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Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) have great potential in the design of non-volatile memory devices due to the tunneling electroresistance (TER) effect and the fact that it is not constrained by critical thickness. Incorporation of 2D ferroelectric materials in realistic FTJs inevitably involves the contacts to the traditional three-dimensional (3D) metals. However, how to design the FTJs by combining the 2D ferroelectric materials with the 3D metals still needs to be studied. In this work, we design a vertical 3D FTJ by adopting the 3D metal Au as the left and right electrodes and the 2D ferroelectric material In2Se3 together with h-BN as the central scattering region. By density functional theory combined with the non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method, we demonstrate that the h-BN intercalation with a large bandgap plays the role of good "insulator," which breaks the symmetry of the left and right electrodes. As a result, we obtain the TER ratio of about 170%, and it can be further improved to about 1200% if two layers of In2Se3 (2L-In2Se3) are adopted as the tunneling barrier layer. Our results provide another way for the design and application of ferroelectric memory devices based on 2D ferroelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the impact of China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) on the export sophistication of countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Through an examination of data spanning from 2010 to 2015, our findings reveal that China’s OFDI significantly enhances export sophistication in host countries, with a more pronounced effect observed in relatively poor BRI nations. However, the positive correlation between China’s OFDI and export sophistication diminishes in host countries characterized by elevated productivity levels. Utilizing a structural equation model, we identify host country productivity as a crucial mediating factor. The indirect technology spillover effects of China’s OFDI, facilitated through increased productivity, account for approximately 39% of their overall impact on export sophistication. Furthermore, we delineate threshold effects of productivity for China’s OFDI, demonstrating substantial positive effects in host countries with a GDP per capita below the first threshold (approximately US$1,141) or within the range of the first and second thresholds (around US$7,115). Upon consideration of these thresholds, distinctions in the effects of China’s OFDI between BRI and non-BRI host countries diminish. Our analysis underscores that the favorable influence of China’s OFDI extends beyond the BRI, providing benefits to low and middle-income countries globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiferroic van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures offer an exciting route toward the nanoelectronics and spintronics device technology. How to realize the mutual regulation between ferroelectric and magnetic materials has attracted extensive research. In this work, based on the density functional theory, we simulate a vdW multiferroic heterostructure based on the bipolar magnetic semiconductor material graphone and ferroelectric monolayer In2Te3 and further investigate its electronic properties. We find that direct contact between In2Te3 and graphone induces a transition in graphone from a ferromagnetic state to a non-magnetic state. Fortunately, the magnetic properties of graphone are preserved by using graphene as an intercalation layer, and the graphone monolayer changes from its original semiconductor to a half-metal in the graphone/graphene/In2Te3 vdW heterostructure for P↓ state. Furthermore, by adjusting the layer spacing of the heterostructure, the spin polarization states of graphone at the Fermi level (EF) are regulated between spin-up (S↑) and spin-down (S↓) with the reversal of ferroelectric polarization states. Our results not only provide a promising way to realize the half-metallicity in 2D magnetic materials but also computationally predict the ferroelectric control of the spin polarization state, which has great application potential in the next-generation nonvolatile electrically controlled spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to identify the factors (especially parental involvement, academic self-efficacy, and depression) associated with academic performance among Chinese K-12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The CFPS was conducted from July to December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multistage probability sample proportional to size was used for the survey. The final sample consisted of 1747 K-12 students. This study used the 14-item Chinese Parental Involvement and Support Scale, the Responsibility Scale, and the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to measure parental involvement, academic self-efficacy, and depression, respectively. An ordered probit regression and structural equation models were employed to analyze the factors associated with academic performance. A multiple imputation technique was applied to compute missing values in selected variables.Results: We found that parental involvement and academic self-efficacy were positively associated with good academic performance. In contrast, depression was negatively associated with good academic performance. Moreover, academic stress, male, rural residency, middle school, family size, high income, online gaming daily, reading, and intelligence quotient were statistically significant predictors on academic performance.Conclusion: The empirical findings suggested that parental involvement and academic self-efficacy were positively and significantly associated with good academic performance. However, depression was negatively and significantly associated with good academic performance. These results showed that policymakers and practitioners can help improve academic success and address educational inequalities among K-12 students by implementing a series of reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Chinese central government launched the third phase of health system reforms in 2009. After a decade since the initiation of the reform, the health system has witnessed noteworthy gains. However, there is no concurrent improvement in public satisfaction with the health system. This study analysed various factors that influence public satisfaction with the system and examined whether perceived quality of care affects public satisfaction. Methods: A longitudinal nationally representative survey was used for this study. We used five waves of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey data. The final sample consisted of 145 843 observations. A two-way fixed-effects ordered logistic model was used for the analysis. Results: The results indicate that perceived good quality of care was positively associated with public satisfaction in health system regardless of rural–urban residence. Older adults and individuals with more than 3 years of college education were less likely to be satisfied with the system in rural areas. Personal income and the density of medical professionals in the geographic area tend to improve public satisfaction in rural areas. Having medical insurance coverage and fair or good self-rated health improved the probability of reporting public satisfaction in urban areas. Married people and individuals who lived in the West region were less likely to be satisfied with the health system in urban areas. Conclusions: Knowledge and skills of healthcare providers or physical quality of facilities are not sufficient in improving public satisfaction in the health system. Policymakers need to identify options to influence the important factors that affect public perception of the system. This analysis identified several policy-amenable factors to improve public perception of the health system in rural and urban China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-dimensional ferroelectrics have a great deal of potential for use in electronic memory devices. However, intrinsic one-dimensional (1D) ferroelectricity is very rare. Using first-principles calculations, we present the discovery of an inborn 1D Ta4OTe9I4 ferroelectric (FE) nanowire. Its distinctive geometry can cause spontaneous electric polarization along the z-axis and allow it to maintain a certain temperature and strain. In addition to its sizable spontaneous polarization and appropriate Curie temperature, the 1D Ta4OTe9I4 nanowire exhibits an energy barrier comparable to those of other ferroelectrics. With polarization reversal, the energy gap can be modulated in the range of 0.38–1.33 eV, corresponding to an apparent peak shift phenomenon in the optical response. We use this nanowire as an exemplary material for building a FE tunnel junction composed of Hf0.5Ta3.5OTe9I4/Ta4OTe9I4/W0.5Ta3.5OTe9I4 with a giant tunneling electroresistance ratio at zero and low bias. Our calculations suggest that this 1D intrinsically FE material obtained from van der Waals crystals can be used in miniaturized and advanced high-density information storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of this study was to identify factors associated with medical care delay or avoidance among Chinese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2020 China Family Panel Study (CFPS). The CFPS was conducted from July to December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final sample included 4369 adults. A logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors associated with medical care delay or avoidance.Results: The empirical results indicate that regardless of rural-urban residence, older adults and adults with chronic conditions were less likely to delay or avoid medical care during the pandemic. However, individuals who had completed more than three years of college showed a higher likelihood of delaying or avoiding medical care. In urban areas, larger family sizes, greater general trust in physicians, and higher provider structural quality were associated with a decreased probability of delaying or avoiding medical care during the pandemic. In contrast, employed adults were more likely to delay or avoid medical care. In rural areas, current smokers were more likely to delay or avoid medical care during the pandemic.Conclusion: This study has identified several factors affecting medical care delay or avoidance, some of which are amenable to policy changes. Policymakers can help improve the utilization of health facilities and patient health outcomes by implementing a series of reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data over the 2010-2015 period, we investigate the effect of cultural heterogeneity and cross-border acquisition experience on post-acquisition performance of Chinese publicly listed companies (PLCs). We find that between and within cultural heterogeneity has a negative and statistically significant effect on post-acquisition performance, but the effect of acquisition experience on post-acquisition performance is positive. We find that the dynamic marginal effects of cultural heterogeneity and acquisition experience on post-acquisition performance of Chinese PLCs are contingent on the scale of acquisition. Chinese PLCs can improve their post-acquisition performance by overcoming the issues arising from cultural heterogeneity, accumulating acquisition experience, and exploiting economies of scale. However, in the case of state-owned PLCs, prior cross-border acquisition experience can adversely affect the performance of new cross-border acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the relationship between cultural distance, classroom silence, and the performance of culturally responsive and inclusive education (CRIE) using a survey of 1051 college students in Shanghai in 2022. We found a significantly positive association between migrant students' cultural distance and their perceived learning gains in class. Students' cultural distance increased their classroom silence as a form of protection but had no significant effect on their classroom silence as a sign of power. The classroom silence as protection decreased students' perceived learning gains. However, classroom silence as power could be used by both local and migrant students as a hold-up strategy to strengthen their influence in class discussions, which could improve their perceived learning gains. Teachers' CRIE played the most important role in migrant students' perceived learning gains, while the effectiveness of CRIE was also actually dependent on the different channels and mechanisms of cultural distance and classroom silence. A cautious identification of classroom silence will improve the effectiveness of CRIE. Suggestions are offered to lighten the practice of educators, administrators, and instructors who face classroom silence from subnational migrant students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic (AFM) material, MnPS3 and a 2D ferroelectric material, Sc2CO2, we propose 2D van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure multiferroics to realize strong magnetoelectric coupling, which is important for designing high-performance magnetoelectric devices. By using first-principles simulations, it is found that the transition from an AFM state to a ferromagnetic (FM) state of a MnPS3 layer could be realized by reversing the polarization direction of a Sc2CO2 layer. We further reveal that such strong magnetoelectric effects originate from the large inter-layer charge transfer due to the competitive interaction between the difference of the interface work functions between MnPS3 and Sc2CO2 and the strong electronegativity of the O atom interface in the Sc2CO2 layer. Our results suggest a feasible scheme for constructing 2D vdW heterostructure multiferroics with very strong inter-layer magnetoelectric coupling effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corpse plant (Amorphophallus titanum) is so named because it produces a pungent, foul odor when flowering. Little is known about how the emitted volatiles change throughout the two-day flowering period. In this study, the comprehensive monitoring of the presence and change in volatile molecules during the female and the male flowering phases of A. titanum was conducted, and the plant temperature was monitored. A total of 422 volatile features were detected over the entire sampling period, of which 118 features were statistically significantly different between the pre-flowering and both flowering phases, and an additional 304 features were found present throughout the flowering period. A total of 45 molecules could be assigned putative names. The volatile profile of A. titanum changes over the two-day flowering period, with the S-containing molecules and aldehydes dominant in the female flowering phase, and the alcohols and hydrocarbons dominant in the male flowering phase. The two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) enabled us to identify 32 new molecules produced by A. titanum. Each of these molecules alone, and in combination, likely contribute to the different odors emitted during the flowering phase of A. titanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the unchangeable air-gap flux density, the voltage output by permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) will have a variation when the load changes. In order to reduce the voltage variation when PMSGs provide power for the rectifier load in diesel railway vehicles, an optimal method is presented to design a 9-phase PMSG. This optimal method not only ensures the open-circuit voltage of the generator equals the rated voltage of the load, but also it guarantees the PMSG has a low voltage change rate at the same time. In this paper, the saliency ratio range and the relationship between resistance of load and the induction of d-axis are derived according to the two-axis theory, when the PMSG has the negative or zero voltage change rate. Then based on the result of the derivation, by adding the I-shaped permanent magnet (PM) to the d-axis magnetic circuit of V-shaped interior PM rotor, a V-I-shaped PMSG is formed. After that, the Kriging method and the finite-element method (FEM) are used to establish a multi-objective function model. By calculating the minimum value of the multi-objective function, the construct dimension of the I-shaped PM is obtained. After the optimal design results are verified by the FEM, a 520 kVA 9-phase PMSG is manufactured to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic policy reform that started in China in early 1980s also affected its movie industry. Like other sectors, movie industry is also not fully liberalized. The industry is required to ensure that movie contents are consistent with core socialist and cultural values and locally produced movies are also financially viable. However, cultural and politically motivated regulation can adversely affect box-office revenues. Using a recently available dataset, which covers the period of 2009–2018, we investigate the box-office performance of Chinese domestic movies. We start by examining the role of movie quality signals (such as star power, internet media evaluation and industry recognition) in our empirical analysis of the relationship between family-friendly content of movies and box-office revenues. We then match the movie contents with its financial performance records. Our novel approach reveals that the explicit sex and profanity in movies have a negative and statistically significant impact on box-office revenues, which confirms the role of cultural values in financial success of motion pictures in China. However, in the case of large-budget movies involving celebrity superstars, the violent and gore (graphic violence) content attracts viewers and hence the box-office revenue increases. Our work highlights the contradictory nature of China's movie industry policy, which binds the industry to strict cultural and politically motivated regulation while insisting on financial success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Septic shock is the most severe complication of sepsis, and is a major cause of childhood mortality, constituting a heavy public health burden. Methods: We analyzed the gene expression profiles of septic shock and control samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Four differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from survivor and control groups, non-survivor and control groups, and survivor and non-survivor groups were selected. We used data about these genes to establish a logistic regression model for predicting the survival of septic shock patients. Results: Leave-one-out cross validation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that this model had good accuracy. Differential expression and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) between septic shock patients stratified by prediction score indicated that the systemic lupus erythematosus pathway was activated, while the limonene and pinene degradation pathways were inactivated in the high score group. Conclusions: Our study provides a novel approach for the prediction of the severity of pathology in septic shock patients, which are significant for personalized treatment as well as prognostic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the China Family Panel Studies, we identify the subjects studied by vocational college and university graduates, with the latter group further divided into ordinary and key universities. While the returns are around 8–10% to attending colleges and ordinary universities, there are higher returns of 12–16% per annum to attending the more prestigious key universities. The recent massive expansion of the higher education sector resulted in reduced returns to all HE types, except for graduates who studied subjects other than LEM (law, economics, and management) or STEM (sciences, technology, engineering and math/medicine) at key universities. We further account for selection on observables into subjects and tiers using the doubly robust Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment method (IPWRA) approach. While these results are tentative, they suggest that pooled OLS and random-effect models substantially underestimate the effect of attending universities that are more prestigious for graduates of both genders in LEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health crisis. Despite progress, pediatric patients remain difficult to diagnose, with approximately half of all childhood TB patients lacking bacterial confirmation. In this pilot study (n = 31), we identify a 4-compound breathprint and subsequent machine learning model that accurately classifies children with confirmed TB (n = 10) from children with another lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (n = 10) with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% observed across cross validation folds. Importantly, we demonstrate that the breathprint identified an additional nine of eleven patients who had unconfirmed clinical TB and whose symptoms improved while treated for TB. While more work is necessary to validate the utility of using patient breath to diagnose pediatric TB, it shows promise as a triage instrument or paired as part of an aggregate diagnostic scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Adverse outcome pathways (AOP) have been proposed as a new method to improve the ecological risk assessment of pollutants, but it requires quantitation linkage between exposure, biomarker response and toxicity of pollutants. A toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic (TK-TD) model was used to quantify AOP of the toxicity of Cd and Pb to zebrafish, including the quantitative relationship between Cd and Pb accumulation in gill and oxidative damage level based on ROS or MDA, and LC 50 values at different times. Significant relationships were found between the oxidative damage level characterized by ROS and MDA content and Cd or Pb accumulation in gill (R2 > 0.60), and the TK model could better simulate the Pb accumulation in the gills (R2 > 0.60) than Cd. The increasing of Cd or Pb concentrations induced the generation of ROS and the formation of ROS initiated the fluctuation of MDA level in the cells as compared to controls (p < 0.05). For the individual level effect, the Damage Assessment Model (DAM) could successfully explain the change of LC 50-ROS and LC 50-MDA values at different times (R2 > 0.99). Our findings suggested that the TK-TD model based on ROS and MDA could be used as a quantitative AOP to predict toxicity of metals to zebrafish. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The increasing of Cd or Pb concentrations significantly induced the generation of ROS and MDA. • Significant relationships were found between oxidative damage based on ROS or MDA and Cd or Pb accumulation in gill. • The damage assessment model could successfully explain the change of LC 50-ROS and LC 50-MDA values with time. • TK-TD model based on ROS and MDA could be used as a quantitative AOP to predict metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) are very promising as a new type of nonvolatile memory devices due to the tunneling electroresistance (TER) effect. In recent years, with the rise of two-dimensional (2D) materials, 2D ferroelectrics and their application in FTJs have attracted intensive attention, with the advantage of greatly reducing the FTJ based memory device sizes, as demanded by the ongoing device minituriazation in modern electronic circuits. However, all present schemes for realizing giant TER ratio with 2D FTJs are based on the polarization reversal of the whole ferroelectric layer upon an electrical field. In this work, we explore the quantum transport properties of the 2D FTJs with the partial reversal of polarization, namely, the formation of domain walls (DWs) by constructing two kinds of FTJs. One is in a uniform-polarization state and the other one is a state with domain walls. Structural relaxation confirms the stability of the domain-wall state. By quantum transport calculation, we obtain a TER ratio as high as 2.75 × 104 %. Further analysis of the electronic structure shows that there is charge accumulation or charge depletion at the two DWs. Such asymmetric interface polarization charges result in a built-in electrical field and thus affect the distribution of the effective potential along the transport direction. This leads to partial metal-insulator transition around the DWs and finally the giant TER ratio. Our results indicate that DWs may greatly affect the quantum transport and provide a new mechanism for realizing giant TER effect in 2D FTJs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the radiative impacts of cloud hydrometeors on the radial movement of the maximum wind of Typhoon Rammasun (2014), as indicated by the radial shift in the maximum symmetric rotational kinetic energy (K ψs max). The sensitivity experiments conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model indicated that the radial movement of K ψs max remains unaffected by the radiative impacts of cloud water, raindrops, snow, and graupel. However, eliminating the radiative impacts of cloud ice produced a 10-h pause in K ψs max and contraction of its radius, which eventually led to a delay in rapid intensification, resulting in a 13% reduction in intensity peak. The analysis reveals that removal of the radiative impacts of cloud ice induced the instability in the lower troposphere and enhanced the dissipation as well as the conversion from K ψs to asymmetric rotational kinetic energy (K ψa). This significantly reduced the K ψs tendency by offsetting the conversion from symmetric divergent kinetic energy (K χs) to K ψs and K ψs flux convergence. • The removal of cloud ice's radiative effects initially accelerated the contraction of maximum wind of Typhoon Rammasun (2014). • A limited energy buildup paused this contraction, later restarting through asymmetric to symmetric rotational kinetic energy conversion. • The pause caused a 10-h delay in intensification, leading to a 13% reduction in peak intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric materials exhibit significant potential for applications in nonvolatile memory and device miniaturization. In the device design stage, it is essential to consider the compatibility between 2D ferroelectric materials and three-dimensional (3D) metal. However, the interface between them introduces complex interactions that could impact the device's performance. In this work, based on the first-principles method, we simulate several 3D metal–2D ferroelectric material contact systems by utilizing different 3D metals in contact with the 2D ferroelectric monolayer CuInP2S6 (CIPS). By calculating the electronic structures of the systems, we find that the Cd(001)–CIPS configuration is the most stable structure, followed by the Ag(111)–CIPS and Au(111)–CIPS systems. Both the Cd(001)–CIPS and Ag(111)–CIPS systems undergo a transition from Schottky to Ohmic contact. Finally, we theoretically design a ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) based on the Cd(001)–CIPS contact system, achieving a tunneling electroresistance ratio of 2.394 × 10 5 % and a remarkably low resistance–area product of 0.78 Ω · μ m2, which makes the proposed FTJ superior to the conventional 3D FTJ. This work provides some insights for the design of nonvolatile storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term development of fluvial landscapes is sensitive to tectonic movement. This is the case for the Three Rivers Region, located on the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, where it is critical for understanding the continuous collision and compression between the Indian and Eurasian plates. However, quantitative perspectives on this landscape evolution are lacking. Based on present global positioning system (GPS) data, a quantitative expression of two phases of regional deformation, a northeast-southwest shortening and dextral shear deformation, was proposed to represent the continuous Indian-Eurasian collision. By incorporating this tectonic pattern into a landscape evolution model and integrating the regional differential uplift, the numerical results quantitatively present a dynamic shaping of the Nu, Lancang, and Jinsha rivers in the SE Tibetan plateau margin. Analyses of the fractal dimensions of these river networks indicate that two tectonic deformation phases significantly controlled regional landscape development and its unique drainage features. The numerical simulations depict the river networks to comprise very long and relatively straight stream trunks, and relatively small and short tributaries. The tectonic shortening and its accompanying rapid uplift prevented the development and lengthening of the tributaries, which might have promoted the formation of low-relief surfaces. With comparison to the digital elevation model (DEM), the fractal features of the river networks extracted from the numerical results are consistent with those extracted from the natural river networks, despite the simplicity of the numerical model. More broadly, based on the more realistic kinematic scenarios and reasonable constraints, this study contributes to the development of an effective and applicable model that can reveal important implications for the landscape evolution of the region. • Landscape modelling of the evolution of the Three Rivers Region, SE Tibetan Plateau • Models India-Eurasia collision deformation: NE-SW shortening and dextral shearing • Results quantitatively present dynamic shaping of the Nu, Lancang, and Jinsha rivers. • River networks comprise long-straight trunks, and small-short tributaries. • Tectonic shortening-uplift prevented tributary assisting low-relief surface formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational duration has a significant impact on eye diseases. A large number of evidences suggest that cytokines are associated with gestational duration and eye diseases. However, the causal relationships among cytokines, maternal gestational impairment and offspring eye diseases remain unclear. We performed lifecourse-network Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationships between maternal gestational duration (from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) study, N = 84,689), neonatal/adult cytokines (from the NHGRI-EBI Catalog, N = 764/4,618), and adult eye diseases (from FinnGen consotium, N = 309,154) using summary-level data from large genome-wide association studies. Multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) and multivariable-IVW methods were the main analysis methods, and the other 15 pleiotropy-robust methods, weak IV-robust methods, and outliers-robust methods were used as auxiliary methods. Maternal gestational age (early preterm birth, preterm birth, gestational duration, and post-term birth) had a causal relationship with 42 eye diseases. Four neonatal cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α(TNF-α), IL10, GROA, and CTACK, as well as four adult cytokines, CTACK, IL10, IL12p70 and IL6 are mediators in the causal relationships between early preterm birth and preterm birth in eight eye diseases. However, after adjusting for these mediators, a null direct causal effect of early preterm birth and preterm birth on eight eye diseases was found. In addition, there was no mediator in the causal relationship between gestational duration and post-term birth to eye diseases. The effects of maternal gestational duration on offspring eye diseases through cytokines are long-term and life-course effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The joint toxicity of chemical mixtures has emerged as a popular topic, particularly on the additive and potential synergistic actions of environmental mixtures. We investigated the 24 h toxicity of Cu–Zn, Cu–Cd, and Cu–Pb and 96 h toxicity of Cd–Pb binary mixtures on the survival of zebrafish larvae. Joint toxicity was predicted and compared using the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models with different assumptions in the toxic action mode in toxicodynamic processes through single and binary metal mixture tests. Results showed that the CA and IA models presented varying predictive abilities for different metal combinations. For the Cu–Cd and Cd–Pb mixtures, the CA model simulated the observed survival rates better than the IA model. By contrast, the IA model simulated the observed survival rates better than the CA model for the Cu–Zn and Cu–Pb mixtures. These findings revealed that the toxic action mode may depend on the combinations and concentrations of tested metal mixtures. Statistical analysis of the antagonistic or synergistic interactions indicated that synergistic interactions were observed for the Cu–Cd and Cu–Pb mixtures, non-interactions were observed for the Cd–Pb mixtures, and slight antagonistic interactions for the Cu–Zn mixtures. These results illustrated that the CA and IA models are consistent in specifying the interaction patterns of binary metal mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Early-onset FSHD identified in two siblings with initial symptoms by four months of age. • Maternal mosaicism detected with 20% carriage of the pathogenic D4Z4 repeat configuration. • Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) was an effective tool for detecting D4Z4 repeat reduction and confirming maternal mosaicism. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant condition caused by shortened D4Z4 repeat units in the subtelomeric region of 4q35, always on the 4qA haplotype, or due to variants in the SMCHD1 gene leading to hypomethylation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite DNA repeats. To explore the potential genetic basis for suspected FSHD presenting with early onset in two siblings without evident family history of the disorder, whole genome sequencing (WGS) and optical genome mapping (OGM) were conducted on the affected individuals and their parents. The two siblings manifested severe and early-onset clinical features consistent with FSHD, initiating with facial muscle weakness that progressively spread downward since the age of four months. OGM disclosed a reduced number of D4Z4 repeat units within the subtelomeric region of 4q35 in both affected siblings. This finding was pivotal in establishing the diagnosis of FSHD1 in the two brothers. The analysis also revealed that their clinically asymptomatic mother harbored the pathogenic D4Z4 repeat configuration (4qA) at a 50% frequency, indicating her mosaic carrier status. Additionally, WGS and Sanger sequencing identified a paternal origin variant c.695_699del (p.Val232Glyfs*7) in the DNAJB6 gene in both siblings. The application of advanced genomic methodologies has proven instrumental in unraveling the intricacies of genetic diseases that challenge traditional diagnostic paradigms. Specifically, this study highlights the effectiveness of OGM in diagnosing FSHD1 and confirming D4Z4 repeat reduction, particularly in cases involving parental mosaicism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of emotion on memory often leads to the trade-off: enhanced memory for emotional items comes at the cost of memory for background information. Although this effect is usually attributed to overt attention during encoding, Steinmetz and Kensinger (2013) proposed that such an effect might also be related to post-stimulus elaboration. Based on previous different viewpoints, we used the directed forgetting paradigm to further explore the effect of post-stimulus elaboration on the memory trade-off. In the meantime, we also tested the roles of background valence and item salience (high salient items were placed in the centre of backgrounds while low salient items were placed in the periphery of backgrounds) in modulating the memory trade-off. Our results showed that there was a memory trade-off when backgrounds were neutral, whereas this was no longer the case when backgrounds were negative. This indicated the memory trade-off might be affected by background valence. Meanwhile, we found post-stimulus elaboration contributed to selective memory enhancement for backgrounds, while item salience enhanced item memory performance in the memory trade-off. These findings suggest the emotion-induced memory trade-off may be a complex memory effect, which can be influenced by different factors to varying degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Frequency‐domain electromagnetic methods with a grounded‐wire source are powerful tools in geophysical exploration. However, the signal may be too weak to guarantee the quality of survey data in complex electromagnetic environments, especially when the receiver is located in the air for the newly developed grounded‐source airborne frequency‐domain electromagnetic method. In this paper, a signal enhancement method with multiple sources is proposed to solve this problem. To evaluate the signal enhancement effect, we compared the signals generated by a single source and multiple sources with equal electric moment. The signal differences caused by synchronisation error and separation distance between source elements were analysed, and the methods to achieve maximum signal were introduced. Besides, we discussed the interaction between adjacent source elements to ensure the system safety, including the changes in output current and the safe distance between two sources using a dual‐source model. Lastly, a comprehensive field experiment was designed and conducted to test the multiple‐source method. The data processing results are comparable for single and dual sources, and the signal‐to‐noise ratio of dual source is higher in the field test. The subsurface resistivity structure at the test site is consistent with the previous controlled‐source audio‐frequency magnetotellurics method. These results show that signal enhancement with multiple sources is feasible. This study provides guidance to the application of multiple sources in field surveys when the survey environment is complex and rigorous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression and their relationships with the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our results showed that miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression were dramatically lower in CRC cell lines and tissues than that in adjacent normal colorectal mucosal tissues, respectively. MiR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression were significantly associated with histological differentiation and TNM stage, respectively. CRC patients with low miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those patients with high miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression (p <0.001, p <0.001), respectively. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that tumour size, TNM stage, miR-378a-3p expression and miR-378a-5p expression were independent prognostic factors for CRC patients. Ectopic miR-378a-3p or miR-378a-5p expression inhibited cellular proliferation and colony formation, induced apoptosis and G1-phase cell cycle arrest in CRC cells, but had no effect on migration and invasion of CRC cells. Furthermore, miR-378a-3p over-expression or down-regulation could inhibit or enhance insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) expression in CRC cells. There was a significantly negative correlation between IGF1R protein expression and miR-378a-3p expression in CRC tissues. MiR-378a-3p over-expression or down-regulation suppressed or enhanced phosphorylated-ERK1/2 protein level, but had no effect on phosphorylated-Akt protein level. In conclusion, miR-378a-3p and miR-378a-5p expression might play an important role as tumour suppressor gene in the initial stage of carcinogenesis of CRC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Accuracy of interpolation coefficients fitting to the auto-calibrating signal data is crucial for k-space-based parallel reconstruction. Both conventional generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) reconstruction that utilizes linear interpolation function and nonlinear GRAPPA (NLGRAPPA) reconstruction with polynomial kernel function are sensitive to interpolation window and often cannot consistently produce good results for overall acceleration factors. In this study, sparse multi-kernel learning is conducted within the framework of least squares support vector regression to fit interpolation coefficients as well as to reconstruct images robustly under different subsampling patterns and coil datasets. The kernel combination weights and interpolation coefficients are adaptively determined by efficient semi-infinite linear programming techniques. Experimental results on phantom and in vivo data indicate that the proposed method can automatically achieve an optimized compromise between noise suppression and residual artifacts for various sampling schemes. Compared with NLGRAPPA, our method is significantly less sensitive to the interpolation window and kernel parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was aimed at investigating the expression of metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), its relationship with β-catenin, Met expression and the clinicopathological features of NPC, and its roles in carcinogenesis of NPC. Our results showed that MACC1 expression was higher in NPC cells and tissues than that in normal nasopharyngeal cells and chronic inflammation of the nasopharynx tissues, respectively. MACC1 expression was closely related to the clinical stage (p = 0.005) and the N classification (p<0.05) of NPC. Significant correlations between MACC1 expression and Met expression (p = 0.003), MACC1 expression and β-catenin abnormal expression (p = 0.033) were found in NPC tissues. MACC1 knockdown dramatically inhibited cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation, but induced apoptosis in NPC cells compared with the control group. Furthermore, MACC1 down-regulation inhibited phosphorylated-Akt (Ser473) and β-catenin expression in NPC cells, but phosphorylated-Erk1/2 expression was not altered. Further study showed that phosphotidylinsitol-3-kinase inhibitor downregulated β-catenin and Met expression in NPC cells. There was a significant relationship between MACC1 expression and phosphorylated-Akt expression (p = 0.03), β-catenin abnormal expression and phosphorylated-Akt expression (p = 0.012) in NPC tissue, respectively. In addition, Epstein Barr virus-encoded oncogene latent membrane protein 1 upregulated MACC1 expression in NPC cells. Our results firstly suggest that MACC1 plays an important role in carcinogenesis of NPC through Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Targeting MACC1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our objective was to study the phenotype of and molecular genetic mechanisms underlying congenital protein C (PC) deficiency in Chinese neonates. We report the case of a neonate who presented 4 h after birth with purpura fulminans of the skin and thrombosis in the kidney. We also carried out a through literature review to study the genotype and phenotype, relevance, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of neonates with congenital PC deficiency in China. Case presentation and literature review: Following a septic work-up and check of PC and protein S (PS) levels that showed PC deficiency, we investigated the patient's and her parents' genotypes. Our patient was found to have a plasma PC level of 0.8%. Molecular testing revealed a compound heterozygous mutation of the PROC gene: From the father, a c._262 G > T p. ASP88Tyr mutation in exon 4; from the mother, a C. 400 + 5G mutation in intron 5 that had been previously reported as likely pathogenic. Both parents were found to have heterozygous mutations for PC deficiency. In China, 5 other cases of congenital PC deficiency in the neonatal period were reported in the literature. In those cases, purpura fulminans and thrombosis were the main symptoms, and homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations of the PROC gene were identified. Conclusion: Congenital PC deficiency should be ruled out for neonates presenting with purpura fulminans and thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]