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This chapter introduces readers to a complex adaptive systems approach for integrating research on genes, behavior, and social structures/institutions. Until recently, scientists have resorted to reductionism as a decoding and epistemological strategy for understanding human health. The complex bonds among health’s biological, behavioral, and social dimensions, however, cannot be fully grasped with reductionist schemas. Moreover, because reducing and simplifying can lead to incomplete understanding of phenomena, the resulting deficient knowledge has the potential to be harmful.

To achieve its purpose, this primer will: (1) introduce fundamental notions from complexity science, useful for inquiry and practice integrating research on genes, behavior, and social structures; (2) outline selected methodological strategies employed in studying complex adaptive/dynamic systems; (3) address the question, “Specifically, how can a dynamic systems approach be helpful for integrating research on genes, behavior, and social structures/institutions, to improve the public’s health?”; and (4) provide examples of studies currently deploying a complexity perspective.

The originality/value of this primer rests in its critique of the research status quo and the proposition of an alternative lens for integrating genomic, biomedical, and sociological research to improve the public’s health. The topic of complex adaptive/dynamic systems has begun to flourish within sociology, medicine, and public health, but many researchers lack exposure to the topic’s basic notions and applications.

This study aims to analyze the influence of farmers’ degree of participation in collective action on their adoption decisions and waiting time regarding soil and water conservation (SWC) measures.

The Probit model and Generalized Propensity Score Match method are used to assess the effect of the degree of participation in collective action on farmers’ adoption decisions and waiting time for implementing SWC measures.

The findings reveal that farmers’ engagement in collective action positively influences the decision-making process regarding terrace construction, water-saving irrigation and afforestation measures. However, it does not significantly impact the decision-making process for plastic film and ridge-furrow tillage practices. Notably, collective action has the strongest influence on farmers’ adoption decisions regarding water-saving irrigation technology, with a relatively smaller influence on the adoption of afforestation and terrace measures. Moreover, the results suggest that participating in collective action effectively reduces the waiting time for terrace construction and expedites the adoption of afforestation and water-saving irrigation technology. Specifically, collective action has a significantly negative effect on the waiting time for terrace construction, followed by water-saving irrigation technology and afforestation measures.

The results of this study underscore the significance of fostering mutual assistance and cooperation mechanisms among farmers, as they can pave the way for raising funds and labor, cultivating elite farmers, attracting skilled labor to rural areas, enhancing the adoption rate and expediting the implementation of terraces, water-saving irrigation technology and afforestation measures.

Drawing on an evaluation of farmers’ degree of participation in collective action, this paper investigates the effect of participation on their SWC adoption decisions and waiting times, thereby offering theoretical and practical insights into soil erosion control in the Loess Plateau.

This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of the subject librarian literacy training and put forward suggestions for the improvement of the subject librarian literacy training based on the satisfaction degree survey for the CALIS III Subject Librarian Literacy Training.

On the basis of the satisfaction degree survey for the CALIS III Subject Librarian Literacy Training, this paper elaborates on the design of the survey, analyzes effectiveness of the training according to the survey results, and further advances suggestions for the enhancement of the subject librarian literacy training.

As an essential part of the library user service, subject services are highly demanding of subject librarians' literacy and capabilities. The subject librarians should thus own great abilities to be qualified for the innovative subject service work. Although the CALIS III Librarian Literacy Training and Qualification Certification Program, a vital executive program, has made great achievements, the training still needs to be further improved concerning the schedules, teaching atmosphere, training forms, training content, etc., to enhance the subject librarians' ability, raise the service standards and promote the fast and sound development of librarianship in China.

This paper offers detailed information on how to design a satisfaction degree survey for the subject librarian literacy training, analyzes the effectiveness of the librarian literacy training, and finally makes suggestions for the enhancement of the subject librarian literacy training.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the functional framework of a subject service virtual communities' platform and implementation planning at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library.

First, the paper analyses the three aspects which should be considered when libraries carry out subject information services, next points out the users' behavior preferences of scholar communities to use libraries services and access library resources, and then explains the limitation of current methods used by academic libraries to reveal and deliver resources and services. Second, the paper describes the advantages of using a virtual community platform to reveal library subject resources, services, and to construct the communication environment for subject users. Finally, the functional framework of the subject service virtual communities and implementation planning at the Library of Shanghai Jiao Tong University are illustrated.

Based on the next‐generation discovery and delivery system – Primo – subject service virtual communities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library integrate diverse functions as follows to one platform: Subject information discovery and accessing (subject information letters, subject information gateway, subject information one‐stop search), Subject information blog, Subject information literacy instruction, Subject information generation and preservation, Subject information consultation. Besides “one‐stop” accessing and obtaining only needed library resources and services, the virtual communities platform gives subject users a more convenient and more attractive environment to preserve their research results and share their experiences.

Subject service at Chinese academic libraries has become a hot topic in recent years. Advice on how to support the service and make it become more effective and attractive is also an important problem. This article covers various library systems and tools that can be used to build subject service virtual communities and shows it is valuable and could be tried elsewhere.

As the virtual reference service (VRS) is becoming a standard service of the digital library, efficient collaboration among virtual reference services is also becoming more and more important for information exchange and sharing. This paper seeks to examine existing collaborative VRS systems with a view to achieving collaboration.

This paper studies existing collaborative VRS (CVRS) systems and analyzes their structures, methods and functions for achieving collaboration.

Three collaborative structure models are proposed and basic collaborative methods and collaborative functions are concluded. A CVRS reference model is depicted.

Since the study is not based on an exhaustive list of CVRS systems and technologies are always developing, the collaborative structure models, methods and functions presented in this paper are possibly not complete and may need to be adjusted and amended. There is also urgent work to be done to advance and establish related standards and protocols for CVRS.

The study is intended to help libraries to identify quickly the necessary elements and mechanisms for the design of a proper degree of CVRS or to develop or evaluate VRS systems.

This paper proposes and concludes collaborative structure models, methods, functions and a reference model of CVRS. It should prove helpful for libraries wishing to provide CVRS, as well as for further research on CVRS.

The aim of this paper is to focus on the formulation of a Library 2.0 program that will guide the realization of a “user‐centered” service pattern.

In‐depth user investigations are the first step toward a successful Library 2.0 program, which will reflect what users really hope to achieve through Library 2.0. Three user investigations were carried out with the purpose to get users' opinions and suggestions about Library 2.0 services. Then the target was formed on the basis of analysis and evaluation of users' needs. The Library 2.0 programming was analyzed in four tiers of management ideas, service patterns, technical support, and content development.

User investigations are of primary importance in programming Library 2.0, and a program formulated on such investigations will not miss its aim, and be more realistic.

The paper does not dwell on technical particularities of Library 2.0, but focuses on the key role of a program in realization of the concept of Library 2.0, and the methodology of programming.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how to make libraries adjust their roles in the digital age through exploring changing user needs and expectations, and utilizing libraries' distinctive advantages, so that library resources can be much better used and library users can be best served.

Library user surveys were conducted by Peking University Library from 2006‐2007. The surveys are partially analyzed to reveal user needs and the relevant responses.

Based on the surveys and related studies, the changing user needs and expectations can be seen: a single point of discovery for all resources from anywhere at anytime; a simple, intuitive user interface and good results; seamless services to ensure resources immediately available; open platform and easy user communication; convenient self‐services and personalized services; and embedding library services into users' workflows. From these needs and expectations, libraries, particularly those serving academic communities, need to reassess their roles to offer services in innovative ways.

The paper highlights the needs and expectations of library users using a holistic approach while providing services. Libraries' distinctive advantages in the digital age are also analyzed.

Since the beginning of the new millennium, Confucian doctrines on one’s self-cultivation have been re-introduced to curriculum in China. The revived cherish of the Confucian legacy in the twenty-first century is a reverse from the official rejection of Confucianism in the Mao era (1950–1976). It also appears as a counterweight to the individualism proliferating among the Chinese youths born at the beginning of the new millennium (Gen Z). The re-introduction of Confucianism is thus ideologically purposeful. Yet how does the mixed exposure to Confucius’ legacy and the modern idea of self-awareness impact this cohort of young people, in particular their way of learning? This chapter focusses on Chinese Gen Z studying in Australia. Using the Bourdieuan theory of human habitus, this chapter examines how these students negotiate between the ideas of self-cultivation and self-awareness, and what implications such experiences have in an intercultural academic community.

The purpose of this paper is to put forward a completely new academic library service mode called “Innovation community” in light of current information environment, social background and user demands. “Innovation community” is a mode especially suitable for academic libraries, aimed at supporting the cultivation of innovation ability, encouraging user participation, joint construction, interaction and communication, designing different theme communities and organizing supporting services and activities so that both libraries and users can become entities of independent innovation. At the same time, this paper seeks to elaborate on the development of ideas on constructing this new mode of “Innovation community” by taking the IC² mode and its auxiliary innovation support plan put forward by Shanghai Jiaotong University Library as a practice case.

The paper adopts the research methodology that combines situation analysis and theoretical explanation, model exhibition and case study.

It is found that “Innovation community” is a kind of library service mode especially suitable for learning and research groups with a demand for innovation. Under an e‐science and e‐education environment, libraries construct an environment and platform for promoting communication and cooperation and supporting interdisciplinary study and research innovation, and more effectively promoting knowledge discovery, research innovation and exploitation of tacit knowledge through individualized design and service of theme communities.

IC²@SJTUL, the practice case of “Innovation community”, has only constructed an environment at present, and the first term of this plan has not been completed. Therefore, evaluation of the actual operation effect cannot be made until later, and its actual effect has to be tested after a period of operation.

From a new perspective, this paper elaborates on the intention, elements and primary characteristics of “Innovation community” and studies a typical practice case.