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Objective: Attending college involves a stressful period of adaptation for many first-year college students. The aim of the current study was to better understand the relationship among maladaptive perfectionism, daily hassles, and depressive symptoms. Participants: The sample comprised 454 Chinese first-year college students. Methods: All participants completed a battery of questionnaires including the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, the Chinese College Student Psychological Stress Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Conflicts with roommates, forming the bad habits, and difficulties in learning were the top three stressful daily hassles. Maladaptive perfectionism predicts daily hassles, which in turn predicts depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Maladaptive perfectionism asserts its effects on depressive symptoms of first-year college students experiencing minor events on a daily basis. Implications for school educators and counselors and directions of future research are also discussed.

Existing literature on the resource theory of marital power has focused on the relative resources of spouses and overlooked the resource contributions of spouses' extended families. We propose an extended resource theory that considers how the comparative resources of a couple's natal families are directly associated with marital power, net of the comparative resources of the couple. Using data from the China Panel Family Studies, we examine how the relative education of a couple's respective parents affects the wife's decision-making power, net of the relative education of the couple. Results suggest that the higher the wife's parental education relative to her husband's parental education, the more likely she is to have the final say over household financial decisions. Our study underscores the importance of situating the study of marital power in the extended family context and highlights the significance of social origins and intergenerational exchanges for marital power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a variant vasculitis that can involve multiple organs with inflammatory manifestations. This study aimed to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the clinical phenotypes and characteristics of BS patients. We enrolled 2792 BS patients referred from China nationwide to Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from October 2012 to December 2022. Detailed assessments of demographic information, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, gastroscopy, and medical imaging were conducted. Cluster analysis was performed based on 13 variables to determine the clinical phenotypes, and each phenotype was characterized according to the features of BS patients. A total of 1834 BS patients were included, while 958 invalid patients were excluded. The median age at onset was 31 years (IQR, 24–40 years), and the median disease duration was 10 years (IQR, 5–15 years). Eight clusters were identified, including mucocutaneous (n = 655, 35.7%), gastrointestinal (n = 363, 19.8%), articular (n = 184, 10%), ocular (n = 223, 12.2%), cardiovascular (n = 119, 6.5%), neurological (n = 118, 6.4%), vascular (n = 114, 6.2%), and hematological phenotype (n = 58, 3.2%). Ocular (RR = 1.672 (95% CI, 1.327–2.106); P < 0.001), gastrointestinal (RR = = 1.194 (95% CI, 1.031–1.383); P = 0.018), cardiovascular (RR = = 2.582 (95% CI, 1.842–3.620); P < 0.001), and vascular (RR = = 2.288 (95% CI, 1.600–3.272); P < 0.001) involvement were more prevalent in male BS patients, while the hematological (RR = 0.528 (95% CI, 0.360–0.776); P = 0.001) involvement was more common among female patients. BS presents significant heterogeneity and gender differences. The eight phenotypes of BS patients we propose hold the potential to assist clinicians in devising more personalized treatment and follow-up strategies. Key Points • This cluster analysis divided adult-onset BS into eight clinical phenotypes. • BS demonstrates a high level of clinical heterogeneity and gender differences. • Hematologic phenotypes of BS present distinctive clinical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early Cambrian period is a critical time in Earth's history, marked by the second oxygenation of the atmosphere (known as the Neoproterozoic Oxidation Event) and the rapid evolution of animals, as well as the worldwide large-scale deposits. Polymetallic Ni-Mo deposits have been previously reported in the black rocks at the base of the Cambrian strata on the Yangtze Block, South China, while their genesis is still controversial, and their global occurrences are uncertain. Therefore, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of trace elements and rare earth elements in the black rocks at the base of the Yurtus Formation in the Sugaitblak section (SGT) in Aksu, Tarim Block, and then make a comprehensive study by combining our and other data from the Tarim and Yangtze Block. The distribution patterns of the trace and rare earth element data from our study and another two sections in the Aksu area have shown that the black rocks in the Tarim were strongly enriched in V, Sr, Mo, Ba, and U, moderately enriched in Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb, and slightly depleted in Ni, and Co during the early Cambrian. These enriched elements could mainly originate from the waning hydrothermal fluids, and then precipitate and preserve in sediments under anoxic environment. The comparison of trace elements in the black rocks between the Tarim and the Yangtze Block suggests that the types of enriched metal elements in these two regions were different, and metal concentrations in the Yangtze Block were much higher than those in the Tarim by 1-3 orders of magnitude. This result indicates that there are no polymetallic Ni-Mo enrichment layers in the black rocks in the Tarim during the early Cambrian, and the widespread polymetallic Ni-Mo enrichments in South China have been more likely influenced by the local hydrothermal activity. It could be further speculated that the early Cambrian period may have been an active period for seafloor hydrothermal activity, with locally different chemical components in hydrothermal fluids. Abundant metal nutrients brought by these hydrothermal activities may have been a potential factor for the rapid evolution of life during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Attending college involves a stressful period of adaptation for many first-year college students. The aim of the current study was to better understand the relationship among maladaptive perfectionism, daily hassles, and depressive symptoms. Participants: The sample comprised 454 Chinese first-year college students. Methods: All participants completed a battery of questionnaires including the Almost Perfect Scale-Revised, the Chinese College Student Psychological Stress Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Conflicts with roommates, forming the bad habits, and difficulties in learning were the top three stressful daily hassles. Maladaptive perfectionism predicts daily hassles, which in turn predicts depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Maladaptive perfectionism asserts its effects on depressive symptoms of first-year college students experiencing minor events on a daily basis. Implications for school educators and counselors and directions of future research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to the changing climate conditions and the continuous deepening of water resource conservation measures, the groundwater level in northern China has gradually risen, leading to the increasingly prominent issue of anti-floating in existing buildings and structures. The development and adoption of reliable anti-floating reinforcement techniques for existing structures are crucial for ensuring the quality of such reinforcements. Therefore, focusing on the limitations of the anchor method for anti-floating reinforcement, this paper proposes a new type of anti-floating prestressed compression anchor that features a full-length anti-compressive steel pipe with a bearing body at the end and uses non-bonding tendons throughout its length. Firstly, the structural form of this pressure-type anchor is introduced; subsequently, combined with the results of on-site pull-out tests of the anchor, an analysis is conducted on the working principle, lateral resistance distribution, and internal force transfer mechanism of the new anti-floating anchor, and its load-bearing characteristics are elucidated. Finally, relying on actual anti-floating reinforcement projects and through numerical calculations, the changes in internal forces under different anti-floating conditions of existing structures reinforced with the new anchor compared to conventional anchors are contrasted. Research findings and engineering practice indicate that this new anti-floating anchor improves the mechanical performance of the grout body of the anchor, solves the water seepage problem at the anchor location of the waterproof slab, effectively suppresses cracking of the foundation waterproof slab after reinforcement, and enhances the anti-floating and durability of existing structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rejuvenating composite seal (RCS) consists of a chip seal and a micro-surfacing (MS). There are two reasons for RCS's poor application effect in China and less frequent application than that of MS: first, the material amount of a composite seal is determined largely based upon experience and lacks a theoretical basis; and second, the composite seal cannot achieve the expected service life. The objective of this study is to determine an appropriate technique to prepare RCS in the laboratory and verify its long-term water stability. Based on an improved sweep test, a method to determine the rate at which to apply the rejuvenating emulsified asphalt used in a chip seal was established. Through the wet track abrasion test and the loaded wheel test, the proper proportion of materials in the MS mix was determined. The material dosage and technique to prepare the RCS was determined by the matrix analysis method based on a multitarget orthogonal test, and its long-term water stability was determined by immersion and freeze-thawing. The results showed that the material dosage of the chip seal was quantitatively determined by an improved sweeping test, the preparation process and material dosage of the composite seal were quantitatively determined by matrix analysis, and the resulting composite seal had reasonable structure and good comprehensive performance. The findings of this paper can provide theoretical guidance for the promotion and application of composite seals in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of germplasm resources and advances in breeding methods have led to steady increases in yield and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Three milestones in the recent history of rice breeding have contributed to these increases: dwarf rice breeding, hybrid rice breeding, and super rice breeding. On the 50th anniversary of the success of three‐line hybrid rice, we highlight important scientific discoveries in rice breeding that were made by Chinese scientists and summarize the broader history of the field. We discuss the strategies that could be used in the future to optimize rice breeding further in the hope that China will continue to play a leading role in international rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the current status and reasons for the neglect of the psychological need of patients with common skin diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in China using an online self-assessment questionnaire distributed via social media. Demographic, clinical and psychological data were collected, and the main outcomes, i.e., depression (evaluated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and anxiety (evaluated using Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7). Multivariate regression analysis was used for the prediction of variates of mental health service seeking behaviors. Results: A total of 1,010 patients participated in the survey, and 273 (27.0%) patients met the "with need" criteria, i.e., having the need for mental health intervention but not being treated. In the multivariate regression model, income (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.65-0.99), duration of disease (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.49-0.95) and suicide ideation (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.14-3.87) were significant factors. For patients who did not receive mental health care, the lack of knowledge about the availability of mental health services, lack of knowledge of where to seek help, concerns about the side effects of treatment, failure to seek treatment for severe skin diseases, and absence of current psychological distress were associated with their need for psychological intervention. Conclusion: This study examined the current status of the need for psychological intervention and the reasons why the need was unmet in patients with skin diseases. Due to the confusion and a lack of knowledge about their mental health issues, mental health services are often underutilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venture capital (VC) is a relatively newly emergent industry that is still subject to large uncertainties in China. Therefore, building a robust social network with other VC institutions is a good way to share information, various resources, and benefit from skill and knowledge complementarity to against risks. Strong evidences indicate that better networked VC institutions are of a better financial performance, however, most of previous works overlook the evolution of VC institutions and only focus on some simple topology indicators of the static syndication network, which also neglects higher-order network structure and cannot give a comprehensive evaluation. In this paper, based on VC investment records in the Chinese market, we construct temporal syndication networks between VC institutions year by year. As k-shell decomposition considers higher-order connection patterns, we employ k-shell as an evaluation of the influence of VC institutions in syndication networks. By clustering time series of k-shell values, the VC institutions in China fall into five groups that are quite different from each other on financial performances and investment behaviors. This, in turn, proves the power of our method that only based on proper sequential network properties, we can reveal their financial investment performance. Compared to other network centrality measurements, k-shell is a better indicator that is indicated by a smaller intra-group distance and a larger inter-group distance. • The evolution of topological feature of VC institutions can reveal their financial investment performance. • When evaluating the investment performance, k-shell is a better indicator than other popular centrality measures. • Investment behaviors and performance of VC institutions are closely related to social connection patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Comprehensive data on the economic burden of CRC at a populationlevel is critical in informing policymaking, but such data are currently limited in China. Methods: From a societal perspective, the economic burden of CRC in 2019 was estimated, including direct medical and nonmedical expenditure, disability, and premature-death-related indirect expenditure. Data on disease burden was taken from the GBD 2019 and analyzed using a prevalence-based approach. The perperson direct expenditure and work loss days were from a multicenter study; the premature-death-related expenditure was estimated using a human capital approach. Projections were conducted in different simulated scenarios. All expenditure data were in Chinese Yuan (CNY) and discounted to 2019. Results: In 2019, the estimated overall economic burden of CRC in China was CNY170.5 billion (0.189% of the local GDP). The direct expenditure was CNY106.4 billion (62.4% of the total economic burden), 91.4% of which was a direct medical expenditure. The indirect expenditure was CNY64.1 billion, of which 63.7% was related to premature death. The predicted burden would reach CNY560.0 billion in 2030 given constant trends for disease burden; however, it would be alternatively reduced to

Ammonium, as a major inorganic source of nitrogen (N) for sweet potato N utilization and growth, is specifically transported by ammonium transporters (AMTs). However, the activities of AMT family members in sweet potatoes have not been analyzed. In the present study, the sweet potato cultivar 'Pushu 32', which is planted in a large area in China, was used in field experiments at the Agricultural Base of Hainan University (20°06′ N, 110°33′ E) in 2021, and Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University (18°30′ N, 109°60′ E) in 2022. Four N levels were tested: 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1. The results are as follows. Twelve IbAMT genes were identified in the sweet potato genome, which were classified into three distinct subgroups based on phylogeny; the same subgroup genes had similar properties and structures. IbAMT1.3 and IbAMT1.5 were mostly expressed in the storage roots under N deficiency. Compared with the NN and HN groups, IbAMT1.3 and IbAMT1.5 expressions, N content in storage roots, N uptake efficiency at the canopy closure, N fertilization contribution rates, number of storage roots per plant, storage root weight, and yield were all increased in the MN group. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the expressions of IbAMT1.3 and IbAMT1.5 with N content in the storage roots of sweet potato. In a word, IbAMT1.3 and IbAMT1.5 may regulate N utilization, affect the development of the storage root. and determine the yield of sweet potato. The results provide valuable insights into the AMT gene family's role in the use of N and effects on storage root development and yield in sweet potatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the current status and reasons for the neglect of the psychological need of patients with common skin diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in China using an online self-assessment questionnaire distributed via social media. Demographic, clinical and psychological data were collected, and the main outcomes, i.e., depression (evaluated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and anxiety (evaluated using Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7). Multivariate regression analysis was used for the prediction of variates of mental health service seeking behaviors. Results: A total of 1,010 patients participated in the survey, and 273 (27.0%) patients met the “with need” criteria, i.e., having the need for mental health intervention but not being treated. In the multivariate regression model, income (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.65–0.99), duration of disease (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.49–0.95) and suicide ideation (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.14–3.87) were significant factors. For patients who did not receive mental health care, the lack of knowledge about the availability of mental health services, lack of knowledge of where to seek help, concerns about the side effects of treatment, failure to seek treatment for severe skin diseases, and absence of current psychological distress were associated with their need for psychological intervention. Conclusion: This study examined the current status of the need for psychological intervention and the reasons why the need was unmet in patients with skin diseases. Due to the confusion and a lack of knowledge about their mental health issues, mental health services are often underutilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin, Vinh Bac Bo in Vietnamese), located midway along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), is a critical stopover and wintering region for migratory waterbirds. This transboundary coastal region, spanning between China and Vietnam, harbors diverse wetland habitats that provide refuge to waterbird species, including highly threatened species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper (CR) and the black-faced spoonbill (EN). However, the scarcity of comprehensive assessments regarding waterbird abundances, distribution, key wetland habitats, and regional threats hinders our understanding of its conservation significance at the flyway level. Further research is needed to address these knowledge gaps and facilitate effective conservation efforts in the Beibu Gulf. By synthesizing accessible citizen science datasets and published records from wetland sites in south China and northeast Vietnam, we concluded that at least 97 waterbird species used the Gulf's wetlands during their annual cycle. Among surveys conducted from 2014 to 2022, 5 and 11 waterbird species were considered as first and second class protected species under the National Key Protected Wild Animal List in China; 2 species were listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, 4 as Endangered and 2 as Vulnerable, underlying the critical importance of the Beibu Gulf for the survival of these species. Our study identified 25 sites in the Beibu Gulf that met the criteria for designation as internationally important wetlands. Alarmingly, less than a quarter (n = 5, or 20%) of these sites benefit from national or international protection. Localized threats, including aquatic resource harvesting, hunting, and aquaculture/fisheries, were widespread in the region. This study provides a crucial scientific baseline for continued waterbird monitoring, site prioritization, and the development of effective habitat management plans to conserve vital coastal wetland habitats in the Beibu Gulf in China and Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laguncularia racemosa is widely planted in coastal mudflats as a pioneer species of mangrove afforestation in China; however, whether it exhibits invasiveness as an exotic species has been a topic of debate. In this study, we investigated the distribution, community structure, and population characteristics of L. racemosa on Hainan Island, China, to discuss its potential invasiveness. The results showed that Hainan Island has become an important distribution area for L. racemosa in China, covering a total area of 64.90 ha. In this investigation, a total of 11 true mangrove species, belonging to six families and 11 genera, were discovered in the L. racemosa community throughout Hainan Island. Furthermore, L. racemosa exhibited a strong adaptive range to seawater salinity and demonstrated a high capacity for natural dispersion. L. racemosa exhibited high importance values in the tree, shrub, and seedling layers of this artificial community, indicating its dominance and potential exclusion of other mangrove species. Over time, the importance values of L. racemosa in the tree and shrub layers initially decreased and then increased, while the opposite trend was observed in the seedling layer. Overall, the diversity indexes, including the Simpson index, Shannon–Wiener index, and Pielou community evenness index, were low in the planted L. racemosa forest on Hainan Island, suggesting a relatively simple species composition within the L. racemosa community. Additionally, based on the height levels of the L. racemosa population, we found that it mainly belonged to the first level, characterized by a large number of seedlings on Hainan Island. The number of L. racemosa seedlings gradually decreased in subsequent levels, and higher height levels of L. racemosa appeared with longer planting times, indicating a growing trend of potential invasiveness of L. racemosa on Hainan Island over an extended period. We suggest that the government should be able to list L. racemosa as an invasive species that can be harvested in the future. Based on this, this study provides fundamental data and theoretical references for the sustainable prevention, control, and management of the exotic species L. racemosa on Hainan Island, and also in other mangrove wetlands in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tui Na (Chinese massage) is a relatively simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive intervention, and has been used to treat stroke patients for many years in China. Tui Na acts on specific parts of the body which are called meridians and acupoints to achieve the role of treating diseases. Yet the underlying neural mechanism associated with Tui Na is not clear due to the lack of detection methods. Objective: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to explore the changes of sensorimotor cortical neural activity in patients with upper limb motor dysfunction of stroke and healthy control groups during Tui Na Hegu Point. Methods: Ten patients with unilateral upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke and eight healthy subjects received Tui Na. fNIRS was used to record the hemodynamic data in the sensorimotor cortex and the changes in blood flow were calculated based on oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb), the task session involved repetitive Tui Na on Hegu acupoint, using a block design [six cycles: rest (20 seconds); Tui Na (20 seconds); rest (30 seconds)]. The changes in neural activity in sensorimotor cortex could be inferred according to the principle of neurovascular coupling, and the number of activated channels in the bilateral hemisphere was used to calculate the lateralization index. Result: 1. For hemodynamic response induced by Hegu acupoint Tui Na, a dominant increase in the contralesional primary sensorimotor cortex during Hegu point Tui Na of the less affected arm in stroke patients was observed, as well as that in healthy controls, while this contralateral pattern was absent during Hegu point Tui Na of the affected arm in stroke patients. 2. Concerning the lateralization index in stroke patients, a significant difference was observed between lateralization index values for the affected arm and the less affected arm (P < 0.05). Wilcoxon tests showed a significant difference between lateralization index values for the affected arm in stroke patients and lateralization index values for the dominant upper limb in healthy controls (P < 0.05), and no significant difference between lateralization index values for the less affected arm in stroke patients and that in healthy controls (P = 0.36). Conclusion: The combination of Tui Na and fNIRS has the potential to reflect the functional status of sensorimotor neural circuits. The changes of neuroactivity in the sensorimotor cortex when Tui Na Hegu acupoint indicate that there is a certain correlation between acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine and neural circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel structures under fire often remain in corrosive environments for a long period of time. However, research on the high-temperature mechanical properties of corroded steels remains limited. In this study, an artificially simulated corrosion method is adopted to investigate the high-temperature mechanical properties of corroded Q500MC steel that usually used in bridge engineering in China. The effect of corrosion on the degradation of the high-temperature mechanical properties of steel is investigated by using steady tensile tests and numerical simulations. The results show that below 500°C, the fracture characteristics of steel containing artificial pits are affected by the minimum cross-sectional area. At 500°C, the corrosion rate increasingly influences the reduction of the high-temperature ultimate load of steel. Above 600°C, only the temperature determines the reduction degree of the ultimate load of corroded steel. Finally, the influence of the corrosion rate is greater than that of the minimum cross-sectional area proportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on China's summary of three years of experience and measures in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, we have built a COVID-19 prevention and control model integrating health and medical detection, big data information technology to track the trend of the epidemic throughout the whole process, isolation of key epidemic areas, and dynamic prevention and control management throughout the whole process. This model provides a simple, feasible, and theoretically reliable prevention and control model for future large-scale infectious disease prevention and control. The Lyapnov functional method is replaced by the global exponential attractor theory, which provides a new mathematical method for studying the global stability of the multi parameter, multi variable infectious disease prevention and control system. We extracted mathematical methods and models suitable for non-mathematical infectious disease researchers from profound and difficult to understand mathematical theories. Using the results of the global exponential Attractor theory obtained in this paper, we studied the global dynamics of the COVID-19 model with an epidemiological investigation. The results demonstrated that the non-constant disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when λ * < 0 , and the COVID-19 epidemic is persisting uniformly when λ * > 0 . In order to understand the impact of the epidemiological investigation under different prevention and control stages in China, we compare the control effects of COVID-19 under different levels of epidemiological investigation policies. We visually demonstrate the global stability and global exponential attractiveness of the COVID-19 model with transferors between regions and epidemiological investigation in a temporal-spatial heterogeneous environment with the help of numerical simulations. We find that the epidemiological investigation really has a significant effect on the prevention and control of the epidemic situation, and we can also intuitively observe the relationship between the flow of people (including tourism, shopping, work and so on) and epidemiological investigation policies. Our model is adapted to different stages of prevention and control; the emergency "circuit breaker" mechanism of the model is also consistent with actual prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the impact of cultural integration on business cooperation in the Republican Era. We collect the composition of bank boards and directors' biographical details of 28 principal banks in China, compiling a panel dataset from 1921 to 1936. The data allows us to classify directors' merchant groups, a typical cultural reflection, thereby calculating the cultural difference at the bank‐pair level. Using the boards' cultural traits, we find cultural difference among bank boards is negatively related to their director‐sharing decisions, an indicator of inter‐bank cooperation. Also, cultural identity on boards facilitates banks to participate in loan syndicates with the yield and risk shared. Further composition tests show that cultural attitude towards clan orientation, trust and open spirit embedded in the business culture is the root of inter‐banking cooperation. The finding reveals the importance of informal institutions in financial development and contributes to the debate on cultural and institutional bifurcation between China and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern. However, its stress on the mental health of young to middle-aged adults is largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health difficulties during the resurgent phase of COVID-19 among young to middle-aged adults in China. There were 1,478 participants with a median age of 26 years (IQR, 23 − 30), including 535 males (36.2%). The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and insomnia were 8.6%, 11.4%, and 13.7%, respectively. Participants aged 29 − 59 years (OR, 95% CI: 2.46, 1.23 − 4.91) and females (2.49, 1.55 − 4.01) had a higher risk of anxiety. Education status, worried level about the current COVID-19, and the level of COVID-19ʹs impact on life were significantly associated with the prevalence of anxiety. Besides, the level of COVID-19ʹs impact on life was positively related to the prevalence of depression and insomnia. Our study provided novel evidence of psychological difficulties among young to middle-aged adults during the resurgent stage of the COVID-19 epidemic. Psychological intervention should be continuously implemented to prevent long-term psychological comorbidities during the COVID-19 epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and overweight among children in China is a growing concern. The curriculum and organization of Chinese schools focuses on academic achievement leaving little time for other programs. This pilot program illustrated that it is possible to involve schools and parents in a program to reduce obesity and overweight. Teachers, school staff, parents and elementary students were involved in an all-school educational initiative based on WHO's Health Promoting School Model. The program was evaluated with a mixed modal ANOVA using a 3-level within subjects repeated factor (baseline, 1st follow-up, 2nd follow-up) and a 2-level between subjects factor (gender: boys and girls). Results indicated that it was possible to successfully involve a whole school and its parents in an innovative program aimed at reducing child obesity. Knowledge significantly increased between baseline and 1st follow-up but not between 1st and 2nd follow-up. Attitude scores increased across all assessments. Behavior scores increased significantly across all assessment periods. Boys maintained positive decreases in their BMI Z scores, while girls, after initial gains, reverted back to their initial baseline BMI Z scores. It is concluded that it was possible to conduct an effective comprehensive school health education program aimed at reducing obesity in Chinese elementary schools. (Contains 4 tables.)

There are a few screening tools to detect psychological symptoms among people with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) in China. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a translated version of the Emotional Thermometer (ET) tool. This cross-sectional study consisted of two phases: (1) translation and content validity testing; and (2) assessment of psychometric properties, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. For the first phase, the authors used a forward-backward translation approach for the Chinese version of the instrument and tested its content validity with a panel of six experts. For the second phase, the data, including the ET tool and demographic characteristics were collected in a convenience sample of 197 Chinese people with MCCs recruited from a university hospital. The first 50 participants participated in the two-week retest. The Chinese version of the ET tool had satisfactory psychometric properties; content validity index (0.83), internal consistency (0.92), and ICC (0.93 to 0.98 [p < 0.01]). Principal component analysis showed that there was only one component with an eigenvalue greater than 1 (value = 3.80), with 76.67% of the variance responding. All items loaded significantly onto this factor and demonstrated strong loadings of > 0.70. The Chinese-version of the ET tool is psychometrically sound. It has the potential to be used as a screening tool for psychological symptoms in Chinese people with MCCs. Findings from testing the Chinese translation of the Emotional Thermometer indicate this could be a convenient and useful screening tool to detect psychological symptoms in patients with multiple chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes contribute to the organic matter decomposition (OMD) in river ecosystems. This study considers two aspects of OMD in river ecosystems which have not been examined in scientific studies previously, and these are the microbial interactions in OMD and the influence of environmental factors on microbial interactions. Cotton strip (CS), as a substitute for organic matter, was introduced to Luanhe River Basin in China. The results of CS assay, microbial sequencing, and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that CS selectively enriched bacterial and fungal groups related to cellulose decomposition, achieving cotton strip decomposition (CSD). Bacterial phylum Proteobacteria and fungal phyla Rozellomycota and Ascomycota were the dominant groups associated with CSD. Network analysis and Mantel test results indicated that bacteria and fungi on CS cooperatively formed an interaction network to achieve the CSD. In the network, modules 2 and 4 were significantly positively associated with CSD, which were considered as the key modules in this study. The key modules were mainly composed of phyla Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, indicating that microbes in key modules were the effective decomposers of CS. Although keystone taxa were not directly associated with CSD, they may regulate the genera in key modules to achieve the CSD, since some keystone taxa were linked with the microbial genera associated with CSD in the key modules. Total nitrogen (TN) and temperature in water were the dominant environmental factors positively influenced CSD. The key modules 2 and 4 were positively influenced by water temperature and TN in water, respectively, and two keystone taxa were positively associated with TN. This profoundly revealed that water temperature and TN influenced the OMD through acting on the keystone taxa and key modules in microbial interactions. The research findings help us to understand the microbial interactions influenced by environmental factors in OMD in river ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time monitoring of landslide shear displacements is important for early warning of landslide hazards. However, distributed and real-time monitoring of landslide displacements cannot be fully realized by using existing monitoring methods. In this work, a new strain-sensing optical cable based on ultra-weak Fiber Bragg Grating (UWFBG) technology was designed. Two computational models to convert measured cable strains to shear displacements were proposed. Furthermore, experiments were conducted to verify the models. The advantage of the UWFBG cable is its ease of installation. In particular, it can be installed in abandoned inclinometer casings to extend the lifespan of existing inclinometer boreholes. The UWFBG cable and the proposed deployment method were applied to the Majiagou landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) area in China. Distributed deformation data were collected and transmitted to a remote computer terminal in real time (6-min interval). The monitoring results show that two shear deformation zones of the landslide were successfully identified by the UWFBG cable. The proposed method based on the UWFBG technology provides a new means to achieve distributed, real-time monitoring of landslide shear displacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition from traditional logistics to green and low-carbon logistics is crucial and inevitable due to the pressure of climate change and sustainable development in China. Meanwhile, technological innovation is perceived as an important factor affecting the development of the logistics industry. To explore the impacts of technological innovation and other factors and to propose proper policies based on the results, this study utilizes a generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression model to analyze panel data of 30 provinces during 2001–2019. Firstly, the entropy weight method is applied to calculate the green logistics development level based on an index system considering green factors. Secondly, a GEE model which considers the correlation among different observations is used to investigate the impacts of crucial factors on the green logistics development level. Moreover, regional heterogeneity is also analyzed in this paper by comparing the regression results of the Eastern region, Central region, and Western region. Based on the above analysis, several conclusions are drawn: (1) In terms of the average green logistics development levels, the Eastern region ranks 1st, the Central region ranks 2nd, and the Western region ranks 3rd. (2) GEE regression model is proved effective in our sample. (3) For the full sample, technological innovation, trade openness, and logistics infrastructure positively affect the green logistics development level; while, government regulation and energy intensity negatively influence the green logistics development level. (4) Regional heterogeneity is confirmed in our sample. Related policy recommendations are proposed based on our regional regression results. Take the Eastern region as an example, the local governments in the Eastern region should upgrade the manufacturing industry, reduce government financial investment in the transportation sector, and enhance environmental control expenditure in the transportation sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small pipe–roof–beam method has better adaptability to ultra-shallow buried subway stations. Five groups of similar model tests were carried out to explore the pipe–roof deformation, surface settlement, and beam strain caused by excavation using this method. Based on the test results, a 3D numerical model was established to study the pipe–roof deformation under different cases. The following conclusions were obtained: as the height-to-span ratio increases, the pipe–roof deformation, and surface settlement increase and, afterward, decrease. Increasing the number of beams can significantly reduce the pipe–roof deformation and surface settlement, and has a greater effect on the surface settlement. The soil-arching effect occurs above the pipe–roof during excavation, and is strengthened with an increase of height-to-span ratios. The difference between the pipe–roof deformation caused by excavation is within 2% in two cases: free at both ends and fixed at only one end. It is not recommended to add support to only one end in actual construction. Adding support at both ends can reduce the pipe–roof deformation by about 40%. The research conclusions have guiding significance for the development of the small pipe–roof–beam method. The development of subway construction has gradually become one of the themes of urban development. Finding ways to build subway stations quickly, economically, and safely has gradually become the focus of attention. The pipe–roof method is a method of constructing urban underground space, which is widely used throughout the world. However, there are many shortcomings in the existing pipe–roof method. This paper proposes the small pipe–roof–beam method that can save the construction period on the premise of ensuring safety, which is currently being applied to Shifu Road Station of Shenyang Metro Line 4 in China. In this paper, the law of surface settlement and pipe–roof deformation caused by excavation is obtained by combining the method of laboratory test and numerical simulation. The research can be the theoretical basis for the subsequent application of this method. The matching relationship between the pipe–roof and the beam will be investigated in the next study, which will provide guidance for the optimal design of subway stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As more attention is given to climate change and sustainable development in China, enterprises start to care about carbon emissions related to their supply chains. One important issue faced by an enterprise is to select a logistics provider who can provide a high-quality service with low carbon levels. To solve this issue, this paper proposes a selection criterion from the perspective of low carbon levels based on previous studies. The selection criterion consists of comprehensive strength, financial status, market competitiveness, development potential and low carbon level. Next, this paper applies a combined method of information entropy and grey correlation vlsekriterijumska optimizacija i kompromisno resenje (VIKOR) model to evaluate the proposed selection criterion. Subsequently, this paper took company S and its four logistics providers as a case study to check the applicability of our proposed selection method and to illustrate how to use it. Sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis are also conducted. Related managerial insights are also proposed based on the evaluation results. One finding of this paper is to establish a decision-making framework to evaluate logistics suppliers under the new background of 'emission peak and carbon neutrality'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of the evolution history and genetic diversity of a species is important in the utilization of novel genetic variation in this species, as well as for its conservation. Pistacia chinensis is an important biodiesel tree crop in China, due to the high oil content of its fruit. The aim of this study was to uncover the genetic structure of P. chinensis and to investigate the influence of intraspecific gene flow on the process of domestication and the diversification of varieties. We investigated the genetic structure of P. chinensis, as well as evolution and introgression in the subpopulations, through analysis of the plastid and nuclear genomes of 39 P. chinensis individuals from across China. High levels of variation were detected in the P. chinensis plastome, and 460 intraspecific polymorphic sites, 104 indels and three small inversions were identified. Phylogenetic analysis and population structure using the plastome dataset supported five clades of P. chinensis. Population structure analysis based on the nuclear SNPs showed two groups, clearly clustered together, and more than a third of the total individuals were classified as hybrids. Discordance between the plastid and nuclear genomes suggested that hybridization events may have occurred between highly divergent samples in the P. chinensis subclades. Most of the species in the P. chinensis subclade diverged between the late Miocene and the mid-Pliocene. The processes of domestication and cultivation have decreased the genetic diversity of P. chinensis. The extensive variability and structuring of the P. chinensis plastid together with the nuclear genomic variation detected in this study suggests that much unexploited genetic diversity is available for improvement in this recently domesticated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Infertile clients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) are exposed to a stressful situation and evidence has highlighted the importance of dyadic coping in reducing stress, yet little is known about the associations between psychological distress, dyadic coping, and quality of life in this population. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. A structured questionnaire was administered online to assess psychological distress, dyadic coping, and fertility quality of life. Sociodemographic information was collected. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression models were used to analyze the data. Results: Of 715 infertile males and females who completed the survey. Results showed that there was a negative association between psychological distress and quality of life. The use of positive dyadic coping was associated with better quality of life, whereas negative dyadic coping might contribute to worse quality of life. Moreover, males reported having a better quality of life in contrast to females. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlighted the significant associations between particular dyadic coping and quality of life in clients undergoing ART. Healthcare professionals should recognize the significance of dyadic coping in the context of ART and consider improving clients' quality of life through coping-oriented interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonisation targets of the People's Republic of China are ambitious. Their achievement relies on the large-scale deployment of variable renewable energy sources (VRES), such as wind and solar. High penetration of VRES may lead to balancing problems on the grid, which can be compensated by increasing the shifting flexibility capacity of the system by integration with energy storage, e.g., by installing additional electricity storage. Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) is the most diffused electricity storage technology at the global level and the only fully mature solution for long-term electricity storage. China already has the highest PHS capacity installed worldwide and plans to increase it strongly before 2030. The present study, based on the data from the "Pumped Storage Tracking Tool" of the International Hydropower Association, investigates the potential for technological improvement of the existing and future PHS fleet in China. The aims of adopting advanced PHS solutions allow China to better cope with the task of balancing the VRES production. The potential for adopting advanced PHS solutions is evaluated through five different intervention possibilities (here referred to as scenarios). These scenarios consider revamping part of the operational Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) fleet and redesigning future installations that are already planned. As a result, considering all the major technical and authorisation process constraints, 4.0% (5.2 GW) of the 132 GW fleet expected to be commissioned before 2035 could additionally adopt advanced PHS in a high-potential scenario. Meanwhile in the medium and low potential scenarios, the quota can reach 11.1% (14.6 GW) and 26.2% (34.5 GW), respectively. Furthermore, policy recommendations are elaborated to promote, facilitate, and support the adoption of these advanced PHS solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In view of the fact that Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infection(BSI) is a great threat to human survival, early identification of the risk factors affecting prognosis will be of great benefit to the clinic. Patients and Methods: A propensity score matching method was used to collect patients identified with Acinetobacter baumannii BSI from 2016 to 2020 from a reputable hospital in China. Results: A total of 398 patients were considered. According to the 28-day prognosis, they were divided into the survival group 150 (37.7%) and the death group 248 (62.3%), and the prognosis was analyzed. Subsequently, Propensity score matching was adjusted for variables with p-values Acinetobacter baumannii BSI who had higher SOFA scores at the time of infection, with septic shock, or mechanical ventilation were more likely to be fatally hit within 28 days and had a poor prognosis. Conclusion: The existence of drug resistance with Acinetobacter baumannii only leads to Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy, ultimately, Inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy was the direct predictor of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most cancer disability-adjusted life year (DALY) studies worldwide have used broad, generic disability weights (DWs); however, differences exist among populations and types of cancers. Using breast cancer as example, this study aimed to estimate the population-level DALYs in females in China and the impact of screening as well as applying local DWs. Methods: Using multisource data, a prevalence-based model was constructed. (1) Overall years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated by using numbers of prevalence cases, stage-specific proportions, and local DWs for breast cancer. Numbers of females and new breast cancer cases as well as local survival rates were used to calculate the number of prevalence cases. (2) Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated using breast cancer mortality rates, female numbers and standard life expectancies. (3) The prevalence of and mortality due to breast cancer and associated DALYs from 2020 to 2030 were predicted using Joinpoint regression. (4) Assumptions considered for screening predictions included expanding coverage, reducing mortality due to breast cancer and improving early-stage proportion for breast cancer. Results: In Chinese females, the estimated number of breast cancer DALYs was 2251.5 thousand (of 17.3% were YLDs) in 2015, which is predicted to increase by 26.7% (60.3% among those aged ≥ 65 years) in 2030 (2852.8 thousand) if the screening coverage (25.7%) stays unchanged. However, if the coverage can be achieved to 40.7% in 2030 (deduced from the "Healthy China Initiative"), DALYs would decrease by 1.5% among the screened age groups. Sensitivity analyses found that using local DWs would change the base-case values by ~ 10%. Conclusion: Estimates of DALYs due to breast cancer in China were lower (with a higher proportion of YLDs) than Global Burden of Disease Study numbers (2527.0 thousand, 8.2% were YLDs), suggesting the importance of the application of population-specific DWs. If the screening coverage remains unchanged, breast cancer-caused DALYs would continue to increase, especially among elderly individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research typically examined homeownership inequality across individuals or households, overlooking the intrahousehold allocation of homeownership. Using couple-level data of the 2016 China Family Panel Studies, our study addresses the gap by examining the bargaining over homeownership between husbands and wives in China. Descriptive results reveal a large gender gap in homeownership: only about one-quarter of couples listed the wife as an owner on the Housing Ownership Certificate, whereas about 92% listed the husband. The gender gap in ownership, however, has narrowed among couples married after 2000. Multivariate analyses show that economic autonomy, relative resources, housing purchase conditions, and modernization significantly increase wives' homeownership, but with varying degrees among rural and urban wives. Women's own socioeconomic status is more important for acquiring homeownership for urban wives, yet rural wives' homeownership depends more on the resource exchange with their husbands. Given the stratifying effects of homeownership, our findings of the unequal distribution of homeownership between husbands and wives underscore how family dynamics reproduce gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyze the applicability of the World Health Organization's exclusionary guidelines for Urinary creatinine (Ucr) in the general Chinese population, and to identify Ucr related factors. We conduct a cross-sectional study using baseline data from 21,167 participants in the China National Human Biomonitoring Program. Mixed linear models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze the associations between explanatory variables and Ucr concentration. The geometric mean and median concentrations of Ucr in the general Chinese population were 0.90 g/L and 1.01 g/L, respectively. And 9.36% samples were outside 0.3–3.0 g/L, including 7.83% below the lower limit and 1.53% above the upper limit. Middle age, male, obesity, smoking, higher frequency of red meat consumption and chronic kidney disease were associated significantly with higher concentrations of Ucr. Results of the RCS showed Ucr was positively and linearly associated with body mass index, inversely and linearly associated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides level, and glomerular filtration rate, and were non-linearly associated with triiodothyronine. The age- and gender-specific cut-off values of Ucr that determine the validity of urine samples in the general Chinese population were recommended. To avoid introducing bias into epidemiologic associations, the potential predictors of Ucr observed in the current study should be considered when using Ucr to adjust for variations in urine dilution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased social distance is one of the manifestations of social impairment. Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of factors associated with increased social distance and social withdrawal. Exercise therapy is an effective means to social impairment. However, whether exercise could reduce social distance in patients with CLBP remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on social distance in middle-aged and elderly patients with CLBP. Methods: The longitudinal intervention recruited 29 middle-aged and elderly patients with CLBP from various communities in Yangpu District, Shanghai, China. The participants received exercise intervention for 8 weeks. The assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including social distance, pain intensity, unpleasantness of pain, Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMDQ), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Intention to treat analysis was performed. Results: After the 8-week exercise intervention, the social distance of patients with CLBP was shorter than that before intervention and showed significant difference (p < 0.05). The scores of pain intensity, unpleasantness of pain, RMDQ, SAS, and SDS also decreased and were significantly different between pre- and post-intervention (p < 0.05). In addition, the social distance, pain intensity, unpleasantness of pain, RMDQ, SAS, and SDS scores of the moderate CLBP group decreased more after the intervention compared with those of the mild CLBP group. Conclusion: The 8-week exercise intervention cannot only shorten the social distance in middle-aged and elderly patients with CLBP but also relieve pain, disability, and negative emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benchmark data on the population-level economic burden are critical to inform policymakers about liver cancer control. However, comprehensive data in China are currently limited. Methods: A prevalence-based approach from a societal perspective was used to quantify the annual economic burden of liver cancer in China from 2019 to 2030. Detailed per-case data on medical/non-medical expenditure and work-loss days were extracted from a multicenter survey. The numbers/rates of new/prevalent cases and deaths, survival, and population-related parameters were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the literature. All expenditure data were reported in both 2019 Chinese Yuan (CNY) and United States dollar (US$, for main estimations). Result: The overall economic burden of liver cancer was estimated at CNY76.7/US$11.1 billion in China in 2019 (0.047% of the local GDP). The direct expenditure was CNY21.6/US$3.1 billion, including CNY19.7/US$2.9 billion for medical expenditure and CNY1.9/US$0.3 billion for non-medical expenditure. The indirect cost was CNY55.1/US$8.0 billion (71.8% of the overall burden), including CNY3.0/US$0.4 billion due to disability and CNY52.0/US$7.5 billion due to premature death. The total burden would increase to CNY84.2/US$12.2 billion, CNY141.7/US$20.5 billion, and CNY234.3/US$34.0 billion in 2020, 2025, and 2030, accounting for 0.102%, 0.138%, and 0.192% of China's GDP, respectively. However, if China achieves the goals of Healthy China 2030 or the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for non-communicable diseases, the burden in 2030 would be < CNY144.4/US$20.9 billion. Conclusions: The population-level economic burden of liver cancer in China is currently substantial and will consistently increase in the future. Sustainable efforts in primary and secondary interventions for liver cancer need to be further strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the incidence of anxiety and depression and examine their cross-sectional associations with chronic pain and quality of life among older adults in rural China. Observational, multi-center, cross-sectional study. A structured, self-report questionnaire was administered. Descriptive statistics analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed. 244 participants (female: 47.1%) filled out the questionnaires. 87 (35.7%) had symptoms of anxiety and 123 (50.4%) had symptoms of depression. The sensory pain descriptor, affective pain descriptor, physical component summary, and mental component summary significantly influenced symptoms of anxiety while affective pain descriptor, physical component summary, and mental component summary significantly influenced symptoms of depression. Subjective pain experiences and QoL, including physical and mental domains, are strongly related to symptoms of anxiety and depression among older adults in rural China. Interventions that highlight subjective pain experiences and QoL may help to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, no consensus exists regarding Sotos syndrome in the Chinese population. Here, we present a case of neonatal Sotos syndrome, followed by a retrospective analysis of five cases of neonatal Sotos syndrome, reported in China. The study subject was a twin premature infant, heavier than gestational age, with characteristic facial features, limb shaking, and hypertonia. Transient hypoglycemia, abnormal cranial magnetic resonance imaging, multiple nodules in polycystic kidneys and liver, abnormal hearing, patent ductus arteriosus, and an atrial septal defect were also noted. The subject showed overgrowth and developmental retardation at 3 months of age. Sequencing revealed a novel missense mutation, c.5000C>A, in the nuclear receptor binding the SET domain protein 1 gene, resulting in an alanine-to-glutamate substitution. The bioinformatics analysis suggested high pathogenicity at this site. This study provides insights into diagnosis of neonatal Sotos syndrome based on specific phenotypes. Subsequent treatment and follow-up should focus on developmental retardation, epilepsy, and scoliosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported by patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), while it has not been fully recognized and taken seriously in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of fatigue in patients with UC and identify the factors associated with fatigue and its severity in China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to February 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Fatigue was evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Index Scale and the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool were respectively used to evaluate the anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and nutritional risk of patients with UC.Results: A total of 220 UC patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of fatigue in patients was 61.8%, of which in patients with disease activity was 68.2%, and in patients in remission was 40.0%. Univariate analysis indicated that the Montreal classification, disease activity, anemia, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and high nutritional risk were the factors associated with fatigue in Patients with UC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the Montreal classification (E3: E1, OR = 2.665, 95% CI = 1.134-6.216), disease activity (OR = 2.157, 95% CI = 1.055-4.410) and anxiety (OR = 2.867, 95% CI = 1.154-7.126) were related to an increased risk of fatigue. Disease activity (RC = 0.240, 95% CI = 0.193-0.674) and anxiety (RC = 0.181, 95% CI = 0.000-0.151) were associated with severity of fatigue.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the prevalence of fatigue among UC patients in China. The Montreal classification, disease activity and anxiety are associated with an increased risk of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are highly prevalent in primary care. Coping is an important psychological factor that influences patients' ability to adapt physically and mentally to MCCs. Testing a reliable and valid psychometric inventory is necessary to identify coping strategies before developing coping‐oriented interventions. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE‐CN) inventory in patients with MCCs. Method: This study adopted a cross‐sectional design. A convenience sample of 290 Chinese patients with MCCs was recruited from a tertiary hospital in East China. The Brief COPE‐CN, sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were collected using a self‐reported questionnaire from November 2017 to May 2018. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were performed. Results: The mean age of the participants was 58.5 years (range from 23 to 95 years), and approximately half of the participants were female (49.3%). Most participants had two chronic conditions (82.1%) and reported having had MCCs for more than 2 years. The explanatory factor analysis (EFA) identified five factors in the Brief COPE‐CN that explained 58.4% of the total variance. The Cronbach's α coefficients ranged from.65 to.85 for the five subscales. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the Brief COPE‐CN were acceptable for use with Chinese patients with MCCs. With further evaluation, this instrument may help health‐care professionals understand patients' coping and develop coping‐based interventions to promote coping in this population. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? There is a growing predominance of chronic diseases in China, with many Chinese patients living with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) that can adversely impact physical and psychological health.Coping‐oriented interventions that address and enhance patients' coping strategies are beneficial in terms of improving their health.There is no valid and reliable Chinese tool to measure coping strategies among patients with MCCs. What this paper adds? This study reports a five‐factor structure of the Chinese version of the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE‐CN) established by explanatory factor analysis.The five‐factor structure of the Brief COPE‐CN has good internal consistency. The implications of this paper: The five‐factor Brief COPE‐CN has the potential to measure coping strategies effectively in Chinese patients with MCCs.With further evaluation, this instrument may be a useful tool for developing specific interventions to promote coping in Chinese patients with MCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponge cities provide broad hydrological functions to alleviate urban flooding and other water-related problems in China. Conventional impervious paving cannot meet contemporary sustainable city goals. The permeable paving technology offers primary benefits such as increasing stormwater infiltration, drainage, purification, groundwater recharge, and microclimatic amelioration. Few studies have evaluated the embracive range of benefits and the social functions holistically. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive benefit evaluation system to cover a broad range of indicators. Nineteen indicators were selected based on the literature review, field studies, and research experience. Organized in a three-tiered hierarchical structure, they were divided into environmental, economic, and social benefits. A grey intuitionistic fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model was built by combining intuitionistic fuzzy analysis with a grey comprehensive evaluation. The computational tools could determine the differential weights of indicators and benefit scores. Taking an example of a permeable pavement project in Quanzhou City, the comprehensive benefits were assessed and validated using our evaluation model. The results show that (1) the comprehensive benefits of the project met the economic feasibility criteria with advantages over conventional paving; (2) the environmental benefits were prominently expressed; (3) the social benefits were assessed and confirmed. The results verified the feasibility and applicability of the quantitative-qualitative model. The method could permit the integrated and systematic benefit assessment of permeable paving designs. It also provides guidance and reference to evaluate the performance of permeable pavements and their comprehensive range of benefits. The findings could reference choosing and refining designs, optimizing the benefits, and promoting a science-oriented development of permeable paving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examines how household wealth accumulation varies by different types of hypogamy on the basis of couples' own and parental education. Background: Educational hypogamy (wives having more education than their husbands) is increasingly relevant in many societies, given the reversal of the gender gap in education. Prior research has studied how marital sorting on couples' own education shapes their individual earnings trajectories. Few have examined the implications of marital sorting on parental education for family‐level economic well‐being. Method: Using data from the 2010–2018 China Family Panel Studies and multilevel growth curve models, this study examined how household wealth trajectories over years of marriage differ by types of hypogamy. Hypogamy in the child generation (wives having more education), hypogamy in the parent generation (wives having more parental education), and hypogamy in both generations (wives having more own and parental education) were compared to hypogamy in neither generation (wives having neither more own nor parental education). Results: Hypogamy in either the child or the parent generation accumulated more total wealth and housing wealth than hypogamy in neither generation. Hypogamy in both generations experienced the fastest gains in total wealth. Conclusion: Hypogamy on the basis of couples' own or parental education is associated with more household wealth and faster wealth accumulation over years of marriage. Implications: This study sheds light on the long‐term implications of hypogamy based on the education of two generations for wealth stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) is the source of the world's finest fibre quality cotton, yet relatively little is understood about genetic variations among diverse germplasms, genes underlying important traits and the effects of pedigree selection. Here, we resequenced 336 G. barbadense accessions and identified 16 million SNPs. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses revealed two major gene pools and a third admixed subgroup derived from geographical dissemination and interbreeding. We conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 15 traits including fibre quality, yield, disease resistance, maturity and plant architecture. The highest number of associated loci was for fibre quality, followed by disease resistance and yield. Using gene expression analyses and VIGS transgenic experiments, we confirmed the roles of five candidate genes regulating four key traits, that is disease resistance, fibre length, fibre strength and lint percentage. Geographical and temporal considerations demonstrated selection for the superior fibre quality (fibre length and fibre strength), and high lint percentage in improving G. barbadense in China. Pedigree selection breeding increased Fusarium wilt disease resistance and separately improved fibre quality and yield. Our work provides a foundation for understanding genomic variation and selective breeding of Sea Island cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early repolarization pattern (ERP) was associated with sudden cardiac death in recent studies. However, the associations between ERP and coronary artery disease (CAD), and ERP and cardiac death caused by acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains unclear.Methods: We retrospectively enrolled consecutive 1,545 CAD patients and 908 non-CAD subjects as control group which were confirmed by coronary angiograph. The CAD patients include stable CAD, acute MI patients, and old MI patients. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to evaluate the relationship between ERP and CAD, and ERP and cardiac death caused by acute MI.Results: Of the 1,545 CAD subjects, there were 1,029 stable CAD patients, 404 acute MI patients, and 112 old MI patients. The incidence of ERP was much higher among patients with CAD than without CAD subjects (20.1% vs. 6.2%, p < .001) after adjusting for major cardiovascular risk factors. No significant correlation was observed between lead region of ERP on 12-lead ECG and single abnormal artery. Of the 404 acute MI patients, 342 patients survived and 62 patients died. Incidence of ERP was higher in non-survivor than survivor patients with acute MI (24.2% vs. 17.5%, p = .006) after adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion: The incidence of ERP was higher in CAD patients than subjects without CAD and in non-survivor patients than survivor patients with acute MI. The lead region of ERP on 12-lead ECG was not associated with single abnormal coronary artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing staff are on the front line of providing healthcare that addresses patients' needs. Sleep quality is highly related to work performance and quality of life among nurses. Aims: This study aimed to examine the influence of sociodemographic variables, menopause syndrome, and health‐promoting behaviors on sleep quality in a sample of middle‐aged nurses in China. Methods: A cross‐sectional design was employed. A consecutive sample of 424 nurses was recruited from a university‐affiliated hospital in Bengbu, China. Self‐reported, structured questionnaires, including sociodemographic surveys, the Kupperman Menopausal Index, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, were administered between October 2018 and July 2019. This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Results: Study participants had a mean sleep quality level of 5.30 points (SD = 3.16), indicating potential sleep problems. The results of regression models showed that menopause syndrome and spiritual growth were important predictors of sleep quality for premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause groups. Conclusion: Middle‐aged nurses with more severe menopause syndrome and less spiritual growth might experience worse sleep quality. Relevance to clinical practice: This study highlights important factors influencing the level of sleep quality in Chinese middle‐aged nurses. Identifying the factors that are associated with sleep quality may help with the development of proper interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The impact of baseline hypertension status on the BMI-mortality association is still unclear. We aimed to examine the moderation effect of hypertension on the BMI-mortality association using a rural Chinese cohort.Design: In this cohort study, we investigated the incident of mortality according to different BMI categories by hypertension status.Setting: Longitudinal population-based cohort.Participants: 17 262 adults ≥18 years were recruited from July to August of 2013 and July to August of 2014 from a rural area in China.Results: During a median 6-year follow-up, we recorded 1109 deaths (610 with and 499 without hypertension). In adjusted models, as compared with BMI 22-24 kg/m2, with BMI ≤ 18, 18-20, 20-22, 24-26, 26-28, 28-30 and >30 kg/m2, the hazard ratios for mortality in normotensive participants were 1·92 (95% CI 1·23, 3·00), 1·44 (95% CI 1·01, 2·05), 1·14 (95% CI 0·82, 1·58), 0·96 (95% CI 0·70, 1·31), 0·96 (95% CI 0·65, 1·43), 1·32 (95% CI 0·81, 2·14) and 1·32 (95% CI 0·74, 2·35), respectively, and in hypertensive participants were 1·85 (95% CI 1·08, 3·17), 1·67 (95% CI 1·17, 2·39), 1·29 (95% CI 0·95, 1·75), 1·20 (95% CI 0·91, 1·58), 1·10 (95% CI 0·83, 1·46), 1·10 (95% CI 0·80, 1·52) and 0·61 (95% CI 0·40, 0·94), respectively. The risk of mortality was lower in individuals with hypertension with overweight or obesity v. normal weight, especially in older hypertensives (≥60 years old). Sensitivity analyses gave consistent results for both normotensive and hypertensive participants.Conclusions: Low BMI was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality regardless of hypertension status in rural Chinese adults, but high BMI decreased the mortality risk among individuals with hypertension, especially in older hypertensives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the relationship between socio‐demographic and clinical variables, physical function, coping strategies and symptoms of anxiety and depression in Chinese older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a prior cross‐sectional survey investigated coping and mental health among adults with multiple chronic conditions living in China. A convenience sample of 185 adults with MCCs was recruited from a university‐affiliated hospital between November 2017 and May 2018 in Northern Anhui, China. Results: Of the 185 participants, 63% of participants had scores indicating symptoms of anxiety and 54% had scores indicating depression. Stepwise regression models explained 47% of the total variance for the levels of anxiety and 34% for the levels of depression. In the anxiety model, gender, body pain, physical functioning, positive adaptation, denial and disengagement coping, and spiritual coping showed significant associations. In the depression model, gender, physical functioning, positive adaptation and spiritual coping showed significant associations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the need to screen for anxiety and depression among older adults with MCCs. Individualised interventions that address coping strategies should be encouraged to maintain psychological well‐being in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global spread of the novel coronavirus pneumonia is still continuing, and a new round of more serious outbreaks has even begun in some countries. In this context, this paper studies the dynamics of a type of delayed reaction-diffusion novel coronavirus pneumonia model with relapse and self-limiting treatment in a temporal-spatial heterogeneous environment.Methods: First, focus on the self-limiting characteristics of COVID-19, incorporate the relapse and self-limiting treatment factors into the diffusion model, and study the influence of self-limiting treatment on the diffusion of the epidemic. Second, because the traditional Lyapunov stability method is difficult to determine the spread of the epidemic with relapse and self-limiting treatment, we introduce a completely different method, relying on the existence conditions of the exponential attractor of our newly established in the infinite-dimensional dynamic system to determine the diffusion of novel coronavirus pneumonia. Third, relapse and self-limiting treatment have led to a change in the structure of the delayed diffusion COVID-19 model, and the traditional basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] no longer has threshold characteristics. With the help of the Krein-Rutman theorem and the eigenvalue method, we studied the threshold characteristics of the principal eigenvalue and found that it can be used as a new threshold to describe the diffusion of the epidemic.Results: Our results prove that the principal eigenvalue [Formula: see text] of the delayed reaction-diffusion COVID-19 system with relapse and self-limiting treatment can replace the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] to describe the threshold effect of disease transmission. Combine with the latest official data and the prevention and control strategies, some numerical simulations on the stability and global exponential attractiveness of the diffusion of the COVID-19 epidemic in China and the USA are given.Conclusions: Through the comparison of numerical simulations, we find that self-limiting treatment can significantly promote the prevention and control of the epidemic. And if the free activities of asymptomatic infected persons are not restricted, it will seriously hinder the progress of epidemic prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a kind of organic pollutants with carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects. This study aims to assess the effects of changes in China's socio-economic indicators represented by energy consumption and number of motor vehicles, on PAHs and black carbon (BC) deposition. For this, a 50-cm peat core from Dajiuhu peatland, Central China, was collected and divided into 50 subsamples to establish a sedimentary record of about 200 years with radioactive 210Pb. The Σ16PAH concentration ranged from 212.67 to 830.10 ng·g−1, mainly composed of 2- and 3-ring PAHs, and BC ranged from 7.89 to 36.48%. The deposition characteristics of BC first increased and then decreased from the core bottom to the top. The predominant of the carcinogenic PAHs (C-PAHs) was Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA) before 1949, and then changed to Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF). Ratio of Fla/Pyr, (3+4)-ring/(5+6)-ring PAHs, and BaA/(BaA+Chr), IcdP/(IcdP+BghiP) suggested that long-range atmospheric transmission (LRAT) and pyrogenic were the main PAHs sources, but that local PAH emission contribution gradually increased since 1990, and mixed (petroleum and combustion) sources were the dominant since 2000. The high concentration of Phenanthrene (Phe) and Naphthalene (Nap) were likely from plant product. Furthermore, increased concentrations of 4-, 5-, and 6-ring PAHs showed significant correlations with increased coal and petroleum consumption and the number of motor vehicles, respectively, and this influence has strengthened after 2000. These were caused by rapid urbanization and industrialization following the implementation of the reform and opening up policy in 1978, and a new round of urbanization after 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incubation period is a crucial index of epidemiology in understanding the spread of the emerging Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to describe the incubation period of COVID-19 globally and in the mainland of China. Methods: The searched studies were published from December 1, 2019 to May 26, 2021 in CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Embase databases. A random-effect model was used to pool the mean incubation period. Meta-regression was used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Meanwhile, we collected 11 545 patients in the mainland of China outside Hubei from January 19, 2020 to September 21, 2020. The incubation period fitted with the Log-normal model by the coarseDataTools package. Results: A total of 3235 articles were searched, 53 of which were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled mean incubation period of COVID-19 was 6.0 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6–6.5) globally, 6.5 days (95% CI 6.1–6.9) in the mainland of China, and 4.6 days (95% CI 4.1–5.1) outside the mainland of China (P = 0.006). The incubation period varied with age (P = 0.005). Meanwhile, in 11 545 patients, the mean incubation period was 7.1 days (95% CI 7.0–7.2), which was similar to the finding in our meta-analysis. Conclusions: For COVID-19, the mean incubation period was 6.0 days globally but near 7.0 days in the mainland of China, which will help identify the time of infection and make disease control decisions. Furthermore, attention should also be paid to the region- or age-specific incubation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]