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Arthroscopic treatments of hip synovial osteochondromatosis are mostly performed under traction, resulting in neurovascular injury or iatrogenic damage to the labrum or cartilage. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of outside‐in hip arthroscopy without traction in treating hip synovial osteochondromatosis. This retrospective study was conducted on a series of patients with hip synovial osteochondromatosis treated using outside‐in hip arthroscopy without traction in our hospital between 2018 and 2020. Plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained. The Harris hip score (HHS), hip range of motion (ROM), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. The preoperative scores and last follow‐up scores were compared with a paired‐sample t test. The complications and recurrence postsurgery were recorded. This study included five patients (three male and two female) with an average age of 41 years (range 28–54 years). The mean follow‐up time was 25.2 months (range 18–36 months). All patients experienced groin pain relief and improved ROM. The mean VAS score was significantly lower postoperatively (0.4 ± 0.5) than preoperatively (3.2 ± 0.8) (p

Objective Rapid and effective reduction is difficult for minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) surgery. This study aims to introduce a bidirectional rapid reductor (BRR) designed to assist in the reduction during MIPO surgery for proximal humeral fractures (PHFs). Methods This retrospective study was conducted between June 2021 and February 2022 in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, involving patients diagnosed with PHFs. A detailed technical approach of BRR in MIPO surgery was described, and the patients' outcomes based on postoperative radiographic results including x‐ray postoperative follow‐up, and clinical outcome parameters including visual analogue scale (VAS) and constant‐Murley score at last follow‐up were reported. Results A total of 12 patients were included in this study, comprising three males and nine females, with an average age of 67.58 years. The mean operative time was 70.92 min (range 63–80 min). The mean blood loss was 102.27 mL (range 50–300 mL). The mean VAS and constant‐Murley scores at final follow‐up were 0.33 and 88, respectively. All patients had their fractures healed without secondary displacement at last follow‐up. One patient experienced shoulder stiffness post‐operation. There were no adverse events or complications following the use of this technique, such as acromion fracture, nerve or blood vessel injury. Conclusion The BRR can assist MIPO for good reduction of PHFs. However, the efficacy should be validated with a large‐sample randomized controlled trial and longer follow‐up.

Abstract Objective Using Optical coherence tomography (OCT), we evaluated the association between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber, macular thickness, macular ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer, and drug resistance. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, we recruited people diagnosed with epilepsy and healthy controls. People with epilepsy were further stratified as drug‐resistant or non‐drug‐resistant based on their response to anti‐seizure medications. OCT measurements were conducted, and findings in right eye were analyzed. Results Fifty‐one drug‐resistant participants, 37 non‐drug‐resistant, and 45 controls were enrolled. The average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer, and macular thickness were thinner in the epilepsy groups than in controls. The drug‐resistant group had significantly lower average ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer thickness (p = 0.004) and a higher proportion of abnormal/borderline GC/IPL thickness (p = 5.40E‐04) than the non‐drug‐resistant group. Nevertheless, no significant differences were seen between the average thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber and macular thickness. The temporal sectors of these three parameters were also significantly thinner in the drug‐resistant group than in the non‐drug‐resistant. In a multivariate regression model, drug resistance was an independent predictor of reduced ganglion cell‐inner plexiform thickness (Odds ratios OR = 10.25, 95% CI 2.82 to 37.28). Increased seizure frequency (r = −0.23, p = 0.039) and a higher number of anti‐seizure medications ever used (r = −0.27, p = 0.013) were negatively associated with ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer thickness. Significance Individuals with drug‐resistant epilepsy had a consistent reduction in average ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer thickness and the temporal sector of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness. This suggests that ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer thickness could potentially serve as an indicator of the burden of drug resistance, as it correlated with reduced thickness in individuals having more frequent seizures and greater exposure to ASMs. Plain Language Summary In our study, we used a special tool called OCT to measure how thick the retina is in people with epilepsy and in healthy control. We found that the retina was consistently thinner in all areas for those with epilepsy compared to healthy control. Particularly, a specific layer called the ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer was a lot thinner in the group that didn't respond to medications, and this thinning was related to how often seizures occurred and how much medications were taken. Also, certain parts of the retina were thinner in the drug‐resistant group.

Abstract Despite advancement in anti‐seizure medications, 30% of patients continue to experience recurrent seizures. Previous data indicated the antiepileptic properties of melatonin and its agonists in several animal models. However, the underlying mechanisms of melatonin and its agonists on cellular excitability remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated the electrophysiological changes of two main kinds of ion channels that are responsible for hyperexcitability of neurons after introduction of melatonin agonists‐ ramelteon (RAM). In Neuro‐2a cells, the amplitude of voltage‐gated Na+ (INa) and delayed‐rectifier K+ currents (IK (DR)) could be suppressed under RAM. The IC50 values of 8.7 and 2.9 μM, respectively. RAM also diminished the magnitude of window Na+ current (INa (W)) elicited by short ascending ramp voltage, with unchanged the overall steady‐state current–voltage relationship. The decaying time course of INa during a train of depolarizing pulses arose upon the exposure to RAM. The conditioning train protocol which blocked INa fitted the recovery time course into two exponential processes and increased the fast and slow time constant of recovery the presence of RAM. In pituitary tumor (GH3) cells, INa amplitude was also effectively suppressed by the RAM. In addition, GH3‐cells exposure to RAM decreased the firing frequency of spontaneous action potentials observed under current‐clamp conditions. As a result, the RAM‐mediated effect on INa was closely associated with its ability to decrease spontaneous action potentials. Collectively, we found the direct attenuation of INa and IK (DR) caused by RAM besides the agonistic action on melatonin receptors, which could partially explain its anti‐seizure activity.

Abstract Background Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) test in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can help physicians provide target therapies for patients harboring ALK gene rearrangement. This study aimed to investigate the real‐world test patterns and positive rates of ALK gene rearrangements in advanced NSCLC. Methods In this real‐world study (ChiCTR2000030266), patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent an ALK rearrangement test in 30 medical centers in China between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Interpretation training was conducted before the study was initiated. Quality controls were performed at participating centers using immunohistochemistry (IHC)‐VENTANA‐D5F3. The positive ALK gene rearrangement rate and consistency rate were calculated. The associated clinicopathological characteristics of ALK gene rearrangement were investigated as well. Results The overall ALK gene rearrangement rate was 6.7% in 23,689 patients with advanced NSCLC and 8.2% in 17,436 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The quality control analysis of IHC‐VENTANA‐D5F3 revealed an intra‐hospital consistency rate of 98.2% (879/895) and an inter‐hospital consistency rate of 99.2% (646/651). IHC‐VENTANA‐D5F3 was used in 53.6%, real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in 25.4%, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) in 18.3%, and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) in 15.9% in the adenocarcinoma subgroup. For specimens tested with multiple methods, the consistency rates confirmed by IHC‐VENTANA‐D5F3 were 98.0% (822/839) for FISH, 98.7% (1,222/1,238) for NGS, and 91.3% (146/160) for RT‐PCR. The overall ALK gene rearrangement rates were higher in females, patients of ≤ 35 years old, never smokers, tumor cellularity of > 50, and metastatic specimens used for testing in the total NSCLC population and adenocarcinoma subgroup (all P < 0.05). Conclusions This study highlights the real‐world variability and challenges of ALK test in advanced NSCLC, demonstrating a predominant use of IHC‐VENTANA‐D5F3 with high consistency and distinct clinicopathological features in ALK‐positive patients. These findings underscore the need for a consensus on optimal test practices and support the development of refined ALK test strategies to enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic decision‐making in NSCLC.

Abstract Background The initial randomized, double‐blinded, actively controlled, phase III ANEAS study (NCT03849768) demonstrated that aumolertinib showed superior efficacy relative to gefitinib as first‐line therapy in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Metastatic disease in the central nervous system (CNS) remains a challenge in the management of NSCLC. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of aumolertinib versus gefitinib among patients with baseline CNS metastases in the ANEAS study. Methods Eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to orally receive either aumolertinib or gefitinib in a double‐blinded fashion. Patients with asymptomatic, stable CNS metastases were included. Follow‐up imaging of the same modality as the initial CNS imaging was performed every 6 weeks for 15 months, then every 12 weeks. CNS response was assessed by a neuroradiological blinded, independent central review (neuroradiological‐BICR). The primary endpoint for this subgroup analysis was CNS progression‐free survival (PFS). Results Of the 429 patients enrolled and randomized in the ANEAS study, 106 patients were found to have CNS metastases (CNS Full Analysis Set, cFAS) at baseline by neuroradiological‐BICR, and 60 of them had CNS target lesions (CNS Evaluable for Response, cEFR). Treatment with aumolertinib significantly prolonged median CNS PFS compared with gefitinib in both cFAS (29.0 vs. 8.3 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17‐0.56; P < 0.001) and cEFR (29.0 vs. 8.3 months; HR = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11‐0.57; P < 0.001). The confirmed CNS overall response rate in cEFR was 85.7% and 75.0% in patients treated with aumolertinib and gefitinib, respectively. Competing risk analysis showed that the estimated probability of CNS progression without prior non‐CNS progression or death was consistently lower with aumolertinib than with gefitinib in patients with and without CNS metastases at baseline. No new safety findings were observed. Conclusions These results indicate a potential advantage of aumolertinib over gefitinib in terms of CNS PFS and the risk of CNS progression in patients with EGFR‐mutated advanced NSCLC with baseline CNS metastases. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03849768

Objective We assessed the contributions of B cell and T cell subsets to the disparate clinical outcomes in NZM.Baff−/− and NZM.Br3−/− mice. Methods We assessed in NZM wild‐type, NZM.Baff−/−, and NZM.Br3−/− mice numbers and percentages of B cells and subsets, T cells and subsets, and in vivo proliferation and survival of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cells by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. Relationships between percentages of Foxp3+ cells and numbers of CD19+ and CD4+ cells were assessed by linear regressions. Results In each age and sex cohort, percentages and numbers of CD19+ cells were similar in NZM.Baff−/− and NZM.Br3−/− mice. Percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ cells were greater in NZM.Br3−/− than in NZM.Baff−/− mice, with the CD4 to CD3 cell ratios being greater in NZM.Br3−/− than in NZM.Baff−/− mice and percentages of Foxp3+ cells in NZM.Br3−/− mice being lower than in NZM.Baff−/− mice. Percentages of Foxp3+ cells correlated positively with CD19+ cells in NZM.Baff−/− mice but negatively in NZM.Br3−/− mice. In vivo proliferation and survival of Foxp3+ cells were lower in NZM.Baff−/− mice than in NZM.Br3−/− mice. Conclusion Differences between NZM.Baff−/− and NZM.Br3−/− mice in Foxp3+ cells and their relationships with CD19+ cells may have more to do with their divergent clinical outcomes than do differences in numbers of B cells. These unexpected findings suggest that B cell activating factor (BAFF)–B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) or BAFF–Transmembrane activator and calcium‐modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) interactions may help drive development of clinical systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) even under conditions of considerable B cell depletion. Insufficient blocking of BAFF–BCMA and BAFF–TACI interactions may lie at the heart of incomplete clinical response to BAFF‐targeting agents in human SLE.

ABSTRACT Recent guidelines have recognized several factors, including blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), smoking, and physical activity, as key contributors to stroke risk. However, the impact of simultaneous management of these risk factors on stroke susceptibility in individuals with hypertension remains ambiguous. This study involved 238 388 participants from the UK Biobank, followed up from their recruitment date until April 1, 2023. Cox proportional hazard models with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to illustrate the correlation between the joint modifiable risk factor control and the stroke risk. As the degree of risk factor control increased, a gradual reduction in stroke risk was observed. Hypertensive patients who had the optimal risk factor control (≥5 risk factor controls) had a 14.6% lower stroke risk than those who controlled 2 or fewer (HR: 0.854; 95% CI: 804–0.908; p < 0.001). The excess risk of stroke linked to hypertension slowly diminished as the number of controlled risk factors increased. However, the risk was still 25.1% higher for hypertensive patients with optimal risk factor control as compared to the non‐hypertensive population (HR: 1.251; 95% CI: 1.100–1.422; p < 0.001). The protective effect of joint risk factor control against the stroke risk due to hypertension was stronger in medicated hypertensive patients than in those not medicated. This finding leads to the conclusion that joint risk factor control combined with pharmacological treatment could potentially eliminate the excess risk of stroke associated with hypertension.

Abstract The application of medical image segmentation technology enables accurate localization of human tissues, providing doctors with a reliable foundation for diagnosis. While deep learning methods have proven effective in this task, most current approaches rely on a single prediction framework, which overlooks Edge semantic features and results in flawed texture features. Moreover, existing supervised methods face challenges due to limited availability of high‐quality annotations in the field of medical imaging. In this article, a Semi‐supervised Contextual Cognitive Augmentation‐based Cross‐teaching Network is proposed. A Contextual Cognitive Enhancement Module is introduced consisting of two components: data augmentation and information extraction. The data augmentation component provides multi‐level data distribution by incorporating diverse perturbation strategies such as Discrete Cosine Transform and Gaussian noise. The information extraction component employs the Comprehensive Information Extraction module, which consists of Global Perception Information Extraction module and Multi‐channel Information Extraction module to extract perceptual information from images and enhance interaction between image channels, respectively. Additionally, a cross‐teaching strategy is adopted and a hybrid loss function is utilized to encourage knowledge sharing among the networks, leveraging the advantages of dual networks for improved performance. Experimental results demonstrate significant enhancements in multiclass medical image segmentation compared to several state‐of‐the‐art single‐framework networks.

Abstract License plate recognition is crucial in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for vehicle management, traffic monitoring, and security inspection. In highway scenarios, this task faces challenges such as diversity, blurriness, occlusion, and illumination variation of license plates. This article explores Recurrent Neural Networks based on Connectionist Temporal Classification (RNN‐CTC) for license plate recognition in challenging highway conditions. Four neural network models: ResNet50, ResNeXt, InceptionV3, and SENet, all combined with RNN‐CTC are comparatively evaluated. Furthermore, a novel architecture named ResNet50 Deep Fusion Network using Connectionist Temporal Classification (ResNet50‐DFN‐CTC) is proposed. Comparative and ablation experiments are conducted using the Highway License Plate Dataset of Southeast University (HLPD‐SU). Results demonstrate the superior performance of ResNet50‐DFN‐CTC in challenging highway conditions, achieving 93.158% accuracy with a processing time of 7.91 ms, outperforming other tested models. This research contributes to advancing license plate recognition technology for real‐world highway applications under adverse conditions.

Abstract The recognition of the transient dominant instability mode is of great significance for rapidly and accurately formulating transient emergency decisions in power systems. In response to the challenge of accurately distinguishing between angle instability and voltage instability, which are coupled in actual power grids, this paper explores the mapping relationship between simulation data and the stable state of the system, as well as the dominant instability mode. The method enables real‐time identification of the dominant instability mode, which bypasses complex physical mechanisms. Firstly, spatio‐temporal feature mining is conducted, where convolutional neural networks are employed to learn crucial local features of transient curves, and bidirectional gated recurrent unit s utilized to learn transient features over time sequences. Next, a multihead attention mechanism is introduced to enhance sensitivity to important time steps in the sequence data. Finally, the transit search optimization algorithm optimizes the global model parameters, further increasing the accuracy of the model. Using the IEEE 10‐machine and 39‐node system as an example for simulation, the results validate that the proposed method exhibits significant advantages in terms of accuracy and applicability compared with other machine learning methods.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer with a 5‐year survival rate of 7.2% in China. However, effective approaches for diagnosis of PDAC are limited. Tumor‐originating genomic and epigenomic aberration in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) have potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Our study aims to assess the feasibility of cfDNA‐based liquid biopsy assay for PDAC diagnosis. In this study, we performed parallel genomic and epigenomic profiling of plasma cfDNA from Chinese PDAC patients and healthy individuals. Diagnostic models were built to distinguish PDAC patients from healthy individuals. Cancer‐specific changes in cfDNA methylation landscape were identified, and a diagnostic model based on six methylation markers achieved high sensitivity (88.7% for overall cases and 78.0% for stage I patients) and specificity (96.8%), outperforming the mutation‐based model significantly. Moreover, the combination of the methylation‐based model with carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) levels further improved the performance (sensitivity: 95.7% for overall cases and 95.5% for stage I patients; specificity: 93.3%). In conclusion, our findings suggest that both methylation‐based and integrated liquid biopsy assays hold promise as non‐invasive tools for detection of PDAC.

Abstract At present, the mainstream studies on route selection optimization at the railway station rarely considered the overall punctuality of the operation plans and the seizing route resource between shunting operation and train running, which can endanger the running safety and reduce the efficiency at the station. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimization method for the route selection under the integration of dispatching and control at the railway station. Firstly, the station‐type data structure, the route occupation conflict, and the operation task order were defined. Then, a 0‐1 programming model was constructed to minimize the total delay time and shorten the total travel time of all operations. Finally, a two‐stage solution algorithm based on depth‐first search algorithm and genetic algorithm was designed, and two actual cases of a technical station in China were designed. The instance verification results show that the algorithm can find the satisfactory route scheme in 250 iterations; different delay factors and travel coefficients will get different route schemes, which can provide decision support for dispatchers and operators to select routes. Through comparative analysis of algorithms, it is found that the two‐stage algorithm has higher solving efficiency than the individual depth‐first search algorithm and individual genetic algorithm.

Purpose Arthroscopic Bankart repair combined with remplissage and autologous scapular spine bone grafting have been described as a treatment for off‐track Hill–Sachs lesions with subcritical glenoid bone defects in the anterior shoulder instability. However, whether these two techniques can achieve satisfactory postoperative outcomes is unclear, and there are few comparative studies between them. Therefore, this study compared the postoperative efficacy of the two techniques for off‐track Hill–Sachs lesions with subcritical glenoid bone loss. Method Between June 2017 and December 2020, 62 patients with shoulder instability due to Off‐Track Hill–Sachs lesions with subcritical glenoid bone loss underwent surgical treatment and were included in this regression study. Thirty‐two patients underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair combined with remplissage (B + R group), and 30 patients underwent additional autologous scapular glenoid bone grafting (additional bone grafting group). The general information of the patients was recorded. The patient's activity before and after surgery was recorded. The DASH score and Constant–Murley (CM) score were used to assess the patient's functional status; the Rowe score was used to evaluate the patient's shoulder stability. The shoulder function and stability before and after surgery were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results The final DASH scores of the B + R group and the additional bone grafting group were significantly lower than those before surgery, with a statistically significant difference (9.76 ± 4.32 vs. 27.89 ± 6.63, 8.50 ± 3.32 vs. 28.0 ± 4.27, p = 0.000); the final CM scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before surgery (88.71 ± 3.74 vs. 73.68 ± 3.74, 87.16 ± 2.29 vs. 71.37 ± 2.68, p = 0.000). There was no statistical difference in the final DASH score and final CM score between the two groups (p > 0.05). In terms of postoperative stability, the final Rowe scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before surgery, with a statistically significant difference (89.06 ± 9.19 vs. 41.71 ± 4.13; 93.16 ± 4.99 vs. 42.33 ± 2.53, p = 0.000). Compared with the control group, the additional bone graft group achieved higher final Rowe scores (93.16 ± 4.99 vs. 89.06 ± 9.19, p = 0.032). Conclusion For patients with anterior shoulder instability due to off‐track Hill–Sachs lesions with subcritical glenoid bone loss, although Bankart and remplissage can achieve satisfactory clinical results, additional autogenous scapular spine bone grafting can provide better stability of the shoulder, especially for patients with high sports demands.

Objective Osteoporosis is a severe bone disease with a complex pathogenesis involving various immune processes. With the in‐depth understanding of bone immune mechanisms, discovering new therapeutic targets is crucial for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. This study aims to explore novel bone immune markers related to osteoporosis based on single‐cell and transcriptome data, utilizing bioinformatics and machine learning methods, in order to provide novel strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods Single cell and transcriptome data sets were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The data was then subjected to cell communication analysis, pseudotime analysis, and high dimensional WGCNA (hdWGCNA) analysis to identify key immune cell subpopulations and module genes. Subsequently, ConsensusClusterPlus analysis was performed on the key module genes to identify different diseased subgroups in the osteoporosis (OP) training set samples. The immune characteristics between subgroups were evaluated using Cibersort, EPIC, and MCP counter algorithms. OP's hub genes were screened using 10 machine learning algorithms and 113 algorithm combinations. The relationship between hub genes and immunity and pathways was established by evaluating the immune and pathway scores of the training set samples through the ESTIMATE, MCP‐counter, and ssGSEA algorithms. Real‐time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) testing was conducted on serum samples collected from osteoporosis patients and healthy adults. Results In OP samples, the proportions of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) and neutrophils increased significantly by 6.73% (from 24.01% to 30.74%) and 6.36% (from 26.82% to 33.18%), respectively. We found 16 intersection genes and four hub genes (DND1, HIRA, SH3GLB2, and F7). RT‐qPCR results showed reduced expression levels of DND1, HIRA, and SH3GLB2 in clinical blood samples of OP patients. Moreover, the four hub genes showed positive correlations with neutrophils (0.65–0.90), immature B cells (0.76–0.92), and endothelial cells (0.79–0.87), while showing negative correlations with myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (negative 0.54–0.73), T follicular helper cells (negative 0.71–0.86), and natural killer T cells (negative 0.75–0.85). Conclusion Neutrophils play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. The four hub genes potentially inhibit metabolic activities and trigger inflammation by interacting with other immune cells, thereby significantly contributing to the onset and diagnosis of OP.

Objective When implanting the Zero‐P device, the screws of Zero‐P form a bone wedge with a 40 ± 5° cranial and caudal angle (CCA). However, no study has been performed in the optimal CCA of the Zero‐P implant. To investigate whether the cranial/caudal angles (CCA) of the screws affect the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing ACDF with the Zero‐P implant. Methods From January 2016 to December 2023, we retrospectively analyzed 186 patients who underwent 1‐level ACDF with the Zero‐P device. The patients were divided into four groups: group A (cranial angle ≤40°, caudal angle ≤40°); group B (cranial angle ≤40°, caudal angle >40°); group C (cranial angle >40°, caudal angle ≤40°); and group D (cranial angle >40°, caudal angle >40°). The clinical outcomes, including Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), neck disability index (NDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the radiological parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), cervical lordosis of operated segments (OPCL), intervertebral space height (ISH) and fusion rate (FR), and the complications, were evaluated and compared. Parametric tests, non‐parametric tests, and chi‐square tests were conducted to analyze the data. Results The OPCL of group A was significantly less than that of the other groups at the final follow‐up (p 0.05). Conclusion A larger CCA of the screws (cranial angle >40°, caudal angle >40°) was better for maintaining OPCL and reducing the incidence of ASD. A smaller CCA of the screws (cranial angle ≤40°, caudal angle ≤40°) was better for maintaining ISH and reducing the rate of subsidence.

Objective The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been reported as a significant predictor in various diseases. However, the prognostic value of the PNI in geriatric hip fracture patients has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the association between admission PNI and 3‐year mortality in those patients. Methods In this post hoc analysis, we included patients aged ≥65 years who underwent surgery for hip fracture between 2018 and 2019. The admission PNI was calculated as serum albumin (g/L) +5 × total lymphocyte count (×109/L). Patients were categorized into four groups based on PNI quartiles (≤ 43.55, 43.55–46.55, 46.55–49.20, and >49.20, respectively). The median follow‐up duration was 3.1 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was conducted for using PNI to predict mortality. Results Of the 942 eligible patients, 190 (20.2%) patients died during the follow‐up. Compared to patients in the first quartile (Q1), those in the second (Q2), third (Q3), and fourth (Q4) quartiles had significantly lower mortality risks (HRs 0.50, 95% CI 0.35–0.74; 0.41, 95% CI 0.26–0.64; and 0.26, 95% CI 0.15–0.45, respectively). The optimal cutoff of PNI for predicting mortality was set as 45.275 (sensitivity, 0.674; specificity, 0.692; area under the curve (AUC), 0.727). Patients with higher PNI (>45.275) had a significant lower mortality risk (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28–0.55) compared to those with lower PNI (≤ 45.275). Conclusion PNI is a reliable and independent predictor of 3‐year mortality after hip fracture surgery in the elderly.

Abstract Hyperglycemia and diabetes are common metabolic disorders. It is considered a safe and effective strategy to screen active ingredients from food and herbs for controlling blood sugar levels. Quinic acid (QA) is a natural polyphenolic acid with various health‐promoting properties. In this study, QA was found to exhibit a potent inhibitory effect on α‐glucosidase activity, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5.46 mM. This inhibitory property surpassed that of three common organic acids including gallic acid, malic acid, and citric acid. A combination of 25% acarbose (0.5 mM) and 75% QA (5 mM) (v/v) exhibited synergistic inhibition of α‐glucosidase activity. Enzyme kinetics, fluorescence spectra, and molecular docking analyses indicated that QA acted as an uncompetitive inhibitor of α‐glucosidase, with hydrogen bonds playing a key role in the intermolecular interactions. Moreover, QA was found to effectively inhibit three major nonenzymatic glycation products including advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), fructosamine, and α‐dicarbonyl in a dose‐dependent manner, outperforming the positive control aminoguanidine (AG) within the tested concentration range. Utilizing a Caco‐2 cell model, QA demonstrated the ability to inhibit the transmembrane absorption of glucose. This study highlighted QA as a promising food functional factor that had been overlooked in the past, offering potential benefits in improving hyperglycemia, diabetes, and associated complications through the inhibition of α‐glucosidase, nonenzymatic glycosylation, and glucose uptake.

Abstract In the realm of experimental and epidemiological research, the impact of endotoxemia caused by obesity on male fertility is widely acknowledged. However, the existing body of evidence lacks rigorous studies to substantiate this notion. To address this gap, we have selected protocatechuic acid (PCA) as a potential inhibitor of endotoxemia induced by obesity. This selection is further supported by our utilization of a male model of C57BL/6J mice induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) and the fecal microbiota transplantation assay. Our findings reveal a negative correlation between semen quality and endotoxin levels in the mice model induced by an HFD. Furthermore, intervention with PCA resulted in the restoration of testicular morphology, sperm traits, and function. The transplantation of PCA did not exhibit restorative effects on semen quality, but it did effectively prevent obesity‐induced intestinal leakage and endotoxemia. By directly enhancing antioxidant capacity, PCA successfully reversed the fertility reduction caused by obesity. These findings offer substantiation that endotoxemia does not play a significant role in the diminished fertility observed in obese males and propose that the inclusion of dietary antioxidant supplementation can potentially restore male fertility.

Abstract To reduce the unpleasant flavor in tea infusion made from summer fresh leaves and lessen tea resource wastage, a short‐term cycled heaping method, addressing the temperature/moisture variations during prolonged heaping, was introduced to produce high‐quality yellow tea with significantly enhanced taste and aroma. Furthermore, a hyperspectral approach was developed to anticipate such improvements. Specifically, short‐term cycled heaping reduced summer tea's astringency and bitterness while increasing sweetness. Using near‐infrared spectroscopy, the multiplicative scatter correction (MSC)–support vector machine (SVM) model predicted tea umami with 66.25% precision and richness with 77.64% accuracy via standard normal variate (SNV)–SVM, based on epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG) variations. Aroma enhancement was forecasted by a hyperspectral–electronic nose regression model, achieving over 81.50% prediction accuracy for summer tea aromas in the visible spectrum and surpassing 73.45% in the near‐infrared domain, primarily attributed to pentanal, propanal, toluene, ethyl propionate, and 2,3‐pentanedione variations. Overall, hyperspectral‐guided summer tea processing, particularly for summer‐harvested leaves, shows potential in offering a valuable screening tool, enhancing quality, and efficiency in the tea industry and promoting sustainable development.

Abstract The active power control of photovoltaic (PV) inverters without energy storage can flatten the fluctuating power and support the voltage amplitude and frequency of the grid. When operated in grid‐forming voltage‐control mode, because the PV power can change rapidly and widely, the PV inverter needs to track the power commands quickly and precisely. Traditionally, this goal is achieved with the estimation of PV power curve or PI‐based multiple‐loop feedback control, where flexibility, availability and accuracy are not satisfactory. Therefore, a CC/VC‐based power tracking (CVPT) method is proposed, which only uses single‐loop in control. The proposed method does not need to tune multiple loops and can respond faster, which is important for grid‐forming voltage control. Furthermore, the different operating modes due to the limitation of PV maximum power are analysed, and a mode switch method is proposed. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the PV inverter can cope with power disturbances from both the power and grid sides and maintain the quality of grid voltage.

Abstract In a modular multilevel converter (MMC) system, the sub‐module capacitors account for a large proportion of the cost, volume, and weight. This paper proposed a method to reduce the total capacitance of MMC based on the combination of boosting the modulation index (m) and second‐harmonic circulating current injection (SCCI). A small amount of full‐bridge sub‐modules was added to conventional half‐bridge sub‐modules (HBSM) based MMC to form the hybrid MMC. The third‐harmonic voltage injection technology was used to increase the m of hybrid MMC without the common‐mode voltage injected on the ac‐side. An optimized SCCI method determined by m was introduced, which limited the root mean square (RMS) of arm current. An improved modulation approach is used to eliminate the coupling effect of third‐harmonic voltage injection and SCCI in boosting m, ensuring that the m increases to 1.15 with the optimized SCCI. Compared with conventional HBSM‐MMC, the proposed method reduced the total capacitance by approximately half when m = 1.15. A comprehensive comparison of different capacitance reduction methods was presented to demonstrate the cost and effect. Simulation and experiment verified the proposed method.

Abstract This study investigates the low‐frequency oscillations (LFOs) in MMC‐MVDC systems with high photovoltaic (PV) penetration, considering the whole operating conditions of the grid‐connected MMC, including both the inverter and rectifier modes. First, the multi‐port impedance models of converters and networks are developed, upon which a stability criterion is defined. The mechanism of LFOs is then identified using bus participation analysis and parameter sensitivity analysis. In addition, the stable zones of the dominant parameters are identified, taking into account the whole operating conditions of the grid‐connected MMC. Interestingly, a phase‐locked loop may induce LFOs in two low‐frequency ranges. Finally, the experimental results confirm the correctness of the theoretical analysis.

Abstract Due to its limited load capacity, the piggybacking of wireless charging systems for micro unmanned aerial vehicles has become a challenging task in the design of micro unmanned aerial vehicles. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved lightweight design method for micro unmanned aerial vehicles to carry a wireless charging system. The improved system uses an inductor–capacitor–capacitor‐parallel (LCC‐P) topology compensation network instead of a bilateral inductor–capacitor–capacitor (LCC) topology compensation network to achieve constant current charging (CC) and constant voltage charging (CV). Then the adaptive frequency conversion control is used to realize the automatic conversion from CC charging to CV charging during the charging process. Compared with the traditional wireless charging system based on a direct current‐direct current converter (DC‐DC converter) to achieve CC charging and CV charging, this improved system reduces the total weight of the receiving end of the wireless charging system based on ensuring the charging efficiency, which meets the demand of wireless charging systems carried by micro drone aircraft. The test results of the constructed physical system coincide with the simulation design results, and the total weight of the receiving end is only 8 g, which verifies the correctness and effectiveness of the improved design scheme.

Abstract Aim CircRNAs have been identified as crucial regulators in tumorigenesis and progression. This study aimed to explore the biological role and underlying mechanism of circ_0084615 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The expression of RNAs was detected by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The effects of circ_0084615 silencing on malignant behaviors of HCC cells were assessed by CCK‐8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays in vitro and tumor transplantation experiment in vivo. The expression of proteins was detected by Western blotting. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation were performed to explore the mechanism of circ_0084615. Results A significant upregulation of circ_0084615 was observed in HCC tissues, and positively correlated with the TNM staging. Silencing of circ_0084615 impeded HCC cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and xenograft tumor growth. Mechanistically, circ_0084615 could bind to miR‐1200 and eliminate its ability to destroy actin‐like 6A (ACTL6A) mRNA, thereby increasing ACTL6A expression and facilitating the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. Conclusions This study clarified the oncogenic activity and mechanism of circ_0084615, thereby providing potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for inhibiting HCC progression.

Abstract In hospitals, the deterioration of a patient's condition leading to death is often preceded by physiological abnormalities in the hours to days beforehand. Several risk‐scoring systems have been developed to identify patients at risk of major adverse events; however, such systems often exhibit low sensitivity and specificity. To identify the risk factors associated with in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), we conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. Four machine learning algorithms were employed to identify the factors most predictive of IHCA. The support vector machine model was discovered to be the most effective at predicting IHCA. The ten most critical physiological parameters at 8 h prior to the event were pulse rate, age, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, body temperature, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, platelet count, and use of central nervous system‐active medication. Using these parameters, we can enhance early warning and rapid response systems in our hospital, potentially reducing the incidence of IHCA in clinical practice.

Abstract This study investigates predictors of unsatisfactory outcomes in female overactive bladder (OAB) patients treated with oral monotherapy by analyzing skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) using a novel “neuECG” method. The study included 55 newly diagnosed female patients with idiopathic OAB, autonomic function was evaluated using neuECG before treatment initiation, and validated OAB questionnaires and urodynamic studies were administered. Initial monotherapy was administered for the first 4 weeks, with non‐responders defined as patients not achieving satisfactory symptom relief and requiring further treatment. Responders (n = 32) and non‐responders (n = 23) had no significant differences in baseline characteristics or urodynamic parameters; however, non‐responders exhibited significantly higher baseline average SKNA (aSKNA) (1.36 ± 0.49 vs. 0.97 ± 0.29 μV, p = 0.001), higher recovery aSKNA (1.28 ± 0.46 vs. 0.97 ± 0.35 μV, p = 0.007), and a lower stress/baseline ratio of aSKNA (1.05 ± 0.42 vs. 1.26 ± 0.26, p = 0.029). Baseline aSKNA had the highest predictive value for monotherapy refractoriness in OAB (AUROC = 0.759, p = 0.001), with an optimal cut‐off point of >1.032 μV. These findings suggest that elevated pre‐treatment aSKNA can predict resistance to oral monotherapy in OAB, warranting close monitoring and proactive treatment strategies for patients with high aSKNA.

Abstract This paper proposes a two‐stage beamforming and combining scheme in frequency division duplex (FDD) massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems with multi‐antenna users. Specifically, the proposed scheme is a two‐stage scheme, where the pre‐beamforming matrix and pre‐combining matrix are designed using the channel covariance matrix (CCM) in the first stage. The problem of the pre‐beamforming matrix and pre‐combining matrix design are formulated as an 0–1 quadratic integer programming problem. To solve this problem, it is further transformed into an 0–1 mixed linear integer programming problem. In the second stage, the sparse code multiple access and multi‐user precoding and combining are adopted to mitigate the inter‐user interference. Different from the previous transmission scheme using CCM, the proposed scheme consider the multi‐antenna user system, and uses the CCM to design both the pre‐beamforming and pre‐combining matrices to sparsify the effective channel matrix, such that the overhead of pilot and feedback can be reduced. Moreover, the sparse code multiple access can help to better reduce the inter‐user interference. Simulation results validate the good performance of the proposed scheme.

Abstract Large‐eddy simulation (LES) has been adopted to study wind turbine wakes because it can capture fine‐scale details of turbulent wind flows and interactions with wind turbines. Here, we use the LES version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with an actuator disk model to gain insights on several wake effects that have been traditionally difficult to measure. The first finding is that the wake has a “dual nature,” meaning that the wind speed deficit behaves differently from the added turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and the two are not co‐located in space. For example, the wind speed deficit peaks at hub height and reaches the ground within 8D (D is the rotor diameter), but added TKE peaks near the rotor tip and generally remains aloft. Second, temperature changes near the ground are driven by the added TKE in the rotor area and by atmospheric stability. The combination of these two factors determines the sign and intensity of the vertical heat flux divergence below the rotor, with convergence and warming associated with stable conditions and weak divergence and modest cooling with unstable conditions. Third, wakes do not expand indefinitely, as suggested by similarity theory applied to the wind speed deficit, but eventually stop expanding and actually contract, at different rates depending on atmospheric stability. The implication of these findings is that, in order to study wakes, it is not sufficient to focus on wind speed deficit alone, because TKE is also important and yet behaves differently from the wind speed deficit.

Abstract In view of the cost and reliability issues caused by mechanical position sensors, position sensorless control (PSC) of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) has received widespread attention. A series of rotor position estimation (RPE) schemes have been developed, in which the phase‐locked loop (PLL) plays an important role. However, the conventional phase‐locked loops face two thorny issues, one is the degradation of RPE performance under motor acceleration and deceleration conditions, and the other is high noise sensitivity. To this end, an adaptive gain PLL (AG‐PLL) is proposed for PSC of PMSM drives. The gains of the loop filter in the proposed AG‐PLL are adaptively adjusted with the estimation error in order to find a compromise between the estimation performance under motor acceleration and deceleration conditions and the noise sensitivity. Moreover, the proposed scheme avoids increasing the order of the PLL, so its dynamic performance is also guaranteed. The proposed scheme is tested based on the hardware‐in‐the‐loop platform.

Abstract An overall investigation of the electromagnetic force, vibration, and average torque of the Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (IPMSM) in the dq model for electric propulsion ships is carried out, and the electromagnetic vibration characteristics of the PMSM under the vector control strategy is explored. Firstly, the space and frequency characteristics of the electromagnetic force of the dq model motor are derived using the Maxwell stress tensor method, and the influence of the dq‐axes magnetic field on the electromagnetic force under different loads is discussed in detail. Secondly, the finite element method is used to verify the influence of dq‐axes currents on motor electromagnetic force, vibration, and average torque. Finally, the experiments are conducted on an 8‐pole 48‐slot IPMSM, and the results are consistent with the theoretical analysis and simulation results. The results indicate that the electromagnetic vibration of the PMSM for electric propulsion ships increases with the increase of the current iq and decreases with the increase of the current id. The electromagnetic vibration of the motor can be reduced by selecting the appropriate dq‐axes current under the output torque constraint.

Abstract Aiming at the problems of slow speed and poor accuracy of traditional millimeter wave sparse imaging, a sparse imaging algorithm based on graph convolution model is proposed from the perspective of sparse signal recovery. The graph signal model is constructed by combining the low‐rank and piecewise smoothing(LRPS) regular terms, based on which the proximal operator is replaced by the denoising graph convolution network, and the graph convolution sparse reconstruction network LRPS‐GCN is constructed, and the recovered target image is obtained by iterating with the optimal non‐linear sparse variation. For the proposed algorithm, simulation experiments are carried out using synthetic datasets under different target densities, iteration times and noise environments, and compared with the traditional graph signal reconstruction algorithm and the deep compressed sensing reconstruction algorithm, and then use the measured data with varying degrees of sparsity to validate. The experimental results show that the reconstructed images by this algorithm have better performance in terms of normalised mean square error, target to background ratio, reconstruction time and memory usage.

Abstract Objectives The burden of pain in middle‐aged and older adults is considerable and significantly increases healthcare expenditures. We aimed to investigate the roles of handgrip strength (HGS) weakness and asymmetry in predicting pain across four nationally representative cohorts. Methods This longitudinal study utilized data from four major surveys: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS); the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA); the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE); and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Multivariable cubic regression splines were employed to visually explore the nonlinear associations between HGS and pain in each cohort. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied to analyze the independent and combined relationship between HGS weakness and asymmetry and pain risk. Results We included 41,171 participants in the final analysis, with a mean follow‐up period of 4.68 ± 2.61 years (50.7% female, mean age 64.3 ± 9.3 years). No nonlinear relationship was found between HGS and pain incidence (nonlinear p 0.05 in CHARLS and HRS). After adjustment, the highest quartile groups had a significantly reduced risk of pain compared to the lowest quartile groups across all cohorts, with hazard ratios of 0.81 (0.74, 0.89) in CHARLS, 0.86 (0.77, 0.97) in HRS, 0.88 (0.77, 0.98) in ELSA, and 0.78 (0.73, 0.84) in SHARE. Participants with normal HGS had approximately 20% lower risk of pain compared to those with weak HGS. Each 5 kg increase in HGS was associated with decreased hazard ratios for pain: 0.95 (0.93, 0.97) in CHARLS, 0.97 (0.94, 0.99) in HRS, 0.96 (0.94, 0.99) in ELSA, and 0.94 (0.92, 0.95) in SHARE. The association between HGS asymmetry and pain risk was significant only in a few cohorts (HRS at 10%, 1.10 (1.03, 1.18); SHARE at 30%, 1.12 (1.05, 1.21)). No interaction effect between HGS weakness and asymmetry on pain risk was observed (all p‐values for interaction >0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that HGS can be used as an independent predictor of pain in middle‐aged and older European, American, and Chinese populations. However, our results do not support the use of HGS asymmetry as an independent predictor of pain risk. It is necessary to establish appropriate criteria for HGS asymmetry across different populations. The use of both weak HGS and asymmetry as predictors of health outcomes requires further validation in more diverse populations.

Abstract Intratumoral microbiota, which affects the physiological and pathological processes of the host, has attracted increasing attention from researchers. Microbials have been found in normal as well as tumor tissues that were originally thought to be sterile. Intratumoral microbiota is considered to play a significant role in the development of tumors and the reduction of clinical benefits. In addition, intratumoral microbiota are heterogeneous, which have different distribution in various types of tumors, and can influence tumor development through different mechanisms, including genome mutations, inflammatory responses, activated cancer pathways, and immunosuppressive microenvironments. Therefore, eliminating the intratumoral microbiota is considered one of the most promising ways to slow down the tumor progression and improve therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we systematically categorized the intratumoral microbiota and elucidated its role in the pathogenesis and therapeutic response of cancer. We have also described the novel strategies to mitigate the impact of tumor progression. We hope this review will provide new insights for the anti‐tumor treatment, particularly for the elderly population, where such insights could significantly enhance treatment outcomes.

Abstract Background Paraplegia after spinal cord ischemia is a devastating condition in the clinic. Here, we develop an awake rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia with delayed paraplegia and explore the influence of ambient temperature on the outcomes after injury. Methods A total of 47 male rabbits were involved in the present study. Transient spinal cord ischemia was induced by occluding the infrarenal abdominal aorta of awake rabbits at different ambient temperatures. To find the optimal conditions for developing delayed paraplegia, hindlimb motor function after ischemia was evaluated between experiments. Results The onset and magnitude of ischemic injury varied with the ambient temperature maintained during the peri‐ischemia period. More serious spinal cord injury occurred when ischemia was induced at higher temperatures. At 18°C, 25‐minute ischemia resulted in 74% of rabbits developing delayed paraplegia. At a temperature of 28°C or higher, most of the animals developed acute paraplegia immediately. While at 13°C, rabbits usually regained normal motor function without paraplegia. Conclusion This awake rabbit model is highly reproducible and will be helpful in future studies of delayed paraplegia after spinal cord ischemia. The ambient temperature must be considered while using this model during investigation of therapeutic interventions.

Abstract Background The role of Claudin‐1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) metastasis needs further clarification, particularly its impact on cell migration. Herein, our study aims to investigate the role of Claudin‐1 in TSCC cell migration and its underlying mechanisms. Methods 36 TSCC tissue samples underwent immunohistochemical staining for Claudin‐1. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to evaluate Claudin‐1 expression and distribution in TSCC cells. Claudin‐1 knockdown cell lines were established using short hairpin RNA transfection. Migration effects were assessed through wound healing assays. Furthermore, the expression of EMT‐associated molecules was measured via western blotting. Results Claudin‐1 expression decreased as TSCC malignancy increased. Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation led to increased Claudin‐1 expression and membrane translocation, inhibiting TSCC cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, Claudin‐1 knockdown reversed these inhibitory effects on migration and EMT caused by AMPK activation. Conclusions Our results indicated that AMPK activation suppresses TSCC cell migration by targeting Claudin‐1 and EMT pathways.

Abstract Background Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease caused by viral infection by a variety of enteroviruses, with coxsackievirus A 10 (CA10) having become more prevalent in recent years. Methods In this study, models of CA10 infection were established in 7‐day‐old Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice by intraperitoneal injection to analyze the pathogenicity of the virus. RNA sequencing analysis was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after CA10 infection. Coxsackievirus A 16 (CA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71) infections were also compared with CA10. Results After CA10 virus infection, the mice showed paralysis of the hind limbs at 3 days post infection and weight loss at 5 days post infection. We observed viral replication in various tissues and severe inflammatory cell infiltration in skeletal muscle. The RNA‐sequencing analysis showed that the DEGs in blood, muscle, thymus and spleen showed heterogeneity after CA10 infection and the most up‐regulated DEGs in muscle were enriched in immune‐related pathways. Compared with CA16 and EV71 infection, CA10 may have an inhibitory effect on T helper (Th) cell differentiation and cell growth. Additionally, the common DEGs in the three viruses were most enriched in the immune system response, including the Toll‐like receptor pathway and the nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like pathway. Conclusions Our findings revealed a group of genes that coordinate in response to CA10 infection, which increases our understanding of the pathological mechanism of HFMD.

Abstract Pelton turbines functioning in sandy river environments often encounter difficulties due to the swift movement of sediment particles, leading to erosion and damage to overflow components. These challenges can result in operational instability, particularly noticeable in large turbines. Pressure pulsation is crucial for turbine stability, and alterations in overflow component profiles caused by sediment erosion can worsen pressure pulsations. This study utilizes numerical simulations to analyze turbine pressure pulsations based on surface profile changes of runner buckets after 2 and 4 years of sediment erosion in a single 500 MW large‐scale Pelton turbine. Our findings reveal that erosion leads to a gradual decrease in pressure pulsation along the bucket's splitting edge from the notch to the root. After 4 years of erosion and wear, the relative pressure pulsation amplitude in the root region increased by more than 530%. Additionally, changes occur in the thickness of the water film in the erosion area on the working surface, disrupting the flow pattern and generating more vortices. This occurrence intensifies the relative pressure pulsation amplitude and reduces bucket stability. The study findings highlight the significant impact of sediment erosion on Pelton turbine pressure pulsation, posing a considerable risk to the unit's operational stability and safety.

Abstract Due to the richness of natural image semantics, natural image colourisation is a challenging problem. Existing methods often suffer from semantic confusion due to insufficient semantic understanding, resulting in unreasonable colour assignments, especially at the edges of objects. This phenomenon is referred to as colour bleeding. The authors have found that using the self‐attention mechanism benefits the model's understanding and recognition of object semantics. However, this leads to another problem in colourisation, namely dull colour. With this in mind, a Position‐Spatial Attention Network(PSANet) is proposed to address the colour bleeding and the dull colour. Firstly, a novel new attention module called position‐spatial attention module (PSAM) is introduced. Through the proposed PSAM module, the model enhances the semantic understanding of images while solving the dull colour problem caused by self‐attention. Then, in order to further prevent colour bleeding on object boundaries, a gradient‐aware loss is proposed. Lastly, the colour bleeding phenomenon is further improved by the combined effect of gradient‐aware loss and edge‐aware loss. Experimental results show that this method can reduce colour bleeding largely while maintaining good perceptual quality.

Abstract Despite the impressive progress in visual localisation, 6‐DoF cross‐view localisation is still a challenging task in the computer vision community due to the huge appearance changes. To address this issue, the authors propose the CLaSP, a coarse‐to‐fine framework, which leverages a synthetic panorama to facilitate cross‐view 6‐DoF localisation in a large‐scale scene. The authors first leverage a segmentation map to correct the prior pose, followed by a synthetic panorama on the ground to enable coarse pose estimation combined with a template matching method. The authors finally formulate the refine localisation process as feature matching and pose refinement to obtain the final result. The authors evaluate the performance of the CLaSP and several state‐of‐the‐art baselines on the Airloc dataset, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed framework.

Abstract As the proliferation of video content continues, and many video archives lack suitable metadata, therefore, video retrieval, particularly through example‐based search, has become increasingly crucial. Existing metadata often fails to meet the needs of specific types of searches, especially when videos contain elements from different modalities, such as visual and audio. Consequently, developing video retrieval methods that can handle multi‐modal content is essential. An innovative Multi‐modal Video Search by Examples (MVSE) framework is introduced, employing state‐of‐the‐art techniques in its various components. In designing MVSE, the authors focused on accuracy, efficiency, interactivity, and extensibility, with key components including advanced data processing and a user‐friendly interface aimed at enhancing search effectiveness and user experience. Furthermore, the framework was comprehensively evaluated, assessing individual components, data quality issues, and overall retrieval performance using high‐quality and low‐quality BBC archive videos. The evaluation reveals that: (1) multi‐modal search yields better results than single‐modal search; (2) the quality of video, both visual and audio, has an impact on the query precision. Compared with image query results, audio quality has a greater impact on the query precision (3) a two‐stage search process (i.e. searching by Hamming distance based on hashing, followed by searching by Cosine similarity based on embedding); is effective but increases time overhead; (4) large‐scale video retrieval is not only feasible but also expected to emerge shortly.

Abstract In the pursuit of enhancing the efficiency of solar cells, accurate estimation of unspecified parameters in the solar photovoltaic (PV) cell model is imperative. An advanced salp swarm algorithm called the Super‐Evolutionary Nelder‐Mead Salp Swarm Algorithm (SENMSSA) is proposed to achieve this objective. The proposed SENMSSA addresses the limitations of SSA by incorporating a super‐evolutionary mechanism based on a Gaussian‐Cauchy mutation and a vertical and horizontal crossover mechanism. This mechanism enhances both the global optimization capabilities and the local search performance and convergence speed of the algorithm. It enables a secondary refinement of the global optimum, unlocking untapped potential in the solution space near the global optimum and elevating the algorithm's precision and exploitation capabilities to higher levels. The Nelder‐Mead simplex method is further introduced to enhance local search capabilities and convergence accuracy. The Nelder‐Mead simplex method is a versatile optimization algorithm that improves local search by iteratively adjusting a geometric shape (simplex) of points. It operates without needing derivatives, making it suitable for non‐smooth or complex objective functions. To assess the efficacy of SENMSSA, a comparative analysis is conducted against other available algorithms, namely SSA, IWOA, SCADE, LWOA, CBA, and RCBA, using the CEC2014 benchmark function set. Subsequently, the algorithm was employed to determine the unknown PV parameters under fixed conditions for three different diode models. Additionally, SENMSSA is utilized to estimate PV parameters for three commercially available PV models (ST40, SM55, KC200GT) under varying conditions. The experimental results indicate that the SENMSSA proposed in this study displays a remarkably competitive performance in all test cases compared to other algorithms. As such, we consider that the SENMSSA algorithm constitutes a reliable and efficient solution for the challenge of PV parameter estimation.

Abstract Multi‐energy microgrids (MEMG) have become an effective means of integrated energy management due to their unique advantages, including area independence, diverse supply, flexibility, and efficiency. However, the uncertain deviation of the renewable energy generators (REGs) output and the uncertain deviation of the multiple energy load response cumulatively lead to the deterioration of the MEMG model performance. To address these issues, this article proposes a cooperative forecasting management model for MEMG that considers multiple uncertainties and load response knowledge characterization. The model combines a multi‐energy load prediction model with a management model based on deep reinforcement learning. It proposes multiple iterations of data, fits the dynamic environment of MEMG by continuously improving the long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural network based on knowledge distillation (KD) architecture, and then optimizes the MEMG state space by considering the knowledge of load response characteristics, Furthermore, it combines multi‐agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) with horizontal federated (hF) learning to co‐train multi‐MEMG, addressing the issues of training efficiency during co‐training. Finally, the validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by an arithmetic example.

Abstract Purpose Our institution developed the subspecialized medical team (SMT) mode in radiology reporting workflows in July 2022 to strengthen professionalism in radiology residency training. This study aimed to investigate whether adopting the SMT mode facilitated radiology resident training. Method This observational study was conducted in October 2022. An online questionnaire was distributed among first‐to third‐year radiology residents to determine their levels of perceived stress, anxiety, competency in image interpretation, and learning effectiveness in using the SMT mode and other approaches. Responses were on 4 or 5 point Likert scales, and multiple‐choice responses were used for semi‐open questions. The turnaround time for radiology reports was measured for both residents and senior radiologists. Statistical significance (p

Abstract The cross‐linked polyethylene insulated cables with corrugated aluminium‐sheathed are widely used in urban power systems. Recently, a new type of power cable fault has emerged, primarily due to defects in the buffer layer. However, there is a notable lack of effective evaluation methods for these defects in high‐voltage (HV) cables. Initially, a theoretical analysis of the gas generation mechanism in the cable buffer layer was conducted, identifying distinct gas products at different stages. Subsequently, the diffusion kinetics of gas within the cable was studied, highlighting the importance of gas in determining the state of the buffer layer. The authors then collected and analysed 60 sets of buffer layer gases from two operational 110 kV HV cables using gas chromatography technology. Combining these results with the findings from on‐site inspections, the characteristic gas components and concentration distribution under various defect conditions were summarised. The results found higher concentrations of CH4 in normal cables and defective cables, while there are higher concentrations of H2, CO and CO2 in defective cables, and the oxygen content decreases. The discoveries made in this research may offer a new approach for assessing the state of the cable buffer layer.

Abstract Partial discharge (PD) detection of cable terminals is crucial for the safe operation of the traction power system in trains. However, similar PD signals in complex train‐operating environments cause difficulty to recognise the insulation defects. Therefore, a PD signal image transformation recognition method is proposed for PD detection of cable terminal defects to identify defects in cable terminals with similar PD characteristics accurately. In the proposed method, the raw PD signals are firstly transformed to images via the Gramian angular field (GAF) representation. This can reveal the discriminative characteristics embedded in the original PD signals and subsequently facilitate differentiating the PD sources, which exhibit similar characteristic in the time domain. The obtained GAF representation of PD signals (named as PD GAF images) is extracted from local and global features to train an efficient MobileVIT model, which is then utilised to identify similar types of PD sources in cable terminals. The results show that the proposed method achieves 97.5% recognition accuracy in the field experiment, which is superior to other methods.

Abstract Greenhouses need to supply CO2 to crops while simultaneously emitting CO2. To effectively harness the dual functionality of greenhouses as a carbon source and carbon consumer, this work incorporates carbon capture and emissions trading into a multi‐energy greenhouse (MEG), which is equipped with various power and heat sources such as photovoltaic (PV) panels and a combined heat and power (CHP) unit and proposes that the captured CO2 should be used to feed crops on‐site. A low‐carbon economic operation method is proposed for the coordinated environment‐energy‐carbon management of the MEG, and it considers various factors, including the power purchase/carbon supply costs, carbon emissions trading income, temperature/humidity/light intensity and CO2 concentration requirements for crops, and operational constraints of various energy/environmental regulation equipment. The proposed method is validated using a tomato MEG. The results highlight the significant economic and environmental benefits of introducing carbon capture, emissions trading, and utilisation into MEGs.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the activity and connectivity of cerebral and cerebellar cortices underlying the sensory trick (ST) effects in patients with cervical dystonia (CD), using electroencephalography (EEG). Methods We recruited 15 CD patients who exhibited clinically effective ST and 15 healthy controls (HCs) who mimicked the ST maneuver. EEG signals and multiple‐channel electromyography (EMG) were recorded simultaneously during resting and acting stages. EEG source analysis and functional connectivity were performed. To account for the effects of sensory processing, we calculated relative power changes as the difference in power spectral density between resting and the maneuver execution. Results ST induced a decrease in low gamma (30–50 Hz) spectral power in the primary sensory and cerebellar cortices, which remained lower than in HCs during the maintenance period. Compared with HCs, patients exhibited consistently strengthened connectivity within the sensorimotor network during the maintenance period, particularly in the primary sensory‐sensorimotor cerebellum connection. Interpretation The application of ST resulted in altered cortical excitability and functional connectivity regulated by gamma oscillation in CD patients, suggesting that this effect cannot be solely attributed to motor components. The cerebellum may play important roles in mediating the ST effects.

Abstract Background Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an anti‐aquaporin 4 (anti‐AQP4) autoantibodies‐mediated idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. While intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (IVMP) is the recommended initial treatment option for acute onset NMOSD, its therapeutic mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that IVMP would reduce the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors and increase the resolution of inflammation in patients with NMOSD. Methods Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to screen meaningful inflammatory and resolution factors for inclusion. Three MR methods with inverse variance weighting (IVW) were primarily used to identify positive results. Interleukin (IL)‐10, IL‐1β, IL‐6, C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) were screened from 41 inflammatory factors, and resolvin D1 (RvD1), maresin 1 (MaR1), and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) were screened from 6 resolution markers for inclusion. Subsequently, 12 patients with NMOSD were enrolled and treated with IVMP. Serum levels of the aforementioned inflammatory and resolution markers were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay before and after IVMP treatment. Results High levels of TRAIL, CXCL12, and IL‐1β were associated with an increased risk of NMOSD (TRAIL: odds ratio [OR], 1.582; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003–2.495; CXCL12: OR, 3.610; 95% CI, 1.011–12.889; IL‐1β: OR, 4.500; 95% CI, 1.129–17.927). High levels of RvD1, MaR1, and LXA4 were associated with a reduced risk of NMOSD (RvD1: OR, 0.725; 95% CI, 0.538–0.976; MaR1: OR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.970–0.999; LXA4: OR, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.727–0.993). Among patients with NMOSD, serum levels of IL‐6, CXCL12, and TRAIL significantly decreased following IVMP treatment, compared with pretreatment levels, while levels of IL‐1β, LXA4, and MaR1 significantly increased after IVMP treatment (p