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Purpose: The family residence structure serves as a crucial pathway through which the family environment influences adolescents' development. Methods: Drawing on nationally representative data, this study employs multiple linear regression models and propensity score matching to examine the impact of various family residence structures on adolescents' non-cognitive abilities. Causal identification is achieved through propensity score matching, while robustness is assessed using methods such as augmented inverse probability weighting and placebo tests. Heterogeneity analysis is conducted based on gender and household registration, aiming to explore the mechanisms by which family residence structure affects adolescents' non-cognitive abilities. Results: The findings indicate that compared to two-parent co-residence households, three-generation co-residence families have significantly positive effects on emotional stability, conscientiousness, and agreeableness among adolescents. In contrast, skip-generation coresidence families exhibit significant negative effects on emotional stability and agreeableness in adolescents. Further investigation into the underlying mechanisms reveals that parental involvement and family socioeconomic status within three-generation co-residence families positively influence adolescents' non-cognitive abilities. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering grandparents' role in adolescent growth and advocates for policy recommendations focusing on enhancing non-cognitive abilities in adolescents from skip-generation coresidence families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blubber thickness (BT) has a seasonal pattern in most small cetaceans in temperate and polar regions, which may be a crucial adaptive mechanism in response to environmental temperature changes. However, BT and environmental temperature correlations have never been tested experimentally in any cetacean species owing to logistical difficulties in the aquatic environment. The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis, YFP) is one of the smallest cetacean species worldwide, which exclusively inhabits the middle and lower regions of the Yangtze River in China. Here, we investigated BT variation patterns in YFPs and their relationship to environmental temperature changes using ultrasound imaging technology by longitudinally monitoring four YFPs in human care. We found that blubber was not evenly distributed in the skin of YFPs. BT increased along the craniocaudal axis from the head to the umbilical girth, and decreased towards the fluke, with relatively thicker blubber in the dorsal region than in the ventral and lateral regions. Significant negative correlations between BT and seasonal water temperature changes were observed in YFPs. However, different body regions display different sensitivities to seasonal temperature changes. The BT in the anal girth region exhibited noticeable seasonal changes. In contrast, the umbilical lateral and ventral regions showed relatively blunt seasonal changes, indicating different adaptive functions of the blubber in different regions. BT in the dorsal region decreased linearly with increasing water temperature. In the lateral and ventral regions, BT significantly changed with water temperature at a threshold of 18 °C. The YFPs had relatively thinner BT than similar-sized harbor porpoises that inhabit relatively high latitudes with much lower water temperatures. This further demonstrates the adaptive function of BT in response to environmental temperatures in small cetaceans. This study elucidates the seasonal pattern of BT variation in small cetaceans and provides insight into adaptation mechanisms of small cetaceans to temperature changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The type VI system (T6SS) has the potential to be a new virulence factor for hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) strains. This study aimed to characterize the molecular and clinical features of T6SS-positive and T6SSnegative K. pneumoniae isolates that cause abscesses. Patients and methods: A total of 169 non-duplicate K. pneumoniae strains were isolated from patients with abscesses in a tertiary hospital in China from January 2018 to June 2022, and clinical data were collected. For all isolates, capsular serotypes, T6SS genes, virulence, and drug resistance genes, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and biofilm formation assays were assessed. Multilocus sequence typing was used to analyze the genotypes of hvKp. T6SS-positive hvKp, T6SS-negative hvKp, T6SS-positive cKP, and T6SS-negative cKP (n = 4 strains for each group) were chosen for the in vivo Galleria mellonella infection model and in vitro competition experiments to further explore the microbiological characteristics of T6SS-positive K. pneumoniae isolates. Results: The positive detection rate for T6SS was 36.1%. The rates of hvKp, seven virulence genes, K1 capsular serotype, and ST23 in T6SS-positive strains were all higher than those in T6SS-negative strains (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the carriage of aerobactin (OR 0.01) and wcaG (OR 33.53) were independent risk factors for T6SS-positive strains (p < 0.05). The T6SS-positive strains had a stronger biofilm-forming ability than T6SS-negative strains (p < 0.05). The T6SS-positive and T6SS-negative strains showed no significant differences in competitive ability (p = 0.06). In the in vivo G. mellonella infection model, the T6SS(+)/hvKP group had the worst prognosis. Except for cefazolin and tegacyclin, T6SS-positive isolates displayed a lower rate of antimicrobial resistance to other drugs (p < 0.05). The T6SS-positive isolates were more likely to be acquired from community infections (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates causing abscesses have a high prevalence of T6SS genes. T6SS-positive K. pneumoniae isolates are associated with virulence, and the T6SS genes may be involved in the hvKp virulence mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locusta migratoria manilensis is one of the most important agricultural pests in China. The locust has high fecundity and consumes large quantities of food, causing severe damage to diverse crops such as corn, sorghum, and rice. Immunity against pathogens and reproductive success are two important components of individual fitness, and many insects have a trade-off between reproduction and immunity when resources are limited, which may be an important target for pest control. In this study, adult females L. migratoria manilensis were treated with different concentrations (5 x 106 spores/mL or 2 x 107 spores/mL) of the entomopathogenic fungus Paranosema locustae. Effects of input to immunity on reproduction were studied by measuring feeding amount, enzyme activity, vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) production, ovary development, and oviposition amount. When infected by P. locustae, feeding rate and phenol oxidase and lysozyme activities increased, mRNA expression of Vg and VgR genes decreased, and yolk deposition was blocked. Weight of ovaries decreased, with significant decreases in egg, length and weight.Thus, locusts used nutritive input required for reproduction to resist invasion by microsporidia. This leads to a decrease in expression of Vg and VgR genes inhibited ovarian development, and greatly decreased total fecundity. P. locustae at 2 x 107 spores/mL had a more obvious inhibitory effect on the ovarian development in migratory locusts. This study provides a detailed tradeoff between reproduction and immune input of the female, which provides a reliable basis to find pest targets for biological control from those tradeoff processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road is an indicator of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9.1.1. This paper aims to calculate SDG indicator 9.1.1 in the proximity of five Algerian expressways. Three monitoring methods are proposed for different spatial regions based on the five expressways built by China's Belt and Road Initiative Project. These methods are based on remote sensing and WorldPop and The High Resolution Settlement Layer (HRSL) population data. The results indicate that (1) the WorldPop population statistics show that the five expressways built by China's Belt Project have increased the rural population of the 2 km buffer zone by 192,016 between the start of construction and eight years after its completion. By the end of 2019, the population increased by 329,291 accounting for 1.17% of the rural population. (2) Based on populations estimated form built-up index (NDBI) building areas, the rural populations within the 2 km buffer area of the Bejaia-Haniff Expressway in 2011, 2015, and 2019 were 273,118, 306,430, and 375,408, respectively. (3) HRSL population grid statistics indicate that, in 2015, the populations were: East-West Expressway D 911,549, Bejaia Expressway D 127,471, Tipaza Expressway D 71,411, North-South Expressway D 30,583, and Cherchell Ring Expressway D 41,657. (4) A visual interpretation method based on Google Earth imagery was used to count the number of buildings and number of building floors in the town of Tikhramtath. Based on the estimated population of each building and floor, the population of Tikhramtath town in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2019 was estimated as 1,790, 2,785, 3,365, and 3,870, respectively. (5) Through analysis and accuracy assessment, the appropriate statistical methods for different regions were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Grapholita molesta Busck has become a serious pest to fruit trees, especially to peach trees in China. In the present study, the parasitism of the pest by the parasitoid Trichogramma pintoi Voegele was studied, with assessment of the impact of UV-light, host egg age, host and parasitoid density, as well as different inoculation time. The UV-light treatment significantly decreased parasitism rate of the parasitoid compared to non-UV light treatment. T. pintoi preferred to parasitize newly laid G. molesta eggs, and parasitism rate decreased with increasing age of host eggs. Moreover, the parasitism rate on G. molesta increased with Trichogramma density although the rate of parasitism per parasitoid female reduced overall. The parasitism rate also increased when the releasing duration extended to 48 h. The results provided key information for developing the use of T. pintoi as biocontrol agent for management of G. molesta. Further studies will be needed to document potential method for field development of T. pintoi-based biological control of G. molesta in peach orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of the Study: Genome-wide association studies have revealed an association of ADAMTS7 polymorphisms with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Nonetheless, the role of ADAMTS7 polymorphisms on myocardial infarction (MI) risk remains poorly understood. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of ADAMTS7 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on individual susceptibility to MI.Study Design: Genotyping of the four tagSNPs (rs1994016, rs3825807, rs4380028 and rs7173743) was performed in 232 MI cases and 661 control subjects using PCR-ligase detection reaction (LDR) method. The association of these four tagSNPs with MI risk was performed with SPSS software.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ADAMTS7 tagSNP rs3825807 exhibited a significant effect on MI risk. Compared with the TT homozygotes, the CT genotype (OR1.93, 95% CI1.30to 2.85, Pc=0.004) and the combined CC/CT genotypes (OR1.70, 95% CI1.16 to 2.50, Pc=0.028) were statistically significantly associated with the increased risk for MI. Further stratified analysis revealed a more significant association with MI risk among older subjects, hypertensives, non-diabetics and patients with hyperlipidaemia. Consistently, the haplotype rs1994016T-rs3825807C containing rs3825807 C allele exhibited increased MI risk (OR1.52, 95% CI1.10 to 2.10, p=0.010). However, we did not detect any association of the other three tagSNPs with MI risk.Conclusions: Our finding suggest that ADAMTS7 tagSNP rs3825807 contributes to MI susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Further studies are necessary to confirm the general validity of our findings and to clarify the underlying mechanism for this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil casing tube is the foundation member of an oil well and it plays an important role in oil exploration and exploitation. The oil casing tubes are prone to failure induced by corrosion and wear during applications. Based on the fact that the damages caused by corrosion and wear are first generated on the surface of oil casing tube, adopting an appropriate surface treatment technology would be a promising approach to protect itself from deterioration. Surface treatments can fabricate protective layers with different composition or structure from the substrate. This paper reviewed the existing literatures about the protection of oil casing tube steel via surface treatment in China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. microRNA (miRNA, miR) are thought to interact with multiple mRNAs which are involved in the EMT process. But the role of miRNAs in peritoneal fibrosis has remained unknown. Objective. To determine if miRNA589 regulates the EMT induced by TGFβ1 in human peritoneal mesothelial cell line (HMrSV5 cells). Methods. 1. Level of miR589 was detected in both human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) isolated from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients' effluent and HMrSV5 cells treated with or without TGFβ1. 2. HMrSV5 cells were divided into three groups: control group, TGFβ1 group, and pre-miR-589+TGFβ1 group. The level of miRNA589 was determined by realtime PCR. The expressions of ZO-1, vimentin, and Ecadherin in HPMCs were detected, respectively. Results. Decreased level ofmiRNA589 was obtained in either HPMCs of long-term CAPD patients or HMrSV5 cells treated with TGFβ1. In vitro, TGFβ1 led to upregulation of vimentin and downregulation of ZO-1 as well as E-cadherin in HMrSV5 cells, which suggested EMT, was induced. The changes were accompanied with notably decreased level of miRNA589 in HMrSV5 cells treated with TGFβ1. Overexpression of miRNA589 by transfection with pre-miRNA589 partially reversed these EMT changes. Conclusion. miRNA589 mediates TGFβ1 induced EMT in human peritoneal mesothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil moisture (SM) is a key component of global hydrological cycles. • SM sensitivity (ΔSM) was investigated as an indicator of SM response to climate change. • SM sensitivity to temperature (ΔSM_T) and precipitation (ΔSM_P) were studied. • Both the ΔSM_T and ΔSM _P of the Loess Plateau has been declining over the past 20 years. • The contribution of vegetation variation to ΔSM_P was higher than that to ΔSM_T. Soil moisture is a key component of global hydrological cycles and is closely linked to climate and vegetation. However, exactly how vegetation affects the response of soil moisture to climate remains unclear. In this study, soil moisture sensitivity was investigated as an indicator of soil moisture response to climate change (including temperature and precipitation). Twenty years of data from the GLEAM (Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model), meteorological station, and remote sensing of the Loess Plateau of China were used to estimate the impact of the vegetation regulatory action on soil moisture sensitivity. The results show that soil moisture sensitivity to both temperature and precipitation exhibits distinct spatiotemporal patterns. With increasing Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), soil moisture sensitivity to temperature decreased at first and increased subsequently, while that to precipitation decreased continuously, reaching a stable value. The overall level of soil moisture sensitivity to both temperature and precipitation in the Loess Plateau was declining. Specifically, vegetation variation contributed 23.78% and −78.57% of the soil moisture sensitivity to precipitation in the surface and root zone, respectively, which is higher than it contributed to the soil moisture sensitivity to temperature (11.4% and 17.23%). The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the effective implementation of the 'Grain for Green' Program and the sustainable management of water resources on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is considered to be endemic to Northern Australia and Southeast Asia, with high mortality and relapse rates, regardless of powerful antibiotic therapy. Here we report the first genome sequence of Burkholderiapseudomallei strain BPC006, obtained from a melioidosis patient in Hainan, China. The genome sizes of the 2 chromosomes were determined to be 4,001,777 bp and 3,153,284 bp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the spatial distribution character of dengue fever and the change of Aedes' population, so as to provide macroscopical decision-making evidences of prevention and supervision on dengue fever., Methods: (1) Collecting data on morbidity of dengue and supervision on vector's population in the corresponding period. (2) Drawing digitized map of Chaozhou in scale of 1:50,000, including elements of boundary, residential areas, road and traffic, altitude, water systems etc. (3) Measuring the latitude and longitude of center position of surveillance safes on the scene. (4) Processing spatial analysis by the ArcGIS 8.5 software., Results: Distribution of Aedes showed spatial cluster in Chaozhou, while its density was related to the distance to the watersides. The closer to the watersides, the higher the density was. Map on spatial distribution showed that although the Aedes epidemic situation changed yearly, but primarily be kept in high, middle, low regions. Cross-validation effects of the distribution maps were satisfactory., Conclusion: Geographic information system was promising in analyzing data on dengue fever, and better than other routine research methods.