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Mulberry (Morus alba L.) has a special significance in the history of agriculture and economic plant cultivation. Mulberry has strong environmental adaptability, a wide planting range, and abundant output. It is not only an important resource for silkworm breeding but also a raw ingredient for various foods and has great potential for the development of biological resources. The bioactivities of mulberry in different planting areas are not the same, which is an obstacle to the development of mulberry. This study collected information on the planting conditions of mulberry branches in 12 planting areas, such as altitude, temperature difference, and precipitation. A comparison of the levels of 12 constituents of mulberry branches from mulberry grown in different planting areas was then made. An in vitro model was used to study the bioactivities of mulberry branches in the 12 planting areas, and mathematical analysis was used to explain the possible reasons for the differences in the composition and bioactivities of mulberry branches in different planting areas. After studying mulberry samples from 12 planting areas in China, it was found that a small temperature difference could affect the antiapoptotic effect of mulberry branch on microvascular endothelial cells by changing the levels and proportions of rutin, hyperoside, and morusin. Adequate irrigation can promote the antioxidation of the mulberry branch on microvascular endothelial cells by changing the levels and proportions of scopoletin and quercitrin. The results of the analysis of planting conditions and the levels of active constituents and their correlation with bioactivities support the improvement of mulberry planting conditions and have great significance in the rational development of mulberry resources. This is the first time that a mathematical analysis method was used to analyze the effects of planting conditions on mulberry biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: With the recent surge of plant-based menu items, it is critical to understand how to effectively communicate such products to consumers. This study aims to examine the impact of various descriptive names on consumers' responses to novel meat alternatives in China, one of the emerging yet unexplored markets. Design/methodology/approach: Two studies were conducted using a single factor ([descriptive name: "Renzao Rou [artificial meat]" vs "Sushi Rou [vegetarian/vegan meat]" vs "Zhiwu Rou" [plant-based meat]) between-subjects experimental design. Findings: Study 1 shows that "Sushi Rou" and "Zhiwu Rou," triggering more positive name associations, led to higher future consumption intention than "Renzao Rou." A qualitative analysis demonstrates the differences in the name associations. Study 2 replicates the naming effect and examines the role of specific product attributes. Perceived health, naturalness and novelty are the main drivers of favorable responses to "Zhiwu Rou" (vs "Renzao Rou"), whereas perceived health, taste and naturalness mediate the positive effect for "Sushi Rou" (vs "Renzao Rou"). Practical implications: Food service operators interested in introducing meat alternatives in China should carefully choose the product name to attract specific segments. International chains should consider cultural norms when expanding to emerging markets. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to reveal the product naming effect on meat alternative products from the perspective of marketing communications. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanism driving Chinese consumers' responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxalis shibeishanensis Huan C. Wang & Y. Tian (Oxalidaceae), belonging to O. subsect. Oxalis, is described and illustrated as a new species endemic to Yunnan, Southwest China. It is most similar to O. obtriangulata, but clearly differs from the latter by its 1.5-3 cm long, 3-9 cm wide leaflets with broadly cuneate base and not emarginate apex, 2-flowered inflorescences, narrowly ovate to broadly lanceolate sepals, and the petals being bifid at the apex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender imbalance in academia has received increasing attention all over the world. However, research on this highly important issue with regard to tourism academia is still in its infancy. To address the research agenda on gender, this study explores Chinese women scholars’ perceptions of gender issues in Chinese tourism academia through qualitative interviews. The findings show that Chinese women scholars generally have a low awareness of gender issues, influenced by several factors such as personal experience, family supports, and characteristics of tourism academia. Thirteen gender-related differences in tourism academia were further identified under three themes: the representation of gender gaps, gender factors contributing to these gender gaps, and gender inequality or discrimination. The paper concludes that more research on this issue is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine-scale population estimation is essential in emergency response and epidemiological applications as well as urban planning and management. However, representing populations in heterogeneous urban regions with a finer resolution is a challenge. This study aims to obtain fine-scale population distribution based on 3D reconstruction of urban residential buildings with morphological operations using optical high-resolution (HR) images from the Chinese No. 3 Resources Satellite (ZY-3). Specifically, the research area was first divided into three categories when dasymetric mapping was taken into consideration. The results demonstrate that the morphological building index (MBI) yielded better results than built-up presence index (PanTex) in building detection, and the morphological shadow index (MSI) outperformed color invariant indices (CIIT) in shadow extraction and height retrieval. Building extraction and height retrieval were then combined to reconstruct 3D models and to estimate population. Final results show that this approach is effective in fine-scale population estimation, with a mean relative error of 16.46% and an overall Relative Total Absolute Error (RATE) of 0.158. This study gives significant insights into fine-scale population estimation in complicated urban landscapes, when detailed 3D information of buildings is unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of China Tourism Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to investigate the uncertainty ranges of high flows under climate change in Jinhua River basin, eastern China. Four representative concentration pathways (RCPs), three global climate models (GCMs), 10 downscaling parameter sets and three hydrologic models are applied to simulate future discharges. Changes of annual maximum discharges are assessed for the baseline period (1961-1990) and future period (2011-2040). The uncertainties of annual maximum discharges are calculated for each uncertainty source and compared with different combinations of them. The minimum temperature will probably increase all year round in the future period and maximum temperature would increase in most cases. The changes of precipitation showed different directions by different models and emission scenarios. The annual maximum discharges would decrease for all RCPs. The order of uncertainty ranges of high flows due to different uncertainty sources from high to low is: hydrologic models, GCMs, parameter sets in the downscaling method and emission scenarios. It must be noted that the small uncertainty contribution from different emission scenarios is due to the study period when the differences in increase of radiative forcing and greenhouse gas concentration are less obvious between different RCPs compared to the second half of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of China Tourism Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of China Tourism Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of study was to assess the efficacy of a 16-week Baduanjin qigong training intervention in promoting physical fitness and health for adults. An experimental design was adopted, and subjects were assigned randomly into an experimental group (n = 55) and a control group (n = 55). In the intervention group comprised of adults, there were no significant variations in blood glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and vital capacity indices. The body weight and body mass index (BMI) dropped in the intervention group. Compared with the control group, the skinfold thicknesses decreased at lower corner of scapula, triceps brachii, and abdomen, with a statistical significance (P < 0.001; P = 0.005; P = 0.003). By comparing the physical fitness indices, it was found that the increase of the results of sit-and-reach test in the intervention group had statistical significance (P = 0.001). In conclusion, it was found by our trial that Baduanjin exercise could significantly improve the physical flexibility and subcutaneous adipose accumulation in the healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four cultivars of Shanxi-grown pomegranate seeds were investigated for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties. Pomegranate seed oils were extracted and analysed for their fatty acid profiles, and tocopherol and carotenoid contents. The defatted flours were extracted with 50% acetone or 80% methanol, and evaluated for levels of phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, and scavenging capacities against DPPH and ABTS + and their ferric ion reducing abilities. Pomegranate seed oil was rich in punicic acid (73.5–78.8g/100g oil) and total tocopherols (5.3–12.0μmol/g). The 50% acetone and 80% methanol were appropriate solvents for extraction of total phenolic and total flavonoid, respectively. The four cultivars were significantly different in levels of phenolics, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and their antioxidant properties (P< 0.05), generally flowing an order: Suanshiliu>Tianhongdan>Sanbaitian≈Jingpitian. This study will assist in the cultivar selection of the above pomegranate seeds for commercial production to meet the market demand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The sequence stratigraphy of the Jurassic coal measures of northwestern China has been studied based on data from outcrop and borehole sections. Because of the geological background and the diversity of basin types, such as isochronisms of coal seams and recognition of key sequence boundaries, it is rare to summarize and correlate sequence structure and framework. The types and recognition characteristics of the sequence boundaries of the Jurassic coal measures are revealed by comparing climatic characteristics, structural styles and the base level cycle. A total of five third-order sequences and 15 systems tracts have been subdivided and the sequence stratigraphic framework has been reconstructed confirming that the thick coals accumulated in the late stage of transgression system tracts of sequence I (SQ I) and sequence III (SQ III). This idea is of important academic significance for instructing coal resources exploration, and enhancing geological effects of prospecting engineering. It is also of practical significance for guaranteeing construction of the large-scale coal production base in northwestern China, accelerating the westward development of the coal industry stratagem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no effect of maxillary incisor labiolingual inclination and anteroposterior (AP) position on smiling profile esthetics in young adult females. Materials and Methods: A facial smiling profile photograph of a Chinese woman with a normal profile, a Class I occlusion, and a Class I skeletal pattern was digitized. The digital image was modified to obtain four series comprising 29 smiling profiles. The sample of individuals rating these pictures comprised 21 orthodontic professionals and 66 undergraduates. Post hoc tests were done with the Student Newman Keuls method to analyze the data. Results: Significant differences (P < .001) were detected when each photograph's ratings were compared. The smiling profile with the highest score was the one with 5° lingual inclination, while the ones with 15° labial inclination or 4-mm retrusion had lower scores than the others. Maxillary incisor protrusion and lingual inclination were preferable compared with retruded or flared incisors. There was no significant discrepancy between the professional and nonprofessional groups in terms of their assessments. Conclusions: The hypothesis is rejected. Both maxillary incisor labiolingual inclination and AP position play an essential role in the esthetics of the smiling profile. However, when formulating treatment plans, dentists should never underestimate the labiolingual inclination's influence on the smiling profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the onset of the post-Mao reform, China has become more and more dependent on the world economy. Based on survey data drawn from the Second PEW Global Attitudes Project in 2002, this article finds that a majority of the surveyed respondents, especially in urban China, had "positive" attitudes toward economic internationalism. Moreover, the findings indicate that Chinese people's subjective orientations (such as the belief in cultural superiority, the sense of modernity, and life satisfaction) significantly influenced their support for economic internationalism; objective socio-demographic attributes (that is, education, age, and contact with overseas friends or relatives) helped shape such support. These findings have important political implications for the future of China's involvement in the world economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the species of zoonotic trematodes and the endemic infection status in the domestic animals in Huainan areas, north Anhui province of China, we intent to provide evidences for prevention of the parasitic zoonoses.Methods: The livestock and poultry (definitive hosts) were purchased from the farmers living in the water areas, including South Luohe, Yaohe, Jiaogang and Gaotang Lakes, and dissected the viscera of these collected hosts to obtain the parasitic samples. Then the specimens were microscopically identified, with reference to the descriptions in previous literatures for counting the zoonotic species found in these areas.Results: A total of 41 species were detected in the domestic samples, in which 23 were zoonotic trematodes, and 18 were internal trematodes of animals. Of the 41 species, 38 were novel records in Huainan areas, and 12 were newly detected in Anhui province, including Metorchis anatinus, Echinostoma hortense, E. cinetorchis, E. angustitestis, E. lindoensis, E. nordiana, E. ilocanum, Metagonimus yokogawai, Prosthogonimus gracilis, P. skrjabini, P. anatinusand Trichobilharzia sp. which generally occurred in definitive hosts of chicken, ducks, geese, dogs, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs, respectively.Conclusion: A large quantity of livestock and poultry are fed by the local farmers living along the river banks in Huainan area, suggesting that the population in that area are at higher risks of natural focus of zoonotic infections, since these animals are favorable definitive hosts to the zoonotic trematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent malignant-bone tumor patients' fear of cancer recurrence is a significant psychological issue, and exploring the influencing factors associated with fear of cancer recurrence in this population is important for developing effective interventions. This study is to investigate the current status and factors influencing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) related to malignant bone-tumors in adolescent patients, providing evidence for future targeted mental health support and interventions., Design: A cross-sectional survey., Methods: In total, 269 adolescent malignant-bone tumor cases were treated at two hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China from January 2023 to December 2023. Patients completed a General Information Questionnaire, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Family Hardiness Index (FHI), and a Simple Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions analysis were used to assess fear of cancer recurrence., Results: A total of 122 (45.4%) patients experienced FCR (FoP-Q-SF ≥ 34). Logistic regression analysis analyses showed that per capita-monthly family income, tumor stage, communication between the treating physician and the patient, patient's family relationships, family hardiness a positive coping score, and a negative coping score were the main factors influencing FCR in these patients (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: FCR in malignant-bone tumor adolescent patients is profound. Healthcare professionals should develop targeted interventional strategies based on the identified factors, which affect these patients; helping patients increase family hardiness, helping patients to positively adapt, and avoid negative coping styles., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The incidence of poorly differentiated gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NENs) has been increasing during the past decades. Methods: A total of 183 patients diagnosed with poorly differentiated G-NENs were enrolled from eight hospitals during 2010-2019 in China. All cases included have accepted abdominal surgery in tertiary hospitals. Result: T3 (HR: 2.66, p = 0.019), T4 (HR: 3.62, p = 0.005), stage IV (HR: 5.67, p < 0.001), vascular invasion (HR: 1.59, p = 0.048) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of poorly differentiated G-NENs. In stratified analysis, for patients with stage III tumors, those treated with chemotherapy had significantly longer survival than those accepting surgery alone. Conclusion: T3/T4 stage, TNM stage IV and vascular invasion were independent negative prognostic factors for patients with poorly differentiated G-NENs. Patients with stage III tumors can benefit from chemotherapy. Highly selected patients with stage IV tumors may also benefit from surgery.

We analyzed the spatial distribution pattern and correlation of the top four dominant tree species in a 2 hm 2 karst secondary forest plot of Tianlong Mountain in central Guizhou, using pairwise correlation function g(r ) combined with a completely random model (CSR). The results showed that the diameter structure of trees followed an inverted J-shape, and that more trees belonged to diameter class Ⅴ (≥10 cm) driven by the dominant trees of Lithocarpus confinis and Platycarya longipes . L. confinis presented an inverted J-shaped distribution, and the population could renew very well and was in the primary growth stage. The abundance of P. longipes and Itea yunnanensis increased gradually with increasing diameter class. The density of grown and large trees was far more than the young and small individuals, which indicated poor population regeneration, and the population was in the middle and late growth stages. The top dominant tree species, except L. confinis , showed clustering distribution at large scale, which was decreased gradually with scale and trended to distribute randomly. The pattern was particularly prominent in the diameter class for young trees. Different diameter classes of different tree species presented diffe-rent spatial distribution patterns which influenced by many factors. In terms of interspecific associations, the four dominant tree species showed negative or no associations. The higher importance value of tree species, the lower the degree of association with other dominant species. The two negative correlation tree species had the lowest degree of correlation at small scale. With the increase of spatial scale, the degree of negative correlation decreased gradually, and tended to be no correlation.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is high worldwide, while numerous research has focused on unraveling the relationship between H. pylori infection and extragastric diseases. Although H. pylori infection has been associated with thyroid diseases, including thyroid nodule (TN), the relationship has mainly focused on potential physiological mechanisms and has not been validated by large population epidemiological investigations. Therefore, we thus designed a case-control study comprising participants who received regular health examination between 2017 and 2019. The cases and controls were diagnosed via ultrasound, while TN types were classified according to the guidelines of the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS). Moreover, H. pylori infection was determined by C14 urea breath test, while its relationship with TN type risk and severity was analyzed using binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses. A total of 43,411 participants, including 13,036 TN patients and 30,375 controls, were finally recruited in the study. The crude odds ratio (OR) was 1.07 in Model 1 (95% CI = 1.03-1.14) without adjustment compared to the H. pylori non-infection group. However, it was negative in Model 2 (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.06) after being adjusted for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure and in Model 3 (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.97-1.06) after being adjusted for total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein on the basis of Model 2. Control variables, including gender, age, BMI, and diastolic pressure, were significantly correlated with the risk of TN types. Additionally, ordinal logistic regression results revealed that H. pylori infection was positively correlated with malignant differentiation of TN (Model 1: OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.11), while Model 2 and Model 3 showed negative results (Model 2: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.96-1.06; Model 3: OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.96-1.05). In conclusion, H. pylori infection was not significantly associated with both TN type risk and severity of its malignant differentiation. These findings provide relevant insights for correcting possible misconceptions regarding TN type pathogenesis and will help guide optimization of therapeutic strategies for thyroid diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wang, Xu, Jiang, Ling, Ye, Zhao, Li, Lei, Hu, Chen and Wang.)

Domestic consumption of biomass fuels has been found as a leading source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pristine regions. The biomass ashes would serve as both source and vector for PAHs, which may threaten residents' health. However, research focusing on the behaviors of waste biomass ashes acting as emission resources of PAHs is still lacking. In present study, occurrence and fate of PAHs released from disposal biomass ashes in the Tibetan Plateau were investigated by evaluating their patterns and levels in soils at different distances from the Lhasa landfill. Concentrations of 16 PAHs averaged at 1009 ng/g dry weight and 103 ng/g dry weight in landfill cover soils and surrounding soils, respectively. The spatial distributions of PAHs evidenced the local source of biomass ashes in landfill, while the fractionations of PAHs in soils profiles emphasized the post-deposal leaching. Since PAH compositions altered significantly during their transport and sequestration, the rectification factors were suggested to adjust the source diagnostic ratios. In study area, the emission flux of PAHs from waste biomass ashes to soils was 0.93 ton/year; extended to the Tibetan Plateau, the flux was estimated to be 13.1-32.5 ton/year. This study confirmed that waste biomass ashes would represent significant contributions of PAH emissions in this pristine region, which might remarkably exacerbate the total emissions of PAHs in Tibet by more than 25%., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)