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This study examines whether politicians exhibit hometown favoritism in assigning preferential corporate income tax rates. We find that firms with hometown connections to incumbent provincial leaders experience favorable tax treatment. This effect is more pronounced when those leaders have strong hometown preferences and weaker when they have a strong incentive to seek promotion, suggesting that social incentives are the primary drivers of the effects on corporate tax benefits of hometown favoritism by politicians. Moreover, this effect is intensified when members of senior management have personal connections with the provincial leader. The mechanism test reveals that the provincial governments tend to qualify connected firms for preferential tax policies under their jurisdictions. Overall, our results suggest that hometown favoritism by politicians promotes tax benefits for business entities. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classification: H26; H71; M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: This paper examines whether and how firms' engagement in related-party transactions (RPTs) is shaped by public communication of audit risks as required by the expanded audit report. Using the phased regulatory changes in China and a difference-in-differences design with firm fixed effects and matching, we find that firms significantly reduce their RPTs after the adoption of expanded audit reports (EARs). To investigate potential mechanisms, we find that (1) investor scrutiny increases after the adoption of EARs, (2) the reduction of RPTs is more pronounced when EARs are more likely to attract investor attention, and (3) the reduction of RPTs is weaker when firms are less concerned about investor scrutiny. The results suggest that EARs can attract investor scrutiny and increase the possible penalty associated with self-dealing, thus motivating firms to reduce RPTs. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: G30; G34; G38; M10; M16; M40; M41; M42: M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulatory reform of internal controls (ICs) in China mandates that certain firms incorporate corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement into ICs and issue IC reports. Using a staggered difference-in-differences research design, we find that IC effectiveness has worsened following this reform, but this deterioration is partially mitigated when mandated firms report their CSR engagement. Additional analyses demonstrate that this deterioration is further lessened when CSR reports are prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative reporting guidelines or assured by external auditors and when firms spend more on CSR activities. Finally, cross-sectional analyses suggest that CSR engagement mitigates the deterioration in IC effectiveness more in non–state-owned enterprises and in firms that have better financial performance, lack political connections, or are located in regions with higher market development or social trust. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: M4; M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an ongoing debate over uniformity versus flexibility in accounting regulation. This study examines the financial reporting consequences of a rigid accounting rule in China under which the fiscal year-end is uniform for all companies. Using extensive interviews together with large-sample archival analyses, we find that "mismatched" firms—those whose mandated financial reporting cycles are not aligned with their business cycles—exhibit higher levels of absolute abnormal accruals than their nonmismatched counterparts. Further analyses suggest that the negative association between mismatching and financial reporting quality is mainly driven by unintentional estimation errors rather than intentional earnings manipulation. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: M41; M48; K22. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: In this study, we propose a reciprocal rent-seeking game between politicians and individual auditors with political connections and examine how these auditors' political connections influence their audit quality. Using hand-collected data from China between 2008 and 2013, we find that politically connected auditors have a significantly lower tendency to issue modified audit opinions (MAOs). We also find that politicians' career prospects are significantly adversely influenced by MAOs being issued in their jurisdictions, while connected auditors charge higher audit fees, acquire larger market share, and have a lower chance of encountering regulatory sanctions. Further evidence suggests that politically connected auditors tend to issue less accurate audit opinions, reduce client firms' earnings response coefficients (ERCs), and increase client firms' capital costs. Collectively, our study suggests that individual auditors' political connections facilitate the reciprocal rent-seeking activities between them and politicians, which ultimately undermines audit quality. JEL: G32; G38; M42; M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) launched the Campaign for Strengthening Corporate Governance of Public Companies in 2007. As part of this pilot program, public firms were required to report to the CSRC whether their boards had established audit committees and whether these audit committees operated effectively. Using this unique one-time regulatory event in China, we examine whether it is informative for firms to certify the effectiveness of their audit committees. Through analyzing hand-collected data from the campaign reports filed with the CSRC, we find that firms with certified audit committee effectiveness are associated with less earnings management and are less likely to have modified audit opinions and delayed filings. Thus, our findings suggest that certification of audit committee effectiveness provides a firm an opportunity to credibly signal that its audit committee functions in substance rather than in appearance. JEL Classifications: M41; M42; M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: Using Chinese data of key audit matters (KAM) reports, this study assesses whether the KAM rule improves audit quality and how KAM disclosures relate to audit quality. With textual analysis, we evaluate disclosure characteristics in detail and find that auditors report both industry-generic and firm-specific KAM. The wordings, to a large extent, are firm-specific and differ in KAM reporting components. Our empirical investigation via the pre-post and difference-in-differences analyses reveals that audit quality is improved following the mandatory rule. The cross-sectional analysis shows that the number of KAMs and disclosure characteristics (such as specificity, similarity, readability, and length) signal auditors' concern about clients' earnings quality, audit effort, and the propensity of issuing modified opinions. Overall, our paper provides some evidence on the implementation and communicative value of the new KAM reporting. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: M41; M42; M48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ancient mitochondrial genome of a Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) coded as NJ26S from Jartai Pass Site was obtained by high throughput sequencing. The damage pattern demonstrated the authenticity and reliability of the ancient DNA data. The length of the mitogenome was 16,357 bp, which contained 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. The total base composition of the mitochondrial genome is 28.17% A, 25.01% T, 11.89% G, 19.72% C, and 15.21% missing data with an AT composition of 53.18%. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was recovered including other roe deer sequences under the TIM2 + I + G4 model. This study presents molecular evidence indicating the presence of Capreolus pygargus in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China more than 3,000 years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Litigation risk and reputation protection are often cited in the literature as incentives for high quality audit services. This study examines whether reputation protection can motivate Big 4 auditors to provide higher quality audits in a low litigation risk audit market. We measure audit quality using accounting related enforcement actions against clients by securities regulators. Based on 7,011 firm-year observations of non-state-owned listed companies in China for the period of 2007 to 2015, we find no significant differences in either the frequency or severity of accounting related enforcement actions between Big 4 and non-Big 4 clients. Our findings indicate that reputational concerns alone cannot motivate Big 4 auditors to provide superior quality audit services in China's low litigation risk audit market. Given the large number of low litigation risk jurisdictions across the world, our findings highlight the importance of legal reforms for improving audit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is the largest tree species used for afforestation in China. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of site quality, stand density, and tree species composition on the growth and yield of mixed Chinese fir forests and to build prediction models for their stand average DBH (diameter at breast height), average height, and volume. Using 430 plots of mixed Chinese fir forests in the Fujian Province of China, the optimal base models for predicting stand average DBH, average height, and volume were selected from the Schumacher, Korf, Logistic, Mitscherlich, and Richards equations. On this basis, the site class index (SCI), stand density index (SDI), and tree species composition coefficient (TSCC) were introduced to improve the model's performance, and the applicability of the different models was evaluated. The optimal base models for the average DBH, average height, and stand volume of mixed Chinese fir forests all used the Richards equation. The best fitting effect was obtained when the SCI was introduced into parameter a in the average height model, while the inclusion of the TSCC did not improve the model significantly. The fitting effects of the average DBH and stand volume models were both best in the form of y = a 1 S C I a 2 [ 1 − exp ⁡ (− b 1 S D I b 2 ) t ] c when the SCI and SDI were introduced. When the TSCC was further included, the fitting effects of the stand average DBH and volume models were significantly improved, with their R2 increased by 47.47% and 58.45%, respectively, compared to the base models. The optimal models developed in this study showed good applicability; the residuals were small and distributed uniformly. We found that the SCI had an impact on the maximum values of the stand average DBH, average height, and volume; the SDI was closely related to the growth rate of the diameter and volume, while the TSCC influenced the maximum values of the stand average DBH and volume. The model system established in this study can provide a reference for the harvest prediction and mixing ratio optimization of mixed Chinese fir forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to verify effect of the industrial policies on solving the problem of market failure, we collect the data from China A-share listed companies among 2008-2019, and analyze the effect of government subsidies on the entity over-financialization. The results show that government subsidies significantly inhibit the entity over-financialization. Because the government subsidies could increase the performance of enterprise's main business and level of the enterprise's profitability. Subsequently, the enterprise's arbitrage from cross-industries and the managers' composition could be decreased. Consequently, government subsidies could reduce the entity over-financialization by the reduce of enterprise's arbitrage from multi-industries and increase of the managers' composition which is related to the enterprise's performance. The results also indicate that the entity financialization is mainly motivated by enterprise arbitrage rather than 'preventive reserve' in China. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of government subsidies on the entity over-financialization is only significant in the enterprises with non-state-owned, high-tech, and higher level of demand of innovation. Thus, the government should accurately implement subsidy policies for the enterprises and increase the supports for enterprises with high-tech and higher level of demand of innovation, which could promote economy high-quality development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the health of the Diannong River water ecosystem, we collected and analyzed phytoplankton, zooplankton, and microorganisms from the Diannong River in April, July, and October 2021. We also analyzed the physical and chemical factors of the water environment and analyzed the habitat quality. The reference points were determined by the habitat composite index and water quality score. Phytoplankton index of biotic integrity (P-IBI), Zooplankton index of biotic integrity (Z-IBI), and microbial index of biotic integrity (M-IBI) which evaluated the health status of Diannong River were constructed by distribution range analysis, discriminatory ability analysis and correlation analysis of candidate biological indicators. Stepwise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis were conducted to determine the environmental factors driving the changes in aquatic IBI. The results showed that the indicators of P-IBI were the number of Cyanobacteria taxonomic units %, the number of Green Algae taxonomic units%, the relative abundance of Euglena, the relative abundance of Green Algae, and the relative abundance of toxic-producing algae. The indicators of Z-IBI were the total number of zooplankton taxonomic units, the relative abundance of Copepods, the relative abundance of the top 3 dominant species, and the Simpson index; the indicators of M-IBI were the Observed species, the relative abundance of Chloroflexi, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, the relative abundance of the highest dominant taxonomic unit, the relative abundance of the top 5 dominant taxonomic units, the relative abundance of pollution intermediate genus, and the Ace index. The results of the IBI evaluation for three aquatic organisms showed that most of the sites in the upper reaches of the Diannnong River were at healthy or healthier levels; most of the sites in the middle reaches of the Diannnong River and the Yuehai Lake area were at mediocre or poor levels; and most of the sites in the downstream reaches of the Diannong River were average or mediocre levels. the main water environment factors driving the changes in P-IBI were water temperature (WT) and pH. The main water environment factors driving the changes in Z-IBI were total dissolved solids (TDS), WT and total nitrogen (TN); the main water environment factors driving the changes of M-IBI were fluoride ion (F−) and electrical conductivity (EC). This study provides the scientific reference for the application of the index of biotic integrity (IBI) for a variety of aquatic organisms in the river and lake waters and a basis for the management and optimization of the Diannong River aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZ), a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula, is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in China. In this study, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive mass spectrometry was used to identify the metabolites in rat urine and feces after oral administration of HQJZ coupled with Compound Discover 3.0 software. The possible metabolic pathways were calculated and deduced based on 71 previous detected prototype compounds. As results, 88 compounds were identified in urine and feces, respectively. In urine sample, we identified 20 prototype compounds and 68 related metabolites. Meanwhile, a total of 21 prototype compounds and 67 related metabolites were identified in feces. Among them, flavonoids and saponins were the main ingredients in vivo. Further, we also speculated that HQJZ experienced oxidation, reduction, acetylation, methylation and glucuronic acid reaction in urine and feces. This study established a reliable method for the detection of prototype components and metabolites of traditional Chinese medicines, which would provide helpful information for further research into the active substances of HQJZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration of social transformation and “mediatization,” urban women’s parenting practices have become an important factor affecting the demographic structure and national development. The global COVID19 pandemic has further contributed to the networking of social life and the creation of “Internet moms” who rely on the Internet for parenting interactions. Using a mixed-methods design, this paper conducted participant observation and in-depth interviews with 90 mothers from various industries born after 1980/1990 across multiple geographies in China to examine the impact of urban women’s Internet practices on the psychology and practice of parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how they were empowered by media technologies to practice motherhood and complete their role socialization through the sharing of parenting information, experiences, and actions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the changing impact of Internet-based parenting practices on Chinese urban women’s daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the analysis of these influences, it was found that the whole society, including urban parenting groups, paid attention to self-expression and selfworth and further hoped to arouse society’s recognition, face up to the identity of “mother” and “female,” and give more attention and support to women. The study also found that, as interpersonal communication channels were hindered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the power of the Internet, represented by social media, has created a new platform for information empowerment, action mutual, and ideation of motherhood for urban women formerly bound to family and parenting matters. From individual, family, and individual parenting experiences to group, social, and shared scenarios, urban women are engaged in emotional and memory interactions, including motherhood-related expression, experiences, and collaboration. This shift from virtual to physical has reshaped their parenting view, helping them break through the confines of family experience and traditional customs in addition to providing psychological motivation to express their gender concepts, shape their self-image, construct gender power, and interpret intimate relationships, pushing them to become more reflective of the times, as well as more capable and authoritative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People live a long time in pre-diabetes/early diabetes without a formal diagnosis or management. Heterogeneity of progression coupled with deficiencies in electronic health records related to incomplete data, discrete events, and irregular event intervals make identification of pre-diabetes and critical points of diabetes progression challenging.Methods: We utilized longitudinal electronic health records of 9298 patients with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes from 2005 to 2016 from a large regional healthcare delivery network in China. We optimized a generative Markov-Bayesian-based model to generate 5000 synthetic illness trajectories. The synthetic data were manually reviewed by endocrinologists.Results: We build an optimized generative progression model for type 2 diabetes using anchor information to reduce the number of parameters learning in the third layer of the model from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the number of clinical findings, [Formula: see text] is the number of complications, [Formula: see text] is the number of anchors. Based on this model, we infer the relationships between progression stages, the onset of complication categories, and the associated diagnoses during the whole progression of type 2 diabetes using electronic health records.Discussion: Our findings indicate that 55.3% of single complications and 31.8% of complication patterns could be predicted early and managed appropriately to potentially delay (as it is a progressive disease) or prevented (by lifestyle modifications that keep patient from developing/triggering diabetes in the first place).Conclusions: The full type 2 diabetes patient trajectories generated by the chronic disease progression model can counter a lack of real-world evidence of desired longitudinal timeframe while facilitating population health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viewing the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect (SHSC) programme as an initiative of China’s market liberalisation programme, this study examines whether inflowing sophisticated investors induce classification shifting in firms listed on China’s A-share market. Our analysis, based on a difference-indifferences research design, demonstrates that the influx of sophisticated investors has led to classification shifting in non-cross-listed or non-QFII pilot firms after the launch of the SHSC programme in 2014. The study also illustrates the roles of internal corporate governance and external auditor quality in curbing classification shifting. Our study contributes to a more fine-grained understanding of classification shifting and sheds new light on the unintended adverse effects of market liberalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viewing the Shanghai‐Hong Kong Stock Connect (SHSC) programme as an initiative of China's market liberalisation programme, this study examines whether inflowing sophisticated investors induce classification shifting in firms listed on China's A‐share market. Our analysis, based on a difference‐in‐differences research design, demonstrates that the influx of sophisticated investors has led to classification shifting in non‐cross‐listed or non‐QFII pilot firms after the launch of the SHSC programme in 2014. The study also illustrates the roles of internal corporate governance and external auditor quality in curbing classification shifting. Our study contributes to a more fine‐grained understanding of classification shifting and sheds new light on the unintended adverse effects of market liberalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historic records for the Zhou Dynasty of China (1046–256 bce) defined distinct differentiation of social classes, in which ways of life and the afterlife were put into written form to regulate funerary and dietary practices. The presence of social stratification would suggest differences in nutrition during life and in ceremonial values for the afterlife. In this study, we examined grave goods and human skeletons from people of different social classes in the Guo State (虢) during the Spring–Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (771–476 bce). Specimens were excavated from the Shangshihe cemetery in Yima County, Henan Province, China. Differences in total burial values and diet structure between different social ranks, sex, and age groups were assessed using mortuary and isotopic analyses. Our mortuary analysis indicated that there were significant differences in grave size, complexity, and values of grave goods between people of different social classes. The stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis indicated a trend that people buried with two or three coffin layers consumed more animal‐derived, protein‐rich food than people who were buried with one layer of coffin. The elderly might have had better nutrition than younger people did. However, there was no sex‐based difference in nutrition between males and females. Results of these paralleled mortuary and isotopic analyses conform to historic records of social stratification in the Zhou Dynasty of China. Evidence of social stratification and its impact on nutrition and health should be considered while assessing the nutrition and health of ancient human individuals and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forest Research is the property of Forest Research Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We examine whether Chinese firms with better voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and CSR performance engage in earnings management in their financial reporting. Our results show that Chinese firms with better voluntary CSR disclosure are more likely to engage in earnings management through discretionary accruals and less likely to engage in earnings management through real activities manipulation, while Chinese firms with better CSR performance are more likely to engage in earnings management through real activities manipulation and are less likely to engage in earnings management through discretionary accruals. Our evidence shows that consistent with opportunistic theory, the Chinese firms' engagement in CSR practices is based on opportunistic incentives, and voluntary CSR disclosure and CSR performance are being used by these firms as window-dressing tools for earnings management that infringes on the benefits of firm stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether and how political embeddedness influences financial reporting quality in China by investigating how government ownership and political connections affect Chinese listed firms' choices of earnings management strategies. The results show that state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and in particular, central SOEs, are more likely to substitute accrual-based earnings management strategies with costlier but less detectable real earnings management strategies than non-SOEs. The results also indicate that politically connected enterprises (PCEs) are more likely to employ less detectable real earnings management strategies than non-PCEs, so much so that PCEs' total earnings management level is higher than that of non-PCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an important vegetable crop species worldwide. The primary metabolism of this species is essential for its growth, development and reproduction as well as providing a considerable direct source of energy and nutrition for humans. Here, through investigating 77 primary metabolites in 189 accessions including all major horticultural types and wild lettuce L. serriola we showed that the metabolites in L. serriola were different from those in cultivated lettuce. The findings were consistent with the demographic model of lettuce and supported a single domestication event for this species. Selection signals among these metabolic traits were detected. Specifically, galactinol, malate, quinate and threonate were significantly affected by the domestication process and cultivar differentiation of lettuce. Galactinol and raffinose might have been selected during stem lettuce cultivation as an adaption to the local environments in China. Furthermore, we identified 154 loci significantly associated with the level of 51 primary metabolites. Three genes (LG8749721, LG8763094 and LG5482522) responsible for the levels of galactinol, raffinose, quinate and chlorogenic acid were further dissected, which may have been the target of domestication and/or affected by local adaptation. Additionally, our findings strongly suggest that human selection resulted in reduced quinate and chlorogenic acid levels in cultivated lettuce. Our study thus provides beneficial genetic resources for lettuce quality improvement and sheds light on the domestication and evolution of this important leafy green. Significance Statement: We investigate natural variation of 77 primary metabolites among 189 diverse lettuce accessions and find large difference between wild lettuce L. serriola and L. sativa at the metabolic level, which is consistent with the demographic model of lettuce. 154 genome‐wide loci significantly associated with the level of 51 primary metabolites are identified and three genes (LsGol2, LsHCT and LsC'3H) which are potential target of domestication and responsible for metabolic variation are further dissected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) attract worldwide attention because of their effects in clinical application recorded in China historical ancient codes and in records, such as 'Treatise on Febrile Diseases'. With the developments of drug analysis and research, evaluating the in vivo substances in TCMs has become of great importance. Scutellariae Radix (SR, named as huang‐qing in China), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has shown favorable clinical effects and safety in the treatment of infection diseases; however, its in vivo compounds are unclear and need detailed investigation. Methods: An ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF MS) method coupled to an integrated strategy involving diagnostic ions, neutral losses and a prediction platform was used to explore the constituents of SR, and their exogenous substances in rats. Results: A total of 118 chemical constituents mainly featuring five chemical structure types (flavone C‐glycosides, flavone O‐glycosides, free flavones, flavanones and phenylethanoid glycosides) were identified or tentatively characterized in SR, and 175 xenobiotics (68 prototypes and 107 metabolites) were profiled in rat plasma, urine, bile and feces after ingestion of SR. The metabolites were classified into four related chemical groups: flavone C‐glycosides, flavone O‐glycosides, flavanones and phenylethanoid glycosides. Phase II metabolism reactions, such as glucuronidation and sulfation, were the major metabolic reactions in addition to phase I reactions of hydrolysis and hydrogenation. The corresponding main metabolic features of SR in rats were also elucidated. Conclusions: The metabolism of SR, as a whole, was systemically revealed for the first time, and our work also provided meaningful information for pharmacokinetics studies and pharmacological analysis of SR in future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate identification and prediction of high-cost Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is important for addressing the economic burden of COPD. The objectives of this study were to use machine learning approaches to identify and predict potential high-cost patients and explore the key variables of the forecasting model, by comparing differences in the predictive performance of different variable sets. Machine learning approaches were used to estimate the medical costs of COPD patients using the Medical Insurance Data of a large city in western China. The prediction models used were logistic regression, random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). All three models had good predictive performance. The XGBoost model outperformed the others. The areas under the ROC curve for Logistic Regression, RF and XGBoost were 0.787, 0.792 and 0.801. The precision and accuracy metrics indicated that the methods achieved correct and reliable results. The results of this study can be used by healthcare data analysts, policy makers, insurers, and healthcare planners to improve the delivery of health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tianshanbeilu is the largest Bronze Age site in eastern Xinjiang, China. Stretching across the entire second millennium BC, it performed a prominent role in connecting the Hexi corridor, Central China and the steppe. A further insight into the metallurgical tradition and the metal supply network is of vital importance to improve our understanding of its multi‐connected nature. This paper offers a new set of chemical and isotopic data on the copper‐based objects at Tianshanbeilu, including alloying elements, trace elements (impurities) and lead isotopes. Combining the concentrations of arsenic and antimony reveals that arsenic was introduced to copper partially due to the use of specific minerals tethrahedrite‐tennantite. Lead isotopes demonstrate that multiple sources of copper were employed at Tianshanbeilu and a majority of them are characterized by common lead, which appears rather different from those of the Central Plains and the Hexi corridor, but highly consistent with local ores. Surprisingly, one object at Tianshanbeilu contains the well‐known highly radiogenic lead. This object undoubtedly marks the westernmost boundary of the distribution of the highly radiogenic lead. We also anticipate that more lead isotopic analyses in NW China will further contribute to the study of the highly radiogenic lead in Central China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menthae Haplocalycis Herba has been utilized for food and medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years. It has various efficacies, including dispelling wind and heat and relieving sore throat. M. Haplocalycis Herba has been also widely used in food, cosmetics, spices, and other fields. Exploring the constituents and detecting the metabolites of M. Haplocalycis are of great significance to clarify the effective substances. However, the in vivo metabolites of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract are still unclear. Herein, a sensitive and specific method, ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry, established in this assay was used to study the metabolism of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract in rat plasma, urine, and feces. We characterized and identified 9, 50, and 34 metabolites in plasma, urine, and feces, respectively. Seven metabolic pathways, including phase Ⅰ (isomerization, demethylation, hydroxylation, and dehydration) and phase Ⅱ (sulfation and glucuronidation) were mainly involved in the metabolism. It is the first systematic study on the metabolism of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract in vivo, which enrich current understanding of the metabolic behavior of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract and provide a metabolic rationale for further in‐depth in vivo biotransformation and pharmacokinetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly heavy metal resistant strain Cupriavidus metallidurans BS1 was isolated from the Zijin gold–copper mine in China. This was of particular interest since the extensively studied, closely related strain, C. metallidurans CH34 was shown to not be only highly heavy metal resistant but also able to reduce metal complexes and biomineralizing them into metallic nanoparticles including gold nanoparticles. After isolation, C. metallidurans BS1 was characterized and complete genome sequenced using PacBio and compared to CH34. Many heavy metal resistance determinants were identified and shown to have wide-ranging similarities to those of CH34. However, both BS1 and CH34 displayed extensive genome plasticity, probably responsible for significant differences between those strains. BS1 was shown to contain three prophages, not present in CH34, that appear intact and might be responsible for shifting major heavy metal resistance determinants from plasmid to chromid (CHR2) in C. metallidurans BS1. Surprisingly, the single plasmid – pBS1 (364.4 kbp) of BS1 contains only a single heavy metal resistance determinant, the czc determinant representing RND-type efflux system conferring resistance to cobalt, zinc and cadmium, shown here to be highly similar to that determinant located on pMOL30 in C. metallidurans CH34. However, in BS1 another homologous czc determinant was identified on the chromid, most similar to the czc determinant from pMOL30 in CH34. Other heavy metal resistance determinants such as cnr and chr determinants, located on megaplasmid pMOL28 in CH34, were shown to be adjacent to the czc determinant on chromid (CHR2) in BS1. Additionally, other heavy metal resistance determinants such as pbr , cop , sil , and ars were located on the chromid (CHR2) and not on pBS1 in BS1. A diverse range of genomic rearrangements occurred in this strain, isolated from a habitat of constant exposure to high concentrations of copper, gold and other heavy metals. In contrast, the megaplasmid in BS1 contains mostly genes encoding unknown functions, thus might be more of an evolutionary playground where useful genes could be acquired by horizontal gene transfer and possibly reshuffled to help C. metallidurans BS1 withstand the intense pressure of extreme concentrations of heavy metals in its environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZ), a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in China. However, its active substances remain unclear due to the lack of systemic metabolism studies. In this study, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS) was used to detect and identify its metabolites in rat plasma after oral administration of HQJZ coupled with Compound Discover 2.0 software. The possible metabolic pathways were calculated and deduced based on 71 previous detected prototype compounds. As results, a total of 95 compounds were identified in rat plasma, including 11 prototype compounds and 84 related metabolites. Among them, flavonoids and saponins were the main ingredients in vivo. Meanwhile, it was speculated that HQJZ experienced oxidation, reduction, acetylation, methylation, and glucuronic acid reaction in rat plasma. This study established a reliable method for the detection of prototype components and metabolites of TCMs, which could provide helpful information for further research into the active substances of HQJZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the causal factors underlying cornerstone investor (CI) participation in initial public offerings in China's offshore Hong Kong market. Prospectus-based declarations on such allocations suggest that CI undertakings offer strong certification effects. Entrepreneurs planning for IPO thus have a material incentive to court CIs. The present analysis reveals that a firm's pre-IPO financials and governance attributes strongly correlate with success in this field. Specifically, CI participation is greater in issuers with established long-term loan positions. Firms housing younger CEOs and a greater number of family-connected board officers also generate more CI interest. In contrast, the fraction of independent directors and women on boards exert minimal effect. However, further analysis reveals that greater independent director presence strongly supports CI participation in family-centric entities, but imparts little to no effect on such investment in either state-run or non-family-controlled private issuers. Additionally, an issuer's political connections galvanize CI participation. Moreover, the present study highlights the importance of family resources (in non-state sponsored entities) and political connections (in state-held firms) in drawing-in CI involvement. Given the spread of CI arrangements to other primary market settings, the present enterprise also offers guidance on anchor investment elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the relationship between the glazed pottery from southern China and the lead-glazed pottery in northern China in the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD), 34 samples unearthed from Shangyu(上虞), Zhejiang Province have been studied by LA-ICP-AES, SEM/EDS and XRD. The results showed that these samples included the typical lead-glazed pottery, the proto-porcelain and the glazed pottery using both lead and calcium as glaze fluxing agents. Previously, the lead-glazed pottery type was considered as the main northern products during the Han dynasty while the calcium-glazed pottery type or the proto-porcelain was the representative of the south of China. However, apart from the two typical types above, a new variety of glaze categorized as the calcium-lead glaze was discovered in the samples from Shangyu. This indicates that there were technology exchanges and amalgamation of lead-glaze and calcium-glaze between the south and the north during the Han Dynasty. As a result, a new type of glazed potteries with both features was created, which had a more beautiful appearance than the proto-porcelain but perhaps had some undesirable aspects. The manufacturing process of the new variety might also lay foundations for the invention of celadon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bacterial canker of kiwifruit, is a severe global disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Here, we found that Psa biovar 3 (Psa3) was the only biovar consisting of three widely distributed clades in the largest Chinese kiwifruit cultivated area. Comparative genomics between the three clades revealed 13 polymorphic genes, each of which had multiple intra‐clade variations. For instance, we confirmed that the polymorphic copA gene, which encodes a periplasmic protein CopA that is translocated by the Twin‐arginine targeting (Tat) system, was involved in copper tolerance. We also found extensive variation in pathogenicity amongst strains within each genetically monomorphic clade. Accordingly, the pathogenic determinants of Psa3 were identified via a genomic comparison of phenotypically different strains within each clade. A case study of the high‐ and low‐virulence strains in the clade 2 of Psa3 revealed that an hfq variant involved in in vitro growth and virulence, while a conserved locus 930 bp upstream of the hrpR gene in the Type III secretion system (T3SS) cluster was required for full pathogenicity on kiwifruit and elicitation of the hypersensitivity response on non‐host Nicotiana benthamiana. The '‐930' locus is involved in transcriptional regulation of hrpR/S and modulates T3SS function via the hierarchical 'HrpR/S‐HrpL‐T3SS/effector' regulatory cascade in Psa. Our results provide insights into the molecular basis underlying the genetic diversification and evolution of pathogenicity in Psa3 since kiwifruit canker emerged in China in the 1980s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volunteer teaching tourism, as a particular type of volunteer tourism supported by China government, has become an effective supplement to and acceleration for education development in the regions of China where education resources are limited. The motivation and experience of volunteers have a direct impact on the healthy and sustainable development of volunteer teaching tourism. This study therefore aims to identify motivation of Chinese youth participating in volunteer teaching tourism in China, and the relationships between motivation, satisfaction, and behavioral intention are further examined. Empirical results show that in addition to the six motives advanced by Clary et al. (1998), two unique motives are further identified: love of children and desire to travel. Among these eight motives, three have significant effects on post-trip satisfaction, and post-trip satisfaction further influences behavioral intention. The implications benefit both organizational and governmental bodies who seek to develop both national and international volunteer teaching tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The site known as Yinxu (present-day Anyang, Henan, China) is believed to be the last capital of China's first historical dynasty, Shang (ca. 1600-1046 BC). We use stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of human bone collagen to reconstruct the dietary practices of 59 humans from the site Xin'anzhuang (XAZ), a residential neighborhood in Yinxu. By comparing the reconstructed diets with other archaeological and mortuary evidence, the study reveals that the XAZ inhabitants had a varied diet and that their dietary patterns correlate with certain mortuary practices (e.g., burial orientation, burial goods, etc.). This complex internal social stratification suggests that XAZ consisted of an agglomeration of people of different socio-cultural affiliations, confirming the hypothesis that Yinxu was a vibrant and diverse cultural center in early Bronze Age China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research summary: We document the extent of fraudulent reporting among 467 private Chinese technology companies. Comparing the financial statements concurrently submitted to two different state agencies, we demonstrate a systematic gap in reported profit figures in the two sets of books. We find: (1) more than half the sampled companies report incentive-compatible, materially discrepant profit numbers to the two agencies; (2) politically connected companies are approximately 18 percent more likely to commit fraud and those with venture capital backing are 19 percent more likely to do so; and (3) it pays to cheat. We estimate that companies who 'cook' their books have considerably higher odds of receiving an innovation grant. Especially given its prevalence, we conclude that fraud can be a source of performance differential for emerging market companies. Managerial summary: We document that more than half of a sample of 467 private, Chinese technology companies engage in fraudulent financial reporting. By comparing the financial statements companies concurrently submitted to two different state agencies, we demonstrate a systematic gap in reported profit figures in the two sets of books. Relative to the companies without these attributes, we find that politically connected companies are approximately 18 percent more likely to commit fraud and those with venture capital backing are 19 percent more likely to do so. Furthermore, we show that it pays to cheat. We estimate that companies who 'cook' their books have considerably higher odds of receiving a government-sponsored innovation grant. Therefore, fraud can be a source of performance differential for emerging market companies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the military issues that confront the Asian region and cites the military capabilities of each country in the same region. It mentions the threats brought by the acceleration of construction of China in the Spratly, Mischief and Johnson South Islands. It cites the available troops, military equipment and air arsenals that can be deployed by the countries in the region including Taiwan, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is an emerging minimally invasive surgery to reduce abdominal incisions. However, despite the increasing clinical application of SILS, no evidence from large-scale, randomized controlled trials is available for assessing the feasibility, short-term safety, oncological safety, and potential benefits of SILS compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) for colorectal cancer.Methods/design: This is a single-center, open-label, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 198 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to transumbilical single incision plus one port laparoscopic surgery (SILS plus one) group or to a CLS group at a 1:1 ratio. Patients ranging in age from 18 to 80 years with rectosigmoid cancer diagnosed as cT1-4aN0-2 M0 and a tumor size no larger than 5 cm are considered eligible. The primary endpoint is early morbidity, as evaluated by an independent investigator. Secondary outcomes include operative outcomes (operative time, estimated blood loss, and incision length), pathologic outcomes (tumor size, length of proximal and distal resection margins, and number of harvested lymph nodes), postoperative inflammatory and immune responses (white blood cells [WBC], neutrophil percentage [NE %], C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), postoperative recovery (time to first ambulation, flatus, liquid diet, soft diet, and duration of hospital stay), pain intensity, body image and cosmetic assessment, 3-year disease free survival (DFS), and 5-year overall survival (OS). Follow-up visits are scheduled for 1 and 3 months after surgery, then every 3 months for the first 2 years and every 6 months for the next 3 years.Discussion: This trial will provide valuable clinical evidence for the objective assessment of the feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of SILS plus one compared with CLS for the radical resection of rectosigmoid cancer. The hypothesis is that SILS plus one is feasible for the radical resection of rectosigmoid cancer and offers short-term safety and long-term oncological safety comparable to that of CLS, and that SILS plus one offers better cosmetic results and faster convalescence compared to CLS.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02117557 (registered on 16 April 2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus isolated from patients in mainland China during the influenza season from September 2013 through March 2014, and provide guidance on which antiviral to be used for clinical treatment. Methods: The all viruses collected from September 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 were obtained from the Chinese National Influenza Surveillance Network. A fluorescence-based assay was used to detect virus sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs). The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene of the oseltamivir-resistant viruses were sequenced. Results: A total of 24 (2.14 %) influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses that were resistant to oseltamivir were identified. These 24 viruses were isolated from 23 patients and no epidemiological link among them could be identified. Except for one virus with the H275H/Y mixture substitution, all the other 23 viruses had H275Y substitution in the NA protein. Sequence analysis revealed that the amino acid substitutions in the HA protein of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses with H275Y substitution isolated from mainland China were similar to the viruses from clustered cases reported in the United States, and the amino acid substitutions in the NA protein were similar to the viruses reported in Sapporo, Japan in 2013-2014. All of the oseltamivir-resistant viruses in mainland China and Japan possessed additional substitutions N386K, V241I and N369K in the NA protein, while most (>89 %) resistant-viruses from the United States during the same period possess V241I and N369K and did not have the N386K substitution. The N386K substitution was also exist in most sensitive viruses during the same period in mainland China. The amino acid substitutions in both HA and NA protein differed from the clustered cases from Australia reported in 2011 with additional substitutions. The drug-resistant influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 viruses were from patients without any known NAIs medication history prior to sampling. Conclusions: During the influenza season from September 2013 through March 2014 in Mainland China, oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were much more frequently detected than ever since the appearance of the virus in 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends research on the corporate governance practices of transitional economies by examining whether the ability of the audit committee to constrain earnings management in Chinese firms is associated with the listing environment and the presence of government officials on the audit committee. Despite considerable regulatory reforms by the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission, there remain incentives for Chinese firms to manage earnings. However, government initiatives to encourage domestic firms to cross-list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are accompanied by improved governance. We find that the expertise and independence of the audit committee for cross-listed (CL) Chinese firms are associated with lower abnormal accruals, our measure of earnings management. Both domestic only listed firms and CL Chinese firms appoint government officials as independent members on the audit committee. However, due to the political connection between government officials and the controlling shareholder (the State), these appointments can severely mitigate audit committee independence. Subsequently, we find a significant and positive association between audit committee independence and experience and earnings management when there are government officials on the audit committee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the military policies and capabilities of various Asian nations, and it mentions the deterrence-related impact that China's increasing maritime and air-warfare capabilities have on U.S. naval deployments. The Chinese military's development of advanced anti-ship cruise missiles is mentioned, along with India's national security concerns and Chinese-Japanese relations. China's defence economics and defence spending across Asia are also examined.

At the time of Luca Pacioli, in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China remained still the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth, but the age also was the significant transforming period from flourish to decline. In this age of "sprouts of capitalism", accounting-keeping became ubiquitous in the Chinese countryside, cities and market towns, and sanjiaozhang (Tripod bookkeeping) came into use as one type transitional, halfway, non-standardized and indigenous Chinese double entry bookkeeping. Indigenous Chinese double entry bookkeeping originated in Sanjiaozhang, improved in Longmenzhang(Dragon gate bookkeeping), and matured in Sijiaozhang(Four-leg bookkeeping), terminated in the introduction and domination of Western bookkeeping. The article reviews the evolution of Chinese bookkeeping, and analyses the 'substantive rationality' of this evolution on the basis of contemporaneous economic and cultural characteristics. Through the comparative study between Chinese traditional double entry bookkeeping and the Luca Pacioli's Partita doppia, the article tries to explain the reasons of Chinese bookkeeping falling behind Italian-style bookkeeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) markers were developed to assess the genetic variation of populations and clones of Rhopilema esculentum Kishinouye (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomatidae). One hundred and seventy-nine loci from 56 individuals of two hatchery populations and two wild populations were genotyped with five primer combinations. The polymorphic ratio, Shannon's diversity index and average heterozygosity were 70.3%, 0.346 and 0.228 for the white hatchery population, 74.3%, 0.313, and 0.201 for the red hatchery population, 79.3%, 0.349, and 0.224 for the Jiangsu wild population, and 74.9%, 0.328 and 0.210 for the Penglai wild population, respectively. Thus, all populations had a relatively high level of genetic diversity. A specific band was identified that could separate the white from the red hatchery population. There was 84.85% genetic differentiation within populations. Individual cluster analysis using unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) suggested that hatchery populations and wild populations could be divided. For the hatchery populations, the white and red populations clustered separately; however, for the wild populations, Penglai and Jiangsu populations clustered together. The genetic diversity at the clone level was also determined. Our data suggest that there are relatively high genetic diversities within populations but low genetic differentiation between populations, which may be related to the long-term use of germplasm resources from Jiangsu Province for artificial seeding and releasing. These findings will benefit the artificial seeding and conservation of the germplasm resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of developments in the armed forces and military policies of countries in Asia in 2012. An overall trend in which such countries have increased military spending in an effort to improve the capabilities of their armed forces is considered and largely attributed to increased tension in foreign relations in Asia, particularly reactions to China's expansion of its armed forces and assertion of sovereignty in the East and South China Seas. China's commissioning of its first aircraft carrier the "Liaoning" is examined. China's defense industries are discussed. Other countries whose armed forces are examined include Japan, Indonesia and India.

Historical records and archaeological remains indicate that the Chinese agricultural economy changed significantly from the Warring States (475-221 BC) to Han Dynasties (206 BC-220 AD), i.e., from rice-millet based agriculture to rice-millet-wheat based agriculture. However, the variation of human diets and the inner relationship between human diets and the agricultural transition during this period remain poorly understood. In this paper, the C and N stable isotopes from human and animal bones at the Shenmingpu site (SMPS), Xichuan County, Henan Province were analyzed. If some outliers (M34, M36, M102) were excluded, the mean δC value ((−16.7±0.8)‰, n=15) of humans in Han Dynasties was dramatically lower than that in the Warring States ((−12.7±0.8)‰, n=14), indicating that the cultivation of rice and wheat, especially wheat, had been more widely popularized in Han Dynasties. Meanwhile, the range of δN values of humans (6.6‰-9.3‰) in Han Dynasties was narrower than that of the Warring States (6.2‰-10.4‰), suggesting that the animal protein resources in human foods during Han Dynasties were more concentrated. The transition of human diets and the close relationship with the change of agricultural economy in SMPS were due to more stable society, the carryout of new agricultural policies, and the emergence of new agricultural tools in Han Dynasties [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Accumulated evidence reveals that abnormally expressed genes in eutopic endometrium of endometriosis play a critical role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Aims Identification of endometriosis-related genes for further revealing the pathogenesis of endometriosis and offering the basis for developing the molecular-targeted diagnosis and therapy of endometriosis. Methods Forty women with endometriosis and forty control women without endometriosis during their secretory phase were selected for this study. cDNA representational difference analysis ( cDNA- RDA) was performed to screen the up-regulated genes in eutopic endometrium samples of endometriosis ( n = 10) compared with the controls ( n = 10). To validate the results, MAT2A, the most abundantly expressed gene, was selected to detect mRNA and protein levels between eutopic endometrium of endometriosis ( n = 40) and controls ( n = 40) using immunohistochemistry, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Results Ten up-regulated genes were identified in eutopic endometria of endometriosis compared with controls. Among these genes, COX-2, BRAF, NRAS and CFL1 have already been reported to be associated with the endometriosis in previous studies. MAT2A, SEPT9, ATAD3A and CADM2 have been reported to be involved in other diseases but not in endometriosis. NAA15 and CCDC21 have not reported in any diseases. Further study showed that MAT2A protein was localised in both endometrial glandular and stromal cells. Compared with controls, the mRNA and protein levels of MAT2A were significantly higher in eutopic endometrium of endometriosis ( P < 0.05). Conclusions cDNA- RDA can be used to effectively identify the endometriosis-related genes, which can provide novel experimental data and further understand the pathogenesis of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments in transitional economies have long been concerned with whether privatization of state-owned enterprises can improve firm performance and, if so, through which mechanisms this can be achieved. Using 135 publicly listed firms that China privatized via control transfer from 1998 to 2005 as a sample, we investigate whether newly privatized firms enhance incentives of top management and employees and, consequently, whether post-privatization firm performance is improved. Our findings reveal several post-privatization effects: (1) a much lower level of large shareholder expropriation, (2) higher and more performance-sensitive executive compensation, and (3) lower levels of management perk consumption and employment, which increase more slowly when sales grow and decrease more quickly when sales shrink. These enhancements in incentives help explain post-privatization firm performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuvans are mainly distributed in Siberia (the Republic of Tuva), Mongolia, and China. The genetic origin of Chinese Tuvans remains controversial. The Tuvans in China were classified as Mongolians in the early 1950s by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, but they defined themselves as a separate group. To resolve this dispute and determine their genetic relationships with the peoples in Central Asia, we randomly selected 150 male subjects from the Tuvans in the Altai region of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. Fourteen Y chromosomal markers were genotyped using the RFLP method or direct sequencing. These haplogroup data were combined with public data for 15 populations in South Siberia and Central Asia. Tuvans in both China and the Republic of Tuva had the highest frequencies of haplogroups K-M9 and Q-M242. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the Tuvans in China were of a distinct cluster, separated from their neighbors, the Mongolians and Kazakhs, which finding was consistent with the Analysis of Molecular Variances. Further population tree analysis revealed that Tuvans were on a far-separated cluster from their neighbors. Based on these results, we propose that the Tuvans (in both China and the Republic of Tuva) constitute a group distinct from Mongolians and from other Central Asia populations. However, the genetic results might be the consequence of some evolutionary forces like genetic drift and founder effect, and do not necessarily reflect their ultimate origin. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]