Analysis of Differences Between Popular Mobile Games in China and Japan From a Cross-Cultural Perspective: A Case Study of Genshin Impact and Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

Genshin Impact and Uma Musume:Pretty Derby are two of the hottest mobile games in China and Japan,respectively,in the past two years,both of which have gained enormous popularity and revenue in their home countries.This paper focuses on the cross-cultural perspective,and analyzes the differences between the two games and their reasons for their popularity from three aspects:character design,cultural background,and game genre.

Age-specific differences in the association between prediabetes and cardiovascular diseases in China:A national cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease(CVD)is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide,the global burden of which is rising.It is still unclear the extent to which prediabetes contributes to the risk of CVD in various age brackets among adults.To develop a focused screening plan and treatment for Chinese adults with prediabetes,it is crucial to identify variations in the connection between prediabetes and the risk of CVD based on age.AIM To examine the clinical features of prediabetes and identify risk factors for CVD in different age groups in China.METHODS The cross-sectional study involved a total of 46239 participants from June 2007 through May 2008.A thorough evaluation was conducted.Individuals with prediabetes were categorized into two groups based on age.Chinese atherosclerotic CVD risk prediction model was employed to evaluate the risk of developing CVD over 10 years.Random forest was established in both age groups.SHapley Additive exPlanation method prioritized the importance of features from the perspective of assessment contribution.RESULTS In total,6948 people were diagnosed with prediabetes in this study.In prediabetes,prevalences of CVD were 5(0.29%)in the younger group and 148(2.85%)in the older group.Overall,11.11%of the younger group and 29.59% of the older group were intermediate/high-risk of CVD for prediabetes without CVD based on the Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China equation in ten years.In the younger age group,the 10-year risk of CVD was found to be more closely linked to family history of CVD rather than lifestyle,whereas in the older age group,resident status was more closely linked.CONCLUSION The susceptibility to CVD is age-specific in newly diagnosed prediabetes.It is necessary to develop targeted approaches for the prevention and management of CVD in adults across various age brackets.

A Cognitive Study on Politeness Intention Processing and Its Association with Pragmatic Failure in Cross-Cultural Communication

Although a large number of studies have focused on various aspects of politeness,very little is known about how politeness intention is activated cognitively during verbal communication.The present study aims to explore the cognitive mechanism of politeness intention processing,and how it is related to pragmatic failure during cross-cultural communication.Using 30 Chinese EFL university students who were instructed to finish a probe word judgment task with 96 virtual scenarios,the results indicate that within both mono-and cross-cultural contexts,the response time in the experimental scenarios was significantly slower than that of the filler scenarios.This suggests that politeness intention was activated while understanding the surface meaning of the conversation;however,the EFL learners could not completely avoid the negative transfer of their native politeness conventions when they were comprehending the conversational intention of the target language.Furthermore,no significant differences in response time were found between the groups with high and low English pragmatic competence,illustrating that transferring the pragmatic rules and principles into cross-cultural communication skills was more cognitively demanding.Overall,this study adds to the literature on politeness research and provides some implications for foreign language pragmatic instructions.

The Transmission,Establishment and Cross-cultural Integration of Chinese Medicine in the Mainstream Healthcare,through the Eyes of a Generation of Visionaries and Pioneers

It has historically been very difficult to trace the history of the westward transmission of Chinese medicine through the accounts of its protagonists. Many of the early scholars such as Jack Worsley, Dick Van Buren, and Joe Goodman were reluctant to divulge information about the source of their knowledge, or their professional qualifications. Others, such as John Shen and Hong Yuan-bain were early 20th century immigrants who transmitted highly personalized versions of acupuncture and Chinese medicine to select disciples. Eventually, a new class of scholars appeared, including names such as Ted Kaptchuk, Peter Deadman, Nigel Wiseman, William Morris, Peter Eckman, John Mc Donald, Charles Buck, and the late Giovanni Maciocia who looked for answers back in China, developed translation methodologies and terminology, compiled the main textbooks currently in use at TCM colleges, overcame enormous scholastic adversity, developed courses and pursued the regulation and accreditation of TCM in various countries. This special issue synopsizes the path towards the global acculturation of TCM over the last 50 years, the main protagonists, the enormous accomplishments they have achieved for the profession, their philosophy, their clinical perspectives and visions for the future.

Understanding the Global Identification with China’s Stories: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Cross-cultural storytelling is a primary way for humankind to seek mutual recognition of value orientations between cultures,which facilitates the ability to jointly address the problems of human existence in the context of globalization.In this study,we conducted an interview survey of 6,130 respondents who were college students or graduates from 107 countries.The results show that there were a number of cross-cultural values embodied in China’s stories seen by the respondents as part of a common vision for the future of humankind and widely identified guidance on collaborative responses to global challenges.These cross-cultural values are common prosperity,ecological harmony,individual-collective integration,the urgency of global peace,as well as respect for multicultural and indigenous development paths.

Spatial Differences in the Response of Runoff to Climate and Land Use Changes in the Yiluo River Basin

Accurately identifying the spatial differences in the response of regional runoff to climate and land use changes can clarify the mechanism of regional runoff changes and provide a scientific basis for adopting the appropriate water resource protection policies.In this study,based on the Budyko theory,we quantitatively evaluated the spatial differences in the response of runoff to climate and land use changes in the Yiluo River Basin after 2000;calculated the sensitivity of runoff changes to precipitation(P),potential evapotranspiration(E_(0))and land use changes;and quantified the contributions of those three factors to runoff changes.The findings revealed that with decreasing elevation,precipitation gradually decreases,potential evapotranspiration gradually increases,and runoff gradually decreases in the Yiluo River basin.Influenced by the population density,both cultivated land and construction land are widely distributed with the middle and lower reaches of the basin,while the upper reaches are dominated by forest land.Compared with the base period(1985-1989),precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in the watershed during the change period(2000-2017)basically showed decreasing and increasing trends,respectively,with obvious spatial differentiation.P increased significantly in the upper reaches of the Yi River,with an average of 35.2 mm(-83.8-84.7 mm),while P increased and decreased in the other five subbasins,but the decreasing trend was more prominent.Among the subbasins,the upper and middle reaches of the Luo River showed the largest reductions in P,with an average of-34.2 mm(-145.9-20.6 mm),whereas the middle reaches of the Yi River showed the smallest reduction in P,with an average of-10.9 mm(-84.2-59.5 mm).The E_(0)in the different regions during the change period showed an increasing trend,and the increase in E_(0)gradually decreased from the upper reaches to the lower reaches.The E_(0)in the upper reaches of the Luo River showed the largest change,with an average of 45.3 mm(38.2-48.3 mm),while the lower reaches of the Yiluo River showed the smallest change,with an average of 7.3 mm(-3.2-17.1 mm).Land use changes were primarily from cultivated to construction land in the middle and lower reaches.Runoff changes were positively correlated with precipitation changes and negatively correlated with potential evapotranspiration and land use changes.The absolute values of the sensitivity coefficients of runoff to these environmental factors decreased with lower altitude,indicating a reduced responsiveness of the basin runoff under a warming and drying climate trend.Reductions in precipitation and changes in potential evapotranspiration have led to reductions in runoff ranging from 4.7 to 17.4 mm and from 0.7 to 9.1 mm,respectively,while land use changes led to corresponding runoff reductions of 23.0 to 46.5 mm,suggesting that land use changes are more likely to trigger runoff changes in the basin than climatic fluctuations.Given the dominance of cultivated land,especially in the middle and lower reaches,and the region’s high susceptibility to human activities,there has been a significant reduction in runoff in recent years.The contribution of land use change to the runoff reduction in the Yiluo River Basin was greater at lower elevations,up to 86.1%,while climatic effects were more significant at higher elevations,up to 27.8%.Therefore,promoting the implementation of projects such as water ecological restoration and returning farmland to forests are of great significance to curb the over-exploitation of groundwater,to formulate scientific management and scheduling policies in order to realize the transformation of the water balance in the river basin from a non-steady state to a steady state,and to promote the integrity of the ecosystem of the lower reaches of the Yellow River and ensure its sustainable development.

Study on sex differences and potential clinical value of threedimensional computerized tomography pelvimetry in rectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic rectal cancer radical surgery is a complex procedure affected by various factors.However,the existing literature lacks standardized parameters for the pelvic region and soft tissues,which hampers the establishment of consistent conclusions.AIM To comprehensively assess 16 pelvic and 7 soft tissue parameters through computerized tomography(CT)-based three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction,providing a strong theoretical basis to address challenges in laparoscopic rectal cancer radical surgery.METHODS We analyzed data from 218 patients who underwent radical laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer,and utilized CT data for 3D pelvic reconstruction.Specific anatomical points were carefully marked and measured using advanced 3D modeling software.To analyze the pelvic and soft tissue parameters,we emp-loyed statistical methods including paired sample t-tests,Wilcoxon rank-sum tests,and correlation analysis.RESULTS The investigation highlighted significant sex disparities in 14 pelvic bone parameters and 3 soft tissue parameters.Males demonstrated larger measurements in pelvic depth and overall curvature,smaller measurements in pelvic width,a larger mesorectal fat area,and a larger anterior-posterior abdominal diameter.By contrast,females exhibited wider pelvises,shallower depth,smaller overall curvature,and an increased amount of subcutaneous fat tissue.However,there were no significant sex differences observed in certain parameters such as sacral curvature height,superior pubococcygeal diameter,rectal area,visceral fat area,waist circumference,and transverse abdominal diameter.CONCLUSION The reconstruction of 3D CT data enabled accurate pelvic measurements,revealing significant sex differences in both pelvic and soft tissue parameters.This study design offer potential in predicting surgical difficulties and creating personalized surgical plans for male rectal cancer patients with a potentially“difficult pelvis”,ultimately improving surgical outcomes.Further research and utilization of these parameters could lead to enhanced surgical methods and patient care in laparoscopic rectal cancer radical surgery.

Keep in mind sex differences when prescribing psychotropic drugs

Women represent the majority of patients with psychiatric diagnoses and also the largest users of psychotropic drugs.There are inevitable differences in efficacy,side effects and long-term treatment response between men and women.Psychopharmacological research needs to develop adequately powered animal and human trials aimed to consider pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of central nervous system drugs in both male and female subjects.Healthcare professionals have the responsibility to prescribe sex-specific psychopharmacotherapies with a priority to differentiate between men and women in order to minimize adverse drugs reactions,to maximize therapeutic effectiveness and to provide personalized management of care.

Three-dimensional analysis of age and sex differences in femoral head asphericity in asymptomatic hips in the United States

BACKGROUND The sphericity of the femoral head is a metric used to evaluate hip pathologies and is associated with the development of osteoarthritis and femoral-acetabular impingement.AIM To analyze the three-dimensional asphericity of the femoral head of asymptomatic pediatric hips.We hypothesized that femoral head asphericity will vary significantly between male and female pediatric hips and increase with age in both sexes.METHODS Computed tomography scans were obtained on 158 children and adolescents from a single institution in the United States(8-18 years;50%male)without hip pain.Proximal femoral measurements including the femoral head diameter,femoral head volume,residual volume,asphericity index,and local diameter difference were used to evaluate femoral head sphericity.RESULTS In both sexes,the residual volume increased by age(P<0.05).Despite significantly smaller femoral head size in older ages(>13 years)in females,there were no sex-differences in residual volume and aspherity index.There were no age-related changes in mean diameter difference in both sexes(P=0.07)with no significant sex-differences across different age groups(P=0.06).In contrast,there were significant increases in local aspherity(maximum diameter difference)across whole surface of the femoral head and all quadrants except the inferior regions in males(P=0.03).There were no sex-differences in maximum diameter difference at any regions and age group(P>0.05).Increased alpha angle was only correlated to increased mean diameter difference across overall surface of the femoral head(P=0.024).CONCLUSION There is a substantial localized asphericity in asymptomatic hips which increases with age in.While 2D measured alpha angle can capture overall asphericity of the femoral head,it may not be sensitive enough to represent regional asphericity patterns.

Emotional differences based on comments on doctor-patient disputes with varying levels of severity

BACKGROUND The risks associated with negative doctor-patient relationships have seriously hindered the healthy development of medical and healthcare and aroused wide-spread concern in society.The number of public comments on doctor-patient relationship risk events reflects the degree to which the public pays attention to such events.Thirty incidents of doctor-patient disputes were collected from Weibo and TikTok,and 3655 related comments were extracted.The number of comment sentiment words was extracted,and the comment sentiment value was calculated.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare differences between each variable group at different levels of incidence.Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to examine associations between variables.Regression analysis was used to explore factors influencing scores of comments on incidents.RESULTS The study results showed that public comments on media reports of doctor-patient disputes at all levels are mainly dominated by“good”and“disgust”emotional states.There was a significant difference in the comment scores and the number of partial emotion words between comments on varying levels of severity of doctor-patient disputes.The comment score was positively correlated with the number of emotion words related to positive,good,and happy)and negatively correlated with the number of emotion words related to negative,anger,disgust,fear,and sadness.CONCLUSION The number of emotion words related to negative,anger,disgust,fear,and sadness directly influences comment scores,and the severity of the incident level indirectly influences comment scores.

Current Situation and Cross-Cultural Influence of Live Houses in China

Live houses emerged in China during the 1990s as the country’s rock music scene began to flourish.Today,live houses can be found in almost every major city in China and have become an essential part of the country’s music culture.The growth of live houses in China has been driven by changing consumer tastes,the expansion of the music industry,and a desire for new and innovative forms of entertainment.These venues offer a unique and intimate setting for music lovers to experience live performances,fostering a sense of community and connection between artists and audiences.The cross-cultural influence of live houses in China has been substantial,with international musicians and audiences increasingly drawn to the country’s vibrant music scene.Chinese live houses have hosted a diverse range of international artists,providing opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.As a result,live houses have become a hub for promoting Chinese culture and soft power,enhancing global cultural diversity,and increasing the visibility of Chinese artists on the international stage.

Exploration of Intelligent Teaching Approaches for Ideological and Political Education in College Cross-Cultural Communication Courses

With the acceleration of globalization and the popularization of information technology,cross-cultural communication skills are increasingly important.As an integral of ideological-political education in colleges and universities,cross-cultural communication courses have attracted growing attention.This article focuses on the current state of ideological-political teaching in cross-cultural communication courses in colleges and universities,and introduces intelligent teaching approaches,focusing on the integration of Chinese culture,practical teaching,and innovative teaching methods.

Translation Studies from a Cross-Cultural Perspective:Reinventing Subjectivity-A Case Study of English Translation of A Dream of Red Mansions

The integration of cross-cultural inquiries into the realm of translation has given rise to a distinct subfield known as cross-cultural translation studies.This approach emphasizes the importance of delving into the cultural subtleties and the awareness of cultural subjectivity within the translation process.Central to this framework is the concept of reshaping cultural nuances and the subjectivity of culture.This paper introduces three principal translation strategies that emerge from a cross-cultural standpoint:the alienation translation strategy,the‘cannibalism’translation strategy,and the destructive translation strategy.Utilizing the English translation of“Dream of the Red Chamber”as a case study,the paper examines how cultural nuances and cultural subjectivity influence the selection of translation strategies and demonstrates the practical application of cross-cultural research within the translation sphere.Hence,the significance of cross-cultural translation studies lies in its capacity to offer a novel lens through which to view translation studies.It encourages a reevaluation of cultural nuances and subjectivity in translation,which is of profound practical importance for advancing the field of translation studies,enhancing cross-cultural communication,and facilitating the spread of Chinese discourse on the global stage.

Cross-Cultural Adjustment and Coping:U.S.Students in Taiwan Residents Higher Education

The aim of this study was to investigate the adjustment problems of students from the United States enrolled in universities in the East,specifically in Taiwan,their problems related to cultural adaptation,and the process of adjustment to student life in Taiwan.Under investigation were cultural adjustment and coping skills as these students transitioned from West to East.Qualitative data were collected from interviews with participants and faculty members as well as participant observations.Results indicated that U.S.students found their own ways to acclimate to their new academic setting as well as to social relations,cross-cultural issues,and the linguistic environment in Taiwan to achieve effective adaptation.They made changes in themselves to cope with all situations they encountered.This study provides suggestions for international students abroad in Taiwan,for the Taiwan Residents government,and for universities or colleges in terms of what they should offer to current and future international students.

Temporal and spatial differences in human activities performed in Urban Green Spaces of Vilnius(Lithuania)

Urban green spaces(UGS)are relevant to city well-being,as recognized by the United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).However,few studies have studied the temporal use of UGS.This work assessed the seasonal,weekly,and daily use of three urban green spaces(Vingis Park,Bernardino Garden,and Jomantas Park)in Vilnius(Lithuania).The study is based on an on-site observation-based survey,which recorded users’characteristics,activities,and weather conditions during summer and winter.The results showed that UGS’s seasonal,weekly,and daily use differed according to park and users’characteristics.Parks with a higher diversity of facilities had a high seasonal difference in the number of observed activities.User numbers were higher in the summer for activities with children,social activities,sports,and water activities than in the winter.Jomantas Park had the lowest variability in user characteristics.Weather variables were linked to changes in users’activities.Higher precipitation and lower temperature were associated with reducing the number of users and the diversity of registered activities.Most of the stationary activities were observed during summer.The diversity of the observed activities was associated with the available facilities rather than the park size.The distribution of stationary activities was spatially correlated with facility/equipment(benches,playgrounds,sports,and fitness equipment)and proximity to water features.The results of this study are relevant for UGS design,planning,and management.

Exploring Phonetic Differences and Cross-Linguistic Influences: A Comparative Study of English and Mandarin Chinese Pronunciation Patterns

Exploring the differences in phonemes and cross-linguistic influences, particularly by comparing the pronunciation patterns of English and Mandarin, is crucial for language learners. Such comparative studies can help learners better understand and overcome the pronunciation difficulties encountered during second language acquisition. English and Mandarin have significant differences in their vowel and consonant systems, tones, intonation, and syllable structures. A deep understanding of these differences allows learners to engage in targeted pronunciation training, reducing accent interference. This research provides guidance for improving language teaching methods, enabling teachers to design more effective pronunciation strategies and exercises based on the students’ native language backgrounds, thus enhancing learning outcomes. Additionally, cross-linguistic studies aid in improving speech recognition and conversion technologies, achieving higher accuracy and naturalness in multilingual speech processing systems. From a cultural exchange perspective, understanding and respecting the phonetic characteristics of different languages help to enhance the effectiveness and mutual understanding in cross-cultural communication. The comparative study of English and Mandarin pronunciation patterns not only provides a theoretical foundation for language education and technological applications but also promotes effective communication in multilingual environments. This thesis uses a comparative research method to elucidate the study of English and Mandarin pronunciation patterns. It begins with an analysis of the characteristics and similarities of the pronunciation patterns in both languages. The thesis then examines the differences between English and Mandarin pronunciation patterns through four aspects: the number and complexity of vowel phonemes, types and distribution of consonant phonemes, tones and stress, and intonation and phonetic phenomena. Finally, based on the comparative analysis of the differences, the thesis offers targeted policy recommendations for learning English and Mandarin.

The Research on Cross-Cultural Critical Thinking in English Teaching: A Pedagogical Paradigm Within the Ideological and Political Course Framework

The conflation of linguistic competencies with ideological and political educational paradigms presents unique opportunities and challenges for English language teaching(ELT)in our increasingly interconnected world.This research seeks to address the role of cross-cultural critical thinking within the landscape of English pedagogy,framed by the imperatives of ideological and political education.Employing a multi-method approach,including thematic content analysis and action research,the study proposes a pedagogical model designed to integrate transcultural discourse and ideologically reflective practices into the conventional ELT curriculum.This paper argues for a reimagined approach to teaching English that encourages students to engage with diverse cultural perspectives and develop a nuanced understanding of global issues.

Sex differences in the association between the muscle quality index and the incidence of depression: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Depression presents significant challenges to mental health care.Although phy-sical activity is highly beneficial to mental and physical health,relatively few stu-dies have conducted on the relationship between them.AIM To investigate the association between muscle quality index(MQI)and incidence of depression.METHODS The data used in this cross-sectional study were obtained from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey,which included informa-tion on MQI,depression,and confounding factors.Multivariable logistic regre-ssion models were employed,while taking into account the complex multi-stage sampling design.A restricted cubic spline model was utilized to investigate the non-linear relationship between the MQI and depression.Additionally,subgroup analyses were performed to identify influential factors.RESULTS The prevalence of depression in this population was 8.44%.With the adjusted model,the MQI was associated with depression in females(odds ratio=0.68,95%confidence interval:0.49-0.95)but not in males(odds ratio=1.08,95%confidence interval:0.77-1.52).Restricted cubic spline adjustment of all covariates showed a significant negative non-linear relationship between depression and the MQI in females.The observed trend indicated an 80%decrease in the risk of depression for each unit increase in MQI,until a value of 2.2.Subsequently,when the MQI exceeded 2.2,the prevalence of depression increased by 20%for every unit increase in the MQI.Subgroup analyses further confirmed that the MQI was negatively associated with de-pression.CONCLUSION The MQI was inversely correlated with depression in females but not males,suggesting that females with a higher MQI might decrease the risk of depression.

Model of Mediating Determinants of Time Differences in INDYCAR

The IndyCar series distinguishes itself by providing the same design and operation of the single-seater to its pilots.The difference in times is then attributable to the skills of the drivers,but considering the data from the races could test this assumption.The objective of this work was to establish a trajectory model to predict race times.A cross-sectional,correlational,and explanatory work was carried out with a sample of 18,474 records in the period from 2020 to 2023 of the IndyCar series.The results show that the time span predicts the time differences.In relation to the studies of acceptance of the technology,the adjustment of this to human capacities to explain the time differences in the series of racing cars is discussed.

Innovation Analysis of College English Teaching from the Perspective of Cross-Cultural Communication

With the increasingly integrated international communication and cooperation,cross-cultural communication can enable talents to understand the cultural concepts and backgrounds of different countries,and thus form positive values.Language is the key carrier of communication and its role is also evident.Colleges are gathering places for cultural collisions,and in the context of cross-cultural communication,colleges need to play their role in optimizing English teaching and improving teachers’teaching levels,in order to cultivate more high-quality talents.This article mainly analyzes the strategies for innovative English teaching in colleges from the perspective of cross-cultural communication,hoping to provide references and inspiration for the research of cultivating cross-cultural communication talents.