Search

This paper proposes a lexicographic decomposition strategy for the two-stage network DEA model. Instead of assigning a priority over the two component stages, our proposed approach employs a lexicographic algorithm in such a way that the system efficiencies of the DMUs are lexicographically computed for each of their possible sequences while maintaining the efficiencies of those units already investigated unchanged. In particular, the system efficiency and the two component efficiencies can be uniquely determined under our proposed decomposition approach. Besides, prior to implement the proposed lexicographic evaluation procedure, we also highlight a potential infeasibility problem arising from the normalization constraint, and develop a modified iterative approach that facilitates us to guarantee a feasible search procedure. Finally, we use a numerical example to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, and conduct an empirical study to analyze China's regional high-tech innovation systems for the period of 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the importance of music for individuals has long been recognized, the effect of music on employee behavior in the workplace has not yet been fully realized. We developed a theoretical model emphasizing the mediating role of psychological safety in the relationship between pleasant music and voice behavior. A survey was conducted with 241 hotel employees in China. Structural equation modeling analysis results show that pleasant music was positively related to psychological safety, which was positively related to voice behavior. Further, psychological safety fully mediated the relationship between pleasant music and voice behavior. We discuss the implications of our findings to understand the mechanisms through which pleasant music boosts employees' voice behavior, and suggest future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Surface horizon delineation affect topsoil organic carbon density (TSOCD) results. • TSOCD rises with an increase in the thickness of surface horizon delineation. • Diagnostic surface horizon (DSH) proven to be effective in assessing the TSOCD. • Conventional surface horizon (CSH) methods may incorrectly assess the TSOCD. • Some CSH-based thicknesses are recommended under certain conditions. Accurate assessment of the topsoil organic carbon density (TSOCD) is of great importance for the management and conservation of the topsoil organic carbon pools. The conventional surface horizon (CSH) delineation method, which involves specifying a uniform topsoil thickness for all sampling points across a study area, carries the potential risk of inaccurate TSOCD estimation. Chinese soil scientists developed the definition and determination criteria for diagnostic surface horizon (DSH) in Chinese Soil Taxonomy (CST), which were based on the distinctive characteristics of topsoil in China. This study employed a DSH-based topsoil classification method to evaluate the TSOCD of China, based on the findings of the recent national soil survey. Also, TSOCD was calculated for all sample points based on the CSH method, where the thickness of CSH was defined as 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 cm from the surface. The results showed that DSH-based TSOCD in China ranged from 0.03 to 74.63 kg m−2 with a mean value of 4.34 kg m−2. The standardized topsoil delineation based on the DSH method shows great potential for improving the accuracy of TSOCD assessment and different DSH types exhibited very significant differences in TSOCD (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference between the TSOCD results based on the six CSH delineation thicknesses (p < 0.01). Excessive or insufficient uniform CSH thickness settings may result in over- or underestimation of TSOCD values in comparison to DSH. This study provides evidence that specific uniform thickness delineations are suitable for particular soil types, climatic conditions, and land use patterns, and that the mean TSOCD results derived from these delineations do not significantly differ (p < 0.01) from those based on DSH. The findings of this study have the potential to support the development of more accurate surface horizon delineation methods for managing and making decisions related to topsoil organic carbon pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this present study, five new wood-inhabiting fungal taxa, Botryobasidium gossypirubiginosum, Botryobasidium incanum, Botryobasidium yunnanense, Coltricia zixishanensis, and Coltriciella yunnanensis are proposed. Botryobasidium gossypirubiginosum is distinguished by its slightly rubiginous hymenial surface, monomitic hyphal system, which branches at right angles, and subglobose, smooth basidiospores (14–17.5 × 13–15.5 µm); B. incanum is characterized by its white to incanus basidiomata having a hypochnoid hymenial surface, and ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores (6.5–8.5 × 3.5–5 µm); B. yunnanense is characterized by its buff to slightly yellowish hymenial surface, monomitic hyphal system, and broadly ellipsoid to globose, smooth, thick-walled basidiospores (11.5–14.5 × 9.5–10.5 µm); Coltricia zixishanensis differs in its rust brown pileal surface, and ellipsoid, thick-walled basidiospores (5–6.5 × 4–4.5 µm). Coltriciella yunnanensis is distinguished by its tiny pilei, short stipe, and navicular, verrucose basidiospores (10.5–12.5 × 6–7 µm). Sequences of ITS and nLSU genes were used for phylogenetic analyses using the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic results inferred from ITS sequences revealed that B. gossypirubiginosum was closely related to B. robustius; the species B. incanum was grouped with B. vagum; B. yunnanense was related to B. indicum. The species C. zixishanensis was grouped with C. confluens and C. perennis. ITS sequences revealed that C. zixishanensis was grouped into the genus Coltriciella, in which it was grouped with Co. globosa and Co. pseudodependens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakes represent an important source of atmospheric methane (CH4); however, there are few studies on which lake-dwelling invasive aquatic plants generate CH4. Therefore, in this study, CH4 emissions were measured using a floating chamber and gas chromatography in a subtropical lake in China. We considered four community zones of invasive plants (Eichhornia crassipes), emergent vegetation (Zizania latifolia), floating-plant (Trapa natans) and open-water zones. The results indicate that the flux of CH4 emissions varied between −5.38 and 102.68 mg m−2 h−1. The higher emission values were attributed to lake eutrophication. Moreover, the flux of CH4 emissions in the invasive plant zone was 140–220% higher than that in the open-water and the floating-plant zones. However, there was no significant difference in CH4 emissions between the invasive plant and the emergent vegetation zones. This may be due to a higher production of plants, as well as the rapid reproductive rate of the invasive plants. Finally, CH4 emissions were positively associated with the air and water temperature; however, the emissions were also negatively associated with water depth. Our results suggest that invasive plants enhance freshwater CH4 emissions, thus contributing to global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To describe the epidemiological characteristics and medication overview of HFMD in Guangzhou and analyze the factors of length of stay (LOS) based on TCM usage. Method. From January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2019, clinical data of HFMD (ICD-10 B08.401) as the initial diagnosis, based on HIS of five medical institutions for outpatient and inpatient cases, was collected. The inpatient cases of the five hospitals in Guangzhou were utilized for hospitalization analysis. Information extracted from the warehouse was standardized. Descriptive analysis was used for baseline characteristics, medication usage, and inpatient characteristics. Potential factors were analyzed by bivariate analysis. COX regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier analysis for calculating HRs and 95% CIs were adopted to determine the predictors of LOS. Stratified COX regression was applied to analyze the relationship between predictors and LOS and to calculate interaction. Results. A total of 14172 patients with HFMD were included. It showed that HFMD would occur in males, infants, and summer. Cause and symptoms are the two aspects of conventional Western medicine treatments, while TCM treatment of HFMD took clearing heat and detoxification as the basic principle. Inpatients with HFMD were divided into two groups by the use ratio of TCM. Age, season, and disease severity were possible correlated factors of LOS, extrapolating from their disparity in distribution. By stratified Cox regression, three factors following presented as possible contributions to shortening LOS, including TCM ≥ 0.1 (HR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.67–1.92), P < 0.01), winter (HR = 1.28, 95% CI (1.12–1.47)), P < 0.01), mild HFMD (HR = 1.93, 95% CI (1.69–2.22), P < 0.01). Additive interaction of TCM use and disease severity was significant (RERI = 1.014 (0.493–1.534), P < 0.01). Conclusion. Young children and high temperature were the risk factors of HFMD infection, which suggests that increasing surveillance for susceptible particular-age individuals and season is indispensable. Favorable factors to decrease LOS included a higher proportion of TCM use, mild HFMD, and onset in winter. The proportion of TCM use had additive interaction with disease severity, indicating that TCM may have antiviral and other biological effects on HFMD. Increasing the proportion of TCM use was probably beneficial to shortening LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-wood fibers (e.g., straw) show a large volume in China, which effectively offsets the shortage issue of the forest resource, especially as raw material in the pulping and papermaking industry. The chemi-mechanical pulp (CMP) from the straw is significantly developed due to the advantages of high pulp yield, mechanical strength, and low cost. While the large-amount lignin exposed the pulp fiber surface of straw CMP negatively affects the bonding between its fibers, thus restricting the further improvement of its physical properties. Herein, we developed an environmentally friendly strategy of coupling the laccase/PHB and Ca2+ treatments to modify the chemical and structural properties of fibers toward the high-strength straw CMP. The laccase/PHB treatment removes the lignin of the straw CMP with a Kappa number decrease from 108.28 of the original sample to 75.65 with an 8 u/g dosage of laccase at a 3% PHB system. The removal of lignin with a stiff property also modifies the fiber morphologies of straw CMP, including increasing the measured fiber curl index from 8.0% to 8.5%, and the kink angle from 129° to 137°. Simultaneously, the introduced Ca2+ triggers the strong bonding with the anionic groups of straw CMP fibers, which creates enough, multiple bonds in this fiber system. The coupling laccase/PHB and Ca2+ treatments boost the mechanical strength of the straw CMP, more specifically, the tearing index, tensile index, and bursting index increase from 3.51 mN•m2/g, 20.01 N • m/g, and 1.57 KPa•m2/g of original pulp to 4.56 mN•m2/g, 29.80 N • m/g, and 2.26 KPa•m2/g, respectively. This integrated strategy of laccase/PHB and Ca2+ treatment provides a valuable guideline for improving the strength performance of plant fibers, beyond the straw CMP. • Environmentally friendly laccase/PHB and Ca2+ treatments toward the high-strength straw CMP. • Laccase/PHB treatment removes lignin and enables more exposure of cellulose. • PHB introduces carboxyl group on straw CMP. • Chelation between Ca2+ and carboxyl group happens on straw CMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a form of land degradation, soil erosion directly threatens the sustainability of natural resources and the environment. The impacts of humans on soil erosion are profound and complex, especially in the areas with frequent human activities. Moreover, the great variability of human activities at the spatial and time scales precludes a comprehensive understanding of how humans affect regional erosion. This study evaluated soil erosion by water from 1985 to 2015 occurring in South China, which is densely populated and has been intensively exploited, based on the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) and multisource data including remote sensing images, meteorological station information and geographic data. A quantitative method combining traceability thinking and residual trend approach was employed to distinguish the relative contributions of climate change and human activities. The results showed that the average amount of soil erosion exhibited a significant decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015, which was consistent with the national water census data and previous studies. Anthropogenic factors played a more vital role than natural variables in the evolution of soil erosion, the multiyear average contribution of which was 63.90%. The area in which anthropogenic factors alleviated soil erosion covered approximately 83.70% of the study area. These results indicate that soil and water conservation practices have made outstanding contributions to the reduction of soil erosion in South China. However, the impacts of the expansion of building land and the development of plantations on aggravating soil erosion cannot be ignored. For future soil erosion control, we observed the diminishing marginal effect of investments in soil and water conservation, and a higher governance potential in the severely eroded regions, which made the severely eroded poor land a primary for comprehensive ecological management. This study aims to provide valuable insights for decision makers in South China to better understand the impacts of humans on the evolution of soil erosion and could provide scientific support for reducing regional soil loss and enhancing the sustainable development of the ecological environment. • Soil erosion in South China exhibited a clearly decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015. • Anthropogenic factors played a more impactful role than natural variables. • The effect of human activities was more likely to mitigate erosion. • Some meaningful soil and water conservation strategies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a form of land degradation, soil erosion directly threatens the sustainability of natural resources and the environment. The impacts of humans on soil erosion are profound and complex, especially in the areas with frequent human activities. Moreover, the great variability of human activities at the spatial and time scales precludes a comprehensive understanding of how humans affect regional erosion. This study evaluated soil erosion by water from 1985 to 2015 occurring in South China, which is densely populated and has been intensively exploited, based on the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) and multisource data including remote sensing images, meteorological station information and geographic data. A quantitative method combining traceability thinking and residual trend approach was employed to distinguish the relative contributions of climate change and human activities. The results showed that the average amount of soil erosion exhibited a significant decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015, which was consistent with the national water census data and previous studies. Anthropogenic factors played a more vital role than natural variables in the evolution of soil erosion, the multiyear average contribution of which was 63.90%. The area in which anthropogenic factors alleviated soil erosion covered approximately 83.70% of the study area. These results indicate that soil and water conservation practices have made outstanding contributions to the reduction of soil erosion in South China. However, the impacts of the expansion of building land and the development of plantations on aggravating soil erosion cannot be ignored. For future soil erosion control, we observed the diminishing marginal effect of investments in soil and water conservation, and a higher governance potential in the severely eroded regions, which made the severely eroded poor land a primary for comprehensive ecological management. This study aims to provide valuable insights for decision makers in South China to better understand the impacts of humans on the evolution of soil erosion and could provide scientific support for reducing regional soil loss and enhancing the sustainable development of the ecological environment. • Soil erosion in South China exhibited a clearly decreasing trend from 1985 to 2015. • Anthropogenic factors played a more impactful role than natural variables. • The effect of human activities was more likely to mitigate erosion. • Some meaningful soil and water conservation strategies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pedodiversity was higher in southern China than northern China. • Analysis unit sizes had little effect on spatial pattern analysis of pedodiversity. • Overall, parent material and topography were major driving factors of pedodiversity. Knowledge of pedodiversity is essential for the protection and management of soil resources. The analysis of regional pedodiversity is typically based on analysis units of different sizes. However, the effect of analysis unit size on regional pedodiversity studies remains unclear. In this paper, the effects of analysis unit size on the studies of spatial distribution characteristics of pedodiversity and its major driving factor in China were studied based on two levels of geomorphological regions. A combined method encompassing the moving window, soil richness, and Shannon index was used to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of pedodiversity in China. A geographical detector was used to determine a major driving factor of pedodiversity in each geomorphological region. The spatial distribution pattern of pedodiversity based on two levels of geomorphological regions both showed that pedodiversity was highest in southern China, followed by northern China, and lowest in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which indicated that analysis unit sizes had little effect on the study on spatial distribution pattern of pedodiversity. The major driving factor analysis of pedodiversity based on first-order geomorphological regions showed that the major driving factor in China, except for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was parent material. However, the results based on second-order geomorphological regions showed that the major driving factors of pedodiversity, except for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, were parent material and topography in hilly regions, topography in mountainous regions, and parent material in regions occupied by alluvial landforms, aeolian landforms, or karst landforms. The driving factor analysis of pedodiversity based on the two levels of geomorphological regions suggested that the effect of the analysis unit sizes on the major driving factor study was significant. The results of this study are an important supplement for pedodiversity studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]