Effects of Different Grinding Methods on the Quality of Soybean Bean Milk

[Objectives] This study was conducted to improve the nutritional value of soybean milk, enrich the variety and taste of soybean milk, and find healthy food that is more conducive to people s nutritional needs. [Methods] Whole soybean milk was prepared by grinding with a grinding wheel at a low concentration (low-concentration grinding) and a stainless steel mill at a high concentration (high-concentration grinding). The sensory, physical and chemical characteristics and anti-nutritional factors of whole soybean milk produced by different grinding methods were studied. [Results] Compared with low-concentration grinding, the protein content in soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding increased by 24%, and the dietary fiber content increased by 74.7%. Before and after high-pressure homogenization, the particle size D(4, 3) of soybean milk prepared by low-concentration grinding was 212.1 and 93.59 μm, respectively, and the particle size D(4, 3) of soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding was 134.0 and 64.64 μm, respectively. The trypsin inhibitor activity and phytic acid content of soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding were significantly lower than those of soybean milk prepared by low-concentration grinding. [Conclusions] This study improves the diet structure of the broad masses of people, strengthens people s physique, and provides a new idea for the implementation and development of China s "Soybean Action Programme".

Grindability Evaluation of Ultrasonic Assisted Grinding of Silicon Nitride Ceramic Using Minimum Quantity Lubrication Based SiO_(2)Nanofluid

Minimum quantity Lubrication(MQL)is a sustainable lubrication system that is famous in many machining systems.It involve the spray of an infinitesimal amount of mist-like lubricants during machining processes.The MQL system is affirmed to exhibit an excellent machining performance,and it is highly economical.The nanofluids are understood to exhibit excellent lubricity and heat evacuation capability,compared to pure oil-based MQL system.Studies have shown that the surface quality and amount of energy expended in the grinding operations can be reduced considerably due to the positive effect of these nanofluids.This work presents an experimental study on the tribological performance of SiO_(2)nanofluid during grinding of Si_(3)N_(4)ceramic.The effect different grinding modes and lubrication systems during the grinding operation was also analyzed.Different concentrations of the SiO_(2)nanofluid was manufactured using canola,corn and sunflower oils.The quantitative evaluation of the grinding process was done based on the amount of grinding forces,specific grinding energy,frictional coefficient,and surface integrity.It was found that the canola oil exhibits optimal lubrication performance compared to corn oil,sunflower oil,and traditional lubrication systems.Additionally,the introduction of ultrasonic vibrations with the SiO_(2)nanofluid in MQL system was found to reduce the specific grinding energy,normal grinding forces,tangential grinding forces,and surface roughness by 65%,57%,65%,and 18%respectively.Finally,regression analysis was used to obtain an optimum parameter combinations.The observations from this work will aid the smooth transition towards ecofriendly and sustainable machining of engineering ceramics.

Reliability of a computerized system for strabismus screening

AIM:To evaluate the reliability of Photo-Hirschberg screening for global strabismus performed by non-specialized personnel.METHODS:Participants at three sites were enrolled.One person at each site was trained in visual acuity measurement and use of the computerized system.Visual acuity was measured,and strabismus testing was performed using two flash photographs.All data from the three primary observers were sent to an experienced assistant researcher,who was blinded to the primary results,for re-evaluation.The primary and re-evaluation results of the Photo-Hirschberg screenings using weighted kappa for agreement were compared.RESULTS:The study included 181 participants(88 males and 93 females)and the results for primary and re-evaluation screenings were corresponded.Ten participants with contrasting results presented with unclear corneal light reflex.Sensitivity and specificity were 100%[95%confidence interval(CI):29.0%-100%]and 99.4%(95%CI:96.6%-100%),respectively,based on the Agresti test of the primary evaluation,considering the re-evaluated classification as true.CONCLUSION:The computerized system can be used for primary strabismus screening by non-specialized personnel,with 98.8%agreement with specialists.However,it cannot be used as a substitute for professional examination.

Evidence for the Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of the Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors (SRSS-IE)

School-based universal screening for behavioral/emotional risk is a necessary first step to providing services in an educational setting for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs). Psychometric properties are critical to making decisions about choosing a screening instrument. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the student risk screening scale for internalizing and externalizing behaviors (SRSS-IE). Participants included 3145 students and their teachers. Item-level analyses of the current sample supported the retention of all items. The internal consistency of the SRSS items ranged from 0.83 to 0.85. Convergent validity between the SRSS-IE and a well-established screening tool, the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), was found for the total score (r = 0.70). Additionally, the results of this study demonstrate strong social validity, suggesting the SRSS-IE to be a useful and functional screening tool. We conclude that the SRSS-IE is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the level of emotional and behavioral difficulties among elementary students.

Development and validation of a prediction model for early screening of people at high risk for colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a serious threat worldwide.Although early screening is suggested to be the most effective method to prevent and control CRC,the current situation of early screening for CRC is still not optimistic.In China,the incidence of CRC in the Yangtze River Delta region is increasing dramatically,but few studies have been conducted.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a simple and efficient early screening model for CRC.AIM To develop and validate an early-screening nomogram model to identify individuals at high risk of CRC.METHODS Data of 64448 participants obtained from Ningbo Hospital,China between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The cohort comprised 64448 individuals,of which,530 were excluded due to missing or incorrect data.Of 63918,7607(11.9%)individuals were considered to be high risk for CRC,and 56311(88.1%)were not.The participants were randomly allocated to a training set(44743)or validation set(19175).The discriminatory ability,predictive accuracy,and clinical utility of the model were evaluated by constructing and analyzing receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves and by decision curve analysis.Finally,the model was validated internally using a bootstrap resampling technique.RESULTS Seven variables,including demographic,lifestyle,and family history information,were examined.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis revealed that age[odds ratio(OR):1.03,95%confidence interval(CI):1.02-1.03,P<0.001],body mass index(BMI)(OR:1.07,95%CI:1.06-1.08,P<0.001),waist circumference(WC)(OR:1.03,95%CI:1.02-1.03 P<0.001),lifestyle(OR:0.45,95%CI:0.42-0.48,P<0.001),and family history(OR:4.28,95%CI:4.04-4.54,P<0.001)were the most significant predictors of high-risk CRC.Healthy lifestyle was a protective factor,whereas family history was the most significant risk factor.The area under the curve was 0.734(95%CI:0.723-0.745)for the final validation set ROC curve and 0.735(95%CI:0.728-0.742)for the training set ROC curve.The calibration curve demonstrated a high correlation between the CRC high-risk population predicted by the nomogram model and the actual CRC high-risk population.CONCLUSION The early-screening nomogram model for CRC prediction in high-risk populations developed in this study based on age,BMI,WC,lifestyle,and family history exhibited high accuracy.

Non-participation of asymptomatic candidates in screening protocols reduces early diagnosis and worsens prognosis of colorectal cancer

The Agatsuma et al’s study shows that despite the evidence of the benefits of an early colorectal cancer(CRC)diagnosis,through screening in asymptomatic subjects,up to 50%of candidates reject this option and many of those affected are diagnosed later,in advanced stages.The efficacy of screening programs has been well-established for several years,which reduces the risk of CRC morbidity and mortality,without taking into account the test used for screening,or other tools.Nevertheless,a significant proportion of patients remain unscreened,so understanding the factors involved,as well as the barriers of the population to adherence is the first step to possibly modify the participation rate.These barriers could include a full range of social and political aspects,especially the type of financial provision of each health service.In Japan,health services are universal,and this advantageous situation makes it easier for citizens to access to these services,contributing to the detection of various diseases,including CRC.Interestingly,the symptomatic CRC group had a lower early-stage diagnosis rate than the patients detected during follow-up for other comorbidities,and symptomatic and cancer screening groups showed similar early-stage diagnosis.

Genetic screening of liver cancer:State of the art

Liver cancer,primarily hepatocellular carcinoma,remains a global health challenge with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options.Genetic factors play a pivotal role in the development and progression of liver cancer.This state-of-the-art paper provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of genetic screening strategies for liver cancer.We discuss the genetic underpinnings of liver cancer,emphasizing the critical role of risk-associated genetic variants,somatic mutations,and epigenetic alterations.We also explore the intricate interplay between environmental factors and genetics,highlighting how genetic screening can aid in risk stratification and early detection via using liquid biopsy,and advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies.By synthesizing the latest research findings,we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art genetic screening methods for liver cancer,shedding light on their potential to revolutionize early detection,risk assessment,and targeted therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.

Damage evolution and removal behaviors of GaN crystals involved in double-grits grinding

Elucidating the complex interactions between the work material and abrasives during grinding of gallium nitride(GaN)single crystals is an active and challenging research area.In this study,molecular dynamics simulations were performed on double-grits interacted grinding of GaN crystals;and the grinding force,coefficient of friction,stress distribution,plastic damage behaviors,and abrasive damage were systematically investigated.The results demonstrated that the interacted distance in both radial and transverse directions achieved better grinding quality than that in only one direction.The grinding force,grinding induced stress,subsurface damage depth,and abrasive wear increase as the transverse interacted distance increases.However,there was no clear correlation between the interaction distance and the number of atoms in the phase transition and dislocation length.Appropriate interacted distances between abrasives can decrease grinding force,coefficient of friction,grinding induced stress,subsurface damage depth,and abrasive wear during the grinding process.The results of grinding tests combined with cross-sectional transmission electron micrographs validated the simulated damage results,i.e.amorphous atoms,high-pressure phase transition,dislocations,stacking faults,and lattice distortions.The results of this study will deepen our understanding of damage accumulation and material removal resulting from coupling between abrasives during grinding and can be used to develop a feasible approach to the wheel design of ordered abrasives.

Optimization of colorectal cancer screening strategies: New insights

In this editorial,we discuss the article by Agatsuma et al.We concentrate specifically on the current routinely used screening tests recommended by society guidelines and delve into the significance of early diagnosis of colorectal cancer(CRC)and its substantial impact on both incidence and mortality rates.Screening is highly recommended,and an early diagnosis stands out as the most crucial predictor of survival for CRC patients.Therefore,it is essential to identify and address the barriers hindering adherence to screening measures,as these barriers can vary among different populations.Furthermore,we focus on screening strategy optimization by selecting high-risk groups.Patients with comorbidities who regularly visit hospitals have been diagnosed at an early stage,showing no significant difference compared to patients undergoing regular screening.This finding highlights the importance of extending screening measures to include patients with comorbidities who do not routinely visit the hospital.

Towards Sustainable Grinding of Difficult-to-Cut Alloys-A Holistic Review and Trends

Grinding,a critical precision machining process for difficult-to-cut alloys,has undergone continual technological advancements to improve machining efficiency.However,the sustainability of this process is gaining heightened attention due to significant challenges associated with the substantial specific grinding energy and the extensive heat generated when working with difficult-to-cut alloys,renowned for their exceptional physical and mechanical properties.In response to these challenges,the widespread application of massive coolant in manufacturing industries to dissipate grinding heat has led to complex post-cleaning and disposal processes.This,in turn,has resulted in issues such as large energy consumption,a considerable carbon footprint,and concerns related to worker health and safety,which have become the main factors that restrict the development of grinding technology.This paper provides a holistic review of sustainability in grinding difficult-to-cut alloys,encompassing current trends and future directions.The examination extends to developing grinding technologies explicitly tailored for these alloys,comprehensively evaluating their sustainability performance.Additionally,the exploration delves into innovative sustainable technologies,such as heat pipe/oscillating heat pipe grinding wheels,minimum quantity lubrication,cryogenic cooling,and others.These groundbreaking technologies aim to reduce dependence on hazardous coolants,minimizing energy and resource consumption and carbon emissions associated with coolant-related or subsequent disposal processes.The essence of these technologies lies in their potential to revolutionize traditional grinding practices,presenting environmentally friendly alternatives.Finally,future development trends and research directions are put forward to pursue the current limitation of sustainable grinding for difficult-to-cut alloys.This paper can guide future research and development efforts toward more environmentally friendly grinding operations by understanding the current state of sustainable grinding and identifying emerging trends.

Improving fatigue properties of normal direction ultrasonic vibration assisted face grinding Inconel 718 by regulating machined surface integrity

Fatigue properties are crucial for critical aero-engine components in extreme serviceenvironments,which are significantly affected by surface integrity(SI)indexes(especially surface topography,residual stressσ_(res),and microhardness)after machining processes.Normal-direction ultrasonic vibration-assisted face grinding(ND-UVAFG)has advantages in improving the machinability of Inconel 718,but there is a competitive relationship between higher compressiveσ_(res)and higher surface roughness R_(a)in affecting fatigue strength.The lack of a quantitative relationship between multiple SI indexes and fatigue strength makes theindeterminacy of a regulatory strategy for improving fatigue properties.In this work,a model of fatigue strength(σ_f)_(sur)considering multiple SI indexes was developed.Then,high-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on Inconel 718 samples with different SI characteristics,and the influence of ND-UVAFG process parameters on SI was analyzed.Based on SI indexes data,the(σ_f)_(sur)distribution in the grinding surface layer for ND-UVAFG Inconel 718 samples was determined using the developed model,and then the fatigue crack initiation(FCI)sites were furtherpredicted.The predicted FCI sites corresponded well with the experimental results,therebyverifying this model.A strategy for improving the fatigue life was proposed in this work,which was to transfer the fatigue source from the machined surface to the bulk material by controlling the SI indexes.Finally,a critical condition of SI indexes that FCI sites appeared on the surface or in bulk material was given by fitting the predicted results.According to the critical condition,an SI field where FCI sites appeared in the bulk material could be obtained.In this field,thefatigue life of Inconel 718 samples could be improved by approximately 140%.

High-performance grinding of ceramic matrix composites

Ceramic matrix composites(CMCs)are highly promising materials for the next generation of aero-engines.However,machining of CMCs suffers from low efficiency and poor surfacefinish,which presents an obstacle to their wider application.To overcome these problems,this study investigates high-efficiency deep grinding of CMCs,focusing on the effects of grinding depth.The results show that both the sur-face roughness and the depth of subsurface damage(SSD)are insensitive to grinding depth.The material removal rate can be increased sixfold by increasing the grinding depth,while the surface roughness and SSD depth increase by only about 10%.Moreover,it is found that the behavior of material removal is strongly dependent on grinding depth.As the grinding depth is increased,fibers are removed in smaller sizes,with thefiber length in chips being reduced by about 34%.However,too large a grinding depth will result in blockage by chip powder,which leads to a dramatic increase in the ratio of tangential to normal grinding forces.This study demonstrates that increasing the depth of cut is an effective approach to improve the machining efficiency of CMCs,while maintaining a good surfacefin-ish.It provides the basis for the further development of high-performance grinding methods for CMCs,which should facilitate their wider application.

From the perspective of experimental practice: High-throughput computational screening in photocatalysis

Photocatalysis,a critical strategy for harvesting sunlight to address energy demand and environmental concerns,is underpinned by the discovery of high-performance photocatalysts,thereby how to design photocatalysts is now generating widespread interest in boosting the conversion effi-ciency of solar energy.In the past decade,computational technologies and theoretical simulations have led to a major leap in the development of high-throughput computational screening strategies for novel high-efficiency photocatalysts.In this viewpoint,we started with introducing the challenges of photocatalysis from the view of experimental practice,especially the inefficiency of the traditional“trial and error”method.Sub-sequently,a cross-sectional comparison between experimental and high-throughput computational screening for photocatalysis is presented and discussed in detail.On the basis of the current experimental progress in photocatalysis,we also exemplified the various challenges associated with high-throughput computational screening strategies.Finally,we offered a preferred high-throughput computational screening procedure for pho-tocatalysts from an experimental practice perspective(model construction and screening,standardized experiments,assessment and revision),with the aim of a better correlation of high-throughput simulations and experimental practices,motivating to search for better descriptors.

Development and validation of a novel questionnaire regarding vision screening among preschool teachers in Malaysia

AIM:To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a knowledge,attitude,and practice questionnaire related to vision screening(KAP-VST)among preschool teachers in Malaysia.METHODS:The questionnaire was developed through a literature review and discussions with experts.Content and face validation were conducted by a panel of experts(n=10)and preschool teachers(n=10),respectively.A pilot study was conducted for construct validation(n=161)and test-retest reliability(n=60)of the newly developed questionnaire.RESULTS:Based on the content and face validation,71 items were generated,and 68 items were selected after exploratory factor analysis.The content validity index for items(I-CVI)score ranged from 0.8-1.0,and the content validity index for scale(S-CVI)/Ave was 0.99.Internal consistency was KR^(2)0=0.93 for knowledge,Cronbach’s alpha=0.758 for attitude,and Cronbach’s alpha=0.856 for practice.CONCLUSION:The KAP-VST is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing knowledge,attitude,and practice in relation to vision screening among preschool teachers in Malaysia.

Chronic Hepatitis B in Indian Americans: Lack of Screening and Poor Linkage to Care

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality in the United States (US) and globally. CHB disproportionately affects Asian Americans and many other immigrant minority populations, primarily owing to the high prevalence of CHB in their countries of origin. India is a country with a medium-to-high prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) (>2%) and has over 40 million people infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), with more than 115,000 deaths annually from HBV-related complications. Indian Americans are one of the largest immigrant populations in the US but remain underdiagnosed and poorly linked to clinical care. We, therefore, assessed the HBV prevalence and evaluated the linkage-to-care (LTC) among Indian Americans to develop strategic plans to reduce the impact of HBV in the US. Methods: Between April 2022 and January 2024, serologic screening and surveys were provided to 328 Indian American adults (age 20 - 80) in New York City. All participants were tested for a triple panel consisting of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B core IgG antibody (anti-HBc). A survey was conducted on the subjects chronically infected with HBV regarding their histories of infection. Self-administered questionnaires were employed to evaluate demographic and epidemiologic characteristics. Results: Of 328 screened and evaluated (246 males and 82 females), 10 (3.0%) were HBV-infected, 222 (67.7%) were susceptible to HBV, and 96 (29.3%) were immune. The prevalence of chronic HBV varied between the age groups: 4.6% (age 20 - 40), 3.4% (age 41 - 60), and 1.7% (age 61 - 80). Of 10 chronically infected, only two subjects had been previously diagnosed but were not engaged in care. Conclusion: HBV disproportionately affects Asian Americans, primarily owing to immigration from parts of the world where the disease is endemic. Indian Americans belong to an intermediate-risk group, with an HBV prevalence of >2%, but remain underdiagnosed and poorly linked to care. Our pilot study on Indian American populations, the first of its kind, demonstrates a 3% prevalence of CHB, none of whom are linked to care. In addition, this population has a high percentage of unimmune subjects, creating a large reservoir for future infection. With the growing population of Indian Americans, our findings can be used to develop community-based strategies for HBV screenings and LTC that target high-risk groups.

Enhanced extracellular production of alpha-lactalbumin from Bacillus subtilis through signal peptide and promoter screening

Alpha-lactalbumin(α-LA)is a major whey protein found in breast milk and plays a crucial role in the growth and development of infants.In this study,Bacillus subtilis RIK1285 harboring AprE signal peptide(SP)was selected as the original strain for the production ofα-LA.It was found thatα-LA was identified in the pellet after ultrasonic disruption and centrifugation instead of in the fermentation supernatant.The original strain most likely only producedα-LA intracellular,but not extracellular.To improve the expression and secretion ofα-LA in RIK1285,a library of 173 homologous SPs from the B.subtilis 168 genome was fused with target LALBA gene in the pBE-S vector and expressed extracellularly in RIK1285.SP YjcN was determined to be the best signal peptide.Bands in supernatant were observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and purified by nickel column to calculate the highest yield signal peptide.In addition,different promoters(P_(aprE),P_(43),and P_(glv))were compared and applied.The results indicated that the strain RIK1285-pBE-P_(glv)-YjcN-LALBA had the highestα-LA yield,reaching 122.04μg/mL.This study demonstrates successful expression and secretion of humanα-LA in B.subtilis and establishes a foundation for simulating breast milk for infant formulas and developing bioengineered milk.

Women Breast Cancer: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Factors Associated with Early Screening in the Municipality of Abomey-Calavi in Benin in 2018

Background: Breast cancer is the dominant cancer in women in both developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors associated with early breast cancer screening among women in the Municipality of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study with prospective data collection from October 1 to 8, 2018, involving 1740 women in the Municipality of Abomey-Calavi, aged 18 years or older and selected by WHO four-stage random cluster sampling. Consenting women who were mentally competent, 18 years of age or older at the time of the survey, and residing continuously in the Municipality of Abomey-Calavi for the last six months prior to the survey were included. On the other hand, women who belonged to a breast cancer prevention service, women in whom secondary screening was noted, or non-consenting women were not included. The initial minimum size was estimated by the Schwartz formula with a cluster effect of k = 2. Information was collected by questionnaire survey, entered with Epidata 3.1. Fr and analyzed with R Studio 3.5.1. software. Results: The mean age of the women surveyed was 32.0 ± 11.5 years with a range of 18 and 71 years. Regarding knowledge, the clinical manifestation known by the majority of women was the presence of a nodule (68.50%). In the series, 1308 (75.17%) declared having heard about breast cancer once before, either on the radio, television or from friends and 726 (55.50%) had heard about breast cancer screening. Five hundred and twelve (70.52%) of the 726 who had heard of breast cancer said they knew that breast cancer could be screened earlier. Breast self-examination was the most cited screening method (67.58%). The disease is of natural origin according to 37.84% of them. Regarding attitudes and practices, the prevalence of early breast cancer screening was 12.93%, of which 11.67% declared that they had checked themselves to know whether they were carriers of the disease or not. The main means of the early screening used was breast self-examination (85.78%). Factors associated with early breast cancer screening found in multivariate analysis were age (≤50 years), education level (increasingly higher), marital status (married/coupled), place of residence (downtown), and socioeconomic level (average/high). Conclusion: The frequency of early breast cancer screening among women is still low in the municipality of Abomey-Calavi, although they have a good knowledge of the disease. This raises the need to strengthen awareness of early breast cancer screening.

Universal newborn hearing screening program in Saudi Arabia: Current insight

Newborn hearing screening(NHS) programs are essential to identify hearing loss early in life and to improve outcomes in children. In Saudi Arabia, the national NHS program has been operational since 2016;however, few studies have evaluated its status, and none have covered all provinces across the country. This cross-sectional retrospective study provides an overview of the program's status across all provinces, focusing on screening coverage rates, referral/fail rates, and follow-up procedures. In 2021, 199,034 newborns were screened, with a coverage rate of 92.6% and an overall referral/fail rate of 1.87%. These performance measures provide a foundation for future progress and improvements. This study highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance the program's effectiveness and sustainability.

Effectiveness of Co-Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Macao SAR

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in Macao SAR despite the implementation of a cervical cancer screening program and HPV vaccination. To improve early detection, Macao SAR introduced HPV DNA testing alongside cytology (co-testing) as the primary screening method in 2019. This study evaluates the effectiveness of co-testing in identifying cervical precancerous lesions (CIN2+) compared to cytology alone. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of women aged 30 - 65 years who participated in the routine cervical cancer screening program in Macao SAR Primary Healthcare Centers from 2019 to 2022. Data from over 70,000 women were analyzed, comparing the detection rates of CIN2+ through co-testing and cytology alone. Women with abnormal cytology or positive HPV results were referred for colposcopy. Results: The introduction of co-testing led to a significant increase in the detection of CIN2+, particularly in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM) cytology results. Between 2019 and 2022, the percentage of women with ASCUS/NILM and any high-risk HPV (hrHPV) positive who were diagnosed with CIN2+ after colposcopy were 24%, 13%, 10% and 7.5% respectively. This highlights the ability of co-testing to identify high-risk individuals who would have been missed by cytology alone. Discussion: Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of co-testing in improving the sensitivity of cervical cancer screening in Macao SAR. The inclusion of HPV DNA testing allows for better risk stratification of women with ASCUS/NILM cytology, leading to more targeted referrals for colposcopy and timely detection of precancerous lesions. The initial high positive rate in 2019 (24%) might be attributed to the small sample size and potentially reflects a backlog of undiagnosed cases prior to co-testing implementation. Conclusion: The implementation of co-testing in Macao SAR’s cervical cancer screening program significantly improves the early detection of precancerous lesions, particularly in women with ambiguous cytology results. This proactive approach contributes to reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality and improving women’s health outcomes in Macao SAR.

Enhancing the Performance of Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes via Synergistic Effect of Defect Passivation and Dielectric Screening

Metal halide perovskites,particularly the quasi-two-dimensional perovskite subclass,have exhibited considerable potential for next-generation electroluminescent materials for lighting and display.Nevertheless,the presence of defects within these perovskites has a substantial influence on the emission efficiency and durability of the devices.In this study,we revealed a synergistic passivation mechanism on perovskite films by using a dual-functional compound of potassium bromide.The dual functional potassium bromide on the one hand can passivate the defects of halide vacancies with bromine anions and,on the other hand,can screen the charged defects at the grain boundaries with potassium cations.This approach effectively reduces the probability of carriers quenching resulting from charged defects capture and consequently enhances the radiative recombination efficiency of perovskite thin films,leading to a significant enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yield to near-unity values(95%).Meanwhile,the potassium bromide treatment promoted the growth of homogeneous and smooth film,facilitating the charge carrier injection in the devices.Consequently,the perovskite light-emitting diodes based on this strategy achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency of~21%and maximum luminance of~60,000 cd m^(-2).This work provides a deeper insight into the passivation mechanism of ionic compound additives in perovskite with the solution method.