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Despite the large number of working-class students having to work while attending schools, their work experience and the potential of class solidarity have been largely unaddressed. By bringing in a social psychological perspective, this article revives the sociological debates of working-class solidarity and challenges the defeatist view of solidarity since the neoliberal turn of the global economy. This article comprises two studies. In Study 1, a "working-class solidarity measure" (WCSM) was developed through interviews, followed by factor-analysis of a vocational school sample in China (n = 509). In Study 2, we validated the factor structure of the WCSM and adopted structural equation modelling to show that prosocial behaviour positively predicted solidarity among vocational school students (n = 2534). Contrary to the understanding that the working-class is divisive and fragmentary, our work shows that working-class solidarity can be built and consolidated through layers of prosocial behaviours by students with work experience.

Background: Middle leaders are well placed to exert a positive influence on teacher learning, due in part to their proximity to the classroom. However, to maximise that potential, more needs to be understood about the complex connections between instruction-oriented middle leadership and professional learning, particularly in non-Western contexts. Purpose: This study, undertaken in a Chinese context, investigated how middle leaders, specifically those who headed teaching-research groups (TRGs), enacted their instructional leadership to influence teacher learning and build teacher capacity. Method: A qualitative, multi-case design was employed. Participants included 6 vice-principals, 18 TRG heads and 24 classroom teachers. Data collection, in the form of semi-structured interviews, observations, and field notes, was conducted over four months in six schools in China. Data analysis involved the synthesis of participant narratives to identify how middle leaders made sense of, and promoted, teacher learning through their instructional leadership. Findings: Analysis allowed themes and sub-themes to emerge, suggesting four domains of leadership practice: (i) nurturing teacher job-embedded learning, (ii) creating a climate conducive to teacher learning, (iii) engaging teachers in school-based action research and (iv) mobilising external resources to develop teachers. From this, an early-stage conceptual model was created, describing how middle leaders used their instructional leadership as a primary pathway of influence, and how they emphasised relational bonds and organisational structure to stimulate teacher learning. Conclusion: The findings provide insights into middle leadership in the Chinese context, yielding a view into core practices of middle leadership for teacher learning, and drawing attention to teacher development practices that are relevant in other contexts internationally. Tapping into the potential of the middle leader to support teachers' professional learning can contribute to wider school improvement, ultimately benefitting all learners.

The current study explores teacher leaders' emotions and its relationship with teacher professionalism and collegial trust in the Chinese context. A sample of 477 teacher leaders in China responded to three measures, namely, teacher leader emotions, teacher professionalism and trust in colleagues. To analyse the data, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were utilised. The results confirmed three hypotheses on the relationships between three constructs. Specifically, positive emotions (e.g., pride and love) from teacher leaders positively and significantly affected their trust in colleagues. Moreover, enjoyment positively affected, and fatigue and anxiety negatively affected, teacher professionalism. The structural model showed that enjoyment, anxiety, and fatigue of teacher leaders directly affected teacher professionalism but pride and love indirectly affected teacher professionalism mediated by their trust in colleagues. It is also interesting to note that pride negatively affected teacher professionalism through collegial trust. Implications and future directions are proposed in the form of theory and practice.

This study used an Appreciative Education framework to explore the strengths of Chinese international students and to identify areas where support is needed during their transition to U.S. higher education settings. Using a convergent mixed methods design with data collected from surveys, interviews and focus groups, the complex nature of the transition process was explored. While commitment and motivation as well as familial support were identified as strengths based on survey data, interview and focus group data revealed additional strengths and how students leverage these strengths to support their transition. The findings led to insights and recommendations for higher education professionals working with Chinese international students specifically, and offered approaches to better understand and support international students in general.

Adolescent behavior is often negatively viewed especially regarding work experience. By introducing a concept of prosocial behavior, our study attempts to provide an alternative view on the effects of teenage job and work experience. We hypothesized that work experience could generate more prosocial behaviors. By surveying a large group of working-class youth (N = 2,860) from eight Chinese vocational schools and using structural equation modeling, we confirmed that the pattern of "having less, giving more" could be found in our sample. Our findings revealed that work experience could facilitate prosocial behavior via the increase of knowledge of both contract-based rights and labor action. By understanding working-class youth's prosocial behavior as a positive outcome of work experience, this study calls for further research on other positive outcomes, such as cooperation, civic engagement, and solidarity, among working-class youth.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of teacher leadership on the enactment of educational reforms in southeastern China. It considers how the work of middle and teacher leaders in schools is structured to support reform enactment at the school level. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted in three case study sites in one school district in Shenzhen, China. Low, moderate and high academic achieving schools which had engaged teacher leaders in instructional reforms were selected. A combined total of 34 senior, middle and teacher leaders participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed through a comparative coding process. Findings: Across the three schools, teacher leaders without positional authority strongly influenced the instructional reforms. Their influence was strongest when bolstered by a combination of formal recognition systems, opportunities to lead projects that were directly related to the reform efforts, and mentorship systems that skilled novice teachers in reform-related skills and experienced teachers in leading reform enactment. Mechanisms and structures embedded in schools, when coherently focused on selected reforms, supported the efficacy of teachers without formal authority. And, middle leaders' impact was enhanced when working collaboratively with formal and teacher leaders. Originality/value: This research yields insight on teacher leaders' influence of reform. It considers how the work of middle and teacher leaders can be structured as a collective that impacts on reform enactment at the school level. And, it illuminates teacher leadership in a Chinese context other than the scrutinized Shanghai school system.

Barchan dunes do not often coexist with grasslands. However, in Gonghe Basin, north‐eastern part in Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP), China, many barchan dunes are distributed on the grassland at high altitude. Identifying celerity and morphodynamics of barchan dunes and exploring the interaction between barchans and grassland landscape can help us better understand aeolian system sand mitigate damages. In this work, we tracked dune celerity and observed three‐dimensional changes of symmetrical and asymmetrical barchan dunes in Ertala based on high‐resolution UAV‐SfM reconstruction in short‐term monitoring and discussed the factors influencing dune celerity and deformation at high altitude. The results revealed that the barchan dunes are highly mobile with an average celerity of 0.85 m/M for the whole study area. Based on observations of dune morphology and dynamics, we found the following: (1) The dune deformation degree in a short time is not large but is widespread, especially in the elongated arm of asymmetric dune. The deformation of symmetric dune is symmetrical, whereas that of dune with extended horn is asymmetrical; (2) the sand supply, vegetation and airflow at low air density all influence the celerity and deformation degree in the development of barchan dunes; (3) the asymmetric airflow and sediment supply are important cause of dune asymmetry. The above results help us understand the deformation of barchan dune from the three‐dimensional, especially the difference reflected by the symmetry of barchan dune at high altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle leaders are well placed to exert a positive influence on teacher learning, due in part to their proximity to the classroom. However, to maximise that potential, more needs to be understood about the complex connections between instruction-oriented middle leadership and professional learning, particularly in non-Western contexts. This study, undertaken in a Chinese context, investigated how middle leaders, specifically those who headed teaching-research groups (TRGs), enacted their instructional leadership to influence teacher learning and build teacher capacity. A qualitative, multi-case design was employed. Participants included 6 vice-principals, 18 TRG heads and 24 classroom teachers. Data collection, in the form of semi-structured interviews, observations, and field notes, was conducted over four months in six schools in China. Data analysis involved the synthesis of participant narratives to identify how middle leaders made sense of, and promoted, teacher learning through their instructional leadership. Analysis allowed themes and sub-themes to emerge, suggesting four domains of leadership practice: (i) nurturing teacher job-embedded learning, (ii) creating a climate conducive to teacher learning, (iii) engaging teachers in school-based action research and (iv) mobilising external resources to develop teachers. From this, an early-stage conceptual model was created, describing how middle leaders used their instructional leadership as a primary pathway of influence, and how they emphasised relational bonds and organisational structure to stimulate teacher learning. The findings provide insights into middle leadership in the Chinese context, yielding a view into core practices of middle leadership for teacher learning, and drawing attention to teacher development practices that are relevant in other contexts internationally. Tapping into the potential of the middle leader to support teachers' professional learning can contribute to wider school improvement, ultimately benefitting all learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated potential opportunities or challenges for plant‐based meat in the Chinese market. A quantitative framework was applied to determine the current level of familiarity and experience with plant‐based meat among Chinese consumers, the proportion of consumers who would try or purchase plant‐based meat, which demographics within China are most likely to buy plant‐based meat and which attitudes are important in driving the purchase intent of plant‐based meat. Methods: A pre‐registered cross‐sectional online survey (N = 1206) was distributed to respondents (matched to China's adult population for gender and age). Results: Respondents reported a variety of dietary identities, with 43.4% reporting that they were reducing or avoiding meat. The majority of respondents (60.1%) said they had eaten plant‐based meat at least once before. Of those who said they had never eaten plant‐based meat, 41.9% intended to try it and 31.4% intended to purchase it. The strongest attitudinal predictor of plant‐based meat purchase intent was perceived healthiness (β = 0.235, p < 0.001), whereas the strongest demographic predictor of plant‐based meat purchase intent was age (β = −0.248, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that an approach based on increasing opportunities for trial, as well as appealing to specific attitudinal and demographic predictors of plant‐based purchase intent, could prove successful in increasing adoption of plant‐based and alternative meat products. Key points: Chinese consumers are open to trying and purchasing plant‐based meat, despite low existing familiarity with modern plant‐based meat products.Perception of plant‐based meat as healthy was the strongest attitudinal predictor for plant‐based meat acceptance followed by the perception of plant‐based meat as having a good mouthfeel and food safety advantages.Younger respondents were more likely to intend to purchase plant‐based meat, and age was the strongest demographic predictor of plant‐based meat acceptance.Respondents responsible for preparing food for children; those who were married, living with a partner, divorced or widowed; and those living in bigger cities were also significantly more likely to intend to purchase plant‐based meat.Potential strategies for driving greater adoption include increasing opportunities for potential consumers to try plant‐based meat products, strengthening and appealing to positive perceptions of plant‐based meat in marketing and public engagement campaigns and targeting demographics with high levels of acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Re–Os radiometric dating of crude oil can be used to constrain the timing of hydrocarbon generation, migration or charge. This approach has been successfully applied to marine petroleum systems; however, this study reports on its application to lacustrine-sourced natural crude oils. Oil samples from multiple wells producing from the Cretaceous Nantun Formation in the Wuerxun-Beier depression of the Hailar Basin in NE China were analysed. Subsets of the Re–Os data are compatible with a Cretaceous hydrocarbon generation event (131.1 ± 8.4 Ma) occurring within 10 Myr of deposition of the Nantun Formation source rocks. In addition, two younger age trends of 54 ± 12 Ma and 1.28 ± 0.69 Ma can be regressed from the Re–Os data, which may reflect the timing of subsequent hydrocarbon generation events. The Re–Os geochronometer, when combined with complementary age dating techniques, can provide direct temporal constraints on the evolution of petroleum system in a terrestrial basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boys' Love stories (BL) are a genre of male-male homosexual romance in China. The readers of BL typically are heterosexual young women. BL readers usually argue that they are fighting against traditional gender roles and at the same time promoting liberal social attitudes toward gay men. Some gay men and LGBT scholars criticize BL for reinforcing stereotypes. The current experiment assigned women participants to read either BL or heterosexual romances with identical plots and then self-report their reading experiences. Results suggest that women have a pro-BL bias, meaning they believe BL naturally depict more relationally equal romantic relationships than heterosexual romances. This bias leads to greater identification with characters and ultimately increases the narrative engagement with BL. These findings have important implications for understanding the effects of BL on stereotypical perceptions of gay men in Chinese society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection is a global public health issue, that has now affected more than 200 countries worldwide and caused a second wave of pandemic. Severe adult respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia is associated with a high risk of mortality. However, prognostic factors predicting poor clinical outcomes of individual patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia remain under intensive investigation. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter study of patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were admitted to four hospitals in Wuhan, China from December 2019 to February 2020. Mortality at the end of the follow up period was the primary outcome. Factors predicting mortality were also assessed and a prognostic model was developed, calibrated and validated. The study included 492 patients with SARS-CoV-2 who were divided into three cohorts: the training cohort (n = 237), the validation cohort 1 (n = 120), and the validation cohort 2 (n = 135). Multivariate analysis showed that five clinical parameters were predictive of mortality at the end of follow up period, including advanced age [odds ratio (OR), 1.1/years increase (p < 0.001)], increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [(NLR) OR, 1.14/increase (p < 0.001)], elevated body temperature on admission [OR, 1.53/°C increase (p = 0.005)], increased aspartate transaminase [OR, 2.47 (p = 0.019)], and decreased total protein [OR, 1.69 (p = 0.018)]. Furthermore, the prognostic model drawn from the training cohort was validated with validation cohorts 1 and 2 with comparable area under curves (AUC) at 0.912, 0.928, and 0.883, respectively. While individual survival probabilities were assessed, the model yielded a Harrell's C index of 0.758 for the training cohort, 0.762 for the validation cohort 1, and 0.711 for the validation cohort 2, which were comparable among each other. A validated prognostic model was developed to assist in determining the clinical prognosis for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Using this established model, individual patients categorized in the high risk group were associated with an increased risk of mortality, whereas patients predicted to be in the low risk group had a higher probability of survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dialogue with the new gender ideology "egalitarian essentialism" which reveals uneven transformation of gender equity in public and private spheres, this study looks into the nuanced gender ideologies among Chinese youth, their antecedents and socio-psychological impacts on the young people. We apply latent class analysis to data on gender-role attitudes that were collected in 12 vocational colleges in China (N = 4,793). The three gender ideology profiles that we identify—egalitarian, essentialist, and neutral groups—demonstrate an alternative version of "egalitarian essentialism" in post-socialist China which highlights that a continuation of egalitarian attitudes in families co-exists with a growth of essentialist attitudes in employment. Furthermore, multivariate analysis shows that the three gender ideology profiles are structured primarily by sex and socio-economic backgrounds. We also find that the gender ideologies contribute to the prediction of the youth's subjective well-being, especially their future expectations and psychological distress—the relations that have been under-researched in previous studies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UAVs‐SfM (unmanned aerial vehicles‐structure‐from‐motion) systems can generate high‐resolution three‐dimensional (3D) topographic models of aeolian landforms. To explore the optimization of UAVs‐SfM for use in aeolian landform morphodynamics, this study tested flight parameters for two contrasting aeolian landform areas (free dune and blowout) to assess the 3D reconstruction accuracy of the UAV survey compared with field point measurements using differential RTK‐GPS (real‐time kinematic‐global positioning system). The results reveal the optimum UAVs‐SfM flight set‐up at the free‐dune site was: flying height = 74 m, camera tilt angle = −90°, photograph overlap ratio = 85%/70% (heading/sideways). The horizontal/vertical location error was around 0.028–0.055 m and 0.053–0.069 m, respectively, and a point cloud density of 463/m3 was found to generate a clear texture using these flying parameters. For the < 20 m deep blowout the optimum set‐up with highest accuracy and the lowest cliff texture distortion was: flying height = 74 m combined camera tilt angle = −90° and −60°, photograph overlap ratio = 85%/70% (heading/sideways), and an evenly distributed GCPs (ground control points) density of 42/km2 using these flying parameters. When the depth of the blowouts exceeded 40 m, the optimum flight/survey parameters changed slightly to account for more challenging cliff texture generation: flying height = 80 m (with −90° and −60°combined camera tilt angle), GCPs density = 63/km2 to generate horizontal and vertical location error of 0.024 m and 0.050 m, respectively, and point cloud density of 2597.11/m3. The main external factors that affect the successful 3D reconstruction of aeolian landforms using UAVs‐SfM are the weather conditions, manipulation errors, and instrument system errors. The UAVs‐SfM topographic monitoring results demonstrate that UAVs provide a viable and robust means for aeolian landform morphodynamics monitoring. Importantly, the rapid and high precision 3D reconstruction processes were significantly advanced using the optimal flight parameters reported here. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wuliji'Oboo fluorite deposit is a newly discovered deposit hosted by volcanic rocks of the Early Cretaceous Baiyin'gaolao Formation, which are located in the Great Xing'an Range. Fluorite orebodies within this area are controlled by the NNE‐trending faults. The ΣREE of fluorite samples ranges from 19.18 to 361.22 ppm, with an average of 131.14 ppm. The homogenization temperatures are concentrated in the ranges of 100–150°C and 230–350°C, while the salinity is concentrated in 0.3–1.0 and 2.0–4.5 wt.% NaCl eqv., and the density has ranges of 0.92–0.96 and 0.75–0.8 g/cm3, respectively. The δDV‐SMOW values of fluid inclusions within the fluorite range between −122.3‰ and −105.6‰ with a mean of −115.36‰. The δ18OV‐SMOW of fluorite ranges from −12.0 to −8.5‰, average is −9.9‰. Sm–Nd isotopic data on the fluorite ore yield an isochron age of 122 ± 15 Ma and have ɛNd(t) values ranging from +3.15 to +4.16 and (87Sr/86Sr)i values ranging from 0.704907 to 0.705765. In this contribution, field, petrologic, and geochemical data lead us to the following salient findings: (a) The ore consists of fluorite, quartz, and calcite, with host rock alteration that includes silicification, calcitization, and sericitization. The major element data reveal that the host rocks are a series of highK calc‐alkaline rhyolite. The REEs suggest that F‐rich fluids in this region might have experienced a long‐distance migration. The Tb/Ca‐Tb/La diagram confirms a hydrothermal origin for the deposit. (b) Petrographic evidence and fluid inclusions in the fluorites indicate that this deposit might have two ore‐forming stages. The ore‐forming fluids can be attributed to a NaCl‐H2O‐F system with moderate‐low temperature, low salinity, and low density and have a meteoric water source, with water/rock reaction as the main mechanism for fluorite precipitation. (c) The deposit was formed in an anorogenic within‐plate extensional tectonic setting related to the lithospheric thinning occurring after the Mongolian–Okhotsk Ocean closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how Chinese firms began responding to worsening environmental concerns in the late 1990s. Combining predictions from control theory escalation of commitment, and goal theory, we seek to explain how leaders' cognitions shape the formations of novel responses to the value-laden issue of corporate greening. We propose an iterative model that links leaders' principles with corporate actions and test it using survey data gathered from 360 firms. The model views strategy organically, as a set of adaptive goals and behaviors, and highlights the role of systemic and local feedback loops in strategy formation. We find that top executives who champion new strategic initiatives monitor early success or failure, and adjust their efforts to match early performance feedback. Perceptions of satisfactory performance strengthen leaders' efforts towards their initial target, while perceptions of unsatisfactory performance diminish them. This feedback relationship is invariant throughout favorable or unfavorable expectancies of success, contrary to the contingent prediction of control theory. The model also examines how top-down and bottom-up strategic initiatives combine to help firms maintain a positive momentum of change when champions' efforts decline in the face of premature failure signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To inform interventions targeted towards reducing mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden cardiac arrest in three megacities in China and India, a baseline assessment of public knowledge, attitudes and practices was performed.Methods: A household survey, supplemented by focus group and individual interviews, was used to assess public understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, AMI symptoms, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Additionally, information was collected on emergency service utilisation and associated barriers to care.Results: 5456 household surveys were completed. Hypertension was most commonly recognised among CVD risk factors in Beijing and Shanghai (68% and 67%, respectively), while behavioural risk factors were most commonly identified in Bangalore (smoking 91%; excessive alcohol consumption 64%). Chest pain/discomfort was reported by at least 60% of respondents in all cities as a symptom of AMI, but 21% of individuals in Bangalore could not name a single symptom. In Beijing, Shanghai and Bangalore, 26%, 15% and 3% of respondents were trained in CPR, respectively. Less than one-quarter of participants in all cities recognised an AED. Finally, emergency service utilisation rates were low, and many individuals expressed concern about the quality of prehospital care.Conclusions: Overall, we found low to modest knowledge of CVD risk factors and AMI symptoms, infrequent CPR training and little understanding of AEDs. Interventions will need to focus on basic principles of CVD and its complications in order for patients to receive timely and appropriate care for acute cardiac events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest and fastest growing groups in Western societies. This article used the solidarity-conflict model to synthesize current research examining parent-child relationships in this group. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed databases to identify relevant articles. A narrative approach was used to review the literature. Results: Thirty-six articles were identified. Compared with Caucasians, older Chinese immigrants are more likely to live with children and have higher filial expectations. However, considerable numbers live independently. Of these, most live in public housing and rely on the community rather than their children for instrumental help. Many older Chinese immigrants have adjusted their filial expectations and valued being independent. They also provide extensive household help to their children. There are indications of intergenerational conflict, probably due to generational differences in attitudes toward life and limited intergenerational contact. Implications: This review suggests that although filial piety continues to influence older parent-child relationship in Chinese immigrant families, many changes have occurred. These findings have important implications for service planning and delivery for this cultural group. This review also provides evidence for the utility of the solidarity-conflict model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article argues against the promotion of autocracy from the policy objectives of the New Silk Road initiative, an infrastructure project which is referred as 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and mentions the principles of Xi for the destiny of Asia.

Research on acculturation has documented that adaptation to a receiving society is affected by both the immigrants’ acculturation strategies and the dominant group's expectations about how immigrants should acculturate. However, the acculturation expectations have received relatively less attention from researchers, and support for multiculturalism has rarely been examined from the perspective of immigrants. The present study used the framework of the Mutual Intercultural Relations in Plural Societies (MIRIPS) project to investigate the acculturation experiences and intercultural relations in Hong Kong by incorporating mutual views of both the dominant and non-dominant groups. It also tested the mediating role of the dominant group's tolerance towards different cultural groups and the non-dominant group's perceived discrimination. Two community samples were recruited, including Hong Kong residents ( N = 181) and immigrants from Mainland China ( N = 182). Among Mainland immigrants, the integration strategy predicted both psychological adaptation and sociocultural adaptation. Multicultural ideology predicted psychological adaptation and played a significant role in intercultural contact with Hong Kong people through the mediation of lower perceived discrimination. Among Hong Kong residents, the integration expectation predicted psychological adaptation. Multicultural ideology indirectly affected intercultural contact with Mainland immigrants through the mediation of greater tolerance. These results suggest that the integration strategy and expectation are more important to intrapersonal functioning, whereas multicultural ideology may be more crucial in facilitating social interactions between members of the society of settlement and immigrants in culturally plural milieus. Future research should test the proposed models of dominant and non-dominant groups in other cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to explain the role principals play in the variation in academic achievement between secondary schools in Hong Kong. The article draws on survey data from 179 key staff and 2,037 students from 42 schools. The study uses 2 analytical approaches. First, it employs classification and regression tree analysis (CART). This was used to sort out the most significant leadership practices associated with student achievement. Second, based on first-stage analysis, the study further explores the effects of leadership practices on academic achievement using hierarchical linear modelling (HLM). Results indicate that transparent and efficient communication structures as managed by principals explained approximately 12% of between-schools variation in academic achievement. Leadership practices related to quality assurance and accountability and resource management also contributed to explaining between-schools variation in academic achievement, yet they had negative effects on student achievement. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Neglect of the mouth can lead to impairment, disability, and discomfort; as a result, it can have a negative impact on quality of life in old age. Some minority groups in North America shoulder a disproportionate burden of dental impairment compared to people of European origins, possibly because of different cultural beliefs and a distrust of Western oral healthcare. This paper explores these factors in elderly Chinese immigrants through a meta-synthesis of selected literature that reveals a dynamic interplay of traditional Chinese beliefs about oral health, immigration, and structural factors mediating access to Western dentistry. It also identifies several conceptual issues and gaps in knowledge, offers avenues of research including the cross-cultural application of two recent models of oral health, and discusses various strategies for improving access to dental services for minority populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular membrane trafficking pathways must be tightly regulated to ensure proper functioning of all eukaryotic cells. Central to membrane trafficking is the formation of specific SNARE (soluble N-ethylmeleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) complexes between proteins on opposing lipid bilayers. The Sec1/Munc18 (SM) family of proteins play an essential role in SNARE-mediated membrane fusion, and like the SNAREs are conserved through evolution from yeast to humans. The SM protein Vps45 is required for the formation of yeast endosomal SNARE complexes and is thus essential for traffic through the endosomal system. Here we report that, in addition to its role in regulating SNARE complex assembly, Vps45 regulates cellular levels of its SNARE binding partners: the syntaxin Tlg2 and the v-SNARE Snc2: Cells lacking Vps45 have reduced cellular levels of Tlg2 and Snc2; and elevation of Vps45 levels results in concomitant increases in the levels of both Tlg2 and Snc2. As well as regulating traffic through the endosomal system, the Snc v-SNAREs are also required for exocytosis. Unlike most vps mutants, cells lacking Vps45 display multiple growth phenotypes. Here we report that these can be reversed by selectively restoring Snc2 levels in vps45 mutant cells. Our data indicate that as well as functioning as part of the machinery that controls SNARE complex assembly, Vps45 also plays a key role in determining the levels of its cognate SNARE proteins; another key factor in regulation of membrane traffic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of legal globalization in regards to corporate law firms, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), and a unified system of laws aimed at protecting democracy and human rights as of May 2012. Issues involving transnational law, the domestic rule of law, and the relationship between the legitimacy of lawyers and economic capital are also addressed. An examination of the Chinese legal profession is provided, including information on China's small corporate law division and the nation's large group of criminal lawyers.

The Yi-yüan Jen-chien is a collection of short biographies of men who served as Supervising Secretaries in the Offices of Scrutiny during the Ming dynasty. The editorial principles (fan-li) provide a useful summary of terminology concerning the ways in which people attained and left civil office, which is translated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The literature suggests that peer assessment contributes to the development of student learning and promotes ownership of assessment processes. These claims emerge from research conducted primarily in Western contexts. This exploratory paper reports on the perspectives that a class of Hong Kong primary school students and their teachers have on their engagement with peer assessment. It draws on data collected through extensive interviews and classroom observations from a 2-year case study. The findings indicate that student perceptions about the usefulness of peer assessment follow from their perspectives on quality of peer feedback, peer language proficiency, and the novelty or repetitiveness of its processes. Teachers and students also viewed peer assessment as assuming a wider role in preparing for examinations and future secondary schooling. A key implication is that assessment practices are deeply cultural and, in test-dominated settings, peer assessment may have most potential when explicit links are drawn with preparation for summative assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ever-increasing trade between China and the rest of the world, commercial disputes have risen dramatically. Many foreign companies choose to resolve these disputes through arbitration to circumvent the Chinese courts and to retain more autonomy and control. Arbitration itself can also be a problem because rules and laws differ, depending on the jurisdiction and the institution involved. Under China's civil law tradition, arbitrators are restricted in their ability to force parties to disclose evidence that may be detrimental to their case. Additionally, arbitrators have no authority to obtain evidence from uncooperative third parties. This Article seeks to provide some guidance for parties engaged in arbitration proceedings in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers insight into the anthology of Chinese music through specific musical examples and their political and historical context. The author begins by introducing major cultural policies that informed the music and arts of the Cultural Revolution in relation to the anthology. He also provides a brief introduction to the music and arts of the cultural revolution. Further, the author concentrates on the "New Songs of the Battlefield" anthology.

Examines how Chinese children learning to read Chinese, progress from a visual phase to a phonological phase, which is similar to the developmental pattern in learning to read alphabetic scripts. Methodology used to carry out the study; Results of the study; Discussion on the study.

Investigates the role of phonetics for children learning to read Chinese in Hong Kong. Correlations among Chinese pseudocharacter reading; Reliance on phonetics for sound cues in naming Chinese characters and phonological awareness.

Timely monitoring of the changes in coverage and growth conditions of vegetation (forest, grass) is very important for preserving the regional and global ecological environment. Vegetation information is mainly reflected by its spectral characteristics, namely, differences and changes in green plant leaves and vegetation canopies in remote sensing domains. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is commonly used to describe the dynamic changes in vegetation, but the NDVI sequence is not long enough to support the exploration of dynamic changes due to many reasons, such as changes in remote sensing sensors. Thus, the NDVI from different sensors should be scientifically combined using logical methods. In this study, the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) NDVI from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI are combined using the Savitzky–Golay (SG) method and then utilized to investigate the temporal and spatial changes in the vegetation of the Ruoergai wetland area (RWA). The dynamic spatial and temporal changes and trends of the NDVI sequence in the RWA are analyzed to evaluate and monitor the growth conditions of vegetation in this region. In regard to annual changes, the average annual NDVI shows an overall increasing trend in this region during the past three decades, with a linear trend coefficient of 0.013/10a, indicating that the vegetation coverage has been continuously improving. In regard to seasonal changes, the linear trend coefficients of NDVI are 0.020, 0.021, 0.004, and 0.004/10a for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The linear regression coefficient between the gross domestic product (GDP) and NDVI is also calculated, and the coefficients are 0.0024, 0.0015, and 0.0020, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.453, 0.463, and 0.444 for Aba, Ruoergai, and Hongyuan, respectively. Thus, the positive correlation coefficients between the GDP and the growth of NDVI may indicate that increased societal development promotes vegetation in some respects by resulting in the planting of more trees or the promotion of tree protection activities. Through the analysis of the temporal and spatial NDVI, it can be assessed that the vegetation coverage is relatively large and the growth condition of vegetation in this region is good overall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on descriptive study concerning medical care research in Shanghai with interaction between China and U.S. The study is carried out on-site by Chinese field team of 25 scientists and health workers, together with American team of two scientists. The information obtained for the study includes historical and current data from Shanghai County Bureau of Health. It also includes data from special surveys of the outcomes of pregnancy, fertility patterns of women in one commune, and the use of health services in factories. Accordingly, the study reveals that special household survey is carried out to assess the patterns of illness and use of health services.

In this study, the potential climate change impacts on rice growth and rice yield under 1.5 and 2.0 °C warming scenarios, respectively, are simulated using the Ceres-Rice Model based on high-quality, agricultural, experimental, meteorological and soil data, and the incorporation of future climate data generated by four Global Climate Models (GCMs) in the Pearl River Delta, China. The climatic data is extracted from four Global Climate Models (GCMs) namely: The Community Atmosphere Model 4 (CAM4), The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts-Hamburg 6 (ECHAM6), Model for Interdisciplinary Research On Climate 5 (MIROC5) and the Norwegian Earth System Model 1 (NorESM1). The modeling results show that climate change has major negative impacts on both rice growth and rice yields at all study sites. More specifically, the average of flowering durations decreases by 2.8 days (3.9 days), and the maturity date decreases by 11.0 days (14.7 days) under the 1.5 °C and (2.0 °C) warming scenarios, respectively. The yield for early mature rice and late mature rice are reduced by 292.5 kg/ha (558.9 kg/ha) and 151.8 kg/ha (380.0 kg/ha) under the 1.5 °C (2.0 °C) warming scenarios, respectively. Adjusting the planting dates of eight days later and 15 days earlier for early mature rice and late mature rice are simulated to be adaptively effective, respectively. The simulated optimum fertilizer amount is about 240 kg/ha, with different industrial fertilizer and organic matter being applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the conservation of the critically endangered Hainan gibbon Nomascus hainanus, the rarest ape and mammal species, at Bawangling National Nature Reserve in Hainan, China. Topics include the decline of the species during the 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss, the development of a Conservation Action Plan since 2005, and the conservation planning workshop held in Bo'ao, Hainan from March 18-20, 2014 to promote conservation of the Hainan gibbon.

The article focuses on initiatives taken by China for reducing tobacco consumption including the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Smoking Control Regulation and an increase in tax rates of cigarette.

The article provides information on the study concerning the future of the U.S.-China collaboration in health services research. The author infers that the descriptive study of health services in Shanghai County and the subsequent workshop held at the Shanghai First Medical College were seen by both countries as very successful. It demonstrates a strong mutual interest in robust collaboration, free exchange of ideas, and eagerness to proceed into further cooperative activities. The categories of further collaborative work between the said countries are also discussed.

The article presents information on the undergraduate papers that have secured second and third place in the U.S. It mentions that Zeke Bryant of University of Georgia secured second place for "An Analysis of U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Solar Cells." Heather Hatzenbuhler of University of Georgia secured third place which seeks to explain why green energy has failed to live up to its expectation.