Imaging Rovibrational Excitation of Scattered YO Molecules in Inelastic Collisions with Kr and Ne.

Energy transfer between atoms and molecules is fundamental to many physical and chemical processes, and understanding the mechanisms and outcomes of energy transfer is crucial for various applications in physics and chemistry. Here, the rovibrational excitation of YO(X 2Σ+) molecules with the collision of Kr and Ne has been studied in the laser-ablation crossed beam and time-sliced ion velocity map imaging setup in combination with the resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization scheme. Significant changes in the angular distribution for different rovibrational excitations of YO molecules are observed with the collision of Kr. The sharp forward distribution for low rovibrational excitation of YO(v' = 0, 1) molecules suggest that the weak attractive potential between Kr and YO is dominant at large impact parameters. Comparatively, the strong sideway distribution for highly rovibrationally excited YO(v' = 1, 2, 3, and 5) is due to rainbow scattering from the stronger attractive potential of Kr···YO at relatively small impact parameters. The more isotropic angular distribution in the highly rovibrationally excited YO(v' = 11) indicates the formation of a short-lived complex. A change in the angular distribution of scattered YO with different rovibrational excitations was also observed in the collisions of Ne. For YO as a heteronuclear diatomic molecule, collisions of the Y- and the O-end of YO with rare gases would affect the contribution of inelastic processes at different impact parameters.

Culture and self-construal in the age of globalization: an empirical inquiry based on multiple approaches.

Introduction: There are three main types of culture in human society, namely, individual-oriented, relationship-oriented and social-oriented cultures. In history, there are two main positions on the relationship between culture and self-construal: the cultural determinist position and the interaction position. After analyzing literature critically, we propose that the interaction position is more persuasive than the cultural determinist position. A self-construal model was constructed from an interactionist and polycultural perspective, pointing out the relationship between three cultures and self-construal. We argue that individuals interacting with cultures in the context of globalization can develop a more integrated self-construal. The present study proposes the existence of polycultural self-construal, and aimed to explore how self-construal factors relate to cultures. Methods: Three approaches-psychological tests, priming with cultural icons and content analysis-were used to explore mechanisms between cultures (individual-oriented, relationship-oriented, and social-oriented cultures) and self-construal. In Study 1, we recruited 460 undergraduate students as participants through campus advertising to complete three psychological tests, namely, the Cultural Identity Scale (CIS), the Marlowe-Crowne Social Approval Scale (MC-SDS), and the Polycultural Self-construal Scale (PSCS). In Study 2, we created icon materials that could prime the three cultures. The experimental process was divided into two stages: priming and measurement. First, 165 participants were presented with icon materials on the computer screen to activate the corresponding culture, and then they were asked to complete the PSCS. In Study 3, the experimental procedures were followed as for Study 2. Then the Ten Statements Test (TST) was used. Each of the 178 participants gave 10 different responses to the question of "Who am I?." Each participant's "I am …" narratives were qualitatively processed using content analysis. Results: The individual-oriented culture mainly affects the individuality and equality factor of self-construal. The relationship-oriented culture mainly impacts the relationality factor of self-construal, while the social-oriented culture mainly affects the collectivity and equality factors of self-construal. There were no significant differences in the effects of the three cultures on the autonomy factor of self-construal. The multi-components of the polycultural self-construal are difficult to interpret based on one culture type. All three cultures have specific and shared effects on human self-construal.

Human genetic associations of the airway microbiome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Little is known about the relationships between human genetics and the airway microbiome. Deeply sequenced airway metagenomics, by simultaneously characterizing the microbiome and host genetics, provide a unique opportunity to assess the microbiome-host genetic associations. Here we performed a co-profiling of microbiome and host genetics with the identification of over 5 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through deep metagenomic sequencing in sputum of 99 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 36 healthy individuals. Host genetic variation was the most significant factor associated with the microbiome except for geography and disease status, with its top 5 principal components accounting for 12.11% of the microbiome variability. Within COPD individuals, 113 SNPs mapped to candidate genes reported as genetically associated with COPD exhibited associations with 29 microbial species and 48 functional modules (P < 1 × 10-5), where Streptococcus salivarius exhibits the strongest association to SNP rs6917641 in TBC1D32 (P = 9.54 × 10-8). Integration of concurrent host transcriptomic data identified correlations between the expression of host genes and their genetically-linked microbiome features, including NUDT1, MAD1L1 and Veillonella parvula, TTLL9 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and LTA4H and Haemophilus influenzae. Mendelian randomization analyses revealed a potential causal link between PARK7 expression and microbial type III secretion system, and a genetically-mediated association between COPD and increased relative abundance of airway Streptococcus intermedius. These results suggest a previously underappreciated role of host genetics in shaping the airway microbiome and provide fresh hypotheses for genetic-based host-microbiome interactions in COPD.

pH-responsive interface conversion efficient oral drug delivery platform for alleviating inflammatory bowel disease.

A key challenge for the effective treatment of intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is to develop an oral drug delivery system that can resist gastric acid erosion and efficiently release drugs after rapid entry into the intestine. In the present work, we developed oral composite nanoparticles (MSZ@PRHS) consisting of a rough mesoporous silica (RHS) loaded with Mesalazine (MSZ) and a CAP polymer membrane for targeted relief of inflammation in colitis. At the pH values of the simulated stomach and small intestine, the release rate of MSZ from MSZ@PRHS was low, while at the pH values of the simulated colon, the release rate of MSZ was high. In dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced acute colitis mouse model, compared with oral administration of the drug Mesalazine in the equivalent solution form, oral administration of PRHS loaded with drug-loaded nanoparticles can significantly alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, and improve the therapeutic effect. We propose that the intestinal microenvironment provides an interface for nanocomposites switch and a promising drug delivery platform for the management and treatment of many intestinal diseases, where controlled drug release and prolonged residence time are required.

Negative gallbladder stones: Diagnostic advantages of dual-energy CT and analysis of a unique case.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder stones are a common digestive system disease, but their diagnosis can be limited in some cases, especially in identifying "negative" stones, which may be difficult to recognize with traditional CT scans. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the advantages of dual-energy CT in diagnosing negative gallbladder stones through a unique case of gallbladder stones. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case of a 31-year-old female is described, who was diagnosed with gallbladder stones during a physical examination two years ago and occasionally experienced pain in the upper right abdomen. Dual-energy CT scanning revealed a mixed-density stone, approximately 2 cm in diameter, in the neck of the gallbladder, consisting of a calcified shell (positive stone) and a homogenous density nucleus (negative stone). Verified by dual-energy CT, single-energy images and spectral curves can very intuitively identify negative stones, demonstrating significantly superior performance compared to traditional CT. CONCLUSION: Dual-energy CT, through single-energy images and spectral curves, intuitively identifies negative gallbladder stones, showcasing significant advantages compared to traditional CT, and offers a valuable approach to enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of gallbladder stones.

The global state of research in stem cells therapy for spinal cord injury (2003-2022): a visualized analysis.

Objective: Our study aimed to visualize the global status and frontiers in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury by using bibliometric methodology. Methods: Publication citation information related to stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI) studies between 2003 and 2022 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. For the visualized study, VOS viewer software and Graph Pad Prism 9.5 were used to perform bibliometric analysis of included data and publication number statistics in stem cell therapy for the SCI domain. Results: A total of 6,686 publications were retrieved. The USA and China made the highest contributions to global research with the highest number of citations and link strength. The journal Experimental Neurology ranks as the top journal, combining the publication amount and bibliometrics results. The University of Toronto, based in Canada, was the first-ranking institution. The directions of the current study could be divided into five clusters. The research of Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine and Neurosciences Mechanism Research may be the emerging frontiers in this domain. Conclusion: In summary, stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries is poised for more valuable advances.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1ɑ as a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma metastasis.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue. Pulmonary metastasis is usually present upon initial diagnosis, and metastasis is the primary factor affecting the poor prognosis of patients with OS. Current research shows that the ability to regulate the cellular microenvironment is essential for preventing the distant metastasis of OS, and anoxic microenvironments are important features of solid tumors. During hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression levels and stability increase. Increased HIF-1α promotes tumor vascular remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and OS cells invasiveness; this leads to distant metastasis of OS cells. HIF-1α plays an essential role in the mechanisms of OS metastasis. In order to develop precise prognostic indicators and potential therapeutic targets for OS treatment, this review examines the molecular mechanisms of HIF-1α in the distant metastasis of OS cells; the signal transduction pathways mediated by HIF-1α are also discussed.

Liquid concrete as a gastrointestinal tract foreign body.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies present a common clinical challenge. We present an unusual case of a 58-year-old construction worker who ingested liquid concrete that risked solidifying in his stomach. Gastroscopy revealed only partial solidification and pyloric obstruction, which were successfully resolved through endoscopic fragmentation and mechanical removal. To protect the gastric mucosa during elimination, liquid paraffin and a cellulose-based formula were administered. Complete gastrointestinal evacuation was achieved within 3 days, with no complications observed. This case emphasises the urgency of the early removal of concrete.

Does incentive-based green governance compensate for green innovation in enterprises? The role of green orientation.

Government-led green governance, as a crucial tool for achieving green and sustainable development, has garnered significant attention among researchers worldwide. Nevertheless, research on incentive-based green governance and green orientation remains insufficient. This study adopts an evolutionary game theory framework to elucidate the mechanisms underlying incentive-based green governance and green orientation in facilitating green innovation. The effectiveness of this framework is then verified through the utilization of propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences (DID) methods using data from Chinese companies. The main findings include the following: (1) Government incentive-based green governance exhibits a compensatory effect on green innovation, which is validated through robustness testing. (2) Internal green orientation serves as an intermediary factor between incentive-based green governance and green innovation, while external green orientation exerts a positive regulatory effect. (3) Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the impact of incentive-based green governance on green innovation is more pronounced in non-high-pollution industries, high-tech corporations, and companies operating in areas with lower governance intensity. This study is conducive to illustrate the compensatory effect of government incentive-based green governance on green innovation and also provides reference for the government to issue targeted green governance policies.

A global 2A″ state potential energy surface for the Al (2P) + O2 (Σg-3) → AlO (2Σ+) + O (3P) reaction based on the doubly hybrid functional XYG3.

In this paper, a global and full-dimensional potential energy surface at the 2A″ ground state for the Al + O2 → AlO + O reaction was constructed, for the first time, based on extensive electronic structure calculations using the doubly hybrid functional XYG3 and potential energy surface fittings by neural networks. Details of the reaction paths have been analyzed. It was found that both two intermediates, the cyclic-AlO2 and the linear-OAlO, were able to dissociate to the AlO + O products, and the isomerization process between these two intermediates was controlled by conical intersections between two 2A″ states. Ro-vibrational state resolved integral cross sections have also been calculated at collision energies from 1.0 to 10.0 kcal/mol. The results support the harpooning mechanism in this metal-oxidant-involved reaction.

Correlation Study of the Spin-Orbit State-Resolved Scattering of Al(2P) in Oxidation Reaction and Nonreactive Collision.

Spin-orbit coupling plays an important role in chemical reactivity, especially in reactions that require the change of electron spin states. However, it is difficult to measure and analyze the reaction dynamics between spin-orbit splitting states, particularly for splitting states with a small energy difference. In this study, we find that nonreactive scattering of spin-orbit splitting states can provide complementary information that is overlooked in chemical reaction studies. Here, the oxidation reactivities of spin-orbit Al(2P1/2,3/2) states with small energy difference of 112 cm-1 are clearly distinguished in the high rotational AlO(v = 0 and 1, N) products at low collision energy of 507 cm-1 using a laser ablation crossed-beam and time-sliced ion velocity mapping technique, in conjunction with state-selected nonreactive scattering studies. For both the AlO(v = 0 and 1) channels, the spin-orbit relative reactivity σ3/2/σ1/2 increases with the increase of rotational level N of AlO products. However, for AlO(v = 0), the reactivity of the Al(2P3/2) excited state is consistently lower than that of the Al(2P1/2) ground state, whereas for AlO(v = 1), the reactivity of Al(2P3/2) is higher than that of Al(2P1/2) at a higher rotational state. The relative reactivity of spin-orbit split Al(2P) states at different scattering angles shows a more pronounced enhancement of forward scattering relative to side and backward scattering for Al(2P3/2) when a higher rotationally excited AlO is produced. Nonreactive scattering studies of Al(2P) suggest that the Al(2P3/2) state is deexcited to the ground Al(2P1/2) state at the sideways and backward scattering directions, and the deexcitation is supposed to reduce the reactivity of the excited Al(2P3/2) at the corresponding direction.

Traumatic intestinal ischemic necrosis.

A 71-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department with a 1-day history of abdominal pain after an accidental fall. Laboratory test results were as follows: a white blood cell count of 2.32 × 109/L, blood lactate of 3.0 mmol/L, pH 7.30, calcitonin precursor level of 71.09 ng/ml, and creatinine of 115 umol/L. The abdominal CT revealed: portal vein gas accumulation (PVGA) accompanied by a fluid-air level; pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) manifested as multiple gas collections within the wall of the lower small intestine. Based on lowered blood pH and elevated lactate levels, there was a high suspicion of small intestinal ischemic necrosis. Subsequent emergency laparotomy and pathological examination confirmed necrosis of the small intestine.

Do bystanders always see more than the players? Exploring Solomon's paradox through meta-analysis.

Solomon's paradox is a widespread phenomenon regarding how we think, which asserts that people reason more wisely about other people's social problems than they do about their own. This means that we are more likely to make rational decisions when decision-making on the behalf of others than for ourselves, which has practical implications in the field of interpersonal conflicts and social dilemmas. However, it remains unclear whether Solomon's paradox exists across cultures, and the magnitude of its effect size. A meta-analysis was conducted, examining six studies and 20 effect sizes, to gain more insight into this phenomenon, considering the influencing effects of culture, measurement instrument, conflict type, and some other moderating factors. The results showed that Solomon's paradox does exist in interpersonal conflict (d = 0.317; 95% CI = 0.828-0.852). Moderator analysis revealed that measurement instrument and subjects had an impact on the effect of Solomon's paradox and there was a non-significant effect size of culture and conflict type. Future research should explore the diverse forms of Solomon's paradox across more diverse cultural contexts (e.g., various countries) to better understand the phenomenon and help people cope with life's problems more wisely.

Prevalence, risk factors, and mortality of COPD in young people in the USA: results from a population-based retrospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been considered a disease of the elderly, but it could also occur in young people aged 20-50 years. However, the characteristics and prognosis of COPD in such young people remain unclear. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort study was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants who 20-50 years old at baseline and completed the pulmonary function test were enrolled in our study cohort. These participants were followed up to 31 December 2019. The sample weight and Taylor Linearization Procedures were adapted to make representative estimations of prevalence and baseline characteristics. The weighted logistic regression model was used to assess the risk factors. The propensity score method and Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate the risk of mortality. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of COPD in young people in the USA was 1.64% and it increased with age, with a higher prevalence in males than females (2.59% vs 0.72%, p<0.001). The proportion of Global Initiative for COPD 1-2 was 96.7%. Males (OR=4.56, 95% CI: 2.74 to 7.61), non-Hispanic black (OR=2.77; 95% CI: 1.14 to 6.75), non-Hispanic white (OR=4.93; 95% CI: 2.16 to 11.28) and smoking (current smoking, OR=2.36; 95% CI: 1.40 to 3.98; ever smoking, OR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.51; passive smoking, OR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.20) were shown to be independent risk factors for COPD in young people. Compared with those matched by sex, age and race, the young people with COPD had a higher risk of all-cause death (HR=3.314, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: COPD in young people has a low prevalence in the USA and its independent risk factors included male, race (non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white) and smoking. Young COPD has a higher risk of all-cause mortality than the matched non-COPD.

A glycometabolic gene signature associating with immune infiltration and chemosensitivity and predicting the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.

Background: Accumulating evidence has suggested that glycometabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis. However, few studies have investigated the prognostic values of glycometabolic genes in patients with osteosarcoma (OS). This study aimed to recognize and establish a glycometabolic gene signature to forecast the prognosis, and provide therapeutic options for patients with OS. Methods: Univariate and multivariate Cox regression, LASSO Cox regression, overall survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, and nomogram were adopted to develop the glycometabolic gene signature, and further evaluate the prognostic values of this signature. Functional analyses including Gene Ontology (GO), kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses (KEGG), gene set enrichment analysis, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, were used to explore the molecular mechanisms of OS and the correlation between immune infiltration and gene signature. Moreover, these prognostic genes were further validated by immunohistochemical staining. Results: A total of four genes including PRKACB, SEPHS2, GPX7, and PFKFB3 were identified for constructing a glycometabolic gene signature which had a favorable performance in predicting the prognosis of patients with OS. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor. Functional analyses indicated that multiple immune associated biological processes and pathways were enriched in the low-risk group, while 26 immunocytes were down-regulated in the high-risk group. The patients in high-risk group showed elevated sensitivity to doxorubicin. Furthermore, these prognostic genes could directly or indirectly interact with other 50 genes. A ceRNA regulatory network based on these prognostic genes was also constructed. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that SEPHS2, GPX7, and PFKFB3 were differentially expressed between OS tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Conclusion: The preset study constructed and validated a novel glycometabolic gene signature which could predict the prognosis of patients with OS, identify the degree of immune infiltration in tumor microenvironment, and provide guidance for the selection of chemotherapeutic drugs. These findings may shed new light on the investigation of molecular mechanisms and comprehensive treatments for OS.

[Clinical features of children with coronavirus disease 2019 in different age groups during the epidemic of Omicron variant]. / æ–°åž‹å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’Omicronå˜å¼‚æ ªæµè¡ŒæœŸé—´ä¸åŒå¹´é¾„å„¿ç«¥æ„ŸæŸ“çš„ä¸´åºŠç‰¹å¾åˆ†æž.

OBJECTIVES: To study the differences in the clinical features of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different age groups during the epidemic of Omicron variant. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 211 children with COVID-19 who were admitted to the Department of General Pediatrics, Zhongshan People's Hospital, from December 9, 2022 to January 8, 2023. According to their age, they were divided into 4 groups: 1 month-<1 year (n=84), 1-<3 years group (n=64), 3-<5 years (n=29), and ≥5 years (n=34). The above groups were compared in terms of general status, clinical features, ancillary examination results, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: The children aged <3 years accounted for 70.1% (148/211) of all hospitalized children with COVID-19, and the 3-<5 years group and the ≥5 years group had a significantly higher proportion of children with underlying diseases than the 1 month-<1 year group and the 1-<3 years group (P<0.05). Compared with the other three groups, the 1 month-<1 year group had significantly higher incidence rates of dyspnea, nasal congestion/nasal discharge, diarrhea and significantly lower incidence rates of convulsion and nervous system involvement (P<0.05). Moreover, compared with the other three groups, the 1 month-<1 year group had significantly higher incidence rates of increases in bile acid and creatine kinase isoenzyme and significantly lower incidence rates of decreased platelet count, increased neutrophil percentage, and decreased lymphocyte percentage (P<0.05). The 1 month-<1 year group had a significantly higher incidence rate of mild COVID-19 than the 1-<3 years group and a significantly lower incidence rate of severe/critical COVID-19 than the other three groups (P<0.05). Compared with the other three groups, the 1 month-<1 year group had a significantly higher proportion of children receiving oxygen inhalation therapy (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Children with COVID-19 in different age groups have different clinical features during the epidemic of Omicron variant, especially between the children aged 1 month to <1 year and those aged ≥1 year.

Detection Rates of Mental Health Problems Among Sexual Minorities in Mainland China: A Meta-Analysis.

Previous studies that have addressed the growing mental health problems among sexual minorities in mainland China, but failed to inform mental health programs and public health policies with consistent detection results. To obtain robust results on aggregate detection rates and moderators of these problems, we performed a meta-analysis of the related Chinese and English literature published before 2022. Ultimately, 305 eligible studies (ndepression = 127, nanxiety = 71, nsuicide ideation = 55, nsuicide plan = 13, nsuicide attempt = 39) were pooled in the analysis. The results revealed "Money boys" and people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) had higher detection rates than general men who have sex with men. Depression was more prevalent in gays than lesbians, and the latter had a higher detection rate of suicide. Detection rates of anxiety and depression among sexual minorities in China were moderated by detection time, measurement tools, and their detection thresholds. Suggested future priorities include developing more targeted measurement tools that consider the living conditions and psychological characteristics of local sexual minorities, enhancing mental health programs for sexual minorities, and devising more practical and effective interventions to prevent and reduce their mental health problems.

When Interdependence Backfires: The Coronavirus Infected Three Times More People in Rice-Farming Areas During Chinese New Year.

Interdependent cultures around the world have generally controlled COVID-19 better. We tested this pattern in China based on the rice theory, which argues that historically rice-farming regions of China are more interdependent than wheat-farming areas. Unlike earlier findings, rice-farming areas suffered more COVID-19 cases in the early days of the outbreak. We suspected this happened because the outbreak fell on Chinese New Year, and people in rice areas felt more pressure to visit family and friends. We found historical evidence that people in rice areas visit more family and friends for Chinese New Year than people in wheat areas. In 2020, rice areas also saw more New Year travel. Regional differences in social visits were correlated with COVID-19 spread. These results reveal an exception to the general idea that interdependent culture helps cultures contain COVID-19. When relational duties conflict with public health, interdependence can lead to more spread of disease.