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IntroductionIn aviation, exceptional visual perception is crucial for pilots to monitor flight instruments and respond swiftly to deviations, as well as make rapid judgments regarding environmental changes, ensuring aviation safety. However, existing research on pilots’ visual perception has predominantly focused on behavioral observations, with limited exploration of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the brain activity associated with the visual perception capabilities of flight cadets. Data were collected from 25 flying cadets and 24 ground students under two conditions: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging session conducted in 2022 and a change-detection task. The data were analyzed using RESTplus software.ResultsThe analysis revealed that degree centrality values in the right precuneus and left lingual gyrus showed significantly positive correlations with task reaction time and accuracy, respectively, in the pilot group. These brain regions were found to be significantly associated with the visual perception abilities of the pilots.DiscussionThe findings suggest that alterations in the left precuneus and right lingual gyrus in pilots are linked to their visual perception capabilities, which may play a crucial role in mission performance. These results provide a foundation for improving flight training programs and selecting suitable flight trainees based on neurophysiological markers of visual perception.

Improving vegetable yield and optimizing its quality through nutrient management have long been central to plant nutrition and horticultural science. Copper (Cu) is recognized as an essential trace element that promotes plant growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which Cu influences nitrogen (N) metabolism remain largely unknown, with limited studies exploring the interaction between Cu and varying nitrate-to-ammonium (nitrate/ammonium) ratios. In this study, Chinese cabbage was exposed to two Cu concentrations (0 and 0.02 mg L-1) in combination with three nitrate/ammonium ratios (10/90, 50/50, and 90/10) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that Cu application increased plant biomass, nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) enzyme activities, the expression of NR (NIA) and GS2 (Gln2) genes, and N content in both shoots and roots. Additionally, Cu treatment decreased nitrate and free amino acid contents, as well as the expression of nitrate transporters NRT1.1 and NRT2.1 in roots while increasing these four parameters in shoots. Additionally, these effects were significantly modulated by the nitrate/ammonium ratios. In conclusion, Cu may facilitate nitrate transportation, enhance nitrate reduction, promote ammonium assimilation, and influence the transformation of organic N compounds, highlighting its potential role in improving N metabolism in Chinese cabbage.

Abstract Tunable optical information storage is crucial in artificial retinal systems for mimicking neurobiological visual characteristics. The perception and storage of light signals rely heavily on the regulation of the conductivity states of memristor materials (e.g., transition metal oxides). Controlling light memristor behavior via defects and polymorphic phases remains underexplored and differs from traditional plasticity training via repeated testing. In this study, defect‐driven ultraviolet light perception and memristor storage with phase transitions in vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films are presented. The effects of oxygen defects and the corresponding polymorphic phases on ultraviolet light memristors are investigated. The dependence of phonon vibrations and insulator–metal transition behavior on defect levels are revealed. Self‐doping and polymorphs enable VO2 to exhibit distinct ultraviolet memristor performance. It is anticipated that defect‐driven light memristors significantly contribute to the realization of artificial synaptic devices and the implementation of advanced electronic neuron systems.

Abstract Surface often determines the formation and function of nanoscale thin films and nanomaterials. In correlated vanadium oxides, oxidation states and stoichiometry play important roles in regulating reversible insulator–metal transition (IMT) behaviors. This study presents the surface oxidation state reductions and IMT modulations in vanadium oxides. Oxidation states of vanadium in the surface layer are changed in the nanostructures of vanadium oxides through pulsed hydrogen plasma (PHP). The thickness‐dependent variations are also observed with Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and verified in vanadium oxides with different oxidation states. Obvious modulations on IMT behaviors are then demonstrated and related to such variation of surface oxidation states in the VO2 thin film and nanobeam. It is expected that such surface manipulations are beneficial to a better understanding of the IMT in correlated vanadium oxides and the fabrication of advanced functional electronic and photoelectronic devices.

Reversible insulator–metal transition (IMT) and structure phase change in vanadium dioxide (VO2) remain vital and challenging with complex polymorphs. It is always essential to understand the polymorphs that coexist in desired VO2 materials and their IMT behaviors. Different electrical properties and lattice alignments in VO2 (M) and VO2 (B) phases have enabled the creation of versatile functional devices. Here, we present polymorphous VO2 thin films with coexistent VO2 (M) and VO2 (B) phases and phase-dependent IMT behaviors. The presence of VO2 (B) phases may induce lattice distortions in VO2 (M). The plane spacing of (011)M in the VO2 (M) phase becomes widened, and the V-V and V-O vibrations shift when more VO2 (B) phase exists in the VO2 (M) matrix. Significantly, the coexisting VO2 (B) phases promote the IMT temperature of the polymorphous VO2 thin films. We expect that such coexistent polymorphs and IMT variations would help us to understand the microstructures and IMT in the desired VO2 materials and contribute to advanced electronic transistors and optoelectronic devices.

Abstract. Aims:. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) plays a role in many kinds of cancer, and its high expression in pancreatic cancer has been found to be related to better prognosis. However, the expression and biological significance of COMT in multistep pancreatic cancerogenesis is not clear. Main methods:. Six LSL-KrasG12D-positive and Pdx1-Cre-positive mice (KrasG12D mice), 6 wild-type mice and 1 human tissue microarray were used in this study. COMT protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and DNA chips were made for use in COMT mRNA assays. Key findings:. The expression of COMT in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) from KrasG12D mice was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue from wild-type mice, both in terms of protein level and mRNA expression. The median COMT immunohistochemistry expression scores in human PanIN-1 and PanIN-2 were 70 and 160, respectively, which were significantly lower than the score of 170 observed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) (P = .024 and .037, respectively) and significantly higher than the score of 25 observed in pancreatitis (P = .01 and .008, respectively). Significance:. In the development of pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis and in the transition of PanIN to PDAC, we observed significantly increased expression of COMT. These data predict that the overexpression of COMT is an early event in the multistep process of pancreatic cancerogenesis.

Severe burn injuries immediately trigger a sustained systemic and local stress response. During this process, the sympathetic nervous system releases large amounts of catecholamines, which bind to β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR) on cell membranes, negatively affecting skin regeneration. Additionally, recurrent bacterial infections make burn wounds difficult to treat, posing significant and ongoing challenges to burn care. To address these challenges, we pioneered the study of locally delivered propranolol for burn wound treatment, revealing its ability to antagonize norepinephrine (NE) and regulate the sympathetic nervous system. In this study, a Cu2⁺-loaded anti-sympathetic hydrogel (copper ion cross-linked propranolol@gelatin/alginate, PNL@GA-Cu) was developed to remodel the challenging neuromodulatory microenvironment and accelerate the repair of the infected burn wound. The hydrogel system releases Cu2⁺ and propranolol simultaneously during degradation, synergistically acting on local wound tissue. Cu2⁺ exhibits dual effects of antibacterial activity and promoting angiogenesis, effectively killing Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli while enhancing the expression of angiogenesis-related genes (CD31, VEGF). Meanwhile, propranolol can counteract the inhibitory effects of NE simulated chronic stress microenvironment on angiogenesis and mitigate sympathetic nerve innervation during the early stages of wound healing. Finally, the PNL@GA-Cu hydrogel significantly promoted the repair of third-degree full-thickness burns in SD rats. Approaches targeting the neural microenvironment for burn wound treatment has not been previously addressed in the literature. The anti-sympathetic PNL@GA-Cu hydrogel offers a promising strategy for treating infected burn wounds. Remodeling the neuromodulatory microenvironment could be an emerging strategy in tissue engineering.

Background Iliosacral screw insertion by computer‐assisted navigation gradually became the main technique in some hospitals, but the expensive price limited the extensive application. But other techniques such as 3D printed template was used to place iliosacral screw as novel method. This study was to compare the efficiency of percutaneous iliosacral screw placement by using patient‐specific template and computer‐assisted navigation. Methods Total of 58 patients from September 2017 to September 2021 with sacral injury were treated operatively with percutaneous screw technique, which was selected for this retrospective analysis and divided into two groups (template and computer‐assisted navigation). There were 31 patients in template group and 27 patients in computer‐assisted navigation group. The surgical details (operation time, blood loss, number of screw placements, and number of fluoroscopies), complications, radiographic and clinical results were recorded. The quality of reduction was assessed by the Matta scoring system. T‐test and rank‐sum test was used in this study. Results Operation time in template group was less (33.97 ± 16.61 5.41 ± 1.58, p

Objective Posterior wall (PW) fractures were sometimes associated in both‐column acetabular fractures. How to evaluate pre‐operatively the necessity for the performance of the posterior approach was an issue to be solved. In order to solve this issue, the computer‐assisted virtual surgery technique was used to evaluate if the involved PW in both‐column acetabular fractures (BACF) should be managed through posterior approach and verify the feasibility of this method. Methods Data of a consecutive cohort of 72 patients with both‐acetabular fractures from January 2012 to January 2020 was collected for retrospective study, of which 44 patients had concomitant acetabular PW fractures, and patients without PW fractures were labeled as the BCAF group. Computer‐assisted virtual surgery technique was performed pre‐operatively to evaluate the necessity for performance of posterior approach in 44 patients, and posterior approach was required if more than 3 mm of displacement was still present in the reduced 3D model. The 23 patients without treatment through posterior approach were labeled as the BCAF‐PW− group, and the 21 patients with treatment through posterior approach were labeled as the BCAF‐PW+ group. Operation‐related and post‐operative parameters were recorded. The quality of reduction and functional outcomes were assessed by the Matta scoring system and modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel scoring system. The measurement data were analyzed using the t‐test of independent samples and rank‐sum test of ranked data between every two groups. Also, the one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze data between the three groups. Results Comparing operation‐related and post‐operative parameters in the three groups, some PW fractures in both‐column acetabular fractures could be ignored, and which could be evaluated pre‐operatively for necessity of an additional posterior approach. Operative time (271.2 ± 32.8 mins) and intra‐operative blood loss (1176.7 ± 211.1 mL) were significantly higher in the BCAF‐PW+ group. The excellent/good of reduction (25/28 of the BCAF group, 21/23 of the BCAF‐PW− group, 19/21 of the BCAF‐PW+ group) and functional outcomes (24/28 of the BCAF group, 18/23 of the BCAF‐PW− group, 18/21 of the BCAF‐PW+ group) of three groups were similar. The incidence of complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (4/28 of the BCAF group >3/23 of the BCAF‐PW− group >1/21 of the BCAF‐PW+ group) and injury of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (3/23 of the BCAF‐PW− group >2/28 of the BCAF group >0/21 of the BCAF‐PW+ group), was no significant difference. Conclusion The partial both‐column acetabular fractures with PW involvement could be managed through a single anterior approach without another posterior approach by evaluation of computer‐assisted virtual surgery technique.