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Rituals are fundamental social acts that structure relationships and enable the filtering of important cognitive attributes (e.g. working memory and inhibitory control) that make humans what they are today. This study investigated the influence of model age and familiarity on the reproduction of ritual behaviour in five‐year‐old children. Through an exploration of these factors, this study sheds light on the cognitive mechanisms children use to comprehend and replicate rituals. Ninety‐eight five‐year‐old children were divided into two groups: an experimental group, which observed an adult or child model, either familiar or unfamiliar to them, demonstrating eight ritual acts; and a control group, which received no video demonstration. The results revealed that children who observed an adult reproduced more ritual acts than those who observed a child, and children who observed unfamiliar models reproduced ritual acts more frequently than those who observed familiar ones. Additionally, when exposed to unfamiliar models, children's reproductive fidelity was higher. These findings suggest that children have the ability to address new adaptation challenges by participating in rituals at an early age and that they generate suitable solutions depending on the model's characteristics. This provides evidence for the adaptive bias in children's cultural learning from a ritual perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a relational two-stage network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model considering undesirable outputs, this paper evaluates both the process and system performances of industrial environmental governance in China's 30 provincial-level regions during 1998–2015. Furthermore, this is the first study to apply the spatial econometric models with a geographical distance matrix to investigate the local and spatial spillover effects of environmental regulations on heterogeneous environmental governance performance (i.e. clean production and end-of-pipe treatment performances). The results show that clean production performance is generally higher than end-of-pipe treatment performance, but both performances present a declining trend during the sample period. The estimation results of the spatial econometric models confirm the Porter hypothesis market-based environmental regulations improve local clean production performance. By contrast, we also find that command-and-control environmental regulations improve end-of-pipe treatment performance but curb clean production performance, and exert a "race-to-the-top" effect on local governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the relationship between vascular overload index (VOI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural population and find effective ways to prevent cardiovascular disease in rural low-income populations. Methods. The data for this study was obtained from a large cohort study called the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study (NCRCHS) conducted in 2013 and followed up during 2015-2018. 10,174 subjects completed at least one follow-up visit. Cox regression equation was used to explore whether VOI and cardiovascular disease were independently related. The Kaplan-Meier curves were used to calculate the cumulative incidence of any adverse outcome, and the log-rank test and restrict mean survival analysis were used to compare group differences. Reclassification and discrimination statistics were used to determine whether VOI could strengthen the ability of the model to predict CVD events. Results. The prevalence of CVD in the VOI quartiles was 1.92%, 3.96%, 5.42%, and 11.34% for Q1–Q4, respectively (P for trend <0.001). After adjusting for multiple confounders, there was a 2.466-fold increased risk of CVD when comparing the highest and lowest groups. Besides, this study found that for every standard deviation increase, the results still exist. The risk of cardiovascular disease increased by 1.358-fold in this model. The restrict mean survival analysis results show that with the increase of VOI, the restrict mean survival time (RMST) within 5 years gradually became shorter. Reclassification and discrimination statistics indicated that VOI significantly enhanced the ability to estimate CVD events within 4 years. Conclusion. Analyses showed that VOI was significantly associated with CVD. VOI is a simple and accurate prognostic marker of CVD risk, which has the potential ability to improve the risk stratification of CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean energy technologies have become increasingly dependent on critical byproduct metals to perform specialized functions due to their unique physical or chemical properties. More critical byproduct metals will be required to enable the implementation of China's carbon neutrality goal. However, the supply uncertainty of critical byproduct metals due to their high reliance on the production of the host metals have raised increasing concerns about the availability of critical byproduct metals for clean energy technologies in recent years. Therefore, this article provides a systematic review on the research of availability constraints of critical byproduct metals for clean energy technologies from three aspects: theoretical analysis, research methods, and mitigation policies. The results show that: 1 The availability constraints of critical byproduct metals are caused by the interaction of multiple systems and factors, with the main drivers being the joint production mechanism and industrial demand influencing mechanism. 2 The problem of data shortage is a challenge faced by the reserve assessment of critical byproduct metals for clean energy technologies, and the traditional production forecasting models for host metals could not be applied to the availability analysis for critical byproduct metals. Appropriate models should be used in the demand prediction of critical byproduct metals for traditional or mature technology fields, and emerging energy technology, respectively. Therefore, this article provides a summary of the research methods for the availability constraints of critical byproduct metals for clean energy technologies to provide a method guide for subsequent studies. 3 Research on mitigation policies of availability constraints of critical byproduct metals for clean energy technologies focuses more on waste management, product design, and production and extraction processes, but less on final-product use and manufacturing processes. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges for mitigation policies vary in different industrial chains. 4 The impact mechanism of the availability constraints of critical byproduct metals needs to be further explored in the future, and a systematic assessment of the availability of critical byproduct metals should be carried out by developing integrated methods. The dynamic evolution trend of the availability constraints of critical byproduct metals in China should be explored for the achievement of China's 'dual carbon' goals. Research into the mitigation policies of availability constraints of critical byproduct metals in China is urgently needed from a whole industrial chain perspective to provide policy suggestions for the security of critical byproduct metals for energy transition and the achievement of the carbon neutrality goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon technology has become the focus of addressing global climate challenges but is facing the supply restriction of critical high-tech metals. Recycling has become a powerful measure to solve this issue. In the paper, a comprehensive recycling potential index (RPI) is constructed to evaluate the recycling potential of high-tech metals for low-carbon energy technologies in China from 2020 to 2050, and development strategies are proposed based on the evaluation results. The results indicate that the future trends of recycling potential show four evolution modes – either reaching or rapidly rising to a high level, increasing to the middle and middle-high level, unsteadily staying at the low and middle-low level, or remaining at a low and continuously decreasing level. According to the evolution trend, different strategies, including key development, reserves, digestion, and transfer, should be adopted in different stages. Co, Li, Dy, Nd, Tb, and Eu should be the focus of technology, funds and policy from both the government and enterprises due to their high recycling potential in the long term. Moreover, measures should be taken to encourage recycling and mitigate the supply risk of high-tech metals for low-carbon energy technologies, including tracking the development of low-carbon energy technologies, adjusting the list of critical high-tech metals, promoting recycling technology, and exploring substitute resources. [Display omitted] • A comprehensive recycling potential index is constructed to evaluate the recycling potential of high-tech metals. • The future trends of recycling potential of high-tech metals show four evolution modes. • Strategies like key development, reserves, digestion, and transfer should be adopted in different stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this hospital clinic based study was to evaluate the potential risk factors associated with the prevalence of MetS in RA population. Methods: From January 2015 to October 2018, 717 patients with RA and 717 healthy controls who were treated or performed physical examination in Tianjin First Central Hospital were enrolled in this study. The basic disease diagnoses were recorded. A questionnaire was performed on all participants to assess the demographic details of the RA cohort. Moreover, laboratory indicators related to glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with RA were also detected. The potential risk factors for MetS were also analyzed. Results: The prevalence of MetS were 31.2% and 34.2% in case and control groups, respectively (P =.22). There were lower levels of HDL‐C, obesity, TG, LDL‐C and TC in case group than control group (all P <.05). The hypertension levels in healthy controls was decreased in compared with patients with RA (P <.05). Nevertheless, in patients with RA, complement 3 (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.03, P =.007) and less glucocorticoids use (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.99, P =.046) were associated with MetS. Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS was not associated with RA. Complement 3 may be associated with the higher prevalence of MetS in patients with RA. Glucocorticoids treatment may be associated with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome poor construction conditions, shorten construction time and improve project quality, the construction of Yushan Bridge in China is a fully industrialised, based on prefabrication of key components, site installation. The navigation span of the Yushan Bridge has a main span of 260 m and is the world's first segmented precast steel–concrete composite continuous-beam bridge. A new type of steel–concrete composite segment (a girder that connects the concrete box girders and the steel box girders) is used to ensure the bearing capacity and precision of closure. Thickened-edge U-shaped ribs and ultra-high-toughness concrete pavings are employed together to improve the durability of the orthotropic deck. A single-pile and single-column foundation is fully employed, with a maximum diameter of the steel composite pile (a pile that is outside is steel pipe, and the interior is filled with concrete) of 5 m. It is found that the construction time is reduced by 40%, the wave flow force is decreased by 80%, the scouring depth is decreased by 20% and the cost is reduced by 30% compared with group pilings. In addition, this method avoids durability problems of the pile cap due to group pilings. The use of a prefabricated exterior shell with cast-on-site concrete for the interior pier-top blocks of the 50 m non-navigation span solves the problems associated with the bearing force, durability, construction availability and quality control of the pier-top block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate warming intensifies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a national consensus for many countries. Green finance plays an important role in promoting energy efficiency and lowering such emissions, but there is scant literature that analyzes the impacts and mechanisms of green finance on energy efficiency. Based on China's provincial panel data from 2010 to 2018, this research measures the green finance index using the panel entropy weighting method and systematically evaluates the relationship between green finance and energy efficiency using the fixed-effects model. The results show the following. (1) Green finance significantly contributes to energy efficiency and remains the same after a series of robustness tests such as endogeneity treatment, replacement of explanatory and interpreted variables, and replacement of regression models. (2) Green technology innovation and energy structure optimization are the transmission mechanism of green finance for energy efficiency, which means that green finance improves energy efficiency by promoting green technology innovation and energy structure optimization. (3) There is regional heterogeneity, temporal heterogeneity, and industry heterogeneity in the impact of green finance on energy efficiency. The positive effects of green finance on energy efficiency are more pronounced in resource-dependent regions, regions with irrational industrial structure, north regions, industrial sectors, and after 2013. The conclusions of this paper offer some policy recommendations, including promoting the development of green finance, building a cooperation platform for green finance and technological innovation, enhancing the depth and breadth of renewable energy utilization, and building differentiated green finance strategies according to local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A giant porphyry-skarn-epithermal Mo-W-Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag metallogenic system is recognized in the Nannihu ore field. • New geochronological data reveal that the porphyry-related metallogenic system formed in the Early Cretaceous (145–139 Ma). • The episodic magmatism and mineralization resulted in the remarkable enrichment of mineral resources at Nannihu. • The model of this porphyry-related metallogenic system has a significant implication for mineral prospecting in the area. The southern North China Craton owns substantial Mo, W, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Ag resources, and most of them are hosted in hydrothermal deposits that may co-exist in the same ore field. However, the relationship between the different types of deposits is not well-constrained. To better understand this, here we present a comprehensive geological, geochronological, and pyrite geochemical study on the Nannihu ore field in the Luanchuan district. The Nannihu ore field is largely represented by the Nannihu Mo-W deposit, Luotuoshan Zn-Cu-W deposit, and Lengshuibeigou Pb-Zn-Ag deposit. Mo-W mineralization at Nannihu occurs in the contact zone between the Nannihu intrusion and the wall rocks, showing typical characteristics of the porphyry-type deposit. Three paragenetic stages are recognized at Nannihu, including quartz-potassium feldspar stage, quartz-sulfide stage, and quartz-carbonate stage. The Zn-Cu-W orebodies at Luotuoshan are mainly layered or lens-like, occurring within the skarn zones in the Luanchuan Group. Skarn stage, polymetallic sulfide stage, and carbonate stage are revealed at Luotuoshan. Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization at Lengshuibeigou is characterized by banded sulfide veins that are hosted in the NNE-trending fault zone. Three paragenetic stages are developed at Lengshuibeigou: quartz-pyrite stage, quartz-polymetallic sulfide stage, and quartz-carbonate stage. New geochronological data confirm that the Nannihu intrusion was formed by at least two phases of magmatism including the granite porphyry (zircon U-Pb age of 145 ± 2 Ma) and the porphyritic monzogranite (zircon U-Pb ages of 142 ± 1 Ma and 140 ± 1 Ma), which accompanied by two episodes of Mo mineralization at the Nannihu deposit identified by molybdenite Re-Os dating (144.9 ± 0.7 Ma and 142.8 ± 0.6 Ma). The Luotuoshan deposit and Lengshuibeigou deposit formed at 141 ± 1 Ma to 140 ± 1 Ma and 140 ± 3 Ma to 139 ± 3 Ma revealed by U-Pb dating of garnet and monazite, respectively, which are contemporaneous with the late episode of the Nannihu intrusion and Mo mineralization. Pyrite grains of the three deposits have Co/Ni ratios higher than 1, suggesting a unified magmatic-hydrothermal origin for them. Pyrite from Nannihu and Luotuoshan is enriched in Co, Ni, Se, Mo, Mn, and Bi, whereas pyrite from Lengshuibeigou contains high Zn, Pb, As, Cu, Ag, and Au. The regular elemental distribution of pyrite in the Nannihu ore field is consistent with that of typical porphyry-related systems worldwide. Collectively, the Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks and diverse deposits in the Nannihu ore field make up a giant magmatic-hydrothermal Mo-W-Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag metallogenic system, with the porphyry, skarn, and epithermal types of mineralization displaying a zonation from inside to outside. The multi-episode magmatism and mineralization could result in the remarkable enrichment of mineral resources. The close spatial relationship among different types of mineralization in the Nannihu ore field has a significant implication for porphyry-related mineral prospecting in the southern NCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and ischemic stroke. Design. We collected a range of data from 11,495 residents (aged ≥35 years; 54.28% female) residing in rural areas of northeast China between January and August 2013, including fasting lipid profile and anthropometric parameters. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the correlation between AIP and ischemic stroke. Category-free analysis was used to determine whether AIP enhanced our capacity to estimate ischemic stroke. Results. Irrespective of gender, AIP was independently associated with the occurrence of ischemic stroke. The prevalence of ischemic stroke increased significantly from the lowest quartile to the highest quartile (females: 10.5%-48.7%, P < 0.001 ; males: 22.0%-36.5%, P = 0.08). After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, smoking, drinking, exercise, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and a family history of stroke, we found that for every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in AIP, there was a 34.8% and 20.9% increase in the prevalence of stroke for females and males, respectively. Curve fitting was also used to evaluate the linear relationship between AIP and the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Category-free analysis indicated that AIP significantly enhanced our ability to estimate ischemic stroke in both females (NRI (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.188 (0.105-0.270)) and males (NRI (95% CI): 0.175 (0.017-0.333)). Conclusion. Analyses detected a significant and positive linear relationship between AIP and the prevalence of ischemic stroke. This relationship was independent of a range of conventional risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and ischemic stroke. Design. We collected a range of data from 11,495 residents (aged ≥35 years; 54.28% female) residing in rural areas of northeast China between January and August 2013, including fasting lipid profile and anthropometric parameters. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the correlation between AIP and ischemic stroke. Category-free analysis was used to determine whether AIP enhanced our capacity to estimate ischemic stroke. Results. Irrespective of gender, AIP was independently associated with the occurrence of ischemic stroke. The prevalence of ischemic stroke increased significantly from the lowest quartile to the highest quartile (females: 10.5%-48.7%, P < 0.001 ; males: 22.0%-36.5%, P = 0.08). After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, smoking, drinking, exercise, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and a family history of stroke, we found that for every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in AIP, there was a 34.8% and 20.9% increase in the prevalence of stroke for females and males, respectively. Curve fitting was also used to evaluate the linear relationship between AIP and the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Category-free analysis indicated that AIP significantly enhanced our ability to estimate ischemic stroke in both females (NRI (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.188 (0.105-0.270)) and males (NRI (95% CI): 0.175 (0.017-0.333)). Conclusion. Analyses detected a significant and positive linear relationship between AIP and the prevalence of ischemic stroke. This relationship was independent of a range of conventional risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital tuberculosis (TB) is rare and the prognosis is poor if not detected early. The diagnosis is often delayed owing to non-specific clinical presentation, misdiagnosis and undiagnosed maternal TB during pregnancy. A 12-day-old girl presented with a 5-day history of fever, cough, poor feeding and respiratory distress. Her mother had a cough and fever at 30 weeks gestation which was managed empirically as community-acquired pneumonia without a TB workup. Immediately postpartum, her mother developed a high fever and shortness of breath and required admission to the intensive care unit. The infant was separated from her mother after delivery. The infant's chest radiograph showed bilateral miliary nodules. Thoracic and abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed multiple enlarged lymph nodes and congenital TB was suspected. Early morning gastric aspirate and sputum (obtained through a suction tube) were positive for acid-fast bacilli on smear microscopy and subsequently Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from both specimens. Lumbar puncture was performed and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was compatible with TB meningitis. TB-polymerase chain reaction (TB-PCR) was positive. Her mother was diagnosed with miliary TB on postpartum day 17. Both were given anti-TB chemotherapy. Unfortunately, despite the treatment, the infant died from multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by congenital TB at the age of 14 days. This case highlights the importance of screening pregnant women for TB in regions where it is highly prevalent. A high index of suspicion of maternal and congenital TB is critical to early diagnosis, especially in such regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• O2O development strategies are adopted to sustain WEEE collection business in China. • Three typical cases of O2O WEEE collection are analyzed using Business Model Canvas. • O2O model develops proper systems and channels to support the three flows. • Mechanisms of participation, cooperation and profit are built in O2O model. • O2O model reduces transaction costs, expands collection scope and scale, and is eco-friendlier. WEEE has become a global focus because of its environmental pollution and human health risk and the valuable resources contained. China's ban on solid waste imports reconstructs the global WEEE flow, leading to a more complicated situation for global WEEE recycling that asks for innovative development. The advanced development of the Internet opens new doors to WEEE collection-the first step of recycling, O2O (integrating online platform and offline collection) development strategies are adopted by many companies in China. The exploration of the new model and experiences of WEEE collection in China can provide lessons for other countries. In this study, we decode the business model of three typical cases in China using Business Model Canvas, and discuss and summarize the types, structure characteristics, operating mechanisms and effects of O2O WEEE collection model. The results show that: there are three typical types of O2O WEEE collection model in China, first one derived from internet corporate, second one derived from recycling corporate and third one served as a third-party platform. To ensure the fluency and sustaining of information flow, material flow, and fund flow, O2O WEEE collection model builds information support platforms with user-friendly interfaces, various distribution channels, and accurate pricing systems. To operate the business smoothly, attractive participation mechanism, cooperation mechanism, and multi-level profit mechanism have been constructed. The O2O WEEE collection model enjoys popularity in the capital market and customers for reducing the transaction costs, expanding the collection scope and scale and contributing to efficient and effective WEEE recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the progression of dialysis techniques,  the mortality of hemodialysis (HD) patients is still high in China. Here, a retrospective study was performed to investigate the neglected risk factors of all-cause mortality during maintenance HD (MHD). Methods: We investigated 117 MHD patients who died between 2011 and 2016 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University HD center. In order to analyze the risk factors of 48 months all-cause death, the methods of Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used. Results: Multivariate analyses of adjusted age and gender showed that MHD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <7 or >10 mL/min/1.73 m2 and anemia (hemoglobin <100 g/L) at the initiation of dialysis are independently associated with the higher death risk. Using central venous catheter vascular access, cerebrovascular comorbidities, diabetes, low-flux dialyzer, and dialysis frequency ≤2 times weekly were also the independent risk factors of death within 48 months. Conclusions: This study indicated that the status of HD initiation is a risk factor of long-term survival in MHD patients, which were usually ignored for lacking of nephrology care prior and could potentially be identified and modified to improve the survival prognosis. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at  https://www.karger.com/Journal/ArticleNews/223997?sponsor=52 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the progression of dialysis techniques,  the mortality of hemodialysis (HD) patients is still high in China. Here, a retrospective study was performed to investigate the neglected risk factors of all-cause mortality during maintenance HD (MHD). Methods: We investigated 117 MHD patients who died between 2011 and 2016 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University HD center. In order to analyze the risk factors of 48 months all-cause death, the methods of Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used. Results: Multivariate analyses of adjusted age and gender showed that MHD patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate <7 or >10 mL/min/1.73 m2 and anemia (hemoglobin <100 g/L) at the initiation of dialysis are independently associated with the higher death risk. Using central venous catheter vascular access, cerebrovascular comorbidities, diabetes, low-flux dialyzer, and dialysis frequency ≤2 times weekly were also the independent risk factors of death within 48 months. Conclusions: This study indicated that the status of HD initiation is a risk factor of long-term survival in MHD patients, which were usually ignored for lacking of nephrology care prior and could potentially be identified and modified to improve the survival prognosis. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at  https://www.karger.com/Journal/ArticleNews/223997?sponsor=52 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract With the increase in energy consumption in China, the influential factors and contributions to such increase have received more attention. In this paper, the decomposition of energy consumption and energy intensity in China from 1995 to 2015 was conducted by using a complete decomposition model. This study focuses on regional difference, which is not in line with the existing studies. The decomposition results indicate that the economic growth has a significant driving effect on the energy consumption, while the energy intensity effect reduces the growth of the total energy consumption. The structural effect plays a negative role but has less effect on the growth of the energy consumption. The contribution rate on the growth of the energy consumption in the eastern region gradually decreases. However, in the western region it grows fast and even exceeds that of the eastern region to become the highest energy consumption area in China in 2010–2015. The energy intensity declines substantially in China. It is mainly due to the improvement of regional energy efficiency and negligible contribution from the structural effect. In conclusion, the energy consumption and energy intensity in China follow different forms in different regions. Therefore, the application of differentiated regional energy policies is preferable over a single national energy policy. Highlights • The changes in energy consumption at the regional level were decomposed. • The influential factors of energy consumption variation and energy intensity variation in China was studied. • The coupling relationship between China's economic growth and energy consumption growth has gradually weakened. • We find that the western region become the area of China with the highest energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract High-tech minerals are essential for strategic emerging industries, and urban mines have become principal potential reservoirs of secondary high-tech mineral resources. In order to evaluate high-tech urban mines to understand their criticality and determine their potential and priority for high-tech minerals recovery, this paper develops a model with three dimensions - resource index, technology index, and environmental index. This model is applied to data from China, and a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to estimate uncertainty. The results show that high-tech urban mines in China are divided into three clusters. The first cluster includes urban mines which have high scores in all three indices, they should be the top priority of collection and recycling. The second cluster covers high-tech urban mines with middle scores in resource index and technology index, and environmental index span from low to high. They are important second resources reservoirs of high-tech metals and should be paid significant attention. In the third cluster, high-tech urban mines have low scores in all three indices, they are not the focus of development but can't be ignored. Spent batteries, mobile phones and magnet motors are key reservoirs of high-tech metals. Furtherly, this paper presents that the evaluation model construction and evaluation results are deeply affected by consumption behavior, technology level, industrial development and the policy direction of the country. Based on the results, this paper proposes that urban mining should be treated as a national strategy to release the dual constraints of resources and environment, catalogue of key urban mining should be made, and to build a dynamic evaluation system and adjust the catalogue over time, and develop technologies for more effective and environment-friendly extraction material of urban mines. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A three-dimension model is developed to evaluate high-tech urban mines in China. • High-tech urban mines in China are divided into three clusters. • Spent batteries, mobile phones and magnet motors are key reservoirs of high-tech metals. • The evaluation is deeply affected by country's actual conditions, and industrial characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tourism activities, tourists’ responsible environmental behaviors (REB) are the result of human’s interaction with environment. Most past studies about tourists’ REB paid attention to tourists’ individual factors while the influences of situational factors of sightseeing places on tourists’ REB were left out. Environmental interpretations are the significant component and the main situational factor of tourism environment. This research uses the theory of planned behavior; takes the Huangshan Mountain scenic spot in China as the case-study place based on 534 questionnaire survey samples of tourists; and adopts the method of structural equation model-multiple group analysis (SEM-MGA) to explore the moderating role of environmental interpretations in the sightseeing place on the relationship between tourists’ responsible environmental behavioral intentions (REBI) and REB. Results indicate that (1) tourists’ attitudes toward environmental behaviors and subjective norms positively affect their REBI; their perceived behavioral control positively affects their REBI and REB, and their REBI positively affect REB; (2) environmental interpretations in the sightseeing place positively moderate the relationship between tourists’ REBI and REB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-tech minerals are key raw materials in national strategic emerging industries. Waste mobile phones contain a variety of high-tech minerals. With rapid economic development and improvements in living standards, mobile phones are becoming one of the most commonly used electronic devices among all electrical and electronic products. Since 2004, China has been world's largest mobile phone-producing and phone-consuming country, and correspondingly, it has generated excessive waste. In this paper, the dynamic material flow method and the Weibull distribution are used to analyze the quantity of waste mobile phones generated and the quantities of the high-tech minerals they contain based on the differentiation between feature phones and smartphones. Additionally, future trends regarding high-tech minerals in waste mobile phones are predicted using a market supply A model. Our research results show an increasing trend of waste mobile phone generation, indicating that a considerable amount of the high-tech minerals they contain can be recycled. Finally, the following recommendations were proposed to further improve the management and development system of waste mobile phones in China: the development of a high-tech mineral data base is urgent; policies should be formulated and implemented by governments to improve the overall waste management system; the ecological design of products should be improved by manufacturers; dismantling and refining technologies should be enhanced by recycling companies to improve the recycling rate; and the public awareness of recycling should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are three categories of deceased donors of kidney transplantation in China, donation after brain death ( DBD), donation after circulatory death ( DCD), and donation after brain death followed by circulatory death ( DBCD) donors. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of kidney transplantation from these three categories of deceased donors. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 469 recipients who received deceased kidney transplantation in our hospital from February 2007 to June 2015. The recipients were divided into three groups according to the source of their donor kidneys: DBD, DCD, or DBCD. The primary endpoints were delayed graft function ( DGF), graft loss, and patient death. Results The warm ischemia time was much longer in DCD group compared to DBCD group (18.4 minutes vs 12.9 minutes, P < .001). DGF rate was higher in DCD group than in DBD and DBCD groups (22.5% vs 10.2% and 13.8%, respectively, P = .021). Urinary leakage was much higher in DCD group ( P = .049). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that 1-, 2-, and 3-year patient survivals were all comparable among the three groups. Conclusion DBCD kidney transplantation has lower incidences of DGF and urinary leakage than DCD kidney transplant. However, the overall patient and graft survival were comparable among DBD, DCD, and DBCD kidney transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gansu is a province in the northwest of China that is well known for its rich grassland types and important alfalfa planting base in China. Among the key limiting factors in alfalfa products and high quality are insect and mite pests, particularly those occurring on root and stem parts. Mite populations were collected on alfalfa roots from Jiuquan City located in the northwest part of Gansu Province. This study aimed to identify the principle mite species infesting alfalfa in Gansu Province, by molecular and morphological characterization. DNA from 20 specimens and morphological data from 45 specimens (15 adult females, 20 adult males [10 homeomorphic and 10 heteromorphic] and 10 deutonymphs were used to confirm the identity of the mite species. The species present is described here as a new species (Sancassania alfalfa Shang & Li, sp. nov.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Upper Cretaceous Gaogou, Majiachun and Sigou formations in the Xixia Basin are composed of terrestrial clastic deposits, which are dominated by red-violet mudstones, muddy siltstones, siltstones, grayish fine-grained sandstones, intercalated with grayish, off-white medium- and coarse-grained sandstones or conglomerates. They contain 10 ichnogenera and 22 ichnospecies and Rhizoliths, includingArenicolitesisp.,Archaeonassaisp.,Beaconites antarcticus,B.capronus,B.coronus,Cylindricumisp.,Gastruichnus xixiaensis,Palaeophycus megas,P. tubularis,P. heberti,P.sulcatus,P. cf.sulcatus,P.striatus,Planolites beverleyensis,P. isp.,Scoyenia gracilis,Skolithos verticalis,S. linearis,S.isp.,Taenidium irregularis,T.serpentinumandT.barretti. From north to south across the basin, alluvial fan, braided and meandering fluvial and fluvio-lacustrine systems are recognised on the basis of sedimentary features. In reference to them, four ichnoassemblages are recognised: (1)Skolithos-Gastruichnusichnoassemblage in the channel environment of braided and meandering river, (2)Beaconites-Taenidiumichnoassemblage in the natural levee and crevasse splays, (3)Beaconites-Palaeophycusichnoassemblage in the flood plain and (4)Taenidium-Scoyeniaichnoassemblage in the periodically exposed fluvio-lacustrine (pond or very shallow lacustrine) sedimentary environments. The present work not only enrich the trace fossils database of terrestrial origin but also offer new data to complete further continental ichnofacies mode and also provide the constraints on palaeoenvironments of the Xixia Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the deterioration of air quality in recent years, the establishment of accurate and efficient forecasting models for pollutants has become the top priority. Due to the imperfect internal mechanism, the traditional numerical model, Weather Research and Forecast - Community Multiscale Air Quality (WRF-CMAQ), whose performance is limited in predicting the concentration of pollutants. To solve that issue presented, this study proposed two hybrid models for pollutant concentration forecasting based on weather conditions of various monitoring points. The hybrid model I applies long and short-term memory neural networks (LSTM) to extract the temporal characteristics and random forest (RF) to extract the non-line characteristics. Then, a fusion layer is built to combine them, which is optimised by the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm. Based on hybrid model I, hybrid model II also considers the regional synergy of different monitoring points to capture the spatial correlation of weather conditions. Taking a certain region of China as an example, the performance of these two hybrid models is proved. The results and discussions indicate that not only do the hybrid models achieve higher accuracy than other comparable models such as LSTM, convolutional neural network (CNN), and WRF-CMAQ, but they also prove that the regional synergy can significantly improve the effectiveness of air pollutants forecasting. The root mean squared error (RMSE) of the hybrid model II for predicted six pollutants concentration dropped to 1.781, 6.630, 5.556, 4.154, 49.558, 4.074 compared with the RMSE values of the hybrid model I and WRF-CMAQ, which are 1.972, 6.734, 6.731, 4.937, 63.487, 5.422 and 7.98, 38.175, 29.511, 21.077, 78.479, 22.810. This work provides the high-precision prediction and comprehensive evaluation of primary pollutants, which provides a targeting option to deal with the highest predicted pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composting industry has been growing rapidly in China because of a boom in the animal industry. Therefore, a rapid and accurate assessment of the quality of commercial organic fertilizers is of the utmost importance. In this study, a novel technique that combines near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with partial least squares (PLS) analysis is developed for rapidly and accurately assessing commercial organic fertilizers quality. A total of 104 commercial organic fertilizers were collected from full-scale compost factories in Jiangsu Province, east China. In general, the NIR-PLS technique showed accurate predictions of the total organic matter, water soluble organic nitrogen, pH, and germination index; less accurate results of the moisture, total nitrogen, and electrical conductivity; and the least accurate results for water soluble organic carbon. Our results suggested the combined NIR-PLS technique could be applied as a valuable tool to rapidly and accurately assess the quality of commercial organic fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We found phylogeographic pattern in Bupleurum longiradiatum. [•] Two refuge areas for B. longiradiatum during the last glacial maximum were detected. [•] During the last glacial maximum, temperate forests can survive in northern China. [•] The major break within B. longiradiatum was due to ecological and geographic isolation. [•] Quaternary refugial isolation promoted the allopatric speciation in Eastern Asian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The samples of aerated concrete were successfully prepared in line with GB/T 11968-2006 of the A3.5, B06-class by low-silica iron ore tailings as the main raw material, aluminum powder as gas evolution agent. Iron ore tailings, silica sand, lime, cement and gypsum with the optimized ratio (mass ratio) was 40 : 20 : 25 : 10 : 5 in the case of maximizing the use of iron ore tailings, aluminum powder was added at 0.057%, water/solide ratio was 0.57, the static stop curing at 70 °C, the compressive strength and the calculated specific strength of the finished aerated concrete samples with the bulk density of 590 kg/m³ were 4.11 and 6.97 MPa. The major mineral phases in the aerated concrete product were tobermorite with residue quartz and anhydrite. SEM and EDS results show that the finished product to form a network structure by CSH and tobermorite, the compressive strength of aerated concrete samples are effectively improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the big genera in Apiaceae, Bupleurum L. has received considerable attention from plant taxonomists. Nevertheless, there are still many gaps in our knowledge of this genus, especially of those species endemic to China that have often been excluded from previous studies. In spite of a few recent studies on the phylogeny and classification of the Chinese Bupleurum, the most essential problem of species delimitation still remains unresolved. We re-evaluate the taxonomy of the Chinese Bupleurum using morphological and molecular evidence. Careful observations of living plants growing the field and herbarium specimens were made to understand the morphological variation and to ensure species identification for the molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on sequence data of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), trnH-psbA, and matK, using parsimony and Bayesian approaches to evaluate species relationships. Analyses of both nrITS and combined datasets of the three regions revealed the following results: (i) the Chinese Bupleurum species were divided into two major lineages; and (ii) most species were well defined, but some traditional inter- and infraspecific relationships were not supported. Our results, along with the results of previous works support that the Chinese Bupleurum species were derived from two different lineages and should be placed in Neves and Watson's subgenus Bupleurum. Our detailed taxonomic re-assessment of several Chinese species resulted in new taxonomic recombinations with rank changes for three species: Bupleurum tenerum, B. amplexicaule, and B. franchetii; new combination for one variety, B. smithii var. flaviflorum; and the description of one variety and one species, B. stenophyllum var. leiocarpum and B. sikangense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new combination, Bupleurum candollei Wallich ex de Candolle var. paucefulcrans (C. Y. Wu) X. J. He & C. B. Wang, is proposed. The status of this taxon, endemic to Guizhou, China, has been confused since it was first described in 1963. Morphological and anatomical evidence, based primarily on bractlet number and length, umbel number and length, fruit size and shape, and stem structure indicated that B. hamiltonii N. P. Balakrishnan var. paucefulcrans C. Y. Wu is more closely related to B. candollei than to B. hamiltonii. To evaluate the credibility of the morphological similarity, the phylogenetic relationship of B. candollei var. candollei, B. hamiltonii var. hamiltonii and B. candollei var. paucefulcrans were inferred by Bayesian analysis of nrDNA ITS sequences. The molecular analysis is fully congruent with the morphological data and supports the transfer of the variety to B. candollei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Human neural stem cells' jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, is the first guideline for human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in China. This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, test regulations, instructions for use, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, storage requirements, transportation requirements and waste disposal requirements for hNSCs, which is applicable to the quality control for hNSCs. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that publication of the guideline will facilitate institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardization of hNSCs for clinical development and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human midbrain dopaminergic progenitors (mDAPs) are one of the most representative cell types in both basic research and clinical applications. However, there are still many challenges for the preparation and quality control of mDAPs, such as the lack of standards. Therefore, the establishment of critical quality attributes and technical specifications for mDAPs is largely needed. "Human midbrain dopaminergic progenitor" jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, is the first guideline for human mDAPs in China. This standard specifies the technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, instructions for usage, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, storage requirements, transportation requirements and waste disposal requirements for human mDAPs, which is applicable to the quality control for human mDAPs. It was originally released by the China Society for Cell Biology on 30 August 2022. We hope that the publication of this guideline will facilitate the institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardization of human mDAPs for clinical development and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A single-dose priming vaccination with the bivalent adenovirus-vectored vaccine (Ad5-nCoV/O) induced strong antibody and cellular responses against both the wild type and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. • Both intramuscular and intranasal booster vaccinations using the bivalent Ad5-nCoV/O vaccine resulted in significant serum neutralizing antibody responses. • An intranasal booster, utilizing one-fifth doses of the bivalent Ad5-nCoV/O vaccine after priming with INA, elicited similar levels of neutralizing antibody titers as the intramuscular booster. • Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with Ad5-vectored vaccines after the inactivated vaccine (INA) prime demonstrated higher neutralizing antibody responses compared to homologous prime-boost with INA and INA. The emergence and rapid spread of new mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2 necessitate the development of a new generation vaccine capable of neutralizing a broad range of variants. When the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged, individuals in China had already received an inactivated (INA) or a type 5 adenovirus-vectored (Ad5) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine targeting the wild-type virus. We have recently developed a bivalent recombinant type 5 vaccine targeting both the wild-type strain and the Omicron variant (Ad5-nCoV/O). The objectives of this study were to assess the immunogenicity of the bivalent vaccine as a booster against both the wild type and the Omicron variant. In the single immunization model, mice received one intramuscular immunization with monovalent or bivalent Ad5-vectored vaccines targeting both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants. In the prime-boost model, mice were primed intramuscularly with an INA or Ad5-vectored vaccine targeting wild-type SARS-CoV-2, and then boosted intramuscularly or intranasally with heterologous or homologous INA or monovalent or bivalent Ad5-vectored vaccines targeting both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants. The vaccine-induced antibody responses and cellular immune responses were measured using ELISA, pseudovirus-based neutralization assays, the intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) and ELISpot. Single-dose prime vaccination with the monovalent and bivalent vaccines elicited robust antibody responses and CD4 + and CD8 + cellular responses against the spike protein of WT and Omicron SARS-CoV-2. Both intramuscular and intranasal boost vaccination with the bivalent Ad5-nCoV/O following a prime with INA or Ad5-vectored vaccines induced strong serum neutralization antibody responses to both wild type and Omicron variants. A heterologous prime-boost vaccination elicited greater neutralization antibody responses than a homologous prime-boost vaccination when mice were boosted with Ad5-vectored vaccines following a prime with INA. Intranasal boost also resulted in significant mucosal IgA responses. The bivalent vaccine Ad5-nCoV/O exhibited robust immunogenicity, inducing broad-spectrum cross-neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses against both wild type and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. The results demonstrated the potential of the bivalent vaccine in addressing the challenges posed by emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the main ways to transport natural gas, pipeline safety is of great significance to maintaining social stability and ensuring the national energy supply. Aiming at the safe operation of natural gas pipelines in subsidence areas of coal mine, this work proposes a safety management system for condition monitoring and control. This system contains three technical modules: the surface and pipeline displacement monitoring, the risk assessment index system, and early warning model. Firstly, the collected data of site topography and pipeline conditions are transmitted to the database remotely. Second, multi-source data are collected to form data reports and conduct in-depth analysis and mining. Then, according to the analysis results, the pattern of surface and pipeline displacement is explored, the risk assessment system of gas pipelines is constructed, and the pipeline strain is monitored. Real-time computing and other technologies are developed to form a safety management system for gas pipelines in subsidence areas. Taking Shanxi Province in China as an example, based on the system developed by the technical modules, the application of surface and pipeline displacement monitoring, risk assessment, and pipeline stress-strain monitoring technology in subsidence areas is achieved. The results show that the risk score of the area where the pipeline is located is 82, which is a high-risk level. In addition, in the process of strain monitoring, the measured stress at the most unfavorable position is 140.207 MPa, which meets the allowable stress requirements. This safety management system can provide important support for decision-making of risk prevention, assessment, and management of natural gas pipelines in subsidence areas of coal mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate nexus among China's real output, energy consumption, and carbon emissions from 1971 to 2014. We use a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model to examine asymmetric transfer effects among the variables. The findings indicate that the asymmetry effect exists in the relationship among the variables in both the long and short term. Positive and negative shocks of energy consumption and carbon emissions have shown different effects on real output in sign and magnitude. Furthermore, energy consumption and carbon emissions have shown different patterns of influence on real output. In the long run, the decrease in carbon emissions has no significant impact on real output, while the decrease in energy consumption will lead to an increase in real output. In the short run, the negative shock in energy consumption in the previous periods is positively linked to real output, it means the decrease in energy consumption will lead to a decrease in real output. If the government proposes energy-conservation policies, the economic growth will be hampered in the short term but promoted in the long term. The results of this study have clear and important implications for devising energy-conservation and emission-reduction policies in China. • We empirically investigate the asymmetric nexus among real output, carbon emissions and energy consumption in China. • The bounds tests suggest presence of long-run cointegration relationship among the variables. • Asymmetry effect is found in the variable's nexus in both long-run and short-run. • Energy consumption and carbon emissions have shown different patterns of influence on the real output. • Government should be very cautious to set energy-conservation and emission-reduction policies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the epidemiologic association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is established, little is known about the pathological characteristics and outcome of DLBCL arising in patients with HBV infection. Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 420 patients with DLBCL for the incidence of HBV infection, and the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients in China, a hepatitis B endemic area. Results: In our study, 127 (30.2%) patients were HBsAg-positive. HBsAg-positive DLBCL displayed a younger median onset age (50 vs. 54 years, P = 0.002), more frequent involvement of the spleen (19.7% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.001), less frequent involvement of the small and large intestine (2.3% vs. 11.2%, P = 0.003), more advanced disease (stage III/IV: 56.7% vs. 45.1%, P = 0.028), and lower expression rate of MYC (49.1% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.026). The median follow-up time was 61.9 months. Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between HBsAg-negative and -positive DLBCL (P = 0.577). In the HBsAg-positive DLBCL subgroup, age older than 60 years, advanced disease, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), spleen involvement, B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), and double expressers of MYC and BCL2 had a significantly worse outcome, and patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) had a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that spleen involvement and rituximab use were independent prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. Conclusions: Our study indicates that HBsAg-positive DLBCL has unique clinicopathological features and independent prognostic factors. Moreover, under antiviral prophylaxis, the survival of DLBCL patients with HBV infections was comparable to that of HBV-negative patients, and the use of rituximab significantly improved OS in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) (PH) is a traditional Chinese traditional medicine with a pungent flavor and mild drug properties. PH is mainly distributed in the channel tropism in the stomach and large intestine. PH has multiple uses and can be used to treat a variety of diseases for a long time. This review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological activities, and applications of PH from 1980 to 2022. We also provide suggestions for promoting further research and developing additional applications of PH. The data and information on PH from 1980 to 2022 reviewed in this article were obtained from scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Science Citation Index, SciFinder Scholar (SciFinder), Springer, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), etc. Some information was obtained from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. The search terms were Polygonum hydropiper, phytochemistry compositions of Polygonum hydropiper, pharmacological activities of Polygonum hydropiper, and applications of Polygonum hydropiper. The comprehensive analysis of the literature resulted in 324 compounds being isolated, identified, and reported from PH. Regarding traditional uses, the majority of phytochemical and pharmacological studies have indicated the diverse bioactivities of PH extracts, flavonoids, and volatile oil elements, including antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. PH has a long history of diversified medicinal uses, some of which have been verified in modern pharmacological studies. Further detailed studies are required to establish scientific and reasonable quality evaluation standards and action mechanisms of active constituents from PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the enlarging inter-provincial disparities in China as regards carbon emissions and carbon intensity (carbon emissions per unit gross domestic product), this paper is the first study to investigate the inter-provincial carbon imbalance by constructing and employing the Kaya-Zenga index. We use China's panel data of provincial-level carbon emissions over 1995–2016 to quantitatively measure the levels of inter-provincial imbalance and polarization in carbon emissions and carbon intensity. Further, we decompose the Kaya-Zenga index into different contributing factors both regionally and structurally and perform a scenario analysis to identify the corresponding regionally differentiated countermeasures regarding carbon emission reduction. The results show that the imbalance in carbon emissions is mainly caused by imbalances in population scale and income level, while the imbalance in carbon intensity predominantly results from imbalances in energy efficiency and energy mix. In addition, for heavy manufacturing provinces, the respective emission-reduction strategy should aim at lowering energy intensity through local technology improvement and inter-regional technology transfer. For light manufacturing and high technology provinces, carbon emission reduction is harder to be achieved; however, a mix of policies of improving energy efficiency, optimizing energy mix, and industrial upgrading should be implemented. The results of the scenario analysis indicate that reducing imbalance in carbon intensity under different scenarios can lead to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions (up to 10%). • We investigate the inter-provincial carbon imbalance within China. • We construct the Kaya-Zenga index and decompose the index into four contributors. • We use a panel data set of 30 provincial-level regions in China over 1995–2016. • Carbon imbalance is mainly caused by imbalances in population and energy efficiency. • Reducing intra-group imbalance in carbon intensity can abate carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Internet + waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) collection" business ecosystems have attracted considerable attention from industry circles, and they are widely used in practice. However, the construction mechanism of "Internet + WEEE collection" business ecosystems has not been explored. In this paper, based on the mode of entry, "Internet + WEEE collection" platforms are divided into two types: platforms derived from an Internet company (PDICs) and platforms derived from a recycling company (PDRCs), and two typical corresponding platforms are analyzed using a double-case study to explore the interaction and mechanism between dominant platform capability, symbiotic strategy and business ecosystem construction. The results show the following: (1) different types of "Internet + WEEE collection" platforms have different dominant platform capabilities and then construct different business ecosystems based on their capabilities. PDICs take digital capability as the dominant platform capability and prefer to form an embedded business ecosystem, while PDRCs usually take network capability as the dominant platform capability and try to build a central business ecosystem. (2) PDICs and PDRCs prefer different symbiotic strategies, and the strategies affect the construction of business ecosystems. The strategy of mutualism symbiosis is adopted by PDICs, and it promotes them to build an embedded business ecosystem. PDRCs prefer the strategy of predation symbiosis, and they choose to construct a central business ecosystem. (3) Dominant platform capability can also affect the construction of business ecosystems through the symbiotic strategy. This study contributes to revealing the internal logic of "Internet + WEEE collection" business ecosystems construction in theory and helps platforms achieve sustainable development in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban mining is emerging as part of the process of the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in China. The central government and local governments jointly promote the development of the urban mining industry. However, the existing literature mainly focuses on the current situation and the evaluation of the central government's policies and ignores the mechanism of local government industrial policies under the imperfect institutional environment in China. This paper selects the case study of Miluo city, which was included in one of China's first batches of urban mining demonstration bases, and it explores the evolution of local government industrial policies and the mechanism of how policies take effect in the development of the urban mining industry. The current research finds that (1) based on the creative implementation of central government industrial policies, the local government gradually cultivates the urban mining industry starting from collection and continuing through the evolution of the policy logic of "functional preferential policies → selective preferential policies → balanced policies" and the evolution of the government's role. (2) The urban mining industrial policies construct competitive advantages of industry by affecting the construction process of local capabilities. The policy effecting mechanism includes two pathways, namely, the direct interaction between government and enterprises, and the indirect interaction through intermediaries who connect the stakeholders and provide professional services. This paper contributes to the development of theories about the evolution of urban mining industrial policies and provides a new explanation for the local government's role in policies from the perspective of local capability theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of cancer patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is steadily rising. Little is known about the nutritional status of this population. This study characterized the nutritional status and survival of cancer patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. Methods: A total of 8247 cancer patients were prospectively enrolled from 72 hospitals in China and followed until August 2019. A global estimation of the nutritional status was performed for each participant using standardized tools. The outcomes were cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: The incidence of diabetes was 7.6% in the whole population. In comparison with the non‐DM group, the DM group had greater body weight, but a similar fat‐free mass, a lower handgrip strength and a decreased Karnofsky performance score. A higher proportion of patients with diabetes were overweight/obese as indicated by BMI. The percentage of patients who were at risk of malnutrition (evaluated by PG‐SGA) was higher in the DM group (score ≥ 4, 56.7% vs 52.9%). Patients with DM showed a worse CSS (4‐year CSS, 62% vs 73%) and OS (4‐year OS 39% vs 52%). Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of both cancer‐specific (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.282, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.070‐1.536) and overall (HR = 1.206, 95% CI 1.040‐1.399) mortality. Conclusions: Cancer patients with diabetes had a larger body mass but lower muscle strength, poorer performance status and higher incidence of malnourishment. Diabetes was associated with compromised survival. Tailored nutritional intervention is necessary for this subpopulation of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Xiaotongjiapuzi is a representative invisible gold deposit. • Gold exists mainly as solid solution (Au+) in the pyrite lattice and nanoparticles (Au0). • Paleoproterozoic sedimentary and metamorphism may have formed the initial sulfur reservoir. • The Xiaotongjiapuzi gold deposit has undergone a remarkable multi-step enrichment process of ore-forming materials. Most gold ores have variable sulfur isotopic and trace elemental compositions at micro-/nano-scale, which makes the understanding of the gold formation process more challenging. The advancement of in-situ analytical techniques offer opportunity to gain insight into gold mineralization processes and ore-material source. The Xiaotongjiapuzi is a representative intrusion-related gold deposit in the Qingchengzi orefield of the Liaodong Peninsula, Eastern China. Alteration and gold mineralization comprise four stages: (I) quartz-pyrite-Au, (II) quartz-pyrite-biotite-Au, (III) Au-barren quartz-pyrite, and (IV) post-ore quartz-calcite. Detailed scanning electron microscope (SEM) backscattered electron (BSE) imaging, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) elemental and LA–multi-collector (MC)–ICP–MS sulfur isotope analyses were conducted to reveal the ore-material source and mineralization process. Three texturally distinct auriferous pyrite generations were identified: Py1 and Py2 (in both stage I and II) and Py3 (in stage II and III). Py1 is porous and weakly fragmented, poorly crystallized, and overgrown by Py2. Py2 is commonly intergrown with arsenopyrite and marcasite, whilst Py3 overgrew around Py2 or replace it. Gold exists mainly as solid solution (Au+) in the pyrite lattice and nanoparticles (Au0), as well as (rare) micron-scale inclusions along the Py2-Py3 interface. Py2 has the highest gold content (mean 47 ppm, max 344 ppm), especially when intergrown with marcasite (Mrc1). The δ34S values of pyrite (5.71–15.31‰, n = 18) and marcasite (-19.59 to 7.45‰. n = 6) are the highest and lowest, respectively, and the values increase steadily from Py1 to Py3 (Py1: 5.71–7.54‰ → Py2: 7.44–9.55‰ → Py2 + Mrc1: 12.88–13.92‰ → Py3: 15.17–15.31‰). The Paleoproterozoic Dashiqiao and Gaixian formation host rocks contain large amount of sulfate minerals (e.g., barite and gypsum), and the coeval global sulfate has heavy sulfur isotope enrichment, suggesting that sulfate reduction may have provided H 2 S-rich fluids [Au(HS)2- and/or Au(HS)0] for the Mesozoic mineralization. For the multistage gold enrichment at Xiaotongjiapuzi, we suggest that the Paleoproterozoic sedimentary and metamorphic rocks may have formed the initial sulfur reservoir, which was then reactivated by Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectiveness of a non-physician community health-care provider-led intensive blood pressure intervention on cardiovascular disease has not been established. We aimed to test the effectiveness of such an intervention compared with usual care on risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause death among individuals with hypertension. In this open-label, blinded-endpoint, cluster-randomised trial, we recruited individuals aged at least 40 years with an untreated systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg (≥130 mm Hg and ≥80 mm Hg for those at high risk for cardiovascular disease or if currently taking antihypertensive medication). We randomly assigned (1:1) 326 villages to a non-physician community health-care provider-led intervention or usual care, stratified by provinces, counties, and townships. In the intervention group, trained non-physician community health-care providers initiated and titrated antihypertensive medications according to a simple stepped-care protocol to achieve a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure goal of less than 80 mm Hg with supervision from primary care physicians. They also delivered discounted or free antihypertensive medications and health coaching for patients. The primary effectiveness outcome was a composite outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure requiring hospitalisation, and cardiovascular disease death during the 36-month follow-up in the study participants. Safety was assessed every 6 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT03527719. Between May 8 and Nov 28, 2018, we enrolled 163 villages per group with 33 995 participants. Over 36 months, the net group difference in systolic blood pressure reduction was –23·1 mm Hg (95% CI –24·4 to –21·9; p<0·0001) and in diastolic blood pressure reduction, it was –9·9 mm Hg (–10·6 to –9·3; p<0·0001). Fewer patients in the intervention group than the usual care group had a primary outcome (1·62% vs 2·40% per year; hazard ratio [HR] 0·67, 95% CI 0·61–0·73; p<0·0001). Secondary outcomes were also reduced in the intervention group: myocardial infarction (HR 0·77, 95% CI 0·60–0·98; p=0·037), stroke (0·66, 0·60–0·73; p<0·0001), heart failure (0·58, 0·42–0·81; p=0·0016), cardiovascular disease death (0·70, 0·58–0·83; p<0·0001), and all-cause death (0·85, 0·76–0·95; p=0·0037). The risk reduction of the primary outcome was consistent across subgroups of age, sex, education, antihypertensive medication use, and baseline cardiovascular disease risk. Hypotension was higher in the intervention than in the usual care group (1·75% vs 0·89%; p<0·0001). The non-physician community health-care provider-led intensive blood pressure intervention is effective in reducing cardiovascular disease and death. The Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Science and Technology Program of Liaoning Province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the association between the presence of periodontitis and aortic calcification (AC) risk among Chinese adults. A total of 6059 individuals who underwent regular health check-ups and received a diagnosis of periodontitis between 2009 and 2016 were included. The outcome was AC, assessed by a chest low-dose spiral CT scan. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the association between periodontitis and AC risk after adjusting for several confounders. After a median follow-up period of 2.3 years (interquartile range: 1.03–4.97 years), 843 cases of AC were identified, with 532 (12.13%) and 311 (18.59%) patients in the non-periodontitis group and periodontitis group, respectively. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that, compared with those without periodontitis, the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for AC risk in participants with periodontitis was 1.18 (1.02–1.36) (P =.025) in the fully adjusted model. Stratified analyses showed that the positive relationship between periodontitis and AC was more evident in males and participants <65 years of age (pinteraction =.005 and.004, respectively). Our results show that the presence of periodontitis was positively associated with AC among Chinese adults, especially among males and younger participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many manganese (Mn) carbonate deposits over geologic history are often closely associated with black shales. However, the mechanism(s) by which the Mn entered the sediments remains controversial because on one hand oxygenated waters are required for primary Mn(IV) oxide formation but on the other hand black shales generally form under reducing conditions. China hosts some of the world's largest black shale-hosted Mn deposits, for example, the Carboniferous Ortokarnash and Malkantu Mn deposits in the Malkansu region, offering a good opportunity to revisit the genesis of black shale-hosted Mn carbonate deposits. Here, we present the first coupled, systematic paleoredox and hydrographic reconstruction of those deposits with the aim of elucidating the redox-state of the depositional basin at the time of their initial deposition. The Mn ore beds in this region are hosted within laminated, organic-rich mudstones (i.e., black shales) reflective of a relatively deep-water depositional environment. The Mn ores are comprised of the Mn(II) carbonate minerals (rhodochrosite and Ca-rhodochrosite), with minor alabandite, pyrite, and monazite. Multiple independent lines of evidence, including positive shale-normalized Ce anomalies (average 3.0), negative δ13C VPDB values (average −11.55 ‰), and negative δ98Mo NIST+0.25 values (average −1.07 ‰), indicate that the Mn(II) carbonate ores were formed during diagenesis via the coupled oxidation of organic matter and reduction of Mn(IV) oxides originally deposited from an oxygenated water column. However, in apparent contradiction, highly reactive iron to total iron (Fe HR /Fe T ; average 0.66) and pyrite iron to highly reactive iron (Fe Py /Fe HR ; average 0.71) ratios, combined with a high abundance of small framboidal pyrites (mean diameter ∼5 μm) with narrow size ranges (standard deviations <2 μm), suggest that the associated black shales were deposited in euxinic (H 2 S-bearing) bottom waters. Euxinia resulted from sluggish water mass circulation, with sedimentary Mo/TOC ratios indicating a relatively strong hydrologic restriction. During this stage, dissolved Mn(II) would have accumulated in euxinic waters but not become permanently fixed into sediments, as indicated by higher degrees of enrichment for Mo over U and lower Mo isotope values than coeval seawater recorded in the black shales. These reveal an active Mn(IV) oxide shuttle across a redox-stratified water column. Combined, the Mn ore intervals document sharp benthic oxygenation of euxinic bottom waters, a process that might be induced by the periodic incursions of oxic seawater associated with eustatic sea level rises. This model is supported by the Mo isotopic characteristics of the Mn carbonate ores, which indicate original Mn oxide precipitation from an overlying water with Mo isotopic composition close to coeval open seawater (minimum δ98Mo NIST+0.25 of 1.9 ‰). In contrast to the generalized "bathtub ring" model envisaging that the black shale-hosted Mn deposits were formed at shallow basin margins, our results highlight that they were more likely formed by in-situ ventilation of anoxic (especially euxinic) deep waters of basin center settings. In this regard, we suggest that the ventilation model better explains the close association of Mn carbonate ores with black shales, and has profound implications for understanding the paleoredox framework of otherwise Mn-rich black shale successions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of precursory characteristics is a key issue for rock burst prevention. The aim of this research is to provide a reference for assessing rock burst risk and determining potential rock burst risk areas in coal mining. In this work, the microseismic multidimensional information for the identification of rock bursts and spatial-temporal pre-warning was investigated in a specific coalface which suffered high rock burst risk in a mining area near a large residual coal pillar. Firstly, microseismicity evolution prior to a disastrous rock burst was qualitatively analysed, and the abnormal clustering of seismic sources, abnormal variations in daily total energy release, and event counts can be regarded as precursors to rock burst. Secondly, passive tomographic imaging has been used to locate high seismic activity zones and assess rock burst hazard when the coalface passes through residual pillar areas. The results show that high-velocity or velocity anomaly regions correlated well with strong seismic activities in future mining periods and that passive tomography has the potential to describe, both quantitatively and periodically, hazardous regions and assess rock burst risk. Finally, the bursting strain energy index was further used for short-term spatial-temporal pre-warning of rock bursts. The temporal sequence curve and spatial contour nephograms indicate that the status of the danger and the specific hazardous zones, and levels of rock burst risk can be quantitatively and rapidly analysed in short time and in space. The multidimensional precursory characteristic identification of rock bursts, including qualitative analysis, intermediate and short-time quantitative predictions, can guide the choice of measures implemented to control rock bursts in the field, and provides a new approach to monitor and forecast rock bursts in space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • High coverage of Stellera chamaejasme increased soil ecosystem multifunctionality (SEMF) in degraded grasslands. • Contrasting patterns of alpha diversity in soil bacterial and fungal communities were observed during S. chamaejasme expansion. • Fungal community composition exhibited greater sensitivity to S. chamaejasme expansion than bacterial community composition. • Fungal rather than bacterial richness was significantly and positively correlated with soil ecosystem multifunctionality (SEMF). • Abundant fungal and rare bacterial taxa jointly regulated soil ecosystem multifunctionality (SEMF) during S. chamaejasme expansion. Stellera chamaejasme , a widely distributed poisonous weed, is increasingly exerting its impact on degraded grasslands ecosystem due to its rapid expansion. Soil microbial communities are critical for regulating various ecosystem functions and services. However, little attention has been given to understanding the role of microbial communities in driving soil ecosystem multifunctionality (SEMF) in degraded grassland during the expansion of S. chamaejasme. To address this knowledge gap, our study examined the compositions and diversities of soil bacterial and fungal communities, as well as soil properties, at three different soil depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm) in grasslands characterized by varying degrees of S. chamaejasme coverage in Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that the expansion of S. chamaejasme could promote the recovery of soil microbial diversity in degraded grasslands, with HC (70 % coverage) reaching a similar diversity level to that of NC (0 % coverage). SEMF decreased and subsequently increased along the gradient of S. chamaejasme coverage, which was significantly and positively associated with fungal richness, rather than bacterial richness. The structural equation modeling explained 49.20 % of the variation in SEMF, corroborating the significance of factors such as bacterial composition, fungal richness and composition in driving SEMF. Concurrently, random forest regression analysis highlighted the heightened importance of abundant fungal taxa and rare bacterial taxa in regulation of SEMF. Furthermore, random forest analysis and structural equation modeling indicated that the soil fungal community contributed more to SEMF than the bacterial community during S. chamaejasme expansion. These findings suggest that fungal and bacterial communities respond differently to S. chamaejasme expansion and underscore their crucial roles in SEMF maintenance. Consequently, this study provides new insights into the roles of poisonous weeds in degraded grassland ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF) are risk factors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Aim: To examine the effects of the simultaneous control of all three conditions on new‐onset HFpEF in this population. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 552 patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF, but without clinical signs or symptoms of heart failure. The participants were followed up for 5 years to examine the effects of glycaemic control (haemoglobin A1c: <7.0%, 7.0%–8.0% and >8.0%), blood pressure (BP) control (systolic BP: <120, 120–140 and >140 mmHg) or rhythm versus rate control for AF on new‐onset HFpEF. Results: With a follow up of 5 years, the new‐onset HFpEF occurred in 62 of 552 enrolled participants. Among the different control level for diabetes, hypertension and AF, the intensive blood glucose (BG) control, poor BP control and rate control of AF had the highest risk of new‐onset HFpEF, and the conservative BG control, intensive BP control and rhythm control of AF had the lowest risk of new‐onset HFpEF. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that both poor BP control (hazard ratio (HR): 1.421, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.013–1.992, P = 0.042) and rate control of AF (HR: 1.362, 95% CI: 1.006–1.821, P = 0.033) were independently associated with the development of new‐onset HFpEF. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, besides intensive BP control, conservative BG control and rhythm control of AF were crucial factors to delay the progression of HFpEF among patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Linking mineralization to its causative intrusion solely relying on in situ dating could be misleading. • Integrating Sr isotopic fingerprinting with radiometric dating and deposit geology can offer more reliable information. The genetic links between skarn deposits and their causative intrusions are often difficult to establish with in situ dating techniques since ultra-high temporal resolution is required (i.e., < 0.1%). Strontium isotope can be applied to further test their causality, because of its sensitivity to water-rock interaction and country-rock contamination. Here we demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach using two skarn deposits (Zhibula and Anqing) as an example. While in situ garnet/zircon U-Pb dating indicates contemporary intrusions for both deposits, but the genetic links between mineralization and intrusions are contested owing to the limited temporal resolution. We further tested these apparent genetic links via in situ Sr isotope discrimination between mineralization-related epidote and igneous apatite from hypothesized causative intrusions. For Zhibula, the U-Pb ages of garnet (17.0 ± 0.4 Ma) and zircon (16.9 ± 0.3 Ma) support an apparent genetic link between Cu mineralization and the Zhibula granodiorite. This observation has been further supported by the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of hydrothermal epidote (0.70657 ± 0.00025), which can be interpreted by binary mixing between the granodiorite (0.71136 ± 0.00253) and the wall rock (Yeba formation; 0.70456 ± 0.00118). For Anqing, the U-Pb ages of garnet (138.1 ± 1.9 Ma) and zircon (137.1 ± 1.3 Ma) also support an apparent genetic link between Cu-(Fe-Au) mineralization and the Yueshan diorite. However, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio (0.71468 ± 0.00356) of hydrothermal epidote is too radiogenic to be explained by mixing between the Yueshan diorite (0.70654 ± 0.00012) and the Triassic carbonates (0.70810 ± 0.00015), which implies the presence of an unknown or unexposed causative intrusion. Our study highlights the risk of solely relying on in situ radiometric dating to establish genetic links between mineralization and spatial-related intrusions. Instead, integrating Sr isotopic fingerprinting with geochronology and deposit geology could be more informative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, multi-source clustering has received a significant amount of attention. Several multi-source clustering methods have been developed from different perspectives. In this paper, aiming at addressing the problem of Chinese–Tibetan bilingual document clustering, a novel bilingual clustering scheme is proposed, which can well capture both the intralingua document structures and interlingua document relations. The proposed scheme consists of three major phases. Firstly, to properly combine the feature structures of documents in different languages, a bilingual graph is constructed. In the second phase, two bilingual similarity matrices are computed based on the random walk performed in the bilingual graph. Finally, the similarity based clustering methods are performed on the two bilingual similarity matrices so as to generate cluster structures for documents in each language respectively, which lead to the corresponding bilingual clustering methods. Extensive experiments conducted on two Chinese–Tibetan bilingual document sets have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] An emergy evaluation of a small hydropower (SHP) plant in China is presented. [•] The overall performance of SHP proved to be better than those of large dams. [•] The fair price should be 0.4CNY/kWh in 2010 demonstrated by the indicator of EER. [•] The evaluation results are very sensitive to unstable operation of SHP system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]