Exploring the key indicators of Social Impact Assessment for Sponge-City PPPs: Sustainable Development Perspective

Sponge city (SPC) is currently being promoted as an initiative under the principle of sustainable development to solve the urban water crisis across China. Moreover, with the introduction of the public-private partnerships (PPPs) in SPC development, the public’s concern regarding SPC PPPs has increased in terms of their more sophisticated outcomes and greater social impacts than general urban development. Thus, to develop an effective set of SIA key indicators for SPC PPPs, this study uses social impact theory (SIT) to explore in greater detail the influencing mechanism for the social impact assessment (SIA) conceptual model proposed in the authors’ previous studies. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to examine whether the hypothesized relationships in the influencing mechanism fit the empirical data and to further consolidate the SIA key indicators. Based on a survey questionnaire and CFA results, a verified and refined SIA framework using 23 key indicators and five corresponding dimensions was proposed, particularly within the context of SPC PPPs. Implications generated from the CFA were discussed to improve the comprehensive performance of sponge city PPPs. These 23 key indicators and the clarification of their relationships to the respective SIA dimensions and to the overall SIA results can be a useful tool for enhancing the social benefits of SPC PPPs. Moreover, this study also provides governments with insights into enabling the low-impact and sustainable development of infrastructure within urban areas

Thirty-six months recurrence after acute ischemic stroke among patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes: A nested case-control study

Background: Stroke patients have to face a high risk of recurrence, especially for those with comorbid T2DM, which usually lead to much more serious neurologic damage and an increased likelihood of death. This study aimed to explore determinants of stroke relapse among patients with comorbid T2DM. Materials and methods: We conducted this case-control study nested a prospective cohort of ischemic stroke (IS) with comorbid T2DM. During 36-month follow-up, the second stroke occurred in 84 diabetic IS patients who were allocated into the case group, while 613 patients without recurrence were the controls. We collected the demographic data, behaviors and habits, therapies, and family history at baseline, and measured the variables during follow-up. LASSO and Logistic regression analyses were carried out to develop a prediction model of stroke recurrence. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to evaluate the performance of the prediction model. Results: Compared to participants without recurrence, the higher levels of pulse rate (78.29 ± 12.79 vs. 74.88 ± 10.93) and hypertension (72.6 vs. 61.2 %) were recorded at baseline. Moreover, a lower level of physical activity (77.4 vs. 90.4 %), as well as a higher proportion of hypoglycemic therapy (36.9 vs. 23.3 %) was also observed during 36-month follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that higher pulse rate at admission (OR = 1.027, 95 % CI = 1.005 – 1.049), lacking physical activity (OR = 2.838, 9 5 % CI = 1.418 – 5.620) and not receiving hypoglycemic therapy (OR = 1.697, 95 % CI = 1.013 – 2.843) during follow-up increased the risk of stroke recurrence. We developed a prediction model using baseline pulse rate, hypoglycemic therapy, and physical activity, which produced an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.689. Conclusion: Physical activity and hypoglycemic therapy play a protective role for IS patients with comorbid diabetes. In addition to targeted therapeutics, the improvement of daily-life habit contributes to slowing the progress of the IS

Exurban and suburban forests have superior healthcare benefits beyond downtown forests

Forests in urban areas provide great healthcare benefits to citizens, but it is less well known whether this benefit is related to different geographical spaces. We selected exurban forest, suburban forest, downtown forest, and urban control in Guangzhou, China to analyze the change characteristics of negative air ion concentration (NAIC), air oxygen content (AOC), and human comfort index (HCI). Based on Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, the urban forest comprehensive healthcare index (UFCHI) was established. Finally, the evaluation criteria for UFCHI were identified by cluster analysis. The results demonstrated that (1) The NAIC in exurban forest (2,713 ± 1,573 ions/cm3) and suburban forest (2,147 ± 923 ions/cm3) was evidently better than downtown forest (1,130 ± 255 ions/cm3) and urban control (531 ± 162 ions/cm3). (2) The AOC was in the order of exurban forest (21.17 ± 0.38%) > suburban forest (21.13 ± 0.30%) > downtown forest (21.10 ± 0.16%) > urban control (20.98 ± 0.12%). (3) The HCI in urban control (5.56 ± 2.32) and downtown forest (5.15 ± 1.80) is higher than suburban forest (4.02 ± 1.53) and exurban forest (3.71 ± 1.48). (4) The UFCHI in exurban forest (1.000), suburban forest (0.790), and downtown forest (0.378) were beneficial to human health to some extent, while urban control (0.000) was at Level IV, having no healthcare benefit. Except in winter, the UFCHI in exurban forest and suburban forest were all at Level II and above; while downtown forest and urban control were all at Level III and below at all seasons. Overall, urban forests in the exurbs and suburbs have better healthcare benefits than those in the downtowns. Furthermore, it is recommended that urban residents visit exurban and suburban forests for forest therapy in spring, summer, and autumn

Protection of H2S against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Rat Hippocampal Neurons through Inhibiting Phosphorylation of ROCK2 at Thr436 and Ser575

Background: H2S (hydrogen sulfide) protects cerebral vasodilatation and endothelial cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injury via the inhibition of the RhoA-ROCK pathway and ROCK2 expression. However, the inhibitory mechanism of H2S on ROCK2 expression is still unclear. The study aimed to investigate the target and mechanism of H2S in inhibition of ROCK2. Methods: His-ROCK2wild protein was constructed, expressed, and was used for phosphorylation assay in vitro. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was used to determine the potential phosphorylation sites of ROCK2. Recombinant ROCK2wild-pEGFP-N1, ROCK2T436A-pEGFP-N1, and ROCK2S575F-pEGFP-N1 plasmids were constructed and transfected into rat hippocampal neurons (RHNs). ROCK2 expression, cell viability, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nerve-specific enolase (NSE), and Ca2+ were detected to evaluate the neuroprotective mechanism of H2S. Results: Phosphorylation at Thr436 and Ser575 of ROCK2 was observed by mass spectrometry when Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and protein kinase A (PKA) were added in vitro, and NaHS significantly inhibited phosphorylation at Thr436 and Ser575. Additionally, NaHS significantly inhibited the expression of ROCK2 and recombinant proteins GFP-ROCK2, GFP-ROCK2T436A, and GFP-ROCK2S575F in transfected RHNs. Compared with empty plasmid, GFP-ROCK2T436A, and GFP-ROCK2S575F groups, NaHS significantly inhibited the release of LDH, NSE, and Ca2+ and promoted ROCK2 activity in the GFP-ROCK2wild group. Thr436 and Ser575 may be dominant sites that mediate NaHS inhibition of ROCK2 protein activity in RHNs. Compared with the empty plasmid, GFP-ROCK2T436A, and the GFP-ROCK2S575F group, NaHS had more significant inhibitory effects on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury-induced cell viability reduction and increased LDH and NSE release in the GFP-ROCK2wild group. Conclusion: Exogenous H2S protected the RHNs against H/R injury via Thr436 and Ser575 of ROCK2. These findings suggested that Thr436 and Ser575 may be the dominant sites that mediated the effect of NaHS on protecting RHNs against H/R injury

Influence of Relational Norms on User Interests in PPP Projects: Mediating Effect of Project Performance

Protecting user interests is one of the most important public sector responsibilities in PPP (public-private partnership) projects. However, user interests could be damaged by poor project performance. Therefore, this study focuses on the protection of user interests in PPP projects and analyzes the relationships among relational norms, project performance, and user interests in PPP projects. A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect the opinions of professionals from the public sector and private sector. Upon analyzing 109 valid questionnaires, the results demonstrate that the relational norms between the public sector and private sector have a positive effect on project performance, and project performance has a positive relationship on user interests. Moreover, project performance has a positive mediating effect on the relationships between relational norms and user interests. This finding can provide a theoretical foundation and suggest practical measures to help the public sector better protect user interests in PPP projects

The Compound Forest–Medicinal Plant System Enhances Soil Carbon Utilization

The sensible use of forest resources and the sound management of forests have become increasingly important throughout the years. In keeping with the trend, a composite forestry operation model has emerged. Traditional Chinese culture and forest management are particularly intertwined in China. Thus, use of the forest–medicine compound management model is recommended. The majority of research on the management of forest–medicine compounds has focused on how to grow more effective medicinal plants, ignoring the effects of the chemicals used on the soil environment, particularly the soil micro-environment. A forest–medicine system was established in South China to investigate the impacts of planting Aspidistra elatior on the variety of rhizospheric microorganisms and their ability to use carbon sources. In the plots with or without A. elatior, three dominant plants (Castanopsis hystrix, Psychotria rubra, and Ficus hirta) grew soil rhizosphere microbes, which were analyzed using Biolog EcoPlates. The study found that planting medicinal plants in the understory improved the soil’s nutritional content, increased the inter-root microbial communities of other medicinal plants, and enhanced the microbes’ ability to use soil carbon sources. The forest–medicine complex model, which rationalizes the use of forest clearings and generates economic and ecological benefits, can significantly increase the quantity of dominant microorganisms and enhance the enrichment of other species, resulting in a positive impact on the soil environment. These findings suggest that the forest–medicine compound management model can improve the use of soil carbon sources throughout the forest system

Retrograde Inferior Vena caval Perfusion for Total Aortic arch Replacement Surgery (RIVP-TARS): study protocol for a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background During total aortic arch replacement surgery (TARS) for patients with acute type A aortic dissection, the organs in the lower body, such as the viscera and spinal cord, are at risk of ischemia even when antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) is performed. Combining ACP with retrograde inferior vena caval perfusion (RIVP) during TARS may improve outcomes by providing the lower body with oxygenated blood. Methods This study is designed as a multicenter, computer-generated, randomized controlled, assessor-blind, parallel-group study with a superiority framework in patients scheduled for TARS. A total of 636 patients will be randomized on a 1:1 basis to a moderate hypothermia circulatory arrest (MHCA) group, which will receive selective ACP with moderate hypothermia during TARS; or to an RIVP group, which will receive the combination of RIVP and selective ACP under moderate hypothermia during TARS. The primary outcome will be a composite of early mortality and major complications, including paraplegia, postoperative renal failure, severe liver dysfunction, and gastrointestinal complications. All patients will be analyzed according to the intention-to-treat protocol. Discussion This study aims to assess whether RIVP combined with ACP leads to superior outcomes than ACP alone for patients undergoing TARS under moderate hypothermia. This study seeks to provide high-quality evidence for RIVP to be used in patients with acute type A aortic dissection undergoing TARS. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT03607786. Registered on 30 July 2018