Large Spillover Networks of Nonstationary Systems

This paper proposes a vector error correction framework for constructing large consistent spillover networks of nonstationary systems grounded in the network theory of Diebold and Y ilmaz (2014). We aim to provide a tailored methodology for the large non-stationary (macro)economic and financial system application settings avoiding technical and often hard to verify assumptions for general statistical high-dimensional approaches where the dimension can also increase with sample size. To achieve this, we propose an elementwise Lasso-type technique for consistent and numerically efficient model selection of VECM, and relate the resulting forecast error variance decomposition to the network topology representation. We also derive the corresponding asymptotic results for model selection and network estimation under standard assumptions. Moreover, we develop a refinement strategy for efficient estimation and show implications and modifications for general dependent innovations. In a comprehensive simulation study, we show convincing finite sample performance of our technique in all cases of moderate and low dimensions. In an application to a system of FX rates, the proposed method leads to novel insights on the connectedness and spillover effects in the FX market among the OECD countries.</p

RNA–DNA Hybrid Nanoshape Synthesis by Facile Module Exchange

The preparation of nucleic acid nanostructures has relied predominantly on procedures of additive fabrication in which complex architectures are assembled by concerted self-assembly and sequential addition of building blocks. We had previously established RNA–DNA hybrid nanoshapes with modular architectures that enable multistep synthetic approaches inspired by organic molecular synthesis where additive and transformative steps are used to prepare complex molecular architectures. We report the establishment of module replacement and strand exchange as synthetic transformations in nucleic acid hybrid nanoshapes, which are enabled by minimally destabilizing sequence elements such as a single unpaired overhang nucleotide or a mismatch base pair. Module exchange facilitated by thermodynamic lability triggers adds a powerful transformative approach to the repertoire of additive and transformative synthetic methods for the preparation of complex composite materials

Levels of EV-miR-126-3p and cf-miR-126-3p were quantified and compared with the levels of conventional CVD biomarkers.

Concentrations of cTnI and NT-proBNP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) performed in NCKUH. EV-derived miR-126-3p showed negative correlations with cTnI (n = 6) (A) and NT-proBNP (n = 8) (B), while cell-free miR-126-3p showed weaker correlations with both protein biomarkers (C and D).</p

C−C Bond Cleavage of Acetonitrile by a Dinuclear Copper(II) Cryptate

The dinuclear copper(II) cryptate [Cu2L](ClO4)4 (1) cleaves the C−C bond of acetonitrile at room temperature to produce a cyanide bridged complex of [Cu2L(CN)](ClO4)3·2CH3CN·4H2O (2). The cleavage mechanism is presented on the basis of the results of the crystal structure of 2, electronic absorption spectra, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and GC spectra of 1, respectively

Enumerations and size profiling of particles using NTA.

Small EVs (sEV) were defined as EVs smaller than 100 nm in diameter. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM from three measurements.</p

The schematic diagram of the experimental procedure.

EVs in human plasma samples were first isolated using anti-CD63 antibody-coated magnetic beads. Captured EVs were then eluted for whole particle assays, such as transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. In addition, captured EVs were lysed for studying their molecular contents, including proteins and RNAs. EV-miRNAs were extracted using oligonucleotide-conjugated magnetic beads and subjected to subsequent analysis.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Maternal Secondhand Smoke Exposure Enhances Macrosomia Risk Among Pregnant Women Exposed to PM2.5: A New Interaction of Two Air Pollutants in a Nationwide Cohort.PDF

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most common outdoor air pollutants, and secondhand smoking (SHS) is an important source of inhalable indoor air pollution. Previous studies were controversial and inconsistent about PM2.5 and SHS air pollutants on neonatal birth weight outcomes, and no studies assessed the potential interactive effects between PM2.5 and SHS on birth weight outcomes.Purpose: To investigate the interaction between gestational PM2.5 and SHS air pollution exposure on the risk of macrosomia among pregnant women and examine the modifying effect of SHS exposure on the association of PM2.5 air pollution and birth weight outcomes during pregnancy.Methods: Research data were derived from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP), which lasted 3 years from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012. At least 240,000 Chinese women from 220 counties were enrolled in this project. PM2.5 exposure concentration was obtained using a hindcast model specific for historical PM2.5 estimation from satellite-retrieved aerosol optic depth. Different interaction models about air pollution exposure on birth weight outcomes were established, according to the adjustment of different confounding factors and different pregnancy stages. The establishment of interaction models was based on multivariable logistic regression, and the main confounding factors were maternal age at delivery and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of participants. SHS subgroups analysis was conducted to further confirm the results of interaction models.Results: In total, 197,877 participants were included in our study. In the full-adjusted interaction model, maternal exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in whole, the first-, second-, and third trimesters of pregnancy (p 2.5 and SHS on the risk of macrosomia in the whole (interaction p 0.050) or third trimester (interaction p > 0.050) of pregnancy. The higher frequency of SHS exposure prompted the stronger interaction between the two air pollutants in the whole pregnancy and the first-trimester pregnancy.Conclusions: In the whole and first-trimester pregnancy, maternal exposure to SHS during pregnancy enhanced the risk of macrosomia among pregnant women exposed to PM2.5 air pollutants, and the interaction became stronger with the higher frequency of SHS exposure.</p

miRNA levels in plasma samples.

Levels of miRNAs hsa-miR-21-5p (n = 4) (A) and hsa-miR-126-3p (n = 5) (B) extracted from platelet-poor plasma, EVs captured on magnetic beads (MB), and supernatant after MB concentration were measured relative to the spike-in exogenous cel-miR-238-3p by RT-qPCR. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (** p p t test).</p

Levels of EV-miR-126-3p in plasma samples from healthy volunteers and high-risk CVD patients.

A box-and-whisker chart shows measured EV-miR-126-3p concentrations in plasma samples from healthy volunteers (n = 18) and CVD patients with elevated levels of cTnI (> 0.5 ng/mL) or NT-proBNP (> 0.125 ng/mL) (n = 10) (A). The sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 94%, respectively, when the threshold EV-miR-126-3p concentration was 50 fM. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was close to 1 and much greater than that of a randomly selected case shown as a straight line at a 45° angle (B).</p

Nanoparticle analysis (NTA) of supernatants and eluates.

NTA was utilized to determine the number (A) and size profile (B) of nanoparticles in the starting platelet-poor plasma (PPP), supernatant after EV enrichment, eluate after formic acid-mediated EV release from magnetic beads. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 3, ** p p t-test).</p