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Reducing the oral bioavailability of metal contaminants including As, Cd, , and Pb in foods can protect human health. Studies showed reduced metal bioavailability with elevated Ca and Fe intake; however, the effectiveness of enhancing food Ca and Fe bioavailability remains unknown. Based on a mouse bioassay and using metal accumulation in mouse tissues (kidneys and liver) as the bioavailability endpoint, this study investigated the roles of casein phosphopeptides (CPP, food nutrition fortifier) in lowering the As, Cd, and Pb bioavailability from consuming a metal-contaminated wheat. The CPP amendment at 0.10–0.50% in wheat promoted its Ca bioavailability, causing 33–62% and 59–80% decreases in the gene expression encoding for duodenal Ca and phosphate transporters in mice. This limited transcellular transport of Cd2+ and inorganic arsenate via Ca and phosphate transporters respectively, thus leading to 27% and 34% decreases in Cd and As contents in mouse kidneys fed with wheat at 0.50% CPP amendment. In addition, CPP promoted the colonization of Feacalibaculum and Bifidobacterium in mouse gut, likely promoting As excretion in feces by 81–112%. In contrast to As, and Cd, CPP failed to reduce Pb contents in mouse tissue after consuming CPP-amended wheat, probably by elevating wheat-Pb solubility in the intestinal fluid by 48–136%. However, co-amendment of 0.30% CPP and 500 ​μg ​g−1 Ca as Ca gluconate lowered the As, Cd, and Pb contents in mouse kidneys by 38–71%. The data indicate that fortifying Ca together with CPP in wheat can reduce human exposure to multi-metals via dietary intake.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined complex neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by persistent social communication and interaction deficit. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising and emerging tool for the intervention of ASD by reducing both core and associate symptoms. Several reviews have been published regarding TMS-based ASD treatment, however, a systematic review on study characteristics, specific stimulating parameters, localization techniques, stimulated targets, behavioral outcomes, and neuroimage biomarker changes is lagged behind since 2018. Here, we performed a systematic search on literatures published after 2018 in PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. After screening, the final systematic review included 17 articles, composing seven randomized controlled trial studies and ten open-label studies. Two studies are double-blind, while the other studies have a moderate to high risk of bias attributing to inadequate subject- and evaluator-blinding to treatment allocation. Five studies utilize theta-burst stimulation mode, and the others apply repetitive TMS with low frequency (five studies), high frequency (six studies), and combined low and high frequency stimulation (one study). Most researchers prioritize the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal lobe as stimulation target, while parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, and posterior superior temporal sulci have also emerged as new targets of attention. One third of the studies use neuronavigation based on anatomical magnetic resonance imaging to locate the stimulation target. After TMS intervention, discernible enhancements across a spectrum of scales are evident in stereotyped behavior, repetitive behavior, and verbal social domains. A comprehensive review of literature spanning the last five years demonstrates the potential of TMS treatment for ASD in ameliorating the clinical core symptoms.

Abstract The volume evolution behavior of rock fissures and the characteristics of acoustic emission under cyclic loading are critical for rock stability analysis. To study the volume change behavior of monzogranite fissures and the characteristics of acoustic emission signals under cyclic loading, we selected samples of monzogranite at − 1600 m from a gold mine located in the Jiaodong Peninsula at a depth of − 1600 m and investigated the samples using triaxial cyclic loading—unloading tests and acoustic emission monitoring. As the volume change behavior of the monzogranite fissures and acoustic emission signals were monitored and recorded, the calculated fracture volume strain ratio coefficient and acoustic emission entropy value were proposed to describe the evolution process of fissures inside the rock. The research results showed that the volume strain ratio curve of the rock fractures exhibited a logarithmic variation characteristic during the cyclic loading and unloading, and the fracture volume strain ratio better reflected the relative scale of the internal fracture strain in the rock to the total volume strain. The acoustic emission entropy value reflected the crack evolution behavior during the loading and failure processes, which was a rapid decline in the initial stage of loading and a rapid upward trend in the failure stage. The observed “V”-shaped change in the acoustic emission entropy can be used as an early warning for rock failure. The research results can provide theoretical guidance for rock stability analysis.

Abstract Background In the normal life cycle of the parasite (Echinococcus multilocularis) that causes alveolar echinococcosis, domestic and wild carnivores act as definitive hosts, and rodents act as intermediate hosts. The presented study contributes to the research on the distribution and transmission pattern of E. multilocularis in China having identified sheep as an unusual intermediate host taking part in the domestic transmission of alveolar echinococcosis in Gansu Province, China. Methods From 2020 to 2021, nine whitish different cyst-like were collected from the liver of sheep in Gansu Province for examination. A near complete mitochondrial (mt) genome and selected nuclear genes were amplified from the cyst-like lesion for identification. To confirm the status of the specimen, comparative analysis with reference sequences, phylogenetic analysis, and network analysis were performed. Results The isolates displayed ≥ 98.87% similarity to E. multilocularis NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit 1 (nad1) (894 bp) reference sequences deposited in GenBank. Furthermore, amplification of the nad4 and nad2 genes also confirmed all nine samples as E. multilocularis with > 99.30% similarity. Additionally, three nuclear genes, pepck (1545 bp), elp-exons VII and VIII (566 bp), and elp-exon IX (256 bp), were successfully amplified and sequenced for one of the isolates with 98.42% similarity, confirming the isolates were correctly identified as E. multilocularis. Network analysis also correctly placed the isolates with other E. multilocularis. Conclusions As a result of the discovery of E. multilocularis in an unusual intermediate host, which is considered to have the highest zoonotic potential, the result clearly demonstrated the necessity for expanded surveillance in the area. Graphical Abstract

Introduction Observational and experimental studies have suggested that messaging on smoking-related COVID-19 risk may promote smoking abstinence, but evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is lacking. Methods This was a pragmatic RCT in Hong Kong, China, to compare the effectiveness of communicating smoking-related COVID-19 risk with generic cessation support on abstinence. Both groups received brief cessation advice at baseline. The intervention group received messaging on smoking-related COVID-19 risk and cessation support via instant messaging for three months (16 messages in total), which highlighted the increased risk of severe COVID-19 and deaths, and potentially higher risk of viral exposure (e.g. due to mask removal) for smokers. The control group received generic text messaging support for three months (16 messages). The primary outcomes were biochemically validated 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 3 and 6 months. Intention to treat analyses was used. Results Between 13 June and 30 October 2020, 1166 participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (n=583) or control (n=583) group. By intention-totreat, validated 7-day PPA did not significantly differ between the intervention and control groups at three months (9.6% and 11.8%, relative risk, RR=0.81; 95% CI: 0.58–1.13, p=0.22) or six months (9.3% and 11.7%, RR=0.79; 95% CI: 0.57–1.11, p=0.18). A higher perceived severity of COVID-19 in smokers at baseline was associated with a greater validated 7-day PPA at six months, and a marginally significant intervention effect on changes in perceived severity from baseline through 6 months was found (p for group × time interaction = 0.08). Conclusions Communicating smoking-related COVID-19 risk via instant messaging was not more effective in increasing smoking abstinence than generic cessation support. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04399967

With the development of science and technology, the Mosaics theory has been put forward and applied in practice gradually. This paper analyzes the basic characteristics of Mosaics, such as the plurality of subjects, the fusion of forms, the bewilderment of actions and the controllability of risks, it also researches the operation mechanism of Mosaics about the distributed decomposition of complex systems, networked integration of decomposition elements, intelligent aggregation of integrated systems and highly elastic self-healing of polymeric systems. This paper puts forward the Mosaic winning mechanism of distributed system winning, network system winning, intelligent system winning and high elastic system winning. This paper lays an important foundation for the in-depth study of the mechanism of winning the mosaic war and winning the initiative in the future war.

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with addictions such as substance use disorders. Few have examined ACEs on internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a newly established behavioral addiction, and the potential mediating role of insomnia remains unclear. We examined the associations between ACE number and types, IGD, and insomnia.MethodsParticipants included 1, 231 Chinese university students (54.5% male; 56.9% aged 18–20 years) who had played internet games at least once in the previous month. ACEs were measured using the 10-item ACE questionnaire (yes/no). Symptoms of insomnia and IGD were measured using the Insomnia Severity Index and the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale–Short-Form, respectively. Multivariable regressions examined the associations, adjusting for sex, age, maternal and paternal educational attainment, monthly household income, smoking, and alcohol drinking. The mediating role of insomnia symptoms was explored.ResultsThe prevalence of ACEs≥1 was 40.0%. Childhood verbal abuse was the most prevalent (17.4%), followed by exposure to domestic violence (17.1%) and childhood physical abuse (15.5%). More ACE numbers showed an association with IGD symptoms (adjusted OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.04, 1.17). Specifically, IGD symptoms were observed for childhood physical neglect, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, parental divorce or separation, and household substance abuse. Insomnia symptoms mediated the associations of ACE number and types with IGD symptoms (proportion of total effect mediated range 0.23–0.89).ConclusionThe number and specific types of ACEs showed associations with IGD mediated through insomnia. Screening of ACEs is recommended in future studies on IGD. Longitudinal data are warranted to determine the causality of the observed associations.

The investigation of seismic wave propagation across discontinuous rock masses is of great importance for solving earthquake engineering problems. Although the parameters affecting the propagation of wave on the structural surface have been known to some extent, the influence of cohesion, inclination, and stiffness on the propagation of wave when passing through structural plane still needs further study. In the study of the incident wave simulation, we implemented FLAC3D to build the model with interface to measure the energy loss due to different parameters in the interface. The effect of cohesion, normal and shear stiffness, and dipping angle on characteristics of energy dissipation were investigated. Numerical results indicated that the cohesion as the adhesion of the material is playing an important role in energy dissipation. The normal and shear stiffness is not as obvious as what cohesion does, especially when they are at very low value. In addition, an increase in angle will bring about a decrease in the transmission coefficient and a decrease followed by an increase in the reflection coefficient.

Dietary fiber has good physiological function and plays an important role in human health. This paper reviews the modification of dietary fiber in food by-products by steam explosion technology and its influence on structure, physical and chemical properties and functional properties of dietary fiber. Steam explosion treatment can change some insoluble dietary fiber into soluble dietary fiber. It’s expected to increase the content of soluble dietary fiber in food and its by-products and improve the quality of dietary fiber, so as to apply high-quality dietary fiber in food processing and improve the utilization rate of dietary fiber. Steam explosion treatment can significantly improve the physical and chemical functional characteristics of dietary fiber, helping to develop functional food of dietary fiber.

Abstract Background Mobile health (mHealth) is promising in developing personalised smoking cessation interventions. By using an adaptive trial design, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of personalised mHealth intervention in increasing smoking cessation. Methods This study is a two-arm, parallel, accessor-blinded Sequential Multiple-Assignment Randomised Trial (SMART) that randomises 1200 daily cigarette smokers from 70 community sites at two timepoints. In the first phase, participants receive brief cessation advice plus referral assistance to smoking cessation services and are randomly allocated to receive personalised instant messaging (PIM) or regular instant messaging (RIM). In the second phase, PIM participants who are non-responders (i.e. still smoking at 1 month) are randomised to receive either optional combined interventions (multi-media messages, nicotine replacement therapy sampling, financial incentive for active referral, phone counselling, and family/peer support group chat) or continued-PIM. Non-responders in the RIM group are randomised to receive PIM or continued-RIM. Participants who self-report quitting smoking for 7 days or longer at 1 month (responders) in both groups continue to receive the intervention assigned in phase 1. The primary outcomes are biochemical abstinence validated by exhaled carbon monoxide (< 4 ppm) and salivary cotinine (< 10 ng/ml) at 3 and 6 months from treatment initiation. Intention-to-treat analysis will be adopted. Discussion This is the first study using a SMART design to evaluate the effect of adaptive mHealth intervention on abstinence in community-recruited daily smokers. If found effective, the proposed intervention will inform the development of adaptive smoking cessation treatment and benefits smokers non-responding to low-intensity mHealth support. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03992742 . Registered on 20 June 2019.

Abstract Multi‐access edge computing provides computation and network resources in proximity to user applications in mobile environments. Deploying edge servers in network boundary can not only offload the heavy task loading on the cloud, but also alleviate resource‐limited capabilities of mobile devices. Rather than many stand‐alone edge servers, the concept of multi‐server edge computing is recently advocated to contend with the issues of system scalability and service quality against dynamic task workload. This study exploits collaborative computing resources and designs a task migration strategy for multiple edge servers in mobile networks. This study formulates a queueing optimization problem of minimizing the overall service time in a multi‐server system. An intelligent task migration scheme is then developed using the deep reinforcement learning and Q‐learning techniques. With a variety of numerical attributes derived from the queueing model, this intelligent scheme can arrange the task distribution among edge servers to enhance the task processing capability. Simulation‐based results show that the proposed task migration scheme can sustain service efficiency and resource utilization, which is promising as compared with conventional designs without collaborative intelligence in mobile environments.