First-hand Data Research Articles

Inner architecture of fan delta front deposits: An outcrop example from Xiguayuan formation, Luanping Basin, northeast China

The fan delta front deposit is a notable reservoir type in the basin margin and typically exhibits high heterogeneity in reservoir architecture. With the deepening of exploration and development of oil and gas fields, the study of lower-order depositional architectures is relatively weak, and their implication on remaining oil distribution and enrichment are poorly understood. Field outcrops of the fan delta front deposit exhibit first-hand data of lithofacies, association, and depositional architectures, effectively providing insights for underground reservoir research to guide the development of oil fields, such as high water–cut oil fields in the late development period. Herein, we considered the fan delta front outcrops of the Sangyuan section as an object to reveal the depositional architectures located in the Luanping Basin, northeast China. Using meticulous artificial fieldwork and unmanned aerial vehicle observation, we focused on the 4th-order (single sandbody) and 3rd-order (composite laminaset groups) architectural units. Based on field observations, quantitative statistics, and model matching and guidance, architectural models of the fan delta front in the Sangyuan section were established in response to the high-frequency lake-level. In addition, genetic types of remaining oil controlled by architectural features in Wenchang B oil field during the high water–cut stage were further discussed, and suitable strategies and measures are proposed to produce different types of remaining oil. Results indicate that there are twelve basic types of lithofacies and three types of a single sandbody developed in the Sangyuan section, and evidently, the dimensions and spatial stacking patterns of 4th-order architectural units are closely related to high-frequency lake-level fluctuation, that is, with the rise of lake-level, the thickness and width of a single sandbody gradually decrease, whereas the width–thickness ratio gradually increases. Meanwhile, the spatial stacking patterns of sandbody gradually evolution from the downcut type to the superposition or butted type and finally to the isolated type. A single sandbody is divided into one or more composite laminate groups by the interfaces of 3rd-order architectural elements, which are identified according to the flow regime and sedimentary structures. Different orders of architectural units have different controlling effects over remaining oil distribution and enrichment, and the corresponding technical measures are proposed to enhance the remaining oil recovery. The above mentioned analyses can provide a valuable reference for oil and gas production in the late stage of an oil field with a similar depositional environment.

Planning for Publication Development on Room Sales in Sevenz Apartment

The apartment business presents a lucrative opportunity when employing effective marketing strategies, including social media publications which can enhance brand awareness and customer satisfaction. In Batam, an international industrial hub, the demand for accommodation is on the rise, and entrepreneurs such as the owners of Sevenz Apartments are capitalizing on this opportunity by developing daily and monthly rental businesses. However, there is a need for additional strategies to address the seasonal imbalance in occupancy rates. Therefore, the researcher developed publications for Sevenz Apartments. A descriptive design was employed in this study. Given the qualitative nature of the data, interviews were conducted to collect firsthand data from informants regarding publications in the marketing of Sevenz Apartments. Based on the interview results, a website was developed as the primary promotional platform providing comprehensive information about facilities, prices, and promotions. This website is expected to increase visibility and room sales by expanding the audience reach and utilizing social media and content marketing.

Academic Governance and Innovation Ecosystem in Chongqing: The Impact of Local Policies on R and D

In order to improve the level of academic governance in Chongqing and build a good innovation ecosystem, this paper carries out correlation analysis from the perspective of local policies and research findings and obtains first-hand data in the form of questionnaires. Then, the internal relationship among academic governance, innovation ecosystem, and overall development of R&D is found, and the following assumptions are put forward. Academic governance in Chongqing can promote the improvement of the R&D level, and the innovation ecosystem is the objective environment for the development of R&D institutions in Chongqing University. Local policies, academic governance, and innovation ecosystem are the influencing factors for the development of R&D institutions. The results show that academic governance and innovation ecosystem will promote the development of R&D, and local policies are the main influencing factors, which will play a directional role in the normal development of R&D. Therefore, local governments should formulate academic governance policies and create a good normal environment for innovation.

Cultural Competence in Chinese Language Education: Discussing the Importance of Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

Background and Aim: Cultural competence plays a significant role in successful language education. Studies have shown that culturally sensitive pedagogy enables teachers to connect language to an accurate cultural context, preventing misappropriate language use. This study examined the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. Materials and Methods: Data was collected using observation, interviews, and systematic reviews of academic journals. The classroom observation was selected because it provides first-hand data about how educators teach the Chinese language. The researchers also observed the impact of cultural awareness on teaching methods and outcomes. Interviews were conducted using open-ended questionnaires to obtain the benefits of cultural awareness and sensitivity in teaching the Chinese language. The systematic review helped in extracting data from the previous studies. The inductive and deductive thematic analyses were conducted based on the guidance from Byram’s intercultural competence framework. Results: The findings showed that cultural awareness and sensitivity are important in teaching the Chinese language because they improve critical cultural awareness, linguistic competency, and the ability of language educators to translate and communicate effectively. The various elements of linguistic competency that teachers demonstrate include comprehension, connotation, convention, and conditioning. Conclusion: Cultural awareness and sensitivity also help language educators empower learners and enhance their capacity to become better intercultural communicators. The paper suggests that Chinese language teachers should make regular visits to China to enhance their cultural awareness. Educators should also try various strategies, including double translation, comparison, and situational settings to integrate cultural awareness into their teachings.

The reliability and validity of a novel clinical tool for distributing rehabilitation patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of a novel clinical tool for distributing rehabilitation patients (DRP) for measuring a population of rehabilitation patients based on first-hand data from the field survey in China. A multi-stage sampling scheme was used to select 2512 rehabilitation outpatients from 21 medical institutions in seven cities in China. The evaluation indicators of the DRP tool consisted of five clinical indexes on multiple dysfunctions, self-care ability, vital signs, disease status, and disease course. The evaluation of rehabilitation ways of the DRP tool mainly included outpatient rehabilitation treatment, admission to primary healthcare, admission to secondary hospitals, and admission to tertiary hospitals. The mean age of participants was 54.22 years (SD:17.91), and nearly half (48.68%) were male. The majority (70.15%) were diagnosed with orthopaedic disorders. The Cronbach’s alpha (0.66), the Kendall test (Kendall coefficient = 0.86; P < 0.001), and the Kappa test (Kappa = 0.83; Agreement: 90.48%; P < 0.001) reflected acceptable consistency reliability for the indexes on multiple dysfunctions, self-care ability, vital signs, disease status, and disease course in DRP tool. The modified confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed the indexes of multiple dysfunctions (β = 0.31; 95%CI = 0.20–0.43), self-care ability (β = 0.99; 95%CI = 0.65–1.33), disease status (β = 0.11; 95%CI = 0.06–0.16), disease course (β = 0.15; 95%CI = 0.09–0.21), and vital signs (β = 0.15; 95%CI = 0.08–0.21) had significantly factor loadings on the rehabilitation ways. The modified CFA exhibited a satisfactory model fit (RMSEA = 0.03; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.01; AIC = 8268.51; BIC = 8373.43). This is the first study to develop a DRP tool using a relatively large sample from seven cities in China. The DRP tool had acceptable reliability and validity in measuring the rehabilitation ways of patients. Our findings provide a starting point for developing a practical tool in rehabilitation clinical practices and could provide advice on building more effective strategies and tools for other low-and middle-income countries that struggle with integrated healthcare.

Shifting agricultural land use and its unintended water consumption in the North China Plain

Agricultural land use (ALU) critically influences food production and water resource allocation. This study examines the dynamics of ALU in the North China Plain (NCP), a region characterized by intensive agriculture and severe groundwater over-exploitation, focusing on the multidimensional drivers and their implications for water resource management. By employing an elaborate classification scheme based on satellite imagery and extensive first-hand field data, we identified significant shifts in crop patterns. From 2013 to 2017, there was a notable transition from double crops (primarily wheat-maize) to single crops (primarily maize), covering 4600 km2 and accounting for 42% of single crops in 2013. From 2017 to 2022, there was a shift from single crops to economic forests, encompassing 3600 km2 and 22% of economic forests in 2017, including orchards, timber trees, and shelter forest belts. These shifts resulted in an 11% decrease in grain acreage (6800 km2) but an 11% increase in crop water consumption (6.3 km3) during 2013–2022. Notably, water consumption by economic forests increased by 126% (9.4 km3) during this period. This study highlights the critical need to balance competing demands for food and water security, providing valuable insights applicable to other agriculturally intensive regions worldwide.

An identification for channel mislabel of strong motion records based on Siamese neural network

Strong motion records are first-hand data for studying the seismic response of sites or engineering structures, and their objectivity is crucial for the credibility of the results in earthquake engineering and engineering seismology. However, domestic and international earthquake data may be mislabeled between horizontal and vertical channels. This issue is typically addressed by manually comparing the similarity between the three components of strong motion records, which is inherently subjective and inefficient in identification. To achieve the intelligent recognition of massive records, this study used 14,983 sets of ground motion records with significant differences between horizontal and vertical components from the NGA-West2 database. A Siamese neural network preliminarily distinguished the similarity between the acceleration waveform and the three components of the Fourier amplitude spectrum (FAS) of ground motion records. Combined with manual identification, an efficient and accurate method for identifying vertical components in ground motion records was proposed, and applied to verify the channel directions of the strong motion records in Strong Motion Network in China. It was found that 308 sets of records from 170 stations were suspected of mislabeling vertical and horizontal components. This advancement significantly enhances the objectivity of strong motion records. This proposed method holds potential for remote maintenance of strong motion stations, verifying the channels of strong motion instruments, and mitigating the negative impact of channel confusion on research results.

“Filling the void”: the diversified grassroots disaster narratives of the 2023 riverine flood in Z City, China

PurposeDisaster narratives constitute a crucial and unique element in disaster understanding, recovery and communication. Along with facing various severe disasters, China’s dominant official disaster narratives have played an indispensable role in promoting post-disaster social solidarity. However, the consequences of “weak” official disaster narratives remain unknown.Design/methodology/approachIn 2023, during a riverine flood in northern China’s Z City, diversified grassroots disaster narratives emerged, “filling the void” when the official narratives were comparatively “weak”. This paper uses this riverine flood in Z City as an uncommon case to analyze the official-grassroots disaster narrative interaction. During fieldwork, first-hand and second-hand data from in-depth interviews, on-site visits and public information were collected.FindingsBased on fieldwork, this paper first introduced the “weak” official disaster narratives in Z City. Second, this paper organized and classified these grassroots disaster narratives into three interconnected stages: the flood’s causes, government and social responses, and recovery. In “filling the void,” “sacrifice” and “betrayed” sensemaking are detected and functions of these diversified grassroots disaster narratives become clear.Originality/valueOfficial and grassroots disaster narratives are not simply competing, but complementary. As a unique soft lens to interpret disasters, this paper further discussed grassroots disaster narratives’ underlying connotations and potential impacts on social resilience building. Also, this paper provides insights into the disaster narrative dynamics, especially in China’s political and cultural context.

Working in the comfort zone: Understanding coworking spaces as post-digital, post-work and post-tourist territory

Coworking spaces are contradictory places. Typically, they are constructed as connected, domestic-like places for hard work and as recreational, aestheticized destinations for individuals in search of work-life balance and opportunities for partial disconnection. This article contributes an immanent critique of coworking spaces through the overarching notion of “coworking space territoriality”. Our point of departure is the concept of post-digital territoriality, which captures how individuals and organizations in various ways try to counter the downsides of escalating digitalization and reclaim a sense of bounded place. To further elaborate the subversive potentials of coworking spaces, however, the “post-digital” is brought into dialogue with “post-work” and “post-tourist”; two other “post-” concepts that contain ideas and practices that characterize the contradictory nature of coworking spaces. At the intersection of all three facets of territoriality, we argue, the coworking space emerges as a spatially and socially bounded comfort zone. The suggested approach informs the ongoing conversation about the ambiguous role of coworking spaces in broader transformations of society, especially in terms of social inclusion and exclusion. The theoretical arguments are anchored in a substantial literature review as well as in first-hand empirical data from a “hot-desking ethnography” covering ten different coworking spaces in Oslo, Denver, and Palma de Mallorca.

Immersion in open-world games based on Grounded theory -- A case study of Genshin Impact

In recent years, with the expansion of the game market and the rapid growth of game users, the game market has great potential. At the same time, open world games are loved by the vast majority of users. [Purpose/Significance] Explore the factors that affect the immersion of players in open world games, drive the improvement of the quality of open world games, help improve the industrial ecology, and achieve richer functional values. [Research design/Methods] Taking the open world adventure role-playing game "Genshin Impact" as a case study, semi-structured interview was used to obtain first-hand interview data, and coded research was conducted using grounded theory. Through several processes such as open coding, spindle coding, selective coding and theoretical saturation testing, the corresponding theoretical model is finally formed. [Conclusion/Finding] The results show that the basic feature of immersion performance is concentration. The two factors, the in-game condition and the out-of-game condition, together constitute the pre-factors that produce immersion. After entering the state of immersion, the main performance is to produce tension and emotional resonance. [Innovation/Value] builds a theoretical model for the generation of immersion in open world games, which lays a theoretical foundation for future theoretical model testing and empirical research.

Using Psychophysiological Data to Facilitate Reflective Conversations with Children about their Player Experiences

Given the ubiquity of videogame play by children, concerns about the impacts of videogames, and increasing evidence of the benefits associated with digital play, it is important to evaluate the player experience (pX) of children. Moreover, it is essential to include children's voices in research about technologies designed for their use. However, eliciting rich, first-hand data on their experiences and perspectives is challenging because it requires children to articulate opinions in a pre-established context of general positivity towards games, alongside potential social desirability bias. In this paper, we present a methodology which uses children's psychophysiology as a prompt for reflective interviews, with two commercial off-the-shelf computer games (Rocket League and LEGO Builder's Journey). We consider the utility, reproducibility, reliability and validity of the method. In assessing the method, we discuss children's experience of wearing the sensors, the insights generated from the psychophysiological data, and the understanding that emerged when prompting children to reflect and comment on their own psychophysiological data.

Phenomenological Research into Chinese EFL Teachers’ Challenges

Exploring the professional difficulties EFL teachers face and discussing their classroom implications will undoubtedly increase the effectiveness and efficiency of EFL education. The primary objective of the study is to shed light on the difficulties faced by Chinese EFL teachers and how these issues may affect both ELT practice and academic inquiry in different education contexts. The participants were seven EFL teachers from different primary, secondary, and high schools in China. A phenomenological approach was adopted to explore the difficulties through multiple, in-depth interviews. Using the Constant Comparison Method, the researchers independently conducted content analysis of the qualitative data. The findings revealed 16 different themes, such as lack of pedagogical content knowledge, to difficulty in managing students’ motivation and engagement, and centralized examination-driven educational system. The findings from the first-hand data were discussed in relation to implications in a way that will contribute to the field of EFL teacher training, policymakers, education leaders, and consequently, EFL teachers and learners.

Western architectural ornamental art in traditional Chinese architecture: a case study of Tengchong City based on interdisciplinary approach

ABSTRACT This paper explores a previously unrecorded style of East-West architectural ornamentation in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, China, overlooked in historical architectural studies. The aim of this research is to both document and analyze this unique blend of Eastern and Western architectural elements, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Initially, literary research identifies relevant sites, which are subsequently examined through field research to collect firsthand data on the local architectural decorations that exhibit this East-West synthesis. Employing an interdisciplinary approach that integrates concepts from biology and statistics, the study views these architectural decorations as a living organism. This perspective allows for a detailed examination of how different cultural elements are incorporated into local architecture, analyzed quantitatively and statistically. Through this research, a qualitative description of these hybrid architectural elements is developed, further enriched by a quantitative analysis based on statistical methods. The qualitative aspect of the study traces the historical evolution of this East-West architectural form, observing changes in themes and structures. In terms of quantitative findings, a detailed statistical profile of these local architectural features is established, which supports the qualitative insights. Overall, this research sheds light on a neglected aspect of architectural ornamentation, presenting a thorough analysis of its development and current state through an innovative mix of qualitative and quantitative research techniques. This study not only provides new data but also opens up fresh avenues for future research on similar topics.

Salafis’ hybrid trajectories of socio-political engagement in Tunisia and Algeria. A social movement perspective

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, numerous studies have enhanced the understanding of the Salafi milieu, revealing a diversity within the movement that goes beyond the traditional classifications of quietist, jihadist, and political Salafism. This research builds on recent scholarly work by exploring the porous boundaries of the Salafi realm, emphasizing the concept of hybridization. It examines the blending of registers and repertoires of action from other social worlds with Salafism, utilizing a social movement perspective and first-hand field data. The study investigates Salafi trajectories of engagement beyond the religious sphere in Tunisia and Algeria during perceived periods of constraint. This comparative analysis is both empirically and theoretically significant, given the distinct socio-political landscapes of the two countries. Tunisia was recognized as a democratic exception in the MENA region in 2011. In contrast, Algeria, rising from the ashes of its civil war, is regarded as a resilient rentier state largely unaffected by the Arab uprisings but significantly impacted by the Hirak movement in 2019. Despite these differences, both countries have experienced revolutionary moments and repressive campaigns, offering opportunities for the transformation of Salafism.

Anthropology and Rural Sociology: Combining Qualitative Methods to Analyze Rural Life and Beliefs

This paper explores the application of qualitative methods in analyzing rural life and beliefs through the perspectives of anthropology and rural sociology. Qualitative research methods, such as participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and text analysis, can reveal the complexities of rural social structures, cultural changes, and religious beliefs. By integrating the perspectives of anthropology and rural sociology, this paper demonstrates the unique advantages of qualitative methods in understanding the internal mechanisms, cultural traditions, and community interactions in rural societies. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary research in interpreting the diversity and complexity of rural societies. The findings indicate that qualitative methods not only capture the dynamic processes of rural society but also provide rich first-hand data, offering scientific evidence for policy formulation and social practice.

The Practice of Urban Planning In Managing Urban Expansion: The Case of Level-I Towns in Southern Ethiopia

The world’s urbanization continues to grow rapidly occurring in developing regions. The rapid pace of urbanization without equivalent economic growth causes uneven spatial dispersion, land speculation, urban sprawl, ecological damage, and socio-cultural chaos. Urban planning is a key tool in managing such urbanization and particularly urban expansion challenges through several strategies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the practice of urban planning in managing urban expansion by applying both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The first-hand data was collected by a structured questionnaire survey, interview, and physical observation, whereas secondary data was analyzed from spatial and non-spatial data of the study towns, national urban policy and strategy documents, and the national urban development spatial plan. Descriptive analysis, principal factor analysis, spatial trend analysis, and content analysis techniques were applied with the help of the SPSS and GIS analysis tools to reach the findings. The practices of urban planning in managing the urban expansion of the study town were evaluated on the basis of factors including urban spatial growth management, community engagement, economic change, and peri-urban communities’ understanding of urban planning. The major findings indicated that these variables are poorly practical, and their failure has been collectively posing significant obstacles to the effectiveness of urban planning. This implies that the urban planning practice in managing urban expansion was insignificant in the study towns. Therefore, it is best to use the alternative expansion area planning strategy, that promotes planned spatial growth, community inclusivity, mixed economic activity, environmental sustainability, and the community’s awareness of expansion areas.

Music Characteristics and Regional Differences in (SHE) Ethnic Minority Folk Songs: A Comparative Analysis of Ningde and Eastern Fujian Regions

Tucked away in the stunning province of Fujian in southeast China, the region has a cultural tapestry as varied and vibrant as its breath-taking scenery. Through the analysis and coding of folk songs from four different geographical regions in China (Fujian and Ningde), this paper aimed to determine the degree of mutual interaction and integration of the musical cultures of the Shen and Han nationalities into modernity. It did this by developing a new musical characteristic density map for machine music classification. The nationality known as (SHE) is a small ethnic group in the area. The traditional cultural heritage as well as the growth of the (SHE) nationality have lagged behind the rapid advancement of modern times. This study investigates how to incorporate the culture of the (SHE) nationality into modern culture in order to fully realise the goal of "going out," starting from the conventional cultural heritage and creative growth of the (SHE) nationality. This paper discusses the formation of the (SHE) Minority folk songs in the context of protecting intangible cultural heritage. It does this by using the methods of literature research, field investigation, and comprehensive analysis to gather first-hand fresh field data from the components of historical evolution, protection process, inheritance method, development dilemma, and countermeasures. Questions of development and inheritance. The world will recognise the allure of the traditional culture of the (SHE) nationality as it is continuously enhanced and vibrant.

Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China 2023: An Updated Summary

Since 1990, China has made considerable progress in resolving the problem of “treatment difficulty” of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The prevalent unhealthy lifestyle among Chinese residents has exposed a massive proportion of the population to CVD risk factors, and this situation is further worsened due to the accelerated aging population in China. CVD remains one of the greatest threats to the health of Chinese residents. In terms of the proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents in China, CVD has persistently ranked first. In 2021, CVD accounted for 48.98% and 47.35% of deaths in rural and urban areas, respectively. Two out of every five deaths can be attributed to CVD. To implement a national policy “focusing on the primary health institute and emphasizing prevention” and truly achieve a shift of CVD prevention and treatment from hospitals to communities, the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases has organized experts from relevant fields across China to compile the “Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China” annually since 2005. The 2024 report is established based on representative, published, and high-quality big-data research results from cross-sectional and cohort population epidemiological surveys, randomized controlled clinical trials, large sample registry studies, and typical community prevention and treatment cases, along with data from some projects undertaken by the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. These firsthand data not only enrich the content of the current report but also provide a more timely and comprehensive reflection of the status of CVD prevention and treatment in China.

The Analysis Of Deterioration Of Village Road: A Case Of Palasah-Majalengka

Raising international issues related to road maintenance and repair. Road damage occurring in various countries, including cracks, potholes, and surface deformation, significantly impacts transportation safety and efficiency. Many roads in certain regions experience damage such as cracks, potholes, and surface deformation due to increased traffic loads and extreme weather conditions. The purpose of this paper is to analyze road damage in Karamat Village according to Bina Marga standards, to identify and understand the causes and effects of such damage. Primary data is the data collected from field observations at the study site, referred to as primary data or first-hand data. The road damage found on Pajaten road in Karamat Village, Majalengka Regency includes patches, cracks, disintegration, potholes, and waves. The purpose of routine maintenance is to improve the surface layer quality without increasing structural strength. The Pajaten road section in Karamat Village, Majalengka Regency, has conditions of loose stones, cracks, patches, potholes, and waves. The Directorate General of Highways states that the calculation results have a priority order of 10, placing it in the priority group &gt; 7. According to Bina Marga, road damage is addressed through a routine maintenance schedule. Patching is the recommended and suggested method for repairing cracks, ruts, and collapses on roads.

Over 25-year monitoring of the Tsing Ma suspension bridge in Hong Kong

AbstractBridges in service are subjected to environmental and load actions, but their status and conditions are typically unknown. Health monitoring systems have been installed on long-span bridges to monitor their loads and the associated responses in real time. Since 1997, the Tsing Ma suspension bridge in Hong Kong has been the world’s first of the type equipped with a long-term health monitoring system. For the first time, this study reports the first-hand field monitoring data of the bridge from 1997 to 2022. The 26-year data provide an invaluable and rare opportunity to examine the long-term characteristics of the loads, bridge responses, and their relationships, thereby enabling the assessment of the bridge’s load evolution and structural condition over time. Results show that traffic loads have remained stable after 2007, highway vehicles kept increasing until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the annual maximum deck temperature continued to increase at a rate of 0.51 °C/decade, typhoon durations increased by 2.5 h/year, and monsoon speeds decreased and became dispersed and variable. For the bridge responses, deck displacement is governed by the varying temperature. Natural frequencies in the past 26 years were almost unchanged. The overall condition of the bridge is very satisfactory. Current status and recent update of the health monitoring system are also reported. Lastly, prospects of bridge health monitoring are discussed. This study is the first to report the over one-quarter century status of a structural health monitoring system and the behavior of a long-span suspension bridge. This research provides a benchmark for many other bridge monitoring systems worldwide.