Why Do Women Have Longer Unemployment Durations than Men in Post-Restructuring Urban China?

This paper provides the first systematic analysis of the reasons why women endure longer unemployment durations than men in post-restructuring urban China using data obtained from a national representative household survey. Rejecting the view that women are less earnest than men in their desire for employment, the analysis shows that women's job search efforts are handicapped by lack of access to social networks, social stereotyping (that married women are unreliable employees), unequal access to social reemployment services stemming from sex segregation prior to the displacement, and wage discrimination in the post-restructuring labor market.Gender inequality, unemployment duration, Oaxaca-decomposition

Chaotic dynamics in Bertrand model with technological innovation

In this paper, the dynamics of a Bertrand duopoly game with technology innovation have been studied, which contains boundedly rational and naive players. They have been analyzed that the stability of the equilibrium point, the bifurcation and chaotic behavior of the dynamic system. It has been proved that technology innovation has played a very important role in the stability of Nash equilibrium point. Technology innovation can enlarge the stability region of the speed and control the chaos of the dynamic system effectively

Investigation of the effects of temperature and ions on the interaction between ECG and BSA by the fluorescence quenching method

The effects of temperature and common ions on binding (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) are investigated. The binding constants (Ka) between ECG and BSA are 1.20 Ч 106 (17°C), 1.38 Ч 106 (27°C), and 5.69 x 106 L mol-1 (37°C), and the number of binding sites (n) were 1.14, 1.15, and 1.26, respectively. These results showed that the increasing temperature improves the stability of the ECG-BSA system, which results in a higher binding constant and the number of binding sites of the ECG-BSA system. The presence of Co2+ and Zn2+ ions decreased the binding constants (Ka) and the number of binding sites (n) of ECG-BSA complex. However, the presence of Cu2+ and Ni2+ increased the affinity of ECG for BSA largely. The positive ΔH and positive ΔS indicated that hydrophobic forces might play a major role in the binding between ECG and BSA

Study on the trade-off/synergy spatiotemporal benefits of ecosystem services and its influencing factors in hilly areas of southern China

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate the factors influencing ecosystem service trade-offs/synergies (TOSs) in major agricultural production areas in the southern hilly region and to propose optimization strategies to promote ecosystem sustainability in agricultural areas.MethodsThe study used a geographical detector to analyze the determinants influencing the ecosystem service trade-offs as well as correlation analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and a geographical detector to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service and TOS relationships from 2000 to 2020 in Hunan Province.ResultsThe results showed that the comprehensive value of ecosystem services in Hunan Province showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2020. With spatial heterogeneity, the areas with high values were mainly distributed in the hilly areas in the west, south, and east of Hunan Province, and the areas with low values were mainly distributed in the Dongting Lake Plain and the Xiangzhong Hilly Basin. There was a trade-off relationship between food production (FP) and all other ecosystem services, of which FP has the strongest trade-off effect with habitat quality (HQ). The synergy effect between HQ, water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), and soil conservation (SC) shows an increasing trend. Gross domestic product (GDP) and SLOPE are the dominant factors for the strength of trade-offs between food supply and other ecosystem services, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are the dominant factors for the strength of synergy effects among ecosystem services. The strength of TOS effects of ecosystem services is determined by interactions or co-influences between the two services rather than by a single component.DiscussionThe results of this study can provide a reference basis for the enhancement of ecosystem services and the sustainable planning of agricultural landscapes in the southern hilly areas

Effect of Solder Joint Thickness on Intermetallic Compound Growth Rate of Cu/Sn/Cu Solder Joints During Thermal Aging

The sandwich structure Cu/Sn/Cu solder joints with different thicknesses of the solder layers (d) are fabricated using a reflow solder method. The microstructure and composition of the solder joints are observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that the thickness of intermetallic compound (IMC) and Cu concentration in the solder layers increase with the decrease of d after reflow. During thermal aging, the thickness of IMC does not increase according to the parabolic rule with the increase of aging time; the solder joint thickness affects markedly the growth rate of IMC layer. At the beginning of thermal aging, the growth rate of IMC in the thinner solder joints (d 25 lm) is higher than that in the thicker ones (d ! 30 lm). The growth rate of IMC (d 25 lm) decreases in the thinner solder joints, while increases in the thicker solder joints (d ! 40 lm) and is nearly invariable when the d equals to 30 lm with aging time extending. The growth rate of IMC increases first and then decreases after reaching a peak value with the increase of d in the later stage during aging. The main control element for IMC growth transfers from Cu to Sn with the reduction of size

A novel approach to primary cell culture for Octopus vulgaris neurons

Octopus vulgaris is a unique model system for studying complex behaviours in animals. It has a large and centralized nervous system made up of lobes that are involved in controlling various sophisticated behaviours. As such, it may be considered as a model organism for untangling the neuronal mechanisms underlying behaviours – including learning and memory. However, despite considerable efforts, Octopus lags behind its other counterparts vis-à-vis its utility in deciphering the cellular, molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying various behaviours. This study represents a novel approach designed to establish a neuronal cell culture protocol that makes this species amenable to further exploitation as a model system. Here we developed a protocol that enables dissociation of neurons from two specific Octopus’ brain regions, the vertical-superior frontal system and the optic lobes, which are involved in memory, learning, sensory integration and adult neurogenesis. In particular, cells dissociated with enzyme papain and cultured on Poly-D-Lysine-coated dishes with L15-medium and fetal bovine serum yielded high neuronal survival, axon growth, and re-growth after injury. This model was also explored to define optimal culture conditions and to demonstrate the regenerative capabilities of adult Octopus neurons after axotomy. This study thus further underscores the importance of Octopus neurons as a model system for deciphering fundamental molecular and cellular mechanism of complex brain function and underlying behaviours

A comparison of breastfeeding among Han, Uygur and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang, PR China

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is an important factor in infant health and there have been no previous studies of breastfeeding practices in the different ethnic groups of this region of China. We aimed to compare breastfeeding rates and duration between Han, Uygur and other ethnic groups living in Xinjiang, PR China. METHODS: A longitudinal study of infant feeding practices was undertaken using a sample that included different ethnic groups. Mothers were randomly recruited and interviewed in hospitals and after discharge were contacted in person or by telephone at approximately monthly intervals to obtain details of infant feeding practices. Setting: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. Subjects: A total of1219 mothers (578 Han, 360 Uygur and 281 'other minority' mothers) who delivered babies during 2003 and 2004 were interviewed in five hospitals or institutes located in both urban and rural areas. RESULTS: 'Any breastfeeding' rates in Han, Uygur and 'other minority' groups at discharge were 88.5 %, 94.3 % and 97.1 % respectively, and at six months 76.7 %, 54.7 % and 87.6 % respectively. While 'exclusive breastfeeding' rates in the Han, Uygur and 'other minority' groups at discharge were 78.0 %, 34.5 % and 83.1 % respectively, at six months they had fallen to 4.8 %, 0.4 % and 16.8 % respectively. The median duration of 'Exclusive breastfeeding' of Han, Uygur and 'other minority' babies were 1.5, 0.1 and 2.5 months respectively. The Uygur babies were least likely to be 'exclusive breastfed'. CONCLUSION: Uygur babies were least likely to be 'exclusive breastfed' and continued to 'any breastfeed' at six month. The 'any breastfeeding' rates in the Han group were lower in the first four months. An education program focused on breastfeeding continuation and exclusive breastfeeding is necessary in Xinjiang, especially for Uygur and Han ethnic groups