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The paper puts forward a new Chinese concept of ‘Wu Liu’ (material flow) which is different from the concepts of logistics and physical distribution popular in the West and Japan in four aspects: characteristics, contents, properties and applications. The paper points out that the research on material flow science and technology in China has lagged far behind, especially in the application aspect of material flows which is not in line with the position that material flow holds as the third biggest backbone industry group of the national economy. The paper also discusses issues in researching material flow in economic development, social development, as well as natural sciences. At the end, a framework of material flow science and technology is proposed which includes four components: disciplines supporting material flow science and technology, engineering and technological disciplines supporting material flow science and technology, theoretical disciplines supporting material flow science and technology, and other disciplines supporting material flow science and technology. About forty disciplines are related to material flow science and technology which need to be either built or enhanced. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses fractional integration techniques to explore the stochastic properties of the Financial Stress Indices (FSIs) of 10 Asian countries, further investigating the bilateral linkages between them to ascertain how financial stress spreads among countries in the region. For the FSIs of each country, the results show that all the estimated orders of integration are in the interval (0, 1) implying fractional integration and a long memory pattern. Thus, shocks will have transitory though long‐lasting effects. For the cross‐country spillovers of the FSIs, we find that convergence is satisfied in all cases with values of the differencing parameter around 0 and thus showing short memory behavior. It is worth noting that for the larger economies in the region, Japan and China, financial stress transmission between Japan and the smaller economies was faster than with respect to China. Overall, the results provide valuable information on the financial market activity of the countries in the region. To check for the robustness of the baseline results we also use systemic risk measures for these countries, CoVaR with the results showing evidence of fractional integration for the individual series, with all values of the differencing parameter in the range (0, 1). For convergence, there is a substantial reduction in the degree of integration, though the results are not as clear as with the FSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article offers information on several conventions related to systems research and behavioral science, including the 51st Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences to be held at Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan from August 5 to 10, 2007, the 5th IIGSS Workshop to be held at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China from June 14 to 17, and the ISOneWorld2007 Conference to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 11 to 13.

The Kyoto Protocol agreed on in 1997 allows some flexibility for developed countries in their implementations of their commitments to reduce emissions of CO[sub 2] and other global warming gases. In particular developed countries may receive emission credits for facilitating international cooperation for developing clean development mechanisms (CDMs) between themselves and developing countries. CDMs must reduce emissions of global warming gases on a sustainable basis in the developing countries involved. Such CDMs are expected to be an important tool for Japan and other developed countries for achieving their Kyoto Protocol commitments to reduce their CO[sub 2] emissions, but assessments and implementations of alternative CDMs require careful international joint research efforts. In this paper, we discuss our on-going Japan-China joint research to develop and evaluate bio-coal briquette (biobriquette), a new product to replace coal in some regions of China. Coal is a significant source of air pollution in China. The introduction of biobriquette use in China as a possible CDM for Japan is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the results of a study conducted by Thomson Reuters concerning the impact of research papers from China. The results found out that the research paper outputs from the country went high from 20,000 in 1998 to almost 112,000 in 2008. It mentions that China is now set to overtake the U.S. in research output within the next decade and has overtaken Great Britain, Germany and Japan in 2006.

Objective: This meta‐analysis aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness interventions on nurses' levels of depression and anxiety. Design: Meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials. Methods: The following Chinese and English databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI). The retrieval period was from database construction to 30 March 2022. Two researchers screened the relevant literature and extracted the data. After a cross‐check, data were input into Stata version 16.0 for meta‐analysis. Results: Twelve randomised controlled trials from 2017 to 2021 were included, which involved 807 subjects (405 and 402 in the intervention and control groups, respectively). Meta‐analysis results showed that nurses' anxiety reduced by mindfulness‐based interventions was significantly higher compared to that of the control group (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.27–1.55, p < 0.05). Furthermore, an 8‐week mindfulness‐based intervention (SMD = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.61–2.24) reduced the level of anxiety significantly more compared to a 4‐week intervention (SMD = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.36–1.71). Mindfulness‐based interventions were better compared to conventional intervention to reduce the level of depression (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.42–1.61, p < 0.05), and an 8‐week mindfulness intervention (SMD = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.78–2.84) reduced the level of depression significantly more compared to a 4‐week intervention (SMD = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.29–1.35). Since limited studies had interventions longer than 8 weeks, results on longer mindfulness interventions in reducing nurses' anxiety and depression are inconclusive. In conclusion, mindfulness intervention for 8 weeks or less can significantly reduce nurses' anxiety and depression levels. Patient or Public Contribution: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent reports show air pollutant magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Considering various field applications of MNPs because of developments in nanotechnology, the aim of this study is to identify major trends and data gaps in research on magnetite to allow for relevant environmental and health risk assessment. Herein, a bibliometric and systematic analysis of the published magnetite literature (n = 31 567) between 1990 to 2020 is completed. Following appraisal, publications (n = 244) are grouped into four time periods with the main research theme identified for each as 1990–1997 "oxides," 1998–2005 "ferric oxide," 2006–2013 "pathology," and 2014–2020 "animal model." Magnetite formation and catalytic activity dominate the first two time periods, with the last two focusing on the exploitation of nanoparticle engineering. Japan and China have the highest number of citations for articles published. Longitudinal analysis indicates that magnetite research for the past 30 years shifted from environmental and industrial applications, to biomedical and its potential toxic effects. Therefore, whilst this study presents the research profile of different countries, the development in research on MNPs, it also reveals that further studies on the effects of MNPs on human health is much needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of hair transparency has been claimed widely in the Japan (and now it is spreading to Asian) hair color market. Despite the general use of this concept, to date, there is no clear and objective description to accurately explain what it is. In this work, we have decoded and gave clarity to the concept of hair transparency via a technical model (validated for both Japan and China markets) composed of measurable parameters of hair property using a single device. Methodology and Results: A comprehensive study composed of various tests was used, starting with a qualitative identification of key parameters via in‐depth workshop discussions with over 40 Japanese stylists and a panel of 12 consumers. These identified parameters (luminosity, color visibility, and Shine) were then translated into technically measurable parameters of the hair fiber (Diffused light intensity, ratio of RGB channel intensities of Diffused light, and luster) via a single instrument—Hair SAMBA (a dual‐polarized imaging system). Afterward, 10 carefully selected anchor shades were used as visual stimuli in an online pairwise comparison (PC) study with 100 Japanese stylists to generate quantitative transparency perception data of the swatches. Technical parameters of these swatches were measured by SAMBA and consolidated with the PC output, for the creation and validation of the mathematical model. After, with another PC study (N = 100) in China, with seven shades from Japan study and 6 additional Chinese market shades, the applicability of the model in China market was validated. Conclusion: We have clarified and quantified the concept of hair transparency through a consumer centric approach and with objective data. Our findings will enable the development of optimum transparent shades which better suits consumer needs. Lastly, we would like to highlight the beauty of digitalization in the study: The digital evaluation pathways chosen allowed us to collect quantitative consumer data from two countries for the creation of a robust model under the impact of COVID‐19 and would definitely be the way to go for our future consumer evaluation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite Japan's prominence in global finance and trade through the 1980s, its global role has appeared to diminish with its recent stagnation and the rise of China. This article reviews the claimed sources of Japan's stagnation, including productivity and labour slowdowns, monetary policy in the aftermath of the Plaza Accord and the surge in China's growth. Their independent effects are quantified using a multi-region global dynamic model. The productivity slowdown emerges strongest however its exogeneity is questioned. The resulting losses are shown to have been severe for the Japanese but mild in other regions, disguised by the rise of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to reconcile previous conflicting findings about the effects of labour cost on the location decisions of foreign investors in China. A conditional logit model is calibrated with its compatible disaggregated firm-level Japanese FDI data. It is hypothesised that previous counter-intuitively positive relationships between labour cost and incoming FDI in China may result from the failures to properly control spatial inflation differentials, labour quality, and quality of life. A Hausman-McFadden test is also conducted to test the robustness of the calibrated models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceanic absorption of heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions has resulted in warming of the dark ocean (>200 m) that contains a large refractory DOM (RDOM) pool. However, changes in microbially mediated production and degradation dynamics for RDOM components in response to warming of dark marginal basins remain unclear. Herein, we integrated data from the dark South China, Mediterranean and Japan Seas (temperature range: 0.09–15.1°C) to demonstrate that in situ production efficiency of two ubiquitous humic‐like fluorophores increased at higher dark ocean temperature, whereas chromophores at a wavelength of 325 nm (aCDOM(325)) changed from production to degradation at higher temperature. Increased oxygen consumption and a reduction of labile substrates in future warmer dark ocean environments may initiate the final degradation of some semi‐refractory components, thereby increasing the recalcitrance of RDOM, but decreasing the DOM inventory in dark basins and creating a positive feedback to rising atmospheric CO2. Plain Language Summary: Marine refractory dissolved organic matter (RDOM) in the dark ocean is primarily formed during heterotrophic degradation of labile organic matter, which has a pronounced sensitivity to temperature variation. Since the 1960s, the global dark ocean has exhibited an accelerated warming with a discernable temperature increase. Thus, determining the importance of temperature on microbial regulation of the oceanic RDOM pool is of great significance. This study utilized the ocean interior of the marginal South China, Mediterranean and Japan Seas as natural basin‐scale enclosed incubators along with optical DOM characterization methods to reveal a production‐degradation reaction series for RDOM components. A decrease in the DOM inventory by enhanced microbial mineralization (producing CO2) in a warmer dark ocean may create a positive feedback in response to global climate change. Key Points: Faster turnover for optical components of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was observed in dark marginal basins than in the open oceanIn situ production efficiency of two ubiquitous humic‐like fluorophores increased at higher dark ocean temperaturesAn increase of DOM recalcitrance and decrease of the bulk dissolved organic carbon pool may occur due to a future warming of dark basins [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The divisions of the ceramic `table-ware' industry into different production subgroups and the flow of finished products into various markets are indicated in the chart below. `Body' is here used as the shaped but unpainted piece. The following topics will be treated in this paper. Some problems of finishing manufacturers: Before the war, they were a kind of merchant employer (toiya) and had a predominant power over body manufacturers and painters. This was indicative of the backwardness of Japanese economy. Noritake China has an overwhelmingly predominant position in this industry. The Specialized production (which means the division of production processes among finishing manufacturers, body manufacturers and painters, as expressed in the above chart) still exists even though the merchant-employer system has disappeared; but it seems to have backward characteristics compared to integrated manufacturers. Though there is the problem of overproduction in the background, this industry has been working at full capacity.

During June–July 2020, the record‐breaking flooding in the recent four decades struck the plum rain belt over China, Japan, and Korea. Concurrent with this persistent heavy rainfall, pronounced Indian Ocean basin warming (IOBW) was observed, following the previous El Niño event in the transition to La Niña‐like mean state this summer. This tropical Indo‐Pacific large‐scale thermal condition provided favorable conditions for rainfall surpluses over the plum rain belt via the western North Pacific anticyclone. Superimposed on the tropical Indo‐Pacific large‐scale thermal condition, an extraordinary long‐lasting and quasistationary Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) active phase persisted in the Indian Ocean throughout June–July 2020, lasting for 59 days. The MJO‐associated teleconnection was mainly responsible for the extreme rainfall over the plum rain belt, which was facilitated by the conducive large‐scale Indo‐Pacific oceanic‐atmospheric condition. Plain Language Summary: The East Asian rainy season (commonly called the plum rain, also known as Meiyu in China, Baiu in Japan, and Jangma in Korea), is caused by rainfall along a persistent stationary front. The plum rain season usually starts in June and persists into the middle of July. During June–July 2020, the region of the plum rain belt over China, Japan, and Korea, was ravaged by the strongest flooding in decades with catastrophic losses. The physical mechanisms driving this extreme flooding remains unclear. Concurrent with this persistent rainfall surpluses, the Indo‐Pacific oceans featured a developing La Niña‐like state in the eastern tropical Pacific and pronounced sea surface temperature warming in the Indian Ocean basin. Although these Indo‐Pacific thermal conditions can provide a favorable large‐scale background for the rainfall surpluses over East Asia, they cannot explain the extreme rainfall amount over the plum rain belt during 2020. We show that an exceptionally long‐lasting and quasistationary Madden‐Julian Oscillation activity over the Indian Ocean was the key reason for this extreme event. Key Points: The rainfall amount over the East Asian plum‐rain belt during summer 2020 was the largest in the recent four decadesThe intense flooding coincided with an exceptionally persistent Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) active phase in the Indian Ocean throughout June and JulyThis extraordinary MJO activity was facilitated by the conducive pantropic background oceanic‐atmospheric conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In early summer 2020, the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall was markedly enhanced, triggering devastating floods in Japan and central China. We examined the underlying processes using a climate model and analysis. The enhanced Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall was reasonably predicted by the climate model initialized at the end of April. The sensitivity experiment indicated that Indian Ocean (IO) warming enhanced the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall. Moreover, we found that the warm IO condition can be traced back to the super Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in 2019. The IO warmth was influenced by successive processes: record strong downwelling Rossby waves excited by the IOD and tripole sea surface temperature anomalies in the tropical IO‐western Pacific, their arrival to the southwestern IO in spring, and associated modulation of monsoon flow. The results suggest that the seasonal predictability of the Meiyu‐Baiu rainfall in 2020 originated from the super IOD. Plain Language Summary: In early summer 2020, Japan and central China suffered from serious floods due to torrential rainfall associated with the intensified Meiyu‐Baiu front, which extends from central China to southern Japan. The results of climate model simulations indicated that a warm condition of the Indian Ocean (IO) was an underlying condition for the enhanced rainfall. We found that the warm IO condition can be traced back to the strong Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) episode in 2019, which featured a pair of colder‐than‐normal and warmer‐than‐normal ocean temperatures west of the Sumatra coast and in the western IO, respectively. This IOD contributed to the IO warming in the following seasons through oceanic dynamics and monsoon modulation. Key Points: The markedly enhanced rainfall in the Meiyu‐Baiu frontal zone in early summer 2020 was associated with the warm IO conditionThe warm IO condition can be traced back to the super IOD event in 2019Ocean dynamics and associated modulation of monsoon flow in the IO sector facilitated IO warming [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leading manufacturers in developed countries generally have high environmental awareness and implement proactive environmental management practices such as green supply chain management (GSCM). However, it is uncertain if smaller manufacturers in developed countries are more proactive than all manufacturers in developing countries. To understand this situation, we carried out surveys among small and medium-sized Japanese manufacturers, leading Chinese manufacturers and traditional Chinese manufacturers. Statistical results show that leading Chinese manufacturers have the highest awareness of both domestic and international environmental regulations/policies, and implement all GSCM practices at the highest level. Leading Chinese manufacturers and Japanese manufacturers are aware of international environmental regulations/policies, but such awareness only motivates them to implement eco-design practices. Traditional Chinese manufacturers have limited awareness of international environmental regulations/policies, but such awareness brings all types of GSCM practice. Such results can be helpful for different manufacturers in both developed and developing countries to develop suitable environmental strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global trading system has underpinned huge growth in trade and the integration of economies that have signed on to it, whether they are political allies or not-none more so than in the Asia-Pacific region. It has prevented political disputes between Japan and China adversely affecting trade and investment flows between the two countries. The World Trade Organisation continues to play an important role. This is evidenced by the number of countries still willing to join the organisation, its record in keeping markets open during crises and the effectiveness of the dispute settlement mechanism. Yet the global trading system faces challenges. The rules and agenda, as well as the single undertaking mode of negotiations, are not effective or relevant to commerce in the twenty-first century. The shift to mega-regional agreements further undermines its primacy. A weakened global trading system could also have negative spillovers for political relations between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Internet is facing a critical moment in its history as Internet addresses begin to run out. The Asia Pacific is the region most deeply affected by Internet address depletion, due to its lack of legacy address space and emerging markets with new demand for Internet access. A Next Generation Internet with nearly infinite address space has been created, but transition is costly and uptake has been slow. This article examines Next Generation Internet policy adoption by three Asia-Pacific countries: Japan, China and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the self-citation rates of scientific and technical journals in the SCI database from China, Japan, India, and Korea from 2007 to 2009. Korea has the highest self-citation rate, Japan the lowest. Compared with 2007, the overall level of self-citation rate declined across all four countries in 2008. In 2009, however, the self-citation rate of the three countries other than China rose a little. The total cited frequency and impact factor of excessive self-citing journals and zero self-citation journal in China, Japan, India, and Korea are all lower than those of the mean of all journals included in the SCI in 2009. It appears that the academic influence of journals whose self-citation rates is either too low or too high is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which the ranges of temperate biota in East Asia have been shaped by geological and climatic changes during the Pleistocene remains poorly understood. Previous molecular-based studies of the greater horseshoe bat ( Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), which is widespread across China and Japan, suggest that this species was able to persist in multiple refugia in this region. However, limited availability of samples precluded a detailed analysis of past distributions. By integrating ecological niche modelling with phylogenetic analyses, we aim to resolve the impact of past events on the population genetic structure of R. ferrumequinum and provide detailed descriptions of potential distribution patterns during this time. Central/East China and Japan. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using 1098 bp of the mitochondrial ND2 gene and 13 microsatellite loci from bats sampled at 26 localities across China and Japan. Haplotype data were used in isolation-with-migration models (IM) to estimate divergence dates between different lineages, and mismatch distribution analyses were undertaken to test for signs of population expansion. Geographical structuring of the microsatellite data was examined by spatial clustering. Ecological niche modelling was performed based on high-resolution palaeoclimate data inferred for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Phylogenetic analyses identified deep levels of divergence between three major lineages broadly corresponding to Central China, East China and Japan. The divergence of all three lineages was estimated to have occurred before the LGM. A strong correlation was observed between the ecological niche model and phylogenetic data, with both methods inferring that R. ferrumequinum populations in Central China did not undergo significant range contractions during glacial episodes. The impact of glacial cycles on East China would have been more severe, with some locations being unable to support viable populations. Zones of secondary contact were identified between Central/East China and East China/Japan, which probably result from some historical gene flow between isolated populations. Integrating ecological niche modelling within phylo-geographical studies provides support for a complex demographic history for R. ferrumequinum in East Asia, as well as persistence during glacial episodes in multiple refugia across their range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops data on the history of wages and prices in Beijing, Canton, and Suzhou/Shanghai in China from the eighteenth century to the twentieth, and compares them with leading cities in Europe, Japan, and India in terms of nominal wages, the cost of living, and the standard of living. In the eighteenth century, the real income of building workers in Asia was similar to that of workers in the backward parts of Europe but far behind that in the leading economies in north-western Europe. Real wages stagnated in China in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and rose slowly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth, with little cumulative change for 200 years. The income disparities of the early twentieth century were due to long-run stagnation in China combined with industrialization in Japan and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationships between culture, individual attributes, and self-rating behavior among 1,786 university students in Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Japan, and in doing so extended and refined the cultural relativity hypothesis. It explored the difference between vertical and horizontal individualists in self-rating behavior, and examined the mediating effects of two individual attributes, self-enhancement propensity and general self-efficacy in the relationship between individualism and self-rating behavior. The results confirmed that individualism is the cultural driver for self-rating leniency, and that the individual-level assessment of individualism is a stronger predictor of self-rating leniency than are culture-level differences. Vertical individualism was found to be positively related to self-enhancement propensity, which in turn was positively related to self-rating. Whereas, horizontal individualism was positively related to general self-efficacy, which in turn had a positive relationship with self-rating. We discuss the implications of the results for academic research and practical management. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of firms that issue seasoned equity in the US and Japan have found that these firms significantly underperform over the long-run subsequent to the issue. I offer further evidence of this by examining Japanese seasoned offerings (SEOs) from 1975 to 1992. I find similar results for firms issuing seasoned equity in Hong Kong. However, I also find that Korean SEOs generate insignificant abnormal returns over a 36-month period following the issue. These results suggest that the asymmetric information argument offered for the US and Japanese markets do not always hold, especially in markets where the regulatory and market structures vary greatly. Cross-sectional results suggest that younger firms tend to perform worse than older firms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents the activities and outcomes of the China-Japan-Great Britain cross-cultural learning and integration systems project. Project conferences, workshops and streams; Funding to the project; Research visits.

The relationship between sex role stereotypes and characteristics perceived as necessary for management success was examined among 361 male and 228 female management students in Japan and the People's Republic of China. The results revealed that males and females in both countries perceive that successful middle managers possess characteristics, attitudes and temperaments more commonly ascribed to men in general than to women in general. These results were compared with previous studies done in the U.S., Great Britain and Germany, using the same Schein 92-item Descriptive Index, and similar samples and procedures. The comparison supports the view that 'think manager—think male' is a global phenomenon, especially among males. Regardless of country context, there was a strong and similar degree of managerial sex typing among male management students in all five countries. Among females, the managerial sex typing hypothesis was confirmed in every country except the U.S., in which men and women are seen as equally likely to possess requisite management characteristics. Unlike those of their male counterparts, the females' pattern of outcomes varied across countries, possibly a reflection of their respective opportunities for managerial participation. The implications of managerial sex typing as a global phenomenon are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese private investors have recently established a remarkable presence in the Chinese economy While the comparative performance of Japanese direct investment can be attributed to managerial, economic, social and political factors, the present article shows that elements of Japanese culture have also played a role An intercultural comparative analytical framework is developed Aggregate data and survey reports suggest that Japanese cultural factors have contributed to the performance of Japanese direct investment (1985- 1993), relating to level, pattern and managerial behavior This study points to 1) the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of Japanese direct investment including its cultural element, and 2) the necessity for the Western investors to pay close attention to the cultural aspect of a successful investment in China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stem family in Japan is seemingly not consonant with the idea of life cycle which has produced important contributions to the study of the conjugal family, but the life cycle pattern of the Japanese family can be described as having three distinct stages which are manifest in the sequence of the role complex unique to it. A similar analysis is attempted with regard to the Chinese joint family. A new set of cycle stages is developed in order to cope with the changing status of the contemporary Japanese family. Thus, extensive applicability of the developmental framework is demonstrated for a cross-cultural study of the family in world revolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]