Chinese Speakers Research Articles

Сравнительная оценка кормовой продуктивности чины посевной в различных эколого-географических условиях

Abstract. The article presents the results of studying the yield and quality of green mass of four varieties of domestic sowing varieties: Racheyka, Zhemchuzhina, Mramornaya and Elena. The purpose of the study is to assess the phenotypic variability of chinese varieties in terms of the duration of the growing season, yield and quality of green mass, to select genotypes that are resistant to limiting environmental factors and capable of forming consistently high feed productivity in different agroclimatic conditions. Methods. Laboratory and field research was carried out in 2022–2023 on the educational and experimental field of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Omsk State Agrarian University” (Omsk) and on the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Russian Research and Design Technological Institute of Sorghum and Corn (Saratov). The conditions of the growing season are close to arid ones, HTC = 0.64…1.02. In the Omsk experimental plot, the soil is meadow-chernozem medium-thick (45 cm), low-humus (3.95 % humus), semi-loam (35 % physical clay), in Saratov – southern chernozem low-humus (3.80 % humus), medium-thick (42 cm), clayed loam (43 % physical clay). The predecessor is grain crops. When conducting research, we followed the same methodology – sowing in the first ten days of May, seeding rate – 700 thousand pieces grains per hectare, plot area – 5 m2, seed placement depth – 5 cm. Results. Growing conditions have a significant impact on the variability of the duration of the growing season – 65.8 % and the level of green mass yield – 54.2 %. The variation in the parameters of the biochemical composition is largely due to the genotype of the variety – 62.1 %. Evaluation of varieties according to adaptability indicators made it possible to distribute them into groups: 1 – extensive form with very low phenotypic stability (Mramornaya); 2 – form with high phenotypic stability (Zhemchuzhina); 3 – intensive form with reduced phenotypic stability (Elena); 4 – intensive phenotypically highly stable form (Racheyka). Scientific novelty. Varieties with high phenotypic stability of feed productivity, weakly responsive to fluctuations in climatic conditions and showing low rates of yield decline under unfavorable weather factors in various regions of the country were selected.

A Corpus-Based Multifactorial Study of Help/help to Alternation in Learners’ Language: From the Perspective of Probabilistic Grammar

This corpus-based multifactorial study delves deeper into the well-known alternation between bare and full infinitive complements, specifically regarding the help concordances. It extends the line of research to learners’ language productions with a focus on comparing and contrasting the probabilistic grammatical knowledge reflected in the help/ help to choices, which are constrained by a complex network of factors. Regression modeling indicates that constraints such as the horror aequi and certain morphological forms of the verb help are comparatively stable among groups of Chinese English language learners and native English speakers. Therefore, the principle of cognitive complexity and the avoidance strategy fueling infinitive variations are further tested. While the object typology differs in effect strength, it also prompts consideration of cultural influences on the part of Chinese English learners. In addition, two different patterns of interaction effects are explored in each dataset, which implies that learners’ language choice is usage-based, determined by an unconscious assessment of multiple clues that are learned from language input and shaped by language experiences.

Comparative Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Defense Mechanism of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) against Plasmodiophora brassicae Infection.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) ranks among the most cultivated and consumed vegetables in China. A major threat to its production is Plasmodiophora brassicae, which causes large root tumors, obstructing nutrient and water absorption and resulting in plant withering. This study used a widely targeted metabolome technique to identify resistance-related metabolites in resistant (DH40R) and susceptible (DH199S) Chinese cabbage varieties after inoculation with P. brassicae. This study analyzed disease-related metabolites during different periods, identifying 257 metabolites linked to resistance, enriched in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, and 248 metabolites linked to susceptibility, enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway. Key metabolites and genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway were upregulated at 5 days post-inoculation (DPI), suggesting their role in disease resistance. In the arachidonic acid pathway, linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid were upregulated at 5 and 22 DPI in resistant plants, while arachidonic acid was upregulated at 22 DPI in susceptible plants, leading to the conclusion that arachidonic acid may be a response substance in susceptible plants after inoculation. Many genes enriched in these pathways were differentially expressed in DH40R and DH199S. The research provided insights into the defense mechanisms of Chinese cabbage against P. brassicae through combined metabolome and transcriptome analysis.

Audiovisual Integration Decreases Inhibition of Return in Children With ADHD

Objectives: Previous studies have widely demonstrated that inhibition of return (IOR) with audiovisual targets decreases due to audiovisual integration (AVI). It is currently unclear, however, whether the impaired AVI in children with ADHD has effects on IOR. The present study used the cue-target paradigm to explore differences between the IOR of audiovisual targets and the IOR of visual targets in ADHD and typically developing (TD) children. Method: A total of 81 native Chinese speakers aged 6 to 13 years were recruited, including 38 children with ADHD and 43 age- and sex-matched TD children. Results: The results showed that there was a smaller magnitude of IOR with audiovisual targets as compared with visual targets in the two groups. Importantly, the reduction of IOR in audiovisual conditions was significantly smaller in children with ADHD than in children with TD. Race model analyses further confirmed that differences in IOR between ADHD and TD are due to deficits of audiovisual integration in ADHD. Conclusion: The results indicated that children with ADHD have impaired audiovisual integration, which has a minimal impact on IOR.

What Connects Mongol Rulers with the Chinese World: Imperial Edicts, a Literal Translation Style, and Spoken Chinese

This study examines the influence of Mongolian language on spoken Chinese, with a focus on the Sino-Mongolian, or Chinese language translated using the literal translation style (zhiyi-ti 直譯體) from Mongolian. Sino-Mongolian was a type of contact language, based on the Chinese vocabulary and Mongolian syntactic structure. Common linguistic elements are observed between Sino-Mongolian and the Chinese textbook No Gŏltae edited in the Koryŏ Kingdom under Mongol rule. The analysis confirms that No Gŏltae was not translated from Mongolian language but a type of spoken Chinese that was influenced and shaped by Sino-Mongolian through oral dissemination. Although Sino-Mongolian was an artificially translated language, the literal translation style may have been based on Altaic Pidgin Chinese. Hence, it was readily accepted in Northern China and naturally influenced and shaped the spoken Chinese there. It is concluded that the colloquial Chinese influenced by Sino-Mongolian, as observed in No Gŏltae, would be defined as Mongolo-Chinese, a type of Creole language.

Could L1 intonation patterns be applied in teaching Mandarin tones to atonal learners of Chinese? – An acoustic phonetic study

Abstract This study focuses on the acoustic comparison of Mandarin Chinese lexical tones and Hungarian monosyllabic intonation patterns. The aim of this experiment was to explore whether atonal L1 intonation patterns are applicable in teaching tones in L2 Mandarin Chinese, and also to investigate to what extent atonal and tonal monosyllabic contours differ. Mandarin Chinese rising Tone 2 is compared to two corresponding Hungarian rising contours: i) monosyllabic interrogative contour and ii) the rising phase of the f 0 pattern in alternative questions. Mandarin Chinese falling Tone 4 is likewise compared to Hungarian i) declarative and ii) imperative f 0 curves. We compared Mandarin Chinese and Hungarian native speakers’ production regarding five acoustic features. Results show that Mandarin Chinese Tone 2 is articulated with longer duration, and a more concave f 0 curve compared to Hungarian rising intonation patterns. Mandarin Chinese Tone 4, on the other hand, was found to differ from the Hungarian imperative contour only in terms of the f 0 curve shape, since Tone 4 featured a more domed curve. Hungarian declaratives are characterized by a more concave f 0 pattern, realized in a lower f 0 range compared to Tone 4. The results of this study may contribute to the proper application of atonal intonation patterns in L2 teaching of Mandarin Chinese through the differences and similarities between atonal and tonal monosyllabic f 0 patterns.

Is dialect proficiency associated with improved executive function?

Abstract A broad and extensive literature has investigated the cognitive consequences of bilingualism on cognitive control. Results from these studies, while controversial, support the conclusion that speaking a second language confers non-linguistic benefits. Whether other related linguistic experiences, such as dialect use, confer similar benefits remains an underexplored and open question. The common use of a diverse range of local dialects across China provides ideal conditions under which to explore this question. Using a dialectally heterogeneous sample of Mandarin-English bilingual young adults (n = 74), the present study investigated whether differences in dialect proficiency impacted on inhibition and attentional control while accounting for variation in language experience. Dialect proficiency was not associated with improved performance on the Simon task, Attention Network Test, or Flanker task, suggesting no benefits in inhibition or attentional control. Considerations for future studies investigating the influence of Chinese dialect experience on cognitive control are discussed.

Dissemination of Agricultural Culture in the Chinese TikTok Environment: A Case Study of Let’s Farm

In the digital era, platforms like China's TikTok (Douyin) have become essential in disseminating agricultural culture. This study explores how the Chinese agricultural-themed variety show Let's Farm effectively promotes agricultural dissemination on TikTok. Grounded in participatory cultural theory and uses & gratifications theory, this research employs a mixed-method approach to analyze content and audience interactions. The study involves a content analysis of Let's Farm's videos and live streams on Douyin, focusing on publication frequency, audience engagement (likes, comments, shares), and the types of content posted by the production team and cast members. Additionally, the study examines user-generated content to evaluate its contribution to the show's dissemination and conducts an analysis of audience comments to understand their motivations and reactions to the content. The findings indicate that Let's Farm effectively promotes Chinese agricultural culture through strategic content marketing and interactive activities on TikTok.Additionally, audience-driven secondary creation boosts content dissemination, leading to substantial diffusion. The educational value of the program is evident in its ability to make agricultural knowledge accessible and engaging, particularly to younger audiences. These insights offer practical recommendations for leveraging new media platforms to enhance cultural diffusion and educational impact.

A Study on the Phonetic Symbols of Action Characters in Shuowen · Renbu

The study of Chinese philology has always been of interest to Sinologists worldwide. As a pictographic script, Chinese characters are divided into independent meaningful single-font character and composite characters made up of multiple elements. Some composite characters are formed by combining a meaningful symbol with a phonetic symbol, which are known as "semantic-phonetic characters (pictophonetic characters)". We have discovered that some semantic-phonetic characters also convey meaning, and the meanings they express belong to certain categories, reflecting the psychology of the people who created the characters and the cultural features of the Han ethnic group. In this article, we will conduct a thorough exploration of the behavior-related characters in Shuowen·Renbu, a monumental ancient Chinese work.

B - 124 Neuropsychological Evaluation of Chinese Speaking Patients with Parkinson’s Disease for Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

Abstract Objective Neuropsychological evaluation is a critical part of standardized workup of candidates with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for deep brain stimulation (DBS), identifying patients with cognitive dysfunction (Okun et al., 2006). Existing literature has primarily involved native English speakers with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), informing treatment planning (Troster et al., 2018). This case series aims to address the gap for Chinese-speaking patients, by describing Chinese neuropsychological measures and norms sensitive to MCI. Method Six cases of first-generation Chinese immigrants diagnosed with PD considering DBS were included in this study. They identified Chinese as their primary language and English as their second language. Duration of residency in the U.S. ranged from 11 to 44 years. The battery included Chinese version of the MOCA; Chinese WAIS-IV; Boston Naming Test (Cheung et al. 2004); semantic verbal fluency, Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, and Color Trail Test (Lee and Wang, 2010); and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Revised Edition (BVMT-R) or RBANS: Figure Recall. Results Consistent with studies for native English speakers (Foley et al., 2018), cognitive declines were found in attention, memory, and executive function domains. Two of the six cases were diagnosed with MCI, which warrants caution before DBS. Conclusions This case series explores measures for Chinese speakers with PD undergoing evaluation for DBS surgery, highlighting cultural considerations, including Chinese measures and norms. This battery can help to differentiate cognitive impairments before proceeding with DBS. Given the diversity within this population and the scarcity of Chinese tools, more research is urgently needed.

双行轮式自走型大白菜收获机设计与试验

Aiming at the problems of low harvesting level of Chinese cabbage, high cost of manual operation and lack of special harvesting machinery, a double-row wheeled self-propelled Chinese cabbage harvester was designed on the basis of measuring the physical parameters of 'Zaofeng 01'Chinese cabbage varieties and combining with the main local planting patterns. It can complete the root cutting, pulling, clamping and conveying, packing and collecting of double-row Chinese cabbage at one time. Through the design and selection of the key working parts of the double-row wheel self-propelled Chinese cabbage harvester prototype, the key working parameters of the profiling device, the root cutting-pulling device and the clamping conveying device were determined. The kinematics analysis of the harvester in the profiling, cutting, pulling, clamping and conveying links was carried out, and the field operation performance test of the prototype was completed. The results showed that: when the rotation speed of the cutter was 280 r/min, the rotation speed of the clamping conveyor belt was 240 r/min, and the forward speed of the machine was 1.44 km/h, the maximum qualified rate of harvesting was 95.08 %, the minimum value was 90.65 %, and the average value was 93.79 %. At this time, the working performance of the working machine is stable, the harvesting effect is good, and all performance indicators meet the relevant design requirements and standards. The research results can provide reference for the development and structural improvement of Chinese cabbage low-loss harvesting equipment.

Evaluating Chinese fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties and planting dates in North Carolina

AbstractField trials were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effects of planting date (mid‐March, mid‐April, and mid‐May) on 11 fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L. <0.3% total tetrahydrocannabinol) varieties. Trials were conducted in Goldsboro, Kinston, and Salisbury, NC. Each location followed a split‐plot randomized complete block design with at least three blocks where planting date was the main‐plot and variety the sub‐plot. Varieties investigated originated from China and Australia (2021 only). Data collection included flowering time, end of season stand counts, stem height, diameter, and final retted dry straw yield. We found differences among the varieties investigated in both years; however, no distinct trend was observed across years. All varieties investigated flowered at the end of August and beginning of September, allowing for a long growing season and ability to produce abundant biomass. In general, the Chinese genetics yielded higher stem biomass compared to previously reported European genetics. Stem thickness was >7.5 mm, which is generally considered the maximum width for textile‐grade fiber production. To achieve thinner stems from the varieties investigated, harvesting prior to male‐flower initiation may be required. The crop experienced temperatures below freezing in both years with no signs of damage. Taken together, farmers seeking to plant fiber hemp in North Carolina have a wide planting window from mid‐March to mid‐May using these Chinese varieties.

Predictive modeling of rice milling degree for three typical Chinese rice varieties using interpretative machine learning methods.

Brown rice over-milling causes high economic and nutrient loss. The rice degree of milling (DOM) detection and prediction remain a challenge for moderate processing. In this study, a self-established grain image acquisition platform was built. Degree of bran layer remaining (DOR) datasets is established with image capturing and processing (grain color, texture, and shape features extraction). The mapping relationship between DOR and the DOM is in-depth analyzed. Rice grain DOR typical machine learning and deep learning prediction models are established. The results indicate that the optimized Catboost model can be established with cross-validation and grid search method, with the best accuracy improving from 84.28% to 91.24%, achieving precision 91.31%, recall 90.89%, and F1-score 91.07%. Shapley additive explanations analysis indicates that color, texture, and shape feature affect Catboost prediction accuracy, the feature importance: color>texture>shape. The YCbCr-Cb_ske and GLCM-Contrast features make the most significant contribution to rice milling quality prediction. The feature importance provides theoretical and practical guidancefor grain DOM prediction model. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Rice milling degree prediction and detection are valuable for rice milling process in practical application. In this paper, image processing and machine learning methods provide an automated, nondestructive, and cost-effective way to predict the quality of rice. The study may serve as a valuable reference for improving rice milling methods, retaining rice nutrition, and reducing broken rice yield.

Y. R. Chao's Fāngyīn diàochá biǎogé and its role in the evolution of Chinese dialect research methodology

ABSTRACT: The present study compares and contrasts the phonologies of the Y. R. Chao's Fāngyīn diàochá biǎogé 方音調查表格 and Jerry Norman's Common Dialectal Chinese Hànyǔ fāngyán tōngyīn 漢語方言通音, also with reference to the Fāngyán diàochá zìbiǎo 方言調查字表, for what they reveal about their compilers' approaches to Chinese dialect phonology and it's applicability in dialect fieldwork and related research. We find that both were designed as tools to help shed light on the diachronic relationships between dialects. A significant feature that separates the two is how they treat the issue of dentilabialized initials (聲母的齒唇化) and the zhīxì 知系, or zhī, zhuāng, zhāng 知莊章, set of initials. The Biǎogé can be seen to represent a Qièyùn stage of development prior to the dentilabialization that spread widely through the mainstream dialects but that did not affect the Mǐn dialects, while keeping the zhī, zhuāng, zhāng initial sets separate. In contrast, Tōngyīn (CDC) is a reconstruction that includes dentilabialization as an established feature of the stage of Chinese it represents while also merging the zhī, zhuāng, zhāng initials into a single set. This particular mix of features and their developments is illustrative of the watershed series of changes that took place in the evolution of Chinese dialects from the Hàn 漢 to the Sòng 宋 periods. These changes were key to the shape and variety of Chinese dialects as they are found across the map today and are also reflected in the differences between Jerry Norman's Early Chinese and CDC. 摘要: 在完成其具有里程碑意義的《現代吳語的研究》兩年之後，趙元任於 1930 年出版了《方音調查表格》。 該表格的完成，無疑源自實地調查 的寶貴經驗，因而有意付梓，供全國各地方言調查使用。 例如，在湖 北進行田野調查時——其成果正是趙元任與丁聲樹、楊時逢、吳宗濟、 董同龢一同編纂的《湖北方言調查報告》——趙元任和助手們便一定 使用了這一表格。 可以說，該表格歷來都是漢語方言調查不可或缺的 基礎工具，即《方言調查字表》的範本和靈感來源。 "表格"和"字 表"均採用了《切韻》(成書於 601 年)的語音系統，因此被認為代表 了中古音系。 近年來，趙元任先生的學生羅杰瑞(Jerry Norman)在去 世之前提出了一個與現代漢語方言的《切韻》來源說不同的新概念。 他認為，漢語方言歷史上存在兩個主要的發展階段：一個是早期漢語 (Early Chinese)階段，該階段在中古漢語之前，包含閩方言的祖先語 言；另一個則是其後的一個階段，即漢語方言通音(Common Dialectal Chinese/CDC)，該階段代表那些僅見於除閩語以外其他主流漢語方言 的語音變化。 本研究對"表格"和"通音"的語音系統進行了比較， 力求揭示兩位學者對漢語方言音系的各自理解，並探討兩大系統在領 域內的適用性。 我們發現，兩者都深受歷史因素的影響，且都假定了 祖先語言形式，以揭示方言間的歷時關係。 其中，區分二者的一個重 要特徵是如何處理聲母的齒唇化。 可以看到，"表格"呈現的是齒唇 化之前的語音階段，齒唇化在主流漢語方言中廣泛存在，但在閩方言 中卻沒有發生。 相較之下，齒唇化在"通音"所代表的漢語階段中， 卻是一個重要的特徵。 因此，這一特徵便成為了由漢至宋，漢語方言 在演變過程中發生的一系列分水嶺式變化的例證。 而正是這些變化， 塑造了今天我們所看到的漢語方言形態及其多樣性，而它們也反映在 羅杰瑞的"早期漢語"和"漢語方言通音"的差異中。

Altaic Elements in the Chinese Variety of Tangwang: True and False Direct Loans

This paper foccusses on the Tangwang language, a Chinese variety spoken in southern Gansu that has been in contact with the Dongxiang language, a Mongolic language. Tangwang is believed to be a highly altaicised variety, as it demonstrate several traits that are usually absent in this language family are are reputed ‘typical’ of the Turkic-Mongolic languages. However, most of these traits are present in the other northwestern chinese varieties and are the result of reanalysis, thus, it is difficult to trace their exact origin. This paper aims at analyzing the influence of Mongolic languages on Tangwang from the perspective of borrowings, and in particular direct loans. Taking the formally identical features that are shared in Dongxiang and Tangwang as a starting point, we will try to determine which form can be seen as a direct borrowing due to the adstratal influence of Dongxiang and which one is probably due to an earlier altaic influence. We will try to classify which form is a ‘true’ direct loan from Dongxiang and which form could be the evidence of an earlier substrate. From the results, and based on the existing models on languages contact, we will try to understand which mechanisms from relexification, grammaticalization, and language shift is the most probable in the case of Tangwang.

Affording pragmatics-focused training for language teachers: The case of L2 Mandarin Chinese

This study reported the design and implementation of a 16-week graduate seminar on second language (L2) pragmatics offered for 14 graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) who were teaching various target languages as teachers of record at a US public university. Grounded in the explicit awareness-raising approach, the seminar was designed to increase the GTAs' pragmatic knowledge, promote their cross-cultural pragmatic awareness, and facilitate their teaching and researching of pragmatics. Specifically, the training comprised four modules: key concepts in pragmatics, cross-cultural pragmatics, L2 pragmatics, and instructional pragmatics. With the recent advances in technology, the guidelines and practices for effectively designing web-based pragmatic materials were also incorporated. One of the GTAs, who was a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese and taught the language in the program, was observed as a focal participant to track the development of her pragmatic knowledge and application. Overall, the participants' positive evaluation ratings and comments on the seminar, as well as the focal Chinese GTA's demonstrated knowledge and application in pragmatics over time, suggest that the pragmatics-focused training is beneficial to cultivate the GTAs' professional knowledge and qualities in delivering pragmatics instruction.

Linguistic-Cultural Stereotype ‘Philologist’ in Individual Consciousness of Chinese Speakers

This article is dedicated to modeling the linguistic-cultural stereotype ‘philologist’ in the individual consciousness of Chinese language speakers. The modeling procedure adopted in the study involves identifying the constitutive features of the professional stereotype, elucidating its figurative and valuable characteristics. Lexicographic data, materials obtained during sociolinguistic experiments, and photo documents were utilized as the primary sources. The analysis leads to the conclusion that within the Chinese linguistic-cultural context, this stereotype is interpreted much more broadly by individuals than defined in dictionaries. The sphere of activities of a Chinese philologist extends beyond the realm of science, making room for teaching activities, as well as affiliations with disciplines requiring erudition or language knowledge. It is established that in the individual consciousness of the Chinese, philology is almost entirely associated with linguistics. A typical philologist is a person who has received specialized education and possesses profound knowledge in the fields of languages and literature. They are characterized by rich inner culture, erudition, intellect, modesty, self-discipline, industriousness, openness, spirituality, pursuit of truth, articulate and elegant speech, respect for traditions, a healthy lifestyle, orientation towards spiritual rather than material values. The evaluative component of the stereotype exhibits axiological polarity with a significant bias towards positive traits.

Developing Infectious Disease Outbreak Emergency Communications for Populations With Limited English Proficiency: Insights to Sustain Collaborations Between Local Health Departments and Community-Based Organizations.

State and local public health departments (LHDs) are encouraged to collaborate with community-based organizations (CBOs) to enhance communication and promote protective practices with communities made vulnerable during emergencies, but there is little evidence-based understanding of practical approaches to fostering collaboration in this context. This research focuses on how collaboration enhances LHD capacity for effective communication for people with limited English proficiency (LEP) during infectious disease outbreaks specifically and strategies to facilitate productive LHD-CBO collaboration. Qualitative, telephone interviews, conducted March-October 2021. Rural and urban jurisdictions with Chinese-speaking or Spanish-speaking populations across the United States. 36 LHD and 31 CBO staff working on outreach to Chinese and Spanish speakers during COVID-19. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a team-based, codebook approach to thematic analysis. During COVID-19, CBOs extended LHD capacity to develop and disseminate effective communication, meaning communication that is rapidly in-language, culturally resonant, locally relevant, and trusted. Practical strategies to enable and sustain effective collaboration were needed to address operational dimensions (eg, material and administrative) and relational dimensions (eg, promoting trust and respect). Policies and financing to support LHD-CBO collaborations are critical to improving communication with people with LEP and addressing long-standing inequities in outcomes during outbreaks.

Negative transfers in phonological systems of native Chinese speakers when learning Japanese

Negative transfers in phonological systems of native Chinese speakers when learning Japanese

Video and phone visit use differed by language preference among U.S. Latino and Chinese adults during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional electronic health record study

BackgroundDuring the first nine months of the COVID-19 emergency, patients were encouraged to use virtual versus clinic visits if in-person care was not deemed necessary by clinical staff. This study examined the association of spoken language preference and ethnicity with use of video versus phone virtual visits by US Latino and Chinese adult patients who got care in the same healthcare system.MethodsWe analyzed electronic health record data for four groups of adults aged 26-85y who had ≥ 1 primary or specialty care outpatient clinician visits during April-December 2020: 80,869 Latino adults preferring Spanish (LEP Latino); 214,765 Latino adults preferring English (non-LEP Latino); 23,430 Chinese adults preferring a Chinese dialect (LEP Chinese); and 49,710 Chinese adults preferring English (non-LEP Chinese). Prevalence of the following utilization outcomes were compared by language preference (LEP/non-LEP) within ethnicity and by ethnicity within language preference for four age subgroups (26-39y, 40-64y, 65-75y, and 76-85y): ≥ 1 virtual (video or phone) visit, ≥ 1 video visit, ≥ 1 phone visit, ≥ 1 clinic visit, video visits only, and phone visits only. We also compared ethnicity x language group differences within age subgroups using absolute difference and adjusted prevalence ratios derived from modified log-Poisson regression models that controlled for age and sex.ResultsAmong virtual users, LEP Latino and Chinese adults were significantly less likely to use video visits and more likely to use phone visits than non-LEP Latino and Chinese adults in the same age strata. The LEP/non-LEP difference in video visit use was significantly larger among Latino than Chinese patients, with no similar ethnic group difference observed for phone visits. Within the LEP and non-LEP language groups, Chinese adults were significantly more likely than Latino adults to use video visits and less likely to use phone visits.ConclusionsDuring the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake of video and phone virtual visits by Latino and Chinese adults significantly differed by LEP/non-LEP status within ethnicity and by ethnicity within LEP/non-LEP language group. These findings underscore the importance of disaggregating data by ethnicity and language preference when attempting to understand and study patient use of different virtual visit modalities.