Application and design of a decision-making model in ethical dilemma for self-driving cars.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has promoted application and development of self-driving cars. However, when self-driving cars encounter ethical dilemma, it is still hard to make a satisficing and clear decision-making by these present moral rules and mechanisms, which makes people distrust in self-driving cars in real life. It is necessary to design a computational and multi-factor decision-making model for self-driving cars.

Peripheral immune profiling highlights a dynamic role of low-density granulocytes in myasthenia gravis.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease marked by dysregulation of several immune cell populations. Here we explored peripheral immune landscape, particularly the role of low-density granulocytes (LDGs).

Methods: Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analyzed peripheral immune cells from MG patients pre- (n = 4) and after treatment (n = 2), as well as healthy controls (n = 3).

Machine learning-based prediction model for patients with recurrent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) remains a significant contributor to both community-acquired and healthcare-associated bloodstream infections. SAB exhibits a high recurrence rate and mortality rate, leading to numerous clinical treatment challenges. Particularly, since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a gradual increase in SAB patients, with a growing proportion of (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) MRSA infections.

Identification of a new fish trypanosome from the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and description of its impact on host pathology, blood biochemical parameters and immune responses.

The aim of this study was to clarify the taxonomic identification of a hemoflagellate and assess the effect of trypanosome infection on Larimichthys crocea. Giemsa staining showed the presence of three morphotypes of trypomastigotes. The trypanosomes had the following morphological characteristics: a slender body with a long flagellum at the front; body size 12.

Academic Pressure and Psychological Imbalance in High School Students: Predictors of Depression via Polynomial Regression and Response Surface Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how the congruence between academic pressure and psychological imbalance affects depressive symptoms in adolescents and to further explore grade-level differences in these effects among high school students.

Methods: The study population consisted of 29,975 high school students from 20 schools in Liuyang City, Hunan Province. The Mental Health Scale for Secondary School Students (MSSMHS) and Self-Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess academic pressure, psychological imbalance and depressive symptoms.

Cooperative condensation of RNA-DIRECTED DNA METHYLATION 16 splicing isoforms enhances heat tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Dissecting the mechanisms underlying heat tolerance is important for understanding how plants acclimate to heat stress. Here, we identify a heat-responsive gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, RNA-DIRECTED DNA METHYLATION 16 (RDM16), which encodes a pre-mRNA splicing factor. Knockout mutants of RDM16 are hypersensitive to heat stress, which is associated with impaired splicing of the mRNAs of 18 out of 20 HEAT SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (HSF) genes.

A semiclassical non-adiabatic phase-space approach to molecular translations and rotations: Surface hopping with electronic inertial effects.

We demonstrate that working with a correct phase-space electronic Hamiltonian captures electronic inertial effects. In particular, we show that phase space surface hopping dynamics do not suffer (at least to very high order) from non-physical non-adiabatic transitions between electronic eigenstates during the course of pure nuclear translational and rotational motion. This work opens up many new avenues for quantitatively investigating complex phenomena, including angular momentum transfer between chiral phonons and electrons as well as chiral-induced spin selectivity effects.

An electronic phase-space Hamiltonian approach for electronic current density and vibrational circular dichroism.

The Born-Oppenheimer framework stipulates that chemistry and physics occur on potential energy surfaces VBO(X) parameterized by a nuclear coordinate X, which are built by diagonalizing a BO Hamiltonian ĤBO(X). However, such a framework cannot recover many measurable chemical and physical features, including vibrational circular dichroism spectra. In this article, we show that a phase-space electronic Hamiltonian ĤPS(X,P), parameterized by both nuclear position X and momentum P, with a similar computational cost as solving ĤBO(X), can recover not just experimental vibrational circular dichroism signals but also a meaningful electronic current density that explains the features of the vibrational circular dichroism rotational strengths.

Efficacy and safety of ZX-7101A, an inhibitor of influenza cap-dependent endonuclease, in adults with uncomplicated influenza: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZX-7101A: an inhibitor of influenza viral cap-dependent endonuclease, in adults with uncomplicated influenza and explore treatment-emergent resistance.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive-design phase 2 and phase 3 studies (ZX-7101A-202) in adults with uncomplicated influenza. Eligible patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive a single dose of 40 or 80 mg ZX-7101A or placebo, stratified by body weight and baseline composite symptom score.

A predictive walking energy model based on gait phase with suspended backpack.

Walking with heavy loads is a common task in military affairs and daily life. Considering that the shoulder and leg muscles fatigue will be caused during walking, which will affect the walking endurance and physical health. However, the suspended backpack is found to improve the energy efficiency of walking with a load.

Identification of chemical constituents and pharmacokinetic characteristics of Xiaoyan Tuire Granule in rats.

Xiaoyan Tuire Granule is a type of Chinese patent medicine that has been proven effective in treating respiratory tract infections. However, while it has been successfully introduced into clinical use, more knowledge is still needed regarding its chemical components and pharmacokinetics. This study investigated the chemical profile in the medicine and rat plasma by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS).

Gastrointestinal and intraperitoneal bleeding due to multiple pseudoaneurysms postpartial pancreatectomy: A case report and literature review.

Postoperative pancreatic fistula, a significant complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy, can lead to the development of pseudoaneurysms, which in turn can result in hemorrhagic and septic complications. Here, we present the case of a 67-year-old male patient diagnosed with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent partial pancreatectomy. Ten days postsurgery, the patient experienced hemorrhagic shock due to intraperitoneal bleeding.

A Phase-Space Electronic Hamiltonian For Vibrational Circular Dichroism.

We show empirically that a phase-space non-Born-Oppenheimer electronic Hamiltonian approach to quantum chemistry (where the electronic Hamiltonian is parametrized by both nuclear position and momentum, (,)) is both a practical and accurate means to recover vibrational circular dichroism spectra. We further hypothesize that such a phase-space approach may lead to very new dynamical physics beyond spectroscopic circular dichroism, with potential implications for understanding chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS), noting that classical phase-space approaches conserve the total nuclear plus electronic momentum, whereas classical Born-Oppenheimer approaches do not (they conserve only the nuclear momentum).

Long Non-Coding H19 in Lymphocytes: Prognostic Value in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a cerebrovascular disease that seriously affects the physical and mental health and quality of life of patients. However, there is a lack of reliable prognostic prediction methods. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in lymphocytes of patients with AIS, and to construct a prognostic prediction model for AIS including lncRNA H19 in lymphocytes, which would provide new ideas for the prognostic evaluation of AIS.

The plant terpenes DMNT and TMTT function as signaling compounds that attract Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis) to maize plants.

During their co-evolution with herbivorous insects, plants have developed multiple defense strategies that resist pests, such as releasing a blend of herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that repel pests or recruit their natural enemies. However, the responses of insects to HIPVs in maize (Zea mays L.) are not well understood.

Loss-of-function of LIGULELESS1 activates the jasmonate pathway and promotes maize resistance to corn leaf aphids.

Corn leaf aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis) are highly destructive pests of maize (Zea mays) that threaten growth and seed yield, but resources for aphid resistance are scarce. Here, we identified an aphid-resistant maize mutant, resistance to aphids 1 (rta1), which is allelic to LIGULELESS1 (LG1). We confirmed LG1's role in aphid resistance using the independent allele lg1-2, allelism tests and LG1 overexpression lines.

Transcriptome sequencing analysis of gene expression in phosphate-solubilizing bacterium 'N3' and grafted watermelon plants coping with toxicity induced by cadmium.

Cadmium (Cd) is a harmful metal in soil, and reducing Cd accumulation in plants has become a vital prerequisite for maintaining food safety. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can not only improve plant growth but also inhibit the transportation of metals to roots. However, data on gene expression in PSB Burkholderia sp.

Antibiotic adjuvants against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: important component of future antimicrobial therapy.

The swift emergence and propagation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens constitute a tremendous global health crisis. Among these pathogens, the challenge of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is particularly pressing due to their distinctive structure, such as highly impermeable outer membrane, overexpressed efflux pumps, and mutations. Several strategies have been documented to combat MDR Gram-negative bacteria, including the structural modification of existing antibiotics, the development of antimicrobial adjuvants, and research on novel targets that MDR bacteria are sensitive to.

Neutrophil migration participates in the side effect of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator.

Aims: Ischemic stroke remains a challenge in medical research because of the limited treatment options. Recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the primary treatment for recanalization. However, nearly 50% of the patients experience complications that result in ineffective reperfusion.

Alteration of N6-methyladenosine modification profiles in the neutrophilic RNAs following ischemic stroke.

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most extensive RNA methylation modifications in eukaryotes and participates in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including ischemic stroke. Peripheral blood neutrophils are forerunners after ischemic brain injury and exert crucial functions. This study aims to explore the transcriptional profiles of m6A modification in neutrophils of patients with ischemic stroke.

A fast and smooth one-electron approach for investigating charge transfer states and D1-D0 crossings for systems with odd numbers of electrons.

We propose an efficient version of ensemble Hartree-Fock/density functional theory to calculate a set of two charge-transfer states for systems with odd-numbers of electrons. The approach does require definitions of donor/acceptor fragments; however, the approach is not very sensitive to such definitions-even in the limit of very strong electronic coupling. The key ansatz is that, by mandating that the vector space spanned by the active orbitals projects equally onto the donor and acceptor fragments, such a constraint eliminates all intra-molecular local excitations and makes it far easier to generate potential energy surfaces that are smooth over a wide region of configuration space.