Numerical Simulation on Radon Retardation Behavior of Covering Floats in Radon-Containing Water

Objective This study aimed to efficiently reduce the release of radon from water bodies to protect the environment.Methods Based on the sizes of the experimental setup and modular float,computational fluid dynamics(CFD)was used to assess the impact of the area coverage rate,immersion depth,diffusion coefficient,and radon transfer velocity at the gas–liquid interface on radon migration and exhalation of radon-containing water.Based on the numerical simulation results,an estimation model for the radon retardation rate was constructed.The effectiveness of the CFD simulation was evaluated by comparing the experimental and simulated variation values of the radon retardation rate with the coverage area rates.Results The effect of radon transfer velocity on radon retardation in water bodies was minor and insignificant according to the appropriate value;therefore,an estimation model of the radon retardation rate of the coverage of a radon-containing water body was constructed using the synergistic impacts of three factors:area coverage rate,immersion depth,and diffusion coefficient.The deviation between the experimental and simulated results was<4.3%.Conclusion Based on the numerical simulation conditions,an estimation model of the radon retardation rate of covering floats in water bodies under the synergistic effect of multiple factors was obtained,which provides a reference for designing covering floats for radon retardation in radoncontaining water.

Sleep disturbances and psychomotor retardation in the prediction of cognitive impairments in patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND Symptoms of depression and comorbid anxiety are known risk factors for cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder(MDD).Understanding their relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate cognitive impairments in MDD patients.We expect that the severity of sleep disturbances and other depressive symptoms will be positively correlated with the degree of cognitive impairments.We also hypothesize that anxiety symptoms,especially psychic anxiety,is a key factor in predicting cognitive performance in MDD patients and may indirectly contribute to cognitive impairment by affecting sleep disturbances and other potential factors.AIM To determine which dimension of the depressive and anxiety symptoms predicts cognitive impairment during a depressive episode.METHODS A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery assessed executive function,attention,processing speed,and memory in 162 medication-free MDD patients and 142 matched healthy controls.The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms,and the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Scale was used to assess anxiety symptoms.Linear regression analyses and mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of depressive and anxiety symptoms,as well as their interactions,on cognitive impairments.RESULTS Among the depressive symptoms,sleep disturbances were associated with poorer executive function(P=0.004),lower processing speed(P=0.047),and memory impairments(P<0.001),and psychomotor retardation(PR)was associated with lower processing speed in patients with MDD(P=0.019).Notably,PR was found to mediate the impact of sleep disturbances on the processing speed.Regarding anxiety symptoms,psychic anxiety,rather than somatic anxiety,was associated with cognitive impairments in all aspects.Sleep disturbances mediated the effect of psychic anxiety on executive function[β=-0.013,BC CI(-0.027,-0.001)]and memory[β=-0.149,BC CI(-0.237,-0.063)],while PR mediated its effect on processing speed(β=-0.023,BC CI(-0.045,-0.004)].CONCLUSION Sleep disturbances may be a key predictor of poorer executive function,lower processing speed,and memory loss,while PR is crucial for lower processing speed during a depressive episode.Psychic anxiety contributes to all aspects of cognitive impairments,mediated by sleep disturbances and PR.

Dietary bile acid supplementation in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation improves colonic microbiota,metabolic activity,and epithelial function

Background Intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)is one of the major constraints in animal production.Our previ-ous study showed that piglets with IUGR are associated with abnormal bile acid(BA)metabolism.This study explored whether dietary BA supplementation could improve growth performance and colonic development,function,micro-biota,and metabolites in the normal birth weight(NBW)and IUGR piglets.A total of 48 weaned piglets(24 IUGR and 24 NBW)were allocated to four groups(12 piglets per group):(i)NBW group,(ii)NBW+BA group,(iii)IUGR group,and(iv)IUGR+BA group.Samples were collected after 28 days of feeding.Results The results showed that dietary BA supplementation increased the length and weight of the colon and colon weight to body weight ratio,while decreased the plasma diamine oxidase(DAO)concentration in the NBW pig-lets(P<0.05).Dietary BA supplementation to IUGR piglets decreased(P<0.05)the plasma concentrations of D-lactate and endotoxin and colonic DAO and endotoxin,suggesting a beneficial effect on epithelial integrity.Moreover,dietary BA supplementation to NBW and IUGR piglets increased Firmicutes abundance and decreased Bacteroidetes abundance(P<0.05),whereas Lactobacillus was the dominant genus in the colon.Metabolome analysis revealed 65 and 51 differential metabolites in the colon of piglets fed a diet with/without BA,respectively,which was associated with the colonic function of IUGR piglets.Furthermore,dietary BA supplementation to IUGR piglets upregulated the expressions of CAT,GPX,SOD,Nrf1,IL-2,and IFN-γin colonic mucosa(P<0.05).Conclusions Collectively,dietary BA supplementation could improve the colonic function of IUGR piglets,which was associated with increasing proportions of potentially beneficial bacteria and metabolites.Furthermore,BA shows a promising application prospect in improving the intestinal ecosystem and health of animals.

Pterostilbene attenuates intrauterine growth retardation-induced colon inflamm tion in piglets by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy

Background:Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and autophagy are implicated in the pathophysiology of intestinal inflammation;however,their roles in intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)-induced colon inflammation are unclear.This study explored the protective effects of natural stilbene pterostilbene on colon inflammation using the IUGR piglets and the tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)-treated human colonic epithelial cells(Caco-2)by targeting ER stress and autophagy.Results:Both the IUGR colon and the TNF-α-treated Caco-2 cells exhibited inflammatory responses,ER stress,and impaired autophagic flux(P<0.05).The ER stress inducer tunicamycin and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine further augmented inflammatory responses and apoptosis in the TNF-α-treated Caco-2 cells(P<0.05).Conversely,pterostilbene inhibited ER stress and restored autophagic flux in the IUGR colon and the TNF-α-treated cells(P<0.05).Pterostilbene also prevented the release of inflammatory cytokines and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B p65,reduced intestinal permeability and cell apoptosis,and facilitated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins in the IUGR colon and the TNF-α-treated cells(P<0.05).Importantly,treatment with tunicamycin or autophagosome-lysosome binding inhibitor chloroquine blocked the positive effects of pterostilbene on inflammatory response,cell apoptosis,and intestinal barrier function in the TNF-α-exposed Caco-2 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion:Pterostilbene mitigates ER stress and promotes autophagic flux,thereby improving colon inflammation and barrier dysfunction in the IUGR piglets and the TNF-α-treated Caco-2 cells.

Intrauterine growth retardation affects liver bile acid metabolism in growing pigs:effects associated with the changes of colonic bile acid derivatives

Background:Intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)is associated with severely impaired nutrient metabolism and intestinal development of pigs.Our previous study found that IUGR altered intestinal microbiota and metabolites in the colon.However,the consequences of IUGR on bile acid metabolism in pigs remained unclear.The present study aimed to investigate the bile acid metabolism in the liver and the profile of bile acid derivatives in the colon of grow-ing pigs with IUGR using bile acid targeted metabolomics.Furthermore,we determined correlations between colonic microbiota composition and metabolites of IUGR and normal birth weight(NBW)pigs at different growth stages that were 7,21,and 28-day-old,and the average body weight(BW)of 25,50,and 100 kg of the NBW pigs.Results:The results showed that the plasma total bile acid concentration was higher(P<0.05)at the 25 kg BW stage and tended to increase(P=0.08)at 28-day-old in IUGR pigs.The hepatic gene expressions related to bile acid synthe-sis(CYP7A1,CYP27A1,and NTCP)were up-regulated(P<0.05),and the genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism(ATGL,HSL,and PC)were down-regulated(P<0.05)at the 25 kg BW stage in IUGR pigs when compared with the NBW group.Targeted metabolomics analysis showed that 29 bile acids and related compounds were detected in the colon of pigs.The colonic concentrations of dehydrolithocholic acid and apocholic acid were increased(P<0.05),while isodeoxycholic acid and 6,7-diketolithocholic acid were decreased(P<0.05)in IUGR pigs,when compared with the NBW pigs at the 25 kg BW stage.Moreover,Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that colonic Unclassified_[Mogi-bacteriaceae],Lachnospira,and Slackia abundances were negatively correlated(P<0.05)with dehydrolithocholic acid,as well as the Unclassified_Clostridiaceae abundance with 6,7-diketolithocholic acid at the 25 kg BW stage.Conclusions:These findings suggest that IUGR could affect bile acid and glucolipid metabolism in growing pigs,especially at the 25 kg BW stage,these effects being paralleled by a modification of bile acid derivatives concentra-tions in the colonic content.The plausible links between these modified parameters are discussed.

Autism with dysphasia accompanied by mental retardation caused by FOXP1 exon deletion:A case report

BACKGROUND Forkhead box protein 1(FOXP1)(OMIM:605515)at chromosomal region 3p14.1 plays an important regulatory role in cell development and functions by regulating genetic expression.Earlier studies have suggested that FOXP1,an oncogene,is capable of initiating tumorigenicity depending on the cell type.FOXP1 also plays an important role in regulating the cell development and functions of the immune system,e.g.,regulating B-cell maturation and mononuclear phagocyte differentiation,and in the occurrence and development of various immune diseases.The mRNA of this gene is widely expressed in humans,and its differential expression is related to numerous diseases.CASE SUMMARY A 5-year-old boy mainly presented with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and developmental retardation accompanied by gait instability and abnormal facial features(low-set ears).DNA samples were extracted from the child’s and his parents’peripheral blood to detect whole-exome sequences and whole-genome copy number variations.Results revealed heterozygous deletions of exon 6-21 of FOXP1 gene in the child.Physical examination upon admission showed that the child was generally in good condition,had a moderate nutritional status,a slightly slow response to external stimuli,equally large and equally round bilateral pupils,was sensitive to light reflection,and had poor eye contact and joint attention.He had no meaningful utterance and could not pronounce words properly.He was able to use gestures to simply express his thoughts,to perform simple actions,and to listen to instructions.He had no rash,cafe-au-lait macules,or depigmentation spots.He had thick black hair and low-set ears.He had highly sensitive skin,especially on his face and palms.He had no abnormal palm fingerprint.Cardiopulmonary and abdominal examinations revealed no abnormalities.He had normal limb muscle strength and tension.He showed normal tendon reflexes of both knees.His bilateral Babinski and meningeal irritation signs were negative.He had a normal male vulva.CONCLUSION We report the characteristic features of autism with dysphasia accompanied by mental retardation caused by FOXP1 exon deletion.This study provides a molecular basis for etiological diagnosis and treatment of the child,as well as for genetic counseling for the pedigree.

Quantitative Effect of Soil Texture Composition on Retardation Factor of K^+ Transport

With six packed columns composed of < 1 μm and 5 μm～0.25 mm fractions from an Eum-Orthic An- throsol (Columns 1～6) and one column of the Eum-Orthic Anthrosol (Column 7), K～(+) transport experiments under the condition of saturated steady water flow were conducted to qualify the effects of soil texture com- position on the retardation factor (R) of K～(+) transport. The results showed that the retardation factor of K～ (+) transport in the tested soil columns greatly increased with increasing clay contents. In an attempt to use pedo-transfer function (PTF) approach in the solute transport study, a preliminary PTF was established through the six packed columns (Columns 1～6) with soil basic data including soil bulk density, volumet- ric water content and clay content to predict the retardation factor, and proved valid by the satisfactory prediction of R in Column 7.

Helicobacter pylori's virulence and infection persistence define pre-eclampsia complicated by fetal growth retardation

AIM: To better understand the pathogenic role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in pre-eclampsia (PE), and whether it is associated or not with fetal growth retardation (FGR). METHODS: Maternal blood samples were collected from 62 consecutive pregnant women with a diagnosis of PE and/or FGR, and from 49 women with uneventful pregnancies (controls). Serum samples were evaluated by immunoblot assay for presence of specific antibodies against H. pylori antigens [virulence: cytotoxin-associated antigen A (CagA); ureases; heat shock protein B; flagellin A; persistence: vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA)]. Maternal complete blood count and liver enzymes levels were assessed at delivery by an automated analyzer. RESULTS: A significantly higher percentage of H. pyloriseropositive women were found among PE cases (85.7%) compared to controls (42.9%, P < 0.001). There were no differences between pregnancies complicated by FGR without maternal hypertension (46.2%) and controls. Importantly, persistent and virulent infections (VacA/ CagA seropositive patients, intermediate leukocyte blood count and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were exclusively associated with pre-eclampsia complicated by FGR, while virulent but acute infections (CagA positive/ VacA negative patients, highest leukocyte blood count and aspartate aminotransferase levels) specifically correlated with PE without FGR. CONCLUSION: Our data strongly indicate that persistent and virulent H. pylori infections cause or contribute to PE complicated by FGR, but not to PE without feto-placental compromise.

Autism and Mental Retardation of Young Children in China

To understand the prevalence and rehabilitation status of autism and mental retardation in China. Methods Screening test and clinical assessment were conducted for the diagnosis of autism and mental retardation. The assessment included investigation of the histories of medical conditions and development of these two disorders, utilization and needs for the rehabilitation service, and related intellectual and behavioral appraisal. Results Among the 7345 children investigated, the prevalence of autism disorder was 1.10 cases per 1000 children aged 2-6 years （95% CI=0.34 to 2.54）, and the prevalence of mental retardation was 10.76 cases per 1000 children （95% CI=8.40 to 13.12）. All the children suffering from autistic disorder were intellectually disabled, whereas 31.0% of the non-autism mental retardates had other disabilities. The medical conditions prior to birth and perinatal period were important potential factors for autism. Half of the autistic children and 84% of the children with non-autism mental retardation had never received any rehabilitative service. Conclusions The prevalence of autistic disorder in children aged 2-6 years in Tianjin is rather high. It is urgent to improve the status of the autistic and intelligently disabled young children in China. In order to upgrade the level of early diagnostic and improve the intervention to autism and mental retardation, public awareness and training courses should be heightened.

The norepinephrine transporter gene is associated with the retardation symptoms of major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population

The norepinephrine transporter plays an important role in the pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment of major depressive disorder. Consequently, the norepinephrine transporter gene is an attractive candidate in major depressive disorder research. In the present study, we evaluated the depression symptoms of subjects with major depressive disorder, who were all from the North of China and of Hart Chinese origin, using the Hamilton Depression Scale. We examined the relationship between two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the norepinephrine transporter, rs2242446 and rs5569, and the retardation symptoms of major depressive disorder using quantitative trait testing with the UNPHASED program, rs5569 was associated with depressed mood, and the GG genotype may be a risk factor for this; rs2242446 was associated with work and interest, and the TT genotype may be a risk factor for loss of interest. Our findings suggest that rs2242446 and rs5569 in the norepinephrine transporter gene are associated with the retardation symptoms of depression in the Hart Chinese population.

Effect of early nutrition on intestine development of intrauterine growth retardation in rats and its correlation to leptin

AIM：To investigate the intestine and body development of intrauterine growth retardation（IUGR）rats under early different protein diet and to analyze the correlation between leptin and intestine and body development．METHODS：An IUGR rat model was established by food restriction of pregnant female rats．Fifty-six neonatal IUGR rats and 24 neonatal normal rats were randomly divided into normal control group（Cgroup），IUGR model group （scgroup），low protein diet IUGR group（SL group），and high protein diet IUGR group（SH group）．Eight rats were killed per group at wk 0，4，and 12．Serum leptin，body weight（BW），body length（BL），intestinal weight（IW），intestinal length（IL），andintestinal disaccharidase（including lactase，maltase，and saccharase） were detected．RESULTS：BW（4．50±0．41g），BL（5．96±0．40cm），IW（0．05±0．01g），and IL（15.9±2．8cm）in neonatal IUGR rats were much lower than those in Cgroup（6．01±0．55g，6．26±0．44cm，0．10±0．02g，21.8±2．7cm，P〈0．05），while intestinal lactase and maltase activities were higher than those in Cgroup．SH group showed the fastest catch up growth and their BW，BL，IW，and IL reached the Cgroup level at wk 4．SC group showed relatively slower catch up growth than SH group，and their BW，BL，IW did not reach the Cgroup level at wk 4．SL group did not show intestine and body catch up growth．Intestinal maltase [344±33μmol／（min·q）]and saccharase activities[138±32μmol／（min·g）]in SL group were both markedly lower than nose in C group [751±102，258±271μmol／（min·g），P〈0．05]．There were no significant difierences in lactase activities at wk 4 and disaccharidase activities at wk 12 among all groups（P〈0．05）．The leptin level in SL group（0．58±0．12ng／mL） was the highest in all groups，and much lower in SH group（0．21±0．03ng／mL） than that in any other IUGR groups at wk 4（P〈0．05）．Leptin was negatively related to BW （r=-0．556，P=0．001），IW（r=-0．692，P=0．001） and IL（r=-0．738，P=0．000）at wk 4，while no correlation was found at wk 12．CONCLUSION：High protein diet is a reasonable early nutritional mode to IUGR rats in promoting intestine and body catch up growth．

Antioxidant capacity and concentration of redox-active trace mineral in fully weaned intra-uterine growth retardation piglets

Background： The redox status of intra-uterine growth retardation（IUGR） piglets post-weaning has been poorly studied.Methods： Newborns from twenty-four sows were weighted, weaned at 21 d and fed a starter diet until sampling.Sampling was done at 14 d post-weaning. A piglet was defined as IUGR when its birth weight was 2 SD below the mean birth weight of the total population. At weaning, eighteen piglets with nearly equal body weight from each category（i.e. IUGR or normal birth weight（NBW） piglets） were selected and then allocated to two treatments,consisted of six replicates with each pen having three piglets.Results： Compared with NBW group, IUGR significantly decreased average daily gain（P 〈 0.001）, average daily feed intake（P = 0.003）, and feed efficiency（P 〈 0.001） of piglets during the first two weeks post-weaning. IUGR decreased the activities of total antioxidant capacity（P = 0.019）, total superoxide dismutase（T-SOD, P = 0.023）,and ceruloplasmin（P = 0.044） but increased the levels of malondialdehyde（P = 0.040） and protein carbonyl（P = 0.010） in plasma. Similarly, the decreased activities of T-SOD（P = 0.005）, copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase（Cu/Zn-SOD, P = 0.002）, and catalase（P = 0.049） was observed in the liver of IUGR piglets than these of NBW piglets. IUGR decreased hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD activity（P = 0.023） per unit of Cu/Zn-SOD protein in piglets when compared with NBW piglets. In addition, IUGR piglets exhibited the decreases in accumulation of copper in both plasma（P = 0.001） and liver（P = 0.014）, as well as the concentrations of iron（P = 0.002） and zinc（P = 0.048） in liver. Compared with NBW, IUGR down-regulated m RNA expression of Cu/Zn-SOD（P = 0.021） in the liver of piglets.Conclusions： The results indicated that IUGR impaired antioxidant capacity and resulted in oxidative damage in fully weaned piglets, which might be associated with the decreased levels of redox-active trace minerals. This study highlights the importance of redox status in IUGR offspring and provides a rationale for alleviating oxidative damage by dietary interventions aiming to supplement trace minerals and to restore redox balance in the future.

GABAB receptor upregulates fragile X mental retardation protein expression in neurons

Aim Fragile X mental retardation protein （FMRP） is an RNA-binding protein important for the control of translation and synaptic function. The mutation or silencing of FMRP causes Fragile X syndrome （FXS） , which leads to intellectual disability and social impairment. γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA） is the major inhibitory neuro- transmitter of the mammalian central nervous system, and its metabotropic GABAB receptor has been implicated in various mental disorders. The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen has been shown to improve FXS symptoms in a mouse model and in human patients, suggesting the role of GABAB receptor on FMRP regulation. Here we investi- gated the signaling events linking the GABAB receptor and FMRP. Methods Western blot was used in this study to detect protein expression and kinase phosphorylation in cerebellar granule neurons. For key molecules in signal- ling pathway, RNAi was used in MEFs to confirm the results in neurons. Results GABAB receptor activation up- regulated cAMP response element binding protein-dependent Fmrp expression in cultured mouse cerebellar granule neurons via two distinct mechanisms： the transactivation of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and activation of protein kinase C. In addition, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAB receptor, CGP7930, stimulated Fmrp expression in neurons. Conclusion These results suggest a role for GABAB receptor in Fmrp regulation and a po- tential interest of GABAB receptor signaling in FXS improvement.

Spectrum Response Estimation for Deep-Water Floating Platforms via Retardation Function Representation

The key concept of spectrum response estimation with commercial software,such as the SESAM software tool,typically includes two main steps:finding a suitable loading spectrum and computing the response amplitude operators(RAOs) subjected to a frequency-specified wave component.In this paper,we propose a nontraditional spectrum response estimation method that uses a numerical representation of the retardation functions.Based on estimated added mass and damping matrices of the structure,we decompose and replace the convolution terms with a series of poles and corresponding residues in the Laplace domain.Then,we estimate the power density corresponding to each frequency component using the improved periodogram method.The advantage of this approach is that the frequency-dependent motion equations in the time domain can be transformed into the Laplace domain without requiring Laplace-domain expressions for the added mass and damping.To validate the proposed method,we use a numerical semi-submerged pontoon from the SESAM.The numerical results show that the responses of the proposed method match well with those obtained from the traditional method.Furthermore,the estimated spectrum also matches well,which indicates its potential application to deep-water floating structures.

Effect of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Hepatic Protein Metabolism in Early-Weaned Intrauterine Growth Retardation Piglets

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with folic acid on growth performance, hepatic protein metabolism and serum biochemical indices of early-weaned intrauterine growth retardation （IUGR） piglets, 24 male （Durocx （LandracexYorkshire）） weaned （14-d-old） IUGR piglets were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 8 replicates of 1 piglet per replicate. The piglets in each treatment were fed basal diet supplementation with either 0 （control）, 5 and 10 mg kg^-1 folic acid. The trial lasted for 21 d. Dietary folic acid supplementation reduced average daily feed intake （ADFI） （P〈0.05）. In addition, the average daily gain （ADG） in 10 mg kg^-1 folic acid group was significantly decreased （P〈0.01） and the ratio of feed：gain （F/G） increased slightly （P〉0.05）. Serum folic acid concentration increased （P〈0.01） with increasing folic acid inclusion, however, serum homocysteine concentration decreased significantly （P〈0.01）. Enhanced serum urine nitrogen （SUN） and diminished serum total protein （TP） as well as liver TP content were observed in 10 mg kg^-1 folic acid group （/＇〈0.05）. Furthermore, the relative mRNA expressions of insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-1） and mammalian target of rapamycin （m-TOR） in liver were respectively tended to reduce （P=0.06） and significantly downregulated （P〈0.05） in 10 mg kg1 group, in compared with 5 mg kg1 group. However, when compared with control group, folic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the mRNA abundance of IGF- 1 and m-TOR. The results indicated that supplementation with 10 mg kg-I folic acid impaired growth performance and hepatic protein metabolism of early-weaned IUGR piglets while 5 mg kg-~ folic acid enriched diet exerted limited positive effects.

EFFECIS OF TEMPERATURE AND OVERLOAD RETARDATION ON CORROSION FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH OF HIGH STRENGTH STEEL

The fatigue crack growth rate (CGR) of ultra high strength steel 30CrMnSiNi2A in distilled water at 18,35 and 55℃ were measured.It was confirmed that the temperature is strongly af- fected on the corrosion fatigue CGR of ultra high strength steel.An expression concerning the effects of Δ K and temperature on the CGR was proposed.The fact that the apparent activation energy (36.6 kJ/mol) resulted from regressive analysis of CGR data was similar to the activation energy of hydrogen diffusion in γ-Fe,strongly supporting the theory of hydrogen-assisted crack growth.The overload retardation effect was greatly reduced in cor- rosion fatigue crack growth,especially at lower frequency,e.g.,0.1 Hz.This phenomenon might be due to the increase of the SCC component of CGR after an overload.

Plasmon-induced absorption in stacked metamaterials based on phase retardation

In this paper, based on the constructive interference of plasmonic dipolar and quadrupolar modes, a classical analogue of electromagnetically induced absorption （EIA） is demonstrated theoretically in a stacked metamaterial consisting of a short metal strip （which acts as a bright resonator） and a long metal strip （acting as a dark resonator）, which has been reported to support the electromagnetically induced transparency （EIT） effect. The transition from EIA to EIT can be clearly observed in the absorbance spectra via varying the vertical spacing between two resonant oscillators. With the help of the coupled two-oscillator model, the phase shift between the bright and dark resonance modes is calculated by fitting the simulated absorbance spectra, which reveals the physical mechanisms behind constructive and destructive interference effects in EIT/EIA metamaterials.

COMPOSITE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF MENTAL RETARDATION IN CHILDREN

128 children of mental retardation were diagnosed in accordance with the diagnostic stand-ards proposed by WHO in 1985. The patients were treated compositely with acupuncture, auriculo-acupoint pellet pressure and herbal plasters on acupoints, bringing about improved mental developments in intelligence quotient (IQ) and social adaptation behaviour (SAB), as evidenced by recognized intelligence tests for children.

The Effect of Retardation on the Spontaneous Breaking of Chiral Symmetry in GCM

An effective Hamiltonian including current-current coupling from the global color symmetry model is -R2 2derived.Retardation effects are introduced by the factor ( R/ ) e ,instead of δ (r) in the correlation kernel,from which the retardation gap equation with α-α coupling in the 3po vacuum is obtained,qq condensations of different retardation parameters R with or without the α-α term are calculated.The results show the effects of retardation,and indicate that the typical value of R is about 2 fm-1 at reasonable value of qq condensation.And while taking typical value 1 fm-1 of R,the condensation <qq>1/3 is about 13% larger than that with no retardation effect.With the α-αterms,the condensation (qq) 1/3 is about 17%o larger than that without it for all values of the parameter R.This shows that the retardation effects and the α-α terms are important for further studying in the Iow-energy region.

Correlating fine motor function to cognitive competence in children with mental retardation An analysis of 42 cases

BACKGROUND： In clinical practice, the degree of cognitive competence damage correlates to fine motor function deficits in children with psychomotor development retardation. Clear correlations between the two can help to develop and perform corresponding functional training for children with mental retardation （MR）. OBJECTIVE： This study was designed to evaluate and analyze the correlation of fine motor function to cognitive competence in MR children using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Fine Motor （PDMS-FM） and Symbolic Play Test. DESIGN： Scale evaluation and correlation analysis. SETTING： Children＇s Rehabilitation Center ＆ Huajing District Hospital, Children＇s Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 42 MR children, 28 males and 14 females, aged 14-69 months, were admitted to the Rehabilitation Center, Children＇s Hospital, Fudan University between June 2003 and April 2006, and were recruited for this study. All children corresponded to MR diagnosis criteria determined by Chinese Neurology and Psychiatry Society in 1989. Written informed consent for participating in the evaluation and for evaluated content was obtained from each child＇s guardian. METHODS： Subsequent to admission and prior to treatment, fine motor function of each MR child was evaluated using PDMS-FM （Chinese version）. The scale captured 98 items that formed the grasping （Gr） and visual-motor integration （Vi） subtests. Cognitive competence was evaluated using the Symbolic Play Test （Chinese version）, which captured four 6-item specific contents. The original score of each subtest was used to evaluate results for statistical analysis. Higher scores from the two evaluations indicated stronger abilities. Pearson correlation analysis was applied for analyzing data correlation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Fine motor function was evaluated using PDMS-FM. Cognitive competence was measured using the Symbolic Play Test. Correlations between results from the two evaluations were analyzed. RESULTS： All 42 MR children were included in the final analysis. Correlation analysis results demonstrated significant positive correlations of original scores existed between Gr and Vi subtests in the PDMS-FM （r = 0.761, P 〈 0.01）, and between Vi and Gr subtests in PDMS-FM and Symbolic Play Test （r = 0.663, 0.450, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Fine motor function closely correlates to cognitive competence in MR children. This indicates fine motor function training should be developed in combination with cognitive competence training.