The paper is trying to examine the changes between rational and irrational charitable donation of Chinese listed corporations under the background that an increasing number of Chinese listed corporations register charity foundations in recent years. Considering corporate income tax ratio as a proxy for tax preference, whether products are exposed to consumers directly or indirectly, as well as gross profit margin, debt financing scale and debt maturity structure as proxies for the reputation effect and strategic advantage, the indicators of rational charitable donation consist of the five factors mentioned above; The indicator of irrational charitable donation is disposal accrued profits calculated by Extended Jones Model. By the regression of data of charitable donations from Chinese A listed corporations during the year from 2008 to 2013, findings show that the behavior of rational charitable donation is weakened gradually, while, in contrast, the irrational charitable donation is strengthened. The listed corporations have strong motivation to transfer profits through registering and establishing charity foundations, which is a new tendency of transferring interests.

This paper aims to theorise how virtual reality (VR) can contribute to the development of contextual architecture. We start by considering how an architectural context may translate into a virtual domain, introducing preliminary definitions of what a virtual design context (VDC) could entail. We then discuss a proposed taxonomy that guides the creation of such a VDC, anchored in principles drawn from virtual realism in art philosophy and contextualism within architecture. This taxonomy is envisioned as a preliminary framework for developing VR-driven design environments with a focus on context. Next, we conducted expert user-testing with 24 architects using two VDCs developed according to the taxonomy. The goal of this step was to gain insights regarding the cognitive load of designers and their user experience while engaged in different types of VDCs. Results suggest that designing in these virtual environments enhanced contextual learning, supported conceptual and creative insight and helped maintain manageable cognitive load. The paper concludes by underscoring the real-world applicability of this taxonomy, highlighting how VR can breathe new life into contextual design, not by reducing context into a digital replica, but by opening new dimensions through which its richness can be explored, interpreted and reimagined.

Stress–velocity cross-spectra provide critical insights into the wall turbulence dynamics, where second-order cross-spectra have been used to characterise the amplitude modulation of large-scale motions on smaller scales. Here, we investigate the higher-order stress–velocity cross-spectra. Through theoretical analysis, we derive an exact relationship demonstrating that the difference in convection velocity between streamwise Reynolds normal stress fluctuations ($r$) and streamwise velocity fluctuations ($u$) – termed the $r{-}u$ convection velocity difference – is governed jointly by the second- and fourth-order cross-spectra. A new ‘coherence similarity’ (CS) model is proposed, which reveals an approximate similarity between higher-order and second-order cross-spectra. As a result, the $r{-}u$ convection velocity difference can be explained in terms of second-order cross-spectral properties. Numerical validation confirms that the CS model predicts higher-order cross-spectra and the convection velocity difference accurately. Furthermore, the contours of stress–velocity cross-spectra undergo a structural transition from single-lobe to triple-lobe patterns with increasing wall distance, suggesting the presence of complex space–time coupling between $r$ and $u$.

To explore the longitudinal associations between a Chinese healthy diet and the progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) development among Chinese adults. A prospective analysis was conducted utilising data from 18 720 participants in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, spanning from 1997 to 2018. Dietary data were collected by three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls combined with the weighing method. A Chinese healthy diet score was developed by assigning scores to various food components. CMM was defined as the coexistence of two or more cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), including myocardial infarction, stroke and type 2 diabetes, diagnosed through blood indicators and clinical diagnosis. We employed a multistate model to examine the associations between the Chinese healthy diet and the longitudinal progression from being free of CMD to first CMD and then to CMM. Quantile G-computation was utilised to evaluate the relative contribution of each food component. Over a median follow-up period of 7·3 years, 2214 (11·8 %) participants developed first CMD, and 156 (0·83 %) progressed to CMM. Comparing participants in the highest quintile of dietary scores with those in the lowest, we observed a 55 % lower risk of transitioning from baseline to CMM (HR = 0·45, 95 % CI: 0·23, 0·87) and a 60 % lower risk of transition from first CMD to CMM (HR = 0·40, 95 % CI: 0·20, 0·81). Fresh fruits contributed to 42·8 and 43·0 % for delaying CMM and transition from first CMD to CMM, respectively. Our study revealed that greater adherence to the Chinese healthy diet is negatively associated with the risk of CMM.

It was found that a significant number of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) did not respond to the treatment, leading to high ongoing costs and disease burden. The main objective of this study was to find neurobiological indicators that can predict the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). A group of 103 patients who were experiencing their first episode of MDD were included in the study. After 2 weeks of SSRI treatment, the group of patients was split into two categories: ineffectiveand effective. The FMRIB Software Library (FSL) was used for diffusion data preprocessing to obtain tensor-based parameters such as FA, MD, AD, and RD. Tract-Based Spatial Statistical (TBSS) voxel-wise statistical analysis of the tensor-based parameters was carried out using the TBSS procedure in FSL. We conducted an investigation to determine if there were notable variations in neuroimaging attributes among the three groups. Compared to HC, the effective group showed significantly higher AD and MD values in the left CgH. Correlating neuroimaging characteristics and clinical manifestations revealed a significant positive correlation between CgH-l FA and clinical 2-week HAMD-17 total scores and a significant positive correlation between CgH-r FA and clinical 2-week HAMD-17 total scores. Functional damage to the cingulum bundle in the hippocampal region may predispose patients to MDD and predict antidepressant treatment outcomes. More extensive multicenter investigations are necessary to validate these MRI findings that indicate treatment effectiveness and assess their potential significance in practical therapeutic decision-making.

The Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, but the development of effective conservation strategies is hindered by a lack of data on its distribution range and population dynamics. In addition, standardized survey and analysis methods are required to facilitate the sharing of results and maximize conservation effectiveness. To fill these knowledge and methodological gaps, we investigated the occurrence of pangolin burrows in the subtropical forest ecosystem of Fujian, China. We surveyed a total of 70 transects across five land-cover types within the Fujian Junzifeng National Nature Reserve and detected 87 burrows. The majority of burrows (87%) were located in mixed conifer and broadleaf forests. We used six environmental variables in a generalized linear model to examine the relationship between the occurrence of burrows and environmental factors. The average model results from the best model set showed that the distribution of burrows was significantly influenced by forest type. For effective pangolin conservation, we recommend that local conservation authorities prioritize the protection of mixed conifer and broadleaf forests. Our findings support the local conservation of the Chinese pangolin and the standardization of surveys and conservation efforts across the species’ range.

The automation of assembly operations with industrial robots is pivotal in modern manufacturing, particularly for multispecies, low-volume, and customized production. Traditional programing methods are time-consuming and lack adaptability to complex, variable environments. Reinforcement learning-based assembly tasks have shown success in simulation environments, but face challenges like the simulation-to-reality gap and safety concerns when transferred to real-world applications. This article addresses these challenges by proposing a low-cost, image-segmentation-driven deep reinforcement learning strategy tailored for insertion tasks, such as the assembly of peg-in-hole components in satellite manufacturing, which involve extensive contact interactions. Our approach integrates visual and forces feedback into a prior dueling deep Q-network for insertion skill learning, enabling precise alignment of components. To bridge the simulation-to-reality gap, we transform the raw image input space into a canonical space based on image segmentation. Specifically, we employ a segmentation model based on U-net, pretrained in simulation and fine-tuned with real-world data, significantly reducing the need for labor-intensive real image segment labels. To handle the frequent contact inherent in peg-in-hole tasks, we integrated safety protections and impedance control into the training process, providing active compliance and reducing the risk of assembly failures. Our approach was evaluated in both simulated and real robotic environments, demonstrating robust performance in handling camera position errors and varying ambient light intensities and different lighting colors. Finally, the algorithm was validated in a real satellite assembly scenario, achieving a success rate of 15 out of 20 tests.

We propose a B-integral management strategy for manipulating the nonlinear effects by employing a discrete single-crystal fiber (SCF) configuration, enabling direct amplification of 2-μm femtosecond pulses at high repetition rates without additional pulse picking, stretching and compression. The system delivers an average power of more than 56 W at 75.45 MHz with extremely high extraction efficiency (>55%) and near-diffraction-limited beam quality (M2 < 1.2). The dynamic evolution of the optical spectra and temporal properties in the power amplifier reveals that detrimental nonlinear effects are largely suppressed due to the low accumulated nonlinear phase shift in the discrete SCF layout. This straightforward, compact and relatively simple approach is expected to open a new route to the amplification of 2-μm ultrashort pulses at MHz and kHz repetition rates to achieve high average/peak powers, thereby offering exciting prospects for applications in modern nonlinear photonics.

In this article, we study an optimization problem for a couple including two breadwinners with uncertain life times. Both breadwinners need to choose the optimal strategies for consumption, investment, housing, and life insurance purchasing to maximize the utility. In this article, the prices of housing assets and investment risky assets are assumed to be correlated. These two breadwinners are considered to have dependent mortality rates to include the breaking heart effect. The method of copula functions is used to construct the joint survival functions of two breadwinners. The analytical solutions of optimal strategies can be achieved, and numerical results are demonstrated.

This study evaluated the effects of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) potential activator, on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, glucose metabolism and inflammation in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) (initial body weight: 5·45 ± 0·02 g) fed a high-carbohydrate diet. Experimental diets included a positive control (5 % α-starch), a negative control (10 % α-starch) and two diets containing 10 % α-starch supplemented with either 0·05 % or 0·10 % CDCA. After 8 weeks, the high-carbohydrate diet reduced growth performance and increased hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indexes, which were mitigated by 0·10 % CDCA supplementation. The high-carbohydrate diet also increased hepatic glycogen and crude lipid content, both of which were reduced by 0·10 % CDCA. Furthermore, the high-carbohydrate diet-induced oxidative stress, histopathological changes and reduced liver lysozyme activity, which were ameliorated by CDCA supplementation. Molecular analysis showed that the high-carbohydrate diet suppressed FXR and phosphorylated AKT1 (p-AKT1) protein expression in the liver, downregulated insulin signalling (ira, irs, pi3kr1 and akt1), gluconeogenesis (pepck and g6pc) and glycolysis genes (gk, pk and pfkl). CDCA supplementation upregulated fxr expression, activated shp, enhanced the expression of insulin signalling and glycolytic genes (gk, pk and pfkl) and inhibited gluconeogenesis. Additionally, CDCA reduced inflammatory markers (nf-κb and il-1β) and restored anti-inflammatory mediators (il-10, iκb and tgf-β). In conclusion, 0·10 % CDCA improved carbohydrate metabolism and alleviated liver inflammation in largemouth bass fed a high dietary carbohydrate, partially through FXR activation.

This paper provides an overview of the current status of ultrafast and ultra-intense lasers with peak powers exceeding 100 TW and examines the research activities in high-energy-density physics within China. Currently, 10 high-intensity lasers with powers over 100 TW are operational, and about 10 additional lasers are being constructed at various institutes and universities. These facilities operate either independently or are combined with one another, thereby offering substantial support for both Chinese and international research and development efforts in high-energy-density physics.

The Early-Middle Jurassic impression/compression macroflora and the palynoflora from the Qaidam Basin in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau have been well studied; however, fossil wood from this region has not been previously documented systematically. Here, we describe an anatomically well-preserved fossil wood specimen from the Lower Jurassic Huoshaoshan Formation at the Dameigou section in northern Qinghai Province, northwestern China. This fossil exhibits typical Metapodocarpoxylon Dupéron-Laudoueneix et Pons anatomy with usually araucarian radial tracheid pits and variable cross-field pits, representing a new record for Metapodocarpoxylon in the Qaidam Basin. This discovery indicates that trees with this type of wood anatomy were not confined to northern Gondwana but also grew in more northerly regions in Laurasia. The wood displays distinct growth rings, with abundant, well-formed earlywood and narrow latewood. This observation, along with previous interpretations based on macroflora, palynoflora and sedimentological data, suggests that a warm and humid climate with mild seasonality prevailed in the region during the Early Jurassic.

The ubiquitous marine radiocarbon reservoir effect (MRE) constrains the construction of reliable chronologies for marine sediments and the further comparison of paleoclimate records. Different reference values were suggested from various archives. However, it remains unclear how climate and MREs interact. Here we studied two pre-bomb corals from the Hainan Island and Xisha Island in the northern South China Sea (SCS), to examine the relationship between MRE and regional climate change. We find that the MRE from east of Hainan Island is mainly modulated by the Southern Asian Summer Monsoon-induced precipitation (with 11.4% contributed to seawater), rather than wind induced upwelling. In contrast, in the relatively open seawater of Xisha Island, the MRE is dominated by the East Asian Winter Monsoon, with relatively more negative (lower) ΔR values associated with high wind speeds, implying horizontal transport of seawater. The average SCS ΔR value relative to the Marine20 curve is –161±39 14C years. Our finding highlights the essential role of monsoon in regulating the MRE in the northern SCS, in particularly the tight bond between east Asian winter monsoon and regional MRE.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical multimorbidity on the trajectory of cognitive decline over 17 years and whether vary across wealth status. The study was conducted in 9035 respondents aged 50+ at baseline from nine waves (2002–2019) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. A latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of physical multimorbidity, and mixed multilevel models were performed to determine the association between physical multimorbidity and trajectories of cognitive decline. Joint analyses were conducted to further verify the influence of wealth status. Four patterns of physical multimorbidity were identified. Mixed multilevel models with quadratic terms of time and status/patterns indicated significant non-linear trajectories of multimorbidity on cognitive function. The magnitude of the association between complex multisystem patterns and cognitive decline increased the most as follow-up progressed. Individuals with high wealth and hypertension/diabetes patterns have significantly lower composite global cognitive z scores over time as compared with respiratory/osteoporosis patterns. Physical multimorbidity at baseline is associated with the trajectory of cognitive decline, and the magnitude of the association increased over time. The trend of cognitive decline differed in specific combinations of wealth status and physical multimorbidity.

This study examined the sour grapes/sweet lemons rationalization through 2 conditions: ‘attainable’ (sweet lemons) and ‘unattainable’ (sour grapes), reflecting China’s 2019-nCoV vaccination strategy. The aim was to find ways to change people’s beliefs and preferences regarding vaccines by easing their safety concerns and encouraging more willingness to get vaccinated. An online survey was conducted from January 22 to 27, 2021, with 3,123 residents across 30 provinces and municipalities in the Chinese mainland. The direction of belief and preference changed in line with the sour grapes/sweet lemons rationalization. Using hypothetical and real contrasts, we compared those for whom the vaccine was relatively unattainable (‘sour grapes’ condition) with those who could get the vaccine easily (‘sweet lemons’). Whether the vaccine was attainable was determined in the early stage of the vaccine roll-out by membership in a select group of workers that was supposed to be vaccinated to the greatest extent possible, or, by being in the second stage when the vaccine was available to all. The attainable conditions demonstrated higher evaluation in vaccine safety, higher willingness to be vaccinated, and lower willingness to wait and see. Hence, we propose that the manipulation of vaccine attainability, which formed the basis of the application of sour grapes/sweet lemons rationalization, can be utilized as a means to manipulate the choice architecture to nudge individuals to ease vaccine safety concerns, reducing wait-and-see tendencies, and enhancing vaccination willingness. This approach can expedite universal vaccination and its associated benefits in future scenarios resembling the 2019-nCoV vaccine rollout.

With the over-use of tetracycline (TC) and its ultimate accumulation in aquatic systems, the demand for TC removal from contaminated water is increasing due to its severe threat to public health. Clay minerals have attracted great attention as low-cost adsorbents for controlling water pollution. The objective of the present study was to measure the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of TC on allophane, a nanosized clay mineral with a hollow spherical structure; to highlight the advantage of the allophane nanostructure, a further objective was to compare allophane with halloysite and montmorillonite, which have nanostructures that differ from allophane. Structural features and surface physicochemical properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, N2-physisorption, and acid–base titration. The adsorption data showed that TC adsorption followed the pseudo-second order and Langmuir models. The adsorption was pH dependent, as all three clay minerals performed better under neutral to weakly alkaline conditions and maintained high adsorption performance in the presence of co-existing Na+/K+/Ca2+/Mg2+ cations. Regeneration of the adsorbent was excellent, with efficiencies exceeding 75% after five recycles. By comparison, allophane always exhibited the greatest adsorption capacity, up to 796 mg g–1 at ~pH 9. The TC adsorption on allophane and halloysite was dominated by inner-sphere complexation, together with a small amount of electrostatic adsorption, while that on montmorillonite involved mainly interlayer cation exchange. The findings provide insights into the effects of nanostructures of clay minerals on their TC adsorption performance and highlight the huge potential of allophane as an efficient and inexpensive adsorbent for TC removal.

To investigate the associations between dietary patterns and biological ageing, identify the most recommended dietary pattern for ageing and explore the potential mediating role of gut microbiota in less-developed ethnic minority regions (LEMRs). This prospective cohort study included 8288 participants aged 30–79 years from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort study. Anthropometric measurements and clinical biomarkers were utilised to construct biological age based on Klemera and Doubal’s method (KDM-BA) and KDM-BA acceleration (KDM-AA). Dietary information was obtained through the baseline FFQ. Six dietary patterns were constructed: plant-based diet index, healthful plant-based diet index, unhealthful plant-based diet index, healthy diet score, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and alternative Mediterranean diets. Follow-up adjusted for baseline analysis assessed the associations between dietary patterns and KDM-AA. Additionally, quantile G-computation identified significant beneficial and harmful food groups. In the subsample of 764 participants, we used causal mediation model to explore the mediating role of gut microbiota in these associations. The results showed that all dietary patterns were associated with KDM-AA, with DASH exhibiting the strongest negative association (β = −0·91, 95 % CI (–1·19, −0·63)). The component analyses revealed that beneficial food groups primarily included tea and soy products, whereas harmful groups mainly comprised salt and processed vegetables. In mediation analysis, the Synergistetes and Pyramidobacter possibly mediated the negative associations between plant-based diets and KDM-AA (5·61–9·19 %). Overall, healthy dietary patterns, especially DASH, are negatively associated with biological ageing in LEMRs, indicating that Synergistetes and Pyramidobacter may be potential mediators. Developing appropriate strategies may promote healthy ageing in LEMRs.

This study aimed to explore the combined association between the dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQS) and leisure-time physical activity on sleep patterns in cancer survivors. Data of cancer survivors were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database in 2007–2014 in this cross-sectional study. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate OR and 95 % CI for the association of DAQS and leisure-time physical activity on sleep patterns. The combined association was also assessed in subgroups of participants based on age and use of painkillers and antidepressants. Among the eligible participants, 1133 had unhealthy sleep patterns. After adjusting for covariates, compared with low DAQS level combined with leisure-time physical activity level < 600 MET·min/week, high DAQS level combined with leisure-time physical activity ≥ 600 MET·min/week was associated with lower odds of unhealthy sleep patterns (OR = 0·41, 95 % CI: 0·23, 0·72). Additionally, the association of high DAQS level combined with high leisure-time physical activity with low odds of unhealthy sleep patterns was also significant in < 65 years old (OR = 0·30, 95 % CI: 0·13, 0·70), non-painkiller (OR = 0·39, 95 % CI: 0·22, 0·71), non-antidepressant (OR = 0·49, 95 % CI: 0·26, 0·91) and antidepressant (OR = 0·11, 95 % CI: 0·02, 0·50) subgroups. DAQS and leisure-time physical activity had a combined association on sleep patterns in cancer survivors. However, the causal associations of dietary nutrient intake and physical activity with sleep patterns in cancer survivors need further clarification.