ABSTRACT The field of education has witnessed a rapid expansion in the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, fundamentally transforming classroom instruction. Thus, it is critical for pre-service teachers to implement AI-powered technology in their future teaching. This study was conducted in six higher education institutions (HEIs) in China and is grounded in resource-based theory, the technology acceptance model (TAM), and relevant literature. SmartPLS 4.0 was utilized to develop a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships among AI capability (AIC), creativity, self-efficacy, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), and pre-service teachers’ behavioural intentions towards AI-assisted teaching. The findings indicated that HEIs’ AIC is a significant predictor of pre-service teachers’ behavioural intentions towards designing AI-assisted teaching. It also predicts their creativity, self-efficacy, and TPACK. Furthermore, creativity, self-efficacy, and TPACK were found to mediate the relationships between HEIs’ AIC and pre-service teachers’ behavioural intentions. These findings suggest that HEIs should support the development of pre-service teachers by enhancing AIC, including resources (data and technology) and awareness (reform and innovation), providing insights into AI integration in higher education within the Asia-Pacific context.

Many African countries are facing severe debt distress amid growing competition between the Western-dominated economic order and an emerging Chinese-led order shaped by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China’s development banks. The weakening authority of traditional multilateral institutions particularly the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization has complicated debt resolution efforts, especially as China has become a major creditor whose cooperation is increasingly essential. Drawing on existing international datasets, this study examines how these competing economic orders address the debt challenges of highly indebted African states. It finds that BRI-related lending has contributed to unsustainable debt levels in several countries, with four African states unable to meet their repayment obligations, a significant share of which is owed to Chinese lenders. Zambia is examined as a case study, illustrating how limited coordination between China and Bretton Woods institutions prolonged the debt restructuring process. The analysis highlights how tensions between rival international financial frameworks hinder effective debt resolution. The study further considers the potential emergence of alternative or hybrid governance arrangements involving actors such as BRICS, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union (EU), aimed at reinforcing a rule-based international economic order. Such arrangements could improve debt management, support debt-stressed countries, and promote stable trade and capital flows. This research contributes to the literature by linking the interaction between Western and Chinese economic orders to contemporary African debt crises.

ABSTRACT With the development of globalization and increasing inter-connectedness of knowledge production, academics’ transnational mobility has become a frequent topic. However, few studies have examined their motivations and associated professional development in the contextualized setting of Sino-foreign cooperative education institutions in China. Through 16 semi-structured interviews with international faculty working in the field of science and engineering at a selected international institution, the study identified the economic, academic, and cultural drivers of their migration. It further highlighted how mobility contributes to their accumulation of research, academic, and cultural-cognitive capitals, all critical to their professional development. It enriches the scholarly discussion on academic mobility and professional development of faculty and offers policy implications for countries and higher education institutions keen on recruiting and retaining international faculty.

This study explores how teachers’ work sustainability is shaped through everyday governance practices within private higher education institutions in China. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the analysis draws on long-term fieldwork and in-depth interviews with teachers, administrators, leaders, and students from two private colleges. The findings suggest that teachers’ difficulties do not stem from isolated adverse incidents, but rather from an ongoing organizational process embedded in routine management practices. Evaluation-centered promotion systems, relationship-based governance, and data-driven oversight interact to restructure how teaching work is organized, recognized, and assessed. Professional contributions are frequently treated as negotiable outcomes subject to managerial discretion, while informal alignment practices and selective monitoring gradually narrow teachers’ space for professional judgment and initiative. Despite accumulating dissatisfaction, most teachers remain in their positions. Occupational identity, social expectations, and constrained labor mobility limit realistic exit options, transforming short-term accommodation into prolonged endurance. In this context, teacher retention reflects not organizational stability, but the persistence of governance conditions that challenge the long-term sustainability of teachers’ work. By examining how routine management practices gradually reshape teachers’ work, this study highlights an overlooked dimension of sustainability in higher education: the long-term viability of teachers’ professional lives within existing governance arrangements. Unlike studies that conceptualize teachers’ difficulties through the lens of workplace bullying or interpersonal conflict, this study focuses on how ordinary governance practices shape long-term work sustainability without overt confrontation.

Lifestyle interventions are critical for optimizing maternal and child health outcomes during pregnancy. As a mind-body exercise rooted in the principles of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), qigong shows promise as adaptable prenatal interventions, but the evidence is limited. This multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol aims to evaluate the additive effect of a qigong intervention program, compared to routine lifestyle intervention alone, on reducing the rate of caesarean section (primary outcome) and improving a range of secondary maternal and child health outcomes. This multicenter RCT will be conducted across 11 institutions in China. A total of 1062 participants aged 18-45 years, with singleton pregnancies at 11-13+ 6 weeks of gestation, will be enrolled and randomly allocated to two groups using a central stratified block randomization method. Participants will be randomized to either a control group receiving standard prenatal care plus evidence-based lifestyle education (encompassing nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, stress management, and environmental avoidance), or an intervention group receiving all control components supplemented with supervised pregnancy-adapted qigong intervention (a modified seated Baduanjin exercise program). The primary outcome is caesarean section rate. Secondary outcomes include obstetric complications (abortion, preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage, fetal growth restriction), neonatal indicators (birth weight, Apgar scores), maternal gestational weight gain, and mental health and sleep-related outcomes assessed through validated instruments such as Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) for stress levels, Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) for fear of childbirth, and Brief Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI) for sleep quality. This rigorously designed multicenter RCT protocol addresses a significant gap by investigating whether integrating the traditional mind-body practice of qigong into standard prenatal lifestyle education confers additional benefits for reducing cesarean sections and enhancing broader maternal-child health metrics. The findings will provide robust evidence on the clinical value of this TCM intervention in integrative prenatal care to improve pregnancy outcomes and maternal and child well-being. This trial was registered at International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR2025002612.

Music therapy demonstrates efficacy in enhancing social participation among individuals with ASD. This study investigated the impact of Orff Music Therapy on social skills in 4-6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from Orff Music Therapy perspective. Conducted at a rehabilitation institution in China, the research enrolled 21 children with mild ASD who were randomly assigned to experimental (EG, n = 11) or control groups (CG, n = 10). Throughout the intervention period, only EG received the Orff Music Therapy program. Before and after the intervention (Orff music therapy), Autism Social Skills Scale (ASSS) - a Chinese instrument that has been locally validated, was used to assess the social skills of the two groups of ASD patients, including five subscales: social trends, social cognition, social participation, social communication, and self-regulation. Results indicated marked improvements in the EG, with significant changes observed across three subscales: social communication, social participation, and self-regulation. These findings indicate that Orff Music Therapy confers certain benefits in enhancing social functioning among children with ASD.

The purpose of this study was to explore key factors influencing adoption of Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) technology in higher education institutions in China, with a focus on improving educational quality and effectiveness of technology innovation applications. Utilizing the technology-organization-environment framework, a mixed-method approach combining in-depth interviews and surveys was employed to analyze the determinants of technology adoption. The study first conducted a quantitative analysis based on in-depth interviews, followed by a correlation analysis using survey data to identify relationships between variables. Finally, it quantitatively analyzed the predictive role of these factors in adoption of ChatGPT technology. The results indicated that adoption of ChatGPT technology was significantly influenced by multiple factors, including technological characteristics, organizational conditions, and external environment.

This article examines closures of American Cultural Centers in the People’s Republic of China and Confucius Institutes in the United States as actions taken in alignment with, and justified by, government produced strategic communications. In the sphere of public diplomacy, these cases represent dynamic resistance action linked to US/PRC global paradigms. Here, shuddering state-sponsored education and cultural activities displays the strategic competition apparent in the Trump (2017)/Biden (2022) US National Security Strategies as well as the PRC’s National Defense White Paper (2019). When public diplomacy is deferred, the shifting US-PRC relationship and pathways for opposing strategic influence processes are made apparent.

Impact of fiscal subsidies of health insurance system and public health programs on the efficiency of primary healthcare institutions in China.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted educational style, potentially affecting the learning adaptation of nursing freshmen who are integral to the future nursing workforce.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of nursing freshmen based on their bioecological attributes related to learning adaptation during the pandemic.MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted of 1170 first-year nursing students from six higher education institutions in China. Learning adaptation, resilience, parental attachment, interaction anxiety, and mobile phone addiction, were investigated. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was utilized to identify distinct profiles.ResultsDescriptive statistics indicated a positive level of learning adaptation among participants, with an overall mean score of 3.51 ± 0.57. LPA revealed four distinct profiles: ‘Struggling Learners’ (5.47%), ‘Moderate Engagers’ (70.60%), ‘Adaptable Strivers’ (18.29%), and ‘Optimal Adapters’ (5.64%), which demonstrated significant differences in adaptation, resilience, parental attachment, interaction anxiety, and mobile phone addiction tendencies (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe study’s findings emphasize the heterogeneity in learning adaptation among nursing freshmen and the importance of considering bioecological attributes when developing educational interventions during crisis. Recognizing these profiles can guide the development of targeted strategies to enhance student adaptation and academic achievement.

With the advancement of minimally invasive surgery and anesthesiology, ambulatory surgery has become a pivotal model for enhancing healthcare efficiency and optimizing resource allocation. This guideline seeks to establish a systematic, operable, and standardized framework for implementing ambulatory surgery in pediatric otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery across healthcare institutions in China. Formulated based on evidence-based medicine principles and integrating the latest literature and multidisciplinary expert consensus, it provides detailed recommendations pertaining to organizational structure, hardware configuration, information system development, multidisciplinary team building, patient and procedure selection criteria, perioperative process management, and quality control. The primary objectives are to ensure surgical safety and quality, and to promote the standardized and sustainable development of ambulatory surgery within this pediatric subspecialty.

To investigate the prognosis and endocrine therapy (ET) efficacy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-low breast cancer. This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at a single institution in China from January 2010 to December 2020. Clinicopathological features, survival outcomes, and the effect of ET were compared among patients with ER-low, ER-high, and ER-negative breast cancer. Analyses were stratified by human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status (positive or negative). A total of 2951 patients were included, consisting of 131 (4.4%) ER-low, 2040 (69.1%) ER-high, and 780 (26.4%) ER-negative patients. In the HER2-negative subgroup, ER-low patients had significantly worse breast cancer-free survival (BCFS) (P = 0.016) and a higher risk of locoregional recurrence (P < 0.001) compared to ER-high patients, while no significant differences were observed in prognosis between ER-low and ER-negative patients. In the HER2-positive subgroup, there were no significant differences in prognosis among patients with different ER expression levels. ET could significantly reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis and significantly improve BCFS for ER-low patients, especially in the HER2-negative subgroup. However, in the HER2-positive subgroup, ET did not improve BCFS or overall survival for ER-low patients. HER2-negative/ER-low breast cancer has a similar clinical behavior to triple-negative breast cancer, and ET could significantly reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis for this subgroup. However, in HER2-positive patients, ER-low breast cancer lacks a predictive role in prognosis and derives no clear benefit from ET.

UoM (University of Mysore) reputations are significantly influenced by their publications. This bibliometric analysis, using VOS viewer, compiles Web of Science-indexed papers from the University of Mysore (UoM), India. The number of publications from UoM has been steadily increasing. In terms of international collaboration, UoM has partnered most frequently with institutions in China and India. Among UoM-affiliated authors, the most prolific author has published 104 articles. Authors associated with UoM who co-authored with fewer than 25 others had the highest number of cited publications. Currently, antioxidant activity is a major research focus at UoM. With an impressive record of 5,127 publications and extensive international collaborations with 36 countries, UoM demonstrates a strong global research presence.

Against the backdrop of China’s continuously intensifying population aging, the spatially balanced distribution of elderly care institutions (ECIs) has emerged as a critical issue for alleviating elderly care pressure and advancing social equity. Utilizing nationally registered ECI data, this study integrates ArcGIS spatial analysis with an Optimal-Parameter Geographical Detector (OPGD) approach to systematically investigate the spatial heterogeneity, supply-demand imbalance patterns, and underlying formation mechanisms of ECIs in China at the provincial level. A key finding is the pronounced spatial and structural imbalance between supply and demand. Kernel density estimation reveals a multi-level clustering structure centered on Shanghai and Chongqing, while the consistency coefficient identifies distinct mismatch patterns: regions such as Xinjiang and Northeast China experience “supply exceeding demand,” whereas economically dynamic areas like the Pearl River Delta face “supply falling behind demand.” Spatially, ECIs overall follow a “dense southeast–sparse northwest” pattern closely aligned with the “Hu Huanyong Line,” with six provinces including Henan and Sichuan accounting for 34.1% of institutions, compared to only 1.6% in four western provinces/regions and Hainan. Furthermore, OPGD analysis identifies the permanent population size and number of hospital beds as the dominant factors influencing the spatial layout of ECIs. Their interaction with public transportation accessibility and fiscal expenditure significantly enhances explanatory power, highlighting the crucial role of medical-care integration and government investment in resource allocation. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing the spatial allocation of elderly care resources and promoting coordinated regional development in China.

This study examines the compilation intent and background of Munheonchwalnok, authored by the 19th-century bureaucrat and literatus Jeong Won-yong, while also analyzing its overall structure and content characteristics. It confirms that the compilation of Munheonchwalnok was the result of a convergence of several factors: the trend of compiling encyclopedias (Yuseo) in 19th-century Joseon, the political necessity to organize institutions and examine precedents, the atmosphere and pride of the Dongrae Jeong clan, and Jeong’s personal experiences as a government official. Jeong Won- yong referenced various books from China and Joseon regarding institutions, aiming to produce a text that was practically useful for government administration. Regarding the overall structure, although the institutions of China and Joseon are arranged according to different criteria, both sections notably contain extensive descriptions of bureaucratic systems and rituals. This reflects Jeong’s actual experience of frequently needing to consult precedents in these specific areas. In particular, by separately listing the roster of High State Councillors (Sangsin), the text reveals an academic tendency to value these officials, as well as pride in his own family, which had produced many such high-ranking officials. Furthermore, his experience in local administration is reflected in the inclusion of information on border regions and a lenient perspective on penal administration. The text also demonstrates an effort to collect and reference recent information related to state administration. In conclusion, while Munheonchwalnok is relatively concise in volume compared to other encyclopedias of the same era, it possesses a clear and distinct purpose: to organize the institutions directly relevant to the operation of state affairs.

WU Peng-Cheng was born on June 5, 1935 in Haining, Zhejiang Province, as the second child among three siblings. In 1937, his parents relocated their entire family to Shanghai to escape the war. During his childhood, he was often ill, but his life was relatively comfortable as his father was a dentist. At the age of 17, he was admitted to the Department of Biology at Fudan University in Shanghai, a top institution in China.

Cancer-related fatigue significantly impairs the quality of life of cancer survivors, and while Dance Healing has gained recognition as a complementary intervention, it remains underexplored in depth. Grounded in psychosocial theories, including social support theory, self-efficacy theory, and expectancy theory, in combination with Dance Healing principles, this study investigates its role in enhancing recovery beliefs among cancer-related fatigue survivors. Using in-depth interviews with 150 participants from three leading medical institutions in China and qualitative analysis via NVivo 14, the research coded responses around self-motivation, social support, and outcome expectations. Findings indicate that self-motivation was primarily fostered by observed physical and psychological improvements. Social support was shaped through professional guidance, family encouragement, and peer interactions. Collectively, participants anticipated that Dance Healing would enhance their physical, psychological, and social functioning. As a complementary approach, Dance Healing effectively addressed holistic needs, integrated multidimensional support, and fulfilled recovery expectations, thereby enhancing recovery outcomes, quality of life, and strengthening overall recovery beliefs.

Health should be achieved beyond the hospital setting. Thanks to modern technologies—mobile and wearable devices—significant opportunities have emerged for the prevention and manage-ment of cardiovascular diseases. Mobile devices can monitor physiological signals in real time, such as physical activity and heart rate, to promote healthy behaviors, enable early detection, and support continuous care. Wearable technology is an interdisciplinary and continuously de-veloping field that has advanced significantly over the last two decades owing to progress in sensor technology and connectivity. In this review, the authors use a bibliometric analysis to highlight recent advances and challenges related to the use of mobile devices to assess and pro-mote physical activity and fitness and to monitor heart rate. The database used for extracting ar-ticles was Web of Science (WoS). The keywords used were "portable devices", "cardiac parame-ters", "physical activity", "wearable device", and "wearable devices". Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" were used to combine terms. The evolution in publication volume reflects growing dynamism in the field and anticipates a period of expansion and innovation in research and the application of wearable devices for monitoring risk factors. A total of 12,348 articles and 1,797 reviews were identified. The top three countries in terms of productivity are China, the United States, and Italy. Institutions in China contributed more than 70% of the publications; conse-quently, the Asia region—especially China and India—represents the main center of scientific research and publication, while contributions from France and the United States, although sig-nificant, are relatively smaller in the international context. Although advances in mHealth are promising, important challenges must be addressed to maximize benefits. Data accuracy is cru-cial because clinical decisions rely on precise information. In addition, personal data privacy and security must be guaranteed to prevent breaches and to ensure patient trust in these technologies.

This study investigates the organizational factors influencing technological readiness for Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, using a theoretical lens grounded in Sociotechnical Systems Theory (STS). A survey of 210 participants from educational and industrial institutions in China was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results confirm that AI adoption significantly enhances organizational efficiency and employee engagement, which in turn mediate its impact on technological readiness. By incorporating mediation analysis, the study provides a nuanced understanding of the indirect mechanisms through which AI adoption influences readiness, offering both theoretical and managerial insights for AI-enabled transformation. The integration of STS and rigorous empirical modeling presents a methodologically sound and practically relevant contribution to the field.

To examine the effect of the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change (ITHBC) model on self-efficacy, adherence, and rehabilitation outcomes in pelvic floor muscle training among postpartum women. This study recruited primiparas who underwent vaginal delivery at five medical institutions in China between January 2020 and January 2025. Participants were randomly assigned to either the ITHBC nursing model combined with conventional care group (observation group) or the conventional care group (control group). Outcomes included compliance with pelvic floor muscle training, self-efficacy, pelvic floor function, muscle strength, surface electromyography, ultrasound parameters, quality of life, and nursing satisfaction. The observation group showed better performance than the control group in terms of compliance, self-efficacy, and nursing satisfaction. Statistically significant differences were observed in pelvic floor function and quality of life pre- and post-intervention, with the observation group outperforming the control group post-intervention. For pelvic floor muscle strength, statistically significant changes occurred pre- and post-intervention; however, no significant difference was found in type I muscle fiber fatigue degree between groups. Surface electromyography showed significant improvements pre- and post-intervention, with the observation group performing better across most indicators except endurance contraction variability. Ultrasound parameters revealed no significant differences in bladder detrusor muscle thickness, residual urine volume, or bladder neck initial position but showed significant differences in other parameters, with the observation group performing better overall except for the right anal angle. The ITHBC model shows promise for improving adherence and short-term pelvic floor function, but further validation in diverse populations is needed.Clinical Trial Number: www.chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2300070607. Registered on 18/4/2023.