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This study focused on the effect of different personality traits on the relationship between entrepreneurial learning (exploration learning and exploitation learning) and entrepreneurial competencies based on the experiential learning theory. According to the survey data from 180 start-ups entrepreneurs in China, the results demonstrated that: (1) exploration learning and exploitation learning are positively related to entrepreneurial competencies, (2) personality traits (risk taking and innovativeness) moderates the positive relationship between exploration learning and entrepreneurial competencies, especially the relationship was more positive when entrepreneurs are equipped with higher innovativeness and lower risk taking, (3) personality traits (risk taking and innovativeness) moderates the positive relationship between exploitation learning and entrepreneurial competencies, thus the relationship was more positive when entrepreneurs are equipped with higher risk taking and lower innovativeness. Implications for entrepreneurial learning and personality traits research and practice are provided., Author(s): Xiangjiang Zheng [sup.1] , Yunqi Yang [sup.1] , Qiang Zhang [sup.1] , Jin Yang [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.440649.b, 0000 0004 1808 3334, School of economics and management, Southwest [...]

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between eating out frequency and taste preferences among urban Chinese adults.MethodsA convenient sampling method was employed to select 1 957 adult residents aged 18 to 65 from four urban areas with complete survey data on eating out frequency and taste preferences. The study analyzed the current patterns of eating out and taste preferences and used a multifactor logistic regression model to assess the correlation between eating out frequency and taste preferences.ResultsThe study found that 35.8% of participants ate out less than once a week， 33.5% ate out 1-3 times a week， 18.3% ate out 4-6 times a week， and 12.4% ate out seven or more times a week. Gender differences were observed in taste preferences， with men having significantly higher rates of salty and oily taste preferences compared to women， while women had a higher preference rate of sweet taste. After controlling for relevant confounding factors， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week had a 59% increased risk of salty taste preference （OR = 1.59） compared to those who ate out less than once a week. Similarly， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week， 4-6 times a week， and seven or more times a week had an increased risk of sweet taste preference by 51% （OR = 1.51）， 71% （OR = 1.71）， and 77% （OR = 1.77）， respectively. Moreover， urban female residents who ate out 1-3 times a week and seven or more times a week had an increased risk of spicy taste preference by 54% （OR = 1.54） and 78% （OR = 1.78）， respectively. Compared with urban male residents who ate out less than one time a week， urban male residents who ate out 4-6 times a week have an increased risk of oily and spicy tastes by 61% （OR=1.61） and 85% （OR=1.85）， respectively.ConclusionThe study suggests that the frequency of eating out among urban residents may be associated with their taste preferences. Therefore， there is a need to enhance nutrition education and awareness to encourage the development of healthier eating habits.

During deep-sea mining, heavy metal pollutants can cause contamination in the marine environment. In this paper, the multiphasic coupling model is established to describe the heavy metal migration process during deep-sea mining, which takes the effects of the convection–diffusion, adsorption–desorption, and sedimentation–resuspension of heavy metals in the aquatic environment into full consideration. Due to the advantages of the Lattice Boltzmann method, it is adopted to numerically solve the multiphasic coupling model and achieve the simulation of the heavy metal migration process during deep-sea mining. In addition, taking cadmium as an example, the concentration variations are discussed and analyzed in detail. Based on the established model and Lattice Boltzmann method, the concentration distribution of heavy metals can be accurately described to provide the reasonable bases for the evaluation of marine environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesDynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) plays an important role in the differential diagnosis between radionecrosis and recurrence of brain metastases (BMs) after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS). While the perfusion condition of preliminary hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion BMs when recur has not been studied, as well the separating performance of quantitative DSC-PWI in both kinds of BMs.MethodsFrom February 2017 to October 2019, quantitative DSC-PWI was performed in patients with untreated BMs in this observational study. Patients were assigned to hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion group according the quantitative cerebral blood volume (qCBV). During follow-up after GKRS, patients with a diagnostic pitfall of radionecrosis and recurrence accepted second quantitative DSC-PWI. Final diagnosis was based on the histological results or follow-up results. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to explore the performance of qCBV.ResultsTwenty-nine patients (mean age: 61.3 ± 9.4 years old; male/female: 13/16) were assigned to the group of hypoperfusion group, and 26 patients (mean age: 58 ± 10.4 years old; male/female: 14/12) to hyperperfusion group. The mean qCBV values between hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion groups when recurred were not significantly different (3.17 ± 0.53 ml/100 g vs. 3.27 ± 0.47 ml/100 g, p = 0.63). qCBV was feasible to separate radionecrosis and recurrence in both groups (AUC=0.94 and AUC=0.93, separately).ConclusionBoth premilitary hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion BMs would transform to a high microvascular density when recurs. qCBV is feasible to distinguish radionecrosis and recurrence among both kinds of BMs after GKRS.

It is now generally believed that elderly may have slightly higher dietary protein requirements than those of the young-middle-aged adults. We have previously conducted related studies by the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique, but more research data are needed to revise the protein requirements of the elderly. The main objective was to reevaluate the dietary protein requirements of healthy Chinese adults (65–80 years) without sarcopenia by using the IAAO technique. Nine healthy adult men and seven healthy adult women participated in the study, with protein intakes ranging from 0·1 to 1·8 g/(kg·d). Diets that delivered energy at a 1·5 resting energy expenditure were isocaloric. The amounts of phenylalanine and tyrosine needed to remain constant for each protein dosage. By applying a nonlinear mixed-effects model analysis on the F13CO2 data, which revealed a breakpoint in F13CO2 in response to graded protein intakes, the mean protein requirement was calculated. The mean estimated average requirement (EAR) for healthy elderly Chinese adults without sarcopenia was determined to be 0·94 g/(kg·d). The protein recommended nutrient intake (RNI) determined using various derivation approaches ranged from 1·13 to 1·36 g/(kg·d). The EAR for Chinese adults without sarcopenia aged 65–80 years in this study is 6·8 % higher than the current recommended EAR (0·88 g/(kg·d)). The RNI derived using various derivation approaches are all greater than the current RNI (0·98 g/(kg·d)). This trial was registered with the Chinese clinical trial registry as ChiCTR2200061382. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet the strict requirements of reducing sulfur emissions, an increasing number of commercial ships have installed exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCSs). However, wash water produced during the cleaning process is discharged back to the marine environment. We investigated the effects of closed-loop scrubber (natrium-alkali method) wash water on three trophic species. Severe toxic effects were found when Dunaliella salina, Mysidopsis bahia, and Mugilogobius chulae were exposed to 0.63–6.25, 0.63–10, and 1.25–20% concentrations of wash water, respectively. The 50% effective concentration in 96 h (EC50-96 h) for D. salina was 2.48%, and the corresponding total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were 22.81 and 23.67 μg L−1. The 50% lethal concentration in 7 d (LC50-7 d) values for M. bahia and M. chulae were 3.57% and 20.50%, respectively. The lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) values for M. bahia and M. chulae were 1.25% and 2.5%, respectively, and the corresponding total PAHs and heavy metals were 11.50 and 11.93 and 22.99 and 23.86 μg L−1. M. bahia 's body weight was negatively correlated with the amount of wash water. Low concentrations of wash water (0–5%) had no significant effect on the reproduction of M. bahia. Although concentrations of 16 PAHs and 8 heavy metals are known, different compounds might react with each other and form more unknown toxic substances, and the measured toxicity comes from synergistic effects between various pollutants. Therefore, future work is needed to clarify other more toxic contaminants in wash water. We highly recommend that wash water be treated before being discharged to the marine environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]