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Background/purpose: The process of shaping students' creative thinking in modern society takes on a new, deeper, and broader dimension. Therefore, studying the role of Chinese music in developing the creativity of primary, secondary, and tertiary education students is deemed relevant. The purpose of this study was to comprehend ways of forming creative thinking of students through the study of Chinese music. Materials/methods: The research problem was addressed through searching for and collecting data, analyzing and compiling the information obtained, identifying and deducing categories of the collected data, and through compiling tables and figures to demonstrate the research problem as an integral, multi-component system. Results: The role of Chinese music in developing creative thinking among students is multifaceted, and includes teaching methods and material support. This system is essential to achieving global education goals, introducing students to other cultures, creating a multicultural learning environment, and promoting emotional responsiveness to Chinese music. Conclusion: The relevance of the research problem, its responsiveness to the demands of the time and flexibility determines the promise of study in the area under consideration and determines its value from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Abstract The impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on society is continuous, resulting in negative psychological consequences. Given the vulnerability and sensitivity to the environment among preschool children, their emotional and behavioral problems deserve more attention. The current study aimed to explore the impact of the epidemic on preschool children’s mental health by determining the pooled prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and to reveal potential reasons for variations between studies. Published studies were searched in Embase, PubMed, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Based on the inclusion criteria outlined in this study, a total of 10 studies encompassing 38,059 participants were incorporated. Employing a random-effect model for estimating the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems, the results revealed a pooled prevalence rate of 24.3% (95% CI, 0.15–0.38; I²=99.9%) among preschool children. This rate surpasses the pre-outbreak prevalence observed in different countries, signifying a detrimental influence of the epidemic on the mental well-being of preschoolers. Therefore, mental health care and recovery are essential for the vulnerable group during and after the public health crisis. Specific emotional and behavioral problems among preschool children are expected to be researched in the future to provide more targeted guidance for intervention.

Abstract Necroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell suicide that critically depends on the kinase activity of Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3). Previous studies showed that immunization with necroptotic cells conferred protection against subsequent tumor challenge. Since RIPK3 can also promote apoptosis and NF-κB-dependent inflammation, it remains difficult to determine the contribution of necroptosis-associated release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in anti-tumor immunity. Here, we describe a system that allows us to selectively induce RIPK3-dependent necroptosis or apoptosis with minimal NF-κB-dependent inflammatory cytokine expression. In a syngeneic tumor challenge model, immunization with necroptotic cells conferred superior protection against subsequent tumor challenge. Surprisingly, this protective effect required CD4+ T cells rather than CD8+ T cells and is dependent on host type I interferon signaling. Our results provide evidence that death-dependent type I interferon production following necroptosis is sufficient to elicit protective anti-tumor immunity.

Generalized fear is a maladaptive behavior in which non-threatening stimuli elicit a fearful response. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been demonstrated to play important roles in fear response and fear memory generalization, but the precious neural circuit mechanism is still unclear. Here, we demonstrated that VTA-zona incerta (ZI) glutamatergic projection is involved in regulating high-intensity threatening training induced generalization and anxiety. Combining calcium signal recording and chemogentics, our work reveals that VTA glutamatergic neurons respond to closed arm entering in the model of PTSD. Inhibition of VTA glutamatergic neurons or the glutamatergic projection to ZI could both relieve fear generalization and anxiety. Together, our study proves the VTA - ZI glutamatergic circuit is involved in mediating fear generalization and anxiety, and provides a potential target for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abstract The aim of this study is to compare ecologically-valid measure (the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test, CAMPROMPT) and laboratory measure (eye-tracking paradigm) in assessing prospective memory (PM) in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). In addition, eye-tracking indices are used to examine the relationship between PM and other cognitive domains in SSDs patients. Initially, the study sample was formed by 32 SSDs patients and 32 healthy control subjects (HCs) who were matched in sociodemographic profile and the performance on CAMPROMPT. An eye-tracking paradigm was employed to examine the differences in PM accuracy and key cognitive processes (e.g., cue monitoring) between the two groups. Additional 31 patients were then recruited to investigate the relationship between PM cue monitoring, other cognitive functions, and the severity of clinical symptoms within the SSDs group. The monitoring of PM cue was reflected in total fixation time and total fixation counts for distractor words. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Chinese version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was applied to assess psychopathology. SSDs patients exhibited fewer total fixation counts for distractor words and lower PM accuracy compared to HCs, even though they were priori matched on CAMPROMPT. Correlation analysis within the SSDs group (63 cases) indicated a negative correlation between PM accuracy and PANSS total score, and a positive correlation with working memory and attention/vigilance. Regression analysis within the SSDs group revealed that higher visual learning and lower PANSS total scores independently predicted more total fixation counts on distractor words. Impairment in cue monitoring is a critical factor in the PM deficits in SSDs. The eye-tracking laboratory paradigm has advantages over the ecologically-valid measurement in identifying the failure of cue detection, making it a more sensitive tool for PM deficits in patients with SSDs.

Abstract Fluoropyrimidine-based combination chemotherapy plus targeted therapy is the standard initial treatment for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but the prognosis remains poor. This phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03950154) assessed the efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of the combination of PD-1 blockade-activated DC-CIK (PD1-T) cells with XELOX plus bevacizumab as a first-line therapy in patients with mCRC. A total of 202 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either first-line XELOX plus bevacizumab (the control group, n = 102) or the same regimen plus autologous PD1-T cell immunotherapy (the immunotherapy group, n = 100) every 21 days for up to 6 cycles, followed by maintenance treatment with capecitabine and bevacizumab. The main endpoint of the trial was progression-free survival (PFS). The median follow-up was 19.5 months. Median PFS was 14.8 months (95% CI, 11.6–18.0) for the immunotherapy group compared with 9.9 months (8.0–11.8) for the control group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60 [95% CI, 0.40–0.88]; p = 0.009). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached for the immunotherapy group and 25.6 months (95% CI, 18.3–32.8) for the control group (HR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.33–0.98]; p = 0.043). Grade 3 or higher AEs occurred in 20.0% of patients in the immunotherapy group and 23.5% in the control groups, with no toxicity-associated deaths reported. The addition of PD1-T cells to first-line XELOX plus bevacizumab demonstrates significant clinical improvement of PFS and OS with well tolerability in patients with previously untreated mCRC.

BackgroundNETs, a unique neutrophil immune mechanism, are vital in defending against microbial invasions. Understanding the mechanisms of co-infection by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, which often leads to higher mortality and poorer prognosis, is crucial for studying infection progression.MethodsIn our study, we established a mouse model of subcutaneous infection to characterize the inflammation induced by co-infection. By purifying and extracting NETs to interact with microorganisms, we delve into the differences in their interactions with various microbial species. Additionally, we investigated the differences in NETs production by neutrophils in response to single or mixed microorganisms through the interaction between neutrophils and these microorganisms. Furthermore, we analyzed the gene expression differences during co-infection using transcriptomics.ResultsIn vivo, C. albicans infections tend to aggregate, while S. aureus infections are more diffuse. In cases of co-infection, S. aureus adheres to and wraps C. albicans. NETs exhibit strong killing capability against C. albicans but weaker efficacy against S. aureus. When NETs interact with mixed microorganisms, they preferentially target and kill the outer layer of S. aureus. In the early stages, neutrophils primarily rely on phagocytosis to kill S. aureus, but as the bacteria accumulate, they stimulate neutrophils to produce NETs. Interestingly, in the presence of neutrophils, S. aureus promotes the proliferation and hyphal growth of C. albicans.ConclusionOur research has showed substantial differences in the progression of co-infections compared to single-microbial infections, thereby providing scientific evidence for NETs as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of co-infections.

BackgroundThere is a lack of individualized evidence on surgical choices for glioblastoma (GBM) patients.AimThis study aimed to make individualized treatment recommendations for patients with GBM and to determine the importance of demographic and tumor characteristic variables in the selection of extent of resection.MethodsWe proposed Balanced Decision Ensembles (BDE) to make survival predictions and individualized treatment recommendations. We developed several DL models to counterfactually predict the individual treatment effect (ITE) of patients with GBM. We divided the patients into the recommended (Rec.) and anti-recommended groups based on whether their actual treatment was consistent with the model recommendation.ResultsThe BDE achieved the best recommendation effects (difference in restricted mean survival time (dRMST): 5.90; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.40–7.39; hazard ratio (HR): 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65–0.77), followed by BITES and DeepSurv. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW)-adjusted HR, IPTW-adjusted OR, natural direct effect, and control direct effect demonstrated better survival outcomes of the Rec. group.ConclusionThe ITE calculation method is crucial, as it may result in better or worse recommendations. Furthermore, the significant protective effects of machine recommendations on survival time and mortality indicate the superiority of the model for application in patients with GBM. Overall, the model identifies patients with tumors located in the right and left frontal and middle temporal lobes, as well as those with larger tumor sizes, as optimal candidates for SpTR.

Highlights A systematic summary of current research trends in the development of transition metal disulfides (TMDs) electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials. In-depth comparisons on the structures, preparation methods, application merits of VIB- and VB-group TMDs. Structure engineering modulation of TMDs in achieving superior EMW absorption is outlined from the viewpoints of heterostructures, defects, morphologies, and phases. Exclusive insights into the challenges, strategies, and opportunities in the design of EMW absorption materials with outstanding performance are provided.

Transcultural doctoral education has become a space to create opportunities for candidates to construct transcultural knowledge from the Global South. Rancière's ideas about the ignorant schoolmaster and the role of dissensus have created cosmopolitan pedagogies in doctoral education. However, the role of history in transcultural doctoral education remains unexplored and draws principally on Western theorists. This article explores Chinese and First Nations philosophies about time and history to reframe transcultural doctoral education. We argue that these philosophies can create spaces for innovative approaches to doctoral research. They can also rehumanise doctoral education and assist First Nations and transcultural doctoral candidates to connect their micro histories with macro cultural, cosmic understandings of what it means to be a researcher in the twenty-first century. This is vital if the dominant fast, linear timescapes of contemporary doctoral education are to be made more inclusive for First Nations and transcultural doctoral candidates.

Community languages (CL) schools have grown rapidly to accommodate an increasing number of learners globally. However, teacher development for CL schools remains under-researched, and a deficit view of the CL teachers continues to dominate. Contextualised in Victoria Australia, and theoretically driven by the concept of funds of knowledge, this study explores how CL teachers' everyday life and work practices might constitute sources of knowledge that are worthy of curricular and pedagogical notice. Specifically, this study addresses two research questions: what funds of knowledge do CL teachers have? How do they use such knowledge for teaching in CL schools? Qualitative data and descriptive statistics were collected through teacher surveys, teacher journals and workshop observation of 70 CL teachers of 15 languages in Victoria, Australia. CL teachers' funds of knowledge were analysed and defined in terms of domains of practices, teacher meta-awareness, and knowledge transferability. We delineate four interwoven domains of CL teachers' funds of knowledge, which have been generated through and embedded in their interpersonal, intercultural, inter-schooling and interdisciplinary practices. We argue for professional development of CL teachers to build upon increasing CL teachers' meta-awareness and facilitating specific and broad transfers of their funds of knowledge.

The world faces complex and entangled environmental, health and social problems that can only be effectively grappled with if the research sector harnesses the knowledges and understandings of diverse cultures. Research education is a key site where more democratic and equitable processes of knowledge creation can take place. Drawing on de Sousa Santos' argument for epistemic justice, this article discusses research education as embedded in global knowledge relations, through introducing the concept "histories of knowledges." This concept interrogates the multiple sets of epistemic relations regarding the history of knowledge, the history of science, knowledge movements, and knowledge hierarchies and conditions. Data were collected through surveys, interviews and workshop observations with research candidates and supervisors from Australia, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Findings show that participants demonstrated boundary-crossing awareness of potential knowledge inclusion and creation in non-linear, multilingual and transcultural ways and from perspectives of the Global South. Extending de Sousa Santos' concept of "ecologies of knowledges," we apply the conceptual dynamics of histories of knowledges to propose a micro-, meso- and macro-historical approach to research education that centres around reconceptualisation of epistemic relations and repositioning of research candidates and supervisors.

Although 30% of international students who study in Australia are from China, there is a well-documented intellectual silence of Chinese students, the in-class silence of Chinese students in coursework degrees in particular. In response to the national policy and to provide insights into the international research education of Australia, this article reports on a study that examines the intellectual silence of research students from China enrolled in Master's or doctoral degrees in five Australian universities. This qualitative study analysed semi-structured interviews with Australian research supervisors and Chinese research students, as well as research theses produced by Chinese research students. The intellectual silence of Chinese research students is examined through the lens of Qi's concept -- networked-hutong siwei. The results show that to adopt the networked-hutong siwei could provide a new perspective to reconsider the intellectual silence of Chinese research students by enhancing international students' epistemological awareness of the interconnectedness of different intellectual resources and thus seeking theoretical and conceptual alternatives.