Tip-Mediated Bandgap Tuning for Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides.

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides offer an appropriate platform for developing advanced electronics beyond graphene. Similar to two-dimensional molecular frameworks, the electronic properties of such monolayers can be sensitive to perturbations from the surroundings; the implied tunability of electronic structure is of great interest. Using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we demonstrated a bandgap engineering technique in two monolayer materials, MoS2 and PtTe2, with the tunneling current as a control parameter. The bandgap of monolayer MoS2 decreases logarithmically by the increasing tunneling current, indicating an electric-field-induced gap renormalization effect. Monolayer PtTe2, by contrast, exhibits a much stronger gap reduction, and a reversible semiconductor-to-metal transition occurs at a moderate tunneling current. This unusual switching behavior of monolayer PtTe2, not seen in bulk semimetallic PtTe2, can be attributed to its surface electronic structure that can readily couple to the tunneling tip, as demonstrated by theoretical calculations.

Risk factor analysis of allergic rhinitis in 6-8 year-old children in Taipei.

The incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) has increased rapidly in Taiwan during the past 30 years; however, potential risk factors of AR have yet to be examined. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence, personal and environmental risk factors of rhinitis. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26418 first graders (6-8 years old) in Taipei with a response rate of 94.6% (24999/26418). Modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires were completed by their parents or main caregivers. Logistic regression was used to examine possible personal and environmental (in early life and current) factors related to rhinitis. The prevalence of rhinitis in the past 12 months was 42.8% in 6-8 years old children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for both males and females revealed that male gender, antibiotic use in first year of life, bronchiolitis before the age of two years, diagnosed asthma, and diagnosed eczema, having a cat the first year of life were associated with an increased risk of rhinitis. Having older siblings, on the other hand, may reduce the risk of rhinitis. Based on the present study, we may recommend less use of antibiotics the first year of life and not having a cat in the home in the child's first year of life as preventive measures to reduce the risk of rhinitis. From the subgroup analysis, we can take preventive measures for the different risk factors of rhinitis and the severity of rhinitis in each subgroup.

Dose-Response Relationship of Outdoor Exposure and Myopia Indicators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Various Research Methods.

Myopia in children has dramatically increased worldwide. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of outdoor light exposure on myopia. According to research data from 13 studies of 15,081 children aged 4-14 at baseline, outdoor light exposure significantly reduced myopia incidence/prevalence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-0.91, p < 0.00001; I2 = 90%), spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) by 0.15 D/year (0.09-0.27, p < 0.0001), and axial elongation by 0.08 mm/year (-0.14 to -0.02, p = 0.02). The benefits of outdoor light exposure intervention, according to pooled overall results, included decreases in three myopia indicators: 50% in myopia incidence, 32.9% in SER, and 24.9% in axial elongation for individuals in Asia. Daily outdoor light exposure of more than 120 min was the most effective intervention, and weekly intervention time exhibited a dose-response relationship with all three indicators. Subgroup comparisons revealed that interventional studies report greater benefits from outdoor light exposure compared with cohort and cross-sectional studies, and individuals with myopia in intervention studies experienced slightly greater benefits than individuals without, in terms of SER and axial elongation. Therefore, this study suggests 120 min/day of outdoor light exposure at school.

The prevalence and risk factors of atopic dermatitis in 6-8 year-old first graders in Taipei.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advance in the understanding of etiology, pathophysiology and diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD), its prevalence has increased annually in Taiwan. PURPOSES: The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence, and personal and environmental risk factors of AD. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted via health centers of elementary schools in Taipei city. We used the Chinese version of ISAAC questionnaire to examine possible personal and environmental risk factors of AD. Questionnaires were completed by parents or guardians of first graders (6-8 year-old) who agreed to participate in this study. Logistic regression was conducted to examine possible personal and environmental factors related to AD (in early life and currently). RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of AD (in the past 12 months) was 10.7% (2683/24,999) among 6- to 8-year-old first graders in Taipei. Forty-five percent of first graders with AD had their first episode of AD symptoms before the age of two. Children with asthma history were 1.65 times (95% CI: 1.51-1.79, p < 0.001) and children with rhinitis were 2.57 times (95% CI: 2.34-2.84, p < 0.001) more likely to have AD than those without the conditions. Compare to their counterarts, children who used antibiotics during their first year of life (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.22-1.53, p < 0.001) and who had bronchiolitis before the age of two (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.33-1.63, p < 0.001) had a higher chance to have AD during the last 12 months of the study. However, receiving breastfeeding for less than 4 months (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67-0.83, p < 0.001) and having older siblings (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.92, p < 0.001) had 25% and 17% reduced risks for AD in the 12 months before this study, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study verified personal and environmental risk factors of AD in children in Taiwan. Based on the results, we propose that avoiding bronchiolitis before the age of two, using antibiotics properly in babies, and providing diet counseling for breastfeeding mothers may be good prevention strategies of AD.

Initial validation of a healthcare needs scale for young people with congenital heart disease.

AIM: To validate the initial psychometric properties of a Healthcare Needs Scale for Youth with Congenital Heart Disease. BACKGROUND: As the number of patients with congenital heart disease surviving to adulthood increases, the transitional healthcare needs for adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease require investigation. However, few tools comprehensively identify the healthcare needs of youth with congenital heart disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was employed to examine the psychometric properties of the Healthcare Needs Scale for Youth with Congenital Heart Disease. METHODS: The sample consisted of 500 patients with congenital heart disease, aged 15-24 years, from paediatric cardiology departments and covered the period from March-August 2015. The patients completed the 25-item Healthcare Needs Scale for Youth with Congenital Heart Disease, the questionnaire on health needs for adolescents and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF. Reliability and construct, concurrent, predictive and known-group validity were examined. RESULTS: The Healthcare Needs Scale for Youth with Congenital Heart Disease includes three dimensions, namely health management, health policy and individual and interpersonal relationships, which consist of 25 items. It demonstrated excellent internal consistency and sound construct, concurrent, predictive and known-group validity. CONCLUSION: The Healthcare Needs Scale for Youth with Congenital Heart Disease is a psychometrically robust measure of the healthcare needs of youth with congenital heart disease. It has the potential to provide nurses with a means to assess and identify the concerns of youth with congenital heart disease and to help them achieve a successful transition to adult care.

The relationships between postpartum adaptation and postpartum depression symptoms of first pregnancy mothers in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Motherhood is a critical situation characterized by role conflicts. These conflicts between the roles of mother, worker, and wife are the norm in the postpartum period and may jeopardize a mother's well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between postpartum adaptation and depression among new mothers who live in northern Taiwan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 186 first pregnancy mothers were recruited via convenience sampling methods and they completed mailed questionnaires between 1 week and 2 months after giving birth. Structured questionnaires including Demographic Inventory Scale, Postpartum Self-Evaluation Questionnaire, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used. RESULTS: Ninety-four (50.5%) women exhibited depressive symptoms (EPDS > 10) and 73 (39.2%) women needed to consult the doctor (EPDS > 12). The risk factors for postpartum depression symptoms included unplanned birth, low socioeconomic status, and part-time employment. The correlation between women's different aspects of postpartum adaptation and depression ranged was from low to medium. The best predictors of postpartum depression were confidence in their own competence of motherhood tasks, satisfaction with life circumstances, and partner participating in child care. These three subsets explained 44.8% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: This study shows that healthcare providers who work with primiparas during the first 2 months after giving birth should pay more attention to postpartum depression, keeping in mind associated risk factors. A new mother's confidence in her own abilities as a new mother may be particularly important in determining the likelihood of postpartum depression.