Search

Advances in flexible electronics are driving the development of ferroelectric thin‐film capacitors toward flexibility and high energy storage performance. In the present work, the synergistic combination of mechanical bending and defect dipole engineering is demonstrated to significantly enhance the energy storage performance of freestanding ferroelectric thin films, achieved through the generation of a narrower and right‐shifted polarization‐electric field hysteresis loop. The recoverable energy storage density of freestanding PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 thin films increases from 99.7 J cm−3 in the strain (defect) ‐free state to 349.6 J cm−3, marking a significant increase of 251%. The collective impact of the flexoelectric field, bending tensile strain, and defect dipoles contributes to this enhancement. The demonstrated synergistic optimization strategy has potential applicability to flexible ferroelectric thin film systems. Moreover, the energy storage properties of flexible ferroelectric thin films can be further fine‐tuned by adjusting bending angles and defect dipole concentrations, offering a versatile platform for control and performance optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review aimed to provide an exhaustive overview of the advancements in avian SCZ research. In the review, we summarize the latest research on trait variations in avian SCZs, including vocalization, plumage, beak, and migratory traits. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms of different types of avian SCZ movements. Finally, we outline several significant questions for future studies. A secondary contact zone (SCZ) is an area where incipient species or divergent populations may meet, mate, and hybridize. Due to the diverse patterns of interspecific hybridization, SCZs function as field labs for illuminating the on-going evolutionary processes of speciation and the establishment of reproductive isolation. Interspecific hybridization is widely present in avian populations, making them an ideal system for SCZ studies. This review exhaustively summarizes the variations in unique traits within avian SCZs (vocalization, plumage, beak, and migratory traits) and the various movement patterns of SCZs observed in previous publications. It also highlights several potential future research directions in the genomic era, such as the relationship between phenotypic and genomic differentiation in SCZs, the genomic basis of trait differentiation, SCZs shared by multiple species, and accurate predictive models for forecasting future movements under climate change and human disturbances. This review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of speciation processes and offers a theoretical foundation for species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of problems that human—centered video monitoring mode had limited duration, multiple scenes were difficult to monitor at the same time, and results of manual monitoring were not processed in time, target detection method of underground personnel based on deep convolutional neural network was proposed. Firstly, input image was scaled to a fixed size, and a feature map was formed after operation of deep convolutional neural network; then, a suggestion area was formed on the feature map through area suggestion network, the suggestion area was pooled into a unified size which was sent to full connection layer for operation; finally, the best suggestion area was selected according to probability score, and the required target detection box was automatically generated. The test results show that the method can successfully detect head of underground personnel with an accuracy rate of 87.6%.

In this content analysis, we examined 20 years of peer-reviewed counseling research with immigrant children and adolescents published between 2002–2022. We conducted a comprehensive analysis that included a total of 32 articles from American Counseling Association (ACA) and ACA division journals. We analyzed the articles and identified five overarching themes that shed light on the publication trends and existing gaps in the literature concerning issues of immigrant children and adolescents. Recommendations are presented and discussed for advancing future practice and research in the counseling field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the function and regulation mechanism of circ_0071589 in colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression levels of circ_0071589, microRNA‐296‐5p (miR‐296‐5p), and Engrailed‐2 (EN2) were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Western blot was performed to check the protein levels of EN2 and apoptosis‐related proteins. Cell colony formation and 5‐Ethynyl‐29‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were used to exhibit cell proliferation. Cell apoptosis was shown by flow cytometry. Tube formation assay manifested the angiogenesis ability of CRC cells. Transwell assay demonstrated cell migration and invasion. The interaction between miR‐296‐5p and circ_0071589 or EN2 was identified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The effect of circ_0071589 on tumor formation was demonstrated by in vivo tumor formation experiments. Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay was used to detect the positive cell rate of Ki67 in tumor tissue. Circ_0071589 was upregulated in CRC tissue and cells. Circ_0071589 knockdown repressed CRC cells proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. MiR‐296‐5p was downregulated in CRC tissue and cells. And miR‐296‐5p inhibitor could reverse the malignant phenotypes and angiogenesis inhibition of CRC cells caused by circ_0071589 knockdown. Additionally, miR‐296‐5p decreased CRC cell colony formation, EdU‐positive cells, angiogenesis, and increased cell apoptosis through reducing the expression level of EN2. Finally, circ_0071589 silencing inhibited tumor formation in vivo. Circ_0071589 upregulated EN2 expression through sponging miR‐296‐5p, thereby promoting the malignant phenotype and angiogenesis of CRC cells, which provided a new target for the treatment of CRC. Highlights: Circ_0071589 was elevated in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue and cells.Circ_0071589 silence hindered CRC cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and accelerated cell apoptosis.Circ_0071589 directly targeted miR‐296‐5p.Engrailed‐2 (EN2) was a target of miR‐296‐5p.Circ_0071589 regulated EN2 expression via adsorbing miR‐296‐5p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow transit constipation (STC), the most common type of constipation, seriously affects the life of patients. Zhizhu decoction (ZZD), a traditional Chinese medicine compound, has is effective against functional constipation, but the mechanism is still unclear. This research explores the mechanism of ZZD on STC from the perspective of metabolomics and gut microbiota. Fifty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups (n = 9): control (control); STC (model); positive control (positive); low-dose (5 g/kg; L-ZZD), medium-dose (10 g/kg; M-ZZD), and high-dose (20 g/kg; H-ZZD) ZZD treatment. Following treatment of mice with ZZD for two weeks, the changes in intestinal motility, colon histology, intestinal neurotransmitters, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway determined the effects of ZZD on the pathophysiology of STC. LC-MS targeting serum metabolomics was used to analyze the regulation of ZZD on neurotransmitters, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to detect the regulation of the gut microbiome. ZZD had the highest content of naringin (6348.1 mg/L), and could significantly increase the 24 h defecations (1.10- to 1.42-fold), fecal moisture (1.14-fold) and intestinal transport rate (1.28-fold) of STC mice, increased the thickness of the mucosal and muscular tissue (1.18- to 2.16-fold) and regulated the neurotransmitters in the colon of STC mice. Moreover, ZZD significantly activated the AHR signaling pathway, and also affected the composition of gut microbiota in STC mice. The beneficial effect and the possible mechanism of ZZD on STC could provide a theoretical basis for the broader clinical application of ZZD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face persecution and discrimination leading to escape from their home countries to places where LGBTQ+ identity and HIV status are grounds for asylum. Although researchers have documented this population's experiences of pre-, during, and postmigration trauma, there remains a gap in exploring factors that contribute to posttraumatic growth (PTG) and resilience. Researchers in this study used a phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of PTG and resilience of participants living in the United States, but originally from seven different countries. Four main themes were identified: survival mechanisms of pre-migration trauma, external resources and supports, PTG skills, and complex characteristics of resilience. Implications for counseling research and clinical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early events in the evolution of an ancestral lineage can shape the adaptive patterns of descendant species, but the evolutionary mechanisms driving initial adaptation from an ancestor remain largely unexplored. High‐altitude adaptations have been extensively explored from the viewpoint of protein‐coding genes; however, the contribution of noncoding regions remains relatively neglected. Here, we integrate genomic and transcriptomic data to investigate adaptive evolution in the ancestor of three high‐altitude snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our genome‐wide scan for adaptation in the snowfinch ancestor identifies strong adaptation signals in functions of development and metabolism for the coding genes, but in functions of the nervous system development for noncoding regions. This pattern is exclusive to the snowfinch ancestor compared to a control ancestral lineage subject to weak selection. Changes in noncoding regions in the snowfinch ancestor, especially those nearest to coding genes, may be disproportionately associated with the differential expression of genes in the brain tissue compared to other tissues. Extensive gene expression in the brain tissue can be further altered via genetic regulatory networks of transcription factors harbouring potential accelerated regulatory regions (e.g., the development‐related transcription factor YEATS4). Altogether, our study provides new evidence concerning how coding and noncoding sequences work through decoupled pathways in initial adaptation to the selective pressure of high‐altitude environments. The analysis highlights the idea that noncoding sequences may be promising elements in facilitating the rapid evolution and adaptation to high altitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrant students experience multiple challenges, and school counselors are at the forefront of professionals who can support them. School counselors are vital in ensuring that students are included and feel safe in the school community. This study explored school counselors' perceptions of their work and involvement in advocacy with immigrant students. The guiding research question was: What are the perceptions and experiences of school counselors supporting and advocating for immigrant students? Themes included multiple priorities for students, best practice recommendations, and enhancing competence. Implications for school counselors are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Constipation is one of the most prevalent chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, previous studies have demonstrated that Chinese herbal compounds may exert effects on constipation. The present study aimed to predict the mechanisms underlying the effects of Zhi Zhu Ma Ren Pill (ZZMRP), which includes Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Fructus Cannabis, Paeonia lactiflora and Radix Asteris in the treatment of constipation, using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The components and target information of ZZMRP were accessed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and analysis platform, and the associated targets of constipation were obtained from the GeneCards, Disgenet, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, DrugBANK and Therapeutic Target Database databases. The major targets were subsequently selected using a Venn diagram and network topology analysis, which was followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was performed to authenticate the binding activity between active components and core targets. Results: A total of 44 active components, 249 targets of ZZMRP and 1501 targets associated with constipation were acquired. A total of 122 intersection targets were discovered between ZZMRP and constipation. Subsequently, 18 key targets were authenticated, including tumor protein 53, RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, JUN and caspase-3. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that mitogen-activated protein kinase, tumor necrosis factor, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways may be involved in the treatment of constipation using ZZMRP. Molecular docking suggested that quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin exhibited high binding affinities with several of the primary targets. Conclusions: The active components, core targets, and signaling pathways of ZZMRP in the treatment of constipation were predicted, which may be applicable to the development of treatments for constipation and application of ZZMRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]