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The upgrade of industrial structure is one type of momentum for improving urban ecological efficiency, and exploring the nexus between them can help implement the concept of green development. Using data from 284 cities in China between 2004 and 2019, this research employs a series of econometric models to examine how improving industrial structure contributes to the growth of urban ecological efficiency. The research results reveal that urban ecological efficiency can be significantly improved by industrial structure upgrade, while ecological efficiency is inhibited by low-quality GDP and financial development models and insignificantly decreased by industrial structure rationalization. In addition, industrial structure upgrading has failed to play a mediating role in promoting eco-efficiency through technological innovation and the reduction of pollutant emission intensity. Moreover, officials' turnover plays a negative moderating influence on the role of industrial upgrading in increasing ecological efficiency, while environmental regulation plays the opposite role. This study further conducts triple heterogeneity tests including city size, resource endowment, and regional heterogeneity, which provide a feasible way for further implementation of relevant policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current guidelines recommendations for the initial dose of prednisolone (PSL) in the treatment of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) are based on low-quality studies. We designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the efficacy and safety of using a low initial dose of PSL with a standard initial dose of PSL in SAT patients. This open-label RCT was conducted at five hospitals in China from June 2019 to January 2022. SAT patients with moderate-to-severe pain or a poor response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental and control groups. The initial dose of PSL was 15 mg/d in the experimental group and 30 mg/d in the control group. The primary outcome was the total duration of PSL treatment, with non-inferiority prespecified with a margin of 7 days. Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR1900023884. The full analysis set included 60 patients (30 in each group). The mean duration of PSL treatment in the experimental and control group was 34.62 ± 14.12 and 41.18 ± 16.89 days, respectively, meeting the non-inferiority criterion (pnon-inferiority = 0.0006). The total dose of PSL used in the experimental group was lower than in the control groups (330 vs 595 mg, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in the mean time to pain relief and complete resolution, the occurrence of recurrence, hypothyroidism, or adverse events between the groups. The initial dose of 15 mg/d of PSL was not inferior to the dose of 30 mg/d in terms of efficacy and showed a similar safety profile. A low initial dose of PSL could be recommended for Chinese adult SAT patients who have a suboptimal response using NSAIDs or experience moderate-to-severe pain. Low initial dose (15 mg/d) of prednisolone was non-inferior to the standard initial dose of prednisolone (30 mg/d) in treatment duration, time to pain relief, or the prevalence of hypothyroidism, recurrence, and adverse reactions in the treatment of subacute thyroiditis. Patients with subacute thyroiditis administered a low initial dose of prednisolone had a lower total dose of prednisolone compared to those receiving the standard dose of prednisolone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and hypertension, and the association between NIHL and hypertension using occupational physical examination data of 42,588 noise-exposed workers from local enterprises in Yangzhou between 2015 and 2017. The average binaural high-frequency threshold on average (BHFTA), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 23.09 ± 11.32 dB, 126.85 ± 15.94 mm Hg and 79.94 ± 11.61 mm Hg. The prevalence of NIHL and hypertension were 24.38% and 25.40%. An increased risk of NIHL and hypertension was observed in the groups of males, aged >35 years, noise exposure time >5 years, noise exposure level >85 dB(A) and smoking. 32.25% NIHL workers had hypertension. NIHL workers were at higher risk of hypertension (adjusted OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.02–1.13). This study shows that the noise-exposed workers have high risk of developing NIHL and hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, application of biochar is an important management practice that can affect soil physico-chemical and biological properties. However, biochar is characterized by high pH and ash content, and due to this, little is known of potential salinization risk of application of biochar to soil. Laboratory incubation experiments were conducted with three replications comprising five treatments according to application rates of biochar (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 g kg−1 (wt/wt)). The results indicated that application of corn straw biochar to black soil at the rate of 400 g kg−1 resulted in significant increases in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable K+ and soluble K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, and decreases in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable Ca2+ in comparison to untreated soil. Based on stepwise regression analysis, the dominant independent variable that affected soil pH was exchangeable K+ saturation percentage. In addition, EC was significantly positively related to potassium adsorption ratio (PAR). It was concluded that increased soil pH and EC are related to biochar (pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C) with higher concentration of K+ and lower CEC. This is due to increased exchangeable and soluble K+ and decreased soil buffering capacity from high application rate of biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-origin food has been suggested as the main dietary source of perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) for humans, and pork liver is a major contributor. The nationwide survey data of PFASs from pork liver in China was limited. This study determined 17 PFASs in pork liver samples from 30 regions including different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, using traditional high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The average detection rate of PFASs (≥the limit of detection, LOD) in pork liver samples throughout China reached 97.4%, with ΣPFASs of 1.80 μg/kg. Both in areas with well-developed manufacturing industries and in non-production areas of perfluorinated compounds, PFASs were widely detectable in pork liver samples, especially for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS). The detection rates of PFOA and PFOS (≥LOD) were 77.0% and 86.1%, with contents of 0.160 μg/kg and 0.397 μg/kg. The risk assessments of PFOA and PFOS from pork liver for different populations demonstrated the necessity for continuous exposure monitoring and risk investigation of PFASs. This work accomplished systematic and nationwide determination data of PFASs in pork liver, and provides a valuable reference for contamination monitoring and risk assessment of PFASs from animal origin food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) root and leaf have always been considered in the traditional theory as hot and cold properties, respectively. To clarify the hot and cold properties of ginseng root and leaf from a thermodynamic viewpoint. Thirty ICR male mice were randomly assigned to control (water), ginseng root group (GRP) and ginseng leaf group (GLP) with a concentration of 0.075 g/mL; the volume was 0.1 mL/10 g (body mass) per day by intragastric administration for 20 days. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) was used to determine quality control through seven ginsenosides contained in ginseng root and leaf. Rest metabolic rate (RMR) and energy expenditure were monitored every 9 days by TSE System. At the 20th day, serum T3 or T4, liver or brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondrial respiration were investigated. The quality control of GRP and GLP were within requirements of 2015 China Pharmacopoeia. The RMR (mLO2/h) in GLP (47.95 ± 4.20) was significantly lower than control (52.10 ± 4.79) and GRP (55.35 ± 4.48). Mitochondrial protein concentration and respiration were significantly increased in GRP (BAT, 79.12 ± 2.08 mg/g, 239.89 ± 10.24 nmol O2/min/g tissue; Liver, 201.02 ± 10.89, 202.44 ± 3.24) and decreased in GLP (BAT, 53.42 ± 3.48, 153.49 ± 5.58; Liver, 138.69 ± 5.69, 104.50 ± 6.25) compared with control. The hot and cold properties of ginseng root and leaf are correlated with thermogenic capacity and mitochondrial function of BAT and liver, which deserve to further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhododendron mole (Blume) G. Don is an attractive ornamental and valuable medicinal plant which widely distributed in the southern regions of China. In order to promote the studies on the genetic diversity of this species, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of R. molle by using the genome skimming approach. The results showed that the cp genome of R. molle exhibited a quadripartite cycle with 197,877 bp, comprising of two inverted repeats (IRs) of 43,831 bp separated by a large single copy (LSC) region of 110,189 bp and a quite small single copy (SSC) region of 26 bp. It encodes 146 genes, including 92 protein-coding, 46 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the cp genome was 36.0%. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that R. molle is closely related to R. delavayi. Thus, the cp genome sequence of R. molle provides a rich source of genetic information for studies on Rhododendron taxonomy, phylogeny, and evolution, as well as lays the foundation for further development and utilization of R. molle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the strategic entry of Chinese private enterprises (PEs) into Africa by analyzing their characteristics of host distribution and overseas companies’ function and type. They find that Chinese PEs tend to invest in countries where Chinese investment has already concentrated, that more Chinese PEs engage in manufacturing and services than in agriculture and mining and quarrying, and that Chinese PEs take higher risks by choosing the type of subsidiary companies to enter Africa. They also make an empirical study of the determinants of Chinese PEs compared with state-owned enterprises in the period 2002–2011 and found Chinese PEs in Africa are driven mainly by the motivation of market-seeking, not by resource-seeking; China's imports from the host country also facilitate Chinese companies’ investment in Africa; and Chinese companies in Africa are risk-takers. At the end of the article, they study the case of Touchroad and verify the results of their empirical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has a long history of taxing agriculture, with special levies on output. Whether farm households are taxed on a lump-sum basis or as a proportion of output is an important issue. This paper develops a theoretical model to understand better the effects of the lump-sum and proportional taxation on agricultural output. It then empirically investigates the predictions using tax and output data on Chinese agriculture. The theoretical model predicts that lump-sum taxation affects only consumption, while proportional taxation simultaneously affects consumption, capital inputs and final output. Although the main tax policy targeted output, our results suggest that taxation had only a modest impact on output since it was effectively applied as lump sum taxation brought about by localized levies and taxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we highlight the fact that Chinese literacy acquisition can be a very different experience across societies because of the diversity of Chinese learning environments. There are at least three ways in which this diversity can be documented. First, Chinese families often speak different languages or dialects, and the language spoken at home may differ from the one used for educational instruction at school. Such languages may sensitize or desensitize children to different aspects of language crucial to reading, such as phonological awareness. Second, some Chinese societies use traditional script, whereas others use simplified script for teaching Chinese. There are likely relative benefits and difficulties to using each. For example, compared to simplified script, the traditional script is relatively difficult to learn to write, but it may be easier to learn to recognize. Finally, educational approaches to literacy, including age of instruction, whether or not a phonological coding system is used as an aid to Chinese word recognition, and even when English literacy skills are additionally taught, differ across Chinese societies. Because of these potential sources of variability across Chinese learning environments, Chinese literacy development warrants extensive research at multiple levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]