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The abundance of courses available in a university often overwhelms students as they must select courses that are relevant to their academic interests and satisfy their requirements. A large number of existing studies in course recommendation systems focus on the accuracy of prediction to show students the most relevant courses with little consideration on interactivity and user perception. However, recent work has highlighted the importance of user-perceived aspects of recommendation systems, such as transparency, controllability, and user satisfaction. This paper introduces CourseQ, an interactive course recommendation system that allows students to explore courses by using a novel visual interface so as to improve transparency and user satisfaction of course recommendations. We describe the design concepts, interactions, and algorithm of the proposed system. A within-subject user study (N=32) was conducted to evaluate our system compared to a baseline interface without the proposed interactive visualization. The evaluation results show that our system improves many user-centric metrics including user acceptance and understanding of the recommendation results. Furthermore, our analysis of user interaction behaviors in the system indicates that CourseQ could help different users with their course-seeking tasks. Our results and discussions highlight the impact of visual and interactive features in course recommendation systems and inform the design of future recommendation systems for higher education.

Recommendation systems need a deeper understanding of users and their motivations to improve recommendation quality and provide more personalized suggestions. This is especially true in the education domain, the more about the student is known, the more useful recommendations can be made. However, although many studies on the course recommendation exist, studies on the students' course selection motivations in universities are limited. This study investigates the factors that contribute to students' choice when selecting courses in universities to better understand student perceptions, attitudes, and needs and leverage data-driven approaches for recommending and explaining the recommendations in university environments. A qualitative interview for university students (N = 10) comprised of open-ended questions as well as a questionnaire for students (N = 81) was conducted, aiming to investigate the main reasons behind their choices. The results of this study show that students highly value the course contents and the benefits of the course towards their future careers. Furthermore, students are influenced by other reasons such as the possibility of obtaining a higher grade, the popularity of professors, and recommendations from peers. Next, we extract the main categories of students' motivations and analyzed the questionnaire data by employing statistical analysis methods as well as the k-means clustering algorithm to identify different types of students in terms of course selection. Based on our findings, we discuss implications for designing more personalized course recommendation systems.

Near‐net shaping hot isostatic pressing (NNS‐HIP) forming process has the advantage of high material utilization ratio and good uniformity of billet microstructure. It is widely used to produce critical parts for harsh service environments in special fields such as aerospace and energy and chemical industry. This paper introduces the process characteristics and production flow of hot isostatic near‐net forming, the representative materials of hot isostatic near‐net forming, the development and application at home and abroad, and the micro‐ and macromodels of numerical simulation powder densification by HIP near‐net forming. Finally, the challenges and development trends of this technology are prospected, and corresponding countermeasures are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead‐based perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) as one of the most promising materials in the fields of display and lighting, have outstanding optical performance and simple solution preparation process. However, the toxicity of lead and poor stability limit their commercialization. Meanwhile, as a key component of display and lighting, white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) still faces challenges such as low luminance and complex preparation process. A method is proposed for preparing nontoxic and stable Cs3Cu2I5 NCs by doping Mg2+ ions, achieved broadband blue light emission with a high PLQY of 96.2% and excellent thermal cycling stability and air stability. Then, the Mg2+ ions doped Cs3Cu2I5 NCs are used as emissive layer, while the 1,3,5‐Tri (m‐pyridine‐3‐ylphenyl) benzene (TmPyPb) is selected as electron transport layer to interact with Cs3Cu2I5 thin films for the formation of Cu‐I complex with broadband yellow light emission. This approach obviated the need for multi‐layer sedimentary emission layers, resulting in WLEDs featuring a high color rendering index (CRI) of 91, a peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.71% and maximum luminance of 2116 cd m−2 that is the highest values of lead‐free perovskite WLEDs at present. Therefore, Cs3Cu2I5 NCs have good application prospects in WLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates various dimensions, including service quality, absorptive capacity, innovation performance, and intellectual capital (specifically organisational capital, social capital, and human capital), within the context of the airline industry. A survey questionnaire was administered to airline employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate that service quality has the potential to generate favourable innovation outcomes, such as increased absorptive capacity, thereby further enhancing employee innovation performance. Service quality is also found to have a simultaneous positive impact on human capital, leading to increased innovation performance and absorptive capacity. Therefore, organisations should prioritise the development of absorptive capacity to enhance both human capital and the accumulation of intellectual capital. Furthermore, both organisational capital and human capital play a vital role in these intricate strategy decision procedures. These factors play a crucial role in strengthening the connections between service quality and innovation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A streaming graph is a constantly growing sequence of edges, which forms a dynamic graph that changes with every edge in the stream. An anomalous behavior in a streaming graph can be modeled as an edge or a subgraph that is unusual compared to the rest of the graph. Identifying anomalous behaviors in real time is essential to the early warning of abnormal or notable events. Due to the complexity of the problem, little work has been reported so far to solve the problem. In this paper, we propose Finger-based Higher-order Graph Sketch (FHGS for short), which is an approximate data structure for streaming graphs with linear memory usage, high update speed, and high accuracy and supports both edge and subgraph anomaly detection. FHGS first maps each edge into a matrix based on hash functions, and then counts its frequency in a time window with unique fingerprints for detecting anomalies. Extensive experiments confirm that our approach generate high-quality results compared to baseline methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of safflower polysaccharide in treatment of thymic atrophy induced by estradiol in mice. Methods: A total of 75 female ICR mice were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, ubenimex group, SPS high dose group, SPS low dose group. Except for control group, each group was given intraperitoneal injection of estradiol benzoate every other day for 6 times. Treatment group began administration 24 h after the last parenteral administration, once a day for 10 days. Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after the last administration, and body weight, immune organ index, MDA and GST levels in plasma, peripheral blood cells and T cells changes were observed, thymus tissue was stained by HE staining and TUNEL cell apoptosis staining, and thymus output capacity was detected. Results: Both high and low doses of safflower polysaccharide significantly improved thymus index (P<0.05) in mice, increased leukocytes level in peripheral blood (P<0.05), proportions of CD3+CD4+T, CD3+CD8+T cells (P<0.05) and CD4+T/CD8+T, improved thymus tissue damage. High dose of safflower polysaccharide could significantly reduce apoptosis in thymus tissue and enhance thymus output. Conclusion: Safflower polysaccharide has a certain therapeutic effect on estradiol-induced thymus atrophy in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High expression of truncated O‐glycans Tn antigen predicts adverse clinical outcome in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). To understand the biosynthetic underpinnings of Tn antigen changes in ccRCC, we focused on N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GALNTs, also known as GalNAcTs) known to be involved in Tn antigen synthesis. Data from GSE15641 profile and local cohort showed that GALNT6 was significantly upregulated in ccRCC tissues. The current study aimed to determine the role of GALNT6 in ccRCC, and whether GALNT6‐mediated O‐glycosylation aggravates malignant behaviors. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments showed that overexpression of GALNT6 accelerated ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted ccRCC‐derived xenograft tumor growth and lung metastasis. In line with this, silencing of GALNT6 yielded the opposite results. Mechanically, high expression of GALNT6 led to the accumulation of Tn antigen in ccRCC cells. By undertaking immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, vicia villosa agglutinin blot, and site‐directed mutagenesis assays, we found that O‐glycosylation of prohibitin 2 (PHB2) at Ser161 was required for the GALNT6‐induced ccRCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Additionally, we identified lens epithelium‐derived growth factor (LEDGF) as a key regulator of GALNT6 transcriptional induction in ccRCC growth and an upstream contributor to ccRCC aggressive behavior. Collectively, our findings indicate that GALNT6‐mediated abnormal O‐glycosylation promotes ccRCC progression, which provides a potential therapeutic target in ccRCC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vigorous development of the digital economy, alongside the collaborative promotion of enterprise digital transformation and low-carbon supply chains, has emerged as a critical pathway for achieving green and high-quality development in enterprises. In this paper, we utilize a mathematical model framework to empirically investigate the mechanisms and impacts of enterprise digital transformation on the low-carbon effect of supply chains, employing data from A-share-listed companies spanning 2011 to 2021. The findings indicate that (1) enhancing the degree of enterprise digital transformation can significantly decrease the carbon emission intensity of upstream suppliers, thereby promoting low-carbon supply chains. (2) "Innovation-driven" and "structural transformation" mechanisms are vital channels by which enterprise digital transformation promotes carbon reduction in supply chains. (3) The diffusion mechanism effect and demonstration effect exhibit heterogeneity in the process of enterprise digital transformation, driving low-carbon emission reductions in supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) occurs in 70% of severely infected patients and the incidence rate of 17.7%. Previous studies have shown that Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) may treat nerve damage, but its inability to directly penetrate cell membranes limits its application. In this study, a nanoparticle (NADH@HMONs‐AAL) with one modification of triple‐role nano‐therapy is creatively prepared to treat SAE, and it is delivered to the brain through intranasal administration. There are three‐fold to introduce aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) to modify the surface of NADH@HMONs. First, AAL adhered to HMONs as a mesoporous blocker to prevent drug leakage. Then, AAL increases the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the nanoparticles, making NADH@HMONs more easily enter cells. Third, AAL allowed NADH@HMONs to bind to L‐fucose residues expressed on the olfactory epithelium, reducing clearance by cilia and effectively transporting NADH@HMONs‐AAL to the brain. This research indicates that NADH@HMONs‐AAL can directly enter the brain through intranasal administration and rapidly release NADH within cells. It repairs neuronal damage in the hippocampus and improves cognitive dysfunction in SAE‐induced cognitive neuroinflammatory mice. In conclusion, the nanoparticle prepared in this study using precision can alleviate the cognitive dysfunction caused by SAE, and provide a promising delivery route and method for treating neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Few studies have assessed the association between weight changes from childhood to adulthood and cardiometabolic factors in adulthood. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between weight changes from childhood to adulthood and cardiometabolic factors in adulthood using national Chinese data. Methods: We included 649 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1989 to 2009 and divided them into four groups by their body mass index from 6 to 37 years of age. They were selected using multistage random cluster sampling from 15 areas with large variations in economic and social development. Poisson regression models assessed associations between weight status changes and cardiometabolic outcomes in adulthood. Results: The risk of multiple abnormal cardiometabolic outcomes in adulthood was increased in the 126 subjects with normal weight in childhood but overweight or obesity in adulthood and the 28 with obesity at both ages, compared to the 462 with normal weight at both ages. There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the 33 who had weight issues as children, but not as adults, had an increased risk. Conclusion: Being overweight or obese in both childhood and adulthood or during adulthood only increased the risk of abnormal cardiometabolic outcomes in adulthood. Larger studies need to investigate whether weight problems in childhood, but not adulthood, increase the risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gain medium‐doped active optical fibers for optical amplification and long‐range transmission have triggered a lot of researches. Traditional rare‐earth ion‐doped active fibers have non‐adjustable emissions, narrow band luminescence, limited gain enhancement, and other challenges. The unique optical properties of quantum dots (QDs) can further improve the doped optical fibers in the light amplification capacity, temperature sensitivity and to gain a broad‐spectrum coverage and lower laser threshold and other superiorities. However, there are few systematic discussions on the development of the technologies and applications of those QD‐doped optical fibers. In this review, the optical properties, temperature characteristics and optical amplification mechanisms of QD‐doped optical fibers are outlined. Then, the preparation technologies and the applications of QD‐doped optical fibers are highlighted. Additionally, the existing challenges and future development prospects of QD‐doped optical fibers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a premalignant condition that increases the risk for subsequent gastric cancer (GC). Traditional Chinese medicine generally plays a role in the treatment of IM, and the phytochemical naringenin used in Chinese herbal medicine has shown therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases. However, naringenin's specific effect on IM is not yet clearly understood. Therefore, this study identified potential gene targets for the treatment of IM through bioinformatics analysis and experiment validation. Two genes (MTTP and APOB) were selected as potential targets after a comparison of RNA‐seq results of clinical samples, the GEO dataset (GSE78523), and naringenin‐related genes from the GeneCards database. The results of both cell and animal experiments suggested that naringenin can improve the changes in the intestinal epithelial metaplasia model via MTTP/APOB expression. In summary, naringenin likely inhibits the MTTP/APOB axis and therefore inhibits IM progression. These results support the development of naringenin as an anti‐IM agent and may contribute to the discovery of novel IM therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, MIL-88D (Fe) with spindle shape was prepared by the hydrothermal synthesis method, a metal oxide with a new structure was obtained by calcination at different temperatures as a precursor, and a magnetic iron oxide composite was prepared successfully. At the same time, it was used as an adsorption material for the adsorption of heavy metal ions Cu2+. The influence of the initial pH value and adsorption time on the adsorption effect was investigated, the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm were further fitted, and the adsorption mechanism was preliminarily analyzed. The results show that the magnetic iron oxide composites have a good adsorption capacity for Cu2+. The pH value is an important parameter that affects the adsorption effect. The adsorption of Cu2+ by magnetic iron oxide composites reached adsorption equilibrium in 30 min. The adsorption of Cu2+ by magnetic iron oxide composites conforms to the second-order reaction kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation, which indicates that the adsorption process mainly occurs through chemisorption and typical single-molecular-layer adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Withering and spreading, though slightly differing in their parameters, share the same aim of moisture reduction in tea leaves, and they have a strong impact on the physical and chemical properties of tea. Even though researchers tend to pay close attention to the characteristic crafts of different teas, increasing investigations begin to focus on the withering process due to its profound effects on the composition and content of quality‐related compounds. This review provides an overview of tea withering process to address questions comprehensively during withering. Hence, it is expected in this review to figure out factors that affect withering results, the way withering influences the physical and chemical properties of withered leaves and tea quality, and intelligent technologies and devices targeted at withering processes to promote the modernization of the tea industry. Herein, several key withering parameters, including duration, temperature, humidity, light irradiation, airflow, and more, are tailored to different tea types, demanding further exploration of advanced withering devices and real‐time monitoring systems. The development of real‐time monitoring technology enables objective and real‐time adjustment of withering status in order to optimize withering results. Tea quality, including taste, aroma, and color quality, is first shaped during withering due to the change of composition and content of quality‐related metabolites through (non)enzymatic reactions, which are easily influenced by the factors above. A thorough understanding of withering is key to improving tea quality effectively and scientifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]