460 research outputs found
Cultural Transmission of Dazu Vocal Music in Chongqing
Dazu vocal music, a unique and cherished intangible cultural heritage, serves as the focal point of this research conducted in Chongqing, China. The study’s objective is to investigate the contribution of cultural transmission of Dazu vocal music in Chongqing through education and literacy. The research site, Dazu City, is the epicenter of this cultural treasure, encompassing various educational institutions from primary to tertiary levels that engage with this art form. Two key informants, comprising experienced instructors and cultural representatives, offer valuable insights into the educational initiatives and literacy practices supporting Dazu vocal music. Research tools, including observation and interview forms, are employed for data collection, culminating in a detailed analysis of the cultural transmission process. The study’s results underscore education’s pivotal role in preserving Dazu vocal music, fostering hands-on learning, and promoting cultural documentation, with literacy facilitating accessibility beyond oral traditions. These efforts positively impact the local community by enhancing cultural identity and pride. Despite challenges such as an aging practitioner population and shifting cultural dynamics, collaboration among stakeholders emerges as a promising strategy for ensuring the tradition’s continuity. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of education and literacy in preserving intangible cultural heritage, offering insights applicable to similar endeavors worldwide
Invisible Neutrino Decays as Origin of TeV Gamma Rays from GRB221009A
Recently, the LHAASO collaboration has observed the gamma rays of energies up
to ten TeV from the gamma-ray burst GRB221009A, which has stimulated the
community of astronomy, particle physics and astrophysics to propose various
possible interpretations. In this paper, we put forward a viable scenario that
neutrinos are produced together with TeV photons in the gamma-ray burst and
gradually decay into the axion-like particles, which are then converted into
gamma rays in the galactic magnetic fields. In such a scenario, the tension
between previous axion-like particle interpretations and the existing
observational constraints on the relevant coupling constant and mass can be
relaxed.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures, more discussions and references added, version
accepted by JCA
The Effects of Salt on Rheological Properties of Asphalt after Long-Term Aging
Limited studies in recent years have shown that asphalt pavement subject to seawater in coastal regions or deicing salt in cold regions may be seriously damaged after being soaked in saline water for a long time. However, there is limited research into the influence of salt on rheological properties of asphalt after long-term aging. In this study, rheological properties of unmodified and polymer-modified asphalt after long-term aging were tested after being soaked in different concentrations of salt (0.3%~5%) for different durations (1 day~30 days). Orthogonal array based on the Taguchi method was used for experimental design. The frequency sweep tests were performed on the specimens of aged asphalt after being soaked for complex modulus and phase angle master curves and ultimate fatigue temperature. BBR tests were performed for stiffness. The test results indicate that saline water appears to reduce low temperature properties and fatigue resistance properties and improved high temperature properties of aged asphalt, and it also affects the sensitivity of complex modulus and phase angles at low frequencies
Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of hypertension: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2018
AimThe epidemiological evidence regarding the impact of dietary selenium intake on hypertension continues to be a subject of controversy. Our objective is to examine the correlation between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of hypertension within a substantial and diverse population in the United States.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess the association between dietary selenium intake and hypertension prevalence. Weight logistic regression analysis and smooth curve fitting were utilized to explore potential linear relationships. Subgroup analysis was further employed to investigate potential differences in this relationship across populations and assess potential synergies.ResultsThe study included 32,928 individuals, and the average dietary selenium intake was 1.12 ± 0.53 μg. The prevalence rate of hypertension was 36.55% overall and decreased with the higher dietary selenium intake quartiles (quartiles 1, 40.25%; quartiles 2, 37.71%; quartiles 3, 36.04%, quartiles 4, 32.23%, p < 0.001). Each quartile increase in dietary selenium intake associated with 11% decreased the likelihood of prevalence of hypertension [OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.80–1.00; p = 0.0425]. Subgroup analyses revealed that there was no significant correlation between gender, age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus in relation to the association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of hypertension.ConclusionThe prevalence of hypertension in adults was found to be linearly and negatively correlated with dietary selenium intake. In order to improve the prevention and treatment of hypertension, greater emphasis should be placed on selenium consumption
Evaluating the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic neuropathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies
Diabetic neuropathy affects nearly half of all diabetics and poses a significant threat to public health. Recent preclinical studies suggest that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may represent a promising solution for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. However, an objective assessment of the preclinical effectiveness of MSCs is still pending. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library to identify preclinical studies that investigate the effects of MSCs on diabetic neuropathy up until 15 September 2023. Outcome indicators consisted of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, intra-epidermal nerve fiber density, sciatic nerve blood flow, capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio, neurotrophic factors, angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines. The literature review and meta-analysis were conducted independently by two researchers. 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this system review for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Pooled analyses indicated that MSCs exhibited an evident benefit in diabetic neuropathy in terms of motor (SMD = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.71–2.61) and sensory nerve conduction velocities (SMD = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.78–4.07), intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (SMD = 3.17, 95% CI: 2.28–4.07), sciatic nerve blood flow (SMD = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.37–2.66), and capillary-to-muscle fiber ratio (SMD = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.55 to 3.01, p < 0.00001). Furthermore, after MSC therapy, the expressions of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors increased significantly in most studies, while the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced. The relevance of this review relies on the fact that summarizes an extensive body of work entailing substantial preclinical evidence that supports the efficacy of MSCs in mitigating diabetic neuropathy. While MSCs emerge as a promising potential treatment for diabetic neuropathy, further research is essential to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and the best administration strategy for MSCs
MAIDR: Making Statistical Visualizations Accessible with Multimodal Data Representation
This paper investigates new data exploration experiences that enable blind
users to interact with statistical data visualizationsbar plots, heat maps,
box plots, and scatter plotsleveraging multimodal data representations. In
addition to sonification and textual descriptions that are commonly employed by
existing accessible visualizations, our MAIDR (multimodal access and
interactive data representation) system incorporates two additional modalities
(braille and review) that offer complementary benefits. It also provides blind
users with the autonomy and control to interactively access and understand data
visualizations. In a user study involving 11 blind participants, we found the
MAIDR system facilitated the accurate interpretation of statistical
visualizations. Participants exhibited a range of strategies in combining
multiple modalities, influenced by their past interactions and experiences with
data visualizations. This work accentuates the overlooked potential of
combining refreshable tactile representation with other modalities and elevates
the discussion on the importance of user autonomy when designing accessible
data visualizations.Comment: Accepted to CHI 2024. Source code is available at
https://github.com/xability/maid
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