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Bud blight disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae is a major bacterial disease of tea plants in China. Concerns regarding the emergence of bacterial resistance to conventional copper controls have indicated the need to devise new methods of disease biocontrol. Phage-based biocontrol may be a sustainable approach to combat bacterial pathogens. In this study, a P. syringae phage was isolated from soil samples. Based on morphological characteristics, bacteriophage vB_PsS_LDT325 belongs to the Siphoviridae family; it has an icosahedral head with a diameter of 53 ± 1 nm and nonretractable tails measuring 110 ± 1 nm. The latent period and burst size of the phage were 10 min and 17 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell, respectively. Furthermore, an analysis of the biological traits showed that the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of the phage was 0.01. When the temperature exceeded 60°C, the phage titer began to decrease. The phage exhibited tolerance to a wide range of pH (3--11) and maintained relatively stable pH tolerance. It showed a high tolerance to chloroform, but was sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. The effects of phage LDT325 in treating P. syringae infections in vivo were evaluated using a tea plant. Plants were inoculated with 2 107 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL P. syringae using the needle-prick method and air-dried. Subsequently, plants were inoculated with 2 107 PFU/mL LDT325 phage. Compared with control plants, the bacterial count was reduced by 1 log10/0.5 g after 4 days in potted tea plants inoculated with the phage. These results underscore the phage as a potential antibacterial agent for controlling P. syringae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimonanthus praecox is a famous traditional flower in China with high ornamental value. It has numerous varieties, yet its classification is highly disorganized. The distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) test enables the classification and nomenclature of various species; thus, it can be used to classify the Chimonanthus varieties. In this study, flower traits were quantified using an automatic system based on pattern recognition instead of traditional manual measurement to improve the efficiency of DUS testing. A total of 42 features were quantified, including 28 features in the DUS guidelines and 14 new features proposed in this study. Eight algorithms were used to classify wintersweet, and the random forest (RF) algorithm performed the best when all features were used. The classification accuracy of the outer perianth was the highest when the features of the different parts were used for classification. A genetic algorithm was used as the feature selection algorithm to select a set of 22 reduced core features and improve the accuracy and efficiency of the classification. Using the core feature set, the classification accuracy of the RF model improved to 99.13%. Finally, K-means was used to construct a pedigree cluster tree of 23 varieties of wintersweet; evidently, wintersweet was clustered into a single class, which can be the basis for further study of genetic relationships among varieties. This study provides a novel method for DUS detection, variety identification, and pedigree analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest net primary productivity (NPP), representing the net carbon gain from the atmosphere, varies significantly with forest age. Reliable forest NPP–age relationships are essential for forest carbon cycle modeling and prediction. These relationships can be derived from forest inventory or field survey data, but it is unclear which model is the most effective in simulating forest NPP variation with age. Here, we aim to establish NPP–age relationships for China's forests based on 3121 field survey samples. Five models, including the semi-empirical mathematical (SEM) function, the second-degree polynomial (SDP) function, the logarithmic (L) function, the Michaelis–Menten (M) function, and the Γ function, were compared against field data. Results of the comparison showed that the SEM and Γ functions performed much better than the other three models, but due to the limited field survey samples at old ages, the Γ function showed a sharp decrease in NPP (decreased to almost zero) at old ages when building some forest NPP–age curves, while SEM could capture the variations in forest NPP at old ages reasonably well. Considering the overall performance with currently available forest field survey samples, SEM was regarded as the optimal NPP–age model. The finalized forest NPP–age curves for five forest types in six regions of China can facilitate forest carbon cycle modeling and future projection by using the process-based Integrated Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon (InTEC) model in China and may also be useful for other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the trajectory and predictors of family function in caregivers of stroke survivors during the first 6 months after the first episode of stroke. Design: Longitudinal study. Methods: A total of 288 primary caregivers of patients with first‐time stroke were recruited from seven tertiary hospitals in China between July 2020 and March 2021. The following characteristics were assessed by caregivers at hospitalization (T0) and at 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3) after the stroke: family function, general self‐efficacy, social support, coping style, caregiver burden, and sociodemographic and clinical data. Results: Family function scores among caregivers of stroke survivors were highest in the resolve dimension and lowest in the growth and adaptation dimensions within the first 6 months. The percentages of families with low functioning were 34.7%, 33.3%, 24.8% and 17.7% at T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The generalized estimating equation model revealed that family function in caregivers increased over the first 6 months (Exp(B) = 1.415–2.689, p <.05). The following factors were identified as predictors of family functioning: caregiver's age, education, residential district, self‐efficacy, social support utilization and caregiver burden. Conclusions: Family function of caregivers of stroke survivors gradually increased during the first 6 months after stroke. However, some families demonstrated poor functioning. Caregivers' age, education, caregiver burden, self‐efficacy and social support utilization could predict family function over time. Impact: Empirical data on family function in families of stroke survivors are important for developing psychosocial interventions that can help families adapt to stroke. This study found that families of stroke survivors were likely to be dysfunctional in the first 6 months after stroke, particularly in family growth and adaptation. Therefore, reducing caregiver burden and promoting self‐efficacy and social support utilization can help restore family functioning early after stroke. Patient or Public Contribution: Stroke caregivers from seven hospitals in China were involved in this study and had the right to be informed of the main findings. A few patients were informed of the research results, who contributed to the dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The mediating effects of maternal anxiety and moderating effects of trait mindfulness on the relationship between Work-family conflict (WFC) and preschool children's problem behaviors remain unclear during the COVID-19 epidemic. So, this study examined the association between mothers' WFC and preschoolers' problem behaviors and identified the roles of maternal anxiety as a mediator and trait mindfulness as a moderator during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 1,068 Chinese preschoolers and their mothers from coastal cities in southern China were investigated. Data were collected using demographic questionnaires, Carlson's WFC scale, Ma's Parenting Anxiety Scale, Goodman's SDQ Scale, and Brown and Ryan's Trait Mindfulness Scale, and were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and Process 3.3. Results: WFC had a positive and direct association with problem behaviors in preschoolers (β = 0.118, t = 3.880, p < 0.001). WFC also had a positive and direct association with maternal anxiety (β = 0.480, t = 18.034, p < 0.001). Maternal anxiety had a positive and direct association with preschoolers' problem behaviors (β = 0.415, t = 13.584, p < 0.001). The mediating effect value of maternal anxiety between WFC and preschoolers' problem behaviors was 0.199, and the moderating effect value of trait mindfulness between maternal anxiety and preschoolers' problem behaviors was -0.078. Conclusion: WFC was positively associated with preschoolers' problem behaviors, and maternal anxiety was a mediator of this association. So, WFC could cause maternal anxiety and lead to more problematic behaviors in children. Besides, maternal anxiety was positively associated with preschoolers' problem behaviors, and trait mindfulness was a moderator of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of the family in supporting diabetes self‐management and explore the possible mechanisms between family and diabetes self‐management among rural patients in China. Background: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is growing rapidly in rural areas of China, where healthcare resources remain relatively poor and family members play an important role in chronic disease self‐management. Design: This was a multicentre cross‐sectional study. Methods: A total of 276 adults with T2DM were recruited from nine county hospitals in China. Diabetes self‐management, family support, family function, and family self‐efficacy were evaluated using the mature scales. A theoretical model was built based on the social learning family model and previous studies and then verified using a structural equation model. The STROBE statement was used to standardise the study procedure. Results: Family support and general family factors, including family function and self‐efficacy, were positively correlated with diabetes self‐management. Family support fully mediates the relationship between family function and diabetes self‐management and partially mediates the relationship between family self‐efficacy and diabetes self‐management. The model explained 41% of the variability in diabetes self‐management and had a good model fit. Conclusion: General family factors can explain nearly half of the change in diabetes self‐management in rural areas of China, while family support is a mediator between general family factors and diabetes self‐management. Family self‐efficacy, a potential intervention point of family based diabetes self‐management education, can be improved by building special lessons for family members. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study emphasises the role of family in diabetes self‐management and proposes suggestions for diabetes self‐management intervention among patients with T2DM in rural areas of China. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients and their family members completed the questionnaire which was used for data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July 2021, Typhoon In-Fa (TIF) triggered a significant indirect heavy precipitation event (HPE) in central China and a direct HPE in eastern China. Both these events led to severe disasters. However, the synoptic-scale conditions and the impacts of these HPEs on future estimations of return periods remain poorly understood. Here, we find that the remote HPE that occurred ∼2200 km ahead of TIF over central China was a predecessor rain event (PRE). The PRE unfolded under the equatorward entrance of the upper-level westerly jet. This event, which encouraged divergent and adiabatic outflow in the upper level, subsequently intensified the strength of the upper-level westerly jet. In contrast, the direct HPE in eastern China was due primarily to the long duration and slow movement of TIF. The direct HPE occurred in areas situated less than 200 km from TIF's center and to the left of TIF's propagation trajectory. Anomaly analyses reveal favorable thermodynamic and dynamic conditions and abundant atmospheric moisture that sustained TIF's intensity. A saddle-shaped pressure field in the north of eastern China and peripheral weak steering flow impeded TIF's movement northward. Hydrologically, the inclusion of these two HPEs in the historical record leads to a decrease in the estimated return periods of similar HPEs. Our findings highlight the potential difficulties that HPEs could introduce for the design of hydraulic engineering infrastructure as well as for the disaster mitigation measures required to alleviate future risk, particularly in central China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior studies on migrant workers have explored the effect of their subjective social status and job satisfaction on their mental health, respectively or combined, as well as how their subjective social status affects their job satisfaction. Nonetheless, few have accounted straightforwardly and holistically for the mechanism of interaction between subjective social status, job satisfaction and mental health amongst migrant workers. Aims: Taking migrant workers in China as the object of study, we intended to probe the longitudinal links between their subjective social status, job satisfaction and mental health, in particular, their job satisfaction as a longitudinal mediator therein. Method: Using the three-wave data from the 2014, 2016 and 2018 China Labour-force Dynamics Survey, we defined migrant workers as labourers aged 15 to 64 with agricultural hukou and engaged in non-agricultural work in urban areas. The final valid sample comprised 2,035 individuals. Latent growth models (LGMs) were applied to test the hypothesised relationships. Results: The LGMs based on bootstrapping showed that amongst migrant workers the subjective social status, job satisfaction and mental health tended overall to grow linearly and that the job satisfaction longitudinally mediated between the subjective social status and mental health. Conclusions: The findings may enlighten policymaking to elevate migrant workers mentally and inform future studies on theoretical and practical fronts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantification of green space green plot ratio (GPR) is mostly based on estimation formulas, and the leaf area index (LAI) estimation values in these estimation formulas have not been well verified by measured LAI values, resulting in errors and uncertainties in GPR quantification results. This study aims to address this gap by measuring the LAI of 113 regional plants in Chongqing, China, following a standardized measurement path for digital hemispherical photography (DHP). The results indicate that the optimal relative exposure value (REV) was - 1 under overcast conditions and - 2 under sunny and cloudy conditions. Among the threshold algorithms for hemispherical images, the Intermodes algorithm in ImageJ was the best. The LAI of regional plants is highest in summer, followed by spring and autumn, and lowest in winter. Tree height (h) and crown width (w) are key factors affecting LAI, but the LAI also varies with plant species. Overall, the LAI of evergreen trees is higher than that of deciduous trees. The LAI of evergreen trees and shrubs with a height shorter than 5 m is the largest, and that of deciduous trees and shrubs with a crown width larger than 8 m is the largest. The study further verified that the existing GPR estimation formula exhibited large errors in Chongqing, while there was a strong correlation (R 2  = 0.973) between the GPR estimation value and the measured value. A conversion formula was developed to reduce estimation biases, and the corrected formula is capable of estimating GPR values more accurately when actual LAI measurements are insufficient. Overall, this study verifies the significance of measuring localized LAI values, promotes the understanding of LAI suitability for GPR calculations, and provides an empirical formula for GPR estimation in Chongqing, China., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Although consistent evidence has revealed that cognitive impairment is a common sequela in patients withmild stroke, few studies have focused on it, nor the impact of lesion location on cognitive function. Evidence on the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of mild stroke and lesion location on cognitive function is limited. This prompted us to conduct a comprehensive and quantitative study of functional brain network properties in mild stroke patients with different lesion locations. Specifically, an empirical approach was introduced in the present work to explore the impact of mild stroke-induced cognitive alterations on functional brain network reorganization during cognitive tasks (i.e., visual and auditory oddball). Electroencephalogram functional connectivity was estimated from three groups (i.e., 40 patients with cortical infarctions, 48 patients with subcortical infarctions, and 50 healthy controls). Using graph theoretical analysis, we quantitatively investigated the topological reorganization of functional brain networks at both global and nodal levels. Results showed that both patient groups had significantly worse behavioral performance on both tasks, with significantly longer reaction times and reduced response accuracy. Furthermore, decreased global and local efficiency were found in both patient groups, indicating a mild stroke-related disruption in information processing efficiency that is independent of lesion location. Regarding the nodal level, both divergent and convergent node strength distribution patterns were revealed between both patient groups, implying thatmild stroke with different lesion locations would lead to complex regional alterations during visual and auditory information processing, while certain robust cognitive processes were independent of lesion location. These findings provide some of the first quantitative insights into the complex neural mechanisms of mild stroke-induced cognitive impairment and extend our understanding of underlying alterations in cognition-related brain networks induced by different lesion locations, which may help to promote post-stroke management and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the association of socioeconomic status with the diagnosis of autism during 16–30 months of age. Using data from a national survey in China, we included 6049 children (55.6% male) in the final analysis, among which 71 of them were clinically diagnosed with autism. Adjusted for covariates, the odds ratios for having the diagnosis of autism (2.46, 95% confidence interval: [1.32, 4.59]) among children whose mother's level is "junior middle school or below" were significantly higher than children whose mother's level is "college or above." Among children of lower educated mothers, there is a higher risk of being diagnosed with autism at a young age. We recommend more support for families with a low socioeconomic status to early detect, diagnose, and manage autism. Does being born in a family of high socioeconomic status mean a higher risk of being diagnosed with autism? The evidence from the Asian area is lacking. This research was conducted among 6049 toddlers who went through an evaluation–diagnose procedure of autism and whose parents were surveyed during the national survey of China, 2016–2017. Parents reported their education levels, occupations, family income, and ethnic background. We recruited the toddlers and parents from kindergartens, communities, and hospitals in five geographically representative areas of China. On average, these toddlers were 23 months of age. We found toddlers whose mothers had less than 9 years of education (junior middle school or below) had 2.46 times the chance to get a diagnosis of autism, compared with toddlers whose mothers had more than 15 years of education (college or above). We also found that 1.17 toddlers could be diagnosed with autism in each 100 Chinese toddlers. These findings have important implications for providing support to families that have low socioeconomic status, especially families with a mother who did not complete 9 years of education. Early detection programs focused on children from low socioeconomic backgrounds should be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is changing, and the liberal international order (LIO) is at stake. Scholars and pundits hold different views on whether and how an order transition will take place. We argue that the divergent arguments around LIO are rooted in contested conceptualizations of what an international order is as well as the untheorized measure of what counts as a 'transition' of international order. We propose a synthesized and deductive approach to defining international order with three pillars: power, institutions, and norms. We argue that a significant order transition will take place when at least two pillars of the order are fundamentally challenged and eventually changed. Applying this deductive, three-pillar conceptual framework of international order, we preliminarily examine how US-China competition has impacted the current LIO in the Indo Pacific. We conclude that the multi-pillar feature of the international order technically strengthens the sustainability and resilience of the current LIO. Even though China's rise might change the power distribution in the system—the power pillar of the order, the mere power shift between China and the United States will not lead to a significant order transition if the other two pillars of the order remain intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The mortality rate of breast cancer (BC) ranks first among female tumors worldwide and presents a trend of younger age, which poses a great threat to women's health and life. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer is defined as the first step of treatment for breast cancer patients without distant metastasis before planned surgical treatment or local treatment with surgery and radiotherapy. According to the current NCCN guidelines, patients with different molecular types of BC should receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), which can not only achieve tumor downstaging, increase the chance of surgery, and improve the breast-conserving rate. In addition, it can identify new genetic pathways and drugs related to cancer, improve patient survival rate, and make new progress in breast cancer management. Objective. To explore the role of the nomogram established by the combination of ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators in the degree of pathological remission of breast cancer. Methods. A total of 147 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and elective surgery in the Department of Ultrasound, Nantong Cancer Hospital, from May 2014 to August 2021 were retrospectively included. Postoperative pathological remission was divided into two groups according to Miller–Payne classification: no significant remission group (NMHR group, n = 93) and significant remission group (MHR group, n = 54). Clinical characteristics of patients were recorded and collected. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to screen the information features related to the MHR group, and then, a nomogram model was constructed; ROC curve area, consistency index (C-index, CI), calibration curve, and H-L test were used to evaluate the model. And the decision curve is used to compare the net income of the single model and composite model. Results. Among 147 breast cancer patients, 54 (36.7%) had pathological remission. Multivariate logistic regression showed that ER, reduction/disappearance of strong echo halo, Adler classification after NAC, PR + CR, and morphological changes were independent risk factors for pathological remission (P < 0.05). Based on these factors, the nomogram was constructed and verified. The area under the curve (AUC) and CI were 0.966, the sensitivity and specificity were 96.15% and 92.31%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 87.72% and 97.15%, respectively. The mean absolute error of the agreement between the predicted value and the real value is 0.026, and the predicted risk is close to the actual risk. In the range of HRT of about 0.0∼0.9, the net benefit of the composite evaluation model is higher than that of the single model. H-L test results showed that χ2 = 8.430, P = 0.393 > 0.05. Conclusion. The nomogram model established by combining the changes of ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators is a practical and convenient prediction model, which has a certain value in predicting the degree of pathological remission after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have received increasing attention in recent years as a promising means to address poverty challenges in rural China. This paper uses a unique three-wave panel data set of household surveys, collected from seven officially recognized poor counties in rural China during 2012–2018, to examine the effect of ICT adoption on poverty. The results show that ICTs contributed positively to poverty reduction in the sampled counties, which may have been primarily achieved through increased migration and off-farm income, instead of through improved agricultural production and farm income. This suggests that ICT development facilitated households escaping poverty by helping them diversify their livelihood strategies away from agriculture in remote mountainous areas. The findings highlight the importance of creating incentives to complement the opportunities brought by ICTs for local development. It is important to strike a balance between poverty reduction and food security objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kastamonu University Journal of Economics & Administrative Sciences Faculty / Kastamonu Üniversitesi Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Kastamonu University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Subtropical forests act as a carbon sink and play an important role in mitigating global warming. However, the understanding of the effects of stand characteristics and climatic factors on forest carbon sequestration capacity remains limited. Based on multiple regression analyses using structural equation modeling and plot-level data of coniferous and broadleaf forests from the national forest resource inventories, our study quantified vegetation carbon accumulation rate (VCAR) and the underlying influence pattern in Zhejiang Province, Southeastern China. The mean VCAR of coniferous and broadleaf forests was 2.30 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 and 4.53 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 during 2004–2009, and 1.56 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 and 1.98 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 during 2009–2014, respectively. Stand characteristics (i.e., change in tree density and mean diameter at breast height) and climatic factors (i.e., mean annual precipitation (MAP), temperature, sunshine hours, and monthly precipitation fluctuation) were the major driving factors on the change patterns of VCAR. All factors, except precipitation fluctuation, had positive effects on VCAR. The positive effects of MAP decreased with the increase in MAP, but the negative effects of precipitation fluctuation increased with the increase in precipitation fluctuation. Precipitation increased with increasing elevation, while the VCAR was lower at lower elevations. Additionally, we found that broadleaf forests could be able to cope better with the negative effects of precipitation fluctuation. Overall, this study provides new insights into the sensitivity and potential of vegetation carbon accumulation for structural development and climate change response in Zhejiang Province to better promote sustainable forestry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce flood risk in urban areas, an optimal design of drainage networks for urban areas is essential for flooding control and drainage management of the urban stormwater drainage system (USDS). A conventional design is generally used for drainage networks, resulting in high computational costs and limited flooding reduction effect. In this study, based on an on-line data-driven evolutionary algorithm coupled with the storm water management model (SWMM), a novel approach for USDS drainage network optimization design was developed. A case in Xi'an City, China, was then selected for practical implementation, where the performances of the local planning scheme, the particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and the proposed approach were compared. Results confirmed that our proposed methodological approach is feasibility and highly efficiency, leading to a 32% reduction in total flooding from that resulting from the local planning scheme. In addition, the average computational time was reduced by 57%, while the flooding control effect was better, compared to PSO algorithm optimization. These results suggest that our optimization design approach is reliable and applicable, and can benefit and assist designers in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenging a popular view that China's rise will lead the United States and China to fall into the 'Thucydides trap'—a possible hegemonic war between the two—this paper proposes an 'institutional peace' argument, suggesting that the ongoing international order transition will be different from previous order transitions in history. Instead of using military means to change the international order, China and the United States have relied on various institutional balancing strategies to compete with one another for an advantageous position in the future international order. The discussion on the institutional competition between China and the US around the AIIB and the ARF-related multilateral security architecture supports the 'institutional peace' argument: institutional competition in the form of institutional balancing strengthens the dynamics and utility of international institutions, encourages states to offer new public goods, and could lead to a more peaceful order transition in the international system. However, this institutional peace argument is constrained by two caveats: the continued validity of the MAD nuclear deterrence and a limited degree of ideological antagonism between the US and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social participation comprises comprehensive interactions between individual health and relevant environmental characteristics, which play an increasingly important role in promoting older adults' health and quality of life. Although many studies have examined impacts of various factors on the social participation of older adults, some internal mechanisms between health characteristics and environmental characteristics have not been revealed. This study aimed to examine the moderating effects of health characteristics on the relationships among psychological resources, social network support, community support and social participation of Chinese older adults. Based on some key health indicators, this study used the two‐step cluster algorithm to divide the participants aged over 60 years from the Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey in 2016 (N = 8669) into low (47.2%), moderate (33.8%) and high (18%) health risk groups. A multiple‐group structural equation model was then built to examine the effects of psychological resources, social network support and community support on social participation across the three groups. The results suggested that with the increase in health risks, the contributions of psychological resources and community support to social participation decreased from 28.6% to 23.7% and from 61.5% to 50.7%, respectively, while that of social network support increased from 9.9% to 25.6%. These variations suggest that individual health has a significant moderating effect on the psychological and social compensating mechanisms of the social participation among Chinese older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific and Philippine Sea Plate subductions have resulted in and controlled the development of a typical trench‐arc‐back‐arc system in NE Asia since the Cenozoic. The formation of widely distributed intraplate volcanoes and the dynamic pattern of the entire region are still debated. Here we constructed a three‐dimensional anisotropic S‐wave velocity model of NE Asia by inverting Rayleigh wave dispersion using a modified reversible‐jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (rj‐MCMC) algorithm. The resulting model revealed a localized mantle upwelling beneath intraplate volcanoes in NE Asia and an ongoing lithospheric downwelling beneath the central Korean Peninsula. This suggests vigorous asthenosphere and lithosphere interactions, which is likely to control the spatial distribution of Cenozoic volcanoes. The fast directions show clockwise rotation beneath NE Asia, which eventually points to the Nankai Trough. This observation is broadly consistent with shear wave splitting and suggests the presence of mantle flow from East China to the Philippine Sea Plate. The slab window beneath the Nankai Trough within the Philippine Sea Plate subduction system may accommodate the mantle flow from East China. Our study indicates that the interaction of the Philippine, Pacific Sea Plates, and Eurasian Plates plays an essential role in controlling the mantle flow and intraplate volcanism of NE Asia. Plain Language Summary: High‐resolution 3‐D anisotropic structure is critical to understanding the asthenospheric flow pattern and deep dynamics of active volcanoes. NE Asia experienced significant Pacific and Philippine Sea Plate subductions and extensive intraplate volcanism, although its dynamic causes are controversial. In this study, we obtained the three‐dimensional isotropic and azimuthal anisotropic S velocities of NE Asia by inverting surface wave dispersion data using a modified rj‐MCMC method. Our results revealed vigorous asthenosphere‐lithosphere interactions that control the evolution of intraplate volcanoes. The anisotropic pattern displayed a clockwise rotation beneath NE Asia, pointing to the Nankai Trough. Combining previous results of tomography and seismicity, our research indicated that at least part of the asthenosphere from East China flows to the Philippine Sea Plate through the slab window beneath the Nankai Trough. Key Points: A 3‐D anisotropic S‐wave velocity model of NE Asia is developed using a modified reversible‐jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo inversion methodWe reveal a localized upwelling beneath intraplate volcanoes and a lithospheric drip in the central Korean PeninsulaFast direction indicates asthenospheric flow from East China to the Philippine Sea Plate through the slab window beneath the Nankai Trough [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is deeply influencing various ecological processes, especially regarding the phenological synchronization pattern between species, but more cases around the world are needed to reveal it. We report how the forest leaf phenology and ungulate molting respond differently to climate change, and investigate whether it will result in a potential phenology mismatch. Here, we explored how climate change might alter phenological synchronization between forest leaf phenology and Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) molting in northeast China based on a camera-trapping dataset of seven consecutive years, analyzing forest leaf phenology in combination with records of Siberian roe deer molting over the same period by means of wavelet analysis. We found that the start of the growing season of forest leaf phenology was advanced, while the end of the growing season was delayed, so that the length of the growing season was prolonged. Meanwhile, the start and the end of the molting of Siberian roe deer were both advanced in spring, but in autumn, the start of molting was delayed while the end of molting was advanced. The results of wavelet analysis also suggested the time lag of synchronization fluctuated slightly from year to year between forest leaf phenology and Siberian roe deer molting, with a potential phenology mismatch in spring, indicating the effect of global warming on SRD to forest leaf phenology. Overall, our study provides new insight into the synchronization between forest leaf phenology and ungulate molting, and demonstrates feasible approaches to data collection and analysis using camera-trapping data to explore global warming issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Macrophages play an essential role in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that mechanical load can influence macrophage function, leading to excessive and uncontrolled inflammation and even systemic damage, including cardiovascular disease and knee osteoarthritis. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, murine RAW264.7 cells were treated with mechanical stretch (MS) using the Flexcell-5000T Tension System. The expression of inflammatory factors and cytokine release were measured by RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. The protein expression of NF-κB p65, Iκb-α, p-Iκb-α, RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 was also detected by Western blotting. Then, Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of macrophage subsets. Meanwhile, Y-27632 dihydrochloride, a ROCK inhibitor, was added to knockdown ROCK signal transduction in cells. Our results demonstrated that MS upregulated mRNA expression and increased the secretion levels of proinflammatory factors iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Additionally, MS significantly increased the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ and CD11b+CD206+ subsets in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, NF-κB p65, and IκB-α increased in MS-treated RAW264.7 cells, as well as the IL-6 and iNOS. In contrast, ROCK inhibitor significantly blocked the activation of RhoA-ROCK and NF-κB pathway, decreased the protein expression of IL-6 and iNOS, reduced the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ cells subpopulation, and increased the proportion of CD11b+CD206+ cell subpopulation after MS. These data indicate that mechanical stretch can regulate the RAW264.7 macrophage polarization and enhance inflammatory responses in vitro, which may contribute to activation the RhoA-ROCK/NF-κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of the oral microbiota may depend on oral health, age, diet, and geography, but the influence of the geographic setting on the oral microbiota has received limited attention. The characteristics of oral microbiota have been reported to differ between urban and rural environments. In order to minimize the influence of genetic background, we recruited 54 volunteers from the same ethnic group, living in urban and rural areas of Gansu Province, China. We collected dental plaque samples and divided them into four groups according to the participant's area of residence and dental caries status. We sequenced the 16S rRNA of these samples using the Pacific Biosciences sequencing platform and analyzed the correlation between the geographic area and the characteristics of the oral microbiota. Analysis of the alpha and beta diversity revealed that there were significant differences in diversity and composition of dental plaque microflora among the four groups. Cluster analysis revealed that geographic area played an important role in determining the oral microbiota. Network analysis of oral microorganisms showed that geographic differences had major influence on the composition characteristics and internal structure of oral microorganisms. We found that some dominant strains which may play a key role in maintaining oral health, such as Streptococcus oralis, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Porphyromonas catoniae, Corynebacterium matruchotii, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and Prevotella loescheii, were less affected by the geographic setting. These results provide a deeper understanding of factors influencing the composition of the oral microbiota and could contribute to early diagnosis and effective prevention of dental caries in different settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating forest above‐ground biomass (AGB) productivity constitutes one of the most fundamental topics in forest ecological research. Based on a 30‐ha permanent field plot in Northeastern China, we modeled AGB productivity as output, and topography, species diversity, stand structure, and a stand density variable as input across a series of area scales using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. As the grain size increased from 10 to 200 m, we found that the relative importance of explanatory variables that drove the variation of biomass productivity varied a lot, and the model accuracy was gradually improved. The minimum sampling area for biomass productivity modeling in this region was 140 × 140 m. Our study shows that the relationship of topography, species diversity, stand structure, and stand density variables with biomass productivity modeled using the RF algorithm changes when moving from scales typical of forest surveys (10 m) to larger scales (200 m) within a controlled methodology. These results should be of considerable interest to scientists concerned with forest assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic aerosol (OA) has a significant contribution to cloud formation and hence climate change. However, high uncertainties still exist in its impact on global climate, owing to the varying physical properties affected by the complex formation and aging processes. In this study, the hygroscopicity, volatility, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity, and chemical composition of particles were measured using a series of online instruments at a rural site in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China in fall 2019. During the campaign, the average hygroscopicity of OA (κOA) increased from 0.058 at 30 nm to 0.09 at 200 nm , suggesting a higher oxidation state of OA at larger particle sizes, supported by a higher fraction of extremely low volatility OA (ELVOA) for larger size particles. Significantly different diurnal patterns of κOA were observed between Aitken mode particles and accumulation mode particles. For Aitken mode particles (30–100 nm), the κOA values showed daily minima (0.02–0.07) during daytime, while the accumulation mode exhibited a daytime peak (∼ 0.09). Coincidently, a daytime peak was observed for both aged biomass burning organic aerosol (aBBOA) and less oxygenated organic aerosol (LOOA) based on source apportionment, which was attributed to the aging processes and gas–particle partitioning through photochemical reactions. In addition, the fraction of semi-volatile OA (SVOA) was higher at all measured sizes during daytime than during nighttime. These results indicate that the formation of secondary OA (SOA) through gas–particle partitioning can generally occur at all diameters, while the aging processes of pre-existing particles are more dominated in the accumulation mode. Furthermore, we found that applying a fixed κOA value (0.1) could lead to an overestimation of the CCN number concentration (NCCN) up to 12 %–19 % at 0.1 %–0.7 % supersaturation (SS), which was more obvious at higher SS during daytime. Better prediction of NCCN could be achieved by using size-resolved diurnal κOA , which indicates that the size dependence and diurnal variations in κOA can strongly affect the NCCN at different SS values. Our results highlight the need for accurately evaluating the atmospheric evolution of OA at different size ranges and their impact on the physicochemical properties and hence climate effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ischemic moyamoya (MMD) disease could alter the cerebral structure, but little is known about the topological organization of the structural covariance network (SCN). This study employed structural magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory to evaluate SCN reorganization in ischemic MMD patients. Method: Forty-nine stroke-free ischemic MMD patients and 49 well-matched healthy controls (HCs) were examined by T1-MPRAGE imaging. Structural images were pre-processed using the Computational Anatomy Toolbox 12 (CAT 12) based on the diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie (DARTEL) algorithm and both the global and regional SCN parameters were calculated and compared using the Graph Analysis Toolbox (GAT). Results: Most of the important metrics of global network organization, including characteristic path length (Lp), clustering coefficient (Cp), assortativity, local efficiency, and transitivity, were significantly reduced in MMD patients compared with HCs. In addition, the regional betweenness centrality (BC) values of the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortices were significantly lower in MMD patients than in HCs after false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons. The BC was also reduced in the left medial superior frontal gyrus and hippocampus, and increased in the bilateral middle cingulate gyri of patients, but these differences were not significant after FDR correlation. No differences in network resilience were detected by targeted attack analysis or random failure analysis. Conclusions: Both global and regional properties of the SCN are altered in MMD, even in the absence of major stroke or hemorrhagic damage. Patients exhibit a less optimal and more randomized SCN than HCs, and the nodal BC of the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortices is severely reduced. These changes may account for the cognitive impairments in MMD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Educational Research & Development / Jiao Yu Yan Jiu Yu Fa Zhan Gi Kan is the property of National Academy for Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Currently, we are witnessing a trend toward subtle or absent hints of luxury, reflecting the rise of inconspicuousness. We seek to address why and how Chinese luxury brand managers, instead of matching conspicuous branding of many Western brands, develop inconspicuous strategies and craft authentic attributes in their brand communication. In the Chinese luxury brand context, we use the ethnographic research method with in-depth interviews, field visits, and photographs of eight Chinese luxury brands with inconspicuous preferences to reveal three main themes contributing to inconspicuousness. First, an inconspicuous approach of Chinese luxury brands is derived from the rise of inconspicuous consumption in China and a rejection of status brands due to being less famous than well-known Western brands, superficiality of status branding, and limited production capability. Second, we argue that inconspicuous branding can encompass developing luxury brands that avoid overtly displaying wealth and social status. Third, we identify three ways of crafting brand authenticity to build inconspicuous brands by using (a) nature to craft quality commitment dimension of authenticity (places and rare raw materials); (b) traditional Chinese craftsmanship and symbols to craft heritage dimension of authenticity; and (c) sincere stories (of how innovations are used in traditional craftsmanship), and the use of sustainability (sustainable raw materials, traditional craftsmanship, luxury production process, and saving resources) to craft sincerity dimension of authenticity in developing inconspicuous brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of atmospheric methane (CH4), the second most important greenhouse gas, continue to grow. In recent years this growth rate has increased further (2020: +15.6 ppb), the cause of which remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate a high-resolution (∼80 km), short-window (24 h) 4D-Var global inversion system based on the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) and newly available satellite observations. The largest national disagreement found between prior (5.3 Tg per month) and posterior (5.0 Tg per month) CH4 emissions is from China, mainly attributed to the energy sector. Emissions estimated from our global system are in good agreement with those of previous regional studies and point source-specific studies. Emission events (leaks or blowouts) > 10 t CH4 h -1 were detected, but without appropriate prior uncertainty information, were not well quantified. Our results suggest that global anthropogenic CH4 emissions for the first 6 months of 2020 were, on average, 470 Gg per month (+1.6 %) higher than for 2019, mainly attributed to the energy and agricultural sectors. Regionally, the largest increases were seen from China (+220 Gg per month, 4.3 %), with smaller increases from India (+50 Gg per month, 1.5 %) and the USA (+40 Gg per month, 2.2 %). When assuming a consistent year-on-year positive trend in emissions, results show that during the onset of the global slowdown (March–April 2020) energy sector CH4 emissions from China increased above expected levels; however, during later months (May–June 2020) emissions decreased below expected levels. Results for the first 6 months of 2019/20 suggest that the accumulated impact of the COVID-19 slowdown on CH4 emissions from March–June 2020 might be small relative to the long-term positive trend in emissions. Changes in OH concentration, not investigated here, may have contributed to the observed growth in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the many possible individual factors bearing on test preparation, one is how individuals' motivational and cognitive perceptions affect test-driven preparation practices. This study reports an investigation into test preparation of a high-stakes writing test from the perspective of expectancy-value theory. Undergraduate students (n = 623) on their test preparation for the writing tasks of China's Graduate School Entrance English Examination (GSEEE) were recruited voluntarily from 11 universities in mainland China. The perceptions of GSEEE test takers, which included goal, task value, task demand, and expectation of success, were identified. Five types of preparation practices were identified for the GSEEE writing tasks: memorizing practice, test familiarization, comprehensive learning, skills development and drilling practice. Structural equation modeling revealed that the expectancy-value model held up well for the paths from test takers' perceptions to test-driven preparation practices, which were not construct-oriented but goal-motivated. The GSEEE test takers' goal, determined by the high-stakes nature of admission test, explained their motivation and determined their behavior toward test preparation. Results also indicated that task demand was inadequate to be termed a strong factor in affecting test preparation. As such, the findings of this study offer evidence regarding how an expectancy-value model fit into test preparation mechanism and provide insights into the nature and scope of test preparation for high-stakes writing tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetative incompatibility (VI) is a widespread phenomenon developed in Morchella importuna , a species of ascomycete fungus that is cultivated on a rapidly expanding scale in China. Understanding the genetic bases of this nonself-recognition phenomenon is beneficial for resolving some problems that are associated with the production of this highly prized edible fungus, such as crossbreeding, strain classification, and pathogen transmission. VI is genetically controlled by het genes, organized in two different systems, namely allelic and nonallelic. These het genes have been well characterized in Podospora anserina and Neurospora crassa. In this work, putative het -homologs were identified in the genome of M. importuna , but their low allelic polymorphism in different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) suggested that VI in this fungus might not be regulated by these het genes. The progeny derived from vegetative compatible parents became a VCG, while the single-ascospore strains from vegetative incompatible parents were divided into four VCGs, and the interaction between the inter-group strains led to the formation of two types of barrages, viz., thin dark line and raised aggregate of hyphae. The Bulk Segregant Analysis confirmed that the genes mimpvic32 and mimpvic33 were linked to VI reactions in M. importuna ; nevertheless, the formation of barrages also occurred between the pairs carrying the same allele of these two genes. In sum, the VI control system in M. importuna was complicated, and there were more other allelic or non-allelic VI-related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic anisotropy can be linked to different mechanisms, structures, and sources. We constrained the 3‐D depth‐dependent shear wave speed isotropic and azimuthally anisotropic structures with Rayleigh wave phase velocity from ambient noise in central Eastern China. We compared the results with other models and found that in the upper crust, the maximum horizontal stress direction differs mainly from the anisotropy that coincides with the strikes of major faults and geologic structures. We inferred that the anisotropy within proximity of faults might be related to fault fabrics, including fractures that strike parallel to the fast axes. The Tan‐Lu Fault controls the anisotropy in the crust to the uppermost mantle. The direction of fast axes in the fault zone is NNE‐SSW to N‐S, coinciding with the fault strike and trend that matches the fault shape on the surface. Southeastern North China craton has a weak anisotropy in the crust and uppermost mantle. The sources are possibly connected to the thrusting, tight trending folds, and dipping thrusts observed to be sub‐parallel to the Dabie Orogenic Belt (DOB). We propose that the NNE‐SSW Zhangbaling uplift group comes from the extension and ductile shearing in the Tan‐Lu Fault zone and the dragging of the northeastern South China Craton in the crust and the uppermost mantle. The N‐S polarized fast axes in the lower crust and uppermost mantle across the Sulu orogen and Xuzhou thrust‐and‐fold belt are the products of the resultant effect of subduction and deep Tan‐Lu faulting. Plain Language Summary: Seismic anisotropy is the dependence of seismic velocity of the medium on wave propagation direction. When observed, it gives information about the nature of material deformation. We used surface waves recovered from background noise to determine the anisotropy and its connection to the Tan‐Lu fault system, the largest fault system in Eastern China. Our results show that seismic anisotropy in the upper crust is likely caused by fault zone fabrics and the regional stress field. In the middle crust to the uppermost mantle, the anisotropy is parallel to the strike of the Tan‐Lu fault, indicating that the fault penetrates to the uppermost mantle and controls the anisotropy. The southeastern North China craton has weak anisotropy in the crust and uppermost mantle. The cause of anisotropy is likely the thrust faults resulting from compression that strike similar to the trend of the Dabie Orogenic Belt. The extension and shearing in the Tan‐Lu Fault zone is likely what caused the anisotropy at Zhangbaling uplift. The direction of anisotropy changes to N‐S in the north of the study region in the lower crust and uppermost mantle. The cause might be related to the resultant effect of subduction and deep Tan‐Lu faulting. Key Points: Azimuthal anisotropy in the crust and uppermost mantle deviates from stress, shear‐wave splitting, and absolute plate motion directionWithin proximity of regional faults, anisotropy might be related to fault fabrics including fractures that strike parallel to the fast axesThe direction of anisotropy coincides with the strike of the Tan‐Lu Fault signifying structural sources in the crust and uppermost mantle [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The basic aim of the study was to understand the role of the Big Five model of personality in predicting emotional intelligence and consequently in triggering the entrepreneurial behavior of the employees. The emotional intelligence of the individuals plays a very important role in decision making, enhancement of quality of living, and many other social realms. Hence, the intelligent use of emotions can make or break an individual's future considering their attitude toward exploiting the entrepreneurial opportunities available. This study has measured the impact of personality traits on emotional intelligence and EI's role in digital entrepreneurial behavior. The population used in this study was the middle management employees in the corporate sector of the mainland in China. The sample size taken in this study was 260 and selected through convenient sampling. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire measuring each variable. The data collected was employed to SmartPLS 3.3 for analyzing through structural equation modeling to measure the hypotheses. The study has found the partial effect of the Big Five model of personality on emotional intelligence, which significantly predicted the digital entrepreneurial behavior of the employees. The organizations can use the study findings to anticipate the employees' possible prospects and endeavors regarding their digital entrepreneurial behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited knowledge and poor attitudes toward pain are major barriers to nursing management of cancer pain. This study investigated the effect of continuing nursing education (CNE) on the management of cancer pain. Method: Annual CNE was provided from 2016 to 2019, and evaluation of nursing management of cancer pain was conducted every 2 years. The effect of CNE was determined based on the evaluation results. Results: After annual CNE, the participating hospitals showed significant improvement in nursing management of cancer pain. Annual CNE significantly increased subscores in all domains except the domain of initial pain assessment. In terms of hospital levels, nursing management of cancer pain was significantly improved only for tertiary A hospitals. Conclusion: Annual CNE significantly improved nursing management of cancer pain. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(11):535–540.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the association between bullying and HRQoL among Chinese school‐aged children and adolescents utilizing a cross‐sectional survey design. Bivariate associations were used to determine the correlation between the experience of bullying and lower HRQoL, and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated. A total of 2,155 participants, 32.57%, reported experiencing bullying: traditional bullying, 27.80% (n = 599) (β = −3.55, p <.001, SE = 0.41), and cyberbullying, 7.47% (n = 161) (β = −2.50, p <.001, SE = 0.71). The degree of traditional bullying (β = −10.28, p <.001, SE = 1.19) was negatively significantly associated with HRQoL. Other determinants of the impact of the bullying in this cohort were the children's school performance and their relationship with parents, teachers and classmates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have assessed the impact of home and community‐based services (HCBSs) provision on cognitive function among older adults over time. This study examined the longitudinal association between HCBSs provision and cognitive function in Chinese older adults. The study included 5,134 participants aged 65 years and older in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2008 to 2014. The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate cognitive function over the same time period. Participants were asked what kind of HCBSs were provided in his or her community. However, they were not asked whether services were utilised. The study used the number of HCBSs provided each wave to represent the strength of HCBSs, and used the MMSE score of each wave to represent the older adults' cognitive function status. A latent growth model was used to explore the relationship between HCBSs provision and cognitive function of older adults. The number of HCBSs provided was positively associated with older adults' cognitive function (2008: β = 0.03, p = 0.031; 2011: β = 0.06, p < 0.001; 2014: β = 0.06, p < 0.001) after controlling for gender, age, residence, education, income, medical insurance, activities of daily living disability, instrumental activities of daily living disability, serious illness, living arrangement and marital status. Results provided longitudinal evidence that an increase in HCBSs provision at a national level can result in better cognitive function in Chinese older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Master of Social Work (MSW) training is important for professional development and has created high expectations for social work education in China. However, few studies have evaluated MSW students' learning outcomes and how students engage in the learning process. To gain insight into MSW students' learning success, this study focusses on the relationship between students' learning process and learning outcomes—namely, professional competence and identity—under the guidance of student engagement theory. This study involved MSW students (n  = 1,201) from all 104 MSW degree programmes in China in 2017. The data analysis was based on theory-guided structural equation modelling. The results show that student engagement in academic learning is indirectly and positively related to professional competence and professional identity through the full mediating role of field learning. In addition, students' BSW background and university resources played moderating roles in the relationships between engagement in academic learning and professional identity and between engagement in field learning and professional competence. Field education strengthens students' achievements. These results could lead to a better understanding of the characteristics of students' learning engagement and aid the design of adaptable teaching plans. These results may also lead to new ideas for the further modification of social work education in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grounded on attribution theory, we propose a dynamic development model to examine the influence of subordinates' and leaders' perceptions of one another's work and impression management (IM) motives on leader–member exchange (LMX) over time in newly formed teams. We test our hypotheses using a two‐level bivariate latent change score model to investigate how changes in the quality of LMX from t − 1 to t relate to perceptions of the subordinate's work motives at t − 1 while controlling for unobserved individual differences. The implications of our findings for research, method, and practice are discussed. Practitioner points: For individual subordinates, strong perceptions of work motives help to build good leader–follower relationships, which in turn should enhance such motives.'You never get a second chance to make a first impression'; employees and managers at all organizational levels should recognize the importance of how their behaviour is perceived at the beginning of their interaction. However, if subordinates are continuously perceived as having high IM motives, this may negatively influence LMX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the effect of organizational reciprocity on employees' attitudes and behaviors has received much attention, the relationships between different forms of reciprocity and the quality of motivation remain largely unexplored. Building on social exchange theory and self-determination theory, we test a theoretical model integrating reciprocity and motivation based on survey data from 753 professional employees across China. We find that generalized and balanced reciprocity positively affect autonomous motivation and controlled motivation respectively, whereas negative reciprocity adversely influences both forms of motivation. Additionally, basic psychological need satisfaction mediates the associations between generalized reciprocity and autonomous motivation, and between negative reciprocity and autonomous motivation. Further, autonomy support is found to moderate the relationship between generalized reciprocity and basic psychological need satisfaction, and between negative reciprocity and basic psychological need satisfaction. Our findings thus suggest that different forms of reciprocity are integrally associated with two types of motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe frailty and fear of falling and examine the cross‐sectional association between frailty and fear of falling in community‐dwelling older adults in China. We recruited 165 older adults from five selected communities in the five districts of Changchun, Jilin Province. Participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Short Falls Efficacy Scale‐International, and the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. We found that 60% of our participants were frail and that 81% reported a fear of falling. Using binary logistic regression, we found that the participants with fear of falling were 7.2 times more likely to be frail. These findings suggest that fear of falling should be regularly screened in clinical practice to help identify older adults with greater risks of frailty. Future longitudinal studies of larger sample size are needed to confirm the association. Moreover, frailty prevention programs that include strategies to reduce the fear of falling should be tested among community‐dwelling older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on forests largely depend on its fate after entering the ecosystem. While several studies have addressed the forest fate of N deposition using 15N tracers, the long‐term fate and redistribution of deposited N in tropical forests remains unknown. Here, we applied 15N tracers to examine the fates of deposited ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3‐) separately over 3 years in a primary and a secondary tropical montane forest in southern China. Three months after 15N tracer addition, over 60% of 15N was retained in the forests studied. Total ecosystem retention did not change over the study period, but between 3 months and 3 years following deposition 15N recovery in plants increased from 10% to 19% and 13% to 22% in the primary and secondary forests, respectively, while 15N recovery in the organic soil declined from 16% to 2% and 9% to 2%. Mineral soil retained 50% and 35% of 15N in the primary and secondary forests, with retention being stable over time. The total ecosystem retention of the two N forms did not differ significantly, but plants retained more 15NO3‐ than 15NH4+ and the organic soil more 15NH4+ than NO3‐. Mineral soil did not differ in 15NH4+ and 15NO3‐ retention. Compared to temperate forests, proportionally more 15N was distributed to mineral soil and plants in these tropical forests. Overall, our results suggest that atmospherically deposited NH4+ and NO3‐ is rapidly lost in the short term (months) but thereafter securely retained within the ecosystem, with retained N becoming redistributed to plants and mineral soil from the organic soil. This long‐term N retention may benefit tropical montane forest growth and enhance ecosystem carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the multi-trajectories of 3-D health of older adults in China and to explore whether the childhood predictors are associated with 3-D health trajectory. Data came from five waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011 to 2018). A multi-trajectory modeling approach was carried out to jointly estimate the trajectories of 3-D health. A multinomial regression model was used to investigate the relationships between childhood predictors and the joint trajectories. We identified three typical joint 3-D health trajectories. Female, childhood health, maternal and paternal educations, childhood friendships, family and neighborhood predictors could all affect 3-D health trajectories of older adults directly or indirectly through adult variables. The 3-D health trajectories showed increasing trends, thus the government should perform more interventions toward the childhood predictors for better health of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aims to explore illness perception and coping style in relation to health behaviour and the mediating role of coping style between illness perception and health behaviour among stroke patients. Design: Cross‐sectional study. Methods: This survey was conducted with 515 stroke patients aged ≥18 years from September 2019 to January 2020 in Zhengzhou, China. The demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, Stroke Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and Health Behavior Scale for Stroke Patients were included in this study. Data analysis was performed by correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and structural equation modelling. Results: The valid questionnaires were 495 (effective response rate: 96.1%). Low negative illness perception, high positive coping style, and low negative coping style are related to high level of health promoting behaviour (all p < 0.01). The results revealed that the effect of illness perception on health behaviour was partly mediated by coping style. It also confirmed that the mediation effect accounts for 43.7% (−0.169/−0.387) of the total effect. Conclusion: Illness perception may influence health behaviour partly because of coping style. Impact: This study implies that targeted interventions for stroke patients' illness perception are needed to motivate them to take proactive coping strategy to ultimately improve their health behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical features and palaeoclimatic fluctuations are two classical evolutionary forces that shape genetic diversification within species. Fine-grained analysis of the mechanisms involved through population demographic processes, however, remains limited. Taking advantage of two recently published reference genomes, we resequenced the genomes and examined the evolutionary history of the moustache toads, a group endemic to East Asia where complex topography and fluctuating palaeoclimate are known to have had profound impacts on organisms. Moustache toads probably originated in southeast Yunnan, China, and diversified towards the northwestern of Yunnan, as well as central and eastern China. Further exploration based on three widespread species (Leptobrachium ailaonicum, L. boringii and L. liui) using demographic modelling and species distribution models revealed that mountains and river valleys in East Asia not only functioned as geographical barriers, but also provided dispersal corridors and facilitated continuous migration or post-glacial secondary contact among moustache toad populations. Furthermore, periodic oscillation of effective population sizes accompanying fluctuations of historical temperature and population contraction at the Last Glacial Maximum support the widespread impact of climatic changes of the Pleistocene on species diversification in East Asia. This impact was moderate for populations of L. ailaonicum and L. boringii in the southwestern mountains but severe for populations of L. liui in the eastern lowland regions of continental East Asia, which is supported by different degrees of change of their effective population sizes. Our findings reveal mechanisms underlying genetic diversification among moustache toads, and highlight the power of genomic data and demographic modelling for examining complex historical population-level processes and for understanding how geographical and palaeoclimatic factors interactively shape current intraspecific diversity., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Tracing the aging progress of soot particles during transport is highly challenging. An Asian dust event could provide an ideal opportunity to trace the continuous aging progress of long-range-transported soot particles. Here, we collected individual aerosol particles at an inland urban site (T1) and a coastal urban site (T2) in China and a coastal site (T3) in southwestern Japan during an Asian dust event. Microscopic analysis showed that the number fraction of soot-bearing particles was 19 % and 16 % at T1 and T2 in China but surprisingly increased to 56 % at T3 in Japan. The dominant fresh soot (71 %) at T1 became partially embedded (68 %) at T2 and fully embedded (84 %) at T3. These results indicated that the tiny soot particles had lower deposition than other aerosol types and became more aged during the transport from T1 to T3. We quantified soot morphology using the fractal dimension and found an increasing trend of 1.65 at T1, 1.84 at T2, and 1.91 at T3. Furthermore, we found that the morphology compression of the soot aggregations was associated with secondary coating thickness and relative humidity. A unique mixing structure where multi-soot particles scattered in organic coatings instead of the sulfate core in individual core-shell particles was observed at T3 after the crossing of the East China Sea. The study provides understanding for important constraints of the soot morphological effects and provides a possible aging scale along with their transport pathway. These new findings will be helpful to improve optical calculations and regional climate modeling of soot particles during their transport in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the growing popularity of ride-sharing in China, our understanding regarding users' trust and behavioral intention toward this new type of hailing service is still limited. This study aims to examine the joint influences of institution-based, process-based and characteristic-based antecedents on customers' trust and continuance intention toward ride-sharing. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate if the relative influences of institution-based and process-based antecedents on trust are contingent upon customers' prior experience. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing upon trust-building literature and the elaboration-likelihood model, we developed a research model and conducted an online survey to users of Didi, the largest ride-sharing platform in China. We used the structural equation modeling technique to analyze the collected data and examine the proposed research model. Findings: Ther major research findings of the study suggest that structural assurance, government support, platform reputation and disposition to trust exhibit significant and different degrees of influences on customers' trust beliefs and continuance intention toward ride-sharing. A multi-group analysis further suggests that customers with less use experience focus more on government support and platform reputation, while customers with more use experience are more likely influenced by structural assurance. Originality/value: The study contributes to the extant literature by identifying the joint influences of institutional-based, process-based and characteristic-based antecedents on users' continuance intention of ride-sharing service and uncovers the mediation mechanism of trust and perceived risk. Moreover, the study refines the boundary condition of the proposed research model by revealing the moderating effect of use experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand rain microphysics at the scale of 100 km over the Yangtze River Delta in East China, the characteristics and small-scale variations of raindrop size distribution (DSD) are investigated using data from two-year observations by five OTT Parsivel disdrometers. The characteristics of DSD are quantified and compared for three rainfall classifications: convective, stratiform, and mixed rainfall. Localized μ−λ and Z-R relationships are further derived based on the quantified DSD. For overall DSD, convective rain shows significant dispersion between different stations, while there is no obvious difference in stratiform and mixed rainfall. The DSD parameter shows that the convective rainfall tends to be enhanced but the stratiform and mixed rainfalls tend to be weakened by urbanization. The convective rainfall has the largest variability in number density (Nw) and mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) followed by mixed rainfall, and stratiform rainfall has the smallest dispersion. Besides, both the μ−λ and Z-R relationships vary with rainfall types. These findings not only help to better understand precipitation physics but also contribute to the quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) of weather radar, hydrological modeling, and water resource assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, two different studies were designed to investigate body image dissatisfaction and perception of the attractive female body in Chinese and Croatian women and men using the correlational and experimental study research approach. Study 1 comprised 266 Chinese (160 women; 106 men) and 261 Croatian participants (161 women; 100 men). Women from both countries were asked to complete the measures of the Contour Rating Scale, SATAQ – 4, Body Area Scale and demographic data, while men were asked to complete the measures of the Contour Rating Scale and demographic data via online surveys. The obtained results indicated that thin internalization predicted body image dissatisfaction in both samples. Besides, while both samples scored relatively high on thin-ideal internalization, Chinese women, who were also in general less satisfied with their body image, had higher scores. Chinese women also scored higher on musculature internalization and felt more pressure from family, friends, and media to conform to standard beauty norms compared to Croatian women. The samples also differed in their perceptions of preferable body size, where Chinese women had a more negative perception of their actual body size. The obtained results furthermore revealed that Chinese men preferred thinner women compared to Croatian men. Moreover, both samples misjudged what their female counterparts found attractive, thinking that women wanted to have even thinner bodies than they actually reported. Similarly, women from both cultures revealed a preference for thinner figures than the ones selected as the most attractive by the opposite sex. Finally, in Study 2, experimental manipulation of thin-ideal was used to examine whether thin priming affected body image dissatisfaction. The obtained results revealed that when primed with thin-ideal women from both countries felt lower satisfaction with their body size. The observed effect was stronger for Chinese participants. Limitations of the current study are discussed in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]