The default mode network supports a variety of mental operations such as semantic processing, episodic memory retrieval, mental time travel and mind-wandering, yet the commonalities between these ...functions remains unclear. One possibility is that this system supports cognition that is independent of the immediate environment; alternatively or additionally, it might support higher-order conceptual representations that draw together multiple features. We tested these accounts using a novel paradigm that separately manipulated the availability of perceptual information to guide decision-making and the representational complexity of this information. Using task based imaging we established regions that respond when cognition combines both stimulus independence with multi-modal information. These included left and right angular gyri and the left middle temporal gyrus. Although these sites were within the default mode network, they showed a stronger response to demanding memory judgements than to an easier perceptual task, contrary to the view that they support automatic aspects of cognition. In a subsequent analysis, we showed that these regions were located at the extreme end of a macroscale gradient, which describes gradual transitions from sensorimotor to transmodal cortex. This shift in the focus of neural activity towards transmodal, default mode, regions might reflect a process of where the functional distance from specific sensory enables conceptually rich and detailed cognitive states to be generated in the absence of input.
•Brain regions supporting meaning overlap with stimulus independence.•Bilateral angular gyri and left MTG respond strongly to both features of cognition.•These patterns reflect a shift in activity towards regions of transmodal cortex.•Complex memory representations may emerge in cortical areas distant from input.
We propose spatially-adaptive normalization, a simple but effective layer for synthesizing photorealistic images given an input semantic layout. Previous methods directly feed the semantic layout as ...input to the network, forcing the network to memorize the information throughout all the layers. Instead, we propose using the input layout for modulating the activations in normalization layers through a spatially-adaptive, learned affine transformation. Experiments on several challenging datasets demonstrate the superiority of our method compared to existing approaches, regarding both visual fidelity and alignment with input layouts. Finally, our model allows users to easily control the style and content of image synthesis results as well as create multi-modal results. Code is available upon publication.
Zinc‐coordinated conjugated microporous polymers (Zn‐CMPs), prepared by linking salen zinc and 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene, exhibit extraordinary activities (turnover frequencies of up to 11600 h−1), ...broad substrate scope, and group tolerance for the synthesis of functional organic carbonates by coupling epoxides with CO2 at 120 °C and 3.0 MPa without the use of additional solvents. The catalytic activity of Zn‐CMP is comparable to those of homogeneous catalysts and superior to those of other heterogeneous catalysts. This catalyst could be reused more than ten times without a significant decrease in performance.
CO2 cycles go round: Zinc‐coordinated conjugated microporous polymers have been used as highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for CO2 fixation. This polymer can be used to efficiently catalyze the reaction of internal epoxides with CO2 to form functional organic carbonates. Excellent catalytic activities and improved recyclability of this polymer have been achieved.
This paper examines housework reallocation during China’s stringent pandemic lockdowns in 2020, where individuals were homebound and job-free while employment status remained unchanged. Utilizing a ...mixed-method approach, it analyzes 1669 surveys and 100 interviews to understand changes in domestic labor patterns and the underlying reasons. The findings indicate that men increased their participation in grocery shopping but decreased in cooking, cleaning, and laundry during the lockdown. This gender-task pattern was mirrored in multi-generational households, where younger family members often took on these tasks. The reasons articulated for these shifts predominantly converged around the ‘doing gender’ theory. Women, particularly those working full-time, had more time to engage in household chores. Men, while also having more available time, predominantly focused on grocery shopping, a task that gained masculine connotations during the lockdown. Factors such as perceived differences in household labor quality, difficulty delegating housework, and reduced workload led to women’s increased involvement and specialization in domestic tasks. The study challenges the notion that economic factors are the primary drivers of gender-based division of housework. Instead, it suggests that ingrained gender norms continue to dictate domestic roles, as evidenced during the lockdown period devoid of usual economic and time pressures.
To evaluate cardiovascular and metabolic features of offspring conceived by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI).
Literature review and meta-analysis.
Not applicable.
...Offspring from IVF-ICSI versus natural conception.
None.
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), cardiovascular function, body mass index (BMI), and lipid and glucose profiles.
We included 19 studies that had recruited 2,112 IVF-ICSI and 4,096 naturally conceived offspring, ranging from childhood to early adulthood. The blood pressure levels of IVF-ICSI offspring were statistically significantly higher than those of naturally conceived offspring (weighted mean differences and confidence intervals: 1.88 mm Hg 95% CI, 0.27, 3.49 for SBP and 1.51 mm Hg 95% CI, 0.33, 2.70 for DBP). In addition, cardiac diastolic function was suboptimal and vessel thickness was higher among IVF-ICSI offspring. Compared with the metabolism of naturally conceived offspring, IVF-ICSI offspring displayed comparable BMI, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and higher fasting insulin levels.
Children conceived by IVF-ICSI manifested a minor yet statistically significant increase in blood pressure without the clustering of increased BMI or impaired lipid metabolism by early adulthood. Our findings indicate a risk of cardiovascular disease among IVF-ICSI offspring, which calls for longer-term follow-ups and further investigation.
Stochastic DNA walkers capable of traversing on three-dimensional (3D) tracks have received great deal of attention. However, DNA walker-based biosensors exhibit limited amplification efficiency ...because of their slow walking kinetics and low processivity. Herein, by taking advantage of the high processivity of a DNA rolling machine, a sensitive ratiometric DNA nanomachine biosensor is designed. The biosensor is constructed with hairpin-loaded Au nanoparticles (NPs) (hpDNA@AuNPs) as a DNA walker and AgNCs-decorated magnetic NPs (AgNCs@MNPs) as a DNA rolling machine. In the presence of target DNA, exonuclease III (Exo III)-powered DNA walker is activated to accomplish first-stage amplification via a burnt-bridge mechanism, generating a great deal of toehold-loaded AuNPs (Toehold@AuNPs) to hybridize with magnetic nanoparticles loaded with silver-nanoclusters-labeled DNA (AgNCs@MNPs) with the assistance of Exo III. These trigger rapid rolling of AuNPs on the AgNCs@MNPs surface and release free AgNCs, converting the biological signal into a mass spectrometric signal ratio (107Ag/197Au) with detection by ICP-MS. A linear range of 0.5–500 fmol L–1 is achieved with a detection limit of 119 amol L–1 for the p53 gene. The practical applicability of the biosensor has been demonstrated in the accurate assay of the p53 gene in the human blood.
We aimed to investigated the influencing risk factors of voriconazole-induced liver injury in Uygur pediatric patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
This was a ...prospective cohort design study. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to monitor voriconazole concentration. First-generation sequencing was performed to detect gene polymorphisms. Indicators of liver function were detected at least once before and after voriconazole therapy.
Forty-one patients were included in this study, among which, 15 patients (36.6%) had voriconazole-induced liver injury. The proportion of voriconazole trough concentration > 5.5 μg·mL
patients within the DILI group (40.0%) was significantly higher compared to the control group (15.4%) (p < 0.05). After administration of voriconazole, the values of ALT (103.3 ± 80.3 U/L) and AST (79.9 ± 60.6 U/L) in the DILI group were higher than that in the control group (24.3 ± 24.8 and 30.4 ± 8.6 U/L) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in genotype and allele frequencies of CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, CYP2C19*17, and UGT1A4 (rs2011425) (p > 0.05).
There was a significant correlation between voriconazole-induced liver injury and voriconazole trough concentration in high-risk Uygur pediatric patients with allogeneic HSCT.
It is a great challenge to fabricate electrode with simultaneous high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, a high‐performance ...bifunctional electrode formed by vertically depositing a porous nanoplate array on the surface of nickel foam is provided, where the nanoplate is made up by the interconnection of trinary Ni–Fe–Mo suboxides and Ni nanoparticles. The amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo suboxide and its in situ transformed amorphous Ni–Fe–Mo (oxy)hydroxide acts as the main active species for HER and OER, respectively. The conductive network built by Ni nanoparticles provides rapid electron transfer to active sites. Moreover, the hydrophilic and aerophobic electrode surface together with the hierarchical pore structure facilitate mass transfer. The corresponding water electrolyzer demonstrates low cell voltage (1.50 V @ 10 mA cm−2 and 1.63 V @ 100 mA cm−2) with high durability at 500 mA cm−2 for at least 100 h in 1 m KOH.
A high‐performance bifunctional electrode in the form of a porous nanoplate array vertically aligned on nickel foam for overall water splitting is provided. The porous nanoplate is built by the interconnection of trinary Ni–Fe–Mo suboxides and Ni nanoparticles, which is featured with amorphous active material and rapid electron/mass transfer.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a worldwide autoimmune disease with high heritability, shows differences in prevalence, severity and age of onset among different ancestral groups. Previous ...genetic studies have focused more on European populations, which appear to be the least affected. Consequently, the genetic variations that underlie the commonalities, differences and treatment options in SLE among ancestral groups have not been well elucidated. To address this, we undertake a genome-wide association study, increasing the sample size of Chinese populations to the level of existing European studies. Thirty-eight novel SLE-associated loci and incomplete sharing of genetic architecture are identified. In addition to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, nine disease loci show clear ancestral differences and implicate antibody production as a potential mechanism for differences in disease manifestation. Polygenic risk scores perform significantly better when trained on ancestry-matched data sets. These analyses help to reveal the genetic basis for disparities in SLE among ancestral groups.
MicroRNA‐32 (miR‐32) functioned as a tumor oncogene in some cancer, which control genes involved in important biological and pathological functions and facilitate the tumor growth and metastasis. ...However, the role of miR‐32 modulates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) malignant transformation has not been clarified. Here, we focused on the function and the underlying molecular mechanism of miR‐32 in ESCC. Results discovered a significant increased expression of miR‐32 in ESCC tissues and cells. Downregulation of miR‐32 inhibited the migration, invasion, adhesion of ESCC cell lines (EC9706 and KYSE450), and the levels of EMT protein in vitro. In vivo, miR‐32 inhibitors decrease tumor size, tumor weight, and the number of metastatic nodules. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) results revealed that inhibition of miR‐32 attenuate lung metastasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay showed increased level of E‐cadherin and decreased level of N‐cadherin and Vimentin with treatment of miR‐32 inhibitors. Furthermore, miR‐32 targeted the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of CXXC5, and inhibited the level of mRNA and protein of CXXC5. There is a negative correlation between the expressions of CXXC5 and miR‐32. Then, after EC9706 and KYSE450 cells cotransfected with si‐CXXC5 and miR‐32 inhibitors, the ability of cell migration, invasion, and adhesion was significantly reduced. In addition, the protein expression of EMT and TGF‐β signaling was also depressed. Collectively, these data supply an insight into the positive role of miR‐32 in ESCC progression and metastasis, and its biological effects may attribute the inhibition of TGF‐β signaling mediated by CXXC5.
MicroRNA‐32 (miR‐32) could promote esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) migration, invasion, and adhesion via target CXXC5. miR‐32 might be a key oncogene of ECSS metastasis through inhibiting CXXC5‐mediated TGF‐β pathway
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