Toward less invasive coloproctology: The future is out there

Medical care has undergone remarkable improvements over the past few decades.One of the most important innovative breakthroughs in modern medicine is the advent of minimally and less invasive treatments.The trend towards employing less invasive treatment has been vividly shown in the field of gastroenterology,particularly coloproctology.Parallel to foregut interventions,colorectal surgery has shifted towards a minimally invasive approach.Coloproctology,including both medical and surgical management of colorectal diseases,has undergone a remarkable paradigm shift.The treatment of both benign and malignant colorectal conditions has gradually transitioned towards more conservative and less inva-sive approaches.An interesting paradigm shift was the trend to avoid the need for radical resection of rectal cancer altogether in patients who showed complete response to neoadjuvant treatment.The trend of adopting less invasive appro-aches to treat various colorectal conditions does not seem to be stopping soon as further research on novel,more effective and safer methods is ongoing.

Advancements in Humanoid Robots: A Comprehensive Review and Future Prospects

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current status, advancements, and future prospects of humanoid robots, highlighting their significance in driving the evolution of next-generation industries. By analyzing various research endeavors and key technologies, encompassing ontology structure,control and decision-making, and perception and interaction, a holistic overview of the current state of humanoid robot research is presented. Furthermore, emerging challenges in the field are identified, emphasizing the necessity for a deeper understanding of biological motion mechanisms, improved structural design,enhanced material applications, advanced drive and control methods, and efficient energy utilization. The integration of bionics, brain-inspired intelligence, mechanics, and control is underscored as a promising direction for the development of advanced humanoid robotic systems. This paper serves as an invaluable resource, offering insightful guidance to researchers in the field,while contributing to the ongoing evolution and potential of humanoid robots across diverse domains.

Pediatric stricturing Crohn's disease

Crohn’s disease(CD)is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract.The incidence of pediatric CD is increasing and is currently 2.5-11.4 per 100000 world-wide.Notably,approximately 25%of children with CD develop stricturing CD(SCD)that requires intervention.Symptomatic stricturing diseases refractory to pharmacological management frequently require non-pharmacological interventions.Non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies include endoscopic balloon dilatation,stricturoplasty,and surgical resection of the strictured seg-ment.However,strictures tend to recur postoperatively regardless of treatment modality.The lifetime risk of surgery in patients with childhood SCD remains at 50%-90%.Thus,new and emerging strategies,advanced diagnostic tools,and minimally invasive approaches are under investigation to improve the outcomes and overall quality of life of pediatric patients with SCD.

Thornthwaite moisture index and depth of suction change under current and future climate‒An Australian study

Climate change is one of the major global challenges and it can have a significant influence on the behaviour and resilience of geotechnical structures.The changes in moisture content in soil lead to effective stress changes and can be accompanied by significant volume changes in reactive/expansive soils.The volume change leads to ground movement and can exert additional stresses on structures founded on or within a shallow depth of such soils.Climate change is likely to amplify the ground movement potential and the associated problems are likely to worsen.The effect of atmospheric boundary interaction on soil behaviour has often been correlated to Thornthwaite moisture index(TMI).In this study,the long-term weather data and anticipated future projections for various emission scenarios were used to generate a series of TMI maps for Australia.The changes in TMI were then correlated to the depth of suction change(H s),an important input in ground movement calculation.Under all climate scenarios considered,reductions in TMI and increases in H s values were observed.A hypothetical design scenario of a footing on expansive soil under current and future climate is discussed.It is observed that a design that might be considered adequate under the current climate scenario,may fail under future scenarios and accommodations should be made in the design for such events.

Traction power systems for electrified railways:evolution,state of the art,and future trends

Traction power systems(TPSs)play a vital role in the operation of electrified railways.The transformation of conventional railway TPSs to novel structures is not only a trend to promote the development of electrified railways toward high-efficiency and resilience but also an inevitable requirement to achieve carbon neutrality target.On the basis of sorting out the power supply structures of conventional AC and DC modes,this paper first reviews the characteristics of the existing TPSs,such as weak power supply flexibility and low-energy efficiency.Furthermore,the power supply structures of various TPSs for future electrified railways are described in detail,which satisfy longer distance,low-carbon,high-efficiency,high-reliability and high-quality power supply requirements.Meanwhile,the application prospects of different traction modes are discussed from both technical and economic aspects.Eventually,this paper introduces the research progress of mixed-system electrified railways and traction power supply technologies without catenary system,speculates on the future development trends and challenges of TPSs and predicts that TPSs will be based on the continuous power supply mode,employing power electronic equipment and intelligent information technology to construct a railway comprehensive energy system with renewable energy.

Historical Changes and Multi-scenario Prediction of Land Use and Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Storage in China

Terrestrial carbon storage(CS)plays a crucial role in achieving carbon balance and mitigating global climate change.This study employs the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways(SSPs-RCPs)published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)and incorporates the Policy Control Scenario(PCS)regulated by China’s land management policies.The Future Land Use Simulation(FLUS)model is employed to generate a 1 km resolution land use/cover change(LUCC)dataset for China in 2030 and 2060.Based on the carbon density dataset of China’s terrestrial ecosystems,the study analyses CS changes and their relationship with land use changes spanning from 1990 to 2060.The findings indicate that the quantitative changes in land use in China from 1990 to 2020 are characterised by a reduction in the area proportion of cropland and grassland,along with an increase in the impervious surface and forest area.This changing trend is projected to continue under the PCS from 2020 to 2060.Under the SSPs-RCPs scenario,the proportion of cropland and impervious surface predominantly increases,while the proportions of forest and grassland continuously decrease.Carbon loss in China’s carbon storage from 1990 to 2020 amounted to 0.53×10^(12)kg,primarily due to the reduced area of cropland and grassland.In the SSPs-RCPs scenario,more significant carbon loss occurs,reaching a peak of8.07×10^(12)kg in the SSP4-RCP3.4 scenario.Carbon loss is mainly concentrated in the southeastern coastal area and the Beijing-TianjinHebei(BTH)region of China,with urbanisation and deforestation identified as the primary drivers.In the future,it is advisable to enhance the protection of forests and grassland while stabilising cropland areas and improving the intensity of urban land.These research findings offer valuable data support for China’s land management policy,land space optimisation,and the achievement of dual-carbon targets.

Latest updates on structure and recommendations of cardiac rehabilitation programs in chronic heart failure

Chronic heart failure(HF)is a clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mor-tality worldwide.Cardiac rehabilitation(CR)is a medically supervised program designed to maintain or improve cardiovascular health of people living with HF,recommended by both American and European guidelines.A CR program con-sists of a multispecialty group including physicians,nurses,physiotherapists,trainers,nutritionists,and psychologists with the common purpose of improving functional capacity and quality of life of chronic HF patients.Physical activity,lifestyle,and psychological support are core components of a successful CR program.CR has been shown to be beneficial in all ejection fraction categories in HF and most patients,who are stable under medication,are capable of participating.An individualized exercise prescription should be developed on the basis of a baseline evaluation in all patients.The main modalities of exercise training are aerobic exercise and muscle strength training of different intensity and frequency.It is important to set the appropriate clinical outcomes from the beginning,in order to assess the effectiveness of a CR program.There are still significant limitations that prevent patients from participating in these programs and need to be solved.A significant limitation is the generally low quality of research in CR and the presence of negative trials,such as the rehabilitation after myocardial infarction trial,where comprehensive rehabilitation following myocardial infraction had no important effect on mortality,morbidity,risk factors,or health-related quality of life or activity.In the present editorial,we present all the updated knowledge and recommendations in CR programs.

Dynamically triggered seismicity on a tectonic scale:A review

Earthquakes triggered by dynamic disturbances have been confirmed by numerous observations and experiments.In the past several decades,earthquake triggering has attracted increasing attention of scholars in relation to exploring the mechanism of earthquake triggering,earthquake prediction,and the desire to use the mechanism of earthquake triggering to reduce,prevent,or trigger earthquakes.Natural earthquakes and large‐scale explosions are the most common sources of dynamic disturbances that trigger earthquakes.In the past several decades,some models have been developed,including static,dynamic,quasi‐static,and other models.Some reviews have been published,but explosiontriggered seismicity was not included.In recent years,some new results on earthquake triggering have emerged.Therefore,this paper presents a new review to reflect the new results and include the content of explosion‐triggered earthquakes for the reference of scholars in this area.Instead of a complete review of the relevant literature,this paper primarily focuses on the main aspects of dynamic earthquake triggering on a tectonic scale and makes some suggestions on issues that need to be resolved in this area in the future.

Automatic recognition of depression based on audio and video:A review

Depression is a common mental health disorder.With current depression detection methods,specialized physicians often engage in conversations and physiological examinations based on standardized scales as auxiliary measures for depression assessment.Non-biological markers-typically classified as verbal or non-verbal and deemed crucial evaluation criteria for depression-have not been effectively utilized.Specialized physicians usually require extensive training and experience to capture changes in these features.Advancements in deep learning technology have provided technical support for capturing non-biological markers.Several researchers have proposed automatic depression estimation(ADE)systems based on sounds and videos to assist physicians in capturing these features and conducting depression screening.This article summarizes commonly used public datasets and recent research on audio-and video-based ADE based on three perspectives:Datasets,deficiencies in existing research,and future development directions.

Emerging molecules,tools,technology,and future of surgical knife in gastroenterology

The 21^(st) century has started with several innovations in the medical sciences,with wide applications in health care management.This development has taken in the field of medicines(newer drugs/molecules),various tools and technology which has completely changed the patient management including abdominal surgery.Surgery for abdominal diseases has moved from maximally invasive to minimally invasive(laparoscopic and robotic)surgery.Some of the newer medicines have its impact on need for surgical intervention.This article focuses on the development of these emerging molecules,tools,and technology and their impact on present surgical form and its future effects on the surgical intervention in gastroenterological diseases.

An Exploration of the Three Dimensions and Epochal Strengths of Building a Human Community With a Shared Future

The idea of a human community with a shared future was proposed by the Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core for the future development of human beings to face up to the most important question in today's world:“What is happening to the world and what should we do?”It profoundly answers the question of the world,history,and the times.The theory of a human community with a shared future is an innovative theory with a multidimensional formation logic that guides humanity toward continually seeking common interests and values.This paper dives into the profound motivations behind building a human community with a shared future from historical,cultural,and practical dimensions and analyzes its epochal value from both domestic and international perspectives.This not only helps exert China's role in the international community,contributing Chinese strength to the construction of a peaceful,stable,and prosperous human society,but also enhances the influence of the idea of a human community with a shared future in the international community,accelerating the building of a human community with a shared future that considers the legitimate concerns of all countries,and aiding in solving the crises facing the world.

Recent Advances for Global Perspectives on Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentations, and Management of Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a condition characterized by the gradual narrowing and blockage of blood vessels in the brain, specifically those in the circle of Willis and the arteries that supply it. This results in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain, leading to progressive symptoms and potential complications. The underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains elucidated. However, recent studies have highlighted numerous etiologic factors: abnormal immune complex responses, susceptibility genes, branched-chain amino acids, antibodies, heritable diseases, and acquired diseases, which may be the great potential triggers for the development of moyamoya disease. Its clinical presentation has varying degrees from transient asymptomatic events to significant neurological deficits. Moyamoya disease (MMD) shows different patterns in children and adults. Children with MMD are more susceptible to ischemic events due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Conversely, adults with MMD are more prone to hemorrhagic events involving brain bleeding. Children with MMD may experience a range of symptoms including motor impairments, sensory issues, seizures, headaches, dizziness, cognitive delays, or ongoing neurological problems. Although adults may present with similar clinical symptoms as children, they are more prone to experiencing sudden onset intraventricular, subarachnoid, or intracerebral hemorrhages. One of the challenges in moyamoya disease is the potential for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, particularly when physicians fail to consider MMD as a possible cause in stroke patients. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent global studies on the pathophysiology of MMD, along with advancements in its management. Additionally, the review will delve into various surgical treatment options for MMD, as well as its rare occurrence alongside atrioventricular malformations. Exciting prospects include the use of autologous bone marrow transplant and the potential role of Connexin 43 protein treatment in the development of moyamoya disease.

China’s Change through Future Leaders’Eyes

Together for a Shared Future Compiled by Global Young Leaders Dialogue Price:RMB 118 Paperback,250 pages Published by Foreign Languages Press Together for a Shared Future is co-authored by 35 young people from 26 countries who participated in the project China Tour of the Global Young Leaders Dialogue(GYLD),an institutional platform for idea-sharing among young people from different countries.

国际渔业动态

首个替代海鲜组织致力于引发全球海鲜行业新变革未来海洋食品(Future Ocean Foods)是一个新的全球海鲜协会,旨在支持和促进替代性海鲜行业。该协会于2023年11月正式成立,其首批会员由来自美国、加拿大、英国和新加坡等14个国家的36家公司组成。Future Ocean Foods致力于促进世界的多元化和包容性,其40%的创始人由女性组成。其成员涵盖植物食品、发酵食品和栽培食品及技术等领域,致力于促进粮食安全、人类健康、环境可持续性和海洋保护。

Revisiting the Spirit of the UDHR and Discussing Human Rights Development——Summary of Views from the Seminar Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 4,2023,the China Society for Human Rights Studies hosted a seminar in Beijing commemorating the 75^(th) Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Participants discussed topics such as the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,China’s theories and practices in respecting and safeguarding human rights,the three global initiatives and global human rights governance,human rights protection in the digital age,and telling Chinese stories of human rights in the new era.The discussions led to a broad consensus and achieved positive results.

The “Dead Universe” Theory: Natural Separation of Galaxies Driven by the Remnants of a Supermassive Dead Universe

This article explores the dead universe theory as a novel interpretation for the origin and evolution of the universe, suggesting that our cosmos may have originated from the remnants of a preceding universe. This perspective challenges the conventional Big Bang theory, particularly concerning dark matter, the expansion of the universe, and the interpretation of phenomena such as gravitational waves.

Measurement Analysis and Evaluation of Twenty- Five Years of Chinese Mathematics Textbooks: Visual Analysis Based on CiteSpace Knowledge Graph (1999-2024)

At present,textbooks based on core literacy have become the inevitable demands of China’s curriculum reform,and the literacy of textbook goal construction is the key to the implementation of core literacy requirements,which is a huge challenge for textbook compilers.In this paper,we use the visual metrology of the CiteSpace knowledge graph to analyze Chinese mathematics textbooks(1999-2024),hoping to guide the future direction of Chinese mathematics textbook research.

The Awkward Sharing Economy:Its Status Quo and Prospect

This paper comprehensively analyzes the origins,current situation,and prospects of the sharing economy.The primary purpose is to present the issues and challenges confronting the sharing economy at its current,awkward stage of development and to make reasonable speculations about its future.The research is based on academic literature on the sharing economy from both domestic and international sources.The findings indicate that despite current shortcomings in the regulatory system,industry structure,and user behavior,the scope of the sharing economy’s applications could still expand,and its technology could continue to advance.Overall,the prospects for the sharing economy are likely to be promising.

Simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization is better than portal embolization or ALPPS for hypertrophy of future liver remnant before major hepatectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is the Achilles’heel of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases.The most commonly used procedure to generate hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant(FLR)is portal vein embolization(PVE),which does not always lead to successful hypertrophy.Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been proposed to overcome the limitations of PVE.Liver venous deprivation(LVD),a technique that includes simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization,has also been proposed as an alternative to ALPPS.The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review as the first network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy,effectiveness,and safety of the three regenerative techniques.Data sources:A systematic search for literature was conducted using the electronic databases Embase,PubMed(MEDLINE),Google Scholar and Cochrane.Results:The time to operation was significantly shorter in the ALPPS cohort than in the PVE and LVD cohorts by 27 and 22 days,respectively.Intraoperative parameters of blood loss and the Pringle maneuver demonstrated non-significant differences between the PVE and LVD cohorts.There was evidence of a significantly higher FLR hypertrophy rate in the ALPPS cohort when compared to the PVE cohort,but non-significant differences were observed when compared to the LVD cohort.Notably,the LVD cohort demonstrated a significantly better FLR/body weight(BW)ratio compared to both the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.Both the PVE and LVD cohorts demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity rates compared to the ALPPS cohort.The LVD cohort also demonstrated a significantly lower 90-day mortality rate compared to both the PVE and ALPPS cohorts.Conclusions:LVD in adequately selected patients may induce adequate and profound FLR hypertrophy before major hepatectomy.Present evidence demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity and mortality rates in the LVD cohort than in the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.

海事能源转型:未来燃料和未来排放

The lifecycle greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions(Well-to-Wake)from maritime transport must be reduced by at least 50%in absolute values by 2050 to contribute to the ambitions of the Paris Agreement(2015).A transition from conventional fuels to alternative fuels with zero or lower GHG emissions is viewed as the most promising avenue to reach the GHG reductions.Whereas GHG and toxic pollutants emitted from the use of fossil fuels(heavy fuel oil(HFO)and marine gas/diesel oil(MGO/MDO))are generally well understood,the emissions associated with the new fuel options are only now being measured and communicated.This review provides an outlook on fuels that could help shipping respond to the decarbonization effort including Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG),Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG),methanol,ammonia,and hydrogen.A quantification of the pollutants associated from the use of these fuels is provided and challenges and barriers to their uptake are discussed.