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Overview of our proposed framework for histopathological image classification. • We propose a novel histopathological image classification framework. • The discriminative prediction sparse decomposition model can predict discriminative features. • A mutual information-based multi-channel joint sparse model is proposed to capture the relationship of multi-channel features. • Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed framework performs better than popular existing frameworks. Histopathological image classification is a very challenging task because of the biological heterogeneities and rich geometrical structures. In this paper, we propose a novel histopathological image classification framework, which includes the discriminative feature learning and the mutual information-based multi-channel joint sparse representation. We first propose a stack-based discriminative prediction sparse decomposition (SDPSD) model by incorporating the class labels information to predict deep discriminant features automatically. Subsequently, a mutual information-based multi-channel joint sparse model (MIMCJSM) is presented to jointly encode the common component and particular components of the discriminative features. Especially, the main advantage of the MIMCJSM is the construction of a joint dictionary using a mutual information criterion, which contains a common sub-dictionary and three particular sub-dictionaries. Based on the joint dictionary, the MIMCJSM captures the relationship of multi-channel features, which can improve discriminative ability of joint sparse representation coefficients. Finally, the joint sparse representation coefficients of different levels can be aggregated using the spatial pyramid matching (SPM) model, and the linear support vector machine (SVM) is used as the classifier. Experimental results on ADL and BreaKHis datasets demonstrate that our proposed framework consistently performs better than popular existing classification frameworks. Additionally, it can show promising strong-robustness performance for histopathological image classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we propose a novel approach to enhance the gain of a terahertz patch antenna by coating an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial superstrate. The ENZ metamaterial is composed of indium antimonide (InSb) and silicon dioxide multilayers, of which the out-of-plane component of the effective permittivity is close to zero. Results show that by coating the ENZ superstrate the peak gain of the antenna is increased from 5.37 dB to 7.79 dB, corresponding to 45% gain enhancement and greatly improved radiation directivity. We find that the ENZ frequency of the multilayer metamaterial equals to that of semiconductor InSb and thus it can be tuned dynamically. We expect the concept of adding a multilayer ENZ metamaterial superstrate to enhance the antenna gain will find potential applications in other types of terahertz antennas and in antennas in other frequency regimes. • A novel ENZ metamaterial superstrate was proposed to enhance the gain of a terahertz patch antenna. • The ENZ metamaterial superstrate is composed of alternating InSb and SiO 2 multilayers. • The gain of a terahertz patch antenna is improved by 45% from 5.37 dB to 7.79 dB. • The metamaterial ENZ frequency is found to be determined by that of semiconductor InSb, thus enabling dynamical tuning. • The theory and operation principle are explained. • Effects of key parameters are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-storey masonry structures are popular structural systems for residential buildings in China in the 1970 s, which need strengthening urgently due to poor seismic performance. To save construction time and achieve minimum disturbance, a single-sided engineered cementitious composites (ECC) strengthened method for masonry structures was proposed. To investigate the effectiveness of the strengthening method, two 1/4-scaled 5-storey masonry structures, including a reference unreinforced structure (US) model and a corresponding retrofitted structure (RS) model, were designed and tested by shake table tests. The comparisons between the US model and the RS model were analyzed in terms of the natural frequency, acceleration amplification factor, acceleration response, and storey drift response. The results show that the strengthening method can improve the seismic performance of the masonry structure. The connection method can ensure that the existing masonry walls and ECC layers work together. The initial natural frequency of the RS model is 1.3 times that of the US model. The maximum storey drift of the US model is 3.0 times that of the RS model at PGA = 0.550 g. To ensure the strengthening efficiency, the acceptable structural aspect ratio range for the strengthening method was suggested, and an improved strengthening method was proposed. • An ECC-strengthened method based on minimum disturbance was proposed. • Two structure models were tested on a shaking table. • The masonry walls were well connected to the ECC layers under seismic load. • The acceptable aspect ratio for the strengthening method under different PGA was studied. • A more rigid strengthening method was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A simplified nonlinear static analytical method for seismic fragility analysis of masonry structures is developed. • Influence of aftershock's PGA is studied by scaling it to various intensity levels. • Effects of mortar strength and the number of storeys are studied. • Effect of RC tie column on seismic performance of masonry structure is investigated. Earthquake investigations indicate that strong aftershocks can further aggravate the structural damage and low attention has been given to understand the seismic performance of masonry structures under seismic sequences. This manuscript studies the seismic fragility of masonry structures considering the effect of aftershocks by proposing a simplified probabilistic approach. In total, 36,000,000 stochastic earthquake-structure samples were generated using Monte Carlo simulation to consider the uncertainty of earthquake ground motions and structures, while seismic fragility curves of masonry structures were obtained by considering the following parameters: 1) aftershock intensity, 2) seismic wall area ratio, 3) site conditions, 4) the number of storeys, 5) reinforced concrete (RC) tie column, 6) mortar strength. The interstorey drift ratio was employed to assess the structural performance levels. The results showed that strong aftershocks have a significant influence on the fragility curves of masonry structures. The probability of exceeding the collapse limit state of structures can increase by 32.2% due to aftershock effect. Among the examined parameters it was found that the number of storeys has the greatest effect on the seismic fragility of masonry structures. By increasing the number of storeys, the probability of exceedance of the collapse damage state can increase up to 28.7%. The derived fragility curves are validated against a finite element method, which indicate the rationality of the proposed methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflurane, a commonly used inhaled anesthetic, has been found to have a cardioprotective effect. However, the precise mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we found that isoflurane preconditioning enhanced OGD/R-induced upregulation of miR-210, a hypoxia-responsive miRNA, in AC16 human myocardial cells. To further test the roles of miR-210 in regulating the effects of isoflurane preconditioning on OGD/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury, AC16 cells were transfected with anti-miR-210 or control anti-miRNA. Results showed that isoflurane preconditioning attenuated OGD/R-induced cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity (as assessed by cell viability, LDH and CK-MB levels), which could be reversed by anti-miR-210. Isoflurane preconditioning also prevented OGD/R-induced increase in apoptotic rate, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, and Bax level and decrease in Bcl-2 expression level, while anti-miR-210 blocked these effects. We also found that anti-miR-210 prevented the inhibitory effects of isoflurane preconditioning on OGD/R-induced decrease in adenosine triphosphate content; mitochondrial volume; citrate synthase activity; complex I, II, and IV activities; and p-DRP1 and MFN2 expression. Besides, the expression of BNIP3, a reported direct target of miR-210, was significantly decreased under hypoxia condition and could be regulated by isoflurane preconditioning. In addition, BNIP3 knockdown attenuated the effects of miR-210 silencing on the cytoprotection of isoflurane preconditioning. These findings suggested that isoflurane preconditioning exerted protective effects against OGD/R-induced cardiac cytotoxicity by regulating the miR-210/BNIP3 axis., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The prevention and treatment strategies for cervical cancer patients undergoing spinal epidural anesthesia have increasingly focused on early screening for high-risk factors associated with potential hypotension. We analyze the general conditions and preoperative examination results of 312 cervical cancer patients who received spinal epidural anesthesia, in order to identify independent risk factors for hypotension, assess their predictive efficacy, and construct a nomogram. 312 patients with cervical cancer received spinal epidural anesthesia were included in this study. Among them, 164 patients with hypotension after hysterectomy with spinal epidural anesthesia were in a hypotension group. Important risk predictors of hypotension after hysterectomy with spinal epidural anesthesia were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses, then a clinical nomogram was constructed. The predictive accuracy was assessed by unadjusted concordance index (C-index) and calibration plot. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis identified basal HR (≥95) (95% CI 0.831-0.900; P = 0.000) and basal PVI (95% CI 0.679-0.877; P = 0.000) were the independent risk factors for hypotension in cervical cancer patients with spinal epidural anesthesia. Those risk factors were used to construct a clinical predictive nomogram. The regression equation model based on the above factors was logit (P) = -6.820 + 0.216 * basal HR + basic PVI * 0.312. The calibration curves for hypotension risk revealed excellent accuracy of the predictive nomogram model. Decision curve analysis showed that the predictive model could be applied clinically when the threshold probability was 20 to 75%. We surmised that the basal HR values and PVI values are the independent risk factors for hypotension in cervical cancer patients with spinal epidural anesthesia. The construction of nomograms is beneficial in predicting the risk of hypotension in these patients., Competing Interests: None., (AJCR Copyright © 2024.)

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) frequently experience resistance to chemotherapy, leading to recurrence. The approach of optimizing anti-tumoral immunological effect is promising in overcoming such resistance, given the heterogeneity and lack of biomarkers in TNBC. In this study, we focused on YTHDF2, an N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) RNA-reader protein, in macrophages, one of the most abundant intra-tumoral immune cells. Using single-cell sequencing and ex vivo experiments, we discovered that YTHDF2 significantly promotes pro-tumoral phenotype polarization of macrophages and is closely associated with down-regulated antigen-presentation signaling to other immune cells in TNBC. The in vitro deprivation of YTHDF2 favors anti-tumoral effect. Expressions of multiple transcription factors, especially SPI1 , were consistently observed in YTHDF2 -high macrophages, providing potential therapeutic targets for new strategies. In conclusion, YTHDF2 in macrophages appears to promote pro-tumoral effects while suppressing immune activity, indicating the treatment targeting YTHDF2 or its transcription factors could be a promising strategy for chemoresistant TNBC., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

This article presents the first meta-analysis on correlations of morphological awareness (MA) with reading-related abilities in deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students (k = 14, N = 556). The results showed high mean correlations of MA with all three reading-related abilities: rs = 0.610, 0.712, and 0.669 (all ps < 0.001), respectively, for word reading, vocabulary knowledge, and reading comprehension. A set of moderator analysis was conducted of language, DHH students' age/reading stage and degree of hearing loss, and task type. The correlation of MA with word reading was significantly stronger in alphabetic than in non-alphabetic languages, and for fluency than accuracy; for vocabulary knowledge, the correlation was significantly stronger for production MA tasks than for judgment tasks; for reading comprehension, derivational MA tasks showed a stronger correlation than those having a mixed focus on inflection and derivation. While no other moderator effects were significant, the correlations for subsets of effect sizes were largely high for a moderator. These findings reaffirmed the importance of morphology in DHH students' reading development. The present synthesis, while evidencing major development of research on the metalinguistic underpinnings of reading in DHH students, also showed that the literature on MA is still very limited., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press.)