Shandong Province Research Articles

COVID-19-Related Social Isolation, Self-Control, and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese University Students: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Internet gaming disorder among university students has become a great concern for university counsellors worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. The factors influencing the development of internet gaming disorder in students during the COVID-19 pandemic could be different from those before the pandemic. This study aims to explore the associations among social isolation, self-control, and internet gaming disorder in Chinese university students and to examine whether self-control mediates the positive effects of social isolation on internet gaming disorder. A cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data from university students in Shandong province of China from April to September 2022. The Isolation subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale, Self-Control Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale were used to assess the social isolation, self-control, and internet gaming disorder among university students, respectively. Models 4 and 5 of PROCESS software were used to analyze the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of gender on the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. A total of 479 students were recruited from 6 universities located in 3 different regions of Shandong, China. Students had low levels of internet gaming disorder and moderate levels of social isolation and self-control, with mean scores of 8.94 (SD 9.06), 12.04 (SD 3.53), and 57.15 (SD 8.44), respectively. Social isolation was positively correlated with internet gaming disorder (r=0.217; P<.001), and self-control was negatively correlated with social isolation (r=-0.355; P<.001) and internet gaming disorder (r=-0.260; P<.001). Self-control played a mediating role in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder (β=-.185, 95% CI -.295 to -.087). The effects of social isolation on internet gaming disorder among female students were lower than those among male students. Self-control was a mediator in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. Moreover, gender played a moderating role in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. This study highlights the need to alleviate the development of internet gaming disorder among students during a pandemic, especially that of male students. Effective interventions that lessen social isolation and promote self-control should be developed.

Future Reference Evapotranspiration Trends in Shandong Province, China: Based on SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention and CMIP6

One of the primary factors in the hydrological cycle is reference evapotranspiration (ET0). The prediction of ET0 is crucial to manage irrigation water in agriculture under climate change; however, little research has been conducted on the trends of ET0 changes in Shandong Province. In this study, to estimate ET0 in the entire Shandong Province, 245 sites were chosen, and the monthly ET0 values during 1901–2020 were computed using the Hargreaves–Samani formula. A deep learning model, termed SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention, was utilized to forecast the monthly ET0 during 2021–2100, and the predictions were compared to two CMIP6 climate scenarios, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. The hierarchical clustering results revealed that Shandong Province encompassed three homogeneous regions. The ET0 values of Clusters H1 and H2, which were situated in inland regions and major agricultural areas, were the highest. The SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention and SSP5-8.5 forecasting results generally displayed a monotonically growing trend during the forecast period in the three regions; however, the SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention model displayed a declining tendency at a few points. According to the SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention and SSP5-8.5 results, during 2091–2100, H1, H2, and H3 will reach their peaks; the SSP2-4.5 results show that H1, H2, and H3 will peak in 2031–2040. At the end of the forecast period, for Clusters H1, H2, and H3, the prediction rate of SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention increased by 1.31, 1.56%, and 1.80%, respectively, whereas SSP2-4.5’s prediction rate increased by 0.31%, 0.95%, and 1.57%, respectively, and SSP5-8.5’s prediction rate increased by 10.88%, 10.76%, and 10.69%, respectively. The prediction results of SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention were similar to those of SSP2-4.5 (R2 &gt; 0.96). The SAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention deep learning model can be used to forecast future ET0.

NDVI Changes and Influencing Factors of Different Soil and Water Conservation Zones in Shandong Province

Exploring the characteristics of vegetation change and its influencing factors is essential to construct an ecological environment. Based on the NDVI dataset from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the spatial temporal attributes of NDVI changes in Shandong Province using the Sen trend analysis and the gravity center migration model. Furthermore, the spatial heterogeneity of NDVI and its influencing factors within the whole study area and different soil and water conservation zones were investigated using a Geo-detector model, considering population, hydrological, topographic, soil types, and vegetation types. The results were as follows： ① The NDVI in Shandong Province from 2000 to 2020 showed a fluctuating upward trend with significant seasonal characteristics that varied from different zones. The annual NDVI change showed a trend of single-peak in the Ⅲ-4-2t, Ⅲ-4-1xt, and Ⅲ-5-2w but showed a trend of double-peak in the Ⅲ-5-3fn. ② Regarding the spatial distribution, the NDVI was higher in the west-north and west-south areas and lower in the north and coastal areas. During the 21 years, the primary type of NDVI change was "medium-high coverage → high coverage," especially in the northeastern part of the soil conservation area of the Ⅲ-4-2t, the western part of the Ⅲ-4-1xt, and the ecological maintenance area of the Ⅲ-5-2w. Overall, 61.47% of the area had a positive trend of NDVI change with the gravity center of high coverage mitigating to the northeast, and the ecological environment was improved. ③ Soil types and population density were the dominant factors affecting NDVI in Shandong Province, with q values of 0.174 and 0.130, respectively. The chief factor in the Ⅲ-5-3fn, Ⅲ-4-2t, and Ⅲ-4-1xt was population density, with q values higher than 0.22, and the dominant factors in the Ⅲ-5-2w were soil types and vegetation types, with q values of 0.326 and 0.227, respectively. The interaction of the two factors enhanced the influence of the single factor, and the relationship between the influencing factors showed two-factor enhancement and nonlinear enhancement. The q-value of population density ∩ relative humidity was the highest, with a value of 0.257 in the Ⅲ-5-3fn. The q-value of population density ∩ soil types was the highest in the Ⅲ-4-2t and Ⅲ-4-1xt, reaching 0.297 and 0.378, respectively. The q-value of soil types ∩ vegetation types was the highest, with a value of 0.444 in the Ⅲ-5-2w. The results are expected to provide valuable references for improving the ecological environment of Shandong Province and lay a scientific foundation to make different conservation strategies for the individual soil and water conservation zones.

Longitudinal associations between deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior in Chinese preadolescence: Differentiating between-person effects from within-person effects.

The present study employed the cross-lagged panel model and the random intercepts cross-lagged panel model to investigate the longitudinal association between deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior in Chinese preadolescents. A sample of 1987 students, comprising 56.10% male participants with a mean age of 12.32 years (SD = 0.53), from Guangdong and Shandong provinces, completed the Deviant Peer Affiliation Scale and the Externalizing Behavior Scale in biannual surveys. The surveys were conducted in the autumn semester of 7th grade, the spring semester of 7th grade, and the autumn semester of 8th grade. The cross-lagged panel model illustrated a bidirectional association between adolescents' involvement with deviant peers and externalizing behavior. Conversely, the random intercepts cross-lagged panel model indicated a positive association between deviant peer affiliation and externalizing behavior at the between-person level. At the within-person level, a significant predictive correlation was identified between the association with deviant peers and subsequent externalizing behavior, whereas the reverse pathway was determined to be statistically insignificant. To comprehend the connection between deviant peer association and externalizing behavior in preadolescence, it is essential to differentiate between between-person and within-person effects and utilize a sophisticated research methodology.

Pollution Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in Topsoil of Counties Along the Shandong Section of the Yellow River

The 25 counties along the Shandong section of the Yellow River are the core areas for promoting the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River in Shandong Province. Moreover, it is of great significance to study the current situation, sources, and potential risks of heavy metal pollution in the topsoil in this region. In this study, 103 soil samples were collected from the 25 counties along the Shandong section of the Yellow River, and the contents of eight heavy metals （As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Hg） were determined. The pollution characteristics of heavy metals were analyzed and evaluated using the geological accumulation index and potential ecological risk index. Correlation analysis and the positive matrix factorization （PMF） model were used to analyze the sources of heavy metals. The results showed that the average contents of Cu and Cr were lower than that of the background values of soils, whereas the average contents of As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Hg were 1.16, 1.42, 1.05, 1.14, 2.29, and 1.85 times higher than that of the background values, respectively, and the average contents of all eight elements were lower than the screening value of soil pollution risk in agricultural land. In terms of different heavy metal variations, the coefficient of variation （CV） of Cu and Cd was higher than 0.500, indicating high variations, whereas As, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Hg showed moderate variation. Cd and Hg were slightly polluted, whereas the other six elements were not polluted. Cd and Hg had a moderate potential ecological risk level, whereas the other six elements were at a low level. Correlation analysis and PMF model showed that the sources of heavy metals in the study area were influenced by four factors, i.e., agricultural activities, natural sources, industrial emissions, and atmospheric dust from coal combustion and vehicle exhaust emissions, and the relative contribution rates were 32.4%, 34.9%, 16.5%, and 16.2%, respectively.

Effects of Industrial Structure on the Green Utilization Efficiency of Urban Land: A Case Study of the Bohai Rim Region, China

The green utilization of urban land is a critical component of regional high-quality development. Enhancing the green utilization efficiency of urban land (GUEUL) is of great significance to improving the quality of ecological environment and achieving a green lifestyle and low-carbon production. With the process of urbanization, the industrial structure is constantly adjusted, which has an impact on the structure and efficiency of urban land utilization. Taking 43 cities in the Bohai Rim region as an example, the super-efficiency slack-based measure model with undesirable outputs (super-SBM-undesirable model) was employed to evaluate the GUEUL from 2006 to 2021, and the panel quantile model was used to explore the impact of industrial structure on GUEUL. The results showed that the GUEUL in the Bohai Rim region appeared a fluctuating upward trend from 0.664 in 2006 to 0.837 in 2021. High-value zones shifted from western Liaoning province and southern Shandong province to a “C”-shaped belt around the coastline and expanded continuously, while low-value zones decreased significantly. Furthermore, the influence of industrial structure on GUEUL was significantly positive, but there were significant differences among different efficiency levels. Industrial structure upgrading exerted the most significant effect on GUEUL improvement in low-value zones, while industrial structure rationalization was dominant in high-value zones, and the influence of industrial structure technologization was more significant in medium-low-value zones. Therefore, differentiated industrial structure adjustment policies should be formulated based on the actual condition of each city to improve GUEUL.

Development and Application of Unmanned Aerial High-Resolution Convex Grating Dispersion Hyperspectral Imager.

This study presents the design and development of a high-resolution convex grating dispersion hyperspectral imaging system tailored for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing applications. The system operates within a spectral range of 400 to 1000 nm, encompassing over 150 channels, and achieves an average spectral resolution of less than 4 nm. It features a field of view of 30°, a focal length of 20 mm, a compact volume of only 200 mm × 167 mm × 78 mm, and a total weight of less than 1.5 kg. Based on the design specifications, the system was meticulously adjusted, calibrated, and tested. Additionally, custom software for the hyperspectral system was independently developed to facilitate functions such as control parameter adjustments, real-time display, and data preprocessing of the hyperspectral camera. Subsequently, the prototype was integrated onto a drone for remote sensing observations of Spartina alterniflora at Yangkou Beach in Shouguang City, Shandong Province. Various algorithms were employed for data classification and comparison, with support vector machine (SVM) and neural network algorithms demonstrating superior classification accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the UAV-based hyperspectral imaging system exhibits high imaging quality, minimal distortion, excellent resolution, an expansive camera field of view, a broad detection range, high experimental efficiency, and remarkable capabilities for remote sensing detection.

Rodent Ecology and Etiological Investigation in China: Results from Vector Biology Surveillance - Shandong Province, China, 2012-2022.

Rodents are hosts of a wide range of zoonotic disease pathogens which threaten human health. However, comprehensive investigations of rodent ecology and etiology in Shandong are lacking. Thus, we aimed to analyze rodent ecology and infection with relevant pathogens in Shandong Province, China. Rodent survey data collected from 2012 to 2022 in Shandong Province were used in this study. Rodents captured from 2020 to 2022 were identified to species and tested for pathogens. From 2012 to 2022, 4,145 rodents were captured, with an average capture rate of 0.70%. High capture rates were observed in rural residential areas and other habitats, such as farmland and forestland. Rattus norvegicus (R. norvegicus) was the dominant species, followed by Mus musculus (M. musculus). The regions with the highest capture rates of R. norvegicus were Dongying (0.82%) and Heze (0.63%), while M. musculus was more prevalent in Dongying (0.81%) and Weihai (0.56%). Rodent capture rates were highest between March and September. The positive detection rates of Hantavirus (HV), Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans), Rickettsia typhi (R. typhi), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), and Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) in rodents were 2.58%, 1.10%, 0.94%, 0.16%, and 0.19%, respectively. The rodent capture rate in human habitation environments has trended downward in Shandong Province, with R. norvegicus and M. musculus being the dominant species. Rodent infection risk from HV, L. interrogans, and R. typhi showed seasonal variation. Strengthening rodent surveillance and maintaining a low capture rate of host animals could be pivotal for preventing and controlling relevant rodent-borne diseases in high-risk areas.

Whether medicine supply is really meeting primary health care needs: a mixed-methods study in Shandong Province, China

BackgroundWith the aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, and the diversified needs for primary health care (PHC) medicines, it is necessary to rethink the functional role of the supply of PHC medicines. This study aims to evaluate the supply of PHC medicines and the status of meeting PHC medicine needs.MethodsThe mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate the supply of PHC medicines in Shandong Province. In the quantitative study, survey questionnaires were distributed to county hospitals, township hospitals, and patients, and a prescription review was performed in township hospitals. In the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the pharmacy managers, physicians, and patients in county hospitals, township hospitals, and village clinics. A senior pharmacist from a tertiary hospital who has rich experience on the indications for medicine use, accompanied us on a visit to inspect the PHC pharmacies to survey medicine equipment with a professional perspective.ResultsQuantitative analysis revealed that 211 county hospitals and 1,581 township hospitals participated in the survey, revealing the median annual frequency of medicine shortages of 5.0 times for county hospitals and 2.0 times for township hospitals. Of the 6,323 patient medication surveys, after excluding 152 patients not involved in medication use, 945 (15.3%) indicated medicine shortages, with half of these attributable to institutions lacking required medicines (52.8%). On average, the prescription qualified rate of 37 township hospitals was 72.2%. Four final themes emerged during the qualitative data analysis: (1) Supply of PHC medicines; (2) Solutions to the shortage of off-list medicines; (3) Appropriateness of PHC medicines list; (4) Pharmacist workforce development and pharmacy services.ConclusionsThe discrepancy between patients’ need for PHC medicine and present medicine supply is noteworthy. It is suggested that governments should optimize the existing lists to adequately meet patient medicine needs and prioritize medicines for chronic diseases, which is also particularly important for developing countries. Integrated health care may be a novel strategy to establish unified medicines list and achieve uniform pharmaceutical services in PHC.

Validity and Reliability of an Evaluation Instrument for English Curriculum System in Chinese Vocational Higher Education Institutions

The English curriculum is the basic part of the curriculum system of vocational higher education institutions (VHEIs) in China, and it is the public compulsory curriculum that students of all majors must study. It not only cultivates students' ability to learn and apply English but also lays an English foundation for students' future further learning and lifelong development. The purpose of this study is to validate the evaluation instrument for English curriculum system. This is a quantitative research and the questionnaire has adapted from previous scholars. A stratified random sampling technique has been employed to select 350 English lecturers from a total of 864 English lecturers at 20 vocational HEIs in Shandong Province, China. The results showed: ⅰ) Each dimension Clonbach alpha coefficient and McDonald’s omega (Composite reliability) are more than 0.70. ⅱ) For the convergent validity, each item factor loading &gt; 0.5, each dimension AVE &gt;0.5. ⅲ) For the discriminant validity, the square root of the AVE of the five dimensions is greater than the corresponding correlation coefficients between the two dimensions. ⅳ) Measurement model meet the fit indices, that CMIN χ2=411.228, with degrees of freedom (df) 314, CMIN/df=1.310 (1-3), CFI=0.979 (&gt;0.9), GFI=0.916 (&gt;0.9), NFI=0.916 (&gt;0.9), and RMSEA=0.031(&lt;0.08). The results prove that this English curriculum implementation instrument has good validity and reliability. The instrument can measure the level of English curriculum systems in VHEIs in Shandong Province, China. The research findings showed there were five dimensions in the evaluation of English curriculum system. The research can be used as the basis for evaluation curriculum system for other researchers and education administrators.

A framework for achieving urban sustainable development goals (SDGs): Evaluation and interaction

Sustainable development is a complex system involving multiple dimensions of society, economy, resources and environment. It is of great significance to evaluate the sustainable development level and explore the interactions among sustainable development goals (SDGs) for the promotion of sustainability. In present study, a localized urban sustainable development evaluation framework was first proposed. Then, taking Shandong Province as an example, the spatiotemporal variations and goal evenness of sustainability were investigated. Finally, synergies and trade-offs between SDGs were revealed. The results showed that the sustainable development level has improved slightly from 2011 to 2020 in Shandong Province, exhibiting a dual-core pattern with Jinan and Qingdao. Shandong Province performed relatively well in SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities). The unevenness existed in sustainable development, indicating that the development process varied from one goal to another and there were obvious differences among cities for the same goal. Relatively weak synergies and trade-offs relationships were mainly observed between SDGs, and the interactions were in a changing state. Analyzing the sustainable development level from multiple perspectives and promoting multi-goal coordinated development are vital for achieving urban sustainable development.

Simulation and prediction of land subsidence in Decheng District under the constraint of InSAR deformation information

Land subsidence, marked by a decline in surface elevation, poses a significant threat to urban infrastructure and safety. Accurate subsidence information and a reliable prediction model are crucial for prevention and control. In this study, we used persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR) technology to obtain long-term land subsidence data and analyzed subsidence characteristics in Decheng District. By integrating hydrogeological and groundwater data, we developed a three-dimensional groundwater flow and one-dimensional compaction model through numerical simulation. Furthermore, the subsidence data monitored by PS-InSAR were used to further constrain and validate the model. The evolution trend of land subsidence under different groundwater exploitation scenarios was predicted and analyzed. The results showed that from May 2017 to December 2021, the cumulative maximum subsidence in Decheng District reached −173 mm. The subsidence area is mainly concentrated in the northern area, and its subsidence center is near Qiaoyuan Town. According to the Land Subsidence Prevention and Control Plan of Dezhou City, Shandong Province (2018–2025), we set up different groundwater mining scenarios with the goal that the rate of land subsidence in the key prevention and control area is less than 35 mm/yr in 2025.The Fluid-solid coupled model prediction analysis results indicated that a 30% reduction in groundwater exploitation is reasonable.

The prevalence of 12-month suicidal ideation and associated factors among university students in China: Findings from a three-wave cross-sectional study from 2021 to 2023

BackgroundMany studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of suicidal tendencies among the public. However, there is limited research reporting on the changing trends in suicidal ideation after 2020 in the context of the long-term normalization of COVID-19 prevention and control measures in China. MethodsThe self-administered online questionnaire was adopted to collect 12-month suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, stress, and some demographic information from university students by convenient cluster sampling in Shandong, Shaanxi, and Jilin Provinces, China. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to assess the association between different factors and suicidal ideation. ResultsThe prevalence of 12-month suicidal ideation from 2021 to 2023 among university students was 3.89 %, 5.81 %, and 4.33 %, respectively, showing a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The trends presented a similar tendency in the subgroups according to gender, majors, and grades, except among urban freshman-year students. The associated factors of suicidal ideation were different among university students in different surveys. However, female gender, poor mental health, and depressive symptoms were linked to a higher risk of suicidal ideation. LimitationsMore representative large-scale longitudinal studies should be used to monitor the suicidal behavior of university students. ConclusionsThe prevalence of 12-month suicidal ideation among Chinese university students exhibited a pattern of initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease from 2021 to 2023. Despite the complete lifting of COVID-19 prevention and control measures in China, the prolonged three-year epidemic may have enduring adverse effects on university students, underscoring the ongoing importance of providing continuous mental health services to this population.

Pathobiological characterization of a novel duck picornavirus in duck in China

A novel strain of duck picornavirus was isolated from duck tissue in Taian, Shandong Province, in 2017 in our laboratory. The virus was amplified in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryos, purified and then analyzed by whole genome sequencing, which revealed a new duck-derived small RNA virus that was designated as Duck/FC22/China/2017 (FC22, GenBank accession no. MN102111) based on its genome structure and phylogenetic relationship. An in-depth study revealed that the virus grew well on the Leghorn male hepatoma (LMH) cell line. After propagation of the virus, SPF ducks were inoculated for pathogenicity tests, and their mental state, growth and development were observed after inoculation; the ducks were dissected to observe the organs and histopathological changes. A TaqMan fluorescence quantitative PCR method was utilized to detect the proliferation and shedding patterns of the virus within the ducks, while the SYBR Green I fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to assess cytokine expression levels in the organs. The results showed that following inoculation with the FC22 strain, the mental status of the SPF ducks remained unchanged. Mild oedema was observed in some tissue organs during dissection; however, no pathological changes, such as congestion or degeneration, were noted. Histopathological analysis revealed cellular necrosis in organs, including the heart, liver, and bursa of Fabricius, as well as a reduced volume and deep staining of certain neurons in the cerebrum. Following infection, the virus titres in various organs and in cloacal swabs of the SPF ducks peaked on the first day before gradually decreasing daily. By the 10th d, the virus titres in all organs had decreased to less than 101 copies/μL. Additionally, notable alterations were observed in the expression levels of the cytokines IFNα, IL6, IL10, and TNFα. This indicates that the FC22 strain does not cause significant disease in ducks. This report presents the initial study on a recently discovered picornavirus, offering a thorough and methodical examination of its pathogenic characteristics and provides a reference for the clinical evaluation and scientific strategies for the prevention and treatment of this particular picornavirus.

Wolbachia and mosquitoes: Exploring transmission modes and coevolutionary dynamics in Shandong Province, China.

Vector-borne diseases leave a large footprint on global health. Notable culprits include West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), all transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides have been widely used to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Still, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to most chemical insecticides which cause particular harm to the ecology. Wolbachia belongs to the family Ehrlichiaceae in the order Rickettsiales and is a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont present in 60% of insects in nature. Wolbachia is capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in its hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and can alter mosquito resistance to pathogen infection. Wolbachia has been proposed as a biological alternative to chemical vector control, and specific research progress and effectiveness have been achieved. Despite the importance of Wolbachia, this strategy has not been tested in Culex pipiens pallens, the most prevalent mosquito species in Shandong Province, China. Little is known about how the mass release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes may impact the genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens, and how the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia interacts with mitochondria during host mosquito transmission. Based on the population genetic structure of Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province, this study investigated the infection rate and infection type of Wolbachia in Shandong Province and jointly analysed the evolutionary relationship between the host mosquito and the symbiotic bacterium Wolbachia. Our study showed that Wolbachia naturally infected by Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong Province was less homologous to Wolbachia infected by Aedes albopictus released from mosquito factory in Guangzhou. Our results also show that Culex pipiens pallens is undergoing demographic expansion in Shandong Province. The overall Wolbachia infection rate of Culex pipiens pallens was 92.8%, and a total of 15 WSP haplotypes were detected. We found that the genetic diversity of Wolbachia was low in Culex pipiens pallens from Shandong Province, and the mosquitoes were infected only with type B Wolbachia. Visualizing the relationship between Culex pipiens pallens and Wolbachia using a tanglegram revealed patterns of widespread associations. A specific coevolutionary relationship exists between the host mosquito and Wolbachia. Knowledge of this mosquito-Wolbachia relationship will provide essential scientific information required for Wolbachia-based vector control approaches in Shandong Province and will lead to a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of Wolbachia for its utility as a biocontrol agent.

Coupling and coordination relationship of tourism inclusive green growth system: Evidence from Shandong Province

Sustainable growth is a prerequisite for high-quality development, and inclusive green growth is regarded as an important way to realize sustainable growth. This paper constructs a tourism inclusive green growth index (IGGI) system based on the 2018 Asian Development Bank IGGI. Using Shandong Province from 2017 to 2019, the entropy weight method is utilized to explore the degree of coupling and coordination among the subsystems of tourism inclusive green growth. The study shows that: (1) the tourism IGGI continues to grow; (2) in the tourism inclusive green growth system, the social equity subsystem shows a trend of steady improvement;and (3) in the system, there is a slight discordance between the economic growth subsystem and the environmental sustainability subsystem. The study aims to provide the scientific basis for the high-quality development of tourism and theoretical support for the field of tourism and environmental sustainability.

Nurturing Growth: Challenges and Strategies of Paternalistic Leadership in Facilitating Teacher Development in Qingdao, Shandong Province

This research explores paternalistic leadership in educational settings in Qingdao, Shandong Province, and its impact on teacher development. Paternalistic leadership, defined by authoritarian, benevolent, and moral elements, is firmly ingrained in Chinese cultural practices and has a substantial influence on organizational dynamics and individual behaviours in Chinese educational institutions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the issues and techniques connected with paternalistic leadership from the perspectives of principals and teachers in Qingdao, with an emphasis on their implications on professional development and educational results. Using a qualitative case study technique, the research conducts in-depth interviews with a senior principal and twenty teachers from a chosen school, as well as purposive sampling, to better understand the intricacies of paternalistic leadership. As findings, the data show that authoritarian characteristics of paternalistic leadership have a detrimental impact on teacher creativity and work satisfaction, but benign practices may improve engagement and professional development. The discussions emphasize the need of a balanced leadership strategy that combines classic paternalistic attitudes with current educational objectives, providing an atmosphere that encourages teacher autonomy and creativity. As implications this study reveals that adopting more benevolent and supportive leadership styles may considerably enhance educational environments and results. This study indicates that, although paternalistic leadership has a solid cultural base, there is much room to improve these practices to better accord with modern educational philosophies and teacher demands.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of depression among university students.

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of depression among university students. A cross-sectional survey was carried out across randomly selected universities in Shandong Province from October 25, 2023, to November 8, 2023. Demographic information and KAP scores were assessed through the administration of questionnaires. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.816 and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of 0.894. This study included 2448 university students, with 1489 (60.8%) females. The median scores for KAP were 20 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 17-21), 26 (IQR: 23-28), and 35 (IQR: 32-38), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that being a junior (odds ratio [OR]=0.720, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.538-0.965, p=.028), senior or above (OR=0.474, 95% CI: 0.325-0.691, p<.001), having divorced parents (OR=0.618, 95% CI: 0.409-0.933, p=.022), having direct relatives with depression (OR=0.710, 95% CI: 0.589-0.856, p<.001), and lacking intimate friends (OR=0.344, 95% CI: 0.245-0.484, p<.001) were negatively associated with practice. Only having an attitude score of ≥26 (OR=5.076, 95% CI: 4.230-6.091, p<.001) was significantly and positively associated with practice. University students had insufficient knowledge, positive attitude, and passive practice toward depression. Clinical interventions should focus on enhancing the understanding and management of depression among university students, particularly through targeted educational programs and support groups, to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice and foster a proactive approach to mental health care.

Detection of equine herpesvirus antibodies in large-scale donkey farms in Liaocheng area.

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) can cause respiratory, reproductive and neurological diseases in equine animals, including donkeys. The main pathogens responsible for these diseases are EHV type 1 (EHV-1) and EHV-4. In this study, we collected serum samples from 230 donkeys on 27 large-scale donkey farms to detect EHV-1 and EHV-4 antibodies. We analyzed the presence of EHV antibodies based on region, age and season. Out of the 27 farms, 62.96% (17/27) tested positive for EHV. Of the 230 donkeys tested, 2.61% (6/230) were positive only for EHV-1, 5.22% (12/230) were positive only for EHV-4, and 4.78% (11/230) were positive for both EHV-1 and EHV-4. The highest percentage of positive donkeys (21.28%) was found in Dong'e County. The seropositivity rate among donkeys aged 1-4 years was significantly higher compared to the group of donkeys aged 0-1 year (p < 0.05). Additionally, the positive rate was significantly higher in fall and winter compared to spring and summer (p < 0.05). Altogether, our findings indicate that large-scale donkey farms in the Liaocheng area have a high prevalence of EHV antibodies. Since Liaocheng is an important donkey trading market in Shandong Province, it is crucial to consider the risk of disease transmission based on our test results. This will help in early detection and prevention of EHV outbreaks.

Study on thermal crack characteristics of granite in Shandong Province, China under different temperatures and heating/cooling treatments

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of crack initiation characteristics, extended procedure, and crack network morphology of rock under different temperatures and heating/cooling paths was conducted in order to delve deeper into the mechanism of thermal cracking, and the analytical perspectives mainly include microstructure, thermodynamics, and mineral crystal properties. Research results indicate that 200–300 °C and 600 °C are two obvious mutation points of water-cooled samples, while air-cooled samples show mutation points around 600 °C. The initiation positions of thermal cracking under all temperature paths are relatively similar, with intergranular crack located between particles at the edge of the sample or intercrystalline cracks in the middle of feldspar or quartz aggregates. Slow heating and rapid cooling contribute to the complexity of the thermal crack network, and rapid heating can form larger sized thermal cracks. The process of thermal cracking can be divided into three stages: initiation of small cracks, joint development of main cracks and small cracks, and interconnection of cracks to form a network structure. The thermal cracking mechanism is attributed to differences in expansion and thermal conductivity among various crystals.