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Objective To discuss the significance of genetic diagnosis of children with syndromic hearing loss by using whole-exome sequencing. Methods The clinical data of 34 children with sensorineural hearing loss were collected and the whole exons of genome of the children and their parents were sequenced and analyzed. Results Genetic causative gene and mutations have been identified in 19 children, including 4 genes (HARS2, USH2A, GATA3, MITF) related to rare syndromic hearing loss. Fifteen children were diagnosed with non-syndromic hearing loss related gene, including 8 cases with GJB2 mutation, 5 cases with SLC26A4 mutation and 2 cases with MYO15A mutation. Mutations of c.435_437del(p.K147del) and c.1403G > C (p.G468A) in gene HARS2, c.11389+1del in gene USH2A, c.1327delA(p.M443Wfs*33) in gene GATA3, c.627C > A(p.C209X) in gene MITF and c.8033_8057delinsG(p.N2678_D2686delinsS) in gene MYO15A were first reported. Conclusions Whole-exome sequencing helps the accurate diagnosis of causes of hearing loss, especially for the rare syndromic hearing loss with atypical clinical manifestations. Information from genetic testing may highlight further recommended exams of structure and functions of related organs.

ObjectiveTo determine the serum IgM and IgG antibody levels post-COVID-19 vaccination， and provide scientific evidence for COVID-19 antibody response after vaccination.MethodsA total of 980 healthy persons were included in Kunming Third People’s Hospital from July through August， 2021， which had been vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and then tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies.ResultsAfter the COVID-19 vaccination， 469 persons （positive rate， 47.86%） were positive for anti-IgG antibody. Of them， 75 were males with （positive rate， 39.06%）， and the average IgG level was 0.618 （0.180， 2.526） AU·mL-1［M（Q1，Q3）］； 394 were females （50.00%）， and the IgG level was 0.999 （0.305， 3.334） AU·mL-1. In addition， 53 persons （5.41%） were anti-IgM antibody positive. Of them， 14 were males （positive rate， 7.29%）， and the average IgM level was 0.057 （0.026， 0.195） AU·mL-1； 39 were females （4.95%）， and the IgM level was 0.047 （0.027， 0.110） AU·mL-1. The positive rate of anti-IgG antibody was highest in those aged ≤30 years， which was 51.02% in male （n=25） and 55.88% in female （n=133）. The anti-IgG response differed significantly by gender （χ2=7.401， D=0.135 1， P0.05）. Among the age groups， anti-IgG antibody level was higher in those aged ≤30 and 51-70 years， with 158 （55.05%） and 122 （52.36%） persons， respectively； the average antibody level was 1.209 （0.426， 4.386） AU·mL-1 and 1.074 （0.191， 7.670） AU·mL-1， respectively. The differences in the positive rates of IgG and IgM antibodies and the levels of IgG antibodies among different age groups were statistically significant （P

In this study, we utilize C‐band Sentinel‐1 radar images from 2015 to 2022, combined with interseismic horizontal GNSS velocities, to construct large‐scale, high‐resolution, 3‐D velocity and strain rate maps over a vast region of southern Tibet. We show the distribution of prevailing dilatational strain accumulation along the seven major rift zones. Using 2‐D elastic dislocations invoking a two‐fault model in a Bayesian framework, we quantified the decadal extension rates across the seven rift zones, and we suggest a total extension rate of 18.4 ± 1.7 mm/yr, consistent with geological and geodetic estimates. The resulting strain rate maps, combined with the earthquake catalog, help us identify areas with high earthquake potential. Our study enhances our understanding of the present‐day tectonics and kinematics in southern Tibet and provides important constraints for seismic hazard assessment in this region. Plain Language Summary: In this research, we used satellite radar images from 2015 to 2022 and GNSS data to study the crustal deformation and strain distribution in southern Tibet, where the Earth's crust is actively stretching due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates and the extrusion of crustal materials. By analyzing high‐resolution 3D velocities, we provided new high‐resolution surface strain maps over southern Tibet. We found that the widespread dilatational strain is mainly localized along seven major N‐S trending rift zones. Seven major rift zones are experiencing extension at a total rate of 18.4 ± 1.7 mm/yr. The strain rate maps, combined with historical earthquakes, helped us identify fault segments that are more likely to host earthquakes in the future. By mapping deformation and strain in greater detail, we provided valuable data that can improve our understanding of kinematics and earthquake risk assessments in geologically complex southern Tibet. Key Points: We present InSAR‐based, high‐resolution maps of 3‐D velocities and strain rates in Southern TibetThere is prevailing dilatational strain along seven rift zones in Southern Tibet, with a total extension rate of 18.4 ± 1.7 mm/yrWe show the distribution and spatial variations of extension rates for seven rift zones [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an epoxy structural adhesive was fabricated by using the high‐performance thermoplastic engineering plastic phenolphthalein‐based polyaryletherketone (PEK‐C) as tougheners, and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and 4,4‐diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) as the curing agents. The effect of PEK‐C on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and adhesive properties of the modified epoxy resin system was investigated. Epoxy structural adhesive with 20 phr PEK‐C exhibited excellent bonding performance and thermal stability. The PEK‐C toughened adhesive presented high shear strength of 31.6 MPa and 27.6 MPa at 120°C and 150°C, respectively. The PEK‐C toughened epoxy structural adhesive was then used to bond CF/PEEK composites, and the effects on the bonding properties of CF/PEEK were investigated. By the combined treatment of sandpaper grinding and corona discharge (80 mesh sandpaper sanding + corona treatment for 30 s), the shear strength of the composite joints is increased to 18.73 MPa. And the shear strength retention rate of the joint was 99.8%. The strategy can be used to fabricate sandwich structures with CF/PEEK as the skin with excellent performance. Therefore, PEK‐C toughened modified epoxy resin is conducive to the enhancement of adhesive properties and has a better performance for the bonding of CF/PEEK materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large block‐bounding faults on the Tibetan plateau are significant geological structures that accommodate tectonic movements and accumulate stress, leading to large earthquakes. Quantifying the interseismic slip deficit rate helps to better assess the earthquake potential. We combine available InSAR (2015–2020) and interseismic GPS data to determine fault coupling along 14 major block‐bounding faults. Spatially dense InSAR measurements remarkably improve the resolution of the coupling model. Combined with a GPS‐constrained block model, we examine the performance of the inversion approach with the stress constraint and the common Laplacian smoothing based on both synthetic tests and real data. We suggest that, for continental strike‐slip faults, adding the stress constraint can mitigate unphysical coupling distributions due to unreasonable assumptions or modeling artifacts, reducing the model uncertainty and improving the accuracy of the coupling model. This is particularly useful for segments featured by a highly heterogeneous distribution of coupling along the transition zone from locking to creeping region, partially‐coupling segment, and junction zone between main and subsidiary faults. We present a large‐scale fault coupling map along the major block‐bounding faults on the northeastern and eastern Tibetan plateau, highlighting the distinct degrees of fault coupling and lateral variations. The collage of coupling maps along different faults demonstrates the kinematic features over a broad time scale during earthquake cycles ranging from early to late interseismic phases, such as the segments ruptured during the 2001 Kokoxili earthquake and the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake. Plain Language Summary: Large faults at the boundary of blocks accommodate a significant portion of the relative movement between adjacent blocks and accumulate tectonic stress during the interseismic period. Consequently, these faults have a high potential to generate large earthquakes. To evaluate the distribution of strain accumulation, we analyze InSAR (2015–2020) and interseismic GPS measurements to construct a coupling model, which tells us the extent to which two blocks are locked together and accumulate stress before the next earthquake. We focus on 14 major faults on the eastern and northeastern Tibetan plateau. The addition of the spatially dense InSAR data helps to resolve the coupling distribution in greater detail, where GPS observations are limited. We evaluate different approaches to determine fault coupling, including stress constraints and smoothing techniques. Our findings indicate that adding a stress constraint performs better than the smoothing operator and helps mitigate physically unrealistic coupling distributions in the inversion using the spatial smoothing method. The stress constraint improves the accuracy of the coupling model. Based on the stress‐constrained inversion, we present a comprehensive fault coupling map in the northeastern and eastern Tibetan plateau, highlighting the spatial variations of fault coupling, which can be used in earthquake hazard assessment. Key Points: Stress constraints can mitigate unphysical coupling distributions and reduce the uncertainty of the coupling model for continental faultsWe highlight the improvement when using stress constraints in the case of sharp coupling contrasts along the strike‐slip faultWe provide a new coupling model along 14 major block‐bounding faults on the eastern and northeastern Tibetan plateau [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly developing microelectronics industry and technology, epoxy resin based electrically conductive adhesives must be urgently improved in terms of aging resistance, especially residual stress caused by thermal cycle aging. In this study, we investigated the stress behavior of rigid and flexible epoxy systems blended with bisphenol F epoxy (BPF) and fatty acid epoxy. The curing processes, thermal, and thermomechanical properties of the modified epoxy systems were assessed comprehensively. Moreover, the residual stress during the thermal cycle was monitored, and the bond strength was characterized. The results pointed out that by introducing soft molecular segments into a rigid system, the modified epoxy resin system had significantly lower residual stress values and exhibited a higher bond strength over a wider temperature range. Finally, we envision the systematic integration of residual stress testing with material strength testing for quantifying the bond failure of adhesive layers in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the margins of orogenic plateaus, the viscous Earth structure and fault geometries play a primary role in controlling the tectonic evolution and earthquake generation. After the 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the long-standing debate regarding the tectonics producing and maintaining prominent topography across the Longmen Shan reignited. Post-seismic deformation, representing the surface strain history in response to lithospheric stress perturbations, provides important insights into the lithospheric rheology and active structures. Here, we construct a new 3-D post-seismic deformation model for the Wenchuan earthquake, invoking viscoelastic relaxation and afterslip. Our best-fitting model indicates that the steady-state viscosities of the lower crust in the region to the immediately west of the Songpan-Ganzi terrane and beneath the Songpan-Ganzi terrane are estimated to be 4.0 × 1018 and 1.0 × 1018 Pa s, respectively. Our results, combining geophysical and geodetic observations and model analyses, highlight the prevalent parallelism between the rheological and structural boundaries of the lower crust, which diverge northward away from the trend of the Longmen Shan fault at ∼20°. This diverging rheological structure and the partially coupled upper and lower crust have broad implications for the stress build-up, strain partitioning and deformation styles along the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]