Mixed Background Research Articles

The non-autonomous perturbed potential Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation: its integrability, kinky-quasiperiodic, kink-like breather, lump-kink solutions with mixed backgrounds

The integrability of (2+1)-dimensional non-autonomous perturbed potential Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (NpPKP) problem has been demonstrated in this manuscript using Lax pairs and the Bäcklund transformation. The bilinear form of the NpPKP problem has been generated with the help of Hirota polynomial technique. Using test function and N-dimensional Riemann theta function, the kink-like breathers, lump-kink, interaction of lump and shock and the kinky quasiperiodic are explored analytically in light of the vector selections in the solution space. Outcomes of the solutions are plotted as illustration using particular values of the relevant parameters. These findings may aid in our understanding of intriguing physical events and mechanisms in potential systems.

Isolating the direct effects of growth hormone on lifespan and metabolism in mice.

Prior studies have shown that interrupting the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) signaling axis extends laboratory mouse lifespan, but confounding effects of additional gene or hormone deficiencies that exist in commonly used models of GH/IGF-I interruption obscure the specific effect of GH on longevity. We address this issue by using mice with a specific knockout of the GH gene and show that both males and females on a mixed genetic background display extended lifespans resulting from GH deficiency. Our physiological assessment of these mice revealed that in addition to weighing significantly less and displaying significantly greater body fat (as a percentage of body weight), GH deficient mice display significant impairments in glucose metabolism and preferential fat utilization. These data provide strong evidence that GH deficiency is directly responsible for the altered nutrient utilization and extended lifespan that is commonly observed in mouse models of GH/IGF-I interruption.

Socioeconomic deprivation and perinatal anxiety: an observational cohort study

BackgroundWomen from areas of social deprivation and minority ethnic groups are more likely to experience poor physical health and have higher rates of mental health problems relative to women from less socially disadvantaged groups. However, very little research has examined this in relation to perinatal anxiety. The current study aims to determine prevalence, risk factors and desire for treatment for perinatal anxiety in three regions of the UK with diverse regional characteristics.MethodsWomen completed measures of anxiety in early, mid-, late-pregnancy and postpartum. Participants were included from three regions of the UK: Region 1 = North East England & North Cumbria n = 512; Region 2 = London North Thames n = 665; Region 3 = West Midlands n = 705.ResultsPrevalence of perinatal anxiety was lower in Region 1 (OR 0.63 95% CI 0.45 to 0.89) and Region 2 (OR 0.72 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98) relative to Region 3. Analysis showed the effect of neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation on perinatal anxiety differed by region. In more affluent regions, living in a deprived neighbourhood had a greater impact on perinatal anxiety than living in a deprived neighbourhood in a deprived region. Other factors associated with risk of anxiety in the perinatal period included physical health problems and identifying as being from ‘mixed or multiple’ ethnic groups.ConclusionsNeighbourhood deprivation relative to regional deprivation is a better predictor of perinatal anxiety than either regional deprivation or neighbourhood deprivation alone. Women of mixed ethnic backgrounds and women with physical health problems may warrant more attention in terms of screening and support for perinatal anxiety. Self-reported desire for treatment was found to be low.

The effect of D[formula omitted] partial pressure, deposition rate, and sample temperature on D retention in W codeposited layers

Hydrogen-isotope (HI) fuel retention in the walls of magnetic fusion devices must be minimized to achieve tritium self-sufficiency and for safety considerations. Retention in codeposited layers (i.e., layers formed from eroded material while simultaneously exposed to HIs) is projected to be a dominant source. This work investigates retention in tungsten (W)–deuterium (D) codeposited films as a function of D2 partial pressure. Tungsten films were deposited onto quartz substrates via magnetron sputtering in an Ar-D2 mixed background with the D2 partial pressure, pD2, varied from 0.13 to 1.6 Pa; the substrate temperature, Ts, varied from 310 K to 623 K; and the W deposition rate, rd, varied from ∼1.0 to 4.2×1019 m−2s−1. After deposition, D release was measured using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). For films deposited at Ts∼ 310 K, D/W increased from 0.13 to 0.44 Pa, was constant to 0.89 Pa, and decreased at 1.6 Pa. However, the TDS spectra for films at all pD2 showed a similar distribution of D in traps, with a single release peak at 400–700 K. For films with pD2 = 0.89 Pa, D/W decreased exponentially with increasing Ts, in agreement with the Ts scaling in the literature, while the release peak in the TDS spectra shifted to higher desorption temperatures. For films deposited near room temperature, the measured D/W ratio decreased by 3× as rd increased, in agreement with the rd−0.8 scaling in the literature, while the tail of the D release increased from 700 to 1200 K for the higher rd. Hence, retention mitigation strategies for ITER (e.g., baking of the vacuum vessel at 493 K) may not be sufficient, especially for films formed with high rd.

A conditional smoothened (smo) allele on an inbred C57BL/6J genetic background has a hypomorphic smo mutant phenotype

We have introduced the floxed allele of Smoothened (Smo) carried by the mouse line Smotm2Amc into the C57BL/6J strain by serial backcross. Recapitulation of the Smo null phenotype was confirmed by deleting the allele using E2a-cre and intercrossing heterozygous Smo ± mice. No homozygous mutant embryos were identified at E9.5, suggesting the null phenotype is at least as severe as that observed on a mixed genetic background. While healthy and fertile homozygous floxed mice were regularly obtained after intercrosses, their numbers at weaning were reduced relative to Mendelian expectation, suggesting the unrecombined allele is itself hypomorphic. This hypothesis is supported by characterization of transcription of the floxed allele, which revealed that its expression was variably reduced relative to wild-type Smo.

Associations between ethnicity and persistent physical and mental health symptoms experienced as part of ongoing symptomatic COVID-19.

Ethnicity can influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalisation and death. Its association with ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 is unclear. We assessed if, among a population followed up after discharge from hospital with COVID-19, adults from Asian, black, mixed and other backgrounds are at increased risk of physical and mental health symptoms. Adults discharged after hospitalisation with COVID-19 between 03/03/2020 and 27/11/2021 were routinely offered follow-up six to 12 weeks post-discharge and reviewed for ongoing symptomatic COVID-19, as defined by persisting physical symptoms (respiratory symptoms, fatigue, impaired sleep and number of other symptoms), mental health symptoms and inability to return to work if employed. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were used to compare differences in characteristics, follow-up outcomes and blood tests between ethnic groups. To account for possible selection bias, analyses were adjusted for propensity scores. 986 adults completed follow-up: 202 (20.5%) Asian, 105 (10.6%) black, 18 (1.8%) mixed, 468 (47.5%) white and 111 (11.3%) from other backgrounds. Differences between groups included white adults being older than those from Asian/'other' backgrounds and black adults being more likely from deprived areas than those from Asian/white/'other' backgrounds. After adjusting for these differences, at follow-up, black adults had fewer respiratory (adjusted odds ratio 0.49 (0.25-0.96)) and other symptoms (adjusted count ratio 0.68 (0.34-0.99)) compared to white adults. There were otherwise no significant differences between ethnic groups in terms of physical health, mental health or ability to return to work if employed. These findings were not altered after adjustment for propensity scores. In our population, despite having more co-morbidities associated with worse outcomes, adults from Asian, black, mixed and other ethnic backgrounds are not more likely to develop ongoing symptomatic COVID-19. However, it is important that healthcare services remain vigilant in ensuring the provision of timely patient-centred care.

Antibiotic use patterns and trends in the FDMN population and rural Bangladeshi population: a cross-sectional study

Global antibiotic resistance is a pressing issue, especially in Bangladesh, due to its widespread use, poor surveillance, and high treatment costs. This study compared antibiotic use between Rohingya and rural Bangladeshi residents, aiming to predict the frequency and tendency of commonly used antibiotics across different community levels. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a questionnaire. It involved Cox's Bazar camp, Tangail, and Bogura rural areas. Most participants were male, with 46.8% graduates and 20.8% untrained from mixed economic backgrounds. The study revealed that 62% adhered to doctors' orders, 28.5% followed pharmacists' recommendations, 6% sourced antibiotics from various places, 3% self-medicated, and 1% relied on advice from friends or relatives. Alarmingly, 25.3% did not complete their antibiotic courses. Age, region, advisor status, and education level were correlated with antibiotic use (P<0.05), whereas socioeconomic status was not. The most commonly used medications among both rural and FDMN populations were azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole. These findings highlight gaps in antibiotic use and adherence, with many not completing their treatments. Despite educational and economic variations, there is a general lack of concern about AMR, emphasizing the need for better awareness of and adherence to guidelines. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2024, 10(3), 122-130

Nurses' health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: A longitudinal study with mixed methods design

Nurses' health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: A longitudinal study with mixed methods design Abstract: Background: The COVID19 pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Nurses have played a crucial role in responding to the crisis, often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the physical and mental health status as well as the resources of certified nurses during the pandemic, in German-speaking Switzerland. Methods: In a longitudinal study with a mixed methods design, data were collected among nurses from acute hospitals between 2021 and 2022 using a questionnaire survey and focus group interviews. The data were analysed using multiple regression analysis, knowledge mapping and the Neuman system model. Results: The results show improvements in health, quality of life and job satisfaction, and a decrease in stress; whereby influencing extrapersonal factors are, among others, reorganisations within hospitals with the active involvement of nurses. On the interpersonal level, support from managers or colleagues proved helpful. At the intrapersonal level, the recognition of the nurses' competencies was deemed particularly important, to help them to remain healthy during the pandemic. Conclusions: Increased recognition, participation, training and career opportunities as well as flexible working models need to be implemented in the long term to ensure a sustainable improvement of the health and well-being of nurses.

Ethnicity and suicide in England and Wales: a national linked cohort study

Understanding of ethnic disparities in suicide in England and Wales is poor as ethnicity is not recorded on death certificates. Using linked data, we examined variations, by sex, in suicide rates in England and Wales by ethnicity and migrant and descendant status. Using the Office for National Statistics 2012-19 mortality data linked to the 2011 census from the Public Health Research Database, we calculated the age-standardised suicide rates by sex for each of the 18 self-identified ethnicity groups in England and Wales. We present rates by age, sex, and methods used for suicide by ethnic group. We estimated age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) using Poisson regression models for each minority ethnic group compared with the majority population. We involved people with lived experience in the research. Overall, 31 644 suicide deaths occurred over the study period, including 3602 (11%) in people from minority ethnic backgrounds, with a mean age of death of 43·3 years (SD 17·0, range 13-96). Almost all minority ethnic groups had a lower rate of suicide than the White British majority, apart from individuals who identified as being from a Mixed heritage background or White Gypsy or Irish Travellers. In females who identified as Mixed White and Caribbean, the suicide IRR was 1·79 (95% CI 1·45-2·21) compared with the White British majority; in those who identified as White Gypsy or Irish Travellers, the IRR was 2·26 (1·42-3·58). Rates in males identifying as from these two groups and those identifying as White Irish were similar to the White British majority. Compared with the non-migrant population, migrants had a lower rate of suicide regardless of ethnicity, but in the descendant population, people from a Mixed ethnicity background had a higher risk of suicide than the White British majority. There are ethnic disparities in suicide mortality in England and Wales, but the reasons for this are unclear. The higher rate in previously overlooked minority ethnic groups warrants further attention. Wellcome Trust.

Endothelial Chromatin-Remodeling Enzymes Regulate the Production of Critical ECM Components During Murine Lung Development.

The chromatin-remodeling enzymes BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1) and CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4) independently regulate the transcription of genes critical for vascular development, but their coordinated impact on vessels in late-stage embryos has not been explored. In this study, we genetically deleted endothelial Brg1 and Chd4 in mixed background mice (Brg1fl/fl;Chd4fl/fl;VE-Cadherin-Cre), and littermates that were negative for Cre recombinase were used as controls. Tissues were analyzed by immunostaining, immunoblot, and flow cytometry. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine gene expression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed gene targets of BRG1 and CHD4 in cultured endothelial cells. We found Brg1/Chd4 double mutants grew normally but died soon after birth with small and compact lungs. Despite having normal cellular composition, distal air sacs of the mutant lungs displayed diminished ECM (extracellular matrix) components and TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) signaling, which typically promotes ECM synthesis. Transcripts for collagen- and elastin-related genes and the TGFβ ligand Tgfb1 were decreased in mutant lung endothelial cells, but genetic deletion of endothelial Tgfb1 failed to recapitulate the small lungs and ECM defects seen in Brg1/Chd4 mutants. We instead found several ECM genes to be direct targets of BRG1 and CHD4 in cultured endothelial cells. Collectively, our data highlight essential roles for endothelial chromatin-remodeling enzymes in promoting ECM deposition in the distal lung tissue during the saccular stage of embryonic lung development.

Losartan alters osteoblast differentiation and increases bone mass through inhibition of TGFB signalling in vitro and in an OIM mouse model

Excessive production of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) is commonly associated with dominant and recessive forms of OI. Previous reports have indicated that administration of TGFβ-targeted antibodies maybe of potential therapeutic benefit to OI patients. However, direct targeting of TGFβ is likely to cause multiple adverse effects including simulation of autoimmunity. In the current study we use patient-derived normal and OI fibroblasts, osteoblasts and OIM mouse models to determine the effects of Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) antagonist, on TGFβ signalling and bone morphology in OI. In OIM mice bred on a mixed background administration of 0.6 g/L losartan for 4 weeks was associated with a significant reduction in TGFβ from 79.2 g/L in the control to 60.0 ng/ml following losartan (p < 0.05), reduced osteoclast activity as measured by CTX from 275.9 ng/ml in the control to 157.2 ng/ml following 0.6 g/L of losartan (p < 0.05) and increased cortical bone thickness (P < 0.001). Furthermore in OIM mice bred on a C57BL/6 background 0.6 g/L losartan increased trabecular bone volume in the tibiae (P < 0.05) and the vertebrae (P < 0.01), increased cortical bone thickness (P < 0.001) reduced the trabecular pattern factor (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 for the tibiae and vertebrae respectively), reduced osteoclast (P < 0.05) and osteoblast (P < 0.01) numbers as well as reducing the area of bone covered by these cell types. Interestingly, losartan did not affect immune cells infiltrating into bone, nor did this drug alter TGFβ signalling in normal or OI fibroblasts. Instead, losartan reduced SMAD2 phosphorylation in osteoblasts, inhibiting their ability to differentiate. Our data suggest that losartan may be an effective treatment for the bone-associated dysmorphia displayed in OI whilst minimising potential adverse immune cell-related effects.

Optimized Depilation Method and Comparative Analysis of Hair Growth Cycle in Mouse Strains.

In mice, hair growth follows a mosaic or wavy patterning. Therefore, synchronization of the hair growth cycle is required to adequately evaluate any trichogenic interventions pre-clinically. Depilation is the established method for synchronizing the growth phase of mouse hair follicles. When attempting to reproduce procedures reported in the literature, C57BL/6J mice developed severe wounds. This led us not only to optimize the procedure, but also to test the procedure in other strains, namely Sv129 and the F1 generation from C57BL/6J crossed with Sv129 (B6129F1 mixed background), for which the hair growth cycle has not been ascertained yet. Here, we describe an optimized depilation procedure, using cold wax and an extra step to protect the animal skin that minimizes injury, improving experimental conditions and animal welfare in all strains. Moreover, our results show that, although hair cycle kinetics are similar in all the analyzed strains, Sv129 and B6129F1 skins are morphologically different from C57BL/6J skin, presenting an increased number and size of hair follicles in anagen, consistent to the higher hair density observed macroscopically. Altogether, the results disclose an optimized mouse depilation method that excludes the detrimental and confounding effects of skin injury in hair growth studies and reveals the hair cycle features of other mouse strains, supporting their use in hair growth pre-clinical studies.

Impact of personal values on learning approaches and academic achievements in UK higher education

In the post-Covid era of higher education, blended teaching has become the standard method of instruction. This approach incorporates various modes of delivery, and it is important for students to engage in the diverse form of learning. Considering students’ preferences for learning approaches, especially independent learning, is crucial in the development of blended teaching methods. One of the key factors affecting students’ preferences is personal values, which can influence student’s adoption of learning approaches. This, in turn, affects their engagement in the learning community and their academic performance (Gamage, Dehideniya and Ekanayake, 2021). Personal values vary culturally, and this is particularly relevant when developing blended teaching strategies for cohorts of mixed nationalities. This issue is especially pronounced in the departments and schools across the UK universities, which often have a diverse student body with mixed cultural backgrounds. Our research aims to examine the role of personal values (specifically self-direction values and conformity values) in students’ adoption of independent learning and the impact of these values on their academic achievement in blended teaching context. Our research was conducted in 2022 through an internship scheme sponsored by WMG. We conducted a Qualtrics survey with the convenient sample of 162 among which 146 from China (including Hong Kong S.A.R.). The results indicated that self-direction values were closely correlated with both independent learning and academic achievement while no significant correlation was found between conformity values and independent learning or between conformity values and academic performance were found. The research results hold considerable importance for educators in design self-directed study for students from varied cultural backgrounds in higher education settings.

P-652 Chronic kidney disease and female reproductive hormonal profile: A multi-centre cohort study

Abstract Study question Does Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) impact female reproductive hormone profiles? Summary answer Women with CKD had significantly lower AMH and testosterone, and significantly higher LH levels. There were no differences in FSH, oestradiol, prolactin and progesterone. What is known already Chronic diseases, such as CKD, is rising in women of reproductive age. It is expected that the prevalence of CKD in adults will increase to 16.7% in 2030.Coupled with improvements in obstetric care and advancement in assisted reproductive technology, more women with CKD are seeking to conceive with ART. It is known that CKD reduces fertility, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. It is proposed that CKD leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, but studies are small, use outdated assays, are done at different times in the menstrual cycle and do not compare with healthy controls. Study design, size, duration Observational cohort study involving women with CKD and healthy women of reproductive age without underlying medical conditions was conducted between August 2021-September 2022.Women with CKD were identified from four units to attend a study visit at a tertiary fertility unit.Healthy controls were recruited via word of mouth and from couples within the unit undergoing treatment for male factor infertility.For the study to be powered 100 women with CKD and 50 healthy controls were recruited. Participants/materials, setting, methods Ethical approval was provided by the Health Research Authority (IRAS 285546) and written informed consent was obtained from participants.Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone, oestradiol, progesterone, Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and b-HCG were taken between the first and fifth day of menstrual cycle. If there was amennorhoea, bloods were taken on a day suiting them. Comparisons between controls and CKD Stage utilised t-test and Mann Whitney U tests according to data-distribution. Main results and the role of chance 101 women with CKD and 63 healthy women were recruited. The mean age of women in the CKD group was 35.1± 6.7 years and of controls was 33.44 ±4.8 years, median BMI for CKD women was 25.45 kg/m2 (IQR 22.7,29.4) and controls was 24.5 kg/m2 (IQR 22,26.7).The renal cohort had similar numbers in each of the four CKD stages. 20.8% women had renal transplants.The two cohorts were matched for age and BMI. Median AMH (13.6(IQR 3,4,28.7) vs 18.4 (IQR 11.2,33.6) pmol/L;p=0.03) was significantly lower in the renal group than controls. Median testosterone concentrations (0.6 (IQR 0.5,0.9) vs 0.5 (IQR 0.4,0.7)nmol/L; p = 0.01) were significantly lower in women with CKD even from stage 1 CKD. LH (4.4 (IQR 3.2,5.5) vs 5.9 (IQR 3.8,9.4) IU/L;p=0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in women with CKD compared to controls but there were no differences in FSH, oestradiol, prolactin and progesterone. LH increased and testosterone and AMH concentrations fell with CKD severity. Interestingly, b-HCG was &amp;gt;6 IU/L in 3.0% (3/101) patients with CKD. When stratified by CKD stage; CKD stage 2 and onwards had significantly higher LH concentrations (p = 0.03).CKD stage 3 and above participants had significant lower AMH concentrations (p = 0.002).This is at a later stage of CKD than previously published. Limitations, reasons for caution Although this is the largest study of its kind known to explore female hormonal profiles in women with CKD, the numbers are still limited. In addition, our population had a mixed ethnic background but due to the small numbers we were unable to analyse the results per ethnic category. Wider implications of the findings This is the largest prospective study comparing fertility hormonal profiles in women with CKD and healthy controls. Unfortunately, there remains a paucity of evidence on the effects of CKD on female fertility. Future work includes exploring longitudinal changes which will better facilitate patients to make informed and timely fertility-related decisions. Trial registration number 285546

Adolescent Health Inequality Across Immigrant Generations

PurposeEvidence on whether the immigrant health paradox (i.e., immigrants having better health than natives of nonmigrant background) extends to children and youth is mixed and often based on self-reported survey data. In this study, we use population-wide administrative microdata from Norwegian demographic and health registries to investigate health inequalities between adolescents with foreign-born and native-born parents, paying specific attention to variation across immigrant generations, origin countries, and types of diagnoses. MethodsIn this registry-based study, we estimate differences in the likelihood of somatic and mental disorders using logistic regression and population-wide health records for adolescents aged 16–20 years (N = 616,835). ResultsChild immigrants and native-born children of immigrants have fewer consultations for somatic and psychiatric diagnoses in adolescence compared to natives, while native-born children with mixed parental background have health outcomes more similar to natives. The differences are most pronounced for mental disorders. Differences across immigrant generations persist when stratifying by country of origin and when looking at specific diagnoses. DiscussionThe findings support the existence of an immigrant health advantage, which we find across various psychiatric and somatic diagnoses and for most immigrant generations. A key task for future research is to explore specific mechanisms underlying these patterns and to address potential inequities in the quality of health care provided to immigrant-background youth.

Universal Credit receipt among working-age patients who are accessing specialist mental health services: results from a novel data linkage study

BackgroundIn 2013, Universal Credit (UC) was introduced by the UK Government. Understanding of how UC provision is allocated among people with mental disorders, and its intersection with protected characteristics is...

Influence of donor age, sex and ethnicity on high-titre anti-A and -B: Review of 6 million donations from two national blood providers.

Some blood operators routinely screen blood donations for high-titre (HT) anti-A/B to reduce the risk of a haemolytic transfusion reaction due to out-of-group plasma-rich components. We assessed donor factors associated with an increased likelihood of screening positive and compared routine data between England and Australia. Data were assessed from HT screening during 2018-2020 in Australia and 2018-2021 in England, totalling nearly 6 million blood donations. Screening was performed using a Beckman Coulter PK7300 analyser with a micro-titre plate saline direct agglutination test in both countries, although different reagent red cells were chosen. HT-positive was defined as testing positive at a titre of 128 or above. The likelihood of a donor testing HT-positive was greater for females than males, declined with age and was dependent on the ABO group. However, the proportion of donors testing HT-positive was consistently higher in Australia than in England: overall, 14% of group O donations and 5% of group A donations in England tested HT-positive, compared with 51% and 22%, respectively in Australia. English data also showed that donors from Black, Asian or mixed ethnic backgrounds were more likely to test HT-positive than White donors. These data demonstrate that donor sex, age, ABO group and ethnicity affect the likelihood of testing HT-positive. Differences in testing methods likely had a significant impact on the proportion of donors testing as HT-positive or -negative rather than any differences in donor populations.

International Experience and Reference of China's Financial Regulatory System Reform

Since the 1970s, in order to reduce financial risks in the context of fast-paced growing financial industry, China has been implementing reforms to its financial regulatory structure. In 2023, the State Administration for Financial Supervision and Administration was officially established, bringing China closer to mixed industry regulation. Currently, there are multiple types of financial regulation on a global scale, including segmented regulation, single regulation, functional regulation, and bimodal regulation. Given the rapid development of China's financial market, it is imperative to draw on better international expertise, innovate domestic regulatory framework, and persist pursuing bimodal regulatory mode under the mixed industry background. By implementing the bimodal regulation of macro prudential regulation and micro behavioral regulation, China is managing to control financial risks, protect investors lawful rights and interests, and foster the long-term and stable expansion of China's financial industry

Genetic diversity of food-medicinal Lycium spp. in China: Insights from chloroplast genome

ObjectiveGoji (fruits of Lycium spp.) is commonly consumed as food and medicine. The increasing market demand for goji has led to its wide cultivation and broad breeding, which might cause loss of genetic diversity. This study aims to uncover the genetic diversity of the cultivated and wild Lycium. MethodsThe chloroplast genome (CPG) of 34 accessions of Chinese food-medicinal Lycium spp., including the popular cultivars and their wild relatives, was re-sequenced and assembled, based on which the genetic diversity was evaluated. ResultsSequence structural comparison shows that CPG is comparatively conserved within species. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that CPG is sufficient for the discrimination of Lycium species; combined with nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (Nr ITS) sequences, materials with mixed genetic backgrounds can be identified. Nucleotide diversity analysis reveals that the modern cultivars are probably with a common maternal parent, while the wild accessions are with higher level of genetic diversity. ConclusionFor the first time this study reveals the intraspecies genetic diversity of Lycium spp. using CPG, highlighting the urgent conservation demand of wild genetic resources of Lycium. Our study also demonstrates that CPG provides crucial evidence for identification of Lycium species with mixed genetic backgrounds and highlights the importance of the wild relatives in genetic diversity conservation. This CPG-based technology will contribute to the sustainable development of medicinal plants broadly.

Teaching for Enhancing Diverse Mixed Age Group Learning in West Bengal

Efficient teaching is dependent on some components, such as student and teacher attentiveness, communication and planning of teachers,’ utilised instructional methods, quality-oriented resources, quality of interactions allowed in the classrooms, and others. There are unified teaching methods in the system of education. As the required and diversified learner in this contemporary era, teachers have to utilise a variety of teaching methods for quality education. One of them is mixed-age group teaching, which consists of detailed instruction for developing the mindset of students. Researchers, through this article, wanted to explain a conceptual overview of the mixed age group teaching background, benefit, and how it is useful for diverse learners. This study has significant implications for students, teachers, teacher educators, academic instructors, researchers, curriculum designers, and others.