Correction: Health Perceptions and Misconceptions Regarding COVID-19 in China: Online Survey Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/21099.].

[Visualization analysis of microfluidics research status].

Microfluidics is the science and technology to manipulate small amounts of fluids in micro/nano-scale space. Multiple modules could be integrated into microfluidic device, and due to its advantages of microminiaturization and controllability, microfluidics has drawn extensive attention since its birth. In this paper, the literature data related to microfluidics research from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2021 were obtained from Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used for bibliometrics analysis, so as to explore the research progress and development trends of microfluidics research at home and abroad. Based on the analysis of 50 129 articles, it could be seen that microfluidics was a hot topic of global concern, and the United States had a certain degree of authority in this field. Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University not only had a high number of publications, but also had strong influence and extensive cooperation network. Combined with ultrasonic, surface modification and sensor technology, researchers constructed paper-based microfluidic, droplet microfluidic and digital microfluidic platforms, which were applied in the field of immediate diagnosis, nucleic acid and circulating tumor cell analysis of in vitro diagnosis and organ-on-a-chip. China was one of the countries with a high level of research in the field of microfluidics, while the industrialization of high-end products needed to be improved. As people's demand for disease risk prediction and health management increased, promoting microfluidic technological innovation and achievement transformation is of great significance to safeguard people's life and health.

Membrane fouling performance of Fe-based coagulation-ultrafiltration process: Effect of sedimentation time.

Pre-coagulation is commonly used with ultrafiltration (UF) to alleviate the membrane fouling. Compared to conventional coagulation-sedimentation-UF (CSUF) processes, the direct coagulation-UF (CUF) processes are widely believed to perform better due to the formation of a looser cake layer. It is however shown in this study that not only the density of a cake layer, but also its thickness as well, can affect the membrane fouling behavior, which therefore are influenced by both the sedimentation time and flocs characteristics. Herein, the membrane fouling performance of Fe-based coagulation-UF process was systematically investigated with different sedimentation times. A critical threshold of 30 min was observed at the lab-scale: if shorter than that, the membrane fouling depended mainly on the cake layer density, and thus CUF outperformed CSUF; but when the sedimentation time was over 30 min, the cake layer thickness turned to be the dominant factor, thereby resulting in CSUF performing better. Furthermore, it was shown that the critical sedimentation time was decided by flocs characteristics. A lower water temperature induced the formation of irregular flocs with a lower fractal dimension, and the corresponding cake layer exhibited an almost identical density with increasing sedimentation time. In this regard, CSUF processes were constantly superior to CUF as the cake layer thickness decreased. On the other hand, a critical sedimentation time reappeared because of the higher floc fractal dimension under acidic conditions. This work showed for the first time that the membrane fouling of CSUF was up to the sedimentation time, and it was possible to outperform CUF if the sedimentation time exceeded a critical threshold. Such a finding is crucial to the future development of coagulation integrated UF processes.

Anti-allergic actions of a Chinese patent medicine, huoxiangzhengqi oral liquid, in RBL-2H3 cells and in mice.

CONTEXT: Huoxiangzhengqi oral liquid (HXZQ-OL), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has antibacterial, anti-inflammation and gastrointestinal motility regulation effects. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the anti-allergic activity and underlying mechanism of HXZQ-OL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IgE/Ag-mediated RBL-2H3 cells were used to evaluate the anti-allergic activity of HXZQ-OL (43.97, 439.7 and 4397 µg/mL) in vitro. The release of cytokines and eicosanoids were quantified using ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to measure the gene expression of cytokines. The level of intracellular Ca2+ was measured with Fluo 3/AM. Immunoblotting analysis was performed to investigate the mechanism of HXZQ-OL. In the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), BALB/c mice (5 mice/group) were orally administrated with HXZQ-OL (263.8, 527.6 and 1055 mg/kg/d) or dexamethasone (5 mg/kg/d, positive control) for seven consecutive days. RESULTS: HXZQ-OL not only inhibited degranulation of mast cells (IC50, 123 µg/mL), but also inhibited the generation and secretion of IL-4 (IC50, 171.4 µg/mL), TNF-α (IC50, 88.4 µg/mL), LTC4 (IC50, 52.9 µg/mL) and PGD2 (IC50, 195.8 µg/mL). Moreover, HXZQ-OL suppressed the expression of IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA, as well as the phosphorylation of Fyn, Lyn and multiple downstream signalling proteins including MAPK and PI3K/NF-κB pathways. In addition, HXZQ-OL (527.5 mg/kg) attenuated the IgE-mediated PCA with 55% suppression of Evans blue exudation in mice. CONCLUSIONS: HXZQ-OL attenuated the activation of mast cell and PCA. Therefore, HXZQ-OL might be used as an alternative treatment for allergic diseases.

Health Perceptions and Misconceptions Regarding COVID-19 in China: Online Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Great efforts have been made to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including national initiatives to promote the change of personal behaviors. The lessons learned from the 2003 SARS outbreak indicate that knowledge and attitudes about infectious diseases are related to panic among the population, which may further complicate efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Misunderstandings may result in behaviors such as underestimation, panic, and taking ineffective measures to avoid infection; these behaviors are likely to cause the epidemic to spread further. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess public health perceptions and misunderstandings about COVID-19 in China, and to propose targeted response measures based on the findings to control the development of the epidemic. METHODS: The study was conducted in April 2020 through an online survey, with participants in 8 provinces in Eastern, Central, and Western China. We designed a questionnaire with a health knowledge section consisting of 5 questions (4 conventional questions and 1 misleading question) on clinical features of and preventive measures against COVID-19. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, binary logistic regression, and Mantel-Haenszel hierarchical analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total, 4788 participants completed the survey and the mean knowledge score was 4.63 (SD 0.67), gained mainly through experts (76.1%), television (60.0%), newspapers (57.9%), and opinions (46.6%) and videos (42.9%) from social media. Compared to those who obtained information from only 1 or 2 channels, people who obtained information from >3 channels had increased health perception and a better ability to identify misleading information. Suggestions from experts were the most positive information source (χ2=41.61), while information on social media was the most misleading. Those aged >60 years (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.11), those with a lower or middle income (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.00-1.83), those not working and not able to work (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.04-3.21), those with a household income <100,000 RMB (2 suspected symptoms (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.50-5.80) were more likely to be misled by videos on social media, but the error correction effect of expert advice was limited in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple information channels can improve public health perception and the identification of misleading information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Videos on social media increased the risk of rumor propagation among vulnerable groups. We suggest the government should strengthen social media regulation and increase experts' influence on the targeted vulnerable populations to reduce the risk of rumors spreading.

Influence of floc dynamic protection layer on alleviating ultrafiltration membrane fouling induced by humic substances.

Cake layer formation is inevitable over time for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane-based drinking water treatment. Although the cake layer is always considered to cause membrane fouling, it can also act as a "dynamic protection layer", as it further adsorbs pollutants and dramatically reduces their chance of getting to the membrane surface. Here, the UF membrane fouling performance was investigated with pre-deposited loose flocs in the presence of humic acid (HA). The results showed that the floc dynamic protection layer played an important role in removing HA. The higher the solution pH, the more negative the floc charge, resulting in lower HA removal efficiency due to the electrostatic repulsion and large pore size of the floc layer. With decreasing solution pH, a positively charged floc dynamic protection layer was formed, and more HA molecules were adsorbed. The potential reasons were ascribed to the smaller floc size, greater positive charge, and higher roughness of the floc layer. However, similar membrane fouling performance was also observed for the negative and positive floc dynamic protection layers due to their strong looseness characteristics. In addition, the molecular weight (MW) distribution of HA also played an important role in UF membrane fouling behavior. For the small MW HA molecules, the chance of forming a loose cake layer was high with a negatively charged floc dynamic protection layer, while for the large MW HA molecules it was high with a positively charged floc dynamic protection layer. As a result, slight UF membrane fouling was induced.

[Analysis of classical prescription Jinshui Liujun Jian based on ancient literature].

To provide the ancient literary evidence support for the clinical application and development of classical prescription based on systematical collection and analysis of the ancient Chinese medical literature containing Jinshui Liujun Jian, including its origin and development. Bibliometric analysis was used and information of Jinshui Liujun Jian in ancient Chinese medical literature was then collected for statistical analysis of formula compositions, main indications, dosage, preparation methods, etc. A total of 151 valid items of data were obtained from 48 ancient Chinese medicine books. Jinshui Liujun Jian was first recorded in Jingyue Quanshu written by ZHANG Jiebin. This prescription consisted of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Pinelliae Rhizome, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Poria and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome Praeparata cum Melle, and it was mainly used to treat the deficiency of lung and kidney, edema and excess production of phlegm, or Yin deficiency in the old, insufficient blood-qi, wind-cold evil, cough and disgusting, asthma and excessive phlegm. Doctors in later dynasties mostly followed the prescription compositions, dosages and indications in Jingyue Quanshu, and extended the clinical application of this prescription.

Hsp90α promotes the migration of iPSCs-derived keratinocyte to accelerate deep second-degree burn wound healing in mice.

Because of the advantages of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), iPSCs-derived keratinocyte hold great clinical and research potential in wound repair. Similar to other cell transplantation therapies, the migration ability of iPSCs-derived keratinocyte transplanted into skin is critical to the therapeutic effect. Hsp90α had a positive effect on migration of keratinocytes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Hsp90α on transplanted iPSCs-derived keratinocyte in a skin model of deep second degree burns. First, keratinocytes were differentiated from iPSCs by treating with RA and BMP4. Next, we explained the effect Hsp90α on iPSCs-derived keratinocyte in vitro. We found that hsp90α promoted cell migration of iPSCs-derived keratinocyte. Furthermore, activation of AKT was required for Hsp90α-induced iPSCs-derived keratinocyte migration. Then PBS, Hsp90α, iPSCs-derived keratinocyte, and iPSCs-derived keratinocyte plus Hsp90α were applied to the wound bed of deep second degree burns. Wound healing was assessed by gross evaluation and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Our results shown that wound treated with iPSCs-derived keratinocyte plus Hsp90α significantly accelerates the rate of wound healing closure than other groups. In addition, the number of CFSE-labeled iPSCs-derived keratinocyte in regenerated epidermis was increased in iPSCs-derived keratinocyte plus Hsp90α group. In summary, these findings represent that combined administration of iPSCs-derived keratinocyte and Hsp90α may be a promising therapeutic strategy for wound healing.

Rapid screening of anti-tumor metastasis drugs targeting integrin macrophage antigen-1 using immobilized cell capillary electrophoresis.

In this research a method called immobilized cell capillary electrophoresis (ICCE) was established under approximately physiological conditions for rapid screening of anti-tumor metastasis drugs targeting integrin macrophage antigen-1 (MAC-1). In this method, separation and purification of the target receptors on cell membranes was unnecessary, thus, maintaining their natural conformation and bioactivity. MAC-1-, CD11b-, or CD18-overexpressing HEK293 cells (human embryonic kidney) were cultured and immobilized on the inner wall of capillaries as stationary phase, and their interactions with lactosyl derivative Gu-4 (positive control)/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO; negative control) were studied using ICCE. Using this method, 29 phenylethanoid glycosides from Cistanches Herba were screened, and the binding kinetic parameters (K, ka, kd, and k') of active compounds were calculated, and the specific subunits of MAC-1 were determined. Then, molecular docking studies were performed to discover the direct interaction sites between active compounds and MAC-1, and the order of Glide-calculated Emodel value obtained from the molecular docking study is consistent with that of the binding constants obtained using ICCE. Finally, pharmaceutical efficacy assays in vitro and in vivo were carried out to show that the anti-tumor metastasis activity of the active compound had better pharmaceutical efficacy and lower toxic side effects. The method was verified to be valid and practical for further use, and it is expected that it will be transferred to capillary array electrophoresis for use in high-throughput drug screening.

Nonimmobilized Biomaterial Capillary Electrophoresis for Screening Drugs Targeting Human Glucose Transporter 1.

We report an online ligand screening method that targets human glucose transporter 1 (hGlut1) under approximately physiological conditions, named nonimmobilized biomaterial capillary electrophoresis (NIBCE), and we investigated the interactions between drugs/candidate compounds and HEK293 cells, hGlut1-overexpressing HEK293 cells, non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells, A549 tumor tissue, and normal lung tissue by simulating the interactions between drugs and moving target cells or the space-occupying tumor. NIBCE omits the trouble of isolating and purifying target receptors from cell membrane while maintaining their native conformation and binding activity. The biomaterials were intercepted by porous frits in capillary columns and cannot flow through the detection window, thereby solving the problem of interference detection, and they can be renewed any time flexibly, thus effectively maintaining their surface bioactivity. Furthermore, the binding kinetic parameters (K, ka, kd, and k') were calculated by nonlinear chromatography (NLC) theory, and competitive binding experiments, ligand docking studies, and antitumor activity assays in vitro and in vivo were performed to verify the feasibility of NIBCE.

Qijiao Shengbai Capsule alleviated leukopenia by interfering leukotriene pathway: Integrated network study of multi-omics.

BACKGROUND: Leukopenia could be induced by chemotherapy, which leads to bone marrow suppression and even affects the therapeutic progression of cancer. Qijiao Shengbai Capsule (QSC) has been used for the treatment of leukopenia in clinic, but its bioactive components and mechanisms have not yet been elucidated clearly. PURPOSE: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of QSC in treating leukopenia. STUDY DESIGN: Serum pharmacochemistry, multi-omics, network pharmacology, and validation experiment were combined to study the effect of QSC in murine leukopenia model. METHODS: First, UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to clarify the absorbed components of QSC. Then, cyclophosphamide (CTX) was used to induce mice model with leukopenia, and the therapeutic efficacy of QSC was assessed by an integrative approach of multi-omics and network pharmacology strategy. Finally, molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets were identified by validated experiments. RESULTS: 121 compounds absorbed in vivo were identified. QSC significantly increase the count of white blood cells (WBCs) in peripheral blood of leukopenia mice with 15 days treatment. Multi-omics and network pharmacology revealed that leukotriene pathway and MAPK signaling pathway played crucial roles during the treatment of leukopenia with QSC. Six targets (ALOX5, LTB4R, CYSLTR1, FOS, JUN, IL-1ß) and 13 prototype compounds were supposed to be the key targets and potential active components, respectively. The validation experiment further confirmed that QSC could effectively inhibit the inflammatory response induced by leukopenia. The inhibitors of ALOX5 activity can significantly increase the number of WBCs in leukopenia mice. Molecular docking of ALOX5 suggested that calycosin, daidzein, and medicarpin were the potentially active compounds of QSC. CONCLUSION: Leukotriene pathway was found for the first time to be a key role in the development of leukopenia, and ALOX5 was conformed as the potential target. QSC may inhibit the inflammatory response and interfere the leukotriene pathway, it is able to improve hematopoiesis and achieve therapeutic effects in the mice with leukopenia.

Effects of negative emotions and information perceived value on residents' risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic: An empirical survey from China.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly and heavily hit the globe, and the mutation and transmission speed of the coronavirus have accelerated so that the world is still in danger. Thus, this study aims to investigate the participants' risk perception and explore the associations of risk perception of COVID-19 with negative emotions, information value perception and other related dimensions. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based online survey was conducted from April 4 to 15, 2020, in China. A total of 3,552 participants were included in this study. A descriptive measure of demographic information was used in this study. Multiple regression models and moderating effect analysis were used to estimate the effect of potential associations of risk perceptions. Results: Those who showed negative emotions (depressed, helplessness, loneliness) and perceived video information in social media to be useful were positively correlated with risk perception, whereas individuals who perceived experts' advice to be useful, shared risk information with friends and thought that their community made adequate emergency preparation reported lower risk perception. The moderating effect of information perceived value (ß = 0.020, p < 0.001) on the relationship between negative emotion and perception of risk was significant. Conclusions: Individual differences in risk cognition during the COVID-19 pandemic were observed in subgroups of age level. Furthermore, the role of negative emotional states, the perceived usefulness of risk information and the sense of security also contributed to improving the public's risk perception. It is crucial for authorities to focus on residents' negative emotions and to clarify misinformation in accessible and effective ways in a timely manner.

A spectrum-effect based method for screening antibacterial constituents in Niuhuang Shangqing Pill using comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography.

To investigate and screen the active antibacterial constituents of Niuhuang Shangqing Pill (NSP), the current study developed a two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2DLC) method combining microcalorimetry technique. 60% ethanol extracts from 10 batches of different commercial NSP samples were analyzed and their chemical fingerprint were developed by the comprehensive 2DLC system of Shimadzu Nexera X2. Anti-streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) constituents were determined by microcalorimetry. Thermal kinetic parameters of the SP thermogram affected by 60% ethanol extracts from 10 NSP samples were analyzed by principal component analysis. Spectrum-effect correlation between comprehensive 2DLC fingerprint and the antibacterial activity were analyzed by orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Findings showed that peak X1 (unknown), X9 (aloe-emodin), X10 (baicalein), X11 (unknown), X14 (wogonin), X15 (glycyrrhizic acid) and X17 (unknown) are the relevant components that are in positive correlation with inhibitory rate. Regarding inhibitory rate, X17 is the most powerful one, followed by X14, X15, X10, X11, X1 and X9, suggesting that compound X17, wogonin, glycyrrhizic acid and baicalein are the major active antibacterial components of NSP. The current method employing 2DLC with microcalorimetry technique proposes a new insight for screening and identifying antibacterial components in complex herbal formula.

The economic burden of malaria inpatients and its determinants during China's elimination stage.

Background: Malaria burden is still worrisome, while empirical evidence from malaria-eliminated countries including China may provide inspiration for the world. Objective: This study aimed to investigate China's malaria hospitalization costs and explore its determinants. Methods: Stratified multistage sampling across provincial, municipal, and county hospitals was conducted in 2017. All the malaria medical records were retrieved from 2014 to 2016 in 70 hospitals. Parametric and non-parametric methods were employed to estimate hospitalization costs, and the non-parametric bootstrap was used to compare hospitalization costs among sample areas and assessed the uncertainty of its differences. Quantile regressions were conducted to identify the determinants of hospitalization costs. Results: The median hospitalization costs of 1633 malaria inpatients were 628 USD. Medication and laboratory tests accounted for over 70% of total expenditure. The median reimbursement rate was 41.87%, and this number was even lower in higher-level hospitals (<35%) and among the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (<40%). Finally, health insurance type, hospital tier, clinical units, unknown fever, and comorbidity were the main determinants of hospitalization costs. Conclusion: The disparity of health protection for malaria hospitalization between rural and urban areas was noteworthy. Equivocal diagnosis and comorbidity are contributors of high cost as well. A reasonable payment system and enhanced capacities to treat malaria in a cost-effective way are suggested to reassure malaria economic burden.

Detection of membrane receptors on per tumor cell by nonimmobilized cell capillary electrophoresis and a mathematic model.

Folate receptors (FRs) are a class of valuable therapeutic target which is highly expressed on a variety of cancers. The accurate detection of the expression of FRs in different cells is conducive to improve the accuracy of FR targeted tumor therapy. Herein, a method based on nonimmobilized cell capillary electrophoresis (NICCE) combined with a mathematic model to quantify FRs on each single tumor cell was developed. At first, we studied the interactions between FA and A549, HT-29, HepG2, and U87MG cells by NICCE respectively, and calculated the kinetic parameters (Ka, k', ka, and kd). Next, we established a mathematic model to accurately determine the number of moles of FRs on per A549, HT-29, HepG2, and U87MG cell for the first time, that were (10.44 ± 0.53) × 10-19 mol, (34.32 ± 1.33) × 10-19 mol, (337.14 ± 10.11) × 10-19 mol, and (37.31 ± 2.13) × 10-19 mol. Then, these re-sults were proved to be consistent with the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Therefore, this method is simple, rapid, sensitive, and without protein separation or purification, which is expected to achieve clinical detection of cell membrane receptor expression level of cell membrane receptors on a single cell, which may be greatly beneficial to further clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Porous Heteroatom-Doped Ti3C2Tx MXene Microspheres Enable Strong Adsorption of Sodium Polysulfides for Long-Life Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur Batteries.

The practical application of Na-S batteries is largely hindered by their low mass loading, inferior rate capability, and poor cycling performance. Herein, we report a design strategy for encapsulation of sodium polysulfides using Ti3C2Tx MXene. Porous nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene microspheres have been synthesized by a facile synthesis method. Porous nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene microspheres contain abundant pore structures and heteroatom functional groups for structural and chemical synergistic encapsulation of sodium polysulfides. Sodium-sulfur batteries, based on the as-proposed cathode, demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performances, including a high reversible capacity (980 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C rate) and extended cycling stability (450.1 mAh g-1 at 2 C after 1000 cycles at a high areal sulfur loading of 5.5 mg cm-2). This MXene-based hybrid material is a promising cathode host material for polysulfide-retention, enabling high-performance Na-S batteries.

Mapping Maternal Health in the New Media Environment: A Scientometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The new media provides a convenient platform to access, use and exchange health information. And as a special group of health care, maternal health care is still of international concern due to their high mortality rate. Scientific research is a good way to provide advice on how to improve maternal health through stringent reasoning and accurate data. However, the dramatic increase of publications, the diversity of themes, and the dispersion of researchers may reduce the quality of information and increase the difficulty of selection. Thus, this study aims to analyze the research progress on maternal health under the global new media environment, exploring the current research hotspots and frontiers. METHODS: A scientometric analysis was carried out by CiteSpace5.7.R1. In total, 2270 articles have been further analyzed to explore top countries and institutions, potential articles, research frontiers, and hotspots. RESULTS: The publications ascended markedly, from 29 in 2008 to 472 publications by 2020. But there is still a lot of room to grow, and the growth rate does not conform to the Price's Law. Research centers concentrated in Latin America, such as the University of Toronto and the University of California. The work of Larsson M, Lagan BM and Tiedje L had high potential influence. Most of the research subjects were maternal and newborn babies, and the research frontiers were distributed in health education and psychological problems. Maternal mental health, nutrition, weight, production technology, and equipment were seemingly hotspots. CONCLUSION: The new media has almost brought a new era for maternal health, mainly characterized by psychological qualities, healthy and reasonable physical conditions and advanced technology.

Perceived effectiveness of public health measures and positive attitudes during a pandemic: a large cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China.

OBJECTIVES: Building individuals' positive attitudes during a pandemic is essential for facilitating psychological resilience. However, little is known about how public health measures may improve people's positive attitudes during a pandemic. We investigated the potential mechanism underlying the association between individuals' perceived effectiveness of public health measures and positive attitudes towards the success of pandemic control during the COVID-19 pandemic, by examining the parallel mediating effects of three types of threat appraisals: concerns about contracting the virus, perceived impact of the pandemic on life and estimated duration of the pandemic. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In February 2020 when the COVID-19 infection was spreading rapidly in China, a large cross-sectional survey was conducted among 132 054 adults from the 16 districts in Shanghai, China. OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived effectiveness of the public health measures, positive attitudes towards the success of pandemic control and threat appraisals. RESULTS: Results of structural equation modelling supported the hypothesised mediation model: perceived effectiveness of public health measures was associated with lower levels of concerns about contracting the virus (ß=-0.20), perceived impact of the pandemic (ß=-0.13) and perceived duration of the pandemic (ß=-0.20), which were then associated with higher levels of positive attitudes towards the success of pandemic control (ßs=-0.12 to -0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that threat appraisals may be important pathways through which individuals' evaluations of prevention strategies may influence their attitudes towards the success of pandemic control. The health authorities should consider reducing people's inappropriate threat appraisals when designing public health policies to facilitate people's positive attitudes during a pandemic.

Preventive behaviours and family inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in China.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an international public health threat, and people's participation in disease-related preventive behaviours is the key to controlling infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess the differences in adopting preventive behaviours among populations to explore potential individual and household factors and inequalities within families. METHODS: This online survey was conducted in April 2020. The directional stratified convenient sampling method was used to select 4704 participants from eight provinces in eastern, central, and western China. The questionnaire included demographic information, household variables, and five target prevention behaviours. The chi-squared test, binary multilevel model, and Mantel-Haenszel hierarchical analysis were used for data analysis in the study. RESULTS: Approximately 71.2% of the participants had appropriate outdoor prevention, and 32.9% of the participants had indoor protection in place. Sharing behaviours (P < 0.001) and education level (P < 0.001) were positively associated with adopting preventive measures. The inhibiting effect of household crowding and stimulating effect of high household income on preventive behaviours were determined in this study. Household size was negatively associated with living area (ß = -0.057, P < 0.05) and living style (ß = -0.077, P < 0.05). Household income was positively associated with age (ß = 0.023, P < 0.05), and relationship with friends (ß = 0.053, P < 0.05). Vulnerable groups, such as older adults or women, are more likely to have inadequate preventive behaviours. Older adults (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.09-2.15), women (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.64), and those with more than 2 suspected symptoms (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.07-3.19) were more likely to be affected by the inhibiting effect of household crowding, while the stimulating effect of high household income was limited in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in COVID-19 prevention behaviours exist between families and inadequate adoption of prevention by vulnerable groups are noteworthy. This study expands the research perspective by emphasizing the role of household factors in preventive behaviours and by focusing on family inequalities. The government should use traditional media as a platform to enhance residents' public health knowledge. Targeted additional wage subsidies, investments in affordable housing, financial support for multigenerational households, and temporary relocation policies may deserve more attention. Communities could play a critical role in COVID-19 prevention.

A novel strategy to alleviate ultrafiltration membrane fouling by rotating membrane module.

Integrated ultrafiltration (UF) membrane technology has attracted extensive attention in drinking water treatment due to its excellent performance and small footprint. However, membrane modules normally are static in membrane tanks, which cause a gradual increase in the cake layer thickness over time, thus resulting in severe membrane fouling. To overcome this shortcoming, we report an effective strategy to regulate cake layer thickness by rotating the membrane module in the presence of flocs. The results showed that the cake layer thickness can be effectively reduced because of the floc looseness, resulting in the alleviation of membrane fouling. The higher the module rotation speed, the higher the flow velocity in the membrane tank and the larger the shearing force on the cake layer surface. As a result, the membrane fouling was considerably mitigated, and it was interesting that the pollutant removal efficiency was hardly influenced. With module rotation, we found that acid solutions displayed a better performance in removing pollutants (even low molecular weight pollutants) and alleviating membrane fouling compared to the alkaline conditions because of the smaller floc size, larger floc specific surface area, and higher floc positive charge. Additionally, an excellent UF membrane performance was also observed with the raw water taken from the South-North water in China. Collectively, this study demonstrated that floc-based cake layers can be effectively regulated with module rotation, which has a great potential in drinking water treatment application, particularly in small water plants.