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To address the challenge of global tourism resources being overloaded or underutilization, there requires an adequate method for assessing the tourism resource carrying capacity (TRCC). However, the majority of previous evaluation perspectives on TRCC are limited by thresholds. This paper develops an innovative approach for assessing TRCC from the "load-carrier" perspective. TRCC is assessed by exploring the interaction between the carriers and loads of tourism resources. Chongqing city in China is employed as the case city to demonstrate the application of the established TRCC method. The conclusions are as follows: 1) This study elaborates the new connotation of TRCC from the perspective of "load-carrier", and establishes the TRCC evaluation system based on the dynamic relationship between the carrier and load of tourism resources. 2) The proposed TRCC evaluation method is proved effective through an empirical study of Chongqing. 3) Chongqing's case unveils that the overload performance of TRCC can be dynamically monitored and predicted. By applying the TRCC evaluation methodology developed in this study, tourism managers and policymakers can identify whether it is the load or the carrier of tourism resources that affect the performance of TRCC, thereby taking targeted policy measures to eliminate potential risks of overload or underutilization. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MER tyrosine kinase (MERTK) upregulation is associated with M2 polarization of microglia, which plays a vital role in neuroregeneration following damage induced by neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, a radiotracer specific for MERTK could be of great utility in the clinical management of MS, for the detection and differentiation of neuroregenerative and neurodegenerative processes. This study aimed to develop an [18F] ligand with high affinity and selectivity for MERTK as a potential positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer. MIPS15691 and MIPS15692 were synthesized and kinase assays were utilized to determine potency and selectivity for MERTK. Both compounds were shown to be potent against MERTK, with respective IC 50 values of 4.6 nM and 4.0 nM, and were also MERTK-selective. Plasma and brain pharmacokinetics were measured in mice and led to selection of MIPS15692 over MIPS15691. X-ray crystallography was used to visualize how MIPS15692 is recognized by the enzyme. [18F]MIPS15692 was synthesized using an automated iPHASE FlexLab module, with a molar activity (A m) of 49 ± 26 GBq/μmol. The radiochemical purity of [18F]MIPS15692 was >99% and the decay-corrected radiochemical yields (RCYs) were determined as 2.45 ± 0.85%. Brain MERTK protein density was measured by a saturation binding assay in the brain slices of a cuprizone mouse model of MS. High levels of specific binding of [18F]MIPS15692 to MERTK were found, especially in the corpus callosum/hippocampus (CC/HC). The in vivo PET imaging study of [18F]MIPS15692 suggested that its neuroPK is sub-optimal for clinical use. Current efforts are underway to optimize the neuroPK of our next generation PET radiotracers for maximal in vivo utility. [Display omitted] • MIPS15692 showed high potency (4 nM) and ∼28 fold selectivity to MERTK over FLT3. • Crystal structure of MIPS15692 complexed with MERTK at 3.06 Å resolution (PDB: 7M5Z). • [18F]MIPS15692 showed specific binding to MERTK in MS murine model in autoradiography. • First time that a [18F]radiotracer has signalled for MERTK in a disease animal model. • First time the B max for MERTK has been determined in brain of a MS animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Light Time Light data is an effective source to assess decoupling performance. • The decoupling performance in China has been improving for period of 1997 to 2018. • Eastern cities of China have better decoupling performance than Western cities. • Cities in each decoupling status need adopt tailor-made emission reduction policies. Decoupling between urban economic growth (EG) and carbon emissions (CEs) has become a common goal globally for sustainable development. As the largest carbon emitter in the world, China has been attempting to reduce its carbon emissions in order to achieve the emission reduction goal promised to the world. This study examines the performance of decoupling between EG and CE in 289 Chinese cities by using the Tapio decoupling method. The Night Time Light (NTL) data are used for measuring the performance of EG. The NTL data are acquired from the data base Scientific Data. The carbon emission data are collected from the data sets released by CEADs. The main findings of this study are as follows. Firstly, Light Time Light data is an effective source to assess decoupling performance. Secondly, the decoupling performance in China has been improving during the study period. Thirdly, the cities in the Northeast and Eastern regions of China have better decoupling performance than those in Western and Central regions. This study shows a holistic picture of the decoupling status in China and provides supportive references for policy makers to make tailor-made measures for sustainable development in Chinese cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's ongoing urbanization has profoundly reshaped local governance with an increasing emphasis on reducing urban-rural inequalities through public investment in the rural areas in order to enhance the wellbeing of villagers. Drawing from more than one decade of intensive field research in a peri-urban area of Guangzhou, our study elucidates how the process of village urbanization has developed into a tri-partite partnership between the local state, the village organizations and the villagers in village asset management and welfare provision. This collaborative model presents an alternative approach to the top-down, state-led urbanization model which has notoriously led to landless villagers and economic dispossession in village urbanization. It also differs from the bottom-up, village corporatist model which tends to oppose integrated urban-rural development. This study attempts to conceptualize the delicate interdependency of the local state, the village collectives and villagers. Our findings offer new insights into the restructuring of state-village relations and explain its implications for community capacity building in periurban China. • Top-down, state-led approach or bottom-up, village corporatist model cannot fully explain China's rural urbanization. • A new coordinate approach driven by a tri-partite partnership is emerging from urban transition of rural villages. • Interdependency of the local state, the collectives and the villagers is a key success factor in China's urbanization. • Top-down local state interventions and bottom-up initiatives complementary rather than substitutes. • Seeking a power balance and enhancing self-governance are essential for the continual success of the coordinative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examines the current prospects for and obstacles facing the implementation of social impact assessment (SIA) and participatory planning in the People''s Republic of China. During the past two decades, rapid urbanisation and the conversion of rural land for urban development have led to numerous social conflicts and tensions between the Chinese government and its people. SIA and public participation in development decisions have received increasing attention from the Chinese authorities as possible ways to tackle the problem. Based on a Guangzhou case study, this paper argues that the assessment and mitigation of adverse impacts on the community from urban development have been carried out with different objectives, core values and principles when compared with those in Western societies. It concludes that the poor prospects of SIA and collaborative planning in China lie not only in the weak framework for environmental legislation, but also in all institutions concerning state–society relations, the socialist governing ideology and traditional Chinese culture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: While the importance of urban management in achieving sustainable urban development is increasingly recognised as being significant by urban managers and the general public, there is still a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding in China about the substance of urban management, which impedes effective implementation. This paper examines some of the problems encountered in urban management practice in Chinese cities, and highlights the importance of a holistic conceptual understanding, and a strategic model for enhancing urban management capacities in the Chinese context. Focusing on a case study of Guangzhou Development District (GDD), the paper demonstrates that the application of a set of measurable evaluative criteria for assessing urban management performance is useful in improving urban management practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rapid economic globalization presents major challenges to the sustainable development of ‘development zones’ in many countries. Development zones in China evolved from the concept of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in the western world. After China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation, however, they have lost their special preferential status to the overseas investors in terms of promotion of industrialization and inward investment. With the changing global and national circumstances, spatial, economic and social transformations are taking place in these development zones. Given the vast number of development zones in China, the successful integration of these development zones into the regional and urban contexts will have great implications on the economic and social development of China. Based upon a case study of Guangzhou Development District (GDD) which is one of the earliest development zones of China, this paper examines the evolution of development zones in the mainland with particular reference to the development problems associated with their urbanisation in recent years. Although this paper primarily focuses on GDD, the findings and discussion will provide insights for other development zones of China in reviewing their development strategies as most of them are sharing similar development problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease with current treatments marred by severe side effects or delivery issues. To identify novel classes of compounds for the treatment of HAT, high throughput screening (HTS) had previously been conducted on bloodstream forms of T. b. brucei , a model organism closely related to the human pathogens T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. This HTS had identified a number of structural classes with potent bioactivity against T. b. brucei (IC 50 ≤ 10 μM) with selectivity over mammalian cell-lines (selectivity index of ≥10). One of the confirmed hits was an aroyl guanidine derivative. Deemed to be chemically tractable with attractive physicochemical properties, here we explore this class further to develop the SAR landscape. We also report the influence of the elucidated SAR on parasite metabolism, to gain insight into possible modes of action of this class. Of note, two sub-classes of analogues were identified that generated opposing metabolic responses involving disrupted energy metabolism. This knowledge may guide the future design of more potent inhibitors, while retaining the desirable physicochemical properties and an excellent selectivity profile of the current compound class. [Display omitted] • SAR exploration of the acyl guanidine hit 1 against T. b. brucei led to the discovery of 27 (IC 50 0.75 μM). • Metabolomics analysis suggested that 18 , 19 , and 29 may be involved in the inhibition of parasite ATP consumption. • In stark contrast, metabolomics analysis suggested that 25 , 34 , 38 and 39 may direct an elevated parasite ATP consumption. • Opposing effects on the metabolic phenotype of ATP are hence observed in subclasses of the same antiparasitic chemotype. • Awareness of the potential of metabolic divergence is paramount when interpreting antiparasitic SAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of smart city has been increasingly accepted as a new technology-based solution to mitigate urban diseases. The Chinese government has been devoting good efforts to the promotion of smart city through introducing a series of policies. However, policies may have limited effectiveness in application if they do not respond to the practice. There is little study examining what results have been achieved in practice by applying policy measures. This study presents a holistic evaluation of smart city performance in the context of China. The evaluation indicators in this study are selected by applying a hybrid research methodology including literature review and semi-structured interviews. Indicator data are collected from 44 sample smart cities. The evaluation was conducted by applying Entropy method and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique collectively. This study highlights that the overall smart city performance in China is at a relatively low level. There is also a significant unbalance in performance between five smart city dimensions including smart infrastructure, governance, people, economy and environment. The smart performance between cities varies significantly since cities implement smart city programs in different ways. These differences impede experience sharing between cities. Actions have been recommended in this study for promoting further development of smart city in the context of China, such as increasing the investment on smart infrastructure, providing training programs, and establishing evaluation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has been implementing huge scale of urbanization in the past several decades and this will continue in the coming future years. Whilst the urbanization growth has presented good benefits to social and economic development in China, it has also brought severe challenges to the resource environment carrying capacity, such as air pollution, overloaded land resources. These challenges present differently in different provinces, which leads to the disparity in development between provinces. There has been growing concern whether the urbanization growth in different provinces is coordinated with resource environment carrying capacity (RECC), but this question has not been addressed in previous studies. This paper presents a critical analysis on the coordination between urbanization growth and resources environment carrying capacity (RECC) from provincial perspective in the context of China. A measurement of coordination degree (CD) is used to measure whether and to what extent that urbanization growth and RECC are coordinated by applying coupling coordination degree model (CCDM). The research data are collected from 30 provinces in China. The results suggest that the average coordination performance among the provinces experienced a steady growth during the period of 2005–2016, but there still exists big room for improvement towards well balanced coordination performance. From provincial perspective, the good performers are mainly economically developed provinces. The findings provide valuable references for the governments at both central and local level to adopt proper policy measures where necessary to improvement the coordination performance between urbanization and RECC. Unlabelled Image • Performance values of UL and RECC are evaluated at provincial level in China. • Coordination degrees between UL and RECC in 30 provinces from 2005 to 2016 are gained. • The coordination between UL and RECC in China has improved significantly. • There still exists big room to further improve the coordination for China. • The good performers are mainly economically developed provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract How to make a better use of derelict industrial sites mostly occupied by state-owned enterprises has presented an increasing challenge to urban regeneration of many Chinese cities. Drawing from the experiences of a landmark project (Xinyi Club) in Guangzhou City, this study examines the course of adaptive reuse of an industrial land and its repercussions on reshaping the urban renewal strategy of the city. We argue that industrial land restructuring requires a pragmatic partnership of the local state with the occupiers and market players, and its flexible decision-making to overcome the constraints of regulatory institutions. Urban regeneration strategy of Chinese cities requires some fundamental transformations of the governing institutions and systems to remove the barriers against bottom-up initiatives in order to expedite the pace of redevelopment. First-mover advantage of the project proponents and the support of local government accounted for the success of the development project in this study. It may not be easily replicable because it is an outcome of exception rather than norm. Highlights • Industrial land restructuring requires flexibility in local regulations. • Temporary land use permit was an exceptional tool in this adaptive reuse project. • Urban regeneration necessitates reforms to remove the institutional barriers. • First-mover advantage accounted for the success of adaptive reuse project. • Successful landmark projects may not be replicable without policy support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective evaluation on the coordination between socio-economy (V) and carbon emission (W) is essential for sustainable urban planning, and this study introduces an improved coupling coordination degree (CCD) model for conducting such evaluation. The limitation of the traditional CCD model has been examined. The effectiveness of the improved CCD model is demonstrated with its application in 30 case provinces of China by using the data collected for the period 1995–2015. The results show that: (1) The subjectivity embodied in the traditional CCD model in analyzing the coordination between V and W significantly distorts the true coordination between the two systems. (2) The improved CCD model is effective as its application can reflect the reality of the sample cases. (3) The average coordination degrees of the 30 case provinces for the surveyed period show an upward evolution, and the coordination statuses of these provinces have been transforming from low-grade symbiosis to high-grade symbiosis. (4) The spatial distribution of coupling coordination degree in China is characterized by a higher degree of coordination in the Eastern provinces. The results of applying the improved coupling coordination degree model can help decision makers formulate effective sustainable measures to balance socio-economic development with carbon emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hong Kong is an international metropolis with a highly dense population. As a result, it faces enormous challenges in terms of land supply. As part of the Hong Kong Government's initiative to increase land supply, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) proposed minor relaxation of the maximum plot ratio/building height restrictions for 21 target sites in Kai Tak Development Area (KTDA). Although CEDD has explored the feasibility of increasing development intensity by assessing environmental impacts, infrastructure capacity and public consultation, these reviews and assessments were conducted based on the 2D GIS. Since the spatial distribution of land unit in the real world is three-dimensional, 3D GIS can help us look into the world in true perspective and make informed decisions. This study aims to investigate the viability of minor relaxation of maximum plot ratio/building height restrictions of 21 sites in KTDA through 3D modeling and 3D spatial analyses, including skyline, visual impact, shadow and solar exposure. Regarding to the 21 target sites, four scenarios with different plot ratios and building heights were built and compared. The results indicate that minor relaxation of maximum plot ratio and building height leads to (i) minor effect on skyline (ii) minor effect on visual impact and (iii) slight changes in shadow and solar exposure both in winter and summer. Therefore, in light of the findings from this study, scenario 4 is the recommended reasonable scale to relax the maximum plot ratio/building height restriction for the target sites in KTDA. Besides, this study can also be applied in the urban renewal studies and other new development areas in Hong Kong, or even in other densely populated cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of global urbanization, high-density cities faces enormous challenges on land supply. Hong Kong is a megacity with a long-term lack of land and housing supply. To increase the development intensity of built-up areas in Hong Kong, a minor relaxation of plot ratio/building height restrictions for twenty-one sites in the three target study areas of Kai Tak Development Area has been approved by the Town Planning Board in 2015. This study aims at providing scientific evidence on the impact of this relaxation and possible further relaxations using 3D spatial analyses and simulation technologies. After a 3D model of Kai Tak and surrounding areas being generated, effects of increased PR/BH on skyline, visibility, shadow and insolation, air temperature, and wind ventilation were successfully analysed based on five scenarios. Research findings indicated that, except the extreme case of Scenario 5, no significant changes were found in Scenario 2, Scenario 3 and Scenario 4 when compared with the original plan of Scenario 1. As a pilot study focusing in Hong Kong, this research may also serve to provide new methodological and theoretical insights to facilitate rational discussion and debate on changing land development density in other similar hyper-dense cities. • We measure impacts of minor relaxation of maximum plot ratio/building height restrictions. • 3D models of Kai Tak and surrounding areas are established in GIS virtual environment. • We simulate changes of visual and microenvironment using 3D spatial analyses under five scenarios. • The most recommended scenario and implications are discussed based on the analysis results. • The proposed approach can be applied to other cities in the similar context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]