China and the knowledge economy : challenges and opportunities

The rapid pace of economic growth in China has been unprecedented since the start of economic reforms in late 1970s. It has delivered higher incomes and made the largest single contribution to global poverty reduction. Measured by international poverty lines, from 1978-2004, the absolute poor population in rural areas has dropped from 250 million to 26.1 million. Such gains are impressive and have been driven largely by a set of market-oriented institutional reforms, strong investment, and effective adoption and application of various knowledge and technologies, especially foreign ones through trade and foreign direct investment. While enjoying tremendous success, China also faces many challenges that need to be addressed to sustain its long-term development. These include weak institutions, low overall educational attainment, weak indigenous innovation capacity, poor links between research and development and industries, and so on. This paper provides an analysis of some strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges to China's knowledge economy in the areas of economic incentives and institutional regime, human capital, innovation system, and information infrastructure.

Challenges to China’s Education and Training System and the New Global Context

To put the need for developing a system of lifelong learning for China in context, this chapter begins by summarizing some of the daunting challenges China is facing in education and training. It summarizes some of the key elements of what could be called a knowledge revolution that are making education and training critical elements of competitiveness. It then summarizes some of the key global trends in education and training. It concludes with a section of why investments in education and training are important in this new global context of rapid change and constant restructuring

Effects of Nano-MnO2 on Dopaminergic Neurons and the Spatial Learning Capability of Rats

This study aimed to observe the effect of intracerebrally injected nano-MnO2 on neurobehavior and the functions of dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes. Nano-MnO2, 6-OHDA, and saline (control) were injected in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area of Sprague-Dawley rat brains. The neurobehavior of rats was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expressions in rat brain were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the escape latencies of nano-MnO2 treated rat increased significantly compared with control. The number of TH-positive cells decreased, GFAP- and iNOS-positive cells increased significantly in the lesion side of the rat brains compared with the contralateral area in nano-MnO2 group. The same tendencies were observed in nano-MnO2-injected rat brains compared with control. However, in the the positive control, 6-OHDA group, escape latencies increased, TH-positive cell number decreased significantly compared with nano-MnO2 group. The alteration of spatial learning abilities of rats induced by nano-MnO2 may be associated with dopaminergic neuronal dysfunction and astrocyte activation

Implementazione dei SIC marini della Regione Veneto: Ambienti di Transizione ed aree costiere.

Diatomite, a porous non-metal mineral, was used as support to prepare TiO2/diatomite composites by a modified sol–gel method. The as-prepared composites were calcined at temperatures ranging from 450 to 950 _C. The characterization tests included X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements. The XRD analysis indicated that the binary mixtures of anatase and rutile exist in the composites. The morphology analysis confirmed the TiO2 particles were uniformly immobilized on the surface of diatom with a strong interfacial anchoring strength, which leads to few drain of photocatalytic components during practical applications. In further XPS studies of hybrid catalyst, we found the evidence of the presence of Ti–O–Si bond and increased percentage of surface hydroxyl. In addition, the adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity of synthesized TiO2/diatomite composites were evaluated by studying the degradation kinetics of aqueous Rhodamine B under UV-light irradiation. The photocatalytic degradation was found to follow pseudo-first order kinetics according to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. The preferable removal efficiency was observed in composites by 750 _C calcination, which is attributed to a relatively appropriate anatase/rutile mixing ratio of 90/10

Association between Shift Work and Health Outcomes in the General Population in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shift work may adversely affect individuals’ health, thus, the current study aimed to investigate the association between shift work and health outcomes in the general population. A total of 41,061 participants were included in this online cross-sectional survey, among which 9612 (23.4%) individuals engaged in shift work and 31,449 (76.6%) individuals engaged in non-shift work. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the association between shift work and health outcomes (psychiatric disorders, mental health symptoms, and physical disorders). In addition, associations between the duration (≤1 year, 1–3 years, 3–5 years, 5–10 years, ≥10 years) and frequency of shift work (p p p < 0.001). In addition, inverted U-shaped associations were observed between the duration of shift work and health outcomes. These results indicated that shift work was closely related to potential links with poor health outcomes. The findings highlighted the importance of paying attention to the health conditions of shift workers and the necessity of implementing comprehensive protective measures for shift workers to reduce the impact of shift work

Pattern and associated factors of cognitive failures in the general chinese population during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide has caused a high burden of mental problems, which may be associated with subjective cognitive impairment in the general population. Objectives: This cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the level and pattern of cognitive failure (CF) and its negative changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among the general population in China. Methods: The participants completed an online questionnaire between April 18 and May 4, 2020, and those aged between 18 and 70 were included in this study. CF was measured using the 14-item CF Questionnaire (CFQ-14). Factors associated with CF and negative changes in CF were evaluated using multiple linear and logistic regression models. A total of 30,879 eligible participants were recruited; most were female (59.10%) and aged 31–45 (61.51%). Results: The mean CFQ-14 score was 15.62 (standard deviation = 11.55), and 4,619 (14.96%) participants reported negative changes in CF during the pandemic. Multiple regression analyses showed that participants with female gender, history of physical and mental disease, the self-perceived influence of COVID-19, altered appetite and taste preference, worse interpersonal relationships, long sleep duration, poor sleep quality, depressive, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms had a higher level of CF and negative CF changes, while regular exercise was associated with a lower risk of both outcomes. Conclusions: This study indicates that CF symptoms should be monitored in the general population during pandemics. A healthy lifestyle and reduction in psychological stress could help promote normal cognitive function during pandemics