Underdeveloped Region Of China Research Articles

The Status of Collective Action among Rural Households in Underdeveloped Regions of China and Its Livelihood Effects under the Background of Rural Revitalization—Evidence from a Field Survey in Shanxi Province

The Status of Collective Action among Rural Households in Underdeveloped Regions of China and Its Livelihood Effects under the Background of Rural Revitalization—Evidence from a Field Survey in Shanxi Province

Patient satisfaction with letter-based communication of LCS pulmonary nodule results.

To analyze patient satisfaction with letter-based communication of lung cancer screening (LCS) pulmonary nodule results. Prospective randomized controlled trial of LCS between May and December 2019. All participants came from a prospective randomized controlled study on pulmonary nodule results in LCS with low-dose CT (LDCT) to analyze patient satisfaction, perception of information received via letters, preferred methods of receiving results, and dissatisfaction-relatedcharacteristics. A total of 153 patients were detected to have pulmonary nodules among 600 recruited participants in the lung cancer high-risk group screened using LDCT. Most of the patients were satisfied with receiving pulmonary nodule results via letters (78.4%; n = 120) and agreed that the letters contained an appropriate amount of information (83.7%; n = 128). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that satisfaction was related to age (OR, 0.905; 95% CI, 0.832-0.985), education level (OR, 0.367; 95% CI, 0.041-3.250), no family history of cancer (OR, 0.100; 95% CI, 0.011-0.914), and the number of nodules (OR, 6.028; 95% CI, 1.641-22.141). Of the patients who reported dissatisfaction with letter-based communication (7.2%; n = 11), the most common reasons cited were that they contained insufficient patient education materials and that it was difficult to comprehend the medical terminology. The majority of participants (61.4%; n = 94) reported that they would prefer the letter-based communication. No correlation was identified between satisfaction and gender, smoking status, alcohol consumption, risk factors, nodule size, or nodule location. Patients were generally satisfied with receiving their LCS pulmonary nodule results via letters, reporting that the letters included adequate information about their diagnosis and follow-up steps. This may provide a basis for feasible result communication via letters for cancer screening programs in underdeveloped regions inChina.

The history of migration in Northeast China in the XX-XXI centuries.

The subject of this article is the analysis of internal migration processes in Northeast China from the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of migration flows and their significant impact on the demographic situation of the region. The author examines the specific features of internal migration in different provinces: Liaoning with its subprovincial cities demonstrates a net influx of population, while Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces are characterized by a significant net outflow of population. The author explores the causes of these migration processes and their direct impact on the demographic development of the Northeast region of China. This allows us to better understand the significant changes taking place in underdeveloped regions of China and identify the main factors affecting internal migration. The study used statistical analysis of data on migration flows, demographic studies, as well as comparative analysis of data from various provinces of Northeast China to identify key factors affecting internal migration. The scientific novelty of this study lies in a detailed analysis of internal migration processes and their impact on the demographic situation in Northeast China, which has not been studied in depth before. The study revealed that the region is facing serious problems such as resource depletion and insufficient economic growth, which leads to negative population growth. Negative growth is characterized by significant regional imbalance: most prefectural-level cities, with the exception of Shenyang, Dalian and Changchun, show negative population growth. Especially high rates are observed in Suihua and Daxinganlin in Heilongjiang Province. The population of the border areas has decreased by almost a fifth. The findings of the study confirm that the population in Northeast China continues to decline, accompanied by a marked decrease in the birth rate. This steady decline requires effective measures to slow it down. The outflow of population from the northeast is increasing, while the departing population is usually younger and more educated, which leads to an acceleration of the aging process and loss of human capital. The main features of the region's demographic trends are net population outflow and migration, which makes it an excellent example for studying demographic changes in underdeveloped regions.

Factors influencing the bariatric surgery treatment of bariatric surgery candidates in underdeveloped areas of China

BackgroundFrom year to year, the proportion of people living with overweight and obesity in China rises, along with the prevalence of diseases linked to obesity. Although bariatric surgery is gaining popularity, there are still several issues with its promotion compared to Western nations. Since less developed places in China are more widespread due to disparities in the development of different regions, there has been little exploration of the factors that might be related to acceptance of bariatric surgery in these regions.MethodsPatients who visited the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the North Sichuan Medical College Affiliated Hospital from 2018 to 2022 and had obesity or other relevant metabolic problems were surveyed using a questionnaire. The relationship between demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and acceptance of bariatric surgery was analyzed.ResultsOf 334 patients, 171 had bariatric surgery. BMI, education level, marriage history, medical insurance, family support, and a history of type 2 diabetes were all linked to having bariatric surgery, according to a univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, BMI (P = 0.02), education (P = 0.02), family support (P<0.001), medical insurance coverage (P<0.001), and history of type 2 diabetes (P = 0.004) were all positively associated with a willingness to have bariatric surgery. Among 163 non-bariatric patients with obesity, 15.3% were not opposed to surgery but preferred trying medication first, 54.6% leaned towards medical therapy, and 30% were hesitant. Additionally, a majority of patients (48.55%) often lacked adequate knowledge about weight reduction therapy. Age, height, gender, smoking, drinking, family history of type 2 diabetes, education, and marital status did not significantly differ (P > 0.05).ConclusionsMany patients are concerned about the safety of surgical treatment and the possibility of regaining weight. Due to the relatively high cost of bariatric surgery, they tend to choose medical treatment. To enhance the acceptance of bariatric surgery in underdeveloped regions of China, it is crucial to focus on disseminating knowledge about bariatric surgery, offer pertinent health education to the community, and foster support from patients’ families. The government should pay more attention to obesity and provide support in the form of medical insurance.

Refusal of treatment among HER2-positive breast cancer patients in China: a retrospective analysis.

There is a need to update the understanding of treatment refusal among cancer patients in China, taking into account recent developments. This study investigated how public insurance coverage of the first breast cancer targeted therapy contributed to the changes in treatment refusal among HER2-positive breast cancer patients in China. And it intensively examined and discussed additional barriers affecting patient utilization of innovative anticancer medicines based on the types and reasons for treatment refusal. This retrospective study included female breast cancer patients diagnosed as HER2-positive who received treatment at a provincial oncology center in southern China between 2014 and 2020. Multivariable analysis was conducted using a binary logistic regression model. Subgroup analysis was performed with the same regression model. Among the 1,322 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who received treatment at the study hospital between 2014 and 2020, 327 (24.55%) had ever refused treatment. Economic reasons were reported as the primary cause by 142 patients (43.43%). Patients diagnosed after September 2017, when the first breast cancer targeted therapy was included in the public health insurance, were less likely to refuse treatment (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.45 ~ 0.91, p = 0.01) compared to those diagnosed before September 2017. Patients enrolled in the resident health insurance were more likely to refuse treatment (OR = 2.43, 95% CI:1.77 ~ 3.35, p < 0.001) than those enrolled in the employee health insurance. This study reveals a high rate of treatment refusal among HER2-positive breast cancer patients, primarily attributed to financial factors. The disparity in public health insurance benefits resulted in a heavier economic burden for patients with less comprehensive benefits. Furthermore, the study identified challenges faced by patients seeking quality-assured cancer care in underdeveloped regions in China. By addressing economic barriers, promoting accurate health information, and improving cancer care capacity across the country can reduce the rate of treatment refusal.

Effectiveness of health management team program to enhance prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus in Ningxia, China.

Hepatitis B mother-to-child transmission interruption (PMTCT) poses a formidable challenge in underdeveloped regions of China. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PMTCT and the health management team (HMT) model in Ningxia, China, as well as the risk factors for adverse outcomes. The PMTCT + HMT model was established, and 360 pregnant women diagnosed with HBV infection in 2020-2022 were selected and divided into the control and the study groups based on different intervention modes. HBV serum markers and HBV DNA levels were assessed, the indicators of compliance behaviors and adverse outcomes were compared, and the factors influencing adverse outcomes were analyzed. The majority of subjects were residents of the local city, married, with secondary school or higher education, and employees of public sectors. The proportion of ethnic minorities was 40.8% and 34.2% in the control group and study group. HBeAg positivity was 23.3% and 26.3%, and the proportion with HBV DNA levels ≥ 2 × 105 IU/mL was 9.2% and 7.1%. Compared with the control group (PMTCT alone), the PMTCT + HMT model led to improved maternal knowledge (17.5% vs. 57.1%), voluntary counseling (34.2% vs. 63.3%), and testing (37.5% vs. 70.4%). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes ((including miscarriage, preterm birth) decreased significantly (17.5% vs. 6.2%), as did adverse neonatal outcomes (low birth weight and congenital HBV) (26.9% vs. 10.5%). Adverse outcomes were associated with low educational attainment, non-locals, unmarried status, and ethnic minority identity. Additionally, HBeAg positivity and HBV DNA levels ≥ 2 × 105 IU/mL were risk factors for adverse outcomes. The PMTCT + HMT model demonstrates significant effectiveness in preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Ningxia. The unique demographic structure of Ningxia region is closely linked to poor outcomes, emphasizing the importance of monitoring HBeAg status and HBV DNA viral load level.

Housing prices and household consumption: a threshold effect model analysis in central and western China

The relationship between housing prices (HP) and household non-housing consumption (CON) is a key topic worldwide. By developing a panel threshold model and utilizing data from 18 provinces in central and western China from 2005 to 2020, this study investigates the impact of housing prices on household non-housing consumption given housing credit constraints. The results show that (1) housing credit constraints play a single threshold role in the impact of housing prices on household non-housing consumption; (2) the elasticity of housing price fluctuation on household non-housing consumption was negative in the western region during the entire sample period, and the elasticity of housing price fluctuation on household non-housing consumption decreased when housing credit constraints exceeded its threshold value; (3) the effects of housing price fluctuation on household non-housing consumption in the central region changed from negative to positive when housing credit constraints exceeded its threshold value. These outcomes implies that housing credit constraints are not a factor driving a low household non-housing consumption rate in the studied regions. Importantly, our findings suggest that unaffordable housing prices and homeownership linked to better public education resources in combination were a key factor leading to a low non-housing consumption rate in the studied regions. The main contribution of this paper is to supplement the current academic research on low levels of consumption in underdeveloped regions of China and the impact of housing prices on consumption.

Educational Challenges In Underdeveloped Regions Of China: A Microscopic Analysis Of Current EFL Writing Pedagogies In A Chinese Normal College

Educational Challenges In Underdeveloped Regions Of China: A Microscopic Analysis Of Current EFL Writing Pedagogies In A Chinese Normal College

Trends and Patterns of Antibiotic Prescriptions in Primary Care Institutions in Southwest China, 2017-2022.

To explore the prescription patterns and usage trends of antibiotics within primary care institutions located in underdeveloped regions of China from 2017 to 2022. A retrospective analysis of antibiotic prescriptions was conducted from 25 primary care institutions in Guizhou Province during the period of 2017-2022. Antibiotic prescriptions were categorized into appropriate and inappropriate use. Appropriate use is further categorized into preferred medication, and antibiotics can be used or substituted. Inappropriate use is further categorized into unnecessary use, incorrect spectrum of antibiotics and combined use of antibiotics. Factors associated with inappropriate use were investigated using generalized estimation equations. Holt-Winters and SARIMA models were employed to predict the number of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions as the alternative model. A total of 941,924 prescriptions were included, revealing a decreasing trend in both the number and inappropriate rates of antibiotic prescriptions from 2017 to 2022. Diseases of the respiratory system (70.66%) was the most frequent target of antibiotic use, with acute upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites representing 52.04% of these cases. The most commonly used antibiotics were penicillins (64.44%). Among all prescriptions, inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions reached 66.19%. Physicians aged over 35, holding the title of associate chief physician and possessing more than 11 years of experience were more likely to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately. The phenomenon of inappropriate antibiotic use was commoner among children aged five or younger. By comparing model parameters, it was determined that the SARIMA model outperforms the Holt-Winters model in predicting the number of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions among primary care institutions. The number and inappropriate rates of antibiotic prescriptions in southwest China exhibited a downward trend from 2017 to 2022, but inappropriate prescription remains a serious problem in primary care institutions. Therefore, future efforts should focus on strengthening physician education, training, and clinical practice. Additionally, physicians' awareness of common misconceptions about inappropriate antibiotic use must be improved, and the prescribing behavior of physicians who fulfill patients' expectations by prescribing antibiotics needs to be modified.

Retracted: The Comparison of Financing Efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises in Economically Underdeveloped Regions in China: A Perspective Study

Retracted: The Comparison of Financing Efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises in Economically Underdeveloped Regions in China: A Perspective Study

Mindfulness and financial well-being: multiple mediation of intrinsic career goals and work need satisfaction

The goal of the current study is to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and financial well-being, for which the multiple mediating influences of intrinsic career goals and work need satisfaction are considered in combination with the self-determination theory. To verify the claimed association, a questionnaire study was conducted to gather information from 358 working adults in three under-developed regions of China. The results show that mindfulness positively influenced financial well-being. At the same time, intrinsic career goals and work need satisfaction act as parallel mediators between mindfulness and financial well-being. Nevertheless, the results don’t support the chained mediation from intrinsic career goals to work need satisfaction between mindfulness and financial well-being. Such findings offer insightful recommendations for enhancing financial well-being in the workplace through self-regulation of behaviours.

Six-Year Retrospective Analysis of Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Candidiasis from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South China.

Candidiasis is a life-threatening disease that increases mortality in critically ill patients. However, such epidemiological data are still lacking in underdeveloped regions of China. A retrospective analysis (2016 to 2021) was conducted in Meizhou People's Hospital, China to study the burden of candidiasis, particularly candidemia, and antifungal susceptibilities of the species among hospitalized patients. Of the 7,864 candidiasis cases, 461 (5.86%) were candidemia cases. Candida albicans (64.25%) was the most identified species, followed by C. tropicalis (12.61%), C. glabrata (10.79%), and C. parapsilosis (9.79%). In non-C. albicans (NCA) candidemia cases, the number of C. glabrata cases was higher (102/461, 22.37%) than C. tropicalis (64/461, 14.04%). Gastrointestinal pathology, respiratory dysfunctions, septic shock, and malignancies were common underlying comorbidities, respectively. A central venous catheter was an independent risk factor for both C. albicans and NCA candidemia. The mortality rate was not statistically significant for either C. albicans or NCA. Amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine were highly effective (98 to 100%), while azoles were least effective (67.74 to 95.66%). Candidemia cases caused by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata had significantly lower azole susceptibility than non-candidemia-causing isolates. This study provides valuable information for prescribers to choose the right empirical therapy, for researchers to explore different resistance mechanisms, and for health care managers to control candidiasis better. IMPORTANCE This study provides important information on the burden of candidiasis, particularly candidemia, and the antifungal susceptibility of Candida species among hospitalized patients in an underdeveloped region of China. First, the finding that azoles were least effective against Candida species causing candidemia is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests the possibility of resistance to this class of antifungal agents. This information can guide the choice of empirical therapy and help in the selection of appropriate antifungal agents for the treatment of candidemia, thereby reducing the risk of resistance development. Second, the study provides important information for researchers to explore different resistance mechanisms in Candida species. Finally, the study has important implications for health care managers in controlling the spread of candidiasis. The high prevalence of candidemia cases in the study highlights the need for appropriate infection control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Exploring the impact of emissions trading schemes on income inequality between urban and rural areas

While the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are the two most important global governance agendas, in practice they have been implemented in isolation. This calls for the need to focus on the potential policy synergies between emission reduction policies and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper therefore aims to explore whether the emissions trading scheme (ETS) policy—one of the most effective ways to fulfill the target determined by the Paris Agreement, would facilitate reducing income inequality (SDG10). By combining a difference-in-difference estimation and propensity score matching technique based on a balanced panel dataset for 31 Chinese provinces from 2010 to 2018, we quantify the impact of ETS policy on income inequality between urban and rural areas in China. The results demonstrate that compared with the regions without ETS, the Theil index between rural and urban areas with ETS decreased by 0.018 on average in China. In addition, the ETS would perform better in regions with low urbanization level and high coal dependence. Hence it is vital to speed up the establishment of a unified ETS market in China. This is particularly true for inner underdeveloped regions in China. These findings proven to be robust according to a series of tests challenge the view that SDG 10 has the least relevance to climate action and suggest rethinking the effectiveness and applicability of ETS. Therefore, our research can not only serve as a reference for the development of ETS in China and elsewhere, but also inform decision makers who are seeking for policy synergies between the Paris Agreement and SDGs.

Characterizing Spatial-Temporal Variation of Cultural Tourism Internet Attention in Western Triangle Economic Zone, China

More and more tourists tend to seek cultural enjoyment while taking trips based on their satisfied socio-economic needs. The spatiality of cultural tourism determines the feasibility and convenience of the access to cultural tourism resources. Given that spatial research on cultural tourism rarely involves the underdeveloped regions in China, especially via Baidu Index data, this study aims to explore the dynamic spatial pattern of cultural tourism Internet attention based on Baidu Index through social network analysis (i.e., network density, centrality analysis, core–periphery model, etc.) in the Western Triangle Economic Zone (WTEZ), China. Research findings are as follows. (1) Temporally, the centrality is increasingly enhanced in terms of the core cities with high cultural tourism Internet attention, as well as their radiation effect. (2) Spatially, the distribution pattern of cultural tourism Internet attention is shifting from polarization to equilibrium. However, the overall network density still presents a mode of loose connection and fails to extend from the core triangle structure in the planar dimension. (3) The cultural tourism Internet attention in WTEZ presents an obvious core–periphery pattern. Xi’an–Chengdu–Chongqing is in a dominant position, and the core area spreads from south to north. (4) The spatial-temporal pattern of cultural tourism Internet attention in WTEZ is influenced by transportation, reception facilities, consumption ability, and political environment, and the main driving factors are the number of hotels, per capita income, total highway mileage, and cultural tourism policy indicators. This study is conducive to sustainable spatial planning of cultural tourism through smart data governance.

Social Capital Inequality According to Hukou in Unequal Economic Environments in China

China is experiencing an increase in socioeconomic inequality in comparison to the global trend. Employing the hukou registration as a focal point, this study seeks to examine social capital differences between developed and underdeveloped regions in China. As the data for the analysis were from the China Family Panel Studies, social capital was measured by social trust, participation, and networks. The Gini coefficient, a measure of economic inequality, was calculated for 25 different provinces in China in this paper. In light of the fact that these are panel data collected between 2014 and 2018, this study employed the random-effect model for panel analysis. The first finding is that individuals, in an environment characterized by high levels of economic inequality, have low levels of social capital levels in China. Second, the inverse relationship between economic inequality and social capital varies according to social capital element. Specifically, this inverse relationship was observed in social trust and social networks, but not in social participation. Third, hukou registration moderated the inverse relationship between economic inequality and social capital. The rural hukou registration revealed a stronger inverse relationship between economic inequality and social capital than its urban counterpart. This indicates that the negative impact of economic inequality on social capital resulted in additional inequality among rural hukou holders.

The Evolution of the Spatial Patterns of Startup Firms in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China in the 21st Century

It is increasingly recognized by policymakers and the academic community that startup firms play an important role in enhancing national and regional economic competitiveness. Existing studies have focused mainly on developed countries and highly marketed city-regions in developing countries, lacking sufficient attention to underdeveloped regions. The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is the poorest province in post 1949 ‘New China’. In recent years, the TAR’s government has released a series of policies to encourage the establishment and development of startup firms, but understanding how to promote social development and economic growth through the creation and development of startup firms is still a significant issue for the TAR’s government. Therefore, taking Tibet as a case area, this article discusses the evolution of the spatial patterns of startup firms in underdeveloped regions in China. The findings include: ① The past two decades have witnessed tremendous growth in the number of startup firms; however, the number and rate of growth are not geographically even. ② In terms of geographical distribution, startup firms in the TAR have concentrated on or around key nodes along major transport corridors (place dependence); however, with the development of transportation infrastructure and development zones, they have also been established in new localities (place creation). ③ Although all subregions of the TAR have spatial agglomerations of startup firms, they are different in agglomeration characteristics. Finally, after acknowledging shortcomings in its research, this article calls for multi-sited research to investigate the diversity of the spatial patterns and dynamics of new firm formation in the underdeveloped regions of China.

Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Eye Lens Dosimetry for Interventional Radiology Workers in China during 2017-2019.

The eye lens is a sensitive tissue to ionizing radiation and recently has been recognized as more radiosensitive than previously considered. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has recommended a considerable reduction in the equivalent dose limit of eye lens from 150 mSv y -1 to 20 mSv y -1 , averaged over a defined period of 5 y. In this paper, the eye lens dose of interventional radiology workers in China during 2017-2019 is analyzed to understand the current status of eye lens occupational exposure and to provide decision-making suggestions for health supervision departments using data obtained from the National Radiological Health Information Platform in China. A total of 3,026 eye lens dose records of interventional radiology workers were collected. The average annual eye lens dose (AAELD) for interventional radiology workers ranged from 1.07 to 1.51 mSv during 2017-2019 and was 1.44 mSv for all monitored interventional radiology workers, with 2,973 records (98.2%) lower than the public limit of 15 mSv and 33 records (1.1%) exceeding the newly revised occupational eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv y -1 . During the period of 2017-2019, the AAELDs of interventional radiologists (1.61 mSv) and of interventional cardiologists (1.59 mSv) were significantly higher than that of other interventional workers (0.62 mSv); the AAELD of doctors (1.50 mSv) was significantly higher than that of nurses (1.01 mSv); the AAELD of western China (2.00 mSv) was significantly higher than that of eastern (1.11 mSv) and central China (1.27 mSv); and the AAELD of males (1.59 mSv) was significantly higher than that of females (0.84 mSv). The eye lens dose of interventional radiology workers meets the Chinese standard limit of 150 mSv y -1 , while some cases exceed the one recommended by ICRP. The study shows that the interventional radiology workers' eye lens dosimetry data complied with the existing Chinese eye lens dose limits. However, education, training, and supervision of radiation protection also should be strengthened continuously for interventional radiology workers, especially for the interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists. Significant attention should be paid to the radiation protection of underdeveloped regions in China in future works.

Association of Householder Smoking With Poverty and the Mediating Effect of NCDs in Relatively Underdeveloped Regions in China.

Background:Studies have not provided clear enough evidence on the direct association between cigarette smoking and poverty. This study aims to assess the association of householder smoking with near-poverty households, and the potential mediating effect of NCDs.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2019 to October 2020 in relatively underdeveloped regions in China. In total, 2,409 households were investigated in areas under the jurisdiction of 24 primary health care (PHC) institutions of eight provinces. Pearson's χ2-test was performed, and multivariable logistic regression and extended probit regression models were fitted to examine the association between householder smoking and near-poverty households. Moreover, generalized structural equation modeling was used to explore the mediating effect of NCDs.ResultsAfter adjusting for all other potential confounding factors, compared with households headed by never-smokers, households headed by smokers exhibited significantly elevated risks of being near poverty, with an odds ratio of 2.01 (95% CI: 0.48–0.91). We also found that living in rural areas and having a low education level both had a negative effect on being near poverty. Additionally, NCDs had a significantly positive mediating effect, with a 31.57% effect of householder smoking on near-poverty status mediated by NCDs; the indirect effect was estimated to be 0.17 (95% CI: 0.04–0.31).ConclusionsHouseholder smoking significantly elevated the risk of the household being near poverty, and suffering NCDs had a positive mediating effect.

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health in Chinese Adolescents: Differences among Girls and Boys.

The negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on individual mental health have been widely demonstrated, yet fewer studies have examined the impact of ACEs on depression and anxiety of Chinese adolescents and their sex differences. This cross-sectional study surveyed 12421 adolescents aged 10–17 in Hechi City, Guangxi Province, to measure their levels of ACEs, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results found that: (1) Girls were more likely to experience ACEs than boys (37.67% vs. 32.25%, χ2 = 39.97, p < 0.001). (2) Emotion-related ACEs were more likely to occur among girls, while physical maltreatment, violence, and family dysfunction related ACEs were more likely to occur among boys. (3) Adolescents with ACEs were more likely to develop depression (OR = 4.40) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.60) than those without ACEs; adolescents who have encountered “peer isolation” and “emotional neglect” are most likely to develop depression (OR = 6.09/5.04) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 6.14/4.94). (4) The dose-response relationship between the level of ACE exposure and the risk of depression/anxiety symptoms was significant (p < 0.05), i.e., the risk increased as ACE level increased. (5) Girls were more likely to develop depression and anxiety symptoms than boys with the same ACE level. This study deepens the understanding of the prevalence of ACEs, the effect of ACEs on depression and anxiety symptoms, and their sex differences among Chinese adolescents in the underdeveloped regions of China. It provides more empirical support for future work on adolescent mental health protection.

The Comparison of Financing Efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises in Economically Underdeveloped Regions in China: A Perspective Study

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important foundations to implement mass entrepreneurship and innovation and play an irreplaceable role in increasing employment, promoting economic growth, as well as scientific and technological innovations, and providing particularly social harmony and stability and imminently are strategic entities to the national economy and social development in underdeveloped regions. However, the low-efficiency financing of SMEs has gradually become a major factor that restricts the high-quality development of SMEs in the current conditions. In this paper, interest expenditure, gearing ratio, and the net debt ratio as input indicators and current asset turnover ratio, cost margin, and main business income as output indicators are used to conduct the DEA-BCC model. By utilizing the GEM-listed private enterprises between 2017 and 2020 in China, the nationwide financing efficiency of SMEs is firstly measured, and then the financing efficiencies of SMEs in economically developed regions and lagging regions are calculated separately. The comparison reveals that the financing efficiency of SMEs in economically underdeveloped regions is not only lower than the national average figure but also much lower than the financing efficiency level in economically developed regions, which is the result of the combined effect of internal and external factors that enterprises face. Further, this paper finds that unexpected public events, core technical personnel, and enterprise size have an impact on the financing efficiency of SMEs when running group testing. This paper puts forward rationalized suggestions to the institutions to improve the financing efficiency of SMEs in underdeveloped regions concerning the conducted research, which are called government, financial institutions, and enterprises.