Rural schools in China have long been in a state of underdevelopment. Studies have mainly addressed this issue from the perspective of rural–urban structural inequality, while neglecting the cultural processes that lead to inequality reproduction. Through the lens of cultural production, this study analyses qualitative data gathered in Gongshui county in central China, revealing how rural teachers and parents construct a negative perception of rural schools, evoked by devalued meanings associated with schools’ physical appearance, teaching staff characteristics and academic performance. Influenced by the discourse on rural inferiority, teachers and parents have cultivated a collective identity of becoming “less” rural and adopt strategies to disassociate themselves from rural education and community. Their cultural production of “bad” rural schools perpetuates and reinforces the underdevelopment of rural schools. This study draws attention to the cultural misconceptions surrounding rurality and the cultural processes by which educational inequalities are produced and reproduced in rural areas, both in China and globally.

The host plant associations of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), a major pest of wheat, before and after wheat harvest remain poorly understood. Overlapping growth of maize and wheat may promote R. padi survival and movement between crops. We examined population dynamics and constructed life tables for R. padi reared on wheat seedlings, maize husks, and maize leaves. Field-collected R. padi survived on both maize tissues, but aphid abundance declined sharply on aging maize leaves, while aphids on maize husks developed successfully. Aphids reared on wheat exhibited the fastest development, longest lifespan (27.89 ± 1.20 days), highest fecundity (98.59 ± 5.61 nymphs), and lowest mortality (2.56%). In contrast, aphids transferred to maize leaves showed reduced longevity (19.62 ± 1.16 days), lower fecundity (33.55 ± 2.47 nymphs), and higher mortality (23.73%). No significant differences in some reproductive parameters were observed between wheat- and maize husk-reared aphids, indicating relatively good performance on maize husks. Aphids transferred from wheat to maize experienced fitness costs, while aphids moved from maize husks back to wheat exhibited improved performance. These findings suggest that maize husks offer a comparatively favourable resource microhabitat for R. padi, potentially serving as a secondary host that supports population persistence after wheat harvest.

Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (vSLAM) is essentially limited by the static world assumption, which makes its application in dynamic environments challenging. This paper proposes a robust vSLAM system, RFN-SLAM, which is based on ORB-SLAM3 and does not require preset dynamic labels and weighted features to process dynamic scenes. In the feature extraction stage, an enhanced efficient binary image BAD descriptor is used to improve the accuracy of static feature point matching. Through the improved RT-DETR target detection network and FAST-SAM instance segmentation network, RFN-SLAM obtains semantic information and uses a novel dynamic box detection algorithm to identify and eliminate the feature points of dynamic objects. When optimizing the pose, the static feature points are weighted according to the dynamic information, which significantly reduces the mismatch and improves the accuracy of positioning. Meanwhile, 3D rendering of the neural radiation field is used to remove dynamic objects and render them. Experiments were conducted on the TUM RGB-D dataset, Bonn dataset, and self-collected dataset. The results show that in terms of positioning accuracy, RFN-SLAM significantly outperforms ORB-SLAM3 in dynamic environments. It also achieves more accurate positioning than other advanced dynamic SLAM methods and successfully realizes accurate 3D reconstruction of static scenes. In addition, on the premise of ensuring accuracy, the real-time performance of RFN-SLAM is effectively guaranteed.

Background: The adult intensive care unit comprises a total of 18 beds. On October 18, 2023, a text notification alerted us to a patient whose wound culture tested positive for Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Following protocol, an Anus VRE screening was conducted on the adjacent bed, revealing three additional positive cases, suggesting a cluster outbreak. Investigation and management were initiated. Methods: Through interviews, observations, medical record reviews, and expanded VRE screenings, a total of 8 beds tested positive, resulting in a positivity rate of 44.4% (8/18), all cases being colonization. Root cause analysis identified failures in hand hygiene among healthcare workers (HCWs), failure to wash hands before donning gloves, incorrect sequencing of environmental cleaning and disinfection, and inadequate implementation of contact isolation precautions. Measures included conducting Anus VRE screening for ICU admissions from October 15th to 18th, increasing the frequency of unit cleaning and disinfection, providing education and training, auditing hand hygiene practices and isolation measures, and centralizing VRE patient care. Results: Utilization of multiple measures for controlling drug-resistant bacterial infections, including auditing hand hygiene, environmental cleaning and disinfection, implementing contact isolation precautions, and conducting environmental sampling, yielded negative results. Observation until November 30th showed no new cases, effectively controlling the spread of drug-resistant bacteria and preventing healthcare-associated infections due to VRE. Discussion: Despite HCWs’ often busy clinical care responsibilities leading to neglect of hand hygiene or substituting handwashing with glove usage, and lapses in implementing contact isolation precautions, no healthcare-associated infections occurred, and patients were successfully discharged without disease exacerbation or fatalities. Environmental sampling was conducted post-environmental disinfection. Additionally, all VRE-positive patients were identified as Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Due to limitations, PFGE testing couldn’t be conducted, hence strain and susceptibility determination confirmed the same VRE colonization event within the hospital.

Background: Enhancing environmental hygiene resulted in a reduction of multidrug-resistant microorganisms colonization and healthcare-associated infections. There has been less studies to compare the effects of practice observation with other methods. This study aimed to compare correlations between visual inspection, practice observation and aerobic colony count (ACC) and verify the effectiveness. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit from May 2021 to November 2022. High-touch surfaces were assessed by visual inspection (clean or not clean) and practice observation (compliant or not compliant) to compare the correlations by using ACC with the cut-off point of 2.5 CFU/cm2 as a golden standard. Results: Among 569 samples, the pass rate by ACC was 90.5%, the clean rate by visual inspection was 73.3%, and the compliant rate by practice observation was 47.1%. The concordance was 245 surfaces (43.1%) of the three methods. There was no correlation between visual inspection and ACC (p<0.001, φ=0.184). The correlations were weak positive between visual inspection and practice observation and between practice observation and ACC (p<0.001, φ=0.212, 0.233). The median aerobic colony count of “compliant” group (0.00 CFU/cm2) was significantly lower than “not compliant” (0.40 CFU/cm2) (p<0.001). The median aerobic colony count of “clean” groups (0.08 CFU/cm2) was also significantly lower than “not clean” groups (0.20 CFU/cm2) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Practice observation is more reliable than visual inspection. Therefore, visual inspection can be used for low risk area to maintain visibly clean. In high risk area, an integrated program is critical to combine practice observation with other methods to monitor cleanliness.

Background: Enhancing environmental hygiene resulted in a reduction of multidrug-resistant microorganisms colonization and healthcare-associated infections. There has been less studies to compare the effects of practice observation with other methods. This study aimed to compare correlations between visual inspection, practice observation and aerobic colony count (ACC) and verify the effectiveness. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit from May 2021 to November 2022. High-touch surfaces were assessed by visual inspection (clean or not clean) and practice observation (compliant or not compliant) to compare the correlations by using ACC with the cut-off point of 2.5 CFU/cm2 as a golden standard. Results: Among 569 samples, the pass rate by ACC was 90.5%, the clean rate by visual inspection was 73.3%, and the compliant rate by practice observation was 47.1%. The concordance was 245 surfaces (43.1%) of the three methods. There was no correlation between visual inspection and ACC (p<0.001, φ=0.184). The correlations were weak positive between visual inspection and practice observation and between practice observation and ACC (p<0.001, φ=0.212, 0.233). The median aerobic colony count of “compliant” group (0.00 CFU/cm2) was significantly lower than “not compliant” (0.40 CFU/cm2) (p<0.001). The median aerobic colony count of “clean” groups (0.08 CFU/cm2) was also significantly lower than “not clean” groups (0.20 CFU/cm2) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Practice observation is more reliable than visual inspection. Therefore, visual inspection can be used for low risk area to maintain visibly clean. In high risk area, an integrated program is critical to combine practice observation with other methods to monitor cleanliness.

The Erdős–Simonovits stability theorem is one of the most widely used theorems in extremal graph theory. We obtain an Erdős–Simonovits type stability theorem in multi-partite graphs. Different from the Erdős–Simonovits stability theorem, our stability theorem in multi-partite graphs says that if the number of edges of an $H$-free graph $G$ is close to the extremal graphs for $H$, then $G$ has a well-defined structure but may be far away from the extremal graphs for $H$. As applications, we strengthen a theorem of Bollobás, Erdős, and Straus and solve a conjecture in a stronger form posed by Han and Zhao concerning the maximum number of edges in multi-partite graphs which does not contain vertex-disjoint copies of a clique.

Inspired by the need to theoretically understand the naturally occurring interactions between internal waves and mesoscale phenomena in the ocean, we derive a novel model equation from the primitive rotational Euler equations using the multi-scale asymptotic expansion method. By applying the classic balance $\epsilon =\mu ^2$ between nonlinearity (measured by $\epsilon$) and dispersion (measured by $\mu$), along with the assumption that variations in the transverse direction are of order $\mu$, which is smaller than those in the propagation direction, we arrive at terms from the classic Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation. However, when incorporating background shear currents in two horizontal dimensions and accounting for Earth’s rotation, we introduce three additional terms that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, have not been addressed in the previous literature. Theoretical analyses and numerical results indicate that these three terms contribute to a tendency for propagation in the transverse direction and an overall variation in wave amplitudes. The specific effects of these terms can be estimated qualitatively based on the signs of the coefficients for each term and the characteristics of the initial waves. Finally, the potential shortcomings of this proposed equation are illuminated.

This study introduces a low-profile, broadband antenna with filtering features and tunable radiation nulls. The antenna consists of an arc-shaped slot, a sawtooth square slot, a Y-shaped filtering branch, two rectangular metal cavities, and curved current loops. High-frequency current balancing technology is used in this research, two rectangular metal cavities are added above the slot to balance the current strength and reduce cross-polarization. By introducing a Y-shaped filtering branch based on the reverse diversion technique, the filtering capability of the antenna can be significantly enhanced. The electric and magnetic field intensity in the specific area is enhanced through arc-shaped slot tuning technology, and the bandwidth is effectively broadened. The radius adjustment of the sector-shaped feeding network controls the position of the high-frequency radiation null, and the curved current loops control the low-frequency radiation null, the two modulate to regulate the roll-off rate of the radiation characteristic. Experimental tests demonstrate an impedance matching bandwidth greater than 55%, a peak gain of 4.5 dBi, and out-of-band suppression of 25 and 21 dB in the low and high-frequency bands, respectively. Moreover, the cross-polarization level obtained in the xoz plane is lower than –35 dB. The designed antenna demonstrates considerable potential for broadband filtering applications.

Milk fat is a crucial component for evaluating the production performance and nutritional value of goat milk. Previous research indicated that the composition of ruminal microbiota plays a significant role in regulating milk fat percentage in ruminants. Thus, this study aimed to identify key ruminal microorganisms and blood metabolites relevant to milk fat synthesis in dairy goats as a mean to explore their role in regulating milk fat synthesis. Sixty clinically healthy Xinong Saanen dairy goats at mid-lactation and of similar body weight, and similar milk yield were used in a feeding study for 15 days. Based on daily milk yield of dairy goats and the results of milk component determination on the 1st and 8th days, five goats with the highest milk fat content (H group) and five goats with the lowest milk fat content (L group) were selected for further analysis. Before the morning feeding on the 15th day of the experiment, samples of milk, blood and ruminal fluid were collected for analyses of components, volatile fatty acids, microbiota and metabolites. Results revealed that acetate content in the rumen of H group was greater compared with L group. H group had abundant beneficial bacteria including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Saccharofermentans, Ruminococcaceae-UCG-002 and Prevotellaceae_UCG-3, which were important for plant cellulose and hemicellulose degradation and immune regulation. Metabolomics analysis revealed H group had greater relative concentrations of 4-acetamidobutanoic acid and azelaic acid in serum, and had lower relative concentrations of Arginyl-Alanine, SM(d18:1/12:0) and DL-Tryptophan. These altered metabolites are involved in the sphingolipid signaling pathway, arginine and proline metabolism. Overall, this study identified key ruminal microorganisms and serum metabolites associated with milk fat synthesis in dairy goats. These findings offer insights for enhancing the quality of goat milk and contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in milk fat synthesis in dairy goats.

High-power 808 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) chips have unique characteristics for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser pumping compared with conventional edge-emitting laser bars, including a chip surface with high reflectivity, near flat top distribution in the near field, larger emitting width and smaller divergence. A novel symmetrical pump cavity with an inter-reflective chamber was invented by introducing even-numbered pumping geometry and removing the conventional internal reflector. Several optical tuning measures were taken to improve the uniformity of the pumping distribution, including power and spectrum balancing in the cross-section and the long axis of the laser rod, a diffuse mechanism in the pump chamber by a frosted flow tube and optional eccentric pumping geometry. A series of VCSEL pumping experiments were conducted and optical tuning measures were evaluated through distribution profiles and efficiencies. A new design philosophy for the VCSEL side-pumped Nd:YAG laser cavity was finally developed.

A dual-beam platform is developed for all-optical Thomson/Compton scattering, with versatile parameter tuning capabilities including electron energy, radiation energy, radiation polarization, etc. By integrating this platform with a 200 TW Ti:sapphire laser system, we demonstrate the generation of inverse Compton scattering X-/gamma-rays with tunable energies ranging from tens of keV to MeV. The polarization of X-/gamma-rays is manipulated by adjusting the polarization of the scattering laser. In the near future, by combining this platform with multi-PW laser facilities, our goal is to explore the transition from nonlinear Thomson scattering to nonlinear Compton scattering, ultimately verifying theories related to strong-field quantum electrodynamics effects induced by extreme scattering.

This study explored mental workload recognition methods for carrier-based aircraft pilots utilising multiple sensor physiological signal fusion and portable devices. A simulation carrier-based aircraft flight experiment was designed, and subjective mental workload scores and electroencephalogram (EEG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals from six pilot cadets were collected using NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and portable devices. The subjective scores of the pilots in three flight phases were used to label the data into three mental workload levels. Features from the physiological signals were extracted, and the interrelations between mental workload and physiological indicators were evaluated. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms were used to classify the pilots’ mental workload. The performances of the single-modal method and multimodal fusion methods were investigated. The results showed that the multimodal fusion methods outperformed the single-modal methods, achieving higher accuracy, precision, recall and F1 score. Among all the classifiers, the random forest classifier with feature-level fusion obtained the best results, with an accuracy of 97.69%, precision of 98.08%, recall of 96.98% and F1 score of 97.44%. The findings of this study demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method, offering insights into mental workload management and the enhancement of flight safety for carrier-based aircraft pilots.

The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend a plant-based diet to cancer survivors, which may reduce chronic inflammation and excess adiposity associated with worse survival. We investigated associations of plant-based dietary patterns with inflammation biomarkers and body composition in the Pathways Study, in which 3659 women with breast cancer provided validated food frequency questionnaires approximately 2 months after diagnosis. We derived three plant-based diet indices: overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) and unhealthful plant-based diet index (uPDI). We assayed circulating inflammation biomarkers related to systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP]), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13). We estimated areas (cm2) of muscle and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) from computed tomography scans. Using multivariable linear regression, we calculated the differences in inflammation biomarkers and body composition for each index. Per 10-point increase for each index: hsCRP was significantly lower by 6·9 % (95 % CI 1·6%, 11·8%) for PDI and 9·0 % (95 % CI 4·9%, 12·8%) for hPDI but significantly higher by 5·4 % (95 % CI 0·5%, 10·5%) for uPDI, and VAT was significantly lower by 7·8 cm2 (95 % CI 2·0 cm2, 13·6 cm2) for PDI and 8·6 cm2 (95 % CI 4·1 cm2, 13·2 cm2) for hPDI but significantly higher by 6·2 cm2 (95 % CI 1·3 cm2, 11·1 cm2) for uPDI. No significant associations were observed for other inflammation biomarkers, muscle, or SAT. A plant-based diet, especially a healthful plant-based diet, may be associated with reduced inflammation and visceral adiposity among breast cancer survivors.

The selection of random sampling points is crucial for the path quality generated by probabilistic roadmap (PRM) algorithm. Increasing the number of sampling points can enhance path quality. However, it may also lead to extended convergence time and reduced computational efficiency. Therefore, an improved probabilistic roadmap algorithm (TL-PRM) is proposed based on topological discrimination and lazy collision. TL-PRM algorithm first generates a circular grid area among start and goal points. Then, it constructs topological nodes. Subsequently, elliptical sampling areas are created between each pair of adjacent topological nodes. Random sampling points are generated within these areas. These sampling points are interconnected using a layer connection strategy. An initial path is generated using a delayed collision strategy. The path is then adjusted by modifying the nodes on the convex outer edges to avoid obstacles. Finally, a reconnection strategy is employed to optimize the path. This reduces the number of path waypoints. In dynamic environments, TL-PRM algorithm employs pose adjustment strategies for semi-static and dynamic obstacles. It can use either the same or opposite pose adjustments to avoid dynamic obstacles. Experimental results indicate that TL-PRM algorithm reduces the average number of generated sampling points by 70.9% and average computation time by 62.1% compared with PRM* and PRM-Astar algorithms. In winding and narrow passage maps, TL-PRM algorithm significantly decreases the number of sampling points and shortens convergence time. In dynamic environments, the algorithm can adjust its pose orientation in real time. This allows it to safely reach the goal point. TL-PRM algorithm provides an effective solution for reducing the generation of sampling points in PRM algorithm.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) shows spatiotemporal heterogeneity in China. A spatiotemporal filtering model was constructed and applied to HFMD data to explore the underlying spatiotemporal structure of the disease and determine the impact of different spatiotemporal weight matrices on the results. HFMD cases and covariate data in East China were collected between 2009 and 2015. The different spatiotemporal weight matrices formed by Rook, K-nearest neighbour (KNN; K = 1), distance, and second-order spatial weight matrices (SO-SWM) with first-order temporal weight matrices in contemporaneous and lagged forms were decomposed, and spatiotemporal filtering model was constructed by selecting eigenvectors according to MC and the AIC. We used MI, standard deviation of the regression coefficients, and five indices (AIC, BIC, DIC, R2, and MSE) to compare the spatiotemporal filtering model with a Bayesian spatiotemporal model. The eigenvectors effectively removed spatial correlation in the model residuals (Moran’s I < 0.2, p > 0.05). The Bayesian spatiotemporal model’s Rook weight matrix outperformed others. The spatiotemporal filtering model with SO-SWM was superior, as shown by lower AIC (92,029.60), BIC (92,681.20), and MSE (418,022.7) values, and higher R2 (0.56) value. All spatiotemporal contemporaneous structures outperformed the lagged structures. Additionally, eigenvector maps from the Rook and SO-SWM closely resembled incidence patterns of HFMD.