Search

In typical alteration extraction methods, e.g., band math and principal component analysis (PCA), the bands or band combinations unitized to extract altered minerals are usually selected based on empirical models or previous rules. This results in significant differences in the alteration of mineral mapping even in the same area, thus greatly increasing the uncertainty of mineral resource prediction. In this paper, an intelligent alteration extraction approach was proposed in which an optimization algorithm, i.e., a genetic algorithm (GA), was introduced into the PCA; this approach is termed GA-PCA and is used for selecting the optimized band combinations of mineralized alterations. The proposed GA-PCA was employed to map iron oxides and hydroxyl minerals using the most commonly adopted multispectral data, i.e., Landsat-8 OLI data, at the Lalingzaohuo polymetallic deposits, China. The results showed that the spectral characteristics of GA-PCA-selected OLI band combinations in the research area were beneficial for enhancing alteration information and were more capable of suppressing the interference of vegetation information. The mapping alteration zones using the GA-PCA approach had a higher agreement with known ore spots, i.e., 25% and 33.3% in ferrous-bearing and hydroxyl-bearing deposits, compared to the classical PCA. Furthermore, two predicted targets (not shown in the classical PCA results) were precisely obtained via analyzing the GA-PCA alteration maps combined with the ore-forming geological conditions of the mine and its tectonic characteristics. This indicated that the intelligent selection of mineral alteration band combinations increased the reliability of remote sensing-based mineral exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attribution of compound events informs preparedness for emerging hazards with disproportionate impacts. However, the task remains challenging because space-time interactions among extremes and uncertain dynamic changes are not satisfactorily addressed in the well-established attribution framework. For attributing the 2020 record-breaking spatially compounding flood-heat event in China, we conduct a storyline attribution analysis by designing simulation experiments via a weather forecast model, quantifying component-based attributable changes, and comparing with historical flow analogs. We quantify that given the large-scale circulation, anthropogenic influence to date has exacerbated the extreme Mei-yu rainfall in the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River during June-July 2020 by ~6.5% and warmed the co-occurring seasonal extreme heat in South China by ~1°C. Our projections show a further intensification of the compound event by the end of this century, with moderate emissions making the rainfall totals ~14% larger and the season ~2.1°C warmer in South China than the 2020 status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article was to reveal the spatio-temporal variation of summer precipitation in China and its response to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The results showed that the precipitation increased in 1900 s~1950 s, then decreased in 1960 s~1970 s, and increased in 1980 s~2010 s again. In space, it presented a "five-layered sandwich structure" featuring rising-falling-rising-falling-rising from northwest to southeast. The precipitation was generally less when ENSO occurred, but there were differences in intensities, regions, and so on. For example, When El Niño (all types) occurred, there was more precipitation in the western Continental Basin and the southern Huaihe River Basin, but less in the Yellow River Basin. When the extremely strong and medium La Niña occurred, the precipitation was more in the central and less in the north and the south. When the weak La Niña occurred, the precipitation increased in the northwest, decreased in the southeast, and vice versa for the extremely weak La Niña. Precipitation and Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) were negatively correlated in time, however, in space, there was a negative correlation in the north, and a positive correlation in the south, the dividing line was approximately at 29°N. In addition, the correlation between precipitation and ONI was proportional to the intensity of ENSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results showed that the precipitation in the study area was mainly in a downward trend before the mid-1930s, and then turned upward. In the 1950s, the precipitation generally showed a distribution of rising in the west and falling in the east, and this trend continued until the early 21st century. By 2007, except for the central part of the Continental Basin, the overall trend was mainly upward. In this study, 65 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events were identified, including 24 El Niño events and 41 La Niña events. The precipitation was generally less when ENSO occurred. However, there were differences in the type and intensity of the event. For example, El Niño had a greater impact on precipitation than La Niña did, and extremely strong or strong El Niño/La Niña events had a more significant impact than moderate, weak, or extremely weak ones. The correlation between precipitation and El Niño or La Niña events had some similarities and differences. For example, precipitation was mainly negatively correlated with El Niño and La Niña at the same time, and both correlations were proportional to intensity, but the correlation between precipitation and El Niño was significantly stronger than that of La Niña. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the proliferative capacity of herbicide-resistant weeds is the basis for the integrated management. We collected seeds of two Echinochloa glabrescens Munro ex Hook. f. populations (TS and WH) from rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields in eastern China (F0 populations), and those from individuals surviving the initial metamifop treatment (F1 lines) were tested for their responses to metamifop, and common garden experiments were conducted to compare their productivities. We found that TS was highly resistant to metamifop, and WH was susceptible. After treated with metamifop at the label dose (120 g ai ha-1), averagely 56% and 16% of TS and WH F1 lines contained surviving seedlings, and averagely 24% and 1% F1 seedlings survived among total seedlings of the same population, respectively. After treated with metamifop at a dose of 0, 60, 120 or 240 g ai ha-1, surviving F0 plants escaped from higher doses reproduced higher proportions of metamifop-resistant F1 progenies in both populations. At 120 d after sowing (DAS), TS individuals surviving 2 x label dose of metamifop showed nonsignificant difference in plant heights, biomass and seed production, compared with relative control treatment; while WH plants surviving the label dose of metamifop decreased seed production by 25%-39%. One WH and TS plant individual surviving metamifop treatment at the label dose may generate 10-21 and 490-701 progenies resistant to the label dose of metamifop, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of "idol culture" and "social media influencers" in China has urged an increasing number of persons to seek to become celebrities who are it r Lamous for being famous". ket becoming active in the entertainment industr:y gives rise to both old and new identity thicket issues centred on the overlapping and contradictory control rights over celebrities' names. This article focuses on unravelling these identity thicket issues from comparative experiences, with a focus on the US experience. It first introduces the potential coexistent rights to a person's name and explores the how those rights might be vested in different parties in toddy's entertainment industry in China. The article then proceeds to divide the identity thicket mising ftom conflicting rights into three scenarios, and this is followed by a detailed explanation of the particulars of each scenario. A key finding is that current Chinese law fails to provide clear legal solutions to solve the identity thicket issues in scenatios 2 and 3. After outlining the importance of resolving the identio thicket and the comparative experiences, the article offers reform suggestions tailored to each scenario, with an efort made to balance the interests of name holders and trademark holders while avoiding too much consumer confusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of the Clubiona corticalis group in China are described: Clubiona bidactylina sp. nov., C. camela sp. nov., and C. subhuiming sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caregivers of lung cancer patients frequently experience psychological distress and high caregiver burden. Previous studies have focused on caregiver burden for patients with advanced lung cancer, while few studies focused on the caregiver burden among informal caregivers of postoperative patients with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Objectives: This study aimed to (a) examine caregiver burden for caregivers of patients with early‐stage NSCLC after surgical treatment and (b) identify predictive factors related to caregiver burden of patients with early‐stage NSCLC. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted in a university‐affiliated hospital in Changsha, China. A total of 385 patients with early‐stage NSCLC and postsurgical treatment and their caregivers were included in this study. Caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit caregiver burden interview (ZBI). A set of questionnaires was used to assess psychosocial characteristics of participants, including simplified coping style questionnaire, social support rate scale, and hospital anxiety and depression scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with caregiver burden. We followed STROBE checklist for reporting the study. Results: The average ZBI score was 29.1 ± 11.4. Most caregivers (62.6%) demonstrated mild to moderate caregiving burden. The duration of caregiving (β = 0.18, p <.001), passive coping of caregiver (β = 0.17, p =.001) and anxiety (β = 0.13, p =.007) were significant predictors of caregiving burden. A variance of 17.6% in caregiving burden was explained by these identified factors. Conclusions: Caregivers of early‐stage NSCLC patients experience a mild to moderate level of caregiver burden. The duration of caregiving, passive coping and anxiety are factors associated with caregiver burden. Relevance to clinical practice: Clinicians should provide early care to support new roles of family members as caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the digital economy has become a new way to respond to the epidemic impact effectively. With the innovative breakthrough of information and communication technology, the digital and real economies are deeply integrated. The digital economy has become an important driving force for the transformation of economic momentum and development. Panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019 were selected for analysis. In the first stage, the study constructed the evaluation index system of digital economy development. Then, the quality development index of the digital economy is calculated by using the entropy method. Finally, the main factors of digital economy development are analysed by spatial measurement. The research results prove that: (1) the development of China’s digital economy in 2010–2019 has gradually increased; (2) the development of the digital economy has a positive correlation between regions and has a spatial spillover effect; (3) the level of economic development, urbanisation, government support, industrial structure, and the level of opening will promote the development of the digital economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is identifiable by the excessive increase of mesenchyme paired with the loss of epithelium. Total flavonoids of Astragalus (TFA), the main biologically active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicine, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), shows outstanding effects on treating pulmonary disorders, including COVID-19-associated pulmonary dysfunctions. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of TFA on treating pulmonary fibrosis and the possible mechanisms behind these effects. A549 cells were treated with TGF- β 1 and TFA to observe the potential effects of TFA on regulating alveolar epithelial cell proliferation, TGF- β 1-induced EMT, and the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Then, mouse pulmonary fibrosis was induced with a single intra-tracheal injection of bleomycin, and TFA was administrated by i.p. injection. Lung fibrosis was evaluated through histological and molecular analyses, and the possible mechanisms were explored using immunological methods. The results demonstrated that TFA could promote cell proliferation but inhibit TGF- β 1-induced EMT on A549 cells. TFA attenuated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by modulating inflammatory infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization; it furthermore modulated EMT through regulating the TGF- β 1/Smad pathway. In addition, TFA augmented the expression of the Wnt7b protein, which plays an important role in alveolar epithelium reparation. In conclusion, TFA alleviated bleomycin-induced mouse lung fibrosis by preventing the fibrotic response and increasing epithelium regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rockery is often a key element of a Classical Chinese Garden. It's exquisite detailed physical characteristics a major contributor to artistic value, aesthetic appeal, and the carrier of historical and cultural heritage values. Poets and scholars have often described the beauty of these places in classical gardens in qualitative terms but lacked the quantitative tools to provide replicable metric descriptions. The highly complex forms and surfaces, irregularity, and fragility of garden rockeries has challenged authors to accurately describe the characteristics of these qualities using traditional methods and tools. This article presents a new method of digital characterization approach based on laser scanning and point cloud visualization, which can quantitatively detect and represent the pattern of rockery surface textures. It offers a replicable accurate quantitative descriptor of the Classical Chinese rockery. The Small-Rock Mountain Retreat, a nationally protected rockery garden in China, has been used as a case study. It contains original historic elements and more recently restored areas. Two characteristics of rockery surfaces, including the well-proportioned density and space, and the proper contrast between solid and void, were analyzed by examining four attributes: (1) surface complexity; (2) contour curvature; (3) shape variation; and (4) the interweaving of lightness and darkness. The findings demonstrate that, despite some similarities between the restored portion of the rockery and the historical remnants, there are variances in the richness of the details and the balanced distribution of shape change. The digital characterization approach introduced in this article offers a new perspective for recording and in turn safeguarding Chinese garden rockeries and other irregular cultural heritage objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: While ratoon rice has been increasingly practiced by farmers recently in China, on‐farm performance in grain quality of main and ratoon crops in the mechanized rice ratooning system is less studied and remains poorly understood. Therefore, a multi‐location on‐farm survey was conducted to collect rice grain samples from farmers' fields to determine grain quality of main and ratoon crops of ratoon rice at 12 locations across Hubei Province, central China, in 2016. RESULTS: On average, milled and head rice percentage in the ratoon crop was 70.2% and 65.7%, which was significantly higher than in the main crop, whereas chalky grain percentage and grain chalkiness in ratoon crop (10.1% and 2.8%, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the main crop (36.6% and 14.2%, respectively). The differences in these quality traits between the two crops were consistent at all locations. Averaged across 12 locations, scores of translucency and gel consistency were significantly lower but amylose content and alkali spreading value were significantly higher in the ratoon crop than in the main crop, with the difference between the two crops varying in gel consistency by location. CONCLUSION: Overall, grain quality, especially milling and appearance of the ratoon crop, was superior to the main crop in the mechanized rice ratooning system. As a result, this study emphasizes the potential role of the rice ratooning system in other regions with a similar biophysical background producing high‐quality rice. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanicula (Apiaceae subfam. Saniculoideae) is a taxonomically difficult genus of medicinal value. Its distribution center is in China, where there are 18 species (11 of which are endemic). To provide plastid genome resources, whole chloroplast genomes of five Sanicula species (S. flavovirens, S. giraldii, S. lamelligera, S. odorata and S. rubriflora) were sequenced and compared to the previously published S. orthacantha plastome. These genomes exhibit a typical quadripartite structure. All contain 129 different genes, including 84 protein‐coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. The loci rpl2, matK, psbA and ycf1 are the most variable. Results of maximum likelihood analysis of 90 whole plastome sequences from Apioideae and Saniculoideae and the outgroup Hydrocotyle (Araliaceae) suggest sectional relationships in Sanicula different from the traditional classification system, but support the monophyly of Apioideae and its sister group relationship to Saniculoideae and show concordant topologies to nrDNA ITS and other plastome‐based phylogenies. Sanicula orthacantha and S. chinensis form a sister group to S. lamelligera and S. odorata, consecutively. These four species comprise a sister group to the clade of S. rubriflora and S. flavovirens, with this entire group sister to S. giraldii. The plastid genome resources provided herein will be important for future systematic, evolutionary, phylogenomic and population‐level studies of Sanicula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current laws related to intellectual property (IP) protection, especially those meant for protecting copyrights and trade secrets, afford certain strong protections for software programs. However, all IP laws have their limits set by legislators purposefully, to maintain a sound balance between private monopoly rights and public interest. To deal with these limits, software companies frequently include certain restrictive provisions in software end)user licensing terms. The anti-reverse engineering clause is a typical example of companies’ efforts to supplement IP protections for software programs. The enforceability of these terms is a critical issue because they disrupt the balance intended by IP laws. This Article discusses the position of China on the enforceability of anti-reverse engineering clauses and finds that the Chinese position is too uncertain. By drawing on insights and policy considerations from the United States and European Union positions, this Article argues that the one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate for China and that an intermediate approach would be a more appropriate alternative. Specifically, it contends that the Chinese law should be reformed to include clear provisions allowing limited contractual bans but disallowing total bans on reverse engineering programs. Moreover, a miscellaneous provision should be included to address the rapid development of this industry and deal with an unpredictable future landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Lung cancer is a common and malignant tumor in adults and ranks first in the incidence and mortality of the top five malignant tumors in China. Our previous studies have shown that QYSL prescription can balance lung cancer mice Th1/Th2 and inhibit tumor cell immune escape. Here, we examined the effects of QYSL on lung cancer associated macrophage and the potential associated mechanism. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected with Lewis lung cancer cells and treated with QYSL. FACS, RT-PCR, and western blot were used to examined the effect of QYSL on tumor immune microenvironment. Results: We found QYSL inhibited tumor growth in mice with lung cancer. Further study indicated that QYSL inhibited growth of lung tumor by promoting T cell activation and promoting macrophage polarization to M1 type. We found QYSL could markedly inhibit M2 macrophage related protein expression and promote M1 macrophage related protein expression. Additionally, STAT6 and MTOR expression were reduced in QYSL group. Conclusions: Overall, this study indicated that QYSL potently inhibited the growth of lung cancer by promoting T cell activation and M2 macrophage polarization to M1, which was found to be associated with the STAT6 and MTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective this retrospective study aims to compare the prevalence and diagnostic agreement of sarcopenic obesity (SO) using different obesity diagnostic methods among Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Methods SO was diagnosed with sarcopenia and obesity diagnostic methods. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria 2019 (AWGS2019). Four widely used indicators were used to define obesity: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percent of body fat (PBF) and visceral fat area (VFA). Cohen's kappa was used to analyse the diagnosis agreement of SO between different diagnostic methods. Results a total of 1,050 participants were included, including 347 men (71.3 ± 7.4 years) and 703 women (69.9 ± 7.5 years). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 25% in total participants, there was no difference between men (24.2%) and women (25.5%), (P  = 0.705). With different obesity diagnostic methods, the obesity prevalence ranged from 4.1 to 42.2%, the SO prevalence was 0.1–7.9%. The diagnosis agreement of SO was poor-to-moderate (κ ranged from −0.002 to 0.682). Among the four diagnostic methods, AWGS combined with BMI had the poorest agreement (κ = −0.002 with other methods), AWGS combined with VFA had the best agreement (κ = 0.641 and 0.682 with AWGS combined with PBF and with AWGS combined with WC, respectively). Conclusion the prevalence of SO vary considerably and the diagnostic agreement is poor-to-moderate with non-uniform diagnostic methods. BMI has the lowest sensitivity, whereas VFA has the highest sensitivity in diagnosis of SO, and VFA has a relatively good diagnostic agreement with other diagnostic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, urban resettlement as a specific form of urbanisation has gained its momentum in planning practices to accommodate newcomers of cities, in line with the macro policy reforms of urban-rural integration. This paper synthesises literature related to the proposed term 'urban resettlement with Chinese characteristics' to shed light on the distinctive and unparalleled socio-economic and spatial transformation entailed by the ongoing urban resettlement in China. Mindful of China's socialist ideology and authoritarian regime, we argue that urban resettlement has become a potent tool for the Chinese government to fuel economic development and urbanisation. The longstanding issues such as involuntary resettlement have been alleviated with the gradualist institutional changes, but emerging predicaments concerning social mismatch, space mismatch, and spatial mismatch still linger. This paper calls for researchers to draw lessons and implications from the discourse of 'urban resettlement with Chinese characteristics' to expand the knowledge of sustainable urban-rural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a theory‐based patient‐family carer partnership intervention for people with hypertension in a Chinese rural community. Design: A pilot randomised controlled trial using pretest and post‐test design. Setting: Rural China Participants: Forty‐four hypertensive patients and their family carers (family dyads) were randomly recruited from a village clinic located in China between November 2019 and January 2020. Interventions: Participants were randomised to either an intervention group receiving a five‐session patient‐family carer partnership intervention over 10 weeks or a control group receiving usual care. Main outcome measures: The feasibility and acceptability of patient‐family carer partnership intervention and the changes in patients' systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and percentage of normal controlled blood pressure. Results: The patient‐family carer partnership intervention was a feasible and acceptable program with high recruitment (81.5%) and completion rates (95.5%) and positive feedback from participants. Greater improvement in the percentage of normal controlled blood pressure was identified in the intervention group tested by the χ2 tests, with P =.03. Two‐way ANOVA results indicated its interaction (Group × Time) effects on patients' systolic blood pressure (P <.001), diastolic blood pressure (P <.001), dyadic partnership quality (P =.002), self‐care (P <.001), self‐efficacy (P =.02), antihypertensive drug treatment rate (P =.02), prescription adjustment (P =.03), perceived anxiety (P <.001) and health‐related quality of life (EuroQol five‐dimensional five‐level: P =.02; EuroQol visual analogue scale: P <.001); family carers' dyadic partnership quality (P =.002), perceived depression (P =.04) and health‐related quality of life (P =.02) were significant. Conclusion: Our findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the patient‐family carer partnership intervention and indicate benefits in improving patients' blood pressure control, dyadic relationship and psychological well‐being of family dyads in rural area. Further research to test the longer‐term effect in a large‐sized population is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores stakeholders' understandings of authenticity in a selected historic landscape of China, and focuses on views about appropriate conservation and management strategies. The World Heritage listed site, Slender West Lake Scenic and Historic Interest Area, is examined as a case study. The study shows that various stakeholders think the originality of fabric, the representation of intangible values, and social engagement are three major indicators of the authenticity of this historic landscape. The finding leads us to suggest that, in China, authenticity is significantly influenced by specific social, political, and economic factors and by native Chinese philosophies and the cultural characteristic of naïve dialecticism, which partly explains contemporary conservation practices there. The case study also demonstrates that creative reconstruction has always been an important cultural practice in the history and geography of the Slender West Lake site. However, the superficial application of this cultural practice may create challenges for contemporary landscape conservation. The concept of dialectical authenticity therefore has implications for future conservation practices of historic landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer education has been extensively incorporated into various inclusion schemes, for purposes ranging from health promotion to participant empowerment. This paper examines the impact of peer education on reducing stigmatization in marginalized populations through an examination of the structure and activities of Rebirth Peer Education, a Chinese anti-drug peer education program. Based on the thematic analysis of organizational documents and interview data collected from RPE's social workers, peer educators, and peer members, this study finds that peer education can actually work to exacerbate the stigmatization and marginalization of people who use drugs (PWUD) through the 'othering' processes encountered in these programs. 'Othering' is a process in which those who are considered different are labelled, dismissed and scapegoated. Consequently, this process also stigmatizes and marginalizes those who are defined as 'others.' In RPE, 'othering' takes place through the organizations' recruitment and promotion processes, which are based on and further reinforce a perception of 'clean,' strong-willed, former PWUD and 'unclean,' weak, current PWUD. The glorification of peer educators further works to 'other' PWUD. The results suggest that peer education has the potential to further, rather than reduce, the stigmatization of PWUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the social network perspective and a case study of Chongqing Jiaotong University, this study analyzes the engagement of alumni entrepreneurs in the university student entrepreneurship development process in China. It employs primary data gathered through interviews of senior university managers, alumni and student entrepreneurs, and student start-ups. The study found that the importance of alumni entrepreneurs is comparatively weak at the formation stage of student entrepreneurial intention but relatively strong at the entrepreneurial resource acquisition stage. The most important resource provided by the alumni is information, followed by materials, clients, and human, technological and financial resources. Professors play the most important role in nurturing student entrepreneurship, both at the formation stage and the resource acquisition stage. The findings suggest that universities should involve alumni entrepreneurs actively to foster student entrepreneurship as well as incentivize professors to proactively nurture student entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-armed scarab (Cheirotonus gestroi) is an endangered large insect in southwestern China and neighboring countries; however, limited information is available regarding its population genetics, hindering conservation efforts. Therefore, we investigated the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of C. gestroi in southwestern China. Twenty-five haplotypes were obtained from 47 specimens across five populations. The Dawei Mountain (DWS) population differed from other populations by a high genetic distance. Population structure analysis generated three distinct clades, corresponding to Hengduan Mountains (HM), Ailao Mountains (AM), and Dawei Mountains (DM), and high-level genetic diversity was found in two HM populations. Collectively, the strong genetic differentiation among populations might be due to limited gene flow, geographical isolation, and habitat fragmentation. Therefore, while developing a conservation strategy, HM, AM, and DM groups should be defined as separate management units. Additionally, the DWS population should be given priority protection due to its uniqueness and low genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, rural landscapes have been the subject of increasing international cultural heritage research, and one of the most important issues under investigation at both theoretical and pragmatic levels concerns how to identify the spatial character of rural landscapes for conservation purposes. This article establishes an innovative approach adopting a cultural landscape perspective with the support of point cloud technologies to capture spatial patterns of rural landscapes. This approach was explored by reference to Tunpu villages in Guizhou, China—these being a specific kind of military fortress settlement. Cultural landscape values and landscape characters of Tunpu villages were identified using historical research and document analysis. Aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry and laser scanning systems were combined to collect and process spatial information at environmental, village, and architectural scales. Point cloud models can quantitatively represent villages' spatial patterns and inform the interpretation of their heritage significance. We conclude that the strengths of point cloud technologies could meet the requirements of rural landscape heritage documentation from a cultural landscape perspective. This mixed‐technology approach could also greatly improve the efficiency and precision of traditional rural landscape documentation, which has the potential to change methodologies applied to rural landscape research and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More frequent, persistent, and intensive SHX over Chinese urban clusters. • Synergies/trade-offs between SUHI and SHX co-exist in urban environments. • Responses of SUHI to SHX depends on urban-rural contrast of SHX. • Variations in evaporative cooling and surface heat storage drive the SUHI response. Hot extremes are among the most damaging climate extremes to human society, with urban areas being particularly vulnerable due to the surface urban heat island (SUHI). Despite the growing frequency and intensity of surface hot extreme (SHX), a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and drivers of SUHI responsiveness to SHX (difference in SUHI intensity [δSUHII] between SHX and non-hot extreme conditions [NSHX]) remains obscure. This study aims to shed light on the spatial-temporal pattern of SHX and the distinct SUHI responses to SHX throughout climatically diverse Chinese urban clusters using the seamless daily land surface temperature (LST) dataset. Our results provided evidence that Chinese urban clusters have experienced increasingly frequent, prolonged, and intensive SHX events regardless of climatic context, with stronger occurrences in summer and fall. Spatially, urban clusters in the northern regions have been subjected to more intensified SHX episodes compared to their southern counterparts. Furthermore, our findings revealed distinct δSUHII responses to SHX across China, demonstrating synergies between SUHI and SHX when SHX events constrained to urban areas whereas trade-offs when SHX isolated within rural settings. The magnitude of δSUHII depended upon the relative intensity of SHX between urban and rural settings, and heightened δSUHII generally associated with more intensified SHX events in urban than rural areas. Additionally, the explainable machine learning-based driver exploration showed that δSUHII was largely controlled by disparities in evaporative cooling (δET) between SHX and NSHX during the daytime, whereas during nighttime, it was predominantly governed by changes in surface heat storage, including urban-rural disparities in surface albedo (δABD) and impervious surface fraction (ISF). Facing the intertwined challenges posed by climate change and urbanization, it is imperative for cities to develop effective cooling strategies that emphasize enhanced evaporative cooling and minimized heat storage. These strategies are essential for safeguarding urban residents from potential synergistic effects between SUHI and SHX towards sustainable cities and human settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers on the yield of 'Jianbao' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch), we conducted experiments using the "3414" optimal design scheme in Dehua County, Quanzhou, Fujian, China. Overall, three fertilizer factors (N, P, K) were tested with four fertilization levels (level 0, no fertilizer; level 1, 0.5-times the typical fertilizing amount; level 2, typical fertilizer application; level 3, 1.5-times the typical application), with a total of 14 different fertilization treatments. Based on the results of this study, a corresponding fertilization performance model was established to provide a practical basis for ensuring highly efficient cultivation of pumpkin in the field. Our results showed that the experimental data could not be fitted with a ternary quadratic polynomial fertilizer model, but that it could be fitted with a single-variable quadratic fertilizer model. According to the fitted model, pumpkin yield first increased and then decreased with the increasing amount of N, P, and K used. We identified significant regression relationships between 'Jianbao' pumpkin yield and the amount of N, P, andKin the fertilizer. Finally, based on the singlevariable quadratic fertilizer model, we suggest that the quantities of N, P, andK fertilizer used for growing 1 ha of 'Jianbao' pumpkin should be 390.5, 213.8, and 371.3 kg, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) represent a cutting-edge and zero-emission car technology, which would be promoted to enter market by construction of an efficient network of hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs). Herein, the quantity of FCVs and HRSs in China is recorded and analyzed to figure out the past and future scenarios, with the emphasis on HRS location and FCV refueling distance. A reducing FCV/HRS ratio is witnessed after 2018 due to an intensive growth of HRSs, implying improved refueling experience and reduced refueling distance. 5000 HRSs will be built before 2035 according to the Roadmap of China. In order to estimate the refueling distance in 2035, the number of HRSs is assumed to construct in cities with diverse population sizes. If projected HRSs are entirely placed in cities with more than one million people, the refueling distance would be ~5 km, which falls into the consumer expectation for fossil fuel powered vehicles. The refueling distance can be further shortened to 3 km, provided centralizing the limited HRSs in cities with >5 million people. This work enlightens a more feasible and applicable strategy to formulate a necessary HRS network in densely populated city regions in priority to promote FCV and HRS development in the current stage. [Display omitted] • The quantity of FCVs and HRSs in China is recorded and analyzed. • Typical cites are exemplified to specialize regional HRS development. • <5 km distance is identified providing placing all HRSs in large cities. • This work enlightens a feasible strategy to formulate a necessary HRS network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common injuries in sport. To reduce the risk of noncontact ACL injury, it is critical to understand the effects of an intervention program on neuromuscular control–related biomechanical risk factors. Hypothesis: A newly developed 4-week intervention program would significantly increase the knee flexion angle at peak impact posterior ground-reaction force and would significantly decrease the peak impact posterior and vertical ground-reaction forces in the stop-jump and side-cutting tasks, while the intervention effects would be retained after the training was completed. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 22 male and 18 female collegiate basketball and volleyball players with biomechanical characteristics associated with increased risk of ACL injury were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group executed a program to improve landing techniques through strength and plyometric training 3 times a week for 4 weeks while participating in their regular training. The control group participated in only their regular training for 4 weeks. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data in the stop-jump and side-cutting tasks were collected at week 0 (the beginning of the study) and at the ends of weeks 4, 8, 16, and 20. Knee flexion angle and ground-reaction forces were calculated. Analyses of variance with a mixed design were performed to determine the intervention effects and the retention of intervention effects for each sex. Results: Male participants in the intervention group significantly increased the knee flexion angle at peak impact posterior ground-reaction force in the stop-jump task at weeks 8, 12, and 20 when compared with that at week 0 and with the male control group (P ≤ .002). No significant intervention effects on knee flexion angle and ground-reaction force were found in the side-cutting task for male participants. No significant interaction effects on takeoff velocities were detected in any task for male participants. No significant intervention effects on knee flexion angle and ground-reaction force were found in any task for female participants. Vertical takeoff velocity in the stop-jump task was significantly lower in the intervention group at week 20 compared with the control group (P = .011). Conclusion: A 4-week intervention program significantly increased the knee flexion angle at peak impact posterior ground-reaction force of male collegiate athletes in the stop-jump task without significant effect on the performance of the task. This intervention effect was retained for at least 16 weeks after the training was completed. The intervention program, however, did not affect knee flexion angle and ground-reaction force in any task for female collegiate athletes. A reduction in vertical takeoff velocity of the stop-jump task was observed for female collegiate athletes 16 weeks after the intervention. Clinical Relevance: The intervention program with strength conditioning and plyometric exercises could modify landing biomechanics of male collegiate athletes in a stop-jump task. The intervention program may be a useful tool for preventing noncontact ACL injury for male collegiate athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the seasonality of, and contributors to, surface urban heat island (SUHI) will pave the way for developing more generalized urban cooling strategies. The direction and shape of SUHI seasonal hysteresis have been thought to be background climate dependent. However, there remains a relative paucity of knowledge about the patterns and driving mechanisms of such hysteretic phenomena across diverse climates. Here we show that the seasonal hysteretic cycles of SUHI in the daytime and nighttime across Chinese cities between 2003 and 2020 can be identified as eight and six primary patterns, characterized by diverse and complex behaviors including clockwise, anti-clockwise, twisted, concave, and convex directions/loops. The urban-rural differences in evapotranspiration (ΔET) and surface albedo (ΔABD) have been recognized as the primary contributors to SUHI in the daytime and nighttime and their seasonal hysteresis, respectively, as measured by structural equation modeling (SEM) and time lead/lag analysis. These biophysical mechanisms for diverse seasonal hysteretic cycles of SUHI in China re-emphasized climate context dependencies in SUHI terms. Furthermore, the observed divergence of SUHI hysteresis typologies within similar background climates highlighted the additional drivers of complex urban systems because SUHI is a combined result of rural background and urban characteristics. We conclude that the cost-effective UHI mitigation strategies creating synergies or avoiding trade-offs among seasons should be climate context-specific and tailored to local urbanicity. • More diverse SUHI seasonal hysteresis across Chinese cities has been identified. • Re -emphasized climate context dependencies of SUHI patterns and dynamics. • Urban and rural surface elements together shaped the SUHI hysteresis cycles. • Biophysical factors directly contributed to SUHI and their seasonal hysteresis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding sorption of PFOA on soil particles is crucial to evaluate its environmental risk. Here, sorption of PFOA onto ten agricultural soils was examined. The influence of soil physico-chemical properties on PFOA sorption was investigated. The sorption rate of PFOA followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics. Isotherm data of PFOA sorption was fitted with both Freundlich and linear models and the latter fitted better. The sorption-desorption of PFOA onto ten soil samples depended on soil organic carbon content and composition of soil minerals. The sorption and desorption isotherms of PFOA on ten soils were linear, except for the sorption of PFOA onto a few soils, which was described by the Freundlich equation with the parameter N >1. The main sorption mechanism of PFOA was hydrophobic interaction between the perfluorinated carbon chain and the organic matter of soil, as evidenced by the correlation between the solid-liquid distribution coefficient and the fraction of soil organic carbon. The sorption of PFOA in soils was highly irreversible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1999, QX-like (GI-19) avian infectious bronchitis viruses have been the predominant strains in China till now. Vaccination is the most effective way to control the disease, while live attenuated vaccine is widely used. In the current research, we evaluated the effect of several monovalent and bivalent live IBV vaccines in young chickens against the QX-like (GI-19) IBV infection. The results showed that monovalent 4/91 and bivalent Ma5+LDT3 vaccines could provide efficient protection in day-old chickens that reduced morbidity and mortality, ameliorated histopathology lesions, and reduced viral loads were observed. These data suggest that vaccination through nasal route with monovalent 4/91 or bivalent Ma5+LDT3 in day-old chickens could serve a safe and effective vaccination strategy for controlling QX-like (GI-19) infectious bronchitis virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's rapid urbanization involves the large-scale relocation of rural villagers and the production of concentrated resettlement communities in urban areas. This new urban population's post-resettlement adaptation and socio-economic situations raise concerns for urban scholars and policymakers alike. This paper invokes the concept of deprivation and aims to establish indices of multiple deprivations (IMDs) for such communities. In doing so, this research use accessibility as a proxy and integrates the space syntax approach with multi-criteria decision analysis to construct the IMDs of concentrated resettlement communities in Hangzhou, China. The findings suggest that material deprivation may not be the primary concern for residential segregation of resettlement communities in urban areas. Besides, the accessibility to different services reflects diverse deprivation patterns among resettlement communities. Moreover, various stakeholder groups' perceptions of deprivation may lead to different results of the IMDs. The diverse criteria or domains of deprivation contribute differently to the deprivation, which requires a tailored treatment strategy when constructing IMDs, such as the sensitivity analysis used in this research. The proposed measurement of deprivation has important policy implications for sustainable urban development in China. • The indices of multiple deprivations (IMDs) of resettlement communities are proposed. • Material deprivation is not the primary concern for the residential segregation of resettlement communities. • The accessibility to different services reflects diverse deprivation patterns. • Various stakeholder groups' perceptions of deprivation may lead to different results of IMDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's dual land ownership structure creates distinctive land markets in rural and urban areas, and the issue of ambiguous property rights systems is theoretically regarded as a rural issue. In recent years, rural-to-urban resettlement has become a potent tool of the government in promoting urbanization and addressing the ambiguity issue. Yet, resettlement projects may deviate from the presupposed ideal path of achieving equitable property rights through property rights rearrangements. This research aims to unpack the complexity of property rights embedded in rural-to-urban resettlement based on the empirical case of Hangzhou. Based on documentary analysis, field observation, in-depth interviews, and questionnaire surveys, this research argues that the ambiguity issue cannot be fully addressed through rural-to-urban transition, and the concomitant complexity issue is inevitable in urban areas without targeted policy remedies. The findings identify some main obstacles to the ideal transition of property rights systems. First, the resettled villagers are excluded from market participation by inadequate compensation through planning mechanisms. Second, resettlement communities suffer from the remaining rurality that challenges the enforcement of formal institutions and the governance of communal resources in the urban system. Third, the collective-retained land is an innovative but compromised institution devised by the local government to achieve a fair property rights rearrangement through resettlement, but its effectiveness is weakened by the politics at the village level. These findings have important policy implications for achieving equitable property rights in the context of China's heightened attention to sustainable urban-rural development. • Rural-to-urban resettlement is a planning tool to address the ambiguity issue of property rights. • The complexity of property rights should be interpreted based on a two-dimensional construct. • The persistent rurality challenges formal regulations and communal resources governance in resettlement communities. • The collective-retained land is an innovative but compromised institution to achieve equitable property rights. • The current property rights systems need planning and policy intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older people with multimorbidity are usually required to manage multiple medications and complex medication regimens. However, clinical guidelines for medication management almost entirely focus on a single disease. Further research is needed to assess the efficacy of medication self-management interventions for older people with multimorbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led medication self-management intervention on medication adherence and health outcomes in older people with multimorbidity. A single-blind, two-arm randomised controlled trial. Three community health centres in Changsha, China. Older people with multimorbidity. A total of 136 participants were recruited and randomly allocated into either a 6-week nurse-led medication self-management intervention group (n = 67) or usual care group (n = 69). The intervention consisted of three one-on-one educational sessions on medication-related information, motivation and self-management skills and two follow-up phone calls. The primary outcome was medication adherence. Secondary outcomes included medication self-management capacity, treatment experiences, quality of life and utilisation of health care services. Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. The intervention effects were assessed using generalised estimating equation models. Statistically significant improvements were found in medication adherence (β = 1.63, p = 0.034), medication knowledge (β = 2.61, p < 0.001), beliefs about harm of medication (β = − 1.83, p < 0.001), medication self-efficacy (β = 3.22, p < 0.001) and satisfaction with convenience of medication use (β = 5.02, p = 0.005) for the intervention group compared with the control group immediately post-intervention. Compared with the control group at 3 months follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in medication knowledge (β = 2.26, p < 0.001), beliefs about necessity of medication (β = 2.68, p = 0.002) and concerns about medication (β = − 2.44, p = 0.002), medication self-efficacy (β = 1.87, p = 0.015) and medication burden (β = − 3.96, p = 0.004). Improved medication adherence was observed in the intervention group at 3 months follow-up compared with baseline, although the differences between the groups were not significant. No statistically significant effects were found on quality of life and utilisation of health care services at either time point. A 6-week medication self-management intervention significantly improved medication adherence immediately post-intervention, suggesting a short-term intervention effect. A longer intervention period and continuous follow-up support may be required to achieve sustained improvements in medication adherence and health outcomes in older people with multimorbidity. ChiCTR.org.cn (ChiCTR2000030011); Start of recruitment: June 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of planetary urbanization, urbanization through resettlement in the global south has garnered increasingly scholarly attention. In China, state-led rural-to-urban resettlement has become a potent tool for the government. The production of concentrated resettlement communities (CRCs) to accommodate resettled villagers and facilitate their post-resettlement adaptation creates a unique urban phenomenon. However, existing research has insufficiently unpacked the evolution of the production process. Drawing on the theory of space production, this research proposes a dynamic spatial-temporal conceptual framework to examine the process of space production. Based on several months of fieldwork conducted in Hangzhou in 2021, this research offers an empirical lens on how CRCs have evolved and how landless farmers have adapted to the host city. This research first finds that CRCs in Hangzhou have three typologies. Secondly, resettled villagers in early CRCs are confronted with economic challenges but maintain well social relations. Their shared collectivism is conducive to their spatial adaptation. In recent CRCs, strict planning and community management have further limited resettled villagers' spontaneous attempts in reshaping space to support their adaptation. These findings have important policy implications for achieving inclusive resettlement in China and the Asian context. • A dynamic spatial-temporal conceptual framework is proposed to examine space production. • Concentrated resettlement communities (CRCs) in Hangzhou have three typologies. • Resttled villagers' adaptation processes are distinct in different CRCs. • The changing spatial practice and the evolving planning and community governance have produced distinctive CRCs. • The diluted collectivism in recent CRCs weakens villagers' collective adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: From 1973 to 2005, the lung cancer mortality in Xuanwei had increased constantly. Effect analysis of age and non-age factors on lung cancer is important for local policy-making.Methods: Demographic and death data was collected and used. Factors of lung cancer were classified into age and non-age factors. The contribution of the two factors to lung cancer was evaluated by method of decomposing the differences of mortality rate.Results: For males, the non-age factors were the major contributor to growth of lung cancer mortality, and 78.46% of all growth was attributed to non-age factors. For females, the non-age factors were the absolute contributor to growth of lung cancer in 1973-1992. From 1992 to 2005, the contribution proportion had reduced to 75.39%.Conclusions: Aging was one of risk factors for lung cancer in Xuanwei, but not the main factor. It was supposed that multiple environmental risk factors were related with high growth of lung cancer in Xuanwei. Policy-making should focus on the non-age factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular identification of plant species may be highly related to the geographic isolation and speciation stages among species. In this study, we examined these possibilities in a group of white pines in China. We sampled 449 individuals from 60 natural populations of seven species from sect. Quinquefoliae subsect. Strobus . We sequenced four chloroplast DNA regions (around 3100 bp in length) and two mitochondrial DNAs (around 1000 bp in length). We identified 21 chlorotypes and 10 mitotypes. Both chlorotypes and mitotypes recovered from four species with long disjunction and restricted distributions in northern or northwestern China, Pinus sibirica , Pinus koraiensis , Pinus wallichiana and Pinus pumila are species-specific, suggesting that these cytoplasmic DNAs can distinguish them from the close relatives. Allopatric isolations should have contributed greatly to their genetic divergences. However, both chlorotypes and mitotypes recovered for Pinus dabeshanensis and Pinus fenzeliana distributed in southeastern and southern China are shared or closely related to those found in the widely distributed Pinus armandii . These two species may have diverged or derived from P. armandii recently. All of our findings together suggest that the discrimination power of the molecular identifications based on the cytoplasmic DNA barcodes may show variable discriminability depending on geographic isolation and speciation stages among the sampled species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the residues, compositions, distributions and potential ecological risks of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), water samples were collected seasonally between August 2011 and November 2012 from 20 sites in Lake Chaohu and its tributary rivers. The mean concentration of total PFAAs (TPFAAs) was 14.46 ± 6.84 ng/L. PFOA was the predominant contaminant (8.62 ± 4.40 ng/L), followed by PFBA (2.04 ± 1.16 ng/L) and PFHxA (1.23 ± 1.50 ng/L). The TPFAAs concentrations peaked in August 2012 in each area, except for the western river. The opposite spatial trends were found for PFOA and PFOS in both the lake and river areas. Except for PFOS and PFUdA, the levels of TPFAAs and PFAAs were significantly related to the composition of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) but not related to total DOM expressed by dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The risk of PFOS determined by a species sensitivity distribution model was notably above that of PFOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) can have a significant impact on human health. Previous studies involved the detection of limited classes of indoor SVOCs in different regions of China. However, overall indoor pollution profiles and the associated health risks via multiple exposure pathways remain unclear. High-throughput screening of SVOCs would help clarify the overall indoor pollution status and identify high-risk pollutants. We collected indoor air and dust samples from 35 Chinese homes and investigated the occurrence of a wide range of SVOCs. Ninety-seven SVOCs including phthalate esters (PAEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphate esters, alcohols, fatty acids, phenols, etc., were detected in the air (total concentrations: 0.13–48 μg/m3; median: 3.4 μg/m3) and dust (total concentrations: 120–1500 μg/g; median: 490 μg/g) samples. PAEs were the most abundant, accounting for 55.3 ± 28.6% and 43.4 ± 16.9% of the total SVOC concentrations in the air and dust samples respectively. Human exposure and health risks of 34 SVOCs with detection frequencies >10% were assessed based on inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption of SVOCs from air and dust by infants and adults. In the case of indoor SVOCs with log K oa < 9, inhalation and dermal contact with air was >90% for adults and >69% for infants. The following five SVOCs in air samples posed significant non-carcinogenic risks and are listed based on their decreasing risk level: dibutyl phthalate > phenanthrene > stearic acid > methyl palmitate > lauryl alcohol. Four PAHs with 2–4 rings posed potential carcinogenic risks, with phenanthrene exceeding the acceptable risk level of 10−4. The high risks posed by SVOCs were due to inhalation exposure. Therefore, keeping the air concentrations of SVOCs, especially that of PAEs and PAHs under check would greatly benefit human health in indoor environments. [Display omitted] • A total of ninety-seven pollutants were detected in Chinese homes. • Phthalate esters were the predominant pollutants in both air and dust samples. • Dibutyl phthalate in indoor air posed the highest non-carcinogenic risk. • Carcinogenic risk of phenanthrene exceeded the acceptable risk level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandstone type uranium is the most valuable and has the most potential for mining among the known uranium deposits. In the process of forming, the hydrolytic migration and enrichment of uranium require special basin sedimentary environment and tectonic background. Therefore, the mineralization process of sandstone type uranium deposits has certain layering characteristics and distribution rules in the underground vertical depth space. It is important to mine the spatial distribution characteristics of vertical uranium-bearing layers, and thus, reconstruct the three-dimensions of uranium orebodies. In this paper, according to the metallogenic law and distribution characteristics of sandstone type uranium in the underground vertical space, a nonlinear uranium-bearing layers identification (NULI) method of sandstone type uranium is proposed by using different types, resolutions and scales of borehole data. Then, the depth of uranium mineralization for the Daying uranium deposit within northern Ordos Basin is identified accurately and the spatial distribution characteristics of the uranium-bearing layer on the exploration line are obtained. Finally, the occurrence mode of the underground uranium orebodies are presented by using three-dimensional reconstruction analysis. It provides a basis for the prediction, exploration and mining of sandstone type uranium deposits within the Ordos Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are important atmospheric pollutants that affect air quality, radiation, and human health. In this study, 14 typical SOA tracers were measured in PM 2.5 collected from three central cities of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in the winter of 2014 and the summer of 2015. Among the determined SOA tracers, α/β-pinene SOA tracers contributed 55.9%, followed by isoprene SOA tracers (33.7%), anthropogenic benzene SOA tracer (6.4%) and β-caryophyllene SOA tracer (4.0%). There was no significant difference in the concentration of individual SOA tracers among the three cities (p > 0.05), indicating a high degree of regional consistency. The concentrations of isoprene, α/β-pinene, and toluene SOA tracers were significantly higher in summer than in winter. A correlation of SOA tracers with temperature implies that the isoprene and α/β-pinene SOA tracers in summer were greatly boosted by plant emissions and the high DHOPA in summer could be attributed to evaporation of paint and solvent. In contrast, the elevated β-caryophyllene SOA tracer in winter was likely associated with active biomass burning. Furthermore, we observed a close correlation of summer isoprene and α/β-pinene SOA tracers with sulfate only in Shanghai, which verifies that biogenic SOA formation was facilitated by high concentration of sulfate. The ratios of MGA/MTLs and P/M were applied to reveal the impact of NO x on SOA formation and the aging degree of SOA, respectively. The MGA/MTLs ratios were comparable for the three cities, but much higher than the background value of this region as expected. The P/M ratios suggest that the aging degree of SOA in the YRD region was generally low, but the winter SOA were fresher than the summer SOA. Our research helps to understand pollution characteristics of SOA tracers in the urban agglomeration. [Display omitted] • PM 2.5 -bound SOA tracers in three central cities of the YRD region were investigated. • Reasons for the differences of SOA tracers among sites and seasons were discussed. • Implication of α/β-pinene SOA tracers for aerosol aging degree. • Isoprene SOA tracers indicates the effects of large anthropogenic NO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a large industrial country where tropical meteorological disasters occur frequently. Therefore, natural-technological (Natech) risk cannot be ignored. Assessing the social vulnerability of an industrial city prone to tropical meteorological disaster-induced Natechs is urgent. To analyze the social vulnerability of such cities, we propose a Bayesian network (BN)-based method to model the social vulnerability framework. Natech is characterised by high-consequence and low-probability. The industrial cities in Southeast China are selected as a case study. The Monte Carlo method simulates the data generated in industrial cities suffering from tropical disaster-induced Natechs, and the conditional probability tables of BN descendant nodes are obtained by the expert scoring method. After sensitivity analysis, we conclude that the 'catastrophic index of tropical cyclones,' 'population density,' and 'prevention capacity' have important impacts on social vulnerability. Human traits, the social environment, and the economy play important roles in social vulnerability assessments. Therefore, reducing the catastrophic index of tropical cyclones and population density and strengthening prevention capacity management measures are necessary. Some suggestions obtained after sensitivity analysis can assist governments in improving disaster prevention and mitigation abilities and formulating urban planning policies for sustainable development. Highlights Industry city's vulnerability analysis for Natural-technological (Natech) accidents A social vulnerability assessment framework for sustainable development A Bayesian network combined with the Monte Carlo simulation data and expert judgment Risk management for high-consequence and low-probability events [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menispermum dauricum rhizome has been widely used in China to treat various cardiovascular and thrombosis disorders. Some studies have reported that the phenolic alkaloids of Menispermum dauricum rhizome (PAM) have protective effects against brain ischemia injury, but the mechanism of this action remains to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated the possible mechanisms of action of PAM on experimental brain ischemia injury. Oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in rat primary cortical cultures and middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats were used to mimic ischemia-reperfusion injury, respectively. The results suggested that PAM protected rat primary cortical cultures against OGD-reoxygenation induced cytotoxicity. PAM decreased extracellular glutamate content and markedly prevented the effects induced by OGD on protein level of GLT-1 and EAAC1 glutamate transporters. In addition, it reduced intracellular ROS generation. In vivo, PAM significantly reduced cerebral infarct area and ameliorated neurological functional deficits at different time points. Our findings revealed that the possible mechanism of action of PAM protected against brain ischemia injury involves regulation of GLT-1, EAAC1 and ROS generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hearing impairment negatively impacts students' development of academic, language and social skills. Even minimal unilateral hearing loss can hinder educational performance. We investigated the prevalence of ear diseases among secondary school students in the city of Xi'an, China in order to provide a foundation for evidence-based hearing healthcare. Methods: A stratified random sampling survey was conducted in 29 secondary schools. Demographics and medical histories were collected, and otologic examinations were performed. Questionnaires were administered to assess insomnia, academic stress and use of portable audio devices. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with hearing impairment, and the association of sensorineural hearing loss with insomnia, academic stress and the use of portable audio devices was analyzed with the chi-square test. Results: The percentage of students with some form of ear disease was 3.32%. External ear disease, middle ear disease and sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 1.21%, 0.64% and 1.47% of the students, respectively. Boys had a relatively higher prevalence of ear disease than girls. According to our survey, the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss increased significantly among the students with insomnia and extended use of portable audio devices, but not among those with elevated levels of academic stress. Hearing aids and surgical treatment were needed in 1.47% and 0.89% of the students, respectively. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of ear disease among secondary school students, and this should be given more attention. Insomnia and the excessive use of portable audio devices may be related to adolescent sensorineural hearing loss. It is important to establish and comply with an evidence-based preventive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Details are given in present paper of the development of a sediment transport and morphological model to predict the bed evolution processes in tidal flows. The model is based on an existing hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (DIVASTSED), but with significant refinements being made. A single size sediment transport module is refined to include capability for simulating the transport of graded sediments under non-equilibrium conditions. Both cohesive sediment and non-cohesive sediment are taken into consideration in present study. The fall velocity of suspended sediment is modified in present model due to the high sediment concentration. A 3-layer approach is adopted to simulate the variations of sediment gradations of bed materials. The model is used to simulate the bed evolution in the Yellow River Delta from 1992 to 1995, the numerical results show how the morphology developed in the Yellow River Delta and agree well with the field data. The present model could provide an effective tool for the management of wetland in the Yellow River Delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: On May 12, 2008, a large earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, China. To date, there has been no report specifically addressing the clinical features of traumatized geriatric patients in the earthquake. The objective of this study was to review the characteristics of injuries among aged inpatients and provide some experiences of emergency management for traumatized geriatric patients. Methods: Medical records of earthquake-related geriatric inpatients in West China Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Of the 1,856 inpatients, 400 (21.6%) were ≥ 65 years old. Extremity, trunk and head injuries were present in 240 (60.0%), 102 (25.5%), and 37 (9.2%) patients, respectively. Fracture (68.5%, n = 274) was the most common type of injury. The mortality of earthquake-related geriatric patients was 4.8%, which was higher than that of all earthquake-related patients. Conclusion: Fracture was the most common type of trauma and the extremities were the predominant sites among geriatrics after the Wenchuan earthquake. The mortality of elderly inpatients was higher than that of other age groups. Considering the difficulty and complexity of managing patients with earthquake-related injuries, a multidisciplinary team of physicians should be organized as soon as possible after an earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses actions aimed at sustainable management of healthcare wastes (HCW) in China, taking into account the current national situation in this field, as well as the requirements deriving from the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the WHO recommendations. By the end of 2005, there were 149 low-standard HCW disposal facilities in operation in China, distributed throughout different areas. According to the National Hazardous Waste and Healthcare Waste Disposal Facility Construction Plan, 331 modern, high-standard, centralized facilities will be built up in China in municipal level cities. Although incineration is still the main technical option for HCW disposal in China, it is expected that, especially for medium and small size facilities, non-incineration technologies will develop quickly and will soon become the main technical option. The basic management needs – both from the point of view of pollution control and final disposal – have been defined, and a system of technical and environmental standards has been formulated and implemented; however, there are still some shortages. This is particularly true when considering the best available techniques and best environmental practices developed under the Stockholm Convention, with which the present technological and managing situations are not completely compliant. In this framework, the lifecycle (from generation to final disposal of wastes) of HCW and holistic approaches (technology verification, facilities operation, environmental supervision, environmental monitoring, training system, financial mechanism, etc.) towards HCW management are the most important criteria for the sustainable and reliable management of HCW in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The whole-plant biomass equation of moso bamboo is W = 0.0646 D 2 H 0.7752 . • The relationship between below- and aboveground biomass for moso bamboo forest is M B = 1.6547 (M A) 0.6252 . • Moso bamboo forest has a high proportion of belowground biomass, with an average RS ratio of 0.37. • Biomass C storage of moso bamboo forests accounts for 1.7–2.1% of China's total forest biomass. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forests are widely distributed in southern China and have expanded rapidly in recent years. Although some studies have explored bamboo biomass, there are great uncertainties regarding regional- and national-scale estimations of the total biomass of bamboo forests due to a lack of systematic surveys and root biomass sampling. We investigated 322 bamboo stand plots at 48 sites across all distributed areas (15 provinces) in China in 2017–2019. We further measured the biomass of 147 individual shoots and 132 whole plants in Jiangxi Province, and determined the above- and belowground biomass in 11 sample plots using the complete harvesting method. At individual-level, the average biomass of whole-bamboo and shoot were estimated as 15.6 ± 8.3 and 12.8 ± 6.9 kg per individual, respectively. The stand mean aboveground and belowground biomass values were 60.3 ± 25.7 and 21.0 ± 5.6 Mg ha−1, with a total stand biomass of 81.4 ± 31.3 Mg ha−1 and an average root-to-shoot ratio of 0.37 ± 0.07. Using these data, combined with the 9th National Forest Inventory (NFI) dataset, we estimated that the total bamboo biomass of China was 283.0 ± 6.0 Teragrams (Tg) by using individual mean biomass and 349.5 ± 8.3 Tg by using stand mean biomass, which accounted for 1.7–2.1% of the national total forest biomass carbon pool (i.e., 8.5 Pg C). Our results provide an accurate estimation of bamboo forest biomass based on direct field measurements, and these estimates are essential to the parameterization of forest carbon models in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) in Southern Chinese renal transplant recipients, and summarize the corresponding experiences in diagnosis and management. Method: Retrospectively study 41 documented post-transplant TB cases out of the 2333 patients who received kidney transplantation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between Jan. 1991 and Apr. 2007. Results: TB in the post-renal-transplant population in Southern China displayed the following characteristics: (i) high incidence within a short time after transplantation, the median interval between renal transplantation and diagnosis of TB was 8 months (range: 1-156 months) and 56.1% were diagnosed within the first year post-transplant; (ii) high prevalence (51.2%) of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; (iii) high co-infection rate (19.5%), pathogens included candida albicans, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter haemolyticus and cytomegalovirus; (iv) fever (82.9%), cough (56.1%) and sputum (39.0%) are the most common clinical manifestations; (v) purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) skin test had little diagnostic value in this group with a negative result in all 41 cases; (vi) acute rejection (29.3%) and liver function damage (17.1%) were the main adverse effects of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy; (vii) mortality of patients with post-transplant tuberculosis reached up to 22.0%. Conclusions: Chinese renal transplant recipients face a high risk of TB because of their immuno-compromised state and epidemiological prevalence of the disease. Therefore, attention should be given to this differential diagnosis in clinical practice. Balancing the benefits and disadvantages of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is of importance for this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contemporary China, physicians tend to require more diagnostic work-ups and prescribe more expensive medications than are clearly medically indicated. These practices have been interpreted as defensive medicine in response to a rising threat of potential medical malpractice lawsuits. After outlining recent changes in Chinese malpractice law, this essay contends that the overuse of expensive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions cannot be attributed to malpractice concerns alone. These practice patterns are due as well, if not primarily, to the corruption of medical decision-making by physicians being motivated to earn supplementary income, given the constraints of an ill-structured governmental policy by the over-use of expensive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. To respond to these difficulties of Chinese health care policy, China will need not only to reform the particular policies that encourage these behaviors, but also to nurture a moral understanding that can place the pursuit of profit within the pursuit of virtue. This can be done by drawing on Confucian moral resources that integrate the pursuit of profit within an appreciation of benevolence. It is this Confucian moral account that can formulate a medical care policy suitable to China's contemporary market economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper follows well publicised arguments in December 2004 between Gu Chujun, the controversial board chairman of the large Chinese refrigerator maker, Guangdong Kelon Electrical Holding Co, and Lang Xianping, a Hong Kong economics professor, over the drain on state assets resulting from the privatisation of state-owned enterprises. The Kelon affair triggered a nationwide public debate on further reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The exchange of criticism continued after Gu Chujun was detained in the midst of a corporate scandal in August 2005. At the end of the debate, it was asserted by many observers that the Kelon case was a wake-up call to the Chinese authorities and that more aggressive and effective supervision of listed companies was urgently needed to ensure the appreciation of state assets. This article argues that the building of the institutions of corporate government, as a counterpart to the establishment of property rights institutions, has been a creative process within China-in-transition over the past two decades. Yet the Kelon affair reveals a series of accumulated difficulties with regard to corporate governance reform of Chinese publicly listed companies and its associated institutions. Corporate governance institution-building has been moulded, particularly since 1997 onwards, by the neo-classical apotheosis of unbridled meritocracy with private property rights and shareholder-oriented corporate governance mechanisms as its two poles. The analysis indicates that, as a result, corporate governance restructuring of Chinese publicly listed companies has become opaque with one-sided outcomes in favour of managers and local officials, and, as such, inevitably carries the seeds of its own destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]