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The Late Mesozoic subduction of Izanagi slab beneath East Asia formed large-scale intraplate magmatism in SE South China and subduction mélanges outcropped in SW Japan to eastern Taiwan Island, but the accompanying arc remains uncertain. We conducted LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating and trace element analyses of proximal sandstones from the SW East China Sea to trace a Jurassic to Cretaceous magmatic arc. Newly acquired data reveal that arc magmatism mostly developed in episodes of 150–124 and 124–102 Ma, exhibiting characteristics of low-T, high Th/U, U/Yb, Sc/Yb, Th/Nb, and low Nb/Yb, Nb/Hf ratios. This magmatic arc, combined with the SE South China intraplate and residual subduction mélanges, spatially forms a Late Mesozoic trench–arc–intraplate architecture responding to the Izanagi subduction. Its identified tectonic scenarios mainly include slab strike-slip subduction (200–170 Ma), slab stagnation and intraplate foundering (170–150 Ma), slab rollback and arc-root removal (150–102 Ma), and arc migration (102–86 Ma). Both the western East China Sea and Cathaysia block share a unified Paleoproterozoic basement that formed at ca. 1.85 Ga, and the Cathaysia-based magmatic arc occurred then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's health system is facing severe challenges from social transition and the double burden of population aging and non-communicable diseases. Addressing the tension between the public's increasing demand for health services and the limited availability of medical resources has become a critical issue for health care policymakers and medical insurance fund administrators. In promoting its medical insurance system reform, China is actively developing health technology assessment (HTA) with principles and applications adapted to the Chinese context. This study aims to analyze the evolution of HTA in China with a focus on context, actors, process, content, and challenges encountered through applying a modified verson of Walt and Gilson's policy triangle framework. Currently, HTA plays an indispensable part in the reform of China's health care and medical insurance system, especially in the formulation and adjustment of the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). While HTA is increasingly used in China, there remain challenges, such as the slow development of HTA related disciplines, lack of an independent national HTA authority, and limited scope in the use of HTA. Despite the identified challenges, HTA has the potential to support a wide range of applications in China's health care sector, building on the progress achieved over the last three decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the short-term and long-term performance and volatility of publicly traded firms engaged in blockchain business. In particular, it examines how ownership structure impacts performance and volatility in such firms. We manually collected the data of Chinese A-listed companies participating in blockchain development during 2013–2018 as samples, and find that both short- and long-term performance and volatility significantly decrease among these firms after involvement in blockchain business. Ownership concentration has a positive correlation with stock returns, return on assets, and volatilities, whereas the state as a controlling shareholder strengthens these positive links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of a distinct profile of volatile organic compounds plays a crucial role in the ecology of hypogeous Ascomycetes, and is also key to their gastronomic relevance. In this study, we explored the aroma components of two rarely investigated Chinese desert truffles, namely Mattirolomyces terfezioides and Choiromyces cerebriformis, using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our investigation revealed the significant presence of sulphur-containing volatiles in the aroma of M. terfezioides but not in C. cerebriformis. We discussed available information on the distribution of these interesting truffles in China and their use as choice food by local people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate identification of edible ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms and their host trees in nature is key to commercial production for consumption. For the first time we describe the ectomycorrhizal association of the three most common species of edible matsutake mushrooms with their native host trees in Yunnan Province in China. We collected ECM samples from three different localities in subtropical forests known to be highly productive areas of Tricholoma. Additionally, we collected basidiomata of Tricholoma from the field and markets in Yunnan. ECM samples were analyzed using morphological and molecular methods. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and analyzed the intergenic spacer of cpDNA psbA-trnH to identify basidiomata and plant hosts, respectively. Three species of Tricholoma were identified: T. bakamatsutake, T. fulvocastaneum, and T. matsutake. Four ECM associations in the study area were detected: Tricholoma bakamatsutake + Castanopsis tibetana, T. fulvocastaneum + C. tibetana, T. fulvocastaneum + Pinus yunnanensis, and T. matsutake + P. yunnanensis. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the ECM associations are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expansion of the coal mining depth and scales, the content of coal mine methane (CMM) is increasing, bringing the great challenge to the safe coal mining and greenhouse gas control. Researching CMM emission laws and its drainage technologies in underground coal mining is essential. This paper analyzed the sources of CMM emission in the workface and then put forward the grid method to measure the CMM emission laws in the single coal seam, which error was verified by the integral method. The CMM emission laws of the S2107 workface of the Yuwu mine, northeastern Qinshui basin, China were researched as a case study and it is found that the upper corner was the key position of CMM control in the workface. The sub-source CMM drainage methods by the strike high-level roadway and long vertical buried pipes were applied against the different CMM sources in the S2107 workface. The gas concentration in the return air was less than 0.6% during the CMM drainage, verifying the effectiveness of the sub-source CMM drainage methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically investigates the effect of external financial market friction on restructuring activities, based on panel data of listed Chinese firms from 2004 to 2018. The results show that there is a positive correlation between financial market friction and the number of restructuring deals. We also find that high financial market friction increases preference for cash payments and the likelihood of mergers and acquisitions. These findings add to the restructuring literature by capturing heterogenous restructuring forms. They also deepen the understanding of the firm boundary theory, by suggesting that firms have incentives to increase their scopes when facing external market distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three representative concentration pathways (RCPs) and 15 general circulation models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 were used to assess the behaviour of precipitation (P) and surface air temperature (SAT) over part of the Songhua River Basin. The Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model linked with SAT and P was used for monthly simulation of streamflow to assess the influence of land use/land cover and climate change on the streamflow. The results suggest that, under RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, the SAT over the study area may increase in the 21st century by 1.12, 2.44 and 5.82°C, respectively. Moreover, by the middle of the 21st century, streamflow in the basin may have decreased by 19%. The decrease in streamflow may be due to changed land use conditions and water withdrawal, having critical implications for management and future planning of water resources in the basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of arsenic plays an important role in the mobility of this toxic element in the saline-alkali soil environment. The adsorption and transport of arsenate [As(V)] in saline-alkali soils were investigated in this study. The results of kinetic experiments indicated that the rate of As(V) adsorption was initially rapid and then became slow, which were modeled well with the pseudo-second-order rate model. The adsorption isotherms were best fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption equation. The maximum adsorption capacity of soil L1was the lowest (202.8 mg/kg), and that of soil D1 was the highest (686.6 mg/kg). The difference in adsorption capacity in five soils was mainly due to the CaCO3 content. The CaCO3 enhanced As(V) adsorption due to the adsorption and coprecipitation of calcium with As(V). The column experiments demonstrated that the transport of As(V) in soils was detained and the degree of detainment increased with decreasing As(V) concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Schisandra chinensis, also called wuweizi in Chinese, is the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., and has been officially utilized as an astringent tonic for more than two thousand years in China. This study aims to evaluate the inhibition of carboxylesterases (CESs) by the major ingredients isolated from Schisandra chinensis, including Anwuligan, Schisandrol B, Schisanhenol, deoxyschizandrin, and Schisandrin B. 2. In vitro human liver microsomes (HLMs)-catalyzed hydrolysis of 2-(2-Benzoyl-3-methoxyphenyl) benzothiazole (BMBT) and fluorescein diacetate (FD) was employed as the probe reaction for CES1 and CES2, respectively. Initial screening, inhibition kinetics determination (inhibition type and parameters (Ki)), and in silico docking method were carried out. 3. Schisandrin B showed strong inhibition on the activity of CES1, and the activity of CES2 was strongly inhibited by Anwuligan and Schisandrin B. Schisandrin B exhibited noncompetitive inhibition towards CES1 and CES2. Anwuligan showed competitive inhibition towards CES2. The inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were calculated to be 29.8, 0.6, and 8.1 uM for the inhibition of Schisandrin B on CES1, Anwuligan on CES2, and Schisandrin B on CES2. In silico docking showed that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions contributed to the inhibition of Schisandrin B on CES1, Anwuligan on CES2, and Schisandrin B on CES2. All these information will be helpful for understanding the adverse effects of Schisandra chinensis due to the inhibition of CESs-catalyzed metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the mid-twentieth century, the evolving tension between modernity and tradition has become a troublesome issue for the newly-established independent nation-states in Asia. With the ethnographic methodology of field study, this article retraces the drama practice in 1960s’ rural China and tries to reveal the practical formation and specifically, the operative mechanism with which the socialist new culture remolds and summons the subjectivity of People. In such practical process, the subjectivity of People is a key concept of socialist values and a leading principle of people’s everyday life in rural China, which contributes to the formation of a “new tradition” in practice. The “new tradition” has a profound influence on the pathway of the Chinese socialist development, and may also provide necessary reference to other Asian states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysanthemum × morifolium 'Fubaiju,' which is native to Macheng, Hubei, China, has a long cultivation history almost dating back to the early 10th century Song dynasty, and is used as Chrysanthemum tea drink and Chinese traditional medicine. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of 'Fubaiju' was 151,109 bp, included a large single copy LSC (82,931 bp), a small single copy SSC (18,350 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (24,941 bp). It contained 132 genes with 87 CDS, 8r RNA, and 37 tRNA. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the C. × morifolium 'Fubaiju' was clustered together with C. × morifolium 'Baekma'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although urban neighborhood conflicts have drawn widespread attention, their possible link with neighborhood perception has not been quantified in the existing literature. Based on a recent neighborhood-based survey of urban residents in Guangzhou, China, this study investigates the structure, determinants, and consequences of neighborhood conflicts. In particular, it finds that there is inherently a subjective dimension embedded in neighborhood conflicts such that these conflicts should be conceptualized and measured as an individual-level perception of neighborhoods. Evidence from both empirical analyses and field research revealed that consciousness of property rights had significant effects on perceived neighborhood conflicts, while both consciousness of property rights and perceived neighborhood conflicts, especially those with local and grass-roots government agencies, further contribute to the occurrence of residents’ contentious actions. By situating neighborhood conflicts in the context of rules consciousness, this study brings attention to neighborhood perception shaping contentious politics in China’s urban transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Using the 2005 microcensus data set, this research adopts a multilevel approach to examine housing outcomes in relation to city-level contexts. We find that housing stratification in contemporary China is not homogeneous across cities but rather is spatially dynamic and conditioned by local contexts. Net of other effects, per capita gross domestic product and housing price are significantly associated with housing outcomes in the open market, whereas the effect of a city's administrative rank is restricted to the social housing domain. In addition, in relatively rich cities, the advantage of proper institutional affiliations in owning commodity housing somewhat diminishes, but it remains persistent, if not strengthened, in owning reformed housing and affordable housing. The effects of market-related factors (i.e., education and income) on housing outcomes also vary across cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution has been the most important threat to water environment quality. Understanding the spatial distribution of NPS pollution potential risk is important for taking effective measures to control and reduce NPS pollution. A Transformed-Agricultural Nonpoint Pollution Potential Index (T-APPI) model was constructed for evaluating the national NPS pollution potential risk in this study; it was also combined with remote sensing and geographic information system techniques for evaluation on the large scale and at 1 km2 spatial resolution. This model considers many factors contributing to the NPS pollution as the original APPI model, summarized as four indicators of the runoff, sediment production, chemical use and the people and animal load. These four indicators were analysed in detail at 1 km2 spatial resolution throughout China. The T-APPI model distinguished the four indicators into pollution source factors and transport process factors; it also took their relationship into consideration. The studied results showed that T-APPI is a credible and convenient method for NPS pollution potential risk evaluation. The results also indicated that the highest NPS pollution potential risk is distributed in the middle-southern Jiangsu province. Several other regions, including the North China Plain, Chengdu Basin Plain, Jianghan Plain, cultivated lands in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, also showed serious NPS pollution potential. This study can provide a scientific reference for predicting the future NPS pollution risk throughout China and may be helpful for taking reasonable and effective measures for preventing and controlling NPS pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Drawing on an institutional analysis of China's urban housing and land market, this research demonstrates how the triangular relations among the central government, local governments, and the market evolved in response to new opportunities continuously created by market transformation and policies strictly enforced by the central government. In particular, the authors argue that the territory-based coalition between local governments and selective enterprises in the reform era is a persistent rather than a transitory phenomenon. Local state marketism-which highlights the power imbalance among the central government, local governments, and society; conflicted interests within the state; and a dynamic, volatile, and paradoxical network at the disposal of local governments-is proposed as a conceptual framework that accounts for the evolution of triangular relations among the central government, local governments, and the market in reform-era China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (VG-AFS) coupled with online preconcentration on a short column (4.6 mm×50-mm length) packed with a newly synthesized alkyl phosphinic acid resin (APAR) was developed for the determination of trace Cd in seawater. During the online preconcentration process, Cd in seawater was concentrated on the column while the matrix of seawater was separated flowing out of the column. Cd concentrated on the column was then eluted effectively from the column with 0.1 mol L-1 tartaric acid within 40 s. When the sample volume was 200 mL, an enrichment factor 189 was achieved. The detection limit of this proposed method for Cd is 2.67 ng L-1. The recovery of Cd is 96.6% obtained by spiking the correspondence standard, and the precision (RSD) is 4.34% (n=6). The established APAR/VG-AFS was applied to the determination of soluble Cd in the seawater around Xiamen Island, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]