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Background Bigu is a health-preserving regimen with a long history advocating appropriately reducing food intake in China, whose efficacy has been confirmed in practical treatment of some diseases currently. However, the applicability of Bigu in human experiments is poor due to nonforcible control of dietary intake in the participants. Objective To assess the effect of medicine-qi intake type of Bigu in healthy people using real-world data. Methods Two hundred and eighty healthy volunteers were recruited from Sichuan Nursing Vocational College from November 2018 to September 2020, and equally divided into two groups (A and B, with 140 cases in each) after being matched using k-nearest neighbor propensity score approach based on their demographics, and received a two-round Bigu trial: in the first round, group A received 10-day diet-restriction type of Bigu, while group B received 10-day medicine-qi intake in combination with diet-restriction type of Bigu. Then, after one-month washout period, the second round was conducted, during which group A received 10-day medicine-qi intake in combination with diet-restriction type of Bigu, while group B received 10-day diet-restriction type of Bigu. Comparisons were performed between two groups in terms of incidence of adverse reactions and number of dropouts in two rounds of Bigu, and subjective hunger sensation, weight, BMI, morning blood pressure, and fasting fingerstick glucose on the first and 10th days of two rounds of Bigu. Results After being assigned by PSM, there were 72 males and 80 females in group A; 61 males and 67 females in group B. In the first round, the incidence of adverse reactions in group A was 65.7% (92/140) , and the trial discontinuation rate was 48.6% (68/140) ; the incidence of adverse reactions in group B was 42.9% (60/140) , and the trial discontinuation rate was 20.0% (28/140) . The incidence of adverse reactions and trial discontinuation rate in group A were higher than those in group B, and the difference was statistically significant (P

High‐performance light‐emitting/detecting bifunctional optoelectronic devices based on halide perovskites are hindered by the less efficient carrier transport and radiative recombination processes. The density of defects (i.e., surface and bulk defects) is the main factor affecting carrier transport, radiation recombination, and determining performance in perovskites. Therefore, techniques to effectively regulate defects are highly needed. Here, a convenient and effective strategy, electrical doping, is proposed to flexibly regulate defect density, resulting in dramatically enhanced light‐emitting (i.e., fluorescence and carrier lifetime) and light‐detecting performance (i.e., hole mobility, photo‐responsivity, and photo‐detectivity) simultaneously. An improved carrier transport model in CH3NH3PbBr3 (MPB) single‐crystal thin‐film (SCTF) is proposed to elucidate the regulation mechanism of defects and carrier transport under electrical doping. These results show that the surface defect density can be effectively reduced by 47.49% under optimal electrical poling intensity (0.168 V µm−1), and photoluminescence intensity and carrier lifetime can be increased by 259% and 89.98%, respectively. Furthermore, planar MPB SCTF photodetector exhibits hole mobility increased by 14.97%, photo‐responsivity increased by 82.78%, and photo‐detectivity increased by 868% at 0.168 V µm−1. Particularly, a record photo‐detectivity of 3.53 × 1013 Jones is achieved under electrical doping. This study provides guidance for flexibly adjusting defect density and optimizing perovskite SCTFs light‐emitting/detecting bifunctional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By designing stator teeth using grain-oriented sheets (GO) and other parts still with non-grain-oriented sheets (NGO), the electromagnetic performance of the interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (GO-IPMSM) can be improved greatly. As the stator core of the designed GO-IPMSM is a hybrid core that is composed of two different silicon sheets, both the electromagnetic and mechanical performances are affected by the stator joint shape between GO and NGO sheets. Meanwhile, with the adoption of GO, the torque ripple of GO-IPMSM is increased though the average torque is increased as well. For reducing the torque ripple, optimizing the rotor barrier shape is an effective way. In this paper, the piecewise linear interpolation method is employed for establishing the stator joint shape between GO and NGO sheets, and the polynomial method is proposed to establish the rotor barrier shape. Through the analysis, it can be seen that the stator joint shape plays a strong role in affecting the mechanical performance of the GO-IPMSM, while the effect on the electromagnetic performance is weak. The genetic algorithm is used to optimize the rotor barrier shape for achieving high average torque and low torque ripple. Lastly, a quick and accurate efficiency map calculation method based on the Kriging model is proposed for GO-IPMSM with less finite element method (FEM) samples are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benefiting from increased life expectancy and improved perioperative management, more elderly patients with pancreatic head cancer (PHC) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, individualized predictive models for the safety and efficacy of PD is still lacking. this study aimed to developed three safety‐ and efficacy‐related risk calculators for elderly (> = 65 years) PHC patients. Methods: This study was designed with two research cohorts, namely, the training cohort and the validation cohort, and comprises four general steps: (1) Risk factors were analyzed for the incidence of postoperative complications, cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) in the training cohort (N = 271) using logistic and Cox‐regression analysis. (2) Nomograms were then plotted based on the above results. (3) The accuracy of the developed nomogram models was then verified with the validation cohort (N = 134) data using consistency index (C‐index) and calibration curves. (4) We then evaluated the efficacy of these nomograms using decision curve analysis (DCA) in both the training and validation cohorts, and ultimately constructed three online calculators based on these nomograms. Results: We identified ASA, diabetes, smoking, and lymph node invasion as predisposing risk factors for postoperative complications, and the predictive factors that affected both OS and CSS were ASA, diabetes, BMI, CA19‐9 level, and tumor diameter. By integrating the above risk factors, we constructed three nomograms on postoperative complication, CSS, and OS. The C‐index for complication, CSS, and OS were 0.824, 0.784, and 0.801 in the training cohort and 0.746, 0.718, and 0.708 in the validation cohort. Moreover, the validation curves and DCA demonstrated good calibration and robust compliance in both training and validation cohorts. We then developed three web calculators (https://caiming.shinyapps.io/CMCD/, https://caiming.shinyapps.io/CMCSS/, and https://caiming.shinyapps.io/CMOS/) to facilitate the use of the nomograms. Conclusions: The calculators demonstrated promising performance as an tool for predicting the safety and efficacy of PD in elderly PHC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical practitioners face a significant challenge in maintaining a healthy balance between overtreatment and missed diagnosis in the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The current study aimed to identify significant risk factors of malignant IPMN from a series of clinical and radiological parameters that are widely available and noninvasive and develop a method to individually predict the risk of malignant IPMN to improve its management. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 168 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with IPMN after individualized pancreatic resection between June, 2012 and December, 2020. Independent predictors determined using both univariate and multivariate analyses to construct a predictive model. The discriminatory power of the nomogram was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Decision curve analysis was performed to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of the nomogram. Internal cross validation was performed to assess the validity of the predictive model. Results: In the multivariate analysis, five significant independent risk factors were identified: increased serum CA19‐9 level, low prognostic nutritional index (PNI), cyst size, enhancing mural nodule, and main pancreatic duct diameter. The nomogram based on the parameters mentioned above had outstanding performance in distinguishing malignancy, with an AUC of 0.907 (95% confidence interval: 0.859–0.956, p < 0.05), which remained 0.875 after internal cross‐validation, and showed good clinical usefulness. Conclusion: A novel nomogram for predicting malignant IPMN first introducing PNI was developed, which may aid in improving IPMN management. Nevertheless, external validation is required to confirm its efficacy. With the hope of improving the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas, we developed a new malignancy‐predicted nomogram for IPMN, based on five verified independent predictors of malignant IPMN in our study. We employed Prognostic nutrition index (PNI) to constructed the nomogram for the first time and stratified the diameter of main pancreatic duct and the size of Mural Nodules which were helpful to achieve a more precise risk for malignancy. The nomogram shows excellent capability in predicting malignant IPMN and has a promising application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on cornerstone traditions in historical sociology, as well as work in environmental sociology and political-economic sociology, we theorize and investigate with moderation analysis how and why national militaries shape the effect of economic growth on carbon pollution. Militaries exert a substantial influence on the production and consumption patterns of economies, and the environmental demands required to support their evolving infrastructure. As far-reaching and distinct characteristics of contemporary militarization, we suggest that both the size and capital intensiveness of the world's militaries enlarge the effect of economic growth on nations' carbon emissions. In particular, we posit that each increases the extent to which the other amplifies the effect of economic growth on carbon pollution. To test our arguments, we estimate longitudinal models of emissions for 106 nations from 1990 to 2016. Across various model specifications, robustness checks, a range of sensitivity analyses, and counterfactual analysis, the findings consistently support our propositions. Beyond advancing the environment and economic growth literature in sociology, this study makes significant contributions to sociological research on climate change and the climate crisis, and it underscores the importance of considering the military in scholarship across the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With designing stator teeth by using grain oriented silicon sheets (GO) and other parts still with non-grain oriented silicon sheets (NGO), the electromagnetic performance of interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (GO-IPMSM) can be improved greatly, however its torque ripple will be increased as well. For reducing its torque ripple, optimizing its rotor barrier shape is an effective way. In this paper, the polynomial method is proposed to establish the rotor barrier shape, and the genetic algorithm (GA) method is employed for the optimization process. In case the optimized GO-IPMSM can work normally, its anti irreversible demagnetization ability is analyzed as well. As shown, with the GO is adopted for designing the stator teeth and its rotor barrier shape is optimized, though its torque ability and efficiency have been increased, its anti irreversible demagnetization risk ability is reduced, however the proposed machine can still operate safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental involvement is one of the most important factors affecting students' academic learning. Different families seem to show similar parental involvement patterns. This study employed a representative sample of 12,575 seventh- and eighth-grade Chinese students' parents to explore the patterns of parental involvement. (2) Methods: Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different parental involvement styles in children's studies at home. Discriminant analysis, MANOVA, post-hoc tests, and effect size were used to verify the LCA results. (3) Results: Four distinctive latent class groups were identified and named: supportive (20%), permissive (54%), restrictive (8%), and neglectful (18%). A discriminant analysis supported the LCA group classification results. The MANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences between the four latent classes using the set of predictor variables. The post-hoc test results and effect sizes showed that the predictor variables had substantial differences among the four latent class groups. Parental education and family income showed statistically significant links to these four parental involvement styles, which, in turn, were linked to students' academic achievement according to the MANOVA, effect sizes, and post-hoc test results. (4) Conclusions: Parental involvement styles in children's learning at home can be identified and categorized into four different latent class styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling asymmetric relationships is an emerging subject of interest among sociologists. York and Light advanced a method to estimate asymmetric models with panel data, which was further developed by Allison. However, little attention has been given to the large- N, large- T case, wherein autoregression, slope heterogeneity, and cross-sectional dependence are important issues to consider. The authors fill this gap by conducting Monte Carlo experiments comparing the bias and power of the fixed-effects estimator to a set of heterogeneous panel estimators. The authors find that dynamic misspecification can produce substantial biases in the coefficients. Furthermore, even when the dynamics are correctly specified, the fixed-effects estimator will produce inconsistent and unstable estimates of the long-run effects in the presence of slope heterogeneity. The authors demonstrate these findings by testing for directional asymmetry in the economic development–CO2 emissions relationship, a key question in macro sociology, using data for 66 countries from 1971 to 2015. The authors conclude with a set of methodological recommendations on modeling directional asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We have limited information about neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the gallbladder. The purpose of this paper is to compare clinical and pathological features between different age groups and prognostic factors for gallbladder NEC and how it differs from adenocarcinoma (ADC) of the gallbladder. Patients and methods: This study included 28 gallbladder NEC patients and 137 ADC patients whose clinical characteristics and pathological findings were retrospectively collected. Propensity score matching and Cox regression analysis were used for the analysis of prognostic factors. Results: We divided NEC patients into two groups based on the age more than or less than 60 years. Most of the NEC patients less than 60 years old complained of abdominal pain or discomfort (p = 0.038), and more younger patients accepted adjuvant therapy (p = 0.020) than older patients did. CD56 was positive in all patients more than 60 years old, which is significantly higher than that of younger patients (p = 0.039). The mean age was similar between NEC and ADC patients. After eliminating confounding factors between NEC and ADC patients, the overall survival rates were still lower in NEC patients. Univariate analysis extracted six possible risk factors. Multivariate analysis indicated that surgery type, tumor size, and existence of gallstones were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: The overall survival of gallbladder NEC is not associated with age. In this study, surgical method and tumor size were found to be independent risk factors for NECs. In addition, NEC patients have a worse prognosis than ADC patients with similar clinical and pathological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil particle removal, different from the removal of general salt particular matter, has an unusual filtration process in which oil particles will be captured by forming a continuous film on the surface of the filter. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effect of surface property of the filter on the oil particle dynamic filtration process. In this study, three fibrous mats with different surface energies were fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyacrylonitrile/cellulose acetate (PAN/CA), and polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN/PVDF) solutions by needleless electrospinning. PAN/PVDF fibrous mat presented the lowest surface energy (19. 99 mj/m²), followed by PAN/CA fibrous mat( 29.49 mj/m²) and PAN fibrous mat (40.91 mj/m²). As the oil particle filtration went on, the PAN/PVDF fibrous mat presented both the fastest filtration efficiency decline (4.72% in 10 min) and the fastest filtration resistance increase (543.41 Pa in 10 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triple‐cation mixed‐halide (TCMH), i.e., (FAPbI3)1‐x‐y(MAPbBr3)y(CsPbI3)x, perovskite single‐crystal thin‐films (SCTFs) have emerged as candidates for high‐performance photodetectors. However, high lattice strain, surface defects, and the non‐ideal yellow phase such as δ‐FAPbI3 and δ‐CsPbI3, are impeding the realization of high‐quality TCMH SCTFs. Therefore, the synthesis of pure‐phase, high‐quality TCMH SCTFs with low lattice strain and defect density is imperative for enhancing light absorption and carrier mobility, thereby optimizing photoresponsivity. Herein, an innovative approach is proposed for synthesize TCMH SCTFs using an optimized space‐limited anti‐solvent assisted crystallization technique which employs 2‐methoxyethanol as the solvent and diethyl ether as anti‐solvent, devoid of thermal enhancement. A novel reducing additive, formic acid, is incorporated to mitigate phase separation, and the composition ratio is meticulously adjusted to regulate lattice strain. The results show that a pure‐phased optimal composition ratio (FA0.82MA0.11Cs0.07) SCTF with a low surface defect density (2.29 × 109 cm−2), low lattice strain (0.81%) and high hole mobility (77.58 cm−2 V−1 s−1) is successfully prepared. Moreover, the non‐integrated planar FA0.82MA0.11Cs0.07 SCTF photodetector also achieved a record photo‐responsivity (229.5 A W−1), and external quantum efficiency (5.4 × 104%), indicating its great potential in light‐detecting. This research paves the way for the development of high‐performance photodetectors via adjusting lattice strain and mitigating surface defects in TCMH SCTFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]