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The evolution of meteorological environments in global arid and semi-arid regions has significant impacts on regional ecological security and global climate regulation [...]

Predicting blastocyst formation poses significant challenges in reproductive medicine and critically influences clinical decision-making regarding extended embryo culture. While previous research has primarily focused on determining whether an IVF cycle can produce at least one blastocyst, less attention has been given to quantifying blastocyst yields. This study aims to develop and validate such a quantitative predictive tool for IVF cycles. We employed three machine learning models—SVM, LightGBM, and XGBoost—which demonstrated comparable performance and outperformed traditional linear regression models ( R 2 : 0.673–0.676 vs. 0.587, Mean absolute error: 0.793–0.809 vs. 0.943). Ultimately, LightGBM emerged as the optimal model, due to utilizing fewer features (8 vs. 10–11 in SVM/XGBoost) and offering superior interpretability. We then stratified predictions and actual yields into three categories (0, 1–2, and ≥ 3 blastocysts) to evaluate the model’s discriminative performance. In this multi-classification task, LightGBM demonstrated robust accuracy (0.675–0.71) with fair-to-moderate agreement (kappa coefficients: 0.365–0.5) across both the overall cohort and poor-prognosis subgroups. Feature importance analysis identified three critical predictors: the number of extended culture embryos, the mean cell number on Day 3, and the proportion of 8-cell embryos. By leveraging the potential of machine learning, this research provides clinicians with valuable insights for making individualized decisions regarding extended embryo culture.

Abstract BACKGROUND The differentiation between intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) and intracranial embolism as the immediate cause of acute ischemic stroke requiring endovascular therapy is important but challenging. In cases of ICAS, we often observe a phenomenon we call the microcatheter “first-pass effect,” which is temporary blood flow through the occluded intracranial artery when the angiographic microcatheter is initially advanced through the site of total occlusion and immediately retrieved proximally. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether this microcatheter first-pass effect can be used to differentiate ICAS from intracranial embolism. METHODS A total of 61 patients with acute ischemic stroke resulting from large intracranial artery occlusion and in whom recanalization was achieved by endovascular treatment were included in the study. The microcatheter first-pass effect was tested in these patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and accuracy of the microcatheter first-pass effect for prediction of ICAS were assessed. RESULTS The microcatheter first-pass effect was more frequently observed in patients with ICAS than in those with intracranial embolism (90.9% vs 12.8%, P < .001). For identifying ICAS, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and accuracy of the microcatheter first-pass effect were 90.9%, 87.2%, 80.0%, 88.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION The sensitivity and PPV of the microcatheter first-pass effect are high for prediction of ICAS in patients with acute symptoms.

The Hong Kong Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link project adopted Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) for the first time for the floating-state loading and transportation of large-span prestressed concrete box girders, allowing the 75 m box girders to be placed on the SPMT fixture in a multi-point support manner. To prevent concrete cracking during transportation, this paper studies the stress and deformation characteristics of large-span box girders under a multi-support system through a combination of theoretical research, numerical calculation, and field testing. Based on crack control of box girders, a SPMT vehicle arrangement and segmented jacking method are proposed. The results show that the SPMT vehicle group arrangement range at both ends of the box girder should be controlled within 1/3 of the box girder span; during the jacking process of the box girder, the torsion of the box girder caused by the differential oil pressure in segmented jacking should be controlled, and synchronous jacking should be adopted as much as possible; the SPMT vehicle arrangement and jacking should control the support force to be smaller closer to the mid-span. The research results have been successfully applied in the Hong Kong Tseung Kwan O project and can provide technical reference for similar projects.

Ruxolitinib is an important treatment for steroid refractory graft-versus-host disease (SR-GVHD). Therefore, we reported the updated results of a systematic review and meta-analysis of ruxolitinib as treatment for SR-GVHD. In addition, we wanted to compare the efficacy and safety between children and adults with SR-GVHD. Overall response rate (ORR) after ruxolitinib treatment was chosen as the primary end point. Complete response rate (CRR), infection, myelosuppression, and overall survival (OS) were chosen as secondary end points. A total of 37 studies were included in this meta-analysis, and 1,580 patients were enrolled. ORR at any time after ruxolitinib treatment was 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68–0.84] and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74–0.81), respectively, for SR-aGVHD and SR-cGVHD. CRR at any time after ruxolitinib treatment was 0.49 (95% CI: 0.40–0.57) and 0.15 (95% CI: 0.10–0.23), respectively, for SR-aGVHD and SR-cGVHD. The ORRs at any time after treatment was highest in mouth SR-cGVHD, followed by skin, gut, joints and fascia, liver, eyes, esophagus, and lung SR-cGVHD. The incidence rate of infections after ruxolitinib treatment was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.45–0.76) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.31–0.63), respectively, for SR-aGVHD and SR-cGVHD. The incidence rates of overall (grades I–IV) and severe (grades III–IV) cytopenia were 53.2% (95% CI: 16.0%–90.4%) and 31.0% (95% CI: 0.0–100.0%), respectively, for SR-aGVHD, and were 28.8% (95% CI:13.0%–44.6%) and 10.4% (95% CI: 0.0–27.9%), respectively, for SR-cGVHD. The probability rate of OS at 6 months after treatment was 63.9% (95% CI: 52.5%–75.2%) for SR-aGVHD. The probability rates of OS at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment were 95% (95% CI: 79.5%–100.0%), 78.7% (95% CI: 67.2%–90.1%), and 75.3% (95% CI: 68.0%–82.7%), respectively, for SR-cGVHD. The ORR, CRR, infection events, and myelosuppression were all comparable between children and adults with SR-GVHD. In summary, this study suggests that ruxolitinib is an effective and safe treatment for SR-GVHD, and both children and adults with SR-GVHD could benefit from ruxolitinib treatment.

Objective To investigate the radiological classification, gene-mutation status, and surgical prognosis of synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (sMPLC). Methods From January 2013 to October 2019, 192 consecutive patients with sMPLC were investigated. The clinical, CT, molecular, and pathological features of all patients were analyzed. Furthermore, the prognosis of 89 patients who only underwent surgical resection was evaluated. Results Among 192 patients, all lesions pathologically confirmed or highly suspected as tumors based on radiological findings were retrospectively analyzed, and the CT findings of sMPLC were classified into three types: (I) all lesions manifested as solid nodules/masses (14.06%, 27/192), (II) all lesions manifested as subsolid nodules/masses (43.23%, 83/192), and (III) tumor lesions manifested as a combination of ≥ 2 of the following patterns: solid nodules/masses, subsolid nodules/masses, cystic airspace, and focal consolidation (42.71%, 82/192). For 252 tumors undergoing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–mutation testing, the EGFR-mutation rate was higher in subsolid tumors than that in solid tumors ( p < 0.05). Among 19 patients with all tumors undergoing surgery and driver-gene testing, genetic heterogeneity was prevalent among the multiple tumors (63.16%,12/19). The highest clinical stage of non-I, ipsilateral distribution of tumors, and CT classification of I indicated a poor prognosis for patients with sMPLC (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Subsolid lesions are the most common presentation of sMPLC. Genetic heterogeneity in driver mutations among sMPLC may be present. Prognosis in patients with sMPLC is determined by the highest clinical TNM stage, distribution, and radiological classification among the multiple tumors. Key Points • Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (sMPLC) has three types of CT findings. • Genetic heterogeneity may be prevalent among the multiple tumors. • Prognosis in patients with sMPLC is associated with the highest clinical TNM stage, distribution, and radiological classification among the multiple tumors.

Thermal electron transfer through hydrogen bonds remains largely unexplored. Here we report the study of electron transfer through amide-amide hydrogen bonded interfaces in mixed-valence complexes with covalently bonded Mo 2 units as the electron donor and acceptor. The rate constants for electron transfer through the dual hydrogen bonds across a distance of 12.5 Å are on the order of ∼ 10 10  s −1 , as determined by optical analysis based on Marcus–Hush theory and simulation of ν(NH) vibrational band broadening, with the electron transfer efficiencies comparable to that of π conjugated bridges. This work demonstrates that electron transfer across a hydrogen bond may proceed via the known proton-coupled pathway, as well as an overlooked proton-uncoupled pathway that does not involve proton transfer. A mechanistic switch between the two pathways can be achieved by manipulation of the strengths of electronic coupling and hydrogen bonding. The knowledge of the non-proton coupled pathway has shed light on charge and energy transport in biological systems. Thermal electron transfer across hydrogen bond remains largely unexplored. Here the authors demonstrate that electron self-exchange through hydrogen bonds is highly efficient and can proceed either via the known proton-coupled pathway or an overlooked proton-uncoupled pathway

Advanced materials for electrocatalytic water splitting applications have been sought-after considering both environmental and economic requirements. However, the traditional materials design concept limits the exploration of high-performance catalysts. The born of a materials design concept based on multiple elements, high-entropy materials, provides a promising path to break the shackles of compositional design in materials science. A number of high-entropy materials were reported to show remarkable properties for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. High-entropy materials were widely confirmed to be one kind of the best electrocatalysts for water splitting applications. Due to the synergy of multiple metal components, they show excellent catalytic activity. Several nontraditional methods were developed and reported to prepare high-performance high-entropy materials. This review article presents the recent progress on high-entropy materials for electrocatalytic water splitting applications. Moreover, it presents the research interests and future prospects in this field.

Surface and near‐surface wind speeds, critical factors for dust emission, are often overestimated in desert regions by models, leading to exaggerated predictions of sandstorm extent and dust concentration. This study implements a new turbulent orographic form drag (TOFD) parameterization scheme using 30‐m‐resolution terrain data in the WRF‐Chem model. Over a 1‐month simulation, this scheme reduced the overestimated surface wind speed by 45%. Compared with observations from 41 meteorological stations and one radio‐sounding station in the Taklimakan Desert, it also decreased the root mean square errors for surface and near‐surface winds by about 20% and 5%, respectively. Furthermore, the 30‐day simulation showed a 31% reduction in PM10 RMSE and a better‐matched aerosol optical depth distribution. The results demonstrate that the novel TOFD scheme, which utilizes high‐resolution terrain data, effectively resolves dunes and accurately accounts for the drag of small dunes on the near‐surface atmosphere in deserts.

The Chebei integral Immersed Tunnel introduced an innovative full-section interval casting process, where post-casting belts impose restraint effects on the full-section casting segments. To mitigate concrete cracking, this study investigates the influence of the bottom steel plate and steel bars in the post-casting belts on the mechanical behavior of full-section casting segments through comparative analysis of field tests and numerical simulations. Requirements for post-casting belt length are proposed. Key findings include: under post-casting belt restraint, the full-section casting segment’s shrinkage strain reached 348 με, with hydration heat-induced cooling and drying shrinkage contributing 60% and 40%, respectively. A temperature-dependent thermal expansion coefficient model was developed to characterize the nonlinear relationship between concrete strain and hydration heat temperature. Restraint effects diminished with increasing post-casting belt length, and the post-casting belt length should be control. At 1.6 m (Chebei design), restraint-induced tensile stress was 1.4 MPa (restraint coefficient β = 0.12), with the bottom steel plate and steel bars contributing about 70% and 30%, respectively. Relationships between post-casting belt length, stress, and restraint coefficient are established for engineering reference. These research findings have been successfully applied in the Chebei Immersed Tunnel, enabling high-quality prefabrication of full-section interval casting immersed tubes.