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By making use of a nationally representative dataset collected by China Family Panel Studies, this article discusses how the higher education expansion policy influences the equality of higher education access opportunity. Moreover, this study applied the multilevel cross-classified model in order to control for inequality in chances of enrollment caused by the fixed admission quota for each province. The results indicate that the expansion has interrupted the continuously enlarged gap of access opportunities between regions; the expansion policy did not increase rural and ethnic inequalities and narrowed the rural inequality within provinces; it also shows that gender gap has been significantly reduced.

The low-carbon economy represents a global transformation that encompasses production methods, lifestyles, values, national interests, and the destiny of humanity. As a significant contributor to carbon emissions, China has made a momentous strategic decision on carbon peaking and neutralization, infusing momentum into the global effort to address climate change. The rapid growth of the digital economy offers a fresh approach to achieving the "double carbon" objective and advancing the development of low-carbon transformation. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China, this paper uses the least square method to investigate the impact of digital economy development on regional low-carbon inclusive development. It is found that there is a significant inverted U shape in the impact of the digital economy on low-carbon inclusive development and the mechanism is resource allocation and ecological inequality. The threshold test found that the role of the digital economy in promoting low-carbon inclusive development shows a marginal decreasing trend. The inverted U-shaped impact of the digital economy on low-carbon inclusive development in the eastern and coastal areas and areas with a low level of factor productivity is more significant. Based on the knowledge factor spillover perspective, we found that the impact of the digital economy on low-carbon inclusive development has a spatial spillover effect, and this effect is more obvious under the role of R&D personnel mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have been undertaken to develop instruments to measure English teachers' TPACK, but few studies have measured English teachers' TPACK to develop meaningful relationships among technology, content, and pedagogy in the context whereby literacy should be associated with a range of semiotic modes beyond the written language. The interactions with a wider range of texts across modes, media and contexts point to the need for an instrument that can measure English teachers' TPACK in the context of teaching multimodal literacies. In this study, we investigated what factors and items were necessary for examining pre-service teachers' TPACK in multimodal literacy teaching. The proposed TPACK instrument was validated with 220 pre-service teachers across three institutions in Indonesia, China, and Australia. The study shows that the proposed eight-factor instrument generally expressed acceptable validity and reliability and was appropriate for assessing pre-service teachers' TPACK for multimodal literacies. Implications and further research are discussed with the aim of equipping pre-service teachers with the capabilities to integrate content, pedagogy, technology and understand the complex interdependence of contextually bound factors that influence their classroom readiness in teaching multimodal literacies.

Background: The genus Sanicula L. is a unique perennial herb that holds important medicinal values. Although the previous studies on Sanicula provided us with a good research basis, its taxonomic system and interspecific relationships have not been satisfactorily resolved, especially for those endemic to China. Moreover, the evolutionary history of this genus also remains inadequately understood. The plastid genomes possessing highly conserved structure and limited evolutionary rate have proved to be an effective tool for studying plant phylogeny and evolution. Results: In the current study, we newly sequenced and assembled fifteen Sanicula complete plastomes. Combined with two previously reported plastomes, we performed comprehensively plastid phylogenomics analyses to gain novel insights into the evolutionary history of this genus. The comparative results indicated that the seventeen plastomes exhibited a high degree of conservation and similarity in terms of their structure, size, GC content, gene order, IR borders, codon bias patterns and SSRs profiles. Such as all of them displayed a typical quadripartite structure, including a large single copy region (LSC: 85,074–86,197 bp), a small single copy region (SSC: 17,047–17,132 bp) separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs: 26,176–26,334 bp). And the seventeen plastomes had similar IR boundaries and the adjacent genes were identical. The rps19 gene was located at the junction of the LSC/IRa, the IRa/SSC junction region was located between the trnN gene and ndhF gene, the ycf1 gene appeared in the SSC/IRb junction and the IRb/LSC boundary was located between rpl12 gene and trnH gene. Twelve specific mutation hotspots (atpF, cemA, accD, rpl22, rbcL, matK, ycf1, trnH-psbA, ycf4-cemA, rbcL-accD, trnE-trnT and trnG-trnR) were identified that can serve as potential DNA barcodes for species identification within the genus Sanicula. Furthermore, the plastomes data and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences were performed to reconstruct the phylogeny of Sanicula. Although the tree topologies of them were incongruent, both provided strong evidence supporting the monophyly of Saniculoideae and Apioideae. In addition, the sister groups between Saniculoideae and Apioideae were strongly suggested. The Sanicula species involved in this study were clustered into a clade, and the Eryngium species were also clustered together. However, it was clearly observed that the sections of Sanicula involved in the current study were not respectively recovered as monophyletic group. Molecular dating analysis explored that the origin of this genus was occurred during the late Eocene period, approximately 37.84 Ma (95% HPD: 20.33–52.21 Ma) years ago and the diversification of the genus was occurred in early Miocene 18.38 Ma (95% HPD: 10.68–25.28 Ma). Conclusion: The plastome-based tree and ITS-based tree generated incongruences, which may be attributed to the event of hybridization/introgression, incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and chloroplast capture. Our study highlighted the power of plastome data to significantly improve the phylogenetic supports and resolutions, and to efficiently explore the evolutionary history of this genus. Molecular dating analysis explored that the diversification of the genus occurred in the early Miocene, which was largely influenced by the prevalence of the East Asian monsoon and the uplift of the Hengduan Mountains (HDM). In summary, our study provides novel insights into the plastome evolution, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic framework and evolution of genus Sanicula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating the low-carbon transformation of the energy consumption structure is an important way to realize Chinese-style green modernization and development. Given the specificity of China's resource endowment and regional differences in energy distribution, the degree of reliance on coal varies greatly from region to region. Therefore, the differential impact of this dependence on the low-carbon transformation of the energy structure deserves high attention. To systematically assess the impact of environmental target constraints on the low-carbon transformation of the energy consumption structure in coal resource-dependent regions, this study was conducted on the basis of a theoretical analysis of the intrinsic influence of environmental target constraints on the regional energy consumption structure as well as the regulating mechanisms played by economic growth pressures and green finance. Taking the environmental target constraint system with Chinese characteristics as a quasi-natural experiment and the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2003 to 2020 as a sample, the study used a generalized difference-in-differences model to empirically test the impact of environmental target constraints on the low-carbon transition of the regional energy consumption structure, and discussed the moderating roles of the pressure of economic growth and green finance on this impact. The results showed that: (J) After the implementation of the environmental target constraint system, the energy consumption structure of coal resource-dependent regions deteriorated significantly compared with that of non-coal resource-dependent regions, which supported the existence of the ' green paradox' phenomenon. This conclusion remained robust after considering the impact of related policies and the use of synthetic instrumental variables to deal with the endogeneity problem. © The test of the impact mechanisms showed that in coal resource-dependent areas, local governments were more motivated to promote the low-carbon transformation of the energy consumption structure under the pressure of the ' dual targets' of environmental target constraints and the economic growth target. Affected by the level of financial regulation and the ' green-washing' behavior of enterprises, green finance exacerbated the dilemmas of energy transformation in coal resource-dependent areas. © An expansive analysis based on the regional market environment showed that the inhibitory effect of environmental target constraints on the low-carbon transition of the energy consumption structure was more prominent in regions with low marketization levels than in those with high marketization levels. The study suggests attaching great importance to the structural adjustment of energy consumption in coal resource-dependent regions and promoting the low-carbon transformation of the energy structure in an orderly manner according to local conditions. Meanwhile, the study also highlights the importance of taking ' green' as a defining feature of local economic growth and leading local economic growth with the green development concept. In addition, a scientific and efficient green financial regulatory system should be built to ensure that green financial funds are truly used for green and low-carbon projects. It is also necessary to improve the market-based environmental regulatory mechanism to create a favorable business environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While various quantitative measures for assessing teachers' technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) have developed rapidly, few studies to date have comprehensively validated the structure of TPACK through various criteria of validity especially for content specific areas. In this paper, we examined how the TPACK survey measure is aligned with the TPACK lesson plan measure and how they are related to the measure of epistemological beliefs about chemistry. The participants were 280 Chinese preservice chemistry teachers enrolled in a university in China. Both exploratory and confirmatory factory analyses were performed on the TPACK survey measure to help to establish validity, including considerations for convergent and discriminant validity. This was followed by the invariance test to examine factorial validity as related to gender. To establish the predictive validity of TPACK, the relationships among teachers' epistemological beliefs, TPACK, and their capacity for planning technology-integrated lessons were also examined. Overall, the results showed that all four types of validity looked at in this study (i.e., convergent, discriminant, factorial, and predictive) were satisfactorily established. Implications for TPACK research and teacher education are also discussed.

Production measurement plays a vital role in the daily management of unconventional oil wells. It enables reservoir managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of reservoir changes and facilitates dynamic analysis and scientific development plans for the unconventional oil field. This paper focuses on accurately measuring well production by tracking over 300 sucker rod pumps (SRPs) in an experimental area of an oil field. The study utilizes easily obtainable continuous electrical parameters and real-time well production as training parameters. Accurate identification of the top and bottom dead points of the power curve is crucial in converting the power curve into the SRP's dynamometer card. To achieve this, FFT is employed to extract single-period data from multi-period data. Subsequently, the top and bottom dead points are identified. The SRP electric power curve and corresponding real-time production data are segregated into samples based on the stroke cycle time, resulting in 200,000 valid samples. Deep learning techniques are then applied to classify the production state of pumping wells. FFT and statistical feature extraction are performed on the electric curve, and deep learning is utilized with the production parameters as input vectors and the well fluid production as output results. Through extensive training, a big-data-based SRP production calculation model is established, and subsequently used to calculate the production of SRPs in the experimental area of northeastern China's oil field. The model is validated against actual production data. For low-yield wells with a daily production less than 6 m 3 /d, the model error remains below 0.5 m 3 /d. Additionally, the relative error for high-yield wells surpassing 6 m 3 /d stays under 10%, meeting the expectations of managers. This big data production measurement model serves as a valuable tool for operators to optimize the production system and detect oil well faults. Particularly in a low oil price environment, this method helps managers reduce costs and improve efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on students' views on nature of science (VNOS) in Asian countries such as China is notably lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure South China high school students' VNOS. Based on the previously acquired qualitative data, the instrument included seven VNOS dimensions which reflect the crucial aspects of NOS indicated by the literature and/or the dominating ideology in China (i.e., Marxism). A sample (N = 604) was randomly divided into two groups used for exploratory analyses and confirmatory analyses. The results indicated that the instrument expressed satisfactory reliability and validity and the seven NOS dimensions could be explained by a higher-order dimension. That is, the data of this study supported the multi-dimensional framework that treats VNOS as comprising several more-or-less correlated dimensions. Two distinct dimensions, namely "Accumulative-Empirical Source" and "Pragmatic Justification" which have not been explicitly specified in the past literature, were found. In addition, the Chinese high school students generally held a constructivist/relativist-oriented view of all seven dimensions. Differences in gender and grade level were hardly observed in any dimension of the instrument. The findings are further discussed through a socio-cultural lens to enrich the current understanding of VNOS.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among practicing teachers' epistemic beliefs, pedagogical beliefs and their beliefs about the use of ICT through survey methodology. Participants were 396 high school practicing teachers from mainland China. The path analysis results analyzed via structural equation modelling technique indicated that the systemic relationships among these three types of beliefs were nested. Specifically, teachers' sophisticated beliefs about the source of knowledge were aligned with constructivist pedagogical beliefs and constructivist use of ICT, with one belief highly related to another.

This study explored the differences in high school students' scientific epistemological beliefs (SEBs), motivation in learning science (MLS), and the different relationships between them in Taiwan and China. 310 Taiwanese and 302 Chinese high school students' SEBs and MLS were assessed quantitatively. Taiwanese students generally were more prone to believe that scientific reality is invented, the development of scientific knowledge is culture-dependent, and scientific knowledge is always changing and its status is tentative than the Chinese students were. Yet, the Taiwanese students perceived higher test anxiety in science than the Chinese students did. Moreover, Chinese students who have a stronger belief that science knowledge is changing and tentative are more likely to perceive themselves as having higher test anxiety in science. The results suggest that the role of culture might have an impact on students' SEBs and their MLS. (Contains 5 tables.)

This study investigates the similarities and differences between high school students from Taiwan and China in terms of their scientific epistemological views. In addition, the effects of age and gender on scientific epistemological views were also examined. The results indicate that the students from these two localities, which signify two similar yet different cultures, are substantially different in five out of the six dimensions. Age and gender were also found to have significant effects in some dimensions. Implications for future research were discussed at the end of the paper.

High-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in an all-around way. Innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing are the main connotations of high-quality development. Based on panel data from 286 cities in China, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of the digital economy on low-carbon inclusive development (hereinafter referred to as LIG). The results show that the digital economy has a salient promoting effect on LIG, and with the increase of quantile level, the promoting effect shows a marginal decreasing trend. Heterogeneity analysis found that the cities with low resource dependence and marketization of the digital economy and high environmental concern and competition have more salient promoting effects on LIG. The dimensionality reduction analysis shows that the impact of digital economy on economic growth, social inclusion, and low-carbon ecology gradually increases in turn. The mechanism test shows that R&D investment, green innovation, and market integration play a partial mediating role, while entrepreneurial activity, industrial upgrading, and development imbalance play a fully mediating role. Digital economy promotes urban economic growth and low-carbon ecological development through R&D investment and market integration and mainly promotes low-carbon ecological development through green innovation. The digital economy will promote low-carbon and inclusive urban development by stimulating entrepreneurship, promoting industrial upgrading, and alleviating development imbalances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the actual clinical application of poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance therapy in Chinese patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, and to explore prognostic factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS). We retrospectively assessed real-world clinical data from our hospital using the inclusion and exclusion criteria of representative randomized controlled trials, analyzed the prognosis, and performed univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors. Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of platinum-sensitive recurrence ovarian cancer patients who received PARPi maintenance therapy increased to 29.6%, 53.3%, 43.8% and 62.2%, respectively, each year. A total of 48 patients were included in the prognostic analysis, of which 32 and 16 received olaparib and niraparib, respectively. Using the criteria of the Study19 and SOLO2 studies, the olaparib group in our patients had coincidence rates of 56.3% and 18.8%, respectively. Using the criteria of the NOVA and NORA studies, the niraparib group had coincidence rates of 31.3% and 37.5%, respectively. Median PFS was 26.1 months (95% CI 20.2–32.1). Response to primary therapy was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (relative risk, 3.248; 95% CI 1.081–9.757, P = 0.036). PARPi maintenance therapy was also effective in real world applications. Complete response (CR) to primary therapy was an independent factor favorably affecting PFS. Therefore, primary treatment choices aimed at optimal cytoreduction during primary surgery and improving the CR rate should still be considered, which positively affects the long-term prognosis of patients in the new treatment mode. • From 2019 to 2022, the proportion of PSR maintenance therapy with PARPi increased from 29.6% to 62.2%. • There were substantial differences between the patients in actual clinical settings and the RCTs population. • The mPFS was 26.1 months in a real-world study regarding PARPi maintenance therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer patients. • CR to the primary therapy was the independent factor favorably affecting PFS in the new treatment mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land carbon sink is a vital component for the achievement of China's ambitious carbon neutrality goal, but its magnitude is poorly known. Atmospheric observations and inverse models are valuable tools to constrain the China's land carbon sink. Space‐based CO2 measurements from satellites form an emerging data stream for application of such atmospheric inversions. Here, we reviewed the satellite missions that is dedicated to the monitoring of CO2, and the recent progresses on the inversion of China's land carbon sink using satellite CO2 measurements. We summarized the limitations and challenges in current space platforms, retrieval algorithms, and the inverse modeling. It is shown that there are large uncertainties of contemporary satellite‐based estimates of China's land carbon sink. We discussed future opportunities of continuous improvements in three aspects to better constrain China's land carbon sink with space‐based CO2 measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating industrial green transformation (IGT) is the intrinsic requirement of realizing low-carbon and green economic development. Inward Foreign Direct Investment (IFDI) and Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) are the main channels of international technology spillover. Whether the coordination of IFDI and OFDI (CIO) can promote IGT and what role the Chinese government's innovation support plays need to be investigated. Using China's provincial panel data from 2003 to 2019, this paper discusses the impact of CIO on IGT and the moderating effect of government's innovation support. It is found that the CIO can significantly promote the IGT. Government providing R&D funds directly can enhance the promotion of CIO to IGT. However, government releasing innovation signal indirectly shows a significant negative impact on the promotion of CIO to IGT. In addition, the impact of CIO on IGT and the moderating effect of government's innovation support are heterogeneous significantly among different regions. This study not only helps to clarify the relationship between CIO and IGT but also provides enlightenment for government to scientifically formulate innovation policies to achieve green economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By making use of a nationally representative dataset collected by China Family Panel Studies, this article discusses how the higher education expansion policy influences the equality of higher education access opportunity. Moreover, this study applied the multilevel cross-classified model in order to control for inequality in chances of enrollment caused by the fixed admission quota for each province. The results indicate that the expansion has interrupted the continuously enlarged gap of access opportunities between regions; the expansion policy did not increase rural and ethnic inequalities and narrowed the rural inequality within provinces; it also shows that gender gap has been significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between the HLA-B*1502 gene and maculopapular exanthema (MPE) induced by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the association between AED-induced MPE (AED-MPE) and the HLA-B*1502 gene in patients in Northwest China.Methods: We enrolled 165 subjects including nine patients with AED-MPE and 156 AED-tolerant patients as controls. HLA-B*1502 gene polymorphism was detected using digital fluorescence molecular hybridization (DFMH). The results of HLA genotyping were expressed as positive or negative for the HLA-B*1502 allele. An analysis of AED-MPE risk factors was performed using binary logistic regression, and differences in genotype frequencies between groups were assessed with the continuity correction chi-square test.Results: We found that the HLA-B*1502 gene was a risk factor for AED-MPE (P = 0.028). The incidence of MPE induced by the two types of AEDs was different, and the incidence of aromatic AEDs use was higher that of non-aromatic AEDs use (P = 0.025). The comparison of the gene frequencies of the HLA-B*1502 allele between the two groups taking aromatic AEDs was also statistically significant (P = 0.045). However, there were no significant differences in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, or region in patients with MPE induced by AEDs. In addition, no association between the HLA-B1502 allele and CBZ- or OXC-induced MPE was found.Conclusions: In northwestern China, the HLA-B*1502 allele was associated with aromatic AED-MPE. Since MPE can develop into Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), the HLA-B*1502 gene should be evaluated before administering AEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined biases in the global GEOS-Chem chemical transport model for the period of February–May 2010 using weak-constraint (WC) four-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation and dry-air mole fractions of CH 4 (XCH 4) from the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). The ability of the observations and the WC 4D-Var method to mitigate model errors in CH 4 concentrations was first investigated in a set of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs). We then assimilated the GOSAT XCH 4 retrievals and found that they were capable of providing information on the vertical structure of model errors and of removing a significant portion of biases in the modeled CH 4 state. In the WC 4D-Var assimilation, corrections were added to the modeled CH 4 state at each model time step to account for model errors and improve the model fit to the assimilated observations. Compared to the conventional strong-constraint (SC) 4D-Var assimilation, the WC method was able to significantly improve the model fit to independent observations. Examination of the WC state corrections suggested that a significant source of model errors was associated with discrepancies in the model CH 4 in the stratosphere. The WC state corrections also suggested that the model vertical transport in the troposphere at middle and high latitudes is too weak. The problem was traced back to biases in the uplift of CH 4 over the source regions in eastern China and North America. In the tropics, the WC assimilation pointed to the possibility of biased CH 4 outflow from the African continent to the Atlantic in the mid-troposphere. The WC assimilation in this region would greatly benefit from glint observations over the ocean to provide additional constraints on the vertical structure of the model errors in the tropics. We also compared the WC assimilation at 4 ∘ × 5 ∘ and 2 ∘ × 2.5 ∘ horizontal resolutions and found that the WC corrections to mitigate the model errors were significantly larger at 4 ∘ × 5 ∘ than at 2 ∘ × 2.5 ∘ resolution, indicating the presence of resolution-dependent model errors. Our results illustrate the potential utility of the WC 4D-Var approach for characterizing model errors. However, a major limitation of this approach is the need to better characterize the specified model error covariance in the assimilation scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimed to identify whether two key genes (CYP21A2 and CYP19A1) involved in the synthesis and metabolism of androgens were associated with Pillsbury III-IV severe acne vulgaris. Methods: We carried out a standard questionnaire survey about acne and enlisted 600 Pillsbury III-IV severe acne vulgaris patients and 652 healthy controls of Han Chinese descent from Yunnan, China in the study. Twenty-two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped by SNaPshot assay and analyzed for association with severe acne. Results: There was no significant difference in gender between the two groups (P = 0.085), and the age of the acne case group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). Our results revealed that only two SNPs, rs6474 (p.Arg102Lys) (P = 0.001) and rs6465 (P = 0.025) of the CYP21A2 gene were significantly associated with severe acne among the Han Chinese. When subjects were divided into males and females, significant associations were observed only in male patients with severe acne vulgaris for four variants: CYP21A2 rs6474 (p.Arg102Lys) (P = 0.002); CYP21A2 rs6465 (P = 0.012); CYP19A1 rs8023263 (P = 0.037); and CYP19A1 rs2470152 (P = 0.007). Haplotype analyses showed that the distribution of CYP21A2 haplotypes was significantly associated with male patients, while no association of CYP19A1 haplotypes was observed. The structure of the human CYP21A2 consists of two substrate binding sites and one substrate access channel. Conclusion: This study shed a light on a potentially important effect of CYP21A2 and CYP19A1 genes in severe acne vulgaris in the Han Chinese, especially for male patients. Future studies using independently verified datasets from a broader geographical spectrum will be valuable in identifying the causal and functional variants responsible for severe acne vulgaris within the CYP19A1 and CYP21A2 genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the relationship between recurrence of elderly late-onset schizophrenia and family care, social support and self-efficacy. Methods A total of 162 elderly patients with late-onset schizophrenia admitted to Mental Hospital of Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau from January 2016 and June 2019 were selected. According to the recurrence of schizophrenia, they were divided into the recurrence group (70 cases) and the non-recurrence group (92 cases). The Family APGAR (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve) Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were conducted. According to the self-efficacy score, the patients were divided into the low-level self-efficacy group (71 cases), middle-level group (59 cases) and high-level group (32 cases). The correlation between recurrence and family care, social support and self-efficacy was analyzed. Results The scores of Family APGAR index, SSRS and GSES of the recurrence group were significantly lower than those of the non-recurrence group (all P < 0. 05). The scores of Family APGAR index and SSRS of the low-level group were significantly lower than those of the middle- level group and the high-level group (all P < 0. 05). The scores of Family APGAR index and SSRS were positively correlated with GSES score (r = 0. 325, 0. 533, both P < 0. 001), but they were negatively correlated with the recurrence of schizophrenia (r = -0. 405, -0. 469, both P < 0. 001). Conclusion Family care and social support are closely related to the self-efficacy and recurrence in elderly patients with late-onset schizophrenia. Giving patients good family care and social support may improve their self-efficacy and reduce the risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GEOS-Chem simulation of atmospheric CH4 was evaluated against observations from the Thermal and Near Infrared Sensor for Carbon Observations Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) on the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS), and the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). We focused on the model simulations at the 4∘×5∘ and 2∘×2.5∘ horizontal resolutions for the period of February–May 2010. Compared to the GOSAT, TCCON, and ACE-FTS data, we found that the 2∘×2.5∘ model produced a better simulation of CH4 , with smaller biases and a higher correlation to the independent data. We found large resolution-dependent differences such as a latitude-dependent XCH4 bias, with higher column abundances of CH4 at high latitudes and lower abundances at low latitudes at the 4∘×5∘ resolution than at 2∘×2.5∘. We also found large differences in CH4 column abundances between the two resolutions over major source regions such as China. These differences resulted in up to 30 % differences in inferred regional CH4 emission estimates from the two model resolutions. We performed several experiments using 222Rn , 7Be , and CH4 to determine the origins of the resolution-dependent errors. The results suggested that the major source of the latitude-dependent errors is excessive mixing in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, including mixing at the edge of the polar vortex, which is pronounced at the 4∘×5∘ resolution. At the coarser resolution, there is weakened vertical transport in the troposphere at midlatitudes to high latitudes due to the loss of sub-grid tracer eddy mass flux in the storm track regions. The vertical air mass fluxes are calculated in the model from the degraded coarse-resolution wind fields and the model does not conserve the air mass flux between model resolutions; as a result, the low resolution does not fully capture the vertical transport. This produces significant localized discrepancies, such as much greater CH4 abundances in the lower troposphere over China at 4∘×5∘ than at 2∘×2.5∘. Although we found that the CH4 simulation is significantly better at 2∘×2.5∘ than at 4∘×5∘ , biases may still be present at 2∘×2.5∘ resolution. Their importance, particularly in regards to inverse modeling of CH4 emissions, should be evaluated in future studies using online transport in the native general circulation model as a benchmark simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of informal institutions is broadened in this paper to refer to a mode of institutions that is ambiguous, temporary or uncodified. More importantly, it can be a state product to further state interests because it can be (1) a form of experiment of institutional innovation; (2) associated with preference for ex post bargaining; and (3) an instrument for state power. Uneven land reform in China is studied to analyse the different roles of informal institutions in the economic reform. It is found that, first, urban land reform proceeds in a more formal way; and second, informal institutions are employed in urban land reform as transitional institutions towards more efficient formal institutions while they are employed in rural land reform as an instrument to sustain state legitimacy and power. Two conditions for the above differences are identified: (1) Rural governance, collective landownership and agricultural production were fully integrated in the planned economy. Privatisation that would dismantle old institutions of rural governance and build new ones causes concerns about state legitimacy and authority. (2) Rural society is more organised by the clan system than urban society and, hence, ex post bargaining is more likely to be preferred in the countryside than in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutions for housing subsidisation are an important type of institution for redistribution. They are dominated by public housing and social housing, which are characterised by (1) public ownership or social ownership, (2) a management board not held accountable to the recipients and (3) low-powered incentives. I argue that they are institutional arrangements to resolve the over-subsidisation problem, in which welfare recipients try to be over-subsidised in various ways. This problem is especially acute with housing, for which the measurement cost is high. The down side of public housing and social housing is internal management cost and possible mistakes in resource allocation. Case studies of two public-housing communities in Chongqing, China, are presented for empirical support of my theoretical arguments. It is also found that market institutions such as property management companies can help to enhance efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that altered immunity contributes to the development of major depressive disorder (MDD).Aims: To examine whether complement factor H (CFH), a regulator of activation of the alternative pathway of the complement cascade, confers susceptibility to MDD.Method: Expression analyses were tested in 53 unmedicated people with MDD and 55 healthy controls. A two-stage genetic association analysis was performed in 3323 Han Chinese with or without MDD. Potential associations between CFH single nucleotide polymorphisms and age at MDD onset were evaluated.Results: CFH levels were significantly lower in the MDD group at both protein and mRNA levels (P = 0.009 and P = 0.014 respectively). A regulatory variant in the CFH gene, rs1061170, showed statistically significant genotypic and allelic differences between the MDD and control groups (genotypic P = 0.0005, allelic P = 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that age at onset of MDD was significantly associated with the C allele of rs1061170 (log rank statistic χ(2) = 6.82, P = 0.009). The C-allele carriers had a younger age at onset of MDD (22.2 years, s.d. = 4.0) than those without the C allele (23.6 years, s.d. = 4.3).Conclusions: CFH is likely to play an important role in the development of MDD. rs1061170 has an important effect on age at onset of MDD in Han Chinese and may therefore be related to early pathogenesis of MDD, although further study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a theoretical framework for institutional analysis of the governance of low-income housing in the city. I focus on the provision of local public goods as a central issue for low-income housing. Factors that affect the governance structure from the efficiency perspective and the equity perspective, respectively, are explored. I argue that over-subsidisation is an important problem for income-redistribution institutions and, hence, public housing or social housing becomes an important form of governmental intervention in low-income housing. The framework is then applied to low-income housing in China. In particular, I analyse the governance structures of several major types of low-income housing including public rental housing, private low-income housing, work-unit compound and urban village. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D), a new generic preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, was developed specifically for the application in cost-effectiveness analyses of treatments and interventions for children and adolescents. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric property of the Chinese version of CHU9D (CHU9D-CHN) in a large school-based sample in China.Methods: Data were collected using a multi-stage sampling method from third-to-ninth-grade students in Shaanxi Province, China. Participants self-completed a hard-copy questionnaire including the CHU9D-CHN instrument, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL), information on socio-demographic characteristics and self-reported health status. The psychometric properties of the CHU9D-CHN, including the internal consistency, 2-week test-retest reliability, convergent and known-groups validity were studied.Results: A total of 1912 students participated in the survey. The CHU9D-CHN internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good to excellent with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77 and an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.65, respectively. The CHU9D utility scores moderately correlated with the PedsQL total scores (r = .57, P < .001), demonstrating good convergent validity. Difference of the CHU9D utility scores among the different participants with levels of self-reported general health, health services utilisation and left-behind status demonstrated good construct validity.Conclusion: The findings demonstrated adequate psychometric performance for the CHU9D-CHN. The CHU9D-CHN was a satisfactory, reliable and valid instrument to measure and value HRQoL for children and adolescents in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomy of stakes and stakeholders in urban governance is presented in this paper. In addition to property interests, business interests, political interests and the state, special attention is paid to ordinary people's general interests in the city. It depends on a person's indigeneity, the degree of his being an indigenous person or insider to the city. General interest is usually not revealed because urban governance is more distant from the person than his daily work and life, but its revelation could be ignited in an explosive way by particular events on some occasions. This is called the flash preference problem, which has important implications to urban governance. Both social control and civil society can be regarded as possible solutions to the problem. Built on the taxonomy of stakes and stakeholders, a theoretical framework for urban governance in China includes growing property interests and business interests that have formed growth coalition with local government. Social control remains important but difficult because street office and residents' committee are expected to strengthen social control while they are gradually being marginalized in neighborhood governance. The case of grid management not only demonstrates the dilemma of social control in China but also hints at the ultimate importance of democracy and civil society to urban governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urophysa is a Chinese endemic genus with only two species (U. rockii and U. henryi) distributed in Yungui Plateau (Guizhou Province) and adjacent regions (i.e., Provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing and Sichuan). The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity and population differentiation within Urophysa and investigate the effect of the Yungui Plateau uplift and climate oscillations on evolution of Urophysa. In this study, micro-morphological characteristics, nine microsatellite loci (SSR), two nuclear loci (ITS and ETS) and two chloroplast fragments (psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) were used to analyze the phylogenetic relationships and assess genetic and phylogeographical structure of Urophysa. Isolation by distance (IBD) was performed to research the effects of geographical isolation. We detected high genetic diversity at the species level but low genetic diversity within populations. Striking genetic differentiation (AMOVA) among populations and a significant phylogeographical structure (NST > GST, p < 0.01) were detected among U. henryi populations, along with significant effects of isolation by distance (IBD). Molecular clock estimation using calibration strategy and cpDNA substitution rate indicated that the divergence of U. henryi occurred during late Miocene to early Quaternary, when the orogeny of Yungui Plateau was violent. U. rockii originated at the early Quaternary and further differentiated at early Pleistocene. Our results suggested that habitat fragmentation played an important role in the genetic diversity and population differentiation of U. rockii and U. henryi. Heterogenous geomorphological configuration and complicated environment resulted from rapid uplift of the Yungui Plateau were inferred as important incentives for the modern phylogeograhpical pattern and species divergence of Urophysa. The geographical isolation, limited gene flow, specialized morphologies and the Pleistocene climatic oscillation greatly contributed to the allopatric divergence of U. rockii. Significant genetic drift and inbreeding were detected in these two species, in situ measures should be implemented to protect them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corruption in urban planning, especially related to adjusting FAR, is common in Chinese cities. The fundamental reason is progrowth urban governance that features growth coalition between the local government and developers. Two necessary conditions for progrowth model are restrictive participation and operative discretion, both of which are ferments for corruption. How to identify and deal with corruption in FAR adjustment remains a big problem. Given the dominance of condominium in residential developments, land price cannot be observed ex post in the market while the price of individual housing unit declines with FAR, ceteris paribus. Then, a good indicator for different types of adjusting FAR is property management fee, which tends to decrease, ceteris paribus, when the actual FAR moves closer to the market optimal FAR. A two-stage approach is proposed that, first, identify the type of FAR adjustment for each successful application and, second, adopt different strategies for each case depending on its type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze long-term institutional causes and consequences of preference falsification by studying the evolution of China’s patriarchal clan system.Design/methodology/approach The historic study shows that although the clan system was abolished in the Qin dynasty, it re-emerged among high-standing families in the Han dynasty and spread to common people after the Tang dynasty.Findings The author submits that the clan system was an institutional response to the preference falsification problem that arose due to the dictatorial political institutions first established in the Qin dynasty. It helped people to take collective action by themselves and also opened a back door to influence government decisions. A piece of clear evidence is the co-evolution of the clan system and government personnel system.Social implications In this sense, the clan system probably also helped to prolong the political institutions for 2,000 years.Originality/value This is the first institutional study on the clan system in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New energy vehicles (NEVs) have been recognized as a sustainable eco-innovation to address China's energy and environment problems. As a strategically emerging industry, China's NEV manufacturing industry has been prioritized by governments and manufacturers, significantly impacting its spatial distribution pattern and stimulating the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization. China, the largest NEV producer and consumer and with distinctive regional diversity, has experienced a new round of capacity expansion. Therefore, the literature on the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of NEV industry in provincial level is vital for the transformation of manufacturing industry and transportation sector, while to date, the related studies is few. In this paper, considering the number and location of key enterprises/production bases, the spatial distribution and influencing factors of China's NEV industry were discussed by an empirical study. The results are gained from a spatial perspective. Firstly, in general, China's NEV industry presents a "T" spatial distribution pattern. Secondly, a point-axle spatial exploration pattern is proposed, which includes "four points and one axle" namely Bohai rim, Yangtze River Delta (YRD), Pearl River Delta (PRD), Hubei-Chongqing clusters and Eastern Coastal NEV industrial belt. Thirdly, different types of NEV enterprises show various location preferences and spatial distribution characteristics. Fourthly, the influencing factors on China's NEV spatial distribution are concluded from five aspects of supporting policy, infrastructure condition, economic drivers, technical capacity, and industrial foundation, and the degree of factors is different considering varying enterprise classification and industrial development stage. The findings of this paper provide a reference for rational layout in China's NEV industry, and are expected to stimulate the sustainable development of NEVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upland forests are traditionally thought to be net sinks for atmospheric methane ( CH4). In such forests, in situ CH4 fluxes on tree trunks have been neglected relative to soil and canopy fluxes., We measured in situ CH4 fluxes from the trunks of living trees and other surfaces, such as twigs and soils, using a static closed-chamber method, and estimated the CH4 budget in a temperate upland forest in Beijing., We found that the trunks of Populus davidiana emitted large quantities of CH4 during July 2014-July 2015, amounting to mean annual emissions of 85.3 and 103.1 μg m−2 h−1 on a trunk surface area basis on two replicate plots. The emission rates were similar in magnitude to those from tree trunks in wetland forests. The emitted CH4 was derived from the heartwood of trunks. On a plot or ecosystem scale, trunk CH4 emissions were equivalent to c. 30-90% of the amount of CH4 consumed by soils throughout the year, with an annual average of 63%., Our findings suggest that wet heartwoods, regardless of rot or not, occur widely in living trees on various habitats, where CH4 can be produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building a resource-saving society and achieving energy conservation and emission reduction is a strategic decision for China's current social development. Zero-energy buildings realized by the synergy of low-energy energy-saving technologies and renewable energy utilization technologies have become the ultimate quantitative index of sustainable buildings. Therefore, from the perspective of the development trend of residential buildings, near-zero-energy residential buildings oriented to zero energy consumption will become one of the goals of residential building development in China in the future. Recently, building performance simulation technology has been widely used for energy-efficient design. This study focuses on zero energy oriented residential building design, taking the integration of complex systems in terms of building design, energy technology, and economics as the guide, establishing the coupling relationship between the parameters of each system, and adopting a multi-objective optimization approach to find the optimal energy-saving design solution. Based on the parametric design tool of the Grasshopper platform and the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II, the study explores a multi-objective optimization design approach for zero energy oriented residential buildings to achieve the lowest total air-conditioning and heating load, the highest photovoltaic power generation, and the lowest investment cost. Nine control variables that affect these three objective functions are quantitatively evaluated and analyzed. The design process and analysis model for the multi-objective optimization of zero energy buildings are established, and the feasibility and technical routes for achieving zero energy for typical building types in different climate zones are compared and analyzed, providing a theoretical basis and parametric design method for the practice of zero energy residential building design across different climate zones in China. • Zero energy building optimization design needs to be adaptable to climate zones. • Use of parametric design and genetic algorithm can optimize the design process. • Multi-objective optimization solves problems of design, technology, and economy. • Adopting suitable envelope heat transfer coefficients helps reduce investment costs. • We quantitatively assess nine control variables affecting three objective functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice disasters occurred frequently in Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach, and safety of the Yellow River, people's lives and property security are seriously threatened. In this paper ice control condition in the Upper Yellow River is introduced for the first time to clarify the relationship between flow routing and ice control security. Based on the feature of flow routing during ice control period, the improved method for different reaches and periods is proposed in this paper. Three sections in the Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach of the Upper Yellow River are selected as research objects. The 10-day flow data of sections over the past 20 years are used for parameter calibration, training and verification. To investigate the method performance, we applied a number of criteria factors (Relative Error, Root Mean Square Error, Mean Absolute Error, and Correlation Coefficient) and two methods, conventional method and improved one. The results demonstrate that the improved method which considers ice impact factors such as data on freeze-up and break-up, channel storage increment, temperature, has consistently superior performance in comparison with the conventional method. The accuracy and superiority of the improved method are verified by comparative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting energy conservation and emission reduction is crucial for achieving green and sustainable economic development worldwide. China's Western Development Strategy (WDS), an important policy for regional development, to achieve its targets of energy saving and emission reduction is crucial to its success under current demands for green and sustainable economic development. This study considers the implementation of the WDS as a quasi-natural experiment. Then, the difference-in-difference (DID) model is used to test the impact of the WDS on energy conservation and emission reduction. Moreover, the impact mechanism of WDS to energy conservation and emission reduction is investigated. Finally, this study analyzes what kinds of regions are more conducive to achieving energy conservation and emission reduction from the perspective of financial development, infrastructure supply and marketization level. The results indicate, the WDS significantly promotes energy conservation and emission reduction, this conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism tests show that the WDS generates technological innovation leading and human capital pulling effects by accelerating the cross-regional flow of innovation factors. Additionally, it causes an industrial structure optimization and foreign investment introduction effects by alleviating capital mismatch, which in turn promoting energy conservation and emission reduction. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of the WDS on energy conservation and emission reduction is more significant in regions characterized by advanced financial development and infrastructure. With the deepening of marketization, the WDS significantly promotes emission reduction, while its impact on energy conservation is not significant. These results have substantial implications for the sustained implementation of the WDS, improvement of the ecological environment, and promotion of China's sustainable development. • The provincial pollution emission and energy efficiencies of China are calculated. • The effect of China's WDS on energy conservation and emission reduction is estimated by adopting the DID model. • The mechanisms that WDS affect energy conservation and emission reduction are investigated by using mediating effects model. • The effect of WDS on energy conservation and emission reduction is compared under the regional characteristics of different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on students' views on nature of science (VNOS) in Asian countries such as China is notably lacking. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure South China high school students' VNOS. Based on the previously acquired qualitative data, the instrument included seven VNOS dimensions which reflect the crucial aspects of NOS indicated by the literature and/or the dominating ideology in China (i.e., Marxism). A sample (N = 604) was randomly divided into two groups used for exploratory analyses and confirmatory analyses. The results indicated that the instrument expressed satisfactory reliability and validity and the seven NOS dimensions could be explained by a higher-order dimension. That is, the data of this study supported the multi-dimensional framework that treats VNOS as comprising several more-or-less correlated dimensions. Two distinct dimensions, namely 'Accumulative-Empirical Source' and 'Pragmatic Justification' which have not been explicitly specified in the past literature, were found. In addition, the Chinese high school students generally held a constructivist/relativist-oriented view of all seven dimensions. Differences in gender and grade level were hardly observed in any dimension of the instrument. The findings are further discussed through a socio-cultural lens to enrich the current understanding of VNOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heracleum yungningense is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in China. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of H. yungningense using Illumina paired-end sequencing. The whole genome is 149,223 bp in length, which contains a pair of 18,496 bp inverted repeats regions separated by a large single-copy region and a small single-copy region with 94,770 bp and 17,461 bp in length, respectively. Additionally, the cp genome of H. yungningense contains 113 genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNAs, and 4 ribosomal RNAs. The GC content of this cp genome is 37.5%. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to assess inter-relationships among the major clades of Apiaceae, which strongly supported the close relationship of H. yungningense and H. moellendorffii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban–rural link (URL), a popular land use policy among Chinese local governments, allows urban development of the same or a smaller area than peasants' house sites that are converted back into farmland. It is often regarded as a form of transfer of development rights (TDR). Based on detailed analysis of local governments, villages and peasants, this article finds that local government is thede factoowner of development rights and the only winner in URL. URL strengthens collective ownership by weakening peasants' private land use rights. Overall, URL is an efficient approach to the externality problem caused by farmland protection policy, but it is problematic from a broader perspective, especially from the property rights perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a prototypal theoretical framework for analyzing property inalienability and applies it to housing of limited property rights in China, which includes so-called 'small-property-rights housing' in the countryside (SLPR housing) and the affordable housing programme in the city (ALPR housing). The integrated analysis of ALPR and SLPR housing focuses on inalienability restrictions to ownership entitlement. By preserving current property use, inalienability can address externality, public good and even macro-economic problems that arise from property sales. Both ALPR and SLPR provide good empirical support for the theoretical hypotheses. Moreover, they demonstrate some important functions of inalienability in a transitional economy, including helping to maintain macro stability as well as being an important tool for implementing partial reform strategy. Inalienability is also a second-best tool to protect private property rights against the intervention of local political forces. However, various problems with ALPR and SLPR housing show that inalienability is also a rough tool that needs to be improved or replaced in order to achieve micro-economic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between sagittal upper airway size and craniofacial characteristics in men with malocclusion in early permanent dentition, and to find out the factor that affect the pharyngeal airway size remarkably. METHODS: Seventy-four cephalometric films of nonsnoring males with malocclusion aged from II to 16 years(mean 13 years) before treatment were collected and measured with Delaire cephalometric analysis, the results were assessed by SPSS13.0 software package, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between upper airway size anti craniofacial characteristics variation. RESULTS: The size of nasopharyngeal space (PNS-ad) correlated negatively with the upper face height, the inclination of ramus plane, percentage of cranial height to cranial base length. The size of palatopharyngeal space(Ve-PVe) correlated negatively with the upper face height, percentage of cranial height to cranial base length. The size of hypopharyngeal space (Ph1-Ph2) correlated positively with the angle between cervical vertebrae tangent and cranial base, negatively mandibular plane angle, the length of mandibular body and percentage of cranial height to cranial base length. CONCLUSIONS: The sagittal upper airway size of nonsnoring males with occlusion is significantly correlated to the craniofacial skeletal structures and head posture, the types of craniofacial growth and the skeletal structure around have remarkable effect on the upper airway space. Supported by Key Research Project of Bureau of Health of Chongqing Municipality (Grant No.05-1-007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The haplogroups and polymorphisms of mitochondrial (mt) DNA are associated with longevity. This association is highly geographically dependent. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between mtDNA haplogroups, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and longevity in the Chinese Uygur population. 2. Ninety-eight Uygur Chinese subjects aged over 90 years (vitality 90+) and 117 healthy young controls living in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China were chosen for the present study. Frequencies of mtDNA haplogroups and SNPs in the subjects were analysed using polymerase chain reaction. The entire mtDNA genome was sequenced and the mtDNA haplogroups and SNPs were determined. 3. Nine haplogroups were identified in the Chinese Uygur population and the frequency of haplogroup J was higher in control subjects than in the vitality 90+ group (odds ratio = 0.384; 95% confidence interval = 0.163–0.906; P = 0.025). Interestingly, most of the SNPs were in the D-loop region, with frequencies higher in the control group than in the vitality 90+ group. 4. In conclusion, mtDNA haplogroups are potentially associated with longevity in the Uygur Chinese population and the D-loop region is strongly involved in ageing-related events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an integrated analysis of China's emerging urban institutions, and especially of how they respond to the fundamental change in property rights regime. In the last decade, homeowners' associations have been booming in Chinese cities, while the Ministry of Civil Affairs has been promoting 'communities'. The traditional hierarchy of district, street office and residents' committee is also undergoing some transformation. The article argues that, in spite of bureaucratic turf battles, the evolution of China's urban institutions is a good example of how the establishment of private property rights causes corresponding changes in local governance forms. The existing political structure also imposes a constraint on the development of urban communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haplosphaera phaea Handel-Mazzetti (Apiaceae) is an endangered species naturally distributed in China. The complete chloroplast genome of H. pheae was determined in this study. The chloroplast genome of H. pheae was 157,271 bp in length and divided into four distinct regions, such as large single copy region was 86,489 bp, small single copy (SSC) region was 17,892 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions is 26,446 bp in each length. The chloroplast genome detected a total of 130 genes including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis with the reported chloroplast genomes revealed that H. pheae is nested in the genus Hansenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium fasciculatum is an endemic alpine species of Allium L., which is confined to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. In this study, we sequenced the complete plastid genome of A. fasciculatum and firstly reported it. A typical quadripartite structure was detected with 152,931 bp in length and it consists of a pair of inverted repeats with 26,464 bp, separated by small and large single copies with 17,838 bp and 82,167 bp, respectively. The genome contained 132 genes, consisted of 85 coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the whole complete genome sequences showed A. fasciculatum was closely clustered with A. paradoxum and Allium ursinum with high support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium kingdonii is an endemic species in southeastern Tibet, China. Here, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of A. kingdonii using the next generation sequencing method. The chloroplast genome of A. kingdonii was 153,559 bp in length which was composed of four unique regions, including a large single copy region (LSC) of 83,423 bp, a small single copy region (SSC) of 17,810 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions with 26,163 bp. The genome annotation predicted 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analyses suggested that A. kingdonii was closely clustered with A. paradoxum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the trends of physical education classroom teaching based on the analysis of the 5th Session of Demonstration and Observation of Physical Education Teaching in Elementary and Middle Schools in China. It notes that the study found that physical education classroom teaching had changed and objectives were set more accurately and expressed in a clear way. Furthermore, the study determined that classroom teaching strategies were more diversified.

• The basic reproduction numbers for enteroviruses serotypes of HFMD were estimated. • The effective reproduction numbers for HFMD from 2010 to 2018 were estimated. • CV-A6 shows greater transmission ability than EV-A71 and CV-A16. • The estimated reproduction numbers in northwest China are lower than other places. • The wavelet analysis shows obvious annual and semi-annual cyclicity. Repeated outbreaks of Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infections have been observed in recent decades and dominated by various enteroviral serotypes. In particular, enterovirus 71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) and coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) dominated the prevalence of HFMD infections alternatively in recent years with various outbreak sizes in Baoji, a city of Shaanxi Province in Northwest China. Estimating the reproduction number for various enteroviruses serotypes in northwest China (north temperate zone) and identification of cyclicity of HFMD infections are therefore an issue of great importance for future epidemics prediction and control. The basic/effective reproduction numbers for EV-A71, CV-A16 and CV-A6 were estimated based on daily new cases in 2010, 2011 and 2018, respectively, in which the corresponding pathogen dominated the epidemic. Two different methods based on serial interval were adopted and the basic reproduction number were estimated to be in the range of (1.33, 1.46) for CV-A16, (1.20, 1.29) for EV-A71, and (1.38, 1.59) for CV-A6, respectively. The estimated daily effective reproduction numbers significantly fluctuated before June or after July but varied mildly in (0.5,2) in around June to July for three serotypes. The weekly effective reproduction number for HFMD was estimated based on weekly new cases from year 2010 to 2018, and in most years it peaked in the range of (1.6,2.0) in February to March as well as in the range of (1.0,1.2) in September to October. The wavelet analysis based on the time series of HFMD cases from 2008 to 2018 showed obvious annual and semi-annual cyclicity, while the inter-annual cycles are infeasible. In this study we found that CV-A6 shows the greatest transmission ability among these three pathogens while EV-A71 exhibits the weakest ability of transmission, and moreover, the estimated values of basic reproduction number in northwest China are lower than those in Singapore, Hongkong and Guangdong, which may be due to different climatic circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Frequent mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 genes (IDH1 and IDH2) have been identified in gliomas and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our aim is to assess whether IDH mutations were presented in Chinese patients with various hematological disorders. In this study, we screened the IDH1 and IDH2 mutations in a cohort of 456 Chinese patients with various hematological malignancies and disorders. We found three missense (p.R132C, p.R132G, and p.I99M; occurred in five patients) and one silent mutation (c.315C>T; occurred in two patients) in the IDH1 gene and two missense mutations (p.R140Q and p.R172K; occurred in four AML patients) and one silent mutation (c.435G>A) in the IDH2 gene. Except for one non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patient harboring IDH1 mutation p.R132C, all IDH1 and IDH2 missense mutations were observed in patients with AML. Intriguingly, the IDH2 mutation p.R140Q and novel IDH1 mutation p.I99M co-occurred in a 75-year-old patient with AML developed from myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The frequency of IDH1 and IDH2 missense mutations in Chinese AML patients reached 5.9% and 8.3%, respectively. Our results supported the recent findings that IDH gene mutations were common in AML. Conversely, IDH mutations were rather rare in Chinese patients with other types of hematological disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dacrycarpus imbricatus is a vulnerable conifer in China whose geographical distribution encompasses large island but small mainland populations, providing a framework for contrasting the patterns of population genetic composition. In this study, seven populations on Hainan Island and the Chinese mainland were sampled throughout its distribution range and assessed using ISSR. The results did not show significant differences neither in genetic variation nor in genetic differentiation between the island and the mainland populations (P >0.05). Severe bottlenecks were identified at population, island/mainland as well as range-wide scales. A relatively high level of variation but a low degree of differentiation was revealed. Ecological and life traits were suggested to play main roles in the shaping of genetic variation pattern. Of them long generation times could have exerted a lagging effect on both the genetic variation and differentiation. Our findings may contribute to establish management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]