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In terms of the teaching process of matte painting, it is essential for students to develop a sound understanding of the relationship between virtual and physical environments. In this study, first-person view (FPV) drones are applied to matte painting courses to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching, and to propose more effective design suggestions for FPV drones that are more suitable for teaching. This provides students with a better learning environment using a digital education system. The results of the study indicate that the flow experience, learning interest, and continuous learning intention of students who use FPV drones in matte painting are significantly greater than those of students who only utilize traditional teaching methods. Furthermore, the technology incentive model (TIM) was developed in this study after being verified by the structural equation model. The results demonstrate that the second-order construct 'technology incentive' comprising perceived interactivity, perceived vividness, and novel experience positively influence students' learning interest and continuous learning intentions under the mediation of flow experience.

In this paper, we discuss the teaching effects of augmented reality (AR) technology in German instruction. We conducted one prestudy and three formal studies on German learners in China's mainland and Taiwan region. In the formal studies, a total of 120 students participated in the survey, allowing us to compare the differences in interest in learning between AR picture books and traditional picture books. A total of 114 students took part in the survey, which enabled us to compare the contribution of AR picture books to teaching when students' satisfaction and German proficiency were different. To improve satisfaction, 514 students participated in the survey regarding the influence of the interactive narrative design effect and peer learning on satisfaction with using AR picture books. The results suggest that when learning German with AR picture books, satisfaction is the key construct that determines students' learning states.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are fighting not only the novel coronavirus, but also the "infodemic" induced by the pandemic. Therefore, it is urgent to explore approaches for enhancing individual immunity against science-related misinformation. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between public engagement with science (PES) and scientific information literacy (SIL) during the COVID-19 pandemic from college students (N = 8075) in China. The results showed that there was a significant difference between attitudes toward and activities of PES. More importantly, both PES activities and PES attitudes were found positively associated with SIL, especially the PES attitudes. The empirical study is significant in demonstrating the predictive effect of PES on individual ability to recognize science-related misinformation, which is crucial for mitigating harm from the "infodemic." Our study indicated that other than a science communication model in order to restore public trust in science, PES is promising to be incorporated into informal science education to facilitate individual SIL.

In recent years, many governments and companies have gradually launched robotaxi projects to help make transportation systems smarter, improve travel efficiency, and reduce travel costs. Robotaxi is a new mode of travel that replaces human driving with machines, freeing up social labour and enriching people's travel choices. This study employs the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to understand the influencing factors of users' adoption and usage of robotaxis in China to facilitate the broader integration of robotaxis into urban transportation systems. This study surveyed the preferences of 2048 respondents and analysed the data through structural equation modelling. The results indicate that performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and price value are the factors influencing users' behavioural intentions, while effort expectancy and social influence affect use behaviour. In contrast, habit is an important factor that affect both behavioural intention and actual use behaviour. Based on the findings, we have proposed practical strategies to improve robotaxi services and updated the UTAUT2 model in the context of robotaxi. We suggest that robotaxi operators can promote user acceptance and use by reducing the difficulty of use, improving the cost performance and the ride experience, and making appropriate publicity and guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) was a momentous event. This article explores the social and institutional history of HTS research in China between 1987 and 2008. Desire for a Nobel Prize shaped the Chinese state's initial push to establish the National Superconductivity Research Program. Yet, after the enthusiasm for HTS research cooled, and even after a Nobel Prize for HTS was awarded to non-Chinese scientists, financial and institutional support for the research continued. This process fostered the 'to live' ethos of science, which has replaced the Nobel Prize dream as a central mechanism of interaction between the state and science in China. Indeed, Chinese HTS research not only survived, but also produced an abundance of 'normal science' discoveries. This pattern continued after 2008, when Japanese scientists made the groundbreaking innovation of iron-based superconductivity and Chinese scientists quickly turned their attention to this sub-field. They published many papers pushing the field forward slightly, rather than making the largest scientific advances. The mutual interaction between the state and scientists underpinned this phenomenon: On the one hand, the productivity of normal science has helped to maintain state legitimacy. On the other hand, the evaluation and incentive systems, as well as deep-rooted cultural features such as officialism, utilitarianism, and the foregrounding of politics lead scientists to opportunistically pursue normal science. The state and scientists have co-produced a regime of normal science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baseflow is an essential component of streamflow and plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of streamflow. However, few quantitative studies have identified the effects of leading factors on baseflow variation at the small watershed scale, especially in subtropical China. In this study, the small watershed (Pengchongjian watershed, 2.90 km2), located in Southern China, was considered to explore the quantitative impact of precipitation, evapotranspiration, temperature, and vegetation restoration on baseflow. The digital filter method was used to separate baseflow by daily streamflow records from 1983 to 2014. The stepwise regression models were developed for selecting significant influencing factors of baseflow at seasonal and annual scales. The direct and indirect effects, as well as their quantitative relationships between baseflow and multiple factors, were clarified by the path analysis. The results showed that filtered average annual baseflow significantly decreased (p < 0.05), ranging from 72.82 to 305.85 mm, and the average yearly baseflow index was 0.22. In addition, various significant influencing factors of baseflow had different direct and indirect effects on baseflow at seasonal and annual scales. The precipitation was the dominant factor with respect to the direct impact, which directs path coefficient was 0.891 in spring, 0.823 in summer, 1.599 in autumn, 1.332 in winter, and 0.917 in an annual scale, respectively. In terms of the indirect effects, evapotranspiration played a leading role during the spring, autumn, winter, and annual scale, whereas the average temperature was the dominant factor during the summer. Overall, results demonstrated that the baseflow variation was mainly attributed to climate change. The present works are beneficial for revealing the internal mechanism of the baseflow variations in the study area, and it can provide a scientific basis for managing water resources in the watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus capitis, which causes bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units, is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections. Thus, a standardized high-resolution typing method to document the transmission and dissemination of multidrug-resistant S. capitis isolates is required. We aimed to establish a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme to surveil S. capitis. The cgMLST scheme was defined based on primary and validation genome sets and tested with outbreaks of linezolid-resistant isolates and a validation set. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate the population structure and compare it with the result of cgMLST analysis. The S. capitis population consists of 1 dominant, NRCS-A, and 4 less common clones. In this work, a multidrug-resistant clone (L clone) with linezolid resistance is identified. With the features of type III SCCmec and multiple copies of mutations of G2576T and C2104T in the 23S rRNA, the L clone has been spreading silently across China. Staphylococcus capitis is a common causative agent of bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units, with multidrug resistant isolates complicating treatment. Authors aimed to establish a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme to document the transmission and dissemination of multidrug-resistant S. capitis isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are fighting not only the novel coronavirus, but also the "infodemic" induced by the pandemic. Therefore, it is urgent to explore approaches for enhancing individual immunity against science-related misinformation. We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the relationship between public engagement with science (PES) and scientific information literacy (SIL) during the COVID-19 pandemic from college students (N = 8075) in China. The results showed that there was a significant difference between attitudes toward and activities of PES. More importantly, both PES activities and PES attitudes were found positively associated with SIL, especially the PES attitudes. The empirical study is significant in demonstrating the predictive effect of PES on individual ability to recognize science-related misinformation, which is crucial for mitigating harm from the "infodemic." Our study indicated that other than a science communication model in order to restore public trust in science, PES is promising to be incorporated into informal science education to facilitate individual SIL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although carbonyl compounds are a key species with atmospheric oxidation capacity, their concentrations and sources have not been sufficiently characterized in various atmospheres, especially in desert areas. In this study, atmospheric carbonyl compounds were measured from 16 May to 15 June 2018 in Tazhong in the central Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Concentrations, chemical compositions, and sources of carbonyl compounds were investigated and compared with those of different environments worldwide. The average concentration of total carbonyls during the sampling period was 11.79 ± 4.03 ppbv. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were the most abundant carbonyls, with average concentrations of 6.08 ± 2.37, 1.68 ± 0.78, and 2.52 ± 0.68 ppbv, respectively. Strong correlations between formaldehyde and other carbonyls were found, indicating same or similar sources and sinks. A hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory was used to analyze 72 h back trajectories. The values of C1/C2 (formaldehyde to acetaldehyde, 3.22–4.59) and C2/C3 (acetaldehyde to propionaldehyde, 15.00–17.03) from different directions and distances of the trajectories were consistent with the characteristics of a remote area. Relative to various environments, the carbonyl concentration in the Tazhong desert site was lower than that in urban areas and higher than that in suburban and remote areas, implying contributions from local primary and secondary sources. The obtained data can be used to improve the source and sink estimation of carbonyls at the regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the teaching effects of augmented reality (AR) technology in German instruction. We conducted one prestudy and three formal studies on German learners in China's mainland and Taiwan region. In the formal studies, a total of 120 students participated in the survey, allowing us to compare the differences in interest in learning between AR picture books and traditional picture books. A total of 114 students took part in the survey, which enabled us to compare the contribution of AR picture books to teaching when students' satisfaction and German proficiency were different. To improve satisfaction, 514 students participated in the survey regarding the influence of the interactive narrative design effect and peer learning on satisfaction with using AR picture books. The results suggest that when learning German with AR picture books, satisfaction is the key construct that determines students' learning states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout history, gender inequality has persisted in most parts of the world. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, substantial progress has been made towards gender equality in China. Today, a large number of Chinese women scientists are making significant contributions to advance science. However, are they facing gender discrimination in hiring and promotion? Do they have access to the same opportunities as their male colleagues? What are the potential approaches to further promote gender equality in China's scientific community given myriad unfavorable social factors? Recently, NSR invited five Chinese female scientists and two gender experts to discuss these issues. Here are their observations and suggestions. Bing Liu Professor at the Department of the History of Science, Tsinghua University Jun Lu Senior Engineer at Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications Technology, and Deputy Chief Designer of BeiDou Grounded Test and Validation System Chih-chen Wang Professor at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Hongyang Wang President of the China Women's Association for Science and Technology (CWAST), Director of the National Center for Science in Liver Cancer Xiaoyun Wang C. N. Yang Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, Tsinghua University Yan Zheng Chair Professor at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology Wenpei Tang (Chair) Professor at the School of Health Humanities, Peking University [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, resilience, and insomnia and the underlying mechanism that explains the relationships. Six hundred and fifty-three middle-aged and old people recruited from community service centers in Henan province completed questionnaires related to CER strategies, resilience, and insomnia. Results showed refocus on planning and positive reappraisal negatively predicted insomnia, and catastrophising, rumination and self-blame positively predicted insomnia. Moreover, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (especially catastrophising) mediated the relationship between resilience and insomnia. The findings suggest the middle-aged and elderly with insomnia tended to employ maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and had lower resilience. Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies buffered the positive effect of resilience on sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disorderly parking of dockless shared bicycles (DBS) has brought about great challenges to the use and management of shared bicycles. Although previous research related to the DBS industry has covered many patterns, the psychological mechanisms underlying users' behavior remain unclear. This study proposed an extended TPB model and recruited 334 participants from diverse professions and geographic locations in China to examine the influence of internal and external factors on users' orderly parking behavior. It was shown that personal moral norms have a significant direct influence on users' attitudes toward orderly parking and thus influence the behavioral intention of orderly parking. Users' perception of parking facilities has significant influence on users' perceived behavior control and intention of orderly parking. This study indicates that cultivation of users' moral obligation can help improve users' intention of orderly parking. Furthermore, governments and DBS companies should work together to provide sufficient parking facilities to DBS users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was proposed by Hwang and Yoon as a multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) method, which identifies solutions from a finite set of alternatives. TOPSIS is based on the concept that the chosen alternative should have the shortest distance from the positive ideal solution (PIS) and the farthest distance from the negative ideal solution (NIS). In this study, the method was applied to evaluate the tourism destination competitiveness (TDC) of the Yangtze River Delta in China. This empirical study was based on a two-step procedure. The first procedure consisted of three hierarchies, four aspects and 35 evaluation indices, which were weighted by the information entropy weight (IEW). Secondly, the TOPSIS method was applied to the ranking analysis. This gave the most important index for each aspect by IEW. It also provided the ranking for 16 cities in the Yangtze River Delta based on four aspects, as well as the final overall ranking among them. Finally, the tactics and means for the cities to improve their tourism competitiveness were discussed. The results showed that TOPSIS & IEW can be implemented as an effective method in TDC evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated the ceftobiprole (BPR) susceptibilities of 472 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, and investigated the mechanisms underlying BPR resistance. For all MRSA isolates, BPR MIC was determined by agar dilution. We sequenced the BPR-resistant isolates through Illumina short- and MinION long-read sequencing. We also selected MRSA isolates of ST5, ST59, and ST239, and exposed them to increasing BRP concentrations. The isolated mutants developing BPR resistance were sequenced. A total of 471 MRSA isolates were susceptible to BPR, with MICs ranging from 0.25 to 2 mg/L. Compared with HA-MRSA isolates (MIC 50 = 2 mg/L; MIC 90 = 2 mg/L), CA-MRSA isolates (MIC 50 = 0.5; MIC 90 = 2 mg/L) were more susceptible to BPR (p < 0.001). Compared with isolates with staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec) type II or III (MIC 50 = 2 mg/L; MIC 90 = 2 mg/L), isolates with SCC mec type IV (MIC 50 = 1 mg/L; MIC 90 = 1 mg/L) or V (MIC 50 = 0.5 mg/L; MIC 90 = 1 mg/L) were more susceptible to BPR (p < 0.001). Nanopore sequencing revealed two copies of SCC mec repeats in the BPR-resistant MRSA isolate. In addition, SCC mec amplification could be induced by BPR exposure in ST239 MRSA isolates; however, no amplification was observed in the other lineages. The induced BPR-resistant MRSA isolates also acquired mutations in mecA and other genes, such as guaA, guaB, relA, rpoA , and oatA , which were speculated as factors contributing to BPR-resistance development. BPR showed significant antibacterial activity against MRSA isolates in China; however, the emergence of a BPR-resistant isolate before its launch was a cause for concern. Multiple genes and pathways are potentially involved in the development of BPR resistance in MRSA, and our data demonstrated the role of nanopore-sequencing in revealing the tandem repeat-mediated resistance mechanism in MRSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a key issue for the Chinese government to improve eco-efficiency and realize green development. As a spatial organization mode of industrial labor division, industrial agglomeration has a complex impact on eco-efficiency. However, it is still debatable which industrial agglomeration modes have a positive impact on eco-efficiency. This paper employs a panel threshold model, enterprise micro-level data, and relevant economic environment data from 283 cities in China from 2004 to 2012. It tests the nonlinear effects of specialized, related diversified, and unrelated diversified agglomeration on industrial eco-efficiency. The results show that the impact of specialized and related diversified agglomeration on industrial eco-efficiency is first inhibited and then promoted. The unrelated diversified agglomeration has a significantly negative impact on industrial eco-efficiency, but the negative impact weakens when agglomeration reaches a certain level. Furthermore, the impact of the three agglomeration modes on industrial eco-efficiency depends on city size. The impact of specialized agglomeration on industrial eco-efficiency is insignificant in small- and some medium-sized cities, but it has a significant inhibitory effect on industrial eco-efficiency when the city surpasses medium size. The role of related diversified agglomeration in promoting industrial eco-efficiency is further enhanced with the growth of city size. The impact of unrelated diversified agglomeration on industrial eco-efficiency gradually changes from negative to positive, but it plays a promoting role only when the city reaches the scale of super-large and mega-cities. Finally, this paper suggests that policymakers should formulate differentiated agglomeration policies according to changes in industrial agglomeration level or city size to improve industrial eco-efficiency.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as a common neurodegenerative aging disease representing an intermediate stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia, poses an excessive burden on health care. The clinical benefit of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for MCI remains inconclusive. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and acceptability of CHMs through meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA)., Methods: We applied extensive strategies on preliminary literature screening to identify relevant randomized controlled trials which meticulously compare any of CHMs interventions with placebo groups as monotherapy for MCI. The primary outcome of this study is the change of global cognitive function, and the secondary outcomes include assessments of activities of daily living, mood, and adverse events. Data synthesis, risk of bias assessment, sensitivity and subgroup analyses, and TSA will be conducted with application of Review Manager, Stata, and TSA software. The quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation instrument. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY202190006 (https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-9-0006/)., Results: This study will confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of CHMs when used in the treatment of patients with MCI., Conclusion: This study will provide reliable evidence and references for the selection of CHMs in therapy and future clinical research of MCI., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

In order to understand the compositions characteristics of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) fraction in road dust (RD 2.5 ) of oasis cities on the edge of Tarim Basin, 30 road dust (RD) samples were collected in Kashi, Cele, and Yutian in the spring, 2018, and RD 2.5 was collected using the resuspension approach. Eight water-soluble ions, 39 trace elements and 8 fractions of carbon-containing species in PM 2.5 were analyzed. Ca 2+ and Ca were the most abundant ions and elements in RD 2.5 (7.1% and 9.5%). Cl - in RD 2.5 was affected not only by attributed to saline-alkali soils in oasis cities of the Tarim Basin and dust from Taklimakan Desert but also by human activities. Moreover, the organic carbon/elemental carbon (OC/EC) ratio indicated that carbon components in RD 2.5 in Cele town mainly come from fossil fuel combustion, while those in Yutian and Kashi mainly come from biomass combustion. It is noteworthy that high Ca in RD 2.5 was seriously affected by anthropogenic emissions, and high Na and K contents in RD 2.5 could be derived from soil and desert dust. It was estimated that Cd, Tl, Sn and Cr were emitted from anthropogenic emissions using the enrichment factor. The coefficients of divergence (COD) result indicated that the influence of local emission on road dust emission is greater than that of long-distance transmission. This study is the first time to comprehensively analyze the chemical characteristics of road dust in oasis cities, and the results provides the sources of road dust at the margin of Tarim Basin., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To understand the status and influential factors of those neglect of left-behind children in rural area, and to provide bases for the development of intervention measures., Methods: 2917 students were selected as the study subjects from Changfeng county of Anhui province with cluster sampling method and were evaluated by a Parents-Child Conflict Tactics Scales and questionnaire on influential factors., Results: 1694 left-behind children, accounted for 58.1% of the total students, were surveyed in this investigation. The prevalence rates of neglect, among total children, left-behind children, non-left-behind children were 67.4%, 70.2%, 63.5%, respectively. The prevalence of neglect among left-behind children was higher than that among non-left-behind children (χ(2) = 14.322, P < 0.000). There were no significant associations with the neglect rate of left-behind children regarding gender or age differences. Result from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the neglect among the left-behind children were associated with family dysfunction (OR values of moderate and serious family dysfunctions compared to good family function were 1.628 and 2.341, respectively) and the rate of keeping in touch with parents (OR values of sometimes and seldom keeping in touch compared to regular in touch were 1.299 and 1.844, respectively). The starting age of being left-behind (OR values of starting age that being left-behind from 6 to 10 and ≤ 5 years relative to starting age of left-behind ≥ 11 years were 0.703 and 0.630, respectively) appeared to be the protection factor to the neglect of those left-behind children., Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the status of neglect among the left-behind children was serious. Prevention programs on the issue should target on a number of factors, including the characteristics of the children them-selves, as well as on the family of the children.

Objective: To describe the current epidemiological characteristics of injuries among primary and middle school students in one rural area of Anhui province and to explore the relationship between the ways of coping and related injuries., Methods: Through cluster sampling methods, all students from 3 to 9 grades in 5 primary schools and 3 middle schools in Changfeng county of Anhui province were investigated with questionnaire. All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning their experiences with injuries during the 12 months preceding the survey. The ways of coping to injuries were evaluated by Trait Coping Style Questionnaire. Factors associated with injuries were identified using a negative binomial regression analysis., Results: Of 2917 students, the annual event-based rate of injuries was 17.4 per 100 students. Positive coping score had no significant differences between the injury and non-injury groups (33.98 ± 6.38 vs. 33.66 ± 6.37) (t = 0.979, P = 0.328). The score of negative coping style was higher in injury group than in non-injury group (27.65 ± 7.79 vs. 26.54 ± 7.62) (t = 2.775, P = 0.006). Statistically, the annual injury rates were significantly different in three groups on their negative styles of coping (χ(2) = 6.131, P = 0.013). Data from the multivariable negative binomial regression analysis, after adjusted for demographic characteristics, showed no significant difference on the relationship between positive coping style and injury incidence. Those with moderate negative style of coping had lower risks compared to those with highly negative one (IRR = 0.77, 95%CI: 0.63 - 0.94)., Conclusion: Negative ways of coping was an important risk factor for injuries. Data from our research suggested that psychological preventive measure need to be taken to improve the style of coping. It was also important to promote the related personality development in planning the strategies for future prevention on injuries.

Background: Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is an uncommon autosomal dominant chronic keratinization disorder, characterized by multiple superficial keratotic lesions surrounded by a slightly raised keratotic border. Recently, SSH1 was identified as the DSAP candidate gene., Objective: Our purpose was to determine the locus of DSAP and identify the candidate gene(s) of the disease., Methods: Genome-wide scanning and linkage analysis were performed in a 6-generation Chinese family with DSAP. The coding exons and promoter region of the candidate genes were screened for the nucleotide variations., Results: A missense mutation (p.Ser63Asn) in SSH1 and a variation (dbSNP3759383: G>A) in the promoter region of ARPC3 were closely linked with DSAP in the pedigree., Conclusion: Both SSH1 and ARPC3 are involved in the actin cytoskeleton pathway and interacted with adherent junctions in the epidermal cells. We suggested that cytoskeleton disorganization in epidermal cells was likely associated with the pathogenesis of DSAP.