Initial success has been achieved in Hong Kong in controlling primary air pollutants,but ambient ozone levels kept increasing during the past three decades.Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)are important for mitigating ...Initial success has been achieved in Hong Kong in controlling primary air pollutants,but ambient ozone levels kept increasing during the past three decades.Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)are important for mitigating ozone pollution as its major precursors.This study analyzed VOC characteristics of roadside,suburban,and rural sites in Hong Kong to investigate their compositions,concentrations,and source contributions.Herewe showthat the TVOC concentrations were 23.05±13.24,12.68±15.36,and 5.16±5.48 ppbv for roadside,suburban,and rural sites between May 2015 to June 2019,respectively.By using Positive Matrix Factorization(PMF)model,six sources were identified at the roadside site over five years:Liquefied petroleum gas(LPG)usage(33%–46%),gasoline evaporation(8%–31%),aged air mass(11%–28%),gasoline exhaust(5%–16%),diesel exhaust(2%–16%)and fuel filling(75–9%).Similarly,six sources were distinguished at the suburban site,including LPG usage(30%–33%),solvent usage(20%–26%),diesel exhaust(14%–26%),gasoline evaporation(8%–16%),aged air mass(4%–11%),and biogenic emissions(2%–5%).At the rural site,four sources were identified,including aged airmass(33%–51%),solvent usage(25%–30%),vehicular emissions(11%–28%),and biogenic emissions(6%–12%).The analysis further revealed that fuel filling and LPG usage were the primary contributors to OFP and OH reactivity at the roadside site,while solvent usage and biogenic emissions accounted for almost half of OFP and OH reactivity at the suburban and rural sites,respectively.These findings highlight the importance of identifying and characterizing VOC sources at different sites to help policymakers develop targeted measures for pollution mitigation in specific areas.展开更多
This study explores the impact of a host community’s level of cultural diversity on the integration ability and mental health of Syrian refugees resettling into two U.S.States:California and Idaho.This paper addresse...This study explores the impact of a host community’s level of cultural diversity on the integration ability and mental health of Syrian refugees resettling into two U.S.States:California and Idaho.This paper addresses the need for effective integration strategies,mainly due to their impact on mental health,given the current pressing conflicts in the Middle East and the global refugee crisis.This paper uses a comparative analysis of existing literature to examine how refugees hosted in more culturally diverse communities,such as California,experience better means of integration and thus have improved mental health than those hosted in culturally homogenous communities,such as Idaho.Additionally,the study concluded that refugees who can assimilate into a community experience fewer mental health issues.The findings provide valuable insight and information for policymakers seeking to improve refugee integration through nuanced strategies.The study suggests further primary research to discover additional impacts of a community’s cultural diversity on refugees’integration ability.展开更多
BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with prostate cancer,particularly in ethnic minorities.Patients with prostate cancer may still be deficient even in areas of high sun exposure.Although androgen depr...BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with prostate cancer,particularly in ethnic minorities.Patients with prostate cancer may still be deficient even in areas of high sun exposure.Although androgen deprivation therapy(ADT)is well documented to affect bone health,its impact on vitamin D levels is still uncertain.This study investigates the subgroups of prostate cancer patients most associated with vitamin D deficiency and ADT’s relation to this.AIM To examine how prevalent vitamin D deficiency is among prostate cancer patients in a sun-rich environment,with focus on differences by race and disease stage.It also assessed whether ADT is associated with changes in vitamin D levels.METHODS Prostate cancer patients treated at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2014-2024 were retrospectively studied with regards to vitamin D levels across racial groups,disease stages,and ADT exposure.Changes in vitamin D levels pre-and post-ADT over 24 months were assessed by statistical methods including paired t-tests.RESULTS Among 120 patients(mean age:74 years,mean body mass index:27.6 kg/m^(2)),African American(33.3%)and Hispanic(31.8%)patients had the greatest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency(<20 ng/mL).With a 28.6%deficit rate,metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer had the highest prevalence rates of deficiency.There was no significant difference between pre-and post-ADT vitamin D levels(P=0.45).CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is common in prostate cancer patients,especially racial minorities and those with advanced disease,despite residing in an area with high sun exposure.ADT does not significantly impact vitamin D levels in the short term.Routine screening and supplementation should be considered in these high-risk groups.展开更多
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in the United States and mortality is on the rise.Advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer represents a treatment challenge as historically there hav...Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in the United States and mortality is on the rise.Advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer represents a treatment challenge as historically there have been limited therapeutic options for patients.In the last several years,multiple practice-changing clinical trials have led to significant improvements in the treatment landscape.This review will cover updates in the treatment and management of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer with a focus on novel therapeutics,such as anti-PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors,poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP)inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates,and hormonal therapy.展开更多
Alcohol-associated liver disease(ALD)is a rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation(LT)globally with a significant rise in transplants for ALD with limited sobriety including patients with alcohol-associ...Alcohol-associated liver disease(ALD)is a rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation(LT)globally with a significant rise in transplants for ALD with limited sobriety including patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis(AH).This evolution challenges the older paradigm that mandates prolonged periods of alcohol abstinence prior to LT.Due to the limited armamentarium of effective pharmacotherapy to treat severe AH,the mortality rates are significantly higher when LT is not available.In the patients who are transplanted for ALD with limited sobriety including AH,patient and graft survival are equivalent,if not better,compared to patients transplanted for other etiologies.However,due to the risk of alcohol relapse and other psychosocial factors,public opinion regarding early LT may continue to impact how the field moves forward particularly regarding organ stewardship and the need for equitable allocation of organs.Numerous tools for psychosocial evaluations have been developed to assist liver transplant teams to identify appropriate patients in a more uniform manner.In this review,we aim to assess the available evidence to support early LT for alcohol AH and propose directions for the future as the field continues to evolve.展开更多
The complex morphological,anatomical,physiological,and chemical mechanisms within the aging brain have been the hot topic of research for centuries.The aging process alters the brain structure that affects functions a...The complex morphological,anatomical,physiological,and chemical mechanisms within the aging brain have been the hot topic of research for centuries.The aging process alters the brain structure that affects functions and cognitions,but the worsening of such processes contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders,such as Alzheimer's disease.Beyond these observable,mild morphological shifts,significant functional modifications in neurotransmission and neuronal activity critically influence the aging brain.Understanding these changes is important for maintaining cognitive health,especially given the increasing prevalence of age-related conditions that affect cognition.This review aims to explore the age-induced changes in brain plasticity and molecular processes,differentiating normal aging from the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease,thereby providing insights into predicting the risk of dementia,particularly Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
Objective:Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for fibromyalgia;however,predictors of short-and long-term analgesic response in this population are not well understood.Methods:This manuscript describes...Objective:Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for fibromyalgia;however,predictors of short-and long-term analgesic response in this population are not well understood.Methods:This manuscript describes a secondary analysis of a single-center,blinded,sham-controlled,randomized longitudinal acupuncture clinical trial in fibromyalgia.Baseline characterization included pressure pain threshold and pain interference,while residualized change in pain intensity from baseline to follow-up served as the primary outcome measure.Participants were randomized into groups that received verum(n=36)or sham(n=29)acupuncture treatment over a 12-week period(18 treatments)and were followed for 37 weeks from the initiation of treatment.Results:Lower pressure pain thresholds at baseline were associated with greater analgesia only in the sham treatment group immediately following treatment,while those with higher pressure pain thresholds had greater analgesia with verum treatment(B=–13.43,P=0.001).Additionally,greater perceived impact of pain at baseline was predictive of greater short-term analgesia irrespective of treatment.Pressure pain threshold was not found to be predictive of long-term differential treatment response(B=–1.71,P=0.66).There was a significant difference in the relationship between perceived impact of pain at baseline and subsequent long-term analgesia between groups where those with greater perceived impact of pain displayed improved long-term analgesia for verum acupuncture compared to the sham group(B=–11.37,P=0.004).Conclusion:Our results support the use of a self-reported pain outcome in predicting long-term analgesia following acupuncture in fibromyalgia.展开更多
BACKGROUND Normothermic liver machine perfusion(NMP)is a novel technology used to preserve and evaluate the function of liver allografts.AIM To assess NMP utilization in liver transplant(LT)practices.METHODS All adult...BACKGROUND Normothermic liver machine perfusion(NMP)is a novel technology used to preserve and evaluate the function of liver allografts.AIM To assess NMP utilization in liver transplant(LT)practices.METHODS All adult deceased-donor LT recipients between January 2021 and September 2023 in the United States were analyzed.Outcomes including discard rates,survival,preservation time and timing of surgery were compared between two groups:NMP vs non-NMP.RESULTS Between 2021 and 2023,NMP was utilized in 1493(6.3%)of all LTs in the United States.Compared to non-NMP group,NMP group had lower allograft discard rate(6.5%vs 10%,P<0.001),older recipients’age(median:47 vs 42 years,P<0.001),and higher utilization of donors from donation after circulatory death(DCD)(55%vs 11%,P<0.001).NMP group also had longer distances between recipient and donor hospitals(median:156 vs 138 miles,P<0.001),longer preser-vation time(median:12.2 vs 5.8 hours,P<0.001),and more daytime reperfusion(74%vs 55%,P<0.001).Post-transplant survival outcomes were comparable between the two groups.In a subgroup analysis of NMP,recipients in the long preservation time(≥8 hours)group had higher daytime reperfusion(78%vs 55%,P<0.001)and similar post-transplant survival when compared to the short preservation time(<8 hours)group.CONCLUSION The utilization of NMP is associated with lower discard rates and increased DCD organs for LT.NMP allows for prolonging the preservation time and increased occurrence of daytime LT,without any impact on the survival outcomes.展开更多
BACKGROUND Old donor allografts in liver transplantation(LT)account for 25%of all allografts,and their utilization is projected to increase with the aging general population.Older allografts are associated with higher...BACKGROUND Old donor allografts in liver transplantation(LT)account for 25%of all allografts,and their utilization is projected to increase with the aging general population.Older allografts are associated with higher rates of all-cause mortality and graft failure;however,there is limited literature exploring the specific phenotypic changes(e.g.,functional status,cause-specific mortality)observed in different donor:recipient age pairs.AIM To investigate differences in functional impairment and cause-specific mortality between different donor:recipient age pairs.METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of LT patients from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 2002 to 2022.Donors were categorized into younger age donors,≤45-years(YAD),middle-aged donors,46-69-years(MAD),and older age donors,≥70-years(OAD).Recipients were categorized into younger age recipients,≤55-years(YAR)and older age recipients,>55-years(OAR)age recipients.Multivariate Fine-Gray competing risk and logistic regression analyses identified independent risk factors for cause-specific mortality and improvements in functional status,respectively.RESULTS Overall,126185 patients were included in the analysis:YAD:YAR(32.7%), YAD:OAR (25.2%), MAD:YAR (17.5%), MAD:OAR (20.7%), OAD:YAR (1.3%), and OAD:OAR (2.7%). Compared toYAD:YAR, OAD pairs had the lowest likelihoods of improved functional status 5 years post-LT (OAD:YAR oddsratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.67, P < 0.001;OAD:OAR odds ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.51-0.89, P = 0.006). Donor:recipient age pairs with older donors had higher rates of graft- and infection-relatedmortality compared to those with younger donors (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, donor:recipient age pairs with olderrecipients had higher cardioneurovascular- or malignancy-related deaths compared to those with youngerrecipients (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONDonor:recipient age mismatch was associated with differences in cause-specific mortality and functional status.These insights could potentially inform age-matched organ allocation strategies, though future work is warranted.展开更多
Introduction:Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate(HoLEP)is a size-independent,endoscopic management option for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).HoLEP offers a distinct advantage for patients who are at high-risk...Introduction:Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate(HoLEP)is a size-independent,endoscopic management option for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).HoLEP offers a distinct advantage for patients who are at high-risk for bleeding whilst preserving prostatic tissue for pathology analysis,unlike photoselective vaporization.Further,HoLEP avoids the need for cystotomy,unlike simple open and robotic prostatectomy,by using intravesical morcellation.We report our experience with the first 1000 HoLEP procedures at our institution.Materials and Methods:We performed a retrospective review of all HoLEP procedures performed at our institution from 2013–2021 to capture patient demographics,procedure details,and outcomes.Unpaired two sample ttestswere used to compare outcomes,p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results:The average patient age and BMI were 71.1 y(±8.1 y)and 27.9 kg/m^(2)(±4.9 kg/m^(2)),respectively.69.4%of patients were on an alpha blocker and 33.3%of patients were on a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor preoperatively.11.2%of cases were redo outlet procedures including after prior Urolift.Average prostate volume was 108.0 mL(±66.5 mL)and average enucleation time was 119.7 min(±56 min).On average,65 g(±53.2 g)prostate tissue was resected.Pre-operative and postoperative flow,post-void residual(PVR),AUAsymptom score(AUA-SS),and quality of life(QoL)score showed notable improvement.Complication rates remained low,with the most common including blood transfusion(2.8%),urethral stricture(1.9%),and persistent stress urinary incontinence(1.3%).Conclusions:HoLEP is emerging as the new surgical gold standard for BPH.A steep learning curve remains for urologists.Nonetheless,this procedure holds great promise in improving patient experiences with BPH.展开更多
Objectives:Positive family functioning(FF)is critical for adolescent development,yet only a few studies have examined this developmental trajectory pathway.This study aimed to identify different types of FF developmen...Objectives:Positive family functioning(FF)is critical for adolescent development,yet only a few studies have examined this developmental trajectory pathway.This study aimed to identify different types of FF development trajectories during junior high school students,investigate their influence on social avoidance(SA),and further examine the mediating role of preference for solitude(PS)between them.Methods:A three-wave longitudinal study was used with six-month intervals.Questionnaire data were collected from 436 junior high school students in Jiangxi Province,China.Participants ranged in age from 11 to 14 years old(Mean=12.89 years,SD=1.08;50.2%male).Results:Four heterogeneous types of FF trajectories were identified:(1)a high and increasing group(14.7%);(2)a consistently high group(36.24%);(3)a consistently moderate group(45.86%);and(4)a rapid growth group(3.2%).The developmental trajectories of FF among junior high students significantly varied in their levels of SA(F(3,432)=32.03,p<0.001).Compared to the high and increasing groups,the consistently high,consistently medium,and rapid growth groups exhibited higher levels of SA.PS mediated the association between the developmental trajectory of FF and SA.Conclusion:There was a close relationship between the developmental trajectory of FF and SA.Interventions focusing on family system optimization and solitary preference management could effectively mitigate SA behaviors.These findings are important for promoting healthy socialization in adolescents.展开更多
Altermagnetism,a recently identified class of collinear magnetism,combines key features of antiferromagnets and ferromagnets.Despite having zero net magnetization,altermagnetic materials exhibit anomalous transport ef...Altermagnetism,a recently identified class of collinear magnetism,combines key features of antiferromagnets and ferromagnets.Despite having zero net magnetization,altermagnetic materials exhibit anomalous transport effects,including the anomalous Hall,Nernst,and thermal Hall effects,as well as magneto-optical Kerr and Faraday effects.These phenomena,previously thought unique to ferromagnets,are dictated by symmetry,as confirmed by density functional theory(DFT)calculations.However,an effective model-based approach to verify these symmetry constraints remains unavailable.In this Letter,we construct a k·ρ model for d-wave altermagnets CuX_(2)(X=F,Cl)using spin space group representations and apply it to calculate the anomalous Hall effect.The symmetry-imposed transport properties predicted by the model are in agreement with the DFT results,providing a foundation for further investigation into symmetry-restricted transport phenomena in altermagnetic materials.展开更多
Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential pr...Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential preventive effect of an active lifestyle was presumed a long time ago by some visionary scientists.展开更多
Pyrochlore oxide(Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7))has been identified as a promising catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)in advanced green energy strategies.However,its electrochemical inertness necessitates the exploratio...Pyrochlore oxide(Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7))has been identified as a promising catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)in advanced green energy strategies.However,its electrochemical inertness necessitates the exploration of an effective strategy to facilitate electronic modulation.This study proposes a surface modification approach involving the integration of defective NiFe(D-NiFe)nanoparticles onto a Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7)(YRO)support(YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru)using a Prussian blue analog(PBA).Numerous cyanide(CN)vacancies are generated through the oxidation treatment of the NiFe PBA grown on the YRO support,yielding a defective PBA precursor(YRO@D-PBA).Subsequent annealing facilitates the transformation to the D-NiFe nanoparticles on the YRO support(YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru),which augments the exposure of Ni3+active sites beneficial for the OER.Moreover,the reduction of Ru cations from YRO results in the exsolution of Ru nanoparticles,which promotes synergistic charge transfer from the nanoparticles to the interior of Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7).Consequently,YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru exhibits a remarkable voltage of 1.49 V at 10 mA·cm^(−2) and the lowest Tafel slope of 42.4 mV·dec^(−1).In addition,a Zn–air battery constructed with YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru exhibits an outstanding power density of 136.2 mW·cm^(−2) and high charge–discharge stability,confirming the applicability of YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru in metal-air batteries.展开更多
We theoretically investigated the chiral phonons of honeycomb-type bilayer Wigner crystals recently discovered in van der Waals structures of layered transition metal dichalcogenides. These chiral phonons can emerge u...We theoretically investigated the chiral phonons of honeycomb-type bilayer Wigner crystals recently discovered in van der Waals structures of layered transition metal dichalcogenides. These chiral phonons can emerge under the inversion symmetry breaking introduced by an effective mass imbalance between the two layers or a moiré potential in one layer, as well as under the time-reversal symmetry breaking realized by applying a magnetic field. Considering the wide tunability of layered materials, the frequencies and chirality of phonons can both be tuned by varying the system parameters. These findings suggest that bilayer honeycomb-type Wigner crystals can serve as an exciting new platform for studying chiral phonons.展开更多
Background:Prosocial behavior plays a crucial role in improving interpersonal relationships and social well-being,especially in times of crisis.The COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe humanitarian crisis,prompting gover...Background:Prosocial behavior plays a crucial role in improving interpersonal relationships and social well-being,especially in times of crisis.The COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe humanitarian crisis,prompting governments to implement measures such as social confinement.The main objective of the study was to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables that may predict prosocial behavior during quarantine.Methods:The sample consisted of 172 participants from Spain,divided into two groups based on whether they reported an increase in prosocial behaviors during quarantine.An online survey was administered to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables.Results:Overall,results demonstrate that emotional regulation,morality and age may predict prosocial behavior.Conclusions:Understanding the predictors of prosocial behavior during social crises is crucial for devising effective policies aimed at fostering community resilience and support networks,with particular attention to factors such as the capacity to regulate emotions,morality,and age.展开更多
The effectiveness of fluopyram suspension concentrate against pine wilt disease(PWD)is limited by spraying efficiency and water dependence.A traditional dust formulation with strong dispersibility can overcome these s...The effectiveness of fluopyram suspension concentrate against pine wilt disease(PWD)is limited by spraying efficiency and water dependence.A traditional dust formulation with strong dispersibility can overcome these shortcomings.However,its efficacy against PWD remains uncertain.This study evaluated the translocation of fluopyram dust within tree tissues,soil and water degradation,and its effective control against PWD.Nursery tests showed effective prevention;field tests showed dust absorption and translocation into pine tissues.Thirty days following application,residual concentrations in soil were low at 0.09 mg kg^(−1);no detectable residues were found in water samples.Three years after applying fluopyram,its effectiveness increased to approximately 87%.Based on this study,fluopyram had a half-life of 346 d with persistence lasting up to three years.This provides valuable insight for managing PWD through dust applications.展开更多
Metal-ion batteries(MIBs),including alkali metal-ion(Li^(+),Na^(+),and K^(3)),multi-valent metal-ion(Zn^(2+),Mg^(2+),and Al^(3+)),metal-air,and metal-sulfur batteries,play an indispensable role in electrochemical ener...Metal-ion batteries(MIBs),including alkali metal-ion(Li^(+),Na^(+),and K^(3)),multi-valent metal-ion(Zn^(2+),Mg^(2+),and Al^(3+)),metal-air,and metal-sulfur batteries,play an indispensable role in electrochemical energy storage.However,the performance of MIBs is significantly influenced by numerous variables,resulting in multi-dimensional and long-term challenges in the field of battery research and performance enhancement.Machine learning(ML),with its capability to solve intricate tasks and perform robust data processing,is now catalyzing a revolutionary transformation in the development of MIB materials and devices.In this review,we summarize the utilization of ML algorithms that have expedited research on MIBs over the past five years.We present an extensive overview of existing algorithms,elucidating their details,advantages,and limitations in various applications,which encompass electrode screening,material property prediction,electrolyte formulation design,electrode material characterization,manufacturing parameter optimization,and real-time battery status monitoring.Finally,we propose potential solutions and future directions for the application of ML in advancing MIB development.展开更多
In this paper,we design an efficient,multi-stage image segmentation framework that incorporates a weighted difference of anisotropic and isotropic total variation(AITV).The segmentation framework generally consists of...In this paper,we design an efficient,multi-stage image segmentation framework that incorporates a weighted difference of anisotropic and isotropic total variation(AITV).The segmentation framework generally consists of two stages:smoothing and thresholding,thus referred to as smoothing-and-thresholding(SaT).In the first stage,a smoothed image is obtained by an AITV-regularized Mumford-Shah(MS)model,which can be solved efficiently by the alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMMs)with a closed-form solution of a proximal operator of the l_(1)-αl_(2) regularizer.The convergence of the ADMM algorithm is analyzed.In the second stage,we threshold the smoothed image by K-means clustering to obtain the final segmentation result.Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed segmentation framework is versatile for both grayscale and color images,effcient in producing high-quality segmentation results within a few seconds,and robust to input images that are corrupted with noise,blur,or both.We compare the AITV method with its original convex TV and nonconvex TVP(O<p<1)counterparts,showcasing the qualitative and quantitative advantages of our proposed method.展开更多
基金supported by Hong Kong Environment Protection Department(Quotation Ref.18-06532)Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Fund(ITS/193/20FP)Hong Kong Research Grants Council(No.26304921).
文摘Initial success has been achieved in Hong Kong in controlling primary air pollutants,but ambient ozone levels kept increasing during the past three decades.Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)are important for mitigating ozone pollution as its major precursors.This study analyzed VOC characteristics of roadside,suburban,and rural sites in Hong Kong to investigate their compositions,concentrations,and source contributions.Herewe showthat the TVOC concentrations were 23.05±13.24,12.68±15.36,and 5.16±5.48 ppbv for roadside,suburban,and rural sites between May 2015 to June 2019,respectively.By using Positive Matrix Factorization(PMF)model,six sources were identified at the roadside site over five years:Liquefied petroleum gas(LPG)usage(33%–46%),gasoline evaporation(8%–31%),aged air mass(11%–28%),gasoline exhaust(5%–16%),diesel exhaust(2%–16%)and fuel filling(75–9%).Similarly,six sources were distinguished at the suburban site,including LPG usage(30%–33%),solvent usage(20%–26%),diesel exhaust(14%–26%),gasoline evaporation(8%–16%),aged air mass(4%–11%),and biogenic emissions(2%–5%).At the rural site,four sources were identified,including aged airmass(33%–51%),solvent usage(25%–30%),vehicular emissions(11%–28%),and biogenic emissions(6%–12%).The analysis further revealed that fuel filling and LPG usage were the primary contributors to OFP and OH reactivity at the roadside site,while solvent usage and biogenic emissions accounted for almost half of OFP and OH reactivity at the suburban and rural sites,respectively.These findings highlight the importance of identifying and characterizing VOC sources at different sites to help policymakers develop targeted measures for pollution mitigation in specific areas.
文摘This study explores the impact of a host community’s level of cultural diversity on the integration ability and mental health of Syrian refugees resettling into two U.S.States:California and Idaho.This paper addresses the need for effective integration strategies,mainly due to their impact on mental health,given the current pressing conflicts in the Middle East and the global refugee crisis.This paper uses a comparative analysis of existing literature to examine how refugees hosted in more culturally diverse communities,such as California,experience better means of integration and thus have improved mental health than those hosted in culturally homogenous communities,such as Idaho.Additionally,the study concluded that refugees who can assimilate into a community experience fewer mental health issues.The findings provide valuable insight and information for policymakers seeking to improve refugee integration through nuanced strategies.The study suggests further primary research to discover additional impacts of a community’s cultural diversity on refugees’integration ability.
文摘BACKGROUND Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with prostate cancer,particularly in ethnic minorities.Patients with prostate cancer may still be deficient even in areas of high sun exposure.Although androgen deprivation therapy(ADT)is well documented to affect bone health,its impact on vitamin D levels is still uncertain.This study investigates the subgroups of prostate cancer patients most associated with vitamin D deficiency and ADT’s relation to this.AIM To examine how prevalent vitamin D deficiency is among prostate cancer patients in a sun-rich environment,with focus on differences by race and disease stage.It also assessed whether ADT is associated with changes in vitamin D levels.METHODS Prostate cancer patients treated at Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2014-2024 were retrospectively studied with regards to vitamin D levels across racial groups,disease stages,and ADT exposure.Changes in vitamin D levels pre-and post-ADT over 24 months were assessed by statistical methods including paired t-tests.RESULTS Among 120 patients(mean age:74 years,mean body mass index:27.6 kg/m^(2)),African American(33.3%)and Hispanic(31.8%)patients had the greatest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency(<20 ng/mL).With a 28.6%deficit rate,metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer had the highest prevalence rates of deficiency.There was no significant difference between pre-and post-ADT vitamin D levels(P=0.45).CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is common in prostate cancer patients,especially racial minorities and those with advanced disease,despite residing in an area with high sun exposure.ADT does not significantly impact vitamin D levels in the short term.Routine screening and supplementation should be considered in these high-risk groups.
文摘Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in the United States and mortality is on the rise.Advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer represents a treatment challenge as historically there have been limited therapeutic options for patients.In the last several years,multiple practice-changing clinical trials have led to significant improvements in the treatment landscape.This review will cover updates in the treatment and management of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer with a focus on novel therapeutics,such as anti-PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors,poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP)inhibitors,antibody-drug conjugates,and hormonal therapy.
文摘Alcohol-associated liver disease(ALD)is a rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation(LT)globally with a significant rise in transplants for ALD with limited sobriety including patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis(AH).This evolution challenges the older paradigm that mandates prolonged periods of alcohol abstinence prior to LT.Due to the limited armamentarium of effective pharmacotherapy to treat severe AH,the mortality rates are significantly higher when LT is not available.In the patients who are transplanted for ALD with limited sobriety including AH,patient and graft survival are equivalent,if not better,compared to patients transplanted for other etiologies.However,due to the risk of alcohol relapse and other psychosocial factors,public opinion regarding early LT may continue to impact how the field moves forward particularly regarding organ stewardship and the need for equitable allocation of organs.Numerous tools for psychosocial evaluations have been developed to assist liver transplant teams to identify appropriate patients in a more uniform manner.In this review,we aim to assess the available evidence to support early LT for alcohol AH and propose directions for the future as the field continues to evolve.
文摘The complex morphological,anatomical,physiological,and chemical mechanisms within the aging brain have been the hot topic of research for centuries.The aging process alters the brain structure that affects functions and cognitions,but the worsening of such processes contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders,such as Alzheimer's disease.Beyond these observable,mild morphological shifts,significant functional modifications in neurotransmission and neuronal activity critically influence the aging brain.Understanding these changes is important for maintaining cognitive health,especially given the increasing prevalence of age-related conditions that affect cognition.This review aims to explore the age-induced changes in brain plasticity and molecular processes,differentiating normal aging from the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease,thereby providing insights into predicting the risk of dementia,particularly Alzheimer's disease.
基金supported by National Institutes of Health(NCCAM)grant R01 AT00004Department of Defense DAMD-17002-0018+1 种基金Georgetown University GCRC grant 98-186supported by National Institutes of Health(NCCAM)K01AT01111-01 and National Institutes of Health grant R01-AT-00755。
文摘Objective:Acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment for fibromyalgia;however,predictors of short-and long-term analgesic response in this population are not well understood.Methods:This manuscript describes a secondary analysis of a single-center,blinded,sham-controlled,randomized longitudinal acupuncture clinical trial in fibromyalgia.Baseline characterization included pressure pain threshold and pain interference,while residualized change in pain intensity from baseline to follow-up served as the primary outcome measure.Participants were randomized into groups that received verum(n=36)or sham(n=29)acupuncture treatment over a 12-week period(18 treatments)and were followed for 37 weeks from the initiation of treatment.Results:Lower pressure pain thresholds at baseline were associated with greater analgesia only in the sham treatment group immediately following treatment,while those with higher pressure pain thresholds had greater analgesia with verum treatment(B=–13.43,P=0.001).Additionally,greater perceived impact of pain at baseline was predictive of greater short-term analgesia irrespective of treatment.Pressure pain threshold was not found to be predictive of long-term differential treatment response(B=–1.71,P=0.66).There was a significant difference in the relationship between perceived impact of pain at baseline and subsequent long-term analgesia between groups where those with greater perceived impact of pain displayed improved long-term analgesia for verum acupuncture compared to the sham group(B=–11.37,P=0.004).Conclusion:Our results support the use of a self-reported pain outcome in predicting long-term analgesia following acupuncture in fibromyalgia.
文摘BACKGROUND Normothermic liver machine perfusion(NMP)is a novel technology used to preserve and evaluate the function of liver allografts.AIM To assess NMP utilization in liver transplant(LT)practices.METHODS All adult deceased-donor LT recipients between January 2021 and September 2023 in the United States were analyzed.Outcomes including discard rates,survival,preservation time and timing of surgery were compared between two groups:NMP vs non-NMP.RESULTS Between 2021 and 2023,NMP was utilized in 1493(6.3%)of all LTs in the United States.Compared to non-NMP group,NMP group had lower allograft discard rate(6.5%vs 10%,P<0.001),older recipients’age(median:47 vs 42 years,P<0.001),and higher utilization of donors from donation after circulatory death(DCD)(55%vs 11%,P<0.001).NMP group also had longer distances between recipient and donor hospitals(median:156 vs 138 miles,P<0.001),longer preser-vation time(median:12.2 vs 5.8 hours,P<0.001),and more daytime reperfusion(74%vs 55%,P<0.001).Post-transplant survival outcomes were comparable between the two groups.In a subgroup analysis of NMP,recipients in the long preservation time(≥8 hours)group had higher daytime reperfusion(78%vs 55%,P<0.001)and similar post-transplant survival when compared to the short preservation time(<8 hours)group.CONCLUSION The utilization of NMP is associated with lower discard rates and increased DCD organs for LT.NMP allows for prolonging the preservation time and increased occurrence of daytime LT,without any impact on the survival outcomes.
文摘BACKGROUND Old donor allografts in liver transplantation(LT)account for 25%of all allografts,and their utilization is projected to increase with the aging general population.Older allografts are associated with higher rates of all-cause mortality and graft failure;however,there is limited literature exploring the specific phenotypic changes(e.g.,functional status,cause-specific mortality)observed in different donor:recipient age pairs.AIM To investigate differences in functional impairment and cause-specific mortality between different donor:recipient age pairs.METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of LT patients from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 2002 to 2022.Donors were categorized into younger age donors,≤45-years(YAD),middle-aged donors,46-69-years(MAD),and older age donors,≥70-years(OAD).Recipients were categorized into younger age recipients,≤55-years(YAR)and older age recipients,>55-years(OAR)age recipients.Multivariate Fine-Gray competing risk and logistic regression analyses identified independent risk factors for cause-specific mortality and improvements in functional status,respectively.RESULTS Overall,126185 patients were included in the analysis:YAD:YAR(32.7%), YAD:OAR (25.2%), MAD:YAR (17.5%), MAD:OAR (20.7%), OAD:YAR (1.3%), and OAD:OAR (2.7%). Compared toYAD:YAR, OAD pairs had the lowest likelihoods of improved functional status 5 years post-LT (OAD:YAR oddsratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.67, P < 0.001;OAD:OAR odds ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.51-0.89, P = 0.006). Donor:recipient age pairs with older donors had higher rates of graft- and infection-relatedmortality compared to those with younger donors (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, donor:recipient age pairs with olderrecipients had higher cardioneurovascular- or malignancy-related deaths compared to those with youngerrecipients (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONDonor:recipient age mismatch was associated with differences in cause-specific mortality and functional status.These insights could potentially inform age-matched organ allocation strategies, though future work is warranted.
文摘Introduction:Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate(HoLEP)is a size-independent,endoscopic management option for benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).HoLEP offers a distinct advantage for patients who are at high-risk for bleeding whilst preserving prostatic tissue for pathology analysis,unlike photoselective vaporization.Further,HoLEP avoids the need for cystotomy,unlike simple open and robotic prostatectomy,by using intravesical morcellation.We report our experience with the first 1000 HoLEP procedures at our institution.Materials and Methods:We performed a retrospective review of all HoLEP procedures performed at our institution from 2013–2021 to capture patient demographics,procedure details,and outcomes.Unpaired two sample ttestswere used to compare outcomes,p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results:The average patient age and BMI were 71.1 y(±8.1 y)and 27.9 kg/m^(2)(±4.9 kg/m^(2)),respectively.69.4%of patients were on an alpha blocker and 33.3%of patients were on a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor preoperatively.11.2%of cases were redo outlet procedures including after prior Urolift.Average prostate volume was 108.0 mL(±66.5 mL)and average enucleation time was 119.7 min(±56 min).On average,65 g(±53.2 g)prostate tissue was resected.Pre-operative and postoperative flow,post-void residual(PVR),AUAsymptom score(AUA-SS),and quality of life(QoL)score showed notable improvement.Complication rates remained low,with the most common including blood transfusion(2.8%),urethral stricture(1.9%),and persistent stress urinary incontinence(1.3%).Conclusions:HoLEP is emerging as the new surgical gold standard for BPH.A steep learning curve remains for urologists.Nonetheless,this procedure holds great promise in improving patient experiences with BPH.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72164018)National Social Science Fund Project(BFA200065)Jiangxi Social Science Foundation Project(21JY13).
文摘Objectives:Positive family functioning(FF)is critical for adolescent development,yet only a few studies have examined this developmental trajectory pathway.This study aimed to identify different types of FF development trajectories during junior high school students,investigate their influence on social avoidance(SA),and further examine the mediating role of preference for solitude(PS)between them.Methods:A three-wave longitudinal study was used with six-month intervals.Questionnaire data were collected from 436 junior high school students in Jiangxi Province,China.Participants ranged in age from 11 to 14 years old(Mean=12.89 years,SD=1.08;50.2%male).Results:Four heterogeneous types of FF trajectories were identified:(1)a high and increasing group(14.7%);(2)a consistently high group(36.24%);(3)a consistently moderate group(45.86%);and(4)a rapid growth group(3.2%).The developmental trajectories of FF among junior high students significantly varied in their levels of SA(F(3,432)=32.03,p<0.001).Compared to the high and increasing groups,the consistently high,consistently medium,and rapid growth groups exhibited higher levels of SA.PS mediated the association between the developmental trajectory of FF and SA.Conclusion:There was a close relationship between the developmental trajectory of FF and SA.Interventions focusing on family system optimization and solitary preference management could effectively mitigate SA behaviors.These findings are important for promoting healthy socialization in adolescents.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12274117)the Natural Science Foundation of Henan(Grant No.242300421214)+4 种基金the Program for Innovative Research Team(in Science and Technology)in the University of Henan Province(Grant No.24IRTSTHN025)the Open Fund of Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation(No.202502)Guangdong S&T Program(No.2023B1212010008)the High-Performance Computing Center of Henan Normal Universitysupported by the U.S.DOE,Office of Science(Grant No.DE-FG02-05ER46237)。
文摘Altermagnetism,a recently identified class of collinear magnetism,combines key features of antiferromagnets and ferromagnets.Despite having zero net magnetization,altermagnetic materials exhibit anomalous transport effects,including the anomalous Hall,Nernst,and thermal Hall effects,as well as magneto-optical Kerr and Faraday effects.These phenomena,previously thought unique to ferromagnets,are dictated by symmetry,as confirmed by density functional theory(DFT)calculations.However,an effective model-based approach to verify these symmetry constraints remains unavailable.In this Letter,we construct a k·ρ model for d-wave altermagnets CuX_(2)(X=F,Cl)using spin space group representations and apply it to calculate the anomalous Hall effect.The symmetry-imposed transport properties predicted by the model are in agreement with the DFT results,providing a foundation for further investigation into symmetry-restricted transport phenomena in altermagnetic materials.
基金supported in part by NIH Grant No. U01 TR002004 (REACH project)Research by TP and CFL is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, ISCIII)+3 种基金Fondos FEDER (grant numbers PI22/00201 (TP)PI20/00645 and PI23/00396 (CF-L))Research by CFL is also funded by ISCIII (FORT23/00023)Research by AL and CF-L is funded by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF) as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International grant programme (IIG_FULL_2021_007).
文摘Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential preventive effect of an active lifestyle was presumed a long time ago by some visionary scientists.
基金supported by Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP)grant funded by the Korea government(MOTIE)(No.RS-2024-00398346,ESS BigData-Based O&M and Asset Management Technical Manpower Training)the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korea government(MSIT)(No.RS-2024-00350658).
文摘Pyrochlore oxide(Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7))has been identified as a promising catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction(OER)in advanced green energy strategies.However,its electrochemical inertness necessitates the exploration of an effective strategy to facilitate electronic modulation.This study proposes a surface modification approach involving the integration of defective NiFe(D-NiFe)nanoparticles onto a Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7)(YRO)support(YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru)using a Prussian blue analog(PBA).Numerous cyanide(CN)vacancies are generated through the oxidation treatment of the NiFe PBA grown on the YRO support,yielding a defective PBA precursor(YRO@D-PBA).Subsequent annealing facilitates the transformation to the D-NiFe nanoparticles on the YRO support(YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru),which augments the exposure of Ni3+active sites beneficial for the OER.Moreover,the reduction of Ru cations from YRO results in the exsolution of Ru nanoparticles,which promotes synergistic charge transfer from the nanoparticles to the interior of Y_(2)Ru_(2)O_(7).Consequently,YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru exhibits a remarkable voltage of 1.49 V at 10 mA·cm^(−2) and the lowest Tafel slope of 42.4 mV·dec^(−1).In addition,a Zn–air battery constructed with YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru exhibits an outstanding power density of 136.2 mW·cm^(−2) and high charge–discharge stability,confirming the applicability of YRO@D-NiFeP/Ru in metal-air batteries.
基金supported by Tencent’s Program of Aspiring Explorers in Sciencesupport by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 12274477)the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province in China (Grant No. 2019QN01X061)。
文摘We theoretically investigated the chiral phonons of honeycomb-type bilayer Wigner crystals recently discovered in van der Waals structures of layered transition metal dichalcogenides. These chiral phonons can emerge under the inversion symmetry breaking introduced by an effective mass imbalance between the two layers or a moiré potential in one layer, as well as under the time-reversal symmetry breaking realized by applying a magnetic field. Considering the wide tunability of layered materials, the frequencies and chirality of phonons can both be tuned by varying the system parameters. These findings suggest that bilayer honeycomb-type Wigner crystals can serve as an exciting new platform for studying chiral phonons.
基金supported by the Ministry of Education,Culture and Sport(Predoctoral Contract University Faculty Training Program:FPU15/04335)later by the Spanish Public Administration“Ministerio de Universidades”and the European Union through the“NextGeneration EU”(Postdoctoral contract Margarita Salas).
文摘Background:Prosocial behavior plays a crucial role in improving interpersonal relationships and social well-being,especially in times of crisis.The COVID-19 pandemic caused a severe humanitarian crisis,prompting governments to implement measures such as social confinement.The main objective of the study was to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables that may predict prosocial behavior during quarantine.Methods:The sample consisted of 172 participants from Spain,divided into two groups based on whether they reported an increase in prosocial behaviors during quarantine.An online survey was administered to analyze the psychological and sociodemographic variables.Results:Overall,results demonstrate that emotional regulation,morality and age may predict prosocial behavior.Conclusions:Understanding the predictors of prosocial behavior during social crises is crucial for devising effective policies aimed at fostering community resilience and support networks,with particular attention to factors such as the capacity to regulate emotions,morality,and age.
基金supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China(grant number 2021YFD1400900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers U1905201,32171805)+6 种基金the Forestry Key Program of Science and Technology in Fujian Province(grant number 2021FKJ03)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province,China(grant number 2021J01056)the Forestry Programs of Science and Technology in Fujian Province[grant number Mincaizhi(2020)601]the Science and Technology Program of Fujian Province(grant number 2018N5002)the Forestry Science Research Project of Fujian Forestry Department[grant number Minlinke(2017)03]the National Major Emergency Science and Technology Program of China(grant number ZD202001)the Forestry Peak Discipline Construction Project of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(grant numbers 72202200205,71201800720).
文摘The effectiveness of fluopyram suspension concentrate against pine wilt disease(PWD)is limited by spraying efficiency and water dependence.A traditional dust formulation with strong dispersibility can overcome these shortcomings.However,its efficacy against PWD remains uncertain.This study evaluated the translocation of fluopyram dust within tree tissues,soil and water degradation,and its effective control against PWD.Nursery tests showed effective prevention;field tests showed dust absorption and translocation into pine tissues.Thirty days following application,residual concentrations in soil were low at 0.09 mg kg^(−1);no detectable residues were found in water samples.Three years after applying fluopyram,its effectiveness increased to approximately 87%.Based on this study,fluopyram had a half-life of 346 d with persistence lasting up to three years.This provides valuable insight for managing PWD through dust applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52203364,52188101,52020105010)the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFB3800300,2022YFB3803400)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Science(XDA22010602)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M713214)the China National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents(BX2021321)。
文摘Metal-ion batteries(MIBs),including alkali metal-ion(Li^(+),Na^(+),and K^(3)),multi-valent metal-ion(Zn^(2+),Mg^(2+),and Al^(3+)),metal-air,and metal-sulfur batteries,play an indispensable role in electrochemical energy storage.However,the performance of MIBs is significantly influenced by numerous variables,resulting in multi-dimensional and long-term challenges in the field of battery research and performance enhancement.Machine learning(ML),with its capability to solve intricate tasks and perform robust data processing,is now catalyzing a revolutionary transformation in the development of MIB materials and devices.In this review,we summarize the utilization of ML algorithms that have expedited research on MIBs over the past five years.We present an extensive overview of existing algorithms,elucidating their details,advantages,and limitations in various applications,which encompass electrode screening,material property prediction,electrolyte formulation design,electrode material characterization,manufacturing parameter optimization,and real-time battery status monitoring.Finally,we propose potential solutions and future directions for the application of ML in advancing MIB development.
基金partially supported by the NSF grants DMS-1854434,DMS-1952644,DMS-2151235,DMS-2219904,and CAREER 1846690。
文摘In this paper,we design an efficient,multi-stage image segmentation framework that incorporates a weighted difference of anisotropic and isotropic total variation(AITV).The segmentation framework generally consists of two stages:smoothing and thresholding,thus referred to as smoothing-and-thresholding(SaT).In the first stage,a smoothed image is obtained by an AITV-regularized Mumford-Shah(MS)model,which can be solved efficiently by the alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMMs)with a closed-form solution of a proximal operator of the l_(1)-αl_(2) regularizer.The convergence of the ADMM algorithm is analyzed.In the second stage,we threshold the smoothed image by K-means clustering to obtain the final segmentation result.Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed segmentation framework is versatile for both grayscale and color images,effcient in producing high-quality segmentation results within a few seconds,and robust to input images that are corrupted with noise,blur,or both.We compare the AITV method with its original convex TV and nonconvex TVP(O<p<1)counterparts,showcasing the qualitative and quantitative advantages of our proposed method.
