In vivo efficacy was assessed using a SAS xenograft model, and immunohistochemical analysis of xenograft tissue was performed to examine pyroptosis-related markers. Results: Okanin exhibited potent cytotoxic effects with IC50 values of 12.0 ± 0.8, 58.9 ± 18.7, 18.1 ± 5.3, and 43.2 ± 6.2 μM in SAS, SCC25, HSC3, and OEC-M1 cells, respectively. It caused dose- and time-dependent reductions in cell viability and significantly impaired clonogenic capacity. Flow cytometry revealed G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased sub-G1 population, indicating cell cycle disruption and death. Okanin induced both apoptosis and pyroptosis, as confirmed by caspase-3/7 activity and annexin V/7-AAD staining. In vivo, okanin reduced tumor growth and involved pyroptosis-related markers such as CASP1, GSDMC, GSDMD, and GSDME. Conclusions: Okanin demonstrates significant anticancer potential, particularly in oral cancer, by inducing both apoptosis and pyroptosis. Its efficacy in reducing tumor growth in vivo further supports its potential as a novel therapeutic option. Further mechanistic studies are needed to elucidate the pathways involved in okanin-mediated cell death and to explore its clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reversible data-hiding in encrypted images (RDHEI) plays a pivotal role in preserving privacy within images stored on cloud platforms. Recently, Wang et al. introduced a dual-stage permutation encryption scheme, which is highly compatible with RDHEI techniques. In this study, we undertake an exhaustive examination of the characteristics inherent to the dual-stage permutation scheme and propose two cryptanalysis schemes leveraging a large-kernel convolutional neural network (LKCNN) and a known plaintext attack (KPA) scheme, respectively. Our experimental findings demonstrate the effectiveness of our cryptanalysis schemes in breaking the dual-stage permutation encryption scheme. Based on our investigation, we highlight significant security vulnerabilities in the dual-stage permutation encryption scheme, raising concerns about its suitability for secure image storage and privacy protection in cloud environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors present the design of a compact multiband monopole antenna measuring 30 × 10 × 1.6 mm3, which is aimed at optimizing performance across various communication bands, with a particular focus on Wi-Fi and sub-6G bands. These bands include the 2.4 GHz band, the 3.5 GHz band, and the 5–6 GHz band, ensuring versatility in practical applications. Another important point is that this paper demonstrates effective methods for reducing mutual coupling through two meander slits on the common ground, resembling a defected ground structure (DGS) between two antenna elements. This approach achieves mutual coupling suppression from −6.5 dB and −9 dB to −26 dB and −13 dB at 2.46 GHz and 3.47 GHz, respectively. Simulated and measured results are in good agreement, demonstrating significant improvements in isolation and overall multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system performance. This research proposes a compact multiband monopole antenna and demonstrates a method to suppress coupling in multiband antennas, making them suitable for internet of things (IoT) sensor devices and Wi-Fi infrastructure systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Imiquimod (IMQ) is clinically used in the treatment of various skin malignancies. We previously showed that IMQ-induced apoptosis and autophagic cell death in skin cancer cells are ROS-dependent. Additionally, IMQ-induced apoptosis is associated with a decrease in Mcl-1 levels. However, the exact role of Mcl-1 in IMQ-induced apoptosis, including its protective mechanisms and physiological function in cancer cells, remains unclear. This study demonstrated that the overexpression of Mcl-1 or IL-6-induced Mcl-1 upregulation reversed mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial fission, and mitophagy in IMQ-treated cancer cells and protected them from IMQ-induced apoptosis. These results provide significant insights supporting the role of Mcl-1 in mitochondria and suggest that it may be a potential target for cancer research and therapy. Mitochondria, vital organelles that generate ATP, determine cell fate. Dysfunctional and damaged mitochondria are fragmented and removed through mitophagy, a mitochondrial quality control mechanism. The FDA-approved drug IMQ, a synthetic agonist of Toll-like receptor 7, exhibits antitumor activity against various skin malignancies. We previously reported that IMQ promptly reduced the level of the antiapoptotic Mcl-1 protein and that Mcl-1 overexpression attenuated IMQ-triggered apoptosis in skin cancer cells. Furthermore, IMQ profoundly disrupted mitochondrial function, promoted mitochondrial fragmentation, induced mitophagy, and caused cell death by generating high levels of ROS. However, whether Mcl-1 protects mitochondria from IMQ treatment is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that Mcl-1 overexpression induced resistance to IMQ-induced apoptosis and reduced both IMQ-induced ROS generation and oxidative stress in cancer cells. Mcl-1 overexpression maintained mitochondrial function and integrity and prevented mitophagy in IMQ-treated cancer cells. Furthermore, IL-6 protected against IMQ-induced apoptosis by increasing Mcl-1 expression and attenuating IMQ-induced mitochondrial fragmentation. Mcl-1 overexpression ameliorates IMQ-induced ROS generation and mitochondrial fragmentation, thereby increasing mitochondrial stability and ultimately attenuating IMQ-induced cell death. Investigating the roles of Mcl-1 in mitochondria is a potential strategy for cancer therapy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al-Mg alloys are widely used as important engineering structural materials in aerospace engineering, transportation systems, and structural constructions due to their low density, high specific strength, corrosion resistance, welding capability, fatigue strength, and cost-effectiveness. However, the conventional Al-Mg alloys can no longer fully satisfy the demands of practical production due to difficulties caused by many defects. The high strength of Al-Mg alloys as non-heat treatment precipitation-strengthened alloys is achieved primarily by solid solution strengthening along with work hardening rather than precipitation strengthening. Therefore, severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques can be often used to produce ultrafine-grained structures to fabricate ultra-high strength aluminum alloys. However, this approach often achieves the strengthening of material at the cost of reduced ductility. This paper comprehensively summarizes the various approaches of ultrafine/nanocrystalline materials for enhancing their plasticity, elaborates on the creation of a bimodal microstructure within the alloy, and discusses the formation of a nanotwin microstructure within the alloy and the incorporation of dispersed nanoparticles. The mechanisms underlying both the strengthening and toughening during large plastic deformation in aluminum alloys are summarized, and the future research direction of high-performance ultrafine crystalline and nanocrystalline Al-Mg aluminum alloys is prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoncides and aromatherapy scents mainly derive from plant secondary metabolites and are now well known for their health benefits. In this study, we analyzed the chemical composition of the leaf-derived essential oil of Liquidambar formosana (Altingiaceae) using GC-MS; we also investigated the VOCs released from L. formosana leaves and the leaf essential oil at different temperatures by means of headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). Regarding the VOCs of the leaves, monoterpenes predominated the VOCs at both temperatures, mainly comprising sabinene, followed by γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, and α-pinene. The intensity of the leaf VOCs at 50 °C was nearly three times higher than that at 25 °C; the emission of monoterpenes significantly increases at higher environmental temperatures. The VOC emissions of oxygenated monoterpenes from the leaf essential oil increased at higher temperatures (50 °C), especially those of terpinen-4-ol. Our results reveal that HS-GC-MS can be used to conveniently and directly analyze the VOCs emitted from L. formosana leaves and their essential oils and to evaluate the influence of temperature on the composition of the VOCs of specimens. These VOC studies will assist in the sustainable development and utilization of L. formosana trees for forest therapy, as well as the use of their leaf essential oil for aromatherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol homeostasis is pivotal for cellular function. Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1), also abbreviated as SOAT1, is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the storage of excess cholesterol to cholesteryl esters. ACAT1 is an emerging target to treat diverse diseases including atherosclerosis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. F12511 is a high-affinity ACAT1 inhibitor. Previously, we developed a stealth liposome-based nanoparticle to encapsulate F12511 to enhance its delivery to the brain and showed its efficacy in treating a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we introduce F26, a close derivative of F12511 metabolite in rats. F26 was encapsulated in the same DSPE-PEG2000/phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposome-based nanoparticle system. We employed various in vitro and in vivo methodologies to assess F26's efficacy and toxicity compared to F12511. The results demonstrate that F26 is more effective and durable than F12511 in inhibiting ACAT1, in both mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), and in multiple mouse tissues including the brain tissues, without exhibiting any overt systemic or neurotoxic effects. This study demonstrates the superior pharmacokinetic and safety profile of F26 in wild-type mice, and suggests its therapeutic potential against various neurodegenerative diseases including AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate forecasting of inbound visitor numbers is crucial for effective planning and resource allocation in the tourism industry. Preceding forecasting algorithms primarily focused on time series analysis, often overlooking influential factors such as economic conditions. Regression models, on the other hand, face challenges when dealing with high-dimensional data. Previous autoencoders for feature selection do not simultaneously incorporate feature and target information simultaneously, potentially limiting their effectiveness in improving predictive performance. This study presents a novel approach that combines a target-concatenated autoencoder (TCA) with ensemble learning to enhance the accuracy of tourism demand predictions. The TCA method integrates the prediction target into the training process, ensuring that the learned feature representations are optimized for specific forecasting tasks. Extensive experiments conducted on the Taiwan and Hawaii datasets demonstrate that the proposed TCA method significantly outperforms traditional feature selection techniques and other advanced algorithms in terms of the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). The results show that TCA combined with XGBoost achieves MAPE values of 3.3947% and 4.0059% for the Taiwan and Hawaii datasets, respectively, indicating substantial improvements over existing methods. Additionally, the proposed approach yields better R2 and MAE metrics than existing methods, further demonstrating its effectiveness. This study highlights the potential of TCA in providing reliable and accurate forecasts, thereby supporting strategic planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth in the tourism sector. Future research is advised to explore real-time data integration, expanded feature sets, and hybrid modeling approaches to further enhance the capabilities of the proposed framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data hiding in digital images is an important cover communication technique. This paper studies the lossless data hiding in an image compression domain. We present a novel lossless data hiding scheme in vector quantization (VQ) compressed images using adaptive prediction difference coding. A modified adaptive index rearrangement (AIR) is presented to rearrange a codebook, and thus to enhance the correlation of the adjacent indices in the index tables of cover images. Then, a predictor based on the improved median edge detection is used to predict the indices by retaining the first index. The prediction differences are calculated using the exclusive OR (XOR) operation, and the vacancy capacity of each prediction difference type is evaluated. An adaptive prediction difference coding method based on the vacancy capacities of the prediction difference types is presented to encode the prediction difference table. Therefore, the original index table is compressed, and the secret data are embedded into the vacated room. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can reduce the pure compression rate compared with the related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypersensitivity to the new dermal injectable porcine-based collagen with lidocaine featuring a novel cross-linking technology (test filler) for nasolabial fold correction was compared to the commercially available traditional cross-linked dermal injectable porcine-based collagen with lidocaine (control filler). Methods: Recruited participants (n = 279) received a single 0.1 mL intradermal injection of either test filler or control filler in the left forearm as a screening skin allergy test. Injection sites were assessed clinically at 24 h post-implant. Treatment was given to 252 successfully screened participants, and injection sites were monitored for 21 days. Immunological examinations were performed at screening and then at 4 and 24 weeks post-treatment. Observations for adverse events continued until the 52nd week. Results: Intradermal allergy testing results were negative for all the test recipients (0/124) and positive for two control recipients (2/132, 1.5%). Most of the participants exhibited no changes in serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM) and complement (C3, C4) levels. No serious adverse events related to the device were recorded. Most adverse events were common complications of dermal filler treatment and were related to the injection site. Most adverse effects were resolved or under control by 52 weeks. Conclusions: Hypersensitivity reactions with the test filler were lower than those with the control filler, validating the safe use of test filler for nasolabial fold correction without the need for pretreatment skin testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented shift towards online learning, compelling university students worldwide to engage in self-directed learning within remote environments. Despite the increasing importance of online education, the factors driving students' motivation for self-directed online learning, particularly those involving economic incentives, have not been thoroughly explored. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing large-scale data collected from 19,023 university students across China during the pandemic. Using mixed Bayesian networks and multigroup structural equation modeling, the study explores the complex relationships between personal characteristics, academic characteristics, the academic environment, and students' motivation for self-directed online learning. The results reveal significant associations between online self-directed learning motivation and personal characteristics. such as gender and age, academic characteristics, such as education level and learning incentives, and the geographic location of the school within the academic environment. Moreover, the causal relationship between school location and online self-directed learning motivation varies by gender and educational level. This research not only provides new empirical support for the theoretical framework of online learning motivation but also contributes to the broader fields of educational psychology and online learning research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embodied design is a theory-to-practice and pedagogical framework and emphasizes the role of embodied and situated activity. Since embodiment has a powerful impact on young children's learning, implementing embodied deign in kindergartens is essential and beneficial to their future mathematical learning and performance. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to develop a professional learning community composed of eight kindergarten teachers and university teacher educators (researchers) and to co-construct a professional development model for curriculum design and instructional implementation of embodied design in mathematics. Accordingly, the main research objectives were to obtain a sustainable professional development model and summarize principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and strategies for embodied instructional activities, which can be used both in practical settings (i.e., kindergarten and preschool) and early childhood teacher education programs in higher education. Data were gathered through participative observations, including PD meetings and classroom observations, in-depth and follow-up interviews, teachers' lesson design and reflection notes, and children's learning profiles, and then were analyzed qualitatively using a descriptive and explanatory approach with replication logic. Based on the data collection and analysis, two major sections of the findings and discussion were included in this report, which were as follows: first, a sustainable "task design professional development model" was generated for collaboratively future improvements of both in-service and pre-service teacher training programs in higher education; second, two principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and two effective embodied teaching strategies were proposed to promote kindergarten teachers' professional knowledge and capabilities and their young children's mathematics learning capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone regrowth commonly occurs following lumbar decompression surgery. Although it is rare for neurological symptoms to occur due to bone regrowth, this study describes two patients who underwent both decompression and fusion surgeries but experienced spinal canal restenosisthat was severe enough to induce neurological symptoms. A 32-year-old man underwent posterior decompression and posterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar canal stenosis at the L4/L5 level 5 years prior. However, the sudden onset of lower back pain occurred 5 years later. Bone overgrowth on the left side was observed at the L4/L5 level. A second surgery was performed, and the patient's symptoms improved significantly. In the second case, a 56-year-old man underwent posterior decompression and posterior lumbar fusion at the L3/L4 and L4/L5 levels for an L4 burst fracture. One month later, he complained of lower back pain and underwent a second posterior decompression surgery. One year later, he presented to an outpatient clinic with lower back pain and neurological symptoms. Bone overgrowth was observed on both sides at the L4/L5 level. Thus, screw removal and laminectomy at the L3, L4, and L5 levels were performed as a third surgery. This study discusses the factors affecting bone regrowth and the methods that can be used to prevent it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The aging process has always been associated with a higher susceptibility to chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Several studies have demonstrated the gut microbiome's influence on the lungs through cross-talk or the gut–lungs axis maintaining nutrient-rich microenvironments. Taiwan djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that could modulate the gut microbiome. This could induce the gut–lung axis through microbial cross-talk, thus favoring the modulation of lung inflammation. Materials and Methods: Here, we investigate the immune mRNA expression in the spleen, fecal microbiome composition, and hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium in aged 2-year-old BALB/c mice after 60 days of supplementation of djulis. Results: The pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β, T; cells CD4 and CD8; and TLRs TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 were reduced in their mRNA expression levels, while the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 were highly expressed in the C. formosanum-treated group. Interestingly, the fecal microbiome composition analysis indicated higher diversity in the C. formosanum-treated group and the presence of butyrate-producing bacteria that are beneficial in the gut microbiome. The histopathology showed reduced hyperplasia of the bronchial epithelium based on the degree of lesions. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Taiwan djulis can modulate the gut microbiome, leading to microbial cross-talk; reducing the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, T cells, and TLRs; and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the spleen, as cytokines migrate in the lungs, preventing lung inflammation damage in aged mice or the gut–lung axis. Thus, Taiwan djulis could be considered a beneficial dietary component for the older adult population. The major limitation includes a lack of protein validation of cytokines and TLRs and quantification of the T cell population in the spleen as a marker of the gut–lung axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3 has received increasing interest for its potential in various applications relating to solar-blind photodetectors. However, attaining a balanced performance with Ga2O3-based photodetectors presents a challenge due to the intrinsic conductive mechanism of Ga2O3 films. In this work, we fabricated amorphous Ga2O3 (a-Ga2O3) metal–semiconductor–metal photodetectors through capacitive coupled plasma assisted magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Substantial enhancement in the responsivity is attained by regulating the capacitance-coupled plasma power during the deposition of a-Ga2O3. The proposed plasma energy generated by capacitive coupled plasma (CCP) effectively improved the disorder of amorphous Ga2O3 films. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and current-voltage tests demonstrate that the additional plasma introduced during the sputtering effectively adjust the concentration of oxygen vacancy effectively, exhibiting a trade-off effect on the performance of a-Ga2O3 photodetectors. The best overall performance of a-Ga2O3 photodetectors exhibits a high responsivity of 30.59 A/W, a low dark current of 4.18 × 10−11, and a decay time of 0.12 s. Our results demonstrate that the introduction of capacitive coupled plasma during deposition could be a potential approach for modifying the performance of photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The out-of-control action plan (OCAP) is crucial in the wafer probing process of semiconductor manufacturing as it systematically addresses and corrects deviations, ensuring the high quality and reliability of semiconductor devices. However, the traditional OCAP involves many redundant and complicated processes after failures occur on production lines, which can delay production and escalate costs. To overcome the traditional OCAP's limitations, this paper proposes a novel OCAP aimed at enhancing the wafer probing process in semiconductor manufacturing. The proposed OCAP integrates proactive measures such as preventive maintenance and advanced monitoring technologies, which are tested and verified through a comprehensive experimental setup. Implementing the novel OCAP in a case company's production line reduced machine downtime by over 24 h per week and increased wafer production by about 23 wafers per week. Additionally, probe test yield improved by an average of 1.1%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method. This paper not only explores the implementation of the novel OCAP but also compares it with the traditional OCAP, highlighting significant improvements in efficiency and production output. The results underscore the potential of advanced OCAP to enhance manufacturing processes by reducing dependency on human judgment, thus lowering the likelihood of errors and improving overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uremic toxins cause bone disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These disorders are characterized by low turnover osteodystrophy and impaired bone formation in the early stages of CKD. Evidence indicates that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates signals that suppress early osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, whether the AhR mediates the effects of indoxyl sulfate (IS), a uremic toxin, on BMSC osteogenesis remains unclear. We investigated whether IS affects osteogenesis through the AhR/Hes1 pathway. Expression levels of osteogenesis genes (Runx2, Bmp2, Alp, and Oc), AhR, and Hes1 were measured in mouse BMSCs (D1 cells). At concentrations of 2–50 μM, IS significantly reduced mineralization, particularly in the early stages of BMSC osteogenesis. Furthermore, IS significantly downregulated the expression of Runx2, Bmp2, Oc, and Alp. Notably, this downregulation could be prevented using an AhR antagonist and through Ahr knockdown. Mechanistically, IS induced the expression of Hes1 through AhR signaling, thereby suppressing the transcription of Runx2 and Bmp2. Our findings suggest that IS inhibits early osteogenesis of BMSCs through the AhR/Hes1 pathway, thus suppressing the transcription of Runx2 and Bmp2. Our findings may guide new therapeutic strategies against CKD-related bone disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ovarian cancer is a prevalent gynecological cancer and a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Ovarian cancer is related to several oxidative stress-related diseases. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a neurodegenerative disease that is associated with elevated oxidative stress, while the relationship between OAG and ovarian cancer is vague. Consequently, we aim to survey the interrelationship between ovarian cancer and OAG. In this retrospective cohort study, people with ovarian cancer were recruited and age-matched with a 1:4 ratio of non-ovarian to cancer. The multivariable analysis exhibited a higher incidence of OAG in the ovarian cancer group than the non-ovarian cancer patients, which was more prominent in those older than 60 years and with ovarian cancer for longer than two years. Thus, the presence of ovarian cancer is associated with a higher possibility of later OAG. Routine glaucoma exams could be recommended for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer for longer than 2 years or who are older than 60. We aim to explore the possible association between ovarian cancer and the subsequent development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) 2000. A retrospective cohort study was executed, and individuals with ovarian cancer were enrolled and age-matched (with a 1:4 ratio) to non-ovarian cancer individuals. A total of 4990 and 19,960 patients were put into the ovarian cancer and control groups. The main outcome was the presence of OAG according to the LHID 2000 codes. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to demonstrate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of OAG between the ovarian cancer and control groups. There were a total of 241 and 1029 OAG cases observed in the ovarian cancer group and the control group, respectively. The incidence of OAG was significantly higher in the ovarian cancer group than in the control group according to multivariable analysis (aHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02–1.37, p = 0.022). The ovarian cancer patients older than 60 years showed a significantly higher risk of OAG compared to the non-ovarian cancer individuals of the same age (aHR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.16–1.63, p = 0.001). Additionally, ovarian cancer individuals with a disease interval of more than two years presented a significantly higher incidence of OAG than the non-ovarian cancer group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ovarian cancer positively correlates with a high rate of subsequent OAG, especially in elderly persons with a long disease interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface subsidence hazards in mining areas are common geological disasters involving issues such as vegetation degradation and ground collapse during the mining process, which also raise safety concerns. To address the accuracy issues of traditional prediction models and study methods for predicting subsidence in open-pit mining areas, this study first employed 91 scenes of Sentinel-1A ascending and descending orbits images to monitor long-term deformations of a phosphate mine in Anning City, Yunnan Province, southwestern China. It obtained annual average subsidence rates and cumulative surface deformation values for the study area. Subsequently, a two-dimensional deformation decomposition was conducted using a time-series registration interpolation method to determine the distribution of vertical and east–west deformations. Finally, three prediction models were employed: Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), BPNN optimized by Genetic Algorithm (GA-BP), and BPNN optimized by Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (ABC-BP). These models were used to forecast six selected time series points. The results indicate that the BPNN model had Mean Absolute Errors (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Errors (RMSE) within 7.6 mm, while the GA-BP model errors were within 3.5 mm, and the ABC-BP model errors were within 3.7 mm. Both optimized models demonstrated significantly improved accuracy and good predictive capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is a hereditary retinal degeneration affecting young males caused by mutations in the retinoschisin (RS1) gene. We generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from XLRS patients and established three-dimensional retinal organoids (ROs) for disease investigation. This disease model recapitulates the characteristics of XLRS, exhibiting defects in RS1 protein production and photoreceptor cell development. XLRS ROs also revealed dysregulation of Na/K-ATPase due to RS1 deficiency and increased ERK signaling pathway activity. Transcriptomic analyses of XLRS ROs showed decreased expression of retinal cells, particularly photoreceptor cells. Furthermore, relevant recovery of the XLRS phenotype was observed when co-cultured with control ROs derived from healthy subject during the early stages of differentiation. In conclusion, our in vitro XLRS RO model presents a valuable tool for elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying XLRS, offering insights into disease progression. Additionally, this model serves as a robust platform for the development and optimization of targeted therapeutic strategies, potentially improving treatment outcomes for patients with XLRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, a new type of lighting source, deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode (LED), has appeared in the markets of space purification and surface sterilization. In this paper, a new type of electronic lighting driver for supplying a deep-ultraviolet LED sterilization lamp is proposed and developed. The main circuit combines a buck converter and a flyback converter into a single-stage single-switch buck-flyback AC-DC power converter with power factor correction. In addition, the proposed electronic lighting driver leverages a wide bandgap SiC Schottky diode as the output diode to lower the power diode losses and recycles the energy stored in the leakage inductance of the transformer in order to improve the circuit efficiency. The magnetizing inductor inside the presented AC-DC power converter is designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), which naturally enables power factor correction (PFC). A single-stage prototype driver with a power rating of 3.6 W (90 V/40 mA) was developed and implemented for providing a deep ultraviolet LED disinfection and sterilization lamp. Experimental results show that the measured power factor (PF) is greater than 0.9 and the measured total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current is less than 18% at an input utility voltage of 110 V. Furthermore, the measured output voltage ripple factor is less than 1% and the output current ripple factor is less than 4%. In addition, the proposed single-stage electronic lighting driver for supplying a deep ultraviolet LED disinfection and sterilization lamp achieves high circuit efficiency (greater than 90%), low circuit component count, and low circuit cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ac/dc LED driver with power factor correction and soft-switching functions is proposed. The circuit topology mainly consists of two modified single-ended primary inductance converters (SEPIC) with interleaved operation. The first half stage of SEPIC operates like a boost converter and the second half stage operates like a buck–boost converter. Each boost converter is designed to operate in discontinuous current mode (DCM) to function as a power factor corrector (PFC). The two buck–boost converters that share a commonly coupled inductor are designed to operate at near boundary conduction mode (BCM). Without using any active clamping circuit, auxiliary switch or snubber circuit, the active switches can achieve zero-voltage switching on, and all diodes achieve zero-current switching off. First, operation modes in steady state are analyzed, and the mathematical equations for design component parameters are derived. Finally, a prototype circuit of 180 W rated power was built and tested. Experimental results show satisfactory performance of the proposed circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No consensus has been reached regarding the efficacy of indirect decompression through oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) in severe lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This study investigated the impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based grading of central and foraminal stenosis on OLIF outcomes in LSS patients and identified risk factors for postoperative clinical dissatisfaction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed LSS patients who underwent OLIF with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Clinical scores obtained preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively were analyzed using the substantial clinical benefit (SCB) framework. The severity of central and foraminal stenosis in the initial MRI was assessed through qualitative grading systems. Results: Among the 145 patients, with a mean follow-up of 33.7 months, those with severe central stenosis showed a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving SCB in the visual analog scale for leg pain (94.5% versus 83.1%; p = 0.044) at one year postoperatively than those without. However, those with severe foraminal stenosis showed significantly higher Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (p = 0.024), and lower walking ability scores in the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) (p = 0.004) at one year postoperatively than those without. The presence of a foraminal osteophyte of the superior articular process (SAP) was a significant risk factor responsible for not achieving SCB in ODI and walking ability in JOABPEQ at one year postoperatively (odds ratio: 0.20 and 0.22, respectively). Conclusions: After OLIF, patients with severe central stenosis showed clinical outcomes comparable to those without. The improvement in ODI and walking ability in JOABPEQ was limited in patients with severe foraminal stenosis. Surgeons should consider direct decompression in cases with the presence of foraminal osteophytes of SAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by high mortality and morbidity rates. Vav guanine nucleotide exchange factors (VAVs), crucial for signal transduction between cell membrane receptors and intracellular mediators, have been implicated in carcinogenesis. However, their potential prognostic value in RCC remains unclear. The impact of 150 common VAV polymorphisms on RCC risk and survival was investigated in a cohort of 630 individuals. Publicly available gene expression datasets were utilized to analyze VAV gene expression in relation to patient outcomes. The VAV3 rs17019888 polymorphism was significantly associated with RCC risk and overall survival after adjusting for false discovery rates. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis revealed that the risk allele of rs17019888 is linked to reduced VAV3 expression. Analysis of 19 kidney cancer gene expression datasets revealed lower VAV3 expression in RCC tissues compared to normal tissues, with higher expression correlating with better prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that VAV3 negatively regulates the ubiquitin–proteasome system, extracellular matrix and membrane receptors, inflammatory responses, matrix metalloproteinases, and cell cycle pathways. Furthermore, elevated VAV3 expression was associated with increased infiltration of B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils into the RCC tumor microenvironment. Our findings suggest that VAV3 gene variants influence RCC risk and survival, contributing to a favorable prognosis in RCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we move into the digital era, the pace of technological advancement is accelerating rapidly. Network traffic often becomes congested during the transmission of large data volumes. To mitigate this, data compression plays a crucial role in minimizing transmitted data. Vector quantization (VQ) stands out as a potent compression technique where each image block is encoded independently as an index linked to a codebook, effectively reducing the bit rate. In this paper, we introduce a novel scheme for recompressing VQ indices, enabling lossless restoration of the original indices during decoding without compromising visual quality. Our method not only considers pixel correlations within each image block but also leverages correlations between neighboring blocks, further optimizing the bit rate. The experimental results demonstrated the superior performance of our approach over existing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Genomic studies have identified several SNP loci associated with schizophrenia in East Asian populations. Environmental factors, particularly urbanization, play a significant role in schizophrenia development. This study aimed to identify schizophrenia susceptibility loci and characterize their biological functions and molecular pathways in Taiwanese urban Han individuals. Materials and Methods: Participants with schizophrenia were recruited from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative at Tri-Service General Hospital. Genotype–phenotype association analysis was performed, with significant variants annotated and analyzed for functional relevance. Results: A total of 137 schizophrenia patients and 26,129 controls were enrolled. Ten significant variants (p < 1 × 10−5) and 15 expressed genes were identified, including rs1010840 (SOWAHC and RGPD6), rs11083963 (TRPM4), rs11619878 (LINC00355 and LINC01052), rs117010638 (AGBL1 and MIR548AP), rs1170702 (LINC01680 and LINC01720), rs12028521 (KAZN and PRDM2), rs12859097 (DMD), rs1556812 (ATP11A), rs78144262 (LINC00977), and rs9997349 (ENPEP). These variants and associated genes are involved in immune response, blood pressure regulation, muscle function, and the cytoskeleton. Conclusions: Identified variants and associated genes suggest a potential genetic predisposition to schizophrenia in the Taiwanese urban Han population, highlighting the importance of potential comorbidities, considering population-specific genetic and environmental interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic flower (AMf) exhibits both nutritional value and bioactivities such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of this investigation was to examine the potential impact of three different solvent extracts of AMf: supercritical CO2 extraction extract, water extract, and ethanol extract (AME), on management of diabetes. All three extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase (IC50 = 157–261 μg/mL) and lipase (IC50 = 401–577 μg/mL) activities while enhancing the α-amylase activity (32.4–41.8 folds at 200 μg/mL). Moreover, all three extracts exhibited notable inhibition of the formation of advanced glycation end-products, including the Amadori products (inhibition rates = 15.7–36.6%) and the dicarbonyl compounds (inhibition rates = 18.6–28.3%). Among the three extracts, AME exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effect. AME displayed substantial in vitro and intracellular antioxidative activity, and effectively reduced ROS production (135% at 500 μg/mL) in β-cells under hyperglycemic (HG) conditions. AME also enhanced the activity and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, which were markedly decreased in the HG-induced β-cells. Furthermore, AME protected β-cell viability and maintained normal insulin secretion under HG conditions, likely due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress within β-cells. This study demonstrated the potential of AME in preventing and managing diabetes and its associated complications. Further in vivo research is necessary to thoroughly elucidate the preventive effects and their underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, iron–sillenite (Bi25FeO40) was synthesized using a simple solid-state reaction method and characterized. The effects of the synthesis conditions on the phase purity of Bi2O3/Fe3O4, morphological features, and possible application as an XRD/MRI dual-contrast agent were investigated. For the synthesis, the stoichiometric amounts of Bi2O3 and Fe3O4 were mixed and subsequently milled in a planetary ball mill for 10 min with a speed of 300 rpm. The milled mixture was calcined at various temperatures (550 ° C, 700 ° C, 750 ° C, 800 ° C, and 850 ° C) for 1 h in air at a heating rate of 5 °C/min. For phase identification, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed and infrared (FTIR) spectra were recorded. The surface morphology of synthesized samples was studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). For the radiopacity measurements, iron–sillenite specimens were synthesized at different temperatures and mixed with different amounts of BaSO4 and Laponite solution. It was demonstrated that iron–sillenite Bi25FeO40 possessed sufficient radiopacity and could be a potential candidate to meet the requirements of its application as an XRD/MRI dual-contrast agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]