Special Pattern Research Articles

The Comparison of Different Artificial Intelligence Software in Assisting Teachers Teaching Ability of Junior Middle School English Writing

Nowadays, the process of English teaching is significantly affected by various technological advancements. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been applied in various aspects of peoples lives. Not only can some AI models help people to produce some ideas, but they can also be helpful in English learning. In this study, two different Al authoring tools are adopted, ZECOBA and ERINE, which are used to explore the function of Al in assisting in the teaching of junior middle school English writing. The author took Shanghai high school English composition for the past three years as an example, letting two Al models generate model essays. By comparing the model essays in vocabulary, special sentence patterns, the variety of conjunctions and other aspects of the difference, to draw a conclusion, on which software can better assist the teaching of junior high school English composition. So that teachers can realize which AI technology can assist them better in writing compositions and can be applied to classrooms better.

Toward characterization of perceptual specialization for faces in Multiracial contexts

This conceptual analysis focuses on opportunities to advance research and current hypotheses of perceptual development by examining what is presently known and unknown about perceptual specialization in a Multiracial context during the first year of life. The impact of being raised in a Multiracial family or community is discussed to further characterize the development of perceptual expertise for faces and languages. Historical and present-day challenges faced by researchers in defining what race is, identifying Multiracial individuals or contexts, and how to study perceptual and cognitive processes in this population are discussed. We propose to leverage current data from developmental Multilingual populations as a guide for future research questions and hypotheses characterizing perceptual specialization based on face race for Multiracial/Multiethnic individuals and contexts. Variability of input and the pattern of specialization are two factors identified from the developmental Multilingual literature that are likely useful for studying Multiracial contexts and development. Several methodological considerations are proposed in hopes of facilitating research questions and practices that are reflective of and informed by the diversity of experiences and social complexities within Multiracial populations.

Sex Differences in Youth and Young Adult Sport Training Patterns, Specialization, and Return to Sport Durations.

Young female athletes may have higher rates of overuse injuries and sport specialization than male athletes. The association of sports specialization and return to sport (RTS) timeframe is also unknown. Specialized female athletes will have more intense, year-round training patterns, more overuse injuries, and longer RTS times than male athletes. Cohort study. Level 3. Injured athletes aged 10 to 23 years presenting to a sports medicine clinic reported their degree of sport specialization and training patterns. Skeletal maturity was estimated using the Khamis-Roche method. Injury type and RTS timeframes were categorized from electronic medical records. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis assessed associations between variables. A total of 485 athletes (40.2% female) were enrolled. Higher degrees of sport specialization were associated strongly with overuse injuries (P < 0.01). After adjusting for specialization, female athletes were more likely to sustain an overuse injury (adjusted odds ratio, 1.49; P = 0.04). Female athletes participated in fewer total physical activity hours per week (P < 0.01), fewer free play hours per week (P < 0.01), and participated in their main sport for more months of the year than their male counterparts (P = 0.02). Female athletes were more likely to be at a higher developmental stage than male athletes (P < 0.01). RTS timeframes were increased in athletes with serious overuse injury; however, no association was found between degree of specialization and RTS time regardless of sex. Female athletes are more likely to sustain overuse injuries with more organized, year-round, training and less free play compared with their male counterparts. Female sex may be an independent risk factor of overuse injury. Future strategies to mitigate these risks may include increased free play hours and limiting year-round training through seasonal rest.

Osteoplastic biomaterials from organic and mineral components of the bone matrix: a literature review

Introduction. The bones of the human and animal have a unique ability to remodel. The ability to constantly renew bone tissue determines the healing of fractures and the adaptation of bones to mechanical loads. However, the process of bone self-healing is effective only for defects of non-critical size. In segmental and critical defects, endogenous stimulation of bone tissue regeneration is required. In this regard, there remains a need to design osteoplastic biomaterials with improved pro-regenerative action. Every year, new data appear that expand our understanding of the methods and mechanisms for stimulating bone tissue restoration using artificial osteoplastic materials. Aim. Characteristics of modern methods of constructing biomimetic materials from organic and mineral components of bone matrix. Materials and methods. The literature review was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. Query dates — may–july 2024, query depth — 1965–2024. Main content of the review. Effective use of bone polymers for the creation of biomimetic osteoplastic materials is possible only with an understanding of the principles of molecular-cellular interaction of biopolymers with bone cells and tissues. By now, it has been established that the ability of collagen to influence the functional activity of cells involved in the reparative regeneration of bone tissue is due to the presence of special patterns in its structure - binding sites with cellular receptors, which are formed by a specific sequence of amino acids in the collagen polypeptide chain. In the case of inorganic bone material, the functionally significant elements are the chemical composition and crystal structure of calcium phosphate salts. A current trend in the design of osteoplastic materials is to impart biomimetic properties to them. At the molecular level, this approach is implemented using as intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralization of collagen fibrils. At the tissue and organ level, biomimicry is achieved through the use of three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. Conclusion. Thus, thanks to advances in biology, physics, chemistry and engineering sciences, it was possible to develop new technologies for designing osteoplastic materials that imitate the structure and function of native bone tissue. The use of biomaterials created using biomimetics principles increases the efficiency of bone tissue damage restoration.

A deep neural network improves endoscopic detection of laterally spreading tumors.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the malignant tumor of the digestive system with the highest incidence and mortality rate worldwide. Laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) of the large intestine have unique morphological characteristics, special growth patterns and higher malignant potential. Therefore, LSTs are a precancerous lesion of CRC that could be easily missed. The purpose of this study was to establish an LSTs lesion detection algorithm based on the YOLOv7 model and to evaluate the detection performance of the algorithm on LSTs. A total of 7985 LSTs images and 93,197 non-LSTs images were included in this study, and the training set, validation set, and 80% of the data in the dataset is used for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. In detail, a total of 6261 LSTs images and 74,798 non-LSTs images were used as the training set to train the LSTs lesion detection algorithm to identify LSTs. A total of 743 LSTs images and 9486 non-LSTs images were used as validation set to evaluate the learning ability of the LSTs lesion detection algorithm. A total of 981 LSTs images and 8913 non-LSTs images were used as test set to evaluate the generalization ability of the LSTs lesion detection algorithm. To evaluate the diagnostic ability of the LSTs lesion detection algorithm for LSTs, we selected 3636 images (562 LSTs, 3074 non-LSTs) images from the test set as the subtest set. Finally, we compared the performance of the AI algorithm with endoscopist in the diagnosis of LSTs. The accuracy of LSTs lesion detection algorithm in identifying LSTs is 99.34%, sensitivity is 96.88%, specificity is 99.8%, positive predictive value is 98.94%, and negative predictive value is 99.41%. Our model based on the YOLOv7 achieved high diagnostic accuracy in LSTs lesion, significantly better than that of novice and senior doctors, and reaching the same level as expert endoscopists.

Formulation of Special Pythagorean Triangles through Integer Solutions of the Hyperbola 𝑦𝟐 = (𝑘𝟐 + 𝟐𝑘)𝑥𝟐 + 𝟏

Objectives: The objective of this research paper is to formulate Pythagorean triangles, each of which satisfies the relation: Hypotenuse = (𝑘 + 1) times the leg with even values added with unity, through employing the integer solutions to the Hyperbola 𝑦2 = (𝑘2 + 2𝑘)𝑥2 + 1. Methods: The sides of the Pythagorean triangle satisfying the requirement are obtained by suitably choosing its generators consisting of the integer solutions to the considered hyperbola. Findings : There are plenty of Pythagorean triangles satisfying the given characterization for each value of k &gt; 0 in the binary quadratic equation given by 𝑦2 = (𝑘2 + 2𝑘)𝑥2 + 1.The characterizations of special pattern of the Pythagorean triangle for 𝑘 = 2is illustrated. Novelty: From the integer solutions of a binary quadratic equation, namely, a hyperbola (Two-dimensional geometrical representation), it is possible to obtain integer solutions to a ternary quadratic equation, namely, Pythagorean triangle (Threedimensional geometrical representation). Keywords: Binary quadratic equation; Ternary quadratic equation; Hyperbola; Pythagorean triangle; Integer solutions

Dynamic evolution analysis and parameter optimization design of data-driven network infectious disease model

Background and Objective:globalization and population mobility have increased the spread of infectious diseases and challenged public health security. This paper proposes a complex network epidemic model with nonlinear incidence rate and quadratic transmission. The Turing pattern, sensitivity analysis and parameter identification of the epidemic model under different network structures are studied; Methods:this paper discusses the Turing pattern of the model under different network structures, and identifies the key parameters of the model through sensitivity analysis. The influence of network dimension on the spread of infectious diseases on random networks is also explored, and the problems of minimum path and minimum cover set of random networks are further discussed. We also carry out parameter identification experiments, adopt gradient descent algorithm to realize heterogeneous spatial fitting pattern of red blood cell plasma and simulate the transmission path of COVID-19 through Markov chain Monte Carlo fitting experiment, verifying the effectiveness of the model; Results:the necessary conditions for Turing instability on homogeneous and heterogeneous networks are found. On the heterogeneous lattice network, we observe the special patterns of equal density population. Sensitivity analysis shows that the higher the infection rate, the more infected people. On random networks, the higher the dimension, the better the effect of suppressing the spread of infectious diseases. Through comparison experiment, it is found that gradient descent algorithm has the best performance in parameter identification experiments. Red blood cell plasma fitting experiment reveals the spatial density distribution of infection rate; Conclusions:this study provides theoretical support for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, and the complex network model can simulate the transmission process of infectious diseases more accurately. Sensitivity analysis and parameter identification experiments reveal the key influencing factors of propagation and the role of network structure. The effectiveness of the model is supported by actual data, which is helpful for the government health departments to formulate scientific prevention and control strategies.

Insights into the Associations Between Systolic Left Ventricular Rotational Mechanics and Left Atrial Peak Reservoir Strains in Healthy Adults from the MAGYAR-Healthy Study.

In systole, when the left ventricle (LV) twists, the left atrium (LA) behaves like a reservoir, having a special wall contractility pattern opposite to that of the LV wall. Accordingly, the objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between LV rotational mechanics and LA peak (reservoir) strains as assessed simultaneously by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) under healthy conditions. In the present study, 157 healthy adults (mean age: 33.2 ± 12.7 years, 73 men) were involved. Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography with 3DSTE-derived data acquisition were performed in all cases. The 3DSTE-derived LV rotational and LA strain parameters were determined at a later date. Global LA peak reservoir circumferential (22.7 ± 6.4% vs. 27.6 ± 6.8%, p < 0.05) and area (57.8 ± 20.0% vs. 66.0 ± 22.7%, p < 0.05) strains proved to be reduced in the case of the highest vs. lowest basal LV rotation; other LA peak reservoir strains were not associated with increasing basal LV rotation. Global LA peak radial strain was highest in the case of the lowest vs. highest apical LV rotation (-19.2 ± 9.4% vs. -13.0 ± 8.2%, p < 0.05). Global LA peak reservoir 3D strain was lowest in the case of the highest vs. lowest apical LV rotation (-9.9 ± 6.8% vs. -5.0 ± 4.2%, p < 0.05). Only apical LV rotation proved to be significantly reduced in the case of the highest vs. lowest global LA peak reservoir 3D strain (8.12 ± 3.23° vs. 10.50 ± 3.44°, p < 0.05). Other global LA peak reservoir strains were not associated with basal and apical LV rotations. In LV systole, LV rotational mechanics is associated with LA deformation represented by LA peak (reservoir) strains even in healthy circumstances. While basal LV rotation is associated with LA widening, apical LV rotation is associated with LA thinning, suggesting the close cooperation of the LV and LA in systole even in healthy adults.

Regional specialization: From the geography of industries to the geography of jobs

AbstractOur analysis begins with an empirical investigation of how employment concentration in industries and occupations across regions of the United States has changed over time and how regional specialization has changed. Results show that industry concentration and specialization indices have fallen, while occupation concentration and specialization indices have risen. Using this background as motivation, we develop a model in which the comparative advantage of regions lies in their productivity of supplying functions such as law, finance, advertising and engineering, to multiple sectors. Productivity differences specific to region functions shape the location decisions of industries that use multiple functions and hence determine patterns of regional specialization both in functions and in sectors. A key parameter is the cost of sourcing functions from a different region (fragmentation costs), and we show that a fall in this cost mimics the data: sector concentration and regional specialization fall and function concentration and specialization rise. At high fragmentation costs, regional comparative advantage in sectors determines general equilibrium analogous to a Heckscher–Ohlin model (HO). At low fragmentation costs, comparative advantage in functions drives an equilibrium that has little resemblance to a HO world.

His and hers earnings trajectories: Economic homogamy and long-term earnings inequality within and between different-sex couples

Economic homogamy has important implications for gender inequality and for economic inequalities between households. However, the long-term association between spouses’ earnings is not well understood. This study reconceptualizes economic homogamy as a life course process rather than a static state of being that can be adequately captured at a single point in time. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, I examine the association between spouses’ earnings trajectories over the course of 30 years of marriage to identify three distinct gender egalitarian earnings patterns among couples. 50 % of couples follow a Dual earner pattern, in which spouses follow similar, stable earnings patterns over time, 6 % of couples are Jointly mobile in that spouses’ earnings vary similarly and 5 % follow an Alternating earner pattern. A large minority of couples follow patterns of long-term specialization, with 34 % of couples following Male breadwinner patterns and 5 % following Female breadwinner patterns. Multivariate analysis reveals that gender egalitarian earnings patterns are stratified by couples’ socio-economic status at marriage: while advantaged couples follow Dual earner patterns comprised of two stable earners, disadvantaged couples follow egalitarian earnings patterns characterized by joint earnings instability. By taking a long-term approach, this study provides insight into the varied ways gender equality in earnings manifests among married couples and reveals an important and understudied dimension of economic homogamy: the concentration of economic stability and instability within couples.

Lithium-ion batteries pitch-based carbon anode materials: The role of molecular structures of pitches

To understand the effect of molecular configurations of coal tar pitch (CTP) on the reaction mechanism of carbonization and Li storage performance of subsequent carbonized products, four CTPs with different molecular structures are treated by liquid and solid phase carbonization and then tested the electrochemical performance of their carbonized products as anode materials for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The results reveal that CTP-1 with hexagon rings, zigzag edges, and long alkyl side chains provides a large number of free radicals during pyrolysis, promoting the parallel arrangement of aromatic molecules. Special addition patterns (linear and nonlinear simultaneous) of aromatic molecular in CTP-3 generate a large number of edge carbons and surface defects in the carbonized products. The high viscosity and arm-chair edge reduce the reactivity of CTP-4 molecules, and the presence of loops and oxygenated aromatics in CTP-4 also reduces the orientation of carbon stacks and the flatness of the microstructure. The electrochemical performance of the final products shows a significant difference. Among them, CTP-1-M-1400 with a specific capacity of 349 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 displays an excellent cycling performance. Large amounts of Li-ions (about 39.2 %) are stored at the edge and surface of CTP-3-M-1400. While large number of Li-ions (about 23.5 %) are stored in the microspaces of CTP-4-M-1400. In addition, excessive structure defects and oxygen-containing groups in CTP-4-M-1400 lead to decreased capacity retention.

Multi-perspective API call sequence behavior analysis and fusion for malware classification

The growing variety of malicious software, i.e., malware, has caused great damage and economic loss to computer systems. The API call sequence of malware reflects its dynamic behavior during execution, which is difficult to disguise. Therefore, API call sequence can serve as a robust feature for the detection and classification of malware. The statistical analysis presented in this paper reveals two distinct characteristics within the API call sequences of different malware: (1) the API existence feature caused by frequent calls to the APIs with some special functions, and (2) the API transition feature caused by frequent calls to some special API subsequence patterns. Based on these two characteristics, this paper proposes MINES, a Multi-perspective apI call sequeNce bEhavior fuSion malware classification Method. Specifically, the API existence features from different perspectives are described by two graphs that model diverse rich and complex existence relationships between APIs, and we adopt the graph contrastive learning framework to extract the consistent shared API existence feature from two graphs. Similarly, the API transition features of different hops are described by the multi-order transition probability matrices. By treat each order as a channel, a CNN-based contrastive learning framework is adopted to extract the API transition feature. Finally, the two kinds of extracted features are fused to classify malware. Experiments on five datasets demonstrate the superiority of MINES over various state-of-the-arts by a large margin.

Analysis of Clinicopathological and Molecular Features of Microcystic, Elongated, and Fragmented Pattern Invasion in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Microcystic, elongated, and fragmented (MELF) invasion is a special invasion pattern in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). This study aimed to investigate the clinical, pathological, and molecular features of the MELF pattern and its prognostic value in patients with EEC. Materials and Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 342 patients with EEC were retrospectively collected at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. Some key clinicopathological features were evaluated, including the tumor grade, Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, cervical stromal involvement, lymph node status, and lymphatic vascular space infiltration (LVSI). Immunohistochemical staining and molecular tests were performed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The MELF pattern was more prevalent in low-grade EEC. A significant correlation was found between the MELF pattern and advanced FIGO staging, LVSI, the depth of myometrial invasion, cervical stromal involvement, and lymph node metastasis (LNM). The incidence of mismatch-repair-deficient (MMRd) proteins was much higher in the MELF group than in the no-MELF group. Molecular testing revealed that, after copy number-low (CNL), microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) was the second-most frequent subtype in the MELF group. The recurrence risk did not significantly differ between the MELF and no-MELF groups, but the differences among the four molecular subtypes were statistically significant. However, the MELF group experienced a shorter recurrence time. Among the four molecular subtypes, the recurrence risk was the highest in the CNH subgroup, followed by the MSI-H subgroup. Conclusions: MELF is a special invasion pattern in EEC and is associated with distinct clinicopathological and molecular characteristics, including the latest 2023 FIGO staging. Further research is warranted to explore its implications for treatment strategies and patient outcomes.

Pragmatically oriented linguistic units in advertising of religious tours

INTRODUCTION. The relevance of the study is related to the study of the features of the implementation of tourist advertising in such a dynamically developing real segment as religion. The role of tourist advertising is increasing, and it is becoming especially important to study specific pragmatic oriented language units devoted to religious discourse. The purpose of the study is to identify lexical, morphological units and stylistic devices used in tourist religious discourse.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research material was advertising texts promoting religious tours on the Internet. The collection and writing of factual material was carried out using conceptual analysis, interpretive analysis was used to determine and explain the linguistic features of religious advertising text.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. The appeal to advertising texts promoting religious tours allowed to identify pragmatically oriented linguistic units. Religious discourse, oriented towards introducing a person to faith within the framework of a certain confession, contributes to the implementation of religious tours (pilgrimage, educational and pilgrimageeducational). Religious advertising discourse in the field of tourism can be oriented towards the discourses of consumer society, but at the same time give them new, religious and sacred outlines.CONCLUSION. The identified lexical units and stylistic means in tourist advertisements on the topic of religious tours allow us to consider that religious tourist advertisement has a number of characteristics inherent only to it and occupies its own special place among currently existing types of discourse. These advertisements can be considered special speech patterns of text aimed at implementing the pragmatic function of advertising messages.

Integrating brainstem and cortical functional architectures.

The brainstem is a fundamental component of the central nervous system, yet it is typically excluded from in vivo human brain mapping efforts, precluding a complete understanding of how the brainstem influences cortical function. In this study, we used high-resolution 7-Tesla functional magnetic resonance imaging to derive a functional connectome encompassing cortex and 58 brainstem nuclei spanning the midbrain, pons and medulla. We identified a compact set of integrative hubs in the brainstem with widespread connectivity with cerebral cortex. Patterns of connectivity between brainstem and cerebral cortex manifest as neurophysiological oscillatory rhythms, patterns of cognitive functional specialization and the unimodal-transmodal functional hierarchy. This persistent alignment between cortical functional topographies and brainstem nuclei is shaped by the spatial arrangement of multiple neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. We replicated all findings using 3-Tesla data from the same participants. Collectively, this work demonstrates that multiple organizational features of cortical activity can be traced back to the brainstem.

Merging of quasi-bound states in the continuum and Wood anomalies in terahertz metasurfaces based on complementary periodic cross-shaped resonators

Metasurfaces provide an ideal platform for controlling the merging of multiple modes owing to trimmable periodic meta-atoms. In this work, a terahertz metasurface based on complementary periodic cross-shaped resonators (CPCRs) with mixed modes is demonstrated. The CPCRs support sharp quasi-bound states in the continuum (quasi-BICs) by introducing an offset parameter. The optical response of quasi-BICs such as frequency shift and Q-factor can be optimized by tuning offset parameters. As such parameter increases, a mixed mode originating from quasi-BICs and Wood anomalies appears. The merged resonance has a narrow bandwidth with steep edges and thus can serve as bandpass filters. Simulated electric field distributions reveal the special patterns for these modes. Owing to the effect of quasi-BICs, Wood anomalies exhibit different field patterns in contrast to those of pure modes. These results prove the possibility of multimode merging in metallic metasurfaces, which is beneficial for terahertz applications such as sensing and wave filters.

CLINICAL CASES OF SPITZOID NEOPLASMS

Spitz nevi account for about 2% of the total number of melanocytic skin neoplasms. There are benign Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumour, and malignant Spitz melanoma. These clinically similar lesions, usually represented by a flesh-coloured, pink or brownish-black spot or nodule, are often heavily vascularised, grow rapidly in size and change in structure, raising concerns about malignancy. Dynamic observations have revealed the possibility of long-term stabilisation and periods of regressive changes. Dermoscopy is used for early diagnosis due to the initially small size of nevi. When examining the magnified image of the tumour surface, the structure of the neoplasm is recognized. In the case of Spitz nevi, special patterns of “starburst” and “stardust” are identified, which allow to suspect the diagnosis and the period of involution, respectively. Pathohistologically, Spitz nevi are defined as melanocytic proliferations with large epithelioid or spindle-shaped melanocytes with large nuclei, vesicular chromatin and prominent nucleoli. However, the differentiation between different subtypes of spitzoid neoplasms remains a difficult issue. As of today, the review of H&amp;E-stained structures still prevails over immunohistochemical and molecular genetic diagnostic methods. Even nowadays, Spitz nevi still cause difficulties in clinical and morphological diagnosis and management approaches. The publication considers several interesting cases from personal clinical practice. Case 1: Patient A, a 24-year-old woman. She complained of a single rash on the outer surface of the right thigh, which gradually increased in size over the last year. On clinical examination, a small erythematous, partially pigmented, heterogeneous nodule was observed in this area. The demonstrated Spitz nevus is heterogeneous in structure. Being in the phase of active growth, it showed an asymmetrical “starburst” pattern formed by vascular elements in a linear arrangement, and white reticular lines or structureless zones. Case 2: Patient B, 34 years old. A full examination of the right popliteal fossa revealed a heterogeneous spot up to 4 mm in diameter, which caused concern. A case of Spitz nevus is represented by a globular pattern in the centre and a reticular pattern on the periphery, which is more common for lesions that have been on the skin for some time, but no longer show signs of active growth. Case 3: Patient C, a 25-year-old woman, skin phototype 2, with a family history of skin tumours in several previous generations. The examination revealed a heterogeneous nodule of suspicious morphology in the left scapula. Dermoscopically, the above-described lesion is represented by two zones of different structure. The central zone has the signs of radial markings formed by various pattern elements; the polychromatic zone has areas of negative pigment network, white lines, dots and globules. There was also an eccentrically located area with a radially oriented hyperchromatic pigment network and a clear border along the outer edge. Most Spitz nevi are independent lesions, but some of them can be associated with other skin neoplasms. This is likely to be the example in the above-mentioned case, so it was the nevus-associated Spitz melanoma. Spitz nevi are an urgent problem of modern medicine. The similarity of the clinical, dermoscopic and pathological picture to malignant skin neoplasms causes diagnostic difficulties. Visual variability requires considerable clinical experience of a specialist.

New insights into the merging behavior of pedestrians: Quantification of lane competition level

Merging behavior is a complex crowd movement pattern caused by certain architectural features and has triggered serious crowd accidents worldwide. It is not uncommon to find such merging structures on the floor plans of some underground infrastructures, which deserve more detailed studies on special crowd movement patterns to enhance the safety level. Researchers have demonstrated that the unstable emotions and competitive behaviors of pedestrians during underground evacuation need to be taken into account due to the enclosed environment. However, there are no relevant studies focused on the competition characteristics among pedestrians during the merging process in a quantitative way. The comprehensiveness and systematization of the geometric features of typical merging structures, as well as the way to create the perception of competition and conflict among pedestrians during real emergencies also need to be improved. In this paper, we carried out a series of controlled experiments in symmetric and asymmetric merging structures with different channel widths and incentive levels to investigate crowd merging behavior with competition characteristics. The density and delay time within the merging area, as well as the time interval and lane changes before and after merging are analyzed. By introducing and modifying Simpson’s Diversity Index, we proposed a new method for quantifying the competition level among pedestrians during the merging process. It is concluded that the performance of the merging area is sensitive to the channel widths and the merging layouts, and the negative effect of unbalanced walking priority is more significant under high incentive level. The lane competition level during the merging process is correlated with the effects of various geometric features, movement layouts, and incentive levels. The method proposed in this paper brings new insights into the interpretation of merging scenarios and more studies on pedestrian dynamics. We hope that this study could serve as supplementary work for other modeling or field experiment methods to jointly provide more insights into the crowd management strategies in some underground infrastructures.

Functional specialization and distributed processing across marmoset lateral prefrontal subregions.

A prominent aspect of primate lateral prefrontal cortex organization is its division into several cytoarchitecturally distinct subregions. Neurophysiological investigations in macaques have provided evidence for the functional specialization of these subregions, but an understanding of the relative representational topography of sensory, social, and cognitive processes within them remains elusive. One explanatory factor is that evidence for functional specialization has been compiled largely from a patchwork of findings across studies, in many animals, and with considerable variation in stimulus sets and tasks. Here, we addressed this by leveraging the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to carry out large-scale neurophysiological mapping of the lateral prefrontal cortex using high-density microelectrode arrays, and a diverse suite of test stimuli including faces, marmoset calls, and spatial working memory task. Task-modulated units and units responsive to visual and auditory stimuli were distributed throughout the lateral prefrontal cortex, while those with saccade-related activity or face-selective responses were restricted to 8aV, 8aD, 10, 46V, and 47. Neurons with contralateral visual receptive fields were limited to areas 8aV and 8aD. These data reveal a mixed pattern of functional specialization in the lateral prefrontal cortex, in which responses to some stimuli and tasks are distributed broadly across lateral prefrontal cortex subregions, while others are more limited in their representation.

Mapping data-driven strategies in improving health care and patient satisfaction

Health services involve data analytics, central to healthcare service delivery, research, and planning. Based on the literature, this specific article seeks to enlighten the reader about data analytics in health services by discussing its advantages, shortcomings, and issues that come with it. Section one mapping outlines how data analytics optimizes the results of health service delivery through risk factor definition, disease detection, and case-by-case management. It helps inform disease trajectory, determine drug interaction, monitor disease, support decision-making, and enhance service delivery quality. The research also examines data analysis in health services, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Several big data analytics applications have been identified as relevant to drug development, personalized medication, and specialized trials. Evaluations that rely on biomarkers differentiate between patients who are convenient for specific therapies, improving the patient's status and developing health care services. The third section also stresses the role of data analytics in enhancing efficiency and profitability. They involve detecting fraud, abuse, and unnecessary medical activities, creating savings and better financial returns. Data analytics also leads to identifying high-cost patients and ways of managing healthcare costs, increasing revenues and profitability. The fourth section discusses how big data complements traditional public health surveillance and outbreak platforms. It facilitates collecting data, analyzing different sources, and identifying special patterns or outliers to detect the outbreak early enough, contain it, or allocate resources to control it. It anticipates and addresses the dangers to the public's well-being and effectively controls episodes of infectious diseases. However, some key issues are associated with data analytics implementation, such as data quality, governance, privacy, bias, integration, expertise, and ethics, among others. Therefore, solving these challenges to achieve the optimum shifting of health service paradigms through data analytics in inpatient treatment, organizational management, and affordability is imperative.