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Numerous scholars are devoted to investigating the technology acceptance model (TAM) and its extensions, but a comprehensive TAM is still under investigation. This study aims to formulate a relatively comprehensive model by including personal investment and identify factors that influence students' adoption of CCtalk-aided English as a foreign language (EFL) courses. This study tests the proposed model based on data collected from 771 participants in China using CCtalk to acquire EFL. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis are conducted to identify the designed model measurement. Coefficients of determination and path analyses are adopted to access the model fit index and path hypotheses. This study reveals the following results: (1) Perceived ease of use ([beta] = 0.033, P < 0.001) and perceived usefulness ([beta] = 0.04, P < 0.001) of CCtalk-aided EFL courses significantly influence attitudes towards using CCtalk-aided EFL courses; (2) Attitude towards using ([beta] = 0.028, P < 0.001), perceived ease of use([beta] = 0.019, P < 0.01),and personal investment ([beta] = 0.04, P < 0.001) in the use of CCtalk-aided EFL courses significantly influence behavioral intention to use CCtalk-aided EFL courses; (3) Self-efficacy ([beta] = 0.061, P < 0.001), and relevance ([beta] = 0.08, P < 0.001) of CCtalk-aided EFL courses significantly influence perceived ease of use of CCtalk-aided EFL courses; (4) Social influence ([beta] = 0.046, P < 0.001), personal investment ([beta] = 0.074, P < 0.01), relevance ([beta] = 0.069, P < 0.001), and perceived ease of use ([beta] = 0.035, P < 0.001) of CCtalk-aided EFL courses significantly influence the perceived usefulness of CCtalk-based EFL courses. This research may provide enlightenment to the future research of a comprehensive TAM.

Using Chinese characters, we investigated how stroke count and frequency of use influence attention and short-term memory (STM) encoding in Mainland Chinese speakers. To isolate specific components of attention we employed the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA), which allowed estimates of STM capacity, processing speed, and the threshold of visual perception. An analysis of TVA parameters revealed that familiarity affects both the memory capacity and processing speed of objects, whereas the threshold for visual perception remained unaffected. Interestingly, our results also indicate that modulation of attention is driven solely by familiarity with the characters, independent of the actual physical aspect of Chinese characters. We propose that mental categories and prior knowledge play a vital role in the processing of information in attention, as well as in how this information is stored and represented in visual STM.

Current global climate models (GCMs), limited to grid‐scale land‐atmosphere coupling, cannot represent subgrid urban‐rural precipitation contrasts. This study develops an innovative two‐way subgrid land‐atmosphere coupling framework in the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Earth System Model version 2 (CESM2) to explicitly resolve land‐atmosphere interaction over subgrid individual land units. Results show that urban heat island (UHI) leads to the urban rainfall effect (URE), which in turn alleviates overestimated UHI over China in CESM2. The URE manifests as a shift toward more heavy precipitation and less light precipitation in world urban areas than in surrounding rural counterparts. This feature is consistent with available observations. In heavy precipitation situations, the UHI promotes atmospheric instability and enhances atmospheric water vapor holding capacity, resulting in more heavy precipitation in urban areas. Conversely, in light precipitation situations, the UHI and decreased evaporation from urban impermeable surfaces diminish atmospheric relative humidity, suppressing light precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Given the grid‐scale land‐atmosphere coupling (operating at a scale of ∼100–200 km), all the current global climate models cannot represent precipitation over urban areas. This obstructs the explicit simulation and future projections of precipitation in world urban regions, where over half of the world's population resides and a substantial portion of economic activities occurs. To address this issue, this study develops a novel land‐atmosphere coupling framework that explicitly allows land‐atmosphere interaction over individual land units within the grid cell in global climate models. The modeling results show a greater daily average of precipitation intensities on precipitation days in urban areas than in rural areas due to urban warming, with a shift toward more heavy precipitation and less light precipitation. These findings indicate an escalation in the risk of extreme precipitation and flooding in urban regions around the globe, as urban land continues to expand. Key Points: A novel framework of two‐way subgrid land‐atmosphere coupling for GCMs is developed and implemented in CESM2Overestimated urban heat island over China in CESM2 is significantly alleviated by explicitly representing urban rainfall effectsWorld urban regions feature more heavy precipitation and less light precipitation than the surrounding rural areas [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apparently, understanding airway management status may help to reduce risk and improve clinical practice. Given these facts, our team conducted a second survey on the current status of airway management for mainland China following our 2016 national airway survey. The national survey was conducted from November 7 to November 28, 2022. An electronic survey was sent to the New Youth Anesthesia Forum, where Chinese anesthesiologists completed the questionnaire via WeChat. A total of 3783 respondents completed the survey, with a response rate of 72.14%. So far, in 2022, 34.84% of anesthesiologists canceled or delayed surgery at least once due to difficult airway. For the anticipated difficult airway management, 66.11% of physicians would choose awake intubation under sedation and topical anesthesia, while the percentage seeking help has decreased compared to the 2016 survey. When encountering an emergency, 74.20% of respondents prefer to use the needle cricothyrotomy, albeit less than a quarter have actually performed it. Anesthesiologists with difficult airway training experience reached 72.96%, with a significant difference in participation between participants in Tier 3 hospitals and those in other levels of hospitals (P < 0.001). The videolaryngoscope, laryngeal mask, and flexible intubation scope were equipped at 97.18%, 95.96%, and 62.89%, respectively. Additionally, the percentage of brain damage or death caused by difficult airways was significantly decreased. The study may be the best reference for understanding the current status of airway management in China, revealing the current advancements and deficiencies. The future focus of airway management remains on training and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically examines the representation of female venture capitalists (VCs) on boards and how they exert substantial influence on firm innovation performance in China. We first identify a positive association between female VCs' board participation and firm innovation, implying that Chinese female VCs contribute to growing resource commitments and greater success in innovation through quality board services in portfolio firms. We then show that firms with female VC board directors exhibit a lower adverse effect of managerial myopia, capital market pressure, and product market competition on innovation activities. These results are robust to the use of instrumental variable (IV) estimations, subsamples, and alternative variable definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Independent innovation emphasizes the self-reliance and control of all key links. Slack resources within an organization, especially for innovation, are the critical resources that are controllable for independent innovation. However, existing research still lacks evidence on the areas of slack innovation resources and independent innovation for deeper exploration. This research addresses this gap by providing an empirical analysis of the relationship between R&D human resource slack and firms' independent innovation. Based on the unbalanced panel data of China's listed manufacturing firms for eleven years, this research explores the effects of R&D human resource slack on firms' independent innovation, the mediating mechanism of technological diversification, and the boundary effects of top management team functional heterogeneity. The results reveal that R&D human resource slack positively affects firms' independent innovation; R&D human resource slack can promote firms' independent innovation through related technological diversification, while the mediating effect of unrelated technological diversification is not statistically significant; the top management team functional heterogeneity strengthens the positive impact of R&D human resource slack on firm independent innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China experienced an overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic from middle December 2022 to middle January 2023 after lifting the zero-COVID-19 policy on December 7, 2022. However, the infection rate was less studied. We aimed to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in children shortly after discontinuation of the zero-COVID-19 policy. Methods: From February 20 to April 10, 2023, we included 393 children aged 8 months to less than 3 years who did not receive COVID-19 vaccination and 114 children aged 3 to 6 years who received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines based on the convenience sampling in this cross-sectional study. IgG and IgM antibodies against nucleocapsid (N) and subunit 1 of spike (S1) of SARS-CoV-2 (anti-N/S1) were measured with commercial kits (Shenzhen YHLO Biotech, China). Results: Of the 393 unvaccinated children (1.5 ± 0.6 years; 52.2% boys), 369 (93.9%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. Of the 114 vaccinated children (5.3 ± 0.9 years; 48.2% boys), 112 (98.2%) were anti-N/S1 IgG positive. None of the unvaccinated or vaccinated children was anti-N/S1 IgM positive. The median IgG antibody titers in vaccinated children (344.91 AU/mL) were significantly higher than that in unvaccinated children (42.80 AU/mL) (P < 0.0001). The positive rates and titers of anti-N/S1 IgG had no significant difference between boys and girls respectively. Conclusion: Vast majority of children were infected with SARS-CoV-2 shortly after ending zero-COVID-19 policy in China. Whether these unvaccinated infected children should receive COVID-19 vaccine merits further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population aging and housing price can affect household consumption, and population aging can indirectly affect household consumption through housing price. This study uses panel data from 31 provinces and cities in China between 2001 and 2018 to construct a panel vector autoregression model for analyzing the impact of population aging and housing price on household consumption level. We determine that population aging and housing price positively impact household consumption level, and population aging also has a positive effect on housing price. The mediating effect model using time series data from 2001 to 2018, with housing price as the mediating variable reveals that population aging directly increases household consumption level, and indirectly increases it through housing price. Finally, this study proposes suggestions such as optimizing the population structure, improving the housing system, and advancing the development of the older adult industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the health benefits of better air quality by examining the causal impact of China's stringent " 2 + 26 " regional air pollution control policy on local air quality and population health. Employing a spatial regression discontinuity design that capitalizes on the policy's location-specific features, we present compelling evidence that the 2 + 26 policy results in an average reduction of 12.2 units in the local Air Quality Index (AQI) and a 47.0% decrease in per capita medical expenditure from 2014 to 2018. A one-unit reduction in AQI corresponds to a 0.88% reduction in per capita annual medical spending, equivalent to RMB 30.2 (US$4.6). These health gains stem from reduced chronic disease prevalence and improved subjective well-being. Nationally, air quality improvement during 2014–2018 could save RMB 674 billion (US$104 billion) annually in national direct medical costs, constituting 11.6% of national medical expenditure in 2018. Our findings underscore the substantial health and welfare gains achievable through pollution controls in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has made great improvement on subsidizing poverty-stricken students, but the current approaches of granting subsidies is not scientific or humane. Poverty-stricken students who couldn't get sufficient subsidies in suitable ways need some new and more scientific granting approaches, which inspires me to go about this study. The approach, we have introduced, which has been adopted by University of Science and Technology of China, using Big Data, with which college grant subsidies according to scientific investigation and data analysis of students' consumption in school canteens, is the key to resolve this problem. By adopting this approach, colleges and universities will do a better job in aiding poverty-stricken students financially and emotionally, which will be a meaningful improvement.

Blended learning, is a teaching approach that integrates online self-learning and classroom teaching. When designed well, blended learning courses in medicine can facilitate students to improve themselves in self-learning, understanding, and problem solving, ultimately enhancing their learning efficiency. However, blended teaching methods are usually used in only a single course, so it is unclear whether these methods can work well in a variety of basic medical courses. The goal of this study is to explore students' perceptions of whether blended laboratory courses are helpful for them in overcoming the difficulties they experience. Blended laboratory courses were taken by medical students at Guilin Medical University. Approximately 71.1% of the students agreed that online lecture courses improved their understanding of threshold concepts and the underlying theories. The majority of the students (63.01%) held the opinion that the blended laboratory courses were more effective than other types of courses in achieving the knowledge goals. The majority of the teachers believed that students' interest in experimentation operations, hands-on abilities, confidence, and other factors were greatly improved compared with those of students taught using the traditional teaching model (face to face). In addition, the average scores for the quizzes of laboratory courses were significantly improved in the blended learning method compared with the traditional learning method. Blended laboratory courses are successful and welcomed by both students and teachers in undergraduate laboratory courses.

Using the ERA‐5 reanalysis datasets, NCEP/NCAR sea ice concentration (SIC) and observed winter surface wind speed (WSWS) in northwest China during 1979–2020, this study examined the regime shift of the leading mode of observed WSWS in northwest China and investigated its possible link with the winter Barents–Kara Sea (BKS) SIC. The leading mode of observed WSWS in northwest China showed negative anomalies in southern and northeastern Xinjiang, Gansu, western and northern Shaanxi Provinces, and positive anomalies in northwestern and middle Xinjiang, Qinghai and Ningxia Provinces. The signs of WSWS in the leading mode is generally opposite to their trends during 1979–2020. Leading principal component (PC1) of observed WSWS in northwest China underwent an obvious decreasing regime shift in 2003/04, as well as the winter BKS SIC. There are significant correlations between PC1 and BKS SIC on both interdecadal and interannual timescales. Decadal decrease of BKS SIC is accompanied with a positive phase of Scandinavia pattern (SP) with positive anomalies of 500‐hPa geopotential height over subtropical North Atlantic, Arctic‐Ural region and southern Asia, and negative anomalies over northern North Atlantic‐West Europe and Siberia regions. BKS SIC and SP significantly influenced the Northern China Wind Index (NCWI) at 200 hPa on interdecadal timescale, which was related to the PC1 on both interdecadal and interannual timescales after removing the signal of Arctic Oscillation. Meridional configuration of Siberian cyclonic anomaly and southern Asian anticyclonic anomaly associated with the winter BKS SIC could enhance the intensity of NCWI, which favoured the increase of observed WSWS in northwest China and thereby may contribute to the regime shift in 2003/04 of the leading mode. However, there were still some stations showing decreasing regime shift, which mainly located at the region of steeping terrain. These decreasing changes of WSWS may be related to circumfluence effect of terrain, urbanization and local microclimate, and these reasons still need further detailed study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zing-Yang Kuo (1898–1970), hailed as China's behaviorist psychologist, earned "Out-Watsons Mr. Watson" in the international anti-instinct movement. His contributions to the field on behavioral neuroembryology (1929–1939) are often overlooked in comparison to his achievements in psychology. We retrieved the titles of all of Kuo's publications from 1929 to 1939 and examined those related to his research on the origins and development of embryonic behavioral ontogeny and the neural basis of embryonic behavior. Remarkably, Kuo concurrently focused on embryos during the same period as North American neuroembryologists. He maintained an independent stance in the debate over the sequence of behavioral ontogeny, represented by the embryonic neuroscientists Coghill and Windle, and critically pointed out limitations in research on both sides of the debate. Drawing from his experiments with chicken embryos, Kuo proposed the theory of behavioral epigenesis, which attempted to end the nature–nurture dichotomy and promote the transformation of the research path of behavioral embryology from elementary physiological anatomy toward a deep "comprehensive science." Kuo's achievements directly laid the foundation for the interdisciplinary field of developmental psychobiology, constructing a new conceptual framework for the systematic analysis of behavioral development and promoting the establishment and development of a new approach to epiphenotype epigenetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the current situation and development trend of coupling coordination between medical and health resource allocation and service utilization in eastern, central, and western regions and provinces of China, and to provide suggestions for promoting the coordinated development of medical and health resource allocation and service utilization. Methods The related index data of medical and health resource allocation and service utilization from 2018 to 2022 were selected, and the comprehensive development level index and relative development degree were used to evaluate the medical and health resource allocation and service utilization. The coupled coordination degree model was used to analyze the coupling coordination relationship and development trend of the two systems. Results There were significant differences in the comprehensive development level of medical and health resource allocation among provinces, and the overall structure of relative development degree in 2021 was "9-11-11". From 2017 to 2021, the coupling coordination degree of medical and health resource allocation and service utilization decreased, showing a decreasing trend from east to west as a whole. The overall coordination between the allocation of medical and health resources and the utilization of services in China was poor. Only 12 provinces achieved coordinated development in 2021. Xizang was still in the dilemma of serious imbalance. Conclusion It is suggested to improve the accuracy of medical and health resources allocation, reduce the differences in the develop-ment level of resource allocation between provinces, and build a multi-party co-governance pattern. The improvement strategy of coordination level should be accurately formulated according to the relative development of medical and health resource allocation and service utilization in each province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Migration is a strategy that shifts insects to more favorable habitats in response to deteriorating local environmental conditions. The ecological factors that govern insect migration are poorly understood for many species. Plutella xylostella causes great losses in Brassica vegetable and oilseed crops, and undergoes mass migration. However, the physiological and behavioral basis for distinguishing migratory individuals and the factors driving its migration remain unclear. RESULTS: Daily light trap catches conducted from April to July in a field population of P. xylostella in central China revealed a sharp decline in abundance from late‐May. Analysis of ovarian development levels showed that the proportion of sexually immature females gradually increased, while the mating rate decreased, indicating that generations occurring in May mainly resulted from local breeding and that emigration began in late‐May. Physiological and behavioral analyses revealed that emigrant populations had a higher take‐off proportion, stronger flight capacity and greater energy reserves of triglyceride compared to residents. Furthermore, a gradual increase in temperature from 24 °C to >30 °C during larval development resulted in a significant delay in oogenesis and increased take‐off propensity of adults compared with the control treatment reared at a constant temperature of 24 °C. CONCLUSION: Our results provide the physiological and behavioral factors that underpin mass migration in P. xylostella, and demonstrate that exposure to increased temperature increases their migration propensity at the cost of reproductive output. This study sheds light on understanding the factors that influence population dynamics, migratory propensity and reproductive tradeoffs in migratory insects. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retention of doctors is a global challenge and doctors working in different departments may face different problems. The study aimed to explore the turnover behavior and intention and correlated factors among Chinese dentists and medical doctors in other clinical fields. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online in 5 regions of China from March 12th to April 12th, 2020. The questionnaire included 3 parts, socio-demographic characteristics, turnover behavior and intention, and concerns about work-related factors. Chi-square test and/or Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were applied for comparison, and binary logistic regression was used for finding the factors. Results: A total of 2428 eligible questionnaire were received, comprising 1954 responses from dentists and 474 from medical doctors. Rates of turnover behavior among dentists and medical doctors were 2.87% and 6.96%, respectively. Similarly, rates of turnover intention were 51.79% among dentists and 71.20% among medical doctors. Educational level was negatively correlated with turnover behavior of both medical doctors and dentists, and concern about salary was a unique negatively correlated factor for dentists. Age was negatively correlated with turnover intention in both medical doctors and dentists. Conversely, concerns about workload and doctor-patient relationship were positively correlated with turnover intention in both groups. Concern about salary was the distinct correlated factor of medical doctors' turnover intention, while gender and annual household income were correlated with turnover intention among dentists. Conclusions: Low turnover rate but high turnover intention rate was the current status of Chinese doctors' employment. Turnover behavior and intention were more optimistic among dentists than medical doctors. Factors related to turnover behavior and turnover intention were not identical among dentists and medical doctors. Therefore, personalized retention measures were necessary for dentists and medical doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researchers studied humour among Chinese and Greek preschool children in relation to cognitive development. The sample included 55 Chinese children and 50 Greek children ages 4½ to 5½ years. Results showed that both Chinese and Greek children's humour recognition were significantly and positively correlated to their cognitive development, but there was a different correlation pattern between humour response levels and cognitive development. Chinese children's level of humour responses was negatively and moderately correlated to their level of cognitive development in contrast to the positive correlation between these two variables among the Greek children. It would appear that cultural factors play a strong role in determining the correlation between humour response and cognitive development among young children.

This paper studies the current evaluation system for the online training program in meteorology and hydrology. CIPP model that includes context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation and product evaluation differs from Kirkpatrick model including reactions evaluation, learning evaluation, transfer evaluation and results evaluation in that the subject of evaluation is different. We take the advantages of the CIPP model and Kirkpatrick model in constructing an evaluation system for online training programs in meteorology and hydrology held by the WMO Regional Training Centre Nanjing, China so as to improve the effectiveness of the training programs and meet the demand of the national meteorological and hydrological services.

The vegetation ecosystem in the southern hilly region of China (SHRC) plays a crucial role in the country's carbon reservoir. Clarifying the dynamics of net primary productivity (NPP) in this area and its response to climate factors in the context of climate change is important for national forest ecology, management, and carbon neutrality efforts. This study, based on remote sensing and meteorological data spanning the period 2001 to 2021, aims to unveil the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation productivity and climate factors in the southern hilly region, explore interannual variation characteristics of vegetation productivity with altitude, and investigate the response characteristics of NPP to various climate factors. The results indicate that from 2001 to 2021, the annual average NPP in the southern hilly region had a significant increasing trend of 2.13 ± 0.78 g m−2 a−1. The trend of NPP varies significantly with altitude. Despite a general substantial upward trend in vegetation NPP, regions at lower elevations exhibit a faster rate of increase, suggesting a diminishing difference in the NPP of different elevation ranges. The overall rise in average temperature has positive implications for the southern hilly region, while the impact of precipitation on vegetation NPP demonstrates noticeable spatial heterogeneity. Regions in which vegetation NPP is significantly negatively correlated with precipitation are mainly concentrated in the southern areas of Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces. In contrast, other regions further away from the southeastern coast tend to exhibit a positive correlation. Over the past two decades, there has been an asymmetry in the diurnal temperature variation in the SHRC, with the nighttime warming rate being 1.8 times that of the daytime warming rate. The positive impact of daytime warming on NPP of vegetation is more pronounced than the impact of nighttime temperature changes. Understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of NPP in the SHRC and the characteristics of its response to climate factors contributes to enhancing our ability to protect and manage vegetation resources amidst the challenges of global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM), vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, exerts profound impacts on precipitation in East Asia. In recent decades, China has been experiencing rapid urbanization. It has not yet reached a consensus on its influences on EASM. Here, we introduce satellite‐derived urban impervious areas of China during 1985–2017 into two global climate models with contrasting biases of climatological EASM simulation. Both models consistently show that urbanization weakens EASM by increasing surface friction drag. The increased surface roughness reduces climatological southerly winds in the concentrated urbanization area. As a result, moisture convergence occurs south of the concentrated urbanization area with ascending motion, while moisture divergence with descending motion appears to the north, resulting in the precipitation anomalies of "southern flood and northern drought." The dominant role of urban dynamic forcing in regulating EASM is confirmed by reducing urban roughness to the level of croplands in sensitivity experiments. As urban dynamic forcing is largely mitigated, the urbanization impact mainly driven by urban thermal forcing conversely strengthens EASM due to enhanced land‐sea thermal contrast via urbanization‐induced warming. Spatial patterns and magnitudes of the urbanization‐induced EASM weakening vary between the two models due to disparities in their simulations of urban thermodynamic forcing and atmospheric adjustments. These results underscore the robust weakening effect of urbanization on EASM by urban friction drag and document uncertainties in the related spatial pattern and magnitude resulting from model discrepancies. Plain Language Summary: The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) regulates summer precipitation over East Asia, affecting hydrological processes and agriculture. China has been experiencing rapid urbanization, which influences local and regional climates. However, how urbanization in China affects the EASM has not yet reached a consensus. This study introduces satellite‐derived urban expansion from 1985 to 2017 into two global climate models with contrasting features of climatological EASM simulation. Both models consistently show that urbanization weakens the EASM by increasing surface roughness, featuring precipitation changes of "southern flood and northern drought," although urban thermal forcing strengthens EASM. However, spatial patterns and magnitudes of the urbanization‐induced EASM weakening vary between the two models due to disparities in their simulations of urban thermodynamic forcing and subsequent atmospheric adjustments. These results underscore the robust weakening effect of urbanization on EASM by urban dynamic forcing and document uncertainties in the related spatial pattern and magnitude resulting from model discrepancies. The findings in this study provide valuable information for policymakers on the climatic impacts of urban expansion and help to better understand historical and future climate changes due to human activities. Key Points: Rapid urbanization in China from 1985 to 2017 is observed and its impacts on the EASM are explored with two GCMsThe two GCM simulations consistently show that increased urban surface friction drag results in the EASM weakeningDifferent spatial patterns and magnitudes of the EASM weakening between the two GCMs result from model discrepancies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In subtropical shallow lakes, large-scale changes in water temperature lead to seasonal succession of some cryptic rotifer species, and the temporal overlap of other cryptic rotifer species is a common phenomenon. However, in tropical shallow lakes, relatively stable water temperatures throughout the year may not lead to a seasonal succession of cryptic rotifer species, but evidence is scarce. Studies on the temporal distribution patterns of the cryptic Brachionus calyciflorus species in three lakes in China revealed that in the warm-temperate Lake Yunlong, B. fernandoi and B. calyciflorus s.s. underwent a seasonal succession, which was largely attributed to their differential adaptation to water temperature. In the subtropical Lake Jinghu, B. fernandoi, B. calyciflorus s.s., and B. dorcas exhibited both seasonal succession and temporal overlap. Seasonal successions were largely attributed to their differential adaptation to temperature, and temporal overlap resulted from their differential responses to algal food concentration. In the tropical Lake Jinniu, B. calyciflorus s.s. persisted throughout the year and overlapped with B. dorcas for 5 months. The temporal overlap resulted from their differential responses to copepod predation. These results indicated that the temporal distribution pattern of the cryptic B. calyciforus species and the mechanism that allows competitor coexistence vary with different climate zones. Sympatric distribution and temporal overlap of cryptic zooplankton species pose a challenge to the framework of the niche differentiation theory and the mechanisms allowing competitor coexistence. We applied the methods of phylogenetic analysis, DNA taxonomy, and statistical analysis to study the temporal distribution patterns of the cryptic B. calyciflorus species, an excellent model, in three lakes, and to explore the putative mechanisms for their seasonal succession and temporal overlap. The results showed that in the warm-temperate Lake Yunlong, B. fernandoi and B. calyciflorus s.s. underwent a seasonal succession, which was largely attributed to their differential adaptation to water temperature. In the subtropical Lake Jinghu, B. fernandoi, B. calyciflorus s.s., and B. dorcas exhibited both seasonal succession and temporal overlap. Seasonal successions were largely attributed to their differential adaptation to temperature, and temporal overlap resulted from their differential responses to algal food concentration. In the tropical Lake Jinniu, B. calyciflorus s.s. persisted throughout the year and overlapped with B. dorcas for 5 months. The temporal overlap resulted from their differential responses to copepod predation. These results indicated that the temporal distribution pattern of the cryptic B. calyciforus species and the mechanism that allows competitor coexistence vary with different climate zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral diseases are posing threat to annual production and quality of tobacco in China. Recently, tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) has been reported to infect three major crops including tobacco. Current study was aimed to investigate the population dynamics and molecular diversity of the TSWV. In the current study, to assess and identify the prevalence and evolutionary history of TSWV in tobacco crops in China, full-length genome sequences of TSWV isolates from tobacco, were identified and analyzed. Methods: After trimming and validation, sequences of new isolates were submitted to GenBank. We identified the full-length genomes of ten TSWV isolates, infecting tobacco plants from various regions of China. Besides these, six isolates were partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess the relativeness of newly identified sequences and corresponding sequences from GenBank. Recombination and population dynamics analysis was performed using RDP4, RAT, and statistical estimation. Reassortment analysis was performed using MegaX software. Results: Phylogenetic analysis of 41 newly identified sequences, depicted that the majority of the Chinese isolates have separate placement in the tree. RDP4 software predicted that RNA M of newly reported isolate YNKM-2 had a recombinant region spanning from 3111 to 3811 bp. The indication of parental sequences (YNKMXD and YNHHKY) from newly identified isolates, revealed the conservation of local TSWV population. Genetic diversity and population dynamics analysis also support the same trend. RNA M was highlighted to be more capable of mutating or evolving as revealed by data obtained from RDP4, RAT, population dynamics, and phylogenetic analyses. Reassortment analysis revealed that it might have happened in L segment of TSWV isolate YNKMXD (reported herein). Conclusion: Taken together, this is the first detailed study revealing the pattern of TWSV genetic diversity, and population dynamics helping to better understand the ability of this pathogen to drastically reduce the tobacco production in China. Also, this is a valuable addition to the existing worldwide profile of TSWV, especially in China, where a few studies related to TSWV have been reported including only one complete genome of this virus isolated from tobacco plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to investigate how the control and coordination functions of the contract enforcement of a firm influence the extra-role altruistic behavior (ERAB) of its partner through distinct perceptions of fairness in buyer-seller relationships. It also examines how a critical institutional factor, marketization distance, moderates the influence of contractual governance on fairness. A survey was conducted on 627 distributors in China. Our empirical analysis reveals that the seller's contractual coordination encourages the buyer's ERAB by increasing its perceptions of distributive, procedural, and interactional fairness, while contractual control inhibits the buyer's ERAB by reducing its perceptions of distributive, and interactional fairness. Further, marketization distance weakens the positive effects of contractual coordination on all three types of fairness, but positively moderates the effect of contractual control on distributive fairness. These findings make contributions to both research and practice in supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal comfort evaluation of the urban environment arouses widespread concern among scholars, and research in this field is mostly based on thermal comfort evaluation indexes such as PMV, PET, SET, UTCI, etc. These thermal comfort index evaluation models are complex in the calculation process and poor in operability, which makes it difficult for people who lack a relevant knowledge background to understand, calculate, and apply them. The purpose of this study is to provide a simple, efficient, and easy-to-operate outdoor thermal comfort evaluation model for severe cold areas in China using a machine learning method. In this study, the physical environment parameters are obtained by field measurement, and individual information is obtained by a field questionnaire survey. The applicability of four machine learning models in outdoor thermal comfort evaluation is studied. A total of 320 questionnaires are collected. The results show that the correlation coefficients between predicted values and voting values of the extreme gradient lifting model, gradient lifting model, random forest model, and neural network model are 0.9313, 0.7148, 0.9115, and 0.5325, respectively. Further analysis of the extreme gradient model with the highest correlation coefficient shows that individual factors (such as residence time, distance between hometown and residence, clothing, age, height, and weight) and environmental factors (such as air humidity (RH), wind speed (v), air temperature (Ta), and black bulb temperature (Tg)) have different influences on thermal comfort evaluation. In summary, using a machine learning method to evaluate outdoor thermal comfort is simpler, more direct, and more efficient, and it can make up for the lack of consideration of complex individual factors in the evaluation method of thermal comfort index. The results have reference value and application value for the research of outdoor thermal comfort evaluation in severe cold areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Multidrug resistance in Enterobacteriaceae including resistance to quinolones is rising worldwide. The development of resistance may lead to the emergence of new transmission mechanisms. In this study, the collection of different E. coli was performed from animals and subjected to subsequent procedures including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, micro-broth dilution method, polymerase chain reaction. Whole genome sequencing of E. coli C3 was performed to detect the affinity, antimicrobial resistance and major carriers of the isolates. Results: A total of 66 E. coli were isolated and their antibiotic resistance genes, frequency of horizontal transfer and genetic environment of E. coli C3 were determined. The results showed there were both different and same types in PFGE typing, indicating clonal transmission of E. coli among different animals. The detection of antimicrobial resistance and major antibiotic resistance genes and the plasmid transfer results showed that strains from different sources had high levels of resistance to commonly used clinical antibiotics and could be spread horizontally. Whole-genome sequencing discovered a novel ICE mobile element. Conclusion: In summary, the antimicrobial resistance of E. coli in northeast China is a serious issue and there is a risk of antimicrobial resistance transmission. Meanwhile, a novel ICE mobile element appeared in the process of antimicrobial resistance formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various magmatic–hydrothermal activities have resulted in different styles of polymetallic mineralization in South China. Shuikoushan is a large Fe-Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag orefield situated in fold-and-thrust belts within the South China Block. Two types of granodiorite have been identified in recent drilling work. The early-stage, coarse-grained granodiorite has developed magnetite-bearing skarns in the deep level. The late-stage, fine-grained granodiorite is associated with garnet-hematite–magnetite–pyrite–sphalerite–chalcopyrite-bearing skarns in its contact zone. Away from the garnet-bearing skarn are calcite–quartz–pyrite–sphalerite–galena veinlets in faulted breccia. Fieldwork has identified iron mineralization in both skarns, whereas copper mineralization was only discovered in the garnet-bearing skarns. Lead, zinc, gold, and silver mineralization were observed in the garnet-bearing skarns and faulted breccia. Zircon U–Pb analyses suggested the emplacement of two granodiorite at 167.8 ± 0.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.1, N = 31) and 163.6 ± 0.7 Ma (MSWD = 1.3, N = 32). Apatite and garnet U–Pb dating further indicated the magnetite-bearing skarns of 166.2 ± 1.9 Ma (MSWD = 4.5, N = 27), the hematite–magnetite–sulfide-bearing skarns of 158.6 ± 2.8 Ma (MSWD = 1.3, N = 34), and the calcite–quartz–sulfide veinlets of 159.5 ± 5.2 Ma (MSWD = 1.7, N = 24). The time–space relationship between the two intrusions and hydrothermal activities suggests that the fine-grained granodiorite is responsible for polymetallic mineralization. Whole-rock geochemistry analyses demonstrated the enrichment of LILEs and the depletion of Nb and Ta in two granodiorites, with a slight enrichment in LREEs and flat HREE patterns. These granodiorite bodies therefore belong to high-K calc-alkaline magma generated via the crust's partial melting. The fine-grained granodiorite generally has a lower HREE and higher Dy/Yb, Sr/Y ratios than coarse-grained granodiorite, corresponding to the source of magma in garnet stable lower crust. The residual garnet keeps ferric iron in melts, leaving the fine-granodiorite more oxidized for copper and gold concentration. Through these analyses and our drilling work, a continuous skarn–hydrothermal–epithermal system has been identified for Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag targeting in Shuikoushan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary candidate materials used in 650°C ultra-supercritical (USC) thermal power plant units is a novel thick grade of heat-resistant steel, 08Cr9W3Co3VNbCuBN (G115), for which China has complete intellectual property rights. In this study, G115 steel with a 115 mm thick wall was successfully welded using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) + shielded metal arc welding (SWAM), which was a significant step toward achieving its application in large-diameter boiler tubes. The influence of the welding process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the G115 welded joint after post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) at 770°C for 11 h was investigated. The findings demonstrate that the weld zone (WZ) after PWHT was composed of martensite and ferrite, and M23C6 was the precipitate. The average hardness of WZ was 273.1 HV, and the average impact toughness was above 39J, which was sufficient for actual production applications. It offered the necessary theoretical foundation for the practical development of thick-walled G115 heat-resistant alloy steel during welding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is associated with the endocrine and reproductive systems. We aimed to investigate the role of SHBG in the reproductive process. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of the PCOSAct (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Acupuncture Clinical Trial) study, which involved 21 sites in China and a total of 1000 women with PCOS. Out of these, 954 women with SHBG were included in the analysis. Through multivariate analysis of ovulation predictors, we found that age, BMI, estradiol, testosterone, and SHBG all showed a positive predictive value for ovulation (p = 0.0211, 0.0011, 0.0211, 0.0029, 0.0434, respectively). However, the LH to FSH ratio had a negative predictive value (p = 0.0539). Higher quartiles of SHBG were associated with a higher rate of ovulation, and per quartile increased was statistically significant (HR = 1.138, 95%CI [1.054,1.229]). The association remained significant even after adjusting for testosterone (HR = 1.263, 95%CI [1.059, 1.507]). On the other hand, quartiles of testosterone and estradiol did not exhibit any significant tendency toward ovulation. SHBG demonstrated predictive ability for ovulation, conception, pregnancy, and live birth (p < 0.05), and this correlation remained significant after adjusting intervention. Kaplan-Meier curves illustrated that increased levels of SHBG were a factor in high rates of ovulation, conception, and pregnancy. In comparison to other sexual hormones, a higher baseline level of SHBG was related to increased ovulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid growth of the digital economy, it is essential to understand its impact on carbon emissions reduction. This study uses provincial panel data from China during 2011–2019 to construct a moderating mediating effect model and a spatial panel Durbin model to examine the relationship between the digital economy and carbon emissions reduction. This study analyzes the mediating effect of the energy structure on the digital economy's impact on carbon emission reduction, and the spatial effect and regional heterogeneity of the digital economy's impact on carbon emission reduction. The findings indicate that the development of the digital economy can effectively promote regional carbon emission reductions, both directly and indirectly, with a significant spatial spillover effect. Second, the energy structure plays a significant mediating role in promoting carbon emission reduction in the digital economy, and the industrial structure has a positive moderating effect. Third, the impact of the digital economy on carbon emissions reduction has significant regional heterogeneity, and the inhibitory effect of the digital economy is more effective in the central and western provinces. This study provides a theoretical reference for achieving high-quality development of the digital economy while promoting carbon emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on rock mineral and geochemical analysis, microscopic observation, physical property measurement, and thin laminae separation test, etc., the characteristics of typical laminae of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression were analyzed, and the organic matter abundance, reservoir properties, and oil-bearing properties of different laminae were compared. Typical shale reservoir-flow structures were classified, and the mobility of oil in different types of shale reservoir-flow structure was compared. The results show that the repeated superposition of mud laminae and calcite laminae are the main layer structure of carbonate-rich shales. The calcite laminae are divided into micritic calcite laminae, sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein. The mud-rich laminae are the main contributor to the organic matter abundance and porosity of shale, with the best hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity, and oil-bearing property. The micritic calcite laminae also have relatively good hydrocarbon generation potential, reservoir capacity and oil-bearing property. The sparry calcite laminae and fibrous calcite vein have good permeability and conductivity. Four types of shale reservoir-flow structure are developed in the carbonate-rich shale, and the mobility of oil in each type of reservoir-flow structure is in descending order: sparry calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, mixed calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, fibrous calcite vein enriched shale reservoir-flow structure, and micritic calcite laminae enriched shale reservoir-flow structure. The exploration targets of carbonate-rich shale in the Jiyang Depression Shahejie Formation are different in terms of reservoir-flow structure at different thermal evolution stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of natural gas production using foam to lift liquid, there exists obvious difference in the requirements of foam stability between wellbores and gathering & transportation systems. To ensure the effect foam dewatering of gas wells and highly efficient defoaming and gas-water separation on surface, it is meaningful to investigate the influencing factors of foam stability comprehensively. In this paper, a tight gas block in China which adopted foam for liquid lifting was taken as an example. It was researched that the key influencing factors and changing rules of foam stability through static and dynamic experiments on foam stability, chemical defoaming experimets and field tests. The results showed that the concentration of foaming agent used in the field, namely UT-11C, had the most significant effect on the foam stability followed by the salinity, temperature and PH value. Foam stability was also can be improved with higher pressure. Results of chemical defoaming experiments showed that even under the optimal defoaming concentration, mamely 1%, it also took about 20 minutes to completely eliminate the foam. Combined with the laboratory results and the statistical analysis of the water production in field, the optimal injection amount of foaming agent was calculated, which makes the dosage reducing by 40%. And the effective was validated by field test. This work not only ensures the high production of gas wells, but also takes the economy into account, having a strong guidance for the production of natural gas fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of economic policy uncertainty on firm performance. Utilizing a news-based index of economic policy uncertainty and firm-level data in China, firm investment, employment, and revenue are found to be negatively associated with policy-related economic uncertainty. This negative relationship is weakened in state-owned enterprises (a fall in investment of 5.61%, employment growth of 0.09%, and sales growth of 0.31%) compared to that of non-state-owned enterprises (a fall in investment of 7.79%, employment growth of 0.14%, and sales growth of 0.34%). We explore several potential explanations and find evidence supporting that economic policy uncertainty reduces the incentives of firms to expand their operation through the mechanism of risk-taking, cash holdings and tax burden. Given this microscopic study on mechanisms, our analysis provides a reference for policy-makers to effectively reduce economic fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the direct use of corn as energy feed, about 30% of the annual output is used to produce corn starch, sugar and ethanol and other deep processing products in China, while producing corn husk, corn pulp, corn embryo meal, corn protein meal, DDGS and other by-products. These by-products generally have problems such as high crude fiber content, low available energy, mycotoxin pollution, etc. If the quality and efficiency of these by-products are improved by processing technology, their feeding value can be significantly improved. In the paper, the nutritional characteristics, value-added processing and utilization technology of corn processing by-products and their application in animal production are reviewed, which can provide reference for the effective improvement of feed value, and also have important significance for alleviating the contradiction of feed resource shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Student satisfaction is a primary indicator for college and university organizational self-assessment in European and American countries. Professional sport universities are the major institution cultivating sports talents in China. Nevertheless, it appears the problem in past years that the talent cultivation and management is not suitable for the development of society and sports in China. Such a problem could be solved from various dimensions. From the aspect of management, the reinforcement of self-assessment is practicable. Aiming at such a problem, the professional sport university student satisfaction evaluation scale is constructed for developing the self-assessment of professional sport universities in China. The students in a professional sport university in China are taken as the respondents of survey in this study. Total 2715 students are surveyed, including 796 females and 1919 males. The questionnaire is tested three times in the design process. First, the pre-survey for the initial scale is preceded. Second, Threshold Analysis, Item-Total Correlation, and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) are applied to classify the scale and construct the professional sport university student satisfaction scale, covering 6 dimensions and 58 questions. Third, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is utilized for analyzing the collected data. The development and application of satisfaction scale develop a practicable tool of self-assessment for professional sport universities as well as assist in promoting the teaching service quality of universities in China and enhancing the continual improvement.

Precipitable Water Vapour (PWV) measurements derived from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) exhibit considerable promise for global high-resolution PWV monitoring but with limited accuracy. This study proposes a correction model for MODIS PWV, leveraging the least squares method (LS) and fast Fourier transform (FFT). The study used Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) PWV products (the accuracy is equivalent to Radiosonde-derived PWV) from 230 stations provided by the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) for 2016 to 2019, serving as the ground truth for correcting MODIS PWV. Subsequently, the model undergoes an external coincidence test utilising the data from 2020. Initially, a linear or quadratic expression (LS model) was established through the application of the least squares method, effectively capturing the trends between the two PWV datasets. Then the periodic characteristics of residuals from the LS model were analysed by FFT. The outcomes reveal that within regions and seasons abundant in PWV, the quadratic expression is more consistent with the trend. The primary variation period of residuals exhibits variability across regions, with the annual period emerging as the primary fluctuation pattern in the majority of regions. Following this, we constructed the correction model (LSF model) that considered the cycle characteristics of residuals with the model type adopted for the LS model as the main part. After correction by the LSF model, the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of MODIS PWV decreased by 33.1%, 55.8%, 33.0%, and 19.4% in four seasons, respectively. Compared to the LS model, the LSF model showcased relative enhancements of the coefficient of determinations (R2) by 119.8%, 99.6%, 165.9%, and 39.6% in the four seasons, respectively, with an overall further decrease of 35.7% in RMSE. The LSF model demonstrates a superior degree of fitting and yields improved correction effects, thus effectively enhancing the reliability of MODIS PWV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of weather variability and air pollutants on tuberculosis (TB) has been a research hotspot. Previous studies have mostly been limited to a certain area or with a small sample size of cases, and multi-scale systematic studies are lacking. In this study, 14,816,329 TB cases were collected from 31 provinces in China between 2004 and 2018 to estimate the association between TB risk and meteorological factors and air pollutants using a two-stage time-series analysis. The impact and lagged time of meteorological factors and air pollutants on TB risk varied greatly in different provinces and regions. Overall cumulative exposure–response summary associations across 31 provinces suggested that high monthly mean relative humidity (RH) (66.8–82.4%, percentile56-100 (P56–100)), rainfall (316.5–331.1 mm, P96–100), PM2.5 exposure concentration (93.3–145.0 μg/m3, P58–100), and low monthly mean wind speed (1.6–2.1 m/s, P0–38) increased the risk of TB incidence, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04–1.16), 1.10 (95% CI: 1.03–1.16), 2.08 (95% CI: 1.18–3.65), and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.27–3.33), and attributable risk percent (AR%) of 9%, 9%, 52%, and 51%, respectively. Conversely, high monthly average wind speed (2.3–2.9 m/s, P54–100) and mean temperature (20.2–25.3 °C, P79–96), and low monthly average rainfall (2.4–25.2 mm, P0–7) and concentration of SO2 (8.1–21.2 μg/m3, P0-16) exposure decreased the risk of TB incidence, with an overall cumulative RR of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87–0.98), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.59–0.94), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.79–0.95), and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.56–0.93), respectively. Our study provided insights into future planning of public health interventions for TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under three rainfall intensities (60–90–120 mm/h) and four tillage practices (longitudinal ridge tillage, cross ridge tillage, flat tillage and hole sowing), field experiments was conducted during the podding stage of peanuts to investigate the changes in hydrodynamic parameters and the erosion response on purple soil slope cropland in order to reveal the soil and water conservation benefits of different tillage practices. The results showed that: (1) The sediment yield of the four tillage practices was ranked in descending order: longitudinal ridge tillage, flat tillage, hole sowing, and cross ridge tillage. Under the same rainfall intensity, there were no significant differences in runoff among these four tillage practices (p > 0.05), whereas sediment yield varied significantly. (2) The average flow velocity, Reynolds number, and Froude number of each treatment were positively correlated with rainfall intensity, while the resistance coefficient was negatively correlated. Flat tillage and cross ridge tillage were intermediate. The Reynolds number and Froude number of each treatment did not exceed the critical value and were generally within the laminar flow range, except for the longitudinal ridge tillage treatment at 120 mm/h rainfall intensity. (3) The sediment yield intensity on the slope was negatively correlated with the resistance coefficient, following a power function. The runoff shear stress and runoff power on each treatment were both positively correlated with sediment yield intensity in a linear manner. Compared to longitudinal ridge tillage, the other three tillage practices showed much better soil and water conservation benefits. Among them, cross ridge tillage exhibited the best water storage and soil conservation effects. In terms of hydraulics, longitudinal ridge tillage and flat tillage increased the erosive force required for sediment initiation and suppressed erosion occurrence. The research results were of great significance in revealing the characteristics of runoff erosion in purple soil areas and controlling tillage practices for soil erosion in purple soil areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hopea chinensis (Merr.) Hand.-Mazz. is a Class II national key protected plant and Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations in China. In order to further analyze why H. chinensis is endangered and optimize conservation techniques, we carried out a study on the effects of seed biological characteristics and environmental factors on the seed germination and seedling growth of H. chinensis. The results show that there were no significant differences in seed morphology between four populations in southern China, but there were significant differences in calyx lobe morphology and seed germination. The removal or retention of the calyx lobes or the seed coat had no significant effect on seed germination. The weight of individual H. chinensis seeds was mainly >1.0 g, with small seeds (<0.5 g) not germinating, whereas seeds >2.0 g had the highest germination rate and fastest seedling growth. H. chinensis produces typical recalcitrant seeds, being sensitive to natural dehydration, with dehydration for 8 d reducing seed viability by 50%, whereas dehydration for 16 d resulted in seeds with zero viability. H. chinensis seeds are light-neutral and capable of germination at a temperature of 30 °C and on a substrate with good water retention and aeration. The seeds are not tolerant of drought, salinity, or flooding. In conclusion, the unique biological characteristics of H. chinensis seeds and the specific habitat which they inhabit contribute to a significant loss of viable seeds, which negatively affects the population's ability to regenerate and achieve maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) is a new medical science grounded in the knowledge bases of both TCM and WM, which then forms a unique modern medical system in China. Integrated TCM and WM has a long history in China, and has made important achievements in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, the methodological defects in currently published clinical practice guidelines limit its development. The organic integration of TCM and WM is a deeper integration of TCM and WM. To realize the progression of "integration" to "organic integration", a targeted and standardized guideline development methodology is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to establish a standardized development procedure for clinical practice guidelines for the organic integration of TCM and WM to promote the systematic integration of TCM and WM research results into clinical practice guidelines in order to achieve optimal results as the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil fauna is an important driver of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) release from decomposing litter in forest ecosystems. However, its role in C and N cycling concerning climate and litter traits remains less known. In a 4-year field experiment, we evaluated the effects of soil fauna on litter C and N release across an elevation gradient (453, 945, 3023, and 3582 m) and litter traits (coniferous vs. broadleaf) in southwestern China. Results: Our results showed that N was retained by –0.4% to 31.5%, but C was immediately released during the early stage (156–516 days) of decomposition for most litter species. Soil fauna significantly increased the peak N content and N retention across litter species, but reduced the C/N ratio for certain species (i.e., Juniperus saltuaria, Betula albosinensis, Quercus acutissima, and Pinus massoniana litter), leading to more C and N being released from decomposing litter across the elevation gradient. Contributions of soil fauna to C and N release were 3.87–9.90% and 1.10–8.71%, respectively, across litter species after 4 years of decomposition. Soil environment and initial litter quality factors caused by elevation directly affected litter C and N release. Changes in soil fauna resulting from elevation and fauna exclusion factors had a direct or indirect impact on C and N release during litter decomposition. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that soil fauna promote C and N release from decomposing litter in different magnitudes, mainly controlled by environmental conditions (i.e., temperature and moisture), litter quality (i.e., lignin and cellulose content, and lignin/cellulose), and its diversity across the elevation gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many electricity markets in the world have experienced the vertical unbundling where the generation and transmission sectors were separated from a vertically-integrated monopolistic power company. This restructuring could positively impact the productivity of the firms because of intensified competition and enhanced autonomy but could also negatively aect the productivity because of the loss of synergy and scaled economy. By exploiting the vertical unbundling that took place in China in 2003, this study finds that vertical unbundling increased the labour use of the generation firms and the material use of the transmission firms. Additional investigation reveals that generation firms suffer from an efficiency loss in labour use due to the loss of coordination after vertical unbundling and the transmission firms face an increased transaction cost in acquiring material and bear the additional cost transferred from the efficiency loss of the upstream generation firms. Our findings suggest that benefits of vertical unbundling relative to integration critically hinge on the market structure of the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a water-soluble polymer with strong cohesiveness and a strong water absorption capacity, and it has been widely used to modify soil structural stability. However, little information is available on the impact of PAM application on the aggregate-breaking process of purple soils in hilly areas of southwestern China. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the influence of PAM application on the aggregate stability of purple soil in terms of different breakdown mechanisms at different hillslope locations. Three disruptive tests employing the Le Bissonnais method (FW, fast-wetting sieving; SW, slow-wetting sieving; and WS, wet-stirring sieving) were used to determine the mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), and mass fractal dimension (D) of the soil aggregates, and soil erodibility factor (K) was calculated as an index of soil anti-erodibility. Overall, the major aggregate-breaking mechanism for purple soils was the following: SW (differential swelling) > WS (mechanical breakdown) > FW (slaking). The content of water-stable aggregates (>0.25 mm) obviously rose after PAM application, with the most significant influences shown under FW. A significant difference in MWD was observed between PAM application and without polyacrylamide application (CK) under WS (p < 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in GMD between PAM and CK (p < 0.05) under FW and SW. In comparison with CK, D value in PAM under FW and SW was significantly reduced, mainly at the slope locations of 0 and 20 m. A descending order of FW, WS, and SW was found on the basis of K value at different slope locations. These findings contribute to improved understanding of proper application of soil amendments to control soil and water loss in purple soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of varicella in China has been increasing annually, with a relatively high incidence rate of breakthrough cases. Administering two doses of the varicella vaccine (Varv) proves to be the most effective measure. The objective of this study is to assess the immunogenicity of two doses of the Varv at varying intervals and explore the optimal timing for administering the second dose of the Varv. Utilizing a prospective cohort study design, the quantification of varicella immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies' geometric mean concentrations (GMC) is conducted through glycoprotein‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (gpELISA). A total of 903 infants were included in the per‐protocol population. After completing the first dose of the Varv, the GMC of antibody after 1 month (Group A) was 463.8 (447.6−480.1) mIU/mL. There was a statistically significant difference in GMC and seroconversion rates among the groups (B/C/D) that received the second dose of the Varv (p < 0.05). Multiple comparisons revealed that the group with a 3‐year interval between the two vaccine doses had a higher GMC of 665.2 (622.6−707.8) mIU/mL compared to the group with a 1‐year interval of 611.1 (577.1−645.3) mIU/mL and the group with a 5‐year interval of 564.7 (540.1−589.4) mIU/mL. To effectively prevent and control the varicella epidemic in Jiangsu Province, two dose Varv vaccination is recommended, the optimal time point for the second dose Varv is 3 years after the first vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on panel data of 282 prefecture-level and above cities in China from 2013 to 2020, this paper investigates the impact and transmission paths of the "LFD" land disposal model on urban air quality at the theoretical and empirical levels using dynamic fixed-effects and dynamic spatial Durbin models. The results show that the way land is allocated in a city has a lagging and long-term impact on air quality not only locally but also in neighboring cities. The type of land supply by local governments to different sectors is an important pathway to influence urban air quality. Extended analysis shows that land market reforms in China can significantly reduce urban air quality index (AQI) and effectively mitigate urban air quality, with long-term effects. This paper provides a theoretical and scientific basis for correcting the mismatch of land resources and promoting urban ecological environment in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has resulted in an increase in drought severity in the species-rich tropical and subtropical forests of southern China. Exploring the spatiotemporal relationship between drought-tolerance trait and tree abundance provides a means to elucidate the impact of droughts on community assembly and dynamics. In this study, we measured the leaf turgor loss point (πtlp) for 399 tree species from three tropical forest plots and three subtropical forest plots. The plot area was 1 ha and tree abundance was calculated as total basal area per hectare according to the nearest community census data. The first aim of this study was to explore πtlp abundance relationships in the six plots across a range of precipitation seasonality. Additionally, three of the six plots (two tropical forests and one subtropical forest) had consecutive community censuses data (12–22 years) and the mortality ratios and abundance year slope of tree species were analyzed. The second aim was to examine whether πtlp is a predictor of tree mortality and abundance changes. Our results showed that tree species with lower (more negative) πtlp were more abundant in the tropical forests with relative high seasonality. However, πtlp was not related to tree abundance in the subtropical forests with low seasonality. Moreover, πtlp was not a good predictor of tree mortality and abundance changes in both humid and dry forests. This study reveals the restricted role of πtlp in predicting the response of forests to increasing droughts under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rehabilitation improves functional recovery in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients, and assessing patients for rehabilitation is the first step in this process. However, little is known about clinical practice in China regarding the assessment and provision of rehabilitation for patients with SAH. Methods: To identify patients hospitalized with SAH and to analyze rehabilitation assessment rates, we used data for 11,234 SAH patients admitted to 861 hospitals from the China Stroke Center Alliance from August 2015 to July 2019. We examined factors for rehabilitation assessment and analyzed the relationship between rehabilitation assessment and outcomes in these patients. Results: Among 11,234 patients with SAH, 6,513 (58.0%) were assessed for rehabilitation. Assessed patients had an increased length of stay (mean ± SD days: 17.3 ± 12.5 versus 11.6 ± 10.5, P = 49.4), a higher Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission (mean ± SD GCS score: 12.3 ± 3.8 versus 11.8 ± 4.4, P = 12.2), and were more likely to be admitted to the stroke unit (19.6% versus 13.8%, P = 15.6). In multivariable analysis, factors associated with an increased likelihood of a rehabilitation assessment (p < 0.05) included a longer length of stay (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04 to 1.05) and care such as dysphagia screening (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.73 to 2.04), DVT prophylaxis (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.41 to 1.72) and vessel evaluation (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.63 to 1.98). For the multivariate analysis of outcomes, patients undergoing rehabilitation assessment had a longer length of stay (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.81 to 2.12), a higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.36 to 1.64), and higher rates of discharge to a rehabilitation center (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.81-5.75). Conclusion: More than two-fifths of SAH patients were not assessed for rehabilitation. Rates vary considerably among hospital grades, and there is a need to improve adherence to recommended care for SAH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst forests are habitats in which access to soil water can be challenging for plants. Therefore, safe and efficient xylem water transport and large internal water storage may benefit tree growth. In this study, we selected 22 tree species from a primary subtropical karst forest in southern China and measured their xylem anatomical traits, saturated water content (SWC), hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and embolism resistance (P 50). Additionally, we monitored growth of diameter at breast height (DBH) in 440 individual trees of various sizes over three consecutive years. Our objective was to analyze the relationships between xylem structure, hydraulic efficiency, safety, water storage and growth of karst tree species. The results showed significant differences in structure but not in hydraulic traits between deciduous and evergreen species. Larger vessel diameter, paratracheal parenchyma and higher SWC were correlated with higher Ks. Embolism resistance was not correlated with the studied anatomical traits, and no tradeoff with Ks was observed. In small trees (5–15 cm DBH), diameter growth rate (DGR) was independent of hydraulic traits. In large trees (>15 cm DBH), higher Ks and more negative P 50 accounted for higher DGR. From lower to greater embolism resistance, the size–growth relationship shifted from growth deceleration to acceleration with increasing tree size in eight of the 22 species. Our study highlights the vital contributions of xylem hydraulic efficiency and safety to growth rate and dynamics in karst tree species; therefore, we strongly recommend their integration into trait-based forest dynamic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a country with abundant karst landscapes, but research on cave biodiversity is still limited. Currently, only Ganxiao Dong, located in Huanjiang, Guangxi, has been reported as a hotspot for cave biodiversity. Many of the world's most troglomorphic species in the major groups of cave animals have been recently discovered in China, making the existence of many more hotspots in the country likely. Feihu Dong, one of these potential hotspot caves, has been systematically investigated to complement a preliminary species list of 1995, leading to the discovery of 62 species of animals from the cave. Among them, 27 are considered troglobionts or stygobionts, 26 are considered troglophiles or stygophiles, and nine are classified as trogloxenes or stygoxenes. Research on the cave biodiversity of Feihu Dong has demonstrated that it currently holds the highest number of known cave animal species in China. Among the most remarkable features of this fauna is the co-occurrence of five species of cave-obligate beetles, all modified for cave life. The biological survey was limited to a small part of the cave. Several habitats (like guano) have not been investigated so far, and several important cave groups have been insufficiently or not sampled (like Ostracoda). Meanwhile, the system increases in length with each new caving expedition. Further discoveries of cave organisms in Feihu Dong are therefore expected. As Feihu Dong and Ganxiao Dong are the only caves in China that have been extensively studied for a large range of organisms, and as they are located in karstic areas that are similar in richness to other regions of southern China, it can be confidently assumed that several other caves of high biodiversity will be discovered in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with stroke differ from men in terms of risk factors, treatment, and outcomes. However, previous inconsistent results in China hampered the development of tailored sex-specific strategies for ischemic stroke management. We performed a nationwide serial cross-sectional survey to obtain national-level estimates to assess the 10-year trends in sex differences in cardiovascular risk factors, in-hospital management, and outcomes in China from 2005 to 2015. Methods: We used a two-stage random sampling design, economic-geographical region-stratified random sampling for hospitals first and then systematic sampling for patients, to obtain a nationally representative sample of ischemic strokes in China in 2005, 2010, and 2015. We extracted data on clinical characteristics, management measures (diagnostic tests, interventions, and secondary prevention treatments), in-hospital outcomes (all-cause in-hospital mortality, discharge against medical advice [DAMA], and a composite outcome of in-hospital death and DAMA), and comorbidities. We applied weights proportional to the inverse sampling fraction of hospitals within each stratum and the inverse sampling fraction of patients within each hospital. Results: A total of 26,900 ischemic stroke admissions were analyzed. Compared to men, women had a much lower prevalence of current smokers and a slightly higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation at admission. Prevalence differences between sex in these cardiovascular risk factors were stable except for atrial fibrillation (decreased from 3.7% [95% CI: 1.8% to 5.7%] to 1.3% [95% CI: 0.5% to 2.0%]) and current smoker (increased from −18.0 [95% CI: –20.2% to –15.9%] to –25.6% [95% CI: –26.6% to –24.6%]). From 2005 to 2015, in-hospital management and outcomes were improved both for women and men, and sex differences in cerebrovascular assessment, cervical vessels assessment, and transthoracic echocardiography/transesophageal echocardiography were improved as well. However, women increased more slowly than men in the administration of clopidogrel (from 0.3% [95% CI: −0.9% to 1.4%) to −7.3% [95% CI: −8.7% to −6.0%]) and aspirin plus clopidogrel (0.3% [95% CI: −5.0% to 1.1%] to −5.0% [95% CI: −6.2% to −3.9%]). Conclusion: Compared to men, women patients with ischemic stroke had a steadily higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, a slower increase rate in the administration of key secondary prevention drugs, and comparable in-hospital outcomes. More effort should be paid to the treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors and also to the prescription of antiplatelets at discharge for women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]