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This study explored teaching anxiety and teacher foreign language anxiety (FLA) in 151 Chinese college English teachers in relation to their individual characteristics. Analyses of data collected from mixed-form questionnaires revealed the following major findings: (a) Major causes for teaching anxiety were concern about classroom teaching, research, other work and promotion, and interest and confidence in teaching, and major sources for teacher FLA were apprehension of speaking English, fear of negative outcomes, and confidence in English competence; (b) the participants of various backgrounds suffered from varying degrees of teaching anxiety and teacher FLA; (c) gender, age, educational level, English proficiency, and experience of visiting/studying in English-speaking countries significantly affected the participants' teaching anxiety and teacher FLA levels; and (d) anxiety seriously affected the participants' work and life. Evidently, anxiety is an important issue faced by university language teachers and needs to be further researched and seriously handled.

The ocean is the largest active carbon reservoir on Earth. Organic carbon (OC), as the primary species of carbon sequestration in the ocean, plays an important role in the global carbon cycle through its deposition and burial. In this study, sedimentary OC data from 5796 stations, together with relevant geochemical and sedimentological parameters in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and East China Sea (BYES) were used to summarize and elucidate the distribution and burial patterns of sedimentary OC, and assess carbon sink effect of sedimentary OC burial. The results show that the OC content in the sediments of the BYES ranges from 0.00% to 2.12%, with an average content of 0.47%±0.26%. OC content is significantly correlated with finegrained sediments, with an average OC content in mud areas being 39% higher than that in non-mud areas. Modern OC buried in the BYES are mainly deposited in 7 major mud areas, with a total sedimentary OC burial flux of approximately 8.20 Mt C yr−1. Among them, the burial flux of biospheric OC is 6.92 Mt C yr−1, equivalent to the OC consumption amount of silicate weathering of the 9 major river basins in the eastern China. In its natural state, the annually sequestered OC in the sediments of the eastern China seas is equivalent to 25.37 Mt of atmospheric CO2, indicating a significant carbon sink effect. The distribution and burial of terrigenous OC in the BYES are mainly influenced by the large river inputs and complex marine hydrodynamic environment, while human activities such as dam construction have significantly altered the OC burial in these coastal mud areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete (RC) rigid-frame bridges with tall hollow piers were widely constructed in Southwestern China, an earthquake-prone area. For such bridges, the seismic damages may be underestimated if multiple bends of tall piers are overlooked using a conventional damage measure such as the drift ratio. Moreover, the seismic damage assessment can be inaccurate if tall piers' shear damages are ignored using the sectional curvature as a damage measure. Along these lines, this paper proposes a novel seismic damage measure, the piecewise drift ratio (PDR), involving both shear effects and multiple-bend deformations; it has been validated by hybrid tests and analyzed employing fragility curves. Damage state limits represented by the PDR are estimated through statistical analysis of the 40 existing tests of hollow piers. To validate the PDR, a finite element model of an RC rigid-frame bridge with two tall piers was established and adequately calibrated based on model-updating hybrid simulations. To comprehensively evaluate the PDR, ground motions were selected and grouped into four categories by identifying their first two-class nature frequency and their amplitude ratio; to determine fragility curves, both the spectral acceleration at the fundamental period with 5% damping, Sa(T1, 5%), and the peak ground acceleration have been adopted as intensity measures. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed PDR, provide a more severe ground motion for assessment, and reveal the high exceedance probability of the complete damage state of tall piers under some potential seismic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research reports how four Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students construct their teacher identities through a university-based teaching practice. Drawing on interviews with four pre-service teachers, interviews with mentors and supervisor teachers, lesson plans, and supervisor teachers' feedback, this study indicates that the university-based practice plays a part in pre-service EFL teachers constructing identity by modifying their primitive imagination. We argue that a makeshift simulated context can be a substitute for practicum sites. The research suggests implications for teacher education in different disciplinary, linguistic and sociocultural contexts.

A revival of Confucianism in post-Mao China helped the government legitimate its power in the face of a new socio-political and economic situation. This paper specifically explores the role of Confucian self-cultivation in China's governance. Drawing on Beetham's theory of legitimation of power and Weber's tri-typology of authority, we argue that self-cultivation, appealing to ingrained cultural values and traditions, fulfils the criteria of legitimation of power through two principles, namely, differentiation and community interest. In the context of "suzhi" education (education for quality) and China's national university entrance exam ("gaokao"), we interrogate tensions and paradoxes between the need for a presentation of modern and liberal authority and the CCP's one-party rule. The paper illustrates the complexity of China's authoritarianism and the intricacies and intrinsic relevance of self-cultivation in current practice.

Objective: To understand the epidemiological distribution characteristics of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL) in Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, China, from 2006 to 2021, to explore the influencing factors leading to the re-emergence of the epidemic, and to provide a basis for the formulation of targeted control strategies. Methods: Case information spanning from 2006 to 2021 in Yangquan City was collected for a retrospective case-control study conducted from June to September 2022. A 1:3 matched ratio was employed. A questionnaire was utilized to gather data on basic information, demographic characteristics, awareness of MT-ZVL knowledge, residence, and dog breeding and living habits. The study employed a multifactorial conditional stepwise logistic regression model to analyze the influencing factors. Results: A total of 508 subjects was analyzed. Risk factors for MT-ZVL included the use of soil/stone/concrete as building materials (OR = 3.932), presence of nearby empty/stone stack houses (OR = 2.515), dog breeding (OR = 4.215), presence of stray dogs (OR = 2.767), and neighbor's dog breeding (OR = 1.953). Protective factors comprised knowledge of MT-ZVL (OR = 0.113) and using mosquito repellents (OR = 0.388). The findings indicate significant associations between environmental and behavioral factors and MT-ZVL incidence in Yangquan City, Shanxi Province, China, from 2006 to 2021. These results underscore the importance of public awareness campaigns and targeted interventions aimed at reducing exposure to risk factors and promoting protective measures to mitigate the re-emergence of MT-ZVL outbreaks. Conclusion: House building materials, presence of neighboring empty houses, breeding domestic dogs and distribution of stray dogs surrounding the home are risk factors for MT-ZVL. Awareness of MT-ZVL and implementation of preventive measures during outdoor activities in summer and autumn are protective and may reduce the risk of MT-ZVL. Author summary: In recent years, a rapid reemergence of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL) has been seen in the extension region of the Loess Plateau that had previously achieved elimination in China. In this study, we investigate the epidemiological characteristics of MT-ZVL and identify the factors associated with the rapid rise in MT-ZVL epidemics using a case-control design. A questionnaire was used to collect basic information, demographic characteristics, awareness of MT-ZVL knowledge, residence, and dog breeding and living habits. A multifactorial conditional stepwise logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors. The study revealed that there has been a rising trend in the MT-ZVL endemic areas. House building materials, presence of neighboring empty houses, breeding domestic dogs and distribution of stray dogs surrounding the home are risk factors for MT-ZVL. Awareness of MT-ZVL and implementation of preventive measures during outdoor activities in summer and autumn are protective and may reduce the risk of MT-ZVL. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature to develop strategy for control the ongoing local transmission of MT-ZVL in hill districts. By analyzing the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of MT-ZVL, this research provides a basis for further optimizing the targeted control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plumbogaidonnayite, ideally PbZrSi3O9⋅2H2O, is a new gaidonnayite-group mineral discovered as a secondary product derived from the alteration of eudialyte from the Saima alkaline complex, China. It occurs as aggregates (up to 1 mm) composed of subhedral to anhedral or platy crystals (individually 5–50 μm), associated closely with microcline, natrolite, aegirine, gaidonnayite, georgechaoite, zircon, bobtraillite and britholite-(Ce) in eudialyte pseudomorphs. The crystals are transparent, colourless or light brown with a vitreous lustre. Plumbogaidonnayite is brittle with conchoidal fracture, and it has a Mohs hardness of ~5 and a calculated density of 3.264 g/cm3. It is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.61(3), β = 1.63(3) and γ = 1.66(4). The calculated 2V is 80°, with the optical orientations X , Y and Z parallel to the crystallographic a , b and c axes, respectively. The empirical formula is (Pb0.70Ca0.17Ba0.01K0.11Na0.01Y0.01)Σ1.01(Zr1.00Hf0.01Ti0.01)Σ1.02Si3.01O9⋅2H2O calculated on the basis of nine oxygen atoms per formula unit and assuming the occurrence of two H2O groups. Plumbogaidonnayite is orthorhombic, P 21 nb , a = 11.7690(4) Å, b = 12.9867(3) Å, c = 6.66165(16) Å, V = 1018.17(5) Å3 and Z = 4. The nine strongest lines of its powder XRD pattern [ d in Å (I , %) (hkl)] are: 6.489 (36) (020), 5.803 (100) (101), 4.661 (27) (021), 4.336 (29) (121), 3.640 (30) (221), 3.114 (79) (112), 2.947 (27) (400), 2.622 (27) (241) and 2.493 (27) (312). Plumbogaidonnayite has a similar spiral chain framework structure with gaidonnayite and georgechaoite, which is composed of SiO4 tetrahedra and ZrO6 octahedra, but with disordered extra-framework sites (cations and H2O groups) characterised by the substitution of 2Na+ (K+)→Pb2+ (Ca2+) + □ (vacancy). The discovery of plumbogaidonnayite adds a new perspective on the cation ordering and heterovalent substitution mechanism in gaidonnayite-group minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on data from semi-structured interviews, this case study enquires into the methods employed by a Chinese teacher mentor of English as a Foreign Language to give feedback on practicum reports to poorly motivated student teachers. Data analysis showed that the mentor provided written comments mainly on empowered motivation with a focus on the reflection section. The findings also revealed that the mentor patterned her feedback with 'praise-suggestion' to shape student teachers' identity emotionally and ethically.

Background: Diarrheal diseases caused by viral agents have led to a great morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in global pig industry. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and group A porcine rotavirus (RVA) are main causative agents of swine viral diarrhea with similar clinical signs on Chinese farms and their co-infection is also common. However, it is still lack of a convenient method to detect these four agents. Methods: A TaqMan multiplex qPCR method was developed to detect PEDV, TGEV, PDCoV, and RVA, simultaneously. This method was then applied to investigate 7,342 swine fecal samples or rectal swabs, as well as 1,246 swine intestinal samples collected from 2075 farms in China in 2022. Results: Minimum detection limits of this method were 3 copies/µL for PEDV, 4 copies/µL for TGEV, 8 copies/µL for RVA, and 8 copies/µL for PDCoV, suggesting a good sensitivity. No signals were observed by using this method detecting other viral agents commonly prevalent in pigs, which is suggestive of a good specificity. Application of this method on investigating clinical samples demonstrated a relatively high positive rate for PEDV (22.21%, 1907/8588) and RVA (44.00%, 3779/8588). In addition, co-infection between PEDV and RVA was observed on 360 investigated farms, accounting for 17.35% (360/2075) of the farms where co-infection events were screened. Conclusions: A TaqMan multiplex qPCR method targeting PEDV, TGEV, PDCoV, and RVA was developed in this study. This method demonstrated a good specificity and sensitivity on investigating these four common viruses responsible for viral diarrhea on Chinese pig farms, which represents a convenient method for the monitoring and differential diagnosis of swine viral diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread crust-derived granitoids in North China provide evidence of Mesozoic lithospheric thinning and destruction of the North China Craton. However, the link between lower crust and lithospheric mantle reactivation remains poorly understood. We present whole-rock geochemistry and zircon O-Hf isotopes for Early Cretaceous peralkaline A-type granites (i.e., Xiwanzi, Xiangshan, and Yansehu) from the Yanshan Mountains of the eastern block of the North China Craton. The Xiwanzi granite has a U-Pb age of 134.3 ± 0.4 Ma, with homogeneous whole-rock Nd isotopes [εNd(t) = -7.7 to -7.5] but highly variable zircon O-Hf isotopes [δ18O = 5.1‰ to 7.2‰ and εHf(t) = -7.7 to +9.6]. Such isotopic variations likely resulted from a hybrid juvenile source consisting of partial melting of newly underplated basaltic rocks derived from both the metasomatized ancient and juvenile sub-continental lithospheric mantle. In contrast, the Xiangshan (117.4 ± 1.0 Ma) and Yansehu (116.3 ± 1.4 Ma) granites have relatively uniform isotopic compositions [whole-rock εNd(t) = -12.2 to -10.8, zircon δ18O = 5.2‰ to 6.4‰, and εHf(t) = -17.1 to -4.7], close to those of the Proterozoic mafic granulite xenoliths from the ancient lower crust. The isotopic variations of the Early Cretaceous A-type granites suggest a continuous change in the melting model from the underplated juvenile lowermost crust to the overlying ancient lower crust at high temperatures in an extensional environment. Our results indicate that A-type granites can be used to probe the nature and reactivation of the lower crust of an Archean craton. Significantly, large-scale continuous thinning of lower continental crust provides key insights into the generation of the widespread Mesozoic crust-derived granitoids in North China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Alkaline igneous rocks have become a potentially important source of Nb, except for the carbonatites. The metallogenetic mechanism of Nb during the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of alkaline rocks remains ambiguous. From the perspective of Nb minerals, the mineral chemistry of pyrochlore supergroup minerals provides the mineralogical evidence for indicating the respective contributions of magma and hydrothermal fluids to Nb mineralization. In the Miyi County of the Panzhihua-Xichang (Pan-Xi) area, the central zone of the Permian Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in SW China, hundreds of Nb-Y-F mineralized pegmatites (NYF-type) are exposed. This study conducted in situ mineral chemistry analyses on four types of pyrochlores to elucidate the Nb mineralization process. Both Pcl-I and Pcl-II exhibit well-developed oscillatory zoning (OZ), representing magmatic pyrochlore formed through disequilibrium crystallization in an oscillatory environment. Pcl-III, with a homogeneous and less variable composition, is also considered of magmatic origin due to its coherent chemical evolution with Pcl-II. Pcl-IV is considered of hydrothermal origin based on its irregular zoning texture, extremely high Na2O contents, and compositional gap compared with magmatic types. The decrease in TiO2 contents, coupled with the increase in Na2O, F, and Nb2O5 contents from Pcl-I to Pcl-III and from the core to the rim of zoned Pcl-II, indicates that fractional crystallization facilitates the crystallization of albite and the enrichment of volatiles, as well as the precipitation of Nb from the early to late stages. During the magmatic-hydrothermal transition stage, the reductive, Na- and F-enriched fluid transports Nb more effectively, leading to further Nb enrichment in pyrochlore. Consequently, there are two-stage Nb mineralization processes associated with the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution in the Miyi pegmatite, with the primary magmatic ore assemblages being the dominant Nb mineralization, which may be a general model for the mineralization of NYF-type pegmatites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Castanopsis is the third largest genus in the Fagaceae family and is essentially tropical or subtropical in origin. The species in this genus are mainly canopy-dominant trees, and the key components of evergreen broadleaved forests play a crucial role in the maintenance of local biodiversity. Castanopsis chinensis, distributed from South China to Vietnam, is a representative species. It currently suffers from a high disturbance of human activity and climate change. Here, we present its assembled genome to facilitate its preliminary conservation and breeding on the genome level. Data description: The C. chinensis genome was assembled and annotated by Nanopore and MGI whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq reads using leaf tissues. The assembly was 888,699,661 bp in length, consisting of 133 contigs and a contig N50 of 23,395,510 bp. A completeness assessment of the assembly with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) indicated a score of 98.3%. Repetitive elements comprised 471,006,885 bp, accounting for 55.9% of the assembled sequences. A total of 51,406 genes that coded for 54,310 proteins were predicted. Multiple databases were used to functionally annotate the protein sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium nobile Lindl., as an endangered medicinal plant within the genus Dendrobium, is widely distributed in southwestern China and has important ecological and economic value. There are a variety of metabolites with pharmacological activity in D. nobile. The alkaloids and polysaccharides contained within D. nobile are very important active components, which mainly have antiviral, anti-tumor, and immunity improvement effects. However, the changes in the compounds and functional genes of D. nobile induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) are not clearly understood. In this study, the metabolome and transcriptome of D. nobile were analyzed after exposure to MeJA. A total of 377 differential metabolites were obtained through data analysis, of which 15 were related to polysaccharide pathways and 35 were related to terpenoids and alkaloids pathways. Additionally, the transcriptome sequencing results identified 3256 differentially expressed genes that were discovered in 11 groups. Compared with the control group, 1346 unigenes were differentially expressed in the samples treated with MeJA for 14 days (TF14). Moreover, the expression levels of differentially expressed genes were also significant at different growth and development stages. According to GO and KEGG annotations, 189 and 99 candidate genes were identified as being involved in terpenoid biosynthesis and polysaccharide biosynthesis, respectively. In addition, the co-expression analysis indicated that 238 and 313 transcription factors (TFs) may contribute to the regulation of terpenoid and polysaccharide biosynthesis, respectively. Through a heat map analysis, fourteen terpenoid synthetase genes, twenty-three cytochrome P450 oxidase genes, eight methyltransferase genes, and six aminotransferase genes were identified that may be related to dendrobine biosynthesis. Among them, one sesquiterpene synthase gene was found to be highly expressed after the treatment with MeJA and was positively correlated with the content of dendrobine. This study provides important and valuable metabolomics and transcriptomic information for the further understanding of D. nobile at the metabolic and molecular levels and provides candidate genes and possible intermediate compounds for the dendrobine biosynthesis pathway, which lays a certain foundation for further research on and application of Dendrobium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly recommended over warfarin in stroke prevention for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is an important evidence gap in choosing the most appropriate DOAC for Chinese patients in clinical practice. Methods: A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was adopted to build a scoring framework. Attributes and criteria were identified and determined by a scoping literature review, two rounds of Delphi surveys, and a consensus meeting. Weights of each attribute and criterion in the framework were determined using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Evidence was collected based on the domestic or at least Asian data. Scoring methods for each criterion were developed depended on their characteristics and determined with an expert consensus meeting. Comprehensive scores of each DOAC were calculated based on the utility scores of each criterion and their corresponding weights. Results: A total of 5 attributes, including safety, efficacy, costs/cost-effectiveness, suitability, and accessibility, were determined, and 16 criteria were under the 5 attributes. The safety and efficacy were ranked as the top two important attributes with the weights of 38.8% and 35.9%, respectively, while the suitability received the lowest weight of 7.9%. The comprehensive score for edoxaban was the highest (72.3), followed by dabigatran (49.7), rivaroxaban (37.9), and apixaban (35.8). Conclusions: This study provided a scoring framework developed for comprehensive evaluation of DOACs in China. The ranking of DOACs could help to support the decision-making in clinical practice. The framework could provide a reference for comprehensive evaluation of other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Shanxi Province, China, concrete foundations of substations are widely exposed to environments with sulfate erosion, which results in severe damage. There are various avenues to enhance sulfate resistance, and one promising approach involves optimizing high-performance water reducers. Chain extender, which is an integral component of a water reducer, serves as a pore-blocking agent to effectively counter sulfate erosion. This study delves into the impact of a chain extender in the water reducer on the sulfate resistance and adaptability of ordinary concrete. The assessment begins with gauging the sensitivity of concrete to sulfate erosion, utilizing a 0–1 scoring method. Comparable conditions are maintained, allowing for a direct comparison between concrete with and without chain extender based on predefined criteria. A score of 1 denotes superior performance, while a score of 0 indicates a poorer performance. Following the evaluation of each criterion, scores are aggregated by the water reducer type, with higher scores signaling superior adaptability. The findings highlight that chain extender enhances the internal porosity of concrete, resulting in a more compact microstructure, heightened impermeability, and improved resistance to sulfate erosion. Its influence on mixture performance, however, is marginal. From an erosion product standpoint, using the semi-immersion method, chemical erosion predominates in the immersion zone, while both chemical and physical erosion are observed in the alternate wet–dry zone. Employing a 0–1 scoring method, Water Reducer 3 (with chain extender) scores 20 points, whereas Water Reducer 3#–1 (without chain extender) scores 4 points. Taking into consideration all factors, the chain extender demonstrates excellent adaptability to ordinary concrete. To validate the effectiveness of the 0–1 scoring method, it is applied to assess fly ash and slag double-blended concrete. Water Reducer 3 (with chain extender) scores 13 points, while Water Reducer 3–1 (without chain extender) scores 10 points. Taking all aspects into consideration, the chain extender component exhibits commendable adaptability to fly ash and slag double-blended concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pembrolizumab is superior to chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with mismatch-repair-deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite-instability-high (MSI-H) advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), with a significant long-term survival benefit according to the KEYNOTE-177 trial. The current study aimed to determine whether pembrolizumab is a cost-effective treatment for patients with dMMR/MSI-H advanced or metastatic CRC in China. Methods: A partitioned survival model (PSM) was developed to simulate patients with dMMR/MSI-H advanced or metastatic CRC based on progression-free survival (PFS), progressive disease (PD) and death. The model was designed using a lifetime horizon, a 6-week cycle, and a 5% discount rate. The patients in the model had metastatic dMMR/MSI-H CRC and had not previously received treatment; these characteristics were similar to those of patients in KEYNOTE-177, a phase 3, open-label randomized clinical trial. The health outcomes and utilities were based on the KEYNOTE-177 trial and published data, respectively. Costs were calculated based on local charges (2022) and published literature. A treatment was deemed cost-effective in China if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) value was less than U.S.$38,142.56 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). The robustness of the results was assessed via one-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results: Baseline analysis revealed that pembrolizumab provided an additional 2.58 QALYs (3.00 life-year) at an incremental cost of U.S.$78,286.04, resulting in an ICER of U.S.$30,330.15 per QALY, which was below the willingness-to-pay threshold of U.S.$38,142.56 per QALY. When the patient assistance program (PAP) was considered, the ICER became U.S.$1,730.67 per QALY, manifesting absolute cost-effectiveness. The results of sensitivity analyses demonstrated that pembrolizumab was cost-effective in most cases. Conclusions: Pembrolizumab is a cost-effective first-line treatment for dMMR/MSI-H advanced or metastatic CRC patients in China, especially considering the PAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to analyze the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk stage II colon cancer patients and the impact of high-risk factors on the prognostic effect of adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: This study is a multi-center, retrospective study, A total of 931 patients with stage II colon cancer who underwent curative surgery in 8 tertiary hospitals in China between 2016 and 2017 were enrolled in the study. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the risk factors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) and to test the multiplicative interaction of pathological factors and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). The additive interaction was presented using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). The Subpopulation Treatment Effect Pattern Plot (STEPP) was utilized to assess the interaction of continuous variables on the ACT effect. Results: A total of 931 stage II colon cancer patients were enrolled in this study, the median age was 63 years old (interquartile range: 54–72 years) and 565 (60.7%) patients were male. Younger patients (median age, 58 years vs 65 years; P < 0.001) and patients with the following high-risk features, such as T4 tumors (30.8% vs 7.8%; P < 0.001), grade 3 lesions (36.0% vs 22.7%; P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (22.1% vs 6.8%; P < 0.001) and perineural invasion (19.4% vs 13.6%; P = 0.031) were more likely to receive ACT. Patients with perineural invasion showed a worse OS and marginally worse DFS (hazardous ratio [HR] 2.166, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.282–3.660, P = 0.004; HR 1.583, 95% CI 0.985–2.545, P = 0.058, respectively). Computing the interaction on a multiplicative and additive scale revealed that there was a significant interaction between PNI and ACT in terms of DFS (HR for multiplicative interaction 0.196, p = 0.038; RERI, -1.996; 95%CI, -3.600 to -0.392) and OS (HR for multiplicative interaction 0.112, p = 0.042; RERI, -2.842; 95%CI, -4.959 to -0.725). Conclusions: Perineural invasion had prognostic value, and it could also influence the effect of ACT after curative surgery. However, other high-risk features showed no implication of efficacy for ACT in our study. Trial registration: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03794193 (04/01/2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether the testing strategy for clopidogrel and/or aspirin resistance using CYP2C19 genotyping or urinary 11‐dhTxB2 testing has an impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: A multicentre, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 14 centres in China from 2019 to 2021. For the intervention group, a specific antiplatelet strategy was assigned based on the CYP2C19 genotype and 11‐dhTxB2, a urinary metabolite of aspirin, and the control group received nonguided (ie, standard of care) treatment. 11‐dhTXB2 is a thromboxane A2 metabolite that can help quantify the effects of resistance to aspirin in individuals after ingestion. The primary efficacy outcome was new stroke, the secondary efficacy outcome was a poor functional prognosis (a modified Rankin scale score ≥3), and the primary safety outcome was bleeding, all within the 90‐day follow‐up period. Results: A total of 2815 patients were screened and 2663 patients were enrolled in the trial, with 1344 subjects assigned to the intervention group and 1319 subjects assigned to the control group. A total of 60.1% were carriers of the CYP2C19 loss‐of‐function allele (*2, *3) and 8.71% tested positive for urinary 11‐dhTxB2‐ indicating aspirin resistance in the intervention group. The primary outcome was not different between the intervention and control groups (P =.842). A total of 200 patients (14.88%) in the intervention group and 240 patients (18.20%) in the control group had a poor functional prognosis (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to 0.95, P =.012). Bleeding events occurred in 49 patients (3.65%) in the intervention group and 72 patients (5.46%) in the control group (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.95, P =.025). Conclusions: Personalized antiplatelet therapy based on the CYP2C19 genotype and 11‐dhTxB2 levels was associated with favourable neurological function and reduced bleeding risk in acute ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients. The results may help support the role of CYP2C19 genotyping and urinary 11‐dhTxB2 testing in the provision of precise clinical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) is a widely used stool scoring method that could indirectly reflect intestinal function. Objectives: To evaluate the associations of AD with BSFS. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study of freshmen in five universities of China. AD diagnosis was performed by dermatologists according to the guideline from the American Academy of Dermatology. BSFS and covariates were collected through an online questionnaire survey. Chronic itch scores were assessed by the numeric rating scales and grouped into quartiles (Q). Mixed logistic regression models were used. Subgroup analysis was conducted by covariates. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of hard stools and loose stools were 8.9% and 7.6%, respectively (20,049 participants). After adjusting covariates, AD was significantly associated with hard stools (OR = 1.38, P < 0.001) and loose stools (OR = 1.24, P = 0.037). In subgroup analysis of hard stool, a stronger effect was observed in intake of milk (> 3 days/week), yogurt (> 3 days/week), pork (< 1 day/week), and higher itch scores (Q4). Conclusion: This study found the relationship between AD and abnormal stool forms, and the association with hard stools might be modified by dietary factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Xiaobai" apricot is one of the most popular fruits in China. However, during postharvest storage, fruit aroma loss occurs easily. In this study, factors affecting the aroma changes in different ripening stages of "Xiaobai" apricot during postharvest storage were searched. Immature and mature "Xiaobai" apricot samples were collected and monitored for sensory changes during postharvest storage. After 25 days of storage, the aromatic ester and alcohol abundance in mature showed a decrease, related to the loss of characteristic aroma. Immature fruit still tasted sour with an indistinct characteristic aroma, as a result of decreased alcohol and increased acid abundance. The ATT, ADH, PDC, and LOX genes were identified, and their expression levels were detected at different ripening stages during storage. The correlation analysis showed that the expression of LOX and ATT was positively correlated with the variation of aromatic ester (P < 0.05), a key factor affecting the apricot aroma during postharvest storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building height serves as an essential feature of urban morphology that provides valuable insights into human socio-cultural behaviors and their impact on the environment in an urban milieu. However, openly accessible building height information at the individual building level is still lacking and remains sorely limited. Previous studies have shown that the ICESat-2′s ATL03/08 products are of good accuracy for urban building heights retrieval, however, these studies are limited to areas with available data coverage. To this end, we propose a method for extracting urban building height by using ICESat-2 ATL03 photons and high-resolution remote sensing images. We first extracted the information of building roof to footprint offsets and building shadows from high resolution imagery using multitasking CNN frameworks. Using the building height samples calculated from ICESat-2 ATL03 photons, we developed a building height estimation method that combines building offset and shadow length information. We assessed the efficacy of the proposed method in the Wujiaochang area of Shanghai city, China. The results indicated that the proposed method is able to extract building height with a MAE of 4.7 m, and outperforms the traditional shadow-based and offset-based method. We believe that the proposed method is a good candidate for accurately retrieving building heights on a city-wide scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new scalarane sesterterpenes, hyrtiosins F and G (1 and 2), along with two known related compounds, hyrtiosin D and sesterstatin 6 (3 and 4), were isolated from the Hainan marine sponge Hyrtios erecta. The structures of new compounds 1 and 2 were determined by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and by comparison of the spectroscopic data with those reported in the literatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the complicated interference sources and low signal-to-noise ratio of seismic records, conventional seismic inversion methods are difficult to accurately identify shale gas reservoirs with a thickness of less than 10 m. This presents great challenges to shale gas exploration and development in China. Seismic phase-controlled nonlinear stochastic inversion (SPCNSI) is related to the heterogeneity of underground media. With the constraints of the stratigraphic sequence or seismic facies models, the minimum value between the seismic model and seismic record can be solved through iterative processes. Based on the solved acoustic velocity in formation, the constraints for SPCNSI can be formed with the matching relationship between target layers and different sequences in three-dimensional space. The prediction resolution of an unconventional reservoir can be effectively improved by combining logging, geological and seismic information. The method is suitable for predicting thin shale gas reservoirs in complex geological structures. In this study, SPCNSI was developed to predict the thin-layer marine shale gas reservoir in the southeast of Chongqing; the horizontal and vertical distribution characteristics were proven in the Longmaxi Formation and the Wufeng Formation; thin layers with a thickness of less than 7 m were also discovered. According to the results, three sets of potential development areas were determined by the inversion method, and the accuracy and reliability of the method were verified by logging and productivity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction land development intensity is a spatial mapping of modern urbanization level, which integrally reflects urban development strategy, land use efficiency, and population carrying intensity. This article analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution of construction land development intensity using panel data of 31 provincial administrative divisions in China from 2002 to 2020, with the application of the Theil index and spatial autocorrelation. To further investigate the relationship between human activities and land development, the article used geographic detectors to analyze the influencing mechanisms. The results showed that: (1) The average intensity of construction land development of Chinese provinces from 2002 to 2020 showed a trend of "steady increase, a short decline, and then a steady increase," and there were significant differences in the characteristics of construction land development intensity changes in different regions. (2) The regional differences in construction land development intensity between provinces showed a decreasing trend. There were uneven differences among regions, with more minor regional differences in Central, South, and North China but more significant differences in Northwest, East, Southwest, and Northeast China. (3) The spatial agglomeration of construction land development intensity in the region increased initially and then decreased during the study period. The overall pattern was "small agglomeration and large dispersion." (4) Economic development factors such as GDP per land, industrial structure, and fixed asset investment completion significantly affect land development intensity. The interaction between the factors was apparent, and the effect of "1 + 1 > 2" was produced. Based on the study's results, it is suggested that scientific regional development planning, guiding inter-provincial factor flow, and rational control of land development efforts are the key to promoting sustainable regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal nurses' working environments are highly stressful, and burnout is common. This study examines the effect of socioeconomic factors, perceived stress, and social support on neonatal nurse burnout. Methods: A total of 311 neonatal nurses participated in this study. They were administered a validated Maslach Burnout Inventory. The study employed a 14-item perceived stress scale (PSS-14) and a social support rate scale (SSRS) to examine stress, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyles. Results: Of the neonatal nurses, 40.19% had burnout, 89.60% had mild burnout, and 10.40% had moderate burnout; no neonatal nurse experienced severe burnout. Young nurses and those with low technical skills, poor interpersonal relationships, irregular diet, and insufficient rest were exposed to burnout (all p < 0.05).Most burnout nurses experienced moderate-severe perceived stress, and their PSS-14 scores were higher (all p < 0.05).The scores for objective social support, subjective social support, utilization of social support, total SSRS scores, and the level of social support were all lower in burnout nurses (all p < 0.05). Perceived stress was correlated positively and significantly with emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment (all p < 0.05). Social support correlated significantly with and reduced personal accomplishments (p < 0.05). Age, poor interpersonal relationships, perceived stress, and social support were all independent factors associated with neonatal nurse burnout (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout in neonatal nurses was higher than average. Socioeconomic factors, higher perceived stress, and lower social support contribute to neonatal nurse burnout. Nursing managers should pay attention to socioeconomic factors, perceived stress, and social support among neonatal nurses and employ strategies to reduce neonatal nurse burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncertainty quantification is an indispensable part for the validation of the nuclear safety best-estimate codes. However, the uncertainty quantification usually requires the combination of statistical analysis software and nuclear reactor professional codes, and it consumes huge computing resources. In this paper, a design method of coupling interface between DAKOTA Version 6.16 statistical software and nuclear reactor professional simulation codes is proposed, and the integrated computing workflow including interface pre-processing, code batching operations, and interface post-processing can be realized. On this basis, an integrated framework of uncertainty quantification is developed, which is characterized by visualization, convenience, and efficient computing. Meanwhile, a typical example of small-break LOCA analysis of the LOBI test facility was used to validate the reliability of the developed integrated framework of uncertainty quantification. This research work can provide valuable guidance for developing an autonomous uncertainty analysis platform in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intensification of global warming, food production will face serious drought risk. In view of the insufficient applicability of the existing crop drought index, a standardized crop water deficit index (SCWDI) was constructed based on the construction idea of the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and the crop water deficit index (CWDI) in this study. On this basis, the spatial and temporal characteristics of spring maize drought in Songnen Plain were explored by the slope trend analysis and Morlet wavelet analysis methods. The results show the following: (1) Compared with the existing drought index, the SCWDI shows obvious advantages in drought monitoring of spring maize. (2) In the whole growth stage of spring maize, the change trend of SCWDI was small in the temporal series (−0.012/10a). Spatially, the drought trend of spring maize was mainly decreasing (−0.14~0/10a). The drought frequency of spring maize in each growth stage was mainly light drought in most regions. (3) The three main drought cycles of spring maize in Songnen Plain were 29 years, 10 years, and 4 years. In the next few years, the drought of spring maize in Songnen Plain was controlled by the first main cycle, and the drought years may increase, which should be prevented. The research was expected to provide technical support for crop drought monitoring and agricultural disaster prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report our recent progress in the design, fluid thermodynamics simulation, and high-power test of the2nd harmonic cavity for the China Spallation Neutron Source Phase II. A high-performance and large-size magnetic alloy (MA) core was developed as the load material for the radiofrequency cavity to achieve a high gradient of 40 kV/m. The water-cooling structure and cooling efficiency were studied and improved through numerical analysis and thermal experiments. The long-term stability of the cavity, especially the waterproofness of the MA cores with high heat load, was verified by high power tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between government intervention and cooperative development has always been a source of controversy in the developing world. This paper aims to examine the rationale and successful conditions of government intervention to promote cooperative development in poor areas of rural China. In the context of the "targeted poverty alleviation" program (2015–2020), a government-led campaign covering all poverty-stricken villages in west China, cooperative development was listed by the central government as a criterion for evaluating successful intervention at the county government level. Accordingly, the central questions of this paper are: why is government intervention necessary to initiate a process of cooperative development in poor areas of China; and under what conditions can government intervention be successful, leading to sustainable cooperative development? Bearing in mind the complexity of government intervention with mixed results, both successful and failed, the above questions are addressed through a case study of XM Beekeeping Cooperative, representing one type of successful government intervention in poverty-stricken and ethnic-minority-dominated regions of China. Overall, government intervention is crucial in building cooperative ecosystems in poor regions of China. However, government intervention is not invariable because the approaches can be modified to accommodate the effect of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New geochronological and geochemical data were presented for the Early Carboniferous basaltic to andesitic volcanic rocks and Late Carboniferous granitic intrusions in the Aqishan–Yamansu Belt of Eastern Tianshan, NW China. Zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the andesite and granite were emplaced at 330 Ma and 321 Ma, respectively. The andesitic rocks of the Yamansu Formation (FM) display subalkaline to calc-alkaline characteristics with moderate SiO2, relatively high Mg# values, and low Cr, Co and Ni, indicating an origin from mantle-derived melts. Their relatively low εNd(t) values (–0.02 ~ +0.61) and old TDM ages (TDM = 1.39–1.40 Ga) suggest a mantle source with addition of old crustal materials. Their high Rb/Y and Ba/La, low Nb/Y and Th/Yb ratios elucidate that the magma sources were probably metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Besides, the high Th and low Ce/Th and Ba/Th ratios of the andesites suggest a contribution from subducted sediment–derived melts. Integrated with the depletion in high field strength elements and enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs), we suggest that the Yamansu andesites were formed by partial melting of relatively enriched mantle wedge metasomatized by both subducted sediment-derived melts and fluids. The basalts of the Tugutublak Formation (TF) have high MgO, Mg# (56–58) and εNd(t) (+5.9 ~ +6.3) values with enriched in LREEs and depleted in Nb–Ta–Ti anomalies, implying an arc setting. Their high Ba/Th, Ba/La and low Th/Ta, Th/Yb ratios suggest that the slab-derived fluids were involved. The basaltic andesites of the TF have higher SiO2, lower Mg# (48–50), Cr, Ni and εNd(t) (+1.21) values than the basalts of this formation, indicating that they were evolved from the basaltic magma. Therefore, the Carboniferous volcanic rocks in this study indicate that the Aqishan–Yamansu Belt was in a subduction background. The granites intruding into the TF show typical characteristics of I-type granite. Their highly positive εHf(t) values (+14 ~ +17) suggest a significant contribution from juvenile basaltic lower crust. Moreover, changes in the Dy/Yb and Ho/Yb ratios of Late Paleozoic felsic igneous rocks in the Aqishan–Yamansu Belt imply that the crust underwent four periods of thickening and thinning, which were likely triggered by the variation of subduction angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) represents a leading threat to the global pig industry. Generally, pigs exhibit a pronounced age resistance against PRV, and the virus generally does not cause severe clinical signs and even death in old pigs. However, we characterized two PRV strains (HeN21 and HuB20) associated with severe respiratory and neuronal signs in old pigs. Among these two strains, HeN21 was isolated from the tonsil of a 24-week-old pig that died from severe neuronal and respiratory signs in a PRV-outbreak farm where a commercial PRV attenuated vaccine developed based on a PRV variant was used; while, HuB20 was isolated from the lung and lymph node of a 20-week-old with symptoms in another farm where Bartha-K61 vaccine was used. In vitro evaluations in different cell models demonstrated that HeN21 and HuB20 led to similar cytotoxic effects to those caused by PRV variants on PK-15, Vero, and SK-N-SH cells after 30 hours of inoculation. However, HeN21 possessed a higher titer than the other PRV variants from the first to the fifth passage on PK-15 cells and induced plaques with larger size. In vivo assessments in mouse and fattening pig models showed that inoculations of HeN21 and HuB20 caused higher morbidity and mortality and severe pathological damages in tested animals. In particular, challenge of HeN21 led to severe respiratory and neuronal signs in 90-day-old pigs. These two strains displayed higher virus loads on the main organs of challenged mice and pigs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HeN21 and HuB20 belonged to genotype II. In addition, recombinant events were identified in the genomes of HeN21 and HuB20, and several events were located within genes associated with PRV virulence. Our data herein may suggest the emergence of novel PRV strains in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is facing the challenge of increasing grain production and improving the environment, in which the treatment of diffuse water pollution from agriculture is the important content. Traditional administrative means are still unable to solve the problem of market failure and government failure in controlling water pollution. Economic policy instruments have more advantages in improving market economics and reducing the cost of environmental governance and supervision. They have become an important way to solve pollution and promote the transformation of water pollution prevention and control management. This paper puts forward suggestions and countermeasures for improving China's economic policy instruments by systematically sorting out and analyzing the EPIs in China and the UK. Starting from the whole process of agricultural production, China's water quality governance needs to follow three principles to innovate and comprehensively utilize economic policy instruments. A transparent multi-party information sharing and an efficient supervision system are invisible to water quality governance. China also needs to continue to deepen reforms and pilot projects, especially in terms of governance objectives, public welfare funds, water prices, tradable water rights, and emission rights. This paper could also provide a reference for water pollution control in other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome with progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function and has a negative impact on clinical outcomes associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, the sarcopenia index (SI) was developed as a surrogate marker of sarcopenia based upon the serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio. We aimed to assess the value of SI for predicting clinically important outcomes among elderly patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included elderly patients with AECOPD in China from 2017 to 2021. Clinical data were collected from medical records, and serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured. Outcomes included respiratory failure, heart failure, severe pneumonia, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between SI and clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 306 patients (260 men, 46 women, age range 60–88 years) were enrolled in this study. Among the total patients, the incidence of respiratory failure and severe pneumonia was negatively associated with SI values. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, binary logistic regression analyses showed that a higher SI was still independently associated with a lower risk of respiratory failure (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13–0.56, P < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, the incidence of respiratory failure was negatively associated with SI values in groups with both frequent exacerbation and non-frequent exacerbation. After adjustment for potential confounders, binary logistic regression analyses showed that a higher SI was also independently associated with a lower risk of respiratory failure in both groups (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.64 and OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.11–0.85). However, there were no significant differences in the correlations between SI and the risk of heart failure, invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality in all groups. Conclusion: The SI based on serum creatinine and cystatin C can predict respiratory failure in patients with AECOPD and either frequent or infrequent exacerbations. This indicator provides a convenient tool for clinicians when managing patients with AECOPD in daily clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) generally infects pigs and threatens the pig industry. However, recently we have isolated a PRV strain designated hSD-1/2019 from infected humans. In this study, we compared the complete genome sequence of hSD-1/2019 with those of pig-originated PRV strains. Sequence alignments revealed that the genome sequence of hSD-1/2019 was highly homologous to those of the porcine PRV strains. Phylogenetic analyses found that hSD-1/2019 was the closest related to porcine PRV endemic strains in China, particularly the variant strains circulating recently. We also showed that the glycoproteins important for the multiplication and pathogenesis of hSD-1/2019 were highly similar to those of the pig endemic strains. Diversifying selection analyses revealed that hSD-1/2019 and pig variant strains are under diversifying selection. Recombination analysis indicated that hSD-1/2019 was a recombinant of several PRV variant strains and an earlier PRV classic strain. Finally, we found that both human and pig-originated PRV strains could induce cytopathic effects in cells from humans, pigs, and mice, but only the human PRV and pig-variant PRV formed large syncytia in human cell lines. The data presented in this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of human PRV from a genomic aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of urbanisation and the decline of the countryside, reverse entrepreneurship cannot be separated from integration, referring to a process of mutual trust and cooperation between reverse (returnee or immigrant from urban areas) entrepreneur, host community and external stakeholders for sustainable livelihoods. With a geographic focus on poor areas of China, this paper aims to reveal key factors behind successful initiatives of reverse entrepreneurship to address challenges facing local communities, and pathways for mobilising and effectively using various resources, both internally and externally. These objectives are addressed through multiple cases of tourism development in Ganzi, a Tibetan Minority Prefecture of Sichuan. This paper contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial integration to debates on reverse entrepreneurship in three aspects. Firstly, entrepreneurial integration starts from social embeddedness, interconnecting and interacting between reverse entrepreneur(s) and the host community to understand local challenges and share a new vision for sustainable livelihoods. Secondly, entrepreneurial integration is essentially an innovation platform to develop or enhance social capital (both bonding and bridging) for mobilising and effective use of critical resources. Finally, the study outlines five pathways of tourism entrepreneurship, which reflects variations in livelihood strategy, critical capitals, business models, innovation diffusion and application potential. • Rural development calls for mutual trust and cooperation between reverse entrepreneurs, host communities, external stakeholders. • Successful entrepreneurial integration depends upon a platform building to develop social capital (both bonding and bridging). • Five pathways reflect variation in strategy, critical capitals, business models, innovation diffusion,application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Yangquan County, the sandfly-transmitted virus (Wuxiang virus) was first isolated from sandflies in 2018. However, relationships between the abundance and seasonal fluctuations of local sandflies and sandfly-transmitted viruses are unknown. Herein, we report that sandfly specimens were collected in three villages in Yangquan County, from June to August, 2019. A total of 8363 sandflies were collected (June, 7927; July, 428; August, 8). Eighteen virus strains (June, 18; July, 0; August, 0) were isolated in pools of Phlebotomus chinensis. The genome sequence of the newly isolated virus strain was highly similar to that of the Wuxiang virus (WUXV), isolated from sandflies in Yangquan County in 2018. Our results suggested that the sandfly-transmitted viruses, and the local sandfly population, are stable in Yangquan County, and that June is the peak period for the virus carried by sandflies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' cooperatives play an important role in enabling small farmers to integrate into modern agriculture. Based on the survey data of 7200 farmers in four provinces of China, this paper uses the multi-dimensional poverty measurement method and the instrumental variable method to reveal the transmission mechanism and multi-dimensional poverty reduction effect of farmers' cooperatives in deep poverty-stricken areas in China to realize joint agricultural empowerment through the supply chain. The results show that farmers' cooperatives play an important role in enhancing small farmers' financing, technology application, market sales, and rights decision-making. Every increase in the degree of interest connection between the two will help farmers reduce the multi-dimensional poverty level by 12.3%, and the mitigation effects on material poverty, ability poverty, and rights poverty are between 10% and 13%. Compared with agricultural cooperatives with weak organizational service capacity, cooperatives with high organizational service capacity have a more significant multi-dimensional poverty reduction effect on farmers, which leads to farmers obtaining financing and improving their ability and income. In addition, the difference in benefit coupling between agricultural cooperatives and farmers of different leading bodies also results in the heterogeneity of multi-dimensional poverty alleviation effects of farmers. To a certain extent, the supply chain is affected by the risk endowment of members, the supply chain's poverty alleviation performance is affected by members' supply chain's poverty alleviation performance, and there is a certain risk transfer and "distribution failure". Therefore, optimizing the benefit coupling structure and risk sharing mechanism between farmers' cooperatives and farmers has become an important way to break the pattern of "the strong are always strong" and "distribution failure" for supply chain members and farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underutilized grain crops are an essential part of the food system that supports humankind. A number of these crops can be found in China, such as barley, buckwheat, broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, oat, and sorghum, which have characteristics such as containing more nutritional elements, being resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and having strong adaptability to poor environments. The diversity of these crops provides options for farmers' livelihoods and healthy food for the population. Although some mentioned crops such as barley, oat, and sorghum are not underutilized crops globally, they could be considered underutilized in China as they were more important in the past and could be revitalized for food and nutrition in the future. This paper reviews current progress in research and development in the areas of germplasm resource conservation, variety improvement, cultivation technologies, processing, and the nutrition and benefits of six underutilized grain crops in China. It is concluded that underutilized grain crops could play a critical role in food and nutritional security in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BeiDou global navigation satellite system (BDS-3) provides positioning, navigation and timing services for global users, moreover, it provides BDS satellite-based augmentation system (BDSBAS) single-frequency (SF) and dual-frequency multi-constellation (DFMC) services for users in China and its surrounding areas. The BDSBAS SF service is in accordance with Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) standard protocol (RTCA MOPS) and augment GPS constellation, while the BDSBAS DFMC service is in line with SBAS L5 DFMC standard protocol and is aimed at supporting any combination of BDS/GPS/Galileo/GLONASS constellations, including only a single constellation operation. We introduced the development status of the BDSBAS system, including the system architecture and navigation user algorithms. Based on the GPS measurements, the accuracy, integrity and availability of the BDSBAS SF service were evaluated, and with the BDS measurements, the accuracy of the BDSBAS DFMC service was preliminarily analyzed. The integrity and availability of the BDSBAS DFMC service will be discussed in future work as some of the DFMC integrity parameters are still under discussion for optimization. The results show that, for BDSBAS SF service, the horizontal and vertical position accuracy were about 1.0 m and 2.0 m (95%), respectively, which were improved by 39% and 33%, respectively, compared with the GPS SF position accuracy. For BDSBAS DFMC service, the horizontal and vertical position accuracy were about 0.6 m and 1.2 m (95%), respectively, which were improved by about 25% and 20% compared with the BDS dual-frequency position accuracy. No system integrity risk event was detected during the testing period for BDSBAS SF service. The average availability of the BDSBAS SF service was about 98% which was mainly affected by the availability of ionospheric grid delay corrections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cold atom gravimeter (CAG) has proven to be a powerful quantum sensor for the high-precision measurement of gravity field, which can work stably for a long time in the laboratory. However, most CAGs cannot operate in the field due to their complex structure, large volume and poor environmental adaptability. In this paper, a home-made, miniaturized CAG is developed and a truck-borne system based on it is integrated to measure the absolute gravity in the field. The measurement performance of this system is evaluated by applying it to measurements of the gravity field around the Xianlin reservoir in Hangzhou City of China. The internal and external coincidence accuracies of this measurement system were demonstrated to be 35.4 μGal and 76.7 μGal, respectively. Furthermore, the theoretical values of the measured eight points are calculated by using a forward modeling of a local high-resolution digital elevation model, and the calculated values are found to be in good agreement with the measured values. The results of this paper show that this home-made, truck-borne CAG system is reliable, and it is expected to improve the efficiency of gravity surveying in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain a deeper understanding of the formation and evolutionary mechanisms of a bow-shaped squall line (BSL) that occurred in East China on 10 May 2021, observations from S-band dual-polarization radars, a disdrometer and other instruments are used to investigate the characteristics and evolution of the kinematic, microphysical and radar echo structure within the squall line during its formative and mature stages. The results are as follows. The updraft induced by upper-level divergence and vertical thermal instability induced by the cold source at the middle and top of the troposphere provided environmental conditions suitable for the formation and strengthening of a squall line. The characteristics of the vertical vorticity at the leading edge of the squall line provided a good indication of its echo structure and evolutionary trend. The mechanism behind a new echo phenomenon—double high-differential reflectivity (ZDR) bands—observed in plan position indicator scans produced by the dual-polarization radar is investigated from the kinematic and microphysical structural perspectives. The evolutionary characteristics of the microphysical structure of the bulk of the squall line and its trailing stratiform cloud region are analyzed based on the quasi-vertical profiles retrieved from the S-band dual-polarization radar in Quzhou. Moreover, a conceptual model describing this type of BSL with a trailing region of stratiform rain in the warm sector is developed to provide technical support for the monitoring and early warning of BSLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to investigate the growth parameters, mortality and recruitment pattern of Mastacembelus armatus collected in the Taojiang River fish landing site, Xinfeng County. M. armatus were collected from March, 2018 to February, 2019. Growth parameters, asymptotic length (L?) = 58.8 cm and growth coefficient (k) = 0.13 year-1. Growth performance index (Ø?) =2.65, total mortality (Z) = 0.75 year-1, natural mortality (M) = 0.32 year-1, fishing mortality (F) = 0.43 year-1 and exploitation rate (E) = 0.57 year-1. The estimated exploitation rate (E) has slightly exceeded the optimum value of E indicating this species was over exploited mainly due to fishing in the study area. The exploitation ratios were computed as Emax= 0.59, E10= 0.45, E50= 0.31. The length at first capture at 50%, (Lc) was 19.51 cm. The Steady biomass also increased with length class until 36.0-36.9 cm and the total steady state biomass was found to be 19.12 tons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Returnee entrepreneurship represents a new direction in entrepreneurial migration and a distinct mode of geographical mobility among entrepreneurs. This study focuses on the Tibetan region of Sichuan, China, in researching young adults who have returned to rural marginal areas from cities to engage in tourism entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is taken as a theoretical basis to evaluate critical determinants of returnee entrepreneurs' business development from two perspectives: macro (the entrepreneurial environment) and micro (entrepreneurs themselves). The authors conducted four narrative interviews with local bed and breakfast entrepreneurs in the Ganzi prefecture. Findings reveal that local embeddedness and non-local connections are vital to returnee entrepreneurs' business development. Numerous determinants related to local embeddedness and non-local connections are also tied to entrepreneurial ecosystem elements, such as infrastructure, institutions, market conditions, and capital. • Local embeddedness and non-local connections lead to successful entrepreneurship. • Returnee entrepreneurs' local embeddedness comprises sense of rurality. • Local embeddedness comprises sense of local culture and religion and sense of local community. • Local embeddedness comprises close ties with family and ties with local government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella is a leading foodborne and zoonotic pathogen, and is widely distributed in different nodes of the pork supply chain. In recent years, the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella poses a threat to global public health. The purpose of this study is to the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella in pig slaughterhouses in Hubei Province in China, and explore the effect of using lytic bacteriophages fighting against antimicrobial resistant Salmonella. Results: We collected a total of 1289 samples including anal swabs of pigs (862/1289), environmental swabs (204/1289), carcass surface swabs (36/1289) and environmental agar plates (187/1289) from eleven slaughterhouses in seven cities in Hubei Province and recovered 106 Salmonella isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that these isolates showed a high rate of antimicrobial resistance; over 99.06% (105/106) of them were multidrug resistant. To combat these drug resistant Salmonella, we isolated 37 lytic phages using 106 isolates as indicator bacteria. One of them, designated ph 2–2, which belonged to the Myoviridae family, displayed good capacity to kill Salmonella under different adverse conditions (exposure to different temperatures, pHs, UV, and/or 75% ethanol) and had a wide lytic spectrum. Evaluation in mouse models showed that ph 2–2 was safe and saved 80% (administrated by gavage) and 100% (administrated through intraperitoneal injection) mice from infections caused by Salmonella Typhimurium. Conclusions: The data presented herein demonstrated that Salmonella contamination remains a problem in some pig slaughter houses in China and Salmonella isolates recovered in slaughter houses displayed a high rate of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, broad-spectrum lytic bacteriophages may represent a good candidate for the development of anti-antimicrobial resistant Salmonella agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural China faces many challenges, including outmigration, brain drains, and the hollowing out and decline of villages. This paper offers a response by drawing attention to the phenomenon of "community connection" among migrants in urban areas who try to keep their identity and attachment to home communities in the countryside. From the perspective of bridging social capital, we argue that community connection is a potential resource for rural revitalisation. The value and conditions of using community connection are revealed through a survey conducted with over 1200 university students in China, coming from a rural family background. This paper contributes to the literature in the following aspects: First, community connection provides a foundation upon which bridging social capital can be linked with and used for the development of home community, an important condition for successful rural revitalisation. Second, the potential of community connection requests in recognising a sense of community among migrants who are attaching to, and willing to bring external resources into, home communities. Third, a sense of community varies greatly with geographic location and the social group with which migrants belong to. A greater sense of community and place attachment is more likely found amongst those coming from remote villages and rural poor, whose livelihoods are heavily dependent upon traditional agriculture. Furthermore, differences in a sense of community may lead to different approaches or attitudes to ongoing land transfer in the countryside. Policy implications, research limitations and directions of further research are discussed. • Community connection as potential resource for rural revitalisation in China. • Interconnection between community connection and bridging social capital. • Sense of community and placement attachment among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) can infect most mammals and is well known for causing substantial economic losses in the pig industry. In addition to pigs, PRV infection usually leads to severe itching, central nervous system dysfunction, and 100% mortality in its non-natural hosts. It should be noted that increasing human cases of PRV infection have been reported in China since 2017, and these patients have generally suffered from nervous system damage and even death. Here, we reviewed the current prevalence and variation in PRV worldwide as well as the PRV-caused infections in animals and humans, and briefly summarized the vaccines and diagnostic methods used for pseudorabies control. Most countries, including China, have control programs in place for pseudorabies in domestic pigs, and thus, the disease is on the decline; however, PRV is still globally epizootic and an important pathogen for pigs. In countries where pseudorabies in domestic pigs have already been eliminated, the risk of PRV transmission by infected wild animals should be estimated and prevented. As a member of the alphaherpesviruses, PRV showed protein-coding variation that was relatively higher than that of herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and its evolution was mainly contributed to by the frequent recombination observed between different genotypes or within the clade. Recombination events have promoted the generation of new variants, such as the variant strains resulting in the outbreak of pseudorabies in pigs in China, 2011. There have been 25 cases of PRV infections in humans reported in China since 2017, and they were considered to be infected by PRV variant strains. Although PRV infections have been sporadically reported in humans, their causal association remains to be determined. This review provided the latest epidemiological information on PRV for the better understanding, prevention, and treatment of pseudorabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental changes significantly alter the structure, diversity and activity of soil microbial communities during spring freezing-thawing period, leading to changes in the soil microbial nitrogen cycle. Changes in N2O fluxes after land use conversion from primary forest to secondary forest, Korean pine plantation and cropland in northeast China have not been quantified. Field experiments were conducted to measure soil N2O fluxes in a primary forest, two secondary forests, a Korean pine plantation, and one maize field in a temperate region in northeast China from 2017-03-06 to 2017-05-28. During the experimental period, the soil was exclusively a nitrogen source for all land uses. We found that N2O emissions ranged from 15.63 to 68.74 µg m−2 h−1, and cumulative N2O emissions ranged from 0.33 to 2.10 kg ha−1 during the period. Cumulative N2O emissions from the maize field were significantly higher than that from primary forest, Korean pine plantation, hardwood forest, and Betula platyphylla forest by 262.1% to 536.4%. Compared with other ecosystems in similar studies, the N2O emission rates of all ecosystem types in this study were low during the spring thaw period. Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that there were significant correlations between N2O emissions and environmental factors (air temperature and soil temperature, soil water content, soil pH, NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and soil organic carbon). The results showed that conversion of land use from primary forest to hardwood forest, Korean pine plantation or maize field greatly increased soil N2O emissions during spring freezing-thawing period, and N2O emissions from primary forest were almost the same as those from Betula platyphylla forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lipotes vexillifer, is a functionally extinct species of freshwater dolphin commonly called as Baiji dolphin of Yanzte River, China. The dolphin is thought to be the first one of it's kind driven to extinction due to the impact of humans. Yangtze Freshwater Dolphin Expedition carried out in the year 2006 revealed the species as functionally extinct. The présent study deals with the population viability analysis of the baiji dolphin using Vortex software and also by consulting historical materials and relevant literature to explore the possible causes of the functional extinction of the baiji in the Yangtze River. The findings are to provide guidance for the effective management of another freshwater mammal, the Yangtze finless porpoise. Methods: Population viability analysis of the baiji dolphin for various parameters were assessed using Vortex software and other published information and relevant literatures. The analysis were carried out to ascertain the possible causes of the functional extinction of the baiji in the Yangtze River. Result: Simulation models were employed to identify the reasons for extinction of Yangtze River baiji population by adopting viability retrospective method. The various parameters associated with the population analysis were included to derive logical conclusion. The minimum viable population of the Yangtze River baiji was also identified by adopting various simulation models. The present study is the first attempt to apply the 10,000-time iteration method to the baiji population survivability analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]