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Symbolic and situational mathematics are the two major representations of mathematical knowledge. Although previous literature has studied the relationship between the two from the perspective of teaching practice, learning effectiveness and behavioural performance, there is still a lack of empirical psychological research on cognitive mechanisms to explore the psychological processes of the two. The current study investigated the relationship between symbolic and situational mathematics by determining the differences in cognitive correlates between the two in fourth-grade children. Their symbolic and situational mathematics abilities were assessed using symbolic and situational enumeration tests under the same conditions. Several types of general cognitive abilities, language processing and academic achievements were also examined. Results showed that both situational and symbolic mathematics are crucial for mathematical achievement. Arithmetic computation is closely correlated with symbolic mathematics, whereas spatial processing and inductive reasoning ability are uniquely correlated with situational mathematics. The results suggest that situational and symbolic mathematics have separate cognitive correlates, which means the two are distinct in terms of psychological processing.

The aim of this study is to analyze how undergraduate learners seek academic help online at a public university in the United States with Q methodology. Upon completion of the study, we identified three groups of help-seekers. The first group, informal and personal help-seekers, sought help from close friends or classmates to solve problems. The second group, formal and impersonal help-seekers, relied on instructors as their primary source of help, followed by instructional materials such as course websites, syllabi, and rubrics. The participants in the third group expressed a significant reluctance to seek help from instructors and preferred alternative options like tutoring centers, search engines, and discussion boards. Contradicting opinions about help-seeking sources existed, with reasons explored. Implications and recommendations for future studies were also discussed.

The Carboniferous strata in the northeastern Junggar Basin are an important exploration field for natural gas in the basin. However, volcanic rocks have long been the primary exploration target. In contrast, the exploration and research of clastic rocks associated with source formations have been largely overlooked, resulting in an insufficient understanding of the reservoir forming conditions and exploration potential of Carboniferous clastic rocks. Through the evaluation of Carboniferous source rocks, effective source stove characterization, clastic reservoir evaluation, oil and gas source correlation, and reservoir formation model construction in this region, three key findings have been made. First, the Carboniferous in the northeastern Junggar Basin has developed three sets of high-quality gas source rocks: the Dishuiquan Formation, the Songkalsu B Member, and the Shiqiantan Formation. These formations correspond to three hydrocarbon source centers: the Sannan–Dishuiquan Sag, the Wucaiwan Sag–Dajing area, and the Dongdao Haizi Sag–Baijiahai High. Second, the Carboniferous system in the northeast has developed multiple types of large-scale reservoirs, including sand conglomerates, sandstones, turbidites, dolomitic rocks, and shale. These reservoirs are generally characterized by low porosity to ultra-low porosity and low permeability to ultra-low permeability reservoirs. There is a dissolution pore development zone at depths of 2900–4500 m. Third, a comparison of oil and gas sources reveals that all three sets of gas source rocks contribute to the natural gas found in the northeast, with obvious characteristics of near-source reservoir formation. The Carboniferous clastic rocks host two types of natural gas reservoirs: unconventional and conventional near-source reservoirs. It is predicted that there is an orderly accumulation pattern of shale gas, tight sandstone gas, and conventional natural gas reservoirs. This study reveals that the Carboniferous clastic rock source and reservoir configuration in the northeastern Junggar Basin is highly favorable, and the natural gas reservoirs in source and near-source clastic rocks represent important exploration directions.

Abstract Background At present, the relationship between the Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) and Acute kidney injury (AKI) in traumatic brain injury patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is still unclear. Currently, the relationship between TyG index and AKI occurred within 7 days in the ICU is a highly researched and trending topic. Objective In this study, we conducted in-depth exploration of the relationship between the development of AKI in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the ICU and changes in TyG index, as well as its relevance. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 492 individuals enrolled in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV(MIMIC-IV) database. Multivariate model logistic regression, smoothed curve fitting and forest plots were utilized to confirm the study objectives. The predictive power of the TyG index for outcome indicators was assessed using subject work characteristics (ROC) curves. As well as comparing the Integrated Discriminant Improvement Index and the Net Reclassification Index of the traditional forecasting model with the addition of the TyG index. Results Of all eligible subjects, 55.9% were male and the incidence of AKI was 59.3%. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of AKI within 7 days in the ICU between the different TyG index groups. The difference between TyG index and the risk of AKI within 7 days in the ICU remained significant after adjustment for logistic multifactorial modeling (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.41–3.05, P

Abstract Simplified rapid hydration has been proven to be non-inferior to standard hydration in preventing contrast-associated acute kidney injury among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing coronary angiography. The current investigation aimed to further confirm the feasibility and safety of the newly proposed hydration method-simplified rapid hydration (SH) in each risk stratification by Mehran risk score (MRS). Eligible patients (n = 954) randomized to the SH group and standard hydration group were allocated into 2 groups based on MRS: low to moderate-risk and high to very high-risk groups. Primary endpoints were the incidence of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and acute heart failure (AHF) (SH vs standard hydration). Secondary endpoints included serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cystatin-C (Cys-C), and C-reactive protein (CRP) at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after PCI procedure, and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MRS was associated with a higher incidence of CA-AKI (OR = 1.101, 95%CI 1.049–1.156, P

Abstract The rapid development of optical frequency combs from their table-top origins towards chip-scale platforms has opened up exciting possibilities for comb functionalities outside laboratories. Enhanced nonlinear processes in microresonators have emerged as a mainstream comb-generating mechanism with compelling advantages in size, weight, and power consumption. The established understanding of gain and loss in nonlinear microresonators, along with recently developed ultralow-loss nonlinear photonic circuitry, has boosted the optical energy conversion efficiency of microresonator frequency comb (microcomb) devices from below a few percent to above 50%. This review summarizes the latest advances in novel photonic devices and pumping strategies that contribute to these milestones of microcomb efficiency. The resulting benefits for high-performance integration of comb applications are also discussed before summarizing the remaining challenges.

Abstract Addressing the imbalance between exploration and exploitation, slow convergence, local optima Traps, and low convergence precision in the Northern Goshawk Optimizer (NGO): Introducing a Multi-Strategy Integrated Northern Goshawk Optimizer (MINGO). In response to challenges faced by the Northern Goshawk Optimizer (NGO), including issues like the imbalance between exploration and exploitation, slow convergence, susceptibility to local optima, and low convergence precision, this paper introduces an enhanced variant known as the Multi-Strategy Integrated Northern Goshawk Optimizer (MINGO). The algorithm tackles the balance between exploration and exploitation by improving exploration strategies and development approaches. It incorporates Levy flight strategies to preserve population diversity and enhance convergence precision. Additionally, to avoid getting trapped in local optima, the algorithm introduces Cauchy mutation strategies, improving its capability to escape local optima during the search process. Finally, individuals with poor fitness are eliminated using the crossover strategy of the Differential Evolution algorithm to enhance the overall population quality. To assess the performance of MINGO, this paper conducts an analysis from four perspectives: population diversity, balance between exploration and exploitation, convergence behavior, and various strategy variants. Furthermore, MINGO undergoes testing on the CEC-2017 and CEC-2022 benchmark problems. The test results, along with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test results, demonstrate that MINGO outperforms NGO and other advanced optimization algorithms in terms of overall performance. Finally, the applicability and superiority of MINGO are further validated on six real-world engineering problems and a 3D Trajectory planning for UAVs.

Abstract Background Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that results from variants of TCF4 gene. PTHS follows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and the underlying pathological mechanisms of this disease are still unclear. Methods Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted to screen for potential pathogenic variant in a boy highly suspected of having a genetic disorder. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the effects of the variant. Serum TCF4 levels were measured by ELISA. Results We present a 4-year and 3-month-old Chinese boy clinically and molecularly diagnosed with PTHS. The proband experienced global development delay, and the preliminary clinical diagnosis was cerebral palsy. WGS identified a de novo heterozygous variant: c.*1A > G in the 3’UTR of the TCF4 gene as a potential cause of his condition. The variant was verified to cause aberrant mRNA splicing by PCR and the aberrant splicing was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Conclusion The study identified and demonstrated the pathogenicity of a novel 3’UTR site TCF4 variant for the first time. This research enhances understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms of PTHS and aids genetic counseling and diagnosis.

Abstract Background The evaluation of lateral ankle laxity remains challenging when diagnosing chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). Several studies have reported that internal rotation of the talus as an indicator of rotational lateral ankle laxity (RLAL) increases in patients with CLAI. However, there is no established method for detecting and evaluating the RLAL. This study aimed to report a novel method for evaluating the RLAL in the gravity stress position by measuring the talofibular distance (TFD) using ultrasonography (US) and show the normative value of the TFD. Methods The TFDs in the subjects with healthy ankles were prospectively measured 10 mm distal to the ankle joint in the neutral ankle position and gravity stress position using US. The differences in the TFD between the two ankle positions were evaluated. The differences in the TFD by gender and ankle laterality were also evaluated. Results A total of 52 healthy ankles of 28 subjects (mean age, 24.0 ± 1.6; male/female, 12/16) were finally included. There was a significant difference in the TFD between the neutral ankle position (6.9 ± 0.9 mm) and gravity stress position (9.0 ± 0.9 mm) (p

Abstract UBE2C, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, functions as an oncogene in different types of human cancers. Nonetheless, the exact influence of UBE2C on the development of HCC via regulation of ubiquitination remains uncertain. Here, we found that UBE2C displayed elevated levels of expression in HCC and was associated with an unfavorable prognosis, as evidenced by the analysis of the TCGA database and the examination of clinical specimens. The role of UBE2C in HCC revealed its ability to promote the growth and metastasis of HCC. Mechanistically, UBE2C activated Notch signaling, as evidenced by the upregulation of N1ICD and Hes1, crucial components of the Notch pathway, and activation of the RBP-JK luciferase reporter by UBE2C. Finally, rescue experiments demonstrated that the oncogenic role of UBE2C was eliminated through treatment with the Notch inhibitor DAPT, while overexpression of N1ICD alleviated the anticarcinogenic impact of knockdown of UBE2C. Altogether, the results of our study indicate that UBE2C plays a role in the activation of Notch signaling and could potentially serve as a viable target for therapeutic interventions in HCC.

Abstract. Background:. Liver cancer remains the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, causing a heavy burden globally. An updated assessment of the global epidemiology of the liver cancer burden that addresses geographical disparities is necessary to better understand and promote healthcare delivery. Methods:. Data were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database, including the number, crude, and age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality at the global, country, continent, and human development index (HDI) regional levels. Age-standardized rates (incidence and mortality) per 100,000 person-years were adjusted based on the Segi-Doll World standard population. The mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) for each region and country were calculated. The HDI and gross national income (GNI) for 2022 were obtained, and a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted with the incidence, mortality, and MIR. Results:. In 2022, approximately 866,136 new liver cancer cases and 758,725 related deaths were recorded worldwide, with a global MIR of 0.86. Males had a disproportionately higher burden than females across all levels, and the highest burden was observed in the elderly population. Geographically, the regions with the highest incidence rates included Micronesia, Eastern Asia, and Northern Africa, and the regions with the highest mortality rates included Northern Africa, Southeastern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Micronesia. Notably, Mongolia had a strikingly high burden compared to other countries. The highest MIR was observed in North America and the lowest in Africa. Negative associations of HDI and GNI with liver cancer mortality and MIR were identified, irrespective of sex. Conclusions:. The current liver cancer burden underscores the presence of remarkable geographic heterogeneity, which is particularly evident across countries with varying HDI levels, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize health accessibility and availability to achieve health inequities.

Objective To explore the correlations of genotype and phenotype of myopathic form of carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅱ (CPT Ⅱ) deficiency and to improve the clinical understanding of the disease. Methods The clinical data of a case of myopathic form of CPT Ⅱ deficiency were analyzed, including the results of gene detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. The literature was reviewed to summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of CPT Ⅱ deficiency. Results The patient, a 10-month-old girl, was admitted to the hospital with acute enteritis. The blood creatine kinase and myoglobin were significantly increased in the auxiliary examination. Her father had a history of weakness after regular exercise and myoglobinuria. Both the father and the daughter carried the heterozygous pathogenic mutation c.989dupTp. (Ile332fs) in the CPT2 gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of myopathic form of CPT Ⅱ deficiency. After treatment with infection control and supplementation of a large amount of carbohydrates, creatine kinase and myoglobin returned to normal levels. Following discharge, follow-up showed that the patient was in good condition. Conclusion Myopathic form of CPT Ⅱ deficiency is a common disease that affects the lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle and is a common cause of hereditary myoglobinuria. However, its symptoms can be quite subtle and are frequently overlooked in clinical practice. When a patient exhibits repeated increases in creatine kinase as well as exercise intolerance, myoglobinuria, or positive family history, the disease should be taken into consideration.

A heterozygous microdeletion of chromosome 7q11.23 causes the rare neuropsychiatric developmental disorder Williams-Beuren Syndrome. The syndrome is more difficult to diagnose before birth than after, even though the syndrome often manifests prenatally as intrauterine growth restriction and cardiovascular defects on prenatal ultrasonography. The potentially poor prognosis of affected individuals highlights the need to improve prenatal diagnosis of the syndrome. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of Williams-Beuren Syndrome and its manifestations on prenatal ultrasonography, which may facilitate its early detection and inform prenatal genetic counseling.

Abstract The spatial co-presence of aberrant long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and abnormal coding genes contributes to malignancy development in various tumors. However, precise coordinated mechanisms underlying this phenomenon in tumorigenesis remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that Prohibitin 2 (PHB2) orchestrates the transcription of an oncogenic CASC15-New-Isoform 2 (CANT2) lncRNA and the coding tumor-suppressor gene CCBE1, thereby accelerating melanoma tumorigenesis. In melanoma cells, PHB2 initially accesses the open chromatin sites at the CANT2 promoter, recruiting MLL2 to augment H3K4 trimethylation and activate CANT2 transcription. Intriguingly, PHB2 further binds the activated CANT2 transcript, targeting the promoter of the tumor-suppressor gene CCBE1. This interaction recruits histone deacetylase HDAC1 to decrease H3K27 acetylation at the CCBE1 promoter and inhibit its transcription, significantly promoting tumor cell growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Our study elucidates a PHB2-mediated mechanism that orchestrates the aberrant transcription of lncRNAs and coding genes, providing an intriguing epigenetic regulatory model in tumorigenesis.

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an effective treatment for locally advanced breast cancer (BC). However, there are no effective biomarkers for evaluating its efficacy. CDR1-AS, well known for its important role in tumorigenesis, is a famous circular RNA involved in the chemosensitivity of cancers other than BC. However, the predictive role of CDR1-AS in the efficacy and prognosis of NAC for BC has not been fully elucidated. We herein aimed to clarify this role. Methods The present study included patients treated with paclitaxel-cisplatin-based NAC. The expression of CDR1-AS was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. The predictive value of CDR1-AS expression was examined in pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC using logistic regression analysis. The relationship between CDR1-AS expression and survival was demonstrated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and tested by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results The present study enrolled 106 patients with BC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CDR1-AS expression was an independent predictive factor for pCR (odds ratio [OR] = 0.244; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.732; p = 0.012). Furthermore, pCR benefits with low CDR1-AS expression were observed across all subgroups. The Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test suggested that the CDR1-AS high-expression group showed significantly better disease-free survival (DFS; log-rank p = 0.022) and relapse-free survival (RFS; log-rank p = 0.012) than the CDR1-AS low-expression group. Multivariate analysis revealed that CDR1-AS expression was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted HR = 0.177; 95% CI 0.034–0.928, p = 0.041), RFS (adjusted HR = 0.061; 95% CI 0.006–0.643, p = 0.020), and distant disease-free survival (adjusted HR = 0.061; 95% CI 0.006–0.972, p = 0.047). Conclusions CDR1-AS may be a potential novel predictive biomarker of pCR and survival benefit in patients with locally advanced BC receiving NAC. This may help identify specific chemosensitive individuals and build personalized treatment strategies.

Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a significant global public health threat. Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The hypolipidemic effects of Seabuckthorn polysaccharides (SP) against high-fat diets (HFD)-induced NAFLD were systematically explored and compared with that of Bifidobacterium lactis V9 (B. Lactis V9). Results showed that HFD-induced alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels decreased by 2.8-fold and 4.5-fold, respectively, after SP supplementation. Moreover, the alleviating effect on hepatic lipid accumulation is better than that of B. Lactis V9. The ACC and FASN mRNA levels were significantly reduced by 1.8 fold (P

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) mutations are associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) through inheritance or spontaneous occurrence. We detected FGFR1 mutations in a Chinese cohort of 210 CHH patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing, China) using next-generation and Sanger sequencing. We assessed missense variant pathogenicity using six bioinformatics tools and compared clinical features and treatment outcomes between inherited and de novo mutation groups. Among 19 patients with FGFR1 mutations, three were recurrent, and 16 were novel variants. Sixteen of the novel mutations were likely pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, with the prevalent P366L variant. The majority of FGFR1 mutations was inherited (57.9%), with frameshift mutations exclusive to the de novo mutation group. The inherited mutation group had a lower incidence of cryptorchidism, short stature, and skeletal deformities. In the inherited mutation group, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were 0.5 IU l−1, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were 1.0 IU l−1, and testosterone levels were 1.3 nmol l−1. In contrast, the de novo group had LH levels of 0.2 IU l−1, FSH levels of 0.5 IU l−1, and testosterone levels of 0.9 nmol l−1, indicating milder hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPGA) functional deficiency in the inherited group. The inherited mutation group showed a tendency toward higher spermatogenesis rates. In conclusion, this study underscores the predominance of inherited FGFR1 mutations and their association with milder HPGA dysfunction compared to de novo mutations, contributing to our understanding of the genetic and clinical aspects of FGFR1 mutations.

Abstract In forensic genetics, utilizing massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to analyze short tandem repeats (STRs) has demonstrated several advantages compared to conventional capillary electrophoresis (CE). Due to the current technical limitations, although flanking region polymorphisms had been mentioned in several previous studies, most studies focused on the core repeat regions of STRs or the variations in the adjacent flanking regions. In this study, we developed an MPS system consisting of two sets of multiplex PCR systems to detect not only the STR core repeat regions but also to observe variants located at relatively distant positions in the flanking regions. The system contained 42 commonly used forensic STRs, including 21 autosomal STRs (A-STRs) and 21 Y-chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs), and a total of 350 male individuals from a Chinese Han population were genotyped. The length and sequence variants per locus were tallied and categorized based on length (length-based, LB), sequence without flanking region (core repeat regions sequence-based, RSB), and sequence with flanking region (core repeat and flanking regions sequence-based, FSB), respectively. Allele frequencies, Y-haplotype frequencies, and forensic parameters were calculated based on LB, RSB, and FSB, respectively, to evaluate the improvement in discrimination power, heterozygosity, and effectiveness of forensic systems. The results suggested the sequence variations have more influence on A-STRs and could improve the identification ability of MPS-STR genotyping. Concordance between MPS and CE methods was confirmed by using commercial CE-based STR kits. The impact of flanking region variations on STR genotype analysis and potential factors contributing to discordances were discussed. A total of 58 variations in the flanking regions (53 SNPs/SNVs and 5 InDels) were observed and most variations (48/58) were distributed in A-STRs. In summary, this study delved deeper into the genetic information of forensic commonly used STR and advanced the application of massively parallel sequencing in forensic genetics.

Abstract Real-time location tracking is essential for personal security in industrial scenes, e.g. monitoring worker safety in power substations. Ultra wideband (UWB) technology is suitable for indoor positioning thanks to its high penetration capability, high ranging accuracy and low power consumption. However, UWB based trilateration positioning requires high workload for field deployment of base stations. Indoor complex topology results in multipath and non-line of sight (NLOS) conditions of UWB signals, and degrades the positioning performance in terms of accuracy and reliability. This paper proposes a three-dimensional (3D) area recognition solution by integrating UWB time of flight (TOF) ranging and barometer measurements. The proposed solution utilizes a multi-tier distributed joint probabilistic inference model, which accomplishes the indoor 3D area recognition exploiting multiple clustering and prediction algorithms of machine learning. The field experiments showed that the proposed method can achieve an accuracy of 3D area recognition of more than 99.2%. The proposed method improves the computing efficiency by 93%. The errors of improved differential barometric height estimation method are less than 1 m, which means a success rate of 100% for floor identification, given a floor separation of 3–4 m. The proposed solution is suitable for personnel security applications of industrial scenes, which requires reliable real-time area information rather than just coordinates.

The interfacial behaviors between protective coatings and substrate single-crystal superalloys significantly impact their service performances. This work focuses on the elements interdiffusion and microstructural evolution at the interface between a NiCrAlY coating and a series of high-Mo Ni3Al-based single-crystal superalloys, through the coupled phase-field simulations and DICTRA kinetics calculations of their model systems. The critical roles of Al and Cr played in the microstructural evolution at coating/superalloy interface have been confirmed, which requires the appropriate content decreases of Al and Cr in the coating at 1100 °C. However, the addition of Mo reduces the driving force of element diffusion from coating to substrate by increasing the activities of Al and Cr in superalloy. Moreover, increasing the Mo content in superalloy from 8 wt% to 10 wt% could also counteract the promoting effect of Al on Ni mobility and mitigate the γ′ coarsening and detrimental TCP precipitation. Therefore, the effects of Mo enable the reasonable increase of Al content in coating to better balance the interfacial stability and oxidation resistance of coated superalloy, besides its advantage in reducing the anisotropy of TCP precipitate. The obtained interfacial evolution mechanisms resulting from the phase transformation thermodynamics and element interdiffusion kinetics are expected to aid the coating design for advanced single-crystal superalloys servicing at ultra-high temperature.

The inferior creep ductility of Inconel 718 (IN718) fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM), which is unable to meet aerospace material specification (≥4%), limits its engineering application. Despite persistent optimization efforts in the SLM process and post-heat treatment, this issue remains unresolved. This study involved SLM fabrication of the modified IN718 with trace amounts of LaB6 and/or P, followed by homogenization and double aging heat treatment. The addition of trace LaB6 notably influenced the recrystallized grain structure and carbide precipitation at grain boundaries, while trace P addition had minimal impact. All samples exhibited similar γ′ and γ″ strengthening precipitates. Creep tests conducted at 650°C/690 MPa revealed that the individual modification of LaB6 showed limited improvement in creep performance and P showed no improvement, but the combined addition of LaB6 and P led to a substantial enhancement in creep performance, especially reaching as high as 8.6% creep strain. This remarkable improvement in creep ductility is unlikely to arise from the altered grain structure and grain boundary precipitates induced by LaB6 but predominantly arises from the synergistic effect of P and B in enhancing resistance to crack propagation during the third stage of creep.

Abstract The role of learner emotions in language learning has long been observed and researched. Of various emotions, foreign language anxiety, enjoyment and boredom have been the most often researched, while research on other emotions like pride and sadness is hardly available in the current literature. Research on emotions in students with special characteristics can be hardly found as well. Hence, this study collected interview data from 26 and survey data from 520 top students in two universities in China to examine their emotions in English language class. Analyses of the data revealed the following major findings: (a) The participants experienced a diversity of emotions in their English language class due to both learner-internal and external reasons, but the most often reported emotions were anxiety, enjoyment and boredom, (b) significant correlations existed among the students’ English language classroom anxiety, enjoyment and boredom, (c) English language classroom anxiety and boredom significantly negatively while enjoyment significantly positively predicted the students’ English test performance, and (d) English language classroom anxiety debilitated English learning but motivated students to study harder as well; enjoyment facilitated English learning but students might forget much of what had been learned after class; though boredom caused some students to be absent-minded in class, most students would study on their own when feeling bored. These findings further pinpoint the important role and complex nature of learner emotions in second/foreign language learning. Based on these findings, specific suggestions for language teachers and learners are discussed.

Abstract Objectives Newly detected hepatic nodules during follow-up of cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy may pose a diagnostic dilemma. We investigated a series of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) diagnosed by either typical MRI features and follow-up or pathology in cancer survivors. Methods This retrospective study evaluated 38 patients with tumours who developed new hepatic FNH after cyclophosphamide-based (n = 19) and oxaliplatin-based (n = 19) chemotherapies. The main tumour types were breast cancer (n = 18) and colorectal cancer (n = 17). MRI findings, clinical features, and temporal evolution of all target hepatic lesions (n = 63) were reported. In addition, the two chemotherapy drug groups were compared. Results The median interval between chemotherapy completion and FNH detection was 30.4 months (12.9, 49.4). Six patients underwent biopsy or surgery, while the remaining patients were diagnosed based on typical MRI features and long-term follow-up. Among the patients, 60.5% (23/38) presented with multiple nodules and 63 target lesions were detected. The median size of target lesions was 11.5 mm (8.4, 15.1). The median follow-up time was 32.5 months (21.2, 48.6), and 15 patients experienced changes in their lesions during the follow-up period (11 increased and 4 decreased). The cyclophosphamide-based treatment group had a younger population, a greater proportion of females, and a shorter time to discovery than the oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy group (all p ≤ 0.016). Conclusions FNH may occur in cancer survivors after cyclophosphamide- or oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Considering a patient’s treatment history and typical MRI findings can help avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary invasive treatment. Clinical relevance statement When cancer survivors develop new hepatic nodules during follow-up, clinicians should think of the possibility of focal nodular hyperplasia in addition to liver metastasis, especially if the cancer survivors were previously treated with cyclophosphamide or oxaliplatin. Key Points Cancer survivors, after chemotherapy, can develop hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia. Cyclophosphamide and oxaliplatin are two chemotherapeutic agents that predispose to focal nodular hyperplasia development. Focal nodular hyperplasia occurs at shorter intervals in patients treated with cyclophosphamide. Graphical Abstract

Objective: Liver cancer is a major health concern globally and in China. This analysis investigated deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) with respect to etiologies and risk factors for liver cancer in China and worldwide. Methods: Global and China-specific data were collected on liver cancer deaths, DALYs, and age-standardized rates (ASRs) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. Liver cancer etiologies were classified into five groups and risk factors were categorized into three levels. Each proportion of liver cancer burden was calculated in different geographic regions. The joinpoint regression model were used to assess the trends from 1990–2019. Results: Liver cancer accounted for 484,577 deaths worldwide in 2019 with an ASR of 5.9 per 100,000 population. China had an elevated liver cancer death ASR in 2019 and males had an ASR 1.7 times the global rate. The global ASR for DALYs peaked at 75–79 years of age but peaked earlier in China. Hepatitis B virus was the prominent etiology globally (39.5%) and in China (62.5%), followed by hepatitis C virus and alcohol consumption. In high sociodemographic index countries, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has gained an increasing contribution as an etiologic factor. The liver cancer burden due to various etiologies has decreased globally in both genders. However, metabolic risk factors, particularly obesity, have had a growing contribution to the liver cancer burden, especially among males. Conclusions: Despite an overall decreasing trend in the liver cancer burden in China and worldwide, there has been a rising contribution from metabolic risk factors, highlighting the importance of implementing targeted prevention and control strategies that address regional and gender disparities.

Objective: The burden of gastric cancer (GC) across different age groups needs updating. We determined the GC global, regional, and national burden profiles and changes in incidence for 3 sequential 5-year intervals from 2003 to 2017. Methods: The latest incidence and mortality estimates of GC from 185 countries and regions were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database. The 5-year interval age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) were evaluated using cancer registry data from volumes X–XII of the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5). Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between ASIR or the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) and the Human Development Index (HDI). Results: There was an estimated global 968,000 new GC cases and 660,000 deaths in 2022, with male predominance. GC ASIRs and ASMRs were 9.2 and 6.1 per 100,000 persons, respectively. East Asia had the highest burden, with 53.8% of cases and 48.2% of deaths among all geographic regions. There was a significant correlation between ASIR and HDI. Over three 5-year intervals from 2003 to 2017, the incidence of GC notably decreased in most countries but peaked at 2008–2012 in New Zealand, Turkey, and South Africa. Several countries in Europe, Oceania, and America suggest an increasingly concerning trend among younger individuals, especially females. Conclusions: GC is a significant health issue, especially among males and in geographic regions with an HDI, such as eastern Asia. While the incidence of GC is decreasing in many countries due to prevention efforts and improved treatments, a rising trend persists among younger individuals. Comprehensive prevention strategies tailored to different age patterns are clearly needed.

Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the global burden of esophageal cancer (EC) and determine the temporal trends and factors influencing changes in the global burden. Methods: The latest incidence and mortality data for EC worldwide were obtained from GLOBALCAN 2022. The mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates for EC from 1990–2019 were sourced from the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases. Trends in EC mortality and DALYs attributable to 11 risk factors or clusters of risk were analyzed using the joinpoint regression model. The trends in age-related EC burden were assessed using a decomposition approach. Results: An estimated 511,054 new cases of EC were diagnosed in 2022 with 445,391 deaths worldwide. Approximately 75% of cases and deaths occurred in Asia. Nearly 50% of global EC deaths and DALYs were attributed to tobacco use in men in 2019, while 20% were attributed to high body mass index (BMI) in women. From 1990–2019, EC deaths and DALYs attributable to almost all risk factors had declining trends, while EC deaths and DALYs attributed to high BMI in men had upward trends. The age-related EC burden exhibited an upward trend driven by population growth and aging, which contributed to 307.4 thousand deaths and 7.2 million DALYs due to EC. Conclusions: The EC burden remains substantial worldwide. Effective tobacco and obesity control measures are critical for addressing the risk-attributable burden of EC. Population growth and aging pose challenges for EC prevention and control efforts.

Abstract Backgroup The pathogenesis of shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is still unclear, and its questionable causal relationship with rotator cuff (RC) injury has led to confusion in treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the bidirectional causal relationship between SIS and RC injury. Methods SIS and RC injury datasets downloaded from the IEU Open GWAS project and GWAS catalog databases. Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, Weighted median, and Weighted mode were used in this Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Cochran’s Q test, leave-one-out, and funnel plot method were used to evaluate heterogeneity between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). MR-Egger regression was used to test the horizontal pleiotropy of this study. Results The IVW method (OR = 1.189, P = 0.0059) suggest the putative causal effect of RC injury on SIS. The results of MR Egger method (OR = 1.236, P = 0.2013), weighted median method (OR = 1.097, P = 0.2428) and weighted mode method (OR = 1.013, P = 0.930) showed no statistically significant (OR = 1.069071, P = 0.6173). Heterogeneity test and horizontal pleiotropy analysis suggested that there was no significant heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy in the results of this MR analysis. The reverse MR analysis showed heterogeneity, and the conclusion needs to be further explored. Conclusions The results of MR analysis support that RC injury may be causally associated with SIS.

Abstract Background Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is recommended as the preferred thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to explore tPA-related adverse events (AEs) reported in the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), assess the potential safety of three preferred tPA therapies for treating AMI, and provide guidance for selecting tPA for prehospital thrombolysis. Method Four algorithms, including ROR, PRR, BCPNN, and MGPS, were used to quantify the signals of Tenecteplase, Reteplase, and Alteplase related AEs and compare the differential degrees of the three tPA-associated AEs in the actual data. Result We detected 18 signals of Tenecteplase-induced AE, 29 signals of Reteplase-induced AE, and 22 signals of Alteplase-induced AE. Among the three drugs, Tenecteplase had the highest signal intensity for intracranial hemorrhage-related AE, followed by Alteplase. Besides, Reteplase had the highest signal intensity for procedure-related AE and Alteplase had the highest signal intensity for arrhythmia-related AE. The time-onset analysis indicates that we should be vigilant for AEs, especially within the first week and the first 1–2 days after medication. Conclusion This study identified and compared the signals of AE related to Tenecteplase, Reteplase, and Alteplase in AMI patients.

Abstract The free-field switching of the perpendicular magnetization by the out-of-plane polarized spin current induced spin-orbit torque makes it a promising technology for developing high-density memory and logic devices. The materials intrinsically with low symmetry are generally utilized to generate the spin current with out-of-plane spin polarization. However, the generation of the out-of-plane polarized spin current by engineering the symmetry of materials has not yet been reported. Here, we demonstrate that paramagnetic CaRuO3 films are able to generate out-of-plane polarized spin current by engineering the crystal symmetry. The non-uniform oxygen octahedral tilt/rotation along film’s normal direction induced by oxygen octahedral coupling near interface breaks the screw-axis and glide-plane symmetries, which gives rise to a significant out-of-plane polarized spin current. This spin current can drive field-free spin-orbit torque switching of perpendicular magnetization with high efficiency. Our results offer a promising strategy based on crystal symmetry design to manipulate spin current and could have potential applications in advanced spintronic devices.

Abstract Maltotetraose amylase (Mta) catalyzes the hydrolysis of amylaceous polysaccharides into maltotetraose, which is an important functional sugar used in the food industry. However, the lack of efficient expression systems for recombinant Mta has hindered its scale-up production and application. In this study, a codon-optimized mta gene from Pseudomonas saccharophila was efficiently produced in Bacillus subtilis by optimizing the regulatory elements. First, a plasmid library containing 173 different signal peptide sequences placed upstream of mta gene was constructed, and transformed into B. subtilis strain WB800N(amyEΔ1) for high-throughput screening. The signal peptide yhcR was found to significantly enhance the secretion of Mta, reaching an activity of 75.4 U/mL in the culture medium. After optimization of the promoters, the Mta activity was further increased to 100.3 U/mL using a dual-promoter PHpaIIPamyE. Finally, the carbon sources and nitrogen sources for recombinant Mta production were optimized, yielding a highest Mta activity of 288.9 U/mL under the optimal culture conditions. The crude enzyme solution containing recombinant Mta produced a highest maltotetraose yield of 70.3% with 200 g/L of maltodextrin as the substrate. Therefore, the present study have demonstrated a high yield of Mta produced in B. subtilis, laying the foundation for large-scale Mta production and application.

Abstract Background Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency disease in preterm infants, significantly affecting their growth and development. For preterm infants to flourish physically and neurologically, timely iron supplementation is essential. The main goals of this study were to determine whether the present iron supplementation regimen results in iron overload in late preterm infants and whether it can meet the growth requirements of early preterm infants for catch-up. Methods We conducted a prospective follow-up study on preterm infants at the Department of Child Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020. In this study, 177 preterm infants were divided into two groups based on gestational age—early preterm infants (gestational age

This is an article in the field of ceramics and composites. In order to explore a new way for the application of phosphogypsum in road materials, phosphogypsum powder and asphalt mortar were mixed to prepare phosphogypsum modified asphalt. The effects of mixing temperature, powder-binder ratio and polyphosphoric acid content on the three major indicators of phosphogypsum modified asphalt were studied. The research results show that the softening point increases as the mixing temperature increases, and the ductility increased first and then kept constant. Considering energy efficiency and aging temperature, the processing temperature of asphalt should be in the range 135 °C and 145 °C. increasing the powder gum ratio can increase the softening point of the modified asphalt and decrease the ductility of the asphalt. Therefore, the ratio of filler bitumen should not be greater than 0.9 using phosphogypsum as the modifier. The addition of polyphosphoric acid greatly increases the softening point of modified asphalt, but reduces its ductility and penetration. The optimal amount of polyphosphoric acid should be around 1.5%. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DSC) showed that phosphogypsum physically functioned with Asphalt. When polyphosphoric acid was mixed into asphalt, it would react chemically with asphalt. The research results could provide references for the engineering application and theoretical research of phosphogypsum in road materials.

The study of the hydro-chemical characteristics of burnt rock aquifers helps to distinguish the hydraulic connections between different aquifers. Taking Zhangjiamao Coal Mine in Shenfu Mining Area as an example, 29 groups of water samples were collected from weathered bedrock, bedrock, 2−2 coal burned rock and 3−1 coal burned rock aquifers, and the hydro-chemical characteristics and control factors in the study area were analyzed by comprehensive use of statistical analysis, Piper trilinear diagram, Gibbs model and hybrid model, and the source of main ions was determined, based on which the contact relationship of each aquifer was identified. The results indicated that the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the weathered bedrock and the 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer were close, slightly lower than the TDS of the bedrock aquifer, while the TDS of the 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer was the highest, showing a trend of gradually increasing TDS with the increase of aquifer depth. The cations in the weathered bedrock and the 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer were mainly Ca2+, while the cations in the bedrock and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer were mainly Na+; the anions in the weathered bedrock, 2−2 coal burnt rock, and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifers were mainly HCO3−, while the bedrock aquifers were mainly HCO3−, and SO42−. The hydro-chemical types of weathered bedrock, 2−2 coal burnt rock, and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifers were mainly HCO3−Ca type, HCO3−Ca and HCO3−Ca·Mg type, HCO3−Ca and HCO3−Na·Mg type. The hydro-chemical composition of weathered bedrock and 2−2 coal burnt rock aquifer was mainly controlled by water rock interaction, while the hydro-chemical composition of bedrock and 3−1 coal burnt rock aquifer was mainly influenced by both water rock interaction and concentration. The main ions of 3−1 coal burned rock, bedrock, weathered bedrock and 2−2 coal burned rock aquifer were respectively from the dissolution of silicate rock salt, the dissolution of silicate rock and evaporite rock salt, and the weathering dissolution of silicate rock and carbonate rock salt. At the same time, the reverse cation exchange interaction effect occurred in the groundwater disasters of each aquifer. Multiple indicator results showed that the ion composition of the weathered bedrock and the aquifer of the 2−2 coal fired rock was similar, and there was a strong hydraulic connection. There may be a direct contact relationship locally, which is different from the ion composition of the aquifer of the 3−1 coal fired rock. There is a certain barrier layer between them, and the hydraulic connection between them is weak.

Abstract Abdominal adhesions manifests following abdominal infections triggered by intestinal fistulas. The severity of such adhesions depends on the extent of fiber deposition and peritoneal fibrinolysis following peritoneal injury, which may be influenced by sustained inflammation within the abdominal cavity. In this regard, the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat area (VFA/SFA) ratio has been implicated as a potential marker of inflammation. This study aimed to explore the relationship between VFA/SFA and abdominal adhesions. This multicenter study was conducted across four tertiary institutions and involved patients who had undergone definitive surgery (DS) for intestinal fistula from January 2009 and October 2023. The presence of abdominal adhesions was determined intraoperatively. VFA/SFA was investigated as a potential risk factor for severe adhesions. The study comprised 414 patients with a median age of 50 [interquartile range (IQR) 35–66] years and a median body mass index of 20.0 (IQR 19.2–22.4) kg/m2, including 231 males with a median VFA/SFA of 1.0 (IQR 0.7–1.2) and 183 females a median VFA/SFA of 0.8 (0.6–1.1). VFA/SFA was associated with severe abdominal adhesions in males [odds ratio (OR) = 3.34, 95% CI 1.14–9.80, p = 0.03] and females (OR = 2.99, 95% CI 1.05–8.53, p = 0.04). J-shaped association between VFA/SFA ratio and severe adhesions was revealed in both sex. The increasing trend can be revealed when OR more than 0.8, and 0.6 in males and females respectively. Preoperative VFA/SFA demonstrates predictive value for statues of severe abdominal adhesions in DS for anastomotic fistula after small intestine resection.

Abstract Background Numerous insect species undertake long-distance migrations on an enormous scale, with great implications for ecosystems. Given that take-off is the point where it all starts, whether and how the external light and internal circadian rhythm are involved in regulating the take-off behaviour remains largely unknown. Herein, we explore this issue in a migratory pest, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, via behavioural observations and RNAi experiments. Results The results showed that C. medinalis moths took off under conditions where the light intensity gradually weakened to 0.1 lx during the afternoon or evening, and the take-off proportions under full spectrum or blue light were significantly higher than that under red and green light. The ultraviolet-A/blue light–sensitive type 1 cryptochrome gene (Cmedcry1) was significantly higher in take-off moths than that of non-take-off moths. In contrast, the expression of the light-insensitive CRY2 (Cmedcry2) and circadian genes (Cmedtim and Cmedper) showed no significant differences. After silencing Cmedcry1, the take-off proportion significantly decreased. Thus, Cmedcry1 is involved in the decrease in light intensity induced take-off behaviour in C. medinalis. Conclusions This study can help further explain the molecular mechanisms behind insect migration, especially light perception and signal transmission during take-off phases.