Study on the diversification of origins and primary development of Chinese porcelain glazes

With the support of the Origin Exploring of Chinese Civilization Projects (II) and National Natural Science Foundation of China,the close relationship among "pottery coat","kiln sweat" and Chinese proto-porcelain glaze were studied,the characteristics and the key foundation of the origin of porcelain glaze were also discussed based on the relevant research results by Shanghai Institute of Ceramics,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute.

Several Issues in Research on State Emergence in China

There is no consensus in international academia on the absolutely universal appearance of chiefdom in all parts of the world. Making this point clear has positive significance for the correct understanding of the original meaning of the concept and theory of chiefdom. Further researches on the distribution of chiefdoms in Europe and other parts of the world, based on studies of ancient Greek and early medieval Germanic cases, will not change our basic understanding of the chiefdom model＇s applicability to the case of China, nor will it pose a serious challenge to the ongoing researches on state emergence in China. It is undoubtedly very helpful if we diligently apply foreign academic findings to our own studies in this subject, but genuine and in-depth understanding is necessary, if researchers are to accurately interpret and sum up the real implications of these foreign materials. At present, some Chinese scholars have produced various generalizations based on their own understanding of foreign research results. However, since they are not based on careful study of the original literary sources and other materials, those ＂generalized＂ views are often inaccurate. This is a problem that deserves our serious attention in current researches.

Phylogenetic analysis revealed the central roles of two African countries in the evolution and worldwide spread of Zika virus

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus （ZIKV） infections in Oceania＇s islands and the Americas were characterized by high numbers of cases and the spread of the virus to new areas. To better understand the origin of ZIKV, its epidemic history was reviewed. Although the available records and information are limited, two major genetic lineages of ZIKV were identified in previous studies. However, in this study, three lineages were identified based on a phylogenetic analysis of all virus sequences from GenBank, including those of the envelope protein （E） and non-structural protein 5 （NS5） coding regions. The spatial and temporal distributions of the three identified ZIKV lineages and the recombination events and mechanisms underlying their divergence and evolution were further elaborated. The potential migration pathway of ZIKV was also characterized. Our findings revealed the central roles of two African countries, Senegal and Cote d＇lvoire, in ZIKV evolution and genotypic divergence. Furthermore, our results suggested that the outbreaks in Asia and the Pacific islands originated from Africa. The results provide insights into the geographic origins of ZlKV outbreaks and the spread of the virus, and also contribute to a better understanding of ZlKV evolution, which is important for the prevention and control of ZlKV infections.

Social Origins and Political Participation of Private Business Owners in Beijing

Over the past 30 years, Chinese society has undergone an enormous social transition. Along with the rise of a private economy, private business owners have emerged as a new social stratum, which attracts academic attention domestically and internationally. As for the social origins of the private business owners, some of the private business owners are former cadres and current members of the Chinese Communist Party（CCP）. A question rarely pursued is what effects these ties have on political participation of＂ private business owners. The paper explores this question on the basis of data gathered in a representative survey of private enterprises in 2006. The study shows that the Chinese private business owners have diverse social origins, and their behavior in terms of political participation is also distinct in some ways. When it comes to the patterns of political participation of the private business owners, CCP members and former officials among private business owners indeed have unique characteristics in their access to political resources, but the patterns of political participation vary between these two groups. Furthermore, there are also considerable differences between members of the CCP and democratic parties in China in these respects. These findings cast doubt on the common use of CCP membership and occupational experience as cadre as interchangeable indicators for the ＂political capital＂ of business owners. A more differentiated understanding of the nature of political capital and mechanisms by which it is put to use by private entrepreneurs in China is called for.