Causal association of obesity-related anthropometric traits with myopia and the mediating role of educational attainment:a Mendelian randomization study

AIM:To study the causal relationship between obesityrelated anthropometric traits and myopia and the mediating role of educational attainment(EA).METHODS:Univariable Mendelian randomization(UVMR)was performed to evaluate the causal association between body mass index(BMI),height,waist-hip ratio(WHR,adjusted for BMI),and mean spherical equivalent(MSE).BMI was divided into fat and fat-free mass and included in multivariable Mendelian randomization(MVMR)to explore the roles of different BMI components in the causal relationship between BMI and MSE.A mediation analysis based on two-step Mendelian randomization(MR)was carried out.Specifically,UVMR was conducted to estimate the causal effect of BMI on EA.The direct effect of EA on MSE was estimated from MVMR.The mediation effect of EA in the BMI-EA-MSE model was calculated by the product of coefficients method.Expression quantitative trait loci(eQTL)-MR,reverse MR,and Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression(LDSC)were performed to assess the robustness.RESULTS:Genetically predicted higher BMI had a positive total effect on MSE(βIVW=0.26 D,95%CI=0.14 to 0.37 D,P<0.001),whereas there was no significant association between height,WHR,and MSE.Fat mass was found to play a significant role in the effect of body mass on MSE(βIVW=0.50 D,95%CI=0.21 to 0.78 D,P=0.001),but there was no significant association between fat-free mass and MSE.The causal effect of BMI on EA was-0.14(95%CI=-0.16 to-0.11,P<0.001),and the direct effect of EA on MSE was-0.63 D(95%CI=-0.81 to-0.44 D,P<0.001).The mediating effect of EA in the BMI-EA-MSE model was 0.09 D(95%CI=0.06 to 0.12 D),with a mediation proportion of 33%(95%CI=22.1%to 44.6%).No reverse causal associations were detected except for BMI on EA.The results of eQTL-MR and LDSC were consistent with each MR analysis.CONCLUSION:Genetically predicted higher BMI decreases the degree of myopia with a 33%mediation proportion by EA,and fat mass provides a dominant protective role in body mass-myopia.As a supplement to previous observational studies,it provides strong evidence for the relationship between anthropometric traits and refractive errors and offers a theoretical basis for future measures to prevent and control myopia.

Effects of King’s Theory of Goal Attainment Combined with Teach-Back Method on Improving Patients’ Standardization Rate of Eye Drop Use

Objective:To explore the effect of King’s Theory of Goal Attainment combined with teach-back method on improving the standardization rate of eye drop use in patients.Methods:A total of 200 patients who used more than two types of eye drops in the Department of Ophthalmology of our hospital were selected as the research subjects,and were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group.The control group was given routine health education,while the observation group was given King’s Theory of Goal Attainment combined with teach-back method on the basis of the control group.The standardization rate of eye drop use,knowledge awareness rate,and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.Results:After the intervention,the standardization rate of eye drop use,the awareness rate of eye drop knowledge,and the nursing satisfaction of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:King’s Theory of Goal Attainment combined with teach-back method can effectively improve the standardization rate of eye drop use in patients,increase their awareness of eye drop knowledge,and improve nursing satisfaction,which is worthy of clinical application.

Evaluate and Suggest Evidence for the Relationship between Attainment and Learner Variables

English as a popular foreign language in China is learned by many students.The attainment is often considered and talked.There are many factors which affect the learning outcomes. This essay will give a brief introduction of the aspects concerning the evidence for the relationship between attainment and learner variables.

Applying SMART Goal Intervention Leads to Greater Goal Attainment, Need Satisfaction and Positive Affect

Previous research suggests that planning interventions lead to increased goal attainment, while other researchsuggests that goal attainment leads to increased well-being. This research integrates these two sets of researchfindings by investigating the effectiveness of one goal planning intervention, the SMART goal program, on goalattainment, and thus need satisfaction and well-being, in university students. An experimental design across aone-week period was employed to test whether participants in the experimental group, who received the SMARTgoal instructions, better obtained their goal in comparison to control group participants who did not receive thosespecific instructions. Findings indicated that the SMART goal program led to greater rated goal attainment andneed satisfaction, but not greater subjective well-being (SWB). Nevertheless, one component of SWB, positiveaffect, was greater in the Experimental group. Type of individually chosen self-concordant goal content hadno impact on whether participants attained their goal.

Development of Wages and Salaries of Czech Employees During the Last Period by Educational Attainment and Forecasts for 2011 and 2012

This paper deals with the development of sample characteristics of wage distribution in recent years in the Czech Republic by the highest educational attainment. Gross monthly wage is the variable investigated. We distinguish the following scale of the highest educational attainment： primary and incomplete education, secondary education without GCSE, secondary education with GCSE, higher vocational and bachelor education and tertiary education. Forecasts of wage distribution have been developed for the next two years for all of these categories. Three-parametric lognormal curve formed the basis of the theoretical probability distribution. Parameter values of relevant three-parametric lognormal curves were then estimated using the method of L-moments of parameter estimation. Forecasts of sample values of L-moments were calculated using trend analysis of their past development and the parameters of three-parametric Iognormal curves for forecasts of wage distribution were calculated using the predicted values of the first three sample L-moments. We have obtained the forecasts of wage distribution by the highest educational attainment on the basis of these probability density functions.

Enhancing the Students’ Rhetoric Attainments in Teaching of College English Intensive Reading

Beginning with various definitions of rhetoric, the paper gives a survey of some common English rhetoric figures found in College English intensive reading, such as metaphor, simile, transferred epithet, allusion, hyperbole, personification, metonymy, antithesis, onomatopoeia, double negative, inversion, rhetoric question, parady, transferred negation, and the like. By elaborating the functions of those rhetoric figures, the paper attempts to enhance the students’ rhetoric attainments and arouse their interest in learning English.

Narrowing the Attainment Gap through Parental Engagement

Based on the selected policy of Scotland Delivering Excellence and Equity in Scottish Education(2016a)with its context in related concepts and literature support.This essay will focus on the engagement of parents as a part of narrowing the attainment gap with socio-economic and political factors and what is provided by schools to promote social commitment and achieving equity during the Scottish education process.Critically analysis and reflection of the policy implementation and the way to look forward.As for the main part,the author explains what attainment and attainment gap is,the aim of the policy and discusses the reasonable of the policy through offered evidence.Following the interpretation of“policy as discourse”approach,and whereby how will the Scottish Government and Education Scotland support children and families to closing the attainment gap in this policy.The theory of the forms of social justice will be addressed in this policy.For example,equity,redistribution,recognition,capabilities.After that,the challenges and struggles of the policy implementation will be indicated.Connecting with the practitioner's current situation and concentrates on the relevant skills that will be improved,applied as a practitioner for professional development and the way to cooperate with children’s parents in the context of early years setting.That is why this policy was chosen by the author.Finally,a conclusion with the critical points of the significance of parental involvement during the process of closing the attainment gap will be offered.

The effects of Age of Acquisition on an L2 learner’s Ultimate Attainment

This paper focuses on generalizing different theories towards the age effect on the ultimate attainment of second language learners since it has long been a controversial topic in researchers’mind.In this paper,it gives evidences on cases in favor of the Critical Period Hypothesis,which claimed the loss of language learning ability after puberty and presents counter-evidences on the successful acquisition of second language in adult learners.It has reached into a conclusion that consists the viewpoint drawn on previous analysis and confirmed the possibility in ultimate second language attainment for late learners.

Design and demonstration of a next-generation air quality attainment assessment system for PM_(2.5)and O_3

Due to the increasingly stringent standards, it is important to assess whether the proposed emission reduction will result in ambient concentrations that meet the standards. The Software for Model Attainment Test-Community Edition （SMAT-CE） is developed for demonstrating attainment of air quality standards of O3 and PM2.5. SMAT-CE improves computational efficiency and provides a number of advanced visualization and analytical functionalities on an integrated GIS platform. SMAT-CE incorporates historical measurements of air quality parameters and simulated air pollutant concentrations under a number of emission inventory scenarios to project the level of compliance to air quality standards in a targeted future year. An application case study of the software based on the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards （NAAQS） shows that SMAT-CE is capable of demonstrating the air quality attainment of annual PM2.5 and 8-hour O3 for a proposed emission control policy.

A case study of development and application of a streamlined control and response modeling system for PM_(2.5)attainment assessment in China

This article describes the development and application of a streamlined air control and response modeling system with a novel response surface modeling-linear coupled fitting method and a new module to provide streamlined model data for PM_（2.5） attainment assessment in China.This method is capable of significantly reducing the dimensions required to establish a response surface model,as well as capturing more realistic response of PM_（2.5） to emission changes with a limited number of model simulations.The newly developed module establishes a data link between the system and the Software for Model Attainment Test—Community Edition（SMAT-CE）,and has the ability to rapidly provide model responses to emission control scenarios for SMAT-CE using a simple interface.The performance of this streamlined system is demonstrated through a case study of the Yangtze River Delta（YRD） in China.Our results show that this system is capable of reproducing the Community Multi-Scale Air Quality（CMAQ） model simulation results with maximum mean normalized error 〈 3.5%.It is also demonstrated that primary emissions make a major contribution to ambient levels of PM_（2.5） in January and August（e.g.,more than50%contributed by primary emissions in Shanghai）,and Shanghai needs to have regional emission control both locally and in its neighboring provinces to meet China＇s annual PM_（2.5）National Ambient Air Quality Standard.The streamlined system provides a real-time control/response assessment to identify the contributions of major emission sources to ambient PM_（2.5）（and potentially O_3 as well） and streamline air quality data for SMAT-CE to perform attainment assessments.

The Use of Goal Attainment Scaling in the Acupuncture of Children with Intellectual Disability

Objective: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture is often evaluated based on the experience and judgment of acupuncturists and the subjective feelings of patients. Thus, we investigated the suitability of goal attainment scaling(GAS), an objective outcome measurements, to evaluate the responsiveness of children with intellectual disability to acupuncture therapy. Methods: This is an assessor-blinded, single-group cohort study that included 17 children with intellectual disabilities. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture was assessed by the T scores of GAS at four time points during the 3-month treatment. The responsiveness of GAS to acupuncture therapy was measured using the standardized response mean(SRM). Results: Compared with control, the 4-, 8-, and 12-week scores improved significantly after treatment(P < 0.01, P≤0.001,P≤0.001), with significant differences between each month(P < 0.01, P≤0.001, P≤0.001). Furthermore, all periods assessed GAS(to measure the therapeutic effect of acupuncture) showed marked responsiveness(SRMs >0.8). Conclusion: GAS is responsive in evaluating individual changes in the acupuncture treatment of children with intellectual disabilities. It is a feasible tool to match both the needs of children with intellectual disabilities and the clinical characteristics of acupuncture.

Effect of birth month on educational attainment and adult cognition in Rural China

The association of season of birth with cognitive development,academic perfor-mance and educational attainment has been well documented in western countries.However,little research has been conducted in developing countries to examine the seasonality of cognitive achievement.In this study,we analyzed data of a nationally representative sample of over 8500 rural adults born in the 1960s and early 1970s from the 2010 China Family Panel Studies survey.The results of logistic regression models demonstrate a significant association of birth month with educational attain-ment even with relevant individual and parental information controlled.Specially,we found that rural respondents born in the months of March and April are much less likely to obtain a high school degree than those born late in the year from Octo-ber to December.The seasonal pattern is also found to significantly affect current cognitive achievements of the respondents even after their educational attainment and family social economic conditions are taken into account.Finally,we discussed the merits of age position theory and fetal origin interpretation as potential mecha-nisms for the seasonal pattern of education attainment,and suggest that seasonal changes of nutritional intake for pregnant mothers are the most likely cause.

Optimum allocation of FACTS devices in Fars Regional Electric Network using genetic algorithm based goal attainment

This paper presents a novel approach to find optimum locations and capacity of flexible alternating current transmission system (FACTS) devices in a power system using a multi-objective optimization function. Thyristor controlled series compensators (TCSCs) and static var compensators (SVCs) are the utilized FACTS devices. Our objectives are active power loss reduction, newly introduced FACTS devices cost reduction, voltage deviation reduction, and increase on the robustness of the security margin against voltage collapse. The operational and controlling constraints, as well as load constraints, were considered in the optimum allocation. A goal attainment method based on the genetic algorithm (GA) was used to approach the global optimum. The estimated annual load profile was utilized in a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization sub-problem to the optimum siting and sizing of FACTS devices. Fars Regional Electric Network was selected as a practical system to validate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method. The entire investment of the FACTS devices was paid off and an additional 2.4% savings was made. The cost reduction of peak point power generation implies that power plant expansion can be postponed.

The Effect of Sibling Size on Children’s Educational Attainment:Evidence From Indonesia

Purpose:This study examines the effect of sibling size on children’s educational attainment in Indonesia.Design/Approach/Methods:To establish causality,it exploits the exogenous variation of sibling size caused by twin birth in families.Findings:Results of instrumental variable(IV)estimation support a traditional wisdom of quantity-quality trade-off,where sibling size is negatively correlated with the completed years of schooling,educational levels,and likelihood of school attendance.Building on this,the subsample analysis reveals that the negative effect is larger for Muslim children,children with less educated mothers,and children belonging to earlier birth cohorts.Originality/Value:These findings provide insights into both population and education policymaking in developing countries.

Development of educational attainment and gender equality in China:new evidence from the 7th National Census

This paper discusses the status and changes in educational attainment and gender inequality in education for the Chinese population based on the data from the 7th National Census of China and previous censuses since 1982.The results indicate that gender inequality in education has lessened while educational attainment has improved.However,it is necessary to continue to eradicate illiteracy in the West,further promote compulsory education rates,increase the advancement rate to high school,and reduce the urban-rural gap in education to further develop education.This paper indicates that the increased educational opportunities for women combined with their relatively superior academic abilities have resulted in a new reversed gender inequality in that males are at a disadvantage,especially in higher education.The fact that women have benefited more from the expansion of higher education than men have was an unintended consequence of China's one-child fertility policy since the family resources are less diluted by fewer children in a household and daughters are regarded as long-term family members.This paper further reveals that although women outperform men at every level of the educational system,they often voluntarily withdraw from pursuing doctoral degrees due to the increasing pressure as they age and age discrimination which drives them to enter marriage and the labor market earlier than men do.

An Analysis of the Relationship Between the Education Attainment and Economic Status of the Elderly Population in the Towns and Cities of China

Viewed from a macro scope,the cultureof a community is closely related to its econ-omy.Economy being the basis,the level ofeconomic growth determines the level ofcultural development.Conversely,culturecan act as the precursor and cultural devel-opment enhances economic growth.Likewise,the education attainment of an in-dividual reflects the same sort

A New Era: New Orientation for Development, and New Goals for Attainment

A new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the era of inheriting the past and carrying forward into the future, and continuously winning the great victory of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new historical conditions; is the era of making a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all-respects and building a socialist modern country in an all-round way; is the era for the people of all ethnic groups to unite and strive to continuously create a better life and to gradually realize the common prosperity of all the people; is the era to realize the Chinese dream featuring all the Chinese people making concerted efforts and striving to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; is an era in which China is increasingly approaching the center of the world stage and continuously making greater contributions to human kind.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target goal attainment rate and related factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome after percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective To observe the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)target goal attainment rate and related factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods From March 2011 to March 2012,a total of832 ACS patients were retrospectively evaluated in the Cardiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University.The target goal

Association of education with cholelithiasis and mediating effects of cardiometabolic factors:A Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Education,cognition,and intelligence are associated with cholelithiasis occurrence,yet which one has a prominent effect on cholelithiasis and which cardiometabolic risk factors mediate the causal relationship remain unelucidated.AIM To explore the causal associations between education,cognition,and intelligence and cholelithiasis,and the cardiometabolic risk factors that mediate the associations.METHODS Applying genome-wide association study summary statistics of primarily European individuals,we utilized two-sample multivariable Mendelian randomization to estimate the independent effects of education,intelligence,and cognition on cholelithiasis and cholecystitis(FinnGen study,37041 and 11632 patients,respectively;n=486484 participants)and performed two-step Mendelian randomization to evaluate 21 potential mediators and their mediating effects on the relationships between each exposure and cholelithiasis.RESULTS Inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization results from the FinnGen consortium showed that genetically higher education,cognition,or intelligence were not independently associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis;when adjusted for cholelithiasis,higher education still presented an inverse effect on cholecystitis[odds ratio:0.292(95%CI:0.171-0.501)],which could not be induced by cognition or intelligence.Five out of 21 cardiometabolic risk factors were perceived as mediators of the association between education and cholelithiasis,including body mass index(20.84%),body fat percentage(40.3%),waist circumference(44.4%),waist-to-hip ratio(32.9%),and time spent watching television(41.6%),while time spent watching television was also a mediator from cognition(20.4%)and intelligence to cholelithiasis(28.4%).All results were robust to sensitivity analyses.CONCLUSION Education,cognition,and intelligence all play crucial roles in the development of cholelithiasis,and several cardiometabolic mediators have been identified for prevention of cholelithiasis due to defects in each exposure.

基于集成高效热能发电系统的船舶Attained EEDI及燃油消耗量分析

为满足国际海事组织(IMO)关于船舶能效设计指数(energy efficiency design index,EEDI)的强制要求,各国已开始探索高效热能发电技术在船舶能源系统中的集成和应用,以期通过对船舶主动力装置余热进行回收利用,实现降低EEDI、减少燃油消耗量和控制废气排放量的目标。论文以超临界二氧化碳布雷顿循环(S-CO_2 Brayton cycle,S-CO_2 BC)发电系统、有机朗肯循环(organic Rankine cycle,ORC)余热发电系统、卡琳娜循环(Kalina cycle,KC)余热发电系统和动力涡轮(power turbine,PT)余热发电系统为具体研究对象,分别就单一新型动力循环发电系统和组合型高效热能发电系统在某型2500TEU支线集装箱船中集成,对船舶达到的能效设计指数(attained EEDI)和燃油消耗量折减进行计算分析。结果表明:采用超临界二氧化碳布雷顿循环发电系统取代1台船舶辅机,并与有机朗肯循环、卡琳娜循环及动力涡轮等新型动力循环余热发电系统构成组合型高效热能余热发电系统技术方案,可实现船舶达到的能效设计指数EA与没有应用任何高效热能发电系统技术方案的指数相比下降33.28%;单一应用有机朗肯循环余热发电技术对减少船舶燃油消耗量的贡献显著,燃油节省率可达到5.99%。这项研究工作可为在船舶上集成应用高效热能发电技术提供理论参考依据。