Synthesis of ultra-narrow PbTe nanorods with extremely strong quantum confinement

Monodisperse, high-quality, ultra-narrow PbTe nanorods were synthesized for the first time in a one-pot, hot-injection reaction using trans-2-decenoic acid as the agents for lead precursors and tris(diethylamino)phosphine telluride together with free tris(diethylamino)phosphine as the telluride precursors. High monomer reactivity, rapid nucleation and fast growth rate derived from the new precursors led to the anisotropic growth of PbTe nanocrystals at low reaction temperatures

Reciprocal Effects Among Parental Homework Support, Effort, and Achievement? An Empirical Investigation

The present study investigates reciprocal influences of parental homework support, effort, and math achievement, using two waves of data from 336 9th-graders. Results revealed that higher prior autonomy-oriented support and homework effort resulted in higher subsequent achievement. Higher prior content-oriented support led to higher subsequent effort, but lower subsequent achievement. Additionally, higher prior effort led to higher subsequent autonomy-oriented support. Furthermore, our results supported the structural path invariance over gender. The current investigation advances extant research, by differentiating two forms of parental homework support (autonomy- and content-oriented support), and by showing their respective influences on subsequent homework effort and math achievement

Machine learning for predicting the treatment effect of orthokeratology in children

PurposeMyopia treatment using orthokeratology (ortho-k) slows myopia progression. However, it is not equally effective in all patients. We aimed to predict the treatment effect of ortho-k using a machine-learning-assisted (ML) prediction model.MethodsOf the 119 patients who started ortho-k treatment between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2022, 91 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the model. Ocular parameters and clinical characteristics were collected. A logistic regression model with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to select factors associated with the treatment effect.ResultsAge, baseline axial length, pupil diameter, lens wearing time, time spent outdoors, time spent on near work, white-to-white distance, anterior corneal flat keratometry, and posterior corneal astigmatism were selected in the model (aera under curve: 0.949). The decision curve analysis showed beneficial effects. The C-statistic of the predictive model was 0.821 (95% CI: 0.815, 0.827).ConclusionOcular parameters and clinical characteristics were used to predict the treatment effect of ortho-k. This ML-assisted model may assist ophthalmologists in making clinical decisions for patients, improving myopia control, and predicting the clinical effect of ortho-k treatment via a retrospective non-intervention trial

Technology and Quality of Education for Low -Income and Minority Students: Issues and *Policy Implication

90 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002.Descriptive statistics of the groups were used alongside multiple regressions in order to analyze group differences as well as the interactions of differing variables and their impact on students' achievement. The findings suggest that, with other relevant conditions constant: (a) disadvantaged students did not lag far behind their peers in computer use at school, but they were much less likely to use computers at home; (b) computer use at home was far more significant than computer use at school in relation to high academic performance; (c) using a computer at school seemed to have dubious effects on learning---taking computer science courses at school related consistently to low performance for both the disadvantaged and their peers; (d) disadvantaged students benefited less than other students from computer use, including computer use at home; and (e) compared to their peers, disadvantaged students' academic performance seemed less predictable by computer use and other predictor variables. The findings of this study present clear evidence linking SES factors, availability of computer technology, and student performance. In short, when discussing "equity" in terms of educational use of computers, it is important not only to consider access, but also the individual learning needs of students.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD

Student perceptions of homework quality, autonomy support, effort, and math achievement: Testing models of reciprocal effects

This study tests reciprocal influences of perceived homework quality, teacher autonomy support, homework effort, and achievement. Data from 702 8th graders over one school year showed positive reciprocal effects between (a) homework quality and autonomy support, and (b) effort and achievement. Higher prior effort and achievement led to higher homework quality. Autonomy support showed a more positive effect on later achievement when prior effort was high. Meanwhile, autonomy support showed a more positive effect on later effort and homework quality when prior effort was low. These findings hold important implications for teaching practice (i.e. autonomy support to compensate low effort)

Effects of goal orientation on environment management in technology-based physics learning

The purpose of the current study is to propose and examine a comprehensive model that uses motivational and self-regulated variables to explain factors affecting environment management in technology-based physics learning among Chinese secondary school students. Data were collected from 726 grade-eight secondary school students in Southeast China, who were learning physics. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships among students’ goal orientations, environment management, and time management. Results suggest that students were more likely to manage their environment if they had learning-oriented goals and if they managed their time, but they were less likely to do so if they had social-oriented goals. Implications for teachers’ technology integration in physics class were discussed

Traditional Chinese Medicine Shi-Bi-Man regulates lactic acid metabolism and drives hair follicle stem cell activation to promote hair regeneration

Abstract Background As a supplement for promoting hair health, Shi-Bi-Man (SBM) is a prescription comprising various traditional Chinese medicines. Though SBM has been reported to promote hair regeneration, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are non-human primates with a gene expression profile similar to that of humans. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of SBM on promoting hair regeneration in cynomolgus monkeys and to reveal the underlying mechanism. Methods The effect of SBM on hair regeneration was observed by skin administration on 6 cynomolgus monkeys with artificial back shaving. The molecular mechanism of SBM was studied using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in combination with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection for gene transcription level, and immunofluorescence staining verification for protein level. Results SBM significantly induced hair regeneration in cynomolgus monkeys, increased hair follicle number and facilitated hair follicle development. ScRNA-seq revealed an increase in the number of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) with a higher activation state, as evidenced by the higher expression of activation marker LDHA related to metabolism and the proliferation marker MKI67. Immunofluorescence analysis at the protein level and qPCR at the mRNA level confirmed the sequencing data. Cellchat analysis revealed an enrichment of ligand-receptor pairs involved in intercellular communication in Laminin-related pathways. Conclusion SBM significantly promotes hair regeneration in cynomolgus monkeys. Mechanically, SBM can up-regulate LDHA-mediated lactic acid metabolism and drive HFSC activation, which in turn promotes the proliferation and differentiation of HFSCs

Light-Up Lipid Droplets Dynamic Behaviors Using a Red-Emitting Fluorogenic Probe

Intracellular lipid metabolism occurs in lipid droplets (LDs), which is critical to the survival of cells. Imaging LDs is an intuitive way to understand their physiology in live cells. However, this is limited by the availability of specific probes that can properly visualize LDs in vivo. Here, an LDs-specific red-emitting probe is proposed to address this need, which is not merely with an ultrahigh signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and a large Stokes shift (up to 214 nm) but also with superior resistance to photobleaching. The probe has been successfully applied to real-time tracking of intracellular LDs behaviors, including fusion, migration, and lipophagy processes. We deem that the proposed probe here offers a new possibility for deeper understanding of LDs-associated behaviors, elucidation of their roles and mechanisms in cellular metabolism, and determination of the transition between adaptive lipid storage and lipotoxicity as well.Funding Agencies|STINT Joint China - Sweden Mobility Project Program [CH2017-7243]; National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China [21775001, 21705001]; China Scholarship Council (CSC)China Scholarship Council; Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council [VR 2019-02409]; Swedish Government Strategic Faculty Grant in Material Science (SFO, MATLIU) in Advanced Functional Materials (AFM) [5.1-20155959]; Centre in Nano Science and Nano Technology at LiTH (CeNano); LiU Cancer network at Linkoping University</p