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The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) emphasizes the teaching of "Big Ideas" in mathematics. This study focuses on the part-part-whole (PPW) relationship as a crucial aspect of word problem solving involving addition and subtraction. This study, conducted in the United States, evaluated the effects of conceptual model-based problem-solving (COMPS) with the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) sequence on teaching addition and subtraction word problem solving to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using a multiple-probe design across the participants, the researchers examined the impact of the intervention on students' performance across three types of word problems: join-in, take-away, and combine. Results demonstrated significant improvements in students' problem-solving abilities on criterion tests. In addition, students successfully generalized their skills to solve problems with new contexts. The findings of this study provide implications for future research and educational practice.

Children on the autism spectrum have been shown to have immune dysregulation that often correlates with behavioral deficits. The role of the post-natal environment in this dysregulation is an area of active investigation. We examined the association between plasma levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and immune cell function in age-matched autistic children and non-autistic controls. Plasma from children on the autism spectrum (n = 38) and typically developing controls (TD; n = 60) were analyzed for 14 major PBDE congeners. Cytokine/chemokine production was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) supernatants with and without ex vivo BDE-49 exposure. Total plasma concentration (∑PBDE14) and individual congener levels were also correlated with T cell function. ∑PBDE14 did not differ between diagnostic groups but correlated with reduced immune function in children on the autism spectrum. In autistic children, IL-2 and IFN-γ production was reduced in association with several individual BDE congeners, especially BDE-49 (p = 0.001). Furthermore, when PBMCs were exposed ex vivo to BDE-49, cells from autistic children produced elevated levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, MIP-1α and MCP-1 (p

Abstract Free flap reconstruction for postoperative tissue defects in oral and maxillofacial tumors is a critical component of reconstructive surgery. Identifying risk factors for flap necrosis is essential for improving surgical outcomes and patient quality of life. A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent free flap reconstruction between January 2020 and December 2023. Patients were included if they had comprehensive medical records and at least a six-month follow-up. We excluded those with a history of flap necrosis, uncontrolled systemic diseases, non-adherence to postoperative care, or concurrent malignancy treatments. Data on demographics, comorbidities, flap characteristics, and operative details were collected and analyzed using univariate analysis and logistic regression tests. Univariate analysis did not find a significant correlation between flap necrosis and factors such as hyperlipidemia, lymph node metastasis, or flap type. However, diabetes mellitus, oral infections, and albumin levels below 35 g/L were significantly associated with flap necrosis. Multivariate logistic regression showed diabetes mellitus increased the odds of flap necrosis by approximately ninefold, and oral infection increased it by over tenfold. Diabetes mellitus, oral infection, and low albumin levels are significant risk factors for flap necrosis in free flap reconstruction after oral and maxillofacial surgery. Prompt identification and management of these factors are crucial to mitigate the risk of flap necrosis.

Abstract Background DNA sequencing is a critical tool in modern biology. Over the last two decades, it has been revolutionized by the advent of massively parallel sequencing, leading to significant advances in the genome and transcriptome sequencing of various organisms. Nevertheless, challenges with accuracy, lack of competitive options and prohibitive costs associated with high throughput parallel short-read sequencing persist. Results Here, we conduct a comparative analysis using matched DNA and RNA short-reads assays between Element Biosciences’ AVITI and Illumina’s NextSeq 550 chemistries. Similar comparisons were evaluated for synthetic long-read sequencing for RNA and targeted single-cell transcripts between the AVITI and Illumina’s NovaSeq 6000. For both DNA and RNA short-read applications, the study found that the AVITI produced significantly higher per sequence quality scores. For PCR-free DNA libraries, we observed an average 89.7% lower experimentally determined error rate when using the AVITI chemistry, compared to the NextSeq 550. For short-read RNA quantification, AVITI platform had an average of 32.5% lower error rate than that for NextSeq 550. With regards to synthetic long-read mRNA and targeted synthetic long read single cell mRNA sequencing, both platforms’ respective chemistries performed comparably in quantification of genes and isoforms. The AVITI displayed a marginally lower error rate for long reads, with fewer chemistry-specific errors and a higher mutation detection rate. Conclusion These results point to the potential of the AVITI platform as a competitive candidate in high-throughput short read sequencing analyses when juxtaposed with the Illumina NextSeq 550.

Abstract The concept of a healthy lifestyle is receiving increasing attention. This study sought to identify an optimal healthy lifestyle profile associated with sleep health in general population of China. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to July 2022. Six healthy lifestyle factors were assessed: healthy diet, regular physical exercise, never smoking, never drinking alcohol, low sedentary behavior, and normal weight. Participants were categorized into the healthy lifestyle (5-6 factors), average (3-4 factors), and unhealthy lifestyle groups (0-2 factors). The study’s primary outcome was sleep health, which included sleep quality, duration, pattern, and the presence of any sleep disorder or disturbance, including insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, obstructive apnea syndrome, and narcolepsy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to explore lifestyles associated with the selected sleep health outcomes. 41,061 individuals were included, forming 18.8% healthy, 63.8% average, and 17.4% unhealthy lifestyle groups. After adjusting for covariates, participants with healthy lifestyle were associated with a higher likelihood of good sleep quality (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.46–1.68), normal sleep duration (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.49–1.72), healthy sleep pattern (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 2.00–2.31), and lower risks of insomnia (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.61–0.71), excessive daytime sleepiness (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.60–0.73), and obstructive apnea syndrome (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.37–0.43), but not narcolepsy (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.83–1.03), compared to those with unhealthy lifestyle. This large cross-sectional study is the first to our knowledge to quantify the associations of a healthy lifestyle with specific aspects of sleep health. The findings offer support for efforts to improve sleep health by modulating lifestyle.

Blechnopsis orientalis (Linnaeus) C. Presl (1753) is a fern used both as food and medicine. It is found primarily in southern China and Southeast Asia, thriving in warm, humid shrublands or sparse forest. The total length of the chloroplast genome is 155,211 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC, 81,877 bp), a small single-copy region (SSC, 21,500 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 25,917 bp). The GC content is 41.3%. A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 88 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes, and 35 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis using the maximum-likelihood method showed that B. orientalis and Oceaniopteris gibba were closely related. This study provides genomic resources for phylogenetic genetics and resource exploitation of B. orientalis.

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and distilled water were used as raw materials, glycerol was used as plasticizer. The PVA/AgNPs composite films with different proportions of silver nanoparticles (0%, 1%, 2% and 4%) were prepared by solution casting method. The mechanical properties, barrier property and antibacterial property of the films were characterized. The suitable film was applied to the fresh-keeping of fresh noodles leaf, and its effect on the quality of fresh noodles leaf was studied. The results showed that 4% PVA/AgNPs films had better mechanical properties, barrier properties and antibacterial properties. The diameter of the inhibitory circle against Staphylococcus aureus reached 11.67±0.29 mm. PVA/AgNPs film with 4% nano-silver content was selected to preserve fresh noodles leaf and determine the quality changes of fresh noodles leaf during the storage period at 4 ℃. The preservation results showed that 4% PVA/AgNPs film could significantly delayed the growth of total colony counts, maintained the color, pH and acidity of the fresh noodles leaf during the storage period. Furthermore, 4% PVA/AgNPs film significantly reduced the cooking loss, improved the quality and the migration of the silver in the fresh noodles leaf, which the national standards. The above study showed that PVA/AgNPs film had the excellent antibacterial effect, and effectively maintained the quality of fresh noodle leaf and prolong the storage time, which can provide a new method for the packaging of noodle products.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative condition. 5α-epoxyalantolactone (5α-EAL), a eudesmane-type sesquiterpene isolated from the herb of Inula macrophylla, has various pharmacological effects. This work supposed to investigate the improved impact of 5α-EAL on cognitive impairment. 5α-EAL inhibited the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in BV-2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with an EC50 of 6.2 μM. 5α-EAL significantly reduced the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while also inhibiting the production of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins. The ability of 5α-EAL to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was confirmed via a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay. Scopolamine (SCOP)-induced AD mice model was employed to assess the improved impacts of 5α-EAL on cognitive impairment in vivo. After the mice were pretreated with 5α-EAL (10 and 30 mg/kg per day, i.p.) for 21 days, the behavioral experiments indicated that the administration of the 5α-EAL could alleviate the cognitive and memory impairments. 5α-EAL significantly reduced the AChE activity in the brain of SCOP-induced AD mice. In summary, these findings highlight the beneficial effects of the natural product 5α-EAL as a potential bioactive compound for attenuating cognitive deficits in AD due to its pharmacological profile. Graphical Abstract

Background The implementation of standardized teaching clinic activities by the faculty of standardized training of general practice residents (hereinafter referred to as residency training) is a key link in the cultivation of qualified general practitioners. And in July 2021, the Chinese Physicians' Association organized experts to revise the Specification for General Practice Teaching Clinic for Standardized Training of Residents in the Specialty of General Practice (for Trial Implementation), which is referenced by all the residency training bases of general practice across the country to carry out the teaching clinic. However, at this stage, the implementation of teaching clinic in each residency training base is still in the exploratory stage, and the degree of attention is insufficient, and the phenomenon of low quality and irregularity in the form of teaching clinic prevails. Objective To understand the current situation and influencing factors on the willingness of general practice residency faculty to conduct teaching clinics, not only to analyze the difficulties and confusions in conducting teaching clinics, but also provide reflections and recommendations. Methods From October 2021 to November 2023, a survey was conducted among general practitioners who participated in the provincial-level general practice residency training programs for regular and key instructors in Guangdong Province. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from the included instructors, covering their basic information, work situation, and their willingness to teach. The electronic questionnaire was created using the "Questionnaire Star" platform, which also facilitated the online distribution and collection of the survey. Results The average age of general practice faculty was (40.7±14.1) years, 724 (72.18%) faculty members' institutions had general practice teaching clinics, 792 (78.96%) had a desire to teach, 710 (70.79%) had no experience in teaching, 904 (90.13%) had self-assessed their competence in teaching as a score of 60-89, and 583 (58.13%) had received no general practice teaching clinic faculty training, 462 (46.06%) expected faculty training to be conducted in the form of a combination of multiple types of training, 417 (41.58%) and 309 (30.81%), respectively, believed that the teaching difficulty of general practice teaching clinics was to instruct general practice residents to independently receive patients in the general practice clinic and to teach in a tiered manner, and 377 (37.59%) believed that the most difficult teaching objective to achieve was to instruct general practice residents in general practice clinical thinking and improve their clinical decision-making skills, 216 (21.54%) believed that the most needed training component for general practice residents was consultation skills, and 456 (45.46%) believed that the reason their institution did not/would not conduct a teaching clinic was lack of time. Also, the results of the multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the availability of general practice teaching clinics at the institution where they are located, experience in teaching, self-assessment of teaching competence, and acceptance of faculty training in general practice teaching clinics were the factors influencing the willingness to teach in general practice faculty teaching clinics (P

Recently, memristors have garnered widespread attention as neuromorphic devices that can simulate synaptic behavior, holding promise for future commercial applications in neuromorphic computing. In this paper, we present a memristor with an Au/Bi3.2La0.8Ti3O12 (BLTO)/ITO structure, demonstrating a switching ratio of nearly 103 over a duration of 104 s. It successfully simulates a range of synaptic behaviors, including long-term potentiation and depression, paired-pulse facilitation, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, spike-rate-dependent plasticity etc. Interestingly, we also employ it to simulate pain threshold, sensitization, and desensitization behaviors of pain-perceptual nociceptor (PPN). Lastly, by introducing memristor differential pairs (1T1R-1T1R), we train a neural network, effectively simplifying the learning process, reducing training time, and achieving a handwriting digit recognition accuracy of up to 97.19 %. Overall, the proposed device holds immense potential in the field of neuromorphic computing, offering possibilities for the next generation of high-performance neuromorphic computing chips.