Investigation In China Research Articles

Can Social Media Information Amplify Short-term Housing Price Changes? An Investigation in China’s Major Cities

Can Social Media Information Amplify Short-term Housing Price Changes? An Investigation in China’s Major Cities

The vaginal metabolomics profile with features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot investigation in China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder and reproductive endocrine disease, posing an elevated risk to women of reproductive age. Although metabolism differences in serum, amniotic fluid and urine have been documented in PCOS, there remains a paucity of evidence for vaginal fluid. This study aimed to identify the metabolic characteristics and potential biomarkers of PCOS in Chinese women of reproductive age. We involved ten newly diagnosed PCOS women who attended gynecology at Zhongda Hospital and matched them with ten healthy controls who conducted health check-up programs at Gulou Maternal and Child Health Center in Nanjing, China from January 1st, 2019 to July 31st, 2020. Non-targeted metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to differentially screen vaginal metabolites between PCOS group and healthy controls. Principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and enrichment analysis were used to observe differences, search for potential biomarkers and enrich related pathways. Among the 20 participants, a total of 195 different metabolites were detected between PCOS group and healthy control group. PCOS and control groups were effectively separated by vaginal fluid. Lipids and lipid-like molecules constituted the majority of differential metabolites. Notably, dopamine exhibited an increased trend in PCOS group and emerged as the most significant differential metabolite, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for identifying PCOS. The application of UHPLC-MS/MS based vaginal metabolomics methods showed significant differences between PCOS and non-PCOS healthy control groups, especially linoleic acid metabolism disorder. Most differential metabolites were enriched in pathways associated with linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism or arachidonic acid metabolism. In this pilot investigation, significant metabolomics differences could be obtained between PCOS and healthy control groups. For PCOS women of reproductive age, vaginal metabolism is a more economical, convenient and harmless alternative to provide careful personalized health diagnosis and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

From Handouts to Empowerment: Impacts of Policy Subsidies and Employment Support on the Well-Being of Disabled Veterans

Balancing policy subsidies and employment support is crucial for developing effective assistance policies for disabled veterans. This study conducted an empirical investigation in China using 315 survey questionnaires. The findings indicate that, first, subsidies have a positive impact on the well-being of disabled veterans, but this effect diminishes as disability severity increases. Second, employment emerges as a crucial factor that surpasses subsidies in contributing to overall well-being. As disability severity increases, the relative impact of employment on well-being strengthens. Third, employment enhances well-being by improving self-identity, while the influence of subsidies on self-identity is relatively minimal. Additionally, a policy model demonstrates that subsidies enhance individual well-being but increase group uncertainty, whereas employment support improves individual well-being and reduces group uncertainty. These insights are valuable for governments when formulating policies related to social security, employment stability, and welfare protection.

Rodent Ecology and Etiological Investigation in China: Results from Vector Biology Surveillance - Shandong Province, China, 2012-2022.

Rodents are hosts of a wide range of zoonotic disease pathogens which threaten human health. However, comprehensive investigations of rodent ecology and etiology in Shandong are lacking. Thus, we aimed to analyze rodent ecology and infection with relevant pathogens in Shandong Province, China. Rodent survey data collected from 2012 to 2022 in Shandong Province were used in this study. Rodents captured from 2020 to 2022 were identified to species and tested for pathogens. From 2012 to 2022, 4,145 rodents were captured, with an average capture rate of 0.70%. High capture rates were observed in rural residential areas and other habitats, such as farmland and forestland. Rattus norvegicus (R. norvegicus) was the dominant species, followed by Mus musculus (M. musculus). The regions with the highest capture rates of R. norvegicus were Dongying (0.82%) and Heze (0.63%), while M. musculus was more prevalent in Dongying (0.81%) and Weihai (0.56%). Rodent capture rates were highest between March and September. The positive detection rates of Hantavirus (HV), Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans), Rickettsia typhi (R. typhi), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), and Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) in rodents were 2.58%, 1.10%, 0.94%, 0.16%, and 0.19%, respectively. The rodent capture rate in human habitation environments has trended downward in Shandong Province, with R. norvegicus and M. musculus being the dominant species. Rodent infection risk from HV, L. interrogans, and R. typhi showed seasonal variation. Strengthening rodent surveillance and maintaining a low capture rate of host animals could be pivotal for preventing and controlling relevant rodent-borne diseases in high-risk areas.

RAP chunks produced in cold milling operation of asphalt pavement: Evaluation, mechanism, and engineering investigation in China

Cold milling is a widely used method for rehabilitating asphalt pavement, generating reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) chunks. Within this process, aggregates within the asphalt pavement will be crushed, forming RAP agglomerates and aggregate breakdown. However, the mechanism of these phenomena has remained unclear, and a unified evaluation method has yet to be established. In this study, RAP agglomeration and aggregate fragmentation were characterized, five distinct methods were systematically assessed, and the mechanism of RAP agglomeration and breakdown was analyzed by discrete element method (DEM) simulation based on setting different particle contact parameters, then followed by a mechanical analysis, and demonstrated in engineering. The results revealed that both agglomeration and aggregate breakdown occur within RAP particles of various sizes, with the five methods showing similar trends in quantifying these effects. Through DEM simulations and mechanical analyses, the aggregate breakdown predominantly occurs at the cutter's motion trajectory of the cutter and during crack propagation, while agglomeration was mainly related to the sliding surface's area. The milling speed and depth positively impact RAP agglomeration, while negatively affecting aggregate breakdown, and milling drum speed exerts minimal influence on these phenomena. RAP agglomeration varies considerably in different engineering projects, and cold milling parameters should be determined based on the material composition of the asphalt pavement and design requirements to control agglomeration and breakdown rates of RAP.

The dual effects of digital inclusive finance on the urban-rural income gap: An empirical investigation in China's Yangtze River Delta region

The digital development of finance has positive implications for improving income inequality. As one of the mainstream research findings, the view that digital inclusive finance could alleviate the urban-rural income gap has been reaffirmed. Further empirical evidence reveals that digital inclusive finance bridges the urban-rural income gap by enhancing deposit behavior and promoting innovation activities. Compared with large population scale cities, the development of digital inclusive finance in small ones has a more significant reduction effect on the urban-rural income gap.

Pre-packaged cold-chain ready-to-eat food as a source of sporadic listeriosis in Beijing, China

Using a sporadic case of listeriosis suspected to have been caused by consuming a pre-packaged cold-chain ready-to-eat (RTE) food in Beijing, China in 2021 as an exemplar, this study demonstrated the importance of thoroughly investigating the source of listeriosis up to the production point for mitigating infection risk during routine monitoring of Listeria in food facilities and national surveillance program using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Epidemiological, laboratory, traceback, and plant investigations were used to identify the source of infection. WGS showed the isolate from the patient was genetically indistinguishable from that of the implicated food. During a plant investigation, L. monocytogenes was detected in 26% (9/35) of the environmental samples and one of two raw material samples, confirming the source. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation in China linking a case of L. monocytogenes infection to a suspected food and its production environment. This report highlights the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination of RTE food and demonstrates the role of food safety risk monitoring in identifying potential sources of infection. Reinforcing control programs in RTE processing plants, intensified surveillance of microorganisms in food products and targeted health education is required to mitigate the infection risk.

Modeling L2 motivation change and its predictive effects on learning behaviors in the extramural digital context: a quantitative investigation in China

Abstract Language learning in the extramural digital (ED) context has recently gained momentum because it focuses on second language (L2) learners’ autonomous, unstructured, online learning activities beyond the classroom. Drawing upon Dörnyei’s L2 motivational self system (including the ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning experience) to operationalize L2 learners’ motivational mindsets, this study aims to investigate whether L2 English learners’ ought-to L2 self can be translated into their ideal L2 self and predict learning behaviors within the ED context. Survey data from 310 undergraduate students in a top-tier Chinese university were collected and analyzed following a structural equation modeling approach. The results indicate that participants’ ought-to L2 self can facilitate the development of their ideal L2 self only through the full mediation effect of the L2 learning experience in the ED environment. Also, while students’ ought-to L2 self cannot directly predict their motivated learning behaviors in the ED context, there exists a significant indirect impact through the joint mediation of the L2 learning experience and ideal L2 self. These findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about L2 motivational dynamics by unveiling the conversion and interaction of different L2 motivational forces in digital and out-of-class settings.

Application of unmanned aerial vehicle tilt photography technology in geological hazard investigation in China

Application of unmanned aerial vehicle tilt photography technology in geological hazard investigation in China

Active landslide detection using integrated remote sensing technologies for a wide region and multiple stages: A case study in southwestern China

While significant progress has been achieved in utilizing remote sensing technologies for landslide investigation in China, there remains a notable gap in consolidating information on applicable conditions, application stages, and workflows across various remote sensing methodologies. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for active landslide detection, incorporating multiple stages and data sources, successfully implemented in a vast region of southwestern China. Furthermore, detailed discussions are provided on the effects of the geometric distortion, land cover type, and various InSAR methods on the accuracy of active landslide identification results. Additionally, the paper delves into the advantages of integrated remote sensing technology in active landslide investigation, encompassing the assessment of current landslide activity status, precise delineation of boundaries, identification of different deformation stages, and determination of damage patterns. Through comprehensive analysis of multisource data, it enhances understanding of the active landslide process, ultimately contributing to the mitigation of casualties and property damage.

WHO and COVID-19: stress testing the boundary of science and politics

Specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize the importance of impartiality and independence to ensure state compliance and buy-in to their institutional mandate. For functionalists, the boundary distinction between scientific expertise and politics is useful for interest-minded states and institutions that want to promote knowledge over politics. In extreme crisis states revert to national interests. The question for specialized agencies is whether to double-down on the boundary between science and politics during a crisis in an attempt to maintain authority. The COVID-19 pandemic tested this functional arrangement in international relations where scientific validity can facilitate the pursuit of global governance. This article explores why, in a time of crisis, WHO leadership maintained that the boundary between science and politics could be upheld, even when others identified politics as affecting impartiality and independence. It does so by exploring the role of governance processes and technical expertise led by the WHO in investigating the origins of COVID-19 pandemic. Doubling down on science as a solution ignored the politics that permeated, especially, the origins investigation in China. We argue that while the temptation to enforce boundary work may be more acute in periods of crisis, attempts to maintain boundaries between politics and science during a crisis undermines the function and reputation of specialized technical agencies. It is more functional to expose the political conditions as compromising scientific independence and impartiality.

Reconstructing Rural Settlements Based on Investigation of Consolidation Potential: Mechanisms and Paths

Rural settlement consolidation (RSC) is an important tool for improving rural habitat environments, and the potential evaluation of RSC is the premise for rural settlement planning. This paper identified the potential sources of RSC in different reconstruction modes and built an influencing factor system for RSC. We analyzed the spatial differentiation patterns of the theoretical potential and the realistic potential, and we identified the factors influencing the potential realization based on an empirical investigation in China. Influenced by multiple constraints, the potential transition from theoretical to realistic was spatially differentiated and showed a spatial agglomeration at the village level. Rural depopulation had a direct impact on the theoretical potential of RSC, while the distance to the downtown, rural population, per capita GDP, and production and living conditions played an important role in the realistic potential. Particularly, rural settlement basic conditions, rural population, and arable land resources profoundly affected farmer exit willingness and the potential transition from theoretical to realistic. Four optimization paths for rural settlement reconstruction linking to land use policies were proposed, which could provide valuable information for rural settlement planning in socioeconomic transformation regions.

An Approach to Large-Scale Cement Plant Detection Using Multisource Remote Sensing Imagery

The cement industry, as one of the primary contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounts for 7% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. There is an urgent need to establish a rapid method for detecting cement plants to facilitate effective monitoring. In this study, a comprehensive method based on YOLOv5-IEG and the Thermal Signature Detection module using Google Earth optical imagery and SDGSAT-1 thermal infrared imagery was proposed to detect large-scale cement plant information, including geographic location and operational status. The improved algorithm demonstrated an increase of 4.8% in accuracy and a 7.7% improvement in MAP@.5:95. In a specific empirical investigation in China, we successfully detected 781 large-scale cement plants with an accuracy of 90.8%. Specifically, of the 55 cement plants in Shandong Province, we identified 46 as operational and nine as non-operational. The successful application of advanced models and remote sensing technology in efficiently and accurately tracking the operational status of cement plants provides crucial support for environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Influence of Workplace Environment on Mental Health: A Quantitative and Qualitative Investigation in China

The Influence of Workplace Environment on Mental Health: A Quantitative and Qualitative Investigation in China

The impact of new energy vehicle information sources on mass consumers' purchase intentions: an investigation in China

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the impact and mechanism of new energy vehicle (NEV) information sources (IS) on mass consumers' purchase intentions (PIs) in China.Design/methodology/approachAround 902 valid questionnaires were collected using the questionnaire to analyze the different effects of three types of IS (official, interpersonal and commercial) on mass consumers' PIs. Besides, this study investigates the mechanisms by examining the mediating effect of perceived risk (PR) and the moderating effect of individual differences like age and education level.FindingsThe three types of NEV IS stimulate the PI of mass consumers, but there are some differences, with interpersonal information sources (IISs) having the strongest contribution, followed by official information sources (OISs) and commercial information sources (CISs) the least. Meanwhile, PR plays a mediating role in the effect of NEV IS on mass consumers' PIs, and age and education level moderate the influence paths. Specifically, the moderating effect of age mainly works on the negative impact of PR on PI, while education level moderates the influence of IS on PR.Originality/valueThis study contributes to filling the gaps in the current understanding of the role played by NEV IS in shaping consumer preferences and choices. It provides valuable insights for automotive manufacturers, policymakers and marketers to tailor their marketing strategies and improve information dissemination to effectively promote NEV adoption among mass consumers.

The Relationship between High-Tech Industrial Agglomeration and Regional Innovation: A Meta-Analysis Investigation in China

High-tech industrial agglomeration enhances the technological level and value of regional industries. It is considered to be a new and effective way to drive China’s regional innovation and development at present. Numerous studies indicate that high-tech industrial agglomeration contributes positively to regional innovation, but the current academic discussion on this issue has not yet reached a unified opinion. In various research contexts, it has also been pointed out that there may be a negative correlation or non-linear relationship between the two. This contradictory relationship makes it difficult to generalize the current research findings to realistic application scenarios. Therefore, to clarify the relationship between the two scientifically, this study employs meta-analysis, reanalyzing 833 effect values derived from 69 independent research samples based on Chinese data. The findings reveal a moderately positive correlation (r = 0.204) between the agglomeration of high-tech industries and regional innovation in China. In particular, high-tech industrial agglomeration significantly contributes to regional innovation under the paths of diversified agglomeration and competitive agglomeration. We further found that sampling region, measurement approach, measurement perspective, research methodology, and year of publication all exhibit significant moderating effects on the relationship between the two variables. Based on meta-analysis, this study not only scientifically responds to the controversy of the relationship between high-tech industrial agglomeration and regional innovation but also further reveals the inner conduction mechanism between the two. It is of great significance in exploring future studies in related fields.

Robotaxi service: The transition and governance investigation in China

The Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) views transition as a process resulting from the interaction of social and technological factors at different levels. With the MLP approach, the robotaxi service transition and governance driven by autonomous driving technologies are investigated based on the current development of China. We divide the transition of robotaxi service into four phases: The first phase (1991–2015) shielded the innovation of robotaxi by determining legal status; Governments, enterprises, universities, and industry consortia conduct autonomous driving trials and advance the adoption of technologies in the second phase (2016–2025); The third phase (2026–2035) would aim to tackle barriers in regulation, industry and public acceptance, and enhance competitiveness of the robotaxi to enter the market; The fourth phase (2036–2050) would form the robotaxi based service system. We found urbanization process and the innovation-driven economic shift, low-carbon development, and aging population have created a favorable landscape “pushing” for the development of robotaxi service. With the current transition in the second phase, the central government, local governments, and enterprises could tackle obstacles in regulation, economy, and public attitude to build a suitable environment for the robotaxi service development. Moreover, the robotaxi service towards the mobility as a service (MaaS) business model is also discussed to develop an integrated mobility ecosystem.

Antibiotic susceptibility and clonal distribution of Staphylococcus aureus from pediatric skin and soft tissue infections: 10-year trends in multicenter investigation in China.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) Surveillance Network of S. aureus In Pediatrics in China was established in 2009 to routinely report epidemiological changes. We aimed to monitor the present antibiotic sensitivity and molecular characteristics of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from SSTIs in children nationwide and track the changes over the past decade. Patients diagnosed with SSTIs from the dermatology departments of 22 tertiary pediatric hospitals in seven geographical regions of China were recruited continuously from May 2019 to August 2021. S. aureus was isolated, and its sensitivity to 15 antimicrobials was evaluated using the broth microdilution method. The molecular characteristics of the MRSA isolates were determined through multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing. The presence of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene (pvl) was determined. The detection rate of S. aureus was 62.57% (1379/2204), among which MRSA accounted for 14.79% (204/1379), significantly higher than the result in previous study in 2009-2011 (2.58%, 44/1075). Compared with previous study, the sensitivity to cephalosporins and fusidic acid decreased to varying degrees, while that to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, penicillin, and tetracycline increased significantly. The sensitivity to mupirocin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TRISUL), and rifampicin still maintained at a high level (97.90%, 99.35% and 96.66% respectively). The leading multidrug resistance pattern of MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were erythromycin-clindamycin-tetracycline (55.84%; 43/77) and erythromycin-clindamycin-chloramphenicol (27.85%, 44/158) respectively. 12 high-level mupirocin-resistant strains were detected, and notable differences in geographical distribution and seasonal variation were observed. The main types of MRSA were ST121 (46.08%, 94/204), followed by ST59 (19.61%, 40/204). SCCmec V (65.69%, 134/204) and SCCmec IV (31.86%, 65/204) were dominant epidemic types. ST121-V, ST59-IV, and ST22-V were the most prevalent clones nationwide. The detection rate of pvl had increased markedly from 9.09% (4/44) in 2009-2011 to 22.55% (46/204) in 2019-2021 (P<0.05). The antibiotic sensitivity and molecular characteristics of S. aureus from pediatric SSTIs has changed significantly over the past decade. To standardize medical care, provide timely and reasonable clinical treatment, and effectively manage infection control, Chinese pediatric SSTIs guidelines are urgently needed.

Analyse the Protection of Human Rights in Informatization Investigation in China

Criminal proceedings are required to be conducted in accordance with the law. The law stipulates that the protection of human rights is one of the basic principles of criminal proceedings. At the same time, the exclusion rules of illegal evidence established after the revision of the criminal procedure law in 2012 pay more attention to the protection of human rights. The concept of information-based investigation can be traced back to the construction of "national public security information project - Golden Shield Project" proposed by the State Council in 1998. Up to now, more than 20 years of changes in the times and the development of investigation means have made information-based investigation an indispensable part of the investigation organ in discovering crime, preventing crime and solving cases. Although the concept of information-based investigation has been put forward for more than 20 years, at present, there is no specific law to authorize the investigation organ to exercise, and the laws and regulations for its implementation and supervision still need to be improved. Especially when some investigation behaviors in information-based investigation will infringe on citizens' personal and privacy rights, the protection of human rights in information-based investigation has to attract the high attention of legal circles and interdisciplinary scholars. This paper will focus on the analysis and suggestions on the regulation of information-based investigation from the perspective of human rights protection in criminal procedure.

Factors Influencing Consumers' Organic Food Continuous Purchase Intentions during the Post-Pandemic Era: An Empirical Investigation in China.

During the evolutionary phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers' eating habits and spending behaviours have progressively shifted to the pursuit of the safer and healthier food products, such as organic food. Therefore, this study investigated the factors affecting Chinese buyers' organic food continuous purchase intentions (CPI) during the post-pandemic era. To better adapt to the current consumption context in China, this study proposed a modified TPB framework (M-TPB), by replacing subjective norms with Chinese cultural variables, such as face consciousness and group conformity, and adding constructs of perceived value of organic food (PVOF), health consciousness, and the impact of COVID-19 (IOC). Convincingly, experimental results from a structural equation model analysis of 460 usable responses indicate that M-TPB has superior explanatory power (R2 = 65%) compared with the TPB model (R2 = 40%) for explaining organic food CPI during the post-pandemic period. The path analysis demonstrated that perceived behavioural control, attitude, face consciousness, group conformity, health consciousness, IOC, and PVOF had substantial positive effects on CPI, while subjective norms were not significantly related. Moreover, IOC exhibited a positive and significant relationship with health consciousness and PVOF. These findings can be useful for stakeholders in the Chinese organic food industry to generate timely promoting strategies during the post-pandemic period.