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Background: The neonatal outcomes across different percentiles of birth weight for gestational age are still unclear. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted within 57 tertiary hospitals participating in the Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) from 25 provinces throughout China. Infants with gestational age (GA) 24+0-31+6 weeks who were admitted within 7 days after birth were included. The composite outcome was defined as mortality or any one of neonatal major morbidities, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL), severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and sepsis. Multivariable logistic regressions using generalized estimating equation approach were conducted. Results: A total of 8380 infants were included with a mean GA of 30 (28–31) weeks. Of these, 1373 (16.5%) were born at less than 28 weeks, while 6997 (83.5%) had a GA between 28 and 32 weeks. Our analysis indicated that the risk of composite outcomes was negatively associated with birth weight for gestational age, and compared to the reference group, the multiple-adjusted ORs (95%CI) of composite outcomes were 4.89 (3.51–6.81) and 2.16 (1.77–2.63) for infants with birth weight for gestational less than 10th percentile and 10th -30th percentile, respectively. The ORs (95%CI) of mortality, NEC, BPD, severe ROP, and sepsis in infants with birth weight for gestational age at 10th-30th percentile were 1.94 (1.56–2.41), 1.08 (0.79–1.47), 2.48 (2.03–3.04), 2.35 (1.63–3.39), and 1.39 (1.10–1.77), respectively. Conclusion: Our study suggested that the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes increased significantly when the birth weight for gestational age was below the 30th percentile. Regular monitoring and early intervention are crucial for these high-risk infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Results Conclusion Implications and Impact Reporting Method Patient or Public Contribution Based on the socio‐ecological model, the present study examined influencing factors of eHealth literacy among Chinese older adults at individual‐level (e.g., socio‐demographics, Internet use, and health status), interpersonal (e.g., informational support and instrumental support), and community‐level (e.g., available public facilities).A longitudinal study was conducted among 611 Chinese older adults aged 55 or over.From February to December 2022, older people's eHealth literacy was collected at baseline, 3‐month and 6‐month follow‐up surveys and other variables were collected only at baseline, using online questionnaires.Among 611 participants, 464 (75.9%) completed both follow‐up surveys. At the individual level, participants who were older, female gender, rural residents, living alone, had lower education, occupational levels and income, and had chronic conditions and long‐term medication showed lower eHealth literacy. Older adults with longer Internet use history, online health information seeking, more frequent health‐related Internet use, higher self‐rated Internet skills and positive perceptions towards online health information exhibited higher eHealth literacy over time. In terms of interpersonal and community‐level factors, perceiving informational and instrumental support when using digital health, and having access to health facilities (e.g., health education) and technological training provided by the community could predict older individuals' higher eHealth literacy over time, after adjusting for covariates.Older people's eHealth literacy can be influenced by factors at individual, interpersonal, and community levels.This longitudinal study identified significant factors influencing older individuals' eHealth literacy at different levels. Understanding unmodifiable factors at the individual level can help identify the subgroups that may need targeted support and interventions for promoting eHealth literacy. Furthermore, findings can guide tailored interventions to improve eHealth literacy through modifiable factors at the technological, interpersonal and community levels.Adhered to the STROBE guidelines.No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This prospective clinical study examined the effects of fixed orthodontic appliances on oral hygiene and assessed changes in the oral microflora structure of orthodontic patients using high-throughput sequencing technology. Methods: A total of 45 patients undergoing initial fixed orthodontic treatment were recruited from three hospitals in Beijing, China. Clinical parameters and oral hygiene habits questionnaire were recorded at pre-treatment (T0) and at a 6-month follow-up (T1). Saliva samples were collected for DNA extraction, PCR amplification, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis. Microbial diversity and structural changes in abundance were evaluated. Results: After six months of orthodontic treatment, patients' daily brushing frequency increased (P ≤ 0.01), while the plaque index and the debris index decreased. A total of 3,344,549 valid tags were obtained from 90 saliva samples. After the six-month follow-up, the microbial diversity in patients' saliva samples increased significantly. High-throughput sequencing identified 3,662 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), with the dominant phyla being Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Fusobacteriota, Patescibacteria, Campylobacterota and Spirochaetota. At the phylum level, the abundance of Firmicutes_C and Spirochaetota at T1 significantly increased compared to T0. Conclusion: During fixed orthodontic treatment, although patients' oral hygiene habits improved, significant changes in the oral microbiota structure were still observed, with an increase in anaerobic and pathogenic bacteria that may potentially impact oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: The study investigated the dynamic interrelations of both positive and negative self-esteem with depression among immigrant adolescents. Methods: Longitudinal data from the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS) were analyzed using a Cross-Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) model. Results: The results showed strong autoregressive effects; both the positive and negative dimensions of self-esteem and symptoms of depression were fairly stable across the two measurement times. Cross-lagged effects indicated that higher levels of positive self-esteem predicted reduced depressive symptoms; for example, higher self-worth at Time 1 was associated with a lower lack of motivation at Time 2. However, some components, for instance, positive self-attitude, predicted in greater sadness from Time 1 to Time 2. On the other hand, certain dimensions of negative self-esteem, such as feeling useless at Time 1, were related to decreases in depressive symptoms at Time 2, which points to complex and bidirectional effects that challenge traditional hypotheses on how self-esteem may affect mental health. Conclusions: The current study teases apart sub-components of self-esteem and, in doing so, demonstrates how different facets uniquely predict depression over time and inform nuanced mental health trajectories among immigrant youth. The findings indicate that selective self-esteem interventions should be carried out to enhance resilience and mental well-being in adolescents from diverse backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its rediscovery in the 1980s in Hong Kong, the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) has only been recorded sporadically and mostly confined to the Inner Deep Bay area in northwestern New Territories. Here, we present a spraint record collected from an islet of the Brothers Marine Park in northern Lantau waters in February 2024, which has been subsequently confirmed by molecular analysis. Our discovery represents the first verifiable evidence of otter presence in Lantau waters and largely extends its current known range in Hong Kong, bringing new hope for this locally critically endangered species. This finding highlights the urgent need for a more extensive search of suitable habitats in a broader area in order to assess the current distribution and status of the otters in Lantau and wider Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Computational thinking (CT) has emerged as a critical component of 21st‐century skills, and increasing effort was seen in exploring the development of CT skills in K–12 students. Despite cumulative research on exploring students' CT acquisition and its influencing factors, learners' development of the skill over time and the underlying mechanism that contributes to individual differences remain unclear. Objective: To bridge this gap, the present study aimed to explore the individual differences in CT acquisition among primary school students and how these differences were shaped over time. Specifically, variations in the development of CT across demographics, including gender and learning experience, were explored. Method: Three waves of data were collected from a sample of 322 primary school students (aged 7–12) across 18 months, with a 9‐month interval between adjacent waves. A time‐lagged model was leveraged for data analysis, and control variables were included in the model to strengthen statistical robustness. Results and Conclusion: The results indicate that male students and those who were more experienced in coding tended to have more positive attitudes toward coding. Additionally, coding interest was found to mediate the relationship between demographics and CT, demonstrating that male students and more experienced learners tended to be more interested in coding, which, in turn, contributed to the development of CT skills in later stages. Conclusion: The study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying individual differences in CT development over time. The findings highlight the importance of nurturing coding interest among female students and promoting coding exposure for novice learners. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Individual differences in students' CT performance were broadly reported.Demographics were identified as important factors contributing to individual differences in CT acquisition.How these differences were shaped over time remains unclear. What this paper adds: The study investigated the underlying mechanisms of individual differences in long‐term CT development.Demographic differences in primary school students' CT development over time were explored.Results illustrate that females tended to have lower coding attitudes. Prior coding experience positively predicted coding attitudes.Coding interest mediated the relationship between demographics and CT, demonstrating that male students and more experienced learners tended to be more interested in coding, which, in turn, contributed to the development of CT skills in later stages. The implications of study findings for practitioners: The findings indicate the essential role interest and motivation played in supporting students' sustainable development in CT skills.The findings suggest the need for more attention to girls' motivation and learning interest in CT and coding instructions.The findings highlight the importance of introducing coding at early educational stages and promoting coding exposure for novice learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiencing prejudice and discrimination from family has been found to be positively associated with mental health problems among sexual minorities. Emerging evidence also shows the value of contextualizing the internalization of minority stress by considering individual cultural factors, such as filial piety. We examined whether authoritarian filial piety (AFP) and reciprocal filial piety (RFP) moderated the link between distal stressors in one's family and mental health outcomes. A total of 362 (56.9% male; age: M = 24.55, SD = 6.60) Chinese lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer/questioning, and other non‐heterosexual (LGBQ+) individuals participated in this study. They provided demographic information and completed a battery of measures for AFP and RFP, sexual orientation‐based prejudice and discrimination in family of origin (SOPDF), depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling results showed that SOPDF had a positive and negative link with depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, respectively. In addition, we identified AFP and RFP as significant moderators for the association between SOPDF and depressive symptoms, and the association between SOPDF and life satisfaction, respectively. Specifically, the positive effect of SOPDF on depressive symptoms was greater for participants with higher levels of AFP; the negative effect of SOPDF on life satisfaction was greater for participants who endorsed higher levels of RFP. Our findings corroborated past studies' conclusion about the detrimental impact of familial sexual stigma on LGBQ+ people's mental health. Furthermore, such impact on negative and positive mental health outcomes are respectively conditioned by the degree to which LGBQ+ individuals endorse AFP and RFP. These findings underscore the importance for therapists who endorse family therapy to help LGBQ+ clients navigate familial sexual stigma and consider the role of filial piety beliefs in shaping the impact of familial sexual stigma on these clients' mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection that spreads rapidly and widely in densely populated areas with low vaccination coverage. The trends and drivers of the spatial and temporal dynamics of influenza incidence among residents of mainland China have not been systematically studied. This study comprehensively analyses the dynamics and spatial correlation of influenza using long‐term scale data and spatial panel data. It then identifies the interactive process of socio‐economic and natural elements on the incidence of influenza. The highest prevalence of influenza was found in the 0–4 years age group in mainland China (mean prevalence, 67.56/100,000). In addition, influenza in mainland China shows seasonality, with fall and winter being the periods of high incidence. Between 2014 and 2017, influenza incidence was clustered in Hubei and Anhui provinces, and the spatial clustering was statistically significant (Z value > 1.96, P < 0.05). Moreover, the directionality of influenza onset continued to increase each year. Specifically, the clustering of influenza onset was stronger in the northwest‐southeast direction than in the southwest‐northeast direction between 2014 and 2018. The significant role of socioeconomic factors as a primary influence on influenza incidence, while their interaction with natural factors, such as air quality (NOx and PM2.5) and climatic conditions can exacerbate regional outbreaks. This study provides a novel perspective for better prevention and control of influenza disease among mainland Chinese residents. Plain Language Summary: The incidence of influenza in mainland China is currently on the rise. On 30 November, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 401 cases nationwide in the 47th week of the year alone. This highlights the importance of studying influenza patterns in China to protect public health. The study analyzed influenza cases in mainland China from 2004 to 2018 and identified key trends. It found that influenza cases peak in March, suggesting that colder temperatures and increased population movement contribute to the spread of the virus. Over time, the regions with the highest flu rates have shifted from northern and central China to the southeast, influenced by factors such as population density and economic disparities. The study also shows a link between influenza and environmental factors, including air pollution, economic growth and weather conditions. It suggests that energy use, which affects the environment and climate, indirectly influences the spread of influenza. To reduce future outbreaks, public health policies should integrate environmental management with traditional disease prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though widespread and categorized as least concern by the IUCN Red List, Reeves's butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) is considered critically endangered in China. Up-to-date data are warranted to inform future assessments and conservation measures. Through local ecological knowledge surveys and corroborated by field surveys, we discovered an undocumented L. reevesii population on Qi'ao Island of Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This discovery is the first record of the species in the Pearl River Delta since the early 2010s and represents the only remaining population from the vicinity of its type locality. It was reported to be very rare on the island now and has been extirpated from most of its previous range due to overharvesting, habitat loss and degradation. Our findings also raised concerns about the erosion of local ecological knowledge among local communities. Urgent conservation action and education campaigns are required to prevent further declines and raise awareness of this important and threatened population. Through local ecological knowledge and field surveys, we discovered an undocumented Reeves's butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) population on Qi'ao Island of China, which is the first record in the Pearl River Delta since the early 2010s and represents the only remaining population from the vicinity of its type locality. However, it is reported to be very rare on the island now, urgent conservation action and education campaigns are required to prevent further declines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Microichthyurus Pic 1919 is first recorded here from mainland China. Four new species are described: M. flavicollissp. nov. (China, Guizhou), M. villosipessp. nov. (China, Chongqing), M. hubeiensissp. nov. (China, Hubei) and M. elongatussp. nov. (China, Yunnan). These new species are illustrated with habitus and genital segments of both sexes, and aedeagi and internal genitalia of females. The generic diagnosis is summarized and an identification key to all Chinese Microichthyurus species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between admission hypothermia and outcomes among very preterm infants (VPIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China. We also investigated the frequency of hypothermia in VPIs in China and the variation in hypothermia across Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) sites. Study Design This retrospective cohort study enrolled infants with 24 0/7 to 31 6/7 weeks of gestation with an admission body temperature ≤37.5 °C who were admitted to CHNN-participating NICUs between January 1 and December 31, 2019. Results A total of 5,913 VPIs were included in this study, of which 4,075 (68.9%) had hypothermia (<36.5 °C) at admission. The incidence of admission hypothermia varied widely across CHNN sites (9–100%). Lower gestational age (GA), lower birth weight, antenatal steroid administration, multiple births, small for GA, Apgar scores <7 at the 5th minute, and intensive resuscitation were significantly associated with admission hypothermia. Compared with infants with normothermia (36.5–37.5 °C), the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for composite outcome among infants with admission hypothermia <35.5 °C increased to 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.88). The adjusted ORs for mortality among infants with admission hypothermia (36.0–36.4 and <35.5 °C) increased to 1.41 (95% CI, 1.09–1.83) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.31–2.85), respectively. Admission hypothermia was associated with a higher likelihood of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but was not associated with necrotizing enterocolitis ≥stage II, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, or sepsis. Conclusion Admission hypothermia remains a common problem for VPIs in a large cohort in China and is associated with adverse outcomes. Continuous quality improvement of admission hypothermia in the future may result in a substantial improvement in the outcomes of VPIs in China. Key Points Admission hypothermia is common in VPIs. The incidence of admission hypothermia in VPIs remains high in China. Admission hypothermia is associated with adverse outcomes in VPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leaderboards are among the most popular gamification elements in education. Some studies have implemented leaderboards and reported their individual effects on students' learning. Despite the emergence of relevant empirical studies, most of the existing reviews have only investigated the holistic impact of gamification. No previous systematic reviews were identified examining the individual use of leaderboards. Objective: To address this gap, this review aims to systematically synthesise the existing empirical evidence concerning leaderboard use in education, examine their designs and effectiveness, and propose leaderboard design recommendations in gamified educational settings. Method: This systematic review drew upon 20 articles (22 studies; 29 interventions) published from 2014 to 2023. Results: The results found that using leaderboards can have a beneficial influence on students' learning motivation, engagement, and performance, but their effectiveness largely depends on their designs. Thus, this review examined the effectiveness of specific leaderboard design practices on students' learning and proposed four corresponding leaderboard design recommendations based on well‐established educational and motivational theories as well as pertinent empirical studies. Discussions and Conclusions: Notably, this review found that all included studies were undertaken in higher education and around half of them had short durations (less than or equal to 1 h). More longitudinal studies in other educational levels (e.g., primary and secondary schools) are thus called for to examine the validity and generalisability of the recommendations proposed. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topic?: Leaderboards are among the most popular gamification elements in education.Studies have reported mixed effects of leaderboards on students' learning. What does this paper add?: Many studies were conducted in higher education and had a short duration.The effectiveness of leaderboards largely depends on their design.This review proposes four leaderboard design recommendations. Implications for practice/or policy: Longitudinal studies in primary or secondary schools are called for.Absolute leaderboards with low‐ranking students anonymised may be more effective.Leaderboards should rank students based on their performance and engagement.Leaderboards should be used with clear ranking rules and goal‐related feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legal genres are situation-sensitive and one same genre may take different structural and functional patterns according to the historical context within which it is situated. Judicial opinions of ancient China, for example, look like a totally different genre in contrast with the language of modern Chinese judicial documents. It is not uncommon that county magistrates' (ancient Chinese judges) writing considerably downplays the task of reasoning and argumentation and becomes fully devoted to the provision of emotional narratives regarding defendants' wrong-doings and to the meta-communication of imperial ideological values to grassroots. This paper looks into why ideology is a key concern of ancient Chinese judicial writing, what concrete ideological values are actually invoked and how they are interactively disseminated. The analytical framework combines the notion of contextualization (Gumperz, 1982), interactive framing (Tannen, 1993), and footing (Goffman, 1981). Through a nuanced interpretation of the relatedness of imperial ideological values and judicial language structures, the authors attempt to reveal how ancient judicial opinions are built as speech activities of performing identities and activities of presenting ideological stances and beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Western diet is associated with chronic disease risk, and degree of dietary acculturation can impact susceptibility. This study sought to understand the factors associated with changes in food consumption habits among international students at a large public university in the southern US. Participants: A convenience sample of 173 international students representing 41 countries at The University of Georgia participated in the survey. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey assessed dietary habits, perception of healthy eating, and level of acculturation using previously validated measures. Results: Highest number of participants were from China (19.2%), 89.0% were graduate students with an average age of 27.5 ± 4.83 years. The majority (62.0%) of participants were dietary acculturated with affordability and accessibility determining types of food consumption, as fewer whole foods and more processed foods were consumed in the U.S. Conclusions: Findings suggest dietary acculturation may be driven by economic factors, making the transition to Westernized food items a convenient and cost-effective choice among international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neoadjuvant therapy has become standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. It is correlated with improved clinical and pathological outcomes, including significant tumor downstaging and organ preservation in certain patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has become the standard for pre-operative staging, is also used for clinical and pre-operative restaging following pre-operative treatment. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the concordance between restaging MRI (following the completion of neoadjuvant therapy) and postoperative pathology result. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Two independent reviewers searched PubMed and Google Scholar for studies reporting restaging MRI results compared to pathological outcomes. Outcomes included tumor and nodal staging, circumferential resection margin (CRM) and pathological complete response (pCR). Results: Out of 25,000 studies found on the initial search; 33 studies were included. The studies were published between 2005 and 2023 and included 4100 patients (57.14% males). The median age was 62.45 years. The median interval between the conclusion of neoadjuvant treatment and the subsequent restaging MRI was 6 weeks (range 4.14–8.8 weeks). The pooled concordance rates between the restaging MRI and the pathological outcomes for ypT stage and ypN stage were 63.9% (54.5%–73.3%, I2 = 96.02%) and 60.9% (42.9%–78.9%, I2 = 98.96%), respectively. The pooled concordance for predicting pathological complete response was 70.4% (53.6%–87.1%, I2 = 98.21%). As for the circumferential resection margin (CRM), the pooled concordance was 78.2.% (71.6%–84.8%, I2 = 83.76%). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the concordance rates between restaging MRI and pathological outcomes in rectal cancer patients following neoadjuvant therapy are limited. Caregivers should take these results into consideration when making clinical decisions about these patients. More data should be gathered about the predictive value of MRI after total neoadjuvant therapy as well as immunotherapy in rectal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on parent–child interaction (PCI) and its impact on children's weight status is a thriving study area. However, their potential pathways have not been established. This study investigated the association between PCI and children's body-mass index z score (BMIz) examining the role of appetite self-regulation (ASR) as a mediator. Mediation analysis. We included children from 33 kindergartens in Wuhan with parents' consent, measuring children's height and weight, and calculating BMIz. To assess the PCI quality, we utilized the Brigance Parent–Child Interactions Scale. Additionally, children's ASR was tested by satiety responsiveness (SR) and food responsiveness (FR) using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Quantile regression was employed to examine the PCI-BMIz association, while mediation analysis was conducted to explore ASR's mediating effect on the relationship between PCI and BMIz. Of 3973 children (53.88% boys) included in the analysis, the mean BMIz was 0.24 ± 1.13. The results revealed that children with poorer PCI quality have higher BMIz across all selected BMIz percentiles, except for the 5th percentile. Furthermore, these associations were significant across most percentiles, whether for boys or girls. Mediation analysis suggested that these associations were partially mediated by children's ASR (ind FR = −0.026, P FR < 0.001; ind SR = −0.058, P SR < 0.001), with stronger effects observed among boys. The variation in how strongly BMIz was linked to PCI across different percentiles suggests that children with poorer PCI have higher BMIz. The link is partially mediated through children's ASR. It's important to pay attention to the PCI quality in children with higher BMIz levels, especially in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background The aim of this study was to develop and validate a functional ability index (FAI) that incorporates aspects of intrinsic capacity and environmental factors of older individuals based on the World Health Organization framework of healthy ageing. Methods Data of 7016 participants ≥60 years participating in the baseline survey of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study was used for the development and internal validation of the FAI. External validation was performed in a separate cohort of 1295 older individuals aged ≥60 years. Functional independency was considered the primary outcome and additional proxies of healthy ageing were considered as secondary outcomes. Cluster dendrogram was used to identify the distinct hierarchical clusters of all included variables for inclusion in the FAI. Backward elimination logistic regression model was implemented to identify the most significant variables associated with independency to be included in the FAI. Results The FAI score ranged from 0 to 19 and individuals having FAI ≥ 12 were more likely to be independent and at lower risk of negative outcomes. For each unit increase in the FAI the risk of having independency increased by 30%–58% cross-sectionally in the two cohorts, whilst the 2-year risk of independency increased by 20%. The FAI demonstrated a C-statistic of 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.72 and 0.75) for the primary outcome. Conclusions The FAI we developed effectively measured the functional ability status of community dwelling older individuals. FAI could serve as a tool for evaluating older individual's functional ability in routine health assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmland rental markets are important in production agriculture. Informal farmland rental markets have taken root in Chinese agriculture. However, farmland rental markets need to be transparent for increased efficiency and smooth functioning. This study uses three waves of nationally representative panel data and a difference‐in‐differences framework to examine the effect of China's Land Transfer Service Centers (LTSCs) on market‐oriented farmland transfers. The result indicates that LTSCs enhance farmland transfer marketisation, encouraging landowners to rent their land to large‐scale operators, engage in fixed‐term contracts and charge pecuniary rents. However, the LTSCs' “discrimination” against smallholders may limit their impact on the overall market. Additionally, LTSCs have weaker effects in villages with large clans and stronger effects in villages with bank outlets. The results illustrate the potential value of intermediary service organisations (ISOs) in land rental markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and the experience of infant abdominal massage on reducing the parental stress level. Methods: A clustered RCT was conducted, 160 parents were recruited from 10 mother groups. An infant abdominal massage class was given to those in the intervention group by a certified International Association of Infant Massage instructor. The Chinese Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF) was used to measure parental stress levels at baseline and 4 weeks after the intervention. 8 parents from the intervention group were invited for an online interview to understand the experience of parents in participating the infant abdominal massage class. Thematic analysis was applied. Results: The parental stress level was significantly decreased among intervention group with a mean difference of -5.46 (95% CI = 0.72 to 10.2, p =.049). ITT analysis was adopted for compliance analysis. The overall compliance for the intervention was 66% and found to have a significant effect on parental stress level (p <.01). The total PSI-SF among fathers was slightly higher than that among mothers. Furthermore, no moderating factors were found to have a significant interaction effect on PSI-SF (p <.05).For qualitative data, an overarching theme was generated that infant abdominal massage brought a positive experience despite the uncertainties affecting the compliance. Four themes and nine sub-themes were identified. Which were: (1) receiving clear and informative infant abdominal massage classes; (2) The influence of uncertain conditions on compliance; (3) Improving parental satisfaction; and (4) feeling it was a worthwhile experience. Conclusion: This study provides a cost-effective method for parents to tackle their parental stress, the findings aid in the planning or adjustment of current postpartum depression screening while also helping to lower the risk of postpartum mood disorders. Trial registration: Clinical Trial Number (NCT05650424 || http://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05650424), registered on December 1, 2022. and HKU Clinical Trails Registry (HKUCTR3008), registered on November 3, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppose COVID-19 is the runaway tram in the famous moral thought experiment, known as the "Bystander at the Switch." Consider the two differentiated responses of governments around the world to this new threat, namely the option of quarantine/lockdown and herd immunity. Can we contrast the hypothetical with the real scenario? What do the institutional decisions and strategies for dealing with the virus, in the beginning of 2020, signify in a normative moral framework? This paper investigates these possibilities in order to highlight the similarities and, more importantly, the differences that exist between utilitarianism and Kantian ethics. Analysis shows that the hypothetical scenario can never be fully compared to the complex multifactorial nature of the real world. But if a comparison is attempted, the most obvious difference between the two governmental strategies is the concept of duty within the Kantian perspective. Ultimately, it is a matter of comparing freedom and life. Attributing a moral "priority ticket" to one or the other can be analysed through interpersonal aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interoception, the sense of the physiological condition of our body, is impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Evidence suggests that subclinical autistic traits are mild manifestations of autistic symptoms, present in the general population. We examined the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) associating with interoception and autistic traits in 62 healthy young adults. Autistic traits correlated negatively with the rsFC between the lateral ventral anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex. Interoceptive accuracy and sensibility correlated positively with the rsFC between interoceptive brain networks and the cerebellum, supplementary motor area, and visual regions. The results suggest that a negative relationship between interoception and autistic traits is largely accounted for by both self-report measures and decreased rsFC amongst the interoceptive brain network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Honor of Kings (HoK) is one of the most popular mobile games worldwide. To understand why players actively engage with digital games, it is essential to focus on their gaming motivations. However, no previous studies were found to have investigated the kinds and depth of players' motivations in this game. Moreover, the empirical research concerning the impact of stereotype threat and lift on players' motivations is scant. Thus, this pre-registered study aims to examine male and female players' gaming motivations in Honor of Kings and the effects of stereotypes on players' motivations. Methods: This study utilized Yee et al. (2012)'s motivational model. A 2 × 3 MANCOVA was performed for the outcome variables of achievement, social, and immersion motivations; with gender and stereotype activation (no activation, female, and male threat activation) as independent variables; and with age and gaming time as covariates (n = 421). Results: Contrary to prevalent perceptions, the results suggested females had higher achievement and immersion motivations, but lower social motivation than males in Honor of Kings. Unexpectedly, only females' immersion motivation was impaired under stereotype threat, and females demonstrated lower social motivation under stereotype lift. However, males were not affected by either stereotype threat or stereotype lift. Discussion: The results suggest that caution is needed for the assumption that male gamers are more achievement-oriented and females are more social-oriented because their motivations may vary depending on game genres. This study also found unexpected effects of stereotype threat and lift. Future research should further explore how to implement stereotype activation effectively to promote gender equality in gaming. Notably, this study only recruited participants from China due to the restrictions of recruitment channels. Future researchers are highly recommended to examine whether there are cross-cultural differences in the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) is an important legume crop cultivated in over 30 countries worldwide. We developed a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome of adzuki bean cultivar Jingnong6 by combining PacBio Sequel long‐read sequencing with short‐read and Hi‐C technologies. The assembled genome covers 97.8% of the adzuki bean genome with a contig N50 of approximately 16 Mb and a total of 32 738 protein‐coding genes. We also generated a comprehensive genome variation map of adzuki bean by whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) of 322 diverse adzuki beans accessions including both wild and cultivated. Furthermore, we have conducted comparative genomics and a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on key agricultural traits to investigate the evolution and domestication. GWAS identified several candidate genes, including VaCycA3;1, VaHB15, VaANR1 and VaBm, that exhibited significant associations with domestication traits. Furthermore, we conducted functional analyses on the roles of VaANR1 and VaBm in regulating seed coat colour. We provided evidence for the highest genetic diversity of wild adzuki (Vigna angularis var. nipponensis) in China with the presence of the most original wild adzuki bean, and the occurrence of domestication process facilitating transition from wild to cultigen. The present study elucidates the genetic basis of adzuki bean domestication traits and provides crucial genomic resources to support future breeding efforts in adzuki bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States has successfully prevented the military conflict between China and Taiwan since the 1980s through the Strategic Ambiguity (SA) strategy, which discourages both sides from deviating from the status quo by not committing to defend or not to defend Taiwan. The recent US–China tensions and the rising nationalism in China and Taiwan drew critics to SA and suggested it be replaced with the strategic clarity strategy. We argue that the choice of Dual Clarity (DC)—the United States promises to defend only if Taiwan does not unilaterally declare de jure independence—is widely ignored. We examine the psychological mechanisms behind the three strategies through a pre-registered, within-subject survey experiment in Taiwan (n  = 910). The result shows that DC can keep the status quo similar to SA—respondents lowered their support of independence in both DC and SA conditions. The results hold through robustness checks and formalized by a game-theoretical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chinese rural students have been documented to have relatively delayed cognitive development. From an ecological system perspective, empirical studies have identified the significant effect of the proximal environment on Chinese rural students' cognitive development. Yet, little do we know the mechanism behind that. More importantly, how the mechanism differs among rural students with different left‐behind characteristics remains obscure. Methods: Drawing longitudinal data from a nationally representative survey, this study examines the interrelations between rural students' parental educational expectation perception, their own educational expectation, and cognitive ability. Two models were examined using path analysis. The first mediation model tests the mediating effect of educational expectation between the association of parental educational expectation perception and cognitive ability, while the second moderated mediation identifies the moderating effect of rural students' left‐behind status on the association between their parental educational expectation perception and educational expectation. Results: The first mediation analysis reveals that rural students' perception of parental educational expectation is positively correlated with their educational expectation, which further positively correlated with their cognitive ability. The following moderated mediation analysis suggests that students' left‐behind status significantly moderated the effect of their perceived parental educational expectations on their own educational expectation. Conclusions: Chinese rural students' perception of parental educational expectation affects their cognitive ability through their own educational expectations. The number of migrant parents within a family further moderates the indirect effect of education expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of the features, problems, and prospects of implementing knowledge and information systems in the fight against climate change, which are based on the digital management of knowledge and information systems. We demonstrate practices that are applied in Norway and China and determine the key directions for implementing these technologies. We confirm the offered research hypothesis on the effect of such components as finances, infrastructure, and digital readiness of the workforce for the implementation of new ICT. We also establish the prospects for an increase in the effectiveness of the realisation of the consideration process in the conditions of mass implementation of sectorial technologies and the focus on global climate integration in China and Norway. The objective of this research is to identify the directions for tackling climate change in the digital economy that are focused on green management of knowledge and information systems. The methods used in this work include the method of scientific abstraction, comparison, statistical analysis, and factor analysis. The scientific novelty of this research consists in the establishment of the directions for digitalization of environmental growth in the conditions of climate change and the quick emergence of innovative ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Relations & International Law Journal / Seriâ Meždunarodnye Otnošeniâ & Meždunarodnoe Pravo is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Oriental Studies (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University) / Kazahskij Nacional'nyj Universitet Imeni Al'-Farabi Vestnik Seriâ Vostokovedeniâ is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Economic Series of the Bulletin of the L.N. Gumilyov ENU is the property of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To conduct a bibliometric network analysis to explore the research landscape of immediate implant placement (IIP) and provide insights into its trends and contributors. Materials and Methods: The Scopus database was utilized as the bibliographic source, and a search strategy was implemented to identify relevant research articles. Various bibliometric parameters were extracted, including publication year, journal, authors, citations, and funding. The analysis involved examining authorship patterns, international collaborations, level of evidence, Altmetric data, and funding analysis. Results: We identified a steady annual growth rate of 6.49% in IIP research. The top three countries contributing to research output were the USA, Italy, and China. Prolific authors were identified based on publication and citation metrics. International collaborations among different countries were observed. The level of evidence analysis revealed that over 30% of the articles fell into higher levels of evidence (levels 1 and 2). Altmetric data analysis indicated no significant correlations between citation counts and Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), and conversely a significant association with Mendeley readers count. Funding and open access did not significantly impact the bibliometric indices of the papers. Conclusions: The focus of research on IIP has been evolving as indicated by an exponential growth rate in this study. Only approximately 16% of the articles fit into level 1 evidence, therefore, emphasizing on higher quality level research study shortage in this field. Modern indices can be used as new bibliometric indicators as they also cover social media and online attention scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in China from late January to early April in 2020, a significant reduction in primary air pollutants, as compared to the same time period in 2019, has been identified by satellite and ground observations. However, this reduction is in contrast with the increase of surface ozone (O3) concentration in many parts of China during the same period from 2019 to 2020. The reasons for this contrast are studied here from two perspectives: emission changes and inter-annual meteorological variations. Based on top-down constraints of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from TROPOMI measurements and GEOS-Chem model simulations, our analysis reveals that NOx and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission reductions as well as meteorological variations lead to 8 %, - 3 % and 1 % changes in O3 over North China, respectively. In South China, however, we find that meteorological variations cause ∼ 30 % increases in O3 , which is much larger than - 1 % and 2 % changes due to VOC and NOx emission reductions, respectively, and the overall O3 increase in the simulations is consistent with the surface observations. The higher temperature associated with the increase in solar radiation and the decreased relative humidity are the main reasons that led to the surface O3 increase in South China. Collectively, inter-annual meteorological variations had a larger impact than emission reductions on the aggravated surface O3 pollution in China during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we aim to document and analyze the long arc of connectivity between China and Latin America. First, using analytical international trade and economic tools, we provide a new economic perspective of the First Globalization–-the Ming and early Qing China's economic and business links with Latin America and Europe. Second, due to U.S. government trade policies toward China in the 1990s, the Second China's Globalization was ushered in with its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO). During this second phase, China exchanged manufactured goods with minerals and resources from Latin America. Finally, the tough technology and trade stance by the Trump and Biden Administrations prompted China to intensify the third phase of China interaction with Latin America. For the 2020s and beyond, one important pillar of the Third China-Latin America-Europe Globalization is heightened efforts for China to increase its digital-AI, telecommunication and platform business presence and access into the Latin American markets. To enrich our analysis, we will provide Chinese-style digital-AI business and economic models to help illustrate our discussions. Throughout our paper, we want to point out that government policies were instrumental in bringing forth these Three Globalizations that involve China-Latin America-Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypovitaminosis D during infancy is associated with the development of chronic diseases and poor health later in life. While the effect of environmental factors on vitamin D concentration has been extensively explored, this study aimed to explore the effect of genetic factors on vitamin D concentration among Chinese infants. We conducted a multi‐centre cross‐sectional study in Hong Kong from July 2019 to May 2021. A candidate genetic approach was adopted to study four selected genetic variants of the vitamin D‐binding protein (DBP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) (rs4588, rs7041, rs2282679 and rs2228570) to examine their associations with measured serum 25(OH)D concentration. A total of 378 Chinese infants aged 2–12 months were recruited in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the infants to measure serum 25(OH)D concentration and extract DNA. Results showed that rs7041T and rs2282679C were significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentration. Further analysis of the DBP variants revealed that the GC1F allele was significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D concentration and identified as the risk DBP isoform in infants. While our results revealed that there is no direct association between VDR‐FokI genotype and serum 25(OH)D concentration, a VDR‐FokI genotype‐specific pattern was observed in the association between DBP isoforms and serum 25(OH)D concentration. Specifically, significant associations were observed in the DBP genotypes GC1F/F, GC1F/2 and GC1S/2 among VDR‐FokI TT/TC carriers, but not in VDR‐FokI CC carriers. Our findings lay down the basis for the potential of genetic screening to identify high risk of hypovitaminosis D in Chinese infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco, an important commercial crop, plays a crucial role in farmers' incomes and livelihoods to a sizable population and contributes significant exchange earnings to the Indian economy. Currently, India is the second-largest tobacco producer after China, with a production of 758 million kg (13% of global production) and exports of 190 million kg of tobacco (9% of global tobacco export volume). However, there are uncertainties surrounding the tobacco sector, such as growing public health and environmental issues associated with tobacco production and consumption and changing national and international tobacco-related policy regimes. In this context, the current study investigates the determinants of tobacco exports and geographical shifts in export destinations over the years. Methods: The statistical models employed are co-integration, and vector error-correlation models to test the short-run and long-run dynamics relationship between tobacco exports and the explanatory variables, and the Markov chain approach to find out geographical shifts in export destinations. Results and discussion: The econometric model estimated the relationship between the tobacco export volume with domestic production, export price, and global demand for Indian tobacco, and investigated the geographical shift in export destinations of tobacco in the context of changing global and national policy regimes on the sector. The econometric modeling framework confirms that there exists a statistically significant relationship between Indian tobacco export demand, domestic production, export price, and world demand for Indian tobacco. The geographical shift was evident in major export destinations during the post-WHO-FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) regime. The model findings direct that India should take advantage of the export price, and global demand for tobacco as India ratified WHO-FCTC; there is no scope for horizontal expansion of the area under tobacco. This modeling framework aids as a tool to direct and explore the possible options with a greater emphasis on export-centric farming system in tobacco production by augmenting crop compliance and quality to meet the standards of international markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horticultural production is reaching new heights every passing year. Presently, India is the second largest producer of vegetables after China. However, humongous postharvest losses and waste occur due to improper management and handling. Postharvest loss has been one of the main global challenges towards ensuring food security. This waste seems inhumane especially when tens of millions of people worldwide are suffering from hunger, malnutrition, under-nutrition and other chronic diseases while the food waste contributes to global warming as well. Fresh vegetables are highly perishable. Lack of proper transportation, especially temperature management during transit and storage further reduces their storability and marketing window. United Nations sustainable developmental goal 2 aims to reduce food losses by 50% by 2030. Several approaches like value addition particularly drying technology, temperature and storage atmosphere control, using edible coatings and different anti-senescent molecules like salicylic acid, nitric oxide, 1-methylcyclopropene, methyl jasmonate, polyamines, etc. have been undertaken world-wide to enhance storability of fresh vegetables. This review is an attempt to present a bird' eye view of postharvest losses and possible strategies for the management and reduction of losses in vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates behavioral routes deployed by e-commerce influencers in product promotion in China. By analyzing videos posted on Douyin (China's version of TikTok), it posits that the stature of the influencer and the reception of the content are the drivers of audience likes, shares, and sales. Further, how influencers strategically title their videos (product focus, engagement) and how the audience responds through live comments (positive identification, negative identification) are posited to moderate the effects of these two routes. The findings support some of the postulates and uncover unexpected results that provide directions for future research and useful managerial insights. In addition, the deployment of social listening is shown to be a useful research tool, and the dual-route model presents an overarching framework for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine whether Chinese Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms with more partners available to perform audit engagements deliver higher quality services. Based on a sample of 2,990 company-year observations over the period of 2002 to 2015, we find that CPA firms with smaller staff–partner ratios are associated with a lower likelihood of restatements of their clients' financial statements. Interestingly, we find that this association is less evident when engagement partners have excessive workloads, suggesting the need to balance workloads across partners within a firm. Overall, our results highlight the importance of considering partner availability and its impacts on audit quality, which echo regulators' growing concern about the inadequate mix of audit experience, expertise, and supervision within CPA firms. Our study is timely and the results are informative to the recent policy debate. From a public policy perspective, our results suggest that CPA firms should be required to disclose information about the deployment of audit partners to help financial statement users make inferences about the quality of their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]