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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing mental health burden. We examined the factors associated with mental health symptoms in Chinese general adults in Hong Kong.Methods: We conducted a dual-frame (landline and mobile) survey on Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in April 2020. Shortage of preventive materials, perceptions of the outbreak (each item range 1–5), and reduction in income were assessed. Mental health symptoms measured included stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4, range 0–16), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0–6, cutoff >2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0–6, cutoff >2). Results were weighted by the general population distribution. Associations were analyzed by multivariable linear (for stress) and logistic (for anxiety and depressive symptoms) regression adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, including confirmed or in close contacts of confirmed cases, chronic disease, self-rated health, and smoking and alcohol drinking behavior.Results: Of the 1,501 participants (52.5% female, 55.0 aged 30–59 years), the average stress score was 7.20 (SD 2.12). 218 (15.8%) and 206 (14.8%) participants had anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Shortage in facemasks (20.8%), alcohol-based hand sanitizers (13.9%), and cleaning products (7.3%) was reported. Participants generally disagree with the perception of at risk of getting infected in the coming 6 months (mean 2.2, SD 1.1), but tended to agree with the perception of worry that the people around pose a threat to them (mean 3.6, SD 0.9) and the outbreak has greatly affected their daily life (mean 3.7, SD 0.9). 59.3% employed participants had income reduction and 6.2% had become unemployed since the outbreak. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were more prevalent in those with shortages of preventive materials and negative perceptions of the outbreak (all P < 0.05). Reduction in income and unemployment were associated with more mental health symptoms (all P < 0.05).Conclusions: Shortage of preventive materials, negative perceptions, financial loss, and unemployment were prevalent during the outbreak and found in association with higher stress and more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Further research and urgent actions are warranted to relieve stress and promote mental health, targeting the many risk factors identified by our study.

Objectives: To compare the mental health burden before and during the COVID-19 outbreak and identify the vulnerable groups by sociodemographic factors. Methods: We analyzed repeated cross-sectional data from the Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trend Survey (FHInTS) in 2016 (N = 4036) and 2017 (N = 4051) and the COVID-19 Health Information Survey (CoVHInS) in April 9–23, 2020 (N = 1501) using population-based random samples of general adults by landline telephone and online panel. Stress (Perceived Stress Scale 4), anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorders 2), depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), subjective happiness (4-point Likert item), and sociodemographic factors were collected. Results: Compared with 2016 and 2017, the stress level increased by 28.3%, prevalence of anxiety increased by 42.3%, and the depression symptoms and unhappiness have doubled (all P for trends

Abstract Burnt rock is a geo‐material widely existed in many countries. After the rock mass is burned, the fracture is developed, the structure is destroyed, the integrity and strength are reduced, and a good water storage space is formed in suitable hydration conditions. In this paper, the roof fall characteristics and failure mechanism of inclined shaft in shallow water‐rich burnt rock area (SWRBRA) are analyzed using theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and field measurement. It is revealed that the main factors causing the instability of surrounding rock on inclined shaft in SWRBRA are the deterioration of structure and integrity after rock mass is burnt, the weakening of surrounding rock strength under the action of fissure water, and the lagging support method. Therefore, the key measure to control the stability of surrounding rock in SWRBRA is to block cracks to eliminate the weakening effect of water and advance reinforcement to improve the surrounding rock strength. Through the comprehensive technologies such as rear roadway reinforcement, filling, and rebuilding artificial false roof and pipe shed advanced support, the effective restoration of the roof fall area in SWRBRA is realized. The surrounding rock fractures were closed, the strength of surrounding rock is improved by means of grouting reinforcement, and the stability control of surrounding rock of inclined shaft in SWRBRA is achieved.

BackgroundeHealth literacy can potentially facilitate web-based information seeking and taking informed measures. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate socioeconomic disparities in eHealth literacy and seeking of web-based information on COVID-19, and their associations with COVID-19 preventive behaviors. MethodsThe COVID-19 Health Information Survey (CoVHIns), using telephonic (n=500) and web-based surveys (n=1001), was conducted among adults in Hong Kong in April 2020. The Chinese eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS; score range 8-40) was used to measure eHealth literacy. COVID-19 preventive behaviors included wearing surgical masks, wearing fabric masks, washing hands, social distancing, and adding water or bleach to the household drainage system. Adjusted beta coefficients and the slope indices of inequality for the eHEALS score by socioeconomic status, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for seeking of web-based information on COVID-19 by socioeconomic status, and aORs for the high adherence to preventive behaviors by the eHEALS score and seeking of web-based information on COVID-19 were calculated. ResultsThe mean eHEALS score was 26.10 (SD 7.70). Age was inversely associated with the eHEALS score, but education and personal income were positively associated with the eHEALS score and seeking of web-based information on COVID-19 (for all, P for trend

BackgroundConvenient and quality family communication improves family functioning and well-being. Using mobile instant messaging (IM) for family communication is increasingly popular, but its association with family functioning and family well-being has not been reported. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association of the use of family IM chat groups with family functioning and well-being, and the mediating effect of family communication quality among Chinese adults in Hong Kong. MethodsWe analyzed data from the Family and Health Information Trend Survey (FHInTS), a territory-wide, probability-based telephone survey conducted in 2017. The quality of family communication, family functioning, and well-being was assessed using the Family Communication Scale; Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve (APGAR) Scale; and Family Well-Being Scale (family heath, harmony, and happiness), respectively. Respondents also reported the number of family IM chat groups (0, 1, 2, ≥3), and numbers of IM messages received (20) and sent (20) daily. The frequency of family IM chat interaction (range 0-8) was calculated by combining the number of messages received from and sent to the family IM chat groups daily. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics and the frequency of family face-to-face communication (often, sometimes, seldom, or never). Data were weighted by sex, age, and education of the general population. Adjusted β coefficients of family functioning and well-being in relation to having a family IM chat group, and numbers of messages received and sent were calculated. The mediation effects of family communication on these associations were assessed, controlling for the covariates. ResultsA random sample of 1638 Chinese adults (45.6% men; 78.1% aged 25 to 64 years) were interviewed (response rate: 74.4%). Female, younger age, being married or cohabiting, higher education, higher income, better family functioning, and well-being were associated with having at least one family IM chat group (all P

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) can cause detrimental effects on fetal growth. However, the effects of BPA alternatives, such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), on fetal growth are less known. Objective: To investigate the relationships of prenatal BPA, BPF, and BPS exposures with fetal growth parameters and gestational age. Methods: Urinary BPA, BPF, and BPS were measured in 1,197 pregnant women before delivery in a Chinese cohort. The associations of prenatal exposure to BPA, BPF, and BPS with fetal growth parameters and gestational age were examined, and associations stratified by fetal sex were also conducted. We used a restricted cubic splines (RCS) model to examine the dose–response associations between exposures and outcomes. Results: Maternal urinary BPA and BPF were negatively related to birth length (-0.30 cm, 95% CI: −0.44, −0.15 and −0.21 cm, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.07 comparing the extreme exposure groups, respectively, both p for trends

Inclined wells has recently been adopted to develop fractured-vuggy carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs (FVCHRs) composed by matrix, fracture and vug system. Therefore, it is significant for us to describe pressure transient of inclined well for FVCHRs. In this paper, it is assumed that vug and fracture system connect with wellbore, and inter-porosity flow from vug to fracture system appears. Therefore, the pressure transient responses model of inclined well with triple-porosity dual-permeability behavior was built. The model is solved by employing Laplace integral transform and finite cosine Fourier transform. Real-domain solution of the model is obtained by Stehfest inversion algorithm. On the basis model of the published paper, the solution of the simplified model of this paper was validated with horizontal and vertical well of FVCHRs with triple-porosity dual-permeability behavior, and results reach a good agreement. Type curve, according to pressure derivative curve characteristic, can be divided into eight flow regimes, which includes wellbore storage, skin reflect, early vertical radial flow, top and bottom boundary reflection, linear flow, inter-porosity flow from vug to fracture, inter-porosity from matrix to vug and fracture and pseudo-radial flow regimes. The influence of some vital parameters (inclination angle, inter-porosity flow coefficient, well length and permeability ratio etc.) on dimensionless pressure and its derivative curves are discussed in detail. The presented model can be used to understand pressure transient response characteristic of inclined wells in FVCHRs with dual-permeability behavior.

BackgroundOnline misinformation proliferation during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health concern. ObjectiveWe aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 misinformation exposure and beliefs, associated factors including psychological distress with misinformation exposure, and the associations between COVID-19 knowledge and number of preventive behaviors. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1049 South Korean adults in April 2020. Respondents were asked about receiving COVID-19 misinformation using 12 items identified by the World Health Organization. Logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for the association of receiving misinformation with sociodemographic characteristics, source of information, COVID-19 misinformation belief, and psychological distress, as well as the associations of COVID-19 misinformation belief with COVID-19 knowledge and the number of COVID-19 preventive behaviors among those who received the misinformation. All data were weighted according to the Korea census data in 2018. ResultsOverall, 67.78% (n=711) of respondents reported exposure to at least one COVID-19 misinformation item. Misinformation exposure was associated with younger age, higher education levels, and lower income. Sources of information associated with misinformation exposure were social networking services (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.20-2.32) and instant messaging (aOR 1.79, 1.27-2.51). Misinformation exposure was also associated with psychological distress including anxiety (aOR 1.80, 1.24-2.61), depressive (aOR 1.47, 1.09-2.00), and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (aOR 1.97, 1.42-2.73), as well as misinformation belief (aOR 7.33, 5.17-10.38). Misinformation belief was associated with poorer COVID-19 knowledge (high: aOR 0.62, 0.45-0.84) and fewer preventive behaviors (≥7 behaviors: aOR 0.54, 0.39-0.74). ConclusionsCOVID-19 misinformation exposure was associated with misinformation belief, while misinformation belief was associated with fewer preventive behaviors. Given the potential of misinformation to undermine global efforts in COVID-19 disease control, up-to-date public health strategies are required to counter the proliferation of misinformation.

BackgroundElectronic devices (eDevices) may have positive or negative influences on family communication and well-being depending on how they are used. ObjectiveWe examined eDevice use during family time and its association with the quality of family communication and well-being in Hong Kong Chinese adults. MethodsIn 2017, a probability-based 2-stage random sampling landline telephone survey collected data on eDevice use in daily life and during family time (eg, family dinner) and the presence of rules banning eDevice use during family dinner. Family communication quality was rated from 0 to 10 with higher scores being favorable. Family well-being was calculated as a composite mean score of 3 items each using the same scale from 0 to 10. The associations of family communication quality and well-being with eDevice use in daily life and during family time were estimated using beta-coefficient (β) adjusting for sociodemographics. The mediating role of family communication quality in the association between eDevice use and family well-being was analyzed. ResultsOf the 2064 respondents (mean age 56.4 [SD 19.2] years, 1269/2064 [61.48%] female), 1579/2059 (76.69%) used an eDevice daily for a mean of 3.6 hours (SD 0.1) and 257/686 (37.5%) used it for 30+ minutes before sleep. As much as 794/2046 (38.81%) often or sometimes used an eDevice during family time including dinner (311/2017, 15.42%); 713/2012 (35.44%) reported use of an eDevice by family members during dinner. Lower family communication quality was associated with hours of eDevice use before sleep (adjusted β=–.25; 95% CI –0.44 to –0.05), and often use (vs never use) of eDevice during family dinner by oneself (adjusted β=–.51; 95% CI –0.91 to –0.10) and family members (adjusted β=–.54; 95% CI –0.79 to –0.29). Similarly, lower family well-being was associated with eDevice use before sleep (adjusted β=–.26; 95% CI –0.42 to –0.09), and often use during family dinner by oneself (adjusted β=–.48; 95% CI –0.83 to –0.12) and family members (adjusted β=–.50; 95% CI –0.72 to –0.28). Total ban of eDevice use during family dinner was negatively associated with often use by oneself (adjusted odds ratio 0.49; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.85) and family members (adjusted odds ratio 0.41; 95% CI 0.28, 0.60) but not with family communication and well-being. Lower family communication quality substantially mediated the total effect of the association of eDevice use time before sleep (61.2%) and often use at family dinner by oneself (87.0%) and by family members (67.8%) with family well-being. ConclusionseDevice use before sleep and during family dinner was associated with lower family well-being, and the association was substantially mediated by family communication quality. Our results suggest that interventions on smart use of eDevice may improve family communication and well-being.

A superhydrophobic conversion film on AA6061 aluminium alloy was prepared via ultrasonication-assistant chemical etching by FeCl3/HCl aqueous solution,KMnO4 passivation,and ultrasonic deposition of trichloro (1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecafluorodecyl) silane. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM),contact angle test and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) were used to investigate the morphology,hydrophobicity,and chemical compositions of superhydrophobic conversion film, respectively. The results show that superhydrophobic surface exhibits a high contact angle of 153° and endows the Al matrix promising self-cleaning ability, resistance to acid or alkali erosion, anti-friction and anti-corrosion capability. Compared with the dipping method, ultrasonic preparation of superhydrophobic film on Al alloy surface can not only improve the homogeneity of self-assembly of PFCPS, but also enhance its bonding force with Al matrix and form a superhydrophobic film with good protective performance.

The development of cancer is a multistep and complex process involving interactions between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). C-X-C chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its receptor, CXCR5, make crucial contributions to this process by triggering intracellular signaling cascades in malignant cells and modulating the sophisticated TME in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. The CXCL13/CXCR5 axis has a dominant role in B cell recruitment and tertiary lymphoid structure formation, which activate immune responses against some tumors. In most cancer types, the CXCL13/CXCR5 axis mediates pro-neoplastic immune reactions by recruiting suppressive immune cells into tumor tissues. Tobacco smoke and haze (smohaze) and the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene induce the secretion of CXCL13 by lung epithelial cells, which contributes to environmental lung carcinogenesis. Interestingly, the knockout of CXCL13 inhibits benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung cancer and azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced colorectal cancer in mice. Thus, a better understanding of the context-dependent functions of the CXCL13/CXCR5 axis in tumor tissue and the TME is required to design an efficient immune-based therapy. In this review, we summarize the molecular events and TME alterations caused by CXCL13/CXCR5 and briefly discuss the potentials of agents targeting this axis in different malignant tumors.

As new concept radar combing quantum technology with radar technology, quantum radar is an extension of traditional radar theory and has the potential to break through the limit of conventional radar detection performance. We study quantum radar optimum decision strategies for various signal and background forms and compare them with traditional photon-counting strategies. Quantum optimum strategy gives better detection probability with fixed false-alarm probability, thus reducing needed signal strength to detect the target, but its validity strongly depends on exact knowledge of signal forms. We briefly discuss the influence of deviating signal amplitudes and phases, and find that in the condition that the false-alarm probability is very small quantum optimum strategy is still useful when the signal form varies in a small region.

The present research contributes to the debate in cognitive sentence on the relationship between language and perception by comparing Mongolian and Chinese speakers’ color perception. In this study, featuring a free sorting task and a visual search task comparing Mongolian and Chinese performances, the results show that both universal and relativistic forces are at play. Chinese (Mandarin) and Mongolian color terms divide the blue spectrum differently but the green spectrum, similarly. In Mongolian, light blue (“qinker”) and dark blue (“huhe”) are strictly distinct, while both light green and dark green are described as one word, nogvgan. In Chinese, however, both light blue and dark blue are simply described by one word, lan, and both light green and dark green are described by a single word, lv. The current study used a free-sorting task and a visual search task to investigate whether this linguistic difference between Chinese and Mongolian speakers leads to a difference in color discrimination. In the free-sorting task, compared with Chinese speakers, Mongolian speakers exhibited different sorting in the blue region (by distinguishing light and dark blue) and the same sorting in the green region. Further results showed that Mongolian speakers discriminated visual search displays that fall into different linguistic categories in Mongolian (e.g., qinker or huhe) more quickly than visual search displays that belong to the same linguistic category (e.g., both qinker) in a visual search task. Moreover, this effect was disrupted in Mongolian participants who performed a secondary task engaging involving verbal working memory (but not a task engaging involving spatial working memory), suggested linguistic interference. Chinese (Mandarin) speakers performing the visual search task did not show such a category advantage under any of the conditions. The finding provides support for the Whorf hypothesis with evidence from an Altay language. Meanwhile, both Chinese and Mongolian speakers reacted faster to the green color than the blue color in the visual search task, suggesting that the variation in human color perception is constrained by certain universal forces. The difference in categorical effects between Chinese and Mongolian speakers in the blue region suggests a relativistic aspect of language and color perception, while the speed of visual search in blue and green suggests a universalistic aspect of language and color perception. Thus, our findings suggest that our perception is shaped by both relativistic and universal forces.