Brine shrimp Artemia franciscana provide food for many migrating and staging birds that spend summer and fall on Great Salt Lake,Utah,USA.Artemia produce live young and cysts(hard-walled eggs);these cysts are commerci...Brine shrimp Artemia franciscana provide food for many migrating and staging birds that spend summer and fall on Great Salt Lake,Utah,USA.Artemia produce live young and cysts(hard-walled eggs);these cysts are commercially harvested on Great Salt Lake and support a large industry in Utah.It is unclear the impact that millions of hungry birds have on the Artemia population in the lake.To help assess that,this study evaluated cyst viability(percentage of cysts that contain an embryo)and hatchability(percent of cysts that hatch)from cysts that had passed through the digestive tract of eared grebes Podiceps nigricollis and cysts obtained directly from Great Salt Lake at the same site where each grebe was collected.Hatchability was significantly higher for cysts collected from the water column(19%)than from the stomach(0.3%)or intestines(3%)of eared grebes.Viability also was significantly different for cysts collected from the water column(29%),stomach(0.7%),and intestines(5%).These results indicate that eared grebes nutritionally benefit from eating cysts and that they may be an important food source for grebes in late fall after the adult population of Artemia dies off due to the water becoming too cold.Also,enough cysts survive their passage through the digestive system that grebes can vector hatchable cysts to other waterbodies.展开更多
该文运用Dlib人脸检测模型与人脸检测模板匹配方法,通过计算EAR、MAR、pitch、yaw和roll参数,采用多阈值判定研究疲驾驶员疲劳状态,并将该算法在Raspberry Pi 5硬件平台实现,搭建疲劳驾驶检测预警系统,最后通过公开数据集验证该系统对...该文运用Dlib人脸检测模型与人脸检测模板匹配方法,通过计算EAR、MAR、pitch、yaw和roll参数,采用多阈值判定研究疲驾驶员疲劳状态,并将该算法在Raspberry Pi 5硬件平台实现,搭建疲劳驾驶检测预警系统,最后通过公开数据集验证该系统对于驾驶员面部疲劳状态检测及提醒的准确性和良好的系统性能。EAR、MAR、HPE 3种判断准则在公开数据集Drowsiness、YawDD及自制数据集上分别达到95.6%、96%与96%的平均正确率;在面部无遮挡的情况下,该系统实时帧率达到20 FPS,基本可实时对驾驶员疲劳状态作出相应提醒,同时具备较高的准确率。展开更多
From April to July 2003 and 2004,we surveyed the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant(Crossoptilon crossoptilon)in the Zhujie Monastery and in the mountain facing it in Sichuan Province,China.In this paper,...From April to July 2003 and 2004,we surveyed the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant(Crossoptilon crossoptilon)in the Zhujie Monastery and in the mountain facing it in Sichuan Province,China.In this paper,we studied the nest characteristics and the clutch size of the pheasant.Habitat sampling method was used to determine the variables that might affect the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant.Chi-square test was used to identify which habitat type was likely to be preferred by the bird.Independent-samples t test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to find which variables were important for the birds’nest-site selection.A total of 13 nests were found.Oak shrub was greatly preferred as nest sites(84.62%).Nests under a rock wall(7.69%)and a fallen tree(7.69%)were also found.The average clutch size of a White Eared pheasant is 7.33±0.54(range,5–11;n=12).Laying period was between April 27 and May 21.In the Zhujie area,1 nest was in the forest and 11 nests were in oak shrubs.The species preferred oak shrub as its nesting habitat(χ^(2)=8.333,df=1,P<0.05).The bird was more likely to place its nest in sites with a high coverage,i.e.0.5,1,and 2 m above the ground(independent-samples t test,P<0.05),and with a large shrub diameter(Mann–Whitney U test,P<0.05).The species are more likely to prefer sites with plant cover,shrub cover(independentsamples t test,P<0.05),and shrub height(Mann–Whitney U test,P<0.05)in a relatively small range.展开更多
Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prog...Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prognosis of ossiculoplasty,each emphasizing different variables such as ossicular status,middle ear environment,and surgical history.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of prognostic scoring systems,including Austin's original ossicular classification,Bellucci's otorrhea staging,the Middle Ear Risk Index(MERI),the Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Staging(OOPS),and the recently introduced Ear Environment Risk(EER)scale.While these systems have significantly contributed to preoperative assessment,each presents notable limitations in encompassing all variables affecting surgical success.Therefore,the aim of this paper is to provide a review of the ossiculoplasty prognostic scores and show the benefits,innovations and gaps associated with each.To address these gaps,a novel,modified scoring system is proposed,incorporating previously overlooked but clinically significant factors such as tympanic membrane status,type of tympanoplasty,ossicular replacement material,CT scan findings,and the presence of complicated ear conditions.By synthesizing elements from historical scores with updated clinical insights,the proposed system aims to provide a more holistic and predictive framework for preoperative evaluation.Future multicenter studies are encouraged to validate the efficacy and prognostic power of this new scoring system,with the goal of improving surgical planning and patient counseling in ossiculoplasty.展开更多
Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive ...Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.展开更多
Objectives:To investigate the imaging characteristics,surgical approaches,and outcomes of cochlear implantation(CI)in patients with special inner ear malformations(IEMs)that show transitional forms between cochlear hy...Objectives:To investigate the imaging characteristics,surgical approaches,and outcomes of cochlear implantation(CI)in patients with special inner ear malformations(IEMs)that show transitional forms between cochlear hypoplasia(CH)and common cavity(CC).Methods:Twelve children(eight males,four females),aged 10 to 43 months,with special IEMs were enrolled,and their inner ear structures were analyzed using detailed segmentation.Two surgical approaches were employed:the transmastoid slot labyrinthotomy approach(TSLA)for cases requiring customized electrodes,and the round window or cochleostomy approach for the remaining cases.Outcomes were evaluated using Categories of Auditory Performance(CAP),Speech Intelligibility Rating(SIR),and Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale(MAIS/IT-MAIS)at 12 months post-implantation.Results:Two main types of malformed cochleae were identified:common cavity-like and primitive CH types.All patients exhibited cochlear nerve deficiency and significant bilateral differences in their inner ear structures.Four patients underwent TSLA with customized electrodes,while the remaining patients received lateral wall electrodes via the round window or cochleostomy approach.Most patients showed improvement in auditory and speech capabilities following implantation.Conclusion:Inner ear malformations with transitional forms between CH and CC present unique challenges,requiring detailed preoperative evaluation and customized surgical plans.Even in severe cases,carefully planned surgery can lead to meaningful auditory rehabilitation.展开更多
Kinship verification is a key biometric recognition task that determines biological relationships based on physical features.Traditional methods predominantly use facial recognition,leveraging established techniques a...Kinship verification is a key biometric recognition task that determines biological relationships based on physical features.Traditional methods predominantly use facial recognition,leveraging established techniques and extensive datasets.However,recent research has highlighted ear recognition as a promising alternative,offering advantages in robustness against variations in facial expressions,aging,and occlusions.Despite its potential,a significant challenge in ear-based kinship verification is the lack of large-scale datasets necessary for training deep learning models effectively.To address this challenge,we introduce the EarKinshipVN dataset,a novel and extensive collection of ear images designed specifically for kinship verification.This dataset consists of 4876 high-resolution color images from 157 multiracial families across different regions,forming 73,220 kinship pairs.EarKinshipVN,a diverse and large-scale dataset,advances kinship verification research using ear features.Furthermore,we propose the Mixer Attention Inception(MAI)model,an improved architecture that enhances feature extraction and classification accuracy.The MAI model fuses Inceptionv4 and MLP Mixer,integrating four attention mechanisms to enhance spatial and channel-wise feature representation.Experimental results demonstrate that MAI significantly outperforms traditional backbone architectures.It achieves an accuracy of 98.71%,surpassing Vision Transformer models while reducing computational complexity by up to 95%in parameter usage.These findings suggest that ear-based kinship verification,combined with an optimized deep learning model and a comprehensive dataset,holds significant promise for biometric applications.展开更多
伴随全球气候变化研究的不断拓展,当前风速研究普遍采用气候再分析数据作为基础工具,本文以2009年中国大陆2000余个气象站点的逐小时风速观测值为基础数据,对1948~2018年间东亚区域地表气象要素的70年再分析产品(Eastern Asian Reanalys...伴随全球气候变化研究的不断拓展,当前风速研究普遍采用气候再分析数据作为基础工具,本文以2009年中国大陆2000余个气象站点的逐小时风速观测值为基础数据,对1948~2018年间东亚区域地表气象要素的70年再分析产品(Eastern Asian Reanalysis for surface meteorological variables, EAR70)和ERA5数据进行了对比评估,考察了其在年、月、日和小时尺度上的风速模拟性能与误差分布。年尺度分析表明,2009年中国风速呈现“中部低、南北高”的格局,西北、东北及沿海地区风速较高,部分站点风速超过6 m/s,具备较大风能开发潜力,而四川盆地等区域风速偏小;月尺度分析表明,EAR70在中国东部存在系统性高估偏差,偏差集中于河北、河南、江苏一带,尤以冬季最显著,夏季偏差相对较小;日统计结果显示,EAR70的日最小风速模拟结果明显优于ERA5,而在日最大风速上,ERA5模拟值离散程度小,误差波动较小;小时尺度分析表明,EAR70在夜间至清晨风速模拟较为准确,日间风速模拟的稳定性以ERA5为优,ERA5覆盖多数区域,尤其是中东部地区,风速模拟精度较高,较EAR70误差更低。展开更多
Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we e...Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we employed two recombinant inbred line(RIL)populations with the common resistant parental line CML304 to identify FER-resistance loci.Initial QTL analysis identified 23 FER-resistance QTL,each explaining 5.21%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.Notably,one major QTL,qRfv2,on chromosome 2 was repeatedly detected,accounting for 11.92%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.qRfv2 was fine mapped to an interval of 1.01 Mb,flanked by the markers IDP8 and IDP10.qRfv2 is a semidominant resistance gene that could reduce the disease severity index(DSI)by 12.4%-20%,suggesting its potential for enhancing FER resistance in maize.Transcriptome analysis showed that 22 of the 28 annotated functional genes in the qRfv2 region displayed differential expression between parental lines in response to FER.One of the candidate genes,ZmLOX6,was validated to presumably provide a positive effect on FER resistance.Our study provides a basis for the potential cloning and application of FER resistance genes in maize breeding.展开更多
1临床资料患儿,女,3岁,主因“发现右耳听力差3年”就诊。家长3年前发现患儿右耳听力差,站于右侧呼唤患儿反应迟钝,说话发声及面部表情正常。体格检查:双侧耳廓及外耳道未见明显异常。声导抗:双耳A型。声反射:左侧90 dB SPL,右侧未引出...1临床资料患儿,女,3岁,主因“发现右耳听力差3年”就诊。家长3年前发现患儿右耳听力差,站于右侧呼唤患儿反应迟钝,说话发声及面部表情正常。体格检查:双侧耳廓及外耳道未见明显异常。声导抗:双耳A型。声反射:左侧90 dB SPL,右侧未引出。行为测听:左侧听力正常,右侧极重度感音神经性听力下降。耳声发射(OAE):左侧正常,右侧全频未引出。展开更多
The Hongyancun subway station in Chongqing,China,is 116 meters deep and the difference in air pressure often leaves users with clogged(堵塞的)ears when accessed via its elevator.When the air pressure outside the eardr...The Hongyancun subway station in Chongqing,China,is 116 meters deep and the difference in air pressure often leaves users with clogged(堵塞的)ears when accessed via its elevator.When the air pressure outside the eardrum(耳膜)becomes different than the pressure inside,you experience ear barotrauma(气压伤).It occurs most often during steep ascents and descents and is usually associated with plane take⁃offs and landings,or driving up or down mountains.Most subway stations dont usually cause ear barotrauma,because they arent deep or steep enough for your ears to register a significant enough difference in air pressure.But taking the elevator to reach Chinas deepest subway station might actually clog up your ears.Thats because it is located 116 meters below the surface,which is the equivalent of about 40 floors underground.展开更多
Human temporal bone specimens are used in experiments to measure the sound transfer function of the middle ear.This standard method for the development of middle ear implants requires temporal bones that possess appro...Human temporal bone specimens are used in experiments to measure the sound transfer function of the middle ear.This standard method for the development of middle ear implants requires temporal bones that possess appropriate mechanical properties and structural stability and are free from pathological conditions.A laser Doppler vibrometer is commonly employed to measure the vibration of the stapes footplate.These experiments are typically conducted in the middle ear by leaving the inner ear intact,exposing the stapes footplate through the tympanic cavity,and directing the laser beam onto the footplate.However,previous studies have shown that the influence of inner ear impedance on the middle ear transfer function cannot be ignored,and any surgical manipulation may cause a change in inner ear pressure,resulting in instability in the middle ear transfer function.Therefore,this study aims to eliminate the influence of the inner ear and to establish a new experimental method in human temporal bone specimens that is more suitable for the study of sound conduction in middle ear implants.As a result,a range for middle ear transfer function was developed,which serves as a reference for assessing the conformity of temporal bone specimens to experimental standards,and the stability of this range was demonstrated under experimental conditions.展开更多
Keloid scars and epidermoid cysts present unique challenges in plastic surgery,often requiring distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.Keloid scars result from dysregulated wound healing characterized by collag...Keloid scars and epidermoid cysts present unique challenges in plastic surgery,often requiring distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.Keloid scars result from dysregulated wound healing characterized by collagen overproduction and inflammatory states.In contrast,epidermoid cysts are cutaneous lesions lined with keratinized epithelium,with the rare complication of development into squamous cell carcinoma.A rare clinical dilemma is when epidermoid cysts arise within keloidal scar tissue.In this case,effective management involves meticulous diagnostic approaches,including ultrasonography and histopathological examination,to identify coexisting cysts within scar tissue.In the few studies reporting this rare occurrence,various treatment protocols exist consisting of various combinations of surgical excision,intralesional corticosteroid injections,chemotherapeutic agents,laser therapy,radiotherapy,isotretinoin,and tranilast.As advancements in the comprehension and treatment of epidermoid cysts within keloid scars progress,customized therapeutic approaches provide promise for enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.展开更多
My favourite pet is a lovely dog.I bought him last year in the pet market.He has long ears,a long body and brown fur.He is very small.He weights①about one kilogram.He is very active.He wants to catch everything.Every...My favourite pet is a lovely dog.I bought him last year in the pet market.He has long ears,a long body and brown fur.He is very small.He weights①about one kilogram.He is very active.He wants to catch everything.Every day he runs here and there.But if you want him to do something,he will be a very good boy.展开更多
Background:Bat ear is a congenital condition that can have psychological effects on patients and is readily correctable,often yielding highly satisfactory outcomes for both patients and surgeons.It is crucial to selec...Background:Bat ear is a congenital condition that can have psychological effects on patients and is readily correctable,often yielding highly satisfactory outcomes for both patients and surgeons.It is crucial to select appropriate techniques in the surgical plan to ensure optimal outcomes.This study aimed to compare the outcomes of otoplasty using the cartilage scoring technique versus the cartilage excision technique for correcting the antihelix.Methods:Twenty patients were divided into two groups:group A underwent the cartilage scoring technique,and group B received the cartilage excision technique.Symmetry,satisfaction,and complications were evaluated and compared between the groups.A visual analog score(VAS)was used to assess the perceived symmetry and satisfaction in both groups.Results:Group A(cartilage scoring technique)demonstrated excellent postoperative symmetry,with a total symmetry score of 96/100 on cartilage grading.In group B,6 of the 10 individuals reported high satisfaction(score:10/10 points on VAS),whereas the remaining 4 reported moderate satisfaction(score:5–9/10 points).The total symmetry score in group B(cartilage excision technique)was 92/100,which was lower than that in group A.No relapses in angle measurements were observed in group A.In contrast,group B showed six average and four slightly overcorrected angle measurements.In group B,the postoperative measures were less satisfactory.Angle measurements were average angles in four cases,and somewhat overcorrected in six.Regarding the helix-to-mastoid distance,three cases were within the average range,whereas seven were slightly overcorrected.No relapses were observed in either group.Concerning complications,we employed minus scoring to measure all complications.Group A had a negative score of19,whereas group B had24.Conclusion:The outcomes were highly satisfactory for patients and surgeons treated using the cartilage scoring technique,and relatively less satisfactory for patients and surgeons treated using the cartilage excision technique.展开更多
Background:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL),often associated with tinnitus,significantly impacts individuals'quality of life.Current treatments,such as free drugs via intravenous or intratympanic(IT)admini...Background:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL),often associated with tinnitus,significantly impacts individuals'quality of life.Current treatments,such as free drugs via intravenous or intratympanic(IT)administration of dexamethasone(DEX)and lidocaine,face limitations like low bioavailability and rapid drug clearance.To address these challenges,we developed a local co-delivery system combining DEX microcrystals(DEX MCs)and lidocaine-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)non-spherical microparticles(LPNMs)for sustained drug release in the inner ear.Methods:DEX MCs and LPNMs were prepared using the traditional precipitation technique and double emulsion-solvent evaporation,respectively.After characterizing physicochemical properties and drug release kinetics,they were dispersed in sodium hyaluronate solution for IT injection,then in vivo pharmacokinetics and biocompatibility in guinea pigs were studied.Results:DEX MCs exhibited stable dissolution,while LPNMs provided sustained lidocaine release,reducing potential side effects.In vivo studies in guinea pigs demonstrated prolonged drug retention in the perilymph and improved pharmacokinetics.Histological evaluation confirmed the good biocompatibility of this combined delivery system,with no significant inner ear damage observed.Conclusion:This co-delivery system can be used as a depot for delivering both DEX and lidocaine to the inner ear and offers a promising approach for the synergistic treatment of SSNHL associated with tinnitus.展开更多
基金Supported by the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources,Utah Agricultural Experiment Station(article No.9534)and Ecology Center of Utah State Universityapproved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Utah State University(10087)+2 种基金permitted by the state of Utah(1BAND10069,2COLL10039)the U.S.Bird Banding Lab(21175)and the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service(MB693916-0).
文摘Brine shrimp Artemia franciscana provide food for many migrating and staging birds that spend summer and fall on Great Salt Lake,Utah,USA.Artemia produce live young and cysts(hard-walled eggs);these cysts are commercially harvested on Great Salt Lake and support a large industry in Utah.It is unclear the impact that millions of hungry birds have on the Artemia population in the lake.To help assess that,this study evaluated cyst viability(percentage of cysts that contain an embryo)and hatchability(percent of cysts that hatch)from cysts that had passed through the digestive tract of eared grebes Podiceps nigricollis and cysts obtained directly from Great Salt Lake at the same site where each grebe was collected.Hatchability was significantly higher for cysts collected from the water column(19%)than from the stomach(0.3%)or intestines(3%)of eared grebes.Viability also was significantly different for cysts collected from the water column(29%),stomach(0.7%),and intestines(5%).These results indicate that eared grebes nutritionally benefit from eating cysts and that they may be an important food source for grebes in late fall after the adult population of Artemia dies off due to the water becoming too cold.Also,enough cysts survive their passage through the digestive system that grebes can vector hatchable cysts to other waterbodies.
文摘该文运用Dlib人脸检测模型与人脸检测模板匹配方法,通过计算EAR、MAR、pitch、yaw和roll参数,采用多阈值判定研究疲驾驶员疲劳状态,并将该算法在Raspberry Pi 5硬件平台实现,搭建疲劳驾驶检测预警系统,最后通过公开数据集验证该系统对于驾驶员面部疲劳状态检测及提醒的准确性和良好的系统性能。EAR、MAR、HPE 3种判断准则在公开数据集Drowsiness、YawDD及自制数据集上分别达到95.6%、96%与96%的平均正确率;在面部无遮挡的情况下,该系统实时帧率达到20 FPS,基本可实时对驾驶员疲劳状态作出相应提醒,同时具备较高的准确率。
基金supported by the National Sciences Foundation of China (no.30330050)the Chicago Zoological Society.
文摘From April to July 2003 and 2004,we surveyed the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant(Crossoptilon crossoptilon)in the Zhujie Monastery and in the mountain facing it in Sichuan Province,China.In this paper,we studied the nest characteristics and the clutch size of the pheasant.Habitat sampling method was used to determine the variables that might affect the nest-site selection of the White Eared pheasant.Chi-square test was used to identify which habitat type was likely to be preferred by the bird.Independent-samples t test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to find which variables were important for the birds’nest-site selection.A total of 13 nests were found.Oak shrub was greatly preferred as nest sites(84.62%).Nests under a rock wall(7.69%)and a fallen tree(7.69%)were also found.The average clutch size of a White Eared pheasant is 7.33±0.54(range,5–11;n=12).Laying period was between April 27 and May 21.In the Zhujie area,1 nest was in the forest and 11 nests were in oak shrubs.The species preferred oak shrub as its nesting habitat(χ^(2)=8.333,df=1,P<0.05).The bird was more likely to place its nest in sites with a high coverage,i.e.0.5,1,and 2 m above the ground(independent-samples t test,P<0.05),and with a large shrub diameter(Mann–Whitney U test,P<0.05).The species are more likely to prefer sites with plant cover,shrub cover(independentsamples t test,P<0.05),and shrub height(Mann–Whitney U test,P<0.05)in a relatively small range.
文摘Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prognosis of ossiculoplasty,each emphasizing different variables such as ossicular status,middle ear environment,and surgical history.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of prognostic scoring systems,including Austin's original ossicular classification,Bellucci's otorrhea staging,the Middle Ear Risk Index(MERI),the Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Staging(OOPS),and the recently introduced Ear Environment Risk(EER)scale.While these systems have significantly contributed to preoperative assessment,each presents notable limitations in encompassing all variables affecting surgical success.Therefore,the aim of this paper is to provide a review of the ossiculoplasty prognostic scores and show the benefits,innovations and gaps associated with each.To address these gaps,a novel,modified scoring system is proposed,incorporating previously overlooked but clinically significant factors such as tympanic membrane status,type of tympanoplasty,ossicular replacement material,CT scan findings,and the presence of complicated ear conditions.By synthesizing elements from historical scores with updated clinical insights,the proposed system aims to provide a more holistic and predictive framework for preoperative evaluation.Future multicenter studies are encouraged to validate the efficacy and prognostic power of this new scoring system,with the goal of improving surgical planning and patient counseling in ossiculoplasty.
基金supported by the key research project for fig development of Weiyuan County(Grant No.1002-69199007),China.
文摘Fig fruit firmness decreases rapidly during ripening and after harvest,resulting in poor storability and transportation loss,which severely restricts development of the fresh fig industry.APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor(AP2/ERF)transcription factors are downstream components of the ethylene-signaling pathway that play crucial roles in quality formation during fruit ripening.In this study,Ficus carica(Fc)ERF12 was clustered in repressor subfamily VIII of ERFs through phylogenetic analysis,and further recruited by its two EAR motifs and expression pattern during fig ripening.DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis indicated that FcERF12 binds to the promoter or gene body regions of multiple ripening-related genes,including cell wall-modification genes FcPG,FcXTH and FcPME,and ethylene-biosynthesis genes FcACS and FcACO.Yeast two-hybrid assay demonstrated that FcERF12 interacts with TOPLESS(TPL)co-repressors FcTPL1,FcTPL4 and FcTPL5,and histone deacetylases FcHDA6 and FcHDA19;interaction with FcTPL4 and FcTPL5 relied on the C-terminal EAR motif.Overexpressing FcERF12 in tomato did not change fruit size or yield,but resulted in an 18.37%increment in fruit firmness and a 49.62%reduction in ethylene-release rate at fruit ripening,accompanied by a significant decrease in seed number per fruit.Transcriptomic analysis revealed downregulation of tomato cell wallmodification genes SlPL,SlEXP and SlPG,and ethylene-synthesis genes SlACO and SlACS.Metabolomic profiling identified 82 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites,61 of them showing significantly decreased contents.Taken together,our results exhibit the negative regulatory role of FcERF12 in fig ethylene-signal transduction,providing new information on precise control of fruit firmness and other quality traits at ripening.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(grant no.2022YFC2402705)National Municipal Natural Science Foundation(grant no.82471161)Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation(grant no.7244308).
文摘Objectives:To investigate the imaging characteristics,surgical approaches,and outcomes of cochlear implantation(CI)in patients with special inner ear malformations(IEMs)that show transitional forms between cochlear hypoplasia(CH)and common cavity(CC).Methods:Twelve children(eight males,four females),aged 10 to 43 months,with special IEMs were enrolled,and their inner ear structures were analyzed using detailed segmentation.Two surgical approaches were employed:the transmastoid slot labyrinthotomy approach(TSLA)for cases requiring customized electrodes,and the round window or cochleostomy approach for the remaining cases.Outcomes were evaluated using Categories of Auditory Performance(CAP),Speech Intelligibility Rating(SIR),and Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale(MAIS/IT-MAIS)at 12 months post-implantation.Results:Two main types of malformed cochleae were identified:common cavity-like and primitive CH types.All patients exhibited cochlear nerve deficiency and significant bilateral differences in their inner ear structures.Four patients underwent TSLA with customized electrodes,while the remaining patients received lateral wall electrodes via the round window or cochleostomy approach.Most patients showed improvement in auditory and speech capabilities following implantation.Conclusion:Inner ear malformations with transitional forms between CH and CC present unique challenges,requiring detailed preoperative evaluation and customized surgical plans.Even in severe cases,carefully planned surgery can lead to meaningful auditory rehabilitation.
文摘Kinship verification is a key biometric recognition task that determines biological relationships based on physical features.Traditional methods predominantly use facial recognition,leveraging established techniques and extensive datasets.However,recent research has highlighted ear recognition as a promising alternative,offering advantages in robustness against variations in facial expressions,aging,and occlusions.Despite its potential,a significant challenge in ear-based kinship verification is the lack of large-scale datasets necessary for training deep learning models effectively.To address this challenge,we introduce the EarKinshipVN dataset,a novel and extensive collection of ear images designed specifically for kinship verification.This dataset consists of 4876 high-resolution color images from 157 multiracial families across different regions,forming 73,220 kinship pairs.EarKinshipVN,a diverse and large-scale dataset,advances kinship verification research using ear features.Furthermore,we propose the Mixer Attention Inception(MAI)model,an improved architecture that enhances feature extraction and classification accuracy.The MAI model fuses Inceptionv4 and MLP Mixer,integrating four attention mechanisms to enhance spatial and channel-wise feature representation.Experimental results demonstrate that MAI significantly outperforms traditional backbone architectures.It achieves an accuracy of 98.71%,surpassing Vision Transformer models while reducing computational complexity by up to 95%in parameter usage.These findings suggest that ear-based kinship verification,combined with an optimized deep learning model and a comprehensive dataset,holds significant promise for biometric applications.
文摘伴随全球气候变化研究的不断拓展,当前风速研究普遍采用气候再分析数据作为基础工具,本文以2009年中国大陆2000余个气象站点的逐小时风速观测值为基础数据,对1948~2018年间东亚区域地表气象要素的70年再分析产品(Eastern Asian Reanalysis for surface meteorological variables, EAR70)和ERA5数据进行了对比评估,考察了其在年、月、日和小时尺度上的风速模拟性能与误差分布。年尺度分析表明,2009年中国风速呈现“中部低、南北高”的格局,西北、东北及沿海地区风速较高,部分站点风速超过6 m/s,具备较大风能开发潜力,而四川盆地等区域风速偏小;月尺度分析表明,EAR70在中国东部存在系统性高估偏差,偏差集中于河北、河南、江苏一带,尤以冬季最显著,夏季偏差相对较小;日统计结果显示,EAR70的日最小风速模拟结果明显优于ERA5,而在日最大风速上,ERA5模拟值离散程度小,误差波动较小;小时尺度分析表明,EAR70在夜间至清晨风速模拟较为准确,日间风速模拟的稳定性以ERA5为优,ERA5覆盖多数区域,尤其是中东部地区,风速模拟精度较高,较EAR70误差更低。
基金financially funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2004205)the China Agricultural University-Syngenta Project.
文摘Fusarium ear rot(FER),caused by Fusarium verticillioides,is a destructive fungal disease of maize.FER resistance is a complex,quantitatively inherited trait controlled by multiple minor-effect genes.In this study,we employed two recombinant inbred line(RIL)populations with the common resistant parental line CML304 to identify FER-resistance loci.Initial QTL analysis identified 23 FER-resistance QTL,each explaining 5.21%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.Notably,one major QTL,qRfv2,on chromosome 2 was repeatedly detected,accounting for 11.92%-30.51%of the total phenotypic variation.qRfv2 was fine mapped to an interval of 1.01 Mb,flanked by the markers IDP8 and IDP10.qRfv2 is a semidominant resistance gene that could reduce the disease severity index(DSI)by 12.4%-20%,suggesting its potential for enhancing FER resistance in maize.Transcriptome analysis showed that 22 of the 28 annotated functional genes in the qRfv2 region displayed differential expression between parental lines in response to FER.One of the candidate genes,ZmLOX6,was validated to presumably provide a positive effect on FER resistance.Our study provides a basis for the potential cloning and application of FER resistance genes in maize breeding.
文摘1临床资料患儿,女,3岁,主因“发现右耳听力差3年”就诊。家长3年前发现患儿右耳听力差,站于右侧呼唤患儿反应迟钝,说话发声及面部表情正常。体格检查:双侧耳廓及外耳道未见明显异常。声导抗:双耳A型。声反射:左侧90 dB SPL,右侧未引出。行为测听:左侧听力正常,右侧极重度感音神经性听力下降。耳声发射(OAE):左侧正常,右侧全频未引出。
文摘The Hongyancun subway station in Chongqing,China,is 116 meters deep and the difference in air pressure often leaves users with clogged(堵塞的)ears when accessed via its elevator.When the air pressure outside the eardrum(耳膜)becomes different than the pressure inside,you experience ear barotrauma(气压伤).It occurs most often during steep ascents and descents and is usually associated with plane take⁃offs and landings,or driving up or down mountains.Most subway stations dont usually cause ear barotrauma,because they arent deep or steep enough for your ears to register a significant enough difference in air pressure.But taking the elevator to reach Chinas deepest subway station might actually clog up your ears.Thats because it is located 116 meters below the surface,which is the equivalent of about 40 floors underground.
文摘Human temporal bone specimens are used in experiments to measure the sound transfer function of the middle ear.This standard method for the development of middle ear implants requires temporal bones that possess appropriate mechanical properties and structural stability and are free from pathological conditions.A laser Doppler vibrometer is commonly employed to measure the vibration of the stapes footplate.These experiments are typically conducted in the middle ear by leaving the inner ear intact,exposing the stapes footplate through the tympanic cavity,and directing the laser beam onto the footplate.However,previous studies have shown that the influence of inner ear impedance on the middle ear transfer function cannot be ignored,and any surgical manipulation may cause a change in inner ear pressure,resulting in instability in the middle ear transfer function.Therefore,this study aims to eliminate the influence of the inner ear and to establish a new experimental method in human temporal bone specimens that is more suitable for the study of sound conduction in middle ear implants.As a result,a range for middle ear transfer function was developed,which serves as a reference for assessing the conformity of temporal bone specimens to experimental standards,and the stability of this range was demonstrated under experimental conditions.
文摘Keloid scars and epidermoid cysts present unique challenges in plastic surgery,often requiring distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.Keloid scars result from dysregulated wound healing characterized by collagen overproduction and inflammatory states.In contrast,epidermoid cysts are cutaneous lesions lined with keratinized epithelium,with the rare complication of development into squamous cell carcinoma.A rare clinical dilemma is when epidermoid cysts arise within keloidal scar tissue.In this case,effective management involves meticulous diagnostic approaches,including ultrasonography and histopathological examination,to identify coexisting cysts within scar tissue.In the few studies reporting this rare occurrence,various treatment protocols exist consisting of various combinations of surgical excision,intralesional corticosteroid injections,chemotherapeutic agents,laser therapy,radiotherapy,isotretinoin,and tranilast.As advancements in the comprehension and treatment of epidermoid cysts within keloid scars progress,customized therapeutic approaches provide promise for enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
文摘My favourite pet is a lovely dog.I bought him last year in the pet market.He has long ears,a long body and brown fur.He is very small.He weights①about one kilogram.He is very active.He wants to catch everything.Every day he runs here and there.But if you want him to do something,he will be a very good boy.
文摘Background:Bat ear is a congenital condition that can have psychological effects on patients and is readily correctable,often yielding highly satisfactory outcomes for both patients and surgeons.It is crucial to select appropriate techniques in the surgical plan to ensure optimal outcomes.This study aimed to compare the outcomes of otoplasty using the cartilage scoring technique versus the cartilage excision technique for correcting the antihelix.Methods:Twenty patients were divided into two groups:group A underwent the cartilage scoring technique,and group B received the cartilage excision technique.Symmetry,satisfaction,and complications were evaluated and compared between the groups.A visual analog score(VAS)was used to assess the perceived symmetry and satisfaction in both groups.Results:Group A(cartilage scoring technique)demonstrated excellent postoperative symmetry,with a total symmetry score of 96/100 on cartilage grading.In group B,6 of the 10 individuals reported high satisfaction(score:10/10 points on VAS),whereas the remaining 4 reported moderate satisfaction(score:5–9/10 points).The total symmetry score in group B(cartilage excision technique)was 92/100,which was lower than that in group A.No relapses in angle measurements were observed in group A.In contrast,group B showed six average and four slightly overcorrected angle measurements.In group B,the postoperative measures were less satisfactory.Angle measurements were average angles in four cases,and somewhat overcorrected in six.Regarding the helix-to-mastoid distance,three cases were within the average range,whereas seven were slightly overcorrected.No relapses were observed in either group.Concerning complications,we employed minus scoring to measure all complications.Group A had a negative score of19,whereas group B had24.Conclusion:The outcomes were highly satisfactory for patients and surgeons treated using the cartilage scoring technique,and relatively less satisfactory for patients and surgeons treated using the cartilage excision technique.
基金Tianjin Natural Science Foundation for Jingjinji Collaboration,Grant/Award Number:23JCZXJC00240Hebei Natural Science Foundation,Grant/Award Number:H2023201903+2 种基金Beijing Natural Science Foundation,Grant/Award Number:J230006Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research,Grant/Award Number:CFH:2022-2-5072CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences,Grant/Award Number:2021-I2M-1-052。
文摘Background:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL),often associated with tinnitus,significantly impacts individuals'quality of life.Current treatments,such as free drugs via intravenous or intratympanic(IT)administration of dexamethasone(DEX)and lidocaine,face limitations like low bioavailability and rapid drug clearance.To address these challenges,we developed a local co-delivery system combining DEX microcrystals(DEX MCs)and lidocaine-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)non-spherical microparticles(LPNMs)for sustained drug release in the inner ear.Methods:DEX MCs and LPNMs were prepared using the traditional precipitation technique and double emulsion-solvent evaporation,respectively.After characterizing physicochemical properties and drug release kinetics,they were dispersed in sodium hyaluronate solution for IT injection,then in vivo pharmacokinetics and biocompatibility in guinea pigs were studied.Results:DEX MCs exhibited stable dissolution,while LPNMs provided sustained lidocaine release,reducing potential side effects.In vivo studies in guinea pigs demonstrated prolonged drug retention in the perilymph and improved pharmacokinetics.Histological evaluation confirmed the good biocompatibility of this combined delivery system,with no significant inner ear damage observed.Conclusion:This co-delivery system can be used as a depot for delivering both DEX and lidocaine to the inner ear and offers a promising approach for the synergistic treatment of SSNHL associated with tinnitus.
