Is it possible to foot reflexology for infants with sensorineural hearing loss?

Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and safe complementary therapy that works by massaging the reflex zones of the feet and exerts systemic or whole-body regulation through meridian nerve conduction.This therapy is commonly used in the treatment of various conditions such as autism and Parkinson's disease.However,there is limited reporting on the use of foot reflexology therapy for infants with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL).Currently,there is no definitive conclusion on how foot reflexology therapy can influence hearing.This editorial holds some guiding significance regarding this clinical issue.The aim is to present physiological evidence of how foot reflexology therapy can impact infants with SNHL,thereby enhancing clinician’s awareness of foot reflexology in treating infants with SNHL.

Current perspectives of viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis represents a major danger to public health,and is a globally leading cause of death.The five liver-specific viruses:Hepatitis A virus,hepatitis B virus,hepatitis C virus,hepatitis D virus,and hepatitis E virus,each have their own unique epidemiology,structural biology,transmission,endemic patterns,risk of liver complications,and response to antiviral therapies.There remain few options for treatment,in spite of the increasing prevalence of viral-hepatitiscaused liver disease.Furthermore,chronic viral hepatitis is a leading worldwide cause of both liver-related morbidity and mortality,even though effective treatments are available that could reduce or prevent most patients’complications.In 2016,the World Health Organization released its plan to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by the year 2030,along with a discussion of current gaps and prospects for both regional and global eradication of viral hepatitis.Today,treatment is sufficiently able to prevent the disease from reaching advanced phases.However,future therapies must be extremely safe,and should ideally limit the period of treatment necessary.A better understanding of pathogenesis will prove beneficial in the development of potential treatment strategies targeting infections by viral hepatitis.This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on each type of viral hepatitis,together with major innovations.

Slope-climbing of cropland and its effects in China

In recent decades,the spatio-temporal patterns of China’s croplands have been reshaped by disturbances from anthropogenic activities,with complex changes in the topographic characteristics of croplands.Slope-climbing of croplands(SCCL)is an important issue that threatens sustainable agricultural development.While providing land with prominent location advantages,SCCL weakens the water and fertilizer retention capacity for cropland,intensifies various geological disasters,and adversely affects the ecological environment and food yield of these croplands.It is crucial to determine the spatio-temporal variation features and effects of SCCL in China to formulate more accurate cropland protection policies and to maintain food security;however,the current lack of relevant studies is detrimental for capturing trends in cropland resources and sustainable cropland use.In this study,we constructed a multi-scale slope spectrum for cropland and total terrain to explore the spatial differences and trends of SCCL from a three-dimensional view.We evaluated the natural and socioeconomic effects of SCCL in China from multiple perspectives.Results indicate that the proportion of cropland with slopes below 2°,5°,and 6°in China decreased by 0.43%,0.47%,and 0.50%from 1980 to 2020,respectively.SCCL became apparent during 1980-1990 and 2010-2020,especially over the recent decade.The cropland climbing index(CCI)and upper limited slope change(ULSC)to measure the spatio-temporal pattern of SCCL were 0.99%and 1.17°,respectively,during 2010-2020.At the agricultural regional scale,the SCCL was also concentrated in 1980-1990 and 2010-2020,and it is more pronounced in the southern areas.The proportion of provinces and prefecture-level cities with high-intensity SCCL during 1980-2020 were 87.10%and 49.73%,respectively.SCCL was comparatively more pronounced and broader from 2010 to 2020.During this period,17.84%of prefecture-level cities had no SCCL,and the average CCI for all prefecture-level cities peaked at 1.62%.In this study,we also evaluated the pros and cons of SCCL and provided targeted suggestions for decision makers and farmers to refine cropland protection policy systems and further develop the sustainable use of croplands.

Recent advances and perspectives of zinc metal-free anodes for zinc ion batteries

Zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs) are recognized as potential energy storage devices due to their advantages of low cost, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, zinc anodes are subject to unavoidable zinc dendrites, passivation, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution reactions during the charging and discharging of batteries, becoming obstacles to the practical application of ZIBs. Appropriate zinc metal-free anodes provide a higher working potential than metallic zinc anodes, effectively solving the problems of zinc dendrites, hydrogen evolution, and side reactions during the operation of metallic zinc anodes. The improvement in the safety and cycle life of batteries creates conditions for further commercialization of ZIBs. Therefore, this work systematically introduces the research progress of zinc metal-free anodes in “rocking chair” ZIBs. Zinc metal-free anodes are mainly discussed in four categories: transition metal oxides,transition metal sulfides, MXene(two dimensional transition metal carbide) composites, and organic compounds, with discussions on their properties and zinc storage mechanisms. Finally, the outlook for the development of zinc metal-free anodes is proposed. This paper is expected to provide a reference for the further promotion of commercial rechargeable ZIBs.

Assessment of public perspectives and barriers towards dengue preventive practices using the Health Belief Model in Puducherry,India:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To assess the perspectives and barriers towards dengue preventive practices among the residents of Puducherry,India.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 300 households in Puducherry,using a population-proportionate(7:3)distribution from urban and rural areas by grid sampling.One adult interview per household was conducted and the participants were selected using a KISH grid.A semi-structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model(HBM)with additional questions on knowledge assessment was used.Knowledge was assessed based on the correctness of answers and the HBM scores were calculated on a 5-point Likert scale.Participants were categorized based on the median score under each domain.Logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis and models were built to predict the performances in each domain.Results:Four percent of the participants lacked basic knowledge regarding dengue transmission.While 208(69.3%)participants did not consider themselves at risk of contracting dengue within the next year,majority perceived dengue as a disease with low severity.Around 49.3%(148)were skeptical about the benefit of time and money spent on dengue prevention.Inadequate government efforts were stated as the major barrier(47.0%)and frequent reminders(142,47.3%)as the major cue to action.Age above 50 years(aOR 1.78,95%CI 1.04-3.06,P=0.037)and rural locality(aOR 2.68,95%CI 1.52-4.71,P=0.001)were found to be significantly associated with poor knowledge scores.Urban participants had a significantly higher chance to perceive low susceptibility as compared to the rural counterparts(aOR 1.74,95%CI 1.05-2.9,P=0.03).Participants with less than a high school education had low perceived benefits(aOR 2.46,95%CI 1.52-3.96,P<0.001)and low self-efficacy scores(aOR 2.66,95%CI 1.61-4.39,P<0.001).Conclusions:This study identifies key gaps in dengue prevention,including low perceived susceptibility,mild disease perception,limited knowledge of breeding sites,and overreliance on government efforts.Tailoring interventions to community needs,stratified to factors influencing the community perspectives can significantly improve dengue prevention efforts.

Thermodynamics-directed bulk/grain-boundary engineering for superior electrochemical durability of Ni-rich cathode

Introducing high-valence Ta element is an essential strategy for addressing the structu ral deterioration of the Ni-rich LiNi_(1-x-y)Co_(x)Mn_(y)O_(2)(NCM)cathode,but the enlarged Li/Ni cation mixing leads to the inferior rate capability originating from the hindered Li~+migration.Note that the non-magnetic Ti~(4+)ion can suppress Li/Ni disorder by removing the magnetic frustration in the transition metal layer.However,it is still challenging to directionally design expected Ta/Ti dual-modification,resulting from the complexity of the elemental distribution and the uncertainty of in-situ formed coating compounds by introducing foreign elements.Herein,a LiTaO_3 grain boundary(GB)coating and bulk Ti-doping have been successfully achieved in LiNi_(0.834)Co_(0.11)Mn_(0.056)O_(2) cathode by thermodynamic guidance,in which the structural formation energy and interfacial binding energy are employed to predict the elemental diffusion discrepancy and thermodynamically stable coating compounds.Thanks to the coupling effect of strengthened structural/interfacial stability and improved Li~+diffusion kinetics by simultaneous bulk/GB engineering,the Ta/Ti-NCM cathode exhibits outstanding capacity retention,reaching 91.1%after 400 cycles at 1 C.This elaborate work contributes valuable insights into rational dual-modification engineering from a thermodynamic perspective for maximizing the electrochemical performances of NCM cathodes.

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.

Advanced Design of Soft Robots with Artificial Intelligence

In recent years,breakthrough has been made in the field of artificial intelligence(AI),which has also revolutionized the industry of robotics.Soft robots featured with high-level safety,less weight,lower power consumption have always been one of the research hotspots.Recently,multifunctional sensors for perception of soft robotics have been rapidly developed,while more algorithms and models of machine learning with high accuracy have been optimized and proposed.Designs of soft robots with AI have also been advanced ranging from multimodal sensing,human-machine interaction to effective actuation in robotic systems.Nonethe-less,comprehensive reviews concerning the new developments and strategies for the ingenious design of the soft robotic systems equipped with AI are rare.Here,the new development is systematically reviewed in the field of soft robots with AI.First,background and mechanisms of soft robotic systems are briefed,after which development focused on how to endow the soft robots with AI,including the aspects of feeling,thought and reaction,is illustrated.Next,applications of soft robots with AI are systematically summarized and discussed together with advanced strategies proposed for performance enhancement.Design thoughts for future intelligent soft robotics are pointed out.Finally,some perspectives are put forward.

Student Academic Performance Predictive Model Based on Dual-stream Deep Network

Blended teaching is one of the essential teaching methods with the development of information technology.Constructing a learning effect evaluation model is helpful to improve students’academic performance and helps teachers to better implement course teaching.However,a lack of evaluation models for the fusion of temporal and non-temporal behavioral data leads to an unsatisfactory evaluation effect.To meet the demand for predicting students’academic performance through learning behavior data,this study proposes a learning effect evaluation method that integrates expert perspective indicators to predict academic performance by constructing a dual-stream network that combines temporal behavior data and non-temporal behavior data in the learning process.In this paper,firstly,the Delphi method is used to analyze and process the course learning behavior data of students and establish an effective evaluation index system of learning behavior with universality;secondly,the Mann-Whitney U-test and the complex correlation analysis are used to analyze further and validate the evaluation indexes;and lastly,a dual-stream information fusion model,which combines temporal and non-temporal features,is established.The learning effect evaluation model is built,and the results of the mean absolute error(MAE)and root mean square error(RMSE)indexes are 4.16 and 5.29,respectively.This study indicates that combining expert perspectives for evaluation index selection and further fusing temporal and non-temporal behavioral features that for learning effect evaluation and prediction is rationality,accuracy,and effectiveness,which provides a powerful help for the practical application of learning effect evaluation and prediction.

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.

Adsorption behavior of CO_(2)/H_(2)S mixtures in calcite slit nanopores for CO_(2) storage:An insight from molecular perspective

It is acknowledged that injecting CO_(2) into oil reservoirs and saline aquifers for storage is a practical and affordable method for CO_(2) sequestration.Most CO_(2) produced from industrial exhaust contains impurity gases such as H_(2)S that might impact CO_(2) sequestration due to competitive adsorption.This study makes a commendable effort to explore the adsorption behavior of CO_(2)/H_(2)S mixtures in calcite slit nanopores.Grand Canonical Monte Carlo(GCMC)simulation is employed to reveal the adsorption of CO_(2),H_(2)S as well as their binary mixtures in calcite nanopores.Results show that the increase in pressure and temperature can promote and inhibit the adsorption capacity of CO_(2) and H_(2)S in calcite nanopores,respectively.CO_(2)exhibits stronger adsorption on calcite surface than H_(2)S.Electrostatic energy plays the dominating role in the adsorption behavior.Electrostatic energy accounts for 97.11%of the CO_(2)-calcite interaction energy and 56.33%of the H_(2)S-calcite interaction energy at 10 MPa and 323.15 K.The presence of H_(2)S inhibits the CO_(2) adsorption in calcite nanopores due to competitive adsorption,and a higher mole fraction of H_(2)S leads to less CO_(2) adsorption.The quantity of CO_(2) adsorbed is lessened by approximately 33%when the mole fraction of H_(2)S reaches 0.25.CO_(2) molecules preferentially occupy the regions near the po re wall and H_(2)S molecules tend to reside at the center of nanopore even when the molar ratio of CO_(2) is low,indicating that CO_(2) has an adsorption priority on the calcite surface over H_(2)S.In addition,moisture can weaken the adsorption of both CO_(2) and H_(2)S,while CO_(2) is more affected.More interestingly,we find that pure CO_(2) is more suitable to be sequestrated in the shallower formations,i.e.,500-1500 m,whereas CO_(2)with H_(2)S impurity should be settled in the deeper reservoirs.

Research on Early Warning of Banking Crises from the Perspective of Credit Structures

The relationship between credit expansion and banking crises is complex and cannot be fully explained by total credit alone.A systematic analysis of the relationship between the amount and structure of total credit and banking crises is important for an objective prediction of the influence of potential financial risks.This paper,drawing on data from 15 selected countries,delves into the power of credit indicators in the early warning of banking crises from the perspectives of industrial structure,sector structure,and term structure of credit.Various machine learning methods were used,including Logistic Regression,Random Forest,Decision Tree,Support Vector Machine(SVM),Bagging,and Boosting models.The empirical findings indicate that credit expansion plays a crucial role in triggering banking crises.However,total credit is better suited for the early warning of short-term banking crises,whereas credit structure is more useful for the early warning of long-term banking crises.Moreover,in an early warning system,identifying key early warning indicators is more meaningful than merely increasing the number of indicators.Machine learning can somewhat enhance the early warning power,but it may not always be robust.Therefore,more attention should be paid to potential systemic banking crises resulting from an imbalance in credit structure while regulating the total credit threshold.

Linking Perceived Risk of Public Health Emergency to Psychological Distress among Chinese College Students: The Chain Mediation Role of Balanced Time Perspective and Negative Coping Styles

Background:With public health emergencies(PHE)worldwide increasing,the perceived risk of PHE has been one of the critical factors influencing college students’psychological distress.However,the mechanisms by which the perceived risk of PHE affects college students’psychological distress are not clear.The study’s purpose was to investigate the mediation roles of deviation from a balanced time perspective(DBTP)and negative coping styles between the perceived risk of PHE and psychological distress.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to survey 1054 Chinese college students with self-reporting.Data was collected using the Public Risk Perception Scale(PRPS),the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory(ZTPI),the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire(SCSQ),the PHE Anxiety Scale,and the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ).The associations between the perceived risk of PHE,DBTP,negative coping styles,and psychological distress were clarified using the correlation analysis.Additionally,the mediating roles of DBTP and negative coping styles between the perceived risk of PHE and psychological distress were investigated using a structural equation model.Results:The findings revealed low to moderate correlations between the variables studied.Students’perceived risk of PHE was a positive predictor of their psychological distress(b=0.219,p<0.01).DBTP and negative coping styles played chain mediation roles between them with the effect being 0.009 and a 95%Boot CI of[0.003,0.023].This chain mediation model had an excellent fit index(χ^(2)/df=4.732,CFI=0.973,TLI=0.930,RMSEA=0.048,SRMR=0.047).Conclusion:These findings showed how the perceived risk of PHE affected college students’psychological distress.Specifically,these results suggested that improving students’mental ability to switch effectively among different time perspectives depending on task features and situational considerations and reducing their negative coping styles might be effective ways to promote their mental health.

Operation optimization strategy of existing residential building energy-saving renovation market:From the perspective of subject behavior

The energy-saving renovation of existing residential buildings is a crucial measure to achieve the strategic goal of energy conservation and emission reduction in China and build ecologically livable cities.This article focuses on the perspective of subject behavior,starting from analyzing the current situation and difficulties of the operation of the energy-saving renovation market for existing residential buildings in China,drawing on the practical experience of the operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market abroad.Based on principles such as systematicity,humanization,feasibility,and sustainability,the article constructs an operation optimization system of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market from the perspective of subject behavior.In order to provide a reference for the healthy and orderly operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market,this paper proposes implementation strategies for optimizing the operation of the existing residential building energy-saving renovation market.Suggestions are proposed from four aspects:optimizing the market environment,innovating the financing model,building the information sharing platform,and utilizing the synergies of the main subjects.

Moral Perspective as Depicted in the Archetypes on Divine-Human Perspective of Dianshizhai Pictorial

This article examines the archetypes related to the divine-human perspective in the Dianshizhai Pictorial and uses the basic theory of“Myth-Archetype Criticism”to analyze the concepts of moral perspective and the view of cause and effect reflected in the text.It summarizes the interactive modes and various archetypes of cause and effect in three contexts:gods to humans,humans to gods,and humans to humans,explores the social reality and the relevant views of moral perspective and causality reflected in the illustrated magazine,and reveals the archetype foundation of the narrative of moral perspective retribution in Dianshizhai Pictorial in the three dimensions of psychology,literature,and society.

Mistreatment during Childbirth: Impact on Maternal Outcomes and Importance of Provider Perspectives

Background: Dying in childbirth is one of the most common causes of death for women. While maternal mortality rates, defined as deaths per 100,000 live births, have been steadily dropping in most countries worldwide, maternal mortality rates have doubled in the United States in the last twenty years. This commentary examines the various contributing factors to this trend. Methods: A literature review was performed using the keywords: maternal mortality, United States, disrespectful maternity care, obstetric violence, provider perspectives, and disparities. Maternal mortality statistics were obtained from the World Health Organization website. Results: Medical factors associated with maternal mortality include increased maternal age and cardiovascular conditions. Social factors include barriers to healthcare access, delays in receiving medical care, reduction in reproductive health services in some states, and non-obstetrical deaths such as accidents, domestic violence, and suicide. Racial inequities and disparities of care are reflected in higher maternal mortality rates for minorities and people of color. Disrespectful maternity care or obstetric violence has been reported worldwide as a factor in delay of lifesaving obstetrical care and reluctance by a pregnant person to access the healthcare system. About one in five US women has reported experiencing mistreatment, varying from verbal abuse to lack of privacy, from coerced procedures to neglect during childbirth. Conclusion: This commentary highlights the importance of inclusion of providers in research on respectful maternity care. Provider burnout, moral distress, limited time, and burden of clinical responsibilities are known challenges to respectful and comprehensive medical care. The association of disrespectful care with poor maternal outcomes needs to be studied. Exploring root causes of disrespectful childbirth care can empower nurses, midwives, and physicians to improve their environment and find solutions to reduce a potential cause of maternal mortality.

Surgeon Perspectives on Anastomotic Leaks and FluidAI’s StreamTM Platform: Integrating Qualitative Insights for Technological Innovation

Purpose: This article investigates the critical importance of integrating surgeons’ direct input into the development of innovative technologies that address gaps in surgical care, including those aimed at reducing anastomotic leaks (AL), a major complication in gastrointestinal surgery. While traditional quantitative research methods are prevalent, they often overlook the invaluable insights of the surgeons who manage these complications firsthand. Subjects and Methods: This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 40 surgeons from various specialties, including general, bariatric, colorectal, trauma, hepato-biliary, and thoracic surgery. The interviews were designed to probe the needs of surgeons, challenges currently faced, and gaps in clinical practice, research, and technology for detection and/or management of AL. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which revealed significant gaps in current technologies for early detection and prevention of leaks. Results: Surgeons expressed strong interest in FluidAI’s Stream™ Platform, a non-invasive medical device designed to monitor postoperative drainage fluid in real-time, providing continuous data on AL risk. The ability of this platform to offer early prediction through pH and electrical conductivity analysis was particularly appealing to participants, who emphasized the importance of timely interventions in improving patient outcomes. The study’s findings highlight not only the clinical challenges but also the emotional toll that AL takes on surgeons, underlining the need for innovations that are both data-driven and humanistic. Conclusion: By centering surgeons’ perspectives, this research advocates for a human-centered approach to technological advancement, ensuring that new tools are both clinically effective and aligned with the real-world needs of surgical practitioners.

Access to Financial Services——An Analysis from the Human Rights Perspective

There is a broad connection between finance and human rights,with finance having both positive and negative impacts on human rights.Everyone has a need for access to financial services.Documents in both the international human rights and international finance fields address the relationship between financial services and human rights.Among financial services,microcredit and inclusive finance have the closest connection to human rights and potentially the greatest impact on human rights.Access to financial services promotes economic,social,and cultural rights as well as the rights of specific groups.The conditions for access to financial services to promote human rights require the state to assume obligations to recognize,respect,protect,and fulfill the need for individuals to access financial services,and to ensure the availability,accessibility,acceptability,and adaptability of basic financial services.Access to financial services has played a significant role in China’s comprehensive victory in the battle of poverty alleviation,providing valuable experience for the international community in poverty eradication,achieving sustainable development goals,and protecting and promoting human rights.

A Research Conception on Indigenous Chinese Leadership:Based on Comparative Case Studies on Political Elites in Ancient China

Due to the complexity of leadership and its variability across situations,it is suggested that research on leadership should focus on attempts to understand leadership in specific situations or roles,and develop local knowledge about leadership in each situation or role.This paper validates the possibility and importance of building indigenous leadership theories from historical perspective.We demonstrated how to carry out research on indigenous Chinese leadership from a historical perspective by comparative case studies using historical data.Based on the principles of typicalness,representativeness,and comparativeness,we selected six counterparts of political elites in ancient China as comparative cases,which includes Guan Zhong&Shang Yang(organizational reformer),Liu Bang&Xiang Yu(entrepreneur),Li Shimin&Qin Shihuang(intergenerational transition successor),Zhuge Liang&Zeng Guofan(professional manager),Lu Su&Zhang Juzheng(mess-to-order maker),and Zuo Zongtang&Wang Anshi(national dream driver).The paper aims to develop indigenous leadership theory specific to Chinese mental states and culture.

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.