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Amidst the framework of dual circulation, innovation emerges as a pivotal strategy for realizing high-quality economic development. Concurrently, digital finance, serving as a potent complement to traditional financial systems, significantly influences regional innovation enhancement. This research employs a spatial panel methodology to thoroughly investigate the inherent mechanisms through which digital finance development shapes regional innovation. Empirical testing is conducted using panel data derived from 283 mainland Chinese prefecture-level cities spanning from 2013 to 2020. The findings underscore that digital inclusive finance plays a crucial role in amplifying regional innovation output, unveiling a distinct spatial impact on innovation. The progression of each facet of digital finance contributes to mitigating supply-side financing constraints, thereby directly fostering heightened regional innovation. The study delves into a Chinese regional sub-sample, revealing a prevalent driving effect with conspicuous heterogeneity across the major regions--East. Central. West. As scientific and technological innovation stands as the primary driving force, its profound interplay with the evolution of financial inclusion in China is evident. This study provides valuable insights to fortify regional modernization efforts and serves as a reference for policymakers and researchers navigating the complex intersection of finance and innovation in the Chinese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transmission and fatal risk of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), an emerging infectious disease first discovered in China in 2009, still needed further quantification. This research aimed to analyze the SFTS clusters and assess the transmission and mortality risk for SFTS. Methods: Both epidemiological investigation and case reports regarding SFTS clusters in China during 2011–2021 were obtained from the Public Health Emergency Information Management System of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System. The transmission risk was evaluated by using the secondary attack rate (SAR) and relative risk (RR). Mortality risk factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results: There were 35 SFTS clusters during 2011–2021 involving 118 patients with a fatality rate of 22.0%. The number of clusters annually increased seasonally from April to September. The clusters mainly occurred in Anhui (16 clusters) and Shandong provinces (8 clusters). The SAR through contact with blood or bloody fluids was much higher than that through contact with non-bloody fluids (50.6% vs 3.0%; χ2 = 210.97, P < 0.05), with an RR of 16.61 [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.23–26.97]. There was a statistically significant difference in the SAR between exposure to the blood of a deceased person during burial preparation and exposure to the living patients' blood (66.7% vs 34.5%; χ2 = 6.40, P < 0.05), with an RR of 1.93 (95% CI: 1.11–3.37). The mortality risk factors were a long interval from onset to diagnosis [odds ratio (OR) = 1.385), 95% CI: 1.083–1.772, P = 0.009) and advanced age (OR: 1.095, 95% CI: 1.031–1.163, P = 0.01). Conclusions: The SFTS clusters showed a high mortality rate and resulted in a high SAR. Contact with a bleeding corpse was associated with a higher infection risk, compared with contacting the blood from living patients. It is important to promote early detection and appropriate case management of patients with SFTS, as well as improved handling of their corpses, to prevent further transmission and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is particularly prevalent in Guangdong and Guangxi (southern China); the economic burden of nasopharyngeal cancer patients is heavy in China. This study is aimed at retrospectively analyzing the basic features and economic burden of newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and at providing a scientific basis for nasopharyngeal carcinoma prevention and control strategies. Methods. The data of 3,727 nasopharyngeal carcinoma inpatients diagnosed from January 2012 to December 2020 were extracted from the Guangxi Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Healthcare Big Data Management Information Platform. Basic demographic characteristics, duration of hospital stay, and hospitalization cost of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were collected and analyzed statistically. Results. The incidence period of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was primarily from 30 to 69 years of age, with the 40–49-year age group comprising the largest proportion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, accounting for 34.18% of the patients with newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the hospital. The male-to-female ratio was 2.87 : 1. There were 2,223 cases from rural areas, 2,153 from the Han ethnic group, and 1,460 from the Zhuang ethnic group, accounting for 59.65%, 55.77%, and 39.17% of the total number of cases, respectively. The average duration of hospitalization decreased whereas the average hospitalization cost increased annually. Multivariate analysis of hospitalization cost showed that the duration of hospital stay, rural/urban, and ethnicity was the main influencing factors: the longer the duration of hospital stay, the higher the hospitalization cost; patients from rural incurred lower costs than from urban; ethnic Zhuang patients incurred significantly lower costs than patients from other ethnicities. Conclusion. Early diagnosis and treatment should be actively carried out to reduce the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, especially for rural, ethnic Zhuang, and males in the 40–49-year age group patients. The future research on nasopharyngeal carcinoma will focus on exploring the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, improving the screening system, and reducing the burden on patients, in order to further improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese enterprises have invested in more than 100 overseas ports globally in the past two decades, but their contribution to the local terminal's competitiveness remains unclear. Differing from the existing qualitative geopolitical interpretation of China-labeled port projects, this study empirically investigates how investor attributes with Chinese characteristics affect the throughput evolution and market shares of the respective container terminals. Our primary focus is on terminal-level performance to eliminate non-Chinese investors' influence in focal ports with multiple terminals. Pooled regression is used to analyze panel data for 68 overseas container terminals of three Chinese international port operators (COSCO Shipping Ports, China Merchants Holdings International and Hutchison Ports) from 2008 to 2019. The regression results show that being a state-owned enterprise, owing a vessel fleet and higher project ownership would benefit the focal container terminal's market share. In contrast, shareholder complexity may adversely impact the terminal's competitiveness. An interesting finding is that for state-owned enterprises, investments in politically unstable areas with fewer regional ports are more likely to result in a greater market share. These findings provide managerial implications for enterprises and enrich literature on foreign port investment. • We investigate how investor attributes affect the competitiveness of Chinese overseas terminals. • Pooled regression is used to analyze 68 overseas container terminals of three Chinese international port operators. • Being an SOE, owing a vessel fleet and higher project ownership benefit the market share. • Shareholder complexity adversely impact the terminal's competitiveness. • SOEs are better off when investing in politically unstable areas with fewer regional ports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of short video applications such as TikTok has brought new opportunities to maximize student learning experiences in online learning environments. Meanwhile, literature that explores its potential to foster student engagement is scarce. To understand the effect of short video applications on students' learning engagement, we take Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) as an example to include user experience variables (i.e., playfulness, satisfaction, anxiety) and technology features variables (i.e., interactivity and virtual reward). Five hundred-two valid questionnaire responses were collected from Chinese undergraduates. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesis. Overall, learning anxiety has a negative effect on learning engagement, whereas learning satisfaction has a positive effect. Virtual reward has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between interaction and anxiety. Still, it positively moderates the relationship between satisfaction and learning engagement. In addition, both years of using a mobile phone and TikTok positively influence learning engagement. Collectively, the proposed model was supported and provided empirical evidence regarding the importance of user experience and product features (such as Intelligent recommendation and virtual reward) on student engagement. Implications for theories and teaching practice and limitations were discussed. • We investigated the impacts of short video platforms (i.e., TikTok) on learning behavior. • A model to forecast students' learning engagement was tested. • Anxiety, virtual reward, and interactivity are crucial in short-video-supported learning. • Perceived playfulness and intelligent recommendation lead to satisfaction. • Our study provides insights into how short video platforms enhance the learning experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the characteristics of BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in Chinese coastal areas. We intended to identify noninvasive methods to determine BRAFV600E status in thyroid nodules prior to surgery. BRAFV600E mutation and the sonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules were investigated in 670 PTC patients in our hospital. We aimed to determine the relationship between BRAFV600E mutation and the clinicopathological and sonographic imaging characteristics of PTC. The mutation rate of the BRAFV600E was 78.2%. BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with central node (univariate analyses, P = .005; multivariate analyses, P < .001, odds ratio [OR] = 10.255) and lateral node metastases (univariate analyses, P = .001; multivariate analyses, P < .001, OR = 22). It was less frequent in PTC coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (univariate analyses, P = .016; multivariate analyses, P < .001, OR = .034). Nodules without blood flow had a significantly higher mutation rate of BRAFV600E in PTC patients (univariate analyses, P = .026). BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with high suspicion in the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 5 (univariate analyses, P = .004; multivariate analyses, P = .014, OR = 6.456). Our results strongly suggest that BRAFV600E mutation plays a potential role in lymph node metastasis (central node metastasis, OR = 10.225; lateral node metastasis, OR = 22). Some sonographic imaging features might be helpful in estimating the status of BRAFV600E preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meteorological elements are important for various fields related to human activities, including scientific research. Using the Tibetan Areas of West Sichuan Province (TAOWS) as an example, this study examined the estimation methods for near-surface air temperature (Ta), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and atmospheric pressure (P) and their distribution characteristics in areas with complex terrains and sparse stations. An improved satellite-based approach, combining an artificial neural network and inverse distance weighting (ANN-IDW), is proposed for estimating Ta and VPD with high-accuracy under all weather conditions from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. The data of 41 meteorological stations in TAOWS and its adjacent areas were used for the training and validation of the ANN-IDW. For Ta and VPD, the mean absolute errors (MAEs) of the ANN-IDW are 1.45°C to 2.15°C and 0.54 hPa to 0.87 hPa, respectively. Also, the detailed features of the distribution of the estimated Ta and VPD are prominent and closely related to the terrain. The accuracy of the method was also verified indirectly. In addition, the improved method based on the existing method was applied for estimating P. The results confirm that (1) the ANN-IDW is suitable for estimating Ta and VPD in areas with complex terrain and sparse stations under all weather conditions; (2) the improved method is more suitable for estimating P at high-elevation. Moreover, the distribution characteristics of meteorological elements in TAOWS were also analysed. These elements influence agricultural production and animal husbandry and have a high application value. The results further show that topography is the most important factor affecting the spatial distribution and complexity of meteorological elements over complex terrains, but the degree of influence of topography varies greatly across different seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many regions including China have witnessed fast growth of dry ports. Unlike in the other regions of the world, the amount of cargos handled by most dry ports in China is not in compliance with the significant amount of resources invested, but the reasons behind have not been discussed before. After a brief review on the development pattern of Chinese dry ports, certain dry port functions like customs clearance and rail connection, dry port ownership structure, and inter-competition among dry ports are identified as the unique factors which distinguish Chinese dry ports from others and affect their performance. We investigate the relationship between these factors and the efficiency of Chinese dry ports with a two-stage approach based on a panel data collected from eight dry ports affiliated to the port of Ningbo, China, covering the 2011–2016 period. In the first stage, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to measure these dry ports' technical efficiency. In the second stage, Tobit regression analysis is applied to explore the relationship between efficiency and the above mentioned factors. Several insightful findings are observed, further leading to useful managerial insights. • The unique features in development of Chinese dry ports are discussed. • Impacts of these features on dry ports' efficiency are empirically examined. • Provision of customs service implies low efficiency at dry ports. • Seaport's ownership may not be beneficial to dry ports and local economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a serious public health issue in many countries; however, its transmissibility in county-level outbreaks remains unclear. The aim of this study is to estimate the transmissibility of HFMD epidemics on both city level and county level, for a better understanding of the transmission dynamics of HFMD epidemics. Simulation based on data obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The weekly number of reported HFMD cases from April 2009 to December 2017 in nine regions of Changsha City was collected. A susceptible-infectious-recovered model was used to estimate the transmissibility of HFMD. The reproduction number of reported cases during the ascending (denoted as R asc) and descending (denoted as R des) period was used to describe the transmissibility of HFMD. The R asc and R des for HFMD in Changsha was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 1.41–1.48) and 0.71 (95% CI : 0.69–0.73), respectively. There was no statistical significance of R asc values among nine regions (F = 1.056, P = 0.396), nor of R des values among nine regions (F = 1.676, P = 0.106). The average R asc (1.53, 95% CI : 1.46–1.61) from 2009 to 2012 was higher than the one (1.37, 95% CI : 1.34–1.40) from 2013 to 2017 (t = 3.974, P < 0.001), but the average R des (0.67, 95% CI : 0.63–0.70) from 2009 to 2012 was lower than the one (0.74, 95% CI : 0.73–0.76) from 2013 to 2017 (t = −3.751, P < 0.001). The epidemic of HFMD in Changsha City is still grim, and integrated strategies should be taken for controlling and preventing HFMD. • The reproduction number during the ascending period of hand, foot, and mouth disease was 1.44. • The transmissibility of the disease was similar among nine regions of Changsha City. • The transmissibility of the disease from 2013 to 2017 was different from the one from 2009 to 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridge influence lines (BILs) and bridge influence surfaces (BISs) are inherent static parameters of bridges which can be extracted from moving vehicle-induced bridge responses. Compared with dynamic parameters, these parameters are directly related to the stiffness and internal forces in each cross-section of a bridge therefore can be considered as an effective bridge metamodel. To accelerate the engineering practice of BIL- and BIS-based bridge evaluation, this paper first briefly reviews the current BIL and BIS field test and identification methods. Then, the bridge evaluation guidelines of China and the United States are introduced as the basis of the evaluation methods. Engineering application scenarios for bridge evaluation, including permit load verification, performance degradation checking, and load carrying capacity evaluation, are summarized, and a multiple-scenario bridge evaluation method is established. At the end of this paper, an evaluation example of a four-span continuous bridge is presented to illustrate the application procedure and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The outcomes of this paper provide a promising application method of field test BILs and BISs, which may help bridge engineers more effectively use these parameters in engineering practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Under the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative, two new emerging trade corridors connecting the Far East to Europe have been built. One is the China-Europe Sea-Land Express Line (CESEL) and the other is the New Eurasian Land Bridge (NELB). This paper aims to understand the attitude of relevant stakeholders towards the performance of the Traditional Sea-Land Line (TSLL) alongside the two emerging container routes under the B&R initiative. To achieve this objective, we first of all built a performance evaluation system to understand the relative performance of these trade routes. A questionnaire survey was carried out to reveal the differing views on route performance, and Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was then used to examine and interpret the survey data. Secondly, by dividing the interviewees into two groups, we examined whether the government’s development priorities are at variance with the preferences of industry practitioners. Thirdly, we explored the reasons for the variance by conducting an intensive interview with ten key stakeholders and then explain the findings from the perspective of institutional theories. Finally, we addressed the uncertainty and dynamics of route development under three different scenarios. Several managerial implications are proposed on the basis of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A new, significant, and timely topic and consider inland New Eurasia Land Bridge. • New bi-level programming model and exact reformulation and solution approach. • Utilize real data in the study and thus provide more practical managerial insights. Abstract This paper aims to reconstruct the shipping service network between Asia and Europe by considering the improvement of New Eurasian Land Bridge rail services and Budapest-Piraeus railway. In particular, to reflect the decision making process in reality, a bi-level programming model is established to maximize the total profit of the liner shipping company in the upper level and meanwhile to minimize the total cost of the shippers in the lower level. Computational experiments considering different scenarios are conducted to obtain the new optimal networks under different cases. Several insightful findings are observed, further leading to useful managerial insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this paper is the selection of paths for the maritime transportation of crude oil. In addition to transportation cost, the nodes in a maritime transportation network are always affected by extreme events. Therefore, connectivity reliability must be considered during path selection. In this paper, uncertainty variables are introduced to describe the connectivity reliability of nodes under the influence of extreme events, and an uncertain bi-objective programming model with connectivity reliability maximization and transportation cost minimization as objectives is established for path selection. China’s maritime transportation network for crude oil imports is used as a case study to validate the model, the effects of variations in the model parameters on path selection, transportation cost and connectivity reliability are discussed in the case study. The research results provide a basis on which for government decision makers to better plan crude oil transportation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytogeographical variation has an impact on up/down regulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. In this context, present study analyzed the influence of environmental factors on secondary metabolites in Salvia miltiorrhiza from natural habitat of China with different topographical conditions. The chemotypic variation was further correlated with climatic factors than micronutrients in the soil. The data revealed that tanshinones were more likely to be influenced by changes in ecological factors compared with phenolic acids. Tanshinone content was positively correlated with annual sunshine duration (correlation coefficients ranged from 0.379 to 0.730, P <  0.01 or 0.05), but negatively correlated with annual mean temperature (correlation coefficients ranged from −0.358 to −0.718, P <  0.01 or 0.05) and annual average precipitation (correlation coefficients ranged from −0.425 to −0.679, P <  0.01); the opposite situation was found in salvianolic acid B (correlation coefficients were −0.137, 0.084, 0.19), caffeic acid (correlation coefficients were −0.336, 0.246, 0.216, P <  0.05) and rosmarinic acid (correlation coefficients were −0.518, 0.475, 0.493, P <  0.01). Among the micronutrients, soil concentrations of Ba, Al and Mg exhibit the positive correlation with tanshinone content, but Pb exhibit the negative correlation with tanshinone content. Total N and K presented positive effects on most of phenolic acids. Ba showed significant negative and direct effects on salvianolic acid B (correlation coefficient was −0.281) and Rosmarinic acid (correlation coefficient was −0.367, P <  0.05). Therefore, the elite chemotype of S. miltiorrhiza identified among the collected samples express the correlation of phyto-geographical condition on the quantity of industrially viable metabolites, tashinones and phenolic acids. This aids in site specific exploration of high metabolite yielding samples to meet out the commercial demands and, promote the agriculture practices of this industrial crop for societal upliftment in area having similar phytogeographical locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's steel output has maintained rapid growth over the past twenty years. Due to this, a large number of iron ore ports/terminals have been built along the Yangtze River, and the Yangtze River bulk port system has experienced a unique development in its structure. This paper aims to understand the evolution of this bulk port system. 1 1 In this paper, bulk cargo mainly refers to iron ore bulk cargo. along the Yangtze River. To achieve this objective, first the development phases of the Yangtze River bulk port system are reviewed, taking the theoretical (container) port evolution model as a benchmark. Then several hypotheses addressing certain features of bulk port system development are proposed, followed by using panel data analysis to test these hypotheses. Based on this discussion and analysis, the major driving forces that are reshaping bulk port development along the Yangtze River are then summarized. It is found that evolution of the Yangtze River bulk port system in general follows the port development models in previous literature. However, the trend toward regionalization and an offshore hub have not appeared. Besides this, iron ore transshipment is moving outward both for sea ports and river ports, and few iron ore transshipment gateway hubs are occurring. Furthermore, the transshipment function of a bulk port plays a significant role in port traffic changes, but this role is affecting sea ports differently to river ports. The container throughput of transshipment sea ports has a significant negative effect on bulk traffic, whereas that of transshipment river ports has a positive effect. Geographical conditions, institutional factors and national policy, industry agglomeration, changes in market supply and demand, and technology updates are major factors driving changes to the port system structure. These factors are observed to function either individually or collectively at different development stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary stones and urine composition are the first steps in the process of recurrence prevention, but data concerning the association between the two compositions are scarce in Chinese children with urolithiasis. We retrospectively analyzed the records of children (age range 0-18 years) with urolithiasis in our center between March 2004 and December 2013. Stone analysis was carried out in 382 children and 24-hour urine analysis in 80 children. Analysis of both stone and 24-hour urine composition was completed in 56 children. Stone samples were analyzed by Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry. The major stone constituents were calcium oxalate (78.8 %). Of 80 children with 24 h urine analysis, only 2.5 % were without urinary metabolic abnormalities. Hypocitraturia was recorded in 97.5 %, high sodium excretion in 50.0 %, cystinuria in 48.7 %, hypercalciuria in 18.8 %, small urine volumes in 12.5 %, hyperoxaluria in 5.0 % and hyperuricosuria in 1.3 %. Interestingly, higher urine volumes were recorded in girls than in boys (73.2 ± 58.5 vs 51.3 ± 45.3 mL/kg, p = 0.036). Urine sodium ( p = 0.002) and oxalate ( p = 0.004) were significantly higher in children >9 year old. Moreover, compared with calcium oxalate stone formers, the urine volume ( p = 0.040), citrate ( p = 0.007) and cystine ( p = 0.004) were higher in patients with cystine stones. Hypocitraturia was the common abnormality among Chinese children with urolithiasis. The surprisingly high incidence of cystinuria is of note. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, a multilayer transshipment network of bulk shipping has been formed along the Yangtze River so as to support the fast development of Chinese iron and steel industry. Yet with the decrease of iron ore trade in China since 2014, the bulk port system on Yangtze River probably will be subject to change in the future. Under this background, this paper aims to analyze the development potential of Yangtze River bulk ports system with a focus on iron ore transshipment. To realize this objective, we firstly sort out the main transshipment patterns of bulk shipping, and optimize the bulk-shipping network with an optimization model. Several scenarios are then proposed and examined in the model by changing corresponding parameters. Cooperation among ports as one scenario is analyzed by applying core theory in cooperative game. Based on the changes of transshipment plans observed under the various scenarios, we finally ascertain the different development potentials of the system, and provide suggestions to the port operators and local maritime authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

China's laptop exports account for more than 70% of global laptop shipments by volume. Laptop is a typical import-and-assembly processing trade product in the machinery and electrical equipment-manufacturing sector and comprises nearly 60% of China's total export value. The laptop sector is also carbon emissions intensive and contributes heavily to China's carbon emissions problem. To study the laptop sector's impact on carbon emissions, we first developed a carbon footprint map for the product across its supply chain, which allowed us to identify the emission contributions of each component and the production process as a whole. Then, using Simapro software and life cycle inventory data derived from the bottom-up life cycle-analysis method, we calculated the carbon footprint of laptop production. The results show that 33.3% of the carbon emissions from the production of export laptops originate from components produced abroad, while 66.7% is derived mainly from components produced domestically. Finally, we discuss the uncertainties in our approach and the trade policy implications of our research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a life-cycle environmental assessment of China's multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules associated with international trade. The study distinguished domestic and imported raw materials for PV modules within the framework of a life-cycle assessment based on traditional processes. Domestic process data were collected from typical PV companies in China and the literature. Imported raw material data were obtained from international trade databases and life-cycle inventory primary databases. The results indicate that it is necessary to consider the international trade of raw materials in life-cycle environmental impacts of PV modules produced in China when considering the shift of environmental impacts between countries associated with international trade of material and products. Multi-crystalline silicon PV production and PV module packaging are important manufacturing processes within the context of environmental impacts of the manufacture of PV modules in China. This assessment also reveals that production of multi-crystalline silicon PV modules in the country has emitted significant amounts of greenhouses gases (GHG). For example, over 2.21E+07 tons of CO 2 eq were emitted in 2010, of which 94% were from Chinese domestic industries and only 6% from imported raw materials. Regarding the export of PV modules, 82.4% of GHG emissions in China were from imports of PV modules by other countries. This result implies that while the export of Chinese PV modules supplied a large amount of clean energy to the world, it also caused significant environmental impacts in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of present study was to translate and validate the Social Well-being Scale (SWBS) with a Chinese sample, first developed by (Keyes in Social Psychology Quarterly 61(2):121-140, 1998). We examined the internal consistency, convergent validity and the measurement invariance across gender groups. A total of 630 Chinese individuals were recruited for the present study and they completed the SWBS, Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scales, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. Confirmation factor analysis demonstrated that the original five factor structure-(1) social integration, (2) social acceptance, (3) social actualization, (4) social contribution, and (5) social coherence-of social well-being previously found in Western populations were replicated in this sample. Internal consistency was high in all subscales but self-acceptance subscale and convergent validity with positive affect, negative affect and life satisfaction was found. Evidence of measurement invariance across gender groups was obtained. These findings suggested that the Chinese version of SWBS would be useful for assessing social well-being in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government has been exploring various paths to find a direction that better suits China’s national conditions during the past 60 years. Meanwhile, a series of political and economic events and policy transformations have had different effects on the port industry. This article attempts to ascertain how these events and port policies have influenced Chinese port traffic through an empirical study on data covering 1952–2009. The findings suggest that foreign trade has been the prime driver of the throughput of Chinese ports. The increase in the ports’ throughput has enabled an increase in domestic demand and the urgent need for further port investment. Chinese port throughput has been subject to multiple shocks. The Great Leap Forward1is found to have had the largest, but only a short-term impact. China’s accession to the World Trade Organization, however, led to a longer and exclusive effect on ports, with little observed effect on the other variables. The reform of port governance is shown to have had a more lasting positive effect on port throughput than physical investment. However, these latter effects are minor, the economic and political factors remain the primary driving factors of port throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material intensity coefficient (MIC) is vital for material stock accounting in the field of industrial ecology. However, the categorization of MIC varies across regions especially for buildings that diverge greatly along the history and space aspect, and acquisition of MIC data and building information have always been a challenge in related studies. In this study, the state‐of‐art ensemble model "Random Forest" was developed on Chinese buildings to identify the impact of four building attributes (building structure, construction year, use type, and region) on MIC, and these features' importance was further assessed by considering variable correlations. The features' importance and their individual effects on MIC were intuitively revealed by depicting the partial dependence plots. Finally, a set of hierarchical MIC values was estimated by integrating the order of four variables' importance and a quick MIC calculator was provided. Results showed that building structure is the most influential attribute for MIC, followed by the construction year, use type, and region, successively. The RF‐based MIC values allow researchers to apply it to material stock and flow analysis by choosing a specific building feature(s) in the MIC calculator, which is (are) available in building physical inventory data. This study provides a method that could help researchers locate key influencing variables and give insights into the comparability of MIC research across regions and play an important role in developing urban mining and circular economy strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterophyllum, an extinct plant of Bennettitales, constitutes a significant component of the Mesozoic flora. In this study, we identified four fossil species of Pterophyllum from the Middle Jurassic Yaojie Formation in the Yaojie Basin and the Baojishan Basin in Gansu Province, Northwest China. Through analysis of macroscopic and macroscopic characteristics, these specimens were identified as Pterophyllum xinjiangensis Zhao, P. subaequale Hartz, P. ptilum Harris, and P. angustum (Braun) Gothan. These findings bridge gaps in the study of Bennettitales fossils in the region, affirming the warm and humid climate of the Yaojie Basin and the Baojishan Basin during the Middle Jurassic. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis of 598 reported Pterophyllum fossil records in China revealed that their occurrences from the Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous was constrained by ancient climates and tectonic. The Late Triassic exhibited the highest diversity, with 83 species, which were widespread across warm-humid and tropical-subtropical zones in China; however, their diversity decreased sharply in subsequent periods, increased slightly in the Early Cretaceous, and then disappeared. In this paper, we further examined the habitat characteristics of this genera based on its spatiotemporal distribution and the paleogeographic and paleotectonic features of its origins, elucidating the coupled relationship between its distribution and ancient geographic and tectonic factors. • Four species of Pterophyllum in Yaojie Formation are described. • 598 records of 157 species of Pterophyllum reported in China are provided. • Distribution of Pterophyllum during the Mesozoic in China is provided. • Most of the occurrences of Pterophyllum represent warm and humid climate types. • Restricted conditions of Pterophyllum distribution & evolution are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Qilian Mountains (QLM) are an important ecological barrier in western China. High-precision land cover data products are the basic data for accurately detecting and evaluating the ecological service functions of the QLM. In order to study the land cover in the QLM and performance of different remote sensing classification algorithms for land cover mapping based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, the higher spatial resolution remote sensing images of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2; digital elevation data; and three remote sensing classification algorithms, including the support vector machine (SVM), the classification regression tree (CART), and the random forest (RF) algorithms, were used to perform supervised classification of Sentinel-2 images of the QLM. Furthermore, the results obtained from the classification process were compared and analyzed by using different remote sensing classification algorithms and feature-variable combinations. The results indicated that: (1) the accuracy of the classification results acquired by using different remote sensing classification algorithms were different, and the RF had the highest classification accuracy, followed by the CART and the SVM; (2) the different feature variable combinations had different effects on the overall accuracy (OA) of the classification results and the performance of the identification and classification of the different land cover types; and (3) compared with the existing land cover products for the QLM, the land cover maps obtained in this study had a higher spatial resolution and overall accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 9.35-m long sediment core, CK2, that covers the time span between 31.98 and 9.14 kilo annum before present (ka BP) at the Luobei Depression (Lop Nur, Eastern Xinjiang, Northwest China) was studied by pollen analysis. The pollen assemblages of coniferous trees, temperate deciduous trees, herbs, and shrubs can be divided into the following four stages: Zone I (31.98ka BP to 19.26ka BP) corresponds to a steppe or desert steppe landscape, which conforms to the cold-wet climatic environment of the Last Glacial Maximum; Zone II (19.26ka BP to 13.67ka BP) corresponds to a steppe–desert or desert landscape, which conforms to the warm-arid climatic environment of the transient interglacial period; Zones III (13.67ka BP to 12.73ka BP) and IV (12.73ka BP to 9.14ka BP) are similar to Zones I and II, respectively, corresponding to the late last glacial and post last glacial, i.e., Early Holocene, respectively. The climatic environment in Lop Nur was increasingly getting drier based on Artemisia/Chenopodiaceae ratios of ≤0.5 in Subzones IVa and IVc. The Heinrich cold events (H3, H2, H1, and YD) and the Dansgaard–Oeschger warm events (IS4, IS3, IS2, IS1) with millennial-scale changes appearing at high latitudes can also be found in the pollen records of Lop Nur. Results show that the climate characteristics of the Lop Nur region are mainly controlled by the westerly belt, as displayed in mainly cold-wet or warm-arid synchronization. These climate characteristics differ from those of the monsoon area, which are mainly displayed in cold-arid and warm-wet synchronization but also restricted by the atmospheric circulation at high latitudes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the study was to examine grade-level differences in coping behaviors among adolescents using a probabilistic multidimensional scaling (MDS) single-ideal-point model. Using data from students in middle school and at college, this article illustrated the MDS single-ideal-point model as an alternative to examine students’ typical coping behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective. To investigate the correlation between presbycusis and kidney deficiency as defined by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its material basis from the perspective of metabolism. Methods. Pure-tone audiometry was used to test auditory function. A kidney deficiency symptoms coring table was used to measure the kidney deficiency accumulated scores of the research subjects. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to measure the metabolites in the urine samples from 11 presbycusis patients and 9 elderly people with normal hearing. Results. Hearing loss in the elderly was positively correlated with kidney deficiency score in TCM. There were significant differences in urine metabolite profile between the presbycusis patients and the controls. A total of 23 differentially expressed metabolites were found. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that these metabolites were related to glutathione metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor pathway, and the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor pathway. Conclusion. Glutathione metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, NMDA receptors, and GABA receptors may be related to the pathogenesis of presbycusis and may be the material basis underlying the correlation between presbycusis and kidney deficiency in TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water wall design is a key issue for supercritical Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) boiler. On account of the good heat transfer performance, rifled tube is applied in the water wall design of a 600MW supercritical CFB boiler in China. In order to investigate the heat transfer and frictional characteristics of the rifled tube with vertical upward flow, an in-depth experiment was conducted in the range of pressure from 12 to 30MPa, mass flux from 230 to 1200kg/(m2 s), and inner wall heat flux from 130 to 720kW/m2. The wall temperature distribution and pressure drop in the rifled tube were obtained in the experiment. The normal, enhanced and deteriorated heat transfer characteristics were also captured. In this paper, the effects of pressure, inner wall heat flux and mass flux on heat transfer characteristics are analyzed, the heat transfer mechanism and the frictional resistance performance are discussed, and the corresponding empirical correlations are presented. The experimental results show that the rifled tube can effectively prevent the occurrence of Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB) and keep the tube wall temperature in a permissible range under the operating condition of supercritical CFB boiler. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A 10.35-m-long sediment core from the Luobei depression in Lop-Nur, Xinjiang, Northwest China, provides detailed information about environmental changes during the Late Pleistocene. The samples taken every 5 cm of the core were analyzed for 10 environmental proxies, including magnetic susceptibility, granularity, chroma, carbonate and loss on ignition (LOI), and pH value. The chronology data are provided by the uranium/thorium disequilibrium dates. The sediments of the section were deposited during the last 32000 years. The results of analysis of 10 proxies were examined using multivariate statistical analysis, and the principal components were calculated. According to the results, the Late Pleistocene sequence contains four climatic and environmental stages appearing in the cycles of cold-wet and warm-dry changes. During 10-9 ka BP, it was the earliest warm episode in the Holocene. Environmental changes in this district were restricted by global change, as suggested by the analysis of glacial-interglacial cycles. But it was different from the mutative trend of a monsoon region in East China because of its own characteristics, which was the situation of cold-wet and warm-dry climate-environment change. The candidate reason may be the uplift of the Tibet Plateau and the westerly wind circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First work to investigate solutions for collaborative medical AI model for COVID-19. • A novel federated semi-supervised learning technique is proposed to train a network. • Method fully utilizes available data from different sources, w/ or w/o annotations. • Multinational dataset of 1704 scans from 3 countries (China, Italy, and Japan). • Studies fully evaluate and understand different configurations of the method. [Display omitted] The recent outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to urgent needs for reliable diagnosis and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The current guideline is using RT-PCR for testing. As a complimentary tool with diagnostic imaging, chest Computed Tomography (CT) has been shown to be able to reveal visual patterns characteristic for COVID-19, which has definite value at several stages during the disease course. To facilitate CT analysis, recent efforts have focused on computer-aided characterization and diagnosis with chest CT scan, which has shown promising results. However, domain shift of data across clinical data centers poses a serious challenge when deploying learning-based models. A common way to alleviate this issue is to fine-tune the model locally with the target domains local data and annotations. Unfortunately, the availability and quality of local annotations usually varies due to heterogeneity in equipment and distribution of medical resources across the globe. This impact may be pronounced in the detection of COVID-19, since the relevant patterns vary in size, shape, and texture. In this work, we attempt to find a solution for this challenge via federated and semi-supervised learning. A multi-national database consisting of 1704 scans from three countries is adopted to study the performance gap, when training a model with one dataset and applying it to another. Expert radiologists manually delineated 945 scans for COVID-19 findings. In handling the variability in both the data and annotations, a novel federated semi-supervised learning technique is proposed to fully utilize all available data (with or without annotations). Federated learning avoids the need for sensitive data-sharing, which makes it favorable for institutions and nations with strict regulatory policy on data privacy. Moreover, semi-supervision potentially reduces the annotation burden under a distributed setting. The proposed framework is shown to be effective compared to fully supervised scenarios with conventional data sharing instead of model weight sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The psychological trauma caused by COVID-19 was a negative predictor of mental health among Wuhan's high school students. • Resilience and positive emotion regulation interrupted the direct impact of psychological trauma on mental health. • Resilience and positive emotion regulation are mediators. This study explored the protective mechanisms of resilience and positive emotion regulation against psychological trauma among Wuhan's high school students during the COVID-19 outbreak. We obtained 286 valid samples from four high schools in Wuhan, China. To construct a measurement model and a structural model, structural equation models using four measurement scales with valid items were adopted, including a scale of psychological trauma, a scale of resilience, a scale of positive emotional regulation, and a scale of mental health. Participants reported their answers to items on a 5-point Likert-like scale. The results revealed that psychological trauma was a negative predictor of mental health, and resilience and positive emotion regulation mediated the relationship between psychological trauma and mental health. Accordingly, we concluded that resilience and positive emotion regulation interrupted the direct impact of psychological trauma on mental health, thereby greatly protecting the mental health of Wuhan's high school students during the COVID-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tectonic inversion of the Songliao Basin during the Cenozoic may have played an important role in controlling the development of sandstone-type uranium deposits. The widely distributed mafic intrusions in the host sandstones of the Qianjiadian U ore deposits provided new insights to constrain the regional tectonic evolution and the genesis of the U mineralization. In this study, zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Pb isotope analysis, and mineral chemical compositions were presented for the mafic rocks from the Qianjiadian area. The mafic rocks display low SiO2 (44.91–52.05 wt.%), high TFe2O3 contents (9.97–16.46 wt.%), variable MgO (4.59–15.87 wt.%), and moderate K2O + Na2O (3.19–6.52 wt.%), and can be subdivided into AB group (including basanites and alkali olivine basaltic rocks) and TB group (mainly tholeiitic basaltic rocks). They are characterized by homogenous isotopic compositions (εNd (t) = 3.47–5.89 and 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7032–0.7042) and relatively high radiogenic 206Pb/204Pb (18.13–18.34) and Nb/U ratios (23.0–45.6), similar to the nearby Shuangliao basalts, suggesting a common asthenospheric origin enriched with slab-derived components prior to melting. Zircon U-Pb and previous Ar-Ar dating show that the AB group formed earlier (51–47 Ma) than the TB group (42–40 Ma). Compared to the TB group, the AB group has higher TiO2, Na2O, K2O, P2O5, Ce, and HREE contents and Ta/Yb and Sr/Yb ratios, which may have resulted from variable depth of partial melting in association with lithospheric thinning. Combined with previous research, the Songliao Basin experienced: (1) Eocene (~50–40 Ma) lithospheric thinning and crustal extension during which mafic rocks intruded into the host sandstones of the Qianjiadian deposit, (2) a tectonic inversion from extension to tectonic uplift attributed to the subduction of the Pacific Plate occurring at ~40 Ma, and (3) Oligo–Miocene (~40–10 Ma) tectonic uplift, which is temporally associated with U mineralization. Finally, the close spatial relation between mafic intrusions and the U mineralization, dike-related secondary reduction, and secondary oxidation of the mafic rocks in the Qianjiadian area suggest that Eocene mafic rocks and their alteration halo in the Songliao Basin may have played a role as a reducing barrier for the U mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Framed within a life course perspective and cognitive reserve theory, this study examined the mediating role of educational attainment for the association between child–parent relationships during childhood and cognitive function among older adults in rural China. Methods: Data were obtained from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 9809). We employed latent growth curve modeling to test the association among early child–parent relationship quality, educational attainment, and cognitive function in later life. Results: Early child–mother relationship quality was associated with the level and change in cognitive function. Early child–father relationship quality was only related to baseline cognitive function. Educational attainment mediated the relationship between early child–parent relationship quality with mothers and fathers and cognitive function. Discussion: Parental relationship experience in childhood was one distal factor related to cognitive function among older adults. The findings supported the long-term impacts of childhood conditions for later life health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most commonly used seasonings in daily life and food industry. This study provides an initial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of maize-based MSG production in 2018 to determine the life cycle environmental impact of MSG production in China. The environmental performance of several cleaner production measures in the MSG industry were also analysed and evaluated using LCA. Results show that when producing 1 t maize-based MSG without any cleaner production measures, the global warming potential, aquatic ecotoxicity, aquatic acidification, and aquatic eutrophication are 6.26 t CO 2eq , 848 t TEG water eq , 83.5 kg SO 2eq , and 5.04 kg PO 4 P-lim eq. Energy consumption, direct emission in the MSG production process, and maize production are identified as the most significant contributors to the life cycle environmental impact in MSG production. Scenario analysis of different production measures, namely cogeneration, co-production and the hybrid scenario integrating the two listed measures, showed that the hybrid scenario, which represents the mainstream cleaner production technology level of the MSG industry of China, is the optimal option for environmental impact reduction of MSG production. In the hybrid scenario, the global warming potential, aquatic ecotoxicity, aquatic acidification, and the aquatic eutrophication decreased 13.90%, 7.19%, 64.29%, and 80.00% compared with the non-cleaner production scenario. Two major directions to further improve the environmental performance of the MSG production are improving energy use efficiency (and/or using cleaner energy) and modifying the production process to maximise material use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how to promote business model innovation through intraindustry search and extraindustry search with the assistance of fit dynamic capabilities (internal coordination capability and stakeholder engagement capability). Based on evolutional learning and business model literatures, six hypotheses are proposed and examined with data from 204 firms in China. The results show that intraindustry search has an inverted U-shaped effect on business model innovation, whereas extraindustry search has a positive effect. Internal coordination capability strengthens the effect of intraindustry search but weakens that of extraindustry search. Stakeholder engagement capability strengthens the effect of extraindustry search but weakens that of intraindustry search. Our findings enrich the business model literature by identifying different roles of intraindustry search and extraindustry search as the antecedents of business model innovation and their fitness with different types of dynamic capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detecting avian influenza virus has become an important public health strategy for controlling the emerging infectious disease.Methods: The HIS (hospital information system) modified influenza surveillance system (ISS) and a newly built pneumonia surveillance system (PSS) were used to monitor the influenza viruses in Changsha City, China. The ISS was used to monitor outpatients in two sentinel hospitals and to detect mild influenza and avian influenza cases, and PSS was used to monitor inpatients in 49 hospitals and to detect severe and death influenza cases.Results: From 2005 to 2016, there were 3,551,917 outpatients monitored by the ISS system, among whom 126,076 were influenza-like illness (ILI) cases, with the ILI proportion (ILI%) of 3.55%. After the HIS was used, the reported incident cases of ILI and ILI% were increased significantly. From March, 2009 to September, 2016, there were 5,491,560 inpatient cases monitored by the PSS system, among which 362,743 were pneumonia cases, with a proportion of 6.61%. Among pneumonia cases, about 10.55% (38,260/362,743) of cases were severe or death cases. The pneumonia incidence increased each year in the city. Among 15 avian influenza cases reported from January, 2005 to September, 2016, there were 26.7% (4/15) mild cases detected by the HIS-modified ISS system, while 60.0% (9/15) were severe or death cases detected by the PSS system. Two H5N1 severe cases were missed by the ISS system in January, 2009 when the PSS system was not available.Conclusions: The HIS was able to improve the efficiency of the ISS for monitoring ILI and emerging avian influenza virus. However, the efficiency of the system needs to be verified in a wider area for a longer time span in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water, and the potential environmental problems during the entire life cycle stages of its production have not been thoroughly discussed. This study aims to investigate the overall environmental impact of green tea production as a typical perennial crop in China with the system boundary from "cradle to gate". Scenario analysis is carried out to investigate the factors of green tea processing scales and packaging methods on the overall environmental impact level of green tea production in China. Results showed that the average overall global warming potential of procuring 1 kg dry green tea in China ranges from 10.4 to 15.6 kg CO 2 eq, depending on different processing scales and packaging methods. The processing stage is the dominant contributor to the overall environmental impact of producing 1 kg dry green tea product due to the use of electricity. Electricity consumption in the processing stage and chemical fertilizer application in the planting stage are identified as the environmental hotspots throughout the life cycle of green tea production in China. Optimizing energy structure and improving energy use efficiency in the processing stage, as well as reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer application are the critical measures needed to mitigate the environmental emissions of green tea throughout the life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulators in Australia and China are increasingly embracing RegTech. 'RegTech' is a contraction of the terms 'regulatory' and 'technology'. The term describes the use of technology to help companies comply with regulation and help regulators perform their regulatory and supervisory functions. This article identifies various ways that regulators in Australia and China are facilitating RegTech initiatives and categorises and compares those initiatives. The analysis suggests a significant degree of overlap between the two countries in relation to initiatives to facilitate reporting requirements and to improve supervision and supervisory processes. There is a greater focus in China on initiatives to support and strengthen the use of data than in Australia at this stage. However, Australia's regulators are more active in facilitating initiatives to consult and engage with other stakeholders, including other regulators, government and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research tends to propose and examine the negative relationship between market segmentation and energy efficiency. Does market segmentation necessarily impair energy efficiency? Considering the critical role that Chinaese government play in managing erergy efficiency, we propose a non-linear relationship between market segmentation and energy efficiency. Using data of 30 provinces in Mainland China during 2000 to 2017, we find an inverse U-shaped relationship between market segmentation and energy efficiency. Our findings remain robust after controlling endogeneity issues. Therefore, a moderate level of market segmentation is acceptable and beneficial for long-term improvement of energy efficiency in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents new zircon U–Pb ages, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data, and whole‐rock geochemical data obtained from the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the north‐western Great Xing'an Range, Northeast China, to constrain the late Mesozoic magmatism and geodynamic setting of this region, which is located in the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Zircon U–Pb age determinations show that the studied samples formed at 124–114 Ma with an Early Cretaceous magmatic event produced voluminous felsic and minor mafic volcanic rocks. The mafic rocks are dominantly basalt and basaltic andesite, with relatively low SiO2 contents (49.88–56.64 wt.%). These rocks are enriched in Th, U, large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE; e.g., Rb, Ba, and K) and light rare‐earth elements (REEs), and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE; e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti) and heavy REEs (Yb and Lu). The rocks have εNd(t) values of 0.44–0.75 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.70499–0.70548. These results indicate that the mafic rocks were derived from the partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle that had been previously metasomatized by subduction‐related fluids and experienced variable amounts of fractional crystallization and moderate crustal contamination. In contrast to the mafic rocks, the felsic rocks are dominantly peraluminous trachytes, rhyolites, and dacites with high SiO2 contents and low MgO contents. These felsic rocks display enriched and variable concentrations of LILEs and REEs, show negative Eu anomalies, and have εHf(t) values of +2.6 to +8.3 with TDM2 ages of 1,014–655 Ma, indicating they were derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal materials. These Early Cretaceous igneous rock assemblages record a post‐collisional lithospheric extensional setting resulting from the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, consistent with the results of previous studies on the contemporaneous tectono‐magmatic activities in NE China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Internal structure of oil shale pyrolysis with injection steam under in situ condition was studied. • Porosity of oil shale along bedding planes is 12.77 times that of natural oil shale. • Internal fractures of pyrolytic oil shale were mainly dominated by microcracks. • The proportion of pyrolytic orebody with permeability ranging from 1.8 × 10−3 nm2 to 3.0 × 10−3 nm2 was 63.51%. • Oil shale is transformed from dense rock to porous medium under the effect of superheated steam. In the in situ pyrolysis of oil shale (OS) with superheated steam (SS), the internal pores and fractures of the OS act as channels for the migration of steam and locations for heat exchange. After a laboratory test of the in situ pyrolysis of OS with SS, 30 OS samples located in different zones between the injection and production wells were collected. The main parameters of pore and fracture structures inside OS samples were investigated. The results first showed that in each position along the bedding planes, the effective porosity was greater than 19.41%. The internal OS fractures were mainly dominated by microfractures, with lengths between 100 µm and 500 µm. The average pore diameter of the orebody was between 52.77 nm and 69.01 nm, and the aperture of the microfractures was between 59.31 µm and 68.85 µm. Then, in the position near the roof bedrock perpendicular to the bedding directions (BD), the effective porosity and pore diameter of the orebody were small. Only a few cracks were observed in the rock mass, and the distribution of the pore groups in the 3D space was fragmented and had poor connectivity. Finally, in the whole studied OS orebody, the proportion of ore layers with permeabilities ranging from 1.8 × 10−17 m2 to 3.0 × 10−17 m2 was 63.51%, which proved that the connectivity of the pores and fractures in the large area was superior to other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study takes the Yangtze River Economic Belt as a study area and analyzes the impacts of natural and socioeconomic factors on air pollution based on a dataset of urban air quality monitoring data in 2015 and meteorological and economic statistical data. We first apply the grey relational degree to test for the quantitative relationships between the natural and socioeconomic factors and air pollution. We then employ a novel method, specifically, the geographical detector, from the perspective of spatial stratified heterogeneity to reveal the potential impacts and interaction impacts of the natural and socioeconomic factors on air pollution. The results are as follows. (1) The grey relational degree results reveal that all factors in the topographical and meteorological layer, pollution sources layer, economic development layer, and urbanization layer have high relational degrees, indicating that these factors are closely correlated with air pollution. (2) The factor detector analysis reveals that the PM 2.5 factor has the biggest q value, indicating that it is the primary contributor to air pollution, followed by PM 10 and elevation. (3) The interaction detector analysis reveals that the interaction of two factors plays a more important role in influencing air pollution than does each factor individually. Moreover, the interactions between pair factors of pollution sources are the strongest. (4) The risk detector analysis reveals that elevation and precipitation are negatively correlated with air pollution, whereas pollution and urbanization factors are positively correlated with air pollution. (5) Finally, two leading impact areas for atmospheric pollution, namely, the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration and the Wuhan metropolitan area are predominantly attributed to the combination of natural and urbanization factors, whereas Yunnan and Guizhou are the least impact areas for atmospheric pollution because of their topographical and meteorological factors. • The relations between air pollution and natural and economic factors are found. • The novel geographical detector method is applied in this study. • PM 2.5 factor has the biggest q value, implying the primary pollutant. • Interaction of factors plays a more important role in affecting air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a very short time, higher education transitioned to online and blended learning, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Although research literature is replete with rationale for instructors to develop digital competence during the Great Online Transition, research on the correlates of digital competence and effort expectancy in relation to their work engagement has remained insufficient. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of digital competence and effort expectancy and how they predict teachers' work engagement. A sample of 321 in-service teachers selected from universities in China took part in this study. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that teachers' digital competence positively and significantly correlated with their work engagement and their effort expectancy. In addition, effort expectancy significantly influenced teachers' work engagement. Lastly, effort expectancy, as the mediator variable, was found to mediate the relationship between teachers' digital competence and their work engagement. Implications were suggested for improving teachers' work engagement to support digital shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds and Purpose: This study was aimed at investigating the outcomes and predictors for the poor functional outcome after endovascular treatment (EVT) in a large, mostly Asian population. Methods: Between January 2014 and June 2016, acute stroke patients with anterior circulation occlusion and EVT were retrospectively enrolled from 21 stroke centers in China. The main outcomes were modified Rankin Scale (0-2 as functional independence, 3-6 as poor) at 90 days, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) at 72 h, and death at 90 days. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors for poor functional outcome at 90 days. Results: Of the 698 patients, 304 (43.6%) patients had functional independence at 90 days. The sICH rate was 15.5% (108/698) and mortality rate at 90 days was 25.4% (177/698). Age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission (11-20 vs. ≤ 10, OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.23-4.59; ≥ 21 vs. ≤ 10, OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.72-7.80), baseline glucose level (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.18), onset to groin puncture >6 h (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.06-3.31), sICH (OR 15.49, 95% CI 5.16-46.43), and pneumonia (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.86-5.32) were independent predictors of poor functional outcomes, while good recanalization (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.13-0.54), preoperative Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score 8-10 (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28-0.83), and good collateral flow (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.32-0.79) were protective factors. Conclusions: This study provides evidence in real world to support the performance of EVT in acute anterior circulation stroke patients in Chinese population. Patients with small infarct core, successful recanalization, good collateral status, and short treatment delay without sICH or pneumonia may benefit from EVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety frequently occurs with major depressive disorder (MDD) but to a different extent in the various subtypes. Psychotic major depression (PMD) is a severe subtype of MDD that is under-identified and under-studied. We investigated the prevalence and related risk factors of anxiety in PMD patients.Methods: A total of 1718 first episode and drug naïve MDD patients were recruited. Measures included the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and positive symptom scale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), thyroid hormone levels, and metabolic parameters.Results: 171 of the entire MDD study sample met the criteria for the PMD subtype. The prevalence of severe anxiety was much higher in PMD patients (22.8 %) than in non-PMD patients (0.4 %) (χ2 = 294.69, P < 0.001, OR = 75.88, 95 % CI = 31.55-182.52). Compared to PMD patients without severe anxiety, PMD patients with severe anxiety had higher HAMD score, CGI-S score, positive symptom subscale score, suicide attempts, blood pressure, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidases antibody (TPOAb) levels. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis indicated that HAMD score and TSH levels were associated with severe anxiety in PMD patients.Limitations: Our cross-sectional study cannot explain the causal relationship between anxiety severity and risk factors in PMD patients.Conclusions: Our results suggest that PMD patients are more likely to experience severe anxiety than non-PMD patients. The severity of depression and TSH levels are independent risk factors for anxiety in PMD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace social capital positively influences the quality but reduces the cost of healthcare services. Academic research suffers from limited and inadequate culturally sensitive nurses' workplace social capital instruments. Here we report on the design and protocol of a culturally focused instrument development study in China. The overarching objective of our dual phase study is to develop and validate a questionnaire measuring nurses' workplace social capital tailored toward Chinese cultural values and norms. In the first phase of INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT, the qualitative phase, we will conduct interviews with purposefully sampled nurses from five geographically diverse regions capturing 16 provinces in China to formulate the initial version of the Nurses' Workplace Social Capital Questionnaire (NWSCQ). Data collection will be stopped at the saturation point and content analysis will be performed for interview data in parallel. The initial version of the NWSCQ will be evaluated and confirmed by two-rounds of expert consultation (target N = 20) and pre-tested among 70 nurses. During the second phase of INSTRUMENT VALIDATION or the quantitative phase, we will validate the psychometric properties of the NWSCQ. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire will be examined and validated through three cross-sectional surveys among nurses (target N = 1154) randomly selected from 12 tertiary hospitals. We have reported our study protocol with the intention of sharing our experience with researchers in other countries who are striving to advance the phenomenon of culturally sensitive and social normatively appropriate nurses' workplace social capital. Findings from our study should advance the development of culturally appropriate and valid instrument of nurses' workplace social capital, another important step toward recognition and incorporation of cultural diversity in the daily operation of healthcare industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ICL is a safe procedure with a low incidence of secondary surgery. Realignment, including vertical rotation, and exchange are practicable for the management of misalignment and excessive vault. Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, causes, and outcomes of implantable collamer lens (ICL) realignment or exchange after implantation of the EVO-ICL. Setting: Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, China. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: The study included 10 258 consecutive eyes after ICL implantation. Preoperative refractive and biometric measurements were compared between eyes with and without realignment or exchange. For eyes with ICL realignment or exchange, visual and biometric outcomes were also compared before and after ICL realignment or exchange. Results: The overall incidence of ICL realignment or exchange was 0.21% 22 eyes. 12 eyes (0.12%) underwent ICL realignment by axis rotation (10 eyes) or ICL exchange (2 eyes) due to toric ICL (TICL) misalignment. After realignment, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved, and residual cylinder decreased from −1.75 ± 0.48 diopters (D) to −0.87 ± 0.59 D (P =.01). 10 eyes (0.10%) underwent vertical rotation of ICL (3 eyes) or ICL exchange (7 eyes) due to excessive vault. After either vertical rotation or ICL exchange, vault decreased significantly (P <.05). Conclusions: The incidence of ICL realignment or exchange after ICL implantation is low. TICL misalignment and excessive vault are 2 main causes. Implant exchange may be performed for excessive vault or misalignment with an insufficient vault. In addition, vertical rotation of an ICL may be a less invasive method to treat excessive vault in certain cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent experience of lockdowns during COVID-19 highlights the prolonged impact a pandemic could have on ports and the shipping industry. This paper uses port call data derived from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) reports from the world's 30 largest container ports to quantify both the immediate and longer-term impact of national COVID-19 lockdown policies on global shipping flows. The analysis uses the Difference-in-Difference (DID) and combined regression discontinuity design (RDD)-DID models to represent the effects of lockdown policies. The combination of RDD and DID models is particularly effective because it can mitigate time trends in the data, e.g., the Chinese New Year effect on Chinese ports. This study further examines the potential shock propagation effects, namely, how lockdown policy in one country (i.e., China) can affect the number of port calls in other countries. We categorize ports in other countries into a high-connectivity (with Chinese ports) group and a low-connectivity group, using a proposed connectivity index with China derived from individual vessel trajectories obtained from the AIS data. The results provide a clearly measurable picture of the kinds of trade shocks and consequent pattern changes in port calls over time caused by responses to lockdown policies of varying levels of stringency. We further document the existence of significant shock propagation effects. As the risk of pandemics rises in the twenty-first century, these results can be used by policy makers to assess the potential impact of different levels of lockdown policy on the maritime industry and trade flows more broadly. Maritime players can also use findings such as these to manage their capacity during lockdowns more effectively and to respond more flexibly to changing demand in seaborne transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid integrated energy system (HIES) optimal scheduling model is developed by considering energy storage (ES), solar thermal (ST), wind turbine (WT), demand response (DR), and carbon capture and storage (CCS) to minimize the economic cost and pollutant gas emission; A multi-population dung beetle optimizer based on Q-learning (MODBO-QL) is designed to solve the HIES optimal scheduling model. In MODBO-QL, three subpopulations are constructed first: Global search subpopulation (GSS), Local search subpopulation (LSS), and Balanced search subpopulation (BSS). Second, the search and evolution strategies corresponding to the population characteristics are given. The GSS and LSS perform global search and local search, respectively. At the same time, the BSS is responsible for randomly exploring or exploiting the solution to increase the diversity of the population. Finally, the number of populations is dynamically and adaptively adjusted using Q-learning to enhance information exchange between different sub-populations and improve solution performance. An optimal dispatch experiment was conducted using three typical seasonal load data and renewable energy forecast data in a region of China. The experimental results show that compared with the original system, the three typical quarters' average economic costs of the dispatch results obtained by the method in this paper are reduced by 8.7%, 20.99%, and 3.97%, and carbon emissions are reduced by 617.35t, 284t, and 19.5t, respectively; MODBO-QL performs better compared to MOPSO, MOWOA, and MODBO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]