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The digital economy and the pursuit of carbon peak and carbon neutrality have emerged as crucial focal points for China's future development. However, the intricate relationship between the digital economy and carbon intensity remains uncertain. Based on the construction of the digital economy evaluation index system, using panel data for 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019, this study estimates the impact of the digital economy development on carbon intensity by adopting the system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) technique. The results show that the digital economy can effectively reduce the carbon intensity. This conclusion was supported by robustness tests. However, the carbon emission reduction effect of the digital economy exhibits heterogeneity with respect to the digital economy dimensions and regions. In addition to digital industrialization and industrial digitization reducing the carbon intensity, the digital economy development carrier has an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship with carbon intensity. Additionally, the digital economy has a more obvious inhibitory effect on carbon intensity in the eastern region. Most importantly, besides the mediating effects of technological progress and financial development, this paper finds that the digital economy can increase carbon intensity through human capital accumulation. These conclusions provide a certain scientific basis for the effective implementation of China's digital economy and carbon peak and carbon–neutral development strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic milking systems (AMSs) for medium and large dairy farms in China require manual assistance to attach the teat cup, which greatly affects the milking efficiency and labor costs. In this regard, it is necessary to realize the automatic completion of cow teat attachment work. To address this issue, the authors developed a teat cup attachment robot for an AMS based on the theory of the solution of inventive problems (TRIZ). Specifically, we developed an enhanced algorithm for teat detection and designed a six-degree-of-freedom manipulator with integrated drive control. The design parameters were simulated and analyzed to validate their efficacy, while the rationality of the manipulator's movement during teat cup attachment was verified. The maximum displacement and angle error of the cup was 1.625 mm and 1.216 mm, respectively, as verified by the teat cup attachment error test. A dynamic response test showed that the manipulator could follow the teat of the cow in real time. The attachment time for teat cups was 21 s per cow, with a success rate of 98%. The performance of the teat cup attachment robot was capable of meeting the automatic attachment teat cup needs for medium and large dairy farms during milking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether a stock market should matter or not when monetary policy is concerned seems to be a controversial issue. The purpose of this study is to indicate whether the central bank should use monetary policy to help the stock market or not. Based on macroeconomic data such as interest rate and the stock market, we adopt a novel Bayesian time-varying regression model and determine that the impact of interest rate changes on stock returns varies over time in China, after controlling various macroeconomic factors. Although on average interest rates negatively impact stock price returns, they tend to have an abnormal positive effect at market high points, following a time-varying dynamic pattern. Surprisingly, during periods of overheated economic development, an increase in interest rates cannot suppress the rise in stock prices. Therefore, policymakers need to pay attention when accelerating the marketisation of interest rates and initiating the preventive role of timely and strategic adjustment of interest rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine if the incentive policies of prefabricated buildings in China are well distributed and if the policies reasonably match the development of prefabricated buildings. In applying a policy tools perspective, we will establish an indicator evaluation system of incentive policies of prefabricated buildings, which includes area award and construction link, financial, land, link, and technical support. We then use the Grey Relation Analysis Method to establish the evaluation model, which we then apply to evaluate and analyze the text data of incentive policies for prefabricated buildings in various provinces in the period 2016–2018. In drawing on the results of the evaluation model, we put forward policy suggestions that will promote the high-quality development of the prefabricated construction industry. These include the following: provinces should reasonably select or formulate incentive policies in accordance with their own actual conditions; governments at all levels should improve demand policies that are currently absent; they should also pay attention to the balance of incentive policies at all levels of the industrial chain and also increase the policy support that is currently available to the management personnel and operators of prefabricated construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national policy of peak carbon dioxide emission and carbon neutrality has pointed out the technological direction for the development of the petroleum industry in China. In order to efficiently utilize CO2 gas source to enhance oil recovery, n-butylamine is taken as the plugging channeling agent for experiment study to plug the produced channeling-path during the process of CO2 flooding in ultra-low permeability reservoir. The contents of the experiment included three parts: reaction mechanism of n-butylamine with CO2, evaluation of the injection performance of n-butylamine, and the extent of enhanced oil recovery after plugging the gas channeling by using n-butylamine. Reaction product of n-butylamine and CO2 is white solid, which is a type of organic urea so that it can be used to plug the gas channeling. N-butylamine has a good injection performance after adding protecting slug on the condition of high temperature. 80% of the whole volume of core can be spread after injecting 0.3 PV of n-butylamine. During plugging and displacement experiment of heterogeneous cores, oil recovery can be greatly enhanced by 25–30% after injecting n-butylamine. Experimental results show that it can provide a new train of thought for the gas injection development of fractured, heterogeneous and ultra-low permeability reservoirs by using n-butylamine to plug the high permeability area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In attempting to understand the media influence on the intention of sustainable commuting, this study integrated the media use and dependency theories and the norm activation model. Specifically, this study developed a research model that consists of online and offline environmental media use, media dependency, an awareness of consequences, the ascription of responsibility, personal norms, and the intention of sustainable commuting. Based on a quota sample of 1,264 commuters in China, this study found that online and offline environmental media use and media dependency were directly and indirectly associated with the intention of sustainable commuting. The indirect paths were mediated by an awareness of consequences, the ascription of responsibility, and personal norms. The implications of these findings were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of industrial structure adjustment and scarce land resources, China has experienced a sharp rise in the number of real estate projects developed on industrial brownfields (REDIB). To date, several new policies and projects have been developed for such real estate. Although their success depends on public acceptance, there is little quantitative research on whether the public is willing to support these projects. This study extends the standard theory of planned behavior (TPB) model by including trust and risk perception to determine which factors influence REDIB purchase intention and provide a basis for policy formulation and redevelopment strategies. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze 338 valid survey responses from Chinese residents. The empirical results show that in the original TPB model, consumer attitude is the main factor affecting intention to acquire; interestingly, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are not significant. In addition, expanding the theory of planned behavior using risk perception and trust as additional features significantly improves the interpretability of the standard model. These findings provide important insights for understanding purchase intention regarding real estate projects developed on industrial brownfields. Policy recommendations and strategies for further industrial brownfield redevelopment are proposed based on our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is restricted regarding impacts of biomass burning (BB) on fine aerosol (PM 2.5), due mainly to lack of specific BB tracers. This study aims to characterize the variability, distributions, and contributions of BB and fungal spores as sources of PM 2.5 using a multiple organic tracer approach. PM 2.5 samples were collected at four representative sites in Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China every 6 days for one year. In the laboratory, samples were analyzed for three anhydrides (levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan), two sugar alcohols (arabitol and mannitol), water-soluble inorganic ions, and elemental/organic carbon (EC/OC). Levoglucosan was the most abundant BB tracer (mean concentration = 81 ng/m3), and fungal spore tracers arabitol and mannitol had similar abundances (5.6 and 5.7 ng/m3, respectively). Anhydrides and sugar alcohols had high within-group correlations, indicating their respective common sources. Concentrations of tracers displayed large temporal variations but small spatial variations, suggesting strong seasonality in BB and fungal spore sources. BB sources were burning of grass, pine needles, hardwood and crop straw, which were originated from transboundary/cross-region transport and local fire spots. PCA analyses revealed that the common sources of fine aerosols in YRD were secondary inorganic aerosols, soil dust, BB and fungal spores. Image 1 • Multiple organic tracers were measured for biomass burning (BB) and fungal spores. • Tracers displayed large temporal variations but small spatial variations. • BB tracers peaked in winter, and fungal spore tracers peaked in summer. • BB types were burning of pine needles, hardwood, softwood, and crop straws. • BB accounted for 43% of total variance in PCA analysis on an annual basis. BB and fungal spore tracers exhibited strong seasonality and day-to-day variation, respectively; while their spatial variation was small, indicating larger contributions from regional sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial distribution and seasonal variations of methylmercury (MeHg) in Wen-Rui-Tang (WRT) River network were investigated by monitoring the MeHg concentrations in surface water samples collected from 30 sites across the river network over four seasons. Detection frequencies and concentrations of MeHg were generally higher in January, indicating that low sunlight irradiation, wind speed, and temperature conditions might enhance the persistence of MeHg in surface water. The MeHg levels varied with sampling locations, with the highest concentrations being observed in the industrial area especially around wastewater outfall, revealing that the mercury contamination in WRT River mainly comes from the industrial wastewater. Photodegradation of MeHg in WRT River surface water and the effects of natural constituents such as fulvic acid (FA), ferric ions (Fe), nitrate (NO ), and dissolved oxygen on the MeHg photodegradation in aqueous solutions were studied under the simulated sunlight. The experimental data indicated that the indirect photodecomposition of MeHg occurred in WRT River surface water. Photodegradation of MeHg in FA solution was initiated by triplet FA* or MeHg-FA* via electron transfer interaction under light irradiations. The Fe and NO can absorb light energy to produce ·OH and enhance the photochemical degradation of MeHg. The MeHg photodecompositions in FA, nitrate, and Fe solutions were markedly accelerated after removing the dissolved oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Influences of one sewage sludge on degradation of hexazinone and formation of its major metabolites were investigated in four forest soils (A, B, C and D), collected in Zhejiang Province, China. In non-amended forest soils, the degradation half-life of hexazinone was 21.4, 30.4, 19.4 and 32.8 days in forest soil A, B, C and D, respectively. Degradation could start in soil A and C without lag period because the two soils had been contaminated by this herbicide for a long time, possibly leading to completion of acclimation period of hexazinone-degrading bacteria. In forest soils amended with sewage sludge, the degradation rate constant increased by 17.3% in soil A, 48.2% in soil B, 8.1% in soil C and 51.6% in soil D, respectively. The higher degradation rates (soil A and C) in non-amended soils accord with the lower rate increase in sewage sludge-amended soils. Under non-sterile conditions, biological mechanism accounted for 51.8–62.4% of hexazinone degradation in four soils. Under sterile conditions, the four soils had the similar chemical degradation capacity for hexazinone. In non-amended soil B, only one metabolite (B) was detected, while two metabolites (B and C) were found in sewage sludge-amended soil B. Similarly situated in agricultural soils, N-demethylation at 6-position of triazine ring, hydroxylation at the 4-positon of cyclohexyl group, and removal of the dimethylamino group with formation of a carbonyl group at 6-position of triazine ring appear to be the principal mechanism involved in hexazinone degradation in sewage sludge-amended forest soils. These data will improve understanding of the actual pollution risk as a result of forest soil fertilization with sewage sludge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Preferences or dislikes for specific numbers are ubiquitous in human society. In traditional Chinese culture, people show special preference for some numbers, such as 6, 8, 10, 100, 200, etc. By analyzing the data of 6.8 million users of Sina Weibo, one of the largest online social media platforms in China, we discover that users exhibit a distinct preference for the number 200, i.e., a significant fraction of users prefer to follow 200 friends. This number, which is very close to the Dunbar number that predicts the cognitive limit on the number of stable social relationships, motivates us to investigate how the preference for numbers in traditional Chinese culture is reflected on social media. We systematically portray users who prefer 200 friends and analyze their several important social features, including activity, popularity, attention tendency, regional distribution, economic level, and education level. We find that the activity and popularity of users with the preference for the number 200 are relatively lower than others. They are more inclined to follow popular users, and their social portraits change relatively slowly. Besides, users who have a stronger preference for the number 200 are more likely to be located in regions with underdeveloped economies and education. That indicates users with the preference for the number 200 are likely to be vulnerable groups in society and are easily affected by opinion leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cai, L. and Wang, C., 2020. Spatial and temporal evolution of energy efficiency in coastal areas of China based on super efficiency DEA model. In: Wan, Z. (ed.), Coordinated Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas: Environment and Economy. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 109, pp. 216–222. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. This paper takes the unexpected output into the input-output index system, applies super efficiency DEA to calculate the total factor energy efficiency of 11 coastal provinces in China from 2008 to 2018. Based on the measurement and analysis of industrial structure advanced degree and industrial structure rationality degree of each province, this paper analyzes coupling coordination relationship between energy efficiency and spatial characteristics of industrial structure of the 11 provinces in China's coastal areas in 2018 with the coupling coordination degree model, and then relevant suggestions are put forward according to the calculation results. The results show that: (1) in terms of time series, the overall energy efficiency of the provinces and cities in China's coastal areas shows a slow downward trend, but the overall gap is widening. Among them, Shanghai and Guangdong have always been at a higher level of energy efficiency. (2) as for spatial differentiation, the energy efficiency of China's coastal areas is basically north-south symmetrical pattern, which to a certain extent shows that the energy utilization efficiency of each province or city is consistent with regional economic strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PM 2.5 , SO 2 , NO x and carbonaceous species were constrained by control measures. • SNA concentrations increased due to favorable synoptic conditions. • Non-exhaust emission was not reduced during the control period. • Air masses from inland China had impacts on the study domain. A field campaign was conducted to study the PM 2.5 and atmospheric gases and aerosol's components to evaluate the efficacy of radical measures implemented by the Chinese government to improve air quality during the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou China. The lower level of PM 2.5 (32.48 ± 11.03 µg/m3) observed during the control period compared to pre-control and post-control periods showed that PM 2.5 was alleviated by control policies. Based on the mass concentrations of particulate components, the emissions of PM 2.5 from local sources including fossil fuel, coal combustion, industry and construction were effectively reduced, but non-exhaust emission was not reduced as effectively as expected. The accumulation of SNA (SO 4 2−, NO 3 −, NH 4 +) was observed during the control period, due to the favourable synoptic weather conditions for photochemical reactions and heterogeneous hydrolysis. Because of transboundary transport during the control period, air masses from remote areas contributed significantly to local PM 2.5. Although, secondary organic carbon (OC sec) exhibited more sensitivity than primary organic carbon (OC pri) to control measures, and the increased nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) implied the regional transport of aged secondary aerosols to the study area. Overall, the results from various approaches revealed that local pollution sources were kept under control, indicating that the implementation of mitigation measures were helpful in improving the air quality of Hangzhou during G20 summit. To reduce ambient levels of PM 2.5 further in Hangzhou, regional control policies may have to be taken so as to reduce the impact of long-range transport of air masses from inland China. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] As an important vehicle activity recognition method, vehicle specific power (VSP) has been widely used for on-road traffic emission modelling since its introduction in 1999. The conventional VSP (VSP_veh) is calculated from externally observable variables (EOVs) on the vehicle level and represents the power that a running vehicle needs to overcome. However, for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with two power sources, vehicle activity is not always directly related to engine emissions. This study introduces the engine level VSP (VSP_eng), which estimates engine power from internally observable variables (IOVs) obtained from the vehicle's on-board electronic control unit (ECU). An engine bench test is first implemented to validate the estimation algorithm for VSP_eng. A real-world driving emission (RDE) test is then conducted with a HEV in Ningbo city of China to evaluate the performance of VSP_veh and VSP_eng in emission estimation. The results show a strong correlation between emission and VSP_eng (R2 = 0.9783), while a much weaker correlation was found between emission and VSP_veh (R2 = 0.4216). Further analysis indicates that this strong correlation between emission and VSP_eng applies to all driving conditions (urban, rural and highway). The differences between VSP_veh and VSP_eng are then highlighted by a combined correlation analysis where the four work modes of HEV can be graphically identified. Lastly, this study discusses the feasibility and potential benefits of the intelligent and remote vehicle emissions monitoring through the upcoming vehicle to everything (V2X) network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive year-round field campaign was conducted in the coastal city of Ningbo, China to examine the driving factors of oxidative potential (OP) of PM 2.5 and hence its potential health impacts. Using dithiothreitol (DTT) cell-free assay, OP of water-soluble (OPws) and methanol-soluble components (OPmeth) of PM 2.5 -based samples were measured. Volume-normalised OP (OP v ws and OP v meth) were higher in heating seasons, and mass-normalised OP (OP m ws and OP m meth) peaked in summer. Five sources were identified to be DTT active in OP v ws, with road dust (RD) being dominant, while four sources contributed to OP v meth, with industrial emission (IE) as the largest contributor. Water extracted more toxic components from RD while toxic components in IE and vehicle emission (VE) were more soluble in methanol. We further compared OP values between PM 2.5 of similar concentrations and observed that OP v ws prevailed in PM 2.5 toxicity during clean days (PM 2.5 concentration < 38.5 µg m−3), while OP v meth became dominant when PM 2.5 concentration was larger than 69.1 µg m−3, implying the need to extract whole PM 2.5 using both solvents to develop the mitigation strategy for reducing the overall PM 2.5 toxicity. Efforts should be devoted to controlling the emissions from dominant sources of both OP indicators in specific episode. [Display omitted] • Road dust dominated OP v ws, while industry and vehicle emissions governed OP v meth. • OP v ws and OP v meth prevailed PM 2.5 toxicity in respective clean and polluted days. • O 3 , selected metals and ions drove OP v ws under high Temp, RH and sun radiation. • OP v meth was affected by high-molecular-weight PAHs, Ni, Co, and Cl-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize PM 2.5 -bound trace elements in Northern Zhejiang Province (NZP), one of the most economically prosperous regions in China, and assess the associated health risks for the general populations. A year-long sampling campaign was conducted at four sites representative of urban, suburban, and rural areas of NZP. The average of the sum of twenty trace elements in PM 2.5 was 2.8 ± 0.4 μg m−3, dominated by K, Al, Fe, Mg, Zn, and V (>100 ng m−3). The highest total elements' concentration occurred in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer. Enrichment factors and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the major sources of trace elements in NZP were fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, crustal dust, traffic, and industrial emissions. Elevated concentrations of certain elements reflected featured sources in different areas, e.g., V and Ni from heavy oil combustion in the port city, and Cu, Fe and Ba from traffic emissions in urban areas. Arsenic (As) represented the major non-cancer risk driver as its hazard quotient was 8.7. The cumulative cancer risk from all the carcinogenic elements was 1.7 × 10−3 in NZP, exceeding the upper limit (10−4) of the acceptable risk range. As and Cr contributed 33% and 66%, respectively, and thus were regarded as cancer risk drivers. The high health risks from PM 2.5 -bound elements warrant future actions to control their emissions in this region. Priorities should target industrial operations and coal combustion emissions, as informed by the risk drivers. [Display omitted] • Trace element levels exhibited a seasonality of winter > autumn > spring > summer. • Elements were mostly anthropogenic except for Mg, Sr, and Fe. • Shipping emissions dominated the port city. • Arsenic was the non-cancer risk driver with a hazard quotient of 8.7. • The cumulative cancer risk was 1.7 × 10−3, with chromium and arsenic as drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the dual challenges of global downward economic pressure and the COVID-19 pandemic, studying the impact of local government fiscal pressure on public health is a meaningful endeavor. First, this paper analyzes the impact of local government fiscal pressure on public health and clarifies its impact mechanisms. Second, by utilizing panel data of 31 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2020, two-way fixed-effects and mediating-effects models are developed to identify the effects and impact mechanisms of local government fiscal pressure on public health. The results show that local government fiscal pressure can be detrimental to public health through three main mechanisms: reducing public health fiscal expenditures, hindering industrial structure upgrading, and exacerbating environmental pollution. Heterogeneity analysis finds that the negative effects of local government fiscal pressure on public health mainly exist in Central and Western China. Accordingly, three policy implications are proposed: optimizing the fiscal system, accelerating industrial upgrading, and improving the appraisal system of local officers.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have gained attention because of their environmental persistence and effects on ecosystems, animals, and human health. They are mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic. The review provides background knowledge about their sources, metabolism, temporal variations, and size distribution in atmospheric particulate matter. The review article briefly discusses the analytical methods suitable for the extraction, characterization, and quantification of nonpolar and polar PAHs, addressing the challenges. Herein, we discussed the molecular diagnostic ratios (DRs), stable carbon isotopic analysis (SCIA), and receptor models, with much emphasis on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, for apportioning PAH sources. Among which, DRs and PCA identified as the most widely employed method, but their accuracy for PAH source identification has received global criticism. Therefore, the review recommends compound-specific isotopic analysis (CSIA) and PMF as the best alternative methods to provide detailed qualitative and quantitative source analysis. The compound-specific isotopic signatures are not affected by environmental degradation and are considered promising for apportioning PAH sources. However, isotopic fractions of co-eluted compounds like polar PAHs and aliphatic hydrocarbons make the PAHs isotopic fractions interpretation difficult. The interference of unresolved complex mixtures is a limitation to the application of CSIA for PAH source apportionment. Hence, for CSIA to further support PAH source apportionment, fast and cost-effective purification techniques with no isotopic fractionation effects are highly desirable. The present review explains the concept of stable carbon isotopic analysis (SCIA) relevant to PAH source analysis, identifying the techniques suitable for sample extract purification. We demonstrate how the source apportioned PAHs can be applied in assessing the health risk of PAHs using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model, and in doing so, we identify the key factors that could undermine the accuracy of the ILCR and research gaps that need further investigation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they have no known competing financial interest or personal relationship that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this review paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The chemotactic properties of an oil-degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 6-1B, isolated from Daqing Oilfield, China, have been investigated. The strain 6-1B could grow well in crude oil with a specific rhamnolipid biosurfactant production. Furthermore, it exhibits chemotaxis toward various substrates, including glycine, glycerol, glucose, and sucrose. Compared with another oil-degrading strain, T7-2, the strain 6-1B presented a better chemotactic response towards crude oil and its vital component, n -alkenes. Based on the observed distribution of the strain 6-1B cells around the oil droplet in the chemotactic assays, the potential chemotaxis process of bacteria toward crude oil could be summarized in the following steps: searching, moving and consuming., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors do not report any financial or personal connections with other persons or organizations, which might negatively affect the contents of this publication and/or claim authorship rights to this publication., (© 2021 Kaiqiang Liang et al.)

This retrospective study explored the risk factors for the occurrence of seizures in the pre- and postoperative period in patients undergoing supratentorial meningiomas surgery to investigate those who are likely to benefit from prophylactic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We reviewed the medical records of 778 supratentorial meningiomas patients who were operated at our institution between 2011 and 2012. A total of 100 (12.9%) patients experienced preoperative seizures; 41 patients (5.3%) experienced postoperative in-hospital seizures, and 91 (13.5%, n = 673) patients experienced postoperative seizures after discharge. Multivariate analysis revealed that motor cortex involvement (odds ratio [OR] 3.243, P < 0.001) and peritumoral edema ≥ 1 cm (OR 3.936, P < 0.001) were significant risk factors of preoperative seizures. Whereas presenting with headache (OR 0.259, P < 0.001) and age ≥ 55 years at surgery (OR 0.514, P = 0.009) showed decreased incidence of preoperative seizures. The involvement of motor cortex (OR 3.290, P = 0.003), postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) ≤ 70 (OR 5.389, P < 0.001), preoperative seizure (OR 4.003, P < 0.001), and occurrence of any medical/surgical complication (OR 3.925, P = 0.001) were significant risk factors for postoperative in-hospital seizures. Postoperative seizures after discharge were associated with tumor maximal diameter ≥ 3.5 cm (OR 1.903, P = 0.022), preoperative seizures (OR 4.350, P < 0.001), postoperative in-hospital seizures (OR 6.385, P < 0.001), and tumor recurrence/progression (OR 7.642, P < 0.001). The probability of seizure freedom in the 5-year follow-up was roughly 59% among patients with preoperative seizures, and 87% among patients without preoperative seizures. Cox regression analysis showed that tumor recurrence/progression (relative risk 2.987, 95% CI 1.517, 5.879, P = 0.002) was the only predictor of postoperative seizures in patients without a history of preoperative epilepsy. The use of postoperative prophylactic antiepileptic drug (AED) did not reduce the incidence of seizures in our analysis. Understanding the risk factors for seizures might help clinicians to predict their occurrence and develop effective anti-epileptic treatment strategies. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the risk factors for seizures and the efficacy of AED prophylaxis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the surgical results and long-term outcomes of encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis for moyamoya disease in pediatric patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of 67 pediatric patients with moyamoya disease who underwent encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The case series included 36 boys and 31 girls. All the patients underwent surgical revascularization, and a total of 93 encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis procedures were performed (41 unilateral, 26 bilateral). The mean follow-up period after surgery was 30 months. During follow-up, ischemic stroke events were detected in 5 patients and the stroke rate for pediatric patients who underwent encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis procedure was 7.1% per patient-years. At the last follow-up, favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2) were observed in 65 cases (97.0%). Our study suggests that long-term surgical outcome of encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis in pediatric moyamoya disease patients is satisfactory, and this technique has a positive impact on the prevention of stroke recurrence.