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The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of tandem repetitions in exon III of the DRD4 gene on the features of human decision‐making in a model of choosing tourist attractions by adult residents of China. The study included 380 subjects: 162 (42.6%) men and 218 (57.4%) women. The mean age of the subjects was 31.7 ± 3.32 years. As a result of the survey of subjects, 5 groups of motivations for choosing tourist attractions were identified, and the frequency of their use, including the identified combinations, was determined. Using the genotyping method, the frequency of DRD4 subtypes among the subjects was determined, and their relationship with the indicated attraction selection groups was studied. It has been established that there is a significant dependence of the frequency of choosing the attractors 'relaxation', 'desire for novelty' and 'self‐realization' and their combinations on the frequency of occurrence of the DRD4 2R, 4R and 5R+ subtypes in the study groups. A conclusion was made about the possible mechanism of the influence of manifestations of DRD4 subtypes on the choice of tourist attractors by implementing the neurophysiological influence of the genome on reducing the sensitivity of brain receptors to dopamine, which stimulates behaviours that compensate for the need for additional emotional influences. This work complements the existing knowledge about the impact of human innate properties on the characteristics of his behaviour and possible patterns of influence of human genotype variability on decision‐making and suggests further possible directions of research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The goal was to examine (a) how parental involvement affects mental health in left‐behind children (LBC), and (b) how the interaction effect of parental involvement and grandparent involvement affects mental health in LBC. Background: Given the rapid industrialization and urbanization in China, a substantial number of rural laborers have migrated to cities to earn a living. However, it is difficult for many children to stay with their parents and they have to be left behind. Methods: The sample consisted of 309 left‐behind children who had grandparents to care for them. The participants completed the Inventory of Father Involvement, Inventory of Mother Involvement, Inventory of Closest Grandparent Involvement, Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Emotional Experience of Well‐being Questionnaire. Results: Needs satisfaction mediated the effect of father involvement on emotional well‐being (EWB) and the effect of mother involvement on EWB in LBC. The closest grandparent involvement of LBC moderated the effect of mother involvement on needs satisfaction, but it did not moderate the effect of father involvement on needs satisfaction. The closest grandparent involvement of LBC moderated the indirect effect of mother involvement on EWB through needs satisfaction. Conclusions: Needs satisfaction is an essential mediator between parental involvement and EWB. Grandparental involvement of LBC plays a complementary role in mother involvement. Their interaction effect facilitates the fulfilment of needs, and improves their EWB in LBC. Implications: The mental health of LBC can be improved by helping their mothers and grandparents to meet various needs of LBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous experimental studies have regarded distraction, an emotional regulation strategy, as an attentional disengagement strategy and considered it to be maladaptive in the long term. This study intends to further examine the relationship between distraction and negative emotions by using a questionnaire and a multiple mediation model. A total of 723 college students completed the distraction, cognitive reappraisal and problem-solving subscales of the Measurement of Affect Regulation Styles, the Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Meaningful Life Measure, and the Emotional Experience Questionnaire of Well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed, and mediation effects were tested. The results showed that (1) distraction was used significantly more frequently than problem-solving and cognitive reappraisal, with a large effect size (partial η2 = 0.321 > 0.138), and (2) distraction had an effect on negative emotions through two multiple mediation paths, i.e., positive emotion—cognitive reappraisal—meaning in life, and positive emotion—problem-solving—needs satisfaction. Distraction reduces negative emotions by enhancing positive emotions and facilitating cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, meaning in life and needs satisfaction. It is not a kind of avoidance but a temporary rest to strive for a better life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to demonstrate that capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy is non-inferior to capecitabine conventional chemotherapy as maintenance treatment, in patients who have responded to 16-18 weeks first-line chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).Methods: The study design is a prospective, randomized, open label, phase II clinical trial. Those patients with mCRC who respond well after 16-18 weeks of standard doublet chemotherapy as induction may be enrolled into this study, and randomly assigned to the capecitabine metronomic group or standard dosage group. The duration of disease control after randomization and progression-free survival after enrollment are the primary endpoints. Overall survival, safety, and quality of life are the secondary endpoints. The sample size required to achieve the research objectives of this project is 79 patients in each group. The study recently started on 1 January 2018, and will last for 36 months.Discussion: This project is intended to study the efficacy and safety of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy in the maintenance treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, and to explore the strategy of "low toxicity, high efficiency, economy, and individualization", which is suitable for China's national conditions and pharmacoeconomics. It has great prospects for clinical application and a clear socioeconomic value.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03158610. Registered on 15 May 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hitherto, a population-based analysis of the cause of death in urban areas of Western China has not been undertaken over an extended period. The aims of this study were to calculate the overall and annual cause-specific mortality rates by age and sex in urban areas of Western China from 2003 to 2012 and to evaluate the quality of the data.Methods: We used Excel software, cause-of-death registrations, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes to calculate the overall and yearly cause-specific crude mortality rates by age and sex, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate, and life expectancies.Results: In the Jiulongpo District from 2003 to 2012, there was an increase in the number of death case reports in the census-registered population, a decrease in the number of omitted deaths, and rise in the crude mortality rate. Except for 2003, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate was the lowest in 2012 (330.83/100,000) and highest in 2005 (390.08/100,000). Life expectancy increased from 78.36 years in 2005 to 81.67 years in 2012.Conclusions: With the development of its social economy, the Chinese government and public attach greater importance to cause-of-death surveillance. The quality of cause-of-death registrations has gradually increased, crude mortality rates have risen, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate has fallen, and life expectancies have increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have explored the set points of the positivity ratio by grouping according to predetermined cut-off scores, resulting in inconsistent criteria and unstable results. This study intends to further explore the set points of the positivity ratio using latent profile analysis. Two samples of 716 college students and 381 adults in China completed the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being, the Personal Growth Subscale from Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale, the Need Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Emotional Experience of Well-Being Questionnaire. College students were classified into four classes (2.0, 2.8, 3.7 and 5.0) with the set points of the positivity ratio, whereas adults were classified into three classes (1.9, 2.9 and 4.2) with the set points of the positivity ratio. The difference of the set points between college students and adults was nonsignificant for medium and high well-being classes, and significant with a small effect size for the higher well-being class. Future research should examine more diverse samples and combine the real experience method to further explore the set points of the positivity ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For bilingual children, the results of language and literacy screening tools are often hard to interpret. This leads to late referral for specialized assessment or inappropriate interventions. To facilitate the early identification of reading difficulties in English, we developed a method of screening that is theory-driven yet suitable for first-language (L1) and second-language learners of English. We administered five conventional tests (phonological awareness, vocabulary, Wide Range Achievement Test–4 [WRAT-4] spelling, letter identification, rapid naming of digits) to 127 five-year-olds (60 English-L1, 67 Mandarin-L1) about 6 months after they started kindergarten, and used the WRAT-4 word reading score 6 months later as the outcome measure. Consistent with previous research, and with children with reading disabilities defined as below the 25 percentile on the reading outcome, logistic regression revealed that the full set of screening measures predicted reading disability status. However, when each predictor was taken as a single measure, spelling scores provided the best fit in terms of the compromise between sensitivity (.75) and specificity (.73) for an optimal cutoff point. Based on this exploratory study, group-administered spelling tasks could provide an efficient solution to screening difficulties in large classes of bilingual children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in mainland China, the S1 gene of 63 IBVs isolated after 1993 was amplified by reverse transcription (RT) -polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Our results showed that the sequence length of 63 IBV strains ranged from 1.608 to 1.635 nucleotide (nt). Compared to the published representative strains, the homology of S1 nt sequences and their deduced amino acid (aa) residues between these isolates and reference strains ranged from 74.6% to 99.9% and 71.7% to 100%, respectively. Analysis of S proteins demonstrated that 63 isolates had eight kinds of cleavage sites (RRFRR, RRIRR, RRSKR, RRTGR, RRHRR, HRRRR, RRSRR and RRLRR), and the amount of RRFRR and HRRRR reached 46. Furthermore, the study showed that there was no direct relation between cleavage sites and genotypes, and cleavage sites were unable to decide the pathology types. Compared to vaccine strain H120, S1 nt sequences of 63 isolates had four sites deleted or inserted frequently, and the S1 proteins had three hypervariable regions. A comprehensive study was also carried out to study the S1 nt sequences of 63 isolates, 210 published reference strains and 10 vaccine strains; the investigation showed that all these stains could be divided into two types including 11 kinds of genotypes by the phylogenetic analysis. However, 63 isolates belonged to Mass, American, LX4, LHLJ/95 I, LDT3/03, J, BJ and LDL/97 I genotypes, and the LX4 genotype was co-circulated dominantly in chicken flocks over an 18-year period. It indicated that there were several IBV genotypes with new changes circulating in China, emphasizing the importance of continued IBV surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The display of the slogan 'harmony' in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing seems to signify that China is moving toward a new conception of Communism. However, the pursuit of a harmonious society is not new in Chinese history. It is actually rooted in the complex Chinese tradition, especially that of Confucianism. The idea of ren (benevolence) is often considered as the prime ideology of Confucianism, but through a closer look at Chinese traditions, one will find that Chinese familism is positioned at the core of Chinese culture. The harmony the Confucianist seeks is situated in the unequal relationship in propriety defined by familism which has profound impact on the Chinese leadership formation as shown in the Chinese imperial system. Since Confucianism is deeply rooted not only in Chinese culture but also in the cultures of its neighborhood, understanding leadership formation in the context of Confucianism can be crucial to the effectiveness for mission leaders involved in Asian leadership in the marketplace and in the ecclesial practices. It is my argument that harmony, as expressed in the unequal relationship of Chinese familism, which is the driving force of leadership formation for the Chinese over the last two millennia, can be revitalized through the expression of harmony as defined by Max De Pree in his conception of leadership formation: mutually edifying participation between persons who are stewarding God-given gifts. The first task of this paper is to define Chinese familism. This is followed by a comparative analysis of leadership formation within the Chinese cultural context, in light of the current leadership discoveries emanating from the West. The paper concludes with a presentation of potential ways in which familial ideals might be integrated with De Pree's leadership principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsurgical anatomy and clinical applications have been widely and extensively practiced throughout the mainland of China since late 1970s. During the 1980s to 1990s, Chinese surgeons and anatomists developed many new flap donor sites and modifications, most of which were published in Chinese literature. These achievements were not fully realized by the Western surgeons. In this overview, we attempt to give a brief introduction of these contributions made by the Chinese authors in the mainland. Of the new flaps first or independently described by the Chinese, most were in the limbs. These flaps can be classified into three categories. First are free flaps with a main artery trunk, such as the radial forearm flap with radial artery, the medial leg flap with posterior tibial artery, and lateral leg flap with peroneal artery. Second are reverse-flow island flaps based on distal main vascular bundles (e.g., the radial artery and venae comitantes, the ulnar, the posterior tibial, and the peroneal arteries). Third are septocutaneous perforator flaps that avoid sacrifice of the main artery trunk, which include the anterolateral thigh flap, lateral lower-leg flap, dorsoulnar flap, distally adipofascial pedicled radial forearm flap, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of marattialean raches are reported from the coal balls in Coal Seam No.7 in the upper part of the Taiyuan Formation (early Early Permian) from Taiyuan, Shanxi, China and are assigned to the genus Stipitopteris Grand'Eury (Psaroniaceae). The present specimens are different from all six reported species of the genus, and are therefore proposed as a new species: Stipitopteris shanxiensis. The raches of the new species are generally dorsi-ventrally flattened. The main raches usually exhibit scales of different forms on their surface. Beneath the epidermis is a zone of parenchymatous cells, some of which contain tannin-like contents. Inside this is a zone of small sclerenchymatous cells. Inward are the ground tissue and vascular bundles. The vascular bundles are continuous and are in two circles: the outer circle assumes a transversely elliptical shape with the gap and pinna trace, and the inner circle assumes a shallow C-shape with inrolled ends. The ground tissue located at the inner side of the vascular bundle is composed of thicker-walled parenchymatous cells. The cells of the ground tissue are vertically elongated in longitudinal sections. Subordered raches are smaller and have simpler structures than the main raches. The parenchyma zone beneath the epidermis is thinner, usually one to two cells wide and the sclerenchyma zone is usually absent. The scales are poorly developed and there is only one C-shaped vascular bundle. The new species is comparable to the crosiers of Psaroniaceae of the Euramerican Flora in some aspects, for example, it has a dorsi-ventrally flattened rachis and scales on the surface of the rachis. However, the other features and the preservative conditions of the present specimens indicate that they are not crosiers, but fully developed or mature raches. The new species is the first well-studied anatomically-preserved rachis of Psaroniaceae from the Cathaysian Flora and bears significance not only in understanding the anatomy and taxonomy of Psaroniaceae in the Cathaysian Flora, but also in the relationship between the Euramerican Flora and the Cathaysian Flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Graph: Figure 3 (a) Mean vertical displacement velocities throughout the NCP derived from the Sentinel-1A (S1A) data by using persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR), (b) statistics of the subsidence rates at persistent scatterer (PS) points, (c) changes in the area with subsidence over 50 mm from 2016 to 2018, and (d) changes in the maximum subsidence rates from 2016 to 2018: PP, CP, and LP represent the piedmont alluvial-proluvial plain, central alluvial-lacustrine plain, and littoral plain, respectively. Replace Graph: Figure 3 (a) Mean vertical displacement velocities throughout the NCP derived from the Sentinel-1A (S1A) data by using persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR), (b) statistics of the subsidence rates at persistent scatterer (PS) points, (c) changes in the area with subsidence over 50 mm from 2016 to 2018, and (d) changes in the maximum subsidence rates from 2016 to 2018: PP, CP, and LP represent the piedmont alluvial-proluvial plain, central alluvial-lacustrine plain, and littoral plain, respectively. Recent Ground Subsidence in the North China Plain, China, Revealed by Sentinel-1A Datasets. [Extracted from the article]

Groundwater resources have been exploited and utilized on a large scale in the North China Plain (NCP) since the 1970s. As a result of extensive groundwater depletion, the NCP has experienced significant land subsidence, which threatens geological stability and infrastructure health and exacerbates the risks of other geohazards. In this study, we employed multi-track Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets acquired by the Sentinel-1A (S1A) satellite to detect spatial and temporal distributions of surface deformation in the NCP from 2016 to 2018 based on multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MT-InSAR). The results show that the overall ground displacement ranged from −165.4 mm/yr (subsidence) to 9.9 mm/yr (uplift) with a standard variance of 28.8 mm/yr. During the InSAR monitoring period, the temporal pattern of land subsidence was dominated by a decreasing tendency and the spatial pattern of land subsidence in the coastal plain exhibited an expansion trend. Validation results show that the S1A datasets agree well with levelling data, indicating the reliability of the InSAR results. With groundwater level data, we found that the distribution of subsidence in the NCP is spatially consistent with that of deep groundwater depression cones. A comparison with land use data shows that the agricultural usage of groundwater is the dominant mechanism responsible for land subsidence in the whole study area. Through an integrated analysis of land subsidence distribution characteristics, geological data, and previous research results, we found that other triggering factors, such as active faults, precipitation recharge, urbanization, and oil/gas extraction, have also impacted land subsidence in the NCP to different degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microbial mats from the Jixian Group, North China were systemically investigated and three types of them were recognized. • Five kinds of sedimentary structure which were built by or related to microbial mat were recovered. • Bottleneck structures and bubble structures have been recovered and studied for the first time. Microbial mats were well established and widespread during the Proterozoic eon, playing a pivotal role in atmospheric oxygen content. In this study, microbial mats were systematically investigated from the 1600 Ma to 1400 Ma Jixian Group, North China. Three types of microbial mats were recognized, including Microbial Mat dominated by Filaments (MMF), Microbial Mat dominated by Coccoids (MMC), Microbial Mat dominated by Filaments and Coccoids (MMFC). These microbial mats were mainly built by Siphonophycus kestron , Siphonophycus solidum , Myxococcoides sp. and Coniunctiophycus majorinum. Due to in situ preservation, five sedimentary structures related to photosynthesis and oxygen release were discovered in these microbial mats. The alternating light-dark laminae and bottleneck structure may be caused by immediate mineralization and phototropism of filaments in a hypersaline environment. Bubble structure, fenestrae structure and hourglass structure probably were related to oxygen release, and their emergence fill the gap between oxygenic photosynthesis of microbial mat and atmospheric oxygen content in Proterozoic eon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiotic microbiomes play important roles in hosts' adaptation and evolution. Here, the gut bacterial communities in Cephalcia chuxiongica, a key pest of pines in China, were studied for the first time by using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The composition of gut bacterial communities differed in different C. chuxiongica geographic populations but interestingly, the phylogeny and diversity of gut microbiota correlated with host geographic/genetic distance, that is the microbiota was more similar as the geographic/genetic distance decreased, and vice versa. The various microbes performed similar functions and showed functional complementation, in which most of identified KEGG pathways were shared by different populations with metabolism being the most dominant functional pathway and the function of major microbes associated with host dietary specialization (pine needles), such as cellulose degradation. In addition, some microbes also associated with host biological characteristics, such as Wolbachia with parthenogenesis and Serratia with the long‐term larval diapause in C. chuxiongica. Therefore, the synergy of environmental and host factors shapes the structure of gut microbiota and gut microbiota play essential roles in host physiology and adaptation, suggesting some kind of symbiosis and coevolution. These results demonstrate the important contribution of gut microbiota and provide a sound foundation for developing control strategies for this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City taxi service systems have been empirically studied by a number of data-driven methods. However, their underlying mechanisms are hard to understand because the present mathematical models neglect to explain a (whole) taxi service process that includes a pair of on-load phase and off-load phase. In this paper, by analyzing a large amount of taxi servicing data from a large city in China, we observe that the taxi service process shows different temporal and spatial features according to the on-load phase and off-load phase. Moreover, our correlation analysis results demonstrate the lack of dependence between the on-load phase and the off-load phase. Hence, we introduce two independent random walk models based on the Langevin equation to describe the underlying mechanism and to understand the temporal and spatial features of the taxi service process. Our study attempts to formulate the mathematical framework for simulating the taxi service process and better understanding of its underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fertility desire for a second child has been a lively topic since the implementation of the two-child policy in China. Chinese researchers have explored various factors influencing the fertility desire for a second child. However, there have not been studies on the individual differences in the relative fertility costs and fertility benefits and their effects on fertility desire for a second child. Methods: A total of 396 participants rated four kinds of relative fertility costs, four kinds of fertility benefits and their fertility desire for a second child. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to explore the individual differences in the relative fertility costs and fertility benefits and their effects on fertility desire for a second child. Results: Stepwise regression analysis showed that parenting joy, health risks, mutual care among siblings, the flourishing of family, and time pressure and opportunity cost significantly predicted the fertility desire for the second child. According to the latent profile analysis, the participants were classified into four classes. Participants in the lowest-cost/lowest-benefit and high-cost/medium-benefit classes had low fertility desire for a second child, while those in the low-cost/high-benefit and highest-cost/highest-benefit classes had high fertility desire. Conclusion: Fertility benefits have a stronger effect on the fertility desire for a second child than relative fertility costs. Fertility benefits should be paid more attention to than relative fertility costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies exploring whether metastatic organotropism and risk in gastric cancer (GC) differ by primary anatomical site are scarce. Methods: This study included 15,260 and 1623 patients diagnosed with GC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database and the Nanfang Hospital in China, respectively. Patients were stratified according to primary site of GC, and the incidence of metastasis to different organs was used to determine the metastatic organotropism for each GC subsite. Finally, the metastatic organotropism and risk were compared among the different subsite groups. Results: Liver metastasis was the most common metastasis site in cardia GC, whereas other‐site metastases were more common in the body, antrum, overlapping lesions, and unspecified GCs. Liver and other‐site metastases were also frequently observed in the fundus, pylorus, lesser curvature, and greater curvature GCs. Patients with GC with definite primary tumor sites in the SEER and validation Nanfang hospital cohorts were compared by grouping as proximal and distal GCs for further analysis. In the SEER cohort, the top three metastatic sites of proximal GC were liver (21.4%), distant lymph node (LN) (14.6%), and other‐site (mainly peritoneum, 11.9%), whereas those of distal GC were other‐site (mainly peritoneum, 19.5%), liver (11.8%), and distant LN (9.5%). The incidence of metastasis to the liver, distant LN, lung, and brain was significantly higher in patients with proximal GC than in those with distal GC in both the SEER and Nanfang cohorts (p < 0.05). However, metastasis to other‐site/peritoneum was significantly lower in patients with proximal GC compared to those with distal GC in the Nanfang Hospital and SEER cohorts, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Liver and distant LN are the preferred metastatic sites for proximal GC, whereas peritoneal metastasis is more common in distal GC. Proximal GC has a higher risk of lymphatic and hematogenous metastases, and a lower risk of transcoelomic metastasis than distal GC. Our findings highlight the need to stratify GC by its primary subsite to aid in planning and decision‐making related to metastatic management in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Margin trading in which investors purchase shares with money borrowed from brokers is blamed to be a major cause of the 2015 Chinese stock market crash. We propose a cascading failure model and examine how an increase in margin trading increases share price vulnerability. The model is based on a bipartite graph of investors and shares that includes four margin trading factors, (i) initial margin k , (ii) minimum maintenance r , (iii) volatility v , and (iv) diversity s . We use our model to simulate margin trading and observe how the share prices are affected by these four factors. The experimental results indicate that a stock market can be either vulnerable or stable. A stock market is vulnerable when an external shock can cause a cascading failure of its share prices. It is stable when its share prices are resilient to external shocks. Furthermore, we investigate how the cascading failure of share price is affected by these four factors, and find that by increasing v and r or decreasing k we increase the probability that the stock market will experience a phase transition from stable to vulnerable. It is also found that increasing s decreases resilience and increases systematic risk. These findings could be useful to regulators supervising margin trading activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimed to describe in detail the prevalence of anemia in patients with TBM in Southern China and its association with the clinical forms of TB, as well as other characteristics of these patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with TBM at two tertiary hospitals in southern China. The demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory results of 114 patients with TBM were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for anemia in patients with TBM. Results: Electronic medical record data of adult patients diagnosed with TBM from January 2004 to December 2019 were reviewed. Among 134 patients with TBM, 20 were excluded and 114 were analyzed, of whom 33 had anemic, the prevalence rate of anemia was 28.9%. Among patients with anemia, 51.5% had hypochromic microcytic anemia, 33.3% had normochromic normocytic anemia, and 15.2% had macrocytic anemia. Fever duration, TBM grade III and ESR were found to be independent predictors of anemia. Conclusion: Anemia was highly prevalent in patients with TBM, mainly hypochromic microcytic anemia. Besides, Fever duration, TBM grade III and ESR are predictors of anemia in patients with TBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mass of traces of human activities show rich dynamic patterns. In this article, we comprehensively investigate the dynamic patterns of 50 thousands of researchers’ activities in Sciencenet , the largest multi-disciplinary academic community in China. Through statistical analyses, we found that (i) there exists a power-law scaling between the frequency of visits to an academic forum and the number of corresponding visitors, with the exponent being about 1.33; (ii) the expansion process of academic forums obeys the Heaps’ law, namely the number of distinct visited forums to the number of visits grows in a power-law form with exponent being about 0.54; (iii) the probability distributions of time intervals and the number of visits taken to revisit the same academic forum both follow power-laws, indicating the existence of memory effect in academic forum activities. On the basis of these empirical results, we propose a dynamic model that incorporates the exploration, preferential return with memory effect, which can well reproduce the observed scaling laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Establishing a suitable tunnel boring machine (TBM) performance estimation model is benefit to the machine type selection, project scheduling and budgeting. Although various models have been developed to predict TBM performance, most of these models use a relatively small specific database, which is difficult to be applied to engineering practice. In this study, some equations for estimating TBM penetration rate (PR) applicable to different geological conditions are proposed. Firstly, a TBM construction performance database containing 159 tunnel sections is built according to four different tunnel projects originating from China, which covers rock mass properties, TBM specification parameters and performance information. By eliminating the effects of some TBM specification and operating parameters, a normalized energy index is proposed for assessing the rock mass boreability. On this basis, a series of statistical analysis, i.e. linear multiple regression (LMR) and non-linear multiple regression (NLMR) are used to develop some empirical equations for estimating the PR by employing rock mass properties and TBM specification parameters, and more than 84% of the PR can be accurately predicted. Finally, to further evaluate the prediction performance of these equations, they are compared and discussed with fifteen published typical models, and the results proved that the models developed in this study are more reasonable and reliable. It should be noted that the input parameters of these equations are readily available at the project planning stage, thus they are very simple and practical for designers and constructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power output of photovoltaic (PV) systems is chiefly affected by climate and weather conditions. In that, PV farm requires accurate weather data, particularly, solar irradiance, in order to predict its power output as a means to improve solar energy utilization. Nevertheless, publicly available datasets which consist both power and weather data are exceptionally few. This may be a combined effect of data propriety and cumbersome collection procedure. And the rarity of such data greatly hinders the progress of solar PV research. Indeed, most solar energy meteorology applications, such as solar forecasting or PV performance evaluation, can benefit from multi-source high-quality datasets. In view of that, we release a PV power output dataset (PVOD), which contains metadata, numerical weather prediction data, and local measurements data from 10 PV systems located in China. In PVOD, a Python toolkit with basic functions for data access and preprocessing is provided. Additionally, a case study on PV power output estimation is depicted to demonstrate the potential usage of the dataset. • A publicly available dataset named photovoltaic power output dataset (PVOD). • A simple and extensible Python toolkit for PVOD. • A PV power output modeling example based on PVOD and Python toolkit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Landscape design of tunnel portals has been under intensive study in recent years. This paper summarizes the general development of highway tunnels and the main problems concerning highway tunnel entrances during this development phase in China. It then analyzes the significance of mountain highway tunnel landscape design in terms of preventing travel fatigue, visual adaptation, communicating and displaying culture, land marking, and environmental protection. Thirdly, it lays down the principles for landscape design, e.g. safety, failure prevention, physiological, anthropological, blending and economic principles. Lastly, it discusses the diversity of landscape designs in China, including types of tunnel portals, integration with local cultures (subdivided into ethnological culture, regional culture and historical culture), environmental protection awareness, lighting transitions in tunnel entrances, blending with the surrounding environment, symbolic and metaphorical skills in tunnel portal landscape design, and special decorations. The results suggest that landscape design of tunnel portals is a comprehensive artistic endeavor, involving local culture; bionomics; psychology; environment protection; lighting; structural techniques; new material implementation; and new technical arts. In conclusion, good landscape design requires intensive and collaborative interdisciplinary studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The relationship between normal thyroid function and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been a particular focus for concern. The present study determined the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in T2DM patients. A cross-sectional study (n = 633) was performed in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Subjects were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, thyroid function, and diabetic retinopathy. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships between thyroid hormones and DR. Of 633 patients, 243 (38.4%) patients suffered from DR. The prevalence of DR showed a significantly decreasing trend across the quartiles based on free triiodothyronine (FT3) (FT3 quartile 1 group [FT3-Q1] <4.35 pmol/L, FT3 quartile 2 group [FT3-Q2] 4.35–4.70 pmol/L, FT3 quartile 3 group [FT3-Q3] 4.70–5.08 pmol/L, and FT3 quartile 4 group [FT3-Q4] ≥5.08 pmol/L) (56.7%, 42.5%, 33.1%, 23.8%, P < 0.001). In comparison with all participants categorized in FT3-Q1, the multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of DR in FT3-Q2, FT3-Q3, and FT3-Q4 were 0.587 (0.340–1.012), 0.458 (0.258–0.813), and 0.368 (0.201–0.673), (P = 0.055 , P = 0.008 , P = 0.001), respectively. FT3 levels within the normal range are negatively associated with DR in euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies should be aimed at clarifying the relationship between thyroid hormones and T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mythimna separata (Walker) moths captured in light traps were monitored in Luohe, central‐northern China, from 1980 to 2016. Annual average temperature recorded an increase of 0.298°C/10 years in this region in the period. Our results indicate that a rising April and May average temperature and earlier occurrences of days recording the highest day temperature (30°C) caused an advanced peak and increasing proportion of high ovarian development levels of first‐generation females in earlier summers. Results using Johnson's formulation of "oogenesis‐flight syndrome" indicate that increasing sexual maturity proportion has resulted in more emigrant individuals in the local first‐generation moth becoming residents, and then increased individuals rapidly in the local second‐generation moth since 2006. Consequences of this action have a boom in corn damage since 2007 in this region. Advanced peak dates of the first and second‐generation moth revealed the same response to increasing average monthly temperatures in the monitoring period. Increasing temperatures, the average May temperature exceeds or equal to 22°C, during the early 2000's may represent a physiological threshold for M. separata development. Our results suggest that climate warming may impact M. separata migratory status and cause a problem of crop production in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review to summarize the studies of chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and clinical studies et al. of Ixeris sonchifolia. • Traditional uses of IS, covering 19 TCM classics and 19 traditional uses containing IS, were presented in the form of Table. • All known chemical constituents isolated from IS and their chemical structures were enumerated in this review. • So far there are 11 methods used for analysis of IS, but the development of more advanced analysis methods is indispensable. • The assistant therapy action and curative effect evaluation of IS were discussed in detail. The assistant therapy action and curative effect evaluation of IS were discussed in detail. Ixeris sonchifolia (IS), principally its dried form, is widely used as traditional and folk medicines in some Asian countries, especially China. In this review, we summarized its traditional uses, chemical constituents, quality control measures, pharmacological activities, therapeutic evaluation, toxicity evaluation and clinical applications. 130 chemical constituents isolated from IS have been reported, including flavones, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, phenylpropanoids, organic acids and others. They showed various pharmacological activities, such as protecting cardiocerebral vascular system, anticancer effect and antiviral etc. The quality control evaluation studies, clinical applications, other possible applications and suggestions for future research also were discussed. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the available literature and suggest directions for further development of IS to improve its medical value and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land subsidence is the ground surface response to underground space development, utilization and evolution. Presently, land subsidence has developed into a global, comprehensive and interdisciplinary complex systems problem. More than half a century has passed since the discovery of subsidence in the Beijing Plain in the 1960s. In this study, we investigate the land subsidence in the Beijing Plain over the period of 2003–2015 using ENVISAT ASAR and RADARSAT-2 interferometric datasets and the small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique. Furthermore, we introduced the data field model and index-based built-up index (IBI) to obtain the dynamic and static load information of the Beijing Plain. Then, based on a machine learning method, we selected the gradient lifting decision tree (GBDT) model to quantitatively analyze the contributions of groundwater level change, compressible deposit thickness and dynamic and static loads to land subsidence. The results showed that the maximum land subsidence rate was 122 and 141 mm/year in 2003–2010 and 2010–2015, respectively. Comparisons between the SBAS-InSAR results and leveling measurements showed that the minimum absolute error achieved was only 0.2 mm/year. We suggest that the groundwater exploitation in the third confined aquifer has greater impacts on land subsidence in the Beijing Plain than the other factors. The land subsidence likely occurred in compressible deposit thicknesses exceeding 90 m. Moreover, we found that the compressible thickness and groundwater level contributions to land subsidence exceeded 60%. Our results provide a scientific basis for the regulation and control of regional land subsidence. Unlabelled Image • The causes of land subsidence in Beijing Plain are complex. • The maximum land subsidence rate is 122 and 141 mm/year in 2003–2010 and 2010–2015. • The dynamic load by using a spatial data mining method of data field model. • The third confined aquifer groundwater has greater impacts on land subsidence. • Compressible thickness and groundwater contribution to land subsidence exceed 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower Cambrian assemblages of phosphatic and chitinous tubular fossils of probable cnidarian affinities were recovered from the Yanjiahe, Shuijingtuo and Shipai formations in the Three Gorges area, South China. Terreneuvian Cambrorhytium cf. C . major co-occur with an unnamed taxon in the Yanjiahe Formation. They can be compared with specimens from the Ediacaran Miaohe Fauna in the Three Gorges area. The most abundant and diversified cnidarian assemblages, including Cambrorhytium gracilis n. sp., Cambrorhytium cf. major , Cambrorhytium minor , Sphenothallus songlinensis , Sphenothallus taijiangensis ?, Sphenothallus kozaki , ? Sphenothallus sp., ? Byronia sp., and ? Mackenzia sp. are reported from the overlying, Cambrian Stage 3–4, Shuijingtuo and Shipai formations. These new fossils show previously unknown evidence for cnidarian affinities, such as an attachment disk, clonal clusters and probable budding structures. These diversified assemblages of probable cnidarian fossils further fill major gaps in the Cambrian record of stem metazoans and document associated early evolutionary patterns. In addition, our discovery suggests that along with sponges, these tubular fossils represent another important component of benthic ecosystems that colonized often dysoxic, deep-settings during the Cambrian explosion. The observed increases of average body-size and biomineralization among these probable cnidarians are tentatively linked to oxygenation of deep oceanic settings and appearance of predatory pressure during the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Discrete structural styles and mineral assemblages from auriferous quartz-ankerite-pyrite-arsenopyrite veins (Q2 and Q3) suggest superimposing gold mineralization at Tuanshanbei. • Comprehensive geological and H-O-Nd isotopic composition evidences are features that better adhere to metamorphic devolatilization models, indicating that the two-staged gold mineralization events both formed from metamorphic hydrothermal fluids originated from Cangxiyan Group metamorphic rocks. The Jiangnan Orogen is China's third largest gold province, and has undergone complex orogenic processes and tectonic overprinting, forming multistage magmatism, deformation, metamorphism, and gold mineralization. Our field studies indicate that the Tuanshanbei gold ores (central Jiangnan Orogen) have two generations of auriferous quartz-ankerite-pyrite-arsenopyrite veins (Q2 and Q3), with the latter containing abundant ankerite and base metal sulfides. Both Q2 and Q3 veins are younger than the emplacement of the Tuanshanbei granodiorite vein-ore host, and cut by post-ore diabase dikes. Q2 veins were likely associated with the Early Devonian near N-S-directed shortening, along sub-horizontal EW-/WNW-striking transpressive faults, whereas Q3 veins (hosting ∼ 70% of the total Au resource), were primarily hosted in the Early Triassic moderately-/steeply-dipping NW-striking tensional/transtensional faults and moderately-dipping NE-/NNE-striking transpressive faults, associated with NW-SE-directed shortening. Discrete structural styles and mineral assemblages from Q2 and Q3 suggest superimposing gold mineralization at Tuanshanbei. To determine the source(s) of the ore-forming aqueous-carbonic fluids, we conducted mineralogical and in-situ LA-(MC)-ICP-MS Nd-isotope analyses on two generations of hydrothermal monazite, and H-O isotope analyses on the quartz from Q2 and Q3 veins. The results suggest that the Tuanshanbei ore fluids have δD = −66.7 to −57.6‰ (Q2) and −66.8 to −66.2‰ (Q3), and calculated δ18O H2O = 4.5–9.7‰ (Q2) and 6.1–7.8‰ (Q3). The H-O isotopic data suggest a metamorphic and/or magmatic water source for the ore fluids. Hydrothermal monazite (coexists with native gold and auriferous sulfides) from Q2 and Q3 veins displays subtle heterogeneous BSE response along cracks and grain margin, suggesting alteration there. The 147Sm/144Nd and 143Nd/144Nd ratios of altered parts of Q2 and Q3 monazite grain are significantly perturbed via dissolution–recrystallization by the hydrothermal fluids, whereas their initial Nd isotope compositions seem to be less affected. The unaltered Q2 and Q3 monazite samples have similar initial εNd values (Q2: −8.07 to −7.36, Q3: −10.87 to −9.99) to the Neoproterozoic Cangxiyan Group greenschist–amphibolite-facies metamorphic rocks. Geological and structural evidence suggest both Q2 and Q3 ore-forming events were related to metamorphism, typical of orogenic gold deposits. We interpreted that various parts of the basement were metamorphosed (to near the greenschist-amphibolite-facies boundary) at different times, during which the gold-bearing metamorphic fluids produced migrated into the same structural conduits and deposited the ores there in two ore-forming episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Folate deficiency is an independent risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD); however, the maternal plasma folate level is paradoxically not a good diagnostic marker. Genome-wide surveys have identified variants of nonfolate metabolic genes associated with the plasma folate level, suggesting that these genetic polymorphisms are potential risk factors for CHD.Methods: To examine the effects of folate concentration-related variations on CHD risk in the Han Chinese population, we performed 3 independent case-control studies including a total of 1489 patients with CHD and 1745 control subjects. The expression of the Fidgetin (FIGN) was detected in human cardiovascular and decidua tissue specimens with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by luciferase reporter assays, surface plasmon resonance, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. FIGN-interacting proteins were confirmed by tandem affinity purification and coimmunoprecipitation. Proteasome activity and metabolite concentrations in the folate pathway were quantified with a commercial proteasome activity assay and immunoassays, respectively.Results: The +94762G>C (rs2119289) variant in intron 4 of the FIGN gene was associated with significant reduction in CHD susceptibility (P=5.1×10-14 for the allele, P=8.5×10--13 for the genotype). Analysis of combined samples indicated that CHD risks in individuals carrying heterozygous (GC) or homozygous (CC) genotypes were reduced by 44% (odds ratio [OR]=0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.47-0.67) and 66% (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.23-0.50), respectively, compared with those with the major GG genotype. Minor C allele carriers who had decreased plasma folate levels exhibited significantly increased FIGN expression because the transcription suppressor CREB1 did not bind the alternative promoter of FIGN isoform X3. Mechanistically, increased FIGN expression led to the accumulation of both reduced folate carrier 1 and dihydrofolate reductase via inhibition of their proteasomal degradation, which promoted folate absorption and metabolism.Conclusions: We report a previously undocumented finding that decreased circulating folate levels induced by increased folate transmembrane transport and utilization, as determined by the FIGN intronic variant, serves as a protective mechanism against CHD. Our results may explain why circulating folate levels do not have a good diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on long-term trends in the prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among women in China are rare, especially among low-income women. The aim of this study was to investigate the secular trends in the prevalence of CVD risk factors among low-income women in northern China. Materials and Methods: The prevalence and clustering of CVD risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, current smoking status, and alcohol consumption, were assessed and compared in women aged 35-74 years in northern China in 1991 and 2011. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among women was significantly higher in 2011 than in 1991, with increases of 31% (53.6% vs. 41.1%) for hypertension, 148% (20.9% vs. 8.4%) for obesity, 256% (11.7% vs. 3.3%) for diabetes, and 1634% (4.5% vs. 0.3%) for alcohol consumption. Over the 21-year period, there were significant differences in the prevalence of clustering of ≥1, ≥2, and 3 risk factors in all age groups. The greatest increase was observed among women aged 35-44 years, with a 7.3-fold increase in the prevalence of clustering of three risk factors. Simultaneously, the prevalence of clustering of ≥1 risk factors among women aged 35-44 years was 1.7-fold higher in 2011 than in 1991; the prevalence of clustering of ≥2 risk factors was raised by 5.5-fold among elderly women. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that it is crucial to emphasize the prevention and control of cardiovascular risk factors among young women in rural China to reduce the burden of CVDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time-series analysis provides high spatial resolution and continuous temporal coverage for investigations of long-term ground displacement. Beijing, the capital city of China, has suffered from land subsidence since the 1950s, and extreme groundwater extraction has led to subsidence rates of > 100 mm/year. In this study, InSAR time-series analysis is performed on different data subsets to investigate the ground displacement at Capital International Airport, Beijing, between June 2003 and November 2013. The results show that the ground surface in the airport has deformed at different rates ranging from − 66.2 mm/year (sinking) to 8.2 mm/year (uplift) relative to the reference point. The projected vertical displacement rates agreed with measurements estimated from ground-leveling surveys, and the correlation coefficient of the fitting result is 0.96, with a standard deviation of 0.9 mm/year and a mean different of 2.0 mm/year. The runways and terminals have been affected by land subsidence to various degrees. Previous studies has indicated that long-term intense groundwater extraction is the main reason leading to land subsidence in this area. Other triggering factors, such as active faults, the quaternary compressible layers and urbanization, also have different degrees of contribution or impact on land subsidence in Beijing Plain. Furthermore, some interesting behaviors from groundwater (such as inter- and semi-annual variations) and subsidence, the relationship between them are also found in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment dredging is an effective means to control the endogenous pollution of lakes, which could significantly change the concentration and composition of organic matter, especially dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the lake. DOM is particularly important for the release of endogenous pollutants, which will inevitably bring an impact on aquatic biodiversity. Nevertheless, in recent research little attention has been paid to the desorption mechanism of DOM on pollutants and the change of biodiversity during dredging. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of DOM in the sediment by taking a sediment dredging project in Dianchi Lake in China for example. The correlations of DOM properties with the desorption behavior of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and the biodiversity of aquatic organisms were analyzed. The results show that the aromaticity and humification of DOM were improved after dredging, and the high molecular weight DOM was degraded into low molecular weight substance. The desorption amount of N, P and heavy metals (Cd, Pb) were decreased as the pH values increased. Moreover, NH 4 +-N promoted the release of Pb2+ from DOM, while the release of PO 4 3--P was inhibited. Correlation analysis shows that the physicochemical properties of DOM exactly affected the release of N, P, Cd and Pb. It was easier to desorb pollutants with low aromaticity and humification of DOM, leading to a decrease in the diversity of aquatic organisms. This study identified the desorption mechanism of endogenous pollutants in DOM and the ecological risk to aquatic organisms, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of water pollution. [Display omitted] • Possible desorption mechanism of N, P and heavy metals from DOM are proposed. • Correlations of DOM properties and desorption behavior of pollutants was analyzed. • The relationship between DOM and biodiversity of aquatic organisms were explored. • The effects of dredging on pollutant release and biodiversity were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the prevalence of Newcaste Disease Virus (NDV) in ducks in Guangdong province of China 10 NDVs were isolated in domestic ducks. Eight isolates were pathogenic as determined by MDT, ICPI and cleavage site of F protein The F genes of 10 isolates were sequenced, all the genes and their deduced amino acids were compared with 32 reference strains 5 isolates were clustered m genotype VII (Vlld), 3 isolates were classified as genotype IX and 2 isolates were classified as genotype. The subgenotype Vlld isolates possessed the motif 112R-R-Q-K-R-F117, and the genotype IX isolates possessed the motif 112R-R-Q-R-R-F117 The 8 NDV isolates exhibited a high ICPI, they were classified as velogenic type of NDVs and were collected between the years of 2006 and 2010 The genotype I isolates possessing the motif 112G-K-Q-G-R-L117 were collected in 2005, they were exhibited a low ICPI and were classified as lentogenic type of NDVs. The NDVs of subgenotype VII are now dominant and have been implicated in most of the recent ND outbreaks in duck farms in Guangdong province. These findings provide data on genetics and molecular evolution of NDV in ducks in China and emphasize importance of NDV surveillance for improving of strategies for the control of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We provided more evidence on associations between legacy PFASs and PFAS alternatives and glucose-homeostasis. • We explored the joint associations of legacy PFASs and PFAS alternatives. • 6:2 Cl-PFESA contributed the most in the joint associations. • Sex-specific associations were observed. Epidemiological studies on the associations of legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and glucose homeostasis remain discordant. Understanding of PFAS alternatives is limited, and few studies have reported joint associations of PFASs and PFAS alternatives. To investigate associations of novel PFAS alternatives (chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids, Cl-PFESAs and perfluorobutanoic acid, PFBA) and two legacy PFASs (Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS) with glucose-homeostasis markers and explore joint associations of 13 legacy and alternative PFASs with the selected outcomes. We used cross-sectional data of 1,038 adults from the Isomers of C8 Health Project in China. Associations of PFASs and PFAS alternatives with glucose-homeostasis were explored in single-pollutant models using generalized linear models with natural cubic splines for PFASs. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess joint associations of exposures and outcomes. Sex-specific analyses were also conducted to evaluate effect modification. After adjusting for confounders, both legacy (PFOA, PFOS) and alternative (Cl-PFESAs and PFBA) PFASs were positively associated with glucose-homeostasis markers in single-pollutant models. For example, in the total study population, estimated changes with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of fasting glucose at the 95th percentile of 6:2Cl-PFESA and PFOS against the thresholds were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.21) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.62). Positive joint associations were found in BKMR models with 6:2Cl-PFESA contributing most. Sex-specific associations existed in both single- and multi-pollutant models. Legacy and alternative PFASs were positively associated with glucose-homeostasis markers. 6:2Cl-PFESA was the primary contributor. Sex-specific associations were also identified. These results indicate that joint associations and effect modification should be considered in risk assessment. However, further studies are recommended to strengthen our findings and to elucidate the mechanisms of action of legacy and alternative PFASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis transmission is typically focal. Understanding spatial variations of Schistosoma infections and their associated factors is important to help to invent site-specific intervention strategies. Methods: A five-year longitudinal study was carried out prospectively in 12 natural villages, Guichi district of Anhui province. A GIS-based spatial analysis was conducted to identify geographic distribution patterns of schistosomiasis infections at the household scale. Results: The results of the spatial autocorrelation analysis for 2005 showed that there were significant spatial clusters of human infections at the household level, and these results were in agreement with that of the spatial scan statistic. As prevalence of infections in humans decreased over the course of control, the spatial distribution of these infections became less heterogeneous. Conclusions: The findings imply that it may be necessary to re-assess risk factors of S. japonicum transmission over the course of control and to adjust accordingly control measures in the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is one of the optimal choices for hypopharyngeal reconstruction. Our series demonstrates that the technique of an indicator flap for the monitoring of the buried flap is simple, reliable, and inexpensive. The condition of the indicator flap can be easily interpreted by the physicians and the nursing staff. Therefore, the success rate of this microsurgical reconstruction may be improved. Objectives: The RFFF is increasingly applied in reconstruction of the hypopharynx after radical resection for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. However, postoperative monitoring of the buried free flap is extremely difficult. We designed a small external component as an indicator flap to monitor the perfusion of the buried vascular pedicle. Methods: Eight consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal cancer underwent radical surgery and hypopharyngeal reconstruction using RFFF at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2005 and January 2007. The indicator flap was sutured to the surface of the neck for postoperative monitoring. Results: All of the indicator flaps remained viable. One patient experienced vascular compromise and was successfully salvaged. The success rate of the buried flaps was 100%. Pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in one patient. All patients resumed an oral diet eventually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface displacement is an common environmental geological phenomenon in the Beijing Plain. Research on surface displacement in the Beijing Plain has mainly focused on vertical surface displacement, whereas the horizontal displacement has scarcely been studied. To investigate the 3-D surface displacement in the Beijing Plain, we construct a leveling-constrained multidirectional PS-InSAR 3-D surface displacement estimation method to obtain the 3-D surface displacement information. The results show that the surface displacement in the study area during 2016–2018 was mainly vertical displacement with two main northern and southern subsidence centers; the vertical displacement ranged from −150 mm/year (down) to 5 mm/year (up), and the east–west horizontal displacement ranged from 20 mm/year (east) to 22 mm/year (west). Validation results show that the 3-D surface displacement estimation results agree well with leveling data and GPS data, indicating the reliability of the 3-D surface displacement datasets. The 3-D surface displacement results show that horizontal displacement is obvious in the areas with a large vertical displacement in the eastern Beijing Plain. Additionally, the horizontal displacement is directed toward the center of vertical displacement. The compressive strain is observed close to the centers of vertical displacement, whereas tensile strain occurs far from the centers of vertical displacement. The main cause of the 3-D surface displacement in the study area is the long-term groundwater overexploitation, especially deep groundwater exploitation. The spatial and temporal extents of displacement do not exactly match the locations of the groundwater sinks in different aquifers; instead, geological structures and stratigraphic/lithological conditions may have a combined effect. Moreover, the spatial and temporal distributions of surface displacement are closely related to ground fissure activity, and both influence each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a universal chronic disease in China. The balance of the gut microbiome is highly crucial for a healthy human body, especially for the immune system. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and CKD has not yet been clarified.Methods: A total of 122 patients were recruited for this study. Among them, 24 patients were diagnosed with CKD5 but did not receive hemodialysis therapy, 29 patients were diagnosed with CKD5 and received hemodialysis therapy and 69 were matched healthy controls. The gut microbiome composition was analyzed by a 16S rRNA (16S ribosomal RNA) gene-based sequencing protocol. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) technology was used to evaluate the levels of microbiome-related protein-binding uremic toxins level, indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), in the patients.Results: We compared the gut microbiome results of 122 subjects and established a correlation between the gut microbiome and IS and PCS levels. The results indicated that alpha and beta diversity were different in patients with CKD5 than in the healthy controls (p < 0.01). In comparison to healthy controls, CKD5 patients exhibited a significantly higher relative abundance of Neisseria (p < 0.001), Lachnoclostridium (p < 0.001) and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.001). Faecalibacterium (p < 0.001) displayed a notably lower relative abundance for CKD5 patients both with and without hemodialysis than for controls. It was also found that the concentrations of IS and PCS were correlated with the gut microbiome.Conclusions: Our results indicate that CKD5 patients both with and without hemodialysis had dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and that this dysbiosis was associated with an accumulation of IS and PCS. These results may support further clinical diagnosis to a great extent and help in developing potential probiotics to facilitate the treatment of CKD5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land subsidence is a global environmental geological hazard caused by natural or human activities. The high spatial resolution and continuous time coverage of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time series analysis techniques provide data and a basis for the development of methods for the investigation and evolution mechanism study of regional land subsidence. Beijing, the capital city of China, has suffered from land subsidence for decades since it was first recorded in the 1950s. It was reported that uneven ground subsidence and fractures have seriously affected the normal operation of the Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) in recent years before the overhaul of the middle runway in April 2017. In this study, InSAR time series analysis was successfully used to detect the uneven local subsidence and ground fissure activity that has been gradually increasing in BCIA since 2010. A multi-temporal InSAR (MT-InSAR) technique was performed on 63 TerraSAR-X/TanDem-X (TSX/TDX) images acquired between 2010 and 2017, then deformation rate maps and time series for the airport area were generated. Comparisons of deformation rate and displacement time series from InSAR and ground-leveling were carried out in order to evaluate the accuracy of the InSAR-derived measurements. After an integrated analysis of the distribution characteristics of land subsidence, previous research results, and geological data was carried out, we found and located an active ground fissure. Then main cause of the ground fissures was preliminarily discussed. Finally, it can be conducted that InSAR technology can be used to identify and monitor geological processes, such as land subsidence and ground fissure activities, and can provide a scientific approach to better explore and study the cause and formation mechanism of regional subsidence and ground fissures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]