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A new substrate, aligned Ag nanowires decorated with silver nanoparticle composite structure (AgNWs@AgNPs), was fabricated to investigate metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and its mechanism. The new composite structure was fabricated via a three-phase interface assembly method followed by SnCl2 sensitization and AgNO3 reduction process. The size and distribution of the nanoparticles on silver nanowires increased with the sensitization and reduction cycles. The formation of AgNPs on the surfaces of AgNWs was confirmed by multiple characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the fluorescence intensity of the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) on the composite structure was greatly enhanced compared with that on bare glass substrate, and the intensity increased with the increase in particle sizes and density. The mechanism was based on the increase in excitation rate and the radiation decay rate. The new type of substrate could serve as a good and efficient MEF substrate for high-performance fluorescence-based devices.

With the acceleration of globalization, trade between countries has become more and more frequent; as a kind of commonly used heavy lifting equipment, the influence of the quayside crane on environment during the production stage has attracted wide attention. In this paper, the world’s largest quayside crane manufacturer was selected as the study object. The environmental load of five workshops (NC pre-treatment workshop, assembling workshop, sand milling workshop, painting workshop and steel structure workshop) involved in the quayside crane (QC) production stage was studied by using the ReCiPe model; the normalized values of the 14 overall pollutants in each workshop were 1248.64, 576.75, 214.27, 85.26 and 76.69, respectively. The results showed that the sand milling workshop was the biggest electricity consumer of all processes. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the environmental pollution load was the most sensitive to the electricity consumption; the scenario analysis indicated that with the proportion of China’s renewable resources in the process of electricity generation becoming larger and larger, in comparison with that of in 2015, up to 2050, the quantity of PM 2.5 generated during the production process of QC will drop from 832 to 408 kg (high-speed development)/342 kg (low-speed development), and it is expected that the China’s haze problem could be effectively curbed in the future. Finally, the research results of this article also pointed out the direction for the future technical innovation of the QC industry.

With environmental change and increased human activity, wild red deer (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) populations and habitat area continue to decrease. Red deer is a main prey species of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). Factors affecting red deer winter home range in the Wanda montains of northeast China are not well understood. In this study, we aimed to better document red deer daily ranges to support conservation of red deer. A second objective was to develop a practical research method combining macro- and micro-technology for home range research on a variety of rare or endangered wild species. We collected 105 fresh fecal samples of red deer in three different periods during winter from December 2012 to March 2013 in the Wandashan region, Heilongjiang Province, China. Individual and sex identities were analyzed based on fecal DNA using microsatellite DNA. We used samples from deer farms for correction and validation of our identifications from field samples. We used a combination of molecular scatology, 3S techniques (GPS), and direct observation to estimate winter daily range areas. Based on eleven microsatellite loci, we identified 18 individuals, 10 females and 8 males, with a correction factor of 1.00 and sex ratio of 1:0.8. The mean (± SE) number of alleles was 5.1 ± 0.41, and mean polymorphism information content was 0.63 ± 0.03. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.46 to 0.81, with a mean of 0.69 ± 0.03, and mean observed heterozygosity was 0.73 ± 0.07. Sizes of mean daily ranges were 26.1 ± 1.1 ha in December, 89.3 ± 1.6 ha in January, and 67.5 ± 1.9 ha in March, indicating the following trend for daily range area: middle winter > late winter > early winter. Mean daily range area was insignificantly larger for males than for females. Estimated winter daily ranges were similar to those reported for Europe. Our combination of macro- and micro-technology proved useful for estimating winter home range areas of red deer.

The Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) has been categorized as vulnerable species by the World Conservation Union and listed as a Class I protected species in China for its over-hunting for meat, fur and medicines. In order to provide efficient genetic resources for the conservation and preservation of the endangered species, the complete mitochondrial genome of this species was determined and analyzed. It is 16,446 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, one origin of replication on the light-strand (OL) and a control region. Most of the PCGs use ATG as the common initiation codon, while ND2, ATP6 and ND3 use ATA and ND5 uses ATC as the initiation codon. Most of them have TAA or TAG as the stop codon, except COIII, ND3 and ND4 use an incomplete stop codon T or TA and Cyt b uses an uncommon AGA. An ML tree involving 19 Caprinae species was constructed, which will contribute to phylogenetic studies of Caprinae and further conservation strategies for the Chinese goral.

The Tibet Shannan Red Deer Nature Reserve is the center of the geographic distribution of Tibetan red deer. This paper presents the results of DNA analysis of 199 red deer fecal pellet groups collected during 2013 and 2014 during the green-plant period. We successfully extracted DNA from 87 DNA pellet groups and determined individual identification with 12 microsatellite loci. We evaluated the genetic diversity of the population and various population estimates with Capwire in R software. The 87 successfully extracted pellet groups were from 50 individuals. In the population, the average number of alleles was 7.58 ± 0.18, the average effective number of alleles was 4.58 ± 0.15, and average polymorphism information content was 0.67 ± 0.01. Among the 12 loci, only T123 was moderately polymorphic; the other 11 loci were highly polymorphic. Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.45 to 0.91, with an average of 0.72 ± 0.01, and average observed heterozygosity was 0.52 ± 0.11. Although Tibetan red deer remains endangered, the high genetic diversity indicates that this population has a good chance of recovery. This study provided insight that could be used by the local forestry department to develop programs to protect Tibetan red deer.

Background Small ruminants are important hosts for various tick species and tick-associated organisms, many of which are zoonotic. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of tick-borne protozoans and bacteria of public health and veterinary significance in goats and wild Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) from Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China. Methods The occurrence of piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. bovis, A. marginale, A. capra, A. ovis, Ehrlichia spp. and spotted fever group rickettsiae was molecularly investigated and analyzed in 134 goats and 9 free ranging C. pygargus living in close proximity. Results Piroplasm DNA was detected in 16 (11.9%) goats and 5 C. pygargus. Sequence analysis of 18S rRNA sequences identified 3 Theileria species (T. luwenshuni, T. capreoli and T. cervi). Four Anaplasma species (A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis and A. capra) were identified in goats and C. pygargus. Anaplasma ovis and A. bovis were detected in 11 (8.2%) and 6 (4.5%) goats, respectively; A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis and A. capra were found in 3, 7 and 3 C. pygargus, respectively. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed the presence of 5 different genetic variants of A. bovis in goats and C. pygargus, while the analysis of 16S rRNA and gltA sequence data showed that A. capra isolates identified from C. pygargus were closely related to the genotype identified from sheep and Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, but differed with the genotype from humans. Anaplasma/Theileria mixed infection was observed in 2 (1.5%) goats and 5 C. pygargus, and co-existence involving potential zoonotic organisms (A. phagocytophilum and A. capra) was found in 2 C. pygargus. All samples were negative for A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp. and SFG rickettsiae. Conclusions These findings report the tick-borne pathogens in goats and C. pygargus, and a greater diversity of these pathogens were observed in wild animals. Three Theileria (T. luwenshuni, T. capreoli and T. cervi) and four Anaplasma species (A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. bovis and A. capra) with veterinary and medical significance were identified in small domestic and wild ruminants. The contact between wild and domestic animals may increase the potential risk of spread and transmission of tick-borne diseases.

The wolverine, Gulogulo, is an endangered species in China. This is the first report of the overall status of wolverines in China. The geographic distribution and population sizes of wolverines in the Greater Khingan and Altai Mountains were surveyed by line transect from 1996–2000 and in 2011, respectively. We identified two geographically distinct groups in the Great Khingan Mountains, with a total population size of about 200 individuals throughout the region (approximately 80,000 km2). Wolverines were also confirmed to be present in the Altai Mountains, where about 100 individuals occupied approximately 28,000 km2 of mountain forest and tundra. Prey depletion and habitat loss, which are correlated with increasing human activities, are the main reasons for wolverine population declines in China.

Genetic diversity of 96 resynthesized (RS) Brassica napus lines and 25 common (CM) lines were evaluated in present study based on eight main agronomic traits and 315 polymorphic SSR markers. The RS lines were developed through interspecific hybridizations between a vegetable cabbage (B. oleracea L. ssp. alboglabra Bailey) and a number of landraces in B. rapa L. ssp. chinensis and campestris from Southwestern regions of China. The CM lines include 10 elite lines bred in our own Sichuan Agricultural University, 9 elite lines from domestic research institutes in China and 6 exotic spring rapeseed lines from Germany and Canada. The investigated main agronomic traits include plant height, first branch height, main inflorescence length, number of primary branches, siliqua length, seeds per siliqua, siliqua density on the main inflorescence and 1000-seed weight. The observed agronomic traits exhibited a remarkable difference between the RS lines and the CM lines. Large variations were observed in main agronomic traits in the RS and CM lines. A number of salient RS lines were identified, showing variable unique agronomic traits, such as extremely long siliqua length, large 1000-seed weight, high number of seeds per siliqua and high siliqua density, etc. Clustering analyses were made based on both agronomic traits and SSR markers. The UPGMA dendrogram based on the main agronomic traits revealed a major differentiation between the RS lines and the CM lines. The UPGMA dendrogram based on SSR markers clearly distinguished the two main groups of RS lines and CM lines. Large variations and diversities were observed among the RS lines and the CM lines. Big variations were also observed within most of the RS and CM subgroups. We conclude that the RS lines are markedly different from the common (CM) B. napus lines in the study. Large diversity exists among the RS lines and the CM lines. These RS lines could be a valuable source of new germplasm for rapeseed breeding and genetic studies. It is also suggested that the resynthesis of novel B. napus types through interspecific hybridizations with the diverse indigenous B. oleracea and B. rapa sources could be an efficient way to broaden the genetic basis of B. napus L.

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) were chemically etched to significantly increase the surface roughness and then self-assembled on the liquid/gas interfaces via the interfacial assembly method to obtain aligned chemically etched silver nanowire films. The as-fabricated silver nanowire films were used as novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The morphologies and plasmon characteristics of the substrates were investigated using multiple measurement methods. The performance of as-fabricated substrates was measured using rhodamine B as a probe. The detection limitation can be as low as 10−11 M. The greatly improved plasmonic properties are attributed to the efficient light coupling and larger electromagnetic field enhancement. The novel set of SERS substrates of aligned chemically etched AgNWs is believed to be important for efficient, homogeneous, and ultrasensitive SERS sensing applications.

Ordered nanopatterns of triblock copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block- poly (ethylene oxide)(PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO) have been achieved by the addition of lithium chloride (LiCl). The morphological and structural evolution of PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO/LiCl thin films were systematically investigated by varying different experimental parameters, including the treatment for polymer solution after the addition of LiCl, the time scale of ultrasonic treatment and the molar ratio of Li+ ions to the total number of oxygen atoms (O) in PEO block and the nitrogen atoms (N) in P2VP block. When toluene was used as the solvent for LiCl, ordered nanopattern with cylinders or nanostripes could be obtained after spin-coating. The mechanism of nanopattern transformation was related to the loading of LiCl in different microdomains.

Moose (Alces alces cameloides) is typically representative of the fauna of the frigid temperate zone and has been put on the Chinese second priority list of protected animals. The moose of northeast China is on the southern most edge of its distribution in Asia. To study resource selection characteristics of moose and their response to human disturbances and forest resource variables, the field work was conducted in Heilongjiang Provincial Shengshan Forestry Farm, which is located in the northwestern slope of Lesser Khingan Mountains, northeastern China, from January to March in both 2006 and 2007. A total of 428 plots were examined within the study area. Signs of moose use were found in 19 plots. Based on the analysis of resource selection function, we found that moose selected areas with higher densities of mixed deciduous broadleaf patch and mixed coniferous and broad leaf patch, and a higher NDVI value. Moose avoided settlement 6 km away and remained low probability of occurrence within 3 km from roads, whereas higher within 4 km from trails. Our results suggested that the behavior of avoidance for human disturbance (i.e. settlement and roads) may indirectly pose habitat loss. Therefore, resource selection function models and corresponding graphs of important habitat disturbances can be used to guide and evaluate future development plans.

In this paper, well-ordered Au nanoparticle arrays on silicon substrates were employed as efficient metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) substrates for investigating the fluorescence properties of the conjugated polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The ordered Au nanoparticle arrays were fabricated by block copolymer self-assembly technology, and the particle sizes were controlled by adjusting the molar ratios of HAuCl4 precursor to vinyl pyridine units. The approach is economical and suitable to fabricate large-area MEF substrates. The results about fluorescence properties of P3HT showed that the fluorescence intensities of the P3HT films were improved on ordered Au nanoparticle arrays compared to those on bare silicon substrate and were significantly enhanced with the Au nanoparticle sizes increasing. The mechanism is based on localized surface plasmon resonances, coupling and propagating surface plasmons, and the emission enhancement mainly resulted from the increase of the excitation rate. This work provides a new way to prepare efficient MEF substrates for high-performance fluorescence-based devices.

Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells derived from Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord (UCMSCs/UCMPCs) are multipotent, and can be differentiated in vitro into many cell types. Much work has been done on UCMSCs/UCMPCs from humans, mice, rabbits, and other mammals, but the relatively little literature has been published about these cells in chickens. In our work, we isolated USMSCs/USMPCs from chicken embryos. We characterized the isolated cells using immunofluorescence and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques. Primary UCMSCs/UCMPCs were subcultured to passage 30 and growth curves for each passage determined. The growth curves at different passages were all typically sigmoidal. Isolated UCMSCs/UCMPCs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, myocardial cells, and neural cells, and we were able to detect characteristic CD44, CD29, CD73, and CD71 cell surface markers. Our results suggest that UCMSCs/UCMPCs isolated from chickens possess similar biological characteristics to those from other species. Their multi-lineage differentiation capabilities herald a probable application for cellular transplant therapy in tissue engineering.

It is accepted that allantoin is the end-product of purine degradation in mammals, except that uricase activity has been lost during the evolution of humans in which uric acid protects the brain from oxidative damage. However, we have found that the moose Alces americanus excretes extremely low urinary concentrations of allantoin and high concentrations of uric acid very similar to those of humans. Exposure to extreme cold is known to cause oxidative damage, and we suggest that the retention of uric acid by the moose represents an adaptation enabling the species to survive at high latitudes.

Eastern roe deerCapreolus pygargus bedfordi Thomas, 1908 occurred throughout China historically, but today are only found in 7 provinces. Their populations in China have been greatly impacted by human disturbances. Little is known about what kinds of human disturbances impact their distribution and resource requirements for survival. A survey was conducted over 20 661 ha located at the Erkehe Forestry Farm in the Lesser Khingan Mountains, northeastern China. Field work lasted from January to March, 2006 and January to March, 2007, and a total of 613 plots were visited along 28 sampling transects. Predictive models of easter roe deer resource selection were developed with or without the inclusion of human disturbance factors. Whether human disturbance exists or not, eastern roe deer retained strong links to patch size and patch density of low shrub and swamp, and the probability of moose occurrence. Low shrub and swamps created after logging provide more abundant annual shoots for food, and were vital for survival in harsh winters. When human disturbance was not modeled, eastern roe deer avoided higher density of bothBetula platyphylla andLarix gmelinii patches at a landscape scale, and larger mixed coniferous and broad-leaf patchs at local scales. Once human disturbances existed, eastern roe deer occurred in areas with higher NDVI and they had a considerably lower probability of presence in areas associated with roads and with a forest harvest interval of 4 years. Consequently, to predict effects of human disturbance on eastern roe deer spatial distribution, models need to incorporate effects of other competitive species, multiple spatial scale resource variables respectively, which will provide more value information for management and use of eastern roe deer population.

We characterized 716 sites (including 22 beds, 60 foraging and 604 movement sites) used by red deerCervus elaphus xanthopygus Milne-Edwards, 1867 in the Wandashan Mountains, northeastern China in the winter period. We used covariates for vegetation, topography, disturbances by other ungulates, and disturbance by humans to develop movement, forage and bed site resource-selection models. We used an information-theoretic approach to select the top 5 models for movement, forage and bed site occurrences respectively. The three most parsimonious autologistic models were good predictors of movement, forage and bed occurrence of this species. Vegetation covariates were important components of all models. We recorded avoidance responses by the behaviours of species to each disturbance type (ie, villages, forest roads and abandoned roads); bed site occurrences were most sensitive to all human disturbances for their lowest odds encountered. Across all parsimonious models, villages have the largest negative effect on movement, foraging and bed occurrences. Movement and bedding behaviours were also affected by other ungulate disturbances. Altitude had slightly negative effect on movement and foraging behaviours. Ridges, topographic aspect and shrub stands were all correlated with bed-site selection. Although different behaviours may be associated with different microhabitat features, behaviours of red deer responded similarly to the same human disturbance on a broad scale. Based on the observations above, we believe that red deer are avoiding human-altered habitat for movement, bedding and foraging because of disturbances during the critical late winter period. Furthermore, various behavioural resource selection models and corresponding graphs of important habitat disturbances can be used to guide and evaluate future development proposals.

Natural range loss limits the population growth of Asian big cats and may determine their survival. Over the past decade, we collected occurrence data of the critically endangered Amur leopard worldwide and developed a distribution model of the leopard’s historical range in northeastern China over the past decade. We were interested to explore how much current range area exists, learn what factors limit their spatial distribution, determine the population size and estimate the extent of potential habitat. Our results identify 48,252 km2 of current range and 21,173.7 km2 of suitable habitat patches and these patches may support 195.1 individuals. We found that prey presence drives leopard distribution, that leopard density exhibits a negative response to tiger occurrence and that the largest habitat patch connects with 5,200 km2of Russian current range. These insights provide a deeper understanding of the means by which endangered predators might be saved and survival prospects for the Amur leopard not only in China, but also through imperative conservation cooperation internationally.

Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus) were analyzed to determine the degree of genetic diversity. Nine haplotypes were observed, and the maximum Tamura–Nei nucleotide distance among them was 2.8%, indicating that genetic diversity of L. coreanus is moderate. In order to clarify the Korean hare's taxonomic status and relationship with the Manchurian hare (L. mandshuricus) and the Chinese hare (L. sinensis), these nine haplotypes of the Korean hare were compared with 13 haplotypes from five other species of eastern Asian Lepus including L. mandshuricus and L. sinensis. The Korean hare was distinct in its cytochrome b gene, and it is confirmed that L. coreanus is a valid species, as noted by Jones and Johnson (1965, Univ. Kansas Publ. (Mus. Nat. Hist.) 16:357). Further analyses of mtDNA cytochrome b gene with additional specimens of L. coreanus from North Korea and other species of Lepus from eastern Asia are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the divergent mtDNA clades of L. mandshuricus and L. sinensis.