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Methane (CH) emissions estimated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) inventory method at the city and regional scale are subject to large uncertainties. In this study, we determined the CH:CO emissions ratio for both Nanjing and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), using the atmospheric CH and CO concentrations measured at a suburban site in Nanjing in the winter. The atmospheric estimate of the CH:CO emissions ratio was in reasonable agreement with that calculated using the IPCC method for the YRD (within 20%), but was 200% greater for the municipality of Nanjing. The most likely reason for the discrepancy is that emissions from unmanaged landfills are omitted from the official statistics on garbage production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamic methods of the Arrhenius and Achar-Brindley-Sharp-Wendworth are employed to investigate the influence of the heating rate on oxidation characteristics of three carbon samples. High resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and specific surface area measurements using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory are applied to evaluate the influence of the graphitization degree, the microcrystalline length, and the microstructure on the oxidation of carbon black. The results show that with the increase in heating rate, the reaction rate of carbon black increases and the oxidation activation energy gradually decreases; the fitted values of the activation energy range from 136.4 to 221.3 kJ mol with the heating rate is <100 K min. Besides, the evaporation and oxidation of simulating soluble organic fractions absorbed on carbon samples can change its internal microstructure, which could influence carbon oxidation. All experimental results indicate that carbon black would sequentially take those steps during oxidation: volatile substance evaporation or oxidation, amorphous carbon oxidation, graphitization, and combustion finally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echocardiography is the first-line diagnostic technique for heart diseases. Although artificial intelligence techniques have made great improvements in the analysis of echocardiography, the major limitations remain to be the built neural networks are normally adapted to a few diseases and specific equipment. Here, we present an end-to-end deep learning framework named AIEchoDx that differentiates four common cardiovascular diseases (Atrial Septal Defect, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, prior Myocardial Infarction) from normal subjects with performance comparable to that of consensus of three senior cardiologists in AUCs (99.50% vs 99.26%, 98.75% vs 92.75%, 99.57% vs 97.21%, 98.52% vs 84.20%, and 98.70% vs 89.41%), respectively. Meanwhile, AIEchoDx accurately recognizes critical lesion regions of interest along with each disease by visualizing the decision-making process. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that heterogeneous diseases, like dilated cardiomyopathy, could be classified into two phenogroups with distinct clinical characteristics. Finally, AIEchoDx performs efficiently as an anomaly detection tool when applying handheld device-produced videos. Together, AIEchoDx provides a potential diagnostic assistant tool in either cart-based echocardiography equipment or handheld echocardiography device for primary and point-of-care medical personnel with high diagnostic performance, and the application of lesion region identification and heterogeneous disease phenogrouping, which may broaden the application of artificial intelligence in echocardiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of this study was to propose a maize–peanut intercropping system for traditional sole maize to increase economic benefits and decrease environmental pollution for dryland farming. Methods: The treatments comprised sole maize, sole peanut, maize–peanut intercropping, maize–peanut intercropping–rotation (rotation of the maize and peanut planting strips every year), and maize–peanut intercropping–rotation with 20% and 40% N reduction in maize planting strip. Soil water and total N stock, photosynthetic traits, yield, greenhouse gas emissions, economic income, and interspecific relationships were evaluated. Results: Intercropped maize absorbed more moisture but lost more N than sole maize. Maize–peanut intercropping had higher economic benefits and less N2O emissions than sole maize, but had no intercropped advantage on land equivalent ratio. In addition, intercropping increased the continuous cropping barriers of peanuts than a sole peanut. Rotation of the planting strips in intercropping increased the peanut yield and economic benefits compared with not rotating the planting strips, and the economic benefits reached the highest level in the third planting year. A 20% N reduction in maize planting strips can decrease the global warming potential without affecting economic benefits. A 40% N reduction in maize planting strips could reduce soil N stock, maize yield, water use efficiency, N use efficiency, land equivalent ratio, and income. Conclusions: A maize–peanut intercropping–rotation system is recommended for dryland farming since it promoted efficient use of N and economic benefits and decreased N2O emission. The proper N reduction in maize planting does not lead to N stress but decreased global warming potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Automated methods for prostate segmentation on MRI are typically developed under ideal scanning and anatomical conditions. This study evaluates three different prostate segmentation AI algorithms in a challenging population of patients with prior treatments, variable anatomic characteristics, complex clinical history, or atypical MRI acquisition parameters. Materials and methods: A single institution retrospective database was queried for the following conditions at prostate MRI: prior prostate-specific oncologic treatment, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), abdominal perineal resection (APR), hip prosthesis (HP), diversity of prostate volumes (large ≥ 150 cc, small ≤ 25 cc), whole gland tumor burden, magnet strength, noted poor quality, and various scanners (outside/vendors). Final inclusion criteria required availability of axial T2-weighted (T2W) sequence and corresponding prostate organ segmentation from an expert radiologist. Three previously developed algorithms were evaluated: (1) deep learning (DL)-based model, (2) commercially available shape-based model, and (3) federated DL-based model. Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) was calculated compared to expert. DSC by model and scan factors were evaluated with Wilcox signed-rank test and linear mixed effects (LMER) model. Results: 683 scans (651 patients) met inclusion criteria (mean prostate volume 60.1 cc [9.05–329 cc]). Overall DSC scores for models 1, 2, and 3 were 0.916 (0.707–0.971), 0.873 (0–0.997), and 0.894 (0.025–0.961), respectively, with DL-based models demonstrating significantly higher performance (p < 0.01). In sub-group analysis by factors, Model 1 outperformed Model 2 (all p < 0.05) and Model 3 (all p < 0.001). Performance of all models was negatively impacted by prostate volume and poor signal quality (p < 0.01). Shape-based factors influenced DL models (p < 0.001) while signal factors influenced all (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Factors affecting anatomical and signal conditions of the prostate gland can adversely impact both DL and non-deep learning-based segmentation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a recognized risk factor for periodontitis, while biological aging could provide more accurate insights into an individual's functional status. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between biological aging and periodontitis. Epidemiological data from 9803 participants in the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed at a cross-sectional level to assess this link. Three biological ages [Klemera–Doubal method (KDM), PhenoAge, and homeostatic dysregulation (HD)] and two measures of accelerated biological aging (BioAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel) were set as primary exposure and were calculated. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to examine the relationship between biological aging and periodontitis. Additionally, Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to explore the causal connection between accelerated biological aging and periodontitis. After adjusting for age, gender, race, educational level, marital status, ratio of family income, and disease conditions, this study, found a significant association between subjects with older higher biological ages, accelerated biological aging, and periodontitis. Specifically, for a per year increase in the three biological ages (HD, KDM, and PhenoAge), the risk of periodontitis increases by 15%, 3%, and 4% respectively. Individuals who had positive BioAgeAccel or PhenoAgeAccel were 20% or 37% more likely to develop periodontitis compared with those who had negative BioAgeAccel or PhenoAgeAccel. Furthermore, a significant non-linear positive relationship was observed between the three biological ages, accelerated biological aging, and periodontitis. However, the Mendelian randomization analysis indicated no causal effect of accelerated biological aging on periodontitis. Our findings suggest that biological aging may contribute to the risk of periodontitis, highlighting the potential utility of preventive strategies targeting aging-related pathways in reducing periodontitis risk among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A template-free synthesis of TiO 2 microcages by using (NH 4) 2TiF 6 and NaOH as the reactants and the agarose gel as the reaction medium is developed. The resultant TiO 2 microcages possess a pseudo-cubic morphology with the edge size of 1–2 μm and the shell thickness around 48 nm. It is found that the shell of TiO 2 microcages consists of anatase TiO 2 nanoparticles about 15 nm in diameter, and possesses the mesopores about 3.8 nm in size. A proposed formation mechanism suggests that pseudo-cubic Na 5Ti 3F 14 microcages firstly generate in agarose gels due to the incomplete hydrolysis of TiF 62− and the inhibited diffusion effect of gels, and then transform into anatase TiO 2 without changing the morphology as the agarose gels are removed in hot water about 90 °C. These TiO 2 microcage samples exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25 for the degradation of methyl orange under artificial solar light irradiation, which can be attributed to their well-preserved hollow structure with mesopores. This study may devote a novel and facile approach for the template-free synthesis of hollow structure functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: 15-Hydroxprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) mediates a colon neoplasia suppressor pathway, acting through metabolic antagonism of cyclooxygenase-mediated colon carcinogenesis. To determine whether the colon tumor prevention activity of 15-PGDH acts as a constant or variable effect among individuals, we determined whether 15-PGDH levels remain stable over subsite and time in the human colon, determined the extent of differences in 15-PGDH levels between different individuals, and determined whether 15-PGDH modulation mediates any part of the anti-colon tumor effect of aspirin. Methods: Using real-time PCR, we measured 15-PGDH mRNA to determine the correlation of 15-PGDH level in replicate colon biopsies, in biopsies from throughout the length of the colon, in repeat biopsies taken 4 months apart, and in paired biopsies of individuals taken before and after aspirin treatment, and by Western-blot for 15-PGDH protein in mice. Results: Colonic 15-PGDH levels varied 4.4-fold across the human population. Within individuals, 15-PGDH levels proved highly reproducible ( r = 0.81 in duplicate biopsies) and stable along the length of the colon, with average 15-PGDH levels deviating by only 17 % from rectum to cecum. An individual's 15-PGDH levels are also highly stable over time, with a median coefficient of variation over a 4-month interval of only 12 %. Last, colonic 15-PGDH levels proved resistant to alteration by aspirin, with only a 10 % difference in 15-PGDH levels measured before and after aspirin treatment. Conclusions: 15-PGDH levels vary across the population in a stable and reproducible manner, and are resistant to alteration by aspirin. 15-PGDH represents an independent target for modulation by candidate colon tumor chemopreventive agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dealing with the dynamics of a flexible body, the rigid-body motions and elastic vibrations are analyzed separately. However, rigidbody motions cause vibrations, and elastic vibrations affect rigid-body motions, indicating the inherent coupling between rigid-body motions and elastic vibrations. The coupled equations of motion for a flexible body can be derived by means of Lagrange's equations in terms of quasi-coordinates. The resulting equations of motion are hybrid and nonlinear. This paper proposes a unified approach for the equations of motion for a flexible body based on the perturbation method and the Lagrange's equations of motion in terms of quasicoordinates and Euler parameters to analyze a more general case maneuvering. The resulting equations consist of zero-order nonlinear equations of motion which depict rigid-body motions and first-order time-varying linear equations of motion which depict perturbed rigid-body motions and elastic vibration. Hence, the input-shaped maneuvering can be applied to the zero-order equation considering the induced vibrations. Since the input-shaped maneuvering alone cannot achieve vibration suppression, the vibration suppression controller combined with the input-shaped maneuvering is proposed in this study. As a numerical example, a hub with elastic appendages is considered. Numerical results show that the unified modeling approach proposed in this paper is effective in numerical simulation and control design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To highlight recent progress in understanding the pattern of follicular wave emergence of human menstrual cycle, providing a brief overview of the new options for human ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval by making full use of follicular physiological waves of the patients either with normal or abnormal ovarian reserve. Methods: Literature review and editorial commentary. Results: There has been increasing evidence to suggest that multiple (two or three) antral follicular waves are recruited during human menstrual cycle. The treatment regimens designed based on the theory of follicular waves, to promote increased success with assisted reproduction technology (ART) and fertility preservation have been reported. These new options for human ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval by making full use of follicular waves of the patients either with normal or abnormal ovarian reserve lead to new thinking about the standard protocols in ART and challenge the traditional theory that a single wave of antral follicles grows only during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Conclusions: The understanding of human ovarian folliculogenesis may have profound implications in ART and fertility preservation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal regimens in ART based on the theory of follicular waves and to identify non-invasive markers for predicting the outcome and the potential utilities of follicles obtained from anovulatory follicular waves in ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effect of grain growth on densification during liquid phase sintering of compacts with faceted grains. Two kinds of WC powders with different sizes were used to produce WC-Co alloys. Large pores of ~5 μm size were generated in 95WC-5Co (wt%) using spherical Co particles of the same size. The overall sintering behavior was observed by measuring grain growth and densification as a function of sintering time at a sintering temperature of 1350 °C. When the WC powder was fine (0.4 μm), large pores disappeared upon filling of pores by liquid with the formation of abnormal grains. On the contrary, when the WC powder was large (4.2 μm), grain growth is not observed, and large pores remained intact even after a long period of sintering (24 h). These observations confirm that densification during final stage liquid phase sintering occurs via filling of pores by liquid as a result of grain growth. This finding is consistent with the model of densification predicted by the pore filling theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the inhibition of return (IOR) effect in exogenous orienting has been investigated extensively with the Posnerian cuing paradigm, there has been little evidence for the role of attentional processes in the IOR effect. The N2pc component was used as a marker of the deployment of spatial attention to isolate attentional processes in the IOR effect. Participants responded to task-relevant target displays that were preceded by cue displays in a non-predictive, exogenous cuing paradigm. A 1,000 ms of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) was designed to investigate the IOR effect. Behavioral results indicate that the SOA was sufficiently long to cause an IOR effect in the discrimination task. As for ERP patterns elicited by targets, the N2pc amplitudes were similar across cue types, but the N2pc latency was delayed when targets appeared at the cued location rather than at the uncued location. N2pc patterns demonstrated that the spatial attentional process is indeed an important mechanism underlying the IOR effect. The delayed N2pc for targets in the valid cue type suggested that IOR effect may reflect a delayed deployment of spatial attention to targets appearing at recently cued locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous size control and surface functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are often desired for their efficient applications in (bio)catalysis, drug and/or DNA delivery, and photonics, etc. In this study, a novel strategy 'bioadhesion-assisted bio-inspired mineralization (BABM)' was put forward to prepare titania nanoparticles (TiNPs) with tunable particle size and multiple surface functionality. Specifically, the initial formation and subsequent growth of TiNPs were enabled by arginine via bio-inspired mineralization, while the mineralization process was terminated through the addition of the pre-polymerized dopa (oligodopa). By adjusting the addition time of oligodopa, the size of TiNPs could be facilely tailored from ca. 30-350 nm; meanwhile, the surface of TiNPs could be functionalized by oligodopa through metal-catechol coordination interaction (a typical bioadhesion phenomenon). In other words, oligodopa coating could not only exquisitely control the size of TiNPs, but also render TiNPs surface multifunctional groups for secondary treatment such as conjugating proteins through amine-catechol adduct formation. Hopefully, this BABM approach will construct a versatile platform for green and facile synthesis of inorganic NPs, in particular transition metal oxide NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, a number of nanocomposites are formed through biomineralization-relevant processes under mild conditions. In the present study, a total 'biologic' route to fabricate nanocomposite is reported. Non-pathogenic bacteria, Gluconacetobacter xylinum, was utilized as a versatile biofactory, which produced biopolymer bacterial cellulose (BC) and induced the formation of Ag/AgCl nanoparticles, yielding BC-Ag/AgCl nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that nanoparticles with average size of 17.4 nm were randomly embedded into the BC network; transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed that the nanoparticles were mixtures of face-centered cubic silver and silver chloride nanoparticles. Moreover, the content of silver in the BC nanocomposite is around 0.05 wt%, determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The entire process of nanocomposite fabrication was conducted at ambient environment without utilizing toxic agents or producing hazardous products, which is not only environmentally friendly but also with less chances to generate harmful products to human bodies as biomedical materials. The resultant nanocomposite displayed the desirable activity in inhibiting bacterial growth of both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli microorganisms on agar plate and in liquid culture, indicating the potential of the material as antimicrobial wound dressing materials. This work demonstrated the feasibility of using microorganism to fabricate nanocomposite, especially for biomedical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most popular traditional Chinese medicinal plants for treatment of coronary heart disease. Tanshinones are the main biological active compounds in S. miltiorrhiza. In this study, effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MJ) and nitric oxide (NO) on tanshinone production in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots were investigated and the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MJ and NO-induced tanshinone production were elucidated further. The results showed that contents of four tanshinone compounds were significantly increased by 100 μM MJ when compared to the control. Application of 100 μM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of NO, also resulted in a significant increase of tanshinone production. Expression of two key genes encoding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and 1-deoxy- d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) was up-regulated by MJ and SNP. Generations of O and HO were triggered by MJ, but not by SNP. The increase of tanshinone production and up-regulation of HMGR and DXR expression induced by MJ were significantly inhibited by ROS scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, neither SOD nor CAT was able to suppress the SNP-induced increase of tanshinone production and expression of HMGR and DXR gene. In conclusion, tanshinone production was significantly stimulated by MJ and SNP. Of four tanshinone compounds, cryptotanshinone accumulation was most affected by MJ elicitation, while cryptotanshinone and tanshinone IIA accumulation was more affected by SNP elicitation. ROS mediated MJ-induced tanshinone production, but SNP-induced tanshinone production was ROS independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we provide highly accurate theoretical estimates for spectroscopic constants of the ground-state alkaline-earth dimers (Ca, Sr, and Ba). Electron correlation energies are calculated with coupled-cluster method at the single, double, and noniterative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] level, and the effects of full triples as well as quadruple excitations are also taken into account at the CCSDT and the CCSDT(Q) level. Our results demonstrate that high-order electron correlation is important to achieve results with high accuracy. We also find that results for Ca with counterpoise corrections, which are designed to eliminate the basis set superposition error, deviate further away from those at the complete basis set limit than the uncorrected ones. The calculated binding energies and equilibrium bond lengths for Ca and Sr are in excellent agreement with recent experimental data. On the other hand, our results for Ba are quite different from previous theoretical data, and there is no available experimental equilibrium bond length and binding energy for calibration. Based on the performance of the adopted approach for Ca and Sr, our results should be more reliable and could be helpful for future investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image semantic annotation can be viewed as a multi-class classification problem, which maps image features to semantic class labels, through the procedures of image modeling and image semantic mapping. Bayesian classifier is usually adopted for image semantic annotation which classifies image features into class labels. In order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of classifier in image annotation, we propose a combined optimization method which incorporates affinity propagation algorithm, optimizing training data algorithm, and modeling prior distribution with Gaussian mixture model to build Bayesian classifier. The experiment results illustrate that the classifier performance is improved for image semantic annotation with proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

biological method is demonstrated to fabricate the polymer-inorganic nanocomposites (PINCs) utilizing bacterium as an efficient and versatile biofactory. Gluconacetobacter xylinum that can produce bacterial cellulose is incubated in the culture medium containing titanium or silica precursor. The PINCs can be acquired under the elaborate control of the culturing condition of G. xylinum, in which the formation of inorganic nanoparticles about several tens of nanometers in size synchronizes the fabrication of reticulated bacterial cellulose membrane composed of dense and finely branched nanofibers about 60-120 nm in diameter. The composition and chemical states, morphology, thermal stability of the inorganic nanoparticles, and nanocomposites were extensively characterized. A tentative mechanism for the formation of PINCs is proposed. It is hoped that this study may establish a generic platform toward facile and green synthesis of nanocomposite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xenon ventilation CT using dual-source and dual-energy technique is a recently introduced, promising functional lung imaging method. To expand its clinical applications evidence of additional diagnostic value of xenon ventilation CT over conventional chest CT is required. To evaluate the usefulness of xenon ventilation CT using dual-source and dual-energy technique in children with bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). Seventeen children (age 7–18 years; 11 boys) with BO underwent xenon ventilation CT using dual-source and dual-energy technique. Xenon and CT density values were measured in normal and hyperlucent lung regions on CT and were compared between the two regions. Volumes of hyperlucent regions and ventilation defects were calculated with thresholds determined by visual and histogram-based analysis. Indexed volumes of hyperlucent lung regions and ventilation defects were correlated with pulmonary function test results. Effective doses of xenon CT were calculated. Xenon (14.6 ± 6.4 HU vs 26.1 ± 6.5 HU; P < 0.001) and CT density (−892.8 ± 25.4 HU vs −812.3 ± 38.7 HU; P < 0.001) values were significantly lower in hyperlucent regions than in normal lung regions. Xenon and CT density values showed significant positive correlation for the entire lung in 16 children ( γ = 0.55 ± 0.17, P < 0.001 or =0.017) and for hyperlucent regions in 13 children ( γ = 0.44 ± 0.16, P < 0.001 or =0.001–0.019). Indexed volumes and volume percentages of hyperlucent lung regions and ventilation defects showed strong negative correlations with forced expiratory volume [FEV1, ( γ = −0.64–−0.85, P ≤ 0.006)], FEV1/forced vital capacity [FVC, ( γ = −0.63–−0.84, P ≤ 0.008), and forced midexpiratory flow rate [FEF25–75, ( γ = −0.68–−0.88, P ≤ 0.002). Volume percentages of xenon ventilation defects (35.0 ± 16.4%) were not significantly different from those of hyperlucent lung regions (38.2 ± 18.6%). However, mismatches between the volume percentages were variable up to 21.4–33.3%. Mean effective dose of xenon CT was 1.9 ± 0.5 mSv. In addition to high-resolution anatomic information, xenon ventilation CT using dual-source and dual-energy technique demonstrates impaired regional ventilation and its heterogeneity accurately in children with BO without additional radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, including ESCRT-III, localizes to the midbody and participates in the membrane-abscission step of cytokinesis. The ESCRT-III protein charged multivesicular body protein 1B (CHMP1B) is required for recruitment of the MIT domain–containing protein spastin, a microtubule-severing enzyme, to the midbody. The 2.5-Å structure of the C-terminal tail of CHMP1B with the MIT domain of spastin reveals a specific, high-affinity complex involving a noncanonical binding site between the first and third helices of the MIT domain. The structural interface is twice as large as that of the MIT domain of the VPS4–CHMP complex, consistent with the high affinity of the interaction. A series of unique hydrogen-bonding interactions and close packing of small side chains discriminate against the other ten human ESCRT-III subunits. Point mutants in the CHMP1B binding site of spastin block recruitment of spastin to the midbody and impair cytokinesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 10.35-m-long sediment core from the Luobei depression in Lop-Nur, Xinjiang, Northwest China, provides detailed information about environmental changes during the Late Pleistocene. The samples taken every 5 cm of the core were analyzed for 10 environmental proxies, including magnetic susceptibility, granularity, chroma, carbonate and loss on ignition (LOI), and pH value. The chronology data are provided by the uranium/thorium disequilibrium dates. The sediments of the section were deposited during the last 32000 years. The results of analysis of 10 proxies were examined using multivariate statistical analysis, and the principal components were calculated. According to the results, the Late Pleistocene sequence contains four climatic and environmental stages appearing in the cycles of cold-wet and warm-dry changes. During 10-9 ka BP, it was the earliest warm episode in the Holocene. Environmental changes in this district were restricted by global change, as suggested by the analysis of glacial-interglacial cycles. But it was different from the mutative trend of a monsoon region in East China because of its own characteristics, which was the situation of cold-wet and warm-dry climate-environment change. The candidate reason may be the uplift of the Tibet Plateau and the westerly wind circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiencies of supply chain management (SCM) are often impaired by inconsistent exchange and sharing of knowledge semantics among supply chain partners. To address this problem with semantic integration, this paper presents an approach to developing ontologies of supply chain management (Onto-SCM) as a common semantic model of the SCM domain. The Onto-SCM semantic model is constructed in a modular way in order to enhance its reusability and maintainability. The IDEF5 schematic language is employed to provide the graphical representation of Onto-SCM for intuitive communication between domain experts and users. Furthermore, Ontolingua is adopted to define formal semantics of Onto-SCM for effective knowledge interoperability. In addition, a case study of a printer supply chain is illustrated to demonstrate the proposed approach to semantic integration for SCM. Finally, a prototype is developed to support visualized knowledge modeling of the case system using the IDEF5 schematic language and to implement consistent knowledge transformation among heterogeneous applications in the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) evaluation of the extent of disease is one of the major predictors of patient outcome. Historically this is undertaken using plain radiography and bone scintigraphy. Recently, whole-body (WB) MRI has been reported to be useful in detecting skeletal and extraskeletal metastases in both adults and children.Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of WB MRI in patients with LCH in comparison with plain radiography and bone scintigraphy.Materials and Methods: In nine children (1-7 years of age; mean 3.3 years) who had a pathological diagnosis of LCH and had either plain radiography or bone scintigraphy for comparison, 43 WB MR examinations were performed. Skeletal and extraskeletal lesions of the disease on WB MRI were compared with those on plain radiography and bone scintigraphy.Results: LCH showed unifocal single-system involvement in one patient, multifocal single-system involvement in three, and multifocal multisystem disease in five. WB MRI identified additional skeletal lesions in three (38%) of eight patients, compared with plain radiography, and in two (25%) of eight, compared with bone scintigraphy. WB MRI detected extraskeletal lesions of the disease in five (56%) of the nine patients exclusively, except for one patient whose lung lesions were also detected on plain radiography. In two patients, treatment was changed according to WB MRI findings.Conclusion: WB MRI is a useful initial and follow-up diagnostic method to assess the extent of LCH because WB MRI not only identifies more skeletal lesions of the disease than do plain radiography and bone scintigraphy, but also detects extraskeletal lesions of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An anastomotic stricture after colorectal surgery is principally managed by endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). Although this intervention is effective, however, subsequent procedures or surgical interventions are often required. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of EBD for anastomotic stricture arising from colorectal cancer surgery. Materials and methods: We analyzed 173 patients who received curative surgery for colorectal cancer at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2022 and had undergone EBD to manage anastomotic stricture. The medical records of these cases were retrospectively reviewed to assess the outcomes and risk factors for restenosis and permanent stoma. Results: Of the 173 study patients, 41 (23.7%) presented with restenosis with a median time to recurrence of 49 [37–150] days. The restenosis group was significantly younger (55.6 years versus 60.8 years), with a more prominent rectal location (80.5% versus 57.6%), a higher incidence of hand-sewn anastomosis (24.4% versus 5.3%), and a higher percentage of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (34.1% versus 5.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated neoadjuvant radiotherapy (adjusted HR 2.48; 95% CI 1.03–5.95) and cerebral vascular disease (adjusted HR 6.97; 95% CI 2.15–22.54) as independent prognostic factors for restenosis. Fourteen patients (8.1%) required a permanent stoma due to treatment failure. All cases needing a permanent stoma were male (14 patients, 100%, P = 0.007) and this group had a higher rate of neoadjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and hand-sewn anastomosis. Conclusion: Patients receiving neoadjuvant radiotherapy are most prone to restenosis after an EBD intervention to manage an anastomotic stricture. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is also a strong risk factor for requiring a permanent stomas due to treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by bacterial fermentation of fiber in the colon, is a source of energy for colonocytes. Butyrate is essential for improving gastrointestinal (GI) health since it helps colonocyte function, reduces inflammation, preserves the gut barrier, and fosters a balanced microbiome. Human colonic butyrate producers are Gram-positive firmicutes, which are phylogenetically varied. The two most prevalent subgroups are associated with Eubacterium rectale/Roseburia spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Now, the mechanism for the production of butyrate from microbes is a very vital topic to know. In the present study, we discuss the genes encoding the core of the butyrate synthesis pathway and also discuss the butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase, instead of butyrate kinase, which usually appears to be the enzyme that completes the process. Recently, butyrate-producing microbes have been genetically modified by researchers to increase butyrate synthesis from microbes. The activity of butyrate as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) has led to several clinical trials to assess its effectiveness as a potential cancer treatment. Among various significant roles, butyrate is the main energy source for intestinal epithelial cells, which helps maintain colonic homeostasis. Moreover, people with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have distinct gut microbiota from healthy adults and frequently have dysbiosis of the butyrate-producing bacteria in their guts. So, with an emphasis on colon and lung cancer, this review also discusses how the microbiome is crucial in preventing the progression of certain cancers through butyrate production. Further studies should be performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of how these specific butyrate-producing bacteria can control both colon and lung cancer progression and prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatostatin analogues have recently been used as therapeutic targets for metastatic or surgically unresectable gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and associated somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression has been well demonstrated in most GEP NETs, with the exception of rectal NETs. SSTR2 immunohistochemical expressions were evaluated in 350 surgically or endoscopically resected rectal NETs and compared to clinicopathologic factors. SSTR2 expression was observed in 234 (66.9%) rectal NET cases and associated tumors with smaller size (p = 0.001), low pT classification (p = 0.030), low AJCC tumor stage (p = 0.012), and absence of chromogranin expression (p = 0.009). Patients with rectal NET and SSTR2 expression had significantly better overall survival than those without SSTR2 expression both by univariable (p = 0.006) and multivariable (p = 0.014) analyses. In summary, approximately two-thirds of rectal NETs expressed SSTR2. SSTR2 expression was significantly associated with favorable behavior and good overall survival in patients with rectal NETs. Furthermore, SSTR2 expression can be used as prognostic factors. When metastatic disease occurs, SSTR2 expression can be used a possible target for somatostatin analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to an increased number of colonoscopy screenings, the incidence of diagnosed rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has also increased. Tumor size is one of the most frequently regarded factors when selecting treatment; however, it may not be the determinant prognostic variable. We aimed to evaluate oncological outcomes according to the treatment modality based on the size of rectal NETs. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who were treated for rectal NETs between March 2000 and January 2016 at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Patients who underwent endoscopic removal, local surgical excision, and radical resection were included. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Data were specified and analyzed following the 2019 World Health Organization classification (WHO). Results: A total of 644 patients were categorized under three groups according to the treatment modality used: endoscopic removal (n = 567), surgical local excision (n = 56), and radical resection (n = 21). Of a total of 35 recurrences, 27 were local, whereas eight were distant. The RFS rate did not differ significantly between the treatment groups in the same tumor-size group (≤ 1 cm group: P =.636, 1–2 cm group: P =.160). For T1 tumors, RFS rate was not different between local excision and radical resection (≤ 1 cm group: P =.452, 1–2 cm group: P =.700). Depth of invasion, a high Ki-67 index, and margin involvement were confirmed as independent risk factors for recurrence. Among patients treated with endoscopic removal, endoscopic biopsy was a significant factor for worse RFS (P <.001), while tumor size did not affect the RFS. Conclusion: The current guideline recommends treatment options according to tumor size. However, more oncologically important prognostic factors include muscularis propria invasion and a higher Ki-67 index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineered bamboo construction can be affected by natural defects, insects, corrosion, etc., which will result in damaging the mechanical properties of structural components. However, traditional reinforcement methods such as setting steel supports and increasing the cross-sectional area of components may cost a lot and cause a negative influence on the appearance of building. Many engineering practices and research works show that applying FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer/Fiber) sheet is an economical and efficient method for reinforcing and retrofitting building structures. Therefore, the compressive performance of AFRP (Aramid Fiber Reinforced Polymer/Fiber) reinforced laminated bamboo lumber (LBL) stub columns was studied in this paper. Through six groups (three replicates for each group) of stub columns with six different cloth ratios, the influence of AFRP on the failure pattern and mechanical properties of bamboo columns was explored. The test results showed that AFRP could effectively restrain the lateral deformation and improve the mechanical behavior of LBL columns. With the increase in cloth ratio, the ultimate strength and elastic modulus increased linearly in general, while the Poisson’s ratio gradually decreased. The reduced modulus of reinforced columns in the elastoplastic stage increased up to 161.31% compared with normal columns. Although the ductility of LBL columns laterally wrapped by AFRP was greatly improved, the initial stiffness, yield point and turning points between elastoplastic stage and plastic stage basically remained unchanged in contrast to unreinforced columns. Based on the test results, an empirical equation considering the cloth ratio was proposed to calculate the ultimate strength of AFRP reinforced LBL columns, using ‘Lam and Teng’ model. In addition, a simplified equation was also proposed to calculate the compressive strength of reinforced LBL columns derived from Mises yield criterion. The results of this work can be a reference to promote the application of strengthening and retrofitting engineered bamboo structure with FRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of GPU-CPU heterogeneous architecture has led to a significant paradigm shift in parallel programming. How to effectively implement Parallel Genetic Algorithm (GA) in these environments has become one of the current hot issues. GA's calculation and operators are closely related to specific problems, thereby significantly affecting the acceleration method of GA algorithms. The Generalized Assignment Problem (GAP) is a classic NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem. The more widely used genetic algorithms to solve the GAP in the CPU are difficult to be parallelized in a GPU environment due to severe data dependencies. To address this problem, two algorithms suitable for the implementation on the GPU are proposed, namely RPE algorithm and NNE algorithm, which obtain significant performance speedup by alleviating data dependencies and mutually exclusive synchronization overheads. At the same time, considering the new GPU architecture features and programming models, three different granular implementations of parallel genetic algorithms to solve the GAP are proposed, namely GPGA thread , GPGA warpsp and GPGA cgroup , by utilizing the warp-specialization technology and the cooperative group mechanism. GPGA series algorithms obtain better solution quality and very significant performance improvements compared with Serial GA, GTS (the GPU-CPU hybrid implementation of Scatter Search with Tabu lists) and Lagrange Relaxation algorithm on a CPU by solving 16 typical large-scale GAP instances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning analysis of images and text unfolds new horizons in medicine. However, analysis of transcriptomic data, the cause of biological and pathological changes, is hampered by structural complexity distinctive from images and text. Here we conduct unsupervised training on more than 20,000 human normal and tumor transcriptomic data and show that the resulting Deep-Autoencoder, DeepT2Vec, has successfully extracted informative features and embedded transcriptomes into 30-dimensional Transcriptomic Feature Vectors (TFVs). We demonstrate that the TFVs could recapitulate expression patterns and be used to track tissue origins. Trained on these extracted features only, a supervised classifier, DeepC, can effectively distinguish tumors from normal samples with an accuracy of 90% for Pan-Cancer and reach an average 94% for specific cancers. Training on a connected network, the accuracy is further increased to 96% for Pan-Cancer. Together, our study shows that deep learning with autoencoder is suitable for transcriptomic analysis, and DeepT2Vec could be successfully applied to distinguish cancers, normal tissues, and other potential traits with limited samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop two deep learning-based systems for diagnosing and localizing pneumothorax on portable supine chest X-rays (SCXRs). Methods: For this retrospective study, images meeting the following inclusion criteria were included: (1) patient age ≥ 20 years; (2) portable SCXR; (3) imaging obtained in the emergency department or intensive care unit. Included images were temporally split into training (1571 images, between January 2015 and December 2019) and testing (1071 images, between January 2020 to December 2020) datasets. All images were annotated using pixel-level labels. Object detection and image segmentation were adopted to develop separate systems. For the detection-based system, EfficientNet-B2, DneseNet-121, and Inception-v3 were the architecture for the classification model; Deformable DETR, TOOD, and VFNet were the architecture for the localization model. Both classification and localization models of the segmentation-based system shared the UNet architecture. Results: In diagnosing pneumothorax, performance was excellent for both detection-based (Area under receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC]: 0.940, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.907–0.967) and segmentation-based (AUC: 0.979, 95% CI: 0.963–0.991) systems. For images with both predicted and ground-truth pneumothorax, lesion localization was highly accurate (detection-based Dice coefficient: 0.758, 95% CI: 0.707–0.806; segmentation-based Dice coefficient: 0.681, 95% CI: 0.642–0.721). The performance of the two deep learning-based systems declined as pneumothorax size diminished. Nonetheless, both systems were similar or better than human readers in diagnosis or localization performance across all sizes of pneumothorax. Conclusions: Both deep learning-based systems excelled when tested in a temporally different dataset with differing patient or image characteristics, showing favourable potential for external generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are at risk for new-onset arrhythmia (NOA) that may require permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, resulting in decreased cardiac function. We aimed to investigate the factors that are associated with NOA after TAVR and to compare pre- and post-TAVR cardiac functions between patients with and without NOA using CT-derived strain analyses. Methods: We included consecutive patients who underwent pre- and post-TAVR cardiac CT scans six months after TAVR. New-onset left bundle branch block, atrioventricular block, and atrial fibrillation/flutter lasting over 30 days after the procedure and/or the need for PPM diagnosed within 1 year after TAVR were regarded as NOA. Implant depth and left heart function and strains were analyzed using multi-phase CT images and compared between patients with and without NOA. Results: Of 211 patients (41.7% men; median 81 years), 52 (24.6%) presented with NOA after TAVR, and 24 (11.4%) implanted PPM. Implant depth was significantly deeper in the NOA group than in the non-NOA group (− 6.7 ± 2.4 vs. − 5.6 ± 2.6 mm; p = 0.009). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) and left atrial (LA) reservoir strain were significantly improved only in the non-NOA group (LV GLS, − 15.5 ± 4.0 to − 17.3 ± 2.9%; p < 0.001; LA reservoir strain, 22.3 ± 8.9 to 26.5 ± 7.6%; p < 0.001). The mean percent change of the LV GLS and LA reservoir strains was evident in the non-NOA group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.035, respectively). Conclusions: A quarter of patients presented with NOA after TAVR. Deep implant depth on post-TAVR CT scans was associated with NOA. Patients with NOA after TAVR had impaired LV reserve remodeling assessed by CT-derived strains. Clinical relevance statement: New-onset arrhythmia (NOA) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) impairs cardiac reverse remodeling. CT-derived strain analysis reveals that patients with NOA do not show improvement in left heart function and strains, highlighting the importance of managing NOA for optimal outcomes. Key Points: • New-onset arrhythmia following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a concern that interferes with cardiac reverse remodeling. • Comparison of pre-and post-TAVR CT-derived left heart strain provides insight into the impaired cardiac reverse remodeling in patients with new-onset arrhythmia following TAVR. • The expected reverse remodeling was not observed in patients with new-onset arrhythmia following TAVR, given that CT-derived left heart function and strains did not improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-inorganic CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) are widely recognized as promising materials for optoelectronic devices. This is due to their ability to exhibit a variable band gap, narrow emission properties, and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). However, the use of traditional ligands like alkyl acid and amine could not anchor NCs tightly. Consequently, this has led to inefficient passivation of surface defects and poor stability of CsPbX3 NCs. In this study, we present the preparation of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals using the room temperature saturation recrystallization method with urea as a co-ligand. Urea, a small molecule ligand with bifunctional groups, acts as a zwitterionic ligand and effectively modifies the surface state of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals through its C=O and N–H functional groups. The as-prepared CsPbBr3 nanocrystals, with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 80%, exhibit improved water stability compared to pristine CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence (PL) results demonstrate that the addition of urea as a co-ligand promotes crystallization and enhances the emission intensity of CsPbBr3. Meanwhile, the photoluminescence mechanism of CsPbBr3 NCs was investigated using ultrafast transient absorption and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. This study presents a straightforward ligand-assisted method for preparing stable CsPbBr3 NCs with high PLQY, while also enhancing the understanding of the interaction between ligands and the PL properties of CsPbBr3 NCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, most of the existing studies on bamboo nodes focus on the raw bamboo. There is still a lack of researches on the nodes in side press-laminated bamboo lumber (LBL). However, after processing, bamboo nodes in the laminated bamboo lumber are different from the raw bamboo nodes in terms of performance. Therefore, this paper carried out tests to analyze the influence of bamboo node on the tensile properties parallel to grain of side press-laminated bamboo lumber. A total of 180 specimens were divided into six groups, and the number and position of the bamboo nodes at the specimen in each group were different. The effects of these factors on the strength, elastic modulus, and Poisson's ratio of the side press-laminated bamboo lumber under tension parallel to grain were obtained. The tensile failure of side press-laminated bamboo lumber was a brittle fracture, and the typical failure mode can be classified into three types. The mean value for tensile strength was 127.18 MPa when there was no bamboo node, while the mean value was 89.99–107.37 MPa when there were one to three bamboo nodes. The number of bamboo nodes would significantly affect the tensile properties parallel to grain of side press-laminated bamboo lumber, whereas the position of bamboo nodes has an insubstantial impact. Comparisons with other research results were also carried out. A series of formulas were proposed based on the test results to reflect how the node influenced the mechanical properties of side press LBL under tensile conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based semi-crystalline polymers are shape memory polymers that have been extensively used in various applications ranging from biological, soft robots and flexible electronic devices. Despite the large number of studies aiming at constructing the well-defined crosslinked polymer networks, detailed investigations in terms of structural factors that influence the thermal-mechanical and shape memory properties are still poorly understand and investigated. In this work, PCL crosslinked networks with different molecular weight of diacrylate PCL macromonoter (Mn) are prepared via base-catalyzed thiol-ene Michael addition. The results indicate that the melting temperature, the crystallization temperature and the crystallinity of the polymer networks exhibit an upward trend with increment of Mn. Besides that, the tensile strength and shape memory properties are also correlated with Mn. Controlled-strain DMA characterization on shape memory properties show that the cPCL-10000 network exhibits the most remarkable shape fixity and shape recovery ratio, indicative of lowering cross-linking density and chains mobility. In particular, permanent shape reconfiguration can also be achieved by triggering transesterification within the same polymer network, and a possible molecular mechanism responsible for the elasticity-based shape memory effect and plasticity-based permanent shape reconfigurability is proposed and combined to present the 2D-to-3D shape-morphing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser-assisted milling (LAM) is generally regarded as a promising process for machining difficult-to-cut materials. Accurate prediction of workpiece temperature is an essential prerequisite for the configuration of process parameters in LAM. An analytical thermal model concerning the combined effect of multi-heat sources is presented in this paper to predict the workpiece temperature in LAM. To deal with the complex geometry and kinematics problems in the LAM process, the method of heat source discretization and temperature superposition is used in the thermal model. In addition, the influence of material softening caused by laser heating on cutting heat source is considered. A series of LAM experiments are conducted to validate the thermal model. Good agreement between the predicted and measured results indicates the proposed model is effective. Further, the effect of spindle speed and feed per tooth on workpiece temperature is discussed. This work can be applied to optimize process parameters in LAM for reasonable machined surface integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This multicentre, randomised, open-label, and prospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of memantine (memantine solution) on speech function in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) who were already on donepezil therapy. Methods: Participants were divided into two groups: the drug trial group was administered donepezil + memantine (memantine solution), while the control group was administered only donepezil. Patients in the test group were required to increase the dose of memantine by 5 mg/day per week for the first 4 weeks and were maintained at 20 mg/day until the end of the trial. Results: Of the 188 participants, 24 dropped out, and 164 completed the final research process. As the primary outcome, K-WAB showed an increase in scores in both groups compared to baseline scores; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.678). After 12 weeks, the donepezil treatment group had higher K-MMSE and lower CDR-SB scores than the donepezil and memantine combination group, indicating better cognitive and functional status. However, this effect was not sustained for 24 weeks. Patients who were assigned to receive only donepezil had Relevant Outcome Scale for AD (ROSA) scores that were higher by an average of 4.6 points compared to the donepezil and memantine combination group. The NPI-Q index improved compared to baseline values in both groups. Conclusions: Although several clinical studies have reported significant improvements in speech function after the administration of memantine, clinical studies on speech function improvement in patients with Alzheimer's disease are still insignificant. There are no studies on the effect of donepezil and memantine in combination treatment on language function in the moderate and severe stages of AD. Therefore, we investigated the effect of memantine (memantine solution) on speech function in patients with moderate to severe AD who were administered donepezil at a stable dose. Although the efficacy of the combination therapy was not superior to that of donepezil monotherapy alone, memantine was effective in improving behavioural symptoms in patients with moderate or severe AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Reduced body muscle mass is a poor prognostic factor for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia at diagnosis and its clinical significance in Korean patients with IBD. Methods: The prevalence of sarcopenia in IBD patients between June 1989 and December 2016 was investigated using a well-characterized referral center-based cohort. Abdominopelvic computed tomography within six months from IBD diagnosis was used for the evaluation. Sarcopenia was defined as an L3 skeletal muscle index of < 49 cm2/m2 for male and < 31 cm2/m2 for female. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated with respect to sarcopenia. Results: A total of 1,027 patients (854 Crohn's disease [CD]; 173 ulcerative colitis [UC]) were evaluated. Sarcopenia was found in 56.8% of the population (CD, 57.5%; UC, 53.2%), and male were more likely to be sarcopenic (CD, 94.3%; UC, 91.6%). There were no significant differences in the cumulative risk of using steroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and bowel resections (or colectomy) with or without sarcopenia during follow-up (median: CD, 5.8 years; UC, 3.7 years). In sarcopenic patients with CD, there was a significantly higher cumulative risk of perianal surgeries than in non-sarcopenic patients with CD (Log-rank test; P = 0.001). However, the risk of perianal surgeries was not significant in multivariate analysis (Odds ratio 1.368; 95% confidence interval 0.782–2.391; P = 0.272). Conclusion: Sarcopenia at diagnosis may have no significant prognostic value for medical treatment and bowel resection, but it may be associated with perianal CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional nanotubes have attracted enormous attention due to their specific structure and excellent performance since the carbon nanotube was prepared. In this study, the open-ended SrTiO3 nanotubes (STNTs) have been fabricated for the first time via an isomorphic conversion strategy using the protonated titanate nanotubes (HTNTs) as the precursor and template under the hydrothermal treatment. The as-prepared STNTs consist of uniform and continuous multilayers, having inner and outer diameters about 8.0 and 13 nm. The STNT formation involves the exchange of Sr2+ ions with H+ ions in HTNTs and then in situ growth of cubic SrTiO3 crystals by the templating of HTNT frameworks. It is found that the diffusion process of Sr2+ ions plays a critical role in controlling the nanotube morphology of SrTiO3 crystals. In addition, the SrTiO3 nanotubes exhibit high photocatalytic activity for the Cr(VI) reduction, which can reduce nearly 100% Cr(VI) within 6 h under simulated sunlight irradiation. The current strategy may be broadly applicable for fabricating the nanotubes from raw materials without 2D layered nanostructure.ᅟ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-positive bacterium (DCY118T) was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang-gun, Republic of Korea. This isolate was assigned to the genus Ornithinimicrobium and is closely related to Ornithinimicrobium kibberense K22-20T (98.8%), O. pekingense DSM 21552T (98.5%), O. algicola JC311T (98.2%), and O. humiphilum DSM 12362T (97.9%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. However, strain DCY118T showed < 55% DNA-DNA homology with closely related reference strains. Cells were non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, short rods, and cocci, and produced light-yellow, circular, and smooth colonies on TSA medium. MK-8(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, and C16:0. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), an unknown phospholipid (PL1), an unknown amino lipid (AL1), and unidentified polar lipids (L1-5). The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.1 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained L-ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid. Whole-cell sugars were composed of glucose, arabinose, and xylose. Overall, data collected from phenotypic and genotypic tests during this study indicated that strain DCY118T could not be assigned to a recognized species. Strain DCY118T showed antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogens causing root rot in ginseng, i.e., Fusarium solani (KACC 44891T) and Cylindrocarpon destructans (KACC 44660T). The results from this study confirm the DCY118T strain as a new species within the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium panacihumi is proposed. The type strain is DCY118T (=KCTC 39962T=JCM 32156T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hope plays an extremely important role in protecting childhood cancer patients from psychological distress caused by cancer. The availability of a valid and reliable instrument that can accurately assess hope is crucial for the development of interventions to enhance hope among childhood cancer patients. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI). Chinese childhood cancer patients aged 8–17 years (n = 412) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Chinese translated version of the HHI, the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale for Children and the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Cancer Module. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to assess the structural validity of the HHI. Content validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability at 2 weeks were also examined. The content validity index for items ranged from 0.8 to 1.0, and that for the scale was 0.9, demonstrating appropriate content validity. There was a positive correlation between HHI and Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale for Children scores and a negative correlation between HHI and Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Cancer Module scores. The results indicated that the Chinese version of the HHI showed reasonable convergent validity and discriminant validity. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a three-factor model, which could explain 82.74% of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that χ2/df was 2.20, comparative fit index was 0.98, goodness of fit index was 0.94, and root-mean-square error of approximation was 0.07. Cronbach's alpha was 0.78, indicating good internal consistency. The findings of the study showed that the Chinese version of the HHI (11-item) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing hope among Chinese childhood cancer patients. Evidence-based interventions can be provided to enhance hope in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate commercial deep learning–based software for fully automated coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated low-dose CT (LDCT) with different slice thicknesses compared with manual ECG-gated calcium-scoring CT (CSCT). Methods: This retrospective study included 567 patients who underwent both LDCT and CSCT. All LDCT images were reconstructed with a 2.5-mm slice thickness (LDCT2.5-mm), and 453 LDCT scans were reconstructed with a 1.0-mm slice thickness (LDCT1.0-mm). Automated CAC scoring was performed on CSCT (CSCTauto), LDCT1.0-mm, and LDCT2.5-mm images. The reliability of CSCTauto, LDCT1.0-mm, and LDCT2.5-mm was compared with manual CSCT scoring (CSCTmanual) using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman analysis. Agreement, in CAC severity category, was analyzed using weighted kappa statistics. Diagnostic performance at various Agatston score cutoffs was also calculated. Results: CSCTauto, LDCT1.0-mm, and LDCT2.5-mm demonstrated excellent agreement with CSCTmanual (ICC [95% confidence interval, CI]: 1.000 [1.000, 1.000], 0.937 [0.917, 0.952], and 0.955 [0.946, 0.963], respectively). The mean difference with 95% limits of agreement was lower with LDCT1.0-mm than with LDCT2.5-mm (19.94 [95% CI, −244.0, 283.9] vs. 45.26 [−248.2, 338.7]). Regarding CAC severity, LDCT1.0-mm achieved almost perfect agreement, and LDCT2.5-mm achieved substantial agreement (kappa [95% CI]: 0.809 [0.776, 0.838], 0.776 [0.740, 0.809], respectively). Diagnostic performance for detecting Agatston score ≥ 400 was also higher with LDCT1.0-mm than with LDCT2.5-mm (F1 score, 0.929 vs. 0.855). Conclusions: Fully automated CAC-scoring software with both CSCT and LDCT yielded excellent reliability and agreement with CSCTmanual. LDCT1.0-mm yielded more accurate Agatston scoring than LDCT2.5-mm using fully automated commercial software. Key Points: • Total Agatston scores and all vessels of CSCTauto, LDCT1.0-mm, and LDCT2.5-mmdemonstrated excellent agreement with CSCTmanual(all ICC > 0.85). • The diagnostic performance for detecting all Agatston score cutoffs was better with LDCT1.0-mmthan with LDCT2.5-mm. • This automated software yielded a lower degree of underestimation compared with methods described in previous studies, and the degree of underestimation was lower with LDCT1.0-mmthan with LDCT2.5-mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical usefulness of repeat colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with numerous polyps has not been sufficiently determined. We aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of colonoscopic polypectomy with surveillance colonoscopies in patients with ≥ 10 polyps. We reviewed the medical records of 152 patients who underwent polypectomy of ≥ 10 polyps at the baseline colonoscopy. We investigated polyp number, polyp size, polypectomy method, procedure time, and adverse events of the baseline colonoscopy. We also investigated the frequency and interval of surveillance colonoscopies and their findings. The mean number of polyps detected at the baseline colonoscopy was 20.0, of which 16.0 polyps were endoscopically resected. The mean size of the largest polyp was 13.4 mm. The mean procedure time was 54.9 min. Post-polypectomy bleeding occurred in 6 (3.9%) patients, all of whom were treated conservatively. No patients developed perforation. With an increasing number of surveillance colonoscopies, the number of detected polyps and the procedure time decreased. Surveillance colonoscopies identified colorectal cancer only in three patients (2.0%), all of which were mucosal cancers that could be curatively treated by polypectomy. Colonoscopic polypectomy with repeat surveillance colonoscopies is a clinically effective, efficient, and safe management option in patients with ≥ 10 polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated if elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels before non-cardiac surgery were predictors of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis. In total, 703 consecutive patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis who underwent non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative cTnI serum levels were measured at least once in all patients. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary edema during hospitalization or within 30 days after surgery in patients with a hospitalization longer than 30 days after surgery. Postoperative cardiac events occurred in 48 (6.8%) out of 703 patients (cardiac death 1, MI 18, and pulmonary edema 33). Diabetes mellitus (DM), previous ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events. Peak cTnI serum levels were higher in patients with postoperative cardiac event (180 ± 420 ng/L vs. 80 ± 190 ng/L, p = 0.008), and also elevated peak cTnI levels > 45 ng/L were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events (66.8% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DM (odds ratio [OR] 2.509, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.178–5.345, p = 0.017) and serum peak cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L (OR 3.167, 95% CI 1.557–6.444, p = 0.001) were independent predictors for the primary outcome of cardiac death/MI/pulmonary edema. Moreover, cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L had an incremental prognostic value to the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) (Chi-square = 23, p < 0.001), and to the combined RCRI and left ventricular ejection fraction (Chi-square = 12, p = 0.001). Elevated preoperative cTnI levels are predictors of postoperative cardiac events including cardiac death, MI, and pulmonary edema in patients with ESRD undergoing non-cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a very short time, higher education transitioned to online and blended learning, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Although research literature is replete with rationale for instructors to develop digital competence during the Great Online Transition, research on the correlates of digital competence and effort expectancy in relation to their work engagement has remained insufficient. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of digital competence and effort expectancy and how they predict teachers' work engagement. A sample of 321 in-service teachers selected from universities in China took part in this study. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that teachers' digital competence positively and significantly correlated with their work engagement and their effort expectancy. In addition, effort expectancy significantly influenced teachers' work engagement. Lastly, effort expectancy, as the mediator variable, was found to mediate the relationship between teachers' digital competence and their work engagement. Implications were suggested for improving teachers' work engagement to support digital shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To validate an artificial intelligence (AI)–based fully automatic coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring system on non-electrocardiogram (ECG)–gated low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) using multi-institutional datasets with manual CAC scoring as the reference standard. Methods: This retrospective study included 452 subjects from three academic institutions, who underwent both ECG-gated calcium scoring computed tomography (CSCT) and LDCT scans. For all CSCT and LDCT scans, automatic CAC scoring (CAC_auto) was performed using AI-based software, and manual CAC scoring (CAC_man) was set as the reference standard. The reliability and agreement of CAC_auto was evaluated and compared with that of CAC_man using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots. The reliability between CAC_auto and CAC_man for CAC severity categories was analyzed using weighted kappa (κ) statistics. Results: CAC_auto on CSCT and LDCT yielded a high ICC (0.998, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.998–0.999 and 0.989, 95% CI 0.987–0.991, respectively) and a mean difference with 95% limits of agreement of 1.3 ± 37.1 and 0.8 ± 75.7, respectively. CAC_auto achieved excellent reliability for CAC severity (κ = 0.918–0.972) on CSCT and good to excellent but heterogenous reliability among datasets (κ = 0.748–0.924) on LDCT. Conclusions: The application of an AI-based automatic CAC scoring software to LDCT shows good to excellent reliability in CAC score and CAC severity categorization in multi-institutional datasets; however, the reliability varies among institutions. Key Points: • AI-based automatic CAC scoring on LDCT shows excellent reliability with manual CAC scoring in multi-institutional datasets. • The reliability for CAC score–based severity categorization varies among datasets. • Automatic scoring for LDCT shows a higher false-positive rate than automatic scoring for CSCT, and most common causes of a false-positive are image noise and artifacts for both CSCT and LDCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallbladder cancer represents the most common malignancy of the biliary tract and is highly lethal with less than 5% overall 5-year survival rate. Chemotherapy remains the major treatment for late-stage patients. However, insensitivity to these chemotherapeutic agents including cisplatin is common. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown as modulators of drug resistance in many cancer types. We used genome-wide gene expression analysis in clinical samples to identify miR-125b-5p down-regulated in gallbladder cancer. miR-125b-5p up-regulation promoted cell death in gallbladder cancer cells in the presence of cisplatin. In contrast, knockdown of miR-125b-5p reduced cell death in gallbladder cancer cells treated with cisplatin. Up-regulation of miR-125b-5p significantly decreased tumor growth in combination with cisplatin in a mouse model. We identified Bcl2 as a direct target of miR-125b-5p which mediates the function of miR-125b-5p in gallbladder cancer. In clinical samples, miR-125b-5p was down-regulated in gallbladder cancer whereas Bcl2 was up-regulated and their expression was inversely correlated. Moreover, low miR-125b-5p expression or high expression of Bcl2 is correlated with poor prognosis in gallbladder cancer. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-125b-5p is a potent chemotherapy sensitizer and may function as a new biomarker for the prognosis of gallbladder cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Saccharum complex" is a hypothetical group of species, which is supposed to be involved in the origin of modern sugarcane, and displays large genomes and complex chromosomal alterations. The utilization of restricted parents in breeding programs of modern cultivated sugarcane has resulted in a genetic blockage, which controlled its improvement because of the limited genetic diversity. The use of wild relatives is an effective way to broaden the genetic composition of cultivated sugarcane. Due to the infrequent characterization of genomes, the potential of wild relatives is diffused in improving the cultivated sugarcane. To characterize the genomes of the wild relatives, the genome size and phylogenetic relationships among eight species, including Saccharum spontaneum, Erianthus arundinaceus, E. fulvus, E. rockii, Narenga porphyrocoma, Miscanthus floridulus, Eulalia quadrinervis, and M. sinensis were evaluated based on flow cytometry, genome surveys, K-mer analysis, chloroplast genome sequencing, and whole-genome SNPs analysis. We observed highly heterozygous genomes of S. spontaneum, E. rockii, and E. arundinaceus and the highly repetitive genome of E. fulvus. The genomes of Eulalia quadrinervis, N. porphyrocoma, M. sinensis, and M. floridulus were highly complex. Phylogenetic results of the two approaches were dissimilar, however, both indicate E. fulvus displayed closer relationships to Miscanthus and Saccharum than other species of Saccharum complex. Eulalia quadrinervis was more closely related to M. floridulus than M. sinensis; E. arundinaceus differ significantly from Miscanthus, Narenga, and Saccharum, but was relatively close to Erianthus. We proved the point of E. rockii and E. fulvus should not be classified as one genus, and E. fulvus should be classified as the Saccharum genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]