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Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward training of vascular access in chronic hemodialysis patients among nephrology fellows in Southwest China
Large eddy simulation on the wake characteristics of linearly stratified flow past a sphere
Assessing student satisfaction with university policies related to in-person classes in the era of COVID-19: a case study from Korea
Abstract This study assessed key determinants of student satisfaction with university infection prevention policies during the expansion of in-person classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted at a South Korean university, the research surveyed 386 undergraduate and graduate students, examining the impact of health literacy, protective behavior, risk perception, institutional support, and engagement with COVID-19 information on satisfaction. Findings indicate that among online-only students, vaccination status significantly influenced satisfaction levels, suggesting that perceived safety plays a key role in mitigating pandemic-related concerns. For students attending in-person classes, frequent engagement with COVID-19 notifications and willingness to use a university-provided COVID-19 information database were strongly associated with higher satisfaction. Additionally, the study reveals a passive approach to information acquisition, highlighting students’ preference for institution-driven communication rather than independent information-seeking. These results underscore the importance of clear, structured institutional communication and proactive support systems in enhancing student satisfaction and well-being. The findings provide actionable recommendations for universities to develop strategic communication policies, expand institutional support, and improve student engagement, particularly in collectivist cultures where institutional guidance is central to decision-making.
Alloying hBN with aluminum influences absorption and electronic properties
Abstract The versatile range of applications for two-dimensional (2D) materials has encouraged scientists to engineer their properties. This is often accomplished by stacking atomically thin layered materials into complex van der Waals heterostructures. A less popular but technologically promising approach is alloying 2D materials. In this work, we demonstrate a first step towards tuning the intrinsic electronic properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We present a series of aluminum alloyed hexagonal boron nitride (hBAlN) samples grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy on 2-inch sapphire substrates with varying aluminum concentration. Importantly, the obtained samples revealed a sp2-bonded crystal structure and modifications in interband optical transitions. Optical absorption experiments disclosed two prominent peaks in the excitonic spectral range with absorption coefficients ~ 106 cm− 1. Their peak energies align closely with the energies of indirect and direct bandgap transitions in hBN. The presence of two absorption peaks can be attributed to mixing of electronic states in the K and M conduction band valleys, resulting in a substantial increase in the absorption coefficient for indirect transitions. The observed effects offer insights into hBN-based two-dimensional alloys, highlighting the potential for developing 2D material-based quantum well structures capable of operating in the challenging deep UV spectral range.
Low appendicular skeletal muscle mass is associated with the risk of mortality among adults in the United States
The characteristics of spatial and temporal distribution and influencing factors of intangible cultural heritage in Northwestern China
Deletion of ENO1 sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine via MYC/RRM1-mediated glycolysis
Measuring thermoelectric module properties by time-domain impedance spectroscopy using heat leakage at 300 K
Exploring patterns of multimorbidity in South Korea using exploratory factor analysis and non negative matrix factorization
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries evaluated by optical coherence tomography
Abstract Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) is a heterogeneous disease with different pathophysiological mechanisms and prognosis. In recent years, it has been found that the incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events in MINOCA is similar to that of myocardial infarction with coronary artery disease (MI-CAD), and it is difficult to clarify the pathogenesis of both through coronary angiography (CAG). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features, plaque characteristics and prognosis of patients with MINOCA and MI-CAD through optical coherence tomography (OCT). A total of 553 culprit lesions from AMI patients who underwent CAG and OCT were retrospectively analysed. Patients were subsequently divided into two groups: the MINOCA group and the MI-CAD group. The clinical characteristics, plaque characteristics and prognosis of the two groups were compared. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, stroke, and rehospitalisation for angina or heart failure. (1) Patients with MINOCA exhibited a lower incidence of ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and a less frequent history of combined drug-eluting stent (DES) compared to those with MI-CAD. Additionally, they demonstrated lower levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), peak troponin T (peak TnT) and peak creatine kinase (peak CK). The MINOCA group had more lesions in the left anterior descending (LAD) and fewer in the left circumflex (LCX). Additionally, they demonstrated a lower prevalence of multibranch vasculopathy and a diminished post-discharge use of aspirin, P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs), and a higher proportion of conservative treatment compared to DES. The frequency of plaque rupture, calcified plaque, cholesterol crystals, macrophages infiltration, microvessels, thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA), and thrombus were found to be lower in the MINOCA group than in the MI-CAD group, with these differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05); (2) No significant difference was observed in the incidence of MACE at 30-days and 1 year between patients in the MINOCA and MI-CAD groups (P > 0.05). Compared with MI-CAD patients, MINOCA patients had fewer high-risk plaques on OCT and were more likely to be treated conservatively, with lower rates of stenting and less post-discharge pharmacological treatment. Both groups had similar rates of MACE at 30-day and 1 year, highlighting the importance of individualising treatment for MINOCA patients. Patients with MINOCA who develop MACE are more likely to exhibit high-risk OCT plaque features, with macrophage infiltration identified as an independent risk factor. OCT plaque features such as plaque rupture, plaque erosion, cholesterol crystals, macrophages, microvessels, TCFA may have played different roles in the progression of the two groups of patients.