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In this article, we study a goodness of fit test for a multiplicative distortion model under a uniformly distributed but unobserved random variable. The unobservable variable is distorted in a multiplicative fashion by an observed confounding variable. The proposed k-th power test statistic is based on logarithmic transformed observations and a correlation coefficient-based estimator without distortion measurement errors. The proper choice of k is discussed through the empirical coverage probabilities. The asymptotic null distribution of the test statistics are obtained with known asymptotic variances. Next, we proposed the conditional mean calibrated test statistic when a variable is distorted in a multiplicative fashion. We conduct Monte Carlo simulation experiments to examine the performance of the proposed test statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the process of developing an original framework for conceptualising and measuring language learner well-being within the context of heritage language (HL) learning. Drawing on a quantitative validation study with 545 young Chinese heritage language (CHL) learners, aged 7–18, in the UK, this paper presents an empirically validated model alongside a self-report instrument designed to measure learner well-being. A comprehensive development and validation process yielded a 24-item Language Learner Well-being Scale, exhibiting robust psychometric properties, including face, content, construct validity, and internal reliability. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses uncovered a four-factor model of language learner well-being – enjoyment, connectedness, meaning, and competence – which represent the key pillars of flourishing among CHL learners. This multi-dimensional model provides potential pathways through which flourishing can be actively promoted in HL learning, with implications that are applicable to wider second/foreign language learning contexts. By exploring what constitutes well-being and developing an effective measure, the study also sets the stage for meaningful interventions in the future to optimise students' language learning experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The three SDEs of CLas were expressed in citrus leaves by AuNPs-PEI mediated transient expression system, and promoted the proliferation of CLas and inhibited citrus immunity. Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most severe bacterial disease of citrus caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). CLas suppress host immune responses and promote infection by sec-dependent effectors (SDEs), thus insight into HLB pathogenesis is urgently needed to develop effective management strategies. In this study, we focused on the roles of SDE4310, SDE4435 and SDE4955 in citrus. We found that the expression of SDE4310, SDE4435 and SDE4955 to increase with increasing citrus immune genes CsPR1, CsPR2, CsPR5, CsNPR1, CsRBOHD, CsMAP3K and CsBIK1, suggesting that the level of citrus immunity could be judged by the expression of SDE. To further explore the relationship between these three SDEs and citrus immunity, we established a transient expression system in citrus leaves, using gold nanoparticle-polyethyleneimine (AuNPs-PEI) to deliver recombinant plasmid containing SDE4310, SDE4435 or SDE4955 respectively into citrus leaves. Results showed that SDE4310, SDE4435 and SDE4955 were successfully expressed in citrus leaves using this transient expression system, and found that SDE4310, SDE4435 and SDE4955 could promote the CLas proliferation by decreasing the immune gene expression of the citrus. Additionally, we used AuNPs-PEI to deliver siRNA4310 to citrus cells, significantly reducing the expression of SDE4310 within 3 days. Although the suppression of SDE4310 expression did not inhibit the CLas proliferation, it increased the expression level of CsPR1, CsNPR1 and CsBIK1. This is also the first time that AuNPs-PEI has been found to be able to deliver exogenous plasmids into citrus cells and express the target protein, providing a new method for future studies on citrus HLB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Traditional fish sauce products rely on relatively long fermentation time and high salt concentration, resulting in inconsistent quality and health risks. Branched‐chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are associated with nutritional benefits and health‐care effects, mainly derived from food fermentation. This study aimed to screen BCFAs‐producing bacteria with high protease and aminotransferase activity as starter cultures for fish sauce fermentation. RESULTS: The low‐salt fish sauce products were obtained by co‐fermentation with three chosen strains. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)‐soluble peptides and amino acid nitrogen concentrations were higher in the co‐fermentation group (FH group). The organoleptic evaluation showed co‐fermentation optimized flavor composition and endured with rich taste. The levels of BCFAs and branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) significantly increased by co‐fermentation. Volatile metabolomics analysis indicated that BCFAs, branched‐chain esters, and pyrazines were the key flavor compounds in the co‐fermented group. CONCLUSION: The co‐fermentation system with selected strains to ferment low‐salt fish sauce has the potential to increase BCFA content and improve flavor and nutrition. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is equipped with two distinct flagellar systems: a polar flagellum and numerous lateral flagella. The polar flagellum plays a role in propelling swimming in liquids, while the lateral flagella serve to enhance swarming on surfaces or in viscous environments. H-NS is a histone-like nucleoid structuring protein that plays a regulatory role in both the swimming and swarming motility of V. parahaemolyticus. However, the detailed mechanisms have not been fully understood. In this study, we have demonstrated that the deletion of hns hindered the growth rate of V. parahaemolyticus during the logarithmic growth phase and significantly decreased the swimming motility. H-NS directly activated the transcription of flgMN, flgAMN, flgBCDEFGHIJ, and flgKL-flaC located within the polar flagellar gene clusters. The expression of H-NS in Escherichia coli led to a marked elevation in the expression levels of flgM, flgA, flgB, and flgK, suggesting the positive effect of H-NS on the expression of polar flagellar genes in E. coli. This work demonstrates that the positive regulation of H-NS on the swimming motility in V. parahaemolyticus may be achieved through its regulation of polar flagellar gene expression and bacterial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses an initial-boundary value problem for a doubly haptotactic cross-diffusion system arising from the oncolytic virotherapy u t = Δ u m - ∇ · (u ∇ v) + μ u (1 - u) - u z , x ∈ Ω , t > 0 , v t = - (u + w) v , x ∈ Ω , t > 0 , w t = Δ w - ∇ · (w ∇ v) - w + u z , x ∈ Ω , t > 0 , z t = D Δ z - z - u z + β w , x ∈ Ω , t > 0 , ∂ u m ∂ ν - u ∂ v ∂ ν = ∂ w ∂ ν - w ∂ v ∂ ν = ∂ z ∂ ν = 0 , x ∈ ∂ Ω , t > 0 , u (x , 0) = u 0 , v (x , 0) = v 0 , w (x , 0) = w 0 , z (x , 0) = z 0 , x ∈ Ω , in a smooth bounded domain Ω ⊂ R N (N = 1 , 2) with m > 1 , β > 0 , μ > 0 , and D > 0 . We prove that for any large initial datum, the problem admits a global ‘very’ weak solution for any m > 1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone and plays an important role in regulating glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 has a short half-life due to degrading enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and rapid kidney clearance, which limits its clinical application as a therapeutic agent. We demonstrated previously that supaglutide, a novel long-acting GLP-1 analog, exerted hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and weight loss effects in type 2 diabetic db/db mice, DIO mice, and diabetic monkeys. In the present study, we investigated supaglutide's therapeutic efficacy in rhesus monkeys with spontaneous metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Methods: 15 rhesus monkeys with biopsy-confirmed MASH were divided into three groups, receiving supaglutide 50 µg/kg, supaglutide 150 µg/kg, and placebo, respectively, by weekly subcutaneous injection for 3 months. Liver fat content quantified by magnetic resonance imaging-estimated proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF), liver pathology, and metabolic parameters were assessed. Results: We found that once-weekly subcutaneous injections of supaglutide for 3 months significantly reduced hepatic fat accumulation, with a 40% percentage decrease in MRI-PDFF from baseline (P < 0.001 vs. Placebo). Treatment with supaglutide alleviated hepatic histological steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score P < 0.001 vs. Placebo) without worsening of fibrosis, as assessed by ultrasound-guided liver biopsy. Supaglutide concomitantly ameliorated liver injury exemplified by a lowering tendency of hepatic alanine aminotransferase levels. Supaglutide also decreased body weight in a dose-dependent fashion accompanied by decreased food intake, improved lipid profile and glycemic control. Conclusions: Supaglutide exerts beneficial effects on hepatic and metabolic outcomes in spontaneous MASH monkeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) are a sustainable aquaculture model strongly advocated by Chinese government. Earthy-musty is an important factor affecting the economic benefit and food safety of RAS. Geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisobornyl (2-MIB) are the main substances that produce earthy-musty, which have a low human sensory threshold. Their accumulation leads to the earthy-musty of aquatic products, which greatly reduces the taste and economic value of these products and also threatens the sustainable development of aquaculture in China. GSM and 2-MIB are predominantly produced by heterotrophic prokaryotes in RASs. The production of these odorants is closely related to environmental factors, water quality parameters, and microbial community composition and is regulated by functional enzymes. Since the water exchange rate of RASs is only 5%, the current earthy-musty substances (EMS) treatment technology is not suitable for this system, and a cost-effective EMS removal technology is urgently needed. We put specific emphasis on the removal of EMS in RAS farms. Finally, we predict the challenges faced by EMS purification in RASs under the "comprehensive development of aquaculture" guideline by the Chinese government. In this review, first, we discuss the current GSM and 2-MIB generation mechanism in RASs, and then, based on the characteristics of RASs, we describe the transformation rules and removal methods of EMS in water systems and aquatic products, respectively. Finally, a new idea for removing EMS in RASs is proposed; that is, lipid adsorbents cooperate with functional microflora to remove EMS. This review provides scientific basis for eliminating the off-flavor of aquatic products, providing technical support for the promotion of RASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim: To explore and describe workplace stress levels and health‐promoting behaviours reported by emergency nurses in China, and to investigate factors associated with workplace stress and health‐promoting lifestyle behaviours among emergency nurses. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted between October 2019 and January 2020. Nurses (n = 1565) were recruited from the emergency departments of 54 hospitals within the Sichuan Province of West China. Each subject completed the Chinese versions of the Nurse Workplace Stress Scale, the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP‐II) and demographic questions. Linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between workplace stress and the health‐promoting lifestyle and risk factors correlated with these two measurements. Results: Workplace stress was negatively associated with health‐promoting behaviours. Linear regression analysis showed that gender, marital status, whether wages met expected standards and professional rank were found to be associated with health promotion behaviours; marital status, whether income met expected standards, the number of night shifts per month and health promotion behaviours were found to be associated with workplace stress. Conclusion: Higher levels of workplace stress are associated with lower levels of engagement in health‐promoting behaviours, suggesting the potential for reducing workplace stress through the adoption of healthier habits. Policies should prioritize workplace stress by promoting healthy lifestyle initiatives. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Emergency nurses experience high levels of workplace stress. Excessive long‐term stress may result in physical and mental illnesses.The health and quality of life of emergency nurses are profoundly affected by these stressors, and their health status is directly related to the efficiency and quality of their nursing work.Very little research has been conducted on the relationship between workplace stress and health‐promoting lifestyle behaviours in emergency nurses. What this paper adds? Workplace stress was negatively associated with health‐promoting behaviours.Married female nurses, those who did not receive the expected income, and those with lower professional ranks were found to be less likely to engage in health‐promoting behaviours.Interventions to reduce nurses' workplace stress should prioritize the promotion of health‐promoting behaviours. The implications of this paper: Hospital managers should implement active and effective measures in the nursing management of emergency departments to alleviate work pressure on nurses and encourage their healthy lifestyles.The introduction of a flexible scheduling system, taking into account night shift arrangements, can significantly reduce workplace stress caused by the number of night shifts per month.Improving the working environment for emergency nurses by providing easy access to affordable and nutritious meals and snacks and organizing physical activity can reduce stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equation has been initially derived for capturing the dynamics of gravity waves in finite water depth, accounting for factors such as wind, dissipation, and shear currents. A comprehensive framework is established to enhance the model's representation of gravity wave behavior. We employ a high-order iterative method, specifically the homotopy iterative technique, along with a non-uniform collocation approach integrated into the Haar wavelet method, resulting in a novel computational method characterized by high precision and efficiency. The robustness and reliability of the proposed approach are validated through convergence analysis and comparisons with analytical solutions. Furthermore, the results indicate that the nonlinear and dispersive effects caused by the fractional orders lead to changes in the propagation characteristics of gravity waves. The impacts of the damping coefficient related to wind action and dissipative effects on the temporal evolution of solitary waves are also discussed. The construction of the fractional model holds far-reaching significance for researching the nonlinear propagation of gravity waves in actual ocean water waves. Additionally, an outstanding computational technique for solving fractional nonlinear evolution equations in diverse applications has been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin-walled elastic structures, which are frequently applied on reusable rocket bodies, can experience panel flutter issues easily under unsteady aerodynamic loads. After separation of the ascent stage or during the recovery stage, the first stage of the rocket may undergo a deceleration period in the transonic region. This article analyzes the flutter morphology evolution of panels under unsteady deceleration and viscosity and finds that traditional results based on steady and inviscid assumptions tend to be conservative. Using the dynamic mode decomposition method, the study attempts to explore the evolution mechanism of panel flutter morphology from a fluid perspective. The findings reveal that the panel's morphology evolution is a process of energy accumulation, transfer, and dissipation, and the path of morphology evolution during accumulation and dissipation is asymmetric, which ultimately leads to a significantly better impact of the deceleration effect on reducing high-frequency oscillation than the acceleration effect. In addition, when considering unsteady and viscous effects, the main oscillation frequency remains almost constant within a certain Mach number range as the panel flutter is dominated by the fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 has accelerated the transition to blended learning (BL) in higher education, prompting a need for further investigation into the efficacy of self‐regulated learning strategies (SRLS) in these new educational environments. Objective: The primary goal of this research is to assess the effectiveness of SRLS in BL in higher education over the past five years, with a focus on trends, theoretical underpinnings, methodologies, and their impact on learning outcomes. Methods: This paper used the PRISMA 2020 review process for multiple rounds of screening, encompassing identification, screening, eligibility determination, and final inclusion. Following rigorous screening procedures, a total of 15 SSCI articles were ultimately chosen for analysis. The study design incorporated a comprehensive six‐part coding scheme, with the selected articles focusing on SRLS in BL environments within higher education. Results and Conclusions: From 2019 to 2023, research on SRLS in BL environments in higher education has primarily focused on resource management, motivational beliefs, and metacognitive strategies, with a relatively limited emphasis on cognitive strategies. These studies have utilized a diverse range of theoretical frameworks, predominantly employing quantitative and mixed methods. Out of the 15 articles reviewed, 14 clearly indicate that SRLS have a positive impact on learning outcomes. Furthermore, this paper underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and emphasizes the crucial role played by educators in supporting the implementation of SRLS. Future studies should delve deeper into exploring the effects of individual differences and environmental factors on SRLS. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Blended learning (BL) is transforming education.Self‐regulated Learning Strategies (SRLS) is key for success.Its effectiveness in new models is unclear.The importance of learner autonomy is growing. What this paper adds: Comprehensive review of SRLS in higher education BL over the past five years.Evidence on SRLS's impact on outcomes in BL.Highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research.Emphasizes the need for research on individual differences and environment. Implications of Study Findings for Practitioners: Educators should integrate SRLS into instructional design.Provide students with tools for self‐regulation in BL.Inform policies to optimize BL environments.Future research should explore long‐term impacts of SRLS on success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is one of the most common health problems worldwide. Although studies have reported associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and obesity, specific subtype associations and sex differences are unclear. To systematically evaluate the association between ACEs and adult obesity risk and sex differences. Five databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PsycINFO, were searched with a June 10, 2024 deadline. Included studies investigated the association between at least one ACE and obesity. Two researchers independently assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and its adaptations and extracted relevant characteristics and outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 17.0, including random effects models, heterogeneity tests, sensitivity analyses, publication bias assessments, Meta-regression analyses, and subgroup analyses. Dose-response analyses revealed potential trends between different levels of abuse and risk of obesity. The meta-analysis included 46 studies and showed a notable increased risk of obesity in adults experiencing ACEs (OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.38–1.59). Subgroup analyses showed significantly increased risk in Europe and North America, with significant increases observed in both developed and developing countries. Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional studies showed strong associations. Different types of ACEs (physical, sexual, psychological, and non-physical, psychological, or sexual abuse) were linked to a higher obesity risk. Sex difference analyses showed that females faced a greater risk when experiencing physical (OR: 1.606), sexual (OR: 1.581), and non-physical, psychological, or sexual (OR: 1.319) abuse; males exhibited increased risk only with non-physical, psychological, or sexual abuse (OR: 1.240). Dose-response analyses indicated that a higher number of ACEs was associated with an increased risk of obesity in adults. ACEs significantly increase the risk of adult obesity, with consistent findings across geographic regions, levels of economic development, and types of study design. Sex difference analysis indicates that females are particularly affected. Future research should prioritize including studies from underrepresented geographic areas to enhance understanding of the global impact of ACEs on obesity risk. Additionally, strengthening child protection and intervention efforts is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of ACEs on adult health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can the chemically synthesized nanoparticles act as nanodevices or nanomachines? Herein, we demonstrated this feasibility. A novel nanocluster (ultrasmall nanoparticle) [Au44Cd20(m‐MBT)40][N(C8H17)4]2 (Au44Cd20 in short, m‐MBTH: m‐methylbenzenethiol) obtained via developing a synthesis method has a cannula‐like structure of the outer shell and an internal sleeve, revealed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Natural population analysis (NPA) charge calculations, charge carrier transport of Au44Cd20 (during which an intra‐nanocluster anti‐galvanic reaction was observed) after unneutral charging using NaBH4 as well as voltammetry proved the capacitor‐like character of Au44Cd20. The subsidiary capacitor‐like character of the outer shell of Au44Cd20 was further probed via NPA charge calculations and electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. Thus, this study predicts a new era of engineering metal nanoparticles for realizing atomically precise ultrasmall nanodevices and nanomachines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Melatonin has promising protective effects for retinopathy. However, its roles in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We aimed to explore its roles and mechanisms in a ROP model. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the morphology of the retina. Immunofluorescence was used to detect positive (Nrf2+ and VEGF+) cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of nuclear expression of PCNA in retinal tissue. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe the morphology and structure of pigment cells. qRT-PCR was used to assay the expression of miR-23a-3p, Nrf2, and HO-1. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, β-actin, and Lamin B1. Results: Melatonin or miR-23a-3p antagomir treatment could ameliorate the Oxygen-induced pathological changes, increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1, SOD, and GSH-Px, and decreased the expression of VEGF, miR-23a-3p, MDA and the apoptosis in the ROP model. Further target prediction and luciferase reporter assays confirmed the targeted binding relationship between miR-23a-3p and Nrf2. Conclusion: Our study showed that melatonin could ameliorate H2O2-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress injury in RGC cells by mediating miR-23a-3p/Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby improving retinal degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional identity is essential for a qualified teacher; however, the imbalance between job resources and demands is a serious impediment to promoting teachers' professional identity. Given that personal job resources (i.e., teachers' socioemotional competence and psychological capital) and challenging job demands (homeroom/non‐homeroom teachers) are distinctive—but understudied—job characteristics, this study examines their role in fostering teachers' professional identity, based on the Job Demands‐Resources (JD‐R) model. Data from 432 secondary school teachers in Henan Province, China were collected using the Chinese versions of the Teacher Socioemotional Competence Scale, Psychological Capital Scale, and Teacher Professional Identity Scale. The results showed that teachers' socioemotional competence positively predicted their professional identity. The moderating mediator analysis showed that the mediating role of psychological capital and the moderating role of being a homeroom or non‐homeroom teacher contributed immensely to teachers' professional identity. The identification of this moderated mediation model broadens our understanding of the JD‐R model by demonstrating the interplay between personal job resources and challenging job demands. This study also emphasizes the imperative for optimizing the balance between "demands" and "resources" to enhance teachers' professional identity, and proposes effective interventions. Practitioner points: Teachers' socioemotional competence, as an important personal resource, indirectly affects professional identity through psychological capital.The homeroom teacher role has proved to be a challenging job demand that acts as a moderator between teachers' socioemotional competence and psychological capital.Optimizing the imbalance between job demands and job resources is critical to enhancing teachers' professional identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the impact of varicocele on male infertility by analyzing sperm samples from 42 varicocele patients and 22 healthy individuals. Basic sperm parameters such as concentration and vitality were assessed, along with the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) using the SCSA method. Additionally, the mean number of sperm DNA breaks (MDB) and free DNA fragments amount in seminal plasma (fDFA) were analyzed using the TDT-Strand Displacement Probe Technique. Results showed higher levels of DFI, MDB, and fDFA in varicocele-related infertility cases. Combining MDB and fDFA proved more effective in predicting fertility compared to individual assessments or the DFI alone. While these findings suggest a potential role for MDB and fDFA as predictors of male fertility, further rigorous studies are needed to validate their application in varicocele-related male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laccase is an enzyme known for its eco-friendly uses in environmental cleanup and biotechnology. However, it has limitations such as low stability, high cost, and complex recycling. So, there is a need for laccase mimics that can effectively imitate its properties. Herein, we created copper formate–lysine nanoparticles (Cuf-Lys) that mimic laccase's activity. The developed Cuf-Lys demonstrated remarkable polyphenol oxidase-like activity, stability, and recyclability, making them suitable for the fabrication of efficient colorimetric sensors for the detection of epinephrine. These sensors had a specific response and could accurately measure epinephrine concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 50 μM, with a detection limit as low as 1 μM. Furthermore, the biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity when applied to the detection of rutin. The limit of detection for rutin was determined to be 0.16 μM while in the linear concentration range of 0.25 to 150.0 μM. We believe that Cuf-Lys provide a new route for the design of laccase mimics, showing potential applications for biomedical diagnosis and environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Results Conclusions Relevance to Clinical Practice Impact No Patient or Public Contribution This study identifies instruments for assessing the burden on family caregivers of cancer patients and evaluates their psychometric properties using COSMIN criteria.A systematic review based on COSMIN methodology.The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were identified through searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database, covering literature from inception to September 2024. Included studies focused on developing or validating measurement tools and assessing psychometric properties such as reliability, internal consistency and construct validity. Two independent researchers screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated psychometric properties using COSMIN criteria while assessing evidence quality via the GRADE method.A total of 32 studies were included, encompassing 17 tools for assessing caregiver burden. None reported measurement error, cross‐cultural validity or responsiveness. The Caregiver's Burden Scale in End‐of‐Life Care (CBS‐EOLC) demonstrated strong reliability, validity and internal consistency, receiving a strong recommendation for clinical practice. In contrast, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Family Caregiver Burden Interview Scale (FBIS) and Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS) are not recommended due to insufficient supporting evidence. Other tools showed weak evidence, leading to weak recommendations.The CBS‐EOLC exhibits comprehensive psychometric properties suitable for clinical applications. The ZBI, FBIS and BCOS lack adequate supporting evidence and are not recommended. Future research should focus on measurement error, cross‐cultural validity and responsiveness to enhance these tools' applicability and reliability.This review provides evidence for healthcare providers to select instruments for assessing caregiver burden in cancer patients.This systematic review highlights the need for comprehensive assessments of caregiver burden based on COSMIN guidelines.This study is a systematic review with no patient or public participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), one of the most aggressive malignancies globally, is characterized by poor prognosis and limited life expectancy. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), a natural polyphenol found in green tea, has emerged as a promising anticancer agent due to its potent antitumor properties. However, the role and the underlying mechanisms of EGCG in NSCLC remain poorly understood. Hence, this research aimed to explore the effect of EGCG on the antitumor effect of apatinib in NSCLC through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐regulated glycolysis. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8), 5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine staining, wound healing, transwell, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling, and flow cytometry assays were carried out to evaluate the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of H1299 cells, respectively. Furthermore, western blot analysis was used to detect the expressions of VEGF, p‐vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2, hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α, neuropilin‐1, phosphorylated‐phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, and phosphorylated‐AKT. The transfection efficiency of H1299 cells with VEGF overexpression plasmid was also assessed by western blot analysis. Glycolysis was analyzed by estimating extracellular acidification rate, lactate concentration, glucose uptake, and the expressions of lactate dehydrogenase A, pyruvate kinase M2, and hexokinase 2. The results demonstrated that VEGF activated glycolysis in NSCLC cells. EGCG alone and apatinib alone or in combination inhibited cell viability, proliferation, invasion, migration, and glycolysis whereas promoted apoptosis in NSCLC cells. EGCG regulated glycolysis levels in NSCLC through VEGF overexpression, and enhanced the antitumor effect of apatinib in NSCLC through VEGF‐regulated glycolysis. Taken together, EGCG strengthened the protective effects of apatinib in NSCLC through glycolysis mediated by VEGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and commercialization of aerospace vehicles have posed significant challenges to the performance requirements for the corresponding materials. To meet these challenges, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have been developed and are widely used in the aerospace industry. However, their stability under extreme environmental conditions still needs to be improved. In this review, some properties of zirconium carbide (ZrC), which are related to extreme environmental applications of CMC are discussed first. Then, the effect of ZrC on the properties of CMC is comprehensively reviewed. ZrC can be introduced into the matrix and coated on the surface to increase the ablation resistance. The protection mechanisms of ZrC addition to CMCs, and the improvement in ZrC ablation resistance are explained. In addition, some perspectives on future developments are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The pairing and synapsis of homologous chromosomes are crucial for their correct segregation during meiosis. The LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex can recruit kinesin protein at the nuclear envelope, affecting telomere bouquet formation and homologous pairing. Kinesin‐1‐like protein Pollen Semi‐Sterility1 (PSS1) plays a pivotal role in male meiotic chromosomal behavior and is essential for fertility in rice. However, its exact role in meiosis, especially as kinesin involved in homologous pairing and synapsis, has not been fully elucidated. Here, we generated three pss1 mutants by genome editing technology to dissect PSS1 biological functions in meiosis. The pss1 mutants exhibit alterations in the radial microtubule organization at pachytene and manifest a deficiency in telomere clustering, which is critical for full‐length homologous pairing. We reveal that PSS1 serves as a key mediator between chromosomes and cytoskeleton, thereby regulating microtubule organization and transmitting the force to nuclei to facilitate homologous chromosome pairing and synapsis in meiosis. Significance Statement: The source of energy driving the rapid movement of chromosomes during prophase I in rice meiosis remains to be elucidated In this manuscript, we speculate a novel mechanism that PSS1 serves as a crucial mediator between chromosomes and skeleton, thereby regulating microtubule organization and transmitting the force to nuclei to facilitating homologous chromosome pairing and synapsis in meiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As identity research in a globalised world progresses, so does our understanding of the need for nuanced research methodologies, to capture the complexities of multilingual identities. In this paper, we systematically explore the entanglements surrounding dual or mixed identity, supported by the analysis of 132 identity narratives from multilingual young people (11–18 years old) with Chinese heritage. Applying a poststructural lens and drawing on Dörnyei’s motivational self system, Norton’s investment theory, and Little’s conceptualisation of emotional and pragmatic reasons for heritage language maintenance, we strengthen the field of multilingual identity research by introducing a framework that corresponds to the complexities of participants’ lived experiences as heritage language speakers and learners, while honouring their preferences for self-expression. Crucially, the framework has been co-produced with a group of young co-researchers (aged 11–16 years old), ensuring that young people’s views and experiences are respected in the way we research and interpret identities in the heritage language context. In introducing the framework, we provide data examples in the form of relevant quotes for each aspect introduced, highlighting links to existing identity theories and situating the framework as a vital tool within heritage language and multilingual identity research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comprehensive research on the impact of various types of refractive errors (RE) and anisometropia on dry eye disease is still lacking. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rates and potential lifestyle factors related to symptomatic dry eye (SDE) among adolescents in eastern China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023, and a stratified cluster sampling technique was used among adolescents in Nantong, China. Demographic information, including sex, age and BMI, were collected. All participants underwent optometric tests, while Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and self-designed questionnaires were administered. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between SDE and related parameters, and various types of RE and anisometropia were also included in the study. Results: A total of 1,518 participants were enrolled in the study, and the overall prevalence of SDE was 20.3% among adolescents in Nantong, China. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that high myopia (aOR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.60–3.36, p = 0.025), frequent use of eye drops (aOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.60–3.36, p<0.001), a history of allergic conjunctivitis (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.09–3.34, p = 0.025), and frequent blinking (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 2.31–4.53, p<0.001) were identified as risk factors for SDE. Conversely, male gender (aOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–0.99, p = 0.043), increased sleep time (6–7 h: aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.46–0.89, p = 0.009; 7–8 h: aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43–0.95, p = 0.026; >8 h: aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23–0.82, p = 0.010), and timely intervention when vision decline occurred were protective factors against SDE (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.43–0.85, p = 0.004). Conclusion: High myopia was found to be independently associated with an increased risk of SDE., while hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were not independent risk factors for SDE. The identified risk and protective factors may help provide valuable insights for future research and interventions aimed at improving ocular health in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is one of the main causes of visual impairments. URE may reduce interaction and learning in the classroom, leading to social isolation, irreversible amblyopia, lack of external knowledge, and restrictions on education and employment opportunities. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and related factors of URE in adolescents using epidemiological surveys and questionnaire surveys related to lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in Nantong, China, including adolescents 12–19 years of age from 16 schools. URE was defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12 and improving to ≥ 1 lines after correction in either eye. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate specific correlations between URE and related lifestyle parameters. Non-cycloplegic autorefraction was assessed for each adolescent. Results: A total of 2,910 adolescents were analyzed, of which 50.3% (n = 1,465) were male, and 49.7% (n = 1,445) were female. The mean age was 15.23 ± 1.77 years. The overall prevalence of URE was 23.7%. The total prevalence of REC and eREC was 85.1% and 71.7%, respectively, and both of them showed an increasing trend with age (Ptrend = 0.018 and Ptrend = 0.019, respectively). A higher prevalence of URE was related to myopia, anisometropia, and increased daily use of electronic products. Timely visual examination by medical institutions, more extracurricular homework, and older age were protective factors for URE. Among the 689 adolescents with URE, 362 (52.5%) did not receive any refractive correction, and 327 (47.5%) used corrected glasses. Conclusion: URE was highly prevalent among adolescents in China. Myopia was the most important risk factor for URE. The impact of anisometropia and increased daily use of electronic devices on URE was significant. Timely visual examinations by medical institutions served as an effective protective factor against URE. Further research on adjusting intervention strategies is therefore needed to eliminate preventable visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acrolein, a highly reactive toxic aldehyde, is a common dietary and environmental contaminant which can also be generated endogenously. Exposure to acrolein has been positively associated with some pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. At the cellular level, acrolein induces various harmful effects, particularly protein adduction and oxidative damages. Polyphenols are a group of secondary plant metabolites ubiquitously presented in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Recent evidence has gradually solidified the protective role of polyphenols by working as acrolein scavengers and regulator of acrolein toxicities. This was largely attributed to the ability of polyphenols as antioxidants and sacrificial nucleophiles in trapping acrolein. This review discussed the exposure and toxicity of acrolein, summarized the known and anticipated contribution of polyphenols in ameliorating acrolein contamination and its health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive wireless surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors are very useful for on-site monitoring of the working status of machines in complex environments, such as high-temperature rotating objects. For rotating parts, it is difficult to realize real-time and continuous monitoring because of the unstable sensing signal caused by the continuous change of the relative position of the rotating part to the sensor and shielding of the signal. In our SAW sensing system, we propose a loop antenna integrated with the rotating part to obtain a stable sensing signal owing to its omnidirectional radiation pattern. Methodologies for determining the antenna dimension, system operating frequency, and procedures for designing a SAW sensor tag are discussed in this paper. By fully utilizing the influence of metal rotor on antenna performance, the antenna needs no impedance matching elements while it provides sufficient gain, which equips the antenna with nearly zero temperature drift at a wide temperature-sensing range. Experimental verification results show that this sensing system can greatly improve the stability of the sensing signal significantly and can achieve a temperature sensing accuracy of ~1 °C at different rotational speeds, demonstrated by the feasibility of the loop antenna for monitoring the working status of rotating metal parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) prediction model incorporating random forest (RF) screening ability for predicting the risk of depression in adolescents and identifies key risk factors to provide a new approach for primary care screening of depression among adolescents. Methods: The data were from a large cross‐sectional study conducted in China from July to September 2021, enrolling 8635 adolescents aged 10–17 with their parents. We used the Patient health questionnaire (PHQ‐9) to rate adolescent depression symptoms, using scales and single‐item questions to collect demographic information and other variables. Initial model variables screening used the RF importance assessment, followed by building prediction model using the screened variables through the ANN. Results: The rate of depression symptoms in adolescents was 24.6%, and the depression risk prediction model was built based on 70% of the training set and 30% of the test set. Ten variables were included in the final prediction model with a model accuracy of 85.03%, AUC of 0.892, specificity of 89.79%, and sensitivity of 70.81%. The top 10 significant factors of depression risk were adolescent rumination, adolescent self‐esteem, adolescent mobile phone addiction, peer victimization, care in parenting styles, overprotection in parenting styles, academic pressure, conflict in parent–child relationship, parental rumination, and relationship between parents. Conclusions: The ANN model based on the RF effectively identifies depression risk in adolescents and provides a methodological reference for large‐scale primary screening. Cross‐sectional studies and single‐item scales limit further improvements in model accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous catalysis is immensely important in the chemical industry. Understanding the molecular mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic processes is fundamental to the design of high‐performance catalysts and the development of energy conversion technology. Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) provides invaluable topographic and chemical information with nanometer‐scale spatial resolution, thus making it a promising tool for the in‐depth characterization of heterogeneous catalytic processes. In this perspective, we first introduce the background of heterogeneous catalysis and TERS, and then we systematically discuss the application of TERS in heterogeneous catalysis. Key insights related to catalyst configurations, catalytically active sites, reacting species, spillover of active species, and structure‐reactivity relationship were summarized. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future development in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we combine simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surface (STAR-RIS) with rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) technology and investigate the ergodic rate performance of an STAR-assisted RSMA system. Considering the discrete phase shifts of the STAR-RIS in practice, the downlink performance of STAR-RIS-assisted RSMA with discrete phase shifts is compared to that with continuous phase shifts. Firstly, the cumulative distribution function of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of users is analyzed. Then, the total ergodic rate of the system and its approximate closed-form solution are, respectively, derived based on the cumulative distribution function of users. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis, showing good agreement between the derived theoretical ergodic rate and the corresponding simulations. Although the system performance with discrete phase shifts is inferior to that with continuous phase shifts due to quantization errors, the performance of the continuous phase shift system is well approximated when the quantization bit of the phase shift system reaches 3 in the simulations. Additionally, the impact of the number of STAR-RIS elements on the system's performance is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver cancer often associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC), underscoring the critical need for biomarker discovery to improve patient outcomes. Emerging as a promising avenue for biomarker development, proteomic technology leveraging liquid biopsy from small extracellular vesicles (sEV) offers new insights. Here, we evaluated various methods for sEV isolation and identified polysaccharide chitosan (CS) as an optimal approach. Subsequently, we employed optimized CS‐based magnetic beads (Mag‐CS) for sEV separation from serum samples of healthy controls, CHB, LC, and HBV‐HCC patients. Leveraging data‐independent acquisition mass spectrometry coupled with machine learning, we uncovered potential vesicular protein biomarker signatures (KNG1, F11, KLKB1, CAPNS1, CDH1, CPN2, NME2) capable of distinguishing HBV‐HCC from CHB, LC, and non‐HCC conditions. Collectively, our findings highlight the utility of Mag‐CS‐based sEV isolation for identifying early detection biomarkers in HBV‐HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current diabetic retinopathy (DR) treatment involves blood glucose regulation combined with laser photocoagulation or intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies. However, due to the complex pathogenesis and cross‐interference of multiple biochemical pathways, these interventions cannot block disease progression. Recognizing the critical role of the retinal microenvironment (RME) in DR, it is hypothesized that reshaping the RME by simultaneously inhibiting primary and secondary blood–retinal barrier (BRB) injury can attenuate DR. For this, a glucose‐responsive hydrogel named Cu‐PEI/siMyD88@GEMA‐Con A (CSGC) is developed that effectively delivers Cu‐PEI/siMyD88 nanoparticles (NPs) to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The Cu‐PEI NPs act as antioxidant enzymes, scavenging ROS and inhibiting RPE pyroptosis, ultimately blocking primary BRB injury by reducing microglial activation and Th1 differentiation. Simultaneously, MyD88 expression silence in combination with the Cu‐PEI NPs decreases IL‐18 production, synergistically reduces VEGF levels, and enhances tight junction proteins expression, thus blocking secondary BRB injury. In summary, via remodeling the RME, the CSGC hydrogel has the potential to disrupt the detrimental cycle of cross‐interference between primary and secondary BRB injury, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for DR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• a de novo missense mutation c.671 T > C (p.F224S) in the GABRB2 gene. • The patient bearing this mutant has epilepsy and developmental delay. • GABA A R bearing mutant β2 subunit showed decreased response to GABA. Genetic variants in genes encoding subunits of the γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor (GABA A R) have been found to cause neurodevelopmental disorders and epileptic encephalopathy. In a patient with epilepsy and developmental delay, a de novo heterozygous missense mutation c.671 T > C (p.F224S) was discovered in the GABRB2 gene, which encodes the β2 subunit of GABA A R. Based on previous studies on GABRB2 variants, this new GABRB2 variant (F224S) would be pathogenic. To confirm and investigate the effects of this GABRB2 mutation on GABA A R channel function, we conducted transient expression experiments using GABA A R subunits in HEK293T cells. The GABA A Rs containing mutant β2 (F224S) subunit showed poor trafficking to the cell membrane, while the expression and distribution of the normal α1 and γ2 subunits were unaffected. Furthermore, the peak current amplitude of the GABA A R containing the β2 (F224S) subunit was significantly smaller compared to the wild type GABA A R. We propose that GABRB2 variant F224S is pathogenic and GABA A Rs containing this β2 mutant reduce response to GABA under physiological conditions, which could potentially disrupt the excitation/inhibition balance in the brain, leading to epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoclusters exhibiting concomitant photothermy (PT) and photoluminescence (PL) under near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation are rarely reported, and some fundamental issues remain unresolved for such materials. Herein, we concurrently synthesized two novel rod‐shaped Au nanoclusters, Au52(PET)32 and Au66(PET)38 (PET = 2‐phenylethanethiolate), and precisely revealed that their kernels were 4 × 4 × 6 and 5 × 4 × 6 face‐centered cubic (fcc) structures, respectively, based on the numbers of Au layers in the [100], [010], and [001] directions. Following the structural growth mode from Au52(PET)32 to Au66(PET)38, we predicted six more novel nanoclusters. The concurrent synthesis provides rational comparison of the two nanoclusters on the stability, absorption, emission and photothermy, and reveals the aspect ratio‐related properties. An interesting finding is that the two nanoclusters exhibit concomitant PT and PL under 785 nm light irradiation, and the PT and PL are in balance, which was explained by the qualitative evaluation of the radiative and non‐radiative rates. The ligand effects on PT and PL were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoclusters exhibiting concomitant photothermy (PT) and photoluminescence (PL) under near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation are rarely reported, and some fundamental issues remain unresolved for such materials. Herein, we concurrently synthesized two novel rod‐shaped Au nanoclusters, Au52(PET)32 and Au66(PET)38 (PET = 2‐phenylethanethiolate), and precisely revealed that their kernels were 4 × 4 × 6 and 5 × 4 × 6 face‐centered cubic (fcc) structures, respectively, based on the numbers of Au layers in the [100], [010], and [001] directions. Following the structural growth mode from Au52(PET)32 to Au66(PET)38, we predicted six more novel nanoclusters. The concurrent synthesis provides rational comparison of the two nanoclusters on the stability, absorption, emission and photothermy, and reveals the aspect ratio‐related properties. An interesting finding is that the two nanoclusters exhibit concomitant PT and PL under 785 nm light irradiation, and the PT and PL are in balance, which was explained by the qualitative evaluation of the radiative and non‐radiative rates. The ligand effects on PT and PL were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genomic landscape of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC), as well as its impact on the regulation of immune microenvironment, is not well understood. Thus, tumor samples from 92 patients were collected from two centers and subjected to targeted-gene sequencing. We identified frequently mutated genes, including TP53, KMT2C, KMT2D, LRP1B, and FAT1. The most frequent mutation sites were ALOX12B (c.1565C > T), SLX4 (c.2786C > T), LRIG1 (c.746A > G), and SPEN (c.6915_6917del) (6.5%). Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of cell cycle regulation, epigenetic regulation, PI3K/AKT signaling, and NOTCH signaling. A 17-mutated gene-related risk model was constructed using random survival forest analysis and showed significant prognostic value in both our cohort and the validation cohort. Based on the Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression (ESTIMATE) algorithm, the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) algorithm, and the MCPcounter algorithm, we found that the risk score calculated by the risk model was significantly correlated with stimulatory immune checkpoints (TNFSF4, ITGB2, CXCL10, CXCL9, and BTN3A1; p < 0.05). Additionally, it was significantly associated with markers that are important in predicting response to immunotherapy (CD274, IFNG, and TAMM2; p < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of immunofluorescence double staining showed that patients with high risk scores had a significantly higher level of M2 macrophage than those with low risk scores (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study provides insights into the genomic landscape of ESCC and highlights the prognostic value of a genomic mutation signature associated with the immune microenvironment in southern Chinese patients with ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the abilities of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in preventing brain metastases (BMs) among metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without initial BMs, as well as the risk factors of BMs. Methods: Individual patient data from three trials involving first‐line atezolizumab for metastatic NSCLC (IMpower130, IMpower131, and IMpower150) were pooled. Among patients without baseline BMs and without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and/or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations, those receiving atezolizumab + chemotherapy ± bevacizumab were classified as the atezolizumab plus chemotherapy group and those receiving placebo + chemotherapy ± bevacizumab were classified as the chemotherapy group. The cumulative incidences of BM (CI‐BMs) between the two groups were compared. Other factors associated with the CI‐BM were analyzed by Cox regression analyses. Results: With a median follow‐up of 17.6 months (range, 0.03–33.64 months), 74 (3.1%) of the 2380 enrolled patients developed BMs, including 50 (3.1%) and 24 (3.0%) in the atezolizumab plus chemotherapy group (n = 1589) and the chemotherapy group (n = 791), respectively. The CI‐BMs at 6, 12, and 24 months were 1.7%, 2.8%, and 3.3%, respectively. After taking competing risk events into account, there was no significant difference in the CI‐BMs between the two groups (p =.888). Nevertheless, the use of bevacizumab and the histology of nonsquamous NSCLC were found to be independently associated with the risk of BMs. Conclusions: In patients with metastatic EGFR/ALK wild‐type NSCLC without baseline BMs, adding atezolizumab in the first‐line treatment might not reduce the CI‐BM. However, the administration of bevacizumab may reduce the risk of BMs. In patients with metastatic EGFR/ALK wild‐type non–small cell lung cancer without baseline brain metastases (BMs), adding atezolizumab in the first‐line treatment could not reduce the cumulative incidence of BM. However, administration of bevacizumab may reduce the risk of BMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Subject and Methods Results Conclusions To analyze trends of antibiotic consumption and expenditure in Chinese stomatology hospitals between 2014 and 2018 with a longitudinal study design, and show the impacts of the comprehensive policy on dental antibiotic use in China.Consumption was quantified as the number of daily defined doses (DDDs) and expenditure as the procurement costs, using medical institutions' drug procurement data from the Chinese Monitoring Network for Rational Use of Drugs. Descriptive statistics was employed and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was calculated to show the average annual growth rate.Between 2014 and 2018, overall antibiotic consumption increased from 842.6 thousand DDDs to 1376.7 thousand DDDs (p < 0.001) and expenditure increased from 11.6 million RMB to 20.9 million RMB (p < 0.001), where other β‐lactam antibacterials accounted for the largest proportion of total consumption (37.1%–50.1%) and expenditure (52.9%–66.6%), and also increase the largest (CAGR = 18.4%, p < 0.001). The proportion of oral antibiotics was nearly 9 times of parenteral antibiotics in consumption (CAGR = 0.3%, p = 0.023) and only 2 times in expenditure (CAGR = −1.7%, p = 0.112). The non‐restricted group accounted for more than 90% of consumption (CAGR = 0.6%, p < 0.001). In 2018, oral first‐generation cephalosporins (22.8%), oral imidazole derivatives (22.3%), and oral second‐generation cephalosporins (19.2%) were the most frequently used antibiotic classification, while parenteral second‐generation cephalosporins were top one (19.8%) for expenditure. At chemical substance levels, the consumption of oral cefradine ranked top one (21.4%) and parenteral cefuroxime accounted for the largest proportion of expenditure (14.5%) in 2018. Oral cefradine, oral metronidazole, and oral cefaclor were the top three frequently consumed antibiotics throughout the five years.Despite the potential antibiotic overuse, the comprehensive antibiotic stewardship regulations of China got a satisfactory and better performance in dental practices. More effort is needed to establish more explicit guidelines to improve antibiotic stewardship, such as priority recommending amoxicillin and its derivatives for endodontic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing image classification plays a crucial role in the field of remote sensing interpretation. With the exponential growth of multi-source remote sensing data, accurately extracting target features and comprehending target attributes from complex images significantly impacts classification accuracy. To address these challenges, we propose a Canny edge-enhanced multi-level attention feature fusion network (CAF) for remote sensing image classification. The original image is specifically inputted into a convolutional network for the extraction of global features, while increasing the depth of the convolutional layer facilitates feature extraction at various levels. Additionally, to emphasize detailed target features, we employ the Canny operator for edge information extraction and utilize a convolution layer to capture deep edge features. Finally, by leveraging the Attentional Feature Fusion (AFF) network, we fuse global and detailed features to obtain more discriminative representations for scene classification tasks. The performance of our proposed method (CAF) is evaluated through experiments conducted across three openly accessible datasets for classifying scenes in remote sensing images: NWPU-RESISC45, UCM, and MSTAR. The experimental findings indicate that our approach based on incorporating edge detail information outperforms methods relying solely on global feature-based classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) is currently the most abundant bioplastic; however, limited environmental biodegradability and few recycling options diminish its value as a biodegradable commodity. Enzymatic recycling is one strategy for ensuring circularity of PLLA, but this approach requires a thorough understanding of enzymatic mechanisms and protein engineering strategies to enhance activity. In this study, we engineer PLLA depolymerizing subtilisin enzymes originating from Bacillus species to elucidate the molecular mechanisms dictating their PLLA depolymerization activity and to improve their function. The surface‐associated amino acids of two closely related subtilisin homologues originating from Bacillus subtilis (BsAprE) and Bacillus pumilus (BpAprE) were compared, as they were previously engineered to have nearly identical active sites, but still varied greatly in PLLA depolymerizing activity. Further analysis identified several surface‐associated amino acids in BpAprE that lead to enhanced PLLA depolymerization activity when engineered into BsAprE. In silico protein modelling demonstrated increased enzyme surface hydrophobicity in engineered BsAprE variants and revealed a structural motif favoured for PLLA depolymerization. Experimental evidence suggests that increases in activity are associated with enhanced polymer binding as opposed to substrate specificity. These data highlight enzyme adsorption as a key factor in PLLA depolymerization by subtilisins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium aluminate cement (CAC) is advantageous in marine engineering, and using materials directly from the sea when mixing CAC can reduce both construction costs and ecological pollution to the sea. However, using seawater as the mixing water in CAC is difficult due to the strength reduction. In this work, CACs were prepared with siliceous minerals (SMs) (diatomite and silica fume (SF)) and sodium chloride solution (SCS) as the mixing water. For comparison, other samples were immersed in SCS rather than mixed with SCS. The strength, mass and length changes of CAC mortars cured at 20°C and 40°C were determined. The phase assemblages and morphology were assessed using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Using SCS as the mixing water was beneficial to the later strength development of CAC. It promoted the formation of C2ASH8 in CAC pastes and showed no strength loss even when cured at 40°C. The strengths of the SM-modified CAC mortars mixed with SCS were higher than those immersed in SCS. The combination of diatomite and SCS significantly increased the CAC strength, especially at 20°C, while SF contributed to better stability in mass and length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that the famous Selberg integral is equivalent to the Morris constant term identity. In 1998, Baker and Forrester conjectured a generalization of the q-Morris constant term identity[J. Combin. Theory Ser. A 81 (1998), pp. 69–87]. This conjecture was proved and extended by Károlyi, Nagy, Petrov, and Volkov (KNPV) in 2015 [Adv. Math. 277 (2015), pp. 252–282]. In this paper, we obtain two symmetric function generalizations of the q-Baker–Forrester ex-conjecture. These include: (i) a q-Baker–Forrester type constant term identity for a product of a complete symmetric function and a Macdonald polynomial; (ii) a complete symmetric function generalization of KNPV's result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End-to-end speech translation (ST) has attracted substantial attention due to its less error accumulation and lower latency. Based on triplet ST data ⟨ speech-transcription-translation ⟩ , multitask learning (MTL) that utilizes machine translation ⟨ transcription-translation ⟩ or automatic speech recognition ⟨ speech-transcription ⟩ task to assist in training ST model is widely employed. However, current MTL methods often suffer from subnet role mismatch, semantic inconsistency, or usually focus only on transferring knowledge from automatic speech recognition (ASR) or machine translation (MT) task, leading to insufficient transferring of cross-task knowledge. To solve these problems, we propose the multitask co-training network (MCTN) to jointly model ST, MT, and ASR tasks. Specifically, the ASR task enables the acoustic encoder to better capture local information of speech frames, and the MT task enhances the translation capability of the model. MCTN benefits from three key aspects: a well-designed multitask framework to fully exploit the association between tasks, a model decoupling and parameter sharing method to maintain consistency in subnet roles, and a co-training strategy to utilize task information in triplet ST data. Our experiments show that MCTN achieves state-of-the-art results, when using only MuST-C dataset, and significantly outperforms strong end-to-end ST baselines and cascaded systems when external data are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adiponectin is an important adipokine involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, but its secretion and potential role in regulating glucose utilization during ovarian development remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanism and effects of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSHs) on adiponectin secretion and its following impact on glucose transport in the granulosa cells of rat ovaries. A range of experimental techniques were utilized to test our research, including immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, histological staining, real-time quantitative PCR, and transcriptome analysis. The immunohistochemistry results indicated that adiponectin was primarily located in the granulosa cells of rat ovaries. In primary granulosa cells cultured in vitro, both Western blot and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that FSH significantly induced adiponectin secretion within 2 h of incubation, primarily via the PKA signaling pathway rather than the PI3K/AKT pathway. Concurrently, the addition of the AdipoR1/AdipoR2 dual agonist AdipoRon to the culture medium significantly stimulated the protein expression of GLUT1 in rat granulosa cells, resulting in enhanced glucose absorption. Consistent with these in vitro findings, rats injected with eCG (which shares structural and functional similarities with FSH) exhibited significantly increased adiponectin levels in both the ovaries and blood. Moreover, there was a notable elevation in mRNA and protein levels of AdipoRs and GLUTs following eCG administration. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed a positive correlation between the expression of the intraovarian adiponectin system and glucose transporter. The present study represents a novel investigation, demonstrating that FSH stimulates adiponectin secretion in ovarian granulosa cells through the PKA signaling pathway. This mechanism potentially influences glucose transport (GLUT1) and utilization within the ovaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scoliosis is one of the most common surgical disorders of the pediatric spine. Refractive errors are commonly associated with vision impairment worldwide. However, it is currently unclear whether refractive error correlates directly with the development of scoliosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023, and a stratified cluster sampling technique was employed among school-aged students in Nantong City, China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate specific correlations between scoliosis and related parameters; various types of refractive errors were also included in the study. Results: The prevalence of scoliosis among school-aged students was 2.2% in Nantong city. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were not correlated with the development of scoliosis (all, p≥0.05). Lower body mass index (BMI) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88−0.95; p<0.001], living in rural areas (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.05−1.86; p = 0.020), and older age (aOR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.25−1.38; p<0.001) had significantly higher risks of scoliosis. Conclusions: Refractive errors did not correlate with the development of scoliosis. However, BMI, living in rural areas and older age did correlate with the development of scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the classification of grapevine black rot disease relies on assessing the percentage of affected spots in the total area, with a primary focus on accurately segmenting these spots in images. Particularly challenging are cases in which lesion areas are small and boundaries are ill-defined, hampering precise segmentation. In our study, we introduce an enhanced U-Net network tailored for segmenting black rot spots on grape leaves. Leveraging VGG as the U-Net's backbone, we strategically position the atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP) module at the base of the U-Net to serve as a link between the encoder and decoder. Additionally, channel and spatial dual-attention modules are integrated into the decoder, alongside a feature pyramid network aimed at fusing diverse levels of feature maps to enhance the segmentation of diseased regions. Our model outperforms traditional plant disease semantic segmentation approaches like DeeplabV3+, U-Net, and PSPNet, achieving impressive pixel accuracy (PA) and mean intersection over union (MIoU) scores of 94.33% and 91.09%, respectively. Demonstrating strong performance across various levels of spot segmentation, our method showcases its efficacy in enhancing the segmentation accuracy of black rot spots on grapevines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altruism is a prosocial tendency that has developed through long-term evolutionary selection. The present study adopts social comparison and evolutionary psychology theories to examine how benign/malicious envy can affect altruism and how altruism can affect the two types of envy in turn, respectively. In Study 1, 513 adolescents participated in a three-wave longitudinal survey to explore the relationships between dispositional altruistic tendency and dispositional benign/malicious envy. The cross-lagged analysis showed a long-term and stable negative bidirectional relationship between dispositional altruistic tendency and dispositional malicious envy and a short-term positive bidirectional relationship between dispositional altruism and dispositional benign envy. In Study 2, 109 adolescents kept a weekly diary for seven consecutive weeks to record state levels of altruistic tendency and benign/malicious envy in their daily lives. The hierarchical linear model demonstrated that weekly altruistic tendency and weekly benign envy could positively predict each other, and weekly altruistic tendency presented a negative bidirectional relationship with weekly malicious envy. These findings offer an effective way to study the relationship between human behavior and emotions from perspectives of social comparison and evolutionary psychology theories. Meanwhile, it also has practical significance for the harmonious development of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language models pretrained by self-supervised learning (SSL) have been widely utilized to study protein sequences, while few models were developed for genomic sequences and were limited to single species. Due to the lack of genomes from different species, these models cannot effectively leverage evolutionary information. In this study, we have developed SpliceBERT, a language model pretrained on primary ribonucleic acids (RNA) sequences from 72 vertebrates by masked language modeling, and applied it to sequence-based modeling of RNA splicing. Pretraining SpliceBERT on diverse species enables effective identification of evolutionarily conserved elements. Meanwhile, the learned hidden states and attention weights can characterize the biological properties of splice sites. As a result, SpliceBERT was shown effective on several downstream tasks: zero-shot prediction of variant effects on splicing, prediction of branchpoints in humans, and cross-species prediction of splice sites. Our study highlighted the importance of pretraining genomic language models on a diverse range of species and suggested that SSL is a promising approach to enhance our understanding of the regulatory logic underlying genomic sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219434. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]