Antarctic clouds and their vertical structures play a significant role in influencing the regional radiation budget and ice mass balance;however,substantial uncertainties persist.Continuous monitoring and research are...Antarctic clouds and their vertical structures play a significant role in influencing the regional radiation budget and ice mass balance;however,substantial uncertainties persist.Continuous monitoring and research are essential for enhancing our understanding of these clouds.This study presents an analysis of cloud occurrence frequency and cloud-base heights(CBHs)at Zhongshan Station in East Antarctica for the first time,utilizing data from a C12 ceilometer covering the period from January 2022 to December 2023.The findings indicate that low clouds dominate at Zhongshan Station,with an average cloud occurrence frequency of 75%.Both the cloud occurrence frequency and CBH distribution exhibit distinct seasonal variations.Specifically,the cloud occurrence frequency during winter is higher than that observed in summer,while winter clouds can develop to greater heights.Over the Southern Ocean,the cloud occurrence frequency during summer surpasses that at Zhongshan Station,with clouds featuring lower CBHs and larger extinction coefficients.Furthermore,it is noteworthy that CBHs derived from the ceilometer are basically consistent with those obtained from radiosondes.Importantly,ERA5 demonstrates commendable performance in retrieving CBHs at Zhongshan Station when compared with ceilometer measurements.展开更多
In Earth system modeling,the land surface is coupled with the atmosphere through surface turbulent fluxes.These fluxes are computed using mean meteorological variables between the surface and a reference height in the...In Earth system modeling,the land surface is coupled with the atmosphere through surface turbulent fluxes.These fluxes are computed using mean meteorological variables between the surface and a reference height in the atmosphere.However,the dependence of flux computation on the reference height,which is usually set as the lowest level in the atmosphere in Earth system models,has not received much attention.Based on high-resolution large-eddy simulation(LES)data under unstable conditions,we find the setting of reference height is not trivial within the framework of current surface layer theory.With a reasonable prescription of aerodynamic roughness length(following the setting in LESs),reference heights near the top of the surface layer tend to provide the best estimate of surface fluxes,especially for the momentum flux.Furthermore,this conclusion for the sensible heat flux is insensitive to the ratio of roughness length for momentum versus heat.These results are robust,whether using the classical or revised surface layer theory.They provide a potential guide for setting the proper reference heights for Earth system modeling and can be further tested in the near future using observational data from land–atmosphere feedback observatories.展开更多
Sudden earthquakes pose a threat to the running safety of trains on high-speed railway bridges,and the stiffness of piers is one of the factors affecting the dynamic response of train-track-bridge system.In this paper...Sudden earthquakes pose a threat to the running safety of trains on high-speed railway bridges,and the stiffness of piers is one of the factors affecting the dynamic response of train-track-bridge system.In this paper,a experiment of a train running on a high-speed railway bridge is performed based on a dynamic experiment system,and the corresponding numerical model is established.The reliability of the numerical model is verified by experiments.Then,the experiment and numerical data are analyzed to reveal the pier height effects on the running safety of trains on bridges.The results show that when the pier height changes,the frequency of the bridge below the 30 m pier height changes greater;the increase of pier height causes the transverse fundamental frequency of the bridge close to that of the train,and the shaking angle and lateral displacement of the train are the largest for bridge with 50 m pier,which increases the risk of derailment;with the pier height increases from 8 m to 50 m,the derailment coefficient obtained by numerical simulations increases by 75% on average,and the spectral intensity obtained by experiments increases by 120% on average,two indicators exhibit logarithmic variation.展开更多
BACKGROUND Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs)contribute to back pain and functional limitations in older individuals,with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)emerging as a minimally invasive treatment.How...BACKGROUND Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs)contribute to back pain and functional limitations in older individuals,with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)emerging as a minimally invasive treatment.However,further height loss post-PVP prompts investigation into contributing factors.AIM To investigate the factors associated with further height loss following PVP with cement augmentation in OVCF patients.METHODS A total of 200 OVCF patients who underwent successful PVP between January 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study.“Further height loss”during 1 year of follow-up in OVCF patients with bone edema was defined as a vertical height loss of≥4 mm.The study population was divided into two groups for analysis:The“No Further Height Loss group(n=179)”and the“Further Height Loss group(n=21).”RESULTS In comparing two distinct groups of patients,significant differences existed in bone mineral density(BMD),vertebral compression degree,prevalence of intravertebral cleft(IVF),type of bone cement used,and cement distribution patterns.Results from binary univariate regression analysis revealed that lower BMD,the presence of IVF,cleft distribution of bone cement,and higher vertebral compression degree were all significantly associated with further height loss.Notably,the use of mineralized collagen modified-poly(methyl methacrylate)bone cement was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of further height loss.In multivariate regression analysis,lower BMD and the presence of IVF remained significantly associated with further height loss.CONCLUSION Further height loss following PVP in OVCF patients is influenced by a complex interplay of factors,especially lower BMD and the presence of IVF.These findings underscore the importance of assessing and managing these factors when addressing height loss following PVP in OVCF patients.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
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
Objective: To study the effects of starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) prior the age of two years on the growth (height and weight) of HIV-infected children. Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study. HIV...Objective: To study the effects of starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) prior the age of two years on the growth (height and weight) of HIV-infected children. Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study. HIV-infected children on ART aged less than 15 years were divided into two groups Group 1 (G1) comprising children who started ART prior 2 years and Group (G2) those put on treatment thereafter. Main Measures: Percentage of children with growth retardation measured by Height for Age (H/A) and Weight for Age (W/A) Results: In total, we included 90 subjects. The median age was 10 years with a slight female predominance (51.2%). Most children were asymptomatic at the time of the study (96.6%), compliant with treatment (81%), 54.8% of children were on cotrimoxazole, 33% knew their status. At initiation, underweight was predominant in group 1 compared to group 2 (52% versus 29.5%;p = 0.015). Conversely, stunted growth predominated in G2 compared to G1 but without significant difference (38% versus 50%;p = 0.147). At the time of our study (median age of 10 years), catch-up height and weight predominated in G1 compared to G2;only a small proportion remained below −2SD (4% versus 18.2%;p = 0.015 and 9% versus 29.5%;p = 0.006 respectively for underweight and stunted growth). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Growth retardation was common at ART initiation. Catch-up in height was more evident in the early treatment group. Initiation of ART before the age of 2 years rather influences children’s height than weight. The result of this study further emphasizes the need of early ART and closed clinical monitoring to better assess the impact of ART in areas with high rates of undernutrition.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
Objective:To present a rare case of glial heterotopia in the middle ear occurring in association with cholesteatoma.Patient and Intervention:A 56-year-old female presented with right-sided hearing loss and otorrhea.EN...Objective:To present a rare case of glial heterotopia in the middle ear occurring in association with cholesteatoma.Patient and Intervention:A 56-year-old female presented with right-sided hearing loss and otorrhea.ENT examination and CT imaging revealed middle ear cholesteatoma.Right canal wall down mastoidectomy with type Ⅲ tympanoplasty revealed a well-demarcated,soft,pinkish mass in the right middle ear without tegmen tympani dehiscence.Histopathological analysis confirmed glial heterotopia.Main Outcome Measures:Complete cholesteatoma resection,resolution of otorrhea,absence of neurological complications,and right-sided hearing improvement.Results:The patient demonstrated an uneventful postoperative recovery.At the five-month follow-up,tympanoplasty outcomes remained stable.Repeat imaging confirmed absence of skull base defects,with clinical resolution of otorrhea.No postoperative neurological complications(including cerebrospinal fluid leakage)were observed.Conclusions:Middle ear glial heterotopia is a rare entity that may be discovered incidentally or in association with infection/cholesteatoma.Definitive management requires surgical excision of the heterotopic tissue and concurrent repair of skull base bone defects when identified.Preoperative imaging evaluation with CT or MRI can be valuable to delineate anatomical relationships and exclude intracranial connections.展开更多
The sensation of ear fullness is a prevalent symptom encountered in clinical practice at ear clinics.It can manifest in various conditions,including external auditory canal diseases,middle ear diseases,inner ear disea...The sensation of ear fullness is a prevalent symptom encountered in clinical practice at ear clinics.It can manifest in various conditions,including external auditory canal diseases,middle ear diseases,inner ear diseases,as well as non-ear related disorders such as autonomic nervous dysfunction and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.Despite extensive research efforts,the underlying mechanism of ear fullness remains complex and not fully elucidated.Furthermore,the mechanism of ear fullness varies depending on the specific anatomical site and associated disease pathology.In this article,we have conducted a comprehensive literature review to explore the mechanisms underlying ear fullness across different sites of the auditory conduction pathway.By focusing on these lesions and their correlation with ear fullness,we aim to provide an updated understanding on the etiology,diagnosis,and therapy for ear fullness-related diseases.展开更多
This study investigates the hydrodynamic process of a cylinder ejected from the water’s surface through high-speed camera experiments.Using digital image processing methods,the images obtained through experiments are...This study investigates the hydrodynamic process of a cylinder ejected from the water’s surface through high-speed camera experiments.Using digital image processing methods,the images obtained through experiments are processed and analyzed.Although the dynamics of rising buoyant cylinders have been thoroughly investigated,the pop-up height of the cylinders has not been extensively explored.Statistical analysis of the kinematic and dynamic data of cylinders is conducted.Research has shown that after the cylinder rises,it pops out of the water’s surface.Within the experimental range,the pop-up height of the cylinder is related to the release depth.Furthermore,the pop-up height and release depth of the cylinder vary linearly under vertical release conditions.Under horizontal release conditions,the relationship between pop-up height and release depth shows irregular changes mainly because of the unstable shedding of the wake vortex.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
Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant i...Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant inbred population consisting of 181 individual lines was used to determine genetic controls of PH,PBL,and BN across three environments.Phenotypic data collected from the population demonstrated continuous distributions and transgressive segregation patterns.Broad-sense heritability of PH,PBL,and BN was found to be 0.87,0.88,and 0.92,respectively.Unconditional individual environmental analysis revealed 35 additive QTLs with phenotypic variation explained(PVE)ranging from 4.57 to 21.68%.A two-round meta-analysis resulted in 24consensus and 19 unique QTLs.Five unique QTLs exhibited pleiotropic effects and their genetic bases(pleiotropy or tight linkage)were evaluated.A joint analysis was performed to estimate the QTL by environment interaction(QEI)effects on PH,PBL,and BN,collectively explaining phenotypic variations of 10.80,11.02,and 7.89%,respectively.We identified 3 major and stable QTL regions(uq9-3,uq10-2,and uq16-1)on chromosomes 9,10,and 16,spanning1.43-1.53 Mb genomic regions.Candidate genes involved in phytohormones biosynthesis,signaling,and cell wall development were proposed to regulate these morphological traits.These results provide valuable information for further genetic studies and the development of molecular markers applicable to peanut architecture improvement.展开更多
Planting density is a major limiting factor for maize yield,and breeding for density tolerance has become an urgent issue.The leaf structure of the maize ear leaf is the main factor that restricts planting density and...Planting density is a major limiting factor for maize yield,and breeding for density tolerance has become an urgent issue.The leaf structure of the maize ear leaf is the main factor that restricts planting density and yield components.In this study,a natural population of 201 maize inbred lines was used for genome-wide association analysis,which identified nine SNPs on chromosomes 2,5,8,9,and 10 that were significantly associated with ear leaf type structure.Further verification through qRT-PCR confirmed the association of five candidate genes with these SNPs,with the Zm00001d008651 gene showing significant differential expression in the compact and flat maize inbred lines.Enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)databasessuggested that this gene is involved in the glycolysis process.An analysis of the basic properties of this gene revealed that it encodes a stable,basic protein consisting of 593 amino acids with some hydrophobic properties.The promoter region contains stress and hormone(abscisic acid(ABA))related elements.The mutant of this gene increased the first ear leaf angle(eLA)and leaf angle of the first leaf below the first ear(bLA)by 4.96 and 0.97°,respectively,compared with normal inbred lines.Overall,this research sheds light on the regulatory mechanism of ear and leaf structures that influence density tolerance and provides solid foundational work for the development of new varieties.展开更多
This article delves Chern's conjecture for hypersurfaces with constant second fundamental form squared length S in the spherical space.At present,determining whether the third gap point of S is 2n remains unsolved...This article delves Chern's conjecture for hypersurfaces with constant second fundamental form squared length S in the spherical space.At present,determining whether the third gap point of S is 2n remains unsolved yet.First,we investigate the height functions and their properties of the position vector and normal vector in natural coordinate vectors,and then prove the existence of a Simons-type integral formula on the hypersurface that simultaneously includes the first,second,and third gap point terms of S.These results can provide new avenues of thought and methods for solving Chern's conjecture.展开更多
Strip-till(ST),including straw mulching in the inter-row and localized fertilization in the intra-row,is a conservation tillage system for improving soil quality and crop growth.However,the yield advantage of maize un...Strip-till(ST),including straw mulching in the inter-row and localized fertilization in the intra-row,is a conservation tillage system for improving soil quality and crop growth.However,the yield advantage of maize under ST compared to conventional tillage(CT)remains unstable,and the strategies to increase maize yield under ST are unclear.This study aims to understand the physiological mechanism underlining maize yield formation under ST by comparing two maize cultivars,DKM753 and DK517,with contrasting yield performance in ST versus CT systems.Compared to CT,ST resulted in a 4.5%yield increase for DKM753 but a 5.6%decrease for DK517.These yield differences were primarily attributed to variations in grain number per ear(GN).During the rapid growth stage(V14-R3),i.e.,two weeks before and after silking,DKM753 showed a 6.7%increase in maximum growth rate(V_(max))and a 6.3%increase in average growth rate(V)under ST,whereas DK517 exhibited decline of 8.5%in V_(max) and 12.3%in V.Significant positive correlations are observed between V_(max) and V with GN under ST(R^(2)=0.79 and R^(2)=0.90,respectively).Enhanced dry matter accumulation in DKM753 under ST was attributed to increased leaf expansion rates,contributing to a larger photosynthate source.The straw mulching and localized nitrogen fertilization increased root-zone nitrogen availability at silking in ST compared to CT.DKM753 had a greater root system which made better use of the soil N and lead to an increased leaf nitrogen accumulation by 14.9%under ST.It is concluded that maize yield under the strip-till system is determined by grain number per ear,which can be increased by increasing nitrogen accumulation,plant growth,and ear development around silking stage.A sound root system can efficiently utilize soil nitrogen resources under the strip-till system,increasing plant nitrogen accumulation and thereby promoting plant growth.展开更多
ObjectiveTo develop a sustained-release codelivery system for intratympanic administration of dexamethasone(DEX)and lipoic acid(LA).MethodsDEX microcrystals(MCs)were prepared via precipitation,while LA-loaded porous P...ObjectiveTo develop a sustained-release codelivery system for intratympanic administration of dexamethasone(DEX)and lipoic acid(LA).MethodsDEX microcrystals(MCs)were prepared via precipitation,while LA-loaded porous PLGA microspheres(LPMPs)were fabricated using a double emulsion–solvent evaporation method.DEX MCs were physically perfused into LPMPs via negative pressure to form a combined system(DEX MCs+LPMPs).Physicochemical properties,in vitro drug release,pharmacokinetics,and biocompatibility were evaluated.Guinea pigs were used for intratympanic injections of DEX MCs,LPMPs,or DEX MCs+LPMPs.ResultsThe DEX MCs+LPMPs system enabled simultaneous release of both drugs,with DEX exhibiting superior pharmacokinetics(sustained perilymph concentrations up to 7 days)compared to DEX MCs alone.LA release from LPMPs demonstrated prolonged kinetics without burst release.SEM confirmed DEX MCs were localized within/on LPMPs and adhered to the round window membrane(RWM).Histological analysis revealed normal cochlear morphology and no inflammatory response,confirming biocompatibility.ConclusionsThis novel codelivery system combining microcrystals and porous microspheres achieves sustained dual-drug release,enhances therapeutic efficacy,and offers a promising strategy for managing hearing loss via intratympanic administration.展开更多
The conversion of sound vibration into electrical potential is a critical function performed by cochlear hair cells.Unlike the regenerative capacity found in various other cells throughout the body,cochlear sensory ce...The conversion of sound vibration into electrical potential is a critical function performed by cochlear hair cells.Unlike the regenerative capacity found in various other cells throughout the body,cochlear sensory cells lack the ability to regenerate once damaged.Furthermore,a decline in the quantity of these cells results in a deterioration of auditory function.Piezoelectric materials can generate electric charge in response to sound wave vibration,making them theoretically suitable for replacing hair cell function.This study explores an innovative approach using piezoelectric nanocomposite filaments,namely poly(vinylidene fluoride),poly(vinylidene fluoride)/barium titanate,and poly(vinylidene fluoride)/reduced graphene oxide,as self-powered acoustic sensors designed to function in place of cochlear hair cells.These flexible filaments demonstrate a unique ability to generate electricity in response to frequency sounds from 50 up to 1000 Hz at moderate sound pressure levels(60–95 dB),approaching the audible range with an overall acoustoelectric energy conversion efficiency of 3.25%.Serving as self-powered acoustic sensors,these flexible filaments hold promise for potential applications in cochlear implants,with a high sensitivity of 117.5 mV(Pa-cm^(2))^(-1).The cytocompatibility of these filaments was assessed through in vitro viability tests conducted on three cell lines,serving as a model for inner ear cells.展开更多
Background The middle ear pneumatic system(MEPS)supports pressure balance,essential for sound conduction.Its volume and surface area are key indicators of pneumatization and ventilation,yet their specific contribution...Background The middle ear pneumatic system(MEPS)supports pressure balance,essential for sound conduction.Its volume and surface area are key indicators of pneumatization and ventilation,yet their specific contributions to pressure regulation need further exploration.Objective To evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of parameters characterizing the MEPS,including volume(V),surface area(S),and surface-area-to-volume ratio(S/V),in normal ears.Materials and Methods We collected CT images of the temporal bone from 63 normal ears for this study.The volume(V),surface area(S),and surface-area-to-volume ratio(S/V)of the MEPS were measured and calculated using three-dimensional reconstruction technology.Statistical methods were used to process the data and determine the 95%reference range for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in the normal ear.At the same time,we analyzed the impact of differences in gender and the left and right sides on the measurements.Results The 95%reference values for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in normal ears were 1057.10~18239.16 mm²,609.16~9854.11 mm^(3),and 1.39~2.52 mm^(-1) respectively.There were no significant differences in the measurements between genders and between the left and right sides.Conclusions and Significance This study has established the 95%reference values for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in normal ears,which were 1057.10-18239.16 mm²,609.16-9854.11 mm^(3),and 1.39-2.52 mm^(-1) respectively.We found that while there is a wide variation in the V values among normal ears,there is less variability in the S/V values.This structural characteristic suggests that changes in the S/V value may have a more significant impact on the balance of middle ear pressure,and it provides important reference data for the construction and functional reconstruction of three-dimensional models of the MEPS.These findings may aid in diagnosing middle ear disorders,such as otitis media with effusion,and guide interventions to restore pressure balance.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2021YFC2802501)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42175154 and 42305084)+1 种基金the Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.2024JJ2058)Research Project of the National University of Defense Technology(Grant No.202401-YJRC-XX-030)。
文摘Antarctic clouds and their vertical structures play a significant role in influencing the regional radiation budget and ice mass balance;however,substantial uncertainties persist.Continuous monitoring and research are essential for enhancing our understanding of these clouds.This study presents an analysis of cloud occurrence frequency and cloud-base heights(CBHs)at Zhongshan Station in East Antarctica for the first time,utilizing data from a C12 ceilometer covering the period from January 2022 to December 2023.The findings indicate that low clouds dominate at Zhongshan Station,with an average cloud occurrence frequency of 75%.Both the cloud occurrence frequency and CBH distribution exhibit distinct seasonal variations.Specifically,the cloud occurrence frequency during winter is higher than that observed in summer,while winter clouds can develop to greater heights.Over the Southern Ocean,the cloud occurrence frequency during summer surpasses that at Zhongshan Station,with clouds featuring lower CBHs and larger extinction coefficients.Furthermore,it is noteworthy that CBHs derived from the ceilometer are basically consistent with those obtained from radiosondes.Importantly,ERA5 demonstrates commendable performance in retrieving CBHs at Zhongshan Station when compared with ceilometer measurements.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42088101 and 42375163)the Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Basic Research(Grant No.2021B0301030007)the specific research fund of The Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province(Grant No.YSPTZX202143)。
文摘In Earth system modeling,the land surface is coupled with the atmosphere through surface turbulent fluxes.These fluxes are computed using mean meteorological variables between the surface and a reference height in the atmosphere.However,the dependence of flux computation on the reference height,which is usually set as the lowest level in the atmosphere in Earth system models,has not received much attention.Based on high-resolution large-eddy simulation(LES)data under unstable conditions,we find the setting of reference height is not trivial within the framework of current surface layer theory.With a reasonable prescription of aerodynamic roughness length(following the setting in LESs),reference heights near the top of the surface layer tend to provide the best estimate of surface fluxes,especially for the momentum flux.Furthermore,this conclusion for the sensible heat flux is insensitive to the ratio of roughness length for momentum versus heat.These results are robust,whether using the classical or revised surface layer theory.They provide a potential guide for setting the proper reference heights for Earth system modeling and can be further tested in the near future using observational data from land–atmosphere feedback observatories.
基金Projects(52022113,52278546)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2020EEEVL0403)supported by the China Earthquake Administration。
文摘Sudden earthquakes pose a threat to the running safety of trains on high-speed railway bridges,and the stiffness of piers is one of the factors affecting the dynamic response of train-track-bridge system.In this paper,a experiment of a train running on a high-speed railway bridge is performed based on a dynamic experiment system,and the corresponding numerical model is established.The reliability of the numerical model is verified by experiments.Then,the experiment and numerical data are analyzed to reveal the pier height effects on the running safety of trains on bridges.The results show that when the pier height changes,the frequency of the bridge below the 30 m pier height changes greater;the increase of pier height causes the transverse fundamental frequency of the bridge close to that of the train,and the shaking angle and lateral displacement of the train are the largest for bridge with 50 m pier,which increases the risk of derailment;with the pier height increases from 8 m to 50 m,the derailment coefficient obtained by numerical simulations increases by 75% on average,and the spectral intensity obtained by experiments increases by 120% on average,two indicators exhibit logarithmic variation.
基金the 2022 Panzhihua City Science and Technology Guidance Plan Project,No.2022ZD-S-35.
文摘BACKGROUND Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs)contribute to back pain and functional limitations in older individuals,with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)emerging as a minimally invasive treatment.However,further height loss post-PVP prompts investigation into contributing factors.AIM To investigate the factors associated with further height loss following PVP with cement augmentation in OVCF patients.METHODS A total of 200 OVCF patients who underwent successful PVP between January 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study.“Further height loss”during 1 year of follow-up in OVCF patients with bone edema was defined as a vertical height loss of≥4 mm.The study population was divided into two groups for analysis:The“No Further Height Loss group(n=179)”and the“Further Height Loss group(n=21).”RESULTS In comparing two distinct groups of patients,significant differences existed in bone mineral density(BMD),vertebral compression degree,prevalence of intravertebral cleft(IVF),type of bone cement used,and cement distribution patterns.Results from binary univariate regression analysis revealed that lower BMD,the presence of IVF,cleft distribution of bone cement,and higher vertebral compression degree were all significantly associated with further height loss.Notably,the use of mineralized collagen modified-poly(methyl methacrylate)bone cement was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of further height loss.In multivariate regression analysis,lower BMD and the presence of IVF remained significantly associated with further height loss.CONCLUSION Further height loss following PVP in OVCF patients is influenced by a complex interplay of factors,especially lower BMD and the presence of IVF.These findings underscore the importance of assessing and managing these factors when addressing height loss following PVP in OVCF patients.
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Objective: To study the effects of starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) prior the age of two years on the growth (height and weight) of HIV-infected children. Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study. HIV-infected children on ART aged less than 15 years were divided into two groups Group 1 (G1) comprising children who started ART prior 2 years and Group (G2) those put on treatment thereafter. Main Measures: Percentage of children with growth retardation measured by Height for Age (H/A) and Weight for Age (W/A) Results: In total, we included 90 subjects. The median age was 10 years with a slight female predominance (51.2%). Most children were asymptomatic at the time of the study (96.6%), compliant with treatment (81%), 54.8% of children were on cotrimoxazole, 33% knew their status. At initiation, underweight was predominant in group 1 compared to group 2 (52% versus 29.5%;p = 0.015). Conversely, stunted growth predominated in G2 compared to G1 but without significant difference (38% versus 50%;p = 0.147). At the time of our study (median age of 10 years), catch-up height and weight predominated in G1 compared to G2;only a small proportion remained below −2SD (4% versus 18.2%;p = 0.015 and 9% versus 29.5%;p = 0.006 respectively for underweight and stunted growth). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Growth retardation was common at ART initiation. Catch-up in height was more evident in the early treatment group. Initiation of ART before the age of 2 years rather influences children’s height than weight. The result of this study further emphasizes the need of early ART and closed clinical monitoring to better assess the impact of ART in areas with high rates of undernutrition.
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.
基金supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant number.82301295)。
文摘Objective:To present a rare case of glial heterotopia in the middle ear occurring in association with cholesteatoma.Patient and Intervention:A 56-year-old female presented with right-sided hearing loss and otorrhea.ENT examination and CT imaging revealed middle ear cholesteatoma.Right canal wall down mastoidectomy with type Ⅲ tympanoplasty revealed a well-demarcated,soft,pinkish mass in the right middle ear without tegmen tympani dehiscence.Histopathological analysis confirmed glial heterotopia.Main Outcome Measures:Complete cholesteatoma resection,resolution of otorrhea,absence of neurological complications,and right-sided hearing improvement.Results:The patient demonstrated an uneventful postoperative recovery.At the five-month follow-up,tympanoplasty outcomes remained stable.Repeat imaging confirmed absence of skull base defects,with clinical resolution of otorrhea.No postoperative neurological complications(including cerebrospinal fluid leakage)were observed.Conclusions:Middle ear glial heterotopia is a rare entity that may be discovered incidentally or in association with infection/cholesteatoma.Definitive management requires surgical excision of the heterotopic tissue and concurrent repair of skull base bone defects when identified.Preoperative imaging evaluation with CT or MRI can be valuable to delineate anatomical relationships and exclude intracranial connections.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[Grant numbers 82071057,82101229]Key Research and Development Program of Hubei Province Project[Grant 2021BCA144]。
文摘The sensation of ear fullness is a prevalent symptom encountered in clinical practice at ear clinics.It can manifest in various conditions,including external auditory canal diseases,middle ear diseases,inner ear diseases,as well as non-ear related disorders such as autonomic nervous dysfunction and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.Despite extensive research efforts,the underlying mechanism of ear fullness remains complex and not fully elucidated.Furthermore,the mechanism of ear fullness varies depending on the specific anatomical site and associated disease pathology.In this article,we have conducted a comprehensive literature review to explore the mechanisms underlying ear fullness across different sites of the auditory conduction pathway.By focusing on these lesions and their correlation with ear fullness,we aim to provide an updated understanding on the etiology,diagnosis,and therapy for ear fullness-related diseases.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.41706108the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality Project 20dz1206600+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai under Grant No.20ZR1424800the Oceanic Interdisciplinary Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University under Grant No.SL2022ZD106the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing under Grant No.cstc2021jcyj-msxmX0650.
文摘This study investigates the hydrodynamic process of a cylinder ejected from the water’s surface through high-speed camera experiments.Using digital image processing methods,the images obtained through experiments are processed and analyzed.Although the dynamics of rising buoyant cylinders have been thoroughly investigated,the pop-up height of the cylinders has not been extensively explored.Statistical analysis of the kinematic and dynamic data of cylinders is conducted.Research has shown that after the cylinder rises,it pops out of the water’s surface.Within the experimental range,the pop-up height of the cylinder is related to the release depth.Furthermore,the pop-up height and release depth of the cylinder vary linearly under vertical release conditions.Under horizontal release conditions,the relationship between pop-up height and release depth shows irregular changes mainly because of the unstable shedding of the wake vortex.
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.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(ZR2022MC045)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32001584,32201876)+2 种基金the Major Science and Technology Program of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China(2022A02008-3)the Breeding Project from Department of Science&Technology of Shandong Province,China(2022LZGC007)the Agricultural Scientific and the Technological Innovation Project of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(CXGC2023A06,CXGC2023A39 and CXGC2023A46),and the Major Scientific and Technological Achievements Cultivation Program of Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(CXGC2025E02)。
文摘Plant height(PH),primary lateral branch length(PBL),and branch number(BN)are architectural components impacting peanut pod yield,biomass production,and adaptivity to mechanical harvesting.In this study,a recombinant inbred population consisting of 181 individual lines was used to determine genetic controls of PH,PBL,and BN across three environments.Phenotypic data collected from the population demonstrated continuous distributions and transgressive segregation patterns.Broad-sense heritability of PH,PBL,and BN was found to be 0.87,0.88,and 0.92,respectively.Unconditional individual environmental analysis revealed 35 additive QTLs with phenotypic variation explained(PVE)ranging from 4.57 to 21.68%.A two-round meta-analysis resulted in 24consensus and 19 unique QTLs.Five unique QTLs exhibited pleiotropic effects and their genetic bases(pleiotropy or tight linkage)were evaluated.A joint analysis was performed to estimate the QTL by environment interaction(QEI)effects on PH,PBL,and BN,collectively explaining phenotypic variations of 10.80,11.02,and 7.89%,respectively.We identified 3 major and stable QTL regions(uq9-3,uq10-2,and uq16-1)on chromosomes 9,10,and 16,spanning1.43-1.53 Mb genomic regions.Candidate genes involved in phytohormones biosynthesis,signaling,and cell wall development were proposed to regulate these morphological traits.These results provide valuable information for further genetic studies and the development of molecular markers applicable to peanut architecture improvement.
基金supported by the Key Research and Development Project of Heilongjiang Province,China(2022ZX02B01)。
文摘Planting density is a major limiting factor for maize yield,and breeding for density tolerance has become an urgent issue.The leaf structure of the maize ear leaf is the main factor that restricts planting density and yield components.In this study,a natural population of 201 maize inbred lines was used for genome-wide association analysis,which identified nine SNPs on chromosomes 2,5,8,9,and 10 that were significantly associated with ear leaf type structure.Further verification through qRT-PCR confirmed the association of five candidate genes with these SNPs,with the Zm00001d008651 gene showing significant differential expression in the compact and flat maize inbred lines.Enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)databasessuggested that this gene is involved in the glycolysis process.An analysis of the basic properties of this gene revealed that it encodes a stable,basic protein consisting of 593 amino acids with some hydrophobic properties.The promoter region contains stress and hormone(abscisic acid(ABA))related elements.The mutant of this gene increased the first ear leaf angle(eLA)and leaf angle of the first leaf below the first ear(bLA)by 4.96 and 0.97°,respectively,compared with normal inbred lines.Overall,this research sheds light on the regulatory mechanism of ear and leaf structures that influence density tolerance and provides solid foundational work for the development of new varieties.
文摘This article delves Chern's conjecture for hypersurfaces with constant second fundamental form squared length S in the spherical space.At present,determining whether the third gap point of S is 2n remains unsolved yet.First,we investigate the height functions and their properties of the position vector and normal vector in natural coordinate vectors,and then prove the existence of a Simons-type integral formula on the hypersurface that simultaneously includes the first,second,and third gap point terms of S.These results can provide new avenues of thought and methods for solving Chern's conjecture.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD1500705)National Natural Science Foundation of China(U19A2035)for financial support。
文摘Strip-till(ST),including straw mulching in the inter-row and localized fertilization in the intra-row,is a conservation tillage system for improving soil quality and crop growth.However,the yield advantage of maize under ST compared to conventional tillage(CT)remains unstable,and the strategies to increase maize yield under ST are unclear.This study aims to understand the physiological mechanism underlining maize yield formation under ST by comparing two maize cultivars,DKM753 and DK517,with contrasting yield performance in ST versus CT systems.Compared to CT,ST resulted in a 4.5%yield increase for DKM753 but a 5.6%decrease for DK517.These yield differences were primarily attributed to variations in grain number per ear(GN).During the rapid growth stage(V14-R3),i.e.,two weeks before and after silking,DKM753 showed a 6.7%increase in maximum growth rate(V_(max))and a 6.3%increase in average growth rate(V)under ST,whereas DK517 exhibited decline of 8.5%in V_(max) and 12.3%in V.Significant positive correlations are observed between V_(max) and V with GN under ST(R^(2)=0.79 and R^(2)=0.90,respectively).Enhanced dry matter accumulation in DKM753 under ST was attributed to increased leaf expansion rates,contributing to a larger photosynthate source.The straw mulching and localized nitrogen fertilization increased root-zone nitrogen availability at silking in ST compared to CT.DKM753 had a greater root system which made better use of the soil N and lead to an increased leaf nitrogen accumulation by 14.9%under ST.It is concluded that maize yield under the strip-till system is determined by grain number per ear,which can be increased by increasing nitrogen accumulation,plant growth,and ear development around silking stage.A sound root system can efficiently utilize soil nitrogen resources under the strip-till system,increasing plant nitrogen accumulation and thereby promoting plant growth.
基金supported by Capital’s Funds for Health Improvement and Research(CFH:2022-2-5072)the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation for Jingjinji Collaboration(23JCZXJC00240)+1 种基金Beijing Natural Science Foundation(J230006)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science(2021-I2M-1-052).
文摘ObjectiveTo develop a sustained-release codelivery system for intratympanic administration of dexamethasone(DEX)and lipoic acid(LA).MethodsDEX microcrystals(MCs)were prepared via precipitation,while LA-loaded porous PLGA microspheres(LPMPs)were fabricated using a double emulsion–solvent evaporation method.DEX MCs were physically perfused into LPMPs via negative pressure to form a combined system(DEX MCs+LPMPs).Physicochemical properties,in vitro drug release,pharmacokinetics,and biocompatibility were evaluated.Guinea pigs were used for intratympanic injections of DEX MCs,LPMPs,or DEX MCs+LPMPs.ResultsThe DEX MCs+LPMPs system enabled simultaneous release of both drugs,with DEX exhibiting superior pharmacokinetics(sustained perilymph concentrations up to 7 days)compared to DEX MCs alone.LA release from LPMPs demonstrated prolonged kinetics without burst release.SEM confirmed DEX MCs were localized within/on LPMPs and adhered to the round window membrane(RWM).Histological analysis revealed normal cochlear morphology and no inflammatory response,confirming biocompatibility.ConclusionsThis novel codelivery system combining microcrystals and porous microspheres achieves sustained dual-drug release,enhances therapeutic efficacy,and offers a promising strategy for managing hearing loss via intratympanic administration.
基金financial support received from Deakin University through the Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship(2022)partially funded by the European Union–Next-Generation EU via the Italian Ministry of University and Research(MUR),PRIN 2022 Program(PROMISE project,CUP 153D23004700006)+1 种基金support from the Australian National Fabrication Facility(ANFF)the ARC Research Hub for Future Fibres.
文摘The conversion of sound vibration into electrical potential is a critical function performed by cochlear hair cells.Unlike the regenerative capacity found in various other cells throughout the body,cochlear sensory cells lack the ability to regenerate once damaged.Furthermore,a decline in the quantity of these cells results in a deterioration of auditory function.Piezoelectric materials can generate electric charge in response to sound wave vibration,making them theoretically suitable for replacing hair cell function.This study explores an innovative approach using piezoelectric nanocomposite filaments,namely poly(vinylidene fluoride),poly(vinylidene fluoride)/barium titanate,and poly(vinylidene fluoride)/reduced graphene oxide,as self-powered acoustic sensors designed to function in place of cochlear hair cells.These flexible filaments demonstrate a unique ability to generate electricity in response to frequency sounds from 50 up to 1000 Hz at moderate sound pressure levels(60–95 dB),approaching the audible range with an overall acoustoelectric energy conversion efficiency of 3.25%.Serving as self-powered acoustic sensors,these flexible filaments hold promise for potential applications in cochlear implants,with a high sensitivity of 117.5 mV(Pa-cm^(2))^(-1).The cytocompatibility of these filaments was assessed through in vitro viability tests conducted on three cell lines,serving as a model for inner ear cells.
基金supported by the[National Natural Science Foundation of China]under Grant[number 12172082][Catch up with and surpass technology projects]under Grant[number 2022LCJSGC24]。
文摘Background The middle ear pneumatic system(MEPS)supports pressure balance,essential for sound conduction.Its volume and surface area are key indicators of pneumatization and ventilation,yet their specific contributions to pressure regulation need further exploration.Objective To evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of parameters characterizing the MEPS,including volume(V),surface area(S),and surface-area-to-volume ratio(S/V),in normal ears.Materials and Methods We collected CT images of the temporal bone from 63 normal ears for this study.The volume(V),surface area(S),and surface-area-to-volume ratio(S/V)of the MEPS were measured and calculated using three-dimensional reconstruction technology.Statistical methods were used to process the data and determine the 95%reference range for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in the normal ear.At the same time,we analyzed the impact of differences in gender and the left and right sides on the measurements.Results The 95%reference values for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in normal ears were 1057.10~18239.16 mm²,609.16~9854.11 mm^(3),and 1.39~2.52 mm^(-1) respectively.There were no significant differences in the measurements between genders and between the left and right sides.Conclusions and Significance This study has established the 95%reference values for the S,V,and S/V of the MEPS in normal ears,which were 1057.10-18239.16 mm²,609.16-9854.11 mm^(3),and 1.39-2.52 mm^(-1) respectively.We found that while there is a wide variation in the V values among normal ears,there is less variability in the S/V values.This structural characteristic suggests that changes in the S/V value may have a more significant impact on the balance of middle ear pressure,and it provides important reference data for the construction and functional reconstruction of three-dimensional models of the MEPS.These findings may aid in diagnosing middle ear disorders,such as otitis media with effusion,and guide interventions to restore pressure balance.
