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Several studies assessed the association of maternal folate intake with infant asthma risk, but the findings are controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to clarify the association between maternal folate intake and infant asthma risk. PubMed and SCOPUS databases were searched for related studies published until August 2018. Fixed-effects models were applied to pool relative risks (RRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) due to the low heterogeneity. We also adopted generalized least-squares trend (GLST) estimation for the dose-response analysis. In our study, a total of 10 studies with maternal folate intake and 5 studies with blood folate concentration were included. We found that maternal folate intake during pregnancy was significantly related to the risk of infant asthma (RR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.06–1.17). Similar results were found for geographic region from Europe (RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01–1.16) and North America (RR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.11–1.30) in subgroup analyses. Meanwhile, the dose-response analysis showed a linear relationship between maternal folic acid intake during pregnancy and infant asthma risk. This meta-analysis indicates that maternal folate intake during pregnancy could increase infant asthma risk. Therefore, the adverse effect of folic acid on infant asthma should not be ignored when it is supplemented during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.

Involuntary admission (IA) is limited to particular situations in mental health laws to protect patients from unnecessary coercion. China’s first national mental health law has been in effect since 2013; however, the status of IA has not been sufficiently explored. To explore the changing patterns of IA since the clinical application of the IA criteria specified in the new law, an investigation of IA status was undertaken in 14 periods (each period lasting for one month from 05/2013 to 05/2017) in the tertiary specialized psychiatric hospital in Shanghai. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of 3733 patients were collected. The differences among IA rates in different periods were compared, and the characteristics of patients who were and were not involuntarily admitted were analysed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to clarify the independent variables of IA. The IA rate dramatically decreased after the implementation of the new law, while the overall trend gradually increased. The implementation of the IA risk criteria is effective, but IA is still common in China. The medical factors influencing IA following the implementation of the new law are similar to those in previous studies at home and abroad. Non-medical factors might be the main causes of the high IA rates in Chinese psychiatric institutions.

Exposure to PM2.5 has become one of the most important factors affecting public health in the world. Both clinical and research studies have suggested that PM2.5 inhalation is associated with impaired lung function. In this study, material characterization identified the existence of nanoscale particulate matter (NPM) in airborne PM2.5 samples. When coming into contact with protein-rich fluids, the NPM becomes covered by a protein layer that forms a “protein corona”. Based on a 3D organotypic cell culture, the protein corona was shown to mitigate NPM cytotoxicity and further stimulate the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). ROS-activated alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is considered to be one of the proliferation pathways. In this research, 3D cell cultures exhibited more tissue-like properties compared with the growth in 2D models. Animal models have been widely used in toxicological research. However, species differences make it impossible to directly translate discoveries from animals to humans. In this research, the 3D HLF model could partly simulate the biological responses of NPM-protein corona-induced aberrant HLF proliferation in the human lung. Our 3D cellular results provide auxiliary support for an animal model in research on PM2.5-induced impaired lung function, particularly in lung fibrosis.

Metallic core–shell nanostructures have inspired prominent research interests due to their better performances in catalytic, optical, electric, and magnetic applications as well as the less cost of noble metal than monometallic nanostructures, but limited by the complicated and expensive synthesis approaches. Development of one-pot and inexpensive method for metallic core–shell nanostructures’ synthesis is therefore of great significance. A novel Cu network supported nanoporous Ag-Cu alloy with an Ag shell and an Ag-Cu core was successfully synthesized by one-pot chemical dealloying of Zr-Cu-Ag-Al-O amorphous/crystalline composite, which provides a new way to prepare metallic core–shell nanostructures by a simple method. The prepared nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy demonstrates excellent air-stability at room temperature and enhanced oxidative stability even compared with other reported Cu@Ag core-shell micro-particles. In addition, the nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy also possesses robust antibacterial activity against E. Coli DH5α. The simple and low-cost synthesis method as well as the excellent oxidative stability promises the nanoporous Ag-Cu@Ag core-shell alloy potentially wide applications.

A star-shaped cyclometalated triruthenium complex 2(PF6)n (n = 3 and 4) with a triarylamine core was synthesized, which functions as a molecular switch with five well-separated redox states in both solution and film states. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 2(PF6)3 is presented. This complex displays four consecutive one-electron redox waves at +0.082, +0.31, +0.74, and +1.07 V vs Ag/AgCl. In each redox state, it shows significantly different NIR absorptions with λmax of 1590 nm for 24+, 1400 nm for 25+, 1060 nm for 26+, and 740 nm for 27+, respectively. Complex 24+ shows a single-line EPR signal at g = 2.060, while other redox states are all EPR inactive. The spin density distributions and NIR absorptions in different redox states were rationalized by DFT and TDDFT calculations. A vinyl-substituted triruthenium analogous 3(PF6)4 was prepared, which was successfully polymerized on ITO glass electrode surfaces by reductive electropolymerization. The obtained poly-3n+/ITO film was characterized by FTIR, AFM, and SEM analysis. It shows four well-defined redox couples and reversible multistate NIR electrochromism. In particular, a contrast ratio (ΔT%) up to 63% was achieved at the optic telecommunication wavelength (1550 nm).

The control of electromagnetic waves scattering is critical in wireless communications and stealth technology. Discrete metasurfaces not only increase the design and fabrication complex but also cause difficulties in obtaining simultaneous electric and optical functionality. On the other hand, discontinuous phase profiles fostered by discrete systems inevitably introduce phase noises to the scattering fields. Here we propose the principle of a scattering-harness mechanism by utilizing continuous gradient phase stemming from the spin-orbit interaction via sinusoidal metallic strips. Furthermore, by adjusting the amplitude and period of the sinusoidal metallic strip, the scattering characteristics of the underneath object can be greatly changed and thus result in electromagnetic illusion. The proposal is validated by full-wave simulations and experiment characterization in microwave band. Our approach featured by continuous phase profile, polarization independent performance and facile implementation may find widespread applications in electromagnetic wave manipulation.

Different from the homogenous deformation in conventional crystalline alloys, metallic glasses and other work-softening materials deform discontinuously by localized plastic strain in shear bands. Here by three-point bending test on a typical ductile Pd-Cu-Si metallic glass, we found that the plastic deformed region during fracture didn’t follow the yielding stress distribution as the conventional material mechanics expected. We speculated that such special behavior was because the shear bands in metallic glasses could propagate easily along local shear stress direction once nucleated. Based on a 3D notch tip stress field simulation, we considered a new fracture process in a framework of multiple shear band deformation mechanism instead of conventional materials mechanics, and successfully reproduced the as-observed complicate shear band morphologies. This work clarifies many common misunderstandings on metallic glasses fracture, and might also provide a new insight to the shear band controlled deformation. It suggests that the deformation of metallic glasses is sensitive to local stress condition, and therefore their mechanical properties would depend on not only the material, but also other external factors on stress condition. We hope that start from this work, new methods, criteria, or definitions could be proposed to further study these work-softening materials, especially for metallic glasses.

Deficits in inhibitory control have been linked to aggression and violent behaviour. This study aimed to observe whether violent adolescents show different brain activation patterns during response inhibition and to ascertain the roles these brain regions play. A self-report method and modified overt aggression scale (MOAS) were used to evaluate violent behaviour. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 22 violent adolescents and 17 matched healthy subjects aged 12 to 18 years. While scanning, a go/no-go task was performed. Between-group comparisons revealed that activation in the bilateral middle and superior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and right orbitofrontal area (BA11) regions were significantly reduced in the violent group compared with the control group. Meanwhile, the violent group had more widespread activation in the prefrontal cortex than that observed in the control group. Activation of the prefrontal cortex in the violent group was widespread but lacking in focus, failing to produce intensive activation in some functionally related regions during response inhibition.

Preparation of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanostructures with both high sensitivity as well as high reproducibility has always been difficult and costly for routine SERS detection. Here we demonstrate air-stable metallic glassy nanowire arrays (MGNWAs), which were prepared by a cheap and rapid die nanoimprinting technique, could exhibit high SERS enhancement factor (EF) as well as excellent reproducibility. It shows that Pd(40.5)Ni(40.5)P(19) MGNWA with nanowires of 55 nm in diameter and 100 nm in pitch possesses high SERS activity with an EF of 1.1 × 10(5), which is 1-3 orders of magnitudes higher than that of the reported crystal Ni-based nanostructures, and an excellent reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 9.60% measured by 121 points over an area of 100 μm*100 μm. This method offers an easy, rapid, and low-cost way to prepare highly sensitive and reproducible SERS substrates and makes the SERS more practicable.

The lack of fundamental understanding of the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution in nonaqueous electrolytes significantly hinders the development of rechargeable lithium-air batteries. Here we employ a solid-state Li4+xTi5O12/LiPON/LixV2O5 cell and examine in situ the chemistry of Li-O2 reaction products on LixV2O5 as a function of applied voltage under ultra high vacuum (UHV) and at 500 mtorr of oxygen pressure using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS). Under UHV, lithium intercalated into LixV2O5 while molecular oxygen was reduced to form lithium peroxide on LixV2O5 in the presence of oxygen upon discharge. Interestingly, the oxidation of Li2O2 began at much lower overpotentials (~240 mV) than the charge overpotentials of conventional Li-O2 cells with aprotic electrolytes (~1000 mV). Our study provides the first evidence of reversible lithium peroxide formation and decomposition in situ on an oxide surface using a solid-state cell, and new insights into the reaction mechanism of Li-O2 chemistry., National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Program, Award DMR-0819762), United States. Dept. of Energy (Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies of the U. S. Department of Energy under contract no. DE-AC03-76SF00098), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, United States. Dept. of Energy (Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering)