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The integration of digitalization in higher education is a key to increasing the number of students getting access to education in the developing world. Inspired by the fast digitalization in higher education institutes and the lack of relevant empirical studies about the impact of this rapid digitalization on the learning behavior of students, we investigated: how does digital competence, along with personal innovativeness and attitudes toward digital learning, affect the learning behavior of students in China? This study also aims to examine the moderating role of the level of digitization at higher educational institutions between students' personality traits and their learning behavior. For this purpose, cross sectional data were collected from 1,569 Chinese students through purposive and random sampling through a face-to-face survey. The data were analyzed using the partially least square structural equation model. The findings indicate that digital competence ([beta] = 0.688, p < 0.01) exerts a robust positive influence on students' learning behavior. The personal innovativeness had a significant impact on learning behavior ([beta] = 0.720, p < 0.01). The study found that the attitude toward digital learning had a significant impact on students' learning behavior ([beta] = 0.573, p < 0.01). The results also indicated that digitalization at higher education institutes moderated positively between student personality traits and their learning behavior. Thus, the enables individuals to cultivate creativity, explore novel concepts, and acquire fresh insights that enhance their intellectual skills. Ultimately, DHEI also cultivates their attitude toward formal as well as informal digital learning, which significantly influences their learning behavior.

Based on a diagnosis of the problems in the traditional way of teaching English reading in China, this paper introduces the "whole language" theory and explores its application to the teaching of English reading. To begin with, it demonstrates the various problems in the teaching of English reading which severely prevent the improvement of English teaching. Then it introduces and elaborates on the "whole language" theory which brings new ideas and new methods to foreign language teaching. Finally it discusses how the "whole language" theory can be used to improve the teaching of English in general and English reading in particular.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) can colonize the human body, leading to opportunistic infection. This study was conducted to analyze the NTM species composition in a primary hospital and investigate the potential features of the patients with different NTM species. Methodology: Mycobacterial strains were collected from the patients admitted at the hospital from January 2016 to May 2019. MPB64 assay was used to screen NTM strains and confirmed by Rv0577 amplification. The species were identified by hsp65 sequencing. The clinical records of patients with NTM were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Among the 122 identified NTM isolates, the most common strains were Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC, n = 102, 83.6%), Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 9, 7.4%) and Mycobacterium lentiflavum (n = 5, 4.1%). The predominant species among MAC were Mycobacterium chimaera (n = 57, 46.7%), followed by Mycobacterium intracellulare (n = 25, 20.5%) and Mycobacterium colombiense (n = 17, 13.9%). A significantly lower percentage of positive acid-fast assay was observed in Mycobacterium colombiense positive patients than in those with Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium chimaera. Mycobacterium intracellulare was more frequently isolated in patients from the infectious department than in other MAC members. Conclusions: A predominant prevalence of Mycobacterium chimaera in Dongyang of Zhejiang Province was different from other regions in China, indicating that its prevalence has been likely underestimated. The heterogeneity in clinical features, caused by different MAC members, required an accurate species identification of the NTM isolated in the primary hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southwestern China has the largest geological phosphorus-rich mountain in the world, which is seriously degraded by mining activities. Understanding the trajectory of soil microbial recovery and identifying the driving factors behind such restoration, as well as conducting corresponding predictive simulations, can be instrumental in facilitating ecological rehabilitation. Here, high-throughput sequencing and machine learning-based approaches were employed to investigate restoration chronosequences under four restoration strategies (spontaneous re-vegetation with or without topsoil; artificial re-vegetation with or without the addition of topsoil) in one of the largest and oldest open-pit phosphate mines worldwide. Although soil phosphorus (P) is extremely high here (max = 68.3 mg/g), some phosphate solubilizing bacteria and mycorrhiza fungi remain as the predominant functional types. Soil stoichiometry ratios (C:P and N:P) closely relate to the bacterial variation, but soil P content contributes less to microbial dynamics. Meanwhile, as restoration age increases, denitrifying bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi significantly increased. Significantly, based on partial least squares path analysis, it was found that the restoration strategy is the primary factor that drives soil bacterial and fungal composition as well as functional types through both direct and indirect effects. These indirect effects arise from factors such as soil thickness, moisture, nutrient stoichiometry, pH, and plant composition. Moreover, its indirect effects constitute the main driving force towards microbial diversity and functional variation. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model, scenario analysis reveals that the recovery trajectories of soil microbes are contingent upon changes in restoration stage and treatment strategy; inappropriate plant allocation may impede the recovery of the soil microbial community. This study is helpful for understanding the dynamics of the restoration process in degraded phosphorus-rich ecosystems, and subsequently selecting more reasonable recovery strategies. [Display omitted] • Restoration in one of the largest and oldest open-pit phosphate mines worldwide. • Microbial features are predicted using machine learning-based approaches. • Restoration age is still not the most primary factor in affecting soil microbes. • The recovery trajectories of soil microbes vary by the changes in treatment strategies. • Inappropriate plant allocation hinders the recovery of the soil microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trends in annual precipitation and river discharge (1956-2012) were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen's method to evaluate the impact of climate variation and human activities on the Haihe River discharge to Bohai Bay. Compared to observations before 1965, two obvious decreases in annual river discharge occurred after 1965 and after 1980. Considering 1956-1965 as the baseline period, it was established that the reduction in Haihe River discharge to the Bohai Sea was 52.9% and 81.9% during 1966-1980 and 1981-2012, respectively. Compared to the baseline period, the reductions in annual precipitation in 1966-1980 and 1981-2012 were 7.1% and 14.2%, respectively. Following the increase in population, industrial activity, and irrigated areas, water consumption has increased rapidly, from 51.9 mm in 1965 to 124.8 mm in 1980 and 126.4 mm in 2000. These results indicate that the reduction in discharge in the Haihe River basin during 1966-1980 and 1981-2000 could be attributed to climatic variations (33.2% and 41.4%, respectively) and human activities (66.8% and 58.6%, respectively). The results also indicate that salinity in Bohai Bay increased following the decrease in discharge from the Haihe River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of rs364585 near serine palmitoyl-transferase long-chain base subunit 3 gene (SPTLC3) and serum lipid profiles. The present study was detected the association of the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP and several environmental factors with serum lipid profiles in the Han and Jing populations. Methods: Genotyping of the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP was performed in 824 unrelated individuals of Han and 783 participants of Jing by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: There was no significant difference in either genotypic or allelic frequencies between Han and Jing, or between males and females of the both ethnic groups. The levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the ratio of apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 to ApoB in Han; and total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C in Jing were different between the A allele carriers and the A allele non-carriers (P < 0.05-0.001). Subgroup analysis according to sex showed that the levels of LDL-C in Han males; TC and LDL-C in Jing males; and HDL-C and LDL-C in Jing females were different between the A allele carriers and the A allele non-carriers (P < 0.05-0.001), the A allele carriers had higher LDL-C and TC levels, and lower HDL-C levels than the A allele non-carriers. Serum lipid traits were also associated with several environmental factors in the Han and Jing populations, or in males and females of the both ethnic groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the association between the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP and serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in our study populations. These associations might have ethnic- and/or sex-specificity. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in cognitive performance and the modulation of several metabolic parameters in some disease models, but its potential roles in successful aging remain unclear. We herein sought to define the putative correlation between BDNF Val66Met and several metabolic risk factors including BMI, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid levels in a long-lived population inhabiting Hongshui River Basin in Guangxi.Methods: BDNF Val66Met was typed by ARMS-PCR for 487 Zhuang long-lived individuals (age ≥ 90, long-lived group, LG), 593 of their offspring (age 60-77, offspring group, OG) and 582 ethnic-matched healthy controls (aged 60-75, control group, CG) from Hongshui River Basin. The correlations of genotypes with metabolic risks were then determined.Results: As a result, no statistical difference was observed on the distribution of allelic and genotypic frequencies of BDNF Val66Met among the three groups (all P > 0.05) except that AA genotype was dramatically higher in females than in males of CG. The HDL-C level of A allele (GA/AA genotype) carriers was profoundly lower than was non-A (GG genotype) carriers in the total population and the CG (P = 0.009 and 0.006, respectively), which maintained in females, hyperglycemic and normolipidemic subgroup of CG after stratification by gender, BMI, glucose and lipid status. Furthermore, allele A carriers, with a higher systolic blood pressure, exhibited 1.63 folds higher risk than non-A carriers to be overweight in CG (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.55, P = 0.012). Multiple regression analysis displayed that the TC level of LG reversely associated with BDNF Val66Met genotype.Conclusions: These data suggested that BDNF 66Met may play unfavorable roles in blood pressure and lipid profiles in the general population in Hongshui River area which might in part underscore their poorer survivorship versus the successful aging individuals and their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The -493G/T polymorphism in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene is associated with lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels and longevity in several populations, but the results are inconsistent in different racial/ethnic groups. The current study was to investigate the plausible association of MTP -493G/T polymorphism with serum lipid levels and longevity in Zhuang long-lived families residing in Bama area, a famous home of longevity in Guangxi, China. Methods: The MTP -493G/T was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 391 Bama Zhuang long-lived families (BLF, n = 1467, age 56.60 ± 29.43 years) and four control groups recruited from Bama and out-of- Bama area with or without a familial history of exceptional longevity: Bama non-long-lived families (BNLF, n = 586, age 44.81 ± 26.83 years), Bama non-Zhuang long-lived families (BNZLF, n = 444, age 52.09 ± 31.91 years), Pingguo long-lived families (PLF, n = 658, age 50.83 ± 30.30 years), and Pingguo non-long-lived families (PNLF, n = 539, age 38.74 ± 24.69 years). Correlation analyses between genotypes and serum lipid levels and longevity were then performed. Results: No particularly favorable lipoprotein and clinical phenotypes were seen in BLF as compared to general families in the same area. Instead, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the three Bama families as compared to the two non-Bama families (P < 0.01 for all). There were no differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the tested cohorts (P > 0.05 for all), but the TT genotype tended to enrich in the three long-lived cohorts from both areas. In addition, the individuals harboring TT genotype exhibited lower LDL-C and TC levels in the overall populations and Bama populations with a region- and sex-specific pattern. Multiple linear regression analyses unraveled that LDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population, BNLF, and the total population (P < 0.05 for each) but not in Pingguo populations; TC and HDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population and BLF, respectively (P < 0.05 for each). Conclusions: MTP -493G/T polymorphism may play an important role in fashioning the serum lipid profiles of Bama populations, despite no direct association between MTP -493G/T and longevity was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association of rs1044925 polymorphism in the acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT-1) gene and serum lipid profiles is not well known in different ethnic groups. Bai Ku Yao is a special subgroup of the Yao minority in China. The present study was carried out to clarify the association of rs1044925 polymorphism in the ACAT-1 gene and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations. Methods: A total of 626 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 624 participants of Han Chinese were randomly selected from our previous stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of rs1044925 polymorphism in the ACAT-1 gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein (Apo) AI and ApoB were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han (P < 0.01 for all). The frequency of A and C alleles was 79.0% and 21.0% in Bai Ku Yao, and 87.3% and 12.7% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. The frequency of AA, AC and CC genotypes was 63.2%, 31.4% and 5.2% in Bai Ku Yao, and 75.6%, 23.2% and 1.1% in Han (P < 0.001); respectively. The levels of TC, LDL-C and ApoB in Bai Ku Yao but not in Han were different between the AA and AC/CC genotypes in females but not in males (P < 0.05 for all). The C allele carriers had lower serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB levels as compared with the C allele noncarriers. The levels of TC, LDL-C and ApoB in Bai Ku Yao but not in Han were correlated with genotypes in females but not in males (P < 0.05 for all). Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with sex, age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and blood pressure in both ethnic groups (P < 0.05-0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that the polymorphism of rs1044925 in the ACAT-1 gene is mainly associated with female serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB levels in the Bai Ku Yao population. The C allele carriers had lower serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB levels than the C allele noncarriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome sequencing and virulence studies of 2 Japanese encephalitis viruses (JEVs) from bats in Yunnan, China, showed a close relationship with JEVs isolated from mosquitoes and humans in the same region over 2 decades. These results indicate that bats may play a role in human Japanese encephalitis outbreaks in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The drug resistance and the virologic failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are quite severe in Liangshan. A better understanding of the virologic failure of ART and the HIV-1 transmission network dynamics is essential for the surveillance and prevention of HIV. Here, we analyzed the HIV-1 CRF07_BC strain genetic transmission networks and their associated factors among people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) who had virologic failure of ART by using close genetic links.Methods: The drug-resistant mutations were determined using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database. HIV-1 pol genes sequences were used for phylogenetic and genotypic drug resistance analysis. The genetic transmission networks were performed by comparing sequences, constructing the phylogenetic tree, calculating the pairwise distance, and visualizing the network.Results: A total of 1050 PLWH with CRF07_BC pol sequences were finally identified and included in the genetic transmission network analysis from 2016 to 2017. Of the 1050 CRF07_BC pol sequences, 346 (32.95%) fell into clusters at a genetic distance of 0.006, resulting in 137 clusters ranging in size from 2 to 40 individuals. Subjects who were widowed or divorced were less likely to form a genetic transmission network (adjusted OR: 0.50), while subjects who had shared a needle ≥ five times were more likely to form a network (adjusted OR: 1.88).Conclusions: The genetic transmission networks revealed the complex transmission pattern, highlighting the urgent need for transmission monitoring of virologic failure of ART and selection of more effective therapeutic regimens to promote viral suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sorts and detection methods of environmental hormone were analyzed firstly, and then the effects of environmental hormone on organisms and humanity were discussed. Finally the control measures of environmental hormone pollution, such as reducing the use of goods and pesticide and the study of new substitutes and degradation technology are advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on widespread chronic kidney disease in China. It says that cross-sectional survey was conducted to Chinese adults, where in their blood pressure, urine, and blood samples are studied. It also says that based on the survey, 10.8 percent of 119.5 million adults aged 18 years old and older have chronic kidney disease and 12.5 percent of them know the condition and an analysis show that hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can lead to kidney damage.