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BACKGROUND: Obesity has been demonstrated as a risk factor that seriously affects health. Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), as a major component of dietary fiber, has positive effects on obesity, inflammation and diabetes. RESULTS: In this study, complex IDF was prepared using 50% enoki mushroom IDF, 40% carrot IDF, and 10% oat IDF. The effects and potential mechanism of complex IDF on obesity were investigated in C57BL/6 mice fed a high‐fat diet. The results showed that feeding diets containing 5% complex IDF for 8 weeks significantly reduced mouse body weight, epididymal lipid index, and ectopic fat deposition, and improved mouse liver lipotoxicity (reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase), fatty liver, and short‐chain fatty acid composition. High‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and analysis of fecal metabolomics showed that the intervention with complex IDF reversed the high‐fat‐diet‐induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota, which is associated with obesity and intestinal inflammation, and affected metabolic pathways, such as primary bile acid biosynthesis, related to fat digestion and absorption. CONCLUSION: Composite IDF intervention can effectively inhibit high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity and related symptoms and affect the gut microbiota and related metabolic pathways in obesity. Complex IDF has potential value in the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) have emerged as a promising encryption technology, utilizing intrinsic physical identifiers that offer enhanced security and tamper resistance. Multi‐level PUFs boost system complexity, thereby improving system reliability and fault tolerance. However, crosstalk‐free multi‐level PUFs remain a persistent challenge. In this study, a hierarchical PUF system that harnesses the spontaneous phase separation of silk fibroin /PVA blend and the random distribution of silicon‐vacancy diamonds within the blend is presented. The thermodynamic instability of phase separation and inherent unpredictability of diamond dispersion gives rise to intricate random patterns at two distinct scales, enabling time‐efficient hierarchical authentication for cryptographic keys. These patterns are complementary yet independent, inherently resistant to replication and damage thus affording robust security and reliability to the proposed system. Furthermore, customized authentication algorithms are constructed: visual PUFs authentication utilizes neural network combined structural similarity index measure, while spectral PUFs authentication employs Hamming distance and cross‐correlation bit operation. This hierarchical PUF system attains a high recognition rate without interscale crosstalk. Additionally, the coding capacity is exponentially enhanced using M‐ary encoding to reinforce multi‐level encryption. Hierarchical PUFs hold significant potential for immediate application, offering unprecedented data protection and cryptographic key authentication capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of an 18-year-old female diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who rapidly progressed to the blast phase despite treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Topics discussed include the identification of recurrent fusion genes in CML-blast phase, their potential role in disease progression and drug resistance, and the need for further research to understand their prevalence and clinical implications.

A key factor in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of photoelectrodes is the efficient separation and transfer of photogenerated charges. Herein, a novel photoanode comprising three‐dimensional (3D) WO3 nanoplate@ZnO nanosheet hierarchical type‐II heterojunction arrays (3D WO3@ZnO HHAs) is designed and constructed via modification of the WO3 nanoplate arrays with ZnO nanosheets. The synthesized materials are characterized viaX‐ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis), scanning electon microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) test results reveal that the synthesized 3D WO3@ZnO HHAs photoanode exhibits reduced charge transfer resistance, improved electron‐hole pair life, and enhanced photocurrent density (≈4.5 times increase in comparison to that of the bare WO3). The increased light capture and high surface area in contact with the electrolyte as well as the enhanced charge transfer through the synergy between morphology and band structures may be responsible for the improved PEC characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On‐chip metasurfaces integrated atop optical waveguides have demonstrated the capability of efficiently radiating guided‐waves into arbitrarily prescribed spatial modes by properly tailoring the phase distribution in the metasurface interface. To date, most on‐chip holographic metasurfaces, typically relying on path multiplexing or wavelength multiplexing to multiply the produced images, encounter certain limitations in further enhancing the image storage capacity due to the limited degrees of freedom available for on‐chip devices. This work introduces an on‐chip metasurface composed of polarization‐sensitive cross meta‐atoms allowing independent control of the propagation phase of diffracted waves from waveguided TE and TM modes. Meanwhile, incorporating the guided‐wave generated in‐plane detour phases into the metasurface yields another two degrees of freedom. Thus, four independent holographic images can be readily switched by simply selecting the excitation modes and waveguide ports. As a proof‐of‐concept, a dual‐port four‐channel multiplexed metasurface, whose optical functionalities are validated by performing full‐wave simulations, is successfully realized. Moreover, the application to the creation of 3D holograms is also extended. Thus, the presented method provides a new approach for multifunctional multiplexing of on‐chip metasurfaces, which could hold great potential for applications in next‐generation wearable AR devices, 3D vision, multifunctional micro‐photonic integrated circuits, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of hierarchical nanostructures can effectively strengthen phonon scattering to reduce lattice thermal conductivity for improving thermoelectric properties in inorganic solids. Here, we use Zn doping to induce a remarkable reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity in SnTe, approaching the theoretical minimum limit. Microstructure analysis reveals that ZnTe nanoprecipitates can embed within SnTe grains beyond the solubility limit of Zn in the Zn alloyed SnTe. These nanoprecipitates result in a substantial decrease of the lattice thermal conductivity in SnTe, leading to an ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of 0.50 W m−1 K−1 at 773 K and a peak ZT of ~0.48 at 773 K, marking an approximately 45 % enhancement compared to pristine SnTe. This study underscores the effectiveness of incorporating ZnTe nanoprecipitates in boosting the thermoelectric performance of SnTe‐based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and allergic diseases possess similar genetic backgrounds and pathogenesis. Observational studies have shown a correlation, but the exact direction of cause and effect remains unclear. The aim of this Mendelian randomization (MR) study is to assess bidirectional causality between inflammatory bowel disease and allergic diseases. Method: We comprehensively analyzed the causal relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and allergic disease (asthma, Hay fever, and eczema) as a whole, allergic conjunctivitis (AC), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic asthma (AAS), and allergic rhinitis (AR) by performing a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study using summary‐level data from genome‐wide association studies. The analysis results mainly came from the random‐effects model of inverse variance weighted (IVW‐RE). In addition, multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis was conducted to adjust the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the instrumental variables. Results: The IVW‐RE method revealed that IBD genetically increased the risk of allergic disease as a whole (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.04, fdr.p =.015), AC (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06, fdr.p =.011), and AD (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02–1.09, fdr.p =.004). Subgroup analysis further confirmed that CD increased the risk of allergic disease as a whole (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00–1.03, fdr.p =.031), AC (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.05, fdr.p =.012), AD (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02–1.09, fdr.p = 2E−05), AAS (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.08, fdr.p =.002) and AR (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.00–1.07, fdr.p =.025), UC increased the risk of AAS (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.98–1.07, fdr.p =.038). MVMR results showed that after taking BMI as secondary exposure, the causal effects of IBD on AC, IBD on AD, CD on allergic disease as a whole, CD on AC, CD on AD, CD on AAS, and CD on AR were still statistically significant. No significant association was observed in the reverse MR analysis. Conclusion: This Mendelian randomized study demonstrated that IBD is a risk factor for allergic diseases, which is largely attributed to its subtype CD increasing the risk of AC, AD, ASS, and AR. Further investigations are needed to explore the causal relationship between allergic diseases and IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of the incessant evolution of virtual reality (VR) technology, its pervasive integration into an expanding array of sectors, notably the medical field, has become increasingly conspicuous. Amid these developments, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition, has garnered heightened attention from the medical community. The contemporary therapeutic landscape predominantly revolves around psychological interventions, exemplified by exposure therapy and positive thinking therapy. However, a groundbreaking advancement, namely virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), has emerged as a prominent achievement, effectively intertwining VR technology with medical applications, particularly in the nuanced treatment of PTSD. As the realms of human‐computer interaction and brain‐computer interface undergo continuous and dynamic expansion, electroencephalography (EEG) has surfaced as a pivotal convergence point across diverse disciplines. The confluence of VRET technology with EEG signals holds the promise of enhancing the precision and objectivity of patient diagnoses. Furthermore, leveraging EEG signals enables a more nuanced and individualized approach to treatment within the framework of VRET technology. Despite extant studies that offer comprehensive summaries of VRET technology, the integration with EEG signals has thus far been a relatively unexplored terrain. This research endeavors to direct attention toward recent advancements in VRET technology within the sphere of mental health treatment. A meticulous synthesis and exposition of existing techniques and applications are presented, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape. The exploration extends to the developmental trajectory and prospective implications arising from the amalgamation of VRET technology and EEG technology. Furthermore, a rigorous analysis of the tangible contributions and practical significance of EEG signals in the domain of mental health treatment is undertaken, underscoring the potential avenues for their future applications and the transformative impact on the trajectory of therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety and stress pose significant mental health challenges in modern society, with traditional exposure therapy showing limitations, necessitating the quest for more effective interventions. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for anxiety and stress management. This systematic review examines VR's application in anxiety and stress management from 2000 to 2023, drawing from three electronic databases: IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and ScienceDirect. The review highlights VR's potential in anxiety and stress management, particularly through virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), relaxation training (RT), and virtual‐reality‐based cognitive behavioral therapy (VR‐CBT). These approaches have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing anxiety levels and improving relaxation skills. Despite its promise, VR's application faces challenges such as high technical costs, device convenience, validation of long‐term effects, and personalized treatment plans. Further research is needed to assess VR therapy's long‐term effects and application value comprehensively. Future directions for VR in anxiety and stress management include the development of more intelligent and personalized treatment plans, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Large‐scale clinical trials and long‐term follow‐up studies are essential to validate VR technology's efficacy and support its widespread application in mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imminent emergence of the Metaverse heralds a paradigm shift in the digital landscape, promising immersive, customized experiences across social, professional, and recreational realms within self‐sustaining virtual domains. This evolution, fueled by the fusion of augmented, virtual, and mixed realities with artificial intelligence, holds transformative potential. However, with progress come inherent risks. In the realm of AI‐driven extended reality (AI‐XR) applications, addressing security and privacy is paramount to engendering user trust. Safeguarding against potential threats is crucial, especially in critical domains like the Metaverse, to ensure user privacy and safety. In this paper, we embark on a exploration of the security and privacy landscape within AI‐XR environments. By dissecting the foundational concepts and vulnerabilities at the nexus of AI, XR, and the Metaverse, we aim to uncover potential attack vectors. Through the lens of a novel taxonomy, we delineate these risks and chart a course for addressing them, examining current challenges and future trajectories in securing the integrity and trustworthiness of AI‐XR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, gesture recognition technology has been increasingly used in the field of virtual reality. Applying gesture recognition technology to the field of virtual reality is an important method to improve the immersion of virtual reality. This article introduces the main algorithms of vision‐based gesture recognition technology, such as convolutional neural network (CNN), introduces interactive devices widely used in virtual reality applications, and finally systematically analyzes the application of gesture recognition technology in virtual reality such as emergency rescue and education training. The current application status in real fields and prospects for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the arrival of the Internet 3.0 era, meta‐universe has become a hotspot for industry, academia, media and the public. Meta‐universe is a new type of Internet application and social form that integrates VR/AR/MR, blockchain, artificial intelligence and other new technologies, and at the same time, these emerging technologies are the basis for connecting the real world and the meta‐universe. Starting from the concept of meta‐universe, this paper summarizes the different insights of experts, practitioners and scholars on the concept and connotation of meta‐universe. After that, the meta‐universe is deeply analyzed and comprehensively reviewed from both technical and application aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology that can be used to generate scenes of emotional responses. For people with psychological problems, negative emotions can be treated with the help of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET). EEG signals can more accurately reflect the types of emotions, make up for the lack of emotion recognition, make the treatment more targeted, and the intervention treatment using virtual environment combined with the accurate recognition of emotions by EEG signals can more effectively achieve the therapeutic effect. Therefore, this paper comprehensively explores the research progress of EEG emotion recognition and exposure therapy, studies new psychotherapy regimens carried out in cooperation with therapists, and identifies some key technologies to create a more commercially effective VRET treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the new generation of information industry is closely related to the update of VR/AR technology. The development of 5G network, Internet of things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, edge computing and other technologies provides a new technical environment for the development of VR/AR technology. It not only enriches the functions of VR/AR, but also creates more application scenarios, thus promoting the further development and integration of the two in various fields. This paper will elaborate on the development prospect and application research of VR/AR technology in the new technology environment, in order to better grasp the VR/AR technology that is still innovating and developing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual Reality (VR) technology and Electroencephalography (EEG) have both made significant advancements in recent years, offering new possibilities for the integration of the two technologies. The combination of virtual reality (VR) and electroencephalography (EEG) technology not only allows users to feel a more immersive and personalized experience in a virtual environment, but also allows developers or researchers to obtain EEG data that is difficult to obtain in the real world. The integration of EEG and VR technology has been broadly employed in various fields, such as medical, education, scientific research, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of China's rapid development and accelerated pace of life, people generally face increased pressure, leading to a sharp increase in psychological problems. More than half of the population is sub‐healthy, and patients with mental illness are also increasing year by year. Mental stress is a common cause of psychological and physiological disorders, triggering emergency stress states. Psychotherapy has been developing as an important intervention method, and psychological relief based on relaxation and stress reduction has gradually become a research hotspot. Behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy are common psychological treatments, while relaxation induction methods include breathing training, meditation, music, etc. Virtual reality technology is used in psychological research to improve therapeutic effects. Among them, virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), which treats anxiety by creating virtual scenes, has attracted attention. And in virtual reality exposure therapy treatment, the patient's psychological state can be grasped by monitoring these physiological reactions. This article will discuss the key technologies for psychological decompression based on VRET, aiming to gain an in‐depth understanding of its principles, applications, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the frequent occurrence of disasters and accidents, as well as the rapid development of virtual reality technology, the immersive experience brought by virtual reality technology provides innovative solutions for the rescue field. This article reviews the development history and research status of virtual reality in the field of rescue, introduces the application of virtual reality technology in simulating disaster scenarios, training rescue personnel, and improving decision‐making efficiency in earthquake, fire, and mine rescue, and emphasizes the advantages of virtual reality technology in the rescue field. Finally, the prospects of virtual reality technology in the field of rescue were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate physiological composition of the human face facilitates the manifestation of diverse facial expressions, serving as a conduit for the conveyance of emotions, cognitive states, and the anticipation of future reactions. This multifaceted ability holds paramount significance in character representation. The realistic reconstruction of 3D human facial expressions stands as a focal point within the realms of computer graphics and computer vision research. The endeavor to capture and reconstruct three‐dimensional models depicting facial expressions finds extensive utility across various domains, notably making notable strides in computer games, cinematic productions, medical applications, and social interaction paradigms. This paper directs its attention to the realm of facial animation capture, elucidating the evolution of its manifold techniques and their applications. Furthermore, a meticulous analysis of the distinctions between these techniques ensues, unraveling their respective merits and demerits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World Mental Health Report, after the outbreak of the epidemic in China, the incidence rate of common mental diseases such as depression and anxiety has increased by 25%, and nearly 1 billion people suffer from mental diseases. According to statistics, more than 70% of people in China are in a state of sub‐health, the main reasons for sub‐health include academic pressure, fast pace of life, long working hours and psychological pressure. Traditional psychological stress treatment is through a face‐to‐face dialogue with a professional mental health professional to solve personal psychological stress or emotional problems, traditional psychological stress treatment requires the patient to go to the therapist's office, treatment also takes a period of time, which takes a lot of time for the patient. In addition, there is a high demand for psychological stress treatment services, and in some areas it may be difficult to make an appointment with a psychological stress therapist, and patients may have to wait a long time to get treatment. In response to the above problems, researchers have introduced virtual reality technology into psychological stress treatment, simulating various virtual environments to help individuals deal with psychological stress and mental health problems. In addition, this paper will discuss in detail the research results and application of virtual reality technology in the treatment of social anxiety disorder, test anxiety disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder, fear of heights and other symptoms. At the same time, the current research content of the laboratory is also introduced, which takes the pre‐processed EEG signal as the basis for judging the patient's mood, and recommends VR videos that may make the patient relax, and the patients can achieve the purpose of decompression by watching VR videos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban centers serve as dynamic hubs of data and information, continually shaping the modern landscape. The fusion of Big Data and Digital Twin (DT) technology plays a pivotal role in advancing smart city initiatives. DT, acting as a comprehensive virtual replica mirroring physical entities' lifecycles, utilizes real‐time data, simulations, and machine learning to enrich decision‐making processes. In urban development, Big Data assumes diverse roles, particularly in urban planning, resource management, and traffic optimization, providing valuable, data‐driven insights to decisionmakers. Simultaneously, DT technology contributes significantly to modeling urban environments, enabling real‐time simulations, and strengthening decision support systems. However, challenges persist, notably in data security and model precision. Addressing these challenges necessitates concerted efforts to enhance data privacy measures and refine the cognitive capabilities of DT models. This paper examines the intricate interplay between Big Data and DT technology in shaping the evolution of smart cities, offering insights into their roles, applications, and implementation challenges. Furthermore, it advocates for future research endeavors aimed at overcoming existing obstacles, thereby fostering secure and effective deployment of Big Data‐driven DT technology and promoting innovative advancements in smart city management and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The apical barrier technique in permanent teeth with extensive destruction of the periapical tissue and a long infection time is much more difficult to succeed, which is a clinical challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the long‐term effects of iRoot BP Plus as an apical material in adult teeth. Fifty incisors and premolars were chosen for this study. All teeth were performed apical barrier with the same operator. After treatment, the teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 1, 2 and 6 years. At the 1‐year follow‐up, 35 teeth had healed, and three patients developed an apical abscess due to root fracture at the 2‐year follow‐up. Six years postoperatively, one tooth showed root resorption, which was considered a failure. The long clinical evaluation confirmed that iRoot BP Plus is a suitable material for the apical barrier of mature teeth with open apices and periapical lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study investigated the impact of an 8‐month daily‐guided intensive meditation‐based intervention (iMI) on persistent hallucinations/delusions and health‐related quality of life (QoL) in male inpatients with schizophrenia with treatment‐refractory hallucinations and delusions (TRHDs). Methods: A randomized controlled trial assigned 64 male inpatients with schizophrenia and TRHD equally to an 8‐month iMI plus general rehabilitation program (GRP) or GRP alone. Assessments were conducted at baseline and the third and eighth months using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 36‐Item Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Primary outcomes measured PANSS reduction rates for total score, positive symptoms, and hallucinations/delusions items. Secondary outcomes assessed PANSS, SF‐36, and FFMQ scores for psychotic symptoms, health‐related QoL, and mindfulness skills, respectively. Results: In the primary outcome, iMI significantly improved the reduction rates of PANSS total score, positive symptoms, and hallucination/delusion items compared with GRP at both the third and eighth months. Treatment response rates (≥25% reduction) for these measures significantly increased in the iMI group at the eighth month. Concerning secondary outcomes, iMI significantly reduced PANSS total score and hallucination/delusion items, while increasing scores in physical activity and mindfulness skills at both the third and eighth months compared with GRP. These effects were more pronounced with an 8‐month intervention compared with a 3‐month intervention. Conclusions: An iMI benefits patients with TRHDs by reducing persistent hallucinations/delusions and enhancing health‐related QoL. Longer iMI duration yields superior treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photonic devices based on silicon waveguides are essential to versatile high‐performance and low‐cost photonic integrated systems. Extremely complex silicon photonic devices with hundreds or even thousands of degrees of freedom (DOF) are successfully designed and manufactured based on recent advances in data science and nanofabrication technology. At this level, conventional forward‐reasoning may no longer be suitable for designing high‐performance silicon photonic devices with novel functionalities since the light‐matter interaction is complex and non‐intuitive. Therefore, the timely development of sub‐wavelength silicon photonic devices that can precisely mold the flow of light is a critical and urgent issue requiring joint engineering and scientific efforts. In this paper, an inverse design strategy based on heuristic and gradient descendant algorithms, enabling the realization of large‐scale integrated devices is first introduced. Subsequently, the burgeoning deep learning technology, which offers a promising direction for the automation design of silicon photonics with a data‐driven approach, is discussed. Finally, the obstacles and prospects in this emerging research direction are revealed. Detail discussions from multiple perspectives are provided. This review aims to provide general guidance and a comprehensive reference for scientists developing photonic integrated systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Defects in RARS2 cause cerebellopontine hypoplasia type 6 (pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6, PCH6, OMIM: #611523), a rare autosomal recessive inherited mitochondrial disease. Here, we report two male patients and their respective family histories. Methods: We describe the clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of these patients. Whole‐exome sequencing was used to identify the genetic mutations. Results: One patient showed hypoglycemia, high lactic acid levels (fluctuating from 6.7 to 14.1 mmol/L), and frequent seizures after birth, with progressive atrophy of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and pons. The other patient presented with early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (EIDEEs) with an initial developmental delay followed by infantile epileptic spasm syndrome (IESS) at 5 months old, with no imaging changes. Whole‐exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous RARS2 variants c.25A>G (p.I9V) with c.1261C>T (p.Q421*) and c.1A>G (p.M1V) with c.122A>G (p.D41G) in these two patients. Of these loci, c.1261C>T and c.122A>G have not been previously reported. Significance: Our findings have expanded the RARS2 gene variant spectrum and present EIDEEs and IESS as phenotypes which deepened the association between PCH6 and RARS2. Plain Language Summary: Defects in RARS2 cause cerebellopontine hypoplasia type 6, a rare autosomal recessive inherited mitochondrial disease. Two patients with RARS2 variants were reported in this article. One patient showed hypoglycemia, high lactic acid levels, and frequent seizures after birth, with progressive atrophy of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and Page 3 of 21 Epilepsia OpenFor Review Only pons. The other patient presented with an initial developmental delay followed by refractory epilepsy at 5 months old, with no imaging changes. Our findings deepened the association between PCH6 and RARS2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious oral diseases are longstanding global public health concerns. However, traditional medical approaches to address these diseases are costly, traumatic, and prone to relapse. Here, we propose a foodborne prophylactic strategy using aloin to safeguard dental collagen. The effect of aloin on the stability of dental collagen was evaluated by treating dentin with a solution containing aloin (0.1 mg/mL) for 2 min. This concentration is comparable to the natural aloin content of edible aloe. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the interactions between aloin and dentin collagen. Our findings, obtained through fluorescence spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Gaussian peak fitting, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction, revealed that aloin interacts with dental collagen through noncovalent bonding, specifically hydrogen bonding in situ. This interaction leads to a reduction in the distance between molecules and an increase in the proportion of stable α‐helical chains in the dental collagen. The ultimate tensile strength and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that dental collagen treated with aloin exhibited improved mechanical strength and thermostability. Additionally, the release of hydroxyproline, cross‐linked carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, and C‐terminal cross‐linked telopeptide of type I collagen, along with weight loss, indicated an enhancement in the enzymatic stability of dental collagen. These findings suggest that aloin administration could be a daily, nondestructive, and cost‐effective strategy for managing infectious oral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruptions of neural metabolism and function occur in parallel during Alzheimer's disease (AD). While many studies have shown diverse metabolic‐functional relationships in specific brain regions, much less is known about how large‐scale network‐level functional activity is associated with the topology of metabolism in AD. In this study, we took the advantages of simultaneous PET/MRI and multivariate analyses to investigate the associations between AD‐related stereotypical spatial patterns (topographies) of glucose metabolism, measured by fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and functional connectivity, measured by resting‐state functional MRI. A total of 101 participants, including 37 patients with AD, 25 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 39 cognitively normal controls, underwent PET/MRI scans and cognitive assessments. Three pairs of distinct but optimally correlated metabolic and functional topographies were identified, encompassing large‐scale networks including the default‐mode, executive and control, salience, attention, and subcortical networks. Importantly, the metabolic‐functional associations were not only limited to one‐to‐one‐corresponding regions, but also occur in remote and non‐overlapping regions. Furthermore, both glucose metabolism and functional connectivity, as well as their linkages, exhibited various degrees of disruptions in patients with MCI and AD, and were correlated with cognitive decline. In conclusion, our results support distributed and heterogeneous topographic associations between metabolism and function, which are jeopardized by AD. Findings of this study may deepen our understanding of the pathological mechanism of AD through the perspectives of both local energy efficiency and long‐term interactions between synaptic disruption and functional disconnection contributing to the clinical symptomatology in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cortical gray to white matter signal intensity ratio (GWR) measured from T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images was associated with neurodegeneration and dementia. We characterized topological patterns of GWR during AD pathogenesis and investigated its association with cognitive decline. The study included a cross‐sectional dataset and a longitudinal dataset. The cross‐sectional dataset included 60 cognitively healthy controls, 61 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 63 patients with dementia. The longitudinal dataset included 26 participants who progressed from cognitively normal to dementia and 26 controls that remained cognitively normal. GWR was compared across the cross‐sectional groups, adjusted for amyloid PET. The correlation between GWR and cognition performance was also evaluated. The longitudinal dataset was used to investigate GWR alteration during the AD pathogenesis. Dementia with β‐amyloid deposition group exhibited the largest area of increased GWR, followed by MCI with β‐amyloid deposition, MCI without β‐amyloid deposition, and controls. The spatial pattern of GWR‐increased regions was not influenced by β‐amyloid deposits. Correlation between regional GWR alteration and cognitive decline was only detected among individuals with β‐amyloid deposition. GWR showed positive correlation with tau PET in the left supramarginal, lateral occipital gyrus, and right middle frontal cortex. The longitudinal study showed that GWR increased around the fusiform, inferior/superior temporal lobe, and entorhinal cortex in MCI and progressed to larger cortical regions after progression to AD. The spatial pattern of GWR‐increased regions was independent of β‐amyloid deposits but overlapped with tauopathy. The GWR can serve as a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration in AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensor calibration is an important step in SLAM, and lightweight, inexpensive sensors are often used in Augmented Reality applications. The accuracy of sensor calibration directly affects the accuracy and reliability of subsequent image processing, recognition, perception, and positioning. The inertial processing unit is robust to the sudden motion effect, blurring appears in the middle of camera motion, and the overlap area between two frames is too small, so it is difficult to match feature points. The camera itself can solve the problem of IMU drift in the middle of slow motion, and the two are complementary. VI‐SLAM, which integrates vision and IMU, has become a hot research topic at present. In this paper, the INDEMIND calibration method is analyzed and improved, the maximum likelihood method is used to improve the calibration accuracy, and its effectiveness is verified in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si), stands out for its abundant resources, eco‐friendliness, affordability, high capacity, and low operating potential, making it a prime candidate for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Notably, the breakthrough use of nanostructured Si (nSi) has paved the way for the commercialization of Si anodes. Despite this, challenges like high processing costs, severe side reactions, and low volumetric energy density have impeded widespread industrial adoption. Micron‐scale Si (µSi) has always faced setbacks compared to nSi due to its greater volume expansion. However, recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in µSi‐based anodes. Capitalizing on its inherent advantages, including low cost and high tap density, µSi has once again captured the attention of both academic and industrial communities. This review begins by contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of µSi and nSi, then outline potential solutions to enhance µSi performance, covering aspects like structural regulation, composite anodes, binder design, and electrolyte exploration. Additionally, this work explores the application of machine learning‐assisted high‐throughput screening. Concluding the review, this work provides insights into the future prospects of µSi in LIBs, outlining challenges and proposing integrated coping strategies. This review anticipates that it will provide valuable perspectives for the commercial application of high‐energy‐density Si‐based anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Adequate nutritional knowledge and healthy dietary behaviours are essential for promoting rational nutrition for children. However, lack of nutritional knowledge and unhealthy dietary behaviours are common among Chinese children. Therefore, we developed a school‐based nutrition education (NE) program to assess its impacts on nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviours in pupils.In this trial, one school was assigned as an intervention group (n = 199) and the other two schools were designated as a control group (n = 140). Children in the intervention group received the NE program in addition to their regular health curriculum, whereas the control group continued with their usual health curriculum without any NE program materials.Concerning nutritional knowledge, the mean difference (follow‐up minus baseline) of average knowledge scores in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.99 ± 3.22 vs. 0.66 ± 3.60, p = 0.001). However, subgroup analysis revealed that this difference disappeared among boys and students with malnutrition status. Regarding dietary behaviours, the NE program significantly increased the proportion of children exhibiting high frequencies of meat and nuts consumption in the intervention group, along with diverse food choice at breakfast. Additionally, it markedly reduced the proportion of children exhibiting high frequencies of sugar‐sweetened beverages and fast food consumption. Structural equation modelling analyses indicated a significant direct effect of NE intervention on nutritional knowledge and an indirect effect on dietary behaviours.The NE program effectively enhanced nutritional knowledge scores and further improved dietary behaviours among Chinese primary school students. Future NE programs should pay more attention to boys and children with malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Methods Results Conclusion To investigate the relationship between maternal blood pressure (BP) and neonatal cord blood telomere length (TL) during pregnancy, and to clarify the sensitive period.We conducted a prospective cohort study with 621 mother‐newborn pairs from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort (GZBC) in China. Multiple informant models, restricted cubic spline regression (RCS) models, and quantile regression models were conducted to analyze the correlation between maternal BP and neonatal TL.Maternal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was inversely related to neonatal cord blood TL in the second trimester (P = 0.015) and the third trimester (P = 0.011). There was a male‐specific relationship between maternal BP and neonatal TL. A 1 mmHg increment in maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP during the second trimester was related with 0.42% (95% CI: −0.80%, −0.04%) and 0.61% (95% CI: −1.13%, −0.09%) shorter TL in male newborns, respectively. Per unit increase of maternal DBP during the third trimester was related with 0.54% (95% CI: −1.03%, −0.05%) shorter TL in male newborns. Pregnant women with hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) had male offspring with shorter TL (P = 0.003). However, no significant relationships were found in female newborns (P = 0.570).Maternal BP during pregnancy is inversely correlated with male neonatal TL and the second and third trimesters are sensitive windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of BaO and Al2O3 on the viscosity of SiO2–CaO–MgO–Al2O3–BaO slag from 1673 to 1873 K is studied by the rotating cylinder method. The structure of slag is examined by Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. In this study of viscosity, Al2O3 shows amphoteric oxide characteristics and BaO shows characteristics different from the basic oxide. The viscosity increases as the BaO increases from 2 to 4 wt% in the slag with CaO/SiO2 = 1.07. However, the viscosity decreases when the BaO content increases from 6 to 8 wt%. From molecular dynamics simulations and Raman analysis, the increase in BaO content leads to a greater aggregation of Al around Ba atoms and increases the number of Al–O bonds. This indicates that higher BaO content promotes the polymerization of the [AlO4] tetrahedral structure. Furthermore, a good quantitative relationship between viscosity and the ratio of Q3/Q2 of the Raman spectrum of the slag is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanoluminescence (ML) is a fascinating phenomenon with diverse applications in pressure sensing, damage detection, and stress distribution visualization. However, most ML materials exhibit instantaneous photon emission that requires real‐time recording with a photodetector, and thereby circumscribing their applicability predominantly to real‐time stress‐sensing scenarios. In this work, a novel method is introduced for non‐real‐time stress sensing utilizing Li0.1Na0.9NbO3:Pr3+ phosphor, which allows for the retrieval of pressure location and intensity even 20 days after the event. The influence of heat and pressure on the trap depth distribution is analyzed using thermoluminescence (TL) and ML measurements, and it is proved that both heat and pressure release the captured electrons in the same traps. Leveraging the intricate competition between mechanical and thermal detrapping processes, stress information can be accessed through TL imaging. Furthermore, an algorithm is proposed based on this phenomenon to authenticate the stress information. This research not only advances the fundamental understanding of ML phenomena but also introduces a novel approach for applications such as mechano‐history indicators, security papers, and advanced data storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]