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The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like-receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a cytosolic multi-subunit protein complex, and recent studies have demonstrated the vital role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathological and physiological conditions, which cleaves gasdermin D to induce inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis and mediates the release of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-18 in response to microbial infection or cellular injury. Over-activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with the pathogenesis of many disorders affecting bone and joints, including gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and periodontitis. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been discovered to facilitate the inhibition of NLRP3 and maybe ideal for treating bone and joint diseases. In this review, we implicate the structure and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome along with the detail on the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in bone and joint diseases pathology. In addition, we focused on MSCs and MSC-extracellular vesicles targeting NLRP3 inflammasomes in bone and joint diseases. Finally, the existing problems and future direction are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the CRITIC method, comprehensive index evaluation method, VAR model, coupling coordination model and other methods, this paper evaluates the comprehensive development of the population economy and eco-geological environment composite system in the twin-city economic circle of Chengdu–Chongqing region from 2000 to 2020, verifies the dynamic coupling relationship between subsystems and measures the coupling coordination degree of complex system. Meanwhile, the differences in the development process of each subsystem are discussed and the spatial–temporal evolution characteristics and laws of coupling coordination of the composite system during the research period are analyzed. The results reveal the following: (1) There is a long-term coordinated relationship between population, economy and eco-geological environment in Chengdu–Chongqing region, which have the conditions for emergence and generation. (2) The subsystems of population, economy and eco-geological environment in Chengdu–Chongqing region show an overall upward trend, among which the Sichuan part obviously outperforms the Chongqing part. Besides, the growth rate of the economy subsystem is significantly higher than that of the population, eco-geological environment subsystem. (3) The coupling coordinated development of the composite system has shown a benign upward development trend, gradually changing from "composite spiral structure" to "two cores outstanding, peripheral collapse, the west superior to the east", while the main coordination state has developed from "Basic synergy—Economic lag" in 2000 to "Basic synergy—Population lag" in 2022. In addition, Cheng-De-Mian and Yuzhong districts with the better level of economic development have shown "Advanced synergy—Ecological lag". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high porosity and strong water absorption of coral sand (CS) lead to the decline of the corrosion resistance of CS cement mortar. In this study, an environmentally friendly method of preparing hydrophobic concrete with water-repellent and anti-corrosion properties using CS is proposed. CS was modified by stearic acid to reduce the excessive water absorption caused by its high porosity. The prepared modified CS (M-CS) was used to partially replace the sand in the cement mortar to fabricate hydrophobic cement mortar, the water contact angle of which was found to be 115.9°. The cumulative water absorption, compressive strength, and anti-corrosion properties of hydrophobic cement mortar were explored. The cumulative water absorption of the hydrophobic mortar was found to be 49.75% lower than that of ordinary cement mortar. The compression test results show that a 10% content of M-CS can improve the compressive strength of cement mortar. Moreover, the corrosion resistance was found to be enhanced with the increase of the M-CS content. The hydrophobic cement mortar developed in this study is expected to strengthen the corrosion resistance of cement mortar used for coastal engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resuming the theoretical and historical conceptualization of mindfulness research is of utmost importance if we want to transcend the positivistic and instrumental trend in the present field and to understand better what mindfulness is and how mindfulness works. Based on von Fircks (2023)’s introduction of Daosim’s wu wei into Meadian Social Psychology, this commentary continues dialoguing the two different traditions for understanding mindfulness’s functioning by exploring the systematic principle underlying wu wei. From the systematic perspective, we can distinguish: 1) two focus of meaning in wu wei: (a) not forcing/interfering and (b) the existence of a spontaneously evolving system; 2) two positions a person can take faced with the spontaneous system: (a) as stepping back and not interfering; (b) as actively connecting and cultivating new relations into systems. Based on the two positions, the dynamic emergence of altered I from mindfulness is also approached in two different ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drama-in-Education workshops (DiE) emphasize on balancing between teacher's delicate structuring and participants' spontaneous exploration and creation in dramatic activities and thus can be a powerful liminoid space to scaffold and facilitate young people's development. Still, more researches are needed to dig into and understand such a dynamic and complex process happening in the workshop. In this article, we presented the theoretical background of conceptualizing drama as a hybrid cultural-aesthetic form to identify its potential in educational guidance. The perspective of developmental cultural psychology was introduced to frame DiE practice as a catalytic process working on releasing and transforming participants' developmental forces. The hierarchical levels of semiotic mediation in cultural psychology can help to capture participants' affective and cognitive generalizations in semiotic forms and to perform a micro-genetic analysis of the flow of participants' subjective experiences. We also provided a step-by-step analysis of a DiE practice working with young Chinese immigrants to illuminate our theoretical proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) is a type of one-sided cerebral painful headache, with attacks regularly accompanied by autonomic responses, such as tearing, runny nose, panic, nausea and vomiting on the affected side. Currently, the most common treatment strategies are drugs, nerve grafts and surgery. Clinical understanding of TACs is limited. Here, we report the case of thermocoagulation treatment of the pterygopalatine ganglion in an uncommon TAC under local anesthesia. Case Presentation: A rare case of TAC was treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided thermocoagulation within the pterygopalatine ganglion. Pain and autonomic signs were relieved immediately after surgery, with the patent retaining only slight numbness on the left side of the face. This numbness completely resolved at 6 months of follow-up and there was no recurrence. Discussion: Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia seriously affects the patient's quality of life, but clinical understanding is limited. In the case reported here, we performed CT-guided thermocoagulation of the pterygopalatine ganglion at 90 °C for 180 s for treatment of a trigeminal autonomic headache. To our knowledge, this is the first report of using thermocoagulation at 90 °C to treat the pterygopalatine ganglion. We found that this strategy results in fewer side effects and is a more cost-effective treatment for such patients than other options. Conclusion: Computed tomography-guided thermocoagulation of the pterygopalatine ganglion at 90 °C for 180 s for treatment of trigeminal autonomic headache is a safe and economical treatment option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Painful tic convulsif syndrome is ipsilateral facial trigeminal neuralgia combined with hemifacial spasm, which is relatively rare in the clinic. Microvascular decompression is currently considered to be an effective treatment. We report extracranial radiofrequency treatment of painful tic convulsif syndrome under local anesthesia, a technique which provides a safer and more economical treatment for this kind of patient. Case Presentation: We report a case of painful tic convulsif syndrome which was treated with extracranial radiofrequency therapy of the trigeminal nerve and facial nerve. After operations, the symptoms of pain and spasm were relieved immediately, but the right facial numbness and facial paralysis (House–Brackmann grade III) were left. The facial paralysis was completely relieved after 3 months of follow-up, and there was no recurrence of trigeminal neuralgia or hemifacial spasm after 35 months. Discussion: Painful tic convulsif syndrome is a combination of ipsilateral facial trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm, which is relatively rare in the clinic. So far, only one treatment method of microvascular decompression has been reported for the disease. We report the first case of CT-guided extracranial radiofrequency therapy for painful tic convulsif syndrome. Conclusion: Extracranial radiofrequency therapy can provide safe and economical treatment for patients with painful tic convulsif syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural intelligence can effectively solve cross-cultural problems, which encourages contractors to adapt to the new international market environment. However, in international projects, the effectiveness of cultural intelligence can be complicated or moderated by the host country's institutional environment. This study explores the impact of cultural intelligence on the performance of international construction projects and the moderating effect of institutional distance, then compares the differences between Chinese contractors and Korean contractors. In this paper, eleven hypotheses were proposed, and an empirical analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses and measure the impact of cultural intelligence on the performance of international construction projects and the moderating effect of institutional distance. The results from 144 valid questionnaires indicated that process capability and path capability in cultural intelligence have a significant positive impact on the performance of international construction projects, while formal institutional distance can positively moderate the relationship between position capability and international construction project performance. Moreover, Chinese and Korean contractors display significant differences in the moderating role of institutional distance. These findings provide theoretical support and strategic suggestions for not only contractors in China and Korea but for all international contractors seeking to improve project performance through cultural intelligence and institutional distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we tried to deepen Zagaria, Andò and Zennaro's reflection on the problem of integrating psychology in their paper "Psychology: A Giant with Feet of Clay" (Zagaria et al. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 54, 3, 2020). Psychology obtained this question from the uniqueness of its objects and it is an unavoidable question because of the social reality of modernity. We went back to the philosophical transitions on subject and proposed that Karl Marx's thinking on the subjectivity of objective faculties can be the first principle for different schools and sub-disciplines, as it conceptualizes human beings as natural beings but with its consciousness of being from its social praxis. Thus, it provides a starting point of humanized psychology. Further direction and tasks for psychology is also examined under a call of psychology going back and entering into the life world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible films possessing stable superhydrophobicity under external loading have great application potential in the emerging flexible electronics field. The effects of stretching and cyclic bending on superhydrophobicity and conductivity of the flexible films with wrinkled micro-nano hierarchical structures (W-FF) were investigated. Wrinkled micro-nano hierarchical structures were fabricated on a flexible film by pre-stretching, dipping and heating. Owing to that the interwoven network structures were always kept on the upper of the generated cracks and dendritic structures remained unchanged, the W-FF possessed stable superhydrophobicity and conductivity under stretching and cyclic bending. Effects of reaction time on the micro-nano hierarchical structures and superhydrophobicity were investigated. The formation mechanism of stable superhydrophobicity and conductivity of the W-FF under stretching and cyclic bending was studied by the characterization and comparison of the corresponding morphologies. The W-FF showed good motion sensing property when used as a real-time monitoring human motion sensor, such as monitoring facial muscle, wrist and finger movements. This superhydrophobic and conductive flexible film is expected to be applied in flexible electronics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The visual sensor of microcapsule has attracted great interest because of its application in damage reporting. In this work, a self-reactive microcapsule was designed that can report the damage via a color development. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the indicator dye was successfully encapsulated in the polymer shell adhered with surface activator. When the self-reactive microcapsules were damaged, the color of microcapsules turned into blue to highlight the damaged spot. The visual microcapsules were successfully applied for reporting the damage of shearing, pressuring and stretching in the polymer film, which illustrates the potential of proposed visual microcapsules for the surface damage reporting as a visual sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book Jerome S. Bruner beyond 100: cultivating possibilities (2015) is a celebration and a continuing development of Jerome S. Bruner's contribution in psychology. As a review of this book, this article aims to commemorate Bruner's legacy by developing it further. The main content of the book is summarized into four issues: culture and language, narrative and folk psychology, dilemmas and shared dilemmas, subjectivity and intersubjectivity. Hegel's contribution to 'social reality' and Karl Marx's historical materialism are introduced to discuss the relation between the individual and his world, which is fundamental in Bruner's psychological inquiry and also a key question underlying the four issues. In the horizon of the ontological revolution launched by historical materialism, the difference between sensuous consciousness and pure consciousness and the dynamic process of social discourse interweaving sensuous consciousness and ideology is discussed and revisited. By integrating nature and society on the dimension of historicity, historical materialism can inspire psychology to understand the historical construction of human existence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superhydrophobic surfaces with a high contact angle and a low sliding angle are promising candidates for corrosion resistance. In general, an excellent chemical and mechanical stability is the most critical property for superhydrophobic surfaces. In this paper, we proposed a facile, effective and environment friendly method using a simple solution immersion method to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface on copper mesh. The as-fabricated superhydrophobic surface possessing dendritic rough structure and low surface energy displayed a high contact angle of 155.5°. The excellent anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties were demonstrated. The mechanical stability was also exhibited when it was subjected to an impact by a continuous stream of water. In addition, the excellent chemical stability both in acidic and alkaline solutions and the outstanding anti-corrosion effect were showed in electrochemical test due to the air pockets formed between the superhydrophobic surface and water which can well block corrosive medium. This method is facile, timing-saving and environment friendly, which can play a crucial role in practical industries application of superhydrophobic surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis-membrane separation coupling technology has been a heavily researched area in water and wastewater treatment during recent years. The membrane separation process allows the photocatalyst to be easily separated, recovered and reused. More significantly, the membrane is efficient to maintain high flux of membranes as the photocatalyst can reduce the membrane fouling problem which is a hindrance in the development of membrane process. Moreover, some synergistic effects can also be produced, and thus the efficiency of water treatment is enhanced greatly. A comprehensive review of photocatalysis-membrane separation coupling technology is conducted with an insight into its configurations, theories involved, characteristics, and factors that influence the coupling technology. In view of the existing problems, the prospects for future development are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]