Learning Invariant Visual Representations for Compositional Zero-Shot Learning

Compositional Zero-Shot Learning (CZSL) aims to recognize novel compositions using knowledge learned from seen attribute-object compositions in the training set. Previous works mainly project an image and a composition into a common embedding space to measure their compatibility score. However, both attributes and objects share the visual representations learned above, leading the model to exploit spurious correlations and bias towards seen pairs. Instead, we reconsider CZSL as an out-of-distribution generalization problem. If an object is treated as a domain, we can learn object-invariant features to recognize the attributes attached to any object reliably. Similarly, attribute-invariant features can also be learned when recognizing the objects with attributes as domains. Specifically, we propose an invariant feature learning framework to align different domains at the representation and gradient levels to capture the intrinsic characteristics associated with the tasks. Experiments on two CZSL benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the previous state-of-the-art

Exploring the impact of smartphone addiction on decision-making behavior in college students: an fNIRS study based on the Iowa Gambling Task

The pervasive use of smartphones, while enhancing accessibility to information and communication, has raised concerns about its potential negative effects on physical and mental health, including the impairment of decision-making abilities. This study investigates the influence of smartphone addiction on decision-making in college students. A sample of 80 individuals aged 17 to 26 was selected and divided into two groups based on their Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) scores. Participants underwent the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to evaluate their decision-making in risky and uncertain conditions, while fNIRS recorded their prefrontal cortex activity. The study found that individuals prone to smartphone addiction tend to make riskier choices in risky situations. However, when faced with decisions based on ambiguity, the smartphone addiction group showed increased brain activity in the dlPFC (specifically in channels 4, 9, and 11) compared to when making risky decisions. Despite this increased brain activation, there was no observable difference in behavior between the addiction-prone and control groups in ambiguous scenarios. Notably, the left dlPFC (e.g., channel 4) exhibited significantly higher activation in the addiction group compared to the control group. Findings suggest that smartphone addiction can detrimentally influence decision-making, behaviorally and neurologically, particularly in uncertain contexts. This study supports the classification of smartphone addiction as a genuine addiction and underscores its significance in psychiatric research. In essence, our research underscores the adverse effects of excessive smartphone use on decision-making processes, reinforcing the necessity to treat smartphone addiction as a pressing public health issue

Exploring the Impact of Smartphone Addiction on Risk Decision-Making Behavior among College Students Based on fNIRS Technology

Smartphone Addiction is a social issue caused by excessive smartphone use, affecting decision-making processes. Current research on the risky decision-making abilities of smartphone addicts is limited. This study used the functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) brain imaging technique and a Sequential Risk-Taking Task experimental paradigm to investigate the decision-making behavior and brain activity of smartphone addicts under varying risk levels. Using a mixed experimental design, the research assessed decision-making ability and brain activation levels as dependent variables across two groups (addiction and control), two risk amounts (high and low), and two outcomes (gain and loss). The study included 42 participants, with 25 in the addiction group and 17 in the control group. Results indicated that risk level significantly impacted the decision-making ability of smartphone addicts, with high-risk levels leading to weaker decision-making ability and increased risk-taking. However, at low-risk levels, decision-making abilities between addicts and healthy individuals showed no significant difference. Furthermore, brain imaging results using fNIRS revealed stronger brain activation in the dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (dlPFC) region for smartphone addicts under loss outcome conditions, with no significant differences between the two groups in terms of brain activation at varying risk volumes. These findings are critical in promoting healthy smartphone use, guiding clinical treatment, and advancing brain mechanism research

Research on the Microstructure Formation of Polyacrylate Latex Modified Mortars

The microstructure forming process of polyacrylate (PA) latex modified cement-based materials was investigated from mixing to hardening. Owing to the chemical reaction between PA particles and calcium ions in the pore solution, PA polymer will not uniformly disperse in cement mortar due to its adsorption on cement particles or hydrates. As a result, PA polymer should exist in cement mortars through different morphologies. The early age mechanical properties of PA modified mortars are lower than those of unmodified mortars, while a rapid progress of the compressive strength and fracture energy can be recognized from the PA modified mortars. It was found that PA polymer addition will refine the small pores but induce big pores to cement mortar. SEM and EDX analysis proves that PA polymer is localized at some places within PA modified mortar which can be named as the localization of polymer modification. The physical and chemical influence of PA polymer on cement-based materials was integrated into an improved model

Microstructure and Modification Mechanism of Polyacrylate Latex Modified Mortars

In order to study the microstructure forming process and modification mechanism of polyacrylate (PA) latex modified mortars during the hardening process, the adsorption performance of PA latex in fresh mortars was analyzed, and the interaction between PA latex and pore solution was simulated. Meanwhile, the microstructure evolution of PA modified mortars was measured by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Detector (EDX) analysis. The test results show that PA particles chemically react with calcium ions in the pore solution and PA polymer is localized at some places within cement mortar through different morphologies. Based on these experiments, in considering the reactions between PA latex and cement-based materials, an improved polymer modification and microstructure formation model is proposed. This is of great importance for the investigation on the mechanical properties of polymer modified cement-based materials and the application of polymer modified cement-based materials in civil engineering

The association between endocrine disrupting chemicals and MAFLD: Evidence from NHANES survey

Previous studies on the association of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are very limited. This study analyzed the association of EDCs exposure with MAFLD among 5073 American adults from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results showed that increased exposure to 3 EDCs metabolites (namely As, DiNP and PFOA) were significantly associated with MAFLD, the odds ratio of which were 1.819 (95% CI: 1.224, 2.702), 1.959 (95% CI: 1.224, 3.136) and 2.148 (95% CI: 1.036, 4.456), respectively. Further, the bayesian kernel machine regression model also revealed that phthalates exposure was strongly connected with the MAFLD, particularly in females and the elderly over 65. Moderating effect analysis suggested that higher body mass index (BMI) and inflammatory diet habit (indicated by dietary inflammatory index) strengthened the association between EDCs and MAFLD, whereas population with higher level of insulin sensitivity showed lower risk. In conclusion, our results suggest that either single or combined exposure to EDCs metabolites is link to MAFLD. Our findings also encourage people to sustain a healthy diet, normal levels of insulin sensitivity and BMI, which may help to alleviate the association of MAFLD risk in exposure to EDCs. These results also help us to better understand the association of EDCs and MAFLD and provide effective evidences for preventing MAFLD from the EDCs exposure aspect

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal microRNA-367–3p alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via inhibition of microglial ferroptosis by targeting EZH2

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence has underscored the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exos) containing bioactive compounds in MS. Herein, the current study sought to characterize the mechanism of BMSC-Exos harboring miR-367–3p both in BV2 microglia by Erastin-induced ferroptosis and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a typical animal model of MS. Exosomes were firstly isolated from BMSCs and identified for further use. BV2 microglia were co-cultured with miR-367–3p-containing BMSC-Exos, followed by an assessment of cell ferroptosis. Mechanistic exploration was furthered by the interaction of miR-367–3p and its downstream regulators. Lastly, BMSC-Exos harboring miR-367–3p were injected into EAE mice for in vivo validation. BMSC-Exos carrying miR-367–3p restrained microglial ferroptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, miR-367–3p could bind to Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and restrain EZH2 expression, leading to the over-expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). Meanwhile, over-expression of SLC7A11 resulted in Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activation and ferroptosis suppression. Ectopic expression of EZH2 in vitro negated the protective effects of BMSC-Exos. Furthermore, BMSC-Exos containing miR-367–3p relieved the severity of EAE by suppressing ferroptosis and restraining EZH2 expression in vivo. Collectively, our findings suggest that BMSC-Exos carrying miR-367–3p brings about a significant decline in microglia ferroptosis by repressing EZH2 and alleviating the severity of EAE in vivo, suggesting a possible role of miR-367–3p overexpression in the treatment strategy of EAE. Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request

The efficacy of GnRH-a followed by SanJieZhenTong capsules in long-term management of endometriosis: Study protocol for a multicenter, double-blinded, double-dummy randomized clinical trial

Background: Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disorder with high risk of recurrence and adverse impact on fertility-sparing. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SanJieZhenTong Capsules, a traditional Chinese medicine, in the long-term management of endometriosis postoperatively. Methods: and analysis: A prospective, double-blinded, double-dummy parallel-group randomized controlled trial will be conducted at three university-based medical centers in China. A total of 600 patients with rAFS III-IV endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy will be enrolled. After fundamental treatment (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists injection starts on the first day of menstruation postoperatively, and repeats 3 times every 28 days), participants will be randomly allocated to the oral contraceptive group (oral contraceptive + dummy A) or SanJieZhenTong Capsules group (SanJieZhenTong Capsules + dummy B) in a 1:1 ratio. All participants will be treated and followed up for 52 weeks. The primary outcome is a recurrence rate based on endometriosis-related symptoms, physical examination, and/or ultrasound/MRI findings. The secondary outcome includes changes in quality of life and organic function outcome via the 36-item Short-Form scores and gastrointestinal function score. Conclusion: The current trial could provide rigorous evidence on SanJieZhenTong Capsules application in the long-term management of advanced-stage endometriosis

Long-term effects of intercropping on multi-trophic structure and bio-thermodynamic health of mixed Eucalyptus-native tree plantations

<p><span>1. </span><span>The intercropping approach of <em>Eucalyptus</em> and native trees has been widely recommended, as an ideal replacement for monoculture <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantations (EUs), to ameliorate global biodiversity loss and mitigate environmental change. However, both suitable native tree species and the best intercropping ratio between <em>Eucalyptus</em> and native trees have not been determined. </span></p> <p><span>2. </span><span>To fill this gap, a four-level intercropping gradient of <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> planted with eight native tree species was set up (i.e., 20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), monitored and compared to a monoculture <em>E. urophylla</em> plantation (EU) and a randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS) in southern China. </span></p> <p><span>3. </span><span>The results showed that the intercropping ratio of <em>Eucalyptus</em> and native trees had a long-term effect on tree layer structure and health status and a cascading effect on the thermodynamic health state of soil microbes. Shade-tolerant woody species are more suitable for intercropping with <em>Eucalyptus</em>. Intercropping plantations with not less than 30% native trees were more favorable for long-term survival and growth of both planted <em>Eucalyptus</em> and native trees and provided much more favorable conditions for the natural immigration of other native trees, which leads to a healthy plant community with significantly higher eco-exergy compared to EU. The initial mixing ratio between <em>Eucalyptus</em> and high diversity native trees affected soil fertility through its long-term effects on the biodiversity and bio-thermodynamic state of trees and soil microbes.</span></p> <p><span>4. </span><span><em>Synthesis and applications</em>.</span><span> Our results highlight the long-term positive effect of the intercropping ratio of <em>Eucalyptus</em> and high diversity native trees on multi-trophic biodiversity conservation, bio-thermodynamic health development, and soil fertility conservation. In the conversion of monoculture <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantations (EU) to multi-species plantations, it is recommended to mix more than 30% native tree species that have different ecological niches with <em>Eucalyptus</em>.</span></p><p>Funding provided by: Guangzhou Municipal Finance Bureau*<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: <br>Award Number: 202206010058</p><p>Funding provided by: National Natural Science Foundation of China<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/01h0zpd94<br>Award Number: 31770487</p><p>Funding provided by: Chinese Academy of Sciences<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/034t30j35<br>Award Number: 2019340</p><p>1. Change of species abundance: Species abundance (Ind/ha) of each tree species in the six types of forest plantations from 2006 (1a) to 2018 (13 a) were given in this file, based on field investigation. Detailed field investigation method is available in our paper which will be published on Journal of Applied Ecology. The average species abundance of each tree was calculated based on three replicated plots for each of the six types of forest plantations. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>2. Tree layer: Plant biomass density (t/ha), diameter at breast height (DBH, cm), height (m), crown (cm) and mortality (%) for<em> E. urophylla</em> and native trees in the six types of mixed forest plantations were given in this file. Three repetitive plots were investigated for each type of forest plantation. The biomass density of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native trees was calculated by Eqn 1 and 2, respectively. Details can be checked out in the method section of our paper which will be published on Journal of Applied Ecology. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>3. Plant community: Eco-exergy (KJ/m2), specific eco-exergy (KJ/g), biomass (t/ha), species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, evenness of three plant layers (trees, shrubs and herbs) and the plant community as a whole for the six types of forest plantations, were given in this file based on field investigation done in 2018, 13 years after planting. Three repetitive plots for each type of forest plantation, were investigated. Detailed investigation and calculation methods can be checked out in the method section of our paper which will be published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>4. Soil fauna: Shannon-Wiener, evenness, species richness, abundance (ind/ha), biomass (kg/ha), eco-exergy (KJ/m<sup>2</sup>), specific eco-exergy(KJ/g) of soil fauna represented here were collected from 0–20 cm soil layer at each plot during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, in 2018, 13 years after planting. Detailed investigation and calculation methods can be checked out in the method section in our paper which will be published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>5. Soil microbial community: Eco-exergy (KJ/m<sup>2</sup>), specific eco-exergy (KJ/g), and soil microbe phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs, ng/g) represented here were collected from 0-20 cm soil layer at each plot during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, in 2018, 13 years after planting. The groupings of soil microbe are actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AFM), fungi, general bacteria (GB), gram-negative bacteria (G-), gram-positive bacteria (G+). The sum of the above two specific PLFAs was assumed to represent total fungal abundance. The ratio of fungal to bacterial PLFAs( G-, G+, GB and 15:0, 17:0 ) (F/B) was calculated as an indicator of the microbial community structure. The sum of all PLFAs mentioned above was used to represent the total PLFAs of the soil microbial community. Detailed investigation and calculation methods can be checked out in the method section of our paper which will be published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>6. Soil: SOC (g/kg), NO<sup>-</sup><sub>3</sub>-N (mg/kg), NH<sup>+</sup><sub>4</sub>-N (g/kg), AP (mg/kg), AK (mg/kg) were measured for three soil layers (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, 40–60 cm) at each plot during the dry and wet seasons, respectively, in 2018, 13 years after planting. Detailed investigation and calculation methods can be checked out in the method section in our paper which will be published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The six forest plantations are monoculture <em>Eucalyptus urophylla</em> plantation (EU); four types of mixed forest plantations of <em>E. urophylla</em> and native tree species (20%NS, 30%NS, 40%NS, 50%NS), and randomly mixed plantation of nine native tree species (NS).</p> <p>For detailed dataset collection and processing information, please check Wang Y, Lin Y, Zhang L, Liu S, Wang J, Tian Y, Campbell DE, Lin R, Ren H, Lu H. 2023. Long-term effects of intercropping on multi-trophic structure and bio-thermodyanmic health of mixed Eucalyptus-native tree plantations. Journal of Applied Ecology (JAPPL-2023-00679).</p&gt