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This paper explored students' experiences in an international virtual student mobility (VSM) program at a Japanese national university implemented in collaboration with partner universities in the Asia Pacific region and Europe. Through students' narratives, the study discerned how students perceive "mobility" and the concept of "international students" after participating in a virtual student mobility program. Findings revealed a tension between students' understanding of "mobility," official narratives, and students' actual experiences. While VSM programs facilitate communication and knowledge exchange across borders and develop cross-cultural communications, prevailing binary definitions in student mobility, such as "inbound" vs. "outbound," "domestic" vs. "international," or "study abroad" vs. "internationalization at home," limit VSM potential to be fully realized. This misalignment of the traditional understanding of student mobility that emphasizes place and borders challenges the official narrative of student mobility and urges educators to re-align and re-frame how we understand "international students."

This scoping review explores the ethical challenges of using ChatGPT in higher education. By reviewing recent academic articles in English, Chinese, and Japanese, we aimed to provide a deep dive review and identify gaps in the literature. Drawing on Arksey & O'Malley's (2005) scoping review framework, we defined search terms and identified relevant publications from four databases in the three target languages. The research results showed that the majority of the papers were discussion papers, but there was some early empirical work. The ethical issues highlighted in these works mainly concern academic integrity, assessment issues, and data protection. Given the rapid deployment of generative artificial intelligence, it is imperative for educators to conduct more empirical studies to develop sound ethical policies for its use.

Creative writing is a valuable skill that enables learners to become proficient writers. One reason students often struggle with creative writing is their lack of contextual experiences. Spherical video-based virtual reality (SVVR) has been argued to support students' writing through immersive virtual experiences. However, what specific pedagogical practices can be developed and integrated with emerging technologies like SVVR to improve their effectiveness to support elementary school students' creative writing needs further work. This study proposes an innovative approach that integrated the generative learning strategy (GLS) of imagining with SVVR to enhance elementary school students' creative writing performance. To test the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a quasi-experiment was conducted in an elementary school writing class. The experimental group (N = 56) used the generative learning-based SVVR approach (GSVVR), while the control group (N = 55) used the generative learning-based conventional approach (GC). The results showed that the GSVVR group outperformed the GC group in terms of creative writing (F = 10.953, p < 0.01) with a medium effect size. Furthermore, we found a significant impact on students' behavioural and emotional engagement as well as their learning persistence, particularly if they had engagement values below 4.3 before the intervention. These findings indicates that while the approach may have limited benefits for students who are already highly engaged (engagement values exceeding 4.3) with SVVR. It can also notably enhance the performance of relatively less engaged (engagement values below 4.3) students. There was a positive correlation between learning persistence and creative writing in the GSVVR group, with learning persistence being one of the significant predictors of student creative writing performance. The study is concluded with a discussion on the pedagogical and theoretical implications of the findings to support elementary school students' creative writing.

Abstract Background Previous studies have found that the temporal duration required for males to perceive visual motion direction is significantly shorter than that for females. However, the neural correlates of such shortened duration perception remain yet unclear. Given that motion perception is primarily associated with the neural activity of the middle temporal visual complex (MT+), we here test the novel hypothesis that the neural mechanism of these behavioral sex differences is mainly related to the MT+ region. Methods We utilized ultra-high field (UHF) MRI to investigate sex differences in the MT+ brain region. A total of 95 subjects (48 females) participated in two separate studies. Cohort 1, consisting of 33 subjects (16 females), completed task-fMRI (drafting grating stimuli) experiment. Cohort 2, comprising 62 subjects (32 females), engaged in a psychophysical experiment measuring motion perception along different temporal thresholds as well as conducting structural and functional MRI scanning of MT+. Results Our findings show pronounced sex differences in major brain parameters within the left MT+ (but not the right MT+, i.e., laterality). In particular, males demonstrate (i) larger gray matter volume (GMV) and higher brain’s spontaneous activity at the fastest infra-slow frequency band in the left MT+; and (ii) stronger functional connectivity between the left MT+ and the left centromedial amygdala (CM). Meanwhile, both female and male participants exhibited comparable correlations between motion perception ability and the multimodal imaging indexes of the MT+ region, i.e., larger GMV, higher brain’s spontaneous activity, and faster motion discrimination. Conclusions Our findings reveal sex differences of imaging indicators of structure and function in the MT+ region, which also relate to the temporal threshold of motion discrimination. Overall, these results show how behavioral sex differences in visual motion perception are generated, and advocate considering sex as a crucial biological variable in both human brain and behavioral research.

Abstract Background Genetic biocontrol interventions targeting mosquito-borne diseases require the release of male mosquitoes exclusively, as only females consume blood and transmit pathogens. Releasing only males eliminates the risk of increasing mosquito bites and spreading pathogens while enabling effective population control. The aim of this study is to develop robust sex-sorting methods for early larval stages in mosquitoes, enabling scalable male-only releases for genetic biocontrol interventions. Methods To address the challenge of sex-sorting in the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, we engineer Sexing Element Produced by Alternative RNA-splicing of a Transgenic Observable Reporter (SEPARATOR). This dominant fluorescent-based method, previously proven effective in Aedes aegypti, exploits sex-specific alternative splicing of a reporter to ensure exclusive male-specific expression early in development. The sex-specific alternative RNA splicing of the doublesex gene was selected as a target for engineering SEPARATOR due to its evolutionary conservation in insects. To expand SEPARATOR’s applicability for genetic sexing, we assessed the cross-species sex-specific RNA splicing activity of the An. gambiae doublesex (AngDsx) splicing module in An. stephensi. Male-specific enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression was verified throughout the mosquito life cycle using a fluorescent stereomicroscope. Results Our results confirm that SEPARATOR regulates male-specific EGFP expression in An. stephensi and enables reliable positive male selection from the first instar larval stages. Molecular analysis demonstrates that male-specific EGFP expression is dependent on doublesex sex-specific splicing events. Additionally, the splicing module from An. gambiae operates effectively in An. stephensi, demonstrating evolutionary conservation in sex-specific splicing events between these species. Conclusions SEPARATOR’s independence from sex-chromosome linkage provides resistance to breakage that could be mediated by meiotic recombination and chromosomal rearrangements, making it highly suitable for mass male releases. By enabling precise male selection from the first instar larval stages, SEPARATOR represents a significant advancement that will aid in the genetic biocontrol for Anopheles mosquitoes. Graphical Abstract

Objective Posterior condylar offset (PCO) and anterior condylar offset (ACO) exert an influence on the sagittal alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is no common consensus that the variation range of posterior condylar offset (PCO) is associated with patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) and the optimum variation range of PCO. This study aims to investigate the correlation between PCO and the PROMs of primary TKA for osteoarthritis (OA) and find out the optimal variation range of the PCO. Methods In this study, we performed a radiographic analysis of 106 patients (112 knees) with primary TKA. Patients were divided into two cohorts (A and B) according to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC). Correlations between the sagittal parameter and WOMAC were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to establish the cut‐off value for the optimal variation range. We then further investigated how different variation range affects the WOMAC subscale score and forgotten‐joint‐score‐12 (FJS‐12). Results Univariate analysis revealed a correlation between the variation range of PCO (p

AIM: To compare the differences of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) measurements between swept-source and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA and SD-OCTA) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and the imaging reliability of the two devices. METHODS: Prospective comparative study. SS-OCTA and SD-OCTA were used to scan the same eye with the modes of 3×3 and 6×6 mm2 centered on the neovascularization. Only qualified images were chosen and the border of CNV was manually delineated by two graders independently. The area of CNV (ACNV), vascular perfusion density (PD), and vessel length density (VLD) within the delineation were calculated using Image J. The differences of CNV measurements between the two OCTA devices were compared using Bland-Altman analysis. The agreement between the two graders on the measurements of each device was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (22 eyes) with nAMD were included. The measurements of ACNV, PD, and VLD were 7.247±4.586 and 4.901±3.741 mm2, 43.202±9.636 and 34.904±10.489, 6.339±1.228 and 5.908±1.741 mm-1 for SS-OCTA and SD-OCTA, respectively. The differences between the two devices were 2.346±3.030 mm2 (Z= -3.782, P

Abstract The open‐circuit magnetic field of the V‐shaped interior PM (IPM) machine is predicted by the analytical method. The method is implemented following the basic principle of the subdomain method. The machine model is divided into five different regions, including rotor slot, magnetic barrier, air gap, stator slot, and stator slot opening. To perform the analytical prediction process in the polar coordinate system, these regions should be transformed into the appropriate subdomains. The last four regions can be transformed into the subdomains with the required shape based on the existing method. The rotor slot cannot be treated as a single subdomain, for the shape of which is irregular. Herein, the PM and vacuum region in the rotor slot is divided into several fan‐shaped subdomains. The division method is described clearly. Then, the boundary conditions alongside the interface between adjacent subdomains are derived based on function transformation. On this basis, the open‐circuit magnetic field of the IPM machine can be predicted. The magnetic field of the 6p/36 s V‐shaped IPM machine is obtained by the proposed method, finite element method simulation, and experiment, respectively. Additionally, the comparison results verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.

Overheating and the resultant tube failures of boiler high temperature heating surfaces such as waterwall is one of the sore major problems affecting the safe operation of coal-fired power generating units. Boiler tube overheating generally occurs at some localized areas of boiler heating surfaces. To alleviate tube overheating and avoid the resultant tube failures, it’s necessary to monitor the tube temperature distribution in real-time to make preventive boiler operation adjustment. Due to the limitation of measurement method and the huge time cost of numerical method, currently there are still lack of methods that can realize the real-time prediction of waterwall tube temperature distribution during boiler operation. Therefore, this paper integrated the coupled heat transfer model with neural network and established a typical database of a 350 MW supercritical boiler using the coupled model, which contains 220 different typical boiler operating cases generated by adjusting 46 key operating parameters. Then, 4 400 expansion cases were derived at extremely time cost by the quick expansion method proposed in this paper. The deep neural network model was then constructed with 46 boiler operating parameters and waterwall coordinates as the model input and the tube temperature at the corresponding locations as the output. The DNN model was trained based on the comprehensive database containing 220 typical cases and 4 400 expansion cases. The MSE of the DNN model on validation set was only 0.005 3, the AUC5 was 0.988 and the calculation time was within 0.1 s. It illustrates that the data-driven model realized the real-time prediction of the waterwall tube temperature distribution over the entire boiler operating conditions by means of generalizing the numerical simulation results of finite cases. In addition, a quick database expansion method was proposed to address the problem that the heat transfer deterioration is difficult to be accurately predicted due to the insufficient data of the heat deterioration, and the prediction accuracy of the heat deterioration problem was significantly improved. Both the accuracy and the response speed of the model meet the demand of coal-fired plants for a real-time monitoring of tube temperature distribution.

Static stretching (SS) may reduce maximal muscle force and power output, while short-duration, high-intensity conditioning contractions (CC) have the potential to increase force and power output. However, the precise effects of CC on athletic performance and lower limb muscle coordination after SS are not yet fully understood. This investigation sought to explore the effects of SS (four sets of 30 seconds each) and its combination with CC (10 repetitive drop jumps), denoted as SC, on the synergy patterns of key lower limb muscles and jump performance during squat jumps (SJ) executed at two distinct knee joint starting angles (90° and 120°). Eleven participants were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions, with each condition encompassing three SJs at both angles. A three-dimensional motion capture system, force platform, and electromyography (EMG) system were employed to quantify jump height, extract ground contact time, and perform non-negative matrix factorization. Our findings revealed that at a knee joint starting angle of 120°, both SS and SC altered the weighting of the five major muscles (cosine similarity: SS: r = 0.897; SC: r = 0.767) and augmented the activity strength of the primary synergy (SS: 59.6%; SC: 10.48%). Additionally, SC demonstrably advanced the phase shift (90°: 14%; 120°: 61%). Notably, neither SS nor SC exerted a statistically significant influence on jump height (p > 0.05). However, SS significantly increased ground contact time (p = 0.029). In conclusion, at a knee joint angle of 120°, both SS and CC were observed to alter lower limb muscle synergy patterns and influence ground contact time. While SS led to an increase in ground contact time, CC effectively countered this rise. These findings suggest that athletes in disciplines demanding rapid movements might benefit from omitting SS in isolation during warm-ups or consider combining SS with CC to optimize performance.

[Objective] Mining and urbanization have transformed the ecological and socioeconomic aspects of coal resource-based cities. This study aimed to measure the spatial characteristics of ecosystem services supply and demand matching in coal resource-based cities based on the urban-mining-rural tri-structure and to simulate future scenarios, and constructed the ecological protection and urban development pattern of Huainan City based on the supply and demand of ecosystem services. [Methods] This study focused on Huainan, a typical mature coal resource-based city in Anhui Province. Using land use data from 2005 to 2020, the PLUS model simulated future land changes in Huainan under four scenarios: natural, urban development, mining development, and ecological protection. The InVEST model then evaluated the supply-demand matching of six ecosystem services for 2035. [Results] (1) By 2035, the natural scenario increased construction land, while other lands decreased. Urban development significantly expanded urban land. Mining development boosted mining and subsidence areas. Ecological protection enhanced cropland, forest, grass, and water areas and construction land increase slowly. (2) Urban and mining scenarios improved matching for carbon sequestration and erosion prevention compared to the natural scenario., while ecological protection scenario enhanced water production, recreation and tourism, water purification, and food supply. (3) Urban development scenario expanded low matching degree areas but stimulated economic growth, whereas ecological protection scenario improved overall supply-demand balance and increased ecological land [Conclusion] The ecological protection scenario optimized supply-demand matching, while urban development degraded it but stimulated the economic growth of the Huainan City. The economic protection pattern of “one axis, three corridors, and multiple cores” and the urban development system of “one main, one auxiliary, and multiple nodes” are constructed. This study offers a foundation for balanced development in coal resource-based cities.

Abstract Variable thickness plates are relatively common structure in large-scale transportation equipment such as aerospace and ships. Due to their high running speed and large structural dimensions, such structures are usually induced high-frequency severe vibrations, which likely lead to structural damage. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately predict the high-frequency dynamic response characteristics during the structural design phase. The energy finite element method (EFEM) is a powerful tool for predicting high-frequency dynamic response. But, in recent EFEM for variable thickness plates, an approximate method (AEFEM) using a large number of constant thickness plate elements to approximate variable thickness plates is used. Due to that AEFEM is based on the constitutive equation for constant thickness plate, it will be imprecise and time-consuming. Aiming at power-law variable thickness plates, the constitutive equation based on energy density is derived and the finite element discrete scheme of the constitutive equation was studied. In this way, the precise new EFEM (NEFEM) for variable thickness plates was established. In addition, the dynamic response of a variable thickness plate was predicted by NEFEM presented and finite element method (FEM) respectively. The results are consistent. It is shown that the constitutive model presented is reliable and time-saving. Comparison of the results from AEFEM, the NEFEM can get more accurate results with fewer elements. The NEFEM based on the constitutive model presented can be used to predict precisely the high-frequency dynamic response for power-law variable thickness plates.

Abstract Phototherapy can offer a safe and non-invasive solution against infections, while promoting wound healing. Conventional phototherapeutic devices are bulky and limited to hospital use. To overcome these challenges, we developed a wearable, flexible red and blue LED (r&bLED) patch controlled by a mobile-connected system, enabling safe self-application at home. The patch exhibits excellent skin compatibility, flexibility, and comfort, with high safety under system supervision. Additionally, we synthesized a sprayable fibrin gel (F-gel) containing blue light-sensitive thymoquinone and red light-synergistic NADH. Combined with bLED, thymoquinone eradicated microbes and biofilms within minutes, regardless of antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, NADH and rLED synergistically improved macrophage and endothelial cell mitochondrial function, promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and enhancing angiogenesis, as validated in infected diabetic wounds in mice and minipigs. This innovative technology holds great promise for revolutionizing at-home phototherapy for chronic infected wounds.

Purpose Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) is becoming the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, surgery is deferred for months after completion, which may lead to fibrosis and increased surgical difficulty. The aim of this study was to assess whether TNT (TNT-RAPIDO) is associated with increased difficulty of total mesorectal excision (TME) compared with long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) and upfront surgery. Methods Twelve laparoscopic videos of low anterior resection with TME for rectal cancer were prospectively collected from January 2020 to October 2021, with 4 videos in each arm. Seven colorectal surgeons assessed the videos independently, graded the difficulty of TME using a visual analog scale and attempted to identify which category the videos belonged to. Results The median age was 67 years, and 10 patients were male. The median interval to surgery from radiotherapy was 13 weeks in the LCRT group and 24 weeks in the TNT-RAPIDO group. There was no significant difference in the visual analog scale for difficulty in TME between the 3 groups (LCRT, 3.2; TNT-RAPIDO, 4.6; upfront, 4.1; P=0.12). A subgroup analysis showed similar difficulty between groups (LCRT 3.2 vs. TNT-RAPIDO 4.6, P=0.05; TNT-RAPIDO 4.6 vs. upfront 4.1, P=0.54). During video assessments, surgeons correctly identified the prior treatment modality in 42% of the cases. TNT-RAPIDO videos had the highest recognition rate (71%), significantly outperforming both LCRT (29%) and upfront surgery (25%, P=0.01). Conclusion TNT does not appear to increase the surgical difficulty of TME.

Abstract Background Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two common comorbidities of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), each of which can cause right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of DM on RV dysfunction and ventricular interdependence in hypertensive HFrEF patients via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature tracking. Methods This study included 249 patients with HFrEF: 77 HFrEF controls, 97 with hypertensive HFrEF (HTN-HFrEF [DM-]) and 75 with hypertensive HFrEF and comorbid DM (HTN-HFrEF [DM+]). The cardiac MRI-derived biventricular global radial (GRS), circumferential (GCS) and longitudinal (GLS) peak strains were obtained and compared among the groups. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses were used to evaluate the effects of DM and left ventricular (LV) strain on RV strain. Results The biventricular GLS and GLS of segments 8, 9 and 14 of the interventricular septum (IVS) decreased gradually from the HFrEF control group to the HTN-HFrEF (DM−) group to the HTN-HFrEF (DM+) group (all P

Abstract Obesity and related diseases pose a major health risk, yet current anti-obesity drugs inadequately addressing clinical needs. Here we show AA005, an annonaceous acetogenin mimic, resists obesity induced by high-fat diets and leptin mutations at non-toxic doses, with the alpha subunit of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein (HADHA) as a target identified through proteomics and in vitro validation. Pharmacokinetic analysis shows AA005 enriches in adipose tissue, prompting the creation of adipose-specific Hadha-deficient mice. These mice significantly mitigate diet-induced obesity, echoing AA005’s anti-obesity effects. AA005 treatment and Hadha deletion in adipose tissues increase body temperature and energy expenditure in high-fat diet-fed mice. The beneficial impact of AA005 on obesity mitigation is ineffective without uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), essential for thermogenesis regulation. Our investigation shows the interaction between AA005 and HADHA in mitochondria, activating the UCP1-mediated thermogenic pathway. This substantiates AA005 as a promising compound for obesity treatment, targeting HADHA specifically.

Abstract GWASs have linked the 3p21.1 locus, which is associated with the expression levels of NEK4, to bipolar disorder. Here, we use integrative analyses of GWAS statistics and eQTL annotations to establish that elevated NEK4 expression in the hippocampus is associated with an increased risk of bipolar disorder. To further study this association, we generate transgenic male mice that conditionally overexpress NEK4 in the pyramidal neurons of the adult forebrain, or use AAV to overexpress NEK4 in the dorsal hippocampus. Compared to the control mice, male mice of both strains exhibit a shift from a diurnal anxiety state to a nocturnal normal or anxiolytic-like state. Overexpression of NEK4 also affects the circadian fluctuations in dendritic spine morphology and synaptic structure. Furthermore, we show that treatment with lithium ameliorates the effects of NEK4 overexpression in male mice. We then perform phosphoproteomic analyses to demonstrate that the diurnal and nocturnal phosphoproteomic profiles of male control and NEK4 overexpressing mice are different. These results suggest that male mice with different NEK4 expression levels may recapitulate some of the core features observed in patients with bipolar disorder, indicating that interruption of the homeostatic dynamics of synapses may underlie the emotional swings in bipolar disorder.

Abstract Quantum networks typically comprise quantum channels, repeaters, and end nodes. Remote state preparation (RSP) allows one end node to prepare the states of the other end nodes remotely. While quantum discord has recently been recognized as necessary for RSP, it does not guarantee the practical implementation of RSP in quantum networks surpasses any classical method. Herein, we theoretically introduce and experimentally study a quantum resource that we call the RSP capability. This resource validates all the static and dynamic elements required to enable genuine quantum networks where the RSP’s implementation can outperform any classical emulation of entanglement- and qubit-unitaries-free strategies, including the static resources of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen pairs and the dynamic resources of quantum channels and repeaters. Our experiment measures the RSP capability to demonstrate the transition between classical and nonclassical RSP depending on the photon-pair qualities. It shows that quantum discord does not confirm a nonclassical RSP, but the RSP capability does. These results help reveal the quantum advantages that emerge when networking RSP is in play.

Abstract Background Given the characteristics of the rehabilitation therapy specialty and the drawback of the traditional didactic teaching approach, we developed the innovative teaching approach from the students’ perspective using the person–environment–occupation (PEO) model. The new model was developed from the original PEO model to be applied in pedagogical contexts and tailored to the characteristics of an application-oriented specialty, such as rehabilitation therapy. The present study aimed to examine the perceived effectiveness of the PEO innovative teaching model applied to rehabilitation therapy students. Methods A pre–post descriptive study was conducted to compare the perceived effectiveness of the PEO innovative teaching model for two consecutive student cohorts. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit students from two cohorts of junior medical students majoring in rehabilitation therapy in the spring semesters of 2020 and 2021. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the PEO innovative teaching model. SPSS version 26.0 was used to perform data analysis. Results A total of 112 students were included in the study and completed both pre- and post-tests. Of 112 received questionnaires, 101 were considered as valid questionnaires after the quality check (effective rate 90.18%). In the 2020 and 2021 cohorts, students rated the PEO innovative teaching model significantly higher than the didactic teaching approach in the following aspects: the teaching content is highly professional and valuable; the course is extensively expounded; the clinical reasoning is strengthened; problem-solving ability is developed; communication skills are improved; and teamwork skills are developed. Conclusion The PEO innovative teaching model was perceived to be an effective teaching strategy to enhance students’ academic performance. In addition, three core skills including clinical reasoning, problem-solving ability, and communication skills were improved by the PEO innovative teaching model.

Understanding the response of solid combustibles under high radiant fluxes is critical in predicting the thermal damage from extreme scenarios. Unlike the more moderate radiant fluxes in conventional hydrocarbon fires, extreme events such as strong explosion, concentrated sunlight and directed energy can generate dynamic radiant fluxes at the MW/m2 level, creating a unique threat to materials. This study investigates the pyrolysis and spontaneous ignition behaviors of corrugated cardboard by using both experimental and numerical methods, under 10-cm dynamic high radiant fluxes ranging from 0.2 to 1.25 MW/m2 for 10 s. The spontaneous ignition process at dynamic high radiant fluxes was recorded and quantified. Two ignition modes were found at the critical radiant flux of 0.4 MW/m2, namely hot-gas spontaneous ignition and hot-residue piloted ignition. The latter is not the focus of this paper due to its extremely small probability of occurrence. The research reveals that the increase in flux intensity induces shorter delay times for both pyrolysis and ignition, lower ignition energy density, along with a corresponding rise in the critical mass flux and surface temperature at ignition moment. The simulation results are generally aligned with the experimental findings, despite some divergences may be attributed to model simplifications and parameter assumptions. The work contributes to a deeper insight into material behavior under extreme radiation, with valuable implications for fire safety and hazard assessment.

Abstract Navigating toward destinations with rewards is a common behavior among animals. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been shown to be responsible for reward coding and reward cue learning, and its response to other variables, such as kinematics, has also been increasingly studied. These findings suggest a potential relationship between animal navigation behavior and VTA activity. However, the deep location and small volume of the VTA pose significant challenges to the precision of electrode implantation, increasing the uncertainty of measurement results during animal navigation and thus limiting research on the role of the VTA in goal-directed navigation. To address this gap, we innovatively designed and fabricated low-curvature microelectrode arrays (MEAs) via a novel backside dry etching technique to release residual stress. Histological verification confirmed that low-curvature MEAs indeed improved electrode implantation precision. These low-curvature MEAs were subsequently implanted into the VTA of the rats to observe their electrophysiological activity in a freely chosen modified T-maze. The results of the behavioral experiments revealed that the rats could quickly learn the reward probability corresponding to the left and right paths and that VTA neurons were deeply involved in goal-directed navigation. Compared with those in no-reward trials, VTA neurons in reward trials presented a significantly greater firing rate and larger local field potential (LFP) amplitude during the reward-consuming period. Notably, we discovered place fields mapped by VTA neurons, which disappeared or were reconstructed with changes in the path–outcome relationship. These results provide new insights into the VTA and its role in goal-directed navigation. Our designed and fabricated low-curvature microelectrode arrays can serve as a new device for precise deep brain implantation in the future.

Abstract As one of the mainstream biodegradable materials, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) foams offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic foams, effectively reducing environmental pollution. However, the high cost and poor mechanical performance of PBAT foams impede their practical application. Herein, the glycidyl methacrylate-grafted biomass lignin (GML) was used to produce a PBAT/GML composite foam with good foaming performance and mechanical properties at high lignin-filling amounts by twin-screw melting free radical polymerization and supercritical CO2 foaming process. The compatibility of GML in the PBAT matrix was improved due to the formation of ester bonds in modified lignin, endowing the PBAT/GML (PGML) composite foam with exceptional foaming performance. Additionally, the mechanical properties of PGML composite foam were remarkably enhanced due to the introduction of the abundant aromatic structures of GML and the construction of a stable covalent crosslinking network. The compressive strengths and compression modulus of the PGML foam were improved by 2.53 times and 2.47 times, while its bending strength and bending modulus were improved by 1.27 times and 3.92 times compared to the neat PBAT. This research affords a new strategy for developing low-cost biodegradable biomass PBAT/lignin composite foam materials with good foaming performance and mechanical properties. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested a potential link between the crown-to-root ratio (CRR) and root morphology in patients with mild chronic periodontitis, which may be associated with tooth mobility. However, these findings have not been thoroughly investigated. Our previous study found that 76% of patients with aggressive periodontitis, particularly those with premolar involvement, exhibited abnormal root morphology, severe alveolar bone loss, and increased tooth mobility, leading to poor clinical outcomes. This study aims to investigate the specific correlations among alveolar bone resorption, root morphology, CRR, and periodontal clinical indicators with premolar mobility in stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients aged ≤ 35 years. Materials and methods A total of 1,064 premolars from 151 stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients aged ≤ 35 years were included in the study. Clinical periodontal parameters and radiographic measurements were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationships between these indicators and tooth mobility. Results Significant variations in premolar root lengths were observed, ranging from 6.80 mm to 20.96 mm. Teeth with shorter roots (mean length: 10.22 mm) exhibited grade I mobility with only 28% alveolar bone resorption, whereas those with medium-length (mean length: 12.67 mm) and longer roots (mean length: 14.91 mm) exhibited mobility at 34% and 37% bone resorption, respectively. Regression models incorporating the bone-level CRR, average probing depth, and root length demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for tooth mobility (P

The coupling factors of geological hazards such as rainfall are sufficient conditions for the occurrence of geological hazards. In this study, the distribution characteristics of Wuhan's geological disasters and their relationship with heavy rainfall by cluster analysis were investigated using multiple regression and other methods, based on Wuhan's geological disaster data, rainfall live grid data, and geological environment foundation during 2016-2022. Meanwhile, multi-source data fusion, machine learning, and other methods were employed to dynamically assess the vulnerability of geological disasters. The results are as follows. About 76.49% of geological disasters in Wuhan are induced by rainfall. The impact period of heavy rainfall on geological disasters in Wuhan is 13 days, and the possibility of geological disasters during the impact period is as high as 87.69%. A meteorological risk prediction model for geological disasters in Wuhan based on effective rainfall was established. This model can achieve a dynamic assessment of geological disaster-prone zoning by introducing the latest geological disaster occurrence, geological environment, and rainfall information. The 24-hour average accuracy rate can reach 79.51%. In the application of geological disaster prediction in 2022, the recognition rate reaches 90%, which shows good geological disaster prediction capabilities.

Abstract Parity-time (PT) symmetry is an active research area that provides a variety of new opportunities for different systems with novel functionalities. For instance, PT symmetry has been used in lasers and optoelectronic oscillators to achieve single-frequency lasing or oscillation. A single-frequency system is essentially a static PT-symmetric system, whose frequency is time-invariant. Here we investigate time-variant PT symmetry in frequency-scanning systems. Time-variant PT symmetry equations and eigenfrequencies for frequency-scanning systems are developed. We show that time-variant PT symmetry can dynamically narrow the instantaneous linewidth of frequency-scanning systems. The instantaneous linewidth of a produced frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) waveform is narrowed by a factor of 14 in the experiment. De-chirping and radar imaging results also show that the time-variant PT-symmetric system outperforms a conventional frequency-scanning one. Our study paves the way for a new class of time-variant PT-symmetric systems and shows great promise for applications including FMCW radar and lidar systems.

Abstract The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly inhibits the effective anti-tumor immune response, greatly affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Most tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) belong to the M2 phenotype, which contributes significantly to the immunosuppressive effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) TME. The interaction between signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) expressed on macrophages and CD47, a transmembrane protein overexpressed on cancer cells, activates the "eat-me-not" signaling pathway, inhibiting phagocytosis. In this study, a folic acid (FA)-modified ultrasound responsive gene/drugs delivery system, named FA@ PFP @ Fe3O4 @LNB-SIRPα siRNA (FA-PFNB-SIRPα siRNA), was developed using 1,2-dioleoacyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), FA-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N- [amino (polyethylene glycol)2000] (DSPE-PEG2000-FA), cholesterol, and perfluoropentane (PFP), for the delivery of siRNA encoding SIRPα mRNA and immune adjuvant Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Under ultrasound conditions, the nanobubbles effectively transfected macrophages, inhibiting SIRPα mRNA and protein expression, promoting the phagocytosis of TAMs, and synergistically reversing M2 polarization. This system promotes the infiltration of T cells, enhances the proliferation and activation of cytotoxic T cells, and inhibits the infiltration of immunosuppressive cells in tumor tissues. Administration of FA-PFNB-SIRPα siRNA combined with ultrasound significantly inhibits NSCLC progression. The study highlights the potential of ultrasound nanotechnology-enabled delivery of SIRPα siRNA and Fe3O4 as an effective strategy for macrophage-based immunotherapy to reshape the immunosuppressive TME for cancer therapy. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages of robot navigation system-assisted intramedullary nail treatment for humeral shaft fractures and compare it’s efficacy with that of traditional surgical intramedullary nail treatment. Materials and methods This was a retrospective analysis of patients with humeral shaft fractures who received intramedullary nail treatment at our centre from March 2020 to September 2022. The analysis was divided into a robot group and a traditional surgical group on the basis of whether the surgery involved a robot navigation system. We compared the baseline data (age, sex, cause of injury, fracture AO classification, and time of injury-induced surgery), intraoperative conditions (surgery time, length of main nail insertion incision, postoperative fluoroscopy frequency, intraoperative bleeding), fracture healing time, and shoulder joint function at 1 year postsurgery (ASES score and Constant–Murley score) between the two groups of patients. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline data or average fracture healing time between the two groups of patients. However, the robotic group had significantly shorter surgical times, longer main nail incisions, fewer intraoperative fluoroscopies, and less intraoperative blood loss than did the traditional surgery group (P

Abstract Tamoxifen (TAM) resistance is a major challenge in treating oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. It is possible that the H2S synthase cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), which has been previously shown to promote tumour growth and metastasis in other cancer cells, is involved in this resistance. Therefore, we investigated CSE's role and potential mechanisms in TAM-resistant breast cancer cells. First, we examined the effect of CSE expression on TAM sensitivity and resistance in MCF7 (breast cancer) cells. The findings revealed that CSE was directly associated with TAM sensitivity and involved in TAM resistance in ER+ breast cancer cells, indicating that it may be useful as a biomarker. Next, we wanted to determine the molecular mechanism of CSE's role in TAM resistance. Using cell migration, co-immunoprecipitation, western blotting, and cell viability assays, we determined that the CSE/H2S system can affect the expression of PPARγ by promoting the sulfhydrylation of PPARγ, which regulates the transcriptional activity of ACSL1. ACSL1, in turn, influences STAT3 activation by affecting the phosphorylation, palmitoylation and dimerization of STAT3, ultimately leading to the development of TAM resistance in breast cancer. Finally, we examined the effect of CSE inhibitors on reducing drug resistance to determine whether CSE may be used as a biomarker of TAM resistance. We observed that the novel CSE inhibitor I194496 can reverse TAM resistance in TAM-resistant breast cancer via targeting the PPARγ/ACSL1/STAT3 signalling pathway. Overall, our data indicate that CSE may serve as a biomarker of TAM resistance and that the CSE inhibitor I194496 is a promising candidate for combating TAM resistance.

Abstract Objectives To analyze the lung structure of small airway dysfunction (SAD) defined by spirometry and parametric response mapping (PRM) using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and to analyze the predictive factors for SAD. Methods A prospective study was conducted with 388 participants undergoing pulmonary function test (PFT) and inspiratory-expiratory chest CT scans. The clinical data and HRCT assessments of SAD patients defined by both methods were compared. A prediction model for SAD was constructed based on logistic regression. Results SAD was defined in 122 individuals by spirometry and 158 by PRM. In HRCT visual assessment, emphysema, tree-in-bud sign, and bronchial wall thickening have higher incidence in SAD defined by each method. (p

Abstract Many mammal species have declining populations, but the consequences of small population size on the genomic makeup of species remain largely unknown. We investigated the evolutionary history, genetic load and adaptive potential of the Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), a primate species endemic to Vietnam’s famous Ha Long Bay and with less than 100 living individuals one of the most threatened primates in the world. Using high-coverage whole genome data of four wild individuals, we revealed the Cat Ba langur as sister species to its conspecifics of the northern limestone langur clade and found no evidence for extensive secondary gene flow after their initial separation. Compared to other primates and mammals, the Cat Ba langur showed low levels of genetic diversity, long runs of homozygosity, high levels of inbreeding and an excess of deleterious mutations in homozygous state. On the other hand, genetic diversity has been maintained in protein-coding genes and on the gene-rich human chromosome 19 ortholog, suggesting that the Cat Ba langur retained most of its adaptive potential. The Cat Ba langur also exhibits several unique non-synonymous variants that are related to calcium and sodium metabolism, which may have improved adaptation to high calcium intake and saltwater consumption.

Abstract Objective To exploit the combination diagnostic performance of serum microRNA-134-5p (miR-134-5p) and color Doppler ultrasound in patients with endometriosis patients. Methods Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis was applied to measure relative abundance of miR-134-5p in serum of patients with endometriosis and gynecological benign diseases. Calculation of uterine artery blood flow parameters was conducted using Color Doppler ultrasound. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of miR-134-5p and Doppler parameters. Kaplan-Meier method was used for the analysis of recurrence-free survival rate. Results Compared with the control group, serum miR-134-5p expression was remarkably diminished in endometriosis patients (P

AIM: To explore the DNA methylation of COL4A1 in ultraviolet-B (UVB)-induced age-related cataract (ARC) models in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Human lens epithelium B3 (HLEB3) cells and Sprague Dawley rats were exposure to UVB respectively. The MTT assay was utilized to evaluate cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was employed for analysis of cell apoptosis and cell cycle. COL4A1 expression in HLEB3 cells and anterior lens capsules were assessed using Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The localization of COL4A1 in HLEB3 cells was determined by immunofluorescence. The methylation status of CpG islands located in COL4A1 promoter was verified using bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP). DNMTs and TETs mRNA levels was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: UVB exposure decreased HLEB3 cells proliferation, while increased the apoptosis rate and cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase. COL4A1 expression was markedly inhibited in UVB treated cells compared to the controls. Hypermethylation status was detected in the CpG islands within COL4A1 promoter in HLEB3 cells subjected to UVB exposure. Expressions of DNMTs including DNMT1/2/3 were elevated in UVB treated HLEB3 cells compared to that in the controls, while expressions of TETs including TET1/2/3 showed the opposite trend. Results from the UVB treated rat model further confirmed the decreased expression of COL4A1, hypermethylation status of the CpG islands at promoter of COL4A1 and abnormal expression of DNMT1/2/3 and TET1/2/ in UVB exposure group. CONCLUSION: DNA hypermethylation of COL4A1 promoter CpG islands is correlated with decreased COL4A1 expression in UVB induced HLEB3 cells and anterior lens capsules of rats.

Frozen shoulder (FS) manifests as progressively worsening pain and a reduction in shoulder range of motion (ROM). Salvianolic acid B (SaB) is recently expected to be used in the treatment of fibrosis diseases including FS. We firstly demonstrate that SaB can effectively hinder the progression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and pathological fibrosis within the synovial tissue in FS, potentially leading to the reduction or reversal of capsule fibrosis and joint stiffness. For further clinical application, we design and synthesize a novel, superior, antioxidant and antibacterial CSMA-PBA/OD-DA (CPDA) hydrogel for the delivery of SaB. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the CPDA hydrogel exhibits excellent biocompatibility and rheological properties, rendering it suitable for intra-articular injections. Upon injection into the contracted joint cavity of FS model rat, the SaB-CPDA hydrogel accelerate the recovery of ROM and exhibit superior anti-fibrosis effect, presenting the promise for the treatment of FS in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Neuroprotection plays an important role in the treatment of brain disorders. In recent years, studies using rat models and clinical trials have demonstrated the positive effects of hydrogen treatment on neurological disorders and brain injuries. Hence, it is of great significance to shed light on this issue. In this article, CiteSpace is employed for visualization and bibliometric analysis of the research frontiers and evolving trends related to the neuroprotective effect of hydrogen. METHODS: All articles published from 2009 to 2023 that discussed the neuroprotective effects of hydrogen in cerebrovascular diseases were retrieved from the Web of Science. Using CiteSpace, a visualization analysis was conducted on aspects such as countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and Co cited references, which enables an intuitive observation of current research hotspots. RESULTS: After manual screening, a total of 106 articles were retrieved. Over time, The number of publications has increased annually. Regarding national contributions, the top three countries with the highest number of publications include China, the United States, and Japan. The Second Military Medical University is the institution that publishes the most articles and has significant influence in the field of hydrogen neuroprotection. Sun, Xuejun and Domoki, Ferenc were the most productive. The most common keywords include hydrogen, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Potential areas of focus for future research consist of early brain injury, hydrogen, ischemia-reperfusion injury and hypothermia treatment. CONCLUSION: The bibliometric study presented herein offers insights into the current status and trends of research on hydrogen in the field of cerebrovascular diseases. Future research trends suggest that hydrogen contributes significantly to the cerebrovascular domain through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. This study can aid researchers in identifying hot topics and exploring new research directions.

Abstract Introduction To investigate the effects of different reading postures on intraocular pressure (IOP) and near-work-induced transient myopia (NITM) in children with myopia. Methods Sixty myopic children were instructed to read a book text placed at 33 cm for 30 min with two different reading postures: head bowed and head upright postures. The participants’ IOP and NITM were assessed using a rebound tonometer and an open-field autorefractor. The measurement of IOP was conducted prior to reading, during reading sessions (at 5, 10, 20, and 30-min intervals), and after a 5-min recovery period. Results For the head bowed posture, the mean baseline IOP was 16.13 ± 2.47 mmHg. A significant rise in IOP was observed after 5 min of reading (17.17 ± 2.97 mmHg; +1.03 ± 2.29 mmHg; p = 0.014). Subsequent measurements revealed a further increase after 20 min (17.87 ± 2.90 mmHg; +1.73 ± 2.58 mmHg; p

Abstract Background The reference values of eNO have certain differences among people of different countries and races. We aimed to obtain the reference value of eNO in healthy children and adolescents (6–18 years old) in China and to explore the associations between the reference values with ages, gender, heights, BMI, and regions. Methods We measured FeNO50 levels in 5949 healthy Chinese children and adolescents, FeNO200 and CaNO levels in 658 participants from 16 provinces of 7 administrative areas in China aged 6–18. All persons were studied after obtaining informed consent from children and their parents. Results The mean FeNO50 of 5949 Chinese children and adolescents aged 6–18 years was 14.1 ppb, with a 95% confidence interval of 1-38.1 ppb. The mean FeNO200 of 658 persons was 6.9 ppb with a 95% upper confidence interval of 15.0 ppb, and the mean CaNO was 3.0 ppb with a 95% upper confidence interval of 11.2 ppb. In the 6–11 age group, age and height were correlated with the logarithm of FeNO50 (P 0.05). The logarithm of CaNO was correlated with gender (P

Abstract Objective To analyze the spatial autocorrelation and spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS) in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2023. Methods Data of SFTS in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2023 were collected. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was conducted using GeoDa software, while spatiotemporal scanning was performed using SaTScan 10.0.1 software to identify significant spatiotemporal clusters of SFTS. Results From 2011 to 2023, 5720 SFTS cases were reported in Anhui Province, with an average annual incidence rate of 0.7131/100,000. The incidence of SFTS in Anhui Province reached its peak mainly from April to May, with a small peak in October. The spatial autocorrelation results showed that from 2011 to 2023, there was a spatial positive correlation(P

Abstract Prokaryotic Argonautes (pAgos) provide bacteria and archaea with immunity against plasmids and viruses. Catalytically active pAgos utilize short oligonucleotides as guides to directly cleave foreign nucleic acids, while inactive pAgos lacking catalytic residues employ auxiliary effectors, such as nonspecific nucleases, to trigger abortive infection upon detection of foreign nucleic acids. Here, we report a unique group of catalytically active pAgo proteins that frequently associate with a phospholipase D (PLD) family protein. We demonstrate that this particular system employs the catalytic center of the associated PLD protein rather than that of pAgo to restrict plasmid DNA, while interestingly, its immunity against a single‐stranded DNA virus relies on the pAgo catalytic center and is enhanced by the PLD protein. We also find that this system selectively suppresses viral DNA propagation without inducing noticeable abortive infection outcomes. Moreover, the pAgo protein alone enhances gene editing, which is unexpectedly inhibited by the PLD protein. Our data highlight the ability of catalytically active pAgo proteins to employ auxiliary proteins to strengthen the targeted eradication of different genetic invaders and underline the trend of PLD nucleases to participate in host immunity.

Abstract Objective To establish a practical risk stratification system (RSS) based on ultrasonography (US) and clinical characteristics for predicting soft tissue masses (STMs) malignancy. Methods This retrospective multicenter study included patients with STMs who underwent US and pathological examinations between April 2018 and April 2023. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of US and clinical characteristics with the malignancy of STMs in the training set. The RSS was constructed based on the scores of risk factors and validated externally. Results The training and validation sets included 1027 STMs (mean age, 50.90 ± 16.64, 442 benign and 585 malignant) and 120 STMs (mean age, 51.93 ± 17.90, 69 benign and 51 malignant), respectively. The RSS was constructed based on three clinical characteristics (age, duration, and history of malignancy) and six US characteristics (size, shape, margin, echogenicity, bone invasion, and vascularity). STMs were assigned to six categories in the RSS, including no abnormal findings, benign, probably benign (fitted probabilities [FP] for malignancy: 0.001–0.008), low suspicion (FP: 0.008–0.365), moderate suspicion (FP: 0.189–0.911), and high suspicion (FP: 0.798–0.999) for malignancy. The RSS displayed good diagnostic performance in the training and validation sets with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of 0.883 and 0.849, respectively. Conclusion The practical RSS based on US and clinical characteristics could be useful for predicting STM malignancy, thereby providing the benefit of timely treatment strategy management to STM patients. Critical relevance statement With the help of the RSS, better communication between radiologists and clinicians can be realized, thus facilitating tumor management. Key Points There is no recognized grading system for STM management. A stratification system based on US and clinical features was built. The system realized great communication between radiologists and clinicians in tumor management. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Oxidative Balance Scores (OBS) is composite measures that assess the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors in an individual’s diet and lifestyle. Evidence on OBS and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetic patients is scarce. This study investigates the potential association between OBS and CVD-prevalence and all-cause and CVD-related mortality in adult diabetic patients. Methods Participants were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2018. OBS-related data collection was initiated by linking the National Death Index to determine mortality due to all-cause and cardiovascular disease until December 31, 2019. Weighted logistic regression analyses explored the relationship between OBS and CVD. In addition, multivariable Cox proportional risk regression models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to determine the correlation between OBS and mortality, with time to event as the time variable, as well as to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of 3491 participants were included in the final analysis. Weighted logistic regression analysis of the relationship between OBS and CVD prevalence found that higher OBS was not associated with CVD prevalence compared with lower levels after fully adjustment in model 3 (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.51–1.31, P = 0.39). During 3,491 person-years of follow-up, 408 deaths were recorded, of which 105 deaths were attributed to CVD. In fully adjusted model 3, participants in the highest quartile of OBS had significant reductions in all-cause mortality of 53% [HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29–0.77), Ptrend= 0.002] and in cardiovascular disease mortality of 78% [HR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08–0.56), Ptrend= 0.004], compared with the lowest quartile groups of OBS. The Kaplan–Meier analysis results showed that participants in the highest quartile of OBS had the lowest risk of all-cause and CVD-related mortality and were statistically different (P