Hall anomaly by vacancies vs fragments of vortex lattice: Quantitative analyses of new evidences

Despite numerous recent studies on the Hall anomaly following the discovery of cuprate superconductivity, the origin of this phenomenon remains contentious. We demonstrate that a previously proposed mechanism, in which vacancy-on-fragment of the flux-line crystal, provides an alternative explanation for the observations of $\rm{Bi_{2}Sr_{2}CaCu_{2}O_{x}}$ thin films made by Nitzav and Kanigel [Phys. Rev. B. 107, 094516 (2023)], without the need for adjustable parameters. Specifically, we show that the power-law behavior of $\rho_{xy}$ over $\rho_{xx}$, with and without sign reversal, is consistent with the picture of vacancies versus fragments. Interestingly, we find that the effective length of vortex lines is consistently 1.5 unit cells (UC) across different experiments, independent of film thickness.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2206.0338

Sedentary Behavior Is Independently Related to Fat Mass among Children and Adolescents in South China

We aim to explore the independent associations of sedentary behaviors (SB) with body mass distribution among Chinese children. Data on the screen-based sedentary time (television viewing and computer use) and doing homework, physical activities and dietary intake of 1586 Chinese children (50.3% girls) aged 7–15 years were obtained through validated questionnaires. Skin-fold thickness, body height, and weight were measured to calculate percent body fat (%BF), fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Parental characteristics were collected by questionnaires. Among girls, time of SB (screen time or doing homework) was positively related to %BF, FMI, and FFMI (p < 0.03) after adjusting for maternal overweight, the average annual income of family, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity energy expenditure, and energy intake: Girls in the highest tertile of screen time/homework had 16.7%/23.3% higher relative FMI and 2.9%/2.9% higher relative FFMI than girls in the lowest tertile. Among boys, screen time was positively associated with FFMI (p 0.09), while time of doing homework was positively related to %BF and FMI (p = 0.03). Sedentary behaviors might be positively and independently related to fat mass among Chinese children, and were more pronounced in girls

Using Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Data in Multiple Tissue Types to Prioritize Candidate Genes for Drug Development in Obesity

Obesity has become a major public health issue which is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genome-wide DNA methylation studies have identified that DNA methylation at Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) sites are associated with obesity. However, subsequent functional validation of the results from these studies has been challenging given the high number of reported associations. In this study, we applied an integrative analysis approach, aiming to prioritize the drug development candidate genes from many associated CpGs. Association data was collected from previous genome-wide DNA methylation studies and combined using a sample-size-weighted strategy. Gene expression data in adipose tissues and enriched pathways of the affiliated genes were overlapped, to shortlist the associated CpGs. The CpGs with the most overlapping evidence were indicated as the most appropriate CpGs for future studies. Our results revealed that 119 CpGs were associated with obesity (p ≤ 1.03 × 10−7). Of the affiliated genes, SOCS3 was the only gene involved in all enriched pathways and was differentially expressed in both visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). In conclusion, our integrative analysis is an effective approach in highlighting the DNA methylation with the highest drug development relevance. SOCS3 may serve as a target for drug development of obesity and its complications

Highly Stable Garnet Fe2Mo3O12 Cathode Boosts the Lithium–Air Battery Performance Featuring a Polyhedral Framework and Cationic Vacancy Concentrated Surface

Lithium–air batteries (LABs), owing to their ultrahigh theoretical energy density, are recognized as one of the next-generation energy storage techniques. However, it remains a tricky problem to find highly active cathode catalyst operating within ambient air. In this contribution, a highly active Fe2Mo3O12 (FeMoO) garnet cathode catalyst for LABs is reported. The experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrate that the highly stable polyhedral framework, composed of FeO octahedrons and MO tetrahedrons, provides a highly effective air catalytic activity and long-term stability, and meanwhile keeps good structural stability. The FeMoO electrode delivers a cycle life of over 1800 h by applying a simple half-sealed condition in ambient air. It is found that surface-rich Fe vacancy can act as an O2 pump to accelerate the catalytic reaction. Furthermore, the FeMoO catalyst exhibits a superior catalytic capability for the decomposition of Li2CO3. H2O in the air can be regarded as the main contribution to the anode corrosion and the deterioration of LAB cells could be attributed to the formation of LiOH·H2O at the end of cycling. The present work provides in-depth insights to understand the catalytic mechanism in air and constitutes a conceptual breakthrough in catalyst design for efficient cell structure in practical LABs

Contextualizing the Revised Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness (Pppc-R) Scale in Primary Healthcare Settings: a Validity and Reliability Evaluation Study

BACKGROUND: An English version of the Patient Perception of Patient-Centeredness (PPPC) scale was recently revised, and it is necessary to test this instrument in different primary care populations. AIM: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a Chinese version of the PPPC scale. DESIGN: A mixed method was used in this study. The Delphi method was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data to address the content validity of the PPPC scale by calculating the Content Validity Index, Content Validity Ratio, the adjusted Kappa, and the Item Impact Score. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to assess the construct validity of the PPPC scale through a cross-sectional survey. The internal consistency was also assessed. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: In the Delphi consultation, seven experts were consulted through a questionnaire sent by email. The cross-sectional survey interviewed 188 outpatients in Guangzhou city and 108 outpatients in Hohhot City from community health service centers or stations face-to-face. RESULTS: The 21 items in the scale were relevant to their component. The Item-level Content Validity Index for each item was higher than 0.79, and the average Scale-level content validity index was 0.97 in each evaluation round. The initial proposed 4-factor CFA model did not fit adequately. Still, we found a 3-factor solution based on our EFA model and the validation via the CFA model (model fit: [Formula: see text], P \u3c 0.001, RMSEA = 0.044, CFI = 0.981; factor loadings: 0.553 to 0.888). Cronbach\u27s α also indicated good internal consistency reliability: The overall Cronbach\u27s α was 0.922, and the Cronbach\u27s α for each factor was 0.851, 0.872, and 0.717, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the PPPC scale provides a valuable tool for evaluating patient-centered medical service quality

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Potential evaluation and implementation strategy for pocket park construction in high-density urban areas: A case study in Dalian, China

As an important element of urban renewal in highly urbanized areas, pocket parks with small size, flexible layout and daily accessibility are becoming a major component of green infrastructure and the mainstay of outdoor recreation space expansion in high-density urban centers. Nevertheless, the absence of a comprehensive framework for evaluating the potential of pocket park construction (PPC), one that integrates diverse influencing factors on a macro scale, has resulted in the random installation of such spaces, often failing to optimize the utilization of urban land. Addressing this critical lacuna, we propose an approach to evaluate PPC potential from a city-scale perspective, which is used to support the determination of which land units should be prioritized for PPC. A complete and feasible workflow was also established to identify potential land units, construct an index system for PPC combining demand and supply levels, quantitatively calculate indices based on remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS), accurately evaluate PPC potential using an entropy-weighted TOPSIS model, and develop targeted renewal strategies. A case study in Dalian, China, demonstrated the applicability and implications of the workflow. The results showed that it is flexible and easy to adapt to different local contexts, allowing evaluators to introduce parameters considering the availability of local data, and will help decision makers to build pocket parks in the most effective plots, providing a strong reference for high-quality development in other high-density urban centers facing the contradiction between ecological construction and land scarcity