Bone Properties of Recombinant Inbred Line - BXD Mouse

Osteoporosis is identified by reduced bone mass, decreased bone quality and altered bone micro-architecture. These traits are quantitative and also highly regulated by genetic and environmental factors. As a powerful tool for collaborative analysis of quantitative traits and gene function, BXD recombinant inbred (RI) lines mice have been used to identify genetic effects for bone density. For the first time, we investigated the bone properties of BXD RI mice by analyzing femur and tibia and compared their phenotypes of different compartments. In this study, microcomputed tomography (µCT) provided an accurate measurement on characterizing bone quality and bone architecture ex-vivo; three-point bending provided a measurement on characterizing genetic-influence based bone structural response. 51 BXD RI mouse strains were analyzed, including progenitor C57BL/6J (n=16) and DBA/2J (n=15), and two first filial generations (D2B6F1 and B6D2F1). Bones were collected from 10 to 14-week old females and males (N≥3 each group) and bone parameters were measured at three different sites by high resolution 3D micro-computed tomography: whole bone, cortical bone (mid-shaft of femur and tibia), and trabecular bone (distal femoral and proximal tibial metaphyses).Statistical analysis was performed with SAS 9.3. Differences of each compartment between BXD RI strains were first analyzed using Mixed Effects models, where each strain was considered to be independent clusters and measurements of mouse from each strain were considered to be repeated measurements. The model results were adjusted for gender and age effects. Correlations between femur and tibia were examined using graphical statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Strain differences were observed in bone quality and structural properties (p We conclude that a) femur-tibia association in bone morphological properties significantly vary from strain to strain, which may be caused by genetic differences among strains; b) strain-wise variations were seen in bone mass, bone morphology, bone microarchitecture along with bone structural property

Learning Social Image Embedding with Deep Multimodal Attention Networks

Learning social media data embedding by deep models has attracted extensive research interest as well as boomed a lot of applications, such as link prediction, classification, and cross-modal search. However, for social images which contain both link information and multimodal contents (e.g., text description, and visual content), simply employing the embedding learnt from network structure or data content results in sub-optimal social image representation. In this paper, we propose a novel social image embedding approach called Deep Multimodal Attention Networks (DMAN), which employs a deep model to jointly embed multimodal contents and link information. Specifically, to effectively capture the correlations between multimodal contents, we propose a multimodal attention network to encode the fine-granularity relation between image regions and textual words. To leverage the network structure for embedding learning, a novel Siamese-Triplet neural network is proposed to model the links among images. With the joint deep model, the learnt embedding can capture both the multimodal contents and the nonlinear network information. Extensive experiments are conducted to investigate the effectiveness of our approach in the applications of multi-label classification and cross-modal search. Compared to state-of-the-art image embeddings, our proposed DMAN achieves significant improvement in the tasks of multi-label classification and cross-modal search

Development of Level-of-Service Criteria based on a Single Measure for BRT in China

Bus rapid transit (BRT) has gained popularity as a cost-effective way of expanding public transit services, and its level of service (LOS) is receiving increasing attention. However, relatively little is known about the precise criteria that can consistently and objectively classify the LOS of BRT into different levels. This paper introduces the measure of “unit delay” to develop BRT LOS criteria, defined as the sum of delays a bus experiences at stops and intersections and on a 100m link. Based on field surveys conducted on BRT in Changzhou, China, we obtained a unit delay data set and established BRT LOS criteria using Fuzzy C-means Clustering. The LOS criteria can be applied for operational, design, and planning analyses for BRT systems. A method to examine the operational conditions in spatial and temporal dimensions and pinpoint the service bottlenecks of a BRT system is presented

A NEW CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG HIGHER VOCATIONAL STUDENTS BASE ON GROUP WORK INTERVENTIONS

This paper aims to describe a new conceptual framework for enhancing employability skills based on group work interventions. The research design used is an experiential learning design and was conducted through explanatory research, which combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Higher vocational students were used as research subjects, and group dynamics theory was used as the theoretical basis. Data were collected using questionnaire surveys, interviews, group work methods, and experimental research. A new conceptual framework for enhancing employability skills was developed by selecting 40 fresh graduates from Jiangmen Polytechnic to participate in a 2-month employability skills promotion group work activity. The new conceptual framework clarifies the variables and characteristics that affect the improvement of employment skills and reveals the relationships between the variables. The findings present a new conceptual framework for improving the employability skills of higher vocational students based on group work interventions and describe the variables and characteristics within this framework. This research significantly contributes to the field, equipping educators and organizers with the knowledge to create tailored programs for enhancing employability skills among higher vocational students.Ultimately, these efforts aim to empower students with the necessary competencies to thrive in the dynamic job market and embark on successful career paths. Keywords: conceptual framework; employability skills; group work interventio

Recent Advances on Sorting Methods of High-Throughput Droplet-Based Microfluidics in Enzyme Directed Evolution

Droplet-based microfluidics has been widely applied in enzyme directed evolution (DE), in either cell or cell-free system, due to its low cost and high throughput. As the isolation principles are based on the labeled or label-free characteristics in the droplets, sorting method contributes mostly to the efficiency of the whole system. Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) is the mostly applied labeled method but faces challenges of target enzyme scope. Label-free sorting methods show potential to greatly broaden the microfluidic application range. Here, we review the developments of droplet sorting methods through a comprehensive literature survey, including labeled detections [FADS and absorbance-activated droplet sorting (AADS)] and label-free detections [electrochemical-based droplet sorting (ECDS), mass-activated droplet sorting (MADS), Raman-activated droplet sorting (RADS), and nuclear magnetic resonance-based droplet sorting (NMR-DS)]. We highlight recent cases in the last 5 years in which novel enzymes or highly efficient variants are generated by microfluidic DE. In addition, the advantages and challenges of different sorting methods are briefly discussed to provide an outlook for future applications in enzyme DE

Cell phone–based health education messaging improves health literacy

Background: The ubiquity of cell phones, which allow for short message service (SMS), provides new and innovative opportunities for disease prevention and health education.Objective: To explore the use of cell phone–based health education SMS to improve the health literacy of community residents in China.Methods: A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select representative study communities and participants ≥ 18 years old. Intervention participants were sent health education SMSs once a week for 1 year and controls were sent conventional, basic health education measures. Health literacy levels of the residents before and after the intervention were evaluated between intervention and control groups.Results: Public health literacy scores increased 1.5 points, from 61.8 to 63.3, after SMS intervention for 1 year (P<0.01); the increase was greater for males than females (2.01 vs. 1.03; P<0.01) and for Shenzhen local residents than non permanent residents (2.56 vs. 1.14; P<0.01). The frequency of high health literacy scores was greater for the intervention than control group (22.03% to 30.93% vs. 22.07% to 20.82%). With health literacy as a cost-effective index, the cost-effectiveness per intervention was 0.54.Conclusion: SMS may be a useful tool for improving health literacy.Keywords: Health literacy, intervention, community residents, cell phone, short message servic

An Empirical Comparative Study on the Two Methods of Eliciting Singers’ Emotions in Singing: Self-Imagination and VR Training

Emotional singing can affect vocal performance and the audience’s engagement. Chinese universities use traditional training techniques for teaching theoretical and applied knowledge. Self-imagination is the predominant training method for emotional singing. Recently, virtual reality (VR) technologies have been applied in several fields for training purposes. In this empirical comparative study, a VR training task was implemented to elicit emotions from singers and further assist them with improving their emotional singing performance. The VR training method was compared against the traditional self-imagination method. By conducting a two-stage experiment, the two methods were compared in terms of emotions’ elicitation and emotional singing performance. In the first stage, electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected from the subjects. In the second stage, self-rating reports and third-party teachers’ evaluations were collected. The EEG data were analyzed by adopting the max-relevance and min-redundancy algorithm for feature selection and the support vector machine (SVM) for emotion recognition. Based on the results of EEG emotion classification and subjective scale, VR can better elicit the positive, neutral, and negative emotional states from the singers than not using this technology (i.e., self-imagination). Furthermore, due to the improvement of emotional activation, VR brings the improvement of singing performance. The VR hence appears to be an effective approach that may improve and complement the available vocal music teaching methods

IMPORTANCE OF IDEOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL EDUCATION ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISIS COPING ABILITY

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for leveraging ideological and political education to enhance the mental crisis coping ability of university students. The primary objective is to integrate ideological and political education in universities to improve student abilities to cope with psychological crises and innovate intervention methods. The study utilized induction and data analysis techniques to define psychological crises and interventions for university students while examining the role of ideological and political education in psychological crisis intervention. Through reflection on the current state of ideological and political education interventions, this paper proposes constructive and feasible pathways and countermeasures for implementation. The results indicate that ideological and political education positively intervenes in psychological crises faced by university students. Therefore, this paper recommends supporting the application of ideological and political education as an essential pillar of mental health education to provide new perspectives and approaches for intervening in psychological crises among university students. Finally, it is essential to value its theoretical foundations and support its integration into mental health intervention strategies in universities. This research contributes to the development of a novel approach to managing psychological crises among university students, which can ultimately promote their well-being and success. Keywords: ideological education; political education; psychological crisis; coping abilit

Resveratrol activation of SIRT1/MFN2 can improve mitochondria function, alleviating doxorubicin‐induced myocardial injury

Background Doxorubicin is a widely used cytotoxic chemotherapy agent for treating different malignancies. However, its use is associated with dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, causing irreversible myocardial damage and significantly reducing the patient's quality of life and survival. In this study, an animal model of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy was used to investigate the pathogenesis of doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury. This study also investigated a possible treatment strategy for alleviating myocardial injury through resveratrol therapy in vitro. Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group and a doxorubicin group. Body weight, echocardiography, surface electrocardiogram, and myocardial histomorphology were measured. The mechanisms of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in H9c2 cell lines were explored by comparing three groups (phosphate-buffered saline, doxorubicin, and doxorubicin with resveratrol). Results Compared to the control group, the doxorubicin group showed a lower body weight and higher systolic arterial pressure, associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening, prolonged PR interval, and QT interval. These abnormalities were associated with vacuolation and increased disorder in the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes, increased protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin and caspase 3, and reduced protein expression levels of Mitofusin2 (MFN2) and Sirtuin1 (SIRT1). Compared to the doxorubicin group, doxorubicin + resveratrol treatment reduced caspase 3 and manganese superoxide dismutase, and increased MFN2 and SIRT1 expression levels. Conclusion Doxorubicin toxicity leads to abnormal mitochondrial morphology and dysfunction in cardiomyocytes and induces apoptosis by interfering with mitochondrial fusion. Resveratrol ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by activating SIRT1/MFN2 to improve mitochondria function

Regulatory network of GSK3-like kinases and their role in plant stress response

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) family members are evolutionally conserved Ser/Thr protein kinases in mammals and plants. In plants, the GSK3s function as signaling hubs to integrate the perception and transduction of diverse signals required for plant development. Despite their role in the regulation of plant growth and development, emerging research has shed light on their multilayer function in plant stress responses. Here we review recent advances in the regulatory network of GSK3s and the involvement of GSK3s in plant adaptation to various abiotic and biotic stresses. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying how plants cope with environmental stresses through GSK3s-hormones crosstalk, a pivotal biochemical pathway in plant stress responses. We believe that our overview of the versatile physiological functions of GSK3s and underlined molecular mechanism of GSK3s in plant stress response will not only opens further research on this important topic but also provide opportunities for developing stress-resilient crops through the use of genetic engineering technology