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A growing body of evidence demonstrates that individual differences in declarative memory may be an important predictor of second language (L2) abilities. However, the evidence comes from studies using different declarative memory tasks that vary in their reliance on verbal abilities and task demands, which preclude estimating the size of the relationship between declarative memory and L2 learning. To address these concerns, we examined the relationship between verbal and nonverbal declarative memory abilities within the same task while controlling for task demands and stimulus modality, to estimate the upper bound of the relationship between verbal and nonverbal declarative memory. Results indicate that when task demands and stimulus modality are controlled, verbal and nonverbal declarative memory abilities shared a medium-to-large amount of underlying variance. However, future studies should exercise caution in appraising associations between declarative memory abilities and L2 learning until a more precise understanding of the underlying mechanisms is achieved.

In order to address the rising concerns about undergraduates' plagiarism in academic writing practices, a blended learning scenario (a combination of face-to-face learning with online learning) was designed and the effectiveness of it was tested. Results indicated that the students became more capable of distinguishing plagiarism cases in different scenarios, and their writing performance significantly improved by engaging in the blended learning scenario, i.e. the extent of plagiarism substantially decreased and writing quality greatly increased. Furthermore, the students mostly provided positive feedback towards the learning intervention. This study contributes to existing literature on instructional solutions to plagiarism issues by focusing on how students' understandings of plagiarism and source use can be achieved during their writing in a blended learning scenario.

Abstract This study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying pediatric kidney stone formation induced by renal calcium deposition by utilizing high-throughput sequencing data to reveal the regulation of PINK1 by MyoD1. We performed transcriptome sequencing on peripheral blood samples from healthy children and children with kidney stones to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Genes related to mitochondrial oxidative stress were obtained from the Genecards website and intersected with DEGs to obtain candidate target genes. Additionally, we conducted protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis using the STRING database to identify core genes involved in pediatric kidney stone disease (KSD) and predicted their transcription factors using the hTFtarget database. We assessed the impact of MyoD1 on the activity of the PINK1 promoter using dual-luciferase reporter assays and investigated the enrichment of MyoD1 on the PINK1 promoter through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments. To validate our hypothesis, we selected HK-2 cells and established an in vitro kidney stone model induced by calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). We evaluated the expression levels of various genes, cell viability, volume of adherent crystals in each group, as well as mitochondrial oxidative stress in cells by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Mitochondrial autophagy was assessed using mtDNA fluorescence staining and Western blot analysis of PINK1-related proteins. Apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated using Western blot analysis, and cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Furthermore, we developed a rat model of KSD and assessed the expression levels of various genes, as well as the pathologic changes in rat renal tissues using H&E and von Kossa staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the expression of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) to evaluate the mitochondrial oxidative stress in vivo (through measurement of Δψm, SOD activity, ROS, and MDA content). Mitochondrial autophagy was evaluated by Western blot analysis of PINK1-associated proteins. Apoptosis-related proteins were detected using Western blot analysis, and cellular apoptosis was examined using cell flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the PINK1 gene is upregulated and vital in pediatric kidney stone patients. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that silencing PINK1 could inhibit kidney stone formation by suppressing mitochondrial oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. We identified MyoD1 as an upstream transcription factor of PINK1 that contributes to the occurrence of pediatric kidney stones through the activation of PINK1. Our in vivo and in vitro experiments collectively confirmed that silencing MyoD1 could inhibit mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial autophagy, and cellular apoptosis in a rat model of kidney stones by downregulating PINK1 expression, consequently suppressing the formation of kidney stones. In this study, we discovered that MyoD1 may promote kidney stone formation and development in pediatric patients by transcriptionally activating PINK1 to induce mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Abstract Background Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the deadliest malignant tumors with unknown pathogenesis. Due to its treatment resistance, high recurrence rate, and lack of reliable early detection techniques, a majority of patients have a poor prognosis. Therefore, identifying new tumor biomarkers and therapeutic targets is essential. This review aims to provide fresh insights into enhancing the prognosis of patients with GC by summarizing the processes through which microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) and highlighting their critical role in the TME. Main text A comprehensive literature review was conducted by focusing on the interactions among tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells within the GC TME. The role of noncoding RNAs, known as miRNAs, in modulating the TME through various signaling pathways, cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes was specifically examined. Tumor formation, metastasis, and therapy in GC are significantly influenced by interactions within the TME. miRNAs regulate tumor progression by modulating these interactions through multiple signaling pathways, cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes. Dysregulation of miRNAs affects critical cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and treatment resistance, contributing to the pathogenesis of GC. Conclusions miRNAs play a crucial role in the regulation of the GC TME, influencing tumor progression and patient prognosis. By understanding the mechanisms through which miRNAs control the TME, potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets can be identified to improve the prognosis of patients with GC.

Abstract In the detection of multi‐component gas based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), the problem of overlapping interference between the absorption lines of each gas is often encountered. For example, when detecting a gas mixture of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and thionyl fluoride (SOF2), the characteristic decomposition components of SF6, there is overlapping interference in the absorption lines of the two gases, which makes it difficult to detect the concentration of gases accurately. In view of this problem, a novel method based on support vector regression model used for TDLAS is proposed to detect two gases simultaneously. The detection results show that the correlation coefficients between the concentration of SO2 and SOF2 and the average value of the second harmonic peak reached 0.992 and 0.993. In addition, through model testing, different concentrations of SO2 and SOF2 gas mixture are simultaneously detected, and the resulting maximum errors for measuring SO2 and SOF2 concentrations are less than 7.13 × 10−5 and 0.26 × 10−2. The maximum errors of the measurement results in the verification test are not more than 6.4 × 10−3 and 4.6 × 10−2. Therefore, with assistance of the novel method, the detection of multiple gases by using a single laser is achieved.

Abstract Fatigue failure is invariably the most crucial failure mode for metallic structural components. Most microstructural strategies for enhancing fatigue resistance are effective in suppressing either crack initiation or propagation, but often do not work for both synergistically. Here, we demonstrate that this challenge can be overcome by architecting a gradient structure featuring a surface layer of nacre-like nanolaminates followed by multi-variant twinned structure in pure titanium. The polarized accommodation of highly regulated grain boundaries in the nanolaminated layer to cyclic loading enhances the structural stability against lamellar thickening and microstructure softening, thereby delaying surface roughening and thus crack nucleation. The decohesion of the nanolaminated grains along horizonal high-angle grain boundaries gives rise to an extraordinarily high frequency (≈1.7 × 103 times per mm) of fatigue crack deflection, effectively reducing fatigue crack propagation rate (by 2 orders of magnitude lower than the homogeneous coarse-grained counterpart). These intriguing features of the surface nanolaminates, along with the various toughening mechanisms activated in the subsurface twinned structure, result in a fatigue resistance that significantly exceeds those of the homogeneous and gradient structures with equiaxed grains. Our work on architecting the surface nanolaminates in gradient structure provides a scalable and sustainable strategy for designing more fatigue-resistant alloys.

Abstract Online food delivery has become a popular mode of urban food consumption in China as its underlying business mechanism, Online To Offline (O2O), gaining popularity. However, the environmental impacts of a rapidly expanding online food delivery industry and its potential to mitigate environmental burdens remained unexplored in China. Our research found that Chinese cities generated 1.67 MtCO2-equivalent (CO2e) from 13.07 billion times of deliveries in 2019, including transport and packaging. The transportation-related GHG emissions were 745 KtCO2e in 2019, with an average of 0.057 kg CO2e per order and an average of 0.011 kg CO2e per capita. These emissions have surged from 0.31 MtCO2e in 2014 to 2.74 MtCO2e in 2021. We predict that this figure will increase further to 5.94 MtCO2e by 2035. However, with a range of policies such as replacing motorcycles with electric bikes and optimizing traffic routes, it is possible to mitigate such GHG emissions by 4.39–10.97 MtCO2e between 2023 and 2035. These findings highlight the need for further research into the environmental impact of online food delivery and the potential for mitigating it.

Abstract Background At present, shoulder arthroscopy is usually used for treatment of rotator cuff injuries. There is still debate over the precise technique of using shoulder arthroscopy to treat partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon injuries. Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of the arthroscopic transtendon repair method and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair method in the treatment of patients with Ellman III partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon tears and to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative efficacy. Study design Cohort study; level of evidence,4. Methods A total of 84 partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) patients with Ellman III injuries who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were selected and divided into the arthroscopic trans-tenon repair group (32 cases) and the arthroscopic full-thickness repair group (52 cases). Shoulder joint pain and functional status were assessed by the Constant score, ASES score and VAS score; shoulder mobility was assessed by measuring shoulder ROM. The clinical outcomes of the two groups of patients were compared, and the factors affecting the postoperative efficacy of the patients were investigated. Results All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. The Constant score, ASES score, and VAS score of the two groups of patients were all improved compared with those before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (P 0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative ASES score and whether biceps tenotomy was performed were independent risk factors for satisfactory postoperative efficacy (P

Abstract Background Understanding the mechanism behind sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) remains a formidable task. This study endeavors to shed light on the complex cellular and molecular alterations that occur in the brains of a mouse model with SAE, ultimately unraveling the underlying mechanisms of this condition. Methods We established a murine model using intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in wild type and Anxa1 −/− mice and collected brain tissues for analysis at 0-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, and 72-hour post-injection. Utilizing advanced techniques such as single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and Stereo-seq, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of the cellular responses and molecular patterns within the brain. Results Our study uncovered notable temporal differences in the response to LPS challenge between Anxa1−/− (annexin A1 knockout) and wild type mice, specifically at the 12-hour and 24-hour time points following injection. We observed a significant increase in the proportion of Astro-2 and Micro-2 cells in these mice. These cells exhibited a colocalization pattern with the vascular subtype Vas-1, forming a distinct region known as V1A2M2, where Astro-2 and Micro-2 cells surrounded Vas-1. Moreover, through further analysis, we discovered significant upregulation of ligands and receptors such as Timp1-Cd63, Timp1-Itgb1, Timp1-Lrp1, as well as Ccl2-Ackr1 and Cxcl2-Ackr1 within this region. In addition, we observed a notable increase in the expression of Cd14-Itgb1, Cd14-Tlr2, and Cd14-C3ar1 in regions enriched with Micro-2 cells. Additionally, Cxcl10-Sdc4 showed broad upregulation in brain regions containing both Micro-2 and Astro-2 cells. Notably, upon LPS challenge, there was an observed increase in Anxa1 expression in the mouse brain. Furthermore, our study revealed a noteworthy increase in mortality rates following Anxa1 knockdown. However, we did not observe substantial differences in the types, numbers, or distribution of other brain cells between Anxa1−/− and wildtype mice over time. Nevertheless, when comparing the 24-hour post LPS injection time point, we observed a significant decrease in the proportion and distribution of Micro-2 and Astro-2 cells in the vicinity of blood vessels in Anxa1−/− mice. Additionally, we noted reduced expression levels of several ligand-receptor pairs including Cd14-Tlr2, Cd14-C3ar1, Cd14-Itgb1, Cxcl10-Sdc4, Ccl2-Ackr1, and Cxcl2-Ackr1. Conclusions By combining snRNA-seq and Stereo-seq techniques, our study successfully identified a distinctive cellular colocalization, referred to as a special pathological niche, comprising Astro-2, Micro-2, and Vas-1 cells. Furthermore, we observed an upregulation of ligand-receptor pairs within this niche. These findings suggest a potential association between this cellular arrangement and the underlying mechanisms contributing to SAE or the increased mortality observed in Anxa1 knockdown mice.

ABSTRACTThe paradox between massive rural revitalisation and cultural preservation calls for new sustainable development strategies. How to strike a balance between them has become a research hotspot especially for traditional villages in developing countries. Through data collection, field research and analogy, this article explores the spatial prototypes of mandala, Mount Meru and ‘zhai xin’ (central stronghold) concept, and points out the coupling relationship between spatial patterns and Tibetan settlements and its influences on settlement layout, architectural forms, and local customs, which includes the cultural philosophy of spatial patterns, the structure of human settlements, village layout, road network planning, and core node building complex. Taking Ge’en Tibetan Village revamping program in Aba Tibetan and Qiang County as an illustrative example, this design strategy will not only improve local residents’ living standards, but also helps to retain the cultural essence of traditional villages, thereby diving the development of tourism and other tertiary industries. Based on cultural heritage preservation, this work offers new perspectives on land use planning and architectural design for the revitalisation and sustainable development of traditional village in under-developed areas.

Abstract Background This study investigates the value of fluorine 18 ([18F])-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) for lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with stage I-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From November 2021 to October 2022, 53 patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC who underwent radical resection were prospectively included. [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and [18F]FAPI examinations were performed within one week. LN staging was validated using surgical and pathological findings. [18F]FDG and [18F]FAPI uptake was compared using the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of nodal groups was investigated. Results In 53 patients (median age, 64 years, range: 31–76 years), the specificity of [18F]FAPI for detecting LN metastasis was significantly higher than that of [18F]FDG (P

Scanning radar angular super-resolution technology is based on the relationship between the target and antenna pattern, and a deconvolution method is used to obtain angular resolution capabilities beyond the real beam. Most current angular super-resolution methods are based on ideal distortion-free antenna patterns and do not consider pattern changes in the actual process due to the influence of factors such as radar radome, antenna measurement errors, and non-ideal platform motion. In practice, an antenna pattern often has unknown errors, which can result in reduced target resolution and even false target generation. To address this problem, this paper proposes an angular super-resolution imaging method for airborne radar with unknown antenna errors. First, based on the Total Least Square (TLS) criterion, this paper considers the effect of the pattern error matrix and derive the corresponding objective function. Second, this paper employs the iterative reweighted optimization method to solve the objective function by adopting an alternative iteration solution idea. Finally, an adaptive parameter update method is introduced for algorithm hyperparameter selection. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve super-resolution reconstruction even in the presence of unknown antenna errors, promoting the robustness of the super-resolution algorithm.

This is an article in the field of ceramics and composites. In order to study the influence of diatomite content on the physical properties, rheological properties and road performance of asphalt mixtures, the basic physical tests, rheological tests, high temperature stability and low temperature crack resistance tests were carried out on asphalt mixtures under different diatomite content.The results show that when the diatomite content is 30%, the softening point, cone penetration and ductility of the asphalt mixture reach the maximum. When the diatomite content is 40%, the penetration of the asphalt mixture reaches the maximum. The law of change in ductility shows an increasing trend. The temperature is 170 ℃ as the preparation temperature of the asphalt mixture. The 30% diatomite content can be selected as the optimal value of low temperature crack resistance of asphalt mixture. At the same time, adding diatomite can effectively improve the high temperature performance of the asphalt mixture, but excessive incorporation of diatomaceous earth will weaken its high temperature performance. As the content of diatomite continues to increase, the variation of some characteristic peaks in the infrared spectrum of asphalt concrete shows a decreasing trend. During the aging process of asphalt concrete, its internal light components are affected by high temperature, and volatilization occurs. However, as the content of diatomite continues to increase, the characteristic peak-to-peak value of the light component of asphalt concrete after aging has not changed much.

Abstract Aims Risk assessment for triple-vessel disease (TVD) remain challenging. Stress hyperglycemia represents the regulation of glucose metabolism in response to stress, and stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is recently found to reflect true acute hyperglycemic status. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of SHR and its role in risk stratification in TVD patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods A total of 3812 TVD patients with ACS with available baseline SHR measurement were enrolled from two independent centers. The endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between SHR and cardiovascular mortality. The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) II (SSII) was used as the reference model in the model improvement analysis. Results During a median follow-up of 5.1 years, 219 (5.8%) TVD patients with ACS suffered cardiovascular mortality. TVD patients with ACS with high SHR had an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality after robust adjustment for confounding (high vs. median SHR: adjusted hazard ratio 1.809, 95% confidence interval 1.160–2.822, P = 0.009), which was fitted as a J-shaped pattern. The prognostic value of the SHR was found exclusively among patients with diabetes instead of those without diabetes. Moreover, addition of SHR improved the reclassification abilities of the SSII model for predicting cardiovascular mortality in TVD patients with ACS. Conclusions The high level of SHR is associated with the long-term risk of cardiovascular mortality in TVD patients with ACS, and is confirmed to have incremental prediction value beyond standard SSII. Assessment of SHR may help to improve the risk stratification strategy in TVD patients who are under acute stress.

Abstract Background Gamithromycin is an effective therapy for bovine and swine respiratory diseases but not utilized for rabbits. Given its potent activity against respiratory pathogens, we sought to determine the pharmacokinetic profiles, antimicrobial activity and target pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) exposures associated with therapeutic effect of gamithromycin against Pasteurella multocida in rabbits. Results Gamithromycin showed favorable PK properties in rabbits, including high subcutaneous bioavailability (86.7 ± 10.7%) and low plasma protein binding (18.5–31.9%). PK analysis identified a mean plasma peak concentration (Cmax) of 1.64 ± 0.86 mg/L and terminal half-life (T1/2) of 31.5 ± 5.74 h after subcutaneous injection. For P. multocida, short post-antibiotic effects (PAE) (1.1–5.3 h) and post-antibiotic sub-inhibitory concentration effects (PA-SME) (6.6–9.1 h) were observed after exposure to gamithromycin at 1 to 4× minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Gamithromycin demonstrated concentration-dependent bactericidal activity and the PK/PD index area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h (AUC24h)/MIC correlated well with efficacy (R2 > 0.99). The plasma AUC24h/MIC ratios of gamithromycin associated with the bacteriostatic, bactericidal and bacterial eradication against P. multocida were 15.4, 24.9 and 27.8 h in rabbits, respectively. Conclusions Subcutaneous administration of 6 mg/kg gamithromycin reached therapeutic concentrations in rabbit plasma against P. multocida. The PK/PD ratios determined herein in combination with ex vivo activity and favorable rabbit PK indicate that gamithromycin may be used for the treatment of rabbit pasteurellosis.

Abstract Background Acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease associated with high mortality rates, where surgical intervention remains the primary life-saving treatment. However, the mortality rate for ATAAD operations continues to be alarmingly high. To address this critical issue, our study aimed to assess the correlation between preoperative laboratory examination, clinical imaging data, and postoperative mortality in ATAAD patients. Additionally, we sought to establish a reliable prediction model for evaluating the risk of postoperative death. Methods In this study, a total of 384 patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) who were admitted to the emergency department for surgical treatment were included. Based on preoperative laboratory examination and clinical imaging data of ATAAD patients, logistic analysis was used to obtain independent risk factors for postoperative in-hospital death. The survival prediction model was based on cox regression analysis and displayed as a nomogram. Results Logistic analysis identified several independent risk factors for postoperative in-hospital death, including Marfan syndrome, previous cardiac surgery history, previous renal dialysis history, direct bilirubin, serum phosphorus, D-dimer, white blood cell, multiple aortic ruptures and age. A survival prediction model based on cox regression analysis was established and presented as a nomogram. The model exhibited good discrimination and significantly improved the prediction of death risk in ATAAD patients. Conclusions In this study, we developed a novel survival prediction model for acute type A aortic dissection based on preoperative clinical features. The model demonstrated good discriminatory power and improved accuracy in predicting the risk of death in ATAAD patients undergoing open surgery.

Purpose Hippocampal-avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) planning can present challenges. This study examines the influence of head tilt angles on the dosimetric characteristics of target and organs at risk (OARs), aiming to identify the optimal tilt angle that yields optimal dosimetric outcomes using tomotherapy (TOMO). Methods Eight patients diagnosed with brain metastases underwent CT scans at five tilt angles: [0°, 10°), [10°, 20°), [20°, 30°), [30°, 40°), and [40°, 45°]. Treatment plans were generated using TOMO and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Dosimetric parameters including conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), D 2cc , D 98% , and D mean of PTV, as well as D max , and D mean of OARs were analyzed. Furthermore, a comparison was made between the dosimetric parameters of TOMO and VMAT plans. Finally, delivery efficiency of TOMO plans were assessed. Results For the PTV, [40°, 45°] tilt angle demonstrated significantly better conformity, homogeneity, lower D 2cc , and lower D mean for the PTV. Regarding the OARs, the [40°, 45°] head tilt angle demonstrated significantly lower D max and D mean in hippocampus, eyes, optic chiasm, and optic nerves. The [40°, 45°] tilt angle also showed significantly lower D max for brainstem and cochleas, as well as a lower D mean for lens. In the [40°,45°] tilt angle for HA-WBRT, TOMO showed superior performance over VMAT for the PTV. TOMO achieved lower D max for brainstem, cochleas, optic nerves, and optic chiasm, as well as a lower D mean for hippocampus. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between delivery time and the PTV projection length in the sagittal plane. Conclusion The TOMO plan utilizing a tilt angle range of [40°, 45°] demonstrated superior PTV conformity and uniformity, along with enhanced OARs sparing. Furthermore, it exhibited a dosimetric advantage over VMAT for PTV and most OARs at the same angle range.

In this paper, we propose a high-confidence, super-resolution method for short-wave infrared remote-sensing images based on characteristic deduction form high-resolution visible images. First, based on the radiative transmission mechanism of full remote-sensing imaging link, a ground object characterization model based on the dark object method was established to achieve the inversion of the object’s ground reflection characteristics of high-resolution visible images. Second, the reflectance information of the specified infrared band can be deduced combined with the reflectance matching of the typical ground object spectral library. On this basis, combined with the characterization modeling of remote-sensing imaging link—such as atmosphere, optical system, platform, and detector—a high-resolution infrared remote-sensing image reconstruction method is proposed. Based on the imaging degradation model between high- and low-resolution infrared images, the results of high-resolution reconstruction were corrected using measured infrared images. Lastly, the final fusion-super-resolution image can be obtained. The results show that the proposed fusion-super-resolution method yields high-resolution infrared images more realistically than traditional image fusion algorithms and shows better structural similarity index and visual information fidelity results, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed infrared remote-sensing image fusion-super-resolution method.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease in the elderly population and its substantial morbidity and disability impose a heavy economic burden on patients and society. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most common subtype of OA, which is characterized by damage to progressive articular cartilage, synovitis, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Most current treatments for OA are palliative, primarily aim at symptom management, and do not prevent the progression of the disease or restore degraded cartilage. The activation of α-granules in platelets releases various growth factors that are involved in multiple stages of tissue repair, suggesting potential for disease modification. In recent years, platelet-based therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma, platelet-rich fibrin, and platelet lysates, have emerged as promising regenerative treatments for KOA, but their related effects and mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the biological characteristics and functions of platelets, classify the products of platelet-based therapy and related preparation methods. Moreover, we summarize the basic research of platelet-based regeneration strategies for KOA and discuss the cellular effects and molecular mechanisms. Further, we describe the general clinical application of platelet-based therapy in the treatment of KOA and the results of the meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We estimate tree heights using polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PolInSAR) data constructed by the dual-polarization (dual-pol) SAR data and random volume over the ground (RVoG) model. Considering the Sentinel-1 SAR dual-pol (SVV, vertically transmitted and vertically received and SVH, vertically transmitted and horizontally received) configuration, one notes that SHH, the horizontally transmitted and horizontally received scattering element, is unavailable. The SHH data were constructed using the SVH data, and polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) data were obtained. The proposed approach was first verified in simulation with satisfactory results. It was next applied to construct PolInSAR data by a pair of dual-pol Sentinel-1A data at Duke Forest, North Carolina, USA. According to local observations and forest descriptions, the range of estimated tree heights was overall reasonable. Comparing the heights with the ICESat-2 tree heights at 23 sampling locations, relative errors of 5 points were within ±30 ​%. Errors of 8 points ranged from 30 ​% to 40 ​%, but errors of the remaining 10 points were >40 ​%. The results should be encouraged as error reduction is possible. For instance, the construction of PolSAR data should not be limited to using SVH, and a combination of SVH and SVV should be explored. Also, an ensemble of tree heights derived from multiple PolInSAR data can be considered since tree heights do not vary much with time frame in months or one season.

BackgroundThe integration of telehealth-supported programs in chronic disease management has become increasingly common. However, its effectiveness for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remains unclear. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs for individuals with KOA. MethodsA comprehensive literature search encompassing Embase, MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, GreyNet, and medRxiv from inception to September 2023 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs to a control condition for KOA. Data were extracted and qualitatively synthesized across eligible studies, and a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects. The study was reported according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020. ResultsIn total, 23 studies met eligibility criteria, with 20 included in the meta-analysis. Results showed that telehealth-supported exercise or physical activity programs reduced pain (g=–0.39; 95% CI –0.67 to –0.11; P

Background: With the popularity of the internet, short videos have become an indispensable tool to obtain health information. However, avoiding health disinformation owing to the openness of the Internet is difficult for users. Disinformation may endanger the health and lives of users. Objective: With a focus on the process of identifying short videos' health disinformation and the factors affecting the accuracy of identification, this study aimed to investigate the identification methods, coping strategies, and the impact of short videos’ health disinformation on undergraduate nursing students. The findings will provide guidance to users on obtaining high-quality and healthy information, in addition to reducing health risks. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 undergraduate nursing students in October 2022, and data were collected for collation and content analyses. Results: The techniques used to identify short videos that include health disinformation as well as how undergraduate nursing students perceived these videos' features are among the study's findings. The failure factors in identification, coping paths, and adverse impacts of short videos on health disinformation were analyzed. The platform, the material itself, and the students' individual characteristics all have an impact on their identifying behavior. Conclusions: Medical students continue to face many obstacles in identifying and responding to health disinformation through short videos. Preventing and stopping health disinformation not only requires individual efforts to improve health literacy and maintain rational thinking, it also requires the joint efforts of short video producers, relevant departments, and platforms.

Background: Patients with fractures of the proximal humerus often local complications and failures attributed to osteoporosis. Currently, there is a lack of straight forward screening methods for assessing the extent of local osteoporosis in the proximal humerus. This study utilizes machine learning techniques to establish a diagnostic approach for evaluating local osteoporosis by analyzing the patient's demographic data, bone density, and X-ray ratio of the proximal humerus. Methods: A cohort comprising a total of 102 hospitalized patients admitted during the period spanning from 2021 to 2023 underwent random selection procedures. Resulting in exclusion of 5 patients while enrolling 97 patients for analysis encompassing patient demographics, shoulder joint anteroposterior radiographs, and bone density information. Using the modified Tingart index methodology involving multiple measurements denoted as M1 through M4 obtained from humeral shafts. Within this cohort comprised 76 females (78.4 %) and 21 males (21.6 %), with an average age of 73.0 years (range: 43–98 years). There were 25 cases with normal bone density, 35 with osteopenia, and 37 with osteoporosis. Machine learning techniques were used to randomly divide the 97 cases into training (n = 59) and validation (n = 38) sets with a ratio of 6:4 using stratified random sampling. A decision tree model was built in the training set, and significant diagnostic indicators were selected, with the performance of the decision tree evaluated using the validation set. Multinomial logistic regression methods were used to verify the strength of the relationship between the selected indicators and osteoporosis. Results: The decision tree identified significant diagnostic indicators as the humeral shaft medullary cavity ratio M2/M4, age, and gender. M2/M4 ≥ 1.13 can be used as an important screening criterion; M2/M4 < 1.13 was predicted as local osteoporosis; M2/M4 ≥ 1.13 and age ≥83 years were also predicted as osteoporosis. M2/M4 ≥ 1.13 and age

Using bio-oil to desulfurize and degrade crumb rubber (CR) significantly enhances the compatibility between CR and asphalt, improving the workability of CR-modified asphalt and providing environmental and economic benefits. However, the secondary degradation of bio-oil degraded crumb rubber (ODR) in asphalt hinders the stability of ODR-modified asphalt. To optimize the mechanical performance of ODR-modified asphalt, the secondary degradation behaviors of ODR were investigated. The degree of CR degradation was determined by solubility testing, while the rheological properties and chemical structures of ODR-modified asphalt were characterized through rotational viscometer, dynamic shear rheometer, bending beam rheometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The processes for preparing stable ODR modifier and ODR-modified asphalt were proposed to mitigate the damage caused by bio-oil and degraded CR to the high temperature mechanical properties of asphalt. The results show that at lower processing temperatures for ODR-modified asphalt, the volatilization of light components is predominant, while higher processing temperatures prompt secondary degradation of ODR. By stirring at 280°C for 2 hours to acquire moderately degraded CR, and then concentrating it at 220°C for 2 hours, a stable ODR less susceptible to secondary degradation can be obtained. The workability, temperature sensitivity, and low temperature cracking resistance of stable ODR-modified asphalt improve significantly. The reduction of ester group and increase in aromaticity restore the high temperature deformation resistance of ODR-modified asphalt. Further, the inclusion of composite SBS extends the range of rheological properties in ODR-modified asphalt, bolstering the application potential of ODR in asphalt pavement.

In this paper, a fire load model is introduced for steel bridge decks considering asphalt pavement layers, aimed at exploring the consequences of fire arising from fuel leakage on the bridge pavement. Temperature data, mass loss rates, and radiation measurements from the pavement during fire tests are collected. The fire process on the bridge deck is categorized into four distinct stages, based on the mass loss rate. The temperature-time model is constructed by fitting the temperature data from the first two stages on the top surface. This model is then validated by comparing the temperature data obtained from various temperature-time load inputs with the experimental data from the middle and bottom surfaces. Additionally, a finite element numerical model is developed for a steel box girder bridge, enabling a comparison of different temperature-time models to establish the rationality of the bridge deck temperature-time model. Finally, the thermal mechanical coupling method is employed to investigate the impact of fire on the bridge's mid-span, revealing a close alignment between the simulation temperatures derived from the bridge deck temperature-time curve and the experimental results.

Background The role of phytoestrogens in asthma/wheeze and lung function remains controversial. Thus, we aimed to examine whether phytoestrogens have beneficial effects on asthma/wheeze, lung function for subgroups and mortality.Methods Participants in this study were individuals aged 20 years or older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to examine the associations of urinary phytoestrogens with the risk of asthma/wheeze and lung function in individuals with and without asthma/wheeze. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the relationship between urinary phytoestrogens and all-cause mortality. Stratified analyses were conducted based on gender and smoking status.Results We included 2465 individuals in this study. Enterolactone levels in the highest quartile were associated with a lower risk of asthma than those in the lowest quartile. As compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile of enterodiol and enterolactone was associated with a lower risk of wheeze. Significant associations were observed between subtypes of phytoestrogens (equol and enterolactone) and lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s). Besides, FVC was higher in individuals with higher levels of enterodiol. The results were consistent in subpopulations without asthma/wheeze, while the significant difference was not observed in individuals with asthma/wheeze. The stratified analyses revealed that the associations between phytoestrogens and lung function differed by gender and smoking status among subgroups. No significant association was found between urinary phytoestrogens and all-cause mortality.Conclusion In summary, subtypes of phytoestrogens were associated with lower risk of asthma/wheeze and beneficial for lung function improvement in individuals without asthma/wheeze. Furthermore, gender and smoking may interact in the relationship between phytoestrogens and asthma/wheeze, and lung function. Further researches are needed to confirm these associations and explain the results of stratified analyses.