A novel feature extraction method PSS-CSP for binary motor imagery - based brain-computer interfaces

In order to improve the performance of binary motor imagery (MI) - based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) using electroencephalography (EEG), a novel method (PSS-CSP) is proposed, which combines spectral subtraction with common spatial pattern. Spectral subtraction is an effective denoising method which is initially adopted to process MI-based EEG signals for binary BCIs in this work. On this basis, we proposed a novel feature extraction method called power spectral subtraction-based common spatial pattern (PSS-CSP) , which calculates the differences in power spectrum between binary classes of EEG signals and uses the differences in the feature extraction process. Additionally, support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is used for signal classification. Results show the proposed method (PSS-CSP) outperforms certain existing methods, achieving a classification accuracy of 76.8% on the BCIIV dataset 2b, and 76.25% and 77.38% on the OpenBMI dataset session 1 and session 2, respectively.

[Analysis of a family with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency due to a mutation in the CYP11B1 gene]

This study reports a family of patients with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency (11β-OHD) caused by a novel mutation in the CYP11B1 gene, and analyzes its clinical and genetic characteristics. The clinical data of a patient with intractable hypertension at Air Force Medical Center on May 16, 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patient was clinically diagnosed with congenital adrenal cortical hyperplasia. The clinical data of the patient were further collected and the peripheral blood samples of the patient, his parents and his sister were collected for CYP11B1(NM_000497) gene sequencing, suggesting that the patient had compound heterozygous mutations in exon 1:c.199delG, p.Glu67Lysfs*9 and exon 5:c.905_907 delATGinsTT, p.Asp302Valfs*23, both of which were pathogenic variants. The patient's father and sister carried heterozygous mutations in exon 1:c.199delG, p.Glu67Lysfs*9, and the mother carried heterozygous mutations in exon 5:c.905_907delATGinsTT, p.Asp302Valfs*23. This study is the first to report a new compound heterozygous mutation in exon 1:c.199delG and exon 5 c.905_907 delATGinsTT of CYP11B1 gene, enriching the database of 11β-OHD mutations and providing information to further understand the genetic mechanism of the disease.

[Plasmodium falciparum malaria with acute abdominal pain as the first symptom: a case report]

Plasmodium falciparum malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection, is an Anopheles mosquito-transmitted infectious diseases, which predominantly occurs in tropical areas of Africa. P. falciparum malaria is characterized by complex and atypical clinical manifestations, and high likelihood of misdiagnosis and missing diagnosis, and may be life-threatening if treated untimely. This case report presents the diagnosis and treatment of a P. falciparum malaria case with acute abdominal pain as the first symptom.

Online Muscle Activation Onset Detection Using Likelihood of Conditional Heteroskedasticity of Electromyography Signals

Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals are crucial in developing human-machine interfaces, as they contain rich information about human neuromuscular activities.

OBJECTIVE

The real-time, accurate detection of muscle activation onset (MAO) is significant for EMG-triggered control strategies in embedded applications like prostheses and exoskeletons.

METHODS

This paper investigates sEMG signals using the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model, focusing on variance. A novel feature, the likelihood of conditional heteroskedasticity (LCH) extracted from the maximum likelihood estimation of GARCH parameters, is proposed. This feature effectively distinguishes signal from noise based on heteroskedasticity, allowing for the detection of MAO through the LCH feature and a basic threshold classifier. For online calculation, the model parameter estimation is simplified, enabling direct calculation of the LCH value using fixed parameters.

RESULTS

The proposed method was validated on two open-source datasets and demonstrated superior performance over existing methods. The mean absolute error of onset detection, compared with visual detection results, is approximately 65 ms under online conditions, showcasing high accuracy, universality, and noise insensitivity.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the proposed method using the LCH feature from the GARCH model is highly effective for real-time detection of muscle activation onset in sEMG signals.

SIGNIFICANCE

This novel approach shows great potential and possibility for real-world applications, reflecting its superior performance in accuracy, universality, and insensitivity to noise.

[Bacterial community diversity in human Demodex mites]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the bacterial community diversity in human Demodex mites, so as to provide insights into unraveling the role of human Demodex mites in them caused infectious diseases.

METHODS

From June to July 2023, Demodex mites were collected from the faces of college students in a university in Wuhu City using the adhesive tape method, and the V4 region of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA were amplified on an Illumina PE250 high-throughput sequencing platform. Sequencing data were spliced according to the overlapping relations and filtered to yield effective sequences, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was clustered. The diversity index of obtained OUTs was analyzed, and the structure of the bacterial community was analyzed at various taxonomic levels.

RESULTS

A total of 57 483 valid sequences were obtained using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and 159 OUTs were classified according to similarity. Then, OUTs at a 97% similarity were included for taxonomic analyses, and the bacteria in Demodex mites belonged to 14 phyla, 20 classes, 51 orders, 72 families, and 94 genera. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum, and Vibrio, Bradyrhizobium and Variovorax were dominant genera. A total of 56 362 valid sequences were obtained using ITS gene sequencing, and 147 OTUs were obtained, which belonged to 5 phyla, 17 classes, 34 orders, 68 families, and 93 genera and were annotated to Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Chytridiomycota, with Ascomycota as the dominant phylum, and Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum, Penicillium, and Sarocladium as dominant genera.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high diversity in the composition of bacterial communities in human Demodex mites, with multiple types of microorganisms and high species abundance.

Changes over time in the course of advanced pancreatic cancer treatment with systemic chemotherapy: a pooled analysis of five clinical trials from two decades of the German AIO study group

BACKGROUND

Over the past two decades, our group has conducted five multicenter trials focusing on first-line systemic therapy for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The current pooled analysis was designed to evaluate prognosis over time and the impact of clinical characteristics on survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Individual patient data were derived from five prospective, controlled, multicenter trials conducted by the 'Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie' (AIO): 'Gem/Cis', 'Ro96', 'RC57', 'ACCEPT' and 'RASH', which recruited patients between December 1997 and January 2017.

RESULTS

Overall, 912 patients were included. The median overall survival (OS) for all assessable patients was 7.1 months. OS significantly improved over time, with a median OS of 8.6 months for patients treated from 2012 to 2017 compared with 7.0 months from 1997 to 2006 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.06; P < 0.004]. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (HR 1.48; P < 0.001), use of second-line treatment (HR 1.51; P < 0.001), and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage (III versus IV) (HR 1.34, P = 0.002) had a significant impact on OS. By contrast, no influence of age and gender on OS was detectable. Comparing combination therapy with single-agent chemotherapy did not demonstrate a survival benefit, nor did regimens containing epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as afatinib or erlotinib, compared with chemotherapy-only arms. Patients with early-onset pancreatic cancer (age at study entry of ≤50 years, n = 102) had a similar OS compared with those >50 years (7.1 versus 7.0 months; HR 1.13; P = 0.273). The use of a platinum-containing regimen was not associated with better outcomes in patients with early-onset pancreatic cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Within this selected group of patients treated within prospective clinical trials, survival has shown improvement over two decades. This effect is likely attributable to the availability of more effective combination therapies and treatment lines, rather than to any specific regimen, such as those containing EGFR-TKIs. In addition, concerning age and sex subgroups, the dataset did not provide evidence for distinct clinical behavior.

[The impact of modified T3 sub-staging on the prognosis of gallbladder cancer patients]

Objective: To explore the value of a new modified T3 sub-staging for the prognosis evaluation in gallbladder cancer patients. Methods: This is a retrospective case-series study. The clinical data of patients with pathologically confirmed stage T3 gallbladder cancer who were admitted to the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 190 patients were enrolled in this study, 67 males and 123 females, with an age (M(IQR)) of 63(14) years (range:17 to 88 years). The stage T3 was divided into four sub-stages according to the site of tumor invasion: (1) T3a:tumor perforates the serosa,but not invading the liver and one other adjacent structure; (2) T3b:tumor perforates the serosa and invades one other adjacent structure,but not the liver; (3) T3c:tumor perforates the serosa and invades the liver,but not one other adjacent structure; (4) T3d:tumor perforates the serosa,invades the liver and one other adjacent structure. To evaluate the application value of this modified sub-staging,the Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve,univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were done using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model respectively. Results: According to the modified T3 sub-staging method,34 patients (17.9%) were in stage T3a,24 cases(12.6%) were in stage T3b, 97 cases (51.1%) were in stage T3c, and 35 cases (18.4%) were in stage T3d. The median survival time of patients in stages T3a,T3b,T3c and T3d after radical resection was 72.0 months, 32.0 months, 12.0 months and 10.0 months, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients in stage T3a, T3b, T3c and T3d were 79.4%, 53.3%, and 53.3%; 79.2%, 44.6%, and 26.0%;49.5%,27.5%,and 18.1%;42.9%,15.9%, and 15.9% (χ2=18.349,P<0.01),respectively. Univariate analysis showed that gallbladder stones,pathological differentiation,perineural invasion, N stage,postoperative adjuvant therapy and modified T3 substage were factors affecting patient prognosis(all P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that modified sub-stages with T3c (HR=2.043, 95%CI:1.176 to 3.549) and T3d(HR=2.419, 95%CI:1.284 to 4.555), accompanied by gallbladder stones (HR=1.661,95%CI:1.150 to 2.398),pathological differentiation with poorly differentiated(HR=1.709,95%CI:1.198 to 2.438), and the N stage with N1 and N2(HR=1.602, 95%CI:1.090 to 2.355, 2.714, 95%CI: 1.621 to 4.544) were independent prognostic risk factors for patients in stage T3,while postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy(HR=0.351) was a protective factor for prognosis. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between patients with stage T3a and T3b who underwent hepatic wedge resection and liver segment or major resection (P=0.402). For patients with stage T3c and T3d with liver invasion,the survival difference after hepatic wedge resection and segmental or major resection was statistically significant (P=0.008). Conclusion: The modified T3 sub-staging system based on the depth and direction of tumor invasion maybe helpful to further stratify the prognosis of patients with gallbladder cancer.

Amplitude Analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} Decay

An amplitude analysis of the B^{0}→K^{*0}μ^{+}μ^{-} decay is presented using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected with the LHCb experiment. For the first time, the coefficients associated to short-distance physics effects, sensitive to processes beyond the standard model, are extracted directly from the data through a q^{2}-unbinned amplitude analysis, where q^{2} is the μ^{+}μ^{-} invariant mass squared. Long-distance contributions, which originate from nonfactorizable QCD processes, are systematically investigated, and the most accurate assessment to date of their impact on the physical observables is obtained. The pattern of measured corrections to the short-distance couplings is found to be consistent with previous analyses of b- to s-quark transitions, with the largest discrepancy from the standard model predictions found to be at the level of 1.8 standard deviations. The global significance of the observed differences in the decay is 1.4 standard deviations.

[Latest advances in the development of tuberculosis vaccines in global clinical trials: a review]

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the biggest infectious killers worldwide. Vaccine is the most satisfactory tool for prevention of TB; however, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the widely used vaccine in clinical for the prevention of TB, has limitations in protective effects. Development of novel TB vaccines is therefore of urgent need. Currently, there are 15 novel TB vaccine candidates in clinical trials, including live-attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines and viral-vectored vaccines, which open the door for the ultimate target of the End TB Strategy. This review summarizes the latest advances in the development of TB vaccines in global clinical trials, so as to provide insights into TB control.

Suppression of microRNA-320 Induces Cerebral Protection Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Targeting HMGB1/NF-kappaB Axis

MicroRNAs have been shown to potentially function in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. This study aimed to examine the expression of microRNA-320 (miR-320) in cerebral IR injury and its involvement in cerebral mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses by targeting the HMGB1/NF-kappaB axis. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to simulate cerebral IR injury. The cerebral expression of miR-320 was assessed using qRT-PCR. Neurological function, cerebral infarct volume, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using relevant methods, including staining, fluorometry, and ELISA. HMGB1 expression was analyzed through Western blotting. The levels of miR-320, HMGB1, neurological deficits, and cerebral infarction were significantly higher after IR induction. Intracerebral overexpression of miR-320 resulted in substantial neurological deficits, increased infarct volume, elevated levels of 8-isoprostane, NF-kappaBp65, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and HMGB1 expression. It also promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS levels while reducing MnSOD and GSH levels. Downregulation of miR-320 and inhibition of HMGB1 activity significantly reversed the outcomes of cerebral IR injury. MiR-320 plays a negative role in regulating cerebral inflammatory/oxidative reactions induced by IR injury by enhancing HMGB1 activity and modulating mitochondrial function.

Fraction of χ_{c} Decays in Prompt J/ψ Production Measured in pPb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

The fraction of χ_{c1} and χ_{c2} decays in the prompt J/ψ yield, F_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}=σ_{χ_{c}→J/ψ}/σ_{J/ψ}, is measured by the LHCb detector in pPb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV. The study covers the forward (1.5 Collapse

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Blood cell count-derived inflammation indices as predictors of the osteoporotic risk of postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the associations between osteoporosis (OP) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in postmenopausal women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 966 postmenopausal women. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were applied to explore the relationships between SII, NLR, MLR, and PLR with the bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of OP.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analyses showed that SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR had independent negative associations with the OP risk. The ROC curve analysis showed that SII, NLR, and MLR predicted a low BMD, with NLR having the highest predictive value (area under the curve = 0.624). SII > 504.09, PLR > 131.87, NLR > 2.02, and MLR > 0.12 correlated with a particularly high OP risk.

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR were associated with a high OP risk. In particular, NLR > 2.02 strongly predicted the risk of OP, thereby representing a valuable and convenient inflammatory marker of the OP risk.

Observation of Cabibbo-Suppressed Two-Body Hadronic Decays and Precision Mass Measurement of the Ω_{c}^{0} Baryon

The first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+} and Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+} decays is reported, using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector between 2016 and 2018. The branching fraction ratios are measured to be B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}K^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[6.08±0.51(stat)±0.40(syst)]%,B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})/B(Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+})=[15.81±0.87(stat)±0.44(syst)±0.16(ext)]%. In addition, using the Ω_{c}^{0}→Ω^{-}π^{+} decay channel, the Ω_{c}^{0} baryon mass is measured to be M(Ω_{c}^{0})=2695.28±0.07(stat)±0.27(syst)±0.30(ext)  MeV, improving the precision of the previous world average by a factor of 4.

[Ultrasonographic features of thyroid carcinoma of different sizes: comparison between medullary thyroid carcinomas and papillary thyroid carcinomas]

Objective: To investigate the ultrasonographic features of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) of different sizes and supply valid information for separating MTCs from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Methods: There were 87 patients with MTC and 220 patients with PTC detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from June 2018 to March 2022. Nodules were divided into the large nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was＞1 cm) and the small nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was ≤1 cm). There were 97 cases in the small nodule group, including 28 cases of MTC and 69 cases of PTC. There were 210 cases in the large nodule group, including 59 cases of MTC and 151 cases of PTC. After stratification by thyroid nodules, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative serum calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared between MTC and PTC patients. Results: In the small nodule group, the proportion of MTCs exhibiting hypoecho, smooth margins, and having blood flow signals was higher than that of PTCs, with statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05). In the large nodule group, the proportion of MTCs showing cystic solidity, hypoecho, smooth margins, blood flow, and the type Ⅳvascular distribution was higher than PTCs, and the difference of calcification type between them was also statistically significant (all P＜0.05). In contrast, the differences in the number of lesions and aspect ratio between MTCs and PTCs were not statistically significant regardless of nodule size (all P＞0.05). In the small nodule group,6 metastatic lymph nodes of medullary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-MTC) and 11 metastatic lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-PTC) were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance rate of ultrasound was 78.6% (22/28) and 78.3% (54/69), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.973). In the large nodule group, 28 LNM-MTC and 11 LNM-PTC were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance of ultrasound was 88.1% (52/59) and 73.5% (111/151), respectively, which was statistically significant (P=0.022). Among them, 82.1% of LNM-MTC and 56.6% of LNM-PTC showed abnormal blood flow signals, with a statistically significant difference (P=0.016). There were significant differences in preoperative serum CT and CEA levels of different sizes of MTCs (all P＜0.05). Conclusions: Different sizes of MTCs require diverse demonstrative criteria. Abnormal blood flow signal is of great significance in the diagnosis of LNM-MTC. Within the absence of ultrasonic characteristics, preoperative serum CT test can provide confidence for the diagnosis of MTC.

Enhanced Production of Λ_{b}^{0} Baryons in High-Multiplicity pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The production rate of Λ_{b}^{0} baryons relative to B^{0} mesons in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV is measured by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} production cross sections shows a significant dependence on both the transverse momentum and the measured charged-particle multiplicity. At low multiplicity, the ratio measured at LHCb is consistent with the value measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, and increases by a factor of ∼2 with increasing multiplicity. At relatively low transverse momentum, the ratio of Λ_{b}^{0} to B^{0} cross sections is higher than what is measured in e^{+}e^{-} collisions, but converges with the e^{+}e^{-} ratio as the momentum increases. These results imply that the evolution of heavy b quarks into final-state hadrons is influenced by the density of the hadronic environment produced in the collision. Comparisons with several models and implications for the mechanisms enforcing quark confinement are discussed.

Data augmentation for invasive brain-computer interfaces based on stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG)

Objective.Deep learning is increasingly used for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). However, the quantity of available data is sparse, especially for invasive BCIs. Data augmentation (DA) methods, such as generative models, can help to address this sparseness. However, all the existing studies on brain signals were based on convolutional neural networks and ignored the temporal dependence. This paper attempted to enhance generative models by capturing the temporal relationship from a time-series perspective.Approach. A conditional generative network (conditional transformer-based generative adversarial network (cTGAN)) based on the transformer model was proposed. The proposed method was tested using a stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) dataset which was recorded from eight epileptic patients performing five different movements. Three other commonly used DA methods were also implemented: noise injection (NI), variational autoencoder (VAE), and conditional Wasserstein generative adversarial network with gradient penalty (cWGANGP). Using the proposed method, the artificial SEEG data was generated, and several metrics were used to compare the data quality, including visual inspection, cosine similarity (CS), Jensen-Shannon distance (JSD), and the effect on the performance of a deep learning-based classifier.Main results. Both the proposed cTGAN and the cWGANGP methods were able to generate realistic data, while NI and VAE outputted inferior samples when visualized as raw sequences and in a lower dimensional space. The cTGAN generated the best samples in terms of CS and JSD and outperformed cWGANGP significantly in enhancing the performance of a deep learning-based classifier (each of them yielding a significant improvement of 6% and 3.4%, respectively).Significance. This is the first time that DA methods have been applied to invasive BCIs based on SEEG. In addition, this study demonstrated the advantages of the model that preserves the temporal dependence from a time-series perspective.

Channel Selection for Stereo- Electroencephalography (SEEG)-Based Invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces Using Deep Learning Methods

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can enable direct communication with assistive devices by recording and decoding signals from the brain. To achieve high performance, many electrodes will be used, such as the recently developed invasive BCIs with channel numbers up to hundreds or even thousands. For those high-throughput BCIs, channel selection is important to reduce signal redundancy and invasiveness while maintaining decoding performance. However, such endeavour is rarely reported for invasive BCIs, especially those using deep learning methods. Two deep learning-based methods, referred to as Gumbel and STG, were proposed in this paper. They were evaluated using the Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) signals, and compared with three other methods, including manual selection, mutual information-based method (MI), and all channels (all channels without selection). The task is to classify the SEEG signals into five movements using channels selected by each method. When 10 channels were selected, the mean classification accuracies using Gumbel, STG (referred to as STG-10), manual selection, and MI selection were 65%, 60%, 60%, and 47%, respectively, whilst the accuracy was 59% using all channels (no selection). In addition, an investigation of the selected channels showed that Gumbel and STG have successfully identified the pre-central and post-central areas, which are closely related to motor control. Both Gumbel and STG successfully selected the informative channels in SEEG recordings while maintaining decoding accuracy. This study enables future high-throughput BCIs using deep learning methods, to identify useful channels and reduce computing and wireless transmission pressure.

Improved Measurement of CP Violation Parameters in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψK^{+}K^{-} Decays in the Vicinity of the ϕ(1020) Resonance

The decay-time-dependent CP asymmetry in B_{s}^{0}→J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K^{+}K^{-} decays is measured using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Using a sample of approximately 349 000 B_{s}^{0} signal decays with an invariant K^{+}K^{-} mass in the vicinity of the ϕ(1020) resonance, the CP-violating phase ϕ_{s} is measured, along with the difference in decay widths of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B_{s}^{0}-B[over ¯]_{s}^{0} system, ΔΓ_{s}, and the difference of the average B_{s}^{0} and B^{0} meson decay widths, Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}. The values obtained are ϕ_{s}=-0.039±0.022±0.006  rad, ΔΓ_{s}=0.0845±0.0044±0.0024  ps^{-1}, and Γ_{s}-Γ_{d}=-0.0056_{-0.0015}^{+0.0013}±0.0014  ps^{-1}, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. These are the most precise single measurements to date and are consistent with expectations based on the Standard Model and with the previous LHCb analyses of this decay. These results are combined with previous independent LHCb measurements. The phase ϕ_{s} is also measured independently for each polarization state of the K^{+}K^{-} system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Combining microbiome and pseudotargeted metabolomics revealed the alleviative mechanism of Cupriavidus sp. WS2 on the cadmium toxicity in Vicia unijuga A.Br

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is one of the most severe toxic metals pollution in grassland. Vicia unijuga (V. unijuga) A.Br. planted nearby the grassland farming are facing the risk of high Cd contamination. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of a highly Cd tolerant rhizosphere bacterium, Cupriavidus sp. WS2, on Cd contaminated V. unijuga. Through plot experiments, we set up four groups of treatments: the control group (without WS2 or Cd), the Cd group (with only Cd addition), the WS2 group (with only WS2 addition), and the WS2/Cd group (with WS2 and Cd addition), and analyzed the changes in physiological indicators, rhizosphere microorganisms, and stem and leaf metabolites of V. unijuga. Results of physiological indicators indicated that Cupriavidus sp. WS2 had strong absorption and accumulation capacity of Cd, exogenous addition of strain WS2 remarkably decreased the Cd concentrations, and increased the plant heights, the biomass, the total protein concentrations, the chlorophyll contents and the photosynthetic rate in stems and leaves of V. unijuga under Cd stress. Cd treatment increased the abundance of Cd tolerant bacterial genera in rhizosphere microbiome, but these genera were down-regulated in the WS2/Cd group. Pseudotargeted metabolomic results showed that six common differential metabolites associated with antioxidant stress were increased after co-culture with WS2. In addition, WS2 activated the antioxidant system including glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), reduced the contents of oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in V. unijuga under Cd stress. Taken together, this study revealed that Cupriavidus sp.WS2 alleviated the toxicity of V. unijuga under Cd exposure by activating the antioxidant system, increasing the antioxidant metabolites, and reducing the oxidative stress markers.

Ultrafast electron dynamics in excited states of conjugated thiophene-fluorene organic polymer (pF8T2) thin films

The electronic states of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-alt-bithiophene) pF8T2 on H/Si(100) substrates, prototypical for organic photovoltaics, were investigated by ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy and by time-resolved fluorescence studies. Occupied and unoccupied electronic states were analysed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), static and dynamic femtosecond two-photon photoemission (2PPE), and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). Time-resolved measurements allow assessment of population lifetimes of intermediate states. The combination of time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation allows following the electronic dynamics in excited states from the femtosecond to the nanosecond time scale. For this prototypical material the electron kinetic energy resolved lifetimes range from about a few tens of femtoseconds up to hundreds of picoseconds. After annealing these types of organic thin films the efficiency of organic solar cells usually increases. We show that annealing does not influence the initial ultrafast charge generation processes, but the long-lived states. However, the nanosecond scale fluorescence lifetimes measured by TCSPC are prolonged after annealing, which therefore is identified as the cause of a greater exciton diffusion range and thus is beneficial for charge carrier extraction.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→ψ(→ℓ^{+}ℓ^{-})K_{S}^{0}(→π^{+}π^{-}) Decays

A measurement of time-dependent CP violation in the decays of B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} mesons to the final states J/ψ(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0}, ψ(2S)(→μ^{+}μ^{-})K_{S}^{0} and J/ψ(→e^{+}e^{-})K_{S}^{0} with K_{S}^{0}→π^{+}π^{-} is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6  fb^{-1} collected at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the LHCb detector. The CP-violation parameters are measured to be S_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.717±0.013(stat)±0.008(syst) and C_{ψK_{S}^{0}}=0.008±0.012(stat)±0.003(syst). This measurement of S_{ψK_{S}^{0}} represents the most precise single measurement of the CKM angle β to date and is more precise than the current world average. In addition, measurements of the CP-violation parameters of the individual channels are reported and a combination with the LHCb Run 1 measurements is performed.

[Mitigating metal artifacts from cobalt-chromium alloy crowns in cone-beam CT images through deep learning techniques]

Objective: To develop and evaluate metal artifact removal systems (MARS) based on deep learning to assess their effectiveness in removing artifacts caused by different thicknesses of metals in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Methods: A full-mouth standard model (60 mm×75 mm×110 mm) was three-dimensional (3D) printed using photosensitive resin. The model included a removable and replaceable target tooth position where cobalt-chromium alloy crowns with varying thicknesses were inserted to generate matched CBCT images. The artifacts resulting from cobalt-chromium alloys with different thicknesses were evaluated using the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS were developed using a convolutional neural network and U-net architecture, respectively. The effectiveness of both MARSs were assessed through visualization and by measuring SSIM and PSNR values. The SSIM and PSNR values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed in the range of artifacts produced by different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P<0.05), with 1 mm resulting in the least artifacts. The SSIM values for specimens with thicknesses of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm were 0.916±0.019, 0.873±0.010, and 0.833±0.010, respectively (F=447.89, P<0.001). The corresponding PSNR values were 20.834±1.176, 17.002±0.427, and 14.673±0.429, respectively (F=796.51, P<0.001). After applying CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS to artifact removal, the SSIM and PSNR values significantly increased for images with the same thickness of metal (both P<0.05). When using the CNN-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.938±0.023, 0.930±0.029, and 0.928±0.020 (F=2.22, P=0.112), while the PSNR values were 30.938±1.495, 30.578±2.154 and 30.553±2.355 (F=0.54, P=0.585). When using the U-net-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.930±0.024, 0.932±0.017 and 0.930±0.012 (F=0.24, P=0.788), and the PSNR values were 30.291±0.934, 30.351±1.002 and 30.271±1.143 (F=0.07, P=0.929). No significant differences were found in SSIM and PSNR values after artifact removal using CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS for different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P>0.05). Visualization demonstrated a high degree of similarity between the images before and after artifact removal using both MARS. However, CNN-MARS displayed clearer metal edges and preserved more tissue details when compared with U-net-MARS. Conclusions: Both the CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS models developed in this study effectively remove the metal artifacts and enhance the image quality. CNN-MARS exhibited an advantage in restoring tissue structure information around the artifacts compared to U-net-MARS.

[Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatopulmonary syndrome: a case report and literature review]

Objective: To summarize the clinical features and prognosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in children. Methods: The clinical data of a child who had Budd-Chiari syndrome with HPS treated at the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in December 2016 was analyzed retrospectively. Taking "Budd-Chiari syndrome" and "hepatopulmonary syndrome" in Chinese or English as the keywords, literature was searched at CNKI, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database and PubMed up to July 2023. Combined with this case, the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome with HPS in children under the age of 18 were summarized. Results: A 13-year-old boy, presented with cyanosis and chest tightness after activities for 6 months, and yellow staining of the skin for 1 week. Physical examination at admission not only found mild yellow staining of the skin and sclera, but also found cyanosis of the lips, periocular skin, and extremities. Laboratory examination showed abnormal liver function with total bilirubin 53 μmol/L, direct bilirubin 14 μmol/L, and indirect bilirubin 39 μmol/L, and abnormal blood gas analysis with the partial pressure of oxygen of 54 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), the partial pressure of carbon dioxide of 31 mmHg, and the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient of 57 mmHg. Hepatic vein-type Budd-Chiari syndrome, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension were indicated by abdominal CT venography. Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography (CE-TTE) was positive. After symptomatic and supportive treatment, this patient was discharged and received oxygen therapy outside the hospital. At follow-up until March 2023, there was no significant improvement in hypoxemia, accompanied by limited daily activities. Based on the literature, there were 3 reports in English while none in Chinese, 3 cases were reported. Among a total of 4 children, the chief complaints were dyspnea, cyanosis, or hypoxemia in 3 cases, and unknown in 1 case. There were 2 cases diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome with HPS at the same time due to respiratory symptoms, and 2 cases developed HPS 1.5 years and 8.0 years after the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome respectively. CE-TTE was positive in 2 cases and pulmonary perfusion imaging was positive in 2 cases. Liver transplantation was performed in 2 cases and their respiratory function recovered well; 1 case received oxygen therapy, with no improvement in hypoxemia; 1 case was waiting for liver transplantation. Conclusions: The onset of Budd-Chiari syndrome with HPS is insidious. The most common clinical manifestations are dyspnea and cyanosis. It can reduce misdiagnosis to confirm intrapulmonary vascular dilatations with CE-TTE at an early stage. Liver transplantation is helpful in improving the prognosis.

[Mitigating metal artifacts in cone-beam CT images through deep learning techniques]

Objective: To develop and evaluate metal artifact removal systems (MARSs) based on deep learning to assess their effectiveness in removing artifacts caused by different thicknesses of metals in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Methods: A full-mouth standard model (60 mm×75 mm×110 mm) was three-dimensional (3D) printed using photosensitive resin. The model included a removable and replaceable target tooth position where cobalt-chromium alloy crowns with varying thicknesses were inserted to generate matched CBCT images. The artifacts resulting from cobalt-chromium alloys with different thicknesses were evaluated using the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS were developed using a convolutional neural network and U-net architecture, respectively. The effectiveness of both MARSs were assessed through visualization and by measuring SSIM and PSNR values. The SSIM and PSNR values were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (α=0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed in the range of artifacts produced by different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P<0.05), with 1 mm resulting in the least artifacts. The SSIM values for specimens with thicknesses of 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm were 0.916±0.019, 0.873±0.010, and 0.833±0.010, respectively (F=447.89, P<0.001). The corresponding PSNR values were 20.834±1.176, 17.002±0.427, and 14.673±0.429, respectively (F=796.51, P<0.001). After applying CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS to artifact removal, the SSIM and PSNR values significantly increased for images with the same thickness of metal (both P<0.05). When using the CNN-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.938±0.023, 0.930±0.029, and 0.928±0.020 (F=2.22, P=0.112), while the PSNR values were 30.938±1.495, 30.578±2.154 and 30.553±2.355 (F=0.54, P=0.585). When using the U-net-MARS for artifact removal, the SSIM values for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm were 0.930±0.024, 0.932±0.017 and 0.930±0.012 (F=0.24, P=0.788), and the PSNR values were 30.291±0.934, 30.351±1.002 and 30.271±1.143 (F=0.07, P=0.929). No significant differences were found in SSIM and PSNR values after artifact removal using CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS for different thicknesses of cobalt-chromium alloys (all P>0.05). Visualization demonstrated a high degree of similarity between the images before and after artifact removal using both MARSs. However, CNN-MARS displayed clearer metal edges and preserved more tissue details when compared with U-net-MARS. Conclusions: Both the CNN-MARS and U-net-MARS models developed in this study effectively remove the metal artifacts and enhance the image quality. CNN-MARS exhibited an advantage in restoring tissue structure information around the artifacts compared to U-net-MARS.