Based on spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness as the core pathogenesis of obesity， and integrating recent advances in modern medicine regarding the key role of immune inflammation in obesity， this paper proposes a multidimensional pathogenic network of "obesity-spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness-immune imbalance". Various traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） herbs that strengthen the spleen， regulate qi， and resolve phlegm and dampness can treat obesity by improving spleen-stomach transport and transformation， promoting water-damp metabolism， and regulating immune homeostasis. This highlights immune inflammation as an important entry point to elucidate the TCM concepts of "spleen deficiency-phlegm dampness" and the therapeutic principle of "strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness to treat obesity". By systematically analyzing the intrinsic connection between "spleen deficiency generating dampness， internal accumulation of phlegm dampness" and immune dysregulation in obesity， this paper aims to provide theoretical support for TCM treatment of obesity based on dampness.

ObjectiveTo explore the quantity-quality transfer process of medicinal materials， decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（Haliotis discus hannai） by analyzing the physical phase and compositional changes， so as to provide references for the effective control of its quality. MethodsA total of 20 batches of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai） from different habitats were collected and prepared into corresponding calcined products and standard decoction， and the content of CaCO₃ of the three samples were determined and the extract yield and transfer rate of CaCO₃ were calculated. The changes in elemental composition and their relative contents were investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry（XRF）， X-ray diffraction（XRD） was used to study the changes in the phase compositions of the three samples and to establish their respective XRD specific chromatogram. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry（FTIR） was used to study the changes in the chemical composition and content changes of the three samples and to establish their respective FTIR specific chromatogram， while combining hierarchical cluster analysis（HCA）， principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） to find the common and differential characteristics， in order to explore the quantity-quality transfer relationship in the preparation process of standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai）. ResultsThe CaCO₃ contents of the 20 batches of medicinal materials， decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai） were 93.87%-98.95%， 96.02%-99.97% and 38.29%-51.96%， respectively， and the extract yield of standard decoction was 1.71%-2.37%， and the CaCO₃ transfer rate of decoction pieces-standard decoction was 0.68%-1.27%. XRF results showed that the elemental species and their relative contents contained in Haliotidis Concha and its calcined products had a high degree of similarity， and although there was no obvious difference in the elemental species contained in decoction pieces and standard decoction， the difference in the relative contents was obvious， which was mainly reflected in the decrease of the relative content of element Ca and the increase of the relative content of element Na. XRD results showed that Haliotidis Concha mainly contained CaCO₃ of aragonite and calcite， while calcined Haliotidis Concha only contained CaCO₃ of calcite， and standard decoction mainly contained CaCO₃ of calcite and Na₂CO₃ of natrite. FTIR results showed that there were internal vibrations of O-H， C-H， C=O， HCO₃^- and CO₃^2- groups in Haliotidis Concha， while O-H， HCO₃^- and CO₃^2- groups existed in the calcined products and standard decoction. ConclusionThe changes of Haliotidis Concha and calcined Haliotidis Concha are mainly the increase of CaCO₃ content， the transformation of CaCO₃ aragonite crystal form to calcite crystal form and the absence of organic components after calcination， and the changes of calcined products and standard decoction are mainly the decrease of CaCO₃ content and the increase of Na₂CO₃ relative content. The method established in the study is applicable to the quality control of the shellfish medicines-decoction pieces- standard decoction， which provides a new idea for the study of quality control of dispensing granules of shellfish medicines.

ObjectiveTo explore the quantity-quality transfer process of medicinal materials， decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（Haliotis discus hannai） by analyzing the physical phase and compositional changes， so as to provide references for the effective control of its quality. MethodsA total of 20 batches of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai） from different habitats were collected and prepared into corresponding calcined products and standard decoction， and the content of CaCO₃ of the three samples were determined and the extract yield and transfer rate of CaCO₃ were calculated. The changes in elemental composition and their relative contents were investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry（XRF）， X-ray diffraction（XRD） was used to study the changes in the phase compositions of the three samples and to establish their respective XRD specific chromatogram. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry（FTIR） was used to study the changes in the chemical composition and content changes of the three samples and to establish their respective FTIR specific chromatogram， while combining hierarchical cluster analysis（HCA）， principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） to find the common and differential characteristics， in order to explore the quantity-quality transfer relationship in the preparation process of standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai）. ResultsThe CaCO₃ contents of the 20 batches of medicinal materials， decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha（H. discus hannai） were 93.87%-98.95%， 96.02%-99.97% and 38.29%-51.96%， respectively， and the extract yield of standard decoction was 1.71%-2.37%， and the CaCO₃ transfer rate of decoction pieces-standard decoction was 0.68%-1.27%. XRF results showed that the elemental species and their relative contents contained in Haliotidis Concha and its calcined products had a high degree of similarity， and although there was no obvious difference in the elemental species contained in decoction pieces and standard decoction， the difference in the relative contents was obvious， which was mainly reflected in the decrease of the relative content of element Ca and the increase of the relative content of element Na. XRD results showed that Haliotidis Concha mainly contained CaCO₃ of aragonite and calcite， while calcined Haliotidis Concha only contained CaCO₃ of calcite， and standard decoction mainly contained CaCO₃ of calcite and Na₂CO₃ of natrite. FTIR results showed that there were internal vibrations of O-H， C-H， C=O， HCO₃^- and CO₃^2- groups in Haliotidis Concha， while O-H， HCO₃^- and CO₃^2- groups existed in the calcined products and standard decoction. ConclusionThe changes of Haliotidis Concha and calcined Haliotidis Concha are mainly the increase of CaCO₃ content， the transformation of CaCO₃ aragonite crystal form to calcite crystal form and the absence of organic components after calcination， and the changes of calcined products and standard decoction are mainly the decrease of CaCO₃ content and the increase of Na₂CO₃ relative content. The method established in the study is applicable to the quality control of the shellfish medicines-decoction pieces- standard decoction， which provides a new idea for the study of quality control of dispensing granules of shellfish medicines.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.