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Highly polymorphic autosomal STR loci are useful for understanding population structure better and for forensic application, however the non-CODIS STR loci in the Han population of Shandong, located in Northern China, are not well-characterised. To investigate population genetic polymorphism and forensic efficiency of 21 autosomal STR loci from the Shandong Han population in Northern China and reveal the genetic relationships with other populations both at home and abroad. In this study, population genetic data of 21 autosomal STR loci included in the Goldeneye DNA ID 22NC Kit that includes four CODIS loci and 17 non-CODIS loci were determined for 523 unrelated Han individuals in Shandong. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were not observed. A total of 233 alleles were detected with allele frequencies ranging from 0.0010 to 0.3728. The combined power of discrimination was 0.99999999999999999999999990011134, and the combined power of exclusion was 0.99999999788131. Furthermore, in an analysis of population differentiation Nei's standard genetic distance and multidimensional scaling analysis, which were conducted based on the overlapping 15 STR loci, revealed that the Shandong Han population was most closely related to populations in close geographic proximity. This study demonstrated that the 21 autosomal STR loci included in the GoldeneyeTM DNA ID 22NC system are highly polymorphic and suitable for forensic identification and paternity testing in the Shandong Han population. Additionally, the present results enrich the population genetic database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that a growing number of studies have begun to focus on stakeholders' emotions in English medium instruction (EMI) settings, little is known, particularly about teachers' emotional vulnerability in EMI teaching. Situating teachers' emotional vulnerability as a sociocultural and ideological construct, this study seeks to investigate Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability of teaching international students in Southwest China. Based on a larger critical sociolinguistic ethnography, the findings reveal a slew of social, ideological, institutional, and personal factors that mediate Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability, indicating that their emotional vulnerability is largely influenced by the discourses of neoliberalism and performativity, which are dominated by the ideology of English hegemony, top-down evaluation mechanisms, and power relations. Simultaneously, Chinese EMI teachers' emotional vulnerability also can be transformed into agencies for possible alternatives. The paper concludes with some practical implications for mitigating the negative effects of emotional vulnerability on EMI teachers. The article contributes to raise a greater recognition of teachers' emotional vulnerability in EMI higher education contexts by sparking a critical discussion about how to promote the awareness of stakeholders' emotional vulnerability and well being in policy making and curriculum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative case study explores the multiple forces driving the development of language ideologies within a multi-generation ethnic Mongolian family in mainland China and its family language policy (FLP) implementation. The findings reflect changes in family members’ language proficiency, ideologies, and practices across generations, per the influence of state education and language policy, the changing national-level socioeconomic and political environment and globalisation. The findings suggest the multiple factors that influence and shape FLP. It is found that conflicts and contradictions exist among family members’ language ideologies, language management and language practices, driven by the dual position of the Mongolian language’s decline (due to its lack of involvement in globalisation) and revival (due to national-level efforts to enhance cohesion). Presenting a nuanced and holistic understanding of FLP, this study relates the Mongolian family’s FLP to wider educational, historical and sociocultural realities. The implications for different stakeholders are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital technology has enabled the emergence of smart homes, which promise to provide occupants with a high-quality life while being environmentally friendly. However, occupants' demand for "comfort" and "convenience" may contradict the purpose of minimizing the carbon footprint of smart homes. Investigating whether smart home adoption can reduce carbon emissions and promote carbon neutrality from a consumer perspective is therefore essential. In this study, 359 valid responses were collected from Hangzhou, a Chinese megacity, as basic data. We established a smart home adoption evaluation index system that enabled us to empirically examine the trend of household electricity-related CO 2 emissions with the change in smart home adoption level. We found an inverted U-shaped relationship between the smart home adoption level and household electricity-related CO 2 emissions. Smart home adoption causes more CO 2 emissions in the initial stage, but reaches a tipping point where higher levels of smart home adoption leads to widespread use of energy-saving smart features and subsequently fewer emissions. Furthermore, this study confirmed the moderating effect of the internet divide on the relationship between smart home adoption and electricity-related CO 2 emissions; the results indicate that improving internet accessibility and utilization promotes the commitment to reducing CO 2 emissions in smart homes. • A novel method is created to measure smart home adoption for individual households. • An inverted U-shape relationship exists between smart home adoption and HECE. • Closing the internet divide enhances the CO 2 reduction effect of smart home adoption. • Policy guidance is required to enable smart homes to achieve low-carbon goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) were originally identified as transcriptional regulators of type I interferon (IFN) expression. Recent studies have widely identified the roles of IRFs as central mediators in immune defence against pathogen infection. However, the functional roles and expression profiles of IRFs are still unclear in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). In this study, eight members of the PsIRF family were identified in P. sinensis through a genome-wide search. These PsIRF genes contained the conserved domains of this group of proteins, including the N-terminal DNA-binding domain and C-terminal IRF-associated domain. Phylogenetic analyses among IRF homologs showed that the PsIRFs shared the closest phylogenetic relationships with IRFs of other turtle species. Further molecular evolutionary analyses revealed evolutionary conservation of the PsIRF genes. Moreover, expression profiling demonstrated that eight PsIRF genes exhibited constitutive expression in different tissues of P. sinensis. Several genes, such as PsIRF1 , PsIRF2 and PsIRF4 , showed predominant expression in the spleen and were significantly upregulated upon Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Remarkably, PsIRF1, PsIRF2 and PsIRF4 exhibited rapid increases in their protein expression levels post-infection and were mainly expressed in the splenic red pulp according to immunohistochemistry analysis. These results provide rich resources for further exploration of the roles of PsIRFs in immune regulation in P. sinensis and other turtles. • PsIRF family genes are genome-widely identified in Pelodiscus sinensis. • PsIRF family genes are evolutionary conserved among different turtle species. • Transcript expression of most PsIRF genes responds to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. • PsIRF1, PsIRF2 and PsIRF4 protein levels are upregulated in the spleen post-infection. • PsIRF1, PsIRF2 and PsIRF4 proteins are primarily localized to the splenic red pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of China's 'Belt and Road' initiative, many mainland Chinese universities have been promoting non-English foreign language degree programs at the undergraduate level. This study examines the growth of these non-English foreign language programs by collecting and analysing a variety of data on curriculum design, teachers and learners through online and archive research. The results from the analysis problematise the development of non-English foreign language degree programs in Chinese universities. Although the analysis identified a significant leap in the growth of non-English foreign language programs, many of these programs need to address a variety of challenges including 'unrealistic' curriculum objectives, teacher shortages, and attracting high quality applicants. While the rapid expansion of non-English foreign language degree programs potentially enables Chinese universities to play a critical role in promoting the learning and teaching of non-English foreign languages in China, it has become imperative for these universities to engage in carefully coordinated efforts so that this growth can be sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat‐shock proteins 70/110 (Hsp70/110) are vital molecular chaperones and stress proteins whose expression and production are generally induced by extreme temperatures or external stresses. The Hsp70/110 family is largely conserved in diverse animals. Although many reports have studied and elaborated on the characteristics of Hsp70/110 in various species, the systematic identification and analysis of Hsp70/110 are still poor in turtles. In this study, a genomewide search was performed, and 18 candidate PsHSP70/110 family genes were identified in Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. These PsHSP70/110 proteins contained the conserved "heat shock protein 70" domain. Phylogenetic analysis of PsHSP70/110 and their homologs revealed evolutionary conservation of Hsp70/110 across different species. Tissue‐specific expression analysis showed that these PsHSP70/110 genes were differentially expressed in different tissues of P. sinensis. Furthermore, to examine the putative biological functions of PsHSP70/110, the dynamic expression of PsHSP70/110 genes was analyzed in the testis of P. sinensis during seasonal spermatogenesis following germ cell apoptosis. Notably, genes such as PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 were significantly upregulated in P. sinensis testes along with a seasonal decrease in apoptosis. Protein interaction prediction revealed that PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 may interact with each other and participate in the MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis showed that PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 protein expression was associated with seasonal temperature variation. The expression profiling and interaction relationships of the PsHSPA1B‐L, PsHSPA2, and PsHSPA8 proteins implied their potential roles in inhibiting the apoptosis of germ cells in P. sinensis. These results provide insights into PsHSP70/110 functions and will serve as a rich resource for further investigation of HSP70/110 family genes in P. sinensis and other turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognizing specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns play crucial roles in immune defence against pathogen invasion. Although recent advances in many species have reported the characterization and functional roles of TLRs in innate immunity, systematic knowledge of TLRs is still lacking in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. In this study, a genome-wide search was performed and identified 15 candidate PsTLR family genes in P. sinensis. Protein structure analysis revealed the conserved domain arrangements for these PsTLR proteins. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the evolutionary conservation of TLRs among various species. Additionally, a putative interaction network among PsTLR proteins was proposed and several functional partner proteins involved in TLR signalling pathway were predicted in P. sinensis. Expression profiling showed that these PsTLRs exhibited constitutive expression patterns in different tissues of P. sinensis. Moreover, several genes were highly expressed in the major immune organ spleen. Remarkably, the mRNA levels of PsTLR2-1 , PsTLR4 and several TLR signalling molecules were significantly up-regulated in the spleen after Aeromonas hydrophila infection, indicating that PsTLRs and these genes responded to bacterial stress. These results provide rich information for the functional exploration of PsTLRs and will facilitate uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying immune regulation in P. sinensis. Highlights • PsTLR family genes were systematically identified and analysed in P. sinensis. • PsTLR genes were evolutionarily conserved between P. sinensis and other species. • Expression patterns of PsTLRs were diverse in different tissues of P. sinensis. • Critical PsTLRs were up-regulated expressed in spleen after A. hydrophila infection. • PsTLR expression changes may mediate MyD88 signalling initiating immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many cities worldwide have large amounts of industrial vacant land (IVL) due to development and transformation, posing a growing problem. However, the large-scale identification of IVL is hindered by obstacles such as high cost, high variability, and closed-source data. Moreover, it is difficult to distinguish industrial vacant land from operational industrial land based solely upon image features. To address these issues, we propose a method for the large-scale automatic identification of IVL. The framework uses deep learning to train remote-sensing images of potential industrial vacant land to generate a semantic segmentation model and further use population density and surface temperature data to filter model predictions. The feasibility of the proposed methodology was validated through a case study in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China. The study indicates two major conclusions: (1) The proposed IVL identification framework can efficiently generate industrial vacant land mapping. (2) HRNet exhibits the highest accuracy and strongest robustness after training compared with other semantic segmentation backbone networks, ensuring high-quality performance and stability, as evidenced by a model accuracy of 97.84%. Based on the above advantages, the identification framework provides a reference method for various countries and regions to identify industrial vacant land on a large scale, which is of great significance for advancing the research and transformation of industrial vacant land worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new ladder structure of [(n-BuSn(O)O2CC6HF3OCH3)2-n-BuSn(O2CC6HF3OCH3)3]2 (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR spectra and X-ray crystallography. All the tin atoms are six-coordinate and display distorted octahedral geometry. A series of C-H ;··· ;F and π-π stacking interactions play an important function in the supramolecular aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four triorganotin(IV) complexes constructed from tetrafluorophthalic acid (H2tfp) with a 1 : 1 : 1 molar ratio of H2tfp: Et3N: R3SnCl gave two of type {[R3Sn (tfp)].Et3NH}4 (R = Me 1, R = n-Bu 2), and two of type [R3Sn (tfp).Et3NH]n (R = PhCH2 3, Ph 4). All the complexes are characterized by elemental, IR, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR analyses. Complexes 1 and 4 were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is tetranuclear with a 28-membered C16O8Sn4 macrocyclic ring system with a cavity. The supramolecular structure of 1 has been found to consist of a three-dimensional network built up by intermolecular N-H ··· O, C-H ··· O hydrogen bonds and C-F ··· F weak interactions. Complex 4 is an infinite polymeric structure. The salient feature of the supramolecular structure of 4 is that of a two-dimensional plane, in which intermolecular N-H ··· O and C-H ··· π hydrogen bonds are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

new organotin(IV) Schiff base complex 4 containing a novel SnO hydrolysis ladder and a disulfide group has been synthesized through a self-assembly reaction. The complex 4 has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, H-, C-, and Sn-NMR spectra and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. The study of the supramolecular structure of complex 4 found that there exist two kinds of C-H···S and C-H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The two kinds of intermolecular hydrogen bonds force the complex 4 into a 2-dimensional 'wave' network. The geometry about each tin atom involved is distorted trigonal bipyramid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nine triorganotin(IV) complexes of the type R3SnL (L=L1 R=Me 1, Ph 2, PhCH2 3; L=L2 R=Me 4, Ph 5, PhCH2 6; L=L2 R=Me 7, Ph 8, PhCH2 9) have been obtained by reaction of new Schiff base HL1, HL2 or HL3 with triorganotin(IV) chloride in the presence of sodium ethoxide. All the complexes 1–9 were characterized by elemental, IR and NMR spectra analyses. Except for complexes 3, 4, 6, 9, the others were also characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which revealed that complexes 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 were four coordinated and displayed a capped tetrahedron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Technology improvement related to energy conservation and energy mix low-carbonization is a critical approach for tackling global warming in China. Therefore, we attempt to identify the technology factors of China's energy consumption change between 2007 and 2012, when China's economy started slowing. This study proposes a new refined structural decomposition analysis (SDA) based on a hybrid multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model. The technology factors are expressed through the energy input level effect, energy composition effect, and non-energy input effect. We find that the energy level effect was the primary driver for energy reduction, saving 1205 million tonnes of standard coal equivalent (Mtce) of energy, while 520 Mtce was offset by energy composition and non-energy input effects. The sector analysis shows that the energy input level, energy composition, and non-energy input effects of electricity, the chemical industry, and metallurgy are noteworthy. In addition, the sector contribution to energy-use change, by province, related to the three effects, is also studied. From these results, we propose policy suggestions for further energy saving, in order to achieve China's energy target through technology improvements by the higher priority contributors identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water temperature has a major influence on the host innate immune defence and the infectivity of pathogens in ectothermic teleosts. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are the first and well‐characterized innate immune receptors that are conserved in vertebrates. However, little is known about the effect of temperature variation on TLRs in fish species. In this study, we used adult zebrafish as a research model to investigate the effect of water temperature on TLRs. Whole genome searches identified 20 TLR homologue genes in zebrafish. Multiple sequence alignment and protein structure analysis revealed the conserved domains for these TLR proteins. To identify TLR genes related to temperature variation, TLR family genes from 12 species with different body temperatures were assigned to conduct phylogenetic analyses. Based on the phylogenetic relationships, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR20~21 were selected as candidate genes. Immunostimulation data indicated that TLR3, TLR5, and TLR21 were more sensitive to temperature variation and their expression levels were affected in response to pathogen stimulation. Taken together, our results provide a new opportunity to understand the roles of temperature on host innate immune response in fishes and have broader implications for disease prevention in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factors (TRAFs) are a family of crucial signaling molecules that mediate the signal transduction of various immune signaling pathways. Extensive studies have demonstrated that TRAFs play vital roles in regulating cellular immune responses. However, the biological functions and expression profiling of TRAFs in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) remain unclear. In this study, the genes of the PsTRAF family at the genome-wide level were identified in P. sinensis , revealing six PsTRAF members that contained the conserved TRAF domain in the C-terminal regions. Molecular evolutionary analysis showed that PsTRAFs shared close evolutionary relationships and similar protein crystal structures with the TRAF homologs from other turtles, indicating the evolutionary conservation of PsTRAFs. Further expression analysis revealed the tissue-specific expression of PsTRAF genes. Obvious variations in the expression of PsTRAF genes were observed in the spleen in response to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Three PsTRAF genes, PsTRAF2 , PsTRAF3 , and PsTRAF6 , were significantly upregulated at the mRNA and protein levels post-infection, indicating their potential function in the immune response. Moreover, the protein-protein associations of PsTRAFs with several signaling receptors were predicted in P. sinensis. These results provide a basis for the investigation of the functional roles of PsTRAFs in immune defense against bacterial infection. • Six PsTRAF genes contained the conserved TRAF domain are identified. • PsTRAF genes show evolutionary conservation among different turtle species. • Variations of PsTRAF gene expressions respond to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. • Protein expression levels of critical PsTRAFs increased after bacterial infection. • PsTRAFs putatively participate in the immune defense against bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the data of the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper empirically tests the impact of the "Big Five" personality characteristics on household charitable donation behavior. The benchmark regression results show that after controlling the individual characteristics and family characteristics of the household heads, the conscientiousness and openness of the household heads have a significant positive impact on the social donation behavior of the family. On this basis, this paper takes the openness personality as an example, selects the identification strategy of processing effect, and tests the robustness of the causal effect of personality on household donation behavior. The openness personality has a significant positive impact on household external donation behavior. In the further study, it is found that with the improvement of the level of household charitable donation, the positive effect of the household head 's openness personality on household charitable donation behavior is gradually weakening; The influence of openness personality on household charitable donation has the nonlinear characteristics of "marginal effect" increasing and obvious life cycle characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel is a strategic mineral resource, with 65% of nickel being used in stainless steel. The situation in Ukraine starting in February 2022 has led to significant fluctuations in nickel prices, with prices of nickel products along the same chain affecting and passing through each other. Using systematic risk entropy and granger causality networks, we measure the volatility risk of trade prices of nickel products using the nickel industry chain trade data from 2000–2019 and explore the transmission patterns of different volatility risk prices from the industry chain perspective. The findings show that: (1) Nickel ore has the highest risk of import trade price volatility and a strong influence, but low risk transmission. Stainless steel has the highest trade price impact but is also subject to the strongest passive influence. (2) The Americas have a higher risk of trade price volatility but a weaker influence. The influence and sensitivity of trade prices is stronger in Asia and Europe. (3) Indonesia's stainless steel export prices have a high rate of transmission and strong influence. Germany's ferronickel export prices are highly susceptible to external influences and can continue to spread loudly. Russian nickel ore export prices are able to quickly spread their impact to other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic separation technology is an efficient and feasible way to achieve rapid recovery of adsorbents, thus, the use of magnetic adsorbents has attracted the attention of many researchers. However, currently reported magnetic adsorbents have limited adsorption capacity due to insufficient adsorption sites and reactive groups. In this work, a novel magnetic chitosan-based amphiphilic adsorbent (PFSC) was synthesized by using UV-light irradiation method to combine with acryloyloxyethyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (AO), a molecule containing benzyl groups. PFSC and its precursors were carefully characterized, and their adsorption performances for the removal of anionic dyes were explored. The characterization results showed that the magnetic copolymers with a type of microsphere structure were successfully synthesized. Moreover, PFSC exhibited superior adsorption efficiency and pH resistance compared to those of an unmodified chitosan-based magnetic adsorbent (FSC). The maximum adsorption capacities of PFSC towards orange II (OG), acid red 88 (AE) and red amaranth (RM) were 955.0, 1075.8 and 567.5 mg/g at pH 3.0, respectively. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of PFSC were consistent with that of a pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. In addition, adsorption-desorption experiments showed that PFSC could be rapidly separated and efficiently recycled even after 4 uses. More importantly, the FTIR and XPS results revealed that electrostatic adsorption and π-π stacking interactions were the main adsorption mechanisms for the PFSC-enhanced removal of anionic dyes. [Display omitted] • The chitosan-based amphiphilic magnetic copolymer was successfully synthesized by the UV-light initiated method. • The novel magnetic copolymer can be easily separated from solution by magnetic force. • The enhanced electrostatic adsorption and π-π stacking effect played an important role in the removal of anionic dyes. • The novel magnetic copolymer can be reused by simple acid-alkali adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four new triorganotin complexes of 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole with the type of R3Sn(SC2N3HNH2-3) (R=Me, 1; n-Bu, 2; Ph, 3; PhCH2, 4) have been synthesized. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography analyses too. The geometry about Sn of complex 1 is distorted trigonal bipyramidal and the supramolecular structures of complex 1 has been found consist of channels built up by intermolecular N–H⋯N hydrogen bonding. The geometry of tin atoms in complexes 3 and 4 are distorted tetrahedron and 1D polymers connected by intermolecular N–H⋯N hydrogen bonding or N–H⋯N and N–H⋯S hydrogen bonding. Additionally, 1D polymer of complex 3 aggregated in 2D layer by intermolecular N–H⋯S hydrogen bonding. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Carbon emissions from the power sector among provinces in China are analyzed. • Geographically and temporally weighted regression model was used. • Effects of driving factors show spatio-temporal heterogeneity. • Targeted measures for carbon emission reduction in power sector are proposed. Carbon emissions from the power sector (CEPS 1 1 CEPS: Carbon emissions from the power sector.) contribute more than 40% of carbon emissions to both the world and China, which is the key link of carbon emission reduction. In the context of China's "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goals, clarifying the regional differences and driving factors of CEPS is helpful to formulate carbon emission reduction policies. Based on the CEPS data of 30 provinces in China from 2004 to 2019, this study uses data statistics and spatial autocorrelation analysis to test the temporal and spatial differences of CEPS among provinces. Ten indicators are selected to construct a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model for the regression analysis of driving factors of CEPS in the provinces. During 2004–2019, the CEPS in China's 30 provinces show obvious differences. The CEPS in Shandong, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi maintain a high rise, while that in Sichuan and Yunnan shows a downward trend. The global Moran's I of provincial CEPS in China shows significant positive spatial autocorrelation, high-high clustering area is concentrated in North and East China, and low-low clustering area is distributed in Southwest China. The effects of various driving factors on provincial CEPS show obvious temporal and spatial heterogeneity. The power structure (PS), the thermal power energy consumption rate (TE) and the per capita electricity consumption (PC) have positive effects on CEPS in most provinces, while the contribution of the power industry (IC) has a negative effect. The effects of other indicators on different provinces fluctuate in different periods. In order to realize the low-carbon sustainable development of power sector, relevant measures such as improving the efficiency of thermal power production, optimizing power structure by region, and support the major power producing provinces are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]