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OBJECTIVE: Evidence of the associations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and diabetes risk from women of reproductive age, in whom diabetes may have adverse long-term health effects for both themselves and future generations, remains scarce. We therefore examined the associations of long-term PM2.5 exposure with fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and diabetes risk in women of reproductive age in China. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study included 20,076,032 women age 20–49 years participating in the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project in China between 2010 and 2015. PM2.5 was estimated using a satellite-based model. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of PM2.5 exposure with FBG level and diabetes risk, respectively. Diabetes burden attributable to PM2.5 was estimated using attributable fraction (AF) and attributable number. RESULTS: PM2.5 showed monotonic relationships with elevated FBG level and diabetes risk. Each interquartile range (27 μg/m3) increase in 3-year average PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 0.078 mmol/L (95% CI 0.077, 0.079) increase in FBG and 18% (95% CI 16%, 19%) higher risk of diabetes. The AF attributed to PM2.5 exposure exceeding 5 μg/m3 was 29.0% (95% CI 27.5%, 30.5%), corresponding to an additional 78.6 thousand (95% CI 74.5, 82.6) diabetes cases. Subgroup analyses showed more pronounced diabetes risks in those who were overweight or obese, age >35 years, less educated, of minority ethnicity, registered as a rural household, and residing in western China. CONCLUSIONS: We found long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with higher diabetes risk in women of reproductive age in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among Chinese medical students, medical statistics is often perceived as a formidable subject. While existing research has explored the attitudes of Chinese postgraduate medical students towards statistics and its impact on academic performance, there is a scarcity of studies examining the attitudes of Chinese medical undergraduates on this subject. This study endeavors to scrutinize the attitudes of Chinese medical undergraduates towards statistics, assessing their ramifications on learning achievements, and delving into the influence of demographic factors. Methods: 1266 medical undergraduates participated in this study, completing a questionnaire that included SATS-36 and additional queries. Furthermore, an examination was administered at the end of the medical statistics course. The analysis encompassed the SATS score and exam scores, examining both the overall participant population and specific demographic subgroups. Results: Undergraduate medical students generally exhibit a favorable disposition towards statistics concerning Affect, Cognitive Competence, and Value components, yet harbor less favorable sentiments regarding the Difficulty component of SATS-36, aligning with previous research findings. In comparison to their postgraduate counterparts, undergraduates display heightened enthusiasm for medical statistics. However, they demonstrate a lower cognitive capacity in statistics and tend to underestimate both the value and difficulty of learning statistics. Despite these disparities, undergraduate medical students express a genuine interest in statistics and exhibit a strong dedication to mastering the subject. It is noteworthy that students' attitudes toward statistics may be influenced by their major and gender. Additionally, there exists a statistically significant positive correlation between learning achievement and the Affect, Cognitive Competence, Value, Interest, and Effort components of the SATS-36, while a negative correlation is observed with the Difficulty component. Conclusion: Educators should carefully consider the influence of attitudes toward statistics, especially the variations observed among majors and genders when formulating strategies and curricula to enhance medical statistics education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), the vital indicators of ecological restoration, play an important role in signaling the health of ecosystems. Rapidly and accurately mapping foliar C, N, and P is essential for interpreting community structure, nutrient limitation, and primary production during ecosystem recovery. However, research on how to rapidly map C, N, and P in restored areas with mixed plant communities is limited. This study employed laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LiDAR) and hyperspectral data to extract spectral, textural, and height features of vegetation as well as vegetation indices and structural parameters. Causal band, multiple linear regression, and random forest models were developed and tested in a restored area in northern China. Important parameters were identified including (1), for C, red-edge bands, canopy height, and vegetation structure; for N, textural features, height percentile of 40–95%, and vegetation structure; for P, spectral features, height percentile of 80%, and 1 m foliage height diversity. (2) R2 was used to compare the accuracy of the three models as follows: R2 values for C were 0.07, 0.42, and 0.56, for N they were 0.20, 0.48, and 0.53, and for P they were 0.32, 0.39, and 0.44; the random forest model demonstrated the highest accuracy. (3) The accuracy of the concentration estimates could be ranked as C > N > P. (4) The inclusion of LiDAR features significantly improved the accuracy of the C concentration estimation, with increases of 22.20% and 47.30% in the multiple linear regression and random forest models, respectively, although the inclusion of LiDAR features did not notably enhance the accuracy of the N and P concentration estimates. Therefore, LiDAR and hyperspectral data can be used to effectively map C, N, and P concentrations in a mixed plant community in a restored area, revealing their heterogeneity in terms of species and spatial distribution. Future efforts should involve the use of hyperspectral data with additional bands and a more detailed classification of plant communities. The application of this information will be useful for analyzing C, N, and P limitations, and for planning for the maintenance of restored plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore factors promoting and hindering resilience in youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on Kumpfer's resilience framework. Design: A descriptive qualitative study design with an interpretative approach was used. Methods: Participants consisted of 10 youths with IBD from a tertiary hospital in Beijing (China) recruited using the purposive sampling method. Data were collected by semi‐structured interviews from December 2020 to March 2021. The directed content analysis was performed for data analysis. Results: Both promoting factors and hindering factors could be divided into personal factors and environmental factors. Thirteen themes were identified. The promoting factors included acceptance of illness, strict self‐management, previous treatment experience, life goals, family support, medical support and peer encouragement. Stigma, lack of communication, negative cognition, societal incomprehension, economic pressure and academic and employment pressure were hindering factors. Conclusion: Health care professionals need to develop greater awareness of factors, stemming from both the individual and the outside world, that hinder or promote resilience in order to aid young patients with IBD. Building targeted nursing measures to excavate the internal positive quality of patients, provide external support and promote the development of resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The air health index (AHI) captures the combined effects of air pollution and non-optimal temperatures and helps assess the atmospheric environment's overall health risk. Shandong Province is a crucial industrial base in China, and the health effects of air pollution and non-optimal temperature cannot be ignored. To construct an AHI for Shandong Province and assess the district-level mortality burden due to AHI in the study area. Methods: Daily district-specific mortality, meteorological, and air pollution data over 2013–2018 were collected in Shandong Province, China. The AHI construction eventually incorporated PM2.5 and NO2, O3, and non-optimal temperatures. Attributable fraction (AF) and attributable number (AN) were used to estimate the district-specific mortality burden attributable to AHI. Results: The average AHI value observed in Shandong Province was 6. Our research revealed a positive association between the total AHI and total mortality, with an overall trend of a slow increase followed by a rapid increase. The exposure–response curves, when stratified by gender, age, and cause of death, were approximately consistent with the overall trend. The provincial attributable fraction (AF) was 5.31% (95% CI 4.58%, 5.91%), and the attributable number (AN) was 188,246 (95% CI 162,396, 209,533). Overall, higher ANs mainly appeared in the southwestern area, while higher values of AF were observed in the central-eastern and central-northern areas. Conclusions: The air health index performs well in predicting death burden and can convey health risks related to exposure to the ambient environment to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on nail psoriasis (PsO) in China are scarce. Objectives: To provide nail PsO‐related data regarding epidemiologic characteristics, manifestations, fungal infections, arthritic complaints and treatments that may facilitate improved patient management globally. Methods: From August 2021 to August 2022, patients with nail PsO were enrolled in a prospective multicentre observational study at 25 hospitals in China. We collected and analysed data concerning nail PsO demography, clinical signs, fungal detection, arthritic symptoms and treatment. Results: A total of 817 patients with nail PsO were involved, with a mean body mass index of 24.13 ± 2.93. In addition, 71.41% of the patients were male. The Nail PsO Severity Index score was weakly positively correlated with body surface area. The percentage of nail involvement was 95.29% for fingernails and 57.18% for toenails, with pitting (67.11%) and subungual hyperkeratosis (60.40%) being the most prevalent manifestations, respectively. Toenails showed a significantly higher frequency of nailfold scales, subungual hyperkeratosis and nail plate crumbling and a lower frequency of splinter haemorrhages, pitting and erythema of the lunula. A total of 13.26% of the PsO patients had onychomycosis, and 77.08% were observed in the toenails. Articular symptoms were reported by 12.17% of the patients, with the peripheral type being predominant. Significant associations between articular symptoms and nailfold swelling, subungual hyperkeratosis, nailfold scales, onycholysis and longitudinal ridges were found. Only 2.30% (20 out of 871) of patients with nail PsO received treatment. The most frequently employed therapy for cutaneous PsO with nail involvement was biologic therapy (n = 366). Conclusions: PsO showed distinct manifestations in the toenails and fingernails. Additionally, toenail PsO combined with onychomycosis requires special attention. Articular symptoms in psoriatic patients are associated with specific nail changes. It is important to research and advocate for more potent treatments for nail PsO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callyntrura (s.l.) Börner, 1906 is the largest genus of the subfamily Salininae and contains 11 subgenera and 98 species from all over the world (mainly Asia), with eight species recorded from China. In the present paper, three new species of Callyntrura (s.l.) are described from China: C. (Japonphysa) xinjianensis sp. nov.; C. (J.) tongguensis sp. nov. and C. (J.) raoi sp. nov. Their differences in colour pattern, chaetotaxy and other characters are slight, however distances of COI mtDNA support their validation as three new distinct species. A key to the Chinese Callyntrura (s.l.) is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a rodent-related zoonotic disease induced by hantavirus. Previous studies have identified the influence of meteorological factors on the onset of HFRS, but few studies have focused on the stratified analysis of the lagged effects and interactions of pollution and meteorological factors on HFRS. Methods: We collected meteorological, contaminant and epidemiological data on cases of HFRS in Shenyang from 2005–2019. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used to predict the incidence of HFRS and compared with Holt-Winters three-parameter exponential smoothing model. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) with a maximum lag period of 16 weeks was applied to assess the lag, stratification and extreme effects of pollution and meteorological factors on HFRS cases, followed by a generalized additive model (GAM) to explore the interaction of SO2 and two other meteorological factors on HFRS cases. Results: The SARIMA monthly model has better fit and forecasting power than its own quarterly model and the Holt-Winters model, with an optimal model of (1,1,0) (2,1,0)12. Overall, environmental factors including humidity, wind speed and SO2 were correlated with the onset of HFRS and there was a non-linear exposure-lag-response association. Extremely high SO2 increased the risk of HFRS incidence, with the maximum RR values: 2.583 (95%CI:1.145,5.827). Extremely low windy and low SO2 played a significant protective role on HFRS infection, with the minimum RR values: 0.487 (95%CI:0.260,0.912) and 0.577 (95%CI:0.370,0.898), respectively. Interaction indicated that the risk of HFRS infection reached its highest when increasing daily SO2 and decreasing humidity. Conclusions: The SARIMA model may help to enhance the forecast of monthly HFRS incidence based on a long-range dataset. Our study had shown that environmental factors such as humidity and SO2 have a delayed effect on the occurrence of HFRS and that the effect of humidity can be influenced by SO2 and wind speed. Public health professionals should take greater care in controlling HFRS in low humidity, low windy conditions and 2–3 days after SO2 levels above 200 μg/m3. Author summary: China has the highest number of people infected with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in the world, and Shenyang, located in the northeast, is a high prevalence area for infection in China. Previous studies have found that there are several analytical methods on outbreak prediction and that HFRS infection is climate-related. However, HFRS has been less studied in terms of comparative time series prediction, and the link between outbreaks and atmospheric pollution and the identification of the joint effects of meteorological factors affecting this link have not been studied. These are the two main focuses of this study. A synchronous periodicity and seasonality between pollutants, climate change and HFRS infection were found throughout the study area, both located in spring-summer and winter-related. Specifically, on the one hand, high sulfur dioxide concentrations increase the risk of developing HFRS. On the other hand, the combined effect of climate and pollutants on HFRS became increasingly sensitive over time, showing as the highest risk of contracting HFRS when increasing daily sulfur dioxide and decreasing humidity. Time series analysis showed that seasonal SARIMA models are more suitable for prediction, and the association between climate and pollution and HFRS infection has been confirmed within the time series analysis. The above findings help to improve the understanding of the transmission effects of HFRS in different meteorological and pollution levels and the prediction of HFRS outbreak epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of entomobryid springtails (Collembola) from China are described here. Homidia pseudozhangi sp. nov. is characterised by a narrow irregular longitudinal stripe on the body, smooth chaetae e and l1 of the labial base, and the relative position of the specialized microchaeta on Abd. I; H. qianensis sp. nov. by its colour pattern on the antennae and nine sutural macrochaetae on the head; and Entomobrya shaanxiensis sp. nov. by its colour pattern, labral papillae and the lateral process of labial papilla E. Specimens of Akabosia matsudoensis Kinoshita, 1919 from China are redescribed, including description of some characters for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When using weathered gangue as the filling material for mine filling mining, karst water quality changes greatly as the underlying Ordovician limestone karst water rises to the goaf and interacts with the gangue. At present, there are few studies on the causes of changes in water quality indicators under the interaction of water-coal gangue in the goaf after coal mining. Karst water and weathered gangue batch soaking experiments in different mining areas simulated the above process. The pH change was mainly controlled by the concentration of gangue minerals, followed by cation exchange reaction. In addition, the initial pH value of Zhai-zhen No. 3 karst water on the pH change of the soaking solution cannot be ignored. Oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) changes are related to the control of different oxidants at each reaction stage. The karst water bodies of Bai-zhuang No. 1 and No. 2 Zhai-zhen are both catalyzed by Fe3+ and dissolved oxygen (DO), showing a similar change trend. However, Zhai-zhen No. 3 water is controlled by Fe3+, DO and pH catalysts, and the ORP changes were the opposite of the first two groups. The change in total dissolved solids (TDS) is mainly related to the dissolution and adsorption rate of clay minerals. For karst water samples, the initial pH and the type and content of enriched cations affect TDS changes. The results of this study provide theoretical support for solving the problem of karst water pollution control in mining areas, and provide guidance for the utilization and environmental governance of coal gangue in mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This Phase 3, multicenter study (NCT03434041) was conducted in primarily Chinese patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) to support the registration of esketamine nasal spray in China. Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study was conducted in China and the United States (US) in patients with TRD (single or recurrent episode). Eligible patients were randomized 1:1 to receive intranasal esketamine or matching placebo, each in conjunction with a newly initiated oral antidepressant (AD; duloxetine, escitalopram, sertraline, and venlafaxine extended release) (ie, esketamine plus AD or AD plus placebo). The primary endpoint, change from baseline in Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at Day 28, was analyzed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. Secondary endpoints including safety were also evaluated. Results: Of 252 randomized patients (China, 224; US, 28), 214 completed the double-blind treatment phase. The difference between treatment groups at Day 28 was not statistically significant (difference in least-square means [95% CI]: − 2.0 [− 4.64, 0.55]; 2-sided p = 0.123). However, esketamine plus AD demonstrated a clinically meaningful treatment difference compared with AD plus placebo in MADRS total score at 24 hours after first dose for the study overall population and China sub-population (difference in least-square mean [95% CI]: − 3.3 [− 5.33, − 1.33] and − 2.6 [− 4.64, − 0.60], respectively). No new safety signals were observed. Conclusion: Esketamine plus AD was not statistically superior to AD plus placebo in improving depressive symptoms in TRD patients at Day 28. Rapid reduction in depressive symptoms within 24 hours was observed for TRD patients treated with esketamine plus AD in the overall population and China sub-population. Safety was consistent with the established safety profile of esketamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese steamed bread (CSB) is a main staple food in China, accounting for 40% of wheat flour usage in China. Due to its health benefits, CSB is gaining popularity across the world. In this review, the effects of gluten proteins (particularly glutenins and gliadins) on the quality of CSB are summarized from the literature. Requirements of appropriate rheological parameters in different studies are compared and discussed. Along with the increasing demand for frozen storage food, there are obvious increases in the research on the dynamics of gluten proteins in frozen dough. This review also summarizes the factors influencing the deterioration of CSB dough quality during frozen storage as well as effective measures to mitigate the negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactococcus garvieae (L. garvieae) is a pathogenic gram-positive, catalase-negative (GPCN) bacterium that causes bovine mastitis. A total of 49 L. garvieae isolates were identified from 1441 clinical mastitis (CM) samples. The pathogenic effects of L. garvieae were studied with two infection models: bovine mammary epithelial cells cultured in vitro and murine mammary infections in vivo. The overall farm prevalence was 15.5% (13/84 farms in 9/19 provinces) and sample prevalence was 3.40% (49/1441). Post-treatment somatic cell count (SCC) post L. garvieae infection was significantly higher than the other GPCN pathogens isolated, and the bacteriological cure fraction was 41.94% (13/31) after intramammary antibiotic treatment. All L. garvieae isolates were resistant to rifaximin, 12.24% of isolates were resistant to cephalexin, and 10.20% (5/49) were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The most prevalent virulence genes were Hemolysin 1 (hly1)(100%), Hemolysin 2 (hly2) (97.96%), NADH oxidase (NADHO) (100%), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) (100%), Adhesin Pav (Pav) (100%), Adhesin PsaA (PsaA) (100%), Enolase (eno) (100%), Adhesin cluster 1(AC1) (100%), Adhesin cluster 2 (AC2) (100%), and several exopolysaccharides. L. garvieae rapidly adhered to bovine mammary epithelial cells, resulting in an elevated lactate dehydrogenase release. Edema and congestion were observed in challenged murine mammary glands and bacteria were consistently isolated at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after infection. We concluded that L. garvieae had good adaptive ability in the bovine and murine mammary cells and tissue. Given the resistance profile, penicillin and ampicillin are potential treatments for CM cases caused by L. garvieae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we expand the concept of programmatic advertising to include programmatic creative as a vital component. While artificial intelligence (AI) has already automated the media buying process, the advertising creative process still requires extensive human efforts. Such discrepancy calls for AI to transform the advertising creative process. We provide a framework for understanding and investigating programmatic creative by drawing evidence from the advertising industry in China. We specifically discuss how big data and machine learning algorithms underpin programmatic advertising. We argue that AI will integrate programmatic buying and programmatic creative in the future. We also discuss the technological, regulatory, and legal challenges faced by programmatic creative. We argue that new theories and methods are needed to conduct research in this area and provide guidance for the advertising industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nutritional risk is common among patients admitted to the emergency department and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Despite its large population, few comprehensive studies have been conducted in China concerning the nutritional status of patients admitted to emergency department observation units (EDOUs). METHODS: Patients admitted to EDOUs of 90 tertiary hospitals in China between June 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled. Demographic information, laboratory parameters, nutritional support therapies, and 28-day mortality were recorded. Risk factors for mortality were examined using multi-variate-adjusted logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each predictor of mortality were plotted, and the area under the ROC (AUROC) curves was compared. RESULTS: A total of 2,005 eligible patients were finally enrolled. At the 28-day follow-up, 1,911 patients survived, and 94 died. The group with a Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score of 3--4 points was the largest (52.01%). The number of patients receiving oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition (EN), parenteral nutrition (PN), and the combination of EN and PN was 425, 314, 853, and 413, respectively. Among the total, 77.55% of patients had nutritional risk (NRS 2002 ≥3). The proportion of patients with high nutritional risk (NRS2002≥5) in the age group >80 years was significantly higher than that in the age group 66--80 years (29.00% vs. 23.93%, P=0.032), but not significantly higher than that in the age group 18--65 years (29.00% vs. 26.54%, P=0.449). Logistic regression analysis revealed that heart failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.856, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.087-3.167, P=0.023), consciousness (OR 2.967, 95% CI 1.894-4.648, P<0.001), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score (OR 1.037, 95% CI 1.017-1.058, P<0.001), NRS 2002 score (OR 1.286, 95% CI 1.115-1.483, P=0.001), and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score (OR 0.946, 95% CI 0.898-0.997, P=0.039) were all independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. APACHE II and NRS 2002 scores were superior to other predictors according to the comparison of AUROC. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional risk is prevalent among older patients in EDOUs in China. APACHE II and NRS 2002 scores are important risk factors for mortality in patients admitted to the EDOU. Timely and appropriate nutritional screening and support measures are critical to reduce patients' length of hospital stay and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional group (FG) system sensu Colin S. Reynolds of freshwater phytoplankton has been widely applied in many aspects of freshwater ecological assessments. However, there is no current consensus as to how and to why some functional coda shows multiple habitat templates in different water bodies. To test whether there are multiple habitat templates for some functional coda in the FG system, we used two mesotrophic deep reservoirs in China as examples, analysing phytoplankton taxonomic and environmental data collected in 4 seasons over two years. Results showed that a large proportion of the indicators had similar habitat templates within the FG system, whilst some species had multiple or different habitat templates according to their niche differentiation. The random forest (RF) model filtered a minimum set of environmental conditions and provided two potential habitat templates for Oocystis lacustris. One explanatory habitat template of clear water provided by the FG system was verified in the Nanwan Reservoir, and the other habitat template of high dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was found in the Nianyushan Reservoir. Further studies of the potential multiple habitat templates for some functional coda are recommended for its proper use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) combined with hypertension has a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the surrogate indicators of insulin resistance (TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR) with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension. Methods: This study is based on a functional community cohort from Beijing and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, comprising 4234 and 4658 participants respectively. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline regression were performed to assess the link between TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR with T2D combined with hypertension. The cross-lagged panel analysis and the mediation analysis were used to examine the temporal relationship between insulin resistance and obesity and their temporal relationship with follow-up T2D combined with hypertension. Results: In multivariable-adjusted models, higher TyG was associated with a higher risk of developing T2D combined with hypertension, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 3.46 (2.43–4.93) and 2.02 (1.67–2.44), in two cohorts respectively. A similar positive association was shown for Mets-IR, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.04 (1.03–1.06) and 1.05 (1.03–1.07), in two cohorts respectively. However, the association between TG/HDL with T2D combined with hypertension was different in two cohorts. The restricted cubic spline regression showed a linear association between TyG and T2D combined with hypertension (P-nonlinear > 0.05). The cross-lagged path coefficient from baseline BMI to follow-up TyG index was significantly greater than the path coefficient from baseline TyG to follow-up BMI. TyG partially mediated the effect of BMI on the risk of T2D combined with hypertension and the percentage of mediated association was estimated at 41.58% and 48.41% in two cohorts, respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicated positive associations between TyG and Mets-IR with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension in two cohorts. In addition, BMI change may precede TyG index change, and the TyG index plays a mediating role in BMI induced T2D combined with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homidia, one of the largest genera of the family Entomobryidae, is widely distributed in China. To date, 46 species of this genus are present in China and account for approximately 60 % of all known species of the genus. In the present paper, two new species of Homidia are described from China: H. acutus sp. nov. and H. changensis sp. nov. The former is discriminated by the brown to blue-violet pigment present on whole dorsal body and by pointed tenent hairs. The latter is characterised by having only scattered traces of brown pigment on tergites, and by the special macrochaetal formula of coxae. Additionally, two known species of the genus, H. linhaiensis Shi, Pan & Qi, 2009 and H. socia Denis, 1929, are reported from Jiangxi Province for the first time, and some of their taxonomic characters are described. A key to the Chinese species of the genus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mining areas where gangue is used for infill mining, Ordovician limestone karst water is affected by discarded gangue, and the water quality changes significantly. In this study, the effects of gangue on water quality change under different immersion solution conditions were evaluated by Zhai Zhen Coal Mine, Hongqi Coal Mine Ordovician Limestone Karst Water, and Baizhuang Coal Mine. The results showed that the cations in each group of immersion solutions had similar trends, and the Na+ concentration fluctuations were greater in karst water immersion solutions with higher initial sodium ion concentrations, while the fluctuations of calcium and magnesium ions were more obvious in the early stage of immersion, and the fluctuations were gradually slowed down in the later stage. The anions in the immersion solution also have a similar fluctuation trend, but only in the early stage of immersion. By comparing the changes of the three indexes (pH, TDS, and ORP) in the immersion solution, it was found that highly mineralized karst water had a good buffering effect on the changes in the basic water quality index, while the ultrapure water quality index with low salinity had the greatest change. The 100% stacked columnar plot between the main water chemical ion changes shows the relative scale relationship of the water chemical components in the immersion solution at each period, and the water chemical components change significantly in the early immersion period (0–7 d), and then enter the fluctuation changes period, and the ion changes in the fluctuation changes period are mainly Na+ and SO42− ions. This study provides a theoretical basis for exploring the changes of gangue to the quality of karst water in Ordovician limestone and also provides theoretical guidance for the study of groundwater pollution mechanisms in closed coal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been classified separately as an independent risk factor for hypertension. However, comparisons between different body size indices and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive populations have not been reported yet. In this study, we enrolled 4,639 hypertensive patients from rural China. Anthropometric indices and cardiovascular disease risk factor variables were measured and analyzed using Spearman's correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Patients in the highest quartile of body size indices were more likely to have left ventricular hypertrophy than those in the lowest quartile; these indices were BMI (adjusted OR: 3.55, 95% CI: 2.90; 4.35), WC (adjusted OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.84; 2.70), WHR (adjusted OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.18; 1.75), and WHtR (adjusted OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 2.62; 3.99). The areas under the ROC curves of BMI (AUC: 0.628, 95% CI: 0.612; 0.644), WHtR (AUC: 0.628, 95% CI: 0.560; 0.593), WHR (AUC: 0.530, 95% CI: 0.513; 0.547), and WC (AUC: 0.576, 95% CI: 0.513; 0.547) were all above 0.5, which indicated that the four anthropometric indicators may be associated with LVH. The four anthropometric indicators of obesity were identified as risk factors for LVH. Weight control might help reduce the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated elimination of the herbicide pendimethalin using an integrated rice and Procambarus clarkii breeding model of indoor and outdoor (pond culture) exposure tests. The pendimethalin levels in 484 samples from the primary rice and P. clarkii integrated breeding areas in Hubei province were monitored, and dietary risk assessments of pendimethalin were calculated. Pendimethalin was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and detection levels were linear in the range of 1.0 to 10.0 μg/L, and peak areas were positively correlated with concentration, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996. Recoveries ranged from 86.9 to 103.5%, and the limit of quantitation was 2.5 × 10−4 μg/L in water, and 1 × 10−2 μg/kg in tissues, sediments, and waterweeds. The dissipation rate of pendimethalin in tissues and water followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 0.51–5.64 d. In 484 samples taken from aquaculture farms, pendimethalin was detected in 8.67% of the samples at levels in the range of 1.95 to 8.26 μg/kg in Hubei province from 2018 to 2020. The maximum residue limit of pendimethalin in P. clarkii has not been established in China, but our dietary risk assessments indicated that consumption of P. clarkii from integrated rice farms was acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of outdoor and household air pollution on physical function remains unelucidated. This study examined the influence of various ambient particulate sizes (PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10) and household fuel usage on physical function. Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) spanning 2011 and 2015 were utilized. The physical functional score was computed by summing scores from four tests: grip strength, gait speed, chair stand test, and balance. Multivariate linear and linear mixed-effects models were used to explore the separate and combined effects of PM 1 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 and household fuel use on physical function in the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively, and to further observe the effects of fuel cleanup on physical function in the context of air pollution exposure. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses revealed negative correlations between PM 1 (β = −0.044; 95% CI: −0.084, −0.004), PM 2.5 (β = −0.024; 95% CI: −0.046, −0.001), PM 10 (β = −0.041; 95% CI: −0.054, −0.029), and physical function, with a more pronounced impact observed for fine particulate matter (PM 1). Cleaner fuel use was associated with enhanced physical function compared to solid fuels (β = 0.143; 95% CI: 0.070, 0.216). The presence of air pollutants and use of solid fuels had a negative impact on physical function, while cleaner fuel usage mitigated the adverse effects of air pollutants, particularly in areas with high exposure. This study underscores the singular and combined detrimental effects of air pollutants and solid fuel usage on physical function. Addressing fine particulate matter, specifically PM 1 , and prioritizing efforts to improve household fuel cleanliness in regions with elevated air pollution levels are crucial for preventing physical disability. [Display omitted] • Negative correlations among PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 and physical function are identified. • Beneficial effects of clean fuels use on physical function are observed. • Among various air pollutant sizes, PM 1 causes greatest harm to physical function. • Air pollutants and solid fuel use have combined adverse effects on physical function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the clinical epidemiological characteristics of nitrous oxide (N2O) abusers in a hospital in China, which have not been systematically reported. Methods: The characteristics of patients abusing N2O who were examined and treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2017 to December 2020 were analyzed. Results: A total of 61 patients (average age: 21.7 ± 3.2 years; 42 male and 19 female) were enrolled; 60.7% of the patients had an education level of high school or lower, and most (59.0%) had no stable occupation. The mean exposure time was 8.5 ± 7.7 months (range: 1–36 months). Only 52.5% of the abusers reported the physician of the relevant exposure history at the first time of visiting the doctor. The main clinical type was mixed (49.2%). The most common clinical manifestation was distal limb numbness (80.3%). The most frequent outcome was peripheral neuropathy (59%) and subacute combined degeneration (36%). Serum homocysteine level was elevated in 67.5% (27/40) of the patients, while 44.4% (20/45) showed reduced vitamin B12. Note that 61% (22/36) showed abnormal signals in the posterior or lateral funiculus of the spinal cord, and 97% (31/32) of the patients showed peripheral nerve damage by electromyography. In all cases, symptoms were alleviated after halting N2O intake and receiving nutritional neurotherapy. Conclusions: N2O abuse can lead to nervous system damage, especially peripheral nerve and spinal cord damage. A full understanding of its clinical epidemiological characteristics is helpful for clinicians to make a timely and clear diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, arable soils contaminated with cadmium (Cd) threaten human health. Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is a highly efficient agent that can remove Cd from contaminated soils. However, it is unknown whether FeCl3 damages the soil structure and consequently affects crop growth. In this study, we investigated the impacts of Cd extraction by FeCl3 on the structure of a paddy soil on the basis of comparisons of control (without washing agents) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) treatments. According to our results, the removal efficiency increased with the decrease in soil initial pH, as adjusted by FeCl3. However, the low pH of 2.0 caused a partial loss of soil mineral components, with an Al release of 4.4% in the FeCl3-treated soil versus 1.3% in the HCl-treated soil. In contrast, the amount of released Al was less than 0.2% in the control and in the FeCl3 treatments with initial pH values of 3.0 and 4.0. The washing agents caused soil TOC loss of 27.1%, 17.5%, and 2.76% in the pH 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 FeCl3 treatments, compared with 15.5% in the initial pH 2.0 HCl treatment. The use of FeCl3 represents an optimum tradeoff between removal efficiency and the loss of soil components to restore Cd-polluted soils by adjusting the initial pH to 3.0 with the addition of FeCl3. Under this condition, the amount of Al loss was less than 0.2%, and the extraction efficiency reached 40.3%, compared to an efficiency of 39.7% with HCl at an initial pH of 2.0. In conclusion, FeCl3 could effectively remove Cd from contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used instrument to test cognitive functioning. The present study prospectively investigated the association between MMSE scores, MMSE domains, and all-cause mortality.Methods: A total of 2134 participants aged 60 years or over, selected from one urban community-dwelling population in China, were enrolled in the study. The cognitive test was performed by use of the MMSE at baseline, and covariates were recorded simultaneously. Cox regression models were used for examining the cognitive function, expressed by different MMSE transformations, and all-cause mortality. After followed up for a median of 10.8 years (ranging from 1.0 to 11.3 years), loss to follow-up was 13.1% and 1854 individuals were finally included in the analyses.Results: The subjects had the mean (SD) age of 71.01 (7.00) years, and 754 (40.67%) of them were women. Per point increase on MMSE scores was associated a 4% decreased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 0.96; 95%confidence interval (CI): 0.93-0.98]; compared to MMSE scores of ≥24, MMSE scores of < 24 was associated with a 43% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05-1.95); compared to MMSE scores of 30, MMSE scores of 27-29 (HR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.89-1.82), 24-26 (HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.86-1.99), and < 24 (HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.15-2.77) had a graded increase in risk of all-cause mortality (p for trend =0.003). Of MMSE domains, orientation to time (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.29-3.11), attention and calculation (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.16-1.92), recall (HR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.22-5.47), and language (HR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.25-2.26) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the unadjusted model; for one increase in the number of impaired MMSE domains, the unadjusted HR (95% CI) of mortality is 1.51 (1.38, 1.65), and the HR (95% CI) of mortality is 1.12 (1.01, 1.25) with full adjustment; compared to 0 and 1 impaired MMSE domains, the HRs of all-cause mortality associated with 2, 3, 4, and ≥ 5 impaired MMSE domains were 1.14 (95% CI: 0.84-1.54), 1.50 (95% CI: 0.98-2.28), 2.14 (95% CI: 1.12-4.09) and 2.29 (95% CI: 1.24-5.04), respectively, and a dose-dependent relationship was significant (p for trend =0.003).Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is associated with the increased risk of all-cause mortality in the Chinese elderly. Similarly, reduced MMSE scores, as well as impaired MMSE domains, are also associated with the increasing risk of all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile phone dependence has become a worldwide problem due to its high occurrence rate, fast growth rate, and serious undesirable consequences. Previous studies have found that attachment anxiety is a key antecedent of mobile phone dependence. However, little is known about the underlying psychological mechanisms. The present study tested the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating role of rumination in the link between attachment anxiety and mobile phone dependence. A sample of 908 Chinese university students aged 17 to 27 years old was recruited from four universities in Central China. They completed the Chinese version of Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, Mobile Phone Addiction Index, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Ruminative Response Scale. After controlling for gender and age, loneliness mediated the association between attachment anxiety and mobile phone dependence. Both the direct association between attachment anxiety and mobile phone dependence and the indirect association through loneliness were moderated by rumination. These two associations were stronger for individuals with high rumination than for those with low rumination. Limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Dendrobium catenatum Lindl. (DH) is a Chinese herbal medicine, which is often used to make tea to improve immunity in China. Rumor has it that DH has a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear how DH can prevent cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis (AS). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to study whether DH can prevent AS and the underlying mechanisms. Methods. Zebrafish larvae were fed with high-cholesterol diet (HCD) to establish a zebrafish AS model. Then, we used DH water extracts (DHWE) to pretreat AS zebrafish. The plaque formation was detected by HE, EVG, and oil red O staining. Neutrophil and macrophage counts were calculated to evaluate the inflammation level. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in zebrafish were measured to reflect oxidative stress. The cholesterol accumulation and the levels of lipid, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) were measured to reflect lipid metabolism disorder. Then, parallel flow chamber was utilized to establish a low shear stress- (LSS-) induced endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction model. EA.hy926 cells were exposed to LSS (3 dyn/cm2) for 30 min and treated with DHWE. The levels of ROS, SOD, MDA, glutathione (GSH), and glutathiol (GSSG) in EA.hy926 cells were analysed to determine oxidative stress. The release of nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and epoprostenol (PGI2) in EA.hy926 cells was measured to reflect EC dysfunction. The mRNA expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in EA.hy926 cells was detected to reflect EC dysfunction inflammation. Results. The results showed that DHWE significantly reduced cholesterol accumulation and macrophage infiltration in early AS. Finally, DHWE significantly alleviate the lipid metabolism disorder, oxidative stress, and inflammation to reduce the plaque formation of AS zebrafish larval model. Meanwhile, we also found that DHWE significantly improved LSS-induced EC dysfunction and oxidative stress in vitro. Conclusion. Our results indicate that DHWE could be used as a prevention method to prevent AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with various health problems, but less is known about the gender differences in risk factors for high plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Methods: In this study, a retrospective study was carried out on 14,911 participants (7838 males and 7073 females) aged 16–102 years who underwent routine checkups between January 2012 and December 2017 in the Health Management Department of Xuanwu Hospital, China. Anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio, were collected. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure the biochemical indexes. The outcome variable was Hcy level, and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to identify the associations of interest based on gender. Results: Males exhibited increased Hcy levels (16.37 ± 9.66 vs 11.22 ± 4.76 μmol/L) and prevalence of HHcy (37.0% vs 11.3%) compared with females. Hcy levels and HHcy prevalence increased with age in both genders, except for the 16- to 29-year-old group. GEE analysis indicated that irrespective of gender, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, uric acid, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were positively correlated with Hcy levels, and alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and glucose were negatively correlated with Hcy levels. However, age, BMI and triglycerides (TGs) were positively correlated with Hcy levels exclusively in females. Conclusions: Gender differences in risk factors for high plasma Hcy levels were noted. Although common correlational factors existed in both genders, age, BMI and TGs were independent risk factors for Hcy levels specifically in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is now common for individuals to have multiple computing devices, such as laptops, smart phones, and tablets. This multidevice environment increases the popularity of cross‐device search activities. Cross‐device search can be seen as a special case of cross‐session search. Previous studies regarded re‐finding behaviors in cross‐session search as task resumption. Based on this, this article proposes considering 2 phases of cross‐device search: task preparation and task resumption and to explore their features by modeling. A within‐subject user experiment was designed to collect data. Four groups of features were captured from specific behaviors of querying, clicking, gazing, and cognition. This article tested 3 machine‐learning methods and found that the C5.0 decision tree performed best. Five features were included in the task preparation behavior model, and 3 in the task resumption behavior model. The difference and relationship between task preparation and task resumption were investigated by comparing their behavioral features. It is concluded that information need remains blurred in task preparation and becomes clear in task resumption. The changing states of information need suggest an exploratory process in cross‐device search. We also identify some implications for search engine designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As observed among residents in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling areas, dioxins can disrupt the homeostasis of endocrine hormones and the balance of thyroid hormones. Few studies, however, have examined whether e-waste recycling activities influence steroid hormone equilibrium in the general adult male population. This study evaluated the association between steroid hormones and the physical burdens of dioxins in the general adult male population residing in an e-waste region. In September 2017, 74 adult males residing in an e-waste dismantling region were enrolled in the current study. Approximately 10 mL of blood was collected from each adult male, and the serum samples were separated through centrifugation. Then, the levels of dioxin and steroid hormones in the serum of the participants were measured. We treated dioxin levels as categorical variables in the general linear model according to quartiles (25, 50, and 75 percentile). Comparing the findings with a reference group (< 25th percentile), we noted significantly higher dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) level in men with low serum polychlorinated dibenzofuran-toxic equivalent (PCDFs-TEQ) level between 3.80 and 6.31 pg/g lipid (1933 vs. 1447 pg/ml) and low polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans-TEQ (PCDD/PCDFs-TEQ) between 8.57 and 15.11 pg/g lipid (1996 vs. 1360 pg/ml). Moreover, a significantly higher androstenedione (A-dione) level was found in men whose serum PCDFs-TEQ ≥ 11.34 pg/g lipd (2404 vs. 1848). What's more, there were significantly higher 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) concentrations in low- and high-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) groups (1.30–1.67 and ≥ 2.64 pg-TEQ/g lipid, respectively with 719 and 807 vs. 496, respectively). Our findings suggest that specific dioxin exposure may disturb normal DHEA, A-dione levels, and enzyme activity in the general adult male population in an e-waste region of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Xiangjiang River is an important drinking water resource for the Hunan Province of China. It is crucial to ascertain the pollution status, influencing factors, ecological risks, and possible sources of heavy metals in the sediments of the Xiangjiang River. Sediment is both a source and a sink of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, surface sediment was collected from the Zhuzhou Reach of the Xiangjiang River and eight heavy metals were investigated. Results: In all sediment samples, all eight heavy metals were detected and their average concentration fell in the order of Zn > Pb > As > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > Co. Assessment shows extremely serious Cd pollution and a very high potential ecological risk from Cd. According to correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), As, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn originate from industrial wastewater and mineral smelting activities, whereas Co, Cr, and Ni come from natural sources. Redundancy analysis (RDA) reveals that the organic matter content and the particle size of the sediment have a certain influence on the enrichment of heavy metals. Conclusion: Among all eight examined heavy metals in the surveyed area, the content of Zn, Pb, and As is the highest, and that of Cd and Co is the lowest. Despite a low level of absolute content, the Cd in sediment already renders a high ecological risk and thus calls for urgent attention. Anthropogenic activities are the main source of heavy metals in the sediment. The distribution of heavy metals may also be influenced by sediment properties. The results provide guidance for controlling heavy metal pollution and protecting drinking water sources in the Xiangjiang River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the longest river in Asia, the Yangtze River flows through the most industrialized cities in China and provides critical ecological services for agriculture, industry, and transportation. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been banned for many years, but trace amounts of PCBs still exist as persistent organic pollutant in drinking water and are an ecotoxicological problem. In this work, we collected water, sediment, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples along the Yangtze River, to study the distribution and transport of PCBs for the risk assessment of the Yangtze River as a drinking water source. Results: The ΣPCBs concentrations in water, sediment, and SPM ranged in 0.04–11 ng/L, 0.33–69 ng/g, and 0.72–153 ng/L, respectively. The main pollutants were PCB17, 18, 28, 47, and 118 in the Yangtze River. The ffSW value of PCB18 and PCB28 all exceeded 0.50, whereas the ffSW value of PCB47 and PCB118 (except for PCB118 at Y-4) was less than 0.50. The toxic equivalent quantity (TEQ) range of PCBs in water and in sediment was ND–5.55 pg-TEQ/L and ND–2.51 pg-TEQ/g, respectively. Conclusions: In both water and sediment, lower chlorinated PCBs are dominant in the middle reaches and higher chlorinated PCBs are dominant at downstream. In contrast, SPM is dominated by tetra-CBs. The ffSW values reveal a net redissolution of lower PCBs from sediments to water but a net sorption of higher PCBs from water to sediment. The PCBs in water and sediment at downstream pose potential ecological risk, but the drinking water does not have a non-carcinogenic risk for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effects of perinatal exposure to dioxin on physical growth in a 3-year follow-up study. In 2015, 27 mother–infant pairs living in an electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling region and 35 pairs living in a control region were enrolled in the present study. Breast milk samples were collected at 4 weeks after birth. Physical growth, including weight, height, and head and chest circumferences, was measured at 6 months and 3 years of age. Dioxin levels in the breast milk were measured by gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and toxic equivalency values in maternal breast milk of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and PCDDs/PCDFs were significantly higher in women residing in the e-waste dismantling region. In 3-year-old boys, inverse associations were found between height and PCDDs-TEQ. In girls, positive associations were found between height and 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD, PCDDs-TEQ, and PCDDs/PCDFs-TEQ, and for weight and PCDDs-TEQ and PCDDs/PCDFs-TEQ at 3 years of age. In this study, sex-specific differences were observed in children, in whom dioxin exposure decreased growth in boys but increased growth in girls during the first 3 years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The population of left‐behind children is growing rapidly in China in recent years. Without parents' company, left‐behind children may develop severe emotional problems, which can trigger extreme behaviours such as self‐harm and suicide. Previous literature suggests that mindfulness‐based intervention could effectively alleviate a variety of sufferings such as anxiety and suicide ideation. The current study sought to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness‐based intervention on suicide ideation among left‐behind children in China. Methods: This study investigated the effects of an 8‐week mindfulness training programme on suicide ideation of left‐behind children in China. Forty‐nine left‐behind children completed a pretest and posttest on mindfulness level, social anxiety, self‐esteem, and suicide ideation, with 21 in the mindfulness training group and 28 in the waitlist control group. Results: Adjusting for pretest differences analyses of covariance found that, compared with waitlist control group, the mindfulness training group showed a significant improvement in mindfulness level and decreases in social anxiety and suicide ideation after the 8‐week mindfulness training. Conclusion: The findings from this study support that the use of mindfulness‐based intervention can effectively reduce the suicide ideation and social anxiety of left‐behind children in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tested the mediating role of self-control and moderating role of mindfulness in the link between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction. A sample of 899 Chinese adolescents completed measures of perceived stress, mobile phone addiction, self-control and mindfulness. Results showed that self-control partially mediated the association between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction. In addition, both the direct association between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction and the indirect effect of self-control were moderated by mindfulness, in that these effects were stronger for individuals with low mindfulness than for those with high mindfulness. These findings advance our understanding of how and when perceived stress is linked to mobile phone addiction. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Punch biopsy is important in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, it may fail to detect early cervical cancers. A retrospective study was performed in the largest academic women’s hospital in China to demonstrate cervical cancer that colposcopy-directed biopsy failed to detect. Methods. Patients who were diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and persistent low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) via colposcopy-directed biopsy and had further undergone loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization were included. These procedures were performed at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from July 1, 2013, to December 31, 2016. In total, 5.98% (760/12714) of patients who underwent conization were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. Persistent LSIL (0.24%), HSIL (6.37%), and AIS (24.31%) were detected cancer by conization. Histological subtypes included squamous cell carcinoma (92.0%), adenocarcinoma (5.1%), adenosquamous carcinoma (1.8%), adenoid basal type carcinoma (0.9%), and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (0.1%). Cytology reports consisted of HSIL (45.4%), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) (16.1%), and LSIL (11.6%), and atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H) (9.3%), squamous cell carcinoma (0.9%), AGC (atypical glandular cells, 0.9%), AIS (0.4%), and NILM (negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, 15.4%). The sensitivity of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) screening (96.4%) was significantly higher than that of cytology (84.6%) (P<0.01), with sensitivity of cotesting at 99.8% and a ratio of double-negative results at 0.2%. The sensitivity of cytology and hrHPV screening of different cervical cancer histologic subtypes was also demonstrated. In this large retrospective study, we systematically reported the cytology, hrHPV, pathology, and stages of cervical cancer that colposcopy-directed biopsy failed to detect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria blooms in aquaculture ponds harm the harvesting of aquatic animals and threaten human health. Therefore, it is crucial to identify key drivers and develop methods to predict cyanobacteria blooms in aquaculture water management. In this study, we analyzed monitoring data from 331 aquaculture ponds in central China and developed two machine learning models - the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model and the random forest (RF) model - to predict cyanobacterial abundance by identifying the key drivers. Simulation results demonstrated that both machine learning models are feasible for predicting cyanobacterial abundance in aquaculture ponds. The LASSO model (R 2 = 0.918, MSE = 0.354) outperformed the RF model (R 2 = 0.798, MSE = 0.875) in predicting cyanobacteria abundance. Farmers with well-equipped aquaculture ponds that have abundant water monitoring data can use the nine environmental variables identified by the LASSO model as an operational solution to accurately predict cyanobacteria abundance. For crude ponds with limited monitoring data, the three environmental variables identified by the RF model provide a convenient solution for useful cyanobacteria prediction. Our findings revealed that chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were the two most important predictors in both models, indicating that organic carbon concentration had a close relationship with cyanobacteria growth and should be considered a key metric in water monitoring and pond management of these aquaculture ponds. We suggest that monitoring of organic carbon coupled with phosphorus reduction in feed usage can be an effective management approach for cyanobacteria prevention and to maintain a healthy ecological state in aquaculture ponds. • Two machine learning models were developed for cyanobacteria abundance predicting. • Organic carbon concentration was identified as a key metric for cyanobacteria bloom. • The LASSO model was provided which can precisely predict cyanobacteria abundance. • Organic carbon monitoring coupled with phosphorus reduction in feed were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the market potential and environmental benefits of replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the taxi fleet in Nanjing, China. Vehicle trajectory data collected by onboard global positioning system (GPS) units are used to study the travel patterns of taxis. The impacts of charger power, charging infrastructure coverage, and taxi apps on the feasibility of electric taxis are quantified, considering taxi drivers’ recharging behavior and operating activities. It is found that (1) depending on the charger power and coverage, 19% (with AC Level 2 chargers and 20% charger network coverage) to 56% (with DC chargers and 100% charger network coverage) of the ICE vehicles can be replaced by electric taxis without driving pattern changes; (2) by using taxi apps to find nearby passengers and charging stations, drivers could utilize the empty cruising time to charge the battery, which may increase the acceptance of BEVs by up to 82.6% compared to the scenario without taxi apps; and (3) tailpipe emissions in urban areas could be significantly reduced with taxi electrification: a mixed taxi fleet with 46% compressed-natural-gas-powered (CNG) and 54% electricity-powered vehicles can reduce the tailpipe emissions by 48% in comparison with the fleet of 100% CNG taxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of precursory characteristics is a key issue for rock burst prevention. The aim of this research is to provide a reference for assessing rock burst risk and determining potential rock burst risk areas in coal mining. In this work, the microseismic multidimensional information for the identification of rock bursts and spatial-temporal pre-warning was investigated in a specific coalface which suffered high rock burst risk in a mining area near a large residual coal pillar. Firstly, microseismicity evolution prior to a disastrous rock burst was qualitatively analysed, and the abnormal clustering of seismic sources, abnormal variations in daily total energy release, and event counts can be regarded as precursors to rock burst. Secondly, passive tomographic imaging has been used to locate high seismic activity zones and assess rock burst hazard when the coalface passes through residual pillar areas. The results show that high-velocity or velocity anomaly regions correlated well with strong seismic activities in future mining periods and that passive tomography has the potential to describe, both quantitatively and periodically, hazardous regions and assess rock burst risk. Finally, the bursting strain energy index was further used for short-term spatial-temporal pre-warning of rock bursts. The temporal sequence curve and spatial contour nephograms indicate that the status of the danger and the specific hazardous zones, and levels of rock burst risk can be quantitatively and rapidly analysed in short time and in space. The multidimensional precursory characteristic identification of rock bursts, including qualitative analysis, intermediate and short-time quantitative predictions, can guide the choice of measures implemented to control rock bursts in the field, and provides a new approach to monitor and forecast rock bursts in space and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of urban form on sea cooling capacity under the heatwave were explored. • The sea showed the maximum cooling range of 9.2 km in Dalian. • Low-density multistory/high-rise urban forms can promote sea cooling capacity. • Distance to the coastline had obvious effect on coastline urban heat island. The sea is considered an important factor for ameliorating urban heat island effects in coastal cities, especially during heatwaves. Nevertheless, the mechanisms for urban form factors and sea cooling are poorly understood. To fill this gap, under the heatwave, coastline urban heat island intensity (CUI) was proposed to evaluate the cooling effect of the sea in Dalian (a coastal city in China), and combined with spatial autoregressive models to explore the impact of urban form factors on CUI. Results were as follows: 1) the sea showed the greatest cooling potential within a distance of 2.5 km, with a maximum cooling range of 9.2 km; 2) land cover factors had the strongest influence on CUI; 3) building average height and sky view factor in the offshore area had a prominent influence on CUI than inland; 4) distance to the coastline had obvious effect on CUI. Urban form affects the cooling capacity of the sea by affecting the surface temperature and the fluidity of the wind, which showed spatial heterogeneity. Above all, mitigation strategies were proposed, such as control of the underlying surface material, and the urban form should be dominated by low-density multistory/high-rise in the offshore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide inventory plays an important role in recording landslide events and showing their temporal-spatial distribution. This paper describes the development, visualization, and analysis of a China's Landslide Inventory Database (CsLID) by utilizing Google's public cloud computing platform. Firstly, CsLID (Landslide Inventory Database) compiles a total of 1221 historical landslide events spanning the years 1949-2011 from relevant data sources. Secondly, the CsLID is further broken down into six zones for characterizing landslide cause-effect, spatiotemporal distribution, fatalities, and socioeconomic impacts based on the geological environment and terrain. The results show that among all the six zones, zone V, located in Qinba and Southwest Mountainous Area is the most active landslide hotspot with the highest landslide hazard in China. Additionally, the Google public cloud computing platform enables the CsLID to be easily accessible, visually interactive, and with the capability of allowing new data input to dynamically augment the database. This work developed a cyber-landslide inventory and used it to analyze the landslide temporal-spatial distribution in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus fertilization is employed in some reservoirs to increase fish production. To clarify whether silver carp regulate phosphorus (P) concentration or if fertilizing leads to phytoplankton blooms, a 6-week experiment was conducted with 18 enclosures in Nanwan Reservoir, central China. Treatments were three levels of P concentration (low: 45 μg/L; medium: 90 μg/L; high: 180 μg/L) with or without silver carp stocking (10 g/m3). The effect of silver carp stocking on phytoplankton community changed with P fertilization in the water column. No significant fish effect was observed on total phytoplankton biomass at the low P level, while the chlorophyllaconcentration, total phytoplankton biomass, and biomass of phytoplankton > 30 μm were enhanced significantly by silver carp at the medium P level. In addition, at the medium P level, the biomass of Bacillariophyta was significantly greater, whereas the biomass of Chlorophyta was significantly lower in the enclosures with silver carp stocking. Potentially, silver carp enhanced the total phytoplankton biomass by nutrient recycling. Zooplankton had a weak grazing efficiency and had limited effects on control of phytoplankton biomass at the three P levels. The 6-week experiment confirmed that P fertilization could consistently cause greater fish productivity with phytoplankton biomass increasing at the same time. We therefore propose a mechanism for the observed relationship between silver carp stocking and phytoplankton. Under the condition of ambient fish density (10 g/m3), silver carp could not control phytoplankton biomass with phosphorus fertilization; instead, the fish may have promoted phytoplankton growth via nutrient recycling. Silver carp seem to have only a weak effect on the phytoplankton community without P fertilization. Therefore, from the viewpoint of phytoplankton regulation, P fertilization should be considered as a cautious operation for water protection and reasonable fish enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association of 24 h urinary Na and potassium excretion with the risk of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been studied in China. The aim of the present study was to examine this association by analysing the data from 1906 study participants living in north China. To this end, 24 h urine samples were collected. Of the 1906 participants, 471 (24·7 %) had the MetS. The mean urinary Na and K excretion was 228·7 and 40·8 mmol/d, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, the odds of the MetS significantly increased across the increasing tertiles of urinary Na excretion (1·00, 1·40 and 1·54, respectively). For the components of the MetS, the odds of central obesity, elevated blood pressure and elevated TAG, but not the odds of low HDL-cholesterol and elevated fasting glucose, significantly increased with the successive tertiles of urinary Na excretion. Furthermore, for every 100 mmol/d increase in urinary Na excretion, the odds of the MetS, central obesity, elevated blood pressure and elevated TAG was significantly increased by 29, 63, 22 and 21 %, respectively. However, urinary K excretion was not significantly associated with the risk of the MetS. These findings suggest that high Na intake might be an important risk factor for the MetS in Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Referring to Salamon's classification of the relationship between governments and nongovernmental organizations, this paper divides government performance evaluation into five modes including hierarchy evaluation, participation evaluation, cooperation evaluation, independence evaluation and governance evaluation. Then it selects 24 typical practice cases of China's local governments and analyzes them in such dimensions as administrative level, performance evaluation cycle, duration, organizational setup, evaluator, assessment method and result application. By studying the five modes in the practice cases, it is intended to explore the current status and problems of China's local governments' performance evaluation on the whole. Finally, this paper attempts to predict the development tendency of these modes in China and provides some suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of selected yeast strains ( Pichia fermentans, Issatchenkia orientalis, Yarrowia lipolytica) on Camembert-type cheeses has been investigated by monitoring their microbial and compositional changes. During the ripening period from day 1 to day 15, the yeast strains grew exponentially and then slowed to a moderate growth rate. Our results indicated that the selected strains did not significantly affect the general characteristics of cheese but rather the content and ratio of individual free amino acids ( P < 0.05). In the cheese with added I. orientalis, a greater amount of small peptides and a higher concentration of non-protein nitrogen and NH were found. Meanwhile, the presence of adjunct yeasts did not enhance the lipolysis activity in cheese. A principal component analysis of 30 free fatty acids and volatile compounds differentiated five cheeses out of eight according to the content of specific free fatty acids and volatile compounds. In terms of the ripening period, two groups of cheeses at 15 and 45 days were distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suboptimal health status (SHS) has become a new public health challenge in urban China. Despite indications that SHS may be associated with progression or development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, there are few reports on SHS investigations. To explore the relationship between SHS and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 4,881 workers employed in 21 companies in urban Beijing. Blood pressure, glucose, lipid levels (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol and triglycerides), cortisol, and body mass index were measured. SHS score was derived from data collection in the SHS questionnaire (SHSQ-25). Univariate analysis and linear two-level model were used to analyze the association of SHS with the cardiovascular risk factors. Serum cortisol level was much higher among the SHS high-score group than that among the low SHS score group (204.31 versus 161.33 ng/ml, P < 0.001). In a linear two-level model, we found correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol among men, and correlation between SHS and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol among women after controlling for age, education background, occupation, smoking, and physical activity. SHS is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. SHS should be recognized in the health care system, especially in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated reconstruction of the body plan, functional morphology and lifestyle of the arthropod Isoxys curvirostratus is proposed, based on new fossil specimens with preserved soft anatomy found in several localities of the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte. The animal was 2-4 cm long and mostly encased in a single carapace which is folded dorsally without an articulated hinge. The attachment of the body to the exoskeleton was probably cephalic and apparently lacked any well-developed adductor muscle system. Large stalked eyes with the eye sphere consisting of two layers (as corneal and rhabdomeric structures) protrude beyond the anterior margin of the carapace. This feature, together with a pair of frontal appendages with five podomeres that each bear a stout spiny outgrowth, suggests it was raptorial. The following 14 pairs of limbs are biramous and uniform in shape. The slim endopod is composed of more than 7 podomeres without terminal claw and the paddle shaped exopod is fringed with at least 17 imbricated gill lamellae along its posterior margin. The design of exopod in association with the inner vascular (respiratory) surface of the carapace indicates I. curvirostratus was an active swimmer. Morphological comparisons demonstrate that species of Isoxys were diverse in feeding habits and occupied a very broad morphospace, i.e., carapace bivalved or a single shield, the pre-oral limbs antenniform or modified into great appendages, the succeeding endopods slim or stout. This casts doubt on the current taxonomy that assigns all species to a single genus, and on any presumed lifestyle of Isoxys extrapolated to the generic level. Finally, since I. curvirostratus and I. acutangulus carry a pair of great appendages, Isoxys has recently been placed into the great appendage arthropods. Such placement might be inadequate because the homology of the great appendages can not be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – By the re-interpretation of the Book of Changes (I Ching), this article aims to build a framework for analyzing the structure and the evolvement of leadership. Design/methodology/approach – There are 64 hexagrams in Book of Changes. This article focuses the discussion on Qian hexagram, which is the first and the most important one in all the hexagrams. By using metaphysical concepts, this article builds a dynamic leadership system. This leadership system is composed of the four virtues of Qian (with the meaning of heaven, force), which are as follows: Yuan (creation and origination), Heng (cooperation and development), Li (achievement and sharing), and Zhen (firmness and perseverance). Based on this framework, by using the metaphor of dragon, this article develops an evolvement route of leadership according to the six situations set by the Qian hexagram, which are humble stage, emerging from hiding, trying your best, going up or down, reaching excellence, and starting to fall, and discusses the proper leadership in different situations. Findings – There are four elements or virtues in leadership. The importance of each virtue and the key points in each of them change as an organization or a venture evolves from one situation to another. Leaders should match their leadership with the specific situation they are in. Originality/value – According to the knowledge of the authors, this article is the first one in the world trying to set up a leadership system based on Book of Changes, especially Qian hexagram. The implications provided by this article would be very valuable for leaders to more successfully evaluate their situations and change their leaderships according the different challenges they may face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaves of Lycium barbarum are widely used as medicine vegetables and functional tea in China. The main flavonoids present in the leaves were separated and identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-(APCI) MS) and ultraviolet-visible spectra with shift additives. The predominant flavonoid was identified as rutin. Leaves are the rutin-rich parts (16.03–16.33 mg/g). In the wild and cultivated L. barbarum fruits, contents of rutin were determined very low (0.09–1.38 mg/g). The contents of total flavonoids (21.25 mg/g) of cultivated L. barbarum leaves were much higher than those in the wild L. barbarum leaves (17.86 mg/g), so cultivated barbarum leaves are a suitable source for medicine vegetables and functional tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]