Improving the Brain-Computer Interface Learning Process with Gamification in Motor Imagery: A Review

Brain-computer-interface-based motor imagery (MI-BCI), a control method for transferring the imagination of motor behavior to computer-based commands, could positively impact neural functions. With the safety guaranteed by non-invasive BCI devices, this method has the potential to enhance rehabilitation and physical outcomes. Therefore, this MI-BCI control strategy has been highly researched. However, applying a non-invasive MI-BCI to real life is still not ideal. One of the main reasons is the monotonous training procedure. Although researchers have reviewed optimized signal processing methods, no suggestion is found in training feedback design. The authors believe that enhancing the engagement interface via gamification presents a potential method that could increase the MI-BCI outcome. After analyzing 2524 articles (from 2001 to 2020), 28 pieces of research are finally used to evaluate the feasibility of using gamified MI-BCI system for training. This paper claims that gamification is feasible for MI-BCI training with an average accuracy of 74.35% among 111 individuals and positive reports from 26 out of 28 studies. Furthermore, this literature review suggests more emphasis should be on immersive and humanoid design for a gaming system, which could support relieving distraction, stimulate correct MI and improve learning outcomes. Interruptive training issues such as disturbing graphical interface design and potential solutions have also been presented for further research

Adenoid lymphocyte heterogeneity in pediatric adenoid hypertrophy and obstructive sleep apnea

IntroductionAdenoid hypertrophy is the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. Previous studies have suggested that pathogenic infections and local immune system disorders in the adenoids are associated with adenoid hypertrophy. The abnormalities in the number and function of various lymphocyte subsets in the adenoids may play a role in this association. However, changes in the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids remain unclear.MethodsTo identify patterns of lymphocyte subsets in hypertrophic adenoids, we used multicolor flow cytometry to analyze the lymphocyte subset composition in two groups of children: the mild to moderate hypertrophy group (n = 10) and the severe hypertrophy group (n = 5).ResultsA significant increase in naïve lymphocytes and a decrease in effector lymphocytes were found in severe hypertrophic adenoids.DiscussionThis finding suggests that abnormal lymphocyte differentiation or migration may contribute to the development of adenoid hypertrophy. Our study provides valuable insights and clues into the immunological mechanism underlying adenoid hypertrophy

Equity of Elderly Care Facility Allocation in a Multi-Ethnic City under the Aging Background

Societal concerns in ethnic minority areas are global issues. Paying close attention to the equitable allocation of social resources in an aging population is crucial to preserving the cultural diversity and social stability of multi-ethnic countries. This study took a multi-ethnic city—Kunming (KM), China—as an example. The population aging and the comprehensive service level of elderly care institutions at the township (subdistrict) scale were evaluated to discuss the equity of elderly care facility allocation. This study revealed that the overall convenience of elderly care institutions was low. The coupling coordination between the degree of aging and the service level of elderly care institutions in the majority of areas in KM showed poor adaptation. There is spatial differentiation in population aging and an imbalanced distribution of elderly care facilities and relevant service facilities among ethnic minority communities and other areas in KM. We also attempted to provide optimization recommendations for existing problems. This study, on the degree of population aging, the service level of elderly care institutions, and the degree of coupling coordination between them at the township (subdistrict) scale, offers a theoretical foundation for planning elderly care facilities in multi-ethnic cities

Current Challenges and Perspectives for the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass to High-Value Products

Lignocellulosic biomass is an excellent alternative of fossil source because it is low-cost, plentiful and environmentally friendly, and it can be transformed into biogas, bio-oil and biochar through pyrolysis; thereby, the three types of pyrolytic products can be upgraded or improved to satisfy the standard of biofuel, chemicals and energy materials for industries. The bio-oil derived from direct pyrolysis shows some disadvantages: high contents of oxygenates, water and acids, easy-aging and so forth, which restrict the large-scale application and commercialization of bio-oil. Catalytic pyrolysis favors the refinement of bio-oil through deoxygenation, cracking, decarboxylation, decarbonylation reactions and so on, which could occur on the specified reaction sites. Therefore, the catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is a promising approach for the production of high quality and renewable biofuels. This review gives information about the factors which might determine the catalytic pyrolysis output, including the properties of biomass, operational parameters of catalytic pyrolysis and different types of pyrolysis equipment. Catalysts used in recent research studies aiming to explore the catalytic pyrolysis conversion of biomass to high quality bio-oil or chemicals are discussed, and the current challenges and future perspectives for biomass catalytic pyrolysis are highlighted for further comprehension

Current Challenges and Perspectives for the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass to High-Value Products

Lignocellulosic biomass is an excellent alternative of fossil source because it is low-cost, plentiful and environmentally friendly, and it can be transformed into biogas, bio-oil and biochar through pyrolysis; thereby, the three types of pyrolytic products can be upgraded or improved to satisfy the standard of biofuel, chemicals and energy materials for industries. The bio-oil derived from direct pyrolysis shows some disadvantages: high contents of oxygenates, water and acids, easy-aging and so forth, which restrict the large-scale application and commercialization of bio-oil. Catalytic pyrolysis favors the refinement of bio-oil through deoxygenation, cracking, decarboxylation, decarbonylation reactions and so on, which could occur on the specified reaction sites. Therefore, the catalytic pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is a promising approach for the production of high quality and renewable biofuels. This review gives information about the factors which might determine the catalytic pyrolysis output, including the properties of biomass, operational parameters of catalytic pyrolysis and different types of pyrolysis equipment. Catalysts used in recent research studies aiming to explore the catalytic pyrolysis conversion of biomass to high quality bio-oil or chemicals are discussed, and the current challenges and future perspectives for biomass catalytic pyrolysis are highlighted for further comprehension

Identifying Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of PM2.5 Concentrations and the Key Influencing Factors in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a harmful air pollutant that seriously affects public health and sustainable urban development. Previous studies analyzed the spatial pattern and driving factors of PM2.5 concentrations in different regions. However, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of various influencing factors on PM2.5 was ignored. This study applies the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model and geographic information system (GIS) analysis methods to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentrations and the influencing factors in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2017. The findings indicate that: (1) the annual average of PM2.5 concentrations in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River show an overall trend of first rising and then decreasing from 2000 to 2017. In addition, there are significant differences in inter-province PM2.5 pollution in the study area, the PM2.5 concentrations of Tianjin City, Shandong Province, and Henan Province were far higher than the overall mean value of the study area. (2) PM2.5 concentrations in western cities showed a declining trend, while it had a gradually rising trend in the middle and eastern cities of the study area. Meanwhile, the PM2.5 pollution showed the characteristics of path dependence and region locking. (3) the PM2.5 concentrations had significant spatial agglomeration characteristics from 2000 to 2017. The “High-High (H-H)” clusters were mainly concentrated in the southern Hebei Province and the northern Henan Province, and the “Low-Low (L-L)” clusters were concentrated in northwest marginal cities in the study area. (4) The influencing factors of PM2.5 have significant spatiotemporal non-stationary characteristics, and there are obvious differences in the direction and intensity of socio-economic and natural factors. Overall, the variable of temperature is one of the most important natural conditions to play a positive impact on PM2.5, while elevation makes a strong negative impact on PM2.5. Car ownership and population density are the main socio-economic influencing factors which make a positive effect on PM2.5, while the variable of foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a strong negative effect on PM2.5. The results of this study are useful for understanding the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of PM2.5 concentrations and formulating policies to alleviate haze pollution by policymakers in the Yellow River Basin

Identifying Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of PM_2.5 Concentrations and the Key Influencing Factors in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a harmful air pollutant that seriously affects public health and sustainable urban development. Previous studies analyzed the spatial pattern and driving factors of PM2.5 concentrations in different regions. However, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of various influencing factors on PM2.5 was ignored. This study applies the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model and geographic information system (GIS) analysis methods to investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentrations and the influencing factors in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2017. The findings indicate that: (1) the annual average of PM2.5 concentrations in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River show an overall trend of first rising and then decreasing from 2000 to 2017. In addition, there are significant differences in inter-province PM2.5 pollution in the study area, the PM2.5 concentrations of Tianjin City, Shandong Province, and Henan Province were far higher than the overall mean value of the study area. (2) PM2.5 concentrations in western cities showed a declining trend, while it had a gradually rising trend in the middle and eastern cities of the study area. Meanwhile, the PM2.5 pollution showed the characteristics of path dependence and region locking. (3) the PM2.5 concentrations had significant spatial agglomeration characteristics from 2000 to 2017. The “High-High (H-H)” clusters were mainly concentrated in the southern Hebei Province and the northern Henan Province, and the “Low-Low (L-L)” clusters were concentrated in northwest marginal cities in the study area. (4) The influencing factors of PM2.5 have significant spatiotemporal non-stationary characteristics, and there are obvious differences in the direction and intensity of socio-economic and natural factors. Overall, the variable of temperature is one of the most important natural conditions to play a positive impact on PM2.5, while elevation makes a strong negative impact on PM2.5. Car ownership and population density are the main socio-economic influencing factors which make a positive effect on PM2.5, while the variable of foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a strong negative effect on PM2.5. The results of this study are useful for understanding the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of PM2.5 concentrations and formulating policies to alleviate haze pollution by policymakers in the Yellow River Basin

Probiotic of <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> NWAFU-BIO-BS29 Isolated from Chinese Traditional Fermented Milk and Its Potential Therapeutic Applications Based on Gut Microbiota Regulation

Lactic acid bacteria are one of the bioresources that can promote the host’s health and have potential therapeutic applications. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic properties of novel Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NWAFU-BISO-BS29 isolated in vitro from traditional Chinese fermented milk, assess its safety, and study its interaction with the gut microbiota using a BALB/c mouse model. The findings reveal that this strain had a high tolerance to gastric acidity (64.4%) and bile salts (19.83–87.92%) with remarkable auto-aggregation and co-aggregation abilities (33.01–83.96%), respectively. Furthermore, it lowered the cholesterol levels in dead cells (44.02%) and live cells (34.95%) and produced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Likewise, it showed good antioxidant properties and strong antipathogen activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones at 21 and 25 mm, respectively. The safety assessment results indicate that all of the virulence factor genes were not detected in the whole DNA; additionally, no hemolysis or resistance to antibiotics commonly used in food and feed was observed. Interestingly, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the mouse gut microbiota showed a marked alteration in the microbial composition of the administrated group, with a noticeable increase in Firmicutes, Patescibacteria, Campylobacterota, Deferribacterota, Proteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria at the phylum level. The modulation of gut microbial diversity significantly improved the production of SCFCs due to the abundance of lactobacillus genera, which was consistent with the functional gene predictive analysis and is believed to have health-promoting properties. Based on these results, our novel strain is considered a safe and good probiotic and could hold high potential to be used as a starter culture or to safely supplement functional foods as a probiotic and may provide new insights into therapeutic interventions

Current situation and development of facial prosthesis

Facial prostheses have developed significantly in the last 10 years, especially between 2016 and 2021. This development is mainly due to the great progress made in the fields of biocompatible materials, digital technology, and three-dimensional printing technology, which provides guarantee for low allergy, high biosimulation, comfort, and satisfactory usability. Treatment teams typically consist of plastic surgeons, material experts, engineers, and computer scientists who have extensive clinical experience. These teams successfully implement an integrated, multidisciplinary model by prioritizing the reasonable expectations of both the physician and patient, leading to improved patient satisfaction and compliance with prosthetic constraints. This study aimed to review the concept, development status, existing problems, and future of facial prosthesis