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Exploring the interaction and coupling effects within the population‒land‒water‒industry (PLWI) system is conducive to promoting high-quality regional sustainable development. Taking the lower Yellow River during the period from 2000 to 2020 as a research sample, this study used the entropy weight TOPSIS method, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and kernel density estimation to synthetically evaluate the CCD of the PLWI system. The GeoDetector model was applied to explore the factors influencing the CCD of the PLWI system considering the nonlinear relationship. The major results can be summarized as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the comprehensive development index (CDI) of the population, land, water and industry subsystems followed a gradual upward trend in the lower Yellow River, increasing by 0.293, 0.033, 0.111 and 0.369, respectively. However, the CDI of the land subsystem varied greatly between regions. Some cities, such as Jinan, Jining and Binzhou, experienced large declines in the CDI of the land subsystem, from 0.433, 0.534 and 0.572 to 0.358, 0.481 and 0.522, respectively. (2) The CCD of the PLWI system in the lower Yellow River showed an upward trend, increasing from 0.481 to 0.678, and became more concentrated during 2000–2020. Most of the region transitioned from near disorder to primary coordination. (3) Factors such as number of health technicians per 10,000 people, average salary, number of college students per 10,000 people, per capita GDP and per capita education expenditure were critical to the coordinated development of the PLWI system, the explanatory powers were 0.644, 0.639, 0.610, 0.498 and 0.455, respectively. Finally, this study proposed three policy recommendations to improve coupling coordination in the lower Yellow River Basin: Improving population quality, promoting green technology and rational land planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the risk of urban road waterlogging and the threshold of the influencing factors using software simulation and data analysis. This study selected the road space in the main urban area of Hangzhou City from 2019 to 2021 as the research object. ArcGIS software was used to study the spatial distribution of road waterlogging points. Kernel density analysis and the Geographic Detector (GD) method were used to determine the dominant factors affecting road waterlogging. This study reveals the central clustering distribution characteristics of road waterlogging and the five-level risk zoning of disasters. The simulation results show that the highest-risk areas for road waterlogging in the main urban area of Hangzhou are distributed in Chao Wang Road, Jianguo Middle Road, Jianguo South Road, Hupao Road, Lingyin Road, Fuchunjiang Road, Moganshan Road Sect. 4, and Tianmu Mountain Road Sect. 3. The ranking of the impact factors for road waterlogging was as follows: elevation > vegetation coverage > slope > impervious surface abundance > distance from rivers. Factor threshold for worst flooding is that the elevation of < 15–20 m, a slope of < 8–10°, vegetation coverage of < 10%, and an abundance of impermeable surfaces > 60–70%. Elevation and vegetation coverage were the significant factors with the greatest impact on road space waterlogging. The combination of elevation and vegetation coverage, elevation and slope, and elevation and impervious surface abundance had a greater impact on road waterlogging than the other three combinations. All the interactions of the influencing factors had a nonlinear enhancing effect on urban road waterlogging disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology is a vital solution for managing fluctuations in renewable energy, but conventional systems face challenges like low energy density and geographical constraints. This study explores an innovative approach utilizing deep aquifer compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) energy storage to overcome these limitations. To identify the factors affecting compressed CO2 energy storage system in deep aquifers, numerical simulations using T2well/ECO2N investigate hydrodynamic and thermodynamic behaviors, focusing on the impact of aquifer properties (depth, thickness, porosity, and permeability) and operational parameters (wellbore penetration depth through the aquifer and energy storage scale) on system performance. The findings reveal notable pressure variations in both the wellbore and aquifer during system operation and the injected supercritical CO2, input by geothermal energy from the surrounding formations, contributes to high energy storage efficiency across the entire system. The impact factor analysis suggests medium aquifer depth and permeability, a storage space with high porosity, increased aquifer thickness, greater wellbore penetration depth, and larger energy storage scales contribute to the safe and efficient operation of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the primary causes of urban atmospheric particulate matter, which is harmful to human health in addition to affecting air quality and atmospheric visibility, is road dust. This study used online monitoring equipment to examine the characteristics of road dust emissions, the effects of temperature, humidity, and wind speed on road dust, as well as the correlation between road and high-space particulate matter concentrations. A section of a real road in Jinhua City, South China, was chosen for the study. The findings demonstrate that the concentration of road dust particles has a very clear bimodal single-valley distribution throughout the day, peaking between 8:00 and 11:00 and 19:00 and 21:00 and troughing between 14:00 and 16:00. Throughout the year, there is a noticeable seasonal change in the concentration of road dust particles, with the highest concentration in the winter and the lowest in the summer. Simultaneously, it has been discovered that temperature and wind speed have the most effects on particle concentration. The concentration of road dust particles reduces with increasing temperature and wind speed. The particle concentrations of road particles and those from urban environmental monitoring stations have a strong correlation, although the trend in the former is not entirely consistent, and the changes in the former occur approximately 1 h after the changes in the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have recently gained considerable attention due to their potential risks to human health and ecosystems. The response to these concerns has led to regulations and bans on legacy PFASs, such as perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid. Thus, fluoride production has shifted toward short-chain PFASs and emerging fluorinated alternatives. Several technologies are available for PFAS degradation, among which electrochemical oxidation (EO) is a promising method to mineralize legacy PFASs and other emerging fluorinated alternatives in water treatment. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in EO, comprehensively elucidating PFAS degradation mechanisms at the anode and exploring key factors that influence PFAS removal efficiency, such as anode materials as well as reactor designs and configurations. Moreover, the review elucidates the impact of operating conditions and parameters, including current density, electrolytes, pH, initial PFAS concentrations, and other coexisting pollutants, on the EO process. Finally, the constraints in the EO process are discussed when considering practical implementations, including undesired by-product generation, incomplete mineralization resulting in the accumulation of short-chain PFASs, and low PFAS concentrations in the natural environment leading to mass transfer limitations and low defluorination efficiency. Consequently, this review provides a perspective on potential solutions integrating the pre-concentration steps and EO process for effective PFAS remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has caused increasingly grievous issues such as poverty, inequality and economic recession, which has hindered the realization of inclusive growth (IG) and disrupted the sustainable development trajectory. Meanwhile, with the vigorous development of digital finance (DF) based on advanced digital technologies such as big data, the Internet of things and artificial intelligence, new vitality has been injected into China's growth model. Thus, whether DF could affect IG and to what extent has drawn attention from scholars to policymakers. This study examines whether DF significantly contributes to IG using the XGBoost machine learning (ML) algorithm for the first time. Using a panel of 281 prefecture-level cities from 2005 to 2020, we employ the Entropy-VIKOR model to assess cities' inclusive growth index and reveal the spatial–temporal evolution and regional differences characteristics. We find that DF plays an indispensable role in promoting urban IG and influences the three sub-dimensions of IG: economic growth, opportunity equity and achievement sharing. The heterogeneous analyses based on geographic location and population size show that digital finance plays a more significant role in promoting inclusive growth of cities in central and western China than cities in eastern China; however, cities with different population sizes have little difference. Our findings using ML algorithms are robust to using traditional econometric models. This study sheds light on how DF could help achieve the IG in developing countries similar to China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential toxic metal (PTM) is hazardous to human health, but the mechanism of spatial heterogeneity of PTM at a macro-scale remains unclear. This study conducts a meta-analysis on the data of PTM concentrations in the soil of 164 major cities in China from 2006 to 2021. It utilizes spatial analysis methods and geodetector to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of PTMs. The geographic information systems (GIS) and geodetector were used to investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of PTMs, assess the influence of natural factors (NFs) and anthropogenic factors (AFs) on the spatial heterogeneity of PTMs in urban soils, and identified the potential pollution areas of PTMs. The results indicated that the pollution levels of PTMs in urban soils varied significantly across China, with higher pollution levels in the south than in the north. Cd and Hg were the most severely contaminated elements. The geodetector analysis showed that temperature and precipitation in NFs and land use type in AFs were considered as the main influencing factors, and that both AF and NF together led to the PTM variation. All these factors showed a mutually enhancing pattern which has important implications for urban soil management. PTM high-risk areas were identified to provide early warning of pollution risk under the condition of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water resources is an essential factor to ensure the sustainable development of the society, but along with the utilization and treatment of water resources, a large amount of carbon emissions will be generated. The study of carbon emissions in social water cycle system is of great significance in promoting the achievement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. This study calculated the carbon emissions generated in social water cycle system in nine provinces along the Yellow River, used the Tapio decoupling model to analyze the decoupling relationship between water and carbon emissions, and constructed the STIRPAT expanded model to analyze the main influencing factors of carbon emissions. Results: (1) The total carbon emissions of the nine provinces showed an increasing trend over time, with a growth rate of 25.13%. (2) The carbon emission intensity of water use (1.60kg/m3) and drainage (1.45kg/m3) system is higher, the carbon emission intensity of water supply (0.30kg/m3) and water withdrawal (0.56kg/m3) system is lower. (3) The relationship between water resources utilization and carbon emissions along the Yellow River is generally in a state of negative decoupling and coupling. (4) Energy structure and population growth are the main factors affecting carbon emissions in social water cycle system, while water supply quantity and water use system are secondary factors. Conclusions: Water use system is the main body of carbon emissions in social water cycle system, and as the water consumption increases, the carbon emissions will continue to increase. In order to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, carbon emission factors should be incorporated into water resources management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete understanding of groundwater dynamics and its interaction with surface water under the impact of agricultural activities is vital for local agriculture, ecology, and residents of dry regions, which is not commonly recognized in arid areas. This research outlines the geochemical characteristics, recharge sources, and potential factors impacting groundwater quality in a new land reclamation located in the small basin of Abu Mina, which is part of the Western Nile Delta region.1 Thirty-one groundwater samples and two surface water samples were collected in 2021 to represent the Pleistocene aquifer and were subjected to multivariate statistical, hydrochemical, and stable isotope analyses. Data analysis demonstrates that Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and SO42– > Cl– > HCO3– > NO3– are the predominant cations and anions, respectively. Groundwater salinity ranged from 465.60 to 6455.18 mg/l, with slightly alkaline. Most of the water samples fall into one of three types of facies: Ca–Cl, Na–Cl, and Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl, in decreasing order. The meteoric genesis index (r2) indicates that deep meteoric water percolation dominates the Pleistocene aquifer. The aquiline diagrams, correlation matrix, and different ionic ratios indicate that evaporation, reverse ion exchange reactions, and the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals are the main processes governing groundwater chemistry. Factor analysis (FA) indicated that three factors explain groundwater hydrochemistry, accounting for 71.98% of the total variance. According to the rotating components matrix (F1–F3), the chemistry of the Quaternary aquifer is principally affected by evaporation, ion exchange reactions, and anthropogenic influences. Additionally, salinity increases due to the return flow of irrigation activities and mixing between old and recent water. The stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) indicate that the Quaternary aquifer receives groundwater recharge through the return flow of excess irrigation and canal seepage. Under desert reclamation conditions, groundwater salinization processes should be given special consideration. All groundwater samples are appropriate for agricultural irrigation based on the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Permeability Index (PI), Percent Sodium (%Na), and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are frequently affected by the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) in summer. This leads to phenomena including air subsidence, high temperatures, low rainfall, and weak winds, all of which affect the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Currently, there are few studies on the influence of WPSH on the UHI effect. In this study, we analysed the temporal and spatial distributions of the influence of WPSH on the UHI effect by establishing two scenarios: with and without WPSH. We calculated the UHI intensity and the urban heat island proportion index (UHPI) to analyse the temporal and spatial distributions of the UHI effect. The geographical detector method was then used to analyse the factors influencing UHI. The results indicate the strong heat island effect during the day in provincial capitals and some developed cities. The area of high UHI intensity was larger under the influence of WPSH than in the years without WPSH. WPSH affected UHPI at both day and night, although the effect was more pronounced at night. The factors affecting daytime UHI intensity are mainly POP and NTL, O3 plays a large role in the years with WPSH control. The main factors affecting the UHI intensity at night are AOD, POP and NTL were mainly factors in the years without WPSH control, POP and WPSH were mainly factors in the years with WPSH control. The interactions of the factors are mainly POP and multi-factors during the daytime, and DEM and multi-factors during the nighttime. It was found that the UHI intensity was enhanced under the control of the WPSH, and the influencing factors of the diurnal UHI differed with and without the WPSH control, which ultimately provides realistic suggestions for mitigating the intensity of the UHI in areas affected by the WPSH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the influencing factors of spatial and temporal evolution of production-living-ecological space in Beijing Tianjin sandstorm source area, the remote sensing images, natural environment and socio-economic data of Duolun County in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020 were selected, and the spatial auto-correlation model and principal component analysis model were used to analyze the spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors of production-living-ecological space. The results show that: (1) the function of production space decreases slightly, and the degree of spatial agglomeration decreases; (2) The function of living space rose slightly, and its spatial agglomeration degree showed an upward trend; (3) The ecological spatial function showed a slow upward trend, and its spatial agglomeration degree increased; (4) The spatial pattern of production-living-ecological space is characterized by "high in the southwest and low in the northeast"; (5) Precipitation has the greatest impact on the spatial evolution of the production-living-ecological space. The distance from the main residential areas, per capita GDP, the distance from the main roads and the distance from the main waters have strong explanatory power on the spatial evolution of the production-living-ecological space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines tuberculosis (TB) incidence among students in Jilin Province, China, focusing on spatial, temporal, and demographic dynamics in areas of social inequality. Variation in incidence rate of TB was analyzed using the joinpoint regression method. Spatial analyses techniques included the global and local Moran indices and Getis-Ord Gi* analysis. Demographic changes in new cases were analyzed descriptively, and the Geodetector method measured the influence of risk factors on student TB incidence. The analysis revealed a declining trend in TB cases, particularly among male students. TB incidence showed geographical heterogeneity, with lower rates in underdeveloped rural areas compared to urban regions. Significant spatial correlations were observed, with high-high clusters forming in central Jilin Province. Hotspots of student TB transmission were primarily concentrated in the southwestern and central regions from 2008 to 2018. Socio-economic factors exhibited nonlinear enhancement effects on incidence rates, with a dominant bifactor effect. High-risk zones were predominantly located in urban centers, with university and high school students showing higher incidences than other educational stages. The study revealed economic determinants as being especially important in affecting TB incidence among students, with these factors having nonlinear interacting effects on student TB incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of illicit lottery activities has caused significant harm to both agricultural production and the livelihood of rural residents. An analysis of the factors that influence rural residents' participation in underground lotteries can provide crucial insight for regulating the lottery industry's development. This study examines the present state of rural residents' participation in underground lotteries, investigates the factors that impact their participation using the Double-Hurdle model, and further employs the ISM model to evaluate the correlations and hierarchical structure among the factors, using field survey data collected from 603 rural residents in S Province, China. The findings reveal that 53.07% of the respondents have participated in underground lotteries. Risk preference, information acquisition, social networks, age, education, family burden, percentage of agricultural labor, agricultural business scale, and household income significantly affect whether residents purchase lotteries (WPL). All factors, except the percentage of agricultural labor and agricultural business scale, also significantly impact underground lottery spending (LS). Among the significant influencing factors, rural residents' risk preference is the direct surface factor, whereas agricultural business scale, household income, information acquisition, and social networks are the middle indirect factors, and residents' age, education, family burden, and percentage of agricultural labor are the deep-rooted factors. It is recommended to regulate the lottery industry's development can be achieved by enhancing entertainment and cultural activities, expanding economic opportunities, enhancing rural education, increasing law awareness, and improving the public welfare lottery business model. The conclusions offer a valuable reference point for the standardized development of the lottery industry and the promotion of social stability in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To offer a holistic view of the personal, external, and psychological factors influencing adherence to nutrition and diet in patients undergoing metabolic/bariatric surgery. Methods: This systematic synthesis of mixed methods research involved a comprehensive search for articles in English databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and Embase, as well as Chinese databases. The search encompassed articles published from the inception of the database up to June 2023. Following the evaluation of literature quality and extraction of relevant information from the selected studies, data from both quantitative and qualitative studies were integrated. The extracted data were analyzed separately, and themes were identified and summarized to elucidate the factors influencing adherence to nutritional and dietary guidelines. The methodology adhered to the guidelines recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for mixed methods systematic evaluations. Results: Three themes and their corresponding descriptive elements were identified, including: (1) Personal factors: subjective factors (attitude, capability, awareness, behaviors), objective factors (age, sex, work status, economic level, physical activity, dietary habits, weight change); (2) External factors: medication (quantity of pills, complexity of intake times, side effects, unpleasant smell or taste), surgery factor, social influences (family members, dietitians, and peers); (3) Psychological factors: self-efficacy, attachment anxiety, and mental health problems. Conclusions: The synthesis provided a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing postoperative compliance of nutrition and diet among patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. It emphasizes the necessity for clinical staff to tailor interventions based on these diverse factors, as well as to attach importance to patients' mental health, giving multidimensional dietary guidance and health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inheritance of traditional handicraft of intangible cultural heritage is facing an unprecedented crisis. The essence of inheritance is the process of imparting and inheriting from master to apprentice, but there is acute shortage of research about the parties, the relationship and the behavior of inheritance. Therefore, choosing inherited behavior as a starting point to explore the inner formation mechanism of master and apprentice inheritance in traditional handicraft, as well as determining the influencing factors of the inheritance, have important theoretical value and practical significance for the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. Using 4 traditional handicraft inheritance institutions in China as case objects, 37 inheritance parties and 21 mentoring matching groups were interviewed. Through standard case analysis and three-step coding method of grounded theory, it is found that skill generation involves the stages of inquiry, interaction and feedback, as well as the following steps:cognition of skill generation, coupling of skill generation, automation of skill generation, etc. Through coding, 12 categories and 33 specific influencing factors are identified. Among them, individual factors influence interaction relation, and the interaction relation has a concrete influence on the process of inheritance, affecting the ultimate effect of inheritance. This study is of reference value for improving the relationship between masters and apprentices and promoting the effective inheritance of traditional handicraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare the efficacy and safety of CDK4/6 inhibitors and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors for ER+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. Methods: A parametric survival function was used to analyze the time course of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The objective response rate (ORR) and the incidence of any grade and grade 3–4 adverse events were summarized using the random-effects model of a single-arm meta-analysis. Results: This study included 44 arms from 48 publications, with a total sample size of 7881 patients. Our study revealed that CDK4/6 inhibitors had a median OS of 40.7 months, a median PFS of 14.8 months, and an ORR of 40%, whereas PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors had a median OS of 29.8 months, a median PFS of 8.3 months, and an ORR of 20%. Additionally, this study also found that the proportion of patients with visceral metastases and specific endocrine therapy used in combination significantly impact OS and PFS. In terms of adverse events, CDK4/6 inhibitors exhibited a relatively high incidence of hematological adverse events. Conclusion: Our study provides solid quantitative evidence for the first-line recommendation of CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy for ER+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer in clinical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a long-lived greenhouse gas that mainly originates from agricultural soils. More and more studies have explored the sources, influencing factors and effective mitigation measures of N2O in recent decades. However, the hierarchy of factors influencing N2O emissions from agricultural soils at the global scale remains unclear. In this study, we carry out correlation and structural equation modeling analysis on a global N2O emission dataset to explore the hierarchy of influencing factors affecting N2O emissions from the nitrogen (N) and non-N fertilized upland farming systems, in terms of climatic factors, soil properties, and agricultural practices. Our results show that the average N2O emission intensity in the N fertilized soils (17.83 g N ha−1 d−1) was significantly greater than that in the non-N fertilized soils (5.34 g N ha−1 d−1) (p< 0.001). Climate factors and agricultural practices are the most important influencing factors on N2O emission in non-N and N fertilized upland soils, respectively. For different climatic zones, without fertilizer, the primary influence factors on soil N2O emissions are soil physical properties in subtropical monsoon zone, whereas climatic factors are key in the temperate zones. With fertilizer, the primary influence factors for subtropical monsoon and temperate continental zones are soil physical properties, while agricultural measures are the main factors in the temperate monsoon zone. Deploying enhanced agricultural practices, such as reduced N fertilizer rate combined with the addition of nitrification and urease inhibitors can potentially mitigate N2O emissions by more than 60% in upland farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers are one of the most active erosional forces sculpting mountainous regions, and understanding the diversity of glacial valleys is a key to advancing knowledge of mountain evolution. 'Inverted trapezoidal' glacial valleys are an important type of glacial erosional landform, and research on their morphologic characteristics and causal mechanisms might contribute to a deeper comprehension of the variety of landforms formed by glacial erosion. In this paper, ALOS 12.5m DEM data and field geomorphologic surveys were used to quantitatively extract 171 transect parameters from 32 valleys in the study area and to quantitatively describe the morphologic characteristics of the inverted trapezoidal glacial valley transects based on the V-index model. The results show that the minimum V-index value for glacial valley cross-sections in the study area is 0.42, the maximum value is 0.86, and the mean value is 0.60. The most important factors influencing the diversity in the morphology of glacial valleys in the study area are the area of glacial action and climatic conditions. The formation of inverted trapezoidal glacial valleys may be attributed to the stable glacial action region of ice caps with gentle topography in Geladandong snow mountain. Research highlights: The minimum value of the V-index for glacial valley cross-sections in the study area was 0.42, the maximum value was 0.86, and the mean value was 0.60. The greatest number of cross-sections were concentrated in the 0.60 ~0.70 interval. The most important factor influencing the diversity in the morphology of glacial valleys in the study area are the area of glacial action and climatic conditions. The formation of inverted trapezoidal glacial valleys may be attributed to the stable glacial action region of ice caps with gentle topography in Geladandong snow mountain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of students' willingness to use translation technology can motivate students to use the translation technology and improve their translation efficiency. This paper reports on a survey which collected 716 valid questionnaires from students in the Master-level Program in Translation and Interpreting. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the influence of six potential variables on Master of Translation and interpreting(MTI)usage intention. The results show that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), subjective norm (SN) and translation technology self-efficacy (TTSE) have a significant positive influence on usage intention (UI), and perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have significant mediating effects. Additionally, self-efficacy has a marginal or no influence at all on perceived usefulness, and flow experience (FE) has no effect on usage intention. Suggestions for future studies in the area of translation technology teaching are proposed based on the results and limitations of this study. These findings contribute to the promotion of the use of translation technology by master of Translation and interpreting at universities, which is expected to provide a beneficial research foundation for the teaching of translation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Understanding spatial variations in soil nutrients and its drivers is essential for sustainable nutrient management and related environmental assessment in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we investigated the distribution characteristics and controlling factors of soil total nitrogen (N) and N fractions along an altitude gradient in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Materials and methods: Six experimental sites at altitudes 4400, 4500, 4650, 4800, 4950, and 5200 m were established on southern slope of Nyainqentanglha Mountain since 2005. Total N and N fractions were quantified and their relationships with climate, vegetation, and edaphic factors were analyzed by Pearson correlation, redundancy analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results and discussion: With increasing altitude, the contents of total N, alkali-hydrolyzable N, inorganic N fractions (ammonium N and nitrate N), and organic N fractions (acid-hydrolyzable and acid-insoluble organic N) gradually increased, reached their maximums at altitude 4800 or 4950 m, and then decreased. Soil organic carbon explained 90.5% of the variations in TN and N fractions, and soil moisture, pH, mineralogy, texture, and N hydrolyzing enzyme activity explained 8.80% of the variations in TN and N fractions. Mean annual temperature and precipitation exhibited direct and positive impact on soil organic carbon, which had positive effect on inorganic N fractions and plant aboveground biomass in sequence. Conclusions: Soil organic carbon is the most dominant factors driving the variations in TN and N fractions along the altitude gradient. Climate change can impact alpine grassland productivity by regulating soil inorganic N distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the wave of Industry 4.0, traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises are in urgent need of intelligent manufacturing transformation and upgrading, and exploring the optimal realization path of intelligent manufacturing transformation can help accelerate the transformation process of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. This paper uses grounded theory research methods to conduct a multi-case study to summarize six influencing factors of the intelligent manufacturing transformation of Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises; and then analyzes the correlation between the intelligent manufacturing influencing factors based on the DEMATEL method and the NK model, and identifies the key influencing factors according to this, and then draws the fitness landscape map of the intelligent manufacturing transformation, and finally arrives at the optimal path selection of the intelligent manufacturing transformation of pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises. The study enriches and extends the research paradigm of intelligent manufacturing transformation, and provides lessons for pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises to realize intelligent manufacturing transformation and upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the global prevalence of kinesiophobia and the potential influencing factors among patients with heart disease. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases to identify studies reporting on the prevalence of kinesiophobia and its influencing factors in heart disease patients up to January 2024. A random-effects model was employed to aggregate prevalence rates. Heterogeneity sources were investigated through subgroup analysis, while differences in the prevalence of kinesiophobia across regions, types of heart disease, and gender were evaluated. Additionally, a qualitative analysis of the factors influencing kinesiophobia was performed. This research incorporated 15 studies from six countries, with 14 providing data on the prevalence of kinesiophobia and nine exploring its potential influencing factors. The findings indicated that the overall prevalence of kinesiophobia among heart disease patients was 61.0% (95% CI 49.4–72.6%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence in upper-middle-income countries was 71.8% (95% CI 66.2–77.4%), while it stands at 49.9% (95% CI 30.2–69.5%) in high-income countries. The prevalence rates among patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation were 63.2% (95% CI 45.2–81.3%), 69.2% (95% CI 57.6–80.8%), and 71.6% (95% CI 67.1–76.1%), respectively. Gender-wise, no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of kinesiophobia between men and women (52.2% vs. 51.8%). A total of 24 potential influencing factors of kinesiophobia were identified, with education level, monthly income, anxiety, and exercise self-efficacy being the most recognized. The prevalence of kinesiophobia in patients with heart disease is notably high and is influenced by a multitude of factors. Early implementation of targeted preventive measures is imperative to mitigate the incidence of kinesiophobia in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the ecological and atmospheric recovery of the Hexi Corridor region, this paper analyzes the migration changes of land use characteristics and utilizes multivariate data and BenMAP-CE software to study the pollution characteristics of ozone and its precursors and the impact on human health in the Hexi Corridor region. The results showed that the increase of cultivated land area in the Hexi Corridor mainly originated from grassland. The MDA8-O3 concentrations met the primary and secondary standards of the Ambient Air Quality Standards on 43% and 99% of the days, respectively. NO2 showed a negative weekend effect with O3, and HCHO was opposite to it. Temperature, barometric pressure, and vegetation were highly correlated with O3-NO2-HCHO. Ozone pollution in the study area caused about 60% of all-cause premature deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. The study suggests that controlling exogenous transport in Wuwei City during the high ozone period (except August) is mainly dominated by the west and northwest, and that synergistic management of VOCs and NOx emissions can reduce O3 pollution and, consequently, reduce the risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the potential quantity of soil lead (Pb) remediation in a typical karst region of China, an area where previous research on the potential remediation quantity of Pb in soil has been scarce. In this study, 12,547 surface soil samples and 54 sets of soil-profile samples were collected. This analysis investigated the sources, concentrations, distribution, and reserve properties of soil Pb in the study region. Building upon these findings, a formula for calculating the potential remediation quantity of Pb in karst soils was derived. The results disclose variations in Pb content within the surface soil, with values spanning from 9.4 to 376.4 mg/kg and a background level of 72.97 mg/kg. Additionally, the Pb content in deep soil shows a spectrum from 1.6 to 160.9 mg/kg. Principal component analysis showed that the sources of Pb in karst soil were related to the geological background, agricultural fertilization, and mineral resources. Single-factor variance analysis demonstrated significant influences of topography, parent rock type, soil utilization, and soil type on soil Pb content. The spatial distribution of soil Pb, as determined by principal component analysis, was influenced by mineral distribution, geological background, and agricultural fertilization. The soil profile analysis showed that Pb concentrations followed a logarithmic distribution pattern with increasing depth. A formula for the potential remediation quantity of Pb was derived using a logarithmic model. This rational and representative formula establishes a foundation for the management of Pb-influenced soils in karst regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intangible cultural heritage is the carrier of national memory and a historical witness. Exploring the spatial distribution and chronological evolution of intangible cultural heritage is of great significance to understand the cultural integrity and historical continuity. Taking the intangible cultural heritage along the Grand Canal as an example, this study carries out spatial deconstruction based on the extent of the spread of intangible cultural heritage and reveales the aggregation pattern through spatial autocorrelation analysis. Then, the historical process and the spatial center of gravity are shown through an evolution tree model. The influencing factors are illustrated via the methods of Geodetector and qualitative analysis. The results are as follows: (1) The two ends of the canal exhibit obvious advantages in the number of intangible cultural heritage items; however, the existence of a spatial mismatch at the city–county level makes the southern endpoint occupy a dominant position. (2) Although there is a high–high aggregation pattern along the whole canal, 29.82% of the counties are distributed widely with low–low aggregation. (3) The spatial center of intangible cultural heritage items from different historical periods generally presents a changing path from north to south and returning north. (4) Intangible cultural heritage items are mainly distributed in areas with a prosperous culture, a high level of economic development, and strong policy and financial support from government. Changes in the natural environment, population migration, economic development, war disasters, and canal shipping have profound impacts over time. This study provides a new idea for the methodological advancement of spatial distribution of intangible cultural heritage, as well as studies on local cultural identity and regional consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully erosion is a serious global environmental problem associated with land degradation and ecosystem security. Examining the influencing factors of gullies and determining susceptibility hold significance in environmental sustainability. The study evaluates the spatial distribution, influencing factors, and susceptibility of gullies in the Sunshui River Basin in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. The frequency ratio method supported by satellite images and the gully inventory dataset (1614 gully head points) with different influencing factors were applied to assess the distribution and susceptibility of gullies. Additionally, gully head points were grouped into a training set (70%, 1130 points) and a test set (30%, 484 points). Spatial distribution results indicated that most gullies are located in the middle and upper part of the basin, characterized by moderate elevation (2100–3300 m), steep slopes (11.63–27.34°), abandoned farmland, and Cambisols soil, and fewer gullies are located in lower part characterized by lower elevation, gentle slopes, and low vegetation coverage. Land use and land cover influence on susceptibility is significantly greater than other factors with a prediction rate of 33.9, especially farmland abandonment, while the occurrence of gullies is also more often on southwest-orientated slopes. Gully susceptibility highlighted that the study area affected by the very low, low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibilities to these gullies covered an area of about 16%, 23%, 32%, 26%, and 3% of the total basin respectively, which indicates 61% of the study area is susceptible to gully erosion. Moderate to high susceptibility is situated in the upper and middle part, consistent with the spatial distribution of gullies in the basin, and very high susceptibility (3%) is distributed in both the lower and upper parts of the basin. These results have important implications for soil loss control, land planning, and integrated watershed management in the mountainous areas of Southwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated construction (PC) technology diffusion, as a key to promoting PC, has attracted increasing attention from academia and industry in recent years. The diffusion of PC technology mainly stems from the coupling effect of multiple influencing factors, especially the multi-agent synergy. This study is to explore the multi-dimensional influencing factors and their coupling paths for the diffusion of PC technology, from a multi-agent synergy perspective. First, six critical factors identified through literature review are divided into three dimensions. Further, fourteen theoretical hypotheses are proposed for the interactions of these factors and their impacts on the diffusion of PC technology, highlighting the role of multi-agent synergy. Then, an empirical research method based on partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and questionnaire survey data were used to reveal the relationship between the influencing factors and the coupling path of PC technology diffusion. The findings suggest that organization strength (with the highest influence) and technology cooperation have positive effects, while technology investment has a negative effect, on PC technology diffusion. Both market competition and industry development play indirect roles on PC technology diffusion via technology investment, without direct effects. Government intervention positively moderates the path from technology investment and organizational strength to PC technology diffusion, respectively, with the strongest moderating effect between government intervention and organization strength. This study contributes to scientifically planning the diffusion of PC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption retention of different antibiotics and the physical and chemical properties of soil can vary significantly, leading to differences in their retention ability in soil environments. To investigate the adsorption retention characteristics and transfer risk, as well as influential factors of spiramycin (SPI) in three different agricultural calcareous loess soils, which were studied by means of batch equilibrium method. The results show that the adsorption kinetics data can be well described by the pseudo-second-order model, and the sorption isotherms can be described by the Freundlich model. These model parameters indicate that soil organic matter (SOM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) play a key role in the adsorption retention of SPI, while soil clay content and pH also exert some influence. Furthermore, the desorption amounts of SPI were consistently less than 35%, showing a high degree of irreversibility and a clear desorption hysteresis, making it prone to remaining retention in the soil. The adsorption amount changed little of pH value from 3 to 7. At a pH value of 7, adsorption is promoted by cation bridging between soil and SPI, and the existence of electrostatic attraction. The adsorption amount decreased when the pH value exceeded 7 dues to electrostatic repulsion. Compared with K+ and NH4+, the presence of high valence ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+ and ions with higher concentration has a significant inhibitory effect on adsorption. The FTIR spectral analysis of the adsorbents revealed that the adsorption retention was mainly governed by cation exchange, hydrogen bonding, and surface complexation. This study provides a scientific basis for assessing the retention ability and transfer risk of typical veterinary antibiotics in the soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the occurrence of medical insurance opportunistic behavior among the public in Northeast China and its importance ranking. Methods: Data are from a self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey of participants in Northeast China conducted from January to December 2019. Using a stratified sampling method, a sample of 895 residents aged 18 years or older was selected for the study and analysis. We used a stepwise logistic regression model to analyze the factors influencing the opportunistic behavior of the public within the medical insurance domain and standardized the coefficients of the independent variables in the model to further determine the degree of importance of the relevant influencing factors. Results: Opportunistic behavior was found in 34.2% of the participants. The order of importance of the factors influencing participants' opportunistic behavior were the frequency of occurrence of overmedication by medical practitioners, age, participants' evaluation of the harm of opportunistic behavior in medical insurance, marital status, participants' evaluation of the nature of opportunistic behavior in medical insurance, and participants' evaluation of the prevalence of opportunistic behavior in medical insurance. Conclusion: One-third of the participants in northeastern China engage in medical insurance opportunistic behavior. Among them, the frequency of occurrence of overmedication by medical practitioners is the most important factor influencing whether opportunistic behavior occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) are a sustainable aquaculture model strongly advocated by Chinese government. Earthy-musty is an important factor affecting the economic benefit and food safety of RAS. Geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisobornyl (2-MIB) are the main substances that produce earthy-musty, which have a low human sensory threshold. Their accumulation leads to the earthy-musty of aquatic products, which greatly reduces the taste and economic value of these products and also threatens the sustainable development of aquaculture in China. GSM and 2-MIB are predominantly produced by heterotrophic prokaryotes in RASs. The production of these odorants is closely related to environmental factors, water quality parameters, and microbial community composition and is regulated by functional enzymes. Since the water exchange rate of RASs is only 5%, the current earthy-musty substances (EMS) treatment technology is not suitable for this system, and a cost-effective EMS removal technology is urgently needed. We put specific emphasis on the removal of EMS in RAS farms. Finally, we predict the challenges faced by EMS purification in RASs under the "comprehensive development of aquaculture" guideline by the Chinese government. In this review, first, we discuss the current GSM and 2-MIB generation mechanism in RASs, and then, based on the characteristics of RASs, we describe the transformation rules and removal methods of EMS in water systems and aquatic products, respectively. Finally, a new idea for removing EMS in RASs is proposed; that is, lipid adsorbents cooperate with functional microflora to remove EMS. This review provides scientific basis for eliminating the off-flavor of aquatic products, providing technical support for the promotion of RASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bezafibrate (BZF), an extensively used lipid-regulating agent, has been frequently detected in aqueous environments. In this work, we systematically investigated the Fe(II)/sulfite process for degrading BZF and its impact on disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during postchlorination. Degradation conditions were optimized by adjusting the pH, sulfite concentration, Fe(II), and BZF concentration. Under the conditions of pH = 4, [BZF]0 = 5 μM, [Fe(II)]0 = 25 μM, and [sulfite]0 = 250 μM, the BZF removal efficiency reaches 97.9% in 15 min. Sulfate radicals (SO4●–) and singlet oxygen (1O2) are recognized as the main reactive agents, with Fe(IV) also contributing to the removal of BZF. Common anions (Cl− and HCO3−) and humic acid generally impede the degradation process, except that trace amounts of Cl− can slightly accelerate BZF degradation. A total of ten products are recognized by ultra high performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and four major degradation pathways are proposed: hydroxylation, cleavage of amino bonds, removal of fibrate chains, and dechlorination. Meanwhile, the toxicity assessment shows that the majority of products exhibit lower biological toxicity and less bioaccumulation potential than BZF itself. The Fe(II)/sulfite pretreatment alters the DBP formation potential, especially when Br− is present. The formation of trichloromethane (TCM) is diminished following pretreatment with the Fe(II)/sulfite process, whereas a noticeable increase in the formation of dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) is found. Moreover, Fe(II)/sulfite pretreatment enhances the formation of brominated DBPs. Therefore, special consideration should be given to DBP formation when a Fe(II)/sulfite system is employed as a pretreatment for the removal of BZF in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilingual perspectives have become the mainstream research paradigm in language motivation studies lately. The motivational interplay between English and French, as two important foreign languages in China, has received little academic attention, but this topic is becoming increasingly significant for language education in the era of global English. This study set out to explore the motivational differences between English majors and non-English majors learning French as the second foreign language (SFL) in a Chinese university, and identify the influencing factors of learners' motivation. A motivation scale was designed in the form of questionnaire, and participants (n = 56) from two classes were tested. Variation sampling was then adopted for interviews to capture learners' multiple motivational profiles. The results reveal that the learners' SFL motivation fluctuates constantly with their first foreign language being English. Overall, the non-English majors have a significantly higher motivation than English majors. This proves that the conclusion in the literature of L2 English having a negative impact on L3 motivation is oversimplified. We found it applies to English majors, but not to non-English majors. We also proposed an original three-dimensional motivation model, taking into account the influencing factors at the macro, meso and micro levels. It helps to reveal the dynamic interplay of different motivational forces. Teachers are suggested to help maintain and promote learners' motivation by constantly strengthening supporter language awareness and emphasizing the benefits of being multilinguals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon cycle process of coastal ecosystems is extremely complex subjected to the coupling effects of hydrodynamics from land and sea. To investigate the distribution and biogeochemistry of organic carbon in estuaries area, particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in water and total organic carbon (TOC) in surface sediments were measured over four tidal cycles at Sanjiagang (121.8°E, 31.2°N) in the Yangtze River estuary (YRE) from November 2022 to February 2023. Our results showed that the concentration of POC and DOC in water was positively correlated during the autumn and winter. Additionally, the significant positive correlation between tidal elevation and TOC concentrations indicated that organic carbon accumulation to estuarine areas was greatly influenced by tides. According to the principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise multiple regression, the tidal dynamics and physicochemical properties of water, including salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, turbidity, and pH, showed significant correlations to organic carbon. DOC and TOC concentrations were significantly higher in autumn than in winter. Due to the tidal asymmetry in the YRE, the POC and DOC concentrations during ebb tides were higher than those during flood tides. Furthermore, the influence of hydrometeorological conditions such as monthly precipitation and average temperature on the accumulation of organic carbon cannot be ignored in coastal areas. In addition, the grey correlation analysis revealed that strong relevance between the development of the processing manufacturing industry and the TOC in sediments at Site SJG. The socio-economic development and anthropogenic activities along the YRE interfered with the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon through the massive discharge of wastewater and CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, organic pollution in soil has become more serious, thus timely treatment is particularly important. Persulfate technology has a good treatment effect in reducing soil organic pollutants. Analyzing the feasibility and prospects of the applications of persulfate technology in soil organic pollution is conducive to the development of soil remediation. The activation method of persulfate treatment of soil organic pollutants is as follows: thermal activation, microwave activation, ultrasound activation, alkali activation, material activation, electroactivation and photoactivation. The influencing factors of persulfate treatment of soil organic pollutants are as follows: coexisting substance effects, persulfate initial concentrations, treatment time, soil temperature, soil pH value and soil moisture content. Persulfate technology can effectively deal with the problem of organic pollution in soil, which can be developed in the following aspects: (i) Coupling different persulfate activation technologies; (ii) Applicating activated persulfate with non-metallic activated materials in soil remediation; (iii) Coupling different soil remediation technologies with persulfate; (iv) Preparating persulfate sustained-release materials for soil remediation. This work provides a reference for those who are concerned about the field of remediation of organic pollution in soil by persulfate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supply chain for prefabricated buildings (PB) currently grapples with pressing challenges. In order to ensure the safe and stable development of the prefabricated building supply chains (PBSC), this study aims to identify the key factors and internal mechanisms affecting the PBSC, and propose a supply chain resilience enhancement mechanism, so as to promote the sustainable development of the PB industry. The study combined a literature review and survey data to identify key resilience factors in PBSC. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to explore the relationships between these factors. System dynamics were applied to create a simulation model, assessing the resilience impact level and conducting sensitivity analysis. The results show that the transportation and procurement processes are the most significant factors influencing supply chain resilience. The external environmental factors wielded a more pronounced impact on the overall evaluation of supply chain resilience than the delivery and use processes, but delivery and use processes are more sensitive. The study uses the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model to suggest strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience. This study contributes to more sustainable and efficient construction practices by offering an innovative theoretical framework to analyze the factors influencing PBSC resilience and proposing enhancement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the spatial distribution patterns of water engineering facilities along the Grand Canal during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It employs the entropy method to assess the social development status of prefectures during these periods and uses the Tobit model to examine the primary indicators influencing the distribution of water engineering facilities. The results show that the spatial distribution pattern of water engineering facilities was characterized by aggregation during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In contrast, the Qing dynasty's distribution was more dispersed, with a shift in the construction focus of water engineering facilities towards the south. The spatial distribution pattern of water engineering facilities in the Ming Dynasty centered around the hotspot areas of Shuntian Prefecture, Yanzhou Prefecture, and Yangzhou Prefecture. During continuous improvements, these facilities exhibited a multi-point-regional aggregation phenomenon.The influence of commercial development indicator on the spatial distribution of water engineering facilities is positively correlated in both the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, the impacts of the indicator on different types of water engineering facilities vary between the two dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty, the indicators of transportation accessibility and cultural prosperity facilitated the construction of regional water engineering facilities, whereas in the Qing Dynasty, they significantly influenced several types of water engineering facilities. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, neither the agricultural development indicator nor the population size indicator significantly affected the distribution of water engineering facilities. However, there was a negative correlation between the population size indicator and the distribution of water distribution facilities in the Ming Dynasty. This study enhances the importance of environmental protection in historical societies and provides a valuable reference for other international studies of linear cultural and material heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myopia is a growing concern worldwide, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of myopia in adolescents aged 12–15 in Shandong Province, China. This cross-sectional study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines and involved stratified random cluster sampling of 128,678 students from 186 middle schools across 17 cities in Shandong Province. Data collection was conducted from March to April 2024. We excluded students with organic eye diseases, abnormal binocular vision functions, or a history of eye injuries or surgeries. Myopia was assessed using the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and autorefractor without inducing ciliary muscle paralysis. A comprehensive questionnaire survey was conducted to gather demographic characteristics and daily life behaviors. With the chi-squared test for univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression for identifying significant factors. This study included 126,375 participants, with a gender distribution of 51.02% male and 48.98% female. The overall prevalence of myopia was 71.34%. Higher prevalence was observed in girls (72.26%) compared to boys (70.45%), and the prevalence increased with age, peaking at 73.12% in 15-year-olds. Urban residents had a higher prevalence (71.86%) than rural (70.39%). Factors such as increased frequency of eye usage while lying down or leaning forward, frequent use of eyes while walking or riding in a car, prolonged screen time, and extended homework duration were associated with higher odds of developing myopia. Conversely, higher frequency of outdoor exercise, maintaining proper posture during reading and writing, greater distance from eyes to screen, and longer sleep duration were associated with lower odds. Additionally, female gender, older age, urban residence, and parental history of myopia increased the risk. The high prevalence of myopia among adolescents in Shandong Province was influenced by a combination of demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors. The study highlighted the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as increasing outdoor activities and maintaining proper visual habits, limiting the duration of screen exposure and homework sessions, and extending sleep duration, to mitigate the risk of developing myopia. These findings underscored the need for targeted public health interventions and educational campaigns to address this significant public health issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the status and influencing factors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A questionnaire on COVID-19 vaccination in patients with COPD was developed. The clinical characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination status, other relevant vaccinations, and vaccination status of the patients with COPD were collected anonymously. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination in patients with COPD. There were 1898 returned questionnaires, of which 1874 were valid. The proportion of patients who completed the COVID-19 vaccination program was 78.60%. Factors influencing the COVID-19 vaccination rate were: the age of individuals who were 75–85 years old and > 85 years old, acute exacerbation 3–4 times in the previous year, comorbid cardiovascular and endocrine system diseases, failure to take regular medication for COPD, application of non-invasive ventilation machines, believing that their current health condition has deteriorated, believing that the current COVID-19 vaccine is not safe, medical staff not specifying whether they would recommend vaccination against COVID-19, medical staff not recommending the COVID-19 vaccine, and fear of adverse reactions and aggravation of COPD. Patients with COPD had a high COVID-19 vaccination rate in China, whereas patients with pneumonia, influenza, and herpes zoster had a low vaccination rate. Improving the patients' understanding of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine and promoting effective communication between medical staff and patients would help increase the vaccination rate of patients with COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the distribution characteristics of selenium (Se) in mountainous soil-crop systems and examine the threshold value of Se-rich soil, 275 soil samples and 153 associated crop samples (rice, maize, tea, nuts, konjac, mushrooms, buckwheat, and coffee) were collected in Ximeng County, a typical mountainous area in southwest China. The total Se, available Se, organic matter, pH, sampling point elevation, and crop Se content were analyzed to examine the distribution characteristics of soil Se and the ability of primary crops to enrich Se in Ximeng County. Random forest and multiple regression models were established to identify the factors influencing the available soil Se and the crop Se enrichment coefficient. Finally, the Se-rich soil threshold was examined based on the total Se, available Se, and Se content in primary crops (rice, maize, and tea). The results showed soil Se resource abundance in the study region, with high Se soil accounting for 64.72% of the entire area. The soil Se content displayed significant spatial autocorrelation. The average Se enrichment coefficient of the main cultivated crops included mushrooms > nuts > rice > coffee > tea > maize > buckwheat > konjac. The total Se content in the soil had the highest impact on the available Se content in the soil and the Se enrichment coefficient of crops. A Se-rich soil threshold of 0.3 mg·kg−1 was used for rice and maize, while that of tea was 0.4 mg·kg−1. This result provided a theoretical basis for developing and utilizing Se resources in mountainous soil in southwestern China and dividing the Se-rich soil threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear thickening fluid (STF), a type of non-Newtonian fluid, becomes more viscous as the strain rate rises. Due to their unique rheological properties, STFs have outstanding vibration-damping and energy-absorbing capabilities and have tremendous engineering applications. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of STFs, a review of aspects from the principle and composition, theoretical expression to application of STFs is presented on what are in this paper. In terms of principle of STFs, the thickening theory and thickening mechanism are explained firstly. The rheological characteristics and mechanical properties of STFs are reviewed. Subsequently, typical composition and preparation methods of STFs are enumerated. In terms of theoretical expression, theoretical modelling methods towards the viscosity of STFs are summarized. In terms of application, influencing factors on the thickening properties are examined. Furthermore, current engineering applications of STFs are presented. Finally, future perspectives on the research of STFs are put forward in the conclusion. The work of this article provides a systematic study and thorough knowledge of STFs, which is beneficial for numerous potential engineering applications of STFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, energy and food security are at the heart of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Maintaining water-energy-food (WEF) system security is critical to sustainable socio-economic development. To clarify the trends in China's WEF system stress, this paper analyses the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of WEF system stress using panel data for 30 Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2020. Using an extended STIRPAT model, we discuss the influencing factors of WEF system stress and forecast the WEF system stress index (WEF_SI) for 2021–2030. We find that China's WEF_SI has a significant positive spatial autocorrelation, with energy stress being the dominant stress in China's WEF system. Second, GDP per capita, urban population density, education level per capita, technology level and effective irrigated area have spatial and temporal heterogeneity in their effects on WEF system stress. Third, the prediction results show that China's WEF system stress will decrease in 2021–2030 but to a lesser extent. The government should coordinate the relationship between water, energy and food based on the evolutionary characteristics and projected trends of each element and formulate differentiated policies according to the resource endowment of each region to promote the coordinated development of the WEF system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new product of rapid urbanization, the sprawl of urban construction land can objectively reflect urban land use efficiency, which is of great significance to China's new urban construction. This study aimed to summarize the expansion patterns and utilization efficiency of urban construction land in China from the perspectives of the status, speed and trends of expansion, and to uncover the key factors that lead to the differential distribution of the expansion of construction land. It can also provide land management experience for other countries with rapid expansion of construction land. The results show the following. (1) The expansion of China's construction land presents a "point–line–plane" pattern of evolution, forming changing stages of point-like aggregation, linear series and planar spread. (2) China's construction land shows the characteristics of disorderly spread, a low utilization rate and low output efficiency. The speed of expansion presents clear characteristics of being high in the east and low in the west, mostly concentrated in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration. Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have the highest intensity of construction land use. In Shandong Peninsula and eastern coastal areas, the intensity of the construction land use is generally high. In Xinjiang and Xizang, the intensity of construction land use is relatively low. (3) The urban economic level, population size, industrial structure, foreign investment and land policies have significant effects on the spatial distribution of the expansion of construction land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully understand the factors influencing hydraulic fracture propagation in deep unconventional gas reservoirs, this study takes a block in China as an example. Firstly, a comprehensive geological mechanics model of the reservoir is constructed. From the perspectives of discrete natural fracture modeling, hydraulic fracture propagation analysis, and hydraulic fracturing numerical modeling, an analysis model of the influencing factors of hydraulic fracture propagation in the reservoir is established. This model is then used to conduct an analysis of the influencing factors, laying the foundation for optimizing fracturing design and improving fracturing effectiveness. The study shows that among factors such as cluster spacing, fluid intensity, natural fracture line density, and horizontal stress difference, cluster spacing has the greatest impact on hydraulic fracture propagation in the reservoir, followed by fluid intensity, while horizontal stress difference has the least impact. Under the condition of gradually increasing cluster spacing, the modified reservoir volume will initially increase and then decrease. As fluid intensity gradually increases, the modified reservoir volume will also increase, but due to economic constraints, fluid intensity should not be excessively high. When the natural fracture line density is low, the rate of increase in modified reservoir volume is relatively fast as it increases. However, when the natural fracture line density is high, the rate of increase in modified reservoir volume slows down as it continues to increase. As the horizontal principal stress difference gradually increases, the modified reservoir volume will gradually decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatiotemporal characteristics of heat wave (HW) is vital for both natural systems and human populations. The Loess Plateau is located in a climate transition zone and is highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, it is crucial to study HW in this region. Based on instrumental measurements, climate model data, atmospheric circulation data and HW metrics, this study comprehensively analyses past and future HW changes in the Loess Plateau and the influencing factors. From 1961 to 2019, the metrics for daytime heat wave(DHW) and nighttime heat wave(NHW) were as follows: duration (9.28/9.72 days), frequency (1.34/1.4 times, mean intensity (6.24/4.69 °C), maximum intensity (7.83/6.05 °C), and cumulative heat (44.45/32.63 °Cd). All metrics displayed an increasing trend (p < 0.05(NHW)). Geographically, the northern Loess Plateau exhibited the highest intensity and cumulative heat, whereas the southern region experienced longer HW. The solar flux index, western Pacific subtropical high area index, and western Pacific subtropical high intensity index were identified as the primary factors influencing HW in the Loess Plateau. By the end of the 21st century, both the duration and cumulative heat of HW are projected to rise significantly. NHW, in particular, will see extended durations and greater cumulative heat compared to DHW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-level ozone (O3) pollution has emerged as a significant concern impacting air quality in urban agglomerations, primarily driven by meteorological conditions and social-economic factors. However, previous studies have neglected to comprehensively reveal the spatial distribution and driving mechanism of O3 pollution. Based on the O3 monitoring data of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2014 to 2021, a comprehensive analysis framework of spatial analysis-spatial econometric regression was constructed to reveal the driving mechanism of O3 pollution. The results revealed the following: (1) O3 concentrations in the YRD exhibited a general increasing and then decreasing trend, indicating an improvement in pollution levels. The areas with higher O3 concentration are mainly the cities concentrated in central and southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, and northern Zhejiang. (2) The change of O3 concentration and distribution is the result of various factors. The effect of urbanization on O3 concentrations followed an inverted U-shaped curve, which implies that achieving higher quality urbanization is essential for effectively controlling urban O3 pollution. Traffic conditions and energy consumption have significant direct positive influences on O3 concentrations and spatial spillover effects. The indirect pollution contribution, considering economic weight, accounted for about 35%. Thus, addressing overall regional energy consumption and implementing traffic source regulations are crucial paths for O3 pollution control in the YRD. (3) Meteorological conditions play a certain role in regulating the O3 concentration. Higher wind speed will promote the diffusion of O3 and increase the O3 concentration in the surrounding city. These findings provide valuable insights for designing effective policies to improve air quality and mitigate ozone pollution in urban agglomeration area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The traits of rural domestic sewage emission are unclear, negatively affecting rural domestic sewage treatment and sewage management. This study used data from the Second National Pollution Source Census Bulletin to establish a data set. The spatial distribution characteristics and main factors influencing rural sewage discharge in the Northern Region were studied using spatial autocorrelation analysis and structural equations. The findings demonstrated that (1) a significant Spearman correlation between drainage water volume (DWV), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) and that the correlation coefficients between DWV and COD, NH3–N, TN and TP were 0.87**, 1.0**, 0.99**, 0.99**, respectively; (2) rural sewage discharge showed spatial autocorrelation, and rural domestic sewage discharge in the districts and counties with an administration was significantly higher than in the surrounding areas; and (3) social development was the main driver rural domestic sewage changes (path coefficient was 0.407**), and the main factors influencing rural domestic sewage discharge were the urbanization rate, years of education, and population age structure. This study obtained the spatial variation law and clarified the main influencing factors of rural domestic sewage to provide data support and a theoretical basis for subsequent rural sewage collection and treatment. Use of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China as a typical case, provides a theoretical foundation for scientific decision-making on rural domestic sewage treatment at the national and regional levels and offers new perspectives for managing pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the key determinants of heavy metal(loid) accumulation in rice and quantifying their contributions are critical for precise prediction of heavy metal(loid) concentrations in rice and the formulation of effective pollution control strategies. The accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s in rice can be influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, which may interact with each other. However, distinguishing the independent roles (main effects) from interactive effects and quantifying their impacts separately pose challenges. To address this knowledge gap, we employed TreeExplainer-based SHAP and random forest algorithms in this study to quantitatively estimate the primary influencing factors and their main and interactive effects on heavy metal(loid)s in rice. Our findings reveal that soil cadmium (SCd) and rice cultivation time (C_TIME) were the primary contributors to rice cadmium (RCd) and rice arsenic (RAs), respectively. Soil lead (SPb) and sampling distances from roads significantly contributed to rice lead (RPb). Additionally, we identified significant interactive effects of SCd and C_TIME, C_TIME and RCd, and RCd and rice variety on RCd, RAs, and RPb, respectively, emphasizing their significance. These insights are pivotal in improving the accuracy of heavy metal(loid) concentration predictions in rice and offering theoretical guidance for the formulation of pollution control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic minority women experience disparities in mammography screening utilisation and breast cancer outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised multidomain and multilevel factors that intersect to influence the utilisation of mammography among ethnic minorities. A literature search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) from inception to May 2022. Guided by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparity research framework, the retrieved data were synthesised using narrative summaries and meta-analyses. Among the 27 studies, most (n = 24) reported individual, interpersonal, and community factors in the health care system domain. In the sociocultural domain, interpersonal and societal (n = 8) factors, such as modesty and karma beliefs, were less frequently identified than individual (n = 20) factors in relation to acculturation. Only individual-level factors were reported for the biological and physical/built environment (e.g., rural residence) domains. In the behavioural domain, cancer screening behaviours had a high combined prediction ability (odds ratio = 18.23; I2 = 23%), whereas interpersonal (e.g., family obligations) and community (e.g., neighbourhood violence) factors discouraged mammography screening. Special focus should be given to ethnic minority women, especially those living in rural areas, those with considerable family obligations, and those who have suffered from violence and other life pressures, to increase their access to mammography services. Multidomain and multilevel efforts, culturally appropriate strategies, and equity-advancing policies such as geographic access and insurance coverage would help to mitigate the ethnic disparities in mammography screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It can provide a basis for decision making for the conservation and sustainable use of forest ecosystems in mountains to understand the stoichiometric properties and nutrient allocation strategies of major tree species. However, the plant nutrient allocation strategies under different environmental gradients in forest systems of arid and semi-arid mountains are not fully understand. Therefore, three typical regions in the Qilian Mountains on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were selected based on precipitation and temperature gradients, and the stoichiometric characteristics and nutrient allocation strategies of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) of the dominant tree species under different environmental gradients were investigated. The results showed that (1) the stoichiometric characteristics of plant tissues were different in the three regions. (2) The importance of each tissue in the plant nutrient allocation varied in different regions, showing that the plant roots are more important in the warm-wet region, while the plant leaves, branches and trunks are more important in the transition and hot-dry regions. (3) The influencing factors affecting plant nutrient allocation strategies were inconsistent across regions, which showed that plant nutrient allocation strategies in the warm-wet and transition region were mainly influenced by soil factors, while they were more influenced by climatic factors in the hot-dry region. The patterns of plant nutrient allocation strategies and drivers under different environmental gradients could help us better understand the ecological adaptation mechanism and physiological adjustment mechanism of forest ecosystem in mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]