Understanding the Relationship Between Shrinking Cities and Land Prices:Spatial Pattern,Effectiveness,and Policy Implications

Urban shrinkage has emerged as a widespread phenomenon globally and has a significant impact on land,particularly in terms of land use and price.This study focuses on 2851 county-level cities in China in 2005–2018(excluding Hong Kong,Macao,Taiwan,and‘no data’areas in Qinhai-Tibet Plateau)as the fundamental units of analysis.By employing nighttime light(NTL)data to identify shrinking cities,the propensity score matching(PSM)model was used to quantitatively examine the impact of shrinking cities on land prices,and evaluate the magnitude of this influence.The findings demonstrate the following:1)there were 613 shrinking cities in China,with moderate shrinkage being the most prevalent and severe shrinkage being the least.2)Regional disparities are evident in the spatial distribution of shrinking cities,especially in areas with diverse terrain.3)The spatial pattern of land price exhibits a significant correlated to the economic and administrative levels.4)Shrinking cities significantly negatively impact on the overall land price(ATT=–0.1241,P<0.05).However,the extent of the effect varies significantly among different spatial regions.This study contributes novel insights into the investigation of land prices and shrinking cities,ultimately serving as a foundation for government efforts to promote the sustainable development of urban areas.

How China's Grain-for-Green Project Contributes to Farmers' Income Growth

Initially intended to prevent water and soil erosion, China＇s Grain-for-Green Project （GGP） also has had economic impacts on farmers＇incorne and employment. Based on the poverty monitoring survey data between 2006-2010 from National Bureau of Statistics （NBS）, this paper evaluates the GGP＇s policy effects with respect to farmers＇ income, non-agricultural employment and poverty alleviation. Our findings suggest that contributing to the GGP, farmers＇ income including GGP subsidies increased significantly compared with the pre-GGP level,＂ however, if GGP subsidies are not taken into account, the increase in farmers＇non-agricultural income after the GGP could only compensate.for the income losses from farmland reduction, showing an insignificant effect. Second, there exist significant differences on employment tendency among GGP households. High-income households tend to engage in operation business in forestry, livestock and fishery activities, while medium-income families are more inclined to seek employment outside, and the differences attribute to the inter-group intrinsic characteristics. Lastly, the GGP＇s poverty alleviation effect varies with the difference in poverty standard. Overall the GGP＇s poverty alleviation effect is significant.

Impact of TI Programmes Intervention under National AIDS Control Programme among Female Sex Workers in India: Evidence from Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey, 2014-15

Background: A better understanding of the impact of Targeted Interventions (TI) services on Female Sex Worker (FSW) behaviours can help in informing and strengthening future TI efforts under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Methods: National Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey (IBBS) 2014-15 has been analysed in the paper. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to understand factors affecting condom use. Propensity score matching (PSM) was done to understand the impact of the TI services on condom use at the last act and consistent condom use in the last three months among FSWs. Results: Younger FSWs aged 15 - 25 years were 1.4 times (95% CI: 1.04 - 1.77) more likely to use consistent condoms in the last three months compared to older over 45 years after controlling for other socio-economic and programme variables. The matched samples estimate ATET i.e. the average treatment effect on treated for consistent condom use in the last three months shows that a 6.0% (CI: 4.7 - 7.3) increase in consistent condom use in the last three months in the FSWs who received information on STI/HIV from peer educator and outreach worker. There is also a 6.0% (4.7 - 7.2) increase in condom use in the last act for FSWs who received the referral services at STI clinics, HIV testing, and detox centres. Conclusions: It is evident that the TI programme has a positive impact on behavior change among FSWs which can prove beneficial to curtail the spread of HIV to the partners and onward transmission to the general population.

The Role of Family Migration in Child Development:A Propensity Score Matching Analysis Based on Migrant and Non-Migrant Infants and Young Children

Based on the survey data of 4,739 infants and young children(IYC)under 3 years old,the study uses the propensity score matching(PSM)method to examine the role of family migration in infant and young child development(IYCD).The study finds that the development of migrant IYC is significantly behind that of non-migrant IYC in the real-world situation.After controlling for confounders at the individual and family levels,there is no significant statistical difference in early development between migrant IYC and non-migrant IYC.Moreover,family migration does not play a significant role in IYCD in different subgroups after PSM.To protect the rights of migrant families and IYC in accessing public services,the Chinese government should build a social security policy system for migrant families and ensure starting point fairness for migrant IYC.

Robotic-assisted versus open total pancreatectomy: a propensity score-matched study

Background:Total pancreatectomy(TP)is a complex surgical procedure with significant postoperative morbidity.Despite the narrowed range of indications for TP,the introduction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the increasing complexity of surgical resections performed in high-volume centers has increased the number of annually performed TPs,especially regarding malignant disease.The introduction of robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery has provided a novel and minimally invasive approach for TP,yet the feasibility of this technique is still unknown.This study assessed the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted total pancreatectomy(RTP)compared to conventional open total pancreatectomy(OTP).Methods:All patients who underwent TP between March 2015 and July 2019 in a high-volume institution for pancreatic surgery were included in this retrospective study.Clinical data and perioperative outcomes were derived from the prospectively maintained institutional database.A 1:1 propensity score matching(PSM)method was utilized to compare the RTP and OTP cohorts to minimize bias.Results:A standardized surgical protocol was utilized for RTP following a learning curve of RPD and RDP.The median operative time for patients who underwent RTP was significantly decreased compared to those who underwent OTP[300(IQR,250-360)vs.360 min(IQR,300-525),P=0.031].Additionally,en bloc resection and spleen-preserving rates were also higher in the RTP cohort.Major 30-day morbidity(Clavien-Dindo>IIIa)and 90-day mortality were similar between the two cohorts.After a median follow-up time of 15(IQR,8-24)months,both the RTP and OTP cohorts had a comparable quality of life regarding exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.Conclusions:RTP appears to be safe and feasible when utilized in high-volume centers for the indicated management of benign and highly selected malignant pancreatic disease.However,further prospective randomized studies are needed to assess the feasibility of this approach.

Effect of sharing health messages on antenatal care behavior among women involved in microfinance-based self-help groups in Bihar India

Background:Bihar state in India has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality in South Asia.Microfinance-based self-help groups(SHGs),involving rural women,are being utilized to improve maternal and child health practice and reduce mortality.SHG members receive information on key maternal and child health practices as well as encouragement for their practice.This study measures the association of health messaging to SHG members with their antenatal care(ANC)behaviors.Methods:The study was conducted in eight districts of Bihar in 2016.A three-stage cluster sampling design(with a random selection of blocks,villages,and SHGs)selected the sample of 1204 SHG members who had an infant child;of these,597 women were members of SHGs that received dedicated sessions on health messages,while 607 women belonged to SHGs that did not.To examine the impact of the health intervention on ANC practice,radius caliper method of propensity score matching controlled for various socio-demographic characteristics between the two groups.Results:Most of the interviewed women(91.5%)belonged to a scheduled caste or tribe.Nearly 44%of SHG members exposed to the health intervention were engaged in some occupation,compared to 35%of those not exposed to the intervention.After matching unexposed SHG women with exposed SHG women,no significant differences were found in their socio-demographic characteristics.Findings suggest that exposure to a health intervention is associated with increased likelihood of at least four ANC visits by SHG women(ATE=7.2,95%CI:0.76-13.7,p<0.05),consumption of iron-folic acid for at least 100 days(ATE=8.7,95%CI:5.0-12.5,p<0.001)and complete ANC(ATE=3.6,95%CI:2.3-4.9,p<0.001),when compared to women not exposed to the health intervention.Conclusions:The study shows that sharing health messages in microfinance-based SHGs is associated with significant increase in ANC practice.While the results suggest the potential of microfinance-based SHGs for improved maternal health services,the approach’s sustainability needs to be further examined.

The Effect of Online Channel Addition on Store Performance:Empirical Evidence from Chinese Chain Retailers

With the rapid development of e-Commerce and takeaway platforms, retailers have gradually developed multi-channel operations. However, limited empirical studies explored the effects of an online channel offered by takeaway platforms on the store performance. Does an online channel addition have a synergy effect or a cannibalization effect on store performance? We empirically investigate these effects by analyzing a large dataset including diverse samples collected from multiple retailers across various regions. The dataset includes 2115 stores across 25 retailers for 10 months that includes two types of retail formats and covers 16 provinces and 21 cities of China. We study the impacts of the newly introduced online channel on the incumbent offline channel and the overall store performance.The empirical results reveal that the online channel addition mainly has a synergy effect. Specifically,for the overall store, it has a positive effect on the sales and product variety, whereas it has a negative effect on the basket size. Surprisingly, an online channel addition also has a positive effect on the offline sales. Our study adds novel values to multi-channel retailing literature by empirically researching the cannibalization and synergy effect of a new type of online channel, offered by takeaway platforms. It can provide insights for retail enterprises who are interested in introducing O2 O model.

Voluntary Disclosure of Auditors＇ Report on Internal Control： Firm Characteristics and Economic Consequences

Using propensity score matching （PSM） and the difference-in- difference （DID） approach, this paper explores the characteristics of listed Chinese firms that voluntarily disclose auditors＇ reports on internal control and the economic consequences. Using a sample of non-financial firms listed on the main boards of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange between 2006 and 2010, we find that firms are more likely to voluntarily disclose their auditors＇ reports on internal control if they have higher state ownership, lower managerial ownership, sanction records, audit committees, non-Big Four auditors as their auditors of annual financial reports, unqualified auditors＇ opinions on financial reports, less board independence, after controlling for firm size, liabilities, performance, and history. Moreover, as compared to a control group that exhibits similar characteristics, firms that voluntarily disclose auditors＇ reports on internal control are associated with positive earnings quality and negative cost of equity capital.