Challenges of Employing VoiceThread to Enhance U.S. Collegiate Chinese Language Learners’ Oral Proficiency

The digital age in education inspires Chinese teachers to integrate Web 2.0 technologies into Chinese as a second language (CSL) curricula to enhance teaching effects. However, few studies examine the challenges that teachers face when integrating Web 2.0 technologies to improve student oral proficiency in Chinese. This study aims to investigate students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Web 2.0 technology VoiceThread (VT). It examines the challenges of integrating VT to enhance student oral proficiency. The authors conducted two studies with 31 students responding to a questionnaire in Study 1 and 48 students responding to the same questionnaire in Study 2. All students are beginner-level CSL learners. Three results were obtained. Result 1 shows that documents and articles report VT as popular and easy to use, however, few teachers employed VT in their teaching practices. Result 2 indicates another discrepancy. Although students highly evaluated the usefulness of the VT-facilitated activities, they were reluctant to perform these activities. By comparing Study 1 and Study 2, the authors obtained Result 3: Students in Study 2 evaluated VT-integrated teaching practices consistently higher than those in Study 1. Teachers’ using experiences primarily led these perception differences. This study provides CSL teachers with a vision of the opportunities and challenges that may occur when they integrate Web 2.0 technologies into curricular to improve CSL oral proficiency

STUDY ON THE DRIVING GAZE SHIFT CHARACTERISTICS OF VISION INTERESTING AREA ON MOUNTAINOUS ROAD

Mountainous road landscape is the main source of driving information. The characteristics of two-lane mountainous road result in real-time dynamic changes in the driver's vision interesting areas. In order to explore the dynamic gaze characteristics, a driving experiment is conducted, and the gaze data of 10 drivers are collected. Markov chain is used to analyze the change process of gaze. The results show that: (1) when the current gaze point is in the straight front area, different road landscape has no significant impact on the gaze shift probability; (2) when the current gaze point is in the near left area, next gaze will expand the search scope to obtain much more driving information; (3) when the current gaze point is in the near right area, there is a high probability that the driver's next gaze will return to the front area; (4) when the current gaze point is in the far right area, the gaze will move back and forth between the near right and the far right areas; (5) when the current gaze point is in the far left area, there is a high probability that the gaze will remain in current area; (6) the main source of traffic information obtained by the driver in mountainous road landscape is the straight front area in the vision field, and the gaze point constantly shifts between the far ahead and the near ahead. The research results can provide technical reference for the construction of landscape in mountainous two-lane road

PointGPT: Auto-regressively Generative Pre-training from Point Clouds

Large language models (LLMs) based on the generative pre-training transformer (GPT) have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness across a diverse range of downstream tasks. Inspired by the advancements of the GPT, we present PointGPT, a novel approach that extends the concept of GPT to point clouds, addressing the challenges associated with disorder properties, low information density, and task gaps. Specifically, a point cloud auto-regressive generation task is proposed to pre-train transformer models. Our method partitions the input point cloud into multiple point patches and arranges them in an ordered sequence based on their spatial proximity. Then, an extractor-generator based transformer decoder, with a dual masking strategy, learns latent representations conditioned on the preceding point patches, aiming to predict the next one in an auto-regressive manner. Our scalable approach allows for learning high-capacity models that generalize well, achieving state-of-the-art performance on various downstream tasks. In particular, our approach achieves classification accuracies of 94.9% on the ModelNet40 dataset and 93.4% on the ScanObjectNN dataset, outperforming all other transformer models. Furthermore, our method also attains new state-of-the-art accuracies on all four few-shot learning benchmarks.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Identification and validation of the diagnostic signature associated with immune microenvironment of acute kidney injury based on ferroptosis-related genes through integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe disease, which poses a global health burden with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, ferroptosis has been recognized as being deeply related to Acute kidney injury. Our aim is to develop a diagnostic signature for Acute kidney injury based on ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) through integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning.Methods: Our previously uploaded mouse Acute kidney injury dataset GSE192883 and another dataset, GSE153625, were downloaded to identify commonly expressed differentially expressed genes (coDEGs) through bioinformatic analysis. The FRGs were then overlapped with the coDEGs to identify differentially expressed FRGs (deFRGs). Immune cell infiltration was used to investigate immune cell dysregulation in Acute kidney injury. Functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis were applied to identify candidate hub genes for Acute kidney injury. Then, receiver operator characteristic curve analysis and machine learning analysis (Lasso) were used to screen for diagnostic markers in two human datasets. Finally, these potential biomarkers were validated by quantitative real-time PCR in an Acute kidney injury model and across multiple datasets.Results: A total of 885 coDEGs and 33 deFRGs were commonly identified as differentially expressed in both GSE192883 and GSE153625 datasets. In cluster 1 of the coDEGs PPI network, we found a group of 20 genes clustered together with deFRGs, resulting in a total of 48 upregulated hub genes being identified. After ROC analysis, we discovered that 25 hub genes had an area under the curve (AUC) greater than 0.7; Lcn2, Plin2, and Atf3 all had AUCs over than this threshold in both human datasets GSE217427 and GSE139061. Through Lasso analysis, four hub genes (Lcn2, Atf3, Pir, and Mcm3) were screened for building a nomogram and evaluating diagnostic value. Finally, the expression of these four genes was validated in Acute kidney injury datasets and laboratory investigations, revealing that they may serve as ideal ferroptosis markers for Acute kidney injury.Conclusion: Four hub genes (Lcn2, Atf3, Pir, and Mcm3) were identified. After verification, the signature’s versatility was confirmed and a nomogram model based on these four genes effectively distinguished Acute kidney injury samples. Our findings provide critical insight into the progression of Acute kidney injury and can guide individualized diagnosis and treatment

Analysis of Optimal Injection Ratio of Vapor Injection Heat Pump for Electric Railway Vehicles

Air-source heat pump with vapour injection is a prospective efficient heating method for electric railway vehicles in cold regions. A heating performance analysis modelling for air source heat pump with vapour injection is set up for performance optimization in this paper. The maximum errors of the program are within 15%. Heating performance, as well as the optimal injection ratio is analysed. The optimal injection ratio varies mainly from 0.12 to 0.3 under the typical working condition of railway vehicles in winter. It goes up with increasing inlet air temperature of condenser and goes down with increasing ambient temperature. The ambient temperature has very little effect on the optimal injection temperature of the internal heat exchanger. The results indicate that the expander valve opening of the injection branch can be controlled by its outlet temperature to get the optimal heating performance

OR-044 Effect of Elastic Band Exercise, Brisk Walking and the Diabolo Exercise on the Serum Lipid Level of Women with dyslipidemia between 60 to 69 Years Old

Objective This study investigated the effect of elastic band exercise, brisk walking and the diabolo exercise on the serum lipid level of abnormal blood lipids women between 60 to 69 years old. Methods  252 subjects were randomly divided into the elastic band exercise group (EBG), the brisk walking group (BWG), the diabolo exercise group (DEG) and the control group (CG), each group of 63 people. In the end, 186 people (NEBEG=63, NBWG=45, NDEG=32, NCG=46) completed all the tests in 12 weeks due to various reasons, such as withdrawal, travel abroad, and hospitalization. The EBG and the DEG respectively carry on the self-braiding and the Diabolo exercise(DE) training for 1 h, 3 times per week for12 weeks. Participants in the BWG wore pedometers for brisk walking, 5 times per week, and 8,000 to 10,000 steps per time. The CG did not intervene. Measurement on height, body weight, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C were made at two time points—baseline, 12 weeks. Results After 12 weeks of exercise, TG, TC and LDL-C levels of the EBG, BWG and DEG were significantly lower than those in the pre-test group, and the difference was statistically significant, there was no significant change in the control group. The average level of HDL-C in the BWG and DEG was higher than that before the experiment, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of TG change rate (P50= 0.16) of DEG was greater than EBG (P50=0.09) and BWG(P50=0.05), all of the experimental group were greater than the CG, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of TC change rate of the EBG, BWG and DEG was greater than the CG, and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of HDL-C change rate in both BWG (P50=0.06) and DEG (P50=0.14) was greater than that of the EBG (P50=0.01) and the CG (P50=0), and the difference was statistically significant. The average level of LDL-C change rate of the EBG(P50=0.06) and the BWG(P50=0.13) was larger than that of the CG (P50= -0.04) and the DEG (P50= -0.08), and the difference was statistically significant. The EBG is compared with the BWG, and the comparison between DEG and CG, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions The TG level in the blood was significantly reduced in the EBG, BWG and DEG, and the effect of the diabolo exercise(DE)was better than that of the elastic band exercise (EBE)and the brisk walking(BW). The EBE, BW and DE can significantly reduce the TC level in blood. Both BW and EBE can raise the level of HDL-C in the blood. Both the EBE and BW can reduce the level of LDL-C in the blood。Therefore, all three types of exercise can effectively regulate the Serum Lipid Level of elderly women with dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of ASCVD

PO-254 Progression in rehabilitation of Upper Crossed Syndrome

Objective  At present, there is a growing number of potential people in the country who are prone to upper crossed syndrome (UCS), and compared with other musculoskeletal diseases, the etiology and treatments of the syndrome are still at an initial stage. On the other hand, the syndrome is a transitional stage between the normal cervical vertebra and cervical spondylosis, so it may be one of the important factors of cervical spondylosis which becomes younger in average age and happens more frequently. Domestic researches for UCS are not sufficient. There is no clear and unified conclusion on the pathogenesis of the disease, and there is also no systematic and efficient standard for its treatment. Therefore, the study of the UCS will help people fully understand the occurrence of cervical spondylosis, the mechanism of muscle imbalance and neck pain, it could lead to new further treatments of physical therapy and exercise therapy.  Methods A literature search was conducted for UCS studies using CNKI, Wan Fang database, VIP database, Pubmed, web of science, EMbase, Cochrane Library. The Medical Subject Headings search terms used included rehabilitation therapy, neck pain, head pain, etiology, treatment, and combined keywords using upper crossed syndrome and UCS. According to the characteristics of the different databases, there is a joint search method for the keywords and free words. Two authors independently extracted relevant data according to the proposed inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then carry out full text reading after the literature that may be qualified or cannot be confirmed, so as to identify the literature that needs to be included. In the end,40 literatures were finally included. Results The causes of UCS may have bad posture, abnormalities of respiratory patterns, psychological factors, over excitation of sympathetic nerve, abnormalities of proprioception, acute and chronic injury. And, once that balance is broken, without interference, the neck and shoulders will form a vicious circle, and the human body's stress reaction will form osteophyte in the corresponding place，and damage intervertebral disc. According to the studies, all treatment methods have certain effects such as massage, acupuncture, strength training, breathing training, nerve sensation training, cognitive-behavioral therapy and so on. 1.Bad posture can cause the cervical vertebra physiological curvature to disappear, neck muscle length changes, abnormal tension, force imbalance. It can be treated with exercise therapy, including corrective training, north European walking, etc. We need to use strength training, posture correction, elastic band training and so on, to strengthen the relatively weakened or elongated muscles, and make the joints and muscles of shoulder or neck work under the correct rhythm, followed by the bone-setting manipulation(traction therapy, joint mobilization, Chinese traditional vertebra restoration method) can also have a good effect by solving problems such as abnormal cervical vertebra curvature, local nerve compression, small joint disorders and limited range of motion in a joint. 2.Abnormal breathing patterns make the accessory respiratory muscles constantly perform low load contraction, which gradually causes muscle fatigue. For some people with respiratory disorders or difficulties, in order to breathe more smoothly, will take a head forward posture to alleviate the resistance of the airway, so that they can not fully complete the original function of the accessory respiratory muscle. To this, abdominal respiration training can regulate the balance of the major respiratory and accessory respiratory muscles function, and reduce the excitability of sympathetic nervous, thus relaxing the dominant muscles. 3.Most psychological problems are characterized by progressive and concealed, which not only have a negative impact on people's psychology, but also can not be ignored in physiology. Psychological effects may change the neurotransmitter, 5-HT and corticotropinreleasing factors in the body, which causes the human body to suffers the muscle pain, the tension, the movement uneasiness manifestation. It is the first time that the human body has suffered from muscle pain, nervous and fidgety movements. Therefore, some scholars proposed to use the cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) to carry on the improvement to this problem. It includes specific behavior and cognitive corrections to correct body and mental abnormalities. 4.At present, some researchers have found that the neural sensation, especially the abnormalities of proprioception, is closely related to the abnormal postures. For UCS, long term abnormal posture, the abnormal signals that feed back to the proprioceptionare gradually weakened and eventually ignored or considered normal by the brain center. Therefore, the proprioceptionshould be reactivated under the correct posture. The correct feedback signal can be activated by proprioceptiontraining and Kinesio taping. And the Kinesio taping can make indirect effect on the sensory system, at the same time it can reduce the pressure of local tissue and speed up the blood circulation. This can accelerate the metabolism of muscle and help the recovery of muscle fatigue. 5.Most of these causes of UCS will lead to pain, inflammatory, fascia adhesion. Chinese traditional methods of rehabilitation and physiotherapy are commonly used in treatment. Massage therapy, Chinese acupuncture treatment including acupuncture point injection therapy, and Chinese needle-knife therapy can play a role in warming Yang and eliminating cold, reducing swelling and relieving fatigue. Chinese needle-knife therapy by cutting muscle fascia, stripping, relaxation, unclogging, promoting blood circulation, etc. It is necessary to adjust the biomechanics of the human body and restore the balance of motion. The Chinese herbal medicine can make the human body live blood for pain and pain, and it can be applied outside, taken inside and combined with other treatment methods.Medium and low frequency treatment, infrared treatment, waxwork and other physical therapy methods, using sound, light, cold, heat, electricity, magnetic，force (motion and pressure) and other physical factors for treatment, aiming at local or systemic functional disorders or diseases of the human body. The physical factors therapy is non-invasive and non-drug treatment，which is necessary to restore the original physiological functions of the body.  6.China has a variety of martial arts since ancient times, including Baduanjin exercise, five-animal exercises and Tai Chi. With the aim of physical fitness and relatively gentle physical activity as the basis, the physical and mental state need combine body，breath and heart adjustment, which play a role in strengthening the body, adjusting breathing and maintaining health. Conclusions In summary,traction therapy, Chinese traditional needle-knife have high requirements for equipment and venues, and are expensive and not suitable for public use. The Chiropractic therapy ，joint mobilization and Chinese traditional vertebra restoration method have high risks, and the requirements on the experience and technique of the operator are higher. And Other treatments have their own characteristics. Therefore, in the actual treatment process, various factors should be considered comprehensively to carry out treatment. Treatment of primary and secondary order, consider, from the pathogenesis of UCS should give top priority to posture correction, daily lifestyle management, including breathing training, strength training, relaxation therapy, second along with Chinese acupuncture and physical therapy, such as nerve sensation training, finally martial arts, as an education and mission project ，guide the patient carry out the rehabilitation by themselves. It is still not clear how to prevent UCS and what treatment sequence should be used to treat different causes of UCS at home and abroad, which need to make further study.    &nbsp

Research on spatiotemporal characteristics of urban crowd gathering based on Baidu map heat map

With the rapid development of urban transportation and the increase in per capita car ownership, the problem of urban traffic congestion is becoming increasingly prominent. Due to the uneven distribution of crowd in different regions of the city, it is difficult to determine and solve the traffic dynamics congestion. In order to solve the problem that it is difficult to determine the dynamics of traffic congestion areas caused by uneven distribution of vitality in different regions of mountainous cities, a crowded mega mountainous city is selected as research object and it proposes a model to calculate the change characteristics of regional crowd gathering. Baidu Heatmap is used as it could distinguish crowd gathering in certain urban core area. The heat map pictures in dozens of consecutive days is extracted and researchers conducted pixel statistical classification on thermal map images. Based on the pixel data of different levels of the pictures, the calculation model is established and an algorithm based on particle swarm optimization is proposed. The calibration of the relative active population equivalent density is conducted, and the distribution characteristics of crowd gathering in time and space are analyzed. The results show that there are obvious spatiotemporal characteristics for this selected city. In time, holidays have an important impact on crowd gathering. The peak time of crowd gathering on weekdays is different from that on rest days. The research in this paper has a direct practical value for the identification of traffic congestion areas and the corresponding governance measures. The dynamic identification of population gathering areas in mountainous mega cities, demand prediction for various transportation regions, and future population OD(Origin—Destination) planning are of great significance.

Assessing Environmental Control of Sap Flux of Three Tree Species Plantations in Degraded Hilly Lands in South China

Prerequisite for selection of appropriate tree species in afforestation programs is to understand their water use strategy. Acacia mangium Willd., Schima wallichii Choisy, and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook are the three main vegetation restoration pioneer species in southern China, but no comparative research on the water use strategy of these three tree species have been reported. Our objective was to gain a detailed understanding of how photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil water content (SWC) at different soil depths control the sap flux density (Js) in the dry and wet seasons. We measured the Js of these three tree species by using the thermal dissipation method in low subtropical China. We found that both S. wallichii and C. lanceolata differed clearly in their stomatal behavior from one season to another, while A. mangium did not. The canopy conductance per sapwood area of S. wallichii and C. lanceolata was very sensitive to VPD in the dry season, but not in the wet season. The Js of A. mangium was negatively correlated to SWC in all soil layers and during both seasons, while the other two species were not sensitive to SWC in the deeper layers and only positively correlated to SWC in dry season. Our results demonstrate that the three species have distinct water use strategies and may therefore respond differently to changing climate

Assessing Environmental Control of Sap Flux of Three Tree Species Plantations in Degraded Hilly Lands in South China

Prerequisite for selection of appropriate tree species in afforestation programs is to understand their water use strategy. Acacia mangium Willd., Schima wallichii Choisy, and Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook are the three main vegetation restoration pioneer species in southern China, but no comparative research on the water use strategy of these three tree species have been reported. Our objective was to gain a detailed understanding of how photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and soil water content (SWC) at different soil depths control the sap flux density (Js) in the dry and wet seasons. We measured the Js of these three tree species by using the thermal dissipation method in low subtropical China. We found that both S. wallichii and C. lanceolata differed clearly in their stomatal behavior from one season to another, while A. mangium did not. The canopy conductance per sapwood area of S. wallichii and C. lanceolata was very sensitive to VPD in the dry season, but not in the wet season. The Js of A. mangium was negatively correlated to SWC in all soil layers and during both seasons, while the other two species were not sensitive to SWC in the deeper layers and only positively correlated to SWC in dry season. Our results demonstrate that the three species have distinct water use strategies and may therefore respond differently to changing climate