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The proportion of pet keeping has increased significantly. According to the survey results of Business Next, the proportion of Taiwan families keeping pets was 70% in 2020. Among them, the total number of fish pets was close to 33% of the overall pet proportion. Therefore, aquarium pets have become indispensable companions for families. At present, many studies have discussed intelligent aquarium systems. Through image recognition based on visual sensors, we may be able to detect and interpret the physiological status of the fish according to their physiological appearance. In this way, it can help to notify the owner as soon as possible to treat the fish or isolate them individually, so as to avoid the spread of infection. However, most aquarium pets are kept in groups. Traditional image recognition technologies often fail to recognize each fish's physiological states precisely because of fish swimming behaviors, such as grouping swimming, shading with each other, flipping over, and so on. In view of this, this paper tries to address such problems and then proposes a practical scheme, which includes three phases. Specifically, the first phase tries to enhance the image recognition model for small features based on the prioritizing rules, thus improving the instant recognition capability. Then, the second phase exploits a designed fish-ID tracking mechanism and analyzes the physiological state of the same fish-ID through coherent frames, which can avoid temporal misidentification. Finally, the third phase leverages a fish-ID correction mechanism, which can detect and correct their IDs periodically and dynamically to avoid tracking confusion, and thus potentially improve the recognition accuracy. According to the experiment results, it was verified that our scheme has better recognition performance. The best accuracy and correctness ratio can reach up to 94.9% and 92.67%, which are improved at least 8.41% and 26.95%, respectively, as compared with the existing schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lobster Eye Imager for Astronomy (LEIA) is the pathfinder of the wide-field X-ray telescope used in the Einstein Probe mission. In this study, we present an image of the Virgo Cluster taken by LEIA in the 0.5–4.5 keV band with an exposure time of ∼17.3 ks in the central region. This extended emission is generally consistent with the results obtained by ROSAT. However, the field is affected by bright point sources due to the instrument's Point Spread Function (PSF) effect. Through fitting of the LEIA spectrum of the Virgo Cluster, we obtained a temperature of 2. 1 − 0.1 + 0.3 keV, which is consistent with the XMM-Newton results (∼2.3 keV). Above 1.6 keV, the spectrum is dominated by the X-ray background. In summary, this study validates LEIA's extended source imaging and spectral resolution capabilities for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse shock index (rSI), a ratio of systolic blood pressure (SBP) to heart rate (HR), is used to identify prognosis in trauma patients. Multiplying rSI by Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG) can possibly predict better in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma. However, rSIG has never been used to evaluate the mortality risk in adult severe trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 16) with head injury (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 2) in the emergency department (ED). This retrospective case control study recruited adult severe trauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) with head injury (head AIS ≥ 2) who presented to the ED of two major trauma centers between January 01, 2014 and May 31, 2017. Demographic data, vital signs, ISS scores, injury mechanisms, laboratory data, managements, and outcomes were included for the analysis. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to evaluate the accuracy of rSIG score in predicting in-hospital mortality. In total, 438 patients (mean age: 56.48 years; 68.5% were males) were included in this study. In-hospital mortality occurred in 24.7% patients. The median (interquartile range) ISS score was 20 (17–26). Patients with rSIG ≤ 14 had seven-fold increased risks of mortality than those without rSIG ≤ 14 (odds ratio: 7.64; 95% confidence interval: 4.69–12.42). Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and area under the curve values for rSIG score were 0.29 and 0.76, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of rSIG ≤ 14 were 0.71, 0.75, 0.49, and 0.89, respectively. The rSIG score is a prompt and simple tool to predict in-hospital mortality among adult severe trauma patients with head injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate monosyllable word recognition in noise under different conditions in bilateral sequential cochlear implants (CIs). Second, to assess subjective hearing benefits among bilateral sequential CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only groups. Lastly, to analyze the prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in children with bilateral sequential CIs.Sixty-five children with CI were enrolled. Mandarin monosyllable recognition tests in noise and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) were used to assess post-CI outcomes. The SSQ benefits were compared among children with bilateral CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only.Bilateral CIs significantly outperformed the first or second CI alone using in noise. The bilateral CI group had significantly better SSQ scores for speech, qualities, and total scores compared to the CI-only group. Additionally, 41% of the variance in speech perception of the second CI can be attributed to the inter-implantation interval between bilateral CIs.Bilateral sequential CIs can enhance speech perception in noise and daily life-functioning for children. Earlier implantation of bilateral sequential CIs results in better outcomes, while inter-implantation interval exceeding 9.6 years between bilateral CIs may lead to poor second CI performance in noise. Therefore, early bilateral sequential CIs should be encouraged.Methods: To evaluate monosyllable word recognition in noise under different conditions in bilateral sequential cochlear implants (CIs). Second, to assess subjective hearing benefits among bilateral sequential CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only groups. Lastly, to analyze the prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in children with bilateral sequential CIs.Sixty-five children with CI were enrolled. Mandarin monosyllable recognition tests in noise and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) were used to assess post-CI outcomes. The SSQ benefits were compared among children with bilateral CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only.Bilateral CIs significantly outperformed the first or second CI alone using in noise. The bilateral CI group had significantly better SSQ scores for speech, qualities, and total scores compared to the CI-only group. Additionally, 41% of the variance in speech perception of the second CI can be attributed to the inter-implantation interval between bilateral CIs.Bilateral sequential CIs can enhance speech perception in noise and daily life-functioning for children. Earlier implantation of bilateral sequential CIs results in better outcomes, while inter-implantation interval exceeding 9.6 years between bilateral CIs may lead to poor second CI performance in noise. Therefore, early bilateral sequential CIs should be encouraged.Results: To evaluate monosyllable word recognition in noise under different conditions in bilateral sequential cochlear implants (CIs). Second, to assess subjective hearing benefits among bilateral sequential CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only groups. Lastly, to analyze the prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in children with bilateral sequential CIs.Sixty-five children with CI were enrolled. Mandarin monosyllable recognition tests in noise and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) were used to assess post-CI outcomes. The SSQ benefits were compared among children with bilateral CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only.Bilateral CIs significantly outperformed the first or second CI alone using in noise. The bilateral CI group had significantly better SSQ scores for speech, qualities, and total scores compared to the CI-only group. Additionally, 41% of the variance in speech perception of the second CI can be attributed to the inter-implantation interval between bilateral CIs.Bilateral sequential CIs can enhance speech perception in noise and daily life-functioning for children. Earlier implantation of bilateral sequential CIs results in better outcomes, while inter-implantation interval exceeding 9.6 years between bilateral CIs may lead to poor second CI performance in noise. Therefore, early bilateral sequential CIs should be encouraged.Conclusion: To evaluate monosyllable word recognition in noise under different conditions in bilateral sequential cochlear implants (CIs). Second, to assess subjective hearing benefits among bilateral sequential CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only groups. Lastly, to analyze the prognostic factors affecting CI outcomes in children with bilateral sequential CIs.Sixty-five children with CI were enrolled. Mandarin monosyllable recognition tests in noise and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) were used to assess post-CI outcomes. The SSQ benefits were compared among children with bilateral CIs, bimodal hearing, and CI-only.Bilateral CIs significantly outperformed the first or second CI alone using in noise. The bilateral CI group had significantly better SSQ scores for speech, qualities, and total scores compared to the CI-only group. Additionally, 41% of the variance in speech perception of the second CI can be attributed to the inter-implantation interval between bilateral CIs.Bilateral sequential CIs can enhance speech perception in noise and daily life-functioning for children. Earlier implantation of bilateral sequential CIs results in better outcomes, while inter-implantation interval exceeding 9.6 years between bilateral CIs may lead to poor second CI performance in noise. Therefore, early bilateral sequential CIs should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the design and analysis of four types of dual-band resonance inductive coupling architecture for wireless power transfer and near-field communication applications, respectively, SS, SP, PS, and PP. These four types of architecture are composed of LC series (LC branch) and LC parallel (LC tank). For example, the first S of SP means that the primary side circuit uses an LC branch in series with the LC tank, and the second P of SP means that the secondary side circuit uses an LC tank in parallel with the LC branch. This design sets the dual-band inductive coupling frequencies at 6.78 and 13.56 MHz, respectively. Next, consider the load effect caused by the magnetic coupling between the two coils and compensate for it on the primary side of the coil. In addition, this article also proposes four types of design guidelines through theoretical analysis. These design guidelines can be uses to determine the inductance value and capacitance value of the LC-branch and LC-tank on the primary and secondary sides, respectively. Finally, the simulation and measurement results are in agreement with design guidelines. That will be very valuable in future practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of pH value and different kinds of anions on the corrosion behavior of Cu/Al casting-rolled clad plates in the alkaline solution was evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), weight loss analysis, 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and electrochemical test. Results show the corrosion mainly occurs on the aluminum side. The corrosion resistance of the Cu/Al decreases as the pH value increases. When pH≥12, the dissolution of the film layer is faster than the passivation process. The addition of Cl− ions reduces the corrosion resistance of the Cu/Al clad plates, which leads to pitting corrosion. The higher the concentration of Cl− ions, the more prone the pitting to occur. The addition of SO42− ions causes the denudation of the samples. The corrosion resistance of the Cu/Al is better in the alkaline solution containing NO3− ions than that in the solution containing Cl− ions or SO42− ions. When adding SO42−, NO3− and Cl− to the pure alkaline solution, the corrosion resistance of the Cu/Al clad plates decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STEAP1 (six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1) is a transmembrane protein that functions as a potential channel or transporter protein. It is overexpressed in certain cancers and is viewed as a promising therapeutic target. However, the prognostic role of STEAP1 is still controversial, and no role for STEAP1 has yet been indicated in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of STEAP1 expression with colorectal cancer prognosis. STEAP1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of a tissue array of 165 cancer specimens from primary colorectal cancer patients. The mean and medium follow-up times after surgery were 5.1 and 3.9 years, respectively. A total of 139 patients died during the 13 years of follow-up in the survey period. The prognostic value of STEAP1 with respect to overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. In total, 164 samples displayed detectable STEAP1 expression in the cytoplasm and membrane. Low STEAP1 expression was correlated with poor overall survival (five-year survival: 33.7% vs. 57.0%, low expression vs. high expression, p = 0.020). Accordingly, multivariate analysis identified low STEAP1 expression as an independent risk factor (hazard ratio = 1.500, p = 0.018), especially in elderly patients or those with late stage cancers, late T values, and early N values. We suggest that analysis of STEAP1 expression by immunohistochemical staining could serve as an independent prognostic marker for colorectal patients. This finding should be validated by other investigative groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This nursing experience describes the application of "self-efficacy theory" to a patient with low self-efficacy who was diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer. The nursing period was from December 3rd, 2020 to December 23rd, 2020. Medical records, interview assessment, and observation showed that the patient had ineffective airway clearance, which caused him to be in and out of the hospital several times, resulting in lower self-efficacy. In addition to applying the "self-efficacy theory", the authors referenced the patient's physiological and affective states, vicarious experiences, and performance experiences and used verbal persuasion techniques to assess the patient for nursing and interventions. During the nursing period, we established a good therapeutic relationship with the patient. We provided him with personalized nursing interventions to improve his physiological and affective states. These interventions included the administration of medication, posture drainage, and sputum percussion. We also sought the help of people who were close to the patient as participants in the medical care process. We improved self-efficacy by means of verbal persuasion through education and mental support; increased vicarious experience through verbal encouragement and sharing the experiences of other patients; and used a comparative approach to enable the patient to observe changes in his physical status over time. The interventions also improved his performance experience. The patient's airway status improved after his self-efficacy had been enhanced. Based on the results, it is hoped that this study will be a helpful reference on the theory of self-efficacy for nursing staff. It is also hoped that the results will better enable nurses to enhance the self-efficacy of patients using different means such as restoring patient confidence and enhancing the patient - the medical team relationship to further enhance the quality of patient care.

The near-infrared light (NIR) absorption of nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) containing different N-doping sites is systematically investigated with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations with Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functionals. The results show that the ultra-small HOMO-LUMO gaps (0.3-1.0 eV) of various N-doping structures (graphitic, amino, and pyridinic at center, and graphitic at edge) are attributed to the spin-polarization of the energy states, which effectively enhances the NIR absorption for NGQDs. Overall, the graphitic N-doping structure exhibits the best NIR absorption. Moreover, the electron attraction effect of the different N-sites is found to be crucial for the LUMO level, where stronger electron attraction lowers the LUMO energy. This work provides critical insight in further design of NGQDs for NIR absorption.

It was recently discovered that the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can be completed on the {110} and {001} facets, respectively, of a 18-facet SrTiO 3 mono-crystal. The effective charge separation is attributed to the facet junction at the interface between two arbitrary anisotropic crystal planes. Theoretical estimation of the built-in potential at the facet junction can greatly improve understanding of the mechanism. This work employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate such potential at the (110)/(100) facet junction in SrTiO 3 crystals. The formation of the facet junction is verified by a calculated work function difference between the (110) and (100) planes, which form p-type and n-type segments of the junction, respectively. The built-in potential is estimated at about 2.9 V. As a result, with the ultra high built-in potential, electrons and holes can effectively transfer to different anisotropic planes to complete both photo-oxidative and photo-reductive reactions., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

In this study, EFL learners who listened to four short context-rich audio files each delivered in an unfamiliar English accent were required to produce best-attempt transcriptions and accent imitation recordings. Results indicate that exposure alone does not suffice to eliminate accent impact on EFL listeners. Importantly, results from one-way ANOVA analyses reveal between-participants differences in residual accent impact, vocabulary knowledge, and quality of accent imitation. Results from a linear mixed-effects model analysis, while suggesting that other unidentified factors may also assist EFL listeners in processing unfamiliar accented English, demonstrate that the more able mimics cope more successfully with unfamiliar accents than the less able mimics. Counter-intuitively, vocabulary knowledge is rejected as a predictor for success in reducing accent impact. A logical explanation for this particular finding is that a larger vocabulary repertoire aids listeners where there is no interference from unfamiliar accents. Given these findings, to better prepare EFL listeners for the English-as-an-International-Language world, training should include both listening to a variety of native and non-native accents and performing accent imitation (reproduction) exercises to further expand listeners' phonological-phonetic flexibility.

English orthographic learning, among Chinese-L1 children who were beginning to learn English as a foreign language, was documented when: (1) only visual memory was at their disposal, (2) visual memory and either some letter-sound knowledge or some semantic information was available, and (3) visual memory, some letter-sound knowledge and some semantic information were all available. When only visual memory was available, orthographic learning (measured via an orthographic choice test) was meagre. Orthographic learning was significant when either semantic information or letter-sound knowledge supplemented visual memory, with letter-sound knowledge generating greater significance. Although the results suggest that letter-sound knowledge plays a more important role than semantic information, letter-sound knowledge alone does not suffice to achieve perfect orthographic learning, as orthographic learning was greatest when letter-sound knowledge and semantic information were both available. The present findings are congruent with a view that the orthography of a foreign language drives its orthographic learning more than L1 orthographic learning experience, thus extending Share's (Cognition 55:151-218, 1995) self-teaching hypothesis to include non-alphabetic L1 children's orthographic learning of an alphabetic foreign language. The little letter-sound knowledge development observed in the experiment-I control group indicates that very little letter-sound knowledge develops in the absence of dedicated letter-sound training. Given the important role of letter-sound knowledge in English orthographic learning, dedicated letter-sound instruction is highly recommended.

We present a deep learning architecture Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for automatic classification and recognition of reprogramming and reprogrammed human Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cell regions in microscopy images. The differentiated cells that possibly undergo reprogramming to iPS cells can be detected by this method for screening reagents or culture conditions in iPS induction. The learning results demonstrate that our CNNs can achieve the Top-1 and Top-2 error rates of 9.2% and 0.84%, respectively, to produce probability maps for the automatic analysis. The implementation results show that this automatic method can successfully detect and localize the human iPS cell formation, thereby yield a potential tool for helping iPS cell culture.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the chloroform and acetic ether fractions from infructescence of Platycarya strobilacea., Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods. Spectral analysis were taken to identify the structures., Results: Eleven compounds were isolated and identified as dotriacontane( 1), ursolic acid( 2),hexacosene( 3),β-sitosterol( 4),daucosterol( 5),2,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-1,4-naphthalenedione( 6),3,3’-dimethoxyellagic acid( 7),ellagic acid( 8),4’-hydroxyisoflavone-7-O-β-D-galactoside( 9),3,3’-dimethoxyellagic acid-4’-O-β-D-xylopyroside( 10), gallic acid( 11)., Conclusion: Compounds 1,3 ~ 6,9,10 are isolated from this genus for the first time, compounds 1 ~ 6,9,10 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on spleen T-helper 17 (Th 17) and regulatory T (Treg) cell levels in mice with ulcerative colitis (UC), so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS Kunming mice were randomized into control, UC model and EA groups, with 8 mice in each group. The UC model was established by giving the mice with 3% Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) for 5 days. EA (15 Hz/25 Hz, 0.1-0.2 mA) was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36, used alternatively) for 10 min, once a day for 5 days. The animals' disease activity index [DAl, = (body weight index score + stool score + bleeding score)/3; 0-4 points] were calculated. The pathological changes of colon tissues were observed by light microscopy after H. E. stain, and spleen Treg (CD⁴⁺ CD²⁵⁺ Foxp³⁺ Treg) and Th 17 (CD³⁺ CD⁸⁺ IL-17⁺ Th 17) lymphocyte levels were determined by flow cytometry., Results: Compared to the control group, the DAl score and the ratio of Th 17/CD⁸⁺ T cells were significantly increased, while the ratio of Treg/CD⁴⁺ T cells obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). After EA intervention, the increased DAI score and the ratio of Th 17/CD⁸⁺ T cells and the decreased Treg/CD⁴⁺ T cells were reversed (P < 0.05), and the inflammatory cell infiltration degree of the colon tissue was attenuated., Conclusion: EA intervention can improve the, UC rats' symptoms of activity state, bloody or viscidity stool and colonic inflammation, probably by regulating the balance between the spleenic Treg and Th 17 lymphocytes.

Background: It is well known that increased cumulative ventricular pacing proportion (CumVP%) is one of the most important causes for adverse cardiovascular events. Therefore, how to reduce CumVP% has been a treatment issue in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different pacing algorithms on CumVP% in patients with pacemakers., Methods: Pacemakers with three pacing algorithms, i.e., conventional dual chamber rate adaptive pacing (DDDR), search atrioventricular conduction plus (SAV+) and managed ventricular pacing (MVP), were implanted in 42 patients including 41 with bradycardia arrhythmias and one with ventricular tachycardia. Pacemakers were programmed to work in conventional DDDR, SAV+ and MVP during the follow-up periods of the first, the second and the third month. In each pacing algorithm, the time percentages of four pacing and sense status including atrial sense-ventricular sense (AS-VS), atrial sense-ventricular pacing (AS-VP), atrial pacing-ventricular sense (AP-VS) and atrial pacing-ventricular pacing (AP-VP) were calculated. Cumulative ventricular pacing proportions were compared in the three pacing algorithms in the first, the second and the third month postoperatively., Results: In the DDDR algorithm AS-VS, AS-VP, AP-VS and AP-VP were 2.4%, 52.3%, 2.5% and 42.8% respectively, while in SAV+ they were 19.3%, 34.9%, 33.9% and 12.0%, in MVP they were 38.9%, 13.2%, 41.6% and 6.4%. In the above the DDDR, SAV+ and MVP algorithms, cumulative ventricular pacing proportions were 95.1%, 46.9% and 19.6%, respectively (P < 0.05) and the percentages of CumVP% < 40% in patients were 0, 23.8% and 95.2.0% (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Compared with the conventional DDDR algorithm, both SAV+ and MVP significantly reduced the CumVP%, especially the MVP algorithm. Patients may benefit from MVP algorithm due to reduced CumVP%.