Efficacy In China Research Articles

Energy transition policy, technology innovation and sustainable manufacturing

This study examines the impact of China's New Energy Pilot City Policy (REPCP) on green development in the manufacturing sector, focusing on the role of technological innovation. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach with firm-level data from 30 Chinese provinces and cities (2000-2021), the research analyzes how the policy affects firms' adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices. The findings reveal that the REPCP significantly promotes green development, particularly in regions with moderate levels of industrial development. Moreover, technological innovation amplifies the policy's positive impact, indicating a synergistic relationship. The analysis also finds that state-owned enterprises are more responsive to the policy than non-SOEs. This study contributes to the understanding of energy transition policies by providing empirical evidence of their efficacy in China's manufacturing sector, highlighting the importance of technological innovation, regional variations, and ownership structures in achieving sustainable manufacturing.

Collective local liberalism: orchestrated local governments and the expansion of the BRI

ABSTRACT What drives the varied performance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects? Can the central state’s role and the participating nations’ development needs fully account for the success or failure of individual BRI projects? This article challenges the dominant state-centric perspective, suggesting it falls short in elucidating the heterogeneous results of BRI projects. Through a comparative analysis of the Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Zone (PBGECZ) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), the study reveals the impact of local government collaboration on the efficacy of China’s foreign policy. By proposing collective local liberalism, we argue that cooperative dynamics, rather than competitive, are crucial for the success of the BRI. This nuanced approach underscores the necessity of a collaborative framework among subnational actors to enhance the execution and outcomes of BRI projects, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Chinese foreign policy.

Efficacy of China’s clean air actions to tackle PM2.5 pollution between 2013 and 2020

Efficacy of China’s clean air actions to tackle PM2.5 pollution between 2013 and 2020

Examining speech-language pathology research relating to people with traumatic brain injury in China: a scoping review

Background/Aims Although there are many researchers reviewing the existing evidence related to traumatic brain injury from speech-language pathologists' perspectives, there have been no attempts to review the existing research evidence in Standard Chinese to the best of the authors' knowledge. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and synthesise the existing research evidence available in China for therapy related to individuals with traumatic brain injury within the speech-language pathologists' scope of practice. Methods This scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. The literature search was conducted using databases that included articles in the Standard Chinese language. In collaboration with three therapists working in China, the data was extracted and translated into English. Results Eight research articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this review. Six studies were randomised control trials, and two studies were cohort studies. These eight studies focused on collaboration, counselling and treatment. All studies addressed cognition and two also addressed language. Conclusions Evidence showed that treatment focusing on cognitive and language skills provided by speech-language pathologists can improve the lives of people with a traumatic brain injury living in China. More research is warranted to better understand traumatic brain injury and treatment efficacy in China. Implications for practice Clinicians, especially those who work with individuals who affiliate themselves with the Chinese culture, can consider the current research evidence discussed in this article when working with clients with traumatic brain injury. Additionally, for researchers, future research efforts can prioritise addressing the identified gaps outlined in this study.

Off-label use of Baricitinib improves moderate and severe atopic dermatitis in China through inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway via targeting JAK-STAT signaling of CD4+ cells.

As an inflammatory disease with a disrupted immune system, cytokine disorders in atopic dermatitis (AD) are closely related to the abnormal activation of JAK-STAT signal pathway. The critical relevance of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to the pathogenesis of AD provides a strong rationale for JAK inhibitor research. Baricitinib, a small-molecule oral JAK inhibitor, has been proven to inhibit JAK-STAT signaling in a variety of diseases, including AD. It is currently available in China for off-label use. However, its efficacy in China and its mechanism are rarely reported. In our study, we found that the immune status of patients with moderate and severe AD was hyperactive. Among the 49 known immunotherapy targets, JAK1 and JAK2 genes on lymphocytes of AD patients were significantly upregulated, which was closely related to the symptom severity in moderate and severe AD patients. Baricitinib can improve immune hyperresponsiveness and clinical symptoms in moderate and severe AD by inhibiting the activation of Th2 cell subsets and the secretion of Th2-type cytokines through MAPK, mTOR and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, providing an important theoretical basis for clinical off-label use of Baricitinib to treat moderate and severe AD.

Development of green finance, tourism, and corporate access to bank loans in China.

The fundamental purpose of this study is to conduct an inquiry into the efficacy of China's green credit strategy, and that is the core focus of the investigation. As part of this study, we investigate whether or not businesses that increase the environmental transparency of their operations to the outside world and green innovation within their operations are rewarded with more favorable bank loan terms as a direct result of receiving green credit. Specifically, we look at whether or not these businesses are awarded green credit. Our hypothesis is put to the test by using difference-in-differences (DID) model and the data that was collected from a sample of 1086 publicly traded Chinese manufacturers over the years 2012 to 2017. According to the data, businesses that improve the quality of their environmental disclosures do not receive an increase in their access to corporate finance. On the other hand, businesses that introduce new environmentally friendly (tourism) breakthroughs do receive an increase in their access to corporate finance. Our research demonstrates that the root of the problem is corporate greenwashing, a practice that is common in regions with low environmental disclosure standards and makes it more difficult for businesses to obtain new loans. This practice is popular in areas where environmental disclosure standards are lax. This is the most basic explanation for why the phenomena occur in the first place. Our findings contribute to the literature on themes including green credit policy, corporate green innovation, environmental transparency, and green financing and tourism, all of which are useful to corporations, governments, and financial institutions.

Integrated development of green finance and green accounting in policy banks.

The fundamental purpose of this study is to conduct an inquiry into the efficacy of China's green credit strategy, and that will be the core focus of the investigation. As part of this study, we investigate whether or not businesses that increase the environmental transparency of their operations to the outside world and green innovation within their operations are rewarded with more favorable bank loan terms as a direct result of receiving green credit. Specifically, we look at whether or not these businesses are awarded green credit. Our hypothesis is put to the test by using the difference-in-differences (DID) model and the data that was collected from a sample of 1086 publicly traded Chinese manufacturers over the years 2012 to 2017. According to the data, businesses that improve the quality of their environmental disclosures do not receive an increase in their access to corporate finance. On the other hand, businesses that introduce new environmentally friendly breakthroughs do receive an increase in their access to corporate finance. Our research demonstrates that the root of the problem is corporate green-washing, a practice that is common in regions with low environmental disclosure standards and makes it more difficult for businesses to obtain new loans. This practice is popular in areas where environmental disclosure standards are lax. This is the most basic explanation for why the phenomena occur in the first place. Our findings contribute to the literature on themes including green credit policy, corporate green innovation, environmental transparency, and green-washing, all of which are useful to corporations, governments, and financial institutions.

Xiangshao Granules reduce the aggressive behavior and hippocampal injury of premenstrual irritability in rats by regulating JIK/JNK/p38 signal pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAs a typical prescription for soothing the liver, Xiangshao granule has a good effect on the symptoms of irritability and anxiety. Clinical evidence suggests that it has significant efficacy in the treatment of Premenstrual dysphoria disorder (PMDD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Aim of the studyPMDD is a common disease in women of childbearing age, seriously affecting their family, society, and daily work life. The registered herbal medicine, Xiangshao granules, is used for relieving PMDD dysphoria and irritability symptoms with excellent efficacy in China. This study was focused on the deep intervention mechanism of Xiangshao granules in treating PMDD. Materials and methodsThe vaginal smear and open field test were used to screen rats in nonreception phase of estrus cycle with similar macroscopic behaviors and regular estrus cycle. The rat model of PMDD irritability was established through social isolation and residential invasion, with which, the irritability symptoms of PMDD patients with menstrual cycle dependence was also well simulated. Elevated plus Maze Test and Social interaction activities were used to measure the anxiety-like behavior of rats. TUNEL Staining and Hematoxylin-Eosin staining were used to measure apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression of GR, JIK, p-JIK, p38, P–P38, JNK, caspase 3, and caspase 12. ResultsIn this study, Xiangshao granules showed consistent therapeutic effects similar with those in clinic, significantly reducing aggressive and anxiety-like behaviors with improved social skills in PMDD rats. In mechanism, Xiangshao granules lowered the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons and weakened the morphological damage of the hippocampal brain evidenced by the decreased mRNA and protein expression of glucocorticoid receptor, caspase-3, and caspase-12. In addition, administration of Xiangshao granules led to the decreased expression of JIK in the PMDD irritability rat model which agreed well with the previous studies. The JNK/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway is abnormally activated in the hippocampal brain region of PMDD rats, while treated with Xiangshao granules could increase JIK expression and inhibit the abnormal activation of the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway, effectively reducing the stress damage in the hippocampus. ConclusionsXiangshao Granules Reduce the Aggressive Behavior and Hippocampal Injury of Premenstrual Irritability in Rats by Regulating JIK/JNK/p38 Signal Pathway.

Politicizing the Pandemic: COVID-19 and its Impact on the Nigerian Economy

This study aims to examine the connection between international politics that characterized the outbreak of COVID-19, mainly between the United States of America and China and the devastating impact of the second wave outbreak on the Nigerian economy. At the initial stage of the pandemic on the Chinese mainland, the economy of China experienced a significant decline. The efficacy of China’s response to COVID-19 led to a fractional economic recovery during the pandemic. However, the internationalization of COVID-19 was greeted with a second wave in most advanced countries, such as the United States of America, Italy, and the United Kingdom, among others. The low level of preparedness and poor responses were comparably low in second-wave countries compared to China. It also examines the failure of the United States of America and China to develop a global health framework against COVID-19, as well as the Blame Game Politics that eventually played out. The politics of shifting blame between the United States of America and China, coupled with poor responses against COVID-19 in most Western countries, culminated in a devastating outbreak in low-income countries. Nigeria’s COVID-19 experience severely affected the critical sectors of the economy. However, this awkward situation has heightened Nigeria’s status as a major economic victim of the pandemic in Africa. The study utilized primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data were generated through the utility of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and the secondary data were generated from textbooks, journal articles, and web-based materials. The data generated were analyzed using the logic induction method and thematic analysis. The study recommends rejigging the Nigerian economic framework and improving revenues through an Agro-based economy.

How Does Workplace Affect Employee Political Efficacy in China?

How Does Workplace Affect Employee Political Efficacy in China?

China's Vaccine Diplomacy and Its Implications for Global Health Governance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on global economy and human communities. Promoting the accessibility and affordability of vaccine via diplomacy is the key to mitigating the pandemic crisis. China has been accused of seeking geopolitical objectives by launching vaccine diplomacy. The definition of vaccine diplomacy is neutral by nature. China’s vaccine diplomacy is based on its holistic approach to national security and the importance China attaches to the “Belt and Road” Initiative. With a whole-of-government approach on both the bilateral and multilateral levels and marketization of vaccines, China’s vaccine diplomacy has immense implications for global health governance, in that it helps to narrow the global immunization vaccination gap and to promote human-right-based approach to global health governance. However, the sustainability of China’s vaccine diplomacy is questionable because of the Sino-American geopolitical competition and doubts over the efficacy of China’s vaccines. The escalation of power rivalry between China and the U.S. and the concerns over the efficacy of China’s vaccines forebode the gloomy future of China’s vaccine diplomacy.

Does Chinese foreign direct investment harm CO2 emissions in the Belt and Road Economies.

China's Going Global Strategy and Belt and Road Initiative gained great attention among scholars. Moreover, it is believed that Chinese investments abroad cause serious social and environmental externalities. Hence, in this paper, we examine how China's foreign direct investments influence the carbon emissions of 35 Belt and Road Initiative countries from 2000 to 2019. To do so, we use a panel model that accounts for heterogeneity and country cross-section dependence. Our results show that while other countries' foreign direct investments have contributed to the deterioration of the environment in these countries, Chinese investments have not. This substantiates the hypothesis of the halo effect influence of China's foreign investments as opposed to other countries' investments which may seek a haven for its carbon emissions. These results highlight the importance of source and destination regulations of foreign direct investments in terms of their environmental impact and carbon emissions in the Belt and Road Initiative countries. It also provides a fresh finding on the efficacy of China's foreign investment management policies and regulations in producing the desired environmental outcome in hosting countries.

The relationship between school climate and general teachers’ attitude toward inclusion in China: the mediation effect of teachers’ efficacy

The prosperity of inclusion of students with disabilities largely rest on the attitudes of mainstream teachers. Few studies explore the relationship among school climate, teachers’ attitude on inclusion and teachers’ efficacy in China. This study surveyed 266 general teachers in China to understand the role of teachers’ efficacy on inclusive education between school climate and teachers’ attitude. The results indicated that teachers hold positive attitudes towards inclusion on average, especially in the dimension of affection. Additionally, school climate, teachers’ efficacy and teachers’ attitude were significantly associated, and the mediating effect of teachers’ efficacy between school climate and teachers’ attitude were proved by mediation analyses. The findings suggested that creating more inclusive school climate and improving general teachers’ knowledge and skills on inclusive education, especially the skills on collaboration with others, which could contribute to promote more positive attitude on inclusive education of general teachers.

Ethnography and applied metaphysics

Ethnography and applied metaphysics

Transplantation of GMP-grade human iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells in rodent model: the first pre-clinical study for safety and efficacy in China

BackgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly due in large part to age-dependent atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE cells form a monolayer located between the choroid and the outer segments of photoreceptors, playing multifarious roles in maintenance of visual function. Allogeneically induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (iPSC-RPE or iRPE) has become a potential approach for providing an abundant source of donors for clinical cell products. Transplantation of iRPE has been proven effective in rescuing impaired retinas in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats after approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Here, we explore the long-term (19 weeks) safety and efficacy of human iRPE cell transplantation in pre-clinical animal models.MethodsThe expression of human RPE-specific markers in iRPE cells was determined using immunofluorescence staining. For the proliferative test, Ki-67 expression was also verified by immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analysis. Then, iRPE cells were transplanted into the subretinal space of immune-deficient NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgcnull (NSG) mice to assess their safety. To evaluate whether the transplanted cells could survive and rescue visual function, we performed color fundus photography, focal electroretinogram and immunostaining after delivering iRPE cells into the subretinal space of RCS rats.ResultsHuman iRPE cells expressed native RPE-specific markers, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF), retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65-kDa protein (RPE65) and tight-junction associated structural protein (ZO-1), and their proliferative capacity (Ki-67 expression) was poor after 25 days of induction. A tumorigenicity test revealed no tumor formation or abnormal proliferation in the immunodeficient mice after subretinal injection of 5×105 iRPE cells. The transplanted iRPE cells survived for at least 19 weeks and maintained visual function for 15 weeks.ConclusionsIn the present study, we provided further evidence for the use of human iRPE transplantation to treat retinal degenerative disease in pre-clinical animal models. Therefore, we consider human iRPE cells a promising source of cell replacement therapy for AMD.

Efficacy Perceptions of Preservice and Inservice Teachers in China: Insights Concerning Culture and Measurement

This study comprises the second stage of a research program in which sense of efficacy for teaching (SET) was investigated in Chinese mainland preservice and inservice teachers (PSTs and ISTs, respectively). Scores on SET were calculated and described, and SET comparisons were made between and within PSTs and ISTs. Relative to PSTs, ISTs had higher SET; within both the PSTs and IST samples there were no gender differences; but among ISTs there were some associations of SET with years of teaching, teacher roles, and whether the schools were categorized as advanced or standard. Tentative comparisons are drawn concerning SET in Chinese and Western contexts, and recommendations are made concerning effective measurement of teacher sense of efficacy in China and elsewhere.

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Components of Guizhi Fuling Capsule, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Formula, in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Background Guizhi Fuling capsule (GFC), a well-known formula composed of five medicinal herbs, is commonly prescribed to treat primary dysmenorrhea, as well as to achieve good clinical efficacy in China. However, the active components of GFC have not been identified. Here, the anti-inflammatory functions of GFC, as well as its major ingredients, were evaluated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used in HUVECs to imitate the cellular inflammation. Then, GFC-triggered mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 were determined by real-time PCR, while the expression of COX-2 protein was revealed by western blotting. Besides, nine components of GFC were evaluated for their contribution value in the anti-dysmenorrhea effects Results The application of GFC downregulated the mRNA expressions of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs. Nine major components of GFC were tested in the inflammatory system, and three compounds, including paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and amygdalin, exhibited robust activation in HUVECs. The combination of paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and amygdalin showed over 80% of the anti-inflammatory activation. Conclusion Our study supports that GFC plays a promising role in anti-dysmenorrhea function by decreasing COXs' expression. Besides, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and amygdalin could be considered as major regulators for the anti-dysmenorrhea effects of GFC.

The Relationship Between Distributed Leadership and Teacher Efficacy in China: The Mediation of Satisfaction and Trust

This study explored the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers’ sense of self-efficacy, with a focus on the mediating roles of job satisfaction and trust in the principal in the context of mainland China. Five hundred and seventy elementary school teachers in South China participated in a survey. The results show that distributed leadership has indirect effects on teachers’ self-efficacy, and that these effects are significantly mediated by job satisfaction and trust in the principal. The results highlight the importance of distributed leadership and trust in the principal in the Chinese context. Implications for the improvement of leadership practices are discussed.

Efficacy of China’s strategic environmental management in its institutional environment

PurposeThe Chinese Government encourages firms to diffuse their operational-level environmental management (EM) into their organization’s mission and strategy to develop strategic EM to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to utilize two concepts of institutional theory (isomorphic pressures and decoupling behavior) to assess how different institutional forces arising from Chinese macro-level factors (market pressure, business turbulence, legal voids, carbon policy, structural-level governmental interference and guanxi with government) influence the efficacy of strategic EM.Design/methodology/approachIn partnership with a major consulting firm in China, the authors collect multi-informant survey data from 183 manufacturing firms drawn from a variety of industries for testing the hypotheses posited.FindingsThe efficacy of strategic EM in the sampled firms is confirmed by the positive association with environmental performance. The authors also find that the efficacy of strategic EM is weakened by market pressure, business turbulence and legal voids, whereas it is strengthened by structural-level governmental interference. However, carbon policy and guanxi with government do not impact it significantly.Research limitations/implicationsTo extend the findings on the environmental importance of strategic EM, future research can develop and validate a management framework to guide the adoption of strategic EM. With regard to the four valid macro-level factors influencing the efficacy of strategic EM, future research can identify the reasons (e.g. conflict with corporate functions) behind them to aid manufacturers to mitigate their negative influence or enhance the positive influence on strategic EM.Social implicationsChina’s Government and its manufacturers (or those sharing a similar institutional environment) can expand the scope of their EM efforts from operational-level EM practices to strategic EM. The findings on the valid macro-level factors have led to practical suggestions for government bodies and manufacturers to improve the efficacy of strategic EM adoption. Overall, the implications help achieve the higher levels of firm-level environmental performance and alleviate the global pollution problem.Originality/valueA particular value of this work lies in the demonstration of combining institutional theory (organization decoupling, isomorphic pressures) with practical consideration such as guanxi with government in the particular institutional environment of China to help address an important and context-related problem, environmental performance.

Leading with teachers’ emotional labour: relationships between leadership practices, emotional labour strategies and efficacy in China

ABSTRACTEmotional labour has been demonstrated to play a critical role in teaching and leading in the past decade. This study explored the relationships between leadership practices, emotional labour and teacher self-efficacy, with a focus on the mediating role of emotional labour strategies. A sample of 1026 teachers from 3 provinces in China participated in a questionnaire survey. The results show that leadership practices had a negative effect on surface acting and positive effects on deep acting, expression of natural felt emotion and all three aspects of teacher efficacy. Mediation analysis indicates that surface acting and expression of natural felt emotion significantly mediate the effects of leadership practices on teaching efficacy. Implications for school leadership and teacher development are discussed.