Exploring challenges in academic language-related skills of EFL learners in Chinese EMI settings.

Chinese universities have placed increasing emphasis, on incorporating English as a medium of instruction (EMI) courses to enhance their competitiveness both nationally and internationally. However, the successful implementation of these courses requires learners to acquire content knowledge. To promote EMI courses, specific initiatives and policies have been put in place by universities reflecting a trend in the globalization of higher education and the growing demand for English proficiency in academic settings. Despite the attention given to education in Chinese society, many learners are not adequately prepared to overcome challenges associated with EMI classes. This leads to inefficiencies and drawbacks within the educational system. For instance, some learners struggle with understanding subject matter due to language barriers or encounter difficulties fully engaging with course materials because of language related challenges. This study aims to fill a significant research gap by providing a comprehensive exploration of the main challenges faced by learners in the Chinese EMI context and by highlighting the crucial contribution of EMI courses to China's higher education competitiveness internationally. By identifying factors and variables that can predict success in EMI contexts, particularly by studying learners' academic language-related skills as potential predictors of EMI success, this study offers novel insights into the impact of EMI courses on China's position in the global academic arena. A total of 361 male and female EFL learners participated in the study and completed the EMI Challenges Scale. The data analysis, including descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, revealed that writing, reading, and listening skills significantly predicted success in EMI. Writing emerged as the best predictor, explaining 28.19 % of the variance in EMI success, followed by reading (19.54 %). The results of this study contribute to current debates on international affairs of higher education by not only illustrating the problems students face in EMI courses, but also providing important suggestions for improving the learning environment on EMI language in China. This leads to ongoing debates about the globalization of higher education and the need for English proficiency in academic settings. In addition, the results of this study are useful for teachers and policy makers; it emphasizes the importance of improving EMI learners' writing, reading, and listening skills in EMI learners to enhance their success in academic settings. In particular, they may consider implementing language development programs and provide EMI learners with additional support to improve their writing, reading and listening skills. This study also highlights the need for appropriate support and resources to address the specific language challenges faced by EMI students, paving the way for better instructional strategies and guidelines in Chinese EMI terms.

Preparation of Environmentally Friendly Oil- and Water-Resistant Paper Using Holo-Lignocellulosic Nanofibril (LCNF)-Based Composite Coating.

In the present study, an environmentally friendly oil- and water-resistant paper was developed using a holo-lignocellulosic nanofibril (LCNF)-based composite coating. The LCNF was prepared from wheat straw using a biomechanical method. Characterizations of oil- and water-resistant coated paper and the effect of LCNF content on the performance of the coated paper were confirmed by combining contact angle analysis, Cobb 300s, and mechanical performance tests. The results show that the barrier performance and mechanical strength of the coated paper were greatly improved with the increase of LCNF content. The contact angle of oil and water of coated paper containing 50% LCNF were 69° and 78°, respectively, while the contact angle of oil and water of the base paper were only 30° and 20°, respectively. Cobb 300s values reduced from 110 g/m2 to 30 g/m2 when the LCNF content increased from 50% to 90%. Moreover, under the coating amount of 20 g/m2, the tensile strength of the coating paper was 0.980 KN/m, an increase of 10.11% compared with the base paper. The bursting strength reached 701.930 KPa, which was 10.75% higher than the base paper. In short, it is feasible to prepare LCNF from wheat straw, and apply it to produce water-proof and oil-proof paper. The water-proof and oil-proof paper developed in this study not only offers a novel approach to addressing white pollution but also presents a new research avenue for exploring the potential applications of agricultural waste.

Exploring mental health stigma among chinese-english bilinguals: Dual-process model of emotional competence, flipped learning readiness, and academic performance in Mainland Chinese Universities.

Due to severe global competition and performance-related academic challenges, Chinese students are compelled to learn English and become bilinguals despite their non-English majors. Consequently, these students frequently experience psychological issues, including mental health stigma. Hence, the present study aims to explore the psychological factors associated with the academic performance of Chinese-English bilinguals as an outcome of their emotional competence, flipped learning readiness, and mental health stigma. Drawing on data from 448 Chinese-English bilingual students in universities in mainland China, the results based on structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that their academic performance, flipped learning readiness, and emotional competence are negatively influenced by their mental health stigma. Moreover, the findings also validate that both flipped learning readiness and emotional competence significantly mediate the indirect effects of mental health stigma on the academic performance of bilinguals. The study's implications offer new and compelling evidence on the primary issue of mental health stigma among Gen Z bilingual students to raise deterrence against this psychological menace through collaboration across policymakers, academics, and mental healthcare providers.

The Anti-Proliferative Effect of Flavonoid Nanoparticles on the Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line SK0V3.

To investigate the anti-proliferative effect of flavonoid nanoparticles on the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3. Ten nude mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with the human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell mixture. The treatment group received tail vein injections with 1.25 mg/kg of flavonol, once every 3 days, 0.2 mL each time, for a total of 12 times. The control group was a tumor model that was injected with 50 mL/L glucose solution; it was observed in Lacquerin Group as the Laccase Nanoparticle Group. Tumor quality was recorded after treatment. The morphology of tumor cells in the two groups was observed by fluorescence microscopy. MTS was used to measure the value of tumor cells in the two groups after administration. Apoptosis of SKOV3 cells was detected by flow cytometry using a tumor cell suspension. The MTT results showed a decreased growth rate of SKOV3 cells with an increase in the mass concentration of flavonoid nanoparticles. The nude mice in the control group had scattered cauliflower-like tumor nodules. The treatment group only showed very small granular tumor nodules. The tumor mass within the treatment group was comparable (P > 0.05), but was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The morphology of the tumor cells in the treatment group became longer and thinner and showed a slender spindle shape. Some high-temperature treated cells even appeared star-shaped, and the cell bodies were significantly broadened. Flow cytometry results showed significantly increased apoptosis of the SKOV3 cells after treatment with flavonoid nanoparticles. The MTS results showed a significantly slowed proliferation rate of SKOV3 cells after two days of administering flavonoid nanoparticles (P < 0.05). Flavonoid nanoparticles were nontoxic, and decreased cell proliferation of and promoted apoptosis in an ovarian cancer cell line.

lncRNA HAND2-AS1 inhibits cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by downregulating ROCK1 in HPV-positive and negative cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Long non-coding (lnc)RNA HAND2 antisense RNA 1 (HAND2-AS1) exhibited tumor suppression activity in different types of cancer. However, its role in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), which is frequently diagnosed among females, has not been elucidated. The current study revealed that lncRNA HAND2-AS1 was downregulated, while Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) was upregulated in serum of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and -negative patients with CSCC compared with healthy controls. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 were negatively correlated with the expression levels of ROCK1 in HPV-positive and -negative patients with CSCC but not in healthy controls. Downregulation of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 distinguished patients with CSCC from healthy controls. Additionally, lncRNA HAND2-AS1 overexpression led to reduced expression levels of ROCK1 in HPV-positive and -negative human CSCC cell lines but not in normal cervical cell lines. ROCK1 overexpression did not significantly affect the expression of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 in all the cell lines investigated. lncRNA HAND2-AS1 overexpression inhibited, while ROCK1 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HPV-positive and -negative human CSCC cell lines but not normal cervical cell lines. ROCK1 overexpression attenuated the effects of lncRNA HAND2-AS1 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. lncRNA HAND2-AS1 may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by downregulating ROCK1 in HPV-positive and -negative CSCC.

Heterogeneity in membrane protein genes of porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses isolated in China.

Since late 2010, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has been re-emerging in immunized swine herds with devastating impact in the Hebei province of China. Seven prevailing strains of PEDV were isolated from fecal samples out of piglets suffering from severe diarrhea. The M gene of the seven PEDV isolates encompasses an open reading frame of 681 nucleotides, encoding a protein of 226 amino acids. The seven PEDV isolates showed 99.4-99.9 % nucleotide sequence identity and 98.2-99.1 % deduced amino acid identity. When compared with other Chinese isolates and foreign isolates, the seven isolates showed high nucleotide identity with the Thailand isolate M-NIAH1005 (99.6-99.9 %) and Korea isolate PFF188 (99.7-100 %), but low identity with other Chinese isolates (96.6-99.1 %) and with the vaccine strain CV777 used in China (97.8-98.2 %). Phylogenetic analyses showed that all seven Chinese field isolates were grouped together in the same cluster. Although CV777 was also separated into the same cluster with the seven isolates, they were belonged to different sub-cluster. These results showed that the seven prevailing isolates in China are closely related phylogenetically to each other and have close relationships with the Korean strain PFF188 and Thailand strain M_NIAH1005. However, they differ genetically from other Chinese isolates and the vaccine strain CV777. Therefore, a more efficient vaccine strain should be chosen to prevent outbreaks of PEDV in China.

Effect of drying on the mesoporous structure of sol-gel derived silica with PPO-PEO-PPO template block copolymer.

The effects of drying method on the pore structure of mesoporous silica were studied from the viewpoint of enhancing closed porosity in mesoporous silica. The mesoporous silica was prepared via a sol-gel process using polyethyleneoxide-polypropyleneoxide-polyethyleneoxide (PEO-PPO-PEO) triblock copolymer (Pluronic P123) as the structure-directing template. The closed porosity was evaluated from the apparent mass density of the sample measured by a helium pycnometer. These mesoporous silicas were also characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption. The drying method was shown to be responsible for the finally templated mesoporous structure of the silica. More rapid drying is more preferable for enhancing the closed porosity of the mesoporous silica. The closed pores were formed by immediate immobilization of copolymer molecular assemblies in the silica matrix due to the instant removal of the solvent and solidification at higher temperatures. The drying method, mainly affecting the drying rate, is highly influential on the finally replicated mesoporous structure in silica.

Syntheses of ordered mesoporous silica by new hybrid template.

Ordered mesoporous silica with macroscopic shape has been prepared with a hybrid template of gel and poly(ethylene oxide)106-poly(propylene oxide)70-poly(ethylene oxide)106 (pluronic F127) surfactant, where both water-soluble agar gel and pluronic F127 significantly affect the mesoporous structure and morphology of silica. The thermal analysis revealed the noticeable interaction between agar and F127, which contributes to the formation of homogenous hybrid template. In the hybrid template, agar gel contributed to the maintenance of morphology structure, while F127 was responsible for the formation of ordered porous structure in silica solids.

Formation process of two-dimensional networked gold nanowires by citrate reduction of AuCl4- and the shape stabilization.

Gold nanowires with a two-dimensional (2-D) network structure were formed by citrate reduction of AuCl4- with a low concentration of citrate. The structure change during the growth processes was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the variation in concentrations of gold species in the aqueous solution was monitored by UV-vis spectra and Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Emission Spectrophotometer (ICAP). The formation of 2-D gold nanowires was induced by the small amount of reducing agent because the preliminary gold nanoparticles formed by reduction of AuCl4- were thermodynamically unstable in the aqueous solution due to the insufficient capping of citrate. One of the key points of nanowire formation is the preferential adsorption of AuCl4- instead of citrate ions on the surface of the preliminary gold particles, which results in an attracting force between gold nanoparticles. We propose a hit-to-stick-to-fusion model, in which gold nanoparticles adhere by the attraction force and stick together, causing selective deposition of reduced gold metallic species on the concave surface of the two sticking particles, followed by fusion into nanowires. Nanowires then connect with each other, forming a network structure. The evidence obtained from TEM observation of transformation from gold nanowires on a TEM grid to large nanoparticles by hydrogen gas reduction and time-resolved measurements of gold ions suggest that gold ions not only are crucial for the growth of gold nanowires but also play an important role in stabilizing the shape of gold nanowires during the formation process. This method for synthesizing 2-D gold nanowires is simple and relatively easy application to the synthesis of other metallic nanowires such as silver or platinum is expected.