Visible light communication is a present technology which allows data to be transmitted by modulating information onto a light source. It has many advantages over traditional radio frequency communication and up to 10,000 times larger bandwidth. Many existing research in visible light communication assumes a synchronized channel, however, this is not always easily achieved. This paper proposes a novel synchronized VLC system with the potential to ensure reliable communication in both intra- and inter-vehicle communication. The protocol achieves synchronization at the symbol level using the transistor-transistor logic protocol and achieves frame synchronizations with markers. Consequently, the deployment of the system in both intra- and inter-vehicle communication may present numerous advantages over existing data transmission processes. A practical application where visible light communication is used for media streaming is also previewed. In addition, various regions of possible data transmission are determined to infer forward error correction schemes to ensure reliable communication.

The magnetic field characteristics due to electromagnetic stirring in the secondary cooling zone of an extra-thick slab during continuous casting are numerically determined using Maxwell's equations, with particular emphasis on the distribution of magnetic induction intensity and electromagnetic force, as well as the influence of process parameters on the magnetic field. The orientation of the electromagnetic force is the same when the electromagnetic stirrers at the 30° and 60° posistions of the arc-shaped slab are powered in the same direction; otherwise, the orientation is opposite. The magnetic induction at the centre of the section of the stirrer's central axis at the 30° positio, as well as the current, frequency, and fitting formulae, are as follows: B = {0.075I(1/A)-0.3} mT and B = {-1.75f(1/Hz)+22} mT. The electromagnetic force and current fitting formula at the central point of the B-B section is F = {0.03168I²(1/A²)-03.762I(1/A)+326.7} N/m³, and the fitting formula of electromagnetic force and frequency at the centre point is divided into two segments. The first takes the form of a parabola: = {-21((f-4.3)-(1/Hz)²)+970} N/m³, and the second segment is negative linear: F = {-1.65f(1/Hz)+51.5} N/m³.

Abstract Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of serum IL-33 single indicator and combined indicators for asthma in children. Methods 132 children were initially diagnosed with asthma during acute exacerbation and 100 healthy children were included. Serum IL-33 concentration differences were compared between asthmatic and normal children. Correlations between IL-33 with pulmonary function parameters, FeNO, peripheral blood EOS counts and serum total IgE were analyzed in asthmatic children. ROC curves were used to assess IL-33 diagnostic efficacy and its combined indicators. To prevent overfitting of the predictive model, the hold-out cross-validation method was used. Results (1) Serum IL-33 concentrations were significantly higher in children with asthma than in normal children (p < 0.001). (2) IL-33 concentration was negatively correlated with FVC z-score, FEV1 z-score and FEF75% z-score in asthmatic children (p < 0.05). (3) The area under the ROC curve of IL-33 was 0.821, which was higher than those of FeNO, FVC z-score, and FEV1 z-score. (4) Cross-validation of the combined indicators showed that IL-33 significantly improved asthma diagnostic efficacy. The combination of IL-33, FEF75% z-score, and FeNO showed the highest diagnostic efficacy, with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of the combined indicator being 0.954, 90.1%, and 89. 0%, respectively, and good extrapolation of the predictive model. Conclusion Serum IL-33 is higher in children with asthma and increases with the severity of pulmonary ventilation obstruction. A single indicator of serum IL-33 demonstrates moderate diagnostic accuracy, and its combination with FEF75% z-score and FeNO significantly improves the diagnostic accuracy in childhood asthma.

Abstract Objective This retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of two regenerative surgical methods — Bio-Oss granules combined with barrier membranes and Bio-Oss Collagen alone — and to help clinicians achieve better periodontal regeneration outcomes in the specific periodontal condition. Methodology Patients who underwent periodontal regeneration surgery from January 2018 to April 2022 were retrospectively screened, and their clinical and radiographic outcomes at 6 months postoperatively were analyzed. The probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR), distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the bottom of the bone defect (CEJ-BD), and depth of intrabony defects (INFRA) were recorded before the operation (T0) and 6 months after it (T1), and subsequently compared. Results In total, 143 patients were included — 77 were placed in the Bio-Oss group and 66 were placed in the Bio-Oss Collagen group. All indicators, including PD and CAL at T1, showed significant differences compared to baseline, for both groups (P<0.001). PD reduction was greater in the group receiving the Bio-Oss Collagen treatment (P=0.042). Furthermore, in cases when the baseline PD range was 7-11 mm and the age range was 35-50 years, PD reduction was more significant for patients receiving the Bio-Oss Collagen treatment (P=0.031, 0.023). A linear regression analysis indicated that postoperative PD and CAL were positively correlated with baseline values, and that the efficacy tended to decrease with increasing age. Conclusion Both the use of Bio-Oss Collagen alone and the use of Bio-Oss granules combined with barrier membranes resulted in significant effects in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. The Bio-Oss Collagen treatment generated more improvements in PD than the Bio-Oss granules combined with barrier membranes, particularly within the baseline PD range of 7-11 mm and the 35-50 years age group. Additionally, age was the main factor influencing the effectiveness of regenerative surgery for intrabony defects: older individuals exhibited fewer improvements.

Resumen: Existe la necesidad de comprender mejor las relaciones entre COVID-19, los comportamientos de afrontamiento, la actividad física y el estrés, y el impacto de COVID-19 en la forma de vida. Se utilizó un diseño de estudio transversal para examinar la actividad física del adulto, la esperanza, la depresión, la ansiedad y el estado de afrontamiento por género durante COVID-19 y para determinar los efectos de la actividad física, la esperanza, la depresión, y ansiedad en el afrontamiento de COVID-19. Finalmente, se examinó el efecto del género en la relación entre la actividad física y las variables dependientes. En este estudio se utilizó un instrumento de investigación global, en el que participaron un total de 1.400 adultos turcos. Los resultados de esta investigación demuestran que existen diferencias significativas en la actividad física, la esperanza, la depresión, la ansiedad y el estado de afrontamiento de los adultos por sexo. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los sexos para las puntuaciones de esperanza. Además, la actividad física influyó directamente en el afrontamiento (β = 0,10), la esperanza (β = 0,12) y la ansiedad (β = -0,08). La esperanza influyó directa y positivamente en el afrontamiento (β = 0,45) e influyó directa y negativamente en la ansiedad (β = -0,25) y la depresión (β = -0,28). Además, el género no afectó directamente a la actividad física, pero el género se asoció con una disminución del afrontamiento y a un aumento de la depresión y la ansiedad. Finalmente, el género no tuvo ningún efecto sobre la relación entre la actividad física y la esperanza, el afrontamiento, la depresión, la ansiedad (p > 0,01). Estos resultados respaldan la importancia crítica de la actividad física y la esperanza cuando se trata de COVID-19 sin efectos de género.

Abstract: A need exists to better understand the relationships between COVID-19, coping behaviors, physical activity and stress, and COVID-19’s impact on way of life. A cross-sectional study design was used to examine adult physical activity, hope, depression, anxiety, and coping status by gender during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the impact of these variables on the coping process. The study also examined the effect of gender on the relation between physical activity and dependent variables. A global survey instrument was used in this study, including 1,400 Turkish adults. This study identified significant gender-based differences regarding physical activity, hope, depression, anxiety, and coping status of adults, although no significant gender-based difference was found regarding hope scores. Furthermore, physical activity directly influenced coping (β = 0.10), hope (β = 0.12), and anxiety (β = -0.08). Hope directly and positively influenced coping (β = 0.45) and directly and negatively influenced anxiety (β = -0.25) and depression (β = -0.28). Moreover, gender did not directly affect physical activity, but it was associated with decreased coping and increased depression and anxiety. Finally, gender had no effect on the relation between physical activity and hope, coping, depression, and anxiety (p > 0.01). These outcomes support the critical importance of physical activity and hope when coping with COVID-19 regardless of gender.

Resumo: Existe uma necessidade de entender melhor as relações entre a COVID-19, comportamentos de enfrentamento, atividade física e estresse e o impacto da COVID-19 no modo de vida. Um desenho de estudo transversal foi usado para examinar a atividade física adulta, esperança, depressão, ansiedade e estado de enfrentamento por gênero durante a COVID-19 e para determinar os efeitos de atividade física, esperança, depressão, e ansiedade no enfrentamento da COVID-19. Finalmente, examinou-se o efeito do gênero na relação entre atividade física e variáveis dependentes. Um instrumento de pesquisa global foi utilizado neste estudo, no qual um total de 1.400 adultos turcos participaram. Os resultados desta investigação demonstram que existem diferenças significativas em atividade física, esperança, depressão, ansiedade e estado de enfrentamento de adultos por sexo. Não houve diferença significativa entre os sexos para os escores de esperança. Além disso, a atividade física influenciou diretamente o enfrentamento (β = 0,10), a esperança (β = 0,12) e a ansiedade (β = -0,08). A esperança influenciou direta e positivamente o enfrentamento (β = 0,45) e influenciou direta e negativamente a ansiedade (β = -0,25) e a depressão (β = -0,28). Além disso, o gênero não afetou diretamente a atividade física, mas o gênero foi associado à diminuição do enfrentamento e ao aumento da depressão e ansiedade. Finalmente, o gênero não teve efeito sobre a relação entre atividade física e esperança, enfrentamento, depressão, ansiedade (p > 0,01). Estes resultados apoiam a importância crítica da atividade física e da esperança ao lidar com COVID-19 sem efeitos de gênero.

Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5’end or 3’end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5’ end or 3’ end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has informed countries to ban or regulate electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) because of their health adverse effects. Although e-cigarettes are regulated, their popularity has increased among teens OBJECTIVE: To review published articles on the knowledge and attitude of adolescents regarding e-cigarettes and whether their knowledge and attitude influence their use of e-cigarettes METHODS: Literature published from January 2012-11 March 2022 in the PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were systematically reviewed using the SPIDER search strategy. We screened the full texts of 100 qualitative and quantitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 68 studies were not eligible for review, leaving 32 articles: 21 quantitative studies and 11 qualitative studies RESULTS: Most adolescents believed that e-cigarettes were less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Adolescents used e-cigarettes out of curiosity and the different flavours. Their source of information came from friends, family and social media. Some adolescents believed that e-cigarettes were perfectly safe, and adolescents were influenced by tobacco companies' marketing campaigns CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that adolescents are aware of e-cigarettes; however, their perceptions of them differ. Some adolescents believe that e-cigarettes are safe, while others believe them to be harmful to health or remain unsure of their effects. Findings also revealed that adolescents' use of e-cigarettes is linked to their perceptions of them

ABSTRACT Knowing the proliferative capacity of herbicide-resistant weeds is the basis for the integrated management. We collected seeds of two Echinochloa glabrescens Munro ex Hook. f. populations (TS and WH) from rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields in eastern China (F0 populations), and those from individuals surviving the initial metamifop treatment (F1 lines) were tested for their responses to metamifop, and common garden experiments were conducted to compare their productivities. We found that TS was highly resistant to metamifop, and WH was susceptible. After treated with metamifop at the label dose (120 g ai ha-1), averagely 56% and 16% of TS and WH F1 lines contained surviving seedlings, and averagely 24% and 1% F1 seedlings survived among total seedlings of the same population, respectively. After treated with metamifop at a dose of 0, 60, 120 or 240 g ai ha-1, surviving F0 plants escaped from higher doses reproduced higher proportions of metamifop-resistant F1 progenies in both populations. At 120 d after sowing (DAS), TS individuals surviving 2 × label dose of metamifop showed nonsignificant difference in plant heights, biomass and seed production, compared with relative control treatment; while WH plants surviving the label dose of metamifop decreased seed production by 25%-39%. One WH and TS plant individual surviving metamifop treatment at the label dose may generate 10-21 and 490-701 progenies resistant to the label dose of metamifop, respectively.

ABSTRACT Finger citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis (Hoola van Nooten) Swingle; Rutaceae: Citrus) is an important plant for both medicine and food. Due to the lack of suitability analysis, many problems have arisen in its planting. According to the daily observation data, Kriging interpolation was selected to spatialize precipitation and temperature data. MaxEnt and ArcGIS were applied to simulate the suitable areas of finger citron in China from the perspectives of bioclimate, soil, topographic factors and human activities in 2050s and 2090s. Results showed that temperature annual range (Bio7), annual precipitation (Bio12), human footprint (Hf), elevation (El) and precipitation seasonality (Bio15) were identified as the dominant environmental variables related to the distribution of finger citron. Spatiotemporal distribution of annual precipitation (Bio12) showed that in the future, the precipitation in South China tends to decrease first (2050s) and then increase (2090s). The spatio-temporal analysis of temperature annual range (Bio7) showed that the 20-30 ℃ region was relatively stable in the Sichuan Basin and the middle and lower reaches of the Pearl River Basin. Under the future climate change scenarios, the total suitable area showed a significant increase trend in 2090s, and the change of most, moderately and poorly suitable habitats showed no obvious law. Under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, the centroid of the most suitable habitat of finger citron would move to the northwest, southeast and southwest respectively. Our results can effectively carry out to promote the recovery of its population.

The low-temperature electrochemical corrosion behavior of aircraft 2024 aluminum alloy was investigated in different concentrations of potassium-acetate-type fluid, and the results showed that the corrosion medium initially impacted some corrosiveness on the 2024 aluminum alloy. However, the corrosion rate of the alloy decreased with prolonged immersion in the corrosion medium, and this was attributed to the protective effect of the corrosion products layer, which impeded the attack by the aggressive solution. Time-domain analysis of electrochemical noise measurements at -5 °C revealed the occurrence of uniform corrosion on the alloy at the initial stages of immersion, general corrosion at the middle stages of immersion, and a pitting-dominated corrosion type from the middle to late stages of immersion.

Abstract Objective The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of establishing rhinosinusitis model in rats combinated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and merocel sponge. Methods SD (Sprague Dawley) rats that underwent nasal obstruction using Merocel sponge packing, rats with LPS instillation alone, and rats with both nasal obstruction and LPS instillation were used to establish rat models of rhinosinusitis. After the models were established, the nasal symptoms of rats were recorded, the histopathological examination and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TME) of the sinus tissue were performed and the levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the blood were also analyzed. The expressions of Aquaporin-5 (AQP5), Occludin, Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4), Medullary differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and phosphorylated (p)-p65 protein were detected by Western blot to evaluate the effect and mechanism of the experimental models. Results We found that compared with the control group and LPS group, the sinusitis symptom scores in the Merocel sponge combined with LPS group were significantly increased; the respiratory epithelia of the maxillary sinus were degenerated, cilia were detached, and even inflammatory cell infiltration occurred; the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased; the expression of AQP5 and Occludin protein was decreased; and the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and p-p65 protein were increased. Conclusion For the first time, we successfully established a rat rhinosinusitis model using Merocel sponge with LPS and explored the possible mechanism of LPS action.

Abstract Objective Our study aimed to elucidate the effect of PAI-1 (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1) and t-PA (Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator) in tissue remodeling in nasal polyps patients. Methods Samples were streamed as early Nasal Polyps (eNP, n = 10) and inferior tissue from the same patient, mature Nasal Polyps (mNP, n = 14), and Control group (n = 15), respectively. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were applied to detect localization. Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to measure different levels among three groups. The mNP tissue was cultured in vitro and treated with TGF-β1 (Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1) activator, TGF-β1 inhibitor (SB431542), and PAI-1 inhibitor (TM5275); then Western blot, qRT-PCR, and ELISA were used to assess changes. Results The immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that PAI-1 expression decreased in eNP and mNP, mainly in epithelium and glands. The transcriptional expression and protein level of TGF-β1/t-PA/PAI-1/Collagen1 were lower in eNP than IT while mNP group demonstrated lower mRNA expression and protein level of TGF-β1/t-PA/PAI-1/Collagen1 than Control group. In mNP tissue culture in vitro, TGF-β1 activator elevated t-PA, PAI-1, and Collagen1 with higher release of PAI-1 and Collagen1 in supernatant, whereas SB431542 suppressed above reactions; TM5275 lowered transcriptional and protein level of Collagen1 in supernatant. Conclusion Early Nasal polyps’ formation in middle meatus mucous is related with fibrillation system PAI-1/t-PA and tissue remodeling; moreover, nasal polyps’ development is regulated by TGF-β1-mediated PAI-1 reduction. Level of evidence 3b.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy. Methods In this article, the authors reviewed 100 hospitalized jaundiced premature infants under 35 weeks of gestational age. All infants were assigned to a control group (n= 45) and a treatment group (n= 55) randomly. The infants in the treatment group received S. boulardii supplementation by undergoing phototherapy and the infants in the control group were only treated by phototherapy. The total serum bilirubin levels were detected before and at the end of phototherapy, and transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured on the 1st, 4th, 8th and 15th day of treatment. The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy, stool frequency, and characteristics were compared after phototherapy. Results The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy were shortened. Total serum bilirubin level was lower than the control group at the end of phototherapy (p < 0.05). Transcutaneous bilirubin levels decreased more significantly on the 8th and 15th day of treatment (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences on the post-treatment 1st and 4th day (p > 0.05). In addition, bowel movements including stool frequency and Bristol Stool Form Scale ratings of stools also improved after treatment. Conclusions S. boulardii in combination with phototherapy is effective and safe in reducing bilirubin levels and duration of phototherapy, accelerating jaundice resolution in premature infants with jaundice. The procedure also provided an ideal therapeutic effect of diarrhea induced by phototherapy to promote compliance and maternal-infant bonding.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the optimal timing of initial intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. Methods: KD patients were classified as the early group (day 1-4), conventional group (day 5-7), conventional group (day 8-10), and late group (after day 10). Differences among the groups were analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-square analysis. Predictors of IVIG resistance and the optimal cut-off value were determined by multiple logistic regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in IVIG resistance among the 4 groups (p = 0.335). The sensitivity analysis also confirmed no difference in the IVIG resistance between those who started the initial IVIG ≤ day 7 of illness and those who received IVIG >day 7 of illness (p = 0.761). In addition, patients who received IVIG administration more than 7 days from the onset had a higher proportion of coronary artery abnormalities (p = 0.034) and longer length of hospitalization (p = 0.033) than those who started IVIG administration less than 7 days. The optimal cut-off value of initial IVIG administration time for predicting IVIG resistance was >7 days, with a sensitivity of 75.25% and specificity of 82.41%. Conclusions: IVIG therapy within 7 days of illness is found to be more effective for reducing the risk of coronary artery abnormalities than those who received IVIG >day 7 of illness. IVIG treatment within the 7 days of illness seems to be the optimal therapeutic window of IVIG. However, further prospective studies with long-term follow-up are required.

In this experiment, a ZnO-fibre complex was prepared using the hydrothermal methods of "water solubility," "coupling agent," and "high temperature and high pressure". Binding rate, antibacterial activity, microstructure, and the infrared spectrum were measured using biomimetic digestion, bacterial proliferation tests, and ultra-fine electron microscopes. At first, ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different ratios of material and water. They was divided into five groups with ratios of 1:0, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10, respectively. The ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different coupling agents on the basis of experiment 1. They were divided into four groups. The ratio for material and water in the control group was 1:0, and in the treatment group, was 1:4. Treatment groups 2 and 3 had 10% guar gum or 10% bamboo fibre polymer composites (BFP) added on the basis of group 1. A ZnO-fibre complex was successfully prepared by adding 10% BFP at a ratio of material:water of 1:4, at a high temperature of 120 °C and a high pressure of 0.3 MPa for 20 min. The ZnO-binding rate reached 99.05%. The zinc oxide may bind to the carbonyl group of bamboo powder and adhere to the surface of and gaps in the bamboo fibre. The growth inhibition rate of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus was double that of the common ZnO additive and Zn concentration. It is expected to be used as a slow-release ZnO additive.