Browse Articles

Power shift in the transformation and upgrading of the service sector—Empirical evidence from China

In recent years, as the global economy has entered the “service economy” period, improving the service industry’s total factor productivity, realizing high-quality development, and better playing its supportive role in the real economy and its function of improving people’s well-being have become the top priorities for its development. The service industry is growing fast, yet its production and operations are putting pressure on the environment. For this reason, this paper incorporates environmental constraints into the analysis of the transformation and upgrading of the service industry to decompose and analyze the sources of green growth of the service industry. We find that: first, the level of green technology efficiency in the service industry is low, there is a downward trend, and the green technology efficiency gap widens significantly across provinces. Secondly, GTFP in the service sector is declining in general, with large inter-provincial differences, and the obstacle to growth lies in the deterioration of green technical efficiency, while the driving force for growth lies in green technological progress. Thirdly, labor productivity in the service sector has improved considerably, but all at the cost of high inputs, and the growth contribution of green total factor productivity and its constituent factors is negative, and the whole is still in the input factor-driven stage. Finally, the factors affecting GTFP in services are multifaceted, mainly involving structural, environmental regulatory, economic, social and institutional factors. This paper offers a theoretical foundation for further promoting the transformation and upgrading of the service industry to attract jade.

The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on myopia prevalence in 5 year old Israeli children

A phase division-based multi-segment foot model for estimating dynamic foot arch stiffness during walking

The arch of the human foot plays a significant role in bearing weight and keeping gait balance. Previous studies mainly focus on the foot arch stiffness at the static or quasi-dynamic state of a particular foot shape. The variation of the linear arch stiffness across the entire walking gait has rarely been reported. This work presents a phase division-based multi-segment foot model that considers plantar aponeurosis’s tension force for calculating the dynamics of the medial longitudinal arch. Kinematics and ground reaction forces of 10 healthy young adults during walking are recorded and analyzed. The stiffness changes of the foot arch throughout the stance phase are calculated. The experimental results show that the foot arch experiences a stiff-compliant-stiff-compliant transition during a single stance phase, including an extremely low stiffness during the plantar contact phase. By comparing the foot arch stiffness results with those from previous studies, the accuracy of the proposed model is indirectly validated. This study presents a new approach to explore the variation of the linear stiffness of the foot arch across the entire stance phase during walking. The proposed multi-segment foot model provides a new method for solving foot dynamics that can be used for wearable sensing and assistive design and applications.

A statistical estimation of fractional order cryptosporidiosis epidemic model

Adjuvant chemotherapy compared with observation in patients with resected biliary tract cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives Several randomized controlled trials compared adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with observation in patients with resected biliary tract cancer (BTC) have yielded inconsistent outcomes. In order to assess the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in these patients, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We conducted a thorough search in various databases, which included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ASCO Abstracts, ESMO Abstracts and ClinicalTrials.gov. All relevant randomized controlled trials investigating the adjuvant chemotherapy compared with observation in resected biliary tract cancer were identified. The primary outcome of interest was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcome was relapse-free survival (RFS). Statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3. Additionally, publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test in Stata 12.0. Results A total of 5 randomized controlled trials, involving 1406 patients, were included in this analysis. Compared with observation, adjuvant chemotherapy improved RFS [HR 0.84 (0.73-0.96), p=0.01] (I2=0%, p=0.89) but not OS [HR 0.89 (0.77-1.03), p=0.12] (I2=51%, p=0.09) in the entire population after BTC resection. Subgroup analyses revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy did improve both OS [HR 0.76 (0.62-0.93), p=0.009] (I2=7%, p=0.37) and RFS [HR 0.74 (0.58-0.95), p=0.02] (I2=0%, p=0.39) in patients with lymph node positivity. Furthermore, patients receiving oral fluoropyrimidine monotherapy showed benefit from the adjuvant therapy, with longer OS [HR 0.78 (0.65-0.94), p=0.009] (I2=2%, p=0.31) and RFS [HR 0.81 (0.68-0.95), p=0.01] (I2=0%, p=0.95). Conclusions To conclude, adjuvant chemotherapy have the potential to offer advantages in patients with resected BTC. Specifically, patients demonstrating positive lymph node status have a higher likelihood of benefiting from adjuvant therapy. Our analysis supports the current standard of care of adjuvant fluoropyrimidine. However, the recommendation of oral fluoropyrimidine monotherapy as the preferred option is not definitive, as it is based on limited studies. Further validation of these outcomes is necessary by conducting extensive randomized controlled trials.

Talc as a natural mineral catalyst for the one pot-three component synthesis of benzo[f]chromene, dihydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene, and tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives under different conditions

From responsibility to value: ESG and long-term corporate value

Although a large body of literature has explored the relationship between ESG and firm value, the findings are inconsistent and most studies have focused on mature Western markets, with relatively little research on ESG practices and value creation effects in emerging markets, especially in transition economies such as China. This paper analyzes the correlation between ESG performance and firms’ long-term value using data from 4,185 listed companies in China’s A-share market from 2017–2022. We find that good ESG practices can significantly enhance firms’ future cash flows, long-term value and market competitiveness. The results suggest that ESG increases long-term firm value by reducing weighted average cost and increasing return on invested capital. The effects of firms’ HHI index, nature of property rights and ISO 9001 system certification on the relationship are further investigated and it is found that Lerner’s index acts as a mediating variable to enable ESG performance to affect firms’ long-term value by enhancing their market pricing power and competitiveness. This paper serves as an important reference for corporate managers to integrate ESG concepts into strategic planning for sustainable development and long-term value growth, helping enterprises implement ESG strategies for long-term corporate success and sustainable development.

Comparison of self-reported and job-exposure matrix assessed workplace inhalant exposures and their association with obstructive airways disease

Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are major public health concerns, with occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes (VGDF) often overlooked as risk factors. This study investigates discrepancies between self-reported and Job-Exposure Matrix (JEM)-assessed exposures in chronic airway obstruction (AO), highlighting the importance of robust assessment methods. Data from the Hamburg City Health Study (2016–2020) were analyzed, contrasting self-reported VGDF exposure with Airborne Chemical Exposure (ACE) JEM assessments. COPD definition followed GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) and GLI (The Global Lung Function Initiative) criteria for an AO. Inter-rater reliability was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa. Logistic regression models analyzed VGDF-AO associations, adjusting for confounders. Among 4,811 participants assessed with GOLD criteria, 3,545 met GLI criteria; inter-rater reliability between self-reported and JEM-based exposure was modest (Kappa = 0.29). Awareness of exposure varied between skill levels. Self-reported VGDF exposure was associated with GLI-defined AO (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11–1.96), but not with GOLD-defined AO. JEM assessments did not show an association for either criterion. Discrepancies exist between self-reported and JEM-assessed VGDF exposures, as well as between GOLD and GLI criteria. Enhanced assessment strategies are needed to accurately assess occupational health risks related to COPD.

Retraction: 3D craniofacial registration using thin-plate spline transform and cylindrical surface projection

Development and validation of a novel model for patients with soft tissue sarcoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Influence of discrete fracture network on the performance of enhanced geothermal system considering thermal-hydraulic-mechanical multi-physical field coupling

The long-term circulation of cold water within the deep heat reservoir in enhanced geothermal system (EGS) involves dynamic evolution of thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) fields. The characteristics of discrete fracture network (DFN) in the reservoir also affect the thermal performance of EGS. In this paper, the influence of the DFN on the performance of EGS considering THM multi-physical field couple was numerically investigated. The effect of water property change and cold tension stress with temperature was considered. The influence of DFN characteristics (fracture density, fracture aperture, angle between fracture and well connection line and fracture pattern) was discussed. Results indicate that the effect of considering water property change on the Darcy velocity is larger than considering the stress field. Considering water property change and stress field both lead to a larger Darcy velocity of the fracture water and make the temperature field drop faster. With the increase of fracture density, the production Darcy’s velocity increases gradually and the difference in thermal recovery efficiency is significant. Fracture aperture has a greater influence on the temperature field of the whole DFN reservoir than fracture density. The larger the fracture aperture, it will take away the heat energy from the heat reservoir faster. The smaller the angle between fracture and well connection line, the smaller the flow resistance of the working fluid, and the larger the equivalent permeability of the reservoir DFN system. The differences in the seepage field are small for the same range of statistical characteristics and parameter values for the DFN patterns. The DFN system with uniform fracture distribution should be selected for a better EGS reservoir, and the angle between the direction of the main fracture group and the direction of the well connection line should be at a certain acute angle.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians regarding multidisciplinary treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study

Role of Site-Specific Iron in Fe-Doped Nickel Hydroxide Toward Water Oxidation Revealed by Spatially Resolved Imaging at the Single-Particle Level

Depth prediction of urban waterlogging based on BiTCN-GRU modeling

With China’s rapid urbanization and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, heavy rainfall-induced urban waterlogging has become a persistent and pressing challenge. Accurately predicting waterlogging depth is essential for disaster prevention and loss mitigation. However, existing hydrological models often require extensive data and have complex structures, resulting in low prediction accuracy and limited generalization capabilities. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a hybrid deep learning-based approach, the BiTCN-GRU model, for predicting waterlogging depth in urban flood-prone areas. This model integrates Bidirectional Temporal Convolutional Networks (BiTCN) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) to enhance prediction performance. Specifically, the gated recurrent units (GRU) is employed for this prediction task. Bidirectional temporal convolutional network (BiTCN) can effectively capture the information features during rainfall and waterlogging depth by forward and backward convolution and use them as inputs to GRU. Experimental results demonstrate the great performance of the proposed model, achieving MAE, RMSE, and R2 values of 1.56, 3.62, and 88.31% for Minshan Road, and 3.44, 8.08, and 92.64% for Huaihe Road datasets, respectively. Compared to models such as GBDT, LSTM, and TCN-LSTM, the BiTCN-GRU model exhibits higher accuracy in predicting waterlogging depth. This hybrid model provides a robust solution for short-term waterlogging prediction, offering valuable scientific insights and theoretical support for urban waterlogging disaster prevention and mitigation.

Anthropogenic activities accelerate LULC conversion and only a sustainable development scenario is optimal for agro-pastoral ecotone development

User-centric innovation strategies for cultural creative products in China’s rural tourism

Cultural creative products play an important role in the revitalization of tourism-oriented rural areas and the preservation of cultural heritage. However, existing products fail to fully meet the diverse needs of consumers and lack a systematic design framework. This study proposes a user-centered framework aimed at guiding the innovation of cultural creative products in China’s rural tourism. During the exploration of user needs, grounded theory was used to identify three core user needs: emotional identification, personalization and uniqueness, and enhancement of quality of life. Using the KANO model, these needs were further categorized into basic needs, performance needs, and excitement needs, clarifying their priorities. In the stage of translating user needs into actionable design elements, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to assign weights to each need, and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) theory was used to construct the House of Quality, refining 14 user needs into 9 key design elements. The findings indicate a positive correlation between multifunctional design and ergonomic design, that usability and convenience are closely related to human-machine ergonomics, and that the integration of cultural symbols with emotional design and innovative forms significantly enhances the cultural value and user experience of the products. This study provides a systematic theoretical framework and practical guidance for the innovation of rural cultural creative products, with significant implications for future research and practice.

Computation of fractal dimension and power draw of regrinding depending on particle size distribution

Abstract This article uses particle size distribution to examine the fractal dimension and power draw of grinding. The tailings from dry magnetic separators, which are fed into the regrinding mill of the Gol Gohar iron ore mine, were used as the sample under study. The size of the balls, the filling particles, and the fractional ball filling have been studied as input variables, with the response variables being the fractal dimension and power draw. The results demonstrate that increasing energy usage does not increase the fractal dimension. Conversely, a direct relationship was shown between the fractal dimension and the quantity of fine particles. The self-similarity principle of fractal geometry can be used to predict the repeated process that results in variations in power draw over time. This might be the start of numerous studies that foresee the rising power draw peaks and reduce their duration by adjusting the effective parameters.

Unique osteological evidence for human-animal gladiatorial combat in Roman Britain

The spectacle of Roman gladiatorial combat captures the public imagination and elicits significant scholarly interest. Skeletal evidence associated with gladiatorial combat is rare, with most evidence deriving from written or visual sources. A single skeleton from a Roman cemetery outside of York where gladiators arguably were buried presented with unusual lesions. Investigation, including comparative work from modern zoological institutions, has demonstrated that these marks originate from large cat scavenging. Thus, we present the first physical evidence for human-animal gladiatorial combat from the Roman period seen anywhere in Europe.

ANN and machine learning based predictions of MRR in AWSJ machining of CFRP composites

Abstract This study investigates the effectiveness of Abrasive Water Suspension Jet (AWSJ) Machining, a non-conventional erosion-based method, for machining carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The focus was on analyzing key process parameters—abrasive size, feed rate, and standoff distance (SOD)—under submerged cutting conditions and their impact on material removal rate (MRR), kerf width, and surface roughness. Experimental trials were conducted, and advanced computational techniques, including Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), were used for parameter optimization and predictive analysis. The results showed that submerged cutting significantly improved machining quality by reducing surface roughness and ensuring uniform kerf widths. Increasing the jet diameter in underwater conditions stabilized the nozzle, leading to smoother and more precise cuts. Among the predictive models, XGBoost demonstrated the highest accuracy and efficiency in forecasting MRR, while Random Forest and ANN provided competitive performance. The integration of RSM and machine learning (ML) techniques enabled effective optimization of machining parameters, showcasing the potential for cost-effective and high-precision CFRP machining. These findings are particularly relevant for industries like aerospace and automotive, where machining efficiency and precision are crucial.

Rocks and clay: Potters’ technological choices within the cultural dynamics of Bronze Age Kazakhstan

Through regular interactions with their neighbors, diverse groups inhabiting areas along the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor during the Bronze Age formed dynamic interregional networks that saw the proliferation and persistence of shared material cultures over vast geographic areas. In this paper we advocate for ceramics analyses that combine both macro- and micro-scale technological studies alongside those of style, in order not to lose sight of the actual people who drove defining transformations in the Bronze Age. We present a petrographic study of pottery from the Zhetysu region, southeastern Kazakhstan, to examine diachronic technological traditions with a special focus on routines of selection and raw material processing. Our results demonstrate site-specific potting technologies as well as traits that transcend both time and space across episodes of high genetic turnover in the human population.