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The Teacher Rotation Policy (TRP) is a recent teacher policy developed in the context of China. TRP seeks to close China's teacher quality disparities through rotating 'high-quality' urban schoolteachers to teach in hard-to-staff rural schools for a period of time. This qualitative case study examined how five policy actors carried out TRP in one rural county from 2012 to 2015. Guided by a sensemaking perspective, the study generated interview and observational data over three months of ethnographic fieldwork in 2016. The analysis of the data revealed high administrative expenses as well as unintended consequences of rotating teachers across schools. Three sensemaking strategies, namely using argumentation techniques, tailoring policy incentives, and leveraging cultural logics have emerged from the participants' efforts at enacting this policy. These research findings suggest implications for the efficacy and effects of teacher rotation for equalising teacher workforce in China and internationally.

Transnational teacher educators, who cross national, social, and cultural boundaries to prepare teachers, play a vital role in nurturing teachers' awareness and appreciation of learner diversity. However, transnational teacher educators tend to encounter tremendous challenges in developing their professional identities. To date, though many studies have investigated how teachers and teacher educators in general develop their professional identities, scant attention has been paid to that complex process of "transnational" teacher educators. To begin to close this research gap, this collaborative autoethnographic study examines how we develop our teacher educator identities through teaching a diversity course in the United States as transnational teacher educators from China and South Korea. The findings reveal that our transnational backgrounds (e.g., speaking English as a second language and holding particular cultural beliefs) initially challenged our identity development, but our continuous teaching and learning within a supportive institutional context turned the marginality of our transnational backgrounds into professional assets. The research findings can extend our understanding of teacher educators' identity development. The study also suggests practical implications for teacher education programs to create an inclusive and supportive professional community in which all teacher educators may grow.

The interactive effects of obesity and physical inactivity on lipid metabolism and prevalent dyslipidemia are scarcely reported in rural regions. 39029 subjects were obtained from the Henan Rural Cohort, and their metabolic equivalents (METs) of physical activity (PA) were computed. Independent associations of the obesity indices and PA with either lipid indices or prevalent dyslipidemia were analyzed by generalized linear models, and additive effects of obesity and PA on prevalent dyslipidemia were further quantified. Each obesity index was positively associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein or prevalent dyslipidemia but negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein, whereas the opposite association of PA with either each lipid index or prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Joint association of PA and each obesity index with each lipid index and prevalent dyslipidemia was observed. Furthermore, the association of each obesity index in association with each lipid index was attenuated by increased PA levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academically oriented teacher preparation, which prioritises subject matter knowledge for teaching, is still widely practised in Confucian societies. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this academic model on teaching practices in Confucian contexts. Drawing on interviews and classroom observations of six Chinese mathematics teachers, this study identifies the affordances and limitations of a typical academically oriented teacher preparation in today's China. Although this helped the sampled teachers establish their initial self-efficacy for teaching it limited the teachers' awareness of and their capacity for engaging "all" students to learn. The paper argues that academically oriented teacher preparation programmes in Confucian societies may need to reform their curricula so as to help their graduates advance both "excellence" and "equity" in education through their teaching.

Background: Risks of adverse ecological effects of copper (Cu) consider of water quality parameters were not fully understood in China. Here, a national-scale exposure of Cu in Chinese surface water was investigated, and the first report using multiple linear regression approach to predict and correct toxicity data based on water chemistries in China. Risk of Cu was overestimated without considering water quality parameters in the previous studies. Results: Under prevalent water quality conditions of hardness = 150.0 mg/L, pH = 7.8, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) = 3.0 mg/L, across China, the predicted no effect concentration for total, dissolved Cu was 9.71 μg/L. Based on results of the preliminary risk quotients method, 1.19% (a total of 43 in 3610 sites) were classified as "high risk", only one sixth of the percentage of sites with "high risk" than the proportion predicted when not considering water quality parameters, which was 7.51%. Similar results were obtained by application of both the margin of safety method (0.71% compared to 2.81%) and joint probability curve method (3.34% compared to 16.29%), both of which overestimated risks posed by Cu to aquatic organisms in China. Conclusion: After correcting for bioavailability based on water quality parameters, consider both concentrations and frequencies during ecological risk assessment, regions of China at greatest risk from adverse effects of Cu were the Hai River (Haihe), Huai Rivers (Huaihe) and Chao Lake. These findings provide a comprehensive method for a more accurate assessment of risks of adverse effects of Cu to aquatic life in surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the association of combined exposure to cooking fuel type and ambient ozone (O3) levels with hepatic fibrosis indices among rural adults. A total of 21,010 participants were derived from the Henan Rural Cohort. Information regarding cooking fuel type was collected through a questionnaire, and the concentration of ground-level O3 for each subject was obtained from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) dataset. A generalized linear model was used to examine the independent association of cooking fuel type or O3 exposure with hepatic fibrosis indices (FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT), and their possible interactions with advanced fibrosis were conducted. Compared to clean fuel users, solid fuel users had increased the risk of advanced fibrosis, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of its assessment by FIB-4 1.240 (1.151, 1.336), by APRI 1.298 (1.185, 1.422), and by AST/ALT 1.135 (1.049, 1.227), respectively. Compared to low O3 exposure, the adjusted ORs of advanced fibrosis assessed by FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT in women with high O3 exposure were correspondingly 1.219 (1.138, 1.305), 1.110 (1.017, 1.212), and 0.883 (0.822, 0.949). The adjusted ORs of advanced fibrosis assessed by FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT for solid fuel users with high O3 exposure relative to clean fuel users with low O3 exposure in women were 1.557 (1.381, 1.755), 1.427 (1.237, 1.644), and 0.979 (0.863, 1.108), respectively. Significant additive effect of O3 exposure and solid fuel use on FIB-4-defined advanced fibrosis was observed in women, which was quantified by RERI (0.265, 95%CI: 0.052, 0.477), AP (0.170 95%CI: 0.045, 0.295), and SI (1.906, 95%CI: 1.058, 3.432). Solid fuel users with high O3 exposure were significantly associated with elevated hepatic fibrosis indices among rural women, suggesting that poor air quality may induce hepatocellular injury, and women might be more vulnerable to air pollution. The findings indicate that using cleaner fuels in cooking is an effective measure to maintain sustainable development of the environment and gain beneficial effect on human health. Clinical trial registration: The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699). Date of registration: 06 July 2015. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing urbanization and rapid industrialization, more and more environmental problems have arisen. Phthalates (PAEs) are the foremost and most widespread plasticizers and are readily emitted from these manufactured products into the environment. PAEs act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and can have serious impacts on aquatic organisms as well as human health. In this study, the water quality criteria (WQC) of five PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) for freshwater aquatic organisms were developed using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and a toxicity percentage ranking (TPR) approach. The results showed that long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) of PAEs using the SSD method could be 13.7, 11.1, 2.8, 7.8, and 0.53 μg/L, respectively. Criteria continuous concentrations (CCC) of PAEs were derived using the TPR method and determined to be 28.4, 13.1, 1.3, 2.5, and 1.6 μg/L, respectively. The five PAEs are commonly measured in China surface waters at concentrations between ng/L and μg/L. DBP, DEHP, and di-n-octyl phthalate (D n OP) were the most frequently detected PAEs, with occurrence rates ranging from 67% to 100%. The ecological risk assessment results of PAEs showed a decreasing order of risk at the national level, DEHP, DBP, DMP, DEP, D n OP. The results of this study will be of great benefit to China and other countries in revising water quality standards for the conservation of aquatic species. • The LWQC of DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, DEHP with SSD are 13.7, 11.1, 2.8, 7.8, 0.53 μg/L. • The PAEs are measured in China surface waters at concentration between ng/L and μg/L. • The ERA of PAEs with the order of in Chinese water are DEHP > DBP > DMP > DEP > D n OP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, more studies have suggested that the age at menarche (AAM) has continued to decline. However, the AAM for women in resource-constrained areas is not clear. Moreover, the association between the Chinese famine and AAM is still unclear in rural regions. The study aimed to investigate the secular trends of AAM for women born between 1935 and 2000 and to further explore the effect of famine on AAM in rural China. The study included 23,444 women participants from the baseline study of the Henan Rural Cohort study. Changing AAM over time was analysed using linear regressions. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to analyse the association between famine exposure and AAM subgroups. The age-standardised mean AAM was 14.74 years. The average AAM declined from 16.98 years for those born in 1935 to 13.87 years for those born in 2000, a decline of 0.077 years per 1 year and 0.729 years per decade. Compared to the reference group, women exposed to famine during foetal, early childhood, middle childhood, and late childhood were 1.376 (95% CI = 1.071–1.769), 1.848 (95% CI = 1.512–2.259), 2.084 (95% CI = 1.725–2.518), and 2.146 (95% CI = 1.788–2.576) times more likely to be ≥18 years AAM than women unexposed to famine, respectively. AAM showed a decreasing trend in rural China. Furthermore, both foetal and childhood famine exposure, especially in late childhood, were positively associated with increased AAM compared to unexposed famine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A significant shift in meal pattern with frequent eating out was closely associated with multiple chronic outcomes, but with limited evidence on hyperuricemia. We aimed to explore the associations between eating out and serum uric acid (SUA) as well as hyperuricemia. Methods: A total of 29,597 participants were recruited from the Henan Rural Cohort Study. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to collect dietary data, including the frequency of eating out. Linear regression models were used to examine the association of eating-out frequency with SUA and BMI. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline were performed to assess the association and dose–response relationship between eating-out frequency and hyperuricemia. The mediation effect of BMI between eating out and the risk of hyperuricemia was evaluated. Results: Eating out was significantly associated with higher SUA levels in the total population and males (P < 0.001). Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) of hyperuricemia were 1.26 (1.09, 1.46) for the total population and 1.18 (1.00, 1.40) for males (≥ 7 times/week vs 0 time/week). A non-linear positive dose–response relationship between eating-out frequency and hyperuricemia was observed. Furthermore, BMI played a partial mediating role in the relationship between eating out frequency and hyperuricemia, which explained 30.7% in the total population and 44.8% in males. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that eating out was associated with increased SUA levels and elevated hyperuricemia risk in rural China, especially in males. Moreover, the relationship was partly mediated by BMI. Clinical trials: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699 (2015-07-06). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to investigate the independent and combined effects of progesterone and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 DNA methylation on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among men and postmenopausal women in rural China. Methods: A case–control study with 914 participants (329 T2DM, 585 controls) was conducted. Serum progesterone was detected with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. DNA methylation of SOCS3 was determined by MethylTarget™. Linear regression was applied to evaluate the associations of progesterone and SOCS3 methylation with marks of glucose metabolism. Logistic regression was employed to investigate the independent and combined effects of progesterone and SOCS3 methylation with T2DM in men and postmenopausal women. Results: After multiple adjustment, progesterone was positively associated with T2DM in both men (odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 2.77 (1.79, 4.29)) and postmenopausal women (OR (95% CI): 1.85 (1.26, 2.72)). Methylation level of Chr17:76,356,190 or Chr17:76,356,199 (SOCS3) was negatively associated with T2DM in both men (OR (95% CI): 0.58 (0.39, 0.86) or 0.27 (0.14, 0.51)) and postmenopausal women (OR (95% CI): 0.43 (0.29, 0.65) or 0.53 (0.28, 0.99)). Subjects with high progesterone and low Chr17:76,356,190 or Chr17:76,356,199 methylation were more susceptible to have a higher prevalence of T2DM (men: OR (95% CI): 5.20 (2.49, 10.85) or 5.62 (2.74, 11.54); postmenopausal women: OR (95% CI): 3.66 (1.85, 7.26) or 3.27 (1.66, 6.45)). Conclusions: The independent and combined effects of progesterone and SOCS3 methylation on T2DM were found among men and postmenopausal women, suggesting that ensuring low levels of progesterone and high methylation of SOCS3 could reduce the prevalence of T2DM. Trial registration The Chinese Clinical Trial registration: The Henan Rural Cohort Study, ChiCTR-OOC-15006699. Registered 06 July 2015, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previous reports about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) concentrated on general patients rather than patients in rural areas with poor infrastructure and limited resources. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the HRQoL of diabetics in the countryside and explore its influencing factors. Methods A total of 23 053 participants aged from 18 to 79 years were drawn from the Henan Rural Cohort Study for this cross-sectional study. The HRQoL of participants were assessed by utility index and VAS-score of European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Binary logistic regression, generalized linear and tobit regression models were used to estimate the potential influencing factors on HRQoL. Results This study (23 053 participants) included 2231 T2DM patients with a crude prevalence of 9.68%. The utility index and VAS-score in health group were 0.96 ± 0.10 and 78.85 ± 14.53, while in T2DM group were 0.93 ± 0.15 and 74.09 ± 16.09, respectively. In total, most diabetics reported problem about pain/discomfort dimension. Being old, poverty, low physical activity, and with comorbidities was negatively related to HRQoL of diabetics, while high educational level was positively related to HRQoL. Conclusion HRQoL of rural T2DM patients depended on several sociodemographic factors. More attention should be paid to diabetics with poor socioeconomic status in rural areas. Clinical trial registration The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Register (Registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699) http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder most commonly caused by variants in ERCC2.Case Presentation: Here, we describe the first Chinese patient with a novel variant in ERCC2. A male infant, who was born to a healthy non-consanguineous couple, exhibited brittle hair, hair loss ichthyosis, eczema, retinal pigmentation and hypospadias. He carried a novel heterozygous ERCC2 variant. The maternal variant (c.2191-18_2213del) is a previous described genomic deletion that affects the splicing of intron 22. The paternal variant (c.1666-1G > A), that occurs in the splice site of intron 17 and likely alters ERCC2 gene function through aberrant splicing, has not been reported previously.Conclusions: Our case reported a novel pathogenic variant in ERCC2, which expanded the known genetic variants associated with TTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies investigated the associations between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity among Chinese preschool children. Thus, the study aims to explore dietary patterns and their associations with overweight/obesity among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing.Methods: With a stratified proportionate cluster sampling, the study included 3373 pairs of preschool children and their guardians. Children's weight and height were measured by school nurses, and their food and beverage consumption frequencies were reported by guardians via a food frequency questionnaire. Children's age, gender, physical activity time, and sedentary time, as well as their parents' highest level of educational attainment, occupation, weight, and height were also collected. Dietary patterns were identified through exploratory factor analysis. Among these identified dietary patterns, the one with the largest factor score was defined as the predominant dietary pattern for each child. The associations between predominant dietary patterns and overweight/obesity were tested by two-level random-intercept logistic models with cluster-robust standard errors.Results: Four dietary patterns, i.e., a "Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and snack" pattern, a "Chinese traditional" pattern, a "Health conscious" pattern, and a "Snack" pattern, were identified. Among the children, 21.02% (95% CI: 19.68 to 22.43%) were predominated by the "SSB and snack" pattern, 27.78% (95% CI: 26.29 to 29.32%) by the "Chinese traditional" pattern, 24.90% (95% CI: 23.47 to 26.39%) by the "Health conscious" pattern, and 26.30% (95% CI: 24.84 to 27.81%) by the "Snack" pattern. After controlling for potential confounders, the "SSB and snack" pattern characterized by fresh fruit/vegetable juice, flavored milk drinks, carbonated drinks, flavored fruit/vegetable drinks, tea drinks, plant-protein drinks, puffed foods, fried foods, and Western fast foods was associated with a higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR: 1.61, 95% CI:1.09 to 2.38), compared with the "Chinese traditional" pattern.Conclusions: The preference for dietary patterns with high energy density but low nutritional value was prevalent among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. Comprehensive measures to simultaneously reduce consumption of SSBs and unhealthy snacks among preschool children should be taken urgently to address the childhood obesity problem in China, particularly in metropolises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human migration facilitate the spread of tuberculosis (TB). Migrants face an increased risk of TB infection. In this study, we aim to explore the spatial inequity of sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB (SS + PTB) in China; and the spatial heterogeneity between SS + PTB and internal migration. Methods: Notified SS + PTB cases in 31 provinces in mainland China were obtained from the national web-based PTB surveillance system database. Internal migrant data were extracted from the report on China's migrant population development. Spatial autocorrelations were explored using the global Moran's statistic and local indicators of spatial association. The spatial variation in temporal trends was performed using Kulldorff's scan statistic. Fixed effect and spatial autoregressive models were used to explore the spatial inequity between SS + PTB and internal migration. Results: A total of 2 380 233 SS + PTB cases were reported in China between 2011 and 2017, of which, 1 716 382 (72.11%) were male and 663 851 (27.89%) were female. Over 70% of internal migrants were from rural households and had lower income and less education. The spatial variation in temporal trend results showed that there was an 9.9% average annual decrease in the notification rate of SS + PTB from 2011 to 2017; and spatial clustering of SS + PTB cases was mainly located in western and southern China. The spatial autocorrelation results revealed spatial clustering of internal migration each year (2011–2017), and the clusters were stable within most provinces. Internal emigration, urban-to-rural migration and GDP per capita were significantly associated with SS + PTB, further, internal emigration could explain more variation in SS + PTB in the eastern region in mainland. However, internal immigration and rural-to-urban migration were not significantly associated with SS + PTB across China. Conclusions: Our study found the spatial inequity between SS + PTB and internal migration. Internal emigration, urban-to-rural migration and GDP per capita were statistically associated with SS + PTB; the negative association was identified between internal emigration, urban-to-rural migration and SS + PTB. Further, we found those migrants with lower income and less education, and most of them were from rural households. These findings can help stakeholders to implement effective PTB control strategies for areas at high risk of PTB and those with high rates of internal migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of multidisciplinary field and laboratory projects focused on paleoanthropological sites from different areas of Asia are resulting in the discovery of many important findings. One such key area is southern China, particularly in the karst limestone caves of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as a number of important hominin fossils have been discovered in recent years. In order to more intensively investigate the vast karst deposits of southern Guangxi, beginning in 2016 we initiated a systematic survey and excavation research program in Chongzuo City, southwest Guangxi. To date, this new field research initiative resulted in the discovery of eight new vertebrate fossil localities. One of these sites is the Yanlidong ("YLD") cave, which in addition to yielding a rich collection of vertebrate fossils, also included the discovery of three hominin fossil teeth. Based on morphological and metric comparisons, we tentatively assigned these three teeth to modern Homo sapiens. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fossiliferous sediment indicate that age of these human teeth can be constrained between 30 and 65 ka. The implications of this new evidence from YLD and other nearby caves for the origin of modern humans in eastern Asia debate are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most pronounced climatic episodes during the Holocene, the impact of the 8.2 ka BP cooling event was felt throughout the Northern Hemisphere. However, human behavioral responses to this climatic episode has only recently begun to be documented in different areas of the world. Southern China is one region where these human behavioral responses have yet to be clearly identified. Here, we present a recent discovery of stone artifacts from the Zhongshandong (ZSD) Cave Site, which is located in Bubing Basin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. The cultural deposits within ZSD have been tentatively dated to the 8.2 ka BP cooling event. The ZSD Cave is a narrow, low ceiling cave about 60 m in length. Sixty-one stone artifacts were surface collected in the extremely dark terminal chamber in the back of the cave. One stone artifact was found in situ in the same area of the cave. The overlying stalagmite was U-series dated to 8130 ± 430 years BP and charcoal found below the artifact was AMS dated to 8242 ± 54 years BP. The stone artifact assemblage is comprised of cores, flakes, choppers, and scrapers produced on locally available river cobbles, an artifact collection normally assigned to the eastern Asian Early Paleolithic. Charcoal fragments are abundant in the cultural layer, implying that fire was possibly used for lighting and/or warmth. Interestingly, given the dimensions of the inner chamber and the fact that the cultural deposits sit about 60 m inside the cave, this would not be considered a typical area that would be suitable for long term human occupation. Although other possibilities may exist, one possible explanation may be that, due to the cold winter and/or harsh environment during the 8.2 ka BP climatic event, these hunter-gatherers were forced deeper inside the cave to set up their temporary campsite. This is a hypothesis that needs further testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China, Quaternary mammalian assemblages, commonly known as " Stegodon - Ailuropoda fauna", are well documented in the central and southwest parts of the region. Unfortunately, our knowledge of Quaternary biogeographic variation in other areas of Guangxi is poor due to limited systematic investigations. Here, we report the faunal remains from the newly discovered Diaozhongyan ("DZY") cave site in northeast Guangxi. Our initial excavation in autumn 2016 resulted in the removal of 10 square meters of sediment and the discovery of 304 pieces of large mammal teeth. Biostratigraphic correlations indicate a late Middle Pleistocene age and in situ fossil teeth and calcites were Uranium-series dated to ~210 ka. The DZY faunal assemblage consists of many typical components of the traditional " Ailuropoda - Stegodon " fauna representative of southern China. Interestingly, giant pandas, identified as Ailuropoda melanoleuca baconi , are one of the dominant components of the DZY fauna (15% of the entire assemblage). However, giant pandas rarely dominate Quaternary faunal assemblages in southern China. In addition, fossil orangutan (Pongo weidenreichi), one of the most common species in central and south Guangxi during the Middle Pleistocene, is absent in DZY in northeast Guangxi. Further, fossil orangutans have not been reported from other sites in Hunan or Hubei province. We hypothesize that the Nanling Mountains served as a geographic barrier for this species. Fossil orangutans are present southwest of this biogeographic line, but are absent northeast of the line. This biogeographic boundary needs to be further evaluated with additional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental context: Photodegradation, a natural process for removing pesticides from water, is particularly important in rice fields with their large surface area and sunlight exposure. By studying two commonly used pesticides, we show that the properties of rice field water, such as dissolved organic matter, facilitate indirect photolytic processes while reducing direct photolysis. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. Rice paddy fields (RFs) make ecologically important contributions to agricultural wetland ecosystems in south China. In recent years, the elevated use of pesticides has resulted in concerns over the water quality in RFs and their downstream aquatic environment. Photodegradation is important for the natural elimination of nonpoint source agricultural contaminants, and RF water provides an ideal environment for the photochemical removal of pesticides, owing to its large surface area and photic conditions. Therefore, in this study, the physical and photochemical properties of water collected from the irrigation area were investigated, along with the direct and indirect photodegradation of two commonly used pesticides in RFs, tricyclazole (TC) and pymetrozine (PYM). Results indicated that allochthonous-like dissolved organic matter (DOM) was abundant in the irrigation water, possibly originating from the decomposition of rice straw. Moreover, the light screen effect and the formation rate of singlet oxygen (1O2) and the triplet excited state of DOM (3DOM*) were generally increased in RF water, while the formation of HO• was marginally reduced. Evapoconcentration and photobleaching processes were found to correlate with crop leaf coverage and had a significant impact on the levels and compositions of water constituents. Finally, the photodegradation kinetics of TC and PYM further confirmed that RF water would facilitate indirect photolysis and reduce the direct photolysis of pesticides. Environmental context. Photodegradation, a natural process for removing pesticides from water, is particularly important in rice fields with their large surface area and sunlight exposure. By studying two commonly used pesticides, we show that the properties of rice field water, such as dissolved organic matter, facilitate indirect photolytic processes while reducing direct photolysis. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serious ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the key risk factors for lung cancer. However, existing studies on the health effects of PM2.5 in China were less considered the regional transport of PM2.5 concentration. In this study, we aim to explore the association between lung cancer and PM2.5 and then forecast the PM2.5-induced lung cancer morbidity and mortality in China. Ridge regression (RR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), model tree-based (MT) regression, regression tree (RT) approach, and the combined forecasting model (CFM) were alternative forecasting models. The result of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that both local and regional scale PM2.5 concentration had a significant association with lung cancer mortality and morbidity and compared with the local lag and regional lag exposure to ambient PM2.5; the regional lag effect (0.172~0.235 for mortality; 0.146~0.249 for morbidity) was not stronger than the local lag PM2.5 exposure (0.249~0.294 for mortality; 0.215~0.301 for morbidity). The overall forecasting lung cancer morbidity and mortality were 47.63, 47.86, 39.38, and 39.76 per 100,000 population. The spatial distributions of lung cancer morbidity and mortality share a similar spatial pattern in 2015 and 2016, with high lung cancer morbidity and mortality areas mainly located in the central to east coast areas in China. The stakeholders would like to implement a cross-regional PM2.5 control strategy for the areas characterized as a high risk of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality criteria are the scientific basis for formulating water quality standards and environmental management practices. Due to the development of urbanization and industrialization, the problem of heavy metal pollution has become a serious environmental problem. Heavy metals not only have major impacts on aquatic organisms, but also seriously threaten human health. However, the current environmental criteria refer to the maximum value limitations of environmental factors in environmental media where harmful or detrimental effects are not produced on specific protected objects. This study reviewed the sources, hazard levels, toxic effect mechanisms, and the current research status of China's water quality criteria for heavy metal pollutants. In addition, the focus and direction of future research on the toxic effects of heavy metal on aquatic organisms and the necessary criteria changes were discussed. The present study would provide an important theoretical basis for the future research of water quality criteria and risk assessment of heavy metal pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internal migration places individuals at high risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB). However, there is a scarcity of national-level spatial analyses regarding the association between TB and internal migration in China. In our research, we aimed to explore the spatial variation in cases of sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB (SS + PTB) in China; and the associations between SS + PTB, internal migration, socioeconomic factors, and demographic factors in the country between 2005 and 2015. Methods: Reported cases of SS + PTB were obtained from the national PTB surveillance system database; cases were obtained at the provincial level. Internal migration data were extracted from the national population sampling survey and the census. Spatial autocorrelations were explored using the global Moran's statistic and local indicators of spatial association. The spatial temporal analysis was performed using Kulldorff's scan statistic. Fixed effects regression was used to explore the association between SS + PTB and internal migration. Results: A total of 4 708 563 SS + PTB cases were reported in China between 2005 and 2015, of which 3 376 011 (71.7%) were male and 1 332 552 (28.3%) were female. There was a trend towards decreasing rates of SS + PTB notifications between 2005 and 2015. The result of global spatial autocorrelation indicated that there were significant spatial correlations between SS + PTB rate and internal migration each year (2005–2015). Spatial clustering of SS + PTB cases was mainly located in central and southern China and overlapped with the clusters of emigration. The proportions of emigrants and immigrants were significantly associated with SS + PTB. Per capita GDP and education level were negatively associated with SS + PTB. The internal migration flow maps indicated that migrants preferred neighboring provinces, with most migrating for work or business. Conclusions: This study found a significant spatial autocorrelation between SS + PTB and internal migration. Both emigration and immigration were statistically associated with SS + PTB, and the association with emigration was stronger than that for immigration. Further, we found that SS + PTB clusters overlapped with emigration clusters, and the internal migration flow maps suggested that migrants from SS + PTB clusters may influence the TB epidemic characteristics of neighboring provinces. These findings can help stakeholders to implement effective PTB control strategies for areas at high risk of PTB and those with high rates of internal migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium (V) is a toxic metal, which dominantly exists as V5+ in an aquatic environment. Rice straw, which is an abundant agricultural by-product throughout China was used to treat V5+ containing wastewater as an adsorbent after phosphoric acid treatment. The effects of initial V5+ concentration, solution temperature, pH and reaction time on V removal by phosphoric acid modified rice straw (AcM) were systematically assessed. A pH range of 2.0–3.0 was favorable for V removal and the adsorption capacity of V by AcM increased with elevated solution temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity for water containing 500 mg V5+ L−1 was 24.70 mg V g−1 dry matter under the optimum operation (3.33 g L−1 AcM, pH = 2.0, 50 °C, and 200 rpm for 4 h). Adsorption experiment data fitted well to pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models. In the presence of coexisting ions, Na+, Cu2+, NO3− and Cl− had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on V removal. These results indicated that AcM derived from agricultural waste was effective to remove V5+ from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main objectives of the present study were to detect the antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from different hosts and to investigate the possibility of K. pneumoniae transmission between animals and humans. Materials and methods: A total of 189 nonduplicate K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from hospitals and four species of animals in Henan Province, China. The disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and resistance and virulence genes were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The molecular types were identified through multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the hypermucoviscous (HMV) phenotype was identified using the "string-forming test". Pearson's parameters were used to determine the potential link among the molecular types and resistance and virulence genes of all K. pneumoniae strains. Results: The resistance rates of the 189 K. pneumoniae isolates against 15 antibiotics ranged from 11.6% to 77.8%. The highest multidrug resistance rate was detected in the pig strains (93.6%), followed by the human strains (90.4%), chicken strains (88.9%), cow strains (52.0%) and sheep strains (50.0%). Forty-eight (25.4%) K. pneumoniae strains presented the HMV phenotype. entB, fimH-1 and mrkD were the most prevalent of the detected virulence genes, and magA and rmpA were the least prevalent genes in all the isolates. The MLST analysis revealed 24 unique sequence types (STs) among from the 189 isolates. ST11, ST235 and ST258 were common STs among the five isolates of host origin. ST258 exhibited significantly positive correlations with blaNDM, magA and the HMV phenotype and a negative correlation with qnrB. Conclusion: K. pneumoniae strains from different hosts, including humans and animals, have common molecular types and similar phenotypes, and these strains can potentially be transmitted between humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiepileptic drugs frequently cause cutaneous adverse reactions (cADRs). Numerous studies have reported associations between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and cADRs caused by single antiepileptic drug in Southern Han Chinese people. However, the relationship between the HLA allele and cADRs sequentially induced by two or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs-induced cross-reactivity) is unclear. To explore the associations between HLA alleles and AEDs-induced cross-reactivity, we prospectively recruited patients with AEDs-induced cross-reactivity from 2009 to 2017 and performed high-resolution genotyping to detect the HLA-A, B, C, and DRB1 alleles in patients for comparison with normal controls. To verify the important genotype, we compared its presence in patients with cross-reactivity to enlarged normal controls, and its presence in patients with carbamazepine (CBZ)-induced maculopapular exanthema (MPE) to CBZ-tolerant controls. Further, the important allele was replicated by meta-analysis. Twenty-three patients with AED-induced cross-reactivity and 500 healthy individuals were enrolled from Southern China. All patients had a mild rash without mucosal or systemic involvement. The HLA-B*13:01 allele was present in 34.78% (8/23) of patients, 14.60% (73/500) of healthy individuals, and 14.5% (763/5,270) healthy individuals, revealing a significant association (8/23 vs. 73/500; P = 0.02; OR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.28–7.62; 8/23 vs. 763/5,270; P = 0.014; OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.33–7.46). HLA-B*13:01 was presented numerically higher in CBZ-induced MPE than that in CBZ-tolerant individuals without statistical significance (33/145, 22.76%, vs. 28/179, 15.64%; P = 0.103). Meta-analysis revealed an association between HLA-B*13:01 and cADRs induced by single AEDs or/and non-AEDs in Chinese and Thai populations (P = 0.000). This study suggests that HLA-B*13:01 is potentially associated with AED-cADRs in general, possibly with stronger effect in cross-reactivity. Screening for HLA-B*13:01 prior to starting AEDs therapy may help to avoid cADRs. However, this association requires further analysis in a multi-center study with a larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To develop and validate a refined traumatic brain injury (TBI) classification system to supplement the existing systems which have limited accuracy for predicting long-term consciousness recovery. Methods: The refined classification system was developed using medical records of 527 patients according to clinical presentations within 12-24 hrs after injury. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify protective and risk factors for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 12-month follow-up. The TBI severity was moved to a less or more severe level when more than half of the protective or risk factors were present. The capability and reliability of each system for predicting 12 month GCS and GOS scores, and mortality were assessed using ROC curve analysis and Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient. Results: One protective factor and four risk factors were identified for predicting long-term outcomes. The refined system had higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting 12-month GCS and GOS scores, and mortality than the other two systems. The refined system had lower reliability than the GCS system and higher reliability than the Chinese system. Conclusions: The refined system incorporates the advantages of both GCS and Chinese systems and provides a better prediction of long-term consciousness outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential greenspace has great intracity variations. Its driving factors have been widely investigated in Western countries (e.g., in Europe and North America), where residential areas are mostly privately owned, but few studies have examined the determinants of residential greenspace in China, where land is owned by the government. Taking the subtropical city of Changsha, China, as an example, this study mapped the percent green cover (PGC) in residential quarters with a fine-resolution satellite image. We also investigated its driving factors measured from multisource geospatial data. The results show that (1) the PGC in the residential quarters showed great spatial variation, with an average of 36.6% (0–85.7%) and a standard deviation of 18.3%. (2) Urban form, biophysical context, and socioeconomic factors together explained 49.18% of the variation in the PGC, and they independently explained 22.87%, 11.17%, and 2.31% of the variation, respectively. (3) Residential quarter size, PGC in the surrounding buffer zone, residential quarter age, housing value, and population density significantly and positively impact the PGC, while percent building cover, floor area ratio, and distance to city center had significant negative impacts. The strongest positive and negative impacts came from PGC in the surrounding buffer zone and percent building cover, respectively. Socioeconomic factors, the dominant driving factors in Western countries, show little impact on residential PGC. These findings expand our understanding of the intracity variation in greenspace coverage and the driving factors, which sheds light on the effective planning and management of urban greenspaces in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated that some single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs are related to the risk of ischemic stroke (IS), but the conclusions are still controversial and inconclusive. We performed this meta-analysis to further assess the association between miR-146a C>G (rs2910164), miR-149 T>C (rs2292832), miR-196a2 T>C (rs11614913), miR-499 A>G (rs3746444) and risk of IS in Chinese individuals. Methods: Relevant studies were identified in the databases of PubMed, Embase. The strength of correlation between microRNAs polymorphisms and IS risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) under five genetic models. Results: 5 studies, containing 2,632 cases and 3,191 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The overall results of meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant association between miR-146a C>G (rs2910164), miR-149 T>C (rs2292832), miR-196a2 T>C (rs11614913), and the IS risk in the overall analyses. MiR-499 A>G (rs3746444) was associated with an increased IS risk under allele model (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02-1.66), heterozygous model (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01-1.79) and dominant model (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02-1.80) in Chinese. The sensitivity analysis results of these four polymorphisms were similar to the overall results. Conclusion: MiR-499 A>G (rs3746444) G allele and AG, AG + AA genotype might be risk factors of IS in Chinese. No significant association was observed between miR-146a C>G (rs2910164), miR-149 T>C (rs2292832), miR-196a2 T>C (rs11614913), and IS risk. The associations may be different due to geographical factors of China. More explorations in more diverse geographically regions with large sample size are expected to further verify the findings in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academically oriented teacher preparation, which prioritises subject matter knowledge for teaching, is still widely practised in Confucian societies. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this academic model on teaching practices in Confucian contexts. Drawing on interviews and classroom observations of six Chinese mathematics teachers, this study identifies the affordances and limitations of a typical academically oriented teacher preparation in today’s China. Although this helped the sampled teachers establish their initial self-efficacy for teaching it limited the teachers’ awareness of and their capacity for engagingallstudents to learn. The paper argues that academically oriented teacher preparation programmes in Confucian societies may need to reform their curricula so as to help their graduates advance bothexcellenceandequityin education through their teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Asia and China made disproportionate contributions to the slowdown of global trade growth in 2015. China's import growth slowed starkly, driven by both external and domestic factors, including a rebalancing of demand. Econometric results point to weak investment and rebalancing as the main causes of the import slowdown. Spillover effects from China's rebalancing are estimated for some 60 countries using value-added trade data, and are found to be more negative on Asia and commodity exporters than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free Teacher Education (FTE) is a Chinese case of equality-oriented teacher policies which aim to equalize teacher quality for high-need contexts. Recent studies consistently find that FTE’s goal is failing. The present study is aimed to understand this emerging “failure” from a job search perspective. Drawing on interview data with fourteen teachers, we find that teacher’s preferences, policy interventions and contextual factors jointly shaped the teachers’ decision making on whether, where, and which school to teach. This study concludes that equality-oriented teacher policies are more likely to succeed if they offer generous benefits to participating teachers, tightly tie teachers’ obligation to working in high-need schools, and provide necessary administrative arrangements so as to secure faithful implementation on the ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xiaojin Pills (XJPs), which has the function of dissipating knots and dispersing swelling, removing blood stasis, and relieving pain, is a classic prescription for the treatment of mammary glands hyperplasia. It is also the first choice of Chinese patent medicine for the clinical treatment of mammary glands hyperplasia in contemporary traditional Chinese medicine clinics. Previous studies have shown that the efficacy of XJPs "taken orally after soaked with Chinese Baijiu" in tradition was significantly better than that of taking it orally with water in modern in terms of activating the blood, anti-inflammation, analgesia, anti-mammary gland hyperplasia, anti-breast cancer and its metastasis in vitro and in vivo , especially under low-dose conditions. However, the material basis for the difference in efficacy between XJP&B and XJP&W is still unclear. To analyze the material basis of the significant difference in efficacy between XJP&B and XJP&W from the perspective of serum pharmacochemistry and pharmacokinetics, and clarified the scientific connotation of XJPs "taken orally after soaked with Chinese Baijiu". Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry combined with a multivariate statistical analysis method were used to screen the differential components in the Chinese Baijiu extract and the water extract of XJPs and the corresponding residues, so as to clarify the differential components between XJP&B and XJP&W in vitro. The migrating components in the blood after XJP&B and XJP&W were characterized by serum pharmacochemical methods, in order to clarify the differential components in rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the representative components absorbed into the blood were compared between XJP&B and XJP&W by the pharmacokinetics study method, in order to determine the dynamic changes of the representative components in rats. The identification results of different components in vitro showed that there were 34 and 12 different compounds between the Chinese Baijiu extract and water extract of XJPs, and the residues after Chinese Baijiu extraction and water extraction, respectively. The content of different components such as arachidonic acid, ursolic acid, 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, 2α-hydroxyursolic acid, and oleanolic acid was higher in the Chinese Baijiu extract, which was more than twice the content in the water extract. The results of the serum pharmacochemistry study indicated that 42 prototype components were identified in the serum of rats after XJP&B and XJP&W, including organic acids, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids. And XJP&B increased the absorption of the prototype components of organic acids in XJPs into the blood. The pharmacokinetic study results of representative components demonstrated that the mean plasma concentration-time profile and pharmacokinetic parameters of muscone, aconitine, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid were significantly different between XJP&B and XJP&W. Compared with XJP&W, the C max and AUC 0-t of muscone and aconitine in XJP&B were higher, and the T 1/2 and MRT 0-t of 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid in XJP&B were relatively longer. This research proved that "taking XJPs orally after being soaked with Chinese Baijiu" can increase the dissolution and absorption of active ingredients in XJPs, increase the plasma concentration and content of representative ingredients, and prolong its action time, thus enhancing the biological activity of XJPs in vitro and in vivo. To a certain extent, this study revealed the material basis of the significantly better efficacy of XJP&B than XJP&W and clarified the scientific connotation of XJPs "taken orally after soaked with Chinese Baijiu", which can provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of XJPs' clinical administration method. [Display omitted] • XJP&B can increase the dissolution of blood-activating and anti-tumor active ingredients of Xiaojin Pills. • XJP&B can increase the absorption of the active ingredient organic acids of Xiaojin Pills into the blood. • XJP&B can increase the blood concentration and content of muscone, aconitine, and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid in rats. • To some extent, this research revealed the material basis for the significantly better efficacy of XJP&B than that of XJP&W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the combined impact of diet and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Chinese schoolchildren. Methods A cross-sectional study among 615 children (354 boys and 261 girls) aged 9.6 ± 0.6 years was conducted in Wuhan, China, from May to June 2010. Body mass index, waist circumference, CRF, blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and pubertal status were assessed. MetS was defined by the criteria proposed by De Ferranti. Based on data from a food frequency questionnaire, a diet score was created for each food item and then summed. Gender-specific median values were set as the cut-off points for the classification of high and low CRF. Results The highest prevalence of MetS (15.7 %) was observed among participants in the low tertile of diet scores and having a low level of CRF. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the odds ratio for MetS was 0.30 (95 % confidence interval 0.09-1.00) among children in the medium tertile of diet scores with low CRF, 0.24 (0.07-0.89) among those in the high tertile of diet scores with low CRF, 0.07 (0.02-0.33) among those in the low tertile of diet scores with high CRF, and 0.08 (0.01-0.58) among those in the high tertile of diet scores with medium CRF compared with those in the low tertile of diet score with low CRF. Conclusions Findings of the present study suggest that diet and CRF are synergistically associated with the risk of MetS in Chinese schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abundant isolated specimens of microconchid tubes have been extracted from a microbialite deposit near the Permian- Triassic boundary ( PTB) in the Dajiang section, southern Guizhou Province, South China. They are assignable to Microconchus aff. utahensis, M. aff. aberrans and Helicoconchus aff. elongatus, all of which possess micro-lamellar tube walls. Quantitative analysis of bulk samples indicates that most microconchids occur in the upper part of the PTB microbialite deposit and show substrate selectivity for bioclastic grainstone-packstones. In contrast, very few microconchids were found in the rocks bearing well-developed microbialite structures. Both stratigraphical and substrate preferences indicate proliferation of microconchids coincided with an ebb of microbialite development. Microconchids therefore only proliferated in local niches in which microbial activities were not very active within the PTB microbialite ecosystem. The presence of abundant microconchids further strengthens the impression that PTB microbialite metazoans are much more diverse than previously thought. The end- Permian mass extinction is calibrated to the base of microbialite deposit in South China. Thus, abundant microbialite metazoans, such as ostracods, lingulid brachiopods, microgastropods and microconchids, together with the considerable, temporarily surviving faunas reported from non-microbialite PTB sections in South China, indicate that metazoans diversified immediately after the first episode of the end- Permian mass extinction, supporting the scenario that marine ecosystems underwent episodic collapses during the devastating biocrisis over the Permian- Triassic transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pongo fossils with precise absolute age brackets are rare, limiting our understanding of their taxonomy and spatiotemporal distribution in southern China during the Late Pleistocene. Twenty-four isolated teeth of fossil orangutans were recently discovered during excavations at Yicun Cave in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. Here, we dated the fossil-bearing layer using Uranium-series dating of the associated flowstone and soda straw stalactites. Our results date the Yicun orangutan fossils to between 66 ± 0.32 ka and 57 ± 0.26 ka; thus, these fossils currently represent the last appearance datum of Pongo in southern China. We further conducted a detailed morphological comparison of the Yicun fossil teeth with large samples of fossil (n = 2454) and extant (n = 441) orangutans from mainland and island Southeast Asia to determine their taxonomic position. Compared to other fossil and extant orangutan samples, the Yicun Pongo assemblage has larger teeth and displays greater variation in occlusal structure. Based on the high frequency of cingular remnants and light to moderate enamel wrinkling of the molars, we assigned the Yicun fossils to Pongo weidenreichi , a species that was widespread in southern China throughout the Pleistocene. Lastly, we used published stable carbon isotope data of Early to Late Pleistocene mammalian fossil teeth from mainland Southeast Asia to reconstruct changes in the paleoenvironment and to interpret dental size variation of Pongo assemblages in a broader temporal and environmental context. The carbon isotope data show that dental size reduction in Pongo is associated with environmental changes. These morphological changes in Pongo appear to coincide with the expansion of savannah biomes and the contraction of forest habitats from the Middle Pleistocene onward. The variation in dental size of forest-dwelling Pongo in mainland Southeast Asia may have resulted from habitat differentiation during the Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence and rapid deployment of PV (photovoltaic) façades, a comparison among see-through amorphous silicon (a-Si) PV glazings and traditional glazings under different architectural conditions could provide us a broader perspective for comprehending the energy performance and utilisation of see-through a-Si PV glazing in BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic) applications. In this paper, two see-through a-Si PV glazings of different transmittance are investigated and compared with three traditional glazings in terms of PV electricity generation and energy consumption during lighting, cooling, and heating in China. The impacts of the architectural conditions are considered in the study, particularly with respect to five factors: room depth, room height, room width, window height, and WWR (window-to-wall ratio). A calculation model for a see-through a-Si PV glazing is developed and validated with field experiments to perform simulations using Energy Plus. The results indicate that see-through a-Si PV glazings have great potential and exhibit better energy performance than single and double glazings, where cooling energy consumption is the dominant factor. The results also suggest that see-through a-Si PV glazings are more beneficial than traditional glazings when they are applied in shallow rooms with large windows or high ceilings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mohui fauna, associated with Gigantopithecus blacki , has been recovered from the Pleistocene karst cave deposit in Bubing Basin, Guangxi, South China. The large-mammalian assemblage derives from 28 species, 15 of which have no historic descendants. Occurrence of some ancient species implies that this fauna is early Early Pleistocene, such as Hystrix magna , Sinomastodon yangziensis , Stegodon huananensis , Ailuropoda microta , Pachycrocuta licenti , Tapirus sanyuanensis , Hespertherium sp., and Dorcabune liuchengense . Comparisons to already-dated early Pleistocene faunas in South China, combined with preliminary paleomagnetic, electron spin resonance (ESR) and U-series analysis of this cave, indicate mammalian fauna age around 1.7 Ma. Comparisons to five faunal assemblages in the same basin show species-level differences in Ailuropoda , Stegodon , Hystrix , Tapirus , and Sus , implying the large-mammal fauna has passed through a slow process of evolution during the Quaternary in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A potential design approach for semi-transparent PV façade in office buildings. [•] Calculation methods and models validated by field experiments in China. [•] Optimal PV cell coverage ratio maximises the benefit of semi-transparent PV. [•] Room depth and WWR are important for optimal PV cell coverage ratio outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated a strong association between carbamazepine-induced Stevens- Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis ( CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN) and HLA- B*1502 in Chinese, and HLA- A*3101 but not HLA-B*1502 in Caucasians and Japanese. Cases with CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN negative for HLA- B*1502 were reported recently in Southeast Asia. Negative correlations between CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN and B*0702 or B*4001 have also been reported, suggesting a possible protective role. Here, we genotyped HLA- B and HLA- A in 18 cases with CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN, in comparison with CBZ-tolerant and normal controls in Southern Han Chinese. A strong association between HLA-B*1502 and CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN was found, with 72.2% sensitivity and 87.1% specificity. However, we also found five patients with SJS (5/18, 27.78%) who were negative for HLA- B*1502. HLA- A*2402 was present in nine of 16 cases with SJS (56.25%, including three of five cases negative for HLA- B*1502), which was significantly more frequent than that of CBZ-tolerant controls or the general southern population. Only one case with SJS carried HLA- A*3101. No statistical difference in the mean age, sex ratio and CBZ usage was found between the CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN group and the CBZ-tolerant group. In search for possible protective genetic markers in HLA- B*1502-positive but CBZ-tolerant patients, we failed to find any significant factors in the HLA alleles observed. Given the association between HLA- B*1502 and CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN, genetic testing before initiating CBZ therapy is suggested in Han Chinese population. However, physicians should also be vigilant about SJS/ TEN in those negative for HLA- B*1502. Other factors for the development of CBZ-induced SJS/ TEN in HLA- B*1502-negative patients and protective factors in CBZ-tolerant patients should be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The end-Permian mass extinction resulted in the collapse of reef ecosystems and the subsequent formation of microbialites in shallow carbonate platforms in South China. Large quantities of pyrite framboids are preserved in the microbialites but absent in the underlying skeletal limestone, indicating an abrupt shift in water-column redox conditions in association with the shallow-marine faunal mass extinction. Detailed study of size distributions of 1374 pyrite framboids found in 9 horizons in Laolongdong section in Chongqing Municipality, South China, were performed to evaluate this shift in paleo-redox condition of the shallow-marine environment. Pyrite framboids in the microbialite average 8.41μm in size, comparable with those from modern sediments underlying dysoxic water columns. This infers that dysoxic waters in the latest Permian might have expanded to reach the shallow-marine environments in South China. Mean diameters of pyrite framboids from mudstones overlying the microbialite are 7.63μm–7.68μm, likely indicating continuing intensification of oxygen deficiency in the bottom waters. Microgastropods, ostracods and some foraminifers, which survived and flourished in the microbialite, almost disappeared during the mudstone deposition, possibly reflecting a consequence of oxygen depletion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To evaluate a four-hour life-skills-based HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum among 5th grade students in rural primary schools of Hainan province. Methods: The study included two stages. Stage one (September 2006-May 2007) was a pre-post-quasi experimental design; a total of 2 413 students aged 9 to 14 years from fifth grade classes of nine primary schools completed a baseline survey (1 720 students were in the intervention group, 693 in the control group), and over 98% of them took part in a short survey. The experimental curriculum was provided to the intervention group. At stage two (September 2008), a cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 6 923 students in 7th grade classes of eight middle schools in the same study sites. There were 1 437 students in the intervention group when the curriculum was conducted. Results: Students tended to score higher in areas of HIV/AIDS related knowledge and attitudes, if they were younger than average, lived in the county seat, had access to the internet, and their parents had completed higher levels of education. Path analysis showed that, after controlling for characteristics such as family and community factors, the total effects of curriculum on knowledge in the short-term model increased remarkably compared with the baseline, and maintained major contributions to knowledge in the mid-term model. The positive effect of knowledge on attitudes was significantly improved in the short-term model as well. Conclusion: A life-skills based curriculum can improve HIV/AIDS related knowledge and self-perceived level of life-skills among primary school students in rural areas in a short time, and these positive effects can still be observed at least 2 years post participation in the curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/purpose: Although evidence suggests that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may interrupt sleep, the effects of symptomatic and endoscopically diagnosed GERD remain elusive because the patient population is heterogeneous. Accordingly, we designed a cross-sectional study to assess their association.Methods: Consecutive participants in a routine health examination were enrolled. Definition and severity of erosive esophagitis were assessed using the Los Angeles classification system. Demographic data, reflux symptoms, sleep quality and duration, exercise amount, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits were recorded. Factors affecting sleep quality and sleep duration were revealed by a polytomous logistic regression analysis.Results: A total of 3663 participants were recruited. Subjects with reflux symptoms, female gender, higher body mass index, and regular use of hypnotics had poorer sleep quality. Exercise was associated with better sleep quality. Either symptomatically or endoscopically, GERD did not disturb sleep duration. Among the 3158 asymptomatic patients, those with erosive esophagitis were more likely to have poor sleep quality. The risk increased with the severity of erosive changes (p = 0.03).Conclusion: The present study highlights the adverse effect of gastroesophageal reflux on sleep, even in the absence of reflux symptoms. This finding has therapeutic implications in patients with silent erosive disease, and future trials are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cystophrentis, first described by occurs in South China, Tibet, Viet Nam and Armenia. Its geological age is Strunian (latest Fammenian). It form the basis for the order Mesocorallia YU¨, 1963, regarded as intermediate between the Rugosa and the Scleractinia based on the presence of metasepta between the counter septum and the counter-lateral septa. The genus Kailingophyllum YU and LIN, 1984 was described as being similar to Cystophrentis, but the apparent differences between these genera are no more than ontogenetic variations. Consequently, Kailingophyllum is regarded here as a synonym of Cystophrentis. Three species from six localities in South China and Tibet are described: Cystophrentis kolaohoensis YU¨, 1931; Cystophrentis simplex (YU and LIN in Yu, Lin and Fan, 1984) and Cystophrentis grandis KUANG in . Serial sections and external septal grooves of the corals studied show no insertion of metasepta between the counter septum and the counter-lateral septa in Cystophrentis. Thus there is no basis for the recognition of the order Mesocorallia YU¨, 1963.© 2003 E´ditions scientifiques et me´dicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To extend the range of materials that can be used to provide chronological constraint in archaeological and palaeontological settings, we explore the use of cave pearls that form in shallow pools. Here, we present U-series dating results of cave pearls found in cave sediments with mammal fossils collected from systematic excavations at the Diaozhongyan Cave ("DZY"), located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. Similar to soda straw stalactites, cave pearls can be transported after formation and subsequently incorporated into sediments. Thus, the U-series ages of the outermost layers of cave pearls are expected to be older than their host sediments and associated archaeological and paleontological materials. In conjunction with U-series dating of mammal teeth, which can provide a reliable minimum age, U-series ages of cave pearls can provide a maximum age limit of the deposits. Thus, dating of the mammal teeth and cave pearls from DZY reasonably constrains the first occurrence of the DZY Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna to a period between 205.6 ± 1.4 ka and 231.0 ± 12.8 ka. These age constraints agree well with previous estimates for the time range of the late Middle Pleistocene Ailuropoda - Stegodon fauna in southern China. We propose that greater attention should be paid to cave pearls, which are commonly found in cave deposits that were laid down at least in part due to fluvial activity, and can be used for U-series dating to better constrain the age of the associated cave deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We proposed a stripping method of antireflection coating based on ion beam etching. • This dry approach is greener than wet method for no waste water produced, like tritiated water. • Coating is etched 6 times faster than substrate, so ignorable modification of the optics. • This method is effective and does not degrade optics performance. • This method has been adopted to process the recycling optics of Chinese ICF facility. We proposed a new stripping method of sol-gel SiO 2 coating widely used in inertial confinement fusion facilities based on Ar ion beam etching, during which the coating is removed in the form of gaseous and solid particle. This dry approach is more environment-friendly than the conventional wet cleaning process for saving the trouble of treating tons of polluted water, especially highly toxic tritiated water. In the IBE process, porous coating is sputtered away at a constant etching rate just like other homogeneous materials. IBE parameters are systematically optimized to obtain a selective and gentle etching. The weakly bonded coating is etched 6 times faster than the fused silica substrate, which ensures the selective sputtering of coating over the underlying fine optics. Experiments on different off-line samples as well as the actual recycled optics from high power laser system show that this method is very effective. Moreover, this stripping process does not degrade the optic's performance. Surface shape and roughness barely change after stripping. The laser damage threshold increases slightly, probably due to the removal of re-deposition layer introduced during polishing process. This method has been successfully adopted to process the optics of ICF facility in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serious ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2·5) pollution issue in China has received great attention in the past 10 years and it is one of key risk factors for developing lung cancer. Studies have investigated the effect of PM 2·5 associated with regional transport and internal migration on lung cancer mortality and morbidity. However, evidence for a forecast of PM 2·5 -induced lung cancer across China is scarce. We aimed to predict the spatial distribution of lung cancer morbidity and mortality in China due to exposure to PM 2·5 concentration. For this modelling study, we used the lung cancer morbidity and mortality data (2006–14) from Chinese cancer registrations. The annual concentrations (1998–2016) of global surface PM 2·5 (0·01° by 0·01° spatial resolution) were also collected. A spatial autocorrelation method was used to investigate spatial clusters of lung cancer on a county-level in China. Ridge regression (RR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), model tree (MT), regression tree (RT), and the combined forecasting model (CFM) were alternative methods used to predict the lung cancer morbidity and mortality. A kriging interpolation method was used to obtain the spatial distribution of lung cancer mortality and morbidity in 2015 and 2016. The lung cancer morbidity increased from 49·70 per 100 000 population (2006) to 59·03 per 100 000 population (2014), and the lung cancer morbidity increased from 44·15 per 100 000 population to 47·23 per 100 000 population. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the morbidity and mortality of lung cancer and PM 2·5 concentration were significantly spatially autocorrelated for each year in China (spatial correlation 0·26–0·42 for morbidity and 0·25–0·44 for mortality; p<0·0001). Results from kriging method suggested a similar spatial distribution in morbidity and mortality of lung cancer associated with PM 2·5 in 2015 and 2016, and high morbidity and mortality of lung cancer areas were mainly located in central-east coast areas. The occurrence of severe PM 2·5 pollution was not localised only in a county or city, but was a regional-level problem. Key findings from this study showed a large regional scale of lung cancer morbidity and mortality has occurred in China due to PM 2·5 pollution. It is necessary to strengthen regional collaborative pollution management among the high PM 2·5 concentration regions. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2·5) pollution is becoming increasingly serious in China, and is a major risk factor for various cancers. Meanwhile, the regional transportation of air pollution is predicted to play an important role in terms of the effect of air pollution, against the background of massive internal migration. However, little study has focused on forecasting using long-term data and considering regional transportation. We aimed to predict spatial distribution of cancers related to PM 2·5 , namely breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and all-cause cancer, and their mortalities and morbidities, and draw a series of forecasting maps of these cancers. We included morbidity and mortality data from 1194 counties of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and all-cause cancer from 2006 to 2014. We also included the annual concentration of global surface PM 2·5 concentration derived from satellite 0·01° × 0·01° spatial resolution. We used a spatial autocorrelation method to estimate the spatial relationship. A 1000-loops simulation was done to choose the optimal forecasting model between five alternative models: ridge regression, partial least square regression, regression tree, model tree, and the combined forecasting model. A kriging interpolation method was used to draw the distribution maps. The trend showed a gradual increase in the mortality and morbidity of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and all-cause cancer. We found a significant spatial autocorrelation between cancer incidence and PM 2·5. Our results from forecasting showed a constant growth in mortality and morbidity of all cancers, and the kriging method suggested a similar spatial pattern. High morbidity and mortality areas were mainly in central-east and south-east China. We found a similar distribution pattern between PM 2·5 concentration and mortality and morbidity associated with PM 2·5 -related cancers. Our results serve as a valuable reference for the development of effective policies to reduce air pollution emissions, with the efforts from governments in high-risk areas. No funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of important early Late Pleistocene human fossils have been found in southern China. These new data have contributed to a major revision of the traditional Out of Africa model that argues modern humans did not disperse out of Africa until after 60 ka. At the same time, these findings have attracted increased attention by paleoclimate specialists (e.g., vertebrate paleontologists, sedimentologists) interested in identifying the characteristics and understanding the living environment of the region in which these early Late Pleistocene modern humans lived in. Unfortunately, research focused on the reconstruction of the Late Pleistocene paleoenvironment in southern China is still very limited. Here, we present an analysis of the clay mineral assemblage and geochemical characteristics of the sedimentary deposits from Luna Cave, one of these important early Late Pleistocene modern human sites in southern China. The results from the sedimentological analyses are consistent with previous paleontological and geological studies that showed the paleoclimate was strongly influenced by the East Asian monsoon and that the Late Pleistocene environment was relatively stable warm and humid. Further studies of coeval sites from the region are necessary to determine whether this is a consistent pattern across southern China or specific to the Bubing Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Manganese (Mn) deficiency and intoxication may affect nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk differently. We aimed to explore the association between blood Mn and NAFLD in an area with high Mn exposure in drinking water. Methods: We conducted a case–control study among 1407 patients with NAFLD and 1774 sex- and age-matched healthy controls in a physical examination population in Zhoushan hospital, Zhejiang province in China. We used the restricted cubic splines method to investigate the dose–response relationship. Logistic regression models were applied to determine the risk of NAFLD, and severity of NAFLD. Results: The blood Mn concentration was higher in the NAFLD group than in the control group in women (16.1 ± 6.2 μg/L vs. 14.7 ± 6.4 μg/L, P = 0.022) and men (14.5 ± 6.3 μg/L vs. 13.6 ± 6.8 μg/L, P < 0.001). We found an inverted L shape relationship between blood Mn and NAFLD in both women and men. Compared to the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of NAFLD for the highest quartile group was 1.646(1.222,2.217), 1.494(1.082,2.061), and 3.146(1.285,7.701) for the total population, men, and women. The positive relationship was only observed in those with fibrosis-4 score < 1.30 and normal alanine transaminase. Stratified analysis showed an interaction between smoking (P = 0.073), alcohol drinking (P = 0.013), and Mn, with a more prominent effect on the NAFLD in the never-smokers (OR = 2.153, 95% CI 1.408–3.290) and drinkers (OR = 2.596, 95% CI 1.608–4.191). Conclusion: Higher blood Mn is associated with an elevated NAFLD risk in the high Mn exposure areas, especially in nonsmokers and drinkers. Further studies are needed to verify this result in the areas with high Mn exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]