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Traditional wood–polymer composite (WPC) based on the in situ polymerization of ethylene unsaturated monomers in the cellular cavity of wood is significant for the high-value-added utilization of low-quality wood. However, this type of WPC has the problems of volatile monomers, low conversion rates, odor residue, and poor compatibility between the polymer and wood interface, which hinder its promotion and application. In this study, a two-step process of cell wall bulking in combination with cell lumen filling was prepared to modify wood using Maleic anhydride (MAN) as the bulking agent and GMA-EGDMA (molar ratio 2:1) as the active monomer system. The results indicate that the modulus of rupture (MOR) (125.19 ± 8.41 MPa), compressive strength (116.38 ± 7.69 MPa), impact toughness (55.4 ± 2.95 KJ m−2), and hardness (6187 ± 273 N) of the bulking–filling wood composite materials were improved by 54%, 56%, 36%, and 66%, respectively, compared with those of poplar wood. These properties were superior to those of the traditional styrene (PSt)-WPC and even exceeded the performance of Xylosma congesta (Lour.) Merr, a high-quality wood from northeast China. Meanwhile, the mass loss of wood composite materials with bulking–filling treatment was only 2.35 ± 0.05%, and the internal structure remained intact, presenting excellent decay resistance. Additionally, the treatment also significantly improved the thermal and dimensional stability of the wood composites. This study provides a theoretical basis and guidance for realizing the high-value-added application of low-quality wood and the preparation of highly durable wood-based composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide. In China, over 90% of esophageal cancer patients are diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Currently, the survival and prognosis of ESCC patients are not satisfying because of insufficient early screening and lack of efficacious medication. Accumulating studies have suggested that antibody‐drug conjugates (ADC) represent a promising antitumor strategy. Method: Here, we carried out a specific membrane proteome screening with ESCC patients' samples using a high‐throughput antibody microarray to uncover potential targets for ADC development. Candidates were validated with expression and cytotoxicity evaluation both in vitro and in vivo. Results: Our data have shown that the Piezo‐Type Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Component 1 (PIEZO1) is particularly overexpressed in human ESCC tumors and can be efficiently internalized when bound with its monoclonal antibody. Furthermore, the PIEZO1 antibody combined with monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) can specifically kill PIEZO1 high‐expressed ESCC tumor cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. More importantly, the Anti‐PIEZO1‐MMAE can significantly suppress tumor progression in ESCC xenograft tumor models without any obvious side effects. Conclusion: Taken together, our work demonstrates that PIEZO1 is a promising target to develop ADCs for human ESCC treatment, providing a new strategy for ESCC patients' personalized therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a comprehensive form of trade, tourism service trade has had a profound impact on the economies of various countries. This research mainly discusses the tourism service trade forecasting algorithm based on the PSO-optimized hybrid RVM model. This study extracts 8 indicators including gross national product, total fixed asset investment, total import and export, China's import and export tariff rate, the exchange rate of renminbi to the US dollar, and the global economic growth rate. The same as the impact indicators of tourism service trade, but there is a certain degree of redundancy and correlation in these indicators. In order to measure the correlation between the evaluation indicators, the autocorrelation evaluation function in MATLAB is used, and the principal component analysis method is used to extract the principal components that can represent the indicators in a larger percentage. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of the RVM model, based on the adaptive construction model structure and initial model weights, the PSO algorithm is used to optimize the RVM model weights. The optimization process takes the minimum error of the RVM model as the algorithm search target, and each represents the RVM model. The algorithm finds the value and threshold of the optimal RVM model through the particle swarm tracking search algorithm and then uses the original RVM model and the optimized RVM prediction respectively total amount of tourism service trade in City A, and compares the prediction errors of the single RVM method and the PSO-optimized RVM method, and analyzes the degree of model prediction error reduction after the PSO model optimizes the RVM model. According to the forecast result, the relative average error of 2020 is 5.7%, and the forecast result is relatively accurate. This research is helpful to provide scientific reference for my country's tourism service trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: As the digital economy evolving as a nation-level strategy of China, firm decision-makers have shown increased interest in implementing digital transformation. However, they lack strategic guidance towards the realization of digital transformation. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the status quo of Chinese firms' digital transformation. METHODS: We fulfill this task by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. First, a conceptual model and an associated survey tool are developed based on an in-depth literature review and field practitioners' opinions. The status quo of digital transformation is decomposed into 5 dimensions. Second, empirical survey data collected from 282 Chinese firms are analyzed and interpreted both in general and across industry types and ownerships. RESULTS: We find that the majority of Chinese firms reach a consensus on the strategic importance of digital transformation and agree on the importance of technological and human resources. In general, firms in the information technology sector scored higher in all five dimensions compared with firms in the manufacturing sector, and private-owned firms scored higher in all five dimensions than state-owned firms. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study set a basis for the development of a maturity model of digital transformation and offers practical insights for Chinese firms to initiate and implement digital transformation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide with over 570,000 new cases annually. In China, the incidence of EC is particularly high where approximately 90% of cases are defined as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Although various risk factors have been identified, the knowledge of genetic drivers for ESCC is still limited due to high mutational loading of the cancer and lack of appropriate EC models, resulting in inadequate treatment choices for EC patients. Currently, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and limited targeted therapy options can only bring dismal survival advantages; thus, the prognosis for ESCC is very poor. However, cancer immunotherapy has unleashed a new era of cancer treatment with extraordinary therapeutic benefits for cancer patients, including EC patients. This review discusses the latest understanding of the risk factors and clinical rational for EC treatment and provides accumulated information, which describes the ongoing development of immunotherapy for EC with a specific emphasis on ESCC, the most prevalent EC subtype in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aim to investigate the current esophageal cancer staging according to the 7th edition TNM classification for esophageal carcinoma proposed by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) among oncology-related physicians in China. Methods: A specifically-designed 14-item questionnaire was distributed to 366 doctors who were working with esophageal cancer patients. We collected and analyzed the feedbacks and explored the possible associations within different departments, including thoracic surgery, the internal medicine of gastroenterology, oncology, and/ radiotherapy in eight different hospitals from central and southern China. Results: Among all the responses, 31.42% of them were from thoracic surgery department, 40.44% were from oncology and/or radiation therapy and 28.14% were from the internal medicine of gastroenterology, respectively. Surprisingly, in total 66.12% of all the physicians were unaware that the 7th edition of esophageal carcinoma TNM classification was released in 2009; only 21.86 and 16.67% of physicians recognized cervical nodes and celiac nodes as regional lymph nodes. Furthermore, 67.21% physicians didn't know that tumor location, histologic grade, and histopathology were accepted as new prognostic factors in the latest TNM system; and 51.37% physicians could not determine the correct TNM classification of esophagogastric junction cancers. Intriguingly, over 50% of them could still design appropriate perioperative strategies. Conclusions: The 7th edition of the TNM classification for esophageal carcinoma is poorly recognized and understood in central and southern China, which might contribute to the relatively low rates of appropriate perioperative procedures applied for esophageal cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge has always been a strategic resource for firms; however, there is a lack of research regarding how a firm's knowledge management (KM) contributes to its capability catching-up and adaptation in emerging economies. This article focuses on the knowledge capability building of Chinese private firms that were set up in the 1990s and pays particular attention to how firms with limited resources and knowledge went on to achieve remarkable success. This paper presents its analysis through a multi-level co-evolutionary lens and a case study on the Li-Ning Company. The case study depicts the macro coevolution between the changing business environment and the firm's strategic choices, as well as the micro coevolution of the organizational strategy and the KM orientations, processes, and infrastructures within the firm. The research sheds light on the dynamic capability building trajectory for the firms in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a growing number of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) projects have been deployed in rural areas as a means of addressing the problems of information deficiency, ineffective communication and poor economic conditions. We adopt a Chinese culture, called shuren culture, as our theoretical lens to explore how this culture enables ICT adoption, diffusion and usage in rural China. By presenting a case study of ICT4D in rural China, we identify seven core elements of shuren culture at three levels, and we establish an online and offline shuren culture model that sheds light on key activities for achieving ICT4D. This study makes two contributions: (1) we contribute to the small number of extant ICT4D studies, and (2) we offer a novel explanation of how shuren culture enables ICT4D involving stakeholders in online and offline settings. • The Chinese shuren culture enables ICT selection, access, diffusion, skill training, online interaction and continuous use. • This study identifies seven elements of shuren culture at three levels, and establishes an online and offline model. • This study provides an in-depth case study and offer a novel explanation of the enabling mechanism of shuren culture in ICT4D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]