Severer air pollution, poorer cognitive function: Findings from 176,345 elders in Northwestern China

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence exists regarding the link between air pollution exposure and cognitive function in developing countries, particularly in areas with abundant natural sources of particulate matter.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate this association in a large representative sample of the elderly in northwestern China.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study among 176,345 participants aged 60-100 years in northwestern China in 2020. A satellite-based spatiotemporal model was applied to assess three-year annual averages of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), ≤ 10 µm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) at residential address. Poor cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Generalized linear mixed models were used to assess associations.

RESULTS

Compared with participants with the lowest quartiles of PM2.5, PM10, and O3 levels, those with the second, third, and highest quartiles of air pollutants consistently showed increased odds of poor cognitive function and decreased MMSE scores. The odds ratios of poor cognitive function associated with a 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5, PM10, and O3 were 1.26 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.17, 1.36), 1.06 (95 %CI: 1.04, 1.08), and 2.76 (95 %CI: 2.11, 3.62), respectively. Subgroup analyses suggested stronger associations between air pollution exposures and poor cognitive function among participants who were younger, were non-Uyghur and were physically active.

CONCLUSION

Long-term exposures to PM2.5, PM10 and O3 were associated with poor cognitive function in elders. Our results suggest that reducing air pollution may alleviate the burden of poor cognitive function in the elderly.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 compositions and O3 and their interactive effects on DNA methylation of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor promoter

This study examined the associations of long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) compositions/ozone with methylation of peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoters. A total of 101 participants were recruited from a cohort in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, China. They underwent baseline and follow-up surveys in 2011 and 2015. DNA methylation levels were detected by bisulfite-PCR amplification and pyrosequencing. Participants' three-year average levels of PM2.5 compositions and ozone were estimated. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to examine the joint effects of pollutants on methylation levels. Exposure to PM2.5 compositions and ozone mixtures at the 75th percentile was associated with increased methylation levels at CpG2 of BDNF promoter (203%, 95% CI: 89, 316) than the lowest level of exposure, and sulfate dominated the effect in the BKMR models.Our findings provide clues to the epigenetic mechanisms for the associations of PM2.5 compositions and ozone with BDNF.

Association between Hyperactivity and SSB Consumption in Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption has risen significantly, which may lead to various health problems. Studies about the association between SSBs and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children are rare and inconsistent. We have used the two-stage cluster sampling method to select 6541 students aged 6-12. We further investigated their basic information and SSB intake. Teachers' questionnaires and parents' questionnaires were used to evaluating the hyperactive behaviors in children. We examined the associations between SSB consumption and hyperactivity index (HI) by adopting the censored least absolute deviation (CLAD) estimator. Then, we further evaluated the impacts of sex and age on the association between SSB intake and hyperactivity. Children who weekly drank SSB two or more times were associated with 0.05 (0.04, 0.07) and 0.04 (0.02, 0.06) higher scores of ln (HI+1) reported by teachers and parents, respectively, compared to non-consumers children (p for trend < 0.05). A stronger association between SSB intake and hyperactivity occurred in girls and old children. (p for interaction < 0.05). SSB intake has a positive correlation with the risk of hyperactivity in children, and the frequency of SSB consumption and hyperactivity have a dose-response relationship.

Associations of emotional/behavioral problems with accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, physical activity and step counts in children with autism spectrum disorder

Background

The evidence for associations of emotional/behavioral status with sedentary behavior (SB), physical activity (PA) and step counts is scarce in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Also, ASD-related deficiencies may affect actual levels of PA. We aimed to describe accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts in children with ASD, and to examine the associations of emotional/behavioral problems with SB, PA and step counts after assessing associations between accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts and ASD-related deficiencies.

Methods

A total of 93 ASD children, aged 6-9 years, were recruited from the Center for Child and Adolescent Psychology and Behavioral Development of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. Participants wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Of the original 93, 78 participants' accelerometer-measured valid PA were obtained, and the data were shown as time spent in SB, light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous PA, and step counts. Participants' emotional/behavioral problems were assessed via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). ASD-associated deficiencies include restricted repetitive behaviors (Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised), poor social competence (Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition) and motor development restrictions (Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire).

Results

Of the 78 participants, daily vigorous PA (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) averaged 15.62 and 51.95 min, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, SDQ emotional symptoms (β = -0.060, p = 0.028) were inversely associated with the average daily minutes in VPA. Meanwhile, SDQ emotional symptoms (β = -0.033, p = 0.016) were inversely associated with the average daily MVPA minutes in the crude model. After adjustment for covariates, SCARED somatic/panic (β = -0.007, p = 0.040) and generalized anxiety (β = -0.025, p = 0.014) were negatively associated with the average daily VPA minutes; SCARED total anxiety (β = -0.006, p = 0.029) was conversely associated with daily MVPA duration. After adjustment for covariates, no significant associations between accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts and ASD-related deficiencies were found (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Accelerometer-measured SB, PA and step counts showed no associations with ASD-related deficiencies. On this basis, we further found that the emotional symptoms were inversely associated with VPA and MVPA. These results emphasize the importance of VPA and MVPA in children with ASD. The longitudinally investigations on the directionality of these associations between emotional symptoms with VPA and MVPA are needed in the future.

Association between household incense burning and executive function in Chinese children

Incense burning is common in Asia including China. Research investigating the association between household incense burning and children's neurodevelopment is scarce. We aimed to examine this association in Chinese children. In 2019, we randomly enrolled 8293 children aged 6-12 years from 5 elementary schools in Guangzhou, southern China. Information on duration and frequency of household incense burning was collected using a questionnaire. Children's executive function was evaluated using the parental report of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function. A general linear model was used to assess the associations between incense burning and executive function. Children who occasionally and frequently exposed to incense burning exhibited worse performance on executive function. For example, frequent incense burning was associated with increases in behavioral regulation index (BRI) of 1.77 (95%CI: 0.97, 2.58) points and metacognition index (MI) of 1.40 (95%CI: 0.60, 2.20) points, compared to never incense burning group. Parental smoking and household income were significant modifiers of the associations, with the stronger associations were observed in children having smoking parent(s) and poorer household income. The findings suggest that household incense burning was associated with poorer executive function, especially in children whose parent(s) were smokers and in those with low household income.

Association Between Dairy Intake and Executive Function in Chinese Children Aged 6–12 Years

Association between dairy intake and executive function remains controversial, especially among children, a population with fast-developing executive functions. This study aimed to explore this topic. Additionally, we further distinguished the role of dairy intake types (full- or low-fat milk or yogurt) in this relationship. This survey included 5,138 children aged 6–12 years. Dairy intakes were assessed by validated questionnaires. Executive function was measured by the behavior rating inventory of executive function (BRIEF; Parent Version), and lower T-scores of BRIEF indices indicated superior executive function performance. Results showed that children with higher dairy intake had statistically better performance in Shift (46.58 ± 7.48 vs. 45.85 ± 7.10), Initiate (48.02 ± 8.58 vs. 47.14 ± 8.33), and Working Memory (50.69 ± 8.82 vs. 49.89 ± 8.73). In the analysis of multivariate linear regression, we found that for every one unit increase in full-fat dairy intake, T-scores for Shift (β = −0.350 (95% confidence interval [CI]: (−0.660, −0.039) and Initiate (β = −0.486 (95% CI: (−0.845, −0.127) were decreased and for every one unit increase in low-fat dairy intake, T-score for Organizations of Materials (β = −0.940 (95% CI: (−1.690, −0.189) was decreased. After distinguishing dairy into milk and yogurt, we observed that only milk intake, not yogurt, was significantly associated with better executive function performance in Shift (β = −0.390 (95% CI (−0.745, −0.035) and Initiate (β = −0.509 (95% CI (−0.917, −0.101) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. This study shows that a higher intake of dairy, irrespective of fat content, is related to better executive function performance among children aged 6–12. In addition, a significantly positive relationship between dairy intake and executive function’s indices of Shift and Initiate only was observed in milk, not in yogurt.

Association Between Ideal Cardiovascular Health and Executive Function in Chinese Primary School Children

Aims: Little information exists on the associations of cardiovascular health, a new metric proposed by the American Heart Association, and executive function, particularly in children. We aimed to explore this topic.

Methods: We studied 3,798 children aged 6–12 years from 5 schools in Guangzhou, China. The executive function of children was evaluated using parent reports of the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function, which included 2 composite indexes and 8 subscale scores. We calculated the number of ideal cardiovascular health (range: 0–7) based on smoking, body mass index, physical activity (PA), diet, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. A generalized linear mixed model was used to assess the association of the number of ideal cardiovascular health metrics and executive function.

Results: Compared with children exhibiting 1–3 ideal cardiovascular health metrics, decreases of 1.37–2.63 points (indicating better performance) in metacognition index and its 5 subscale indexes (initiate, working memory, plan/organize, organization of materials, and monitor) were observed in children who attained 5 or 6–7 ideal metrics (all p for trend <0.001). Ideal diet and ideal PA were independently associated with lower indexes of behavioral regulation and metacognition.

Conclusions: The number of ideal cardiovascular health was positively associated with performance of executive function in children.

Greenness Surrounding Schools and Visual Impairment in Chinese Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Evidence concerning the effects of greenness on childhood visual impairment is scarce.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess whether greenness surrounding schools was associated with visual impairment prevalence and visual acuity levels in Chinese schoolchildren and whether the associations might be explained by reduced air pollution.

METHODS

In September 2013, we recruited 61,995 children and adolescents 6-18 years of age from 94 schools in seven provinces/municipalities in China. Greenness exposure was assessed using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) from July to August 2013. Visual impairment was defined as at least one visual acuity level (dimensionless) lower than 4.9 (Snellen 5/6 equivalent). Three-year annual averages of particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤1μm (PM1) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at each school were assessed using machine learning methods. We used generalized linear mixed models to estimate the associations between greenness and prevalent visual impairment and visual acuity levels and used mediation analyses to explore the potential mediating role of air pollution.

RESULTS

In the adjusted model, an interquartile range increase in NDVI500m was associated with lower odds of prevalent visual impairment [odds ratio (OR)=0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93, 0.97]. The same increase in NDVI500m was also associated with 0.012 (95% CI: 0.008, 0.015) and 0.011 (95% CI: 0.007, 0.015) increases in visual acuity levels for left- and right-eye, respectively. Our results also suggested that PM1 and NO2 significantly mediated the association between NDVI500m and visual impairment. Similar effect estimates were observed for SAVI500m, and our estimates were generally robust in several sensitivity analyses.

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest higher greenness surrounding schools might reduce the risk of visual impairment, possibly owing in part to lower PM1 and NO2 in vegetated areas. Further longitudinal studies with more precise greenness assessment are warranted to confirm these findings. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8429.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and visual impairment in children: A nationwide cross-sectional study in China

Evidence concerning exposure to air pollution and visual impairment is scarce. We evaluated the associations of ambient air pollution with visual impairment and visual acuity levels in Chinese schoolchildren. We recruited 61,995 children from 7 provinces/municipalities across China. Concentrations of air pollutants (i.e., particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 1.0 µm [PM₁], ≤ 2.5 µm [PM_2.5], and 10 µm [PM₁₀] as well as nitrogen dioxides [NO₂]) were measured using machine learning methods. Visual acuity levels were measured using standard protocols. We used SAS PROC SURVEYLOGISTIC to assess the association between air pollution and visual impairment. An interquartile range increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and NO₂ was associated with a 1.133- (95% CI, 1.035-1.240), 1.267- (95% CI, 1.082-1.484), 1.142- (95% CI, 1.019-1.281), and 1.276-fold (95% CI, 1.173-1.388) increased odds of visual impairment, and the associations were stronger in children being boys, older, living in rural areas, and born to parents who had a lower educational level or smoked, compared to their counterparts. These results suggest that exposure to air pollution were positively associated with the odds of visual impairment, and the association may be modified by children's age, sex, and residential area as well as parental education level and cigarette smoking.

Association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions in Chinese school-aged children

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Although weekend catch-up sleep is common among children, the association between weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether weekend catch-up sleep was related to executive functions in school-aged children.

METHODS

We analyzed data for 4,699 children (9.00 years ± 1.73 years old, 52.9% boys) from 5 primary schools in Guangzhou, China. Executive functions performance was examined by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to assess sleep status, socioeconomic status, and health behaviors. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of weekend catch-up sleep duration with executive functions.

RESULTS

Weekday sleep was negatively associated with scores on three composite indices (Behavioral Regulation Index, Metacognition Index, Global Executive Composite), while weekend catch-up sleep was positively associated with them. Children with < 9 hours weekday sleep duration had higher scores in all indices, and there was no correlation between weekend catch-up sleep and scores of all indices (P > .05). For children who slept ≥ 9 hours on weekdays, weekend catch-up sleep of more than 1 hour was associated with increased scores of Behavioral Regulation Index, Metacognition Index, and Global Executive Composite (P < .05). There was no interaction between sex, age, and weekend catch-up sleep and executive functions (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Weekend catch-up sleep could not restore the executive functions deficits related to short weekday sleep. Weekend catch-up sleep over 1 hour may have adverse effects on executive functions in school-aged children.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Title: Prospective Cohort Study on Cognition and Cardiovascular Disease of Sedentary Behaviors in Children; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03582709; Identifier: NCT03582709.

Effects of carbohydrate and protein co-ingestion during short-term moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive function

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of isocaloric carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CES) and carbohydrates-electrolyte-protein solution (CEPS) consumed during moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive function.

METHODS

Twenty-three healthy participants (age: 21.7±1.5 years, Body Mass Index: 21.8±2.0 kg/m2, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak): 42.4±6.9 mL/kg/min) were recruited in the study. Participants completed two main experiment trials using a cross-over study design. In each trial, they completed 30 minutes of 70% VO2peak cycling, and one of two solutions (CES or CEPS) was consumed. A battery of cognitive function tests (imPACT Package) was administrated at rest and immediately post-exercise.

RESULTS

Blood glucose concentrations decreased in both trials. Heart rate and blood lactate concentrations increased in both trials. However, no significant main effects of the exercise on all cognitive function variables (verbal and visual memory, visual-motor speed, reaction time, impulse control, and cognitive efficiency index) were observed (all P>0.05). Also, there was no difference in any of the cognitive function variables between the CES and CEPS trials (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in the cognitive performance when CES or CES-PRO solutions was consumed during 30 minutes moderate-intensity cycling.

Effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive function in children: protocol for a cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Although studies showed that physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) were associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive function, both independent and combined associations among them are inconsistent. Cardiometabolic risk factors are also associated with cognitive function, but research of children is limited. Additionally, the brain level mechanisms have not been fully established. The proposed study aims to explore the associations and mechanisms of PA and SB on cognitive function and cardiometabolic risk factors in children.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a school-based prospective cohort study. A total of 8324 participants of this study are primary school students aged 7-12 years old who are followed up every 2 years from January 2017 to December 2026. We used a stratified cluster random sampling to select five primary schools in Guangzhou, China. There are three phases at baseline. At phase I, we collect PA, SB and cognitive function by questionnaires and also conduct anthropometric and biochemical measurements in all participants. At phase II, PA, SB and cognitive function are measured respectively by accelerometers and cognitive tasks among participants randomly selected from four subgroups with different SB and PA levels. At phase III, event-related potentials are recorded using electroencephalogram during a cognitive task among participants randomly selected from phase II. We plan to follow-up all participants until they graduate from high school. The process applied at baseline and follow-up are approximately identical.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Procedures described in this manuscript have been approved by the Ethical Review Committee for Biomedical Research, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University (L2016-010). All parents or guardians of participants signed the informed consent form voluntarily before participating in the study. The findings of the study will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03582709.

Effects of ambient particulate matter on fasting blood glucose among primary school children in Guangzhou, China

BACKGROUND

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) has been linked with diabetes and elevated blood glucose in adults. However, there are few reports on the effects of PM on fasting blood glucose (FBG) among children.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to assess the associations between medium-term exposure of ambient particles with diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5), and ≤10 μm (PM₁₀) and FBG in a general population of children, and also to explore the modifying effects of diet.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 4234 children (aged 6-13 years) residing in Guangzhou, China, in 2017. Individual PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ exposures during the 186-day period before each physical examination were retrospectively estimated by an inverse distance weighting interpolation and time-weighted approach according to their home address, school address, and activity patterns. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine the relationships between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ with FBG after adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

We found that per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ levels during the 186-day period were associated with 2.3% (95% CI: 1.0%, 3.8%) higher FBG and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.5%, 1.4%) higher FBG, respectively. Stronger effect estimates were observed among subgroups of children with a family history of diabetes, and higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Also, we found significant interactions between PM_2.5 concentration and family history of diabetes and SSBs intake on FBG.

CONCLUSIONS

Medium-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were associated with higher FBG levels in children, and that higher SSBs intake might modify these associations.

Effect of protein and carbohydrate solutions on running performance and cognitive function in female recreational runners

This study compared the effects of a carbohydrate–electrolyte–protein solution (CEPS, 2% protein plus 4% carbohydrate), carbohydrate–electrolyte solution (CES, 6% carbohydrate), and noncaloric sweetened placebo (PLA) on both 21-km running performance and cognitive function. Eleven female recreational endurance runners performed a 21-km time-trial running on three occasions, separated by at least 28 days. In a randomized cross-over design, they ingested CEPS, CES, or PLA at a rate of 150 mL every 2.5 km with no time feedback. A cognitive function test was performed before and after the run. Participants ingested approximately 24 g/h carbohydrate plus 12 g/h protein in CEPS trial, and 36 g/h carbohydrate in CES trial during each 21-km trial. Time to complete the time-trial was slightly shorter (P < 0.05) during CES (129.6 ± 8.8 min) than PLA (134.6 ± 11.5 min), with no differences between CEPS and the other two trials. The CEPS trial showed higher composite of visual motor speed than the PLA trial (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CES feedings might improve 21-km time-trial performance in female recreational runners compared with a PLA. However, adding protein to the CES provided no additional time-trial performance benefit. CEPS feeding during prolonged exercise could benefit visual motor speed compared to PLA alone, but no differences in the performance of the other cognitive function tests were found.

Differential expression of miR16 in glioblastoma and glioblastoma stem cells: their correlation with proliferation, differentiation, metastasis and prognosis

The function of miR16 in multiforme glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and its stem cells (GSCs) remains elusive. To this end, we investigated the patterns of miR16 expression in these cells and their correlation with malignant behaviors and clinical outcomes. The levels of miR16 and its targeted genes in tumor tissue of GBM and GBM SGH44, U87, U251 cells as well as their stem cell counterparts were measured by qRT–PCR or western blot or immunohistochemistry. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the binding of miR16 to 3′-UTR of its target genes. The effects of miR16 on malignant behaviors were investigated, including tumor cell viability, soft-agar colony formation, GSCs Matrigel colony forming and migration and invasion as well as nude mice xenograft model. Differentially expression patterns of miR16 in glioblastoma cells and GSCs cells were found in this study. Changes of miR16 targeted genes, Bcl2 (B cell lymphoma 2), CDK6 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 6), CCND1 (cyclin D1), CCNE1 (cyclin E1) and SOX5 were confirmed in glioblastoma cell lines and tissue specimens. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that tumor cell proliferation was inhibited by miR16 mimic, but enhanced by miR16 inhibitor. The expression level of miR16 positively correlates with GSCs differentiation, but negatively with the abilities of migration, motility, invasion and colony formation in glioblastoma cells. The inhibitory effects of miR16 on its target genes were also found in nude mice xenograft model. Our findings revealed that the miR16 functions as a tumor suppressor in GSCs and its association with prognosis in GBM.

Detection of the genetic variation of polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein gene 2 in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using an improved SSCP technique

In this study, 2 approaches were adopted to obtain good single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) data for autotetraploid alfalfa; primers were added to PCR products, and fluorescent-labeled primers were utilized. PCR-SSCP conditions for a 331-bp fragment in the coding region of polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein gene 2 in alfalfa (MsPGIP2) were optimized, and the results showed that the best SSCP gel pattern could be obtained when the loading mixture was made by mixing 1 μL PCR products, 0.2 to 0.8 μL unlabeled primers (50 μM) and 4 to 16 μL loading buffer. Furthermore, the use of the fluorescent-labeled primers resulted in 2 separated electrophoresis images from 2 complementary single DNA strands, thus making the determination of alleles and idiotypes a relatively easy task. In addition, the results of sequencing prove that the determination of alleles and idiotypes were accurate based on SSCP analysis. Finally, a total of 9 alleles with 18 SNP sites were identified for MsPGIP2 in the alfalfa variety 'Algonquin'. In conclusion, MsPGIP2 possessed great genetic variation, and the addition of primers to the PCR products in combination with the fluorescent labeling of primers could significantly improve the sensitivity and resolution of SSCP analysis. This technique could be used for genetic diversity detection and marker-assisted breeding of useful genes in autopolyploid species such as alfalfa.

Strain engineering of perovskite thin films using a single substrate

Combining temperature-dependent x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and first-principles-based effective Hamiltonian calculations, we show that varying the thickness of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 (BST) thin films deposited on the same single substrate (namely, MgO) enables us to change not only the magnitude but also the sign of the misfit strain. Such previously overlooked control of the strain allows several properties of these films (e.g. Curie temperature, symmetry of ferroelectric phases, dielectric response) to be tuned and even optimized. Surprisingly, such desired control of the strain (and of the resulting properties) originates from an effect that is commonly believed to be detrimental to functionalities of films, namely the existence of misfit dislocations. The present study therefore provides a novel route to strain engineering, as well as leading us to revisit common beliefs.

Estimation and Removal of Physiological Noise from Undersampled Multi-slice fMRI data in Image Space

The signal variations induced by respiration and cardiac motion decrease the statistical significance in functional MRI data analysis. Significant components of these fluctuations are aliased into the activation spectrum in standard multi-slice imaging protocols. A method of estimation and removal physiological noise in image space is reported. Based on reordering the data from slice ordering to time ordering, the aliased physiological information is available in multi-slice magnitude images. Then physiological noise can be estimated and removed adaptively using signal projecting technique with the actual functional signal preserved.