Search

Extensive experimental research and hydrodynamic models have been proposed to guide the design of superior packings. However, most research has concentrated on the effective void (ε − H) of packing while ignoring the ineffective void (ε − H − HL), which causes discrepancies in hydrodynamic performance compared to actual observations. This study evaluated the hydrodynamic performance under diverse conditions considering the liquid holdup (H), pressure drop (ΔP), and gas flooding velocity (uf). A novel approach to hydrodynamic model construction is introduced by incorporating an ineffective void. The results indicate that at a constant hold‐up area, liquid flow (L) and viscosity (μ) significantly influence liquid hold up, moderated by the gas velocity in the flooding area. The pressure drop rises as the viscosity, gas flow rate, and liquid flow rate increase. Notably, a considerable pressure drop initiates flooding at the bottom of the absorber. Elevated liquid flow rates and viscosities correlate with higher ineffective void values (HL) in the packing column. At low gas flow rates, the gas flow rate marginally affects HL values. However, after the flooding point was achieved, the values of HL rapidly increased as the gas flow rate increased. Moreover, a linear relationship emerges between the liquid holdup and HL, as evidenced by the consistent variation in the liquid holdup and the F‐factor. Utilizing the ineffective void yields a more accurate fit for the experimental data, reducing the average absolute relative deviation to 10.2%, 7.4%, and 10.8%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of pristine formamidinium lead tri‐iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite films for solar cells applications can be very challenging without methylammonium containing additives. The pinhole‐rich films prepared by methylammonium‐free approach limit the performance of the pristine FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This work proposes a recrystallization method employing mixed solvent annealing (MSA) to heal the pinholes in pristine FAPbI3 perovskite films. The tetramethylene sulfoxide vapor is demonstrated most effective in grains‐merging and pinhole healing, while the addition of a secondary solvent vapor of anisole significantly improved the uniformity of TMSO vapor distribution. The pristine FAPbI3 PSCs prepared with MSA recrystallized film achieved power conversion efficiencies up to 22.43% and 16.54% on small cells (0.105 cm2) and mini‐modules (12.6 cm2), respectively, showing great potential in upscaling fabrication of perovskite photovoltaics with pristine FAPbI3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to explore the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on elementary school students from cross-level perspective. With a cross-section survey, 823 elementary school students (Mage = 11.89, SD = 1.30) from 49 classes participated in the survey, which includes participants' demographic variables (e.g., gender) and studied variables assessing by depression, anxiety, COVID-19 related stress and other relevant variables. The hierarchical linear model was used to analyze the relationship among studied variables. Results showed that the detection rate of elementary school students' anxiety and depression symptoms were 24.2% and 23.3% respectively, which was higher than that before the pandemic broke out. For the influencing factors of elementary school student's psychological symptoms, at the individual level, both online learning satisfaction and problem-based coping strategy were negatively related with student's psychological symptoms, while both emotion-based coping strategy and pandemic-related stressors were positively related with them. Furthermore, emotion-based coping strategy could strengthen the positive relation between pandemic-related stressors and psychological symptoms. Emotion-based coping strategy (or online learning satisfaction) at the class level positively (or negatively) predicted psychological symptoms. The findings could add new knowledge about the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on elementary school students' psychological symptoms, and are useful in promoting elementary school students' mental health when the pandemic broke out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to explore the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on elementary school students from cross-level perspective. With a cross-section survey, 823 elementary school students (Mage = 11.89, SD = 1.30) from 49 classes participated in the survey, which includes participants' demographic variables (e.g., gender) and studied variables assessing by depression, anxiety, COVID-19 related stress and other relevant variables. The hierarchical linear model was used to analyze the relationship among studied variables. Results showed that the detection rate of elementary school students' anxiety and depression symptoms were 24.2% and 23.3% respectively, which was higher than that before the pandemic broke out. For the influencing factors of elementary school student's psychological symptoms, at the individual level, both online learning satisfaction and problem-based coping strategy were negatively related with student's psychological symptoms, while both emotion-based coping strategy and pandemic-related stressors were positively related with them. Furthermore, emotion-based coping strategy could strengthen the positive relation between pandemic-related stressors and psychological symptoms. Emotion-based coping strategy (or online learning satisfaction) at the class level positively (or negatively) predicted psychological symptoms. The findings could add new knowledge about the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on elementary school students' psychological symptoms, and are useful in promoting elementary school students' mental health when the pandemic broke out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove a generalization of a well-known theorem of Rado for continuous CR functions on a class of bihololomorphically invariant hypersurfaces that are considerably larger than convex ones of finite type and strictly pseudoconvex hypersurfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For patients with congenital heart disease-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can reflect cardiopulmonary reserve function. However, CPET may not be readily accessible for patients with high-risk conditions or limited mobility due to disability. Echocardiography, on the other hand, serves as a widely available diagnostic tool for all CHD-PAH patients. This study was aimed to identify the parameters of echocardiography that could serve as indicators of cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity. Methods: A cohort of 70 patients contributed a total of 110 paired echocardiogram and CPET results to this study, with 1 year interval for repeated examinations. Echocardiography and exercise testing were conducted following standardized procedures, and the data were collected together with clinically relevant indicators for subsequent statistical analysis. Demographic comparisons were performed using t-tests and chi-square tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify potential predictors of peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and the carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent slope (VE/VCO2 slope). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the performance of the parameters. Results: The ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) was found to be the only independent indicator significantly associated with both peak VO2 and VE/VCO2 slope (both p < 0.05). Additionally, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and right ventricular fractional area change (FAC) were independently correlated with the VE/VCO2 slope (both p < 0.05). TAPSE/PASP showed the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting both a peak VO2 ≤ 15 mL/kg/min and a VE/VCO2 slope ≥ 36 (AUC = 0.91, AUC = 0.90, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of TAPSE/PASP at the optimal threshold exceeded 0.85 for both parameters. Conclusions: TAPSE/PASP may be a feasible echocardiographic indicator for evaluating exercise tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to monitor complex microstructures and fluid transport, systematically examining fluid distribution and migration during pressure imbibition. The results indicate that increased applied pressure primarily affects micropores and small pores during the initial imbibition stage, enhancing the overall imbibition rate and oil recovery. Higher capillary pressure in the pores strengthens the imbibition ability, with water initially displacing oil from smaller pores. Natural microfractures allow water to preferentially enter and displace oil, thereby reducing oil recovery from these pores. Additionally, clay minerals may induce fracture expansion, facilitating oil flow into the expanding space. This study provides new insights into fluid distribution and migration during pressure imbibition, offering implications for improved oil production in tight reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurately stratifying patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is very important, and traditional risk scores still have internal heterogeneity. This study aimed to construct a risk stratification model that can accurately identify clinical worsening (CW) events in conventional low‐intermediate risk patients with pulmonary hypertension under targeted drug treatment by using echocardiographic parameters. Methods: This study is a single‐center, prospective study, including 105 PAH patients who underwent regular follow‐up at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from October 2021 to April 2023. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of CW, including death, hospitalization due to pulmonary hypertension, escalation of targeted drug therapy, and worsening of PAH. The predictive value of the echocardiography‐based three‐strata risk model was assessed using Kaplan‐Meier curves and COX regression analysis. Results: A total of 98 PAH patients were ultimately included in this study. The median follow‐up duration was 26 months (range 7–28 months). The echocardiography‐based three‐strata model included the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) and inferior vena cava (IVC). The echocardiography‐based three‐strata model had higher diagnostic value (C‐index =.76) compared to the 2022 ESC/ERS three‐strata model and four‐strata model (C‐index =.66 and C‐index =.61, respectively). PAH patients with lower TAPSE/PASP and wider IVC showed a higher CW rate compared to patients with higher TAPSE/PASP and normal IVC (HR = 15.1, 95%CI:4.4‐51.9, p <.001). Conclusion: The echocardiography‐based three‐strata model based on TAPSE/PASP and IVC can effectively improve the stratification of low‐intermediate risk PAH patients under targeted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the influence of motivation climate and self‐regulation on university student engagement in distance education (DE) during the pandemic, a total of 436 Chinese university students were invited to participate in the online survey (including demographic variables, Chinese version of engagement scale, the perceived motivational climate scale, and the self‐regulated learning abilities scale) in the Spring semester, 2020. Bicorrelation and regression analysis were used to explore the relationship among studied variables. Results showed that mastery motivation climate had a positive relation with student engagement, while performance motivation climate had a negative relation with it. Self‐regulation could strengthen the positive relationship between mastery motivation climate and student engagement. However, the moderating role of self‐regulation was not found in the relationship between performance motivation climate and student engagement. These findings could enrich our understanding about the motivation climate–student engagement relationship from self‐regulation perspective and have implications for DE during the pandemic. Practitioner points: Mastery motivation climate (MMC) positively predicts student engagement in distance education (DE).Performance motivation climate negatively predicts student engagement in DE.Self‐regulation could strengthen the impact of MMC on student engagement in DE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to investigate the association and the underlying mechanism between parental conflict and adolescent depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a longitudinal study, a total of 655 Chinese adolescents ranging from 13 to 16 years old completed a three-wave survey (W1, W2, W3) via a survey website. The data was collected three times: March 15–20, 2020 (W1, the outbreak period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mainland China), June 20–25, 2020 (W2, the trough stage), and December 15–20, 2020 (W3, six months after the trough stage). The SPSS 16.0 software was used to investigate the relationships among study variables. The findings showed that a double-hump effect was found for depression detection among adolescents during the pandemic, with depression rates in W1 (26.9%) and W3 (29%) were higher than that in W2 (21.9%). The parental conflict subscales of content and resolution had a greater impact on adolescent adjustment than other subscales. The parental conflict had direct and indirect impacts (through reducing family support and increasing burdensomeness) on adolescent depression symptoms in W3. It was concluded that when the COVID-19 pandemic was in a trough curve for more than six months, adolescent adjustment was significantly impacted by the pandemic, and parental conflict was an important risk factor in predicting individual adjustment. Therefore, family intervention is recommended when improving adolescent adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An instant p-doping strategy employing 4-tert-butyl-2-chloropyridine and tert-butyl peroxybenzoate for the spiro-OMeTAD hole-transport layer (HTL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is proposed to replace the conventional 4-tert-butylpyridine-doped HTL. The novel doping process eliminates the formation of pores in the HTL. Meanwhile, a 21.4% efficiency is achieved on the corresponding absolute methylammonium-free PSCs with significantly improved thermal and moisture stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A version of the classical Kerner's theorem for a singular Stein space Ω with a compact strongly pseudoconvex boundary has been recently established by Huang–Xiao (J Reine Angew Math 770:183–203, 2021) when dim C Ω ≥ 3 . A partial result for the case of complex dimension two was also obtained in Huang and Xiao (J Reine Angew Math 770:183–203, 2021). In this paper, we answer the two dimensional case left open in Huang and Xiao (J Reine Angew Math 770:183–203, 2021) in its full generality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral microbiota is vital for human health and can be affected by various factors (i.e. diets, ethnicity). However, few studies have compared oral microbiota of individuals from different nationalities in the same environment. Here, we explored the assembly and interaction of oral microbial communities of Chinese and Pakistanis in one university. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the predominant microorganisms in the oral cavity of Chinese and Pakistanis. Streptococcus and Neisseria were the dominant genera of China, while Streptococcus and Haemophilus were the dominant genera of Pakistanis. In addition, the oral community membership and structure were not influenced by season, Chinese/Pakistani student and gender, reflecting the stability of the human oral microbiome. The beta diversity of oral microbiomes between Chinese and Pakistanis significantly differed in winter, but not in spring. The alpha diversity of Chinese students and Pakistani students was similar. Moreover, oral microbial community of both Chinese and Pakistani students was mainly driven by stochastic processes. The microbial network of Chinese was more complexity and stability than that of Pakistanis. Our study uncovers the characteristics of human oral microbiota, which is of great significance for oral and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain boundaries of metal halide perovskites contain massive defects that are detrimental to photovoltaics applications. This work demonstrates that inorganic NH4NO3 can selectively passivate the grain boundaries of perovskite films and improve their moisture resistance simultaneously, resulting in enhanced performance and stability of the methylammonium-free perovskite solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral microbiota is vital for human health and can be affected by various factors (i.e. diets, ethnicity). However, few studies have compared oral microbiota of individuals from different nationalities in the same environment. Here, we explored the assembly and interaction of oral microbial communities of Chinese and Pakistanis in one university. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the predominant microorganisms in the oral cavity of Chinese and Pakistanis. Streptococcus and Neisseria were the dominant genera of China, while Streptococcus and Haemophilus were the dominant genera of Pakistanis. In addition, the oral community membership and structure were not influenced by season, Chinese/Pakistani student and gender, reflecting the stability of the human oral microbiome. The beta diversity of oral microbiomes between Chinese and Pakistanis significantly differed in winter, but not in spring. The alpha diversity of Chinese students and Pakistani students was similar. Moreover, oral microbial community of both Chinese and Pakistani students was mainly driven by stochastic processes. The microbial network of Chinese was more complexity and stability than that of Pakistanis. Our study uncovers the characteristics of human oral microbiota, which is of great significance for oral and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial ability is an influential factor for academic performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. However, the roles of spatial strategies are unclear. Therefore, coupling with virtual Starmaze developed by fields of cognitive neuroscience, this study aimed to explore spatial strategy among STEM students and its role in academic performance. A virtual Starmaze was constructed to test how students complete a navigation test. A total of 172 college students majoring in STEM participated in this study. Modeling analysis showed students tend to use allocentric strategy when the difficulty of spatial tasks increased. Results further showed students with high STEM academic performance tended to use allocentric strategy while ones with low STEM academic performance tended to use egocentric strategy. Specifically, academic performances in science and mathematics learning were associated with the allocentric strategy, while academic performances in technology and engineering learning were associated with proficiency and hands-on ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional stress sensitivity experiments are typically conducted under dry conditions, without considering the reservoir's water content. In reality, the presence of water within pores significantly influences the extent of stress sensitivity damage in tight sandstone oil formations, subsequently affecting the determination of stress sensitivity coefficients during experimentation. By investigating sandstone samples from wells in the Mahu Block of China's Xinjiang province, we observed that increasing water saturation reduces the stress sensitivity of tight sandstone. By conducting stress sensitivity experiments under varying water content conditions, we found that the stress sensitivity coefficient is not a constant value but decreases as water saturation increases. Based on experimental comparisons, an optimized power-law model for stress-sensitive damage assessment was refined. By conducting stress-sensitive damage assessment experiments under different water content conditions and integrating the concept of comprehensive compression coefficient, an improved stress-sensitive power-law model was established allowing for the influence of water content. The accuracy of this improved model was increased by 46.98% compared to the original power-law model through experimental validation. The research outcomes can enhance the accuracy of permeability and productivity evaluation, providing valuable guidance for unconventional oil and gas development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give simple and unified proofs of weak holomorhpic Morse inequalities on complete manifolds, q-convex manifolds, pseudoconvex domains, weakly 1-complete manifolds and covering manifolds. This paper is essentially based on the asymptotics of Bergman kernel functions and the Bochner–Kodaira–Nakano formulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) process has attracted much attention in recent years for the direct conversion of CH4 and CO2 into high-value-added syngas. The key for DRM was to develop catalysts with high activity and stability. In this study, LaNiO3 was prepared by the sol-gel, co-precipitation, and hydro-thermal methods to explore the influence of preparation methods on the catalyst structure and DRM reaction performance. The regeneration properties of the used LaNiO3 catalysts were also investigated under steam, CO2, and air atmospheres, respectively. The results showed that LaNiO3 prepared by sol-gel method showed the best DRM performance at 750°C. The DRM performance of the samples prepared by hydro-thermal method was inhibited at 750°C due to the residual of Na+ ions during the preparation process. The regeneration tests showed that none of the three atmospheres could restore LaNiO3 perovskite phase in the samples, but they could eliminate the carbon deposits in the samples during the DRM reaction, so the samples could maintain stable DRM performance at different cycling stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the commercialization of perovskite solar cells, gas‐quenching is considered to be a promising technique for perovskite film fabrication. However, when handling with methylammonium‐free (MA‐free) perovskites, it is often difficult to obtain high‐quality perovskite films by gas‐quenching. Herein, formate additives are employed to regulate the crystallization of MA‐free perovskite, and improve the quality of perovskite films. Different additives of formamidine formate (FAFO) and potassium formate (KFO) is compared to investigate the role of formate groups in the crystallization of perovskite films prepared by gas‐quenching. The FAFO additive facilitates the perovskite crystallization in (001) orientation whereas KFO favors for (111) orientation. The MA‐free device with addition of FAFO demonstrate a champion power conversion efficiency of 20.94 %, compared to that of 20.14 % for KFO devices. In addition, FAFO device also exhibits improved thermal stability in ambient condition without encapsulation, extending the T80 lifetime by 18 times compared to the pristine device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep mechanisms shaping bacterial assembly are a crucial challenge in drinking water ecosystem. However, much less is known about seasonal diversity distributions and assembly mechanisms of abundant and rare bacteria in drinking water. The combination of environmental variables and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted to examine the composition, assembly, co-occurrence patterns of abundant and rare bacteria from five drinking water sites across four seasons in one year in China. The results indicated that abundant taxa were mainly composed of Rhizobiales_UG1, Sphingomonadales_UG1, and Comamonadaceae, while rare taxa were Sphingomonadales_UG1, Rhizobiales_UG2, and Rhizobiales_UG1. The richness of rare bacteria was greater than that of abundant ones, and the richness had no differences among seasons. The beta diversity was significantly discrepant in abundant and rare communities and among seasons. Deterministic mechanism accounted for a larger contribution to abundant taxa than rare taxa. Furthermore, water temperature had higher effects on abundant microbiome than rare ones. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that abundant taxa that occupied frequently in central positions had stronger effect on co-occurrence network. In our study, these results collectively suggested that rare bacteria respond to environmental variables with an analogical pattern to abundant counterparts (similar community assembly), but their ecological diversities, driving forces, and co-occurrence patterns were not equivalent in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meaningful learning for conceptual change in science education should aim to help students change their existing misconceptions to develop an accurate understanding of scientific concepts. Although collaborative argumentation is assumed to support such processes, its value for conceptual change is unclear. Moreover, the roles of argumentative dialogue should be considered in studies on collaborative argumentation. In the present study, using a controlled experiment, we examined the value of collaborative argumentation for conceptual change in science education while fully considering the roles of argumentative dialogue. Twenty-three postgraduate students were each allocated to one of two conditions (individual argumentation [control group] and collaborative argumentation [experimental group]) and participated in two argumentation activities. The results revealed that collaborative argumentation had a delayed but long-lasting effect on conceptual change in science education (i.e., conceptual change induced by collaborative argumentation did not immediately indicate a significant improvement at the moments of argumentation but showed a significant improvement during the delay period). Collaborative argumentation provided opportunities for change in cognitive, ontological, intentional, and other aspects of learning. Dialogue protocol analysis revealed that long-lasting conceptual change was associated with a U-shaped pattern of argumentative dialogue (i.e., two high and one low: both deliberative argumentation and co-consensual construction frequently occurred, while disputative argumentation rarely occurred) in collaborative argumentation. A third argumentation activity was then conducted to confirm this unexpected finding. The results confirmed an association between long-lasting conceptual change and a U-shaped pattern of argumentative dialogue in collaborative argumentation. The current study sheds light on the value of collaborative argumentation for long-lasting conceptual change, deepening our understanding of whether conceptual gains from argumentation activities were contingent on a particular type of verbal dialogue powered by collaborative argumentation. Implications for science education were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) oblique photogrammetric data were used to infer mountainous gravel braided river lithofacies, lithofacies associations and architectural elements. Hierarchical architecture and lithofacies associations with detailed lithofacies characterizations were comprehensively described to document the architectural model, architectural element scale and gravel particle scale. (1) Nine lithofacies (i.e., Gmm, Gcm, Gcc, Gci, Gcl, Ss, Sm, Fsm and Fl) were identified and classified as gravel, sand and fine matrix deposits. These are typical depositional features of a mountainous dryland gravel‐braided river. (2) Three architectural elements were identified, including channel (CH), gravel bar (GB) and overbank (OB). CH can be further divided into flow channel and abandoned channel, while GB consists of Central Gravel bar (CGB) and Margin Gravel bar (MGB). (3) The gravel bar is the key architectural element of the gravel braided river, with its geological attributes. The dimensions of GBs and their particles are various, but exhibit good relationships with each other. The grain size of GB decreases downstream, but the dimensions of GB do not. The bank erosion affects the GB dimensions, whereas channel incision and water flow velocity influence the grain size of GB. The conclusions can be applied to the dryland gravel braided river studies in tectonically active areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As China launches its second COVID-19 booster campaign and races to bring new vaccine technologies to protect against severe COVID-19 infections, there is limited research on how Chinese residents search for vaccine-related information. This study examined the factors influencing Chinese residents' information-seeking behaviors regarding COVID-19 boosters with a sample of 616 respondents with a mean age of 31.53 from a research panel. Structural equation modeling was used to report factors that influenced respondents' seeking intent. The results indicated that seeking-related subjective norms (β = −0.55, p < 0.001), negative affect (β = 0.08, p < 0.05), positive affect (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), and perceived knowledge insufficiency (β = 0.10, p < 0.001) are strong predictors of one's seeking intent. We also discovered that there was an inverse relationship between risk perception and positive affect (β = −0.55, p < 0.001) and between negative and positive affect (β = −0.19, p < 0.01), while all measurements were either directly or indirectly related to information-seeking intent. A few more indirect but important relationships were also included in our discussion. In conclusion, the present study helps understand what motivates Chinese residents to seek COVID-19 booster information when limited information is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a great demand for online high-precision monitoring of carbon isotope methane in the fields of atmospheric monitoring, geological exploration, oil and natural gas extraction, etc. However, the current detection method has some problems, such as the difficulty to ensure a wide concentration detection range while detecting an ultra-low concentration of carbon isotope methane with high accuracy, and a long detection period. To address these issues, in this paper, we propose TC/WMS-TDLAS, temperature-controlled/wavelength-modulated spectroscopy of tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry for the detection of ultra-low concentration carbon isotope methane. Also, we analyze the effect of temperature variation on the absorption signal of the infrared spectrum of carbon isotope methane and further investigate the interaction effect of the two isotope detection when the concentrations of 12CH4 and 13CH4 differed greatly. In addition, we develop a calibration model for detection when the difference between 12CH4 and 13CH4 concentrations is large. The experimental results show that TC/WMS-TDLAS can achieve an efficient analysis of 12CH4 and 13CH4 concentrations when the gas volume is less than 200 mL with a detection period less than 2 s. The detection error for ultra-low concentration carbon isotope methane is less than 1%, and the lower limit of detection for the concentration of 12CH4 and 13CH4 is 0.5 × 10−6 (0.5 ppmv) and 0.1 × 10−6 (0.1 ppmv), respectively. It also demonstrates that TC/WMS-TDLAS has significantly improved the detection performance of TDLAS for ultra-low concentration carbon isotope methane and it is promising for future application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volcanic oil reservoir is characterized with variable lithology and lithologic faces, strong heterogeneity, hard prediction. Taking the Carboniferous volcanic rocks of Chepaizi Uplift in Junggar Basin as an example, combined with the core, seismic data and well logging, we mainly studied on volcanic rock mass characterization, division of volcanic periods, analysis of volcanic mass, prediction of dominant lithofacies. Based on this, the three phase and multiple attribute characteristics of volcanic rock mass formed by lithofacies, logging faces and seismic faces are summarized. The results show that there are two volcanic channels and seven volcanic rocks in the monoclinic axis of Chepazzi Uplift in Junggar Basin. The volcanic eruption is the central eruption mode which has experienced three periods of volcanic eruption. Longitudinally, the Carboniferous strata from deep to shallow are successively divided into stages C1, C2 and C3. The stage C3 was severely denuded. The stage C2 manly developed overflow volcanic rock mass. Eruptive volcanic plutons were developed in stage C1. The physical property of volcanic rock mass in the eruptive phase is obviously better than that in the overflow phase. The high tectonic position near the crater is the dominant lithofacies development area. The identification and internal anatomy of volcanic rocks in Chepazi Uplift provide guidance for the exploration and development deployment in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the main control factors of volcanic reservoirs with complex oil–water relationships, the Carboniferous in the Chepaizi Uplift of the Junggar Basin was taken as an example and the lithofacies characteristics, main control factors, and hydrocarbon accumulation model of volcanic reservoirs were investigated by combining the petroleum geology with field testing (data of core analysis, well logging, formation testing, and production testing). The results show that the Carboniferous in the Chepaizi Uplift experienced three stages of volcanic activities and developed seven volcanic lithofacies bodies, distributed in a bead-string connected planar form along the Hongche fault. There is no unified oil–water interface across the whole study area and there are multiple oil–water systems within one fault block. The Carboniferous volcanic reservoir experienced two stages of hydrocarbon accumulation from two different source rocks. The distribution of faults penetrating hydrocarbon kitchens and source rocks controls the macro-scale distribution of reservoirs. The physical properties of reservoirs affect the pattern of oil and water differentiation in volcanic rock bodies, while the lithofacies body-controlled hydrocarbon accumulation mode highlighting "one rock body for one reservoir" determines the distribution of reservoirs. The matching between the paleo-structure and hydrocarbon accumulation stage controls the accumulation and adjustment of hydrocarbon distribution. The Permian source rocks in the Shawan Sag serve as the lateral hydrocarbon supply and hydrocarbons accumulate in the Carboniferous structural-lithologic traps, which are summarized as the two stages of hydrocarbon accumulation of newly generated hydrocarbons into older reservoir rocks. This study of the hydrocarbon accumulation pattern in volcanic rocks aims at guiding the development of Carboniferous reservoirs with complex oil and water relationships in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is the most common pathological subtype of kidney tumor. Reportedly, LINC00174 is a key regulator in cancer progression. This study aims to clarify the role and molecular mechanism of LINC00174 in the progression of KIRC. LINC00174 expression in KIRC and its prognostic value were analyzed by bioinformatics. LINC00174, miR-612 and FOXM1 mRNA expression levels in KIRC clinical samples and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR. After LINC00174 was overexpressed or knocked down, CCK-8, BrdU and Transwell assays were adopted to evaluate the proliferation and metastatic potential of KIRC cells. Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assays were employed to validate the targeting relationship between miR-612 and LINC00174 or FOXM1 mRNA, respectively. Western blot assay was performed to detect FOXM1 protein expression in KIRC cells. LINC00174 expression and FOXM1 expression were up-regulated in 42 cases of KIRC tissues (p < 0.001), while miR-612 expression was down-regulated (p <.001). LINC00174 overexpression or miR-612 inhibitor promoted the viability and proliferation of KIRC cells (p <.01). Migration and invasion of KIRC cells were promoted when the cells were transfected with LINC00174 overexpression or miR-612 inhibitor (p <.05). LINC00174 can competitively bind with miR-612 to repress the expression of miR-612, in turn up-regulate the expression of FOXM1 mRNA. LINC00174 facilitates the proliferation and metastatic potential of KIRC cells via regulating the miR-612/FOXM1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific argumentation as a scientific practice has become an important issue in scientific concept learning. We systematically searched five databases to assess the potential of scientific argumentation to promote multidimensional conceptual change in science education. The systematic literature search and coding of studies were carried out by two independent reviewers. Our search uncovered 12 experimental studies that investigated 12 different types of scientific argumentation-based instructions (scientific argumentation-based instructions in this study referred to lesson activities). With the multidimensional framework of conceptual change developed by McLure, F., Won, M., & Treagust, D. F. ((2020), we performed a narrative synthesis assessing how each type of scientific argumentation-based instruction affected conceptual change through cognitive, ontological and intentional dimensions of learning. Our narrative synthesis suggests scientific argumentation might affect conceptual change through enhancing those dimensions of learning to varying degrees. Moreover, certain added scaffoldings might be particularly useful for enhancing a certain dimension of learning. Finally, the meta-analysis (random effect model) showed that overall, scientific argumentation-based instructions had a large positive influence on conceptual change (Hedge's g = 10.49 [7.27, 13.71], I2 = 47%). Overall results indicated that scientific argumentation had the potential to improve conceptual change through offering opportunities for cognitive, ontological and intentional dimensions of learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the impact of work stress on Chinese rural school principal turnover intention, 490 rural school principals in the mainland of China were asked to participate in a survey. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that work stress had a positive relation with turnover intention, while achievement motivation and place attachment had negative relations. Additionally, place attachment was a protective factor that could reduce the negative effect of work stress on job satisfaction or the positive effect of work stress on turnover intention. Additionally, the moderating effects of place attachment were mediated by job satisfaction. These findings can enrich our understanding of the relation between work stress and school principal turnover behavior and can provide some suggestions for reducing school principal turnover intention in developing countries such as the mainland of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acculturation could cause grave health consequences in international students. However, there is a shortage of research into how acculturative stress might affect international students' quality of life in light of their academic standing and experience. The lack of research is particularly pronounced among Chinese international students, representing the largest body of international students studying in the United States (U.S.). Thus, to bridge the research gap, this study aims to examine the interplay between international students' acculturative stress, academic standing, and quality of life among a nationally representative sample of Chinese international students studying in the United States. Methods: An online survey that gauges Chinese international students' levels of acculturative stress, academic standing, and quality of life was developed. Over 350 higher education institutions across the United States were approached, including public universities, private universities, and community colleges, among which approximately 220 institutions responded positively and supported survey distribution. A total of 751 students completed the survey. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to examine the associations between students' acculturative stress, academic standing, and quality of life. Results: Findings reveal that acculturative stress negatively affects all four domains of Chinese international students' quality of life, irrespective of their academic standing. Data analyses also show that compared to master's and doctoral students, undergraduates experience the highest levels of acculturative stress. Furthermore, a significant difference emerged among undergraduate and doctoral international students' acculturative stress levels, but not among undergraduate and master's students, or master's and doctoral students. Conclusion: Our study found that, compared to master's and doctoral students, undergraduates had more significant acculturative stress associated with lower levels of quality of life. This finding highlights the potentially positive role of academic experience – while acculturative stress deteriorates international students' quality of life, students' academic standing and experience could be the protective factor in the equation. Future research could further examine how universities and colleges can capitalize on their academic apparatuses and resources to improve international students' academic performance and students' acculturation experience and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to examine the main and interactive relations of COVID-19-related stressors, coping, and online learning satisfaction with Chinese adolescents' adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 850 adolescents from three Chinese secondary schools participated in the survey during the pandemic outbreak, and the data were analyzed by hierarchical linear regression. The results show that COVID-19-related stressors were a vulnerability factor in predicting adjustment. Adolescents' adjustment could be attributed to both individual-level (e.g., coping) and class-level (e.g., a class-level indicator of coping) characteristics. Specifically, problem-based coping and online learning satisfaction can promote adolescents' adjustment directly or serve as a buffer against the negative impact of stressors on adjustment, while emotion-based coping is a vulnerability factor in predicting adjustment directly or as a risk factor in strengthening the relation between stressors and adjustment. Compared with male adolescents and adolescents with high socio-economic status, female and impoverished adolescents reported poorer adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings enrich our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' adjustment and are helpful in improving adolescents' adjustment during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genetic alterations have been proven to be the promising biomarkers for ICI response. However, sex biases in genetic alterations have been often ignored in the field of immunotherapy, which might specially influence the anticancer immunity and immunotherapy efficacy in male or female patients. Here, we have systematically evaluated the effect of the sex biases in somatic mutation of gastric cancer (GC) patients on the anticancer immunity and clinical benefit to immunotherapy.Methods: Genomic and transcriptomic data of gastric cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). We also obtained the genomic and clinical data of a MSKCC ICI-treated cohort from cbioportal database. GC male and female-derived tumor somatic mutation profiles were compared by maftools R package. Single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was conducted to calculate the score of the anticancer immunity indicators including IFN-γ signaling, cytolytic activity (CYT) and antigen presenting machinery (APM).Results: ATRX was found to mutate more frequently in female GC patients compared to male patients (FDR = 0.0108). Female GC patients with ATRX mutation manifested significantly more MSI-high subtypes, increased TMB and PDL1 expression as well as higher scores of IFN-γ signaling, CYT and APM. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) has shown that ATRX mutation might enhance the immunogenicity and anticancer immunity through affecting DNA damage repair pathways. In the ICI-treated cohort from MSKCC, GC patients with ATRX mutation were associated with prolonged overall survival. When stratifying the entire ICI-treated cohort by sex, female patients with ATRX mutation obtained significantly better survival benefits than that of ATRX mutant male patients (Female patients, HR of ATRX MT vs WT = 0.636, 95%CI = 0.455-0.890, P = 0.023; Male patients, HR of ATRX MT vs WT = 0.929, 95%CI = 0.596-1.362, P = 0.712).Conclusions: ATRX mutation might serve as a potential predictive biomarker for favorable clinical benefit to ICI in female GC patients. ATRX mutation could be applied in combination with other biomarkers of ICI response to better identify the female GC patients who will derive greater benefits from ICI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical organic synthesis has attracted increasing attentions as a sustainable and versatile synthetic platform. Quantitative assessment of the electro‐organic reactions, including reaction thermodynamics, electro‐kinetics, and coupled chemical processes, can lead to effective analytical tool to guide their future design. Herein, we demonstrate that electrochemical parameters such as onset potential, Tafel slope, and effective voltage can be utilized as electro‐descriptors for the evaluation of reaction conditions and prediction of reactivities (yields). An "electro‐descriptor‐diagram" is generated, where reactive and non‐reactive conditions/substances show distinct boundary. Successful predictions of reaction outcomes have been demonstrated using electro‐descriptor diagram, or from machine learning algorithms with experimentally‐derived electro‐descriptors. This method represents a promising tool for data‐acquisition, reaction prediction, mechanistic investigation, and high‐throughput screening for general organic electro‐synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical organic synthesis has attracted increasing attentions as a sustainable and versatile synthetic platform. Quantitative assessment of the electro‐organic reactions, including reaction thermodynamics, electro‐kinetics, and coupled chemical processes, can lead to effective analytical tool to guide their future design. Herein, we demonstrate that electrochemical parameters such as onset potential, Tafel slope, and effective voltage can be utilized as electro‐descriptors for the evaluation of reaction conditions and prediction of reactivities (yields). An "electro‐descriptor‐diagram" is generated, where reactive and non‐reactive conditions/substances show distinct boundary. Successful predictions of reaction outcomes have been demonstrated using electro‐descriptor diagram, or from machine learning algorithms with experimentally‐derived electro‐descriptors. This method represents a promising tool for data‐acquisition, reaction prediction, mechanistic investigation, and high‐throughput screening for general organic electro‐synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial ability is a powerful systematic source of individual differences in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and technology (STEM). Abundant research has evidenced that psychometrically assessed spatial ability is a strong predictor of STEM achievement. However, its underlying cognitive process and relevant role in STEM education are unknown. From the perspective of cognitive neuroscience, spatial ability is also considered a human intelligence deriving from the cognitive processing of spatial information in the brain. With the help of the cognitive neuroscience paradigm of spatial navigation, in the present work, we investigate the spatial cognitive process among STEM students and its role in STEM education. A total of 172 undergraduates majoring in veterinary science participated in a spatial navigation test. Participants attempted to return a toy to its original place in an arena when given either internal self-motion cues only, external landmark cues only, or both in a spatial navigation task. Modelling analysis of 172 participants' spatial navigation behaviours showed that all the participants' spatial cognitive processes featured navigation cue integration. The results of the different tests showed that students with higher levels of navigation cue integration had better academic performance in STEM learning. The results also indicated that, surprisingly, better academic performance in science and mathematics relied more on the use of internal self-motion cues, while better academic performance in engineering and technology relied more on the use of external landmark cues. This study sheds some light on the spatial cognitive process and its role in STEM education from the cognitive neuroscience perspective, thus deepening the functional understanding of spatial ability as a systemic source of individual differences for STEM education, and provides an empirical reference point for interdisciplinary studies on the role of cognition in the context of STEM education. Implications on STEM learning design and STEM teaching were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, partially owing to their compromised immune systems and curbed or cut cancer healthcare services caused by the pandemic. As a result, cancer caregivers may have to shoulder triple crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, pronounced healthcare needs from the patient, and elevated need for care from within. While technology-based health interventions have the potential to address unique challenges cancer caregivers face amid COVID-19, limited insights are available. Thus, to bridge this gap, we aim to identify technology-based interventions designed for cancer caregivers and report the characteristics and effects of these interventions concerning cancer caregivers' distinctive challenges amid COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search of the literature will be conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus from the database inception to the end of March 2021. Articles that center on technology-based interventions for cancer caregivers will be included in the review. The search strategy will be developed in consultation with an academic librarian who is experienced in systematic review studies. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles will be screened against eligibility criteria developed a priori. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses procedures will be followed for the reporting process. Conclusions: COVID-19 has upended cancer care as we know it. Findings of this study can shed light on evidence-based and practical solutions cancer caregivers can utilize to mitigate the unique challenges they face amid COVID-19. Furthermore, results of this study will also offer valuable insights for researchers who aim to develop interventions for cancer caregivers in the context of COVID-19. In addition, we also expect to be able to identify areas for improvement that need to be addressed in order for health experts to more adequately help cancer caregivers weather the storm of global health crises like COVID-19 and beyond. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020196301 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although dialectical thinking plays an important role in daily life, this ability among adults, including university students, is not always well developed. The present study used three experimental designs to explore efficient ways to promote university students' dialectical thinking ability. The results showed that university students' dialectical thinking ability can be improved after receiving instruction according to specific teaching practices. The debate approach was a more interesting and efficient teaching method for cultivating dialectical thinking ability than the lecture approach. These findings broaden and deepen our understanding about the development of dialectical thinking ability and suggests that debate can be used as an alternative way, in many university courses or training projects, to improve students' dialectical thinking ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During global pandemics, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), crisis communication is indispensable in dispelling fears, uncertainty, and unifying individuals worldwide in a collective fight against health threats. Inadequate crisis communication can bring dire personal and economic consequences. Mounting research shows that seemingly endless newsfeeds related to COVID-19 infection and death rates could considerably increase the risk of mental health problems. Unfortunately, media reports that include infodemics regarding the influence of COVID-19 on mental health may be a source of the adverse psychological effects on individuals. Owing partially to insufficient crisis communication practices, media and news organizations across the globe have played minimal roles in battling COVID-19 infodemics. Common refrains include raging QAnon conspiracies, a false and misleading "Chinese virus" narrative, and the use of disinfectants to "cure" COVID-19. With the potential to deteriorate mental health, infodemics fueled by a kaleidoscopic range of misinformation can be dangerous. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of research on how to improve crisis communication across media and news organization channels. This paper identifies ways that legacy media reports on COVID-19 and how social media-based infodemics can result in mental health concerns. This paper discusses possible crisis communication solutions that media and news organizations can adopt to mitigate the negative influences of COVID-19 related news on mental health. Emphasizing the need for global media entities to forge a fact-based, person-centered, and collaborative response to COVID-19 reporting, this paper encourages media resources to focus on the core issue of how to slow or stop COVID-19 transmission effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the epidemiology, evolutionary and transmission characteristics of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC in Nanjing, China. One hundred and fifty‐nine patients with HIV‐1 CRF07_BC were recruited. DNA sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular transmission cluster analysis were conducted to determine the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics. Of these HIV‐1‐infected patients, 95.6% were male, and men who sex with men (76.7%) were the main transmission route. Only 34.0% of these cases were born in Nanjing, and most of them (64.8%) reported having multiple sex partners in the last 6 months. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC revealed two lineages. Overall, 67.3% of Nanjing sequences were connected to at least one other individual distributed in 11 clusters, and the average degree was 21.2 with range (1‐178). The clustered patients were more likely to be male. The time to a most recent common ancestor for the early HIV‐1 CRF07_BC circulating in Nanjing was estimated to be 1998.71[1997.36‐2001.07]. The mean estimated evolutionary rate for the epidemic cluster was slightly lower at 2.38[2.12‐2.65] × 10−3 per site per year with the relaxed exponential clock model. HIV‐1 CRF07_BC was transmitted into Nanjing more than 20 years ago from Yunnan and has become one of the most predominant subtypes with a higher evolutionary rate than before. Highlights: We performed a comprehensive phylodynamic analysis of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC sequences from Nanjing.HIV‐1 CRF07_BC was transmitted into Nanjing more than 20 years from Yunnan.There were two waves of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC infection transmitted to Nanjing.MSM may have significantly contributed to the complicated transmission pattern of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To understand the spatiotemporal distribution and spatial clustering of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to evaluate the impact of comprehensive prevention and control measures on the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods Three periods was divided according to the measures of first level emergency response and the resumption of work and production. Data of diagnosed number in all provinces and municipalities was collected, and the diagnosed number per week in each time period was calculated. The spatial autocorrelation method was used to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution of COVID-19 epidemic. Results In the first stage, a significant positive spatial correlation was observed rounding Hubei province (Morans'I=0.144, Z=2.517, P=0.016). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a high-high clustering between Hubei and its adjacent provinces, and a low-low clustering in these provinces far away from Hubei. After the measures of first level emergency response being taken(the second stage), the COVID-19 epidemic presented a random distribution (Morans'I=- 0.017, Z=0.597, P=0.251). A high-low clustering between Hubei and its adjacent provinces, and a low-low clustering in these provinces far away from Hubei was observed. Since the time of work and production was resumed (the third stage), the COVID-19 epidemic remained a random distribution (Morans'I=- 0.055, Z=- 0.857, P=0.131). A high-low clustering between Guangdong and Jiangxi, and a low-low clustering in Sichuan was observed. Conclusion The comprehensive prevention and control measures adopted in China have effectively controlled the spread of COVID-19 epidemic throughout the country. At present, the epidemic posed a sporadic state. A closely monitoring and comprehensive prevention and control measures should be maintained to prevent the rebound of COVID-19 epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective oxidation of C–H bond is critical for feedstock manufacturing in chemical industry. Current strategies typically involve the use of oxygen or peroxide as the oxidation reagent under high temperature, which sets severe challenges in production sustainability and industrial safety. Herein, we demonstrate an environmental-friendly and safe electrocatalytic strategy for the selective oxidation of benzyl group to ketones at ambient conditions, while using water as the sole oxygen source. Water addition reduces the onset potential of anodic C–H oxidation, and produces 1-tetralone with satisfying conversion and excellent ketone to alcohol ratio. Layered MnO2 catalysts (with rich oxygen vacancies) further adjust the water affinity and facilitate the oxidation, leading to a significantly improved faradaic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the main and interactive relations of stressors and social support with Chinese college students' psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the constructs are assessed by self-report in an anonymous survey during the pandemic outbreak. The results show that the number of stressors has a positive relation with psychological symptoms, and social support has a negative relation with psychological symptoms. In addition, social support serves as a buffer against the negative impact of stressors. These findings hold implications for university counseling services during times of acute, large-scale stressors. Specifically, effective screening procedures should be developed to identify students who experience large number of stressors and provide suitable psychological intervention for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the influence of a team leader's personality on students' academic performance and explore the underlying mechanism. Three hundred thirty-eight university students who were enrolled in a Happy Psychology curriculum participated in the survey. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test the hypotheses, with academic performance as the outcome, the team leader's personality as the independent variable, group participation as the mediator, and gender diversity as the moderator. The results showed that the neuroticism and conscientiousness of the team leader had a direct or indirect effect (through group participation) on university students' academic performance and that gender diversity moderated the direct or indirect effect of group participation on students' academic performance. These findings could broaden and deepen the understanding of the influence of team leaders' personality on students' academic performance in problem-based classes. A team leader's personality and gender diversity should be considered in team construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Americans remain relatively unaware of the risks and benefits associated with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, including its role in combating CO2 emissions as a means to address climate change. Our goal is to determine factors that might help build awareness and knowledge of CCS so that citizens can make informed decisions about it. Specifically, we focus on perceived risks, benefits and emotions associated with CCS and intentions to seek information about it. We surveyed 970 adults from a region of Texas that has seen recent growth in the application of CCS technology. Consistent with prior research, most respondents were not aware of CCS or the risks and benefits associated with it. To explore CCS-related information -seeking intent, we sought guidance from the planned risk information -seeking model, which identifies factors that contribute to intentions to seek information about risk-related topics. The majority of the hypothesized relationships were supported, and the model accounted for 48% of the variance in intent to seek information about CCS risks and benefits. Furthermore, perceived benefits and hope played significant roles in explaining information-seeking intent. Implications for better engaging the public with the topic of CCS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prototyping is an effective and efficient way of requirements validation to avoid introducing errors in the early stage of software development. However, manually developing a prototype of a software system requires additional efforts, which would increase the overall cost of software development. In this article, we present an approach with a developed tool RM2PT to automated prototype generation from formal requirements models for requirements validation. A requirements model consists of a use case diagram, a conceptual class diagram, use case definitions specified by system sequence diagrams, and the contracts of their system operations. A system operation contract is formally specified by a pair of pre and postconditions in object constraint language. We propose a method with a set of transformation rules to decompose a contract into executable parts and nonexecutable parts. An executable part can be automatically transformed into a sequence of primitive operations by applying their corresponding rules, and a nonexecutable part is not transformable with the rules. The tool RM2PT provides a mechanism for developers to develop a piece of program for each nonexecutable part manually, which can be plugged into the generated prototype source code automatically. We have conducted four case studies with over 50 use cases. The experimental result shows that the 93.65% system operations are executable, and only 6.35% are nonexecutable, which can be implemented by developers manually or invoking the third-party application programming interface (APIs). Overall, the result is satisfactory. Each 1 s generated prototype of four case studies requires approximate one day's manual implementation by a skilled programmer. The proposed approach with the developed computer-aided software engineering tool can be applied to the software industry for requirements engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]