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Hong Kong and mainland China’s socioeconomic transitions in the past few decades have led to changes in identity and intergroup attitudes among young adults. However, understanding such changes between local and mainland young adults in Hong Kong’s current social context is limited. This study explores whether local and mainland university students in Hong Kong have different intergroup knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors; whether these two groups of students respond to intergroup contact intervention differently; and whether and how has local students’ superior identity been influenced by Hong Kong’s economic, geopolitical, and sociocultural development. Our data came from an intergroup contact intervention among 72 university students in Hong Kong (including 32 local and 40 mainland students, 75% female, MAge = 23). Using a two-arm Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design, participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (a 1-day workshop with incremental levels of contact intimacy) or a control group (a 1-day workshop with limited contact intimacy). Our findings indicate that local university students displayed relatively more negative attitudes toward mainland students and are less responsive to the intergroup contact intervention, which only enhanced local students’ outgroup knowledge but not their attitudes or intended behaviors. This result may suggest local young adults’ transition out of a superior social identity. Our findings call for more university activities to enhance local and mainland students’ mutual understanding and larger-sample research to explore both groups’ perspectives. Future intergroup interventions should address potential barriers such as varied intervention effectiveness by participants’ background.

Prenatal emotional distress is common in pregnant women. Altered emotional distress can occur from the very beginning to the end of pregnancy. Heart rate variability (HRV) has recently become considered to be a potentially reliable psychophysiological stress biomarker in adults. In the current study, we evaluated ultra-short-term HRV (1-minute measurement) as a psychophysiological biomarker by examining the association between HRV parameters and self-reported prenatal emotional distress among pregnant women (N = 230) across three trimesters of pregnancy. Results: Prenatal emotional distress was associated with a lower root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), NN50, and SDNN Index among pregnant women who are in the second trimester. For women in the first and third trimester of pregnancy, prenatal emotional distress was not significantly correlated with any HRV indicators. Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of our results limits the directional expression and assessment of the relationships, and longitudinal studies that target the recruitment of more pregnant women with subtypes of emotional distress issues are also needed. Conclusions: Time-domain parameters of low HRV (associated with reduced parasympathetic activity) can potentially serve as an efficient psychophysiological biomarker for prenatal emotional distress in the second trimester of pregnancy. However, the time-domain HRV indicators in pregnant women in the first and third trimesters may be affected by other physiological and psychological fluctuations, thus decreasing the HRV biomarker’s efficiency in predicting their prenatal emotional distress.

Abstract One of the core goals of Digital Health Technologies (DHT) is to transform healthcare services and delivery by shifting primary care from hospitals into the community. However, achieving this goal will rely on the collection, use and storage of large datasets. Some of these datasets will be linked to multiple sources, and may include highly sensitive health information that needs to be transferred across institutional and jurisdictional boundaries. The growth of DHT has outpaced the establishment of clear legal pathways to facilitate the collection, use and transfer of potentially sensitive health data. Our study aimed to address this gap with an ethical code to guide researchers developing DHT with international collaborative partners in Singapore. We generated this code using a modified Policy Delphi process designed to engage stakeholders in the deliberation of health data ethics and governance. This paper reports the outcomes of this process along with the key components of the code and identifies areas for future research.

Mg-based alloys are regard to be suitable hydrolysis materials for hydrogen generation. The mechanico-chemical reaction (MCR) strategy was employed to effectively activate Mg-based binary alloys as well as elevate their environmental stability. MCR is proved to be an effective way to activate Mg-based binary alloys and enhance the ability to resist environmental toxicity. The hydrolysis H2 generation process of MCR Mg25Ni, Mg30Ce and Mg30La samples after environmental exposure are elevated and the final H2 capacities can increase to 186.1, 204.8 and 341.4 mL·g−1 with the fastest H2 generation rates of 26.0, 24.2 and 41.5 mL·g−1·min−1, respectively. The generation capacities of the above-mentioned samples are 297, 370 and 629 mL·g−1 at 318 K within 10 min, respectively. Mg-based binary alloys can be effectively activated by MCR and Maintain high reactivity at the same time. The hydrogen generation activation energies of MCR Mg25Ni, Mg30Ce and Mg30La after environmental exposure are 26.6, 30.8 and 23.3 kJ·mol−1, respectively. The above-mentioned work may provide a feasible strategy to activate the as-cast Mg-based alloys and elevate the Resistance to environmental toxicity, which may pave the way for applying the portable hydrogen generators.

The Shibaogou deposit is located in the Luanchuan ore district within the East Qinling orogenic belt (EQOB), central China, which is a newly discovered Mo–Pb–Zn skarn deposit. The skarn and Mo–Pb–Zn ore bodies are mostly hosted in the contact zones between the Shibaogou porphyritic granite and carbonaceous sedimentary rocks from the Luanchuan and Guandaokou sets. A study combined of geochronology, fluid inclusion (FI), and stable isotopes was performed to constrain the mineralization age, source of ore materials, and the origin and evolution of the ore-forming fluids and their relationship with the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate. The mineralization process includes skarn and quartz–sulfide episodes, which has four stages: skarn (I), quartz–molybdenite (II), quartz–galena–sphalerite (III), and quartz–calcite (IV). Molybdenite Re-Os dating suggests that the deposit was formed in the Late Jurassic (147.4 ± 7.2 Ma). Reportedly, there are five primary types of fluid inclusions: L-type, V-type, H-type, S-type, and C-type. In the skarn stage, coexisting H-type (35.58 wt%–46.05 wt% NaCl equiv.) and low-salinity V-type (0.35 wt%–5.7 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluid inclusions show similar homogenization temperatures, which suggests that fluid boiling occurred at 513–550°C and 580–650 bar (2.19–2.45 km). In the quartz–molybdenite stage, the homogenization temperatures of L-type, V-type, minor H-type, and S-type fluid inclusions indicate continued fluid boiling at 324–387°C and 180–250 bar (0.49–0.94 km). In the quartz–galena–sphalerite stage, a fewer number of coexisting V-type and L-type fluid inclusions in quartz shows different salinities with similar homogenization temperatures, indicating that they are trapped at 303–347°C and

Background Rodent population control is an important measure in reducing the risk of rodent-borne disease transmission. In this study, we examined rodent activity in the sanitary waste network around the household waste-collection bin chamber of an urban residential apartment block. Methods We utilised infra-red camera traps to determine the pattern of rodent activity in a rodent-infested bin chamber and its associated sanitary waste network. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the risk factors that were independently associated with rodent activity in the bin chambers. Result The camera trap surveillance showed that the rodents were active in the bin chamber and sanitary network both in the day and at night. In the cross-sectional study, rodent activity in the bin chambers was independently associated with broken floor traps [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 36.7, CI: 21.3–66.3], calendar month [Log-likelihood ratio test (LRT) p = 0.002] and Town Council [LRT p = 0.004] variables. In restricted analysis, rodent activity in bin chambers was independently associated with defects in the wastewater pipe under the chamber [AOR: 12.3, CI: 4.3–51.7]. Conclusion Our study suggests that urban municipal management councils should prioritize rodent control resources in areas according to the factors that increase the risk of rodent infestation.

Abstract A new method was used to study the performance of pile across cave. This paper investigated the vertical bearing characteristics of piles cross caves using centrifugal model tests and a theoretical model of sensitivity. Twelve pile scenarios were selected, the first was a conventional pile, 24 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter, with no karst cave as a control. In the other eleven scenarios the piles passed through karst caves of four different heights, of four different spans, and three different numbers of caves. The results reveal that increasing the height, span, and number of caves all are negative for vertical ultimate bearing capacity of piles. The axial force and unit shaft resistance of piles are great different. According to the ratios of the tip and shaft resistance, caves change the type of piles. The sensitivity of vertical ultimate bearing capacity to these factors from high to low is height, number, and span of caves. Importantly, the bearing characteristics of piles decrease faster once the height of the prototype karst cave is higher than 9 m, but decreases slowly when the cave’s span is greater than 9 m × 9 m.

BackgroundPsychological distress is a common occurrence among women during the perinatal period. Maternal psychological distress (MPS) can also have a negative influence on neonatal outcomes such as infant health, child development or mother-child interaction. Hence, interventions to improve mental wellbeing during this period are vital. Mindfulness based intervention (MBI) has been found to be effective in reducing psychological distress. Delivery of MBI via the internet, making it accessible and inexpensive, is showing a promising positive effect in reducing psychological distress. A randomized control trial with sufficient power is required to confirm its positive effect among pregnant women. The positive effects of MBI have been found to be associated with heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback; however, the efficacy of MBI on HRV has been rarely studied among pregnant women. Also, the potential association of HRV with MBI and psychological wellbeing needs further examination. This research aims to test the effectiveness of guided mobile-based perinatal mindfulness intervention (GMBPMI) among pregnant women experiencing psychological distress during the pre- and post-natal period, as well as examining the efficacy of GMBPMI on HRV.MethodThis study is a randomized controlled trial that follows a parallel design. Consenting pregnant women in their second trimester (between 12th and 20th week gestation) will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (GMBPMI) or a control group (psychoeducation). The intended sample size is 198, with 99 participants in each group. Three levels of outcomes will be measured at baseline, post intervention in both the intervention and control groups, and at 36-week gestation and five-week postpartum. The primary outcomes include maternal psychological stress, mindfulness and positive appraisal HRV. Secondary outcomes are psychological and physical wellbeing. Tertiary outcomes include obstetric and neonatal outcomes, and social support. Analyses will follow an intention-to-treat method and repeated measures MANOVA will be conducted to compare changes in primary and secondary outcomes. A series of mixed-effects models will be fitted to assess the mediation effects.DiscussionThis trial expects to increase understanding of GMBPMI on HRV and psychological wellbeing for pregnant women, with extended support in both pre-and post-natal periods. The study could also potentially provide evidence for delivery of cost-effective and accessible services to pregnant women.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04876014, registered on 30 March 2021. Protocol Version 1.0., 10 May 2021.

In avian medicine, the use of antibiotic dosing regimens based on species-specific pharmacological studies is ideal. However, due to a lack of such studies, dose extrapolation, which may cause inefficacy and toxicity, is common practice. Multiple searches were performed using the PubMed and Web of Science databases to extract relevant pharmacological studies performed in exotic avian species. The pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and safety data of the selected antibiotics (enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin, gentamicin, amikacin, ceftiofur, doxycycline, and amoxicillin/clavulanate) from these studies were reviewed. This review aimed to identify trends amenable for safe inter-species dose extrapolation and provide updated findings on dosing regimens that are safe and efficacious for various exotic avian species. We observed that the half-life of antibiotics appears to be shorter in the common ostrich and that amikacin may be amenable to inter-species dose extrapolation as it is safe and shows little inter-species PK and PD variation. Species-specific enrofloxacin dosing regimens that were not listed in the Exotic Animal Formulary (5th ed.) were found for Caribbean flamingos, African penguins, southern crested caracaras, common ostriches, and greater rheas. Specific dosing regimens recommended for psittacine birds (doxycycline 130 mg/kg medicated water) and ratites (PO doxycycline 2–3.5 mg/kg q12 h, PO enrofloxacin 1.5–2.5 mg/kg q12 h and IM enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg q12 h) in the formulary may not be effective in budgerigars and common ostriches, respectively. Apart from the lack of species-specific pharmacological studies, a lack of multiple dose studies was also noted.

In this work, the design, building, and testing of the most portable, easy-to-build, robust, handheld, and cost-effective Fourier Lightfield Microscope (FLMic) to date is reported. The FLMic is built by means of a surveillance camera lens and additional off-the-shelf optical elements, resulting in a cost-effective FLMic exhibiting all the regular sought features in lightfield microscopy, such as refocusing and gathering 3D information of samples by means of a single-shot approach. The proposed FLMic features reduced dimensions and light weight, which, combined with its low cost, turn the presented FLMic into a strong candidate for in-field application where 3D imaging capabilities are pursued. The use of cost-effective optical elements has a relatively low impact on the optical performance, regarding the figures dictated by the theory, while its price can be at least 100 times lower than that of a regular FLMic. The system operability is tested in both bright-field and fluorescent modes by imaging a resolution target, a honeybee wing, and a knot of dyed cotton fibers.

While Web GIS has been supposed as a useful tool in improving the spatial thinking abilities of students, most existing empirical studies were seldom undertaken in an educational programme providing rather limited geo-technological training to students. This study focuses on tutorial sessions of a tourism geography course in a Singaporean university, in which students usually engaged with very few GIS and other geospatial technologies. Combining a standardised assessment, that is Spatial Thinking Abilities Test, and semi-structured interviews, the study suggests that the implementation of Web GIS, collaborating with students' major background and pre-existing GIS experience, efficiently enhanced their performance in spatial thinking abilities test; moreover, the exposure to GIS practices during tutorial sessions also stimulated students' interest in using GIS and enhanced self-efficacy, which further equipped students with stronger motivation to continue learning geography. The paper contributes to existing debates around (Web) GIS as a pedagogical tool through incorporating qualitative interview materials into the discussion.

Gecko-like synthetic dry adhesives (SDAs) have adhesion comparable to that of a real Gecko’s foot, but with very low durability. To address this problem, self-cleaning or stiff core embedding methods have been proposed. However, the proposed methods require special locomotion or complicated manufacturing. In this study, we suggested a metal coating on synthetic dry adhesives to improve durability. SDAs were fabricated via PDMS. Then, metals such as indium, zinc, and gold were coated on the SDAs. The adhesion tests show that the indium- and zinc-coated microstructures have a higher shear adhesion strength than the noncoated ones. Also, the shear adhesion strength of noncoated SDAs was only 14.5% of the initial strength while that of the zinc-coated ones was 35.6% after 200 times of attachment and detachment. We could find PDMS debris and fractures on noncoated SDAs, which results in weakening of the adhesion strength. On the other hand, a relatively high hardness, strength, and stiffness of the zinc coating layers reduced the wear and fractures of the micropatterns, which led to an improved durability in the SDAs. From these tests, we can conclude that the metal coating method could improve the durability of the SDAs.

Living organisms display internal biological rhythms, which are an evolutionarily conserved adaptation to the environment that drives their rhythmic behavioral and physiological activities. The gut microbiota has been proposed, in association with diet, to regulate the intestinal peripheral clock. However, the effect of gut dysbiosis on liver remains elusive, despite that germfree mice show alterations in liver metabolic functions and the hepatic daily rhythm. We analyzed whether the disruption of gut microbial populations with various antibiotics would differentially impact liver functions in mice. Our results support the notion of an impact on the hepatic biological rhythm by gram-positive bacteria. In addition, we provide evidence for differential roles of gut microbiota spectra in xenobiotic metabolism that could protect against the harmful pharmacological effects of drugs. Our results underscore a possible link between liver cell proliferation and gram-positive bacteria.

Antibiotics lead to increased susceptibility to colonization by pathogenic organisms, with different effects on the host-microbiota relationship. Here, we show that metronidazole treatment of specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice results in a significant increase of the bacterial phylum Proteobacteria in fecal pellets. Furthermore, metronidazole in SPF mice decreases hind limb muscle weight and results in smaller fibers in the tibialis anterior muscle. In the gastrocnemius muscle, metronidazole causes upregulation of Hdac4, myogenin, MuRF1, and atrogin1, which are implicated in skeletal muscle neurogenic atrophy. Metronidazole in SPF mice also upregulates skeletal muscle FoxO3, described as involved in apoptosis and muscle regeneration. Of note, alteration of the gut microbiota results in increased expression of the muscle core clock and effector genes Cry2, Ror-β, and E4BP4. PPARγ and one of its important target genes, adiponectin, are also upregulated by metronidazole. Metronidazole in germ-free (GF) mice increases the expression of other core clock genes, such as Bmal1 and Per2, as well as the metabolic regulators FoxO1 and Pdk4, suggesting a microbiota-independent pharmacologic effect. In conclusion, metronidazole in SPF mice results in skeletal muscle atrophy and changes the expression of genes involved in the muscle peripheral circadian rhythm machinery and metabolic regulation.

Elucidating the temporal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is critical for understanding their functions. Furthermore, research investigating the temporal dynamics of AM fungi in response to agricultural practices remains in its infancy. We investigated the effect of nitrogen fertilisation and watering reduction on the temporal dynamics of AM fungi, across the lifespan of wheat. Nitrogen fertilisation decreased AM fungal spore density (SD), extraradical hyphal density (ERHD), and intraradical colonisation rate (IRCR) in both watering conditions. Nitrogen fertilisation affected AM fungal community composition in soil but not in roots, regardless of watering conditions. The temporal analysis revealed that AM fungal ERHD and IRCR were higher under conventional watering and lower under reduced watering in March than in other growth stages at low (≤ 70 kg N ha-1  yr-1 ) but not at high (≥ 140) nitrogen fertilisation levels. AM fungal SD was lower in June than in other growth stages and community composition varied with plant development at all nitrogen fertilisation levels, regardless of watering conditions. This study demonstrates that high nitrogen fertilisation levels disrupt the temporal dynamics of AM fungal hyphal growth but not sporulation and community composition.