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The ways in which learning environments are spatially conceived have undergone a significant transformation from "space" as "a realm without meaning" into "place" as "a meaningful location." In this context, the relevance of online interactions and the significance of online space and place in facilitating positive learning are worth exploration. Drawing on a nationwide survey involving 1010 international students at 41 Chinese HEIs in the COVID-19 pandemic, this research applied k-means cluster analyses which produced a typology of international students' perceived online educational environments and another typology of their online interpersonal interactions. The logistic regression results indicated the predictive power of both typologies on ability development. The discussion highlights the importance of considering spatial dimensions of international students' online learning. Promoting international students' online interactions and supporting inclusive, engaging learning experiences require both space for hosting and place enabling intercultural learning. The research holds implications for the sustainable development of online international education in the post-COVID-19 era.

The research investigated the influences of international students' perceived online learning environments, self-efficacy, and online interaction on their online learning achievement, as measured by these students' self-reported development of "generic skills," "research capacities," and "Chinese proficiency and global abilities." Data were generated by a nationwide survey involving 1,010 international students across disciplines at 41 universities in China. The SEM analysis showed that among all factors directly and positively supporting international students' learning achievement, the two online environmental factors, i.e. "accessibility" to online learning resources and opportunities for "knowledge acquisition," presented the strongest effects. The mediation analysis showed that through interaction, environmental "interactivity" had significant and positive indirect influences on learning achievement; and through self-efficacy, "knowledge acquisition" had significant and positive indirect influences on learning achievement. The SEM analysis also revealed a significant negative influence of environmental "flexibility" on international students' "generic skill" development. Possible explanations for the results were proposed. Implications of the results were discussed to support the sustainable development of online international education.

Background: Circadian rhythm disruption is typical in Parkinson's disease (PD) early stage, and it plays an important role in the prognosis of the treatment effect in the advanced stage of PD. There is growing evidence that circadian rhythm genes can influence development of PD. Therefore, this study explored specific regulatory mechanism of circadian genes (C-genes) in PD through bioinformatic approaches. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PD and control samples were identified from GSE22491 using differential expression analysis. The key model showing the highest correlation with PD was derived through WGCNA analysis. Then, DEGs, 1,288 C-genes and genes in key module were overlapped for yielding differentially expressed C-genes (DECGs), and they were analyzed for LASSO and SVM-RFE for yielding critical genes. Meanwhile, from GSE22491 and GSE100054, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was implemented on critical genes to identify biomarkers, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was applied for the purpose of exploring pathways involved in biomarkers. Eventually, immune infiltrative analysis was applied for understanding effect of biomarkers on immune microenvironment, and therapeutic drugs which could affect biomarkers expressions were also predicted. Finally, we verified the expression of the genes by q-PCR. Results: Totally 634 DEGs were yielded between PD and control samples, and MEgreen module had the highest correlation with PD, thus it was defined as key model. Four critical genes (AK3, RTN3, CYP4F2, and LEPR) were identified after performing LASSO and SVM-RFE on 18 DECGs. Through ROC analysis, AK3, RTN3, and LEPR were identified as biomarkers due to their excellent ability to distinguish PD from control samples. Besides, biomarkers were associated with Parkinson's disease and other functional pathways. Conclusion: Through bioinformatic analysis, the circadian rhythm related biomarkers were identified (AK3, RTN3 and LEPR) in PD, contributing to studies related to PD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a substantial transition of Chinese international education to online learning. This article discusses the impact of online learning from international students' perspectives. Data were collected from exploratory interviews with a small group of international students at a research university and a nationwide survey involving 1,010 international students at 41 universities in China. A synthesis of the two studies' findings pointed to low levels of online learning satisfaction, particularly among international students from Africa, those in undergraduate programs, those in life sciences and medical disciplines, and those studying at research-centered universities. Moreover, both studies revealed low emotional engagement significantly predicted international students' online learning dissatisfaction. To enhance international students' satisfaction, it is suggested that universities and teachers prioritize the building of student-centered online learning environments supporting international students' emotional involvement and helping them feel a greater sense of belonging in online intercultural learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses of Junghuhnia were performed. Three new species were characterised according to morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis using ITS and nLSU sequences. They are J. austrosinensis sp. nov., J. nandinae sp. nov. and J. subcollabens sp. nov. Junghuhnia austrosinensis is characterised by resupinate, thin basidiomata with white to buff-yellow hymenophore, small pores (9-11 per mm), clamped generative hyphae possessing hymenial cystidia, ellipsoid basidiospores (2.5-3 × 1.7-2 μm) and growth on fallen bamboo or angiosperm branch. Junghuhnia nandinae is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with pink to salmon pores and a distinct white margin, clamp generative hyphae, interwoven tramal hyphae, ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 2.6-3.2 × 1.8-2 μm and growth on Nandina domestica. Junghuhnia subcollabens is characterised by resupinate basidiomata with pale salmon to brownish vinaceous hymenophore, small pores (10-12 per mm), generative hyphae with simple septa and clamp connections, interwoven tramal hyphae, lunate basidiospores measuring 2.9-3.4 × 1.6-1.8 μm and thriving on rotten wood of angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a virus-induced infectious disease that usually affects infants and children, has an increased incidence in China in recent years. This study attempted to investigate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of HFMD. Methods Eighty-two children diagnosed with HFMD were enrolled into this study. The HFMD group was further divided into the uncomplicated HFMD and HFMD with encephalitis groups. The control group included 40 children who underwent elective surgery for treatment of inguinal hernias. Results Children with HFMD displayed significantly reduced CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cell subsets, but substantially enhanced CD3-CD19+ cell subset (p < 0.05 versus control subjects). The expression levels of Notch ligands Dll1 and Dll4 in the peripheral blood of the HFMD group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3-CD19+ cell subsets, but not in Notch ligand expression, between the uncomplicated HFMD and HFMD with encephalitis groups. Dll4 expression in HFMD subjects correlated negatively with the CD3+ and CD3+CD8+ cell subsets (p < 0.05), but positively with the CD3-CD19+ cell subset (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Dll4 expression in HFMD with encephalitis subjects correlated positively with total white blood cell (WBC) counts and total protein contents in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (p < 0.05). Conclusions The Notch ligand Dll4 exhibits a strong correlation with the CD3+, CD3+CD8+ and CD3-CD19+ cell subsets in children with HFMD, indicating that the Notch signaling may be involved in the development of HFMD by affecting the number and status of peripheral lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of dental caries and its correlated factors of 12-year-old children in Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugu races., Methods: According to the method of third national oral health epidemiologic investigation, 448 12-year-old children in Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugu races were randomly collected and the epidemiological investigation of dental caries, oral bacteriological detection and oral hygiene behavior were carried out., Results: 1) The caries prevalence rate of Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugu races were 40.52%, 44.29%, 46.45%, respectively. The average caries of Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugu races were 0.92, 0.90, 1.13, respectively. 2) The main ranks of Streptococcus mutans in saliva were class 2 and class 3 in Dongxiang and Baoan races. However, it was class 0 or class 1 in Yugu race. The level of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque was higher in Dongxiang and Baoan races than in Yugu race. 3) The children's everyday brushing rate was higher in Yugu race than in Dongxiang and Baoan races (P<0.01). But there were no difference between Dongxiang and Baoan races., Conclusion: The caries prevalence rates of 12-year-old children in Dongxiang, Baoan and Yugu races are high. The main factors of high caries prevalence rate were low brushing rate and dental plaque couldn't be removed effectively. Oral health education should be strengthened in the three race areas.