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Development of mammalian auditory epithelium, the organ of Corti, requires precise control of both cell cycle withdrawal and differentiation. Sensory progenitors (prosensory cells) in the cochlear apex exit the cell cycle first but differentiate last. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is required for the spatiotemporal regulation of prosensory cell differentiation, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that suppressor of fused (Sufu), a negative regulator of Shh signaling, is essential for controlling the timing and progression of hair cell (HC) differentiation. Removal of Sufu leads to abnormal Atoh1 expression and a severe delay of HC differentiation due to elevated Gli2 mRNA expression. Later in development, HC differentiation defects are restored in the Sufu mutant by the action of speckle-type PDZ protein (Spop), which promotes Gli2 protein degradation. Deletion of both Sufu and Spop results in robust Gli2 activation, exacerbating HC differentiation defects. We further demonstrate that Gli2 inhibits HC differentiation through maintaining the progenitor state of Sox2 + prosensory cells. Along the basal–apical axis of the developing cochlea, the Sox2 expression level is higher in the progenitor cells than in differentiating cells and is down-regulated from base to apex as differentiation proceeds. The dynamic spatiotemporal change of Sox2 expression levels is controlled by Shh signaling through Gli2. Together, our results reveal key functions of Gli2 in sustaining the progenitor state, thereby preventing HC differentiation and in turn governing the basal–apical progression of HC differentiation in the cochlea.

This article explores how the group identity is constructed in the process of individualization by reconstructing the public life of square-dancing groups. The study finds that, on the one hand, groups whose members retired from the work-unit and whose family structure is waning obtain institutional identities and group membership through external forces. On the other hand, groups play different roles, relying on three types of capital including power, ability, and relationships, and they ultimately reshape the collective identity of the groups with the internally made identity consensus and the externally assimilated identity mechanism. With the social changes in China, the groups have achieved identity construction during the interaction between the state and the individuals. The mutual influence of the reflexive actions of individuals and the support of the state system is also addressed in this paper. Thus, in the interaction between the state and the individual, the basic question of whether free individuals can achieve a universal connection that allows them to maintain public life is answered.

In recent years, square-dancing has produced a widespread social influence in China and has led to the emergence of a new type of ‘cultural life’. This article focuses on the emergence and significance of Chinese square-dancing as group cultural life. Square-dancing is a kind of public fitness activity with both fitness and spirit-enriching functions. It is an important carrier of social communication. Individuals enter the square space through ‘guanxi (relationship and connections with others)-seeking’ and spontaneous interest. Through role stratification and interactions among small groups, ‘dance teachers’ – ‘backbone members’ – ‘ordinary members’ interactive circle community life is formed inside the square-dancing group. This group activity, on one hand, awakens the memory of the individual’s collective life and realizes the inheritance of the collective culture; on the other hand, it realizes the reconstruction of collective ritual through the form of group performance.

According to the self-determination theory, intrinsic motivation is very essential for adolescents’ development as it can yield many positive outcomes. Therefore, this study focuses on rural adolescents’ intrinsic motivation, an issue that has not received sufficient attention in previous studies. This study also considers the effects of the natural intrapsychic process and the social-cultural context on rural adolescents’ intrinsic motivation from the ecological perspective. The data used in the study are from a survey of 995 rural adolescents in China. The results showed that individuation and traditional Chinese culture had positive effects on rural adolescents’ intrinsic motivation, although their interaction effect was negative on their intrinsic motivation. These findings imply a need to boost rural adolescents’ intrinsic motivation and balance it with traditional Chinese culture.

Flourishing, which comprises positive emotions and functioning, is a new dimension of well-being. This study attempts to explore rural Chinese children’s flourishing by focusing on this new perspective. Moreover, this study aims to examine the potential factors that influence rural children’s flourishing. One is ego identity exploration, which is a required and essential process during the period in which children grow up. Culture is also an important determinant affecting children’s well-being and development. Therefore, this study aims to examine how ego identity exploration and traditional Chinese culture affect rural children’s flourishing from micro and macro perspectives. Herein, to achieve these objectives, this study collected 997 valid samples at the end of 2017 in Liaoning Province. The results show that left-behind status is a predicting factor affecting rural children’s flourishing in Mainland China, although the effect of left-behind status is weak. This study also finds that ego identity exploration and traditional Chinese culture have positive effects on rural children’s flourishing respectively, whereas their interaction effect has a negative effect on their flourishing. Regarding these findings, this study has discussed the potential reasons and provided some practical suggestions to foster rural adolescents’ flourishing.

Chinese Abstract: 美國次按危機的主要原因是100%的購房貸款，大大增加了違約風險。內地首付貸款以P2P 方式出現，無疑是在複製美國次按危機。在樓市熱銷、樓價飛漲之後的一到兩年時間，不良貸款將開始湧現，樓市泡沫便極可能破滅。不過，危中有機，中國一線城市周邊經濟發展較快、基礎設施逐漸完善的二三線城市，房地產具有一定投資價值。English Abstract: The main cause of the subprime crisis in the United States rests entirely with housing loans, which greatly increased default risks. Loans for property down payments in mainland China have emerged from the peer-to-peer lending sector, and without a doubt is a repeat of the American subprime crisis. In the aftermath of a heated property market and rising housing prices, nonperforming loans will begin to emerge in great numbers, and the popping of the property bubble becomes a likely prospect. However, in danger lies opportunity. The economies around China’s first-tier cities are rapidly developing, and infrastructure is gradually improving in second- and third-tier cities. Real estate will definitely have an investment value.