Can Consumers Live up to Expectations?

Headroom for consumption The government is increasingly looking to consumers to sustain growth.With return on credit-driven investment diminishing and a worsening foreign trade environment,the government recently introduced several measures to support consumption,including lowering the tax burden on low-income groups.We think Chinese consumers have great potential to spend more on goods and services,and policies aimed at reducing income disparity,improving housing affordability and strengthening social security could facilitate a transition toward a consumption-led economy.

Non-Deterministic Liveness-Enforcing Supervisor Tolerant to Sensor-Reading Modification Attacks

In this paper, we study the supervisory control problem of discrete event systems assuming that cyber-attacks might occur. In particular, we focus on the problem of liveness enforcement and consider a sensor-reading modification attack(SM-attack) that may disguise the occurrence of an event as that of another event by intruding sensor communication channels. To solve the problem, we introduce non-deterministic supervisors in the paper, which associate to every observed sequence a set of possible control actions offline and choose a control action from the set randomly online to control the system. Specifically, given a bounded Petri net(PN) as the reference formalism and an SMattack, an algorithm that synthesizes a liveness-enforcing nondeterministic supervisor tolerant to the SM-attack is proposed for the first time.

Liver transplantation and resection in patients with hepatocellular cancer and portal vein tumor thrombosis: Feasible and effective?

Patients with locally advanced hepatocellular cancer(HCC)and portal vein tumor thrombosis(PVTT)have a dismal prognosis since limited treatment options are available for them.In recent years,effective systemic therapy,and advances in the understanding of technicalities and effectiveness of ablative therapies especially radiotherapy,have given some hope to prolong survival in them.This review summarized recent evidence in literature regarding the possible role of liver resection(LR)and liver transplantation(LT)in patients with locally advanced HCC and PVTT with no extrahepatic disease.Downstaging therapies have helped make curative resection or LT a reality in selected patients.This review emphasizes on the key points to focus on when considering surgery in these patients,who are usually relegated to palliative systemic therapy alone.Meticulous patient selection based on tumor biology,documented downstaging based on imaging and decrease in tumor marker levels,and an adequate waiting period to demonstrate stable disease,may help obtain satisfactory long-term outcomes post LR or LT in an intention to treat strategy in patients with HCC and PVTT.

Multiplexed stimulated emission depletion nanoscopy(mSTED)for 5-color live-cell long-term imaging of organelle interactome

Stimulated emission depletion microscopy(STED)holds great potential in biological science applications,especially in studying nanoscale subcellular structures.However,multi-color STED imaging in live-cell remains challenging due to the limited excitation wavelengths and large amount of laser radiation.Here,we develop a multiplexed live-cell STED method to observe more structures simultaneously with limited photo-bleaching and photo-cytotoxicity.By separating live-cell fluorescent probes with similar spectral properties using phasor analysis,our method enables five-color live-cell STED imaging and reveals long-term interactions between different subcellular structures.The results here provide an avenue for understanding the complex and delicate interactome of subcellular structures in live-cell.

A Study on the Factors Influencing Consumer Purchase Decision Under the Live-Streaming Sales Model

In recent years,with the rapid development and popularization of Internet information technology,many new media platforms have risen rapidly,and major e-commerce companies have begun to explore the mode of livestreaming.Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,due to the lockdown,live-streaming has become an important means of economic development in many places.Owing to its remarkable characteristics of timeliness,entertainment,and interactivity,it has become the latest and trendiest sales mode of e-commerce channels,reflecting huge economic potential and commercial value.This article analyzes two models and their characteristics of live-streaming sales from a practical perspective.Based on this,it outlines consumer purchasing decisions and the factors that affect consumer purchasing decisions under the live-streaming sales model.Finally,it discusses targeted suggestions for using the live-streaming sales model to expand the consumer market,hoping to promote the healthy and steady development of the live-streaming sales industry.

Do Larger and Older Individuals Occupy Better Areas in the Colony of Qinghai Toad-headed Agamas?

Group living reduces the chances of predation.This is also true for burrowing animals,which use burrows as refuges to escape predators.Living in the center of a colony is the safest because it offers access to the greatest number of burrows;however,it is stressful due to frequent aggressive interactions there.We predicted that larger and older animals should occupy areas of a colony with a higher density of burrows than smaller and younger ones.To test this prediction,we observed individually marked Qinghai toad-headed agamas(Phynocephalus vlangalii)from a single colony late in the breeding season when females were gravid.Density of burrows was the highest and distance between them the shortest in the center of the colony.Aggressive encounters were more frequent in the central part of the colony than on its periphery.We found a negative correlation between body size and distance to the center of the colony for females,but not for males.There was no such correlation between age of individuals and distance to the center of the colony.Females in this species likely compete with other females and males for central burrows in the colony even after mating season finishes.We suggest that gravid females likely compete for the dense burrows within the central part of the colony mainly due to their relatively lower sprint speed and higher probability of being caught by a predator if they are not refuged in a burrow.

Pregnancy outcomes following supplementation of single dose GnRH agonist to sustain the luteal phase in antagonist fresh embryo transfer cycles:A multicentric prospective cohort study

Objective:To determine whether a single dose of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)agonist administered subcutaneously in addition to the regular progesterone supplementation could provide a better luteal support in antagonist protocol fresh embryo transfer cycles.Methods:This prospective,multicentric,cohort study included total 140 women,70 in each group.Controlled ovarian stimulation was carried out as per fixed GnRH antagonist protocol.The trigger was given with hCG.In vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)was performed and day-3 embryos were transferred.Patients were divided into groups 1 and 2 based on computer generated randomization sheet.Six days following oocyte retrieval,group 1 received 0.2 mg decapeptyl subcutaneously in addition to regular progesterone support while group 2 received progesterone only.Luteal support was given for 14 days to both groups;if pregnancy was confirmed luteal support was continued till 12 weeks of gestation.The clinical pregnancy rate was the primary outcome.The implantation rate,miscarriage rate,live birth delivery rate,and multiple pregnancy rates were the secondary outcomes.Results:A total of 140 patients were analysed,70 in each group.Clinical pregnancy rates(47.1%vs.35.7%;P=0.17),implantation rates(23.4%vs.18.1%,P=0.24),live birth delivery rates(41.4%vs.27.1%,P=0.08),and multiple pregnancy rates(21.2%vs.16.0%,P=0.74)were higher in group 1 than in group 2.Group 1 had a lower miscarriage rate than group 2(5.7%vs.8.6%;P=0.75).However,these differences were not statistically significant between the two groups.Conclusions:Administration of a single dose of GnRH agonist in addition to regular natural micronized vaginal progesterone as luteal support in GnRH antagonist protocol cycles marginally improves implantation rates,clinical pregnancy rates,and live birth delivery rates.However,more studies with higher sample sizes are needed before any conclusive statements about GnRH agonist as luteal phase support can be made.

Does Lower Dose of Long-acting Triptorelin Maintain Pituitary Suppression and Produce Good Live Birth Rate in Long Down-regulation Protocol for In-vitro Fertilization?

The effects of pituitary suppression with one-third depot of long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone（Gn RH） agonist in Gn RH agonist long protocol for in vitro fertilization（IVF）/intracytoplasmic sperm injection（ICSI） were investigated. A retrospective cohort study was performed on 3186 cycles undergoing IVF/ICSI with Gn RH agonist long protocol in a university-affiliated infertility center. The pituitary was suppressed with depot triptorelin of 1.25 mg or 1.875 mg. There was no significant difference in live birth rate between 1.25 mg triptorelin group and 1.875 mg triptorelin group（41.2% vs. 43.7%）. The mean luteinizing hormone（LH） level on follicle-stimulating hormone（FSH） starting day was significantly higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. The mean LH level on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin（h CG） administration was slightly but statistically higher in 1.25 mg triptorelin group. There was no significant difference in the total FSH dose between the two groups. The number of retrieved oocytes was slightly but statistically less in 1.25 mg triptorelin group than in 1.875 mg triptorelin group（12.90±5.82 vs. 13.52±6.97）. There was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups（50.5% vs. 54.5%）. It was suggested that one-third depot triptorelin can achieve satisfactory pituitary suppression and produce good live birth rates in a long protocol for IVF/ICSI.

Impact of Sharp Fluctuations of Live Pig Prices on Financial Capacity of Pig Breeding Enterprises : An Analysis Based on the Data of Listed Enterprises from 2018 to 2021

Based on the general equilibrium theory of microeconomics,this study first analyzed the causes of sharp fluctuations in live pig prices,and then explored the financial capabilities of enterprises during the sharp fluctuations of live pig prices by using the financial data of 4 typical top listed enterprises from 2018 to 2021.By comparing the changes in the capabilities of enterprises,the impact of price on the financial capability of enterprises and differences were identified.The research results showed that the price of live pigs played a decisive role in enterprise profits,and there were huge differences in the fluctuation period.In the sharp increase period of price,price temptation is easy to cause enterprises to over-invest,resulting in excessive growth of enterprise assets,and increasing the business risk of enterprises.Based on the above conclusions,some policy suggestions were put forward to promote the stable development of industry from the three levels of enterprises,industries and government departments.

Xiao-Ping Chen:the“Master of the Scalpel”who saves lives by entering the forbidden territory of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery

In his 50 years of practice,he has performed more than 20,000 hepatopancreatobiliary surgeries,being the first one to propose the concept of the“auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation”internationally.Furthermore,he developed the“Chen's inserting biliary-enteric anastomosis and pancreato-enteric anastomosis,”“Chen's hepatic vascular occlusion,”“Chen's liver double-hanging maneuver,”and“Chen's hepatic vascular occlusion without liver portal dissection.”He also popularized these theories and techniques both in China and worldwide.His name is Xiao-Ping Chen,an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and honorary president of the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

Implications of Planting Southern Live Oak Trees in the Wrong Urban Space in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana United States

Afforestation has been observed as a green trend in urban areas. The incorporation of trees in urban infrastructure is highly recommended to act as a solution to outlined environmental problems such as global warming. However, it has been precipitously introduced in cities, towns, and metropolitans. The introduction of the green practice was so abrupt that it became devoid to meeting the essential needs for tree growth, thus, failing to bring out the desired effects. Inappropriately selecting and planting trees in urban spaces has resulted in stressed trees that are deficient at reaching up to the calculated goals and in the long run end up being problematic. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the implications of planting southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) trees in the wrong urban space so as to aid in recommending sustainable green solutions for the urban community. By studying southern live oaks planted in Howell Community Park and three randomly selected areas in Southern University Baton Rouge Campus, this study analyzes how the selection of these tree species in the urban spaces influenced their growth and general well-being. These urban spaces were randomly drafted based on accessibility and availability of several southern live oaks. Planting approaches in the four study areas were explored and the general health condition of the trees was determined using the tree appraisal method presented by the i-tree model: my tree. ArcGIS collector was used to collect the GPS coordinates of the trees and ArcMap was used to generate the maps of the study areas. ArcMap software geolocated the coordinates of the southern live oaks in all the four-study areas. The software was used to generate shapefiles of the four study areas and their location in East Baton Rouge. The analysis of the results proved that none of the southern live oaks had an excellent health condition and most of the trees experienced different issues due to planting them in the wrong urban spaces.

Assessing the role of forest resources in improving rural livelihoods in West Bengal of India

Forest resources play a vital role in supporting the livelihoods of rural communities residing in forest-rich areas.In India,a forest-rich country,a significant proportion of non-timber forest products(NTFPs)is consumed locally,supporting numerous rural communities relying on forests for essential resources,such as firewood,timber,and NTFPs.This study focuses on two forest-dominant districts in West Bengal of India,namely,Jhargram District and Paschim Medinipur District.Furthermore,this study aims to enhance the understanding of forest-dependent communities by comparing the standard of living among different village classes.Thus,we categorized villages into three classes based on the distance from home to forests,including inner villages,fringe villages,and outer villages.Through focus group discussions and household surveys,we explored the sources of local economy,income sources of household,and reasons for economic diversification in different village classes.The study findings confirm that substantial variations existed in the income sources and the standard of living in these villages.Forest income varied dramatically among the three village classes,with inner villages having greater forest income than fringe villages and outer villages.Meanwhile,households in outer villages depended on forests and engaged in diverse economic activities for their livelihoods.Compared with inner and fringe villages,households in outer villages derived a significant portion of their income from livestock.This discrepancy can be attributed to challenges,such as inadequate transportation,communication,and underdeveloped market chains in inner villages.Moreover,these findings emphasize the need to develop sustainable forest management practices,create alternative income-generation opportunities,and improve infrastructure and market access in inner villages,as well as promote economic diversification in outer villages.Through targeted policy measures,these forest-rich regions can achieve improved livelihoods,enhanced standard of living,and increased resilience for their communities.

Associations of PNPLA3 and LEP genetic polymorphisms with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in Thai people living with human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is a growing public health issue in people living with human immunodeficiency virus(PLWH).However,the pathophysiology of MAFLD is still unknown,and the role of genetic variables is only now becoming evident.AIM To evaluate the associations of gene-polymorphism-related MAFLD in PLWH.METHODS The study employed transient elastography with a controlled attenuation parameter≥248 dB/m to identify MAFLD in patients from a Super Tertiary Hospital in central Thailand.Candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were genotyped using TaqMan®MGB probe 5'nuclease assays for seven MAFLD-related genes.Statistical analyses included SNP frequency analysis,Fisher's Exact and Chi-square tests,odds ratio calculations,and multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS The G-allele carriers of PNPLA3(rs738409)exhibited a two-fold rise in MAFLD,increasing by 2.5 times in MAFLD with human immunodeficiency virus infection.The clinical features and genetic patterns imply that LEP rs7799039 A-allele carriers had a nine times(P=0.001)more significant chance of developing aberrant triglyceride among PLWH.CONCLUSION The current study shows an association between PNPLA3 rs738409 and LEP rs7799039 with MAFLD in PLWH.

Pros and cons of live kidney donation in prediabetics: A critical review and way forward

There is shortage of organs,including kidneys,worldwide.Along with deceased kidney transplantation,there is a significant rise in live kidney donation.The prevalence of prediabetes(PD),including impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance,is on the rise across the globe.Transplant teams frequently come across prediabetic kidney donors for evaluation.Prediabetics are at risk of diabetes,chronic kidney disease,cardiovascular events,stroke,neuropathy,retinopathy,dementia,depression and nonalcoholic liver disease along with increased risk of all-cause mortality.Unfortunately,most of the studies done in prediabetic kidney donors are retrospective in nature and have a short follow up period.There is lack of prospective long-term studies to know about the real risk of complications after donation.Furthermore,there are variations in recommendations from various guidelines across the globe for donations in prediabetics,leading to more confusion among clinicians.This increases the responsibility of transplant teams to take appropriate decisions in the best interest of both donors and recipients.This review focuses on pathophysiological changes of PD in kidneys,potential complications of PD,other risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes,a review of guidelines for kidney donation,the potential role of diabetes risk score and calculator in kidney donors and the way forward for the evaluation and selection of prediabetic kidney donors.

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: HIV-HBV co-infection is a major public health problem that has not been sufficiently explored in the Central African workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HIV-HBV co-infection among people who living with HIV (PLHIV) in the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de lAmiti Sino-Centrafricaine in Bangui. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021 in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at the Amiti Sino-Centrafricaine University Hospital. It included the files of all PLHIV, which included the results of HBV serology. A standardized form was used to collect socio-demographic and professional data by documentary review. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 7 software. Means, proportions were calculated as well as Chi square witch was significant if p-value was below 0.05. Results: The study included 265 patients, 188 were women (70.1%) and 77 men (29.1%), giving a sex ratio of 0.45. Mean age was 35.8 years, higher in men (40 years) than in women (35.8 years) (p 0.0001). The age groups 25 to 34 (37.7%) and 35 to 44 (33.6%) were in the majority (71.3%). The majority of PLHIV were unemployed (57.1%), including housewives (43.0%). HBV prevalence was 14.3%, including 7.2% among the unemployed, who account for half of all co-infections. The search for associations between HIV-HBV co-infection and all socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status) and socio-professional categories showed no significant difference (p 0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV were predominantly young adults, female, and unemployed;no occupation was significantly associated with co-infection. The vast majority of co-infected people were not covered by the occupational health system (unemployed or informal sector). Urgent action is needed to improve workers access to occupational medicine in CAR.

Assessing the relationship between health literacy intervention and hypertension self-management:A 7-year systematic review from January 2016 to December 2022

Hypertension(HTN)is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting over 30%of the adult population globally,with a growing incidence rate.This review assesses the relationship between health literacy(HL)intervention and hypertension(HTN)self-management among people with HTN.The study design was a systematic review of empirical research articles using a well-defined strategy.Online journals were accessed through databases such as PubMed,CINAHL,Google Scholar,ProQuest,Global Health,WHOLIS,Embase,and EbscoHost,spanning from January 2016 to December 2022 as the scope of the study.Articles selected for inclusion were those published in English during the specified time frame and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Sample,Phenomenon of Interest,Design,Evaluation,Research Type framework for systematic review,focusing on criteria related to the sample,the phenomenon of interest,study design,evaluation,and research type.Out of 180 studies initially identified in the database search,20 studies were ultimately included in the review.The findings were reported based on these five emerging themes:Relationship between HL and HTN self-management;Effect of HL intervention on HTN self-management;Factors predicting self-care behaviors among HTN patients with low HL;Effect of HL and self-management efficacy on health-related quality of life(HRQoL);and level of self-care practices.This review highlights a relationship between HL,self-efficacy,self-care,and HRQoL,underscoring the necessity for further well-designed intervention studies focused on enhancing HL in individuals with HTN in Nigeria to enhance their quality of life.

Evaluation of the Living Conditions and Health Perceptions of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Handlers in the Informal Sector in Dakar

Electrical and electronic devices are becoming an increasingly important part of our society. In Africa, and in Senegal in particular, the handling and management of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) that has reached the end of its life is mainly informal. This professional environment is characterized by the disintegration of the sector and the social heterogeneity that can be found there. The objective of this study is to assess the standard of living of electrical and electronic equipment waste handlers in the Dakar region, as well as their perception of their health. A survey was used to obtain information on sociodemographic background, living arrangements, perception of health status, and good practices to be implemented in case of work-related health problems. Life style, perception of general health and health problems were ranged as excellent, very good, good, average and poor. Informal recyclers in the Dakar region lived mainly in rooms and buildings as tenants (49.1%), or in family homes (48.4%) before starting this activity, and 51.2% continue to live in rooms and buildings as tenants compared to 41.4% who still live in a family home. The perception of health status ranged from poor to excellent, and 4.9% believe that they are limited in work due to a disability or health problem. Informal work is a heterogeneous phenomenon that makes research and policymaking particularly complex. There are several external factors within informal WEEE re-cyclers that can cause health problems or functional disability. However, the living conditions and the perception they have of their state of health are contradictory to the working conditions and the social environment to which they belong. A biomedical approach would consolidate these achievements by confirming or invalidating them.

Current Situation and Cross-Cultural Influence of Live Houses in China

Live houses emerged in China during the 1990s as the country’s rock music scene began to flourish.Today,live houses can be found in almost every major city in China and have become an essential part of the country’s music culture.The growth of live houses in China has been driven by changing consumer tastes,the expansion of the music industry,and a desire for new and innovative forms of entertainment.These venues offer a unique and intimate setting for music lovers to experience live performances,fostering a sense of community and connection between artists and audiences.The cross-cultural influence of live houses in China has been substantial,with international musicians and audiences increasingly drawn to the country’s vibrant music scene.Chinese live houses have hosted a diverse range of international artists,providing opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.As a result,live houses have become a hub for promoting Chinese culture and soft power,enhancing global cultural diversity,and increasing the visibility of Chinese artists on the international stage.

Long Range, Long Lived and Gauge Invariant Massive Photons via Stückelberg Scalar Coupling

It is largely believed (or strongly assumed) that photons are massless particles and the most compelling evidence there—it is said—is found in the manifestations of photons being long ranged and long lived particles. As we have done before, albeit, with a much better and clear insight in the present than before;we argue herein that massive photons can still enjoy the special and rare privilege of travelling at the speed of light c while being long ranged, long lived and most of all, obeying the much desired gauge symmetry. This we achieve by breaking the traditional Lorenz gauge and in its place, we introduce a new Special Gauge Condition (SGC) that does the work of assuring the photon its longevity, long range-ness and that it [photon] propagates at the speed c. However, the most melancholic outcome of our investigation is that if the present scheme is what subtle Nature has chosen to endow the photon a non-zero mass so that it [photon] still obeys gauge invariance, is long ranged, long lived and travels at the sacred speed c;then, this non-zero photon mass may be very difficult, if not impossible to measure. We use the equations developed to investigate Lorentz violation in ?-ray bursts.

符号建构与身份认同:亚文化视域下live house传播现象研究

在媒介技术和经济的驱动下,亚文化呈多元化发展,以live house为代表的独立音乐在青年群体中迅速兴起。本文将从场景传播和圈层传播两方面对live house的走红现象进行研究,并基于伯明翰学派提出的亚文化理论对live house呈现的符号化表达和身份认同进行探究,最后分析以live house为代表的音乐亚文化在新媒体情境下的发展趋势,旨在对当前小众音乐传播形式进行阐释,从而重塑亚文化与主流音乐文化之间的关系。