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The construction of smart cities may bring positive and negative effects simultaneously on citizens' perception of safety (CPS), while previous studies in the field of smart city construction paied significant attention to safety-related technologies but ignored CPS. Therefore, this work developed an indicator set consisting of five primary and eleven secondary indicators. A model integrating analytical network process and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was used to evaluate CPS in smart cities. Nanjing, a pilot smart city in China, was adopted as the case to demonstrate the proposed evaluation methodology. The results showed that the CPS in Nanjing was at a positive level on the whole. The citizens held the highest CPS in medical treatment, while the CPS concerning information and food were weak. This paper would not only enrich the academic framework related to CPS, but also help the government formulate sustainable smart city construction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste is a feasible method for solving the problem of spent fuel storage in China. High-level radioactive waste releases heat during the decay process, which increases the temperature of the surrounding rock in the repository, resulting in a significant increase in radon concentration. In this study, the surrounding rock (granite) of a high-level radioactive waste repository was taken as the research object and, based on the similarity principle, an orthogonal test designed. Similar materials of uranium-containing granite were prepared in the laboratory and the physical and mechanical properties and cumulative radon concentration of granite samples assessed under different temperatures (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 °C). The results showed that, with increased temperature, the compressive and tensile strengths of samples gradually increased and their pore volume gradually decreased. After heat treatment, the longitudinal wave velocity and thermal conductivity of samples decreased linearly with increased temperature. The radon exhalation rate first increased and then decreased, with the rate reaching a maximum at 100 °C. The radon exhalation rate of single-sided and double-sided samples was 0.00914 and 0.00460 Bq·m−2·s−1, respectively. When the temperature was 25–100 °C, the dominant stage was pore water. The radon exhalation rates of samples were positively correlated with compressive and tensile strengths and negatively correlated with pore volume, longitudinal wave velocity, and thermal conductivity. The temperature of 100–200 °C was range of the dominant stage of pore structure. The conclusions obtained in this study can provide theoretical support for radon reduction and radon control of granite in high temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A seismic sedimentology study was performed to analyse the complex fluvial reservoirs in the Neogene Guantao Formation in Kongdian Oilfield, Huanghua Depression. Three facies associations were identified by core and logging data, including bedload channel, mixload channel, and floodplain. Widely developed floodplain deposits beds were selected as the relatively reliable reference time surfaces. Stratal slices were generated applying the stratal‐slicing principle on two isochronous reference seismic events in Kongdian Oilfield. These stratal slices were used to analyse the distribution of sediments in a relative geologic‐time domain. The variety of sediment distribution observed on the stratal slices indicated that the fluvial channel systems of study interval had evolved from straight channel, sandy‐braided channel to combined channel. Sediment dispersal patterns were controlled by the change of accommodation (A) and sediment supply (S) rate. Setting with a low A/S ratio favours the development of fluvial environment and high A/S ratio favours the development of floodplain. Braided channel sandstones formed in a low A/S ratio depositional environment were generally thought to be excellent reservoirs. However, the muddy plug could damage the lateral continuity of sandbody, impede the fluid flow, and reduce the water‐injection efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to predict 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and explore its association with sleep duration among Chinese urban adults. We analyzed part of the baseline data of a cohort that recruited adults for health screening by cluster sampling. The simplified Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Framingham 10-year risk score (FRS) were used to measure sleep duration and CVD risk. Demographic characteristics, personal history of chronic diseases, lifestyle factors were collected using a questionnaire. Height, weight, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also measured. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to explore the association of sleep duration with the predicted CVD risk. We included 31, 135 participants (median age 44 years, 53.02% males) free of CVD, cerebral stroke, and not taking lipid-lowering agents. Overall, 14.05%, and 25.55% of participants were at medium and high predicted CVD risk, respectively. Short sleep was independently associated with increased odds of medium to high risk of predicted 10-year CVD among males (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.19) and increased odds of medium to high and high risk of predicted 10-year CVD among females (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.08–1.40; OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.11–1.44). In contrast, long sleep had no association with cardiovascular risk. A substantial number of adults free of CVD were at high 10-year CVD risk. Short sleep was associated with increased odds of predicted CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) is the dominant route of HIV transmission in China. Extensive use of geosocial networking (GSN) smartphone application (app) has dramatically changed the pattern of sexual behaviors and HIV risk among MSM, but data on HIV incidence and the changing risk behaviors of GSN app-using MSM are limited. We aims to assess the HIV incidence and its correlates among gay GSN app-using MSM in China. Methods: We constructed an open cohort which was initiated and maintained using a GSN app to assess the HIV incidence among app-using MSM, recruited from June 2017 to December 2018. MSM completed an online questionnaire on their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, recreational drug use and sexually transmitted infections status. Then each man had an HIV test, and those tested negatives were enrolled into the cohort. Participants completed follow-ups with additional HIV tests though the app during the study period, and were censored at HIV seroconversion or study end date. HIV incidence was calculated by dividing the sum of observed HIV seroconversions by the observed person-time. Univariate (Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test) and multivariate (proportional hazards regression) analyses were used to examine correlates of HIV incidence. Results: A total of 6957 HIV negative MSM were enrolled in the open cohort, 37 seroconversions occurred among 1937 men contributing 1065 observed person-years: HIV incidence was 3.47 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.37–4.57]. More than five sexual partners [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.04–6.67], and sex with HIV positive partners (HR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.16–12.64) in the preceding six months were positively associated with HIV seroconversion. Consistent condom use for anal sex (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07–0.96), and reporting insertive anal sex only (HR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.08–0.62) in the preceding six months were protective factors for HIV seroconversion. Conclusions: Tailored interventions targeting app-using MSM are urgently needed given their high risk of HIV. As a new tool for accessing MSM at higher HIV risk, GSN smartphone app could play an important role in HIV research among MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how social support is linked to satisfaction by simultaneously testing a cross-domain effect and within-domain effect. Guided by domain-specific mechanism and conservation of resources theory, we propose that work-family balance mediates the positive relationship between support from work (family) domain and satisfaction in family (work) domain (i.e. cross-domain effect). Based on social exchange mechanism, we propose that support from the work (family) domain is directly related to satisfaction within the same domain (i.e. within-domain effect). Using a sample of 281 Chinese middle- and upper-level managers, we tested our model using Structural Equation Modelling. Family support for work issues was linked to job satisfaction via work-family balance. Supervisor support for family issues had a positive direct effect on job satisfaction; family support for work issues had a positive direct effect on family satisfaction. We also found that job satisfaction was positively related to family satisfaction and gender moderated the relationship. We discuss our findings as they relate to the Chinese work and family context. Implications and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in the genus Zygophiala are associated with sooty blotch and flyspeck disease on a wide range of hosts. In this study, 63 Zygophiala isolates collected from flyspeck colonies on a range of plants from several regions of China were used for phylogeny, host range and geographic distribution analysis. Phylogenetic trees were constructed on four genes - internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF), β-tubulin (TUB2), and actin (ACT) – both individually and in combination. Isolates were grouped into 11 clades among which five new species, Z. emperorae, Z. trispora, Z. musae, Z. inaequalis and Z. longispora, were described. Species of Zygophiala differed in observed host range and geographic distribution. Z. wisconsinensis and Z. emperorae were the most prevalent throughout the sampled regions of China, whereas Z. trispora, Z. musae, Z. inaequalis and Z. longispora were collected only in southern China. The hosts of Z. wisconsinensis and Z. emperorae were mainly in the family Rosaceae whereas Z. trispora, Z. musae, Z. inaequalis and Z. longispora were found mainly on banana (Musa spp.). Cross inoculation tests provided evidence of host specificity among SBFS species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Driving factors of carbon emissions of Belt and Road countries are explored. • A production-theoretical decomposition analysis is applied. • GDP and the potential carbon emissions factor are main promoting factors. • Abatement technology and energy intensity have the greatest inhibiting effect. • China plays the leading role in terms of three factors of all 'B&R' countries. Abstract Little attention has been given to the carbon emissions issues of 'Belt and Road Initiative' countries although most countries have set explicit targets for Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. Taking advantage of the production theory, distance function, and data envelopment analysis, we employed a production-theoretical decomposition analysis to decompose the total carbon dioxide emission changes of the "Belt and Road Initiatives" countries from 2000 to 2014 into the contribution of seven driving factors and focused particularly on a production technology perspective. The main findings are as follows: (1) the economic development as proxied by the gross domestic product and the potential carbon emissions related to energy consumption were the two most important factors affecting carbon emission growth. The driving factor values for these two factors were 1.989 and 1.37. The average CO 2 emissions of the "Belt and Road Initiatives" countries in 2014 were 1.425 times larger than those in 2000. (2) The carbon abatement technology changes and potential energy intensity changes were the two main inhibiting factors return with factor values of 0.775 and 0.793. Moreover, we divided all countries into four groups, namely China and three other groups based on the income level. The results showed that the three groups had similar characteristics in terms of the carbon abatement technology effect and the carbon dioxide abatement technological efficiency, whereas China exhibited larger fluctuations. The promoting effect of economic development is significantly higher in China than in the other three groups. In addition, this promoting effect exhibited a decrease over time, indicating a decoupling between economic development and CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tooth morphology course is an important basic dental course. However, it is difficult to fully reflect the three-dimensional (3D) morphological characteristics of tooth structure in two-dimensional pictures in traditional textbooks. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 3D-printed plastic model teeth in the teaching of tooth morphology., Methods: Twenty-two undergraduate students who matriculated at the School of Stomatology, the Fourth Medical University, in 2014 and 23 who matriculated in 2016 participated in the study. Each student who matriculated in 2016 was given a full set of fourteen standard 3D-printed plastic model teeth for use during the learning process, and an anonymous questionnaire was used to evaluate the usefulness of the 3D-printed plastic model teeth from the perspective of the students., Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the scores of the theoretical examination or the total score. However, for the score of the sculpted gypsum teeth, the students who used the 3D-printed plastic model teeth in their studies scored significantly higher (P = 0.002). More than 90% of the students thought that the 3D-printed plastic model teeth were of great help or were very helpful for mastering the anatomy of teeth and for carving the gypsum teeth., Conclusion: Standard 3D-printed plastic teeth can effectively assist students in learning tooth morphology by transforming two-dimensional pictures and descriptions in the textbook into a 3D conformation, effectively promoting students' learning and mastery of tooth morphology and structure. Additionally, the results suggest that 3D-printed plastic model teeth are of great help to the students in mastering and improving their carving skills.

We established a qualitative method to analyze the main chemical compositions of the root of Aster tataricus. Most of the peaks were separated on a C(18) column packed with 5.0 μm particles, and 28 compounds were identified, including 11 chlorogenic acids, ten astins/asterinins, and seven astersaponins, four of which were reported for the first time from A. tataricus. Furthermore, we developed a reliable method for the simultaneous quantification of 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, astin A, astin B, astin C, astersaponin A, and astersaponin C, and the qualified separations were achieved only on a C18 column packed with 2.7 μm particles. The method was used to measure the concentrations of eight components in samples from two major producing areas in China, and the average contents in samples from Bozhou (Anhui) were higher than those in samples from Anguo (Hebei)., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Objective: The secondary metabolites of the fungus ZZF13 isolated from the leaves of the mangrove sample Kandelia candel in Zhanjiang and Guignardia sp. 4382 isolated from bark of Kandelia candel (endophyte) of Mai Po, Hong Kong were studied., Methods: The compounds were isolated by siliga gel, and their structures were identified by IR, MS and NMR., Results: Four compounds were isolated from the culture of this strain. Their structures were identified as Bacillpsporin C (1), 5-carboxymellein (2), 5-methylmellein (3) and 1-(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl) butanone (4)., Conclusion: The compounds 2 - 4 are isolated from the Guignardia sp. of Marine fungi for the first time.

Objective: To clarify the resource of medicinal plants of genus Polygonum s. lat. distributed in Anhui Province., Method: Conducting field investigation and consulting related specimens and data., Result and Conclusion: The distribution, growing environment and medicinal use of 32 taxa have been clarified. A scientific basis for further study for these medicinal plants has been provided.

Objective: To investigate the species of Ligularia distributed in the northwestern China and their medicinal uses in the local area., Method: Field investigation, specimen collection, taxonomic study and datum check were adopted., Result: There are 29 species and 1 varieties of Ligularia distributed in the northwestern China, and 18 species of them had been used as folk medicines with the function of resolving phlegm, relieving cough, clearing heat and toxins., Conclusion: The northwestern China is abundant in medicinal resource of Ligularia.