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Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network analysis benefits from precise point positioning with undifferenced (UD) or double differenced (DD) integer ambiguity resolution (IAR). Position time series with UD-IAR and a practical DD-IAR are compared for a mixture network consisting of 57 global and 82 regional stations with 4-year observations. The sparse global stations are more affected by different IAR methods than the regional stations of Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC). The most significant differences between UD-IAR and the practical DD-IAR are observed in velocity estimations, with averages of 0.15 and 0.30 mm/yr for the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. UD-IAR can achieve smaller root mean square at 70–83 % of the daily solutions than the practical DD-IAR for global stations. Nevertheless, moderate differences of frame parameters and annual variations are introduced by different IAR methods. The IAR is also proved to be one of the potential origins for Global Positioning System (GPS) draconitic signals and white noise at high frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical cyclones (TCs) over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) can interact with the South Branch Trough (SBT) as they move northward and potentially amplify Rossby waves. This study evaluates the features of Rossby waves and their downstream impact on rainfall in South China. Results indicate that TC‐SBT interactions primarily occur in May and October‐November (Oct‐Nov), with probabilities of 59% and 53% respectively. Notably, the Rossby wave train associated with BOB TCs is more pronounced during Oct‐Nov due to the stronger subtropical westerly jet, in contrast to May. The downstream atmospheric response results in positive (negative) rainfall anomalies over South China in May (Oct‐Nov), particularly on the day following the maximum interaction day. Previous researches concerning TC‐extratropical flow interaction mainly focus on other basins where TCs move to higher latitudes, this study provides fresh insights into Rossby waves related to TC‐SBT interactions over the southern Tibetan Plateau. Plain Language Summary: During bimodal periods of tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) in May and October‐November (Oct‐Nov), the Asian subtropical westerly jet is usually located at lower latitudes over the southern Tibetan Plateau, where South Branch Trough (SBT) is active. We quantified the extent of BOB TC‐SBT interaction based on the negative potential vorticity advection by TC‐associated irrotational wind. The mean location of the TC center and maximum interaction point are around (20°N, 88°E) and (33°N, 89°E), respectively. Rossby wave trains (RWT) associated with BOB TCs may extend eastward to 150°W, dispersing at a faster zonal group speed in May compared to Oct‐Nov. In May, the downstream response in South China featured by amplified upper‐level divergent outflow, intensified mid‐level warm and cold air convergence, and enhanced low‐level southwesterly water vapor transport, which was conducive to precipitation. In Oct‐Nov, the RWT shifted northward and the anticyclone anomaly related to the subtropical high dominated South China, leading to a northward shift in water vapor transport, unfavorable for precipitation in South China. The results are significant for the short‐ to medium‐range weather forecasts in downstream regions of BOB TCs. Key Points: Tropical cyclones (TC) over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) interacting with the South Branch Trough (SBT) can amplify mid‐latitude Rossby wavesThe Rossby wave associated with interactions between BOB TCs and SBTs is stronger in October‐November than in MayThe atmospheric response results in positive (negative) precipitation anomalies over South China in May (October‐November) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax is the main oil crop in China, and has been affected by flax wilt for a long time. The catalytic subunit of β-1, 3-glucan synthase (FKS/GLS) is necessary for cell wall synthesis, the biological function of which was analyzed in the study through cloning the gene, constructing FolGLS2 gene deletion mutant, observing phenotype and assaying the virulence of the gene disruption mutants. A full-length of 5947bp DNA sequence was obtained, which contained an open reading frame 5847bp, encoding a total of 1948 amino acids. Observation of the phenotype of the FolGLS2 gene deletion mutant showed that the colony of the mutant was small and compact, its growth rate decreased obviously, the mycelium was short, thick and no longer produced conidia. The cell wall of the mutant mycelium changed somehow, which was strongly resistant to the protoplasting buffer commonly used for wild type and was unable to release protoplasts. Infection assay to the flax seedling demonstrated that pathogenicity of deletion mutant was significantly decreased. Conclusively, FolGLS2 gene, which encodes catalytic subunit of β-1, 3- glucan synthase, plays a regulatory role in conidiogenesis, mycelial vegetative growth, cell wall properties and pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.lini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) (PH) is a traditional Chinese traditional medicine with a pungent flavor and mild drug properties. PH is mainly distributed in the channel tropism in the stomach and large intestine. PH has multiple uses and can be used to treat a variety of diseases for a long time. This review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological activities, and applications of PH from 1980 to 2022. We also provide suggestions for promoting further research and developing additional applications of PH. The data and information on PH from 1980 to 2022 reviewed in this article were obtained from scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Science Citation Index, SciFinder Scholar (SciFinder), Springer, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), etc. Some information was obtained from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. The search terms were Polygonum hydropiper, phytochemistry compositions of Polygonum hydropiper, pharmacological activities of Polygonum hydropiper, and applications of Polygonum hydropiper. The comprehensive analysis of the literature resulted in 324 compounds being isolated, identified, and reported from PH. Regarding traditional uses, the majority of phytochemical and pharmacological studies have indicated the diverse bioactivities of PH extracts, flavonoids, and volatile oil elements, including antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. PH has a long history of diversified medicinal uses, some of which have been verified in modern pharmacological studies. Further detailed studies are required to establish scientific and reasonable quality evaluation standards and action mechanisms of active constituents from PH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior work has extensively studied neural deficits in children with reading impairment (RI) in their native language but has rarely examined those of RI children in their second language (L2). A recent study revealed that the function of the local brain regions was disrupted in children with RI in L2, but it is not clear whether the disruption also occurs at a large-scale brain network level. Using fMRI and graph theoretical analysis, we explored the topology of the whole-brain functional network during a phonological rhyming task and network reconfigurations across task and short resting phases in Chinese children with English reading impairment versus age-matched typically developing (TD) children. We found that, when completing the phonological task, the RI group exhibited higher local network efficiency and network modularity compared with the TD group. When switching between the phonological task and the short resting phase, the RI group showed difficulty with network reconfiguration, as reflected in fewer changes in the local efficiency and modularity properties and less rearrangement of the modular communities. These findings were reproducible after controlling for the effects of in-scanner accuracy, participant gender, and L1 reading performance. The results from the whole-brain network analyses were largely replicated in the task-activated network. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting that RI in L2 is associated with not only abnormal functional network organization but also poor flexibility of the neural system in responding to changing cognitive demands.

Background and Objective: Approximately 38 million people worldwide experience heart failure (HF), with more than 10 million in China. Heart failure exacerbations are the main cause of HF hospitalization, and hospitalizations are the main driver of HF-associated costs. Vericiguat is recommended to treat patients who have had worsening HF despite guideline-directed medical therapy. However, the cost effectiveness of adding vericiguat to the standard treatment of this population in China remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the cost effectiveness of adding vericiguat to standard treatment in patients with HF in the Chinese population Methods: A lifetime Markov model with a 1-month cycle length was developed to compare the cost effectiveness of vericiguat plus standard treatment versus standard treatment alone in Chinese patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction following an HF exacerbation, from the perspective of Chinese healthcare providers. The clinical data were obtained from the VICTORIA study. The cost was accessed from our institution or studies conducted in China. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, representing incremental cost per incremental quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). Vericiguat was considered highly cost effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio obtained was lower than 12,551 USD/QALY, cost effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was between 12,551 and 37,654.5 USD/QALY, and not cost effective if the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was higher than 37,654.5 USD/QALY. A scenario analysis, one-way sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. Results: For a 67-year-old patient with HF following an HF exacerbation, the lifetime cost was 17,721 USD if vericiguat plus standard treatment was given, compared to 7907 USD if standard treatment alone was prescribed. The corresponding effectiveness was 2.20 QALY and 2.10 QALY, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of vericiguat plus standard treatment versus standard treatment alone in Chinese patients with HF was 89,429 USD/QALY, higher than the willingness-to-pay threshold of 37654.5 USD/QALY. The scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis showed the robustness of our results. Conclusions: The addition of vericiguat to the treatment regimen of Chinese patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction following an HF exacerbation resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $89,429 USD/QALY compared to standard treatment. This incremental cost-effectiveness ratio exceeds the willingness-to-pay threshold and thus, vericiguat was deemed not cost effective in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This first multi‐year investigation focuses on bores over the southern North China Plain during the 2015–2019 warm seasons. Bore structure depended on location with undular bores tending to occur close to the coast and non‐undular bores to the west near elevated terrain. Bores were most likely to occur during June and July when convection is active. While bore frequency over the Southern Great Plains (SGP) of U.S. is linked to the region's nocturnal low‐level jet, the bores herein were sensitive to the synoptic regime with ∼80% occurring during 4‐to‐5‐day periods under three different synoptic regimes. The bores had shorter durations than their SGP counterparts and a far wider range in their direction of propagation. Overall, these findings find regional differences in bores' frequency, movement, and structure serving an impetus for future investigations of nocturnal mesoscale convective systems and bores over China and other locations worldwide. Plain Language Summary: Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) contribute to beneficial rainfall and the increase of extreme rainfall observed in present warming climate. MCSs are generally considered to be a result of lifting of the environmental air by the MCS's diabatically generated cold pool. Recent studies have shown that nocturnal MCSs can also generate bores that cause significant lifting (of ∼1 km) in the lower troposphere, destabilizing large areas (>10,000 km2) surrounding the MCS. Past studies of bores have generally concentrated on nocturnal convection over the Southern Great Plains (SGP) in the United States. This study provides the first systematic investigation of the generation, characteristics, and evolution of bores over China. While similarities were found with their SGP counterparts, the documentation of significant differences raises the impetus for future investigations focused on advancing the understanding and prediction of bore dynamics over other locations and their relationship to nocturnal mesoscale convective systems. Key Points: This climatological study examines the frequency, structure, and movement of bores over the southern North China PlainNocturnal mesoscale convective systems over China generate bores but with significant differences from that over the central United StatesThis study raises the impetus for future investigations of bores' dynamics and bores over other regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to local villagers, the main Beiguo landslide on the Heyang Loess Tableland in China occurred several decades ago (the specific time is unknown). After the initial occurrence of the main landslide, there was no major activity for several decades until December 17–22, 2017 (2 months after the rainy season), when the main landslide was completely reactivated. One of the interesting findings of our field survey is that there are two erosion gullies and numerous loess caves (groups) developed at the top of the Beiguo landslide, which are generally considered to be the dominant channels by which rainwater or surface runoff enters the deep underground space. In order to better understand the process and triggering factors of the main landslide's reactivation, a multidisciplinary investigation including satellite remote sensing, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey, a terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) survey, an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey, laboratory experiments, real-time monitoring using an inclinometer, and field investigations of the Beiguo landslide was conducted. We believe that the reactivation of the main Beiguo landslide may have been occurring for more than 10 years, or perhaps even longer. Since 2011, there have been several signs of local activity in the main landslide body, and the last accelerated stage of the entire deformation process occurred in 2017. The development and existence of loess caves directly destroyed the stability of the slope, and the rainfall and surface runoff quickly entered the interior of the main landslide. The influence of the loess caves on the landslide's reactivation was long-term and continuous. The results of this study suggest that the several days of abundant and continuous rainfall in the rainy season in 2017 were the last direct trigger of the final reactivation of the main landslide. The secondary landslide significantly changed the original slope, including the aspect of the slope profile's morphology, the slope gradient, relief, erosion, and accumulation, which accelerated the evolution of the tableland landform. This study enhances our understanding of the reactivation behavior of loess landslides, and also provides important support for the monitoring and prevention of reactivated landslides in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) antimissile system in response to North Korea's nuclear test, leading to the Chinese government's opposition to THAAD, citing national security concerns. Chinese consumers held a large-scale "boycott for Korean products" campaign in 2014. In the same year, the China–South Korea free trade agreement (FTA) was signed. This study compares the double-difference (DID) and triple-difference (DDD) models using the impact of the THAAD political conflict on South Korean exports. In the DID model, THAAD reduced South Korean exports, while in the DDD model, the FTA effectively alleviated the impact of THAAD. The net difference of the FTA's impact on the commodities boycotted in response to the THAAD conflict exists because some boycotted commodities were promoted by the FTA while others were not. The effect of the THAAD event shock was significant only in the first two years, with minimal subsequent changes in growth. THAAD and FTA's dynamic effects provide evidence of how political conflict can eventually influence popular opinion and how the trade policy plays a significant role in the national conflict resolution. Finally, the study provides additional evidence on the effect of non-tariff barriers triggered by THAAD on the service industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To construct the prediction index of anxiety outcome of nurses in operating room by using classified regression tree model. Methods A total of 284 operating room nurses in 971 th Hospital of Navy of Chinese People's Liberation Army from March 2017 to June 2020 were selected to evaluate the baseline set data by using the classification regression tree model to determine the risk factors inducing anxiety of operating room nurses in military hospitals, and calculate the contribution rate of different risk factors. The prediction set was used as the evaluation method of prediction results to determine the risk factors that induced nurses' self rating Anxiety Scale ( SAS * score to reach the anxiety standard. Results The results of single factor analysis confirmed that the weekly working time, marital status, having children, CD-RISC score, age educational background were statistically significant ( all P < 0. 05 *. The SAS score split regression tree analysis of nurses showed that the weekly working time, marital status, children's situation, CD-RISC score, age entry model, formed 6 nodes, among which there were divorce, weekly working time >45 h and the highest score. Conclusion The risk factors of nurses anxiety in operating room were composed of five items: working hours, marital status, children's condition, psychological elasticity and age. Nursing managers can use the risk factors of nurses anxiety in operating room to predict the anxiety outcome in advance and carry out timely and reasonable intervention, which can help to reduce the anxiety degree of nursing staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) varies markedly among different risk groups in China, spreading fromhigh-risk populations to the general population. Indeed, China is in a critical period of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention and control; however, data regarding HIV testing, infection and coinfection among infertile couples are lacking. This study aimed to estimate the HIV/AIDS prevalence to identify risk factors among infertile couples in Hunan, China. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of HIV/other infections (hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis, and Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infections) among 338,432 infertile individuals in Hunan, China, from 2012 to 2018. We calculated linear trends in prevalence using bivariate linear regression. Results: The overall prevalence rates of HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, MG, syphilis, and HBV and HCV antibody positivity in this study were 0.04%, 1.73%, 0.05%, 2.60%, 2.15%, 12.01% and 0.56%, respectively. The predominant infection was HBV, followed by MG, syphilis, and chlamydia. Only 1.13% of the participants (382/338432) reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) signs and symptoms suggesting genital tract infection. However, from 2012–2018, the variation in HIV prevalence was not significant (β = 0.000, PTREND = 0.907). The characteristics of the HIV-infected infertile population have not shifted dramatically, with women accounting for 32.56% of HIV cases in China. Overall, 87.60% of HIV-infected individuals have a relatively low education. In total, 37.98% of HIV-positive patients engage in high-risk behaviors. Conclusions: This study expands upon existing knowledge of HIV prevalence in the infertile Chinese population. However, much work is needed to achieve popularization of prevention knowledge and change concept. Routine HIV screening is urgently needed for all adults with high-risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic drought is one of the most frequent natural disasters in the world and is closely related to human life. The main cause of socioeconomic drought is the contradiction between water supply and demand; hence, as local reservoirs play a major role in improving water supply and coping with extreme climate, it is reasonable to estimate socioeconomic drought based on reservoir operations. The multivariate standardized reliability and resilience index (MSRRI) is utilized to evaluate socioeconomic drought, considering the characteristics of reservoir management and storage water resources. Therefore, with the MSRRI, this study takes the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China, which is controlled by two reservoirs dominating the upstream and downstream regions, as a case study to reveal the evolution characteristics of socioeconomic drought in the basin and the external impacts of climate variability. The results showed that (1) the drought intensity in the up-midstream region is stronger than that in the downstream region; in view of the hysteresis in the downstream region, the occurrence of drought in the up-midstream region could be regarded as an early warning to implement preventive measures in the downstream region; (2) an increasing trend in socioeconomic drought throughout the basin exists on both monthly and annual scales, which indicates that the increasing possibility of drought should be effectively addressed; (3) cross wavelet analysis indicated that the large-scale climate indices contribute to the variations in the socioeconomic droughts throughout the basin, indicating that climate variability may provide a reference for managers to deal with socioeconomic drought in the HRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, construction of urban space in China likes a ranging fire, which effectively improves urban habitats. However, serious problems appear incessantly among decisions, layout, designs, development and management of public space in China. In terms of urban common space in individual city, it exits quality decline, structure illegibility and regression of functions and artistic appearances, which are what we need to keep away and improve on. In this paper, we study the problem of multiple attribute decision making for evaluating the impact of mobile phone information technology on the urban public space development under the internet background in which the decision making information values are interval number, a new decision making method is proposed. Then, according to the concept of the cross entropy, the relative closeness degree is defined to determine the ranking order of all alternatives by calculating the cross entropy to both the interval positive-ideal solution (IPIS) and interval negative-ideal solution (INIS) simultaneously. At last, a numerical example for evaluating the impact of mobile phone information technology on the urban public space development under the internet background is provided to illustrate the proposed method. The result shows the approach is simple, effective and easy to calculate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare osseous outcomes of block and cancellous iliac bone grafting in older unilateral alveolar cleft patients. Design: Retrospective and observational follow-up study. Setting: Cleft Lip and Palate Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, China. Patients: Forty-five nonsyndromic patients with unilateral complete alveolar cleft were enrolled in this study (25 patients in block bone graft group and 20 patients in cancellous bone graft group). Interventions: In cancellous bone graft group, the alveolar cleft was filled with iliac cancellous bone particulate. In group of block bone graft, the harvested bone block was trimmed and fixed in alveolar defect. Main Outcome Measures: A novel method was proposed to investigate the volume and density of residual bone graft at 1-week, 3- and 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively based on cone beam computed tomography scans. Results: No difference in bone graft volume was found between 2 groups at 1-week and 3-month postoperatively; however, the residual volume of block bone graft group was significantly larger than that of cancellous bone graft group at 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively. The bone density of block bone graft group was lower at 1-week and 3-month postoperatively but was comparable at 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively. Our method was reliable and accurate to identify the range of residual bone graft when the boundary of grafted bone could not be identified clearly. Conclusion: Block bone graft could achieve comparable bone density and retain a greater amount of residual bone comparing to cancellous bone graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The popular distilled Chinese strong-flavour liquor (CSFL) is produced by solid fermentation in the ground pit. Microbes inhabiting in the pit mud (PM) on the walls of the fermentation pit are responsible for the production of caproic acid (CA) that determines the quality of CSFL to a large degree. However, little is known about the active microbial populations and metabolic potential of the PM microbiome. Here, we investigated the overall metabolic features of the PM microbiome and its active microbial components by combining metagenomics and MiSeq-sequencing analyses of the 16S rRNA genes from DNA and RNA (cDNA). Results showed that prokaryotes were predominant populations in the PM microbiome, accounting for 95.3% of total metagenomic reads, while eukaryotic abundance was only 1.8%. The dominant prokaryotic phyla were Firmicutes, Euryarchaeota, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, accounting for 48.0%, 19.0%, 13.5%, 2.5% and 2.1% of total metagenomic reads respectively. Most genes encoding putative metabolic pathways responsible for the putative CA production via chain elongation pathway were detected. This indicated that the PM microbiome owned functional potential for synthesizing CA from ethanol or lactate. Some key genes encoding enzymes involved in hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis pathways were detected in the PM metagenome, suggesting the possible occurrence of interspecies hydrogen transfer between CA-producing bacteria and methanogens. The 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA profiles showed that the Clostridial cluster IV, Lactobacillus, Caloramator, Clostridium, Sedimentibacter, Bacteroides and Porphyromonas were active populations in situ, in which Clostridial cluster IV and Clostridium were likely involved in the CA production. This study improved our understandings on the active populations and metabolic pathways of the PM microbiome involved in the CA synthesis in the CSFL fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of fingertip tactile sensitivity on the structural variability of thumb and index finger forces during stable precision grip. Thirty right-handed healthy subjects participated in the experiment. Transient perturbation of tactile afferents was achieved by wrapping up the distal pads of the thumb or index finger with transparent polyethylene films. The time-dependent structure of each digit force and the variability of interdigit force correlation were examined by detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA), respectively. Results showed that the tactile sensitivity affected αDFA of the vertical shear force Fx (F3,239 = 6.814, p<0.001) and αDCCA of Fx (χ2 = 16.440, p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in αDFA or αDCCA of the normal forces produced by the thumb or index finger. These results suggested that with blurred tactile sensory inputs the central nervous system might decrease the vertical shear force flexibility and increase the interdigit shear force coupling in order to guarantee a stable grip control of an object against gravity. This study shed light on the feedback and feed-forward strategies involved in digit force control and the role of SA-II afferent fibers in regulation of vertical shear force variability for precision grip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nixintage iron deposit is located in the central segment of the Awulale metallogenic belt, Chinese Western Tianshan. Iron ores are mainly hosted by andesitic tuff and andesite of the Carboniferous Dahalajunshan Formation. The paragenetic sequence includes a magmatic magnetite-apatite stage (I); a magmatic–hydrothermal stage (II), and three substages can be divided, including magnetite-albite substage (II-1), magnetite-chlorite-pyrite substage (II-2), magnetite-quartz-calcite substage (II-3); and a late hydrothermal quartz-calcite-sulfides stage (III). Anhedral, fine-grained magnetite associated with apatite in brecciated and matrix ores formed in stage I with relatively variable compositions, most probably indicate the fast crystallization under a disequilibrium condition. The high-grade magnetite orebodies mainly formed in the stage II, are featured by widespread hydrothermal mineral assemblages associated with the ores. Magnetite formed in this stage has medium-to-high concentrations of V, low-to-medium concentrations of Ti, Cr, relative depletion of Mg, Ni, K, and these data mainly plot in the Kiruna and porphyry fields of discriminant diagrams that comparable to magnetite from typical Kiruna-type iron deposits. Both stages I and II magnetites show similar wide δ18O ranges and with peak values at 6.0–10.0 ‰, heavier than typical Kiruna-type deposits, while could be attributed to the relatively low crystallization temperature inferred by microthermometric data of a previous study. The δ34S values of pyrite formed in different stages range between 0.1 and 2.4 ‰, comparable to the sulfur isotopic composition of the mantle-derived magma. These features indicate that stage I iron mineralization was generated by the extrusion of iron phosphorous oxide melts separated from the parental silicate magma. Subsequent deuteric fluids exsolved from basaltic to andesitic melts during the late stage of volcanism, generated magmatic–hydrothermal iron mineralization in stage II, and the continuous evolution of the deuteric fluids formed stage III hydrothermal veins. In summary, integrated evidence suggests the Nixintage is a Kiruna-type iron deposit. Zircon U-Pb ages of ore-hosting andesite and andesitic tuff are 317.6–314.4 Ma, and timing for iron mineralization was inferred at the same time, i.e., ca. 315 Ma. Previously published petro-geochemical data combined with our geochronological data of these rocks, suggest the ore-related volcanism in Nixintage probably originated from the partial melting of the mantle wedge modified by subducted fluids under a Late Carboniferous continental arc setting. Consequently, a genetic model for the studied deposit could be created. Furthermore, the southeast of the Nixintage nearer to the vent might have potential for prospecting large Kiruna-type iron deposits. • Integrated evidence suggests the Nixintage is a Kiruna-type iron deposit • The extrusion of low silica iron phosphorous oxide melts and subsequent deuteric fluids generated different styles of mineralization • The southeast of the ore district have potential for prospecting larger Kiruna-type iron deposits [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Market mavenism and opinion leadership are two important consumer influential concepts in marketing communication literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore two overarching research questions. First, can we separate market mavenism from opinion leadership in China? The answer to this question would solve an important issue of targeting in marketing communication. Second, if market mavenism is indeed distinctive from opinion leadership, are market mavenism and opinion leadership determined by same or different factors in China? The answer of this question would help determine how to reach each type of consumer influential and add knowledge to market segmentation. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was conducted to test the hypotheses. In total, 316 Chinese respondents completed this survey. Findings – The results were illuminating: market mavenism and opinion leadership were indeed distinctive yet related concepts in China. Monochronicity, altruism, price-value consciousness, and income significantly influenced market mavenism after controlling for all other variables while monochronicity, price-value consciousness, and age significantly predicted opinion leadership after controlling for all other variables. Research limitations/implications – This study provides a richer picture of market mavenism and opinion leadership in the Chinese market. Originality/value – This study helps scholars and professionals efficiently and effectively reach each type of consumer influential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An annotated checklist of the Chinese Chrysididae is provided. The list includes 188 species and subspecies in twenty three genera of five subfamilies. Four species are proposed as new combinations: Hedychridium cupreum asianum (Linsenmaier, 1997), Philoctetes deauratus (Mocsáry, 1914), Ph. mordvilkoi (Semenov-Tian-Shanskij, 1932), and Pseudomalus hypocritus (du Buysson, 1893). Two species are revalidated: Chrysis consobrina Mocsáry, 1889, and Philoctetes mongolicus (du Buysson, 1901). Historical data with comments on the current taxonomic position, and the pictures of sixty five types are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (eCO2) is expected to increase the labile C input to the soil, which may stimulate microbial activity and soil N2O emissions derived from nitrification and denitrification. However, few studies studied the effect of eCO2 on N2O emissions from maize field under the free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) conditions in the warm temperate zone. Here, we report a study conducted during the 12th summer maize season under long-term eCO2, aiming to investigate the effect of eCO2 on N2O emissions. Moreover, we tested zero and conventional N fertilization treatments, with maize being grown under either eCO2 or ambient CO2 (aCO2). We hypothesized that N2O emissions would be increased under eCO2 due to changes in soil labile C and mineral N derived from C-deposition, and that the increase would be larger when eCO2 was combined with conventional N fertilization. We also measured the activities of some soil extracellular enzymes, which could reflect soil C status. The results showed that, under eCO2, seasonal N2O and CO2 emissions increased by 12.4–15.6% (p < 0.1) and 13.8–18.5% (p < 0.05), respectively. N fertilization significantly increased the seasonal emissions of N2O and CO2 by 33.1–36.9% and 17.1–21.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the combination of eCO2 and N fertilization increased the intensity of soil N2O and CO2 emissions. The marginal significant increase in N2O emissions under eCO2 was mostly due to the lower soil water regime after fertilization in the study year. Dissolved organic C (DOC) and microbial biomass C (MBC) concentration showed a significant increase at most major stages, particularly at the tasseling stage during the summer maize growth period under eCO2. In contrast, soil mineral N showed a significant decrease under eCO2 particularly in the rhizospheric soils. The activities of C-related soil extracellular enzymes were significantly higher under eCO2, particularly at the tasseling stage, which coincided with concurrent increased DOC and MBC under eCO2. We conclude that eCO2 increases N2O emissions, and causes a higher increase when combined with N fertilization, but the increase extent of N2O emissions was influenced by environmental factors, especially by soil water, to a great extent. We highlighted the urgent need to monitor long-term N2O emissions and N2O production pathways in various hydrothermal regimes under eCO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first goal of this research is to differentiate e-mavenism from market mavenism in the Chinese context. The second objective of this research is to test whether self-interests affect market mavenism and e-mavenism similarly or differently in a typical collectivistic country. The third purpose of this research is to identify the role of gender in the relationships between self-interests and mavenism. The theoretical and practical contributions of this study are established by the findings based on the survey data collected from online consumers in China: Market mavenism and e-mavenism were independent yet moderately related concepts. Status seeking and consumer need for uniqueness were significant predictors of both market mavenism and e-mavenism, while attention seeking affected only e-mavenism. Gender moderated the relationship between consumer need for uniqueness and e-mavenism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flavor stability during storage is very important to the freshness and shelf life of beer. However, beer fermented with a yeast strain which is prone to autolyze will significantly affect the flavor of product. In this study, the gene encoding β-1,3-glucan synthetase catalytic subunit ( fks1) of the lager yeast was destroyed via self-clone strategy. β-1,3-glucan is the principle cell wall component, so fks1 disruption caused a decrease in β-1,3-glucan level and increase in chitin level in cell wall, resulting in the increased cell wall thickness. Comparing with wild-type strain, the mutant strain had 39.9 and 63.41 % less leakage of octanoic acid and decanoic acid which would significantly affect the flavor of beer during storage. Moreover, the results of European Brewery Convention tube fermentation test showed that the genetic manipulation to the industrial brewing yeast helped with the anti-staling ability, rather than affecting the fermentation ability. The thiobarbituric acid value reduced by 65.59 %, and the resistant staling value increased by 26.56 %. Moreover, the anti-staling index of the beer fermented with mutant strain increased by 2.64-fold than that from wild-type strain respectively. China has the most production and consumption of beer around the world, so the quality of beer has a significant impact on Chinese beer industry. The result of this study could help with the improvement of the quality of beer in China as well as around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is commonly observed among stroke survivors. However, statistical analysis of such data is scarce in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence of PSD and its relationship with stroke characteristics in China. Methods: This was a prospective hospital-based study. Stroke patients were assessed within two weeks after acute ischemic stroke onset and then reevaluated at three months. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used for screening depression (PSD). Subjects with HAMD score of ≥7 were further assessed with the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Stroke severity was measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Stroke outcome was measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: One hundred and two stroke patients were recruited, only ninety-one patients completed del period (men = 53, 63.74%), with mean age 60.0±10.4 years (range, 34–82 years). The incidence of PSD was 27.47% two weeks after stroke. The occurrence of PSD was unrelated with age, stroke type, stroke lesion and the history of disease. In univariate analysis gender, PSD was correlated with female gender. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, poor stroke outcome (mRS≥3) (OR 12.113, CI 1.169 to 125.59, P<0.05) was the important predictors of PSD. Conclusions: The study indicated that gender, functional dependence and stroke outcome are determinants of PSD occurrence during the first 2 weeks after stroke in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) has been reported to result from mutations of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1 and IDH2) genes and to function as an "oncometabolite." To evaluate the clinical significance of serum 2-HG levels in hematologic malignancies, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in particular, we analyzed this metabolite in distinct types of human leukemia and lymphoma and established the range of serum 2-HG in appropriate normal control individuals by using gas chromatograph-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Aberrant serum 2-HG pattern was detected in the multicenter group of AML, with 62 of 367 (17%) patients having 2-HG levels above the cutoff value (2.01, log2-transformed from 4.03 µg/mL). IDH1/2 mutations occurred in 27 of 31 (87%) AML cases with very high 2-HG, but were observed only in 9 of 31 (29%) patients with moderately high 2-HG, suggesting other genetic or biochemical events may exist in causing 2-HG elevation. Indeed, glutamine-related metabolites exhibited a pattern in favor of 2-HG synthesis in the high 2-HG group. In AML patients with cytogenetically normal AML (n = 234), high 2-HG represented a negative prognostic factor in both overall survival and event-free survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed high serum 2-HG as a strong prognostic predictor independent of other clinical and molecular features. We also demonstrated distinct gene-expression/DNA methylation profiles in AML blasts with high 2-HG compared with those with normal ones, supporting a role that 2-HG plays in leukemogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-cultural comparison aims to understand whether the influence of consumer ethnocentrism (CE) on consumer preference for domestic versus foreign products is product category and country-of-origin dependent. Three countries with dissimilar cultural orientation and economic status—China, South Korea, and the United States—were examined. American consumers were found to be more ethnocentric than Chinese and South Korean consumers. CE was found to significantly and positively predict American and Korean consumers’ preference for domestic products across product categories, while Chinese consumers’ CE did not translate into their preference for Chinese products. In addition, the relationship between CE and purchase preference varied across product categories as well as countries of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

As consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies heighten in intensity when a country is threatened, this cross-cultural comparison study aims to understand how the recent global financial crisis may have influenced the phenomenon of consumer ethnocentrism (CE). This study compares the levels of CE in the U.S. and China and examines patriotism, nationalism, internationalism, and demographic factors as antecedents of CE in order to understand how consumers’ ethnocentric tendencies vary across cultures. Results indicate that American consumers are more ethnocentric than Chinese consumers, while nationalism has the strongest impact on CE in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On 12 August 2004, Typhoon Rananim (0414) moved inland over China and stagnated over the Poyang Lake area, resulting in torrential rainfall and severe geologic hazards. The Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting (ARW-WRF) model and its different land surface models (LSMs) were employed to study the impacts of land surface process on the inland behavior of Typhoon Rananim. Results show that simulations, coupled with LSMs or not, have no significant differences in predicting typhoon track, intensity, and largescale circulation. However, the simulations of mesoscale structure, rainfall rate, and rainfall distribution of typhoon are more reasonable with LSMs than without LSMs. Although differences are slight among LSMs, NOAH is better than the others. Based on outputs using the NOAH scheme, the interaction between land surface and typhoon was explored in this study. Notably, typhoon rainfall and cloud cover can cool land surface, but rainfall expands the underlying saturated wetland area, which exacerbates the asymmetric distribution of surface heat fluxes. Accordingly, an energy frontal zone may form in the lower troposphere that enhances ascending motion and local convection, resulting in heavier rainfall. Moreover, the expanded underlying saturated wetlands provide plentiful moisture and unstable energy for the maintenance of Typhoon Rananim and increased rainfall in return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local districts to some extent play a most embarrassing and difficult role in Chinas education reform. The degree of local fulfillment and productivity in education reform can affect or even change the pre-design, actual process, and periodical consequence of the whole country. This paper focuses on three questions: first, how local districts implement reform logic smoothly through balancing wisdom in time, space, and action; second, how local districts make use of offering and obtaining in the reform to seek the sense of unity and complete the collective construction of reform emotion; third, how local districts exist in uncertainty and bargain on the benefit relationship and situation reconstruction with the State as well as with schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the developments in the intellectual property sector in China. It examines the Tomato Garden software Internet piracy case, and its effect in the legal system of fighting copyright violations in the country. It cites that the case was tried by the Huqiu District People's Court of Suzhou City in Jiangsu Province in China. The case involved the copyright infringement by Wanglian Ad Co. and Gongruan Co. of Microsoft's Windows XP software.

The economic valuation of ecosystem services is an effective way to understand the multiple benefits provided. Effluent and other environmental problems must be properly managed if shrimp aquaculture is to achieve sustainability. Evaluation of shrimp ecosystems can facilitate voluntary improvements in the environmental performance of shrimp farms. This study evaluated shrimp ecosystem services in Leizhou City, Guangdong Province, using the market method (MM), carbon tax rate method (CRM), reforestation cost method (RCM) and contingent valuation method (CVM), based on results of input-output analysis and water quality of shrimp ponds. We examined both direct and indirect value of shrimp ecosystem services at large and small spatial scales. This study has quantified the multiple benefits and costs of shrimp ecosystems, suggests a more feasible basis for coastal environmental management and sustainability of shrimp aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An invasive alien weed, Ageratina adenophora, has become widespread in the southwest of China due to its high environmental adaptation. In the present study, in order to understand the molecular aspects of resistance to heat and cold stress, we investigated the characterization and expression of heat shock protein genes (designated as Aahsp70 and Aahsp90) in A. adenophora. The cDNA of A. adenophora Aahsp70 and Aahsp90 was cloned by the combination of homology cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analyses revealed that Aahsp70 and Aahsp90 shared high levels of identity with corresponding proteins from other species. Hybridization was employed to examine the expression patterns of Aahsp70 and Aahsp90. The relative expression levels of the Aahsp70 and Aahsp90 transcripts were both up-regulated and reached maximal levels at 2–4 h after heat shock. Then, Aahsp70 dropped progressively to the original level at ∼4 h after heat shock. The transcriptional changes of Aahsp70 and Aahsp90 both were more obvious under cold stress. Recombinant Aahsp70 and Aahsp90 improved the viability, in comparison with the control cultures, of Escherichia coli under stress conditions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the cell lysates suggested that the protective effect in vivo was related to increased thermo-stability of the soluble cytosolic proteins. This study emphasizes that the relationship between, and regulation of, heat shock proteins might incorporate variable strengths to increase the adaptation of A. adenophora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Five well recognized TCM plant species in the Zingiberaceae family were investigated. • External morphology characteristics were provided. • Volatile marker compounds from each species were identified using a SPME GC/Q-ToF method. • Characterization and quantification of triglycerides were achieved using a SFC/MS method. • Comprehensive profiles and quality standards were established for distinguishing between different species. Volatile compounds (VCs) and triglycerides (TGs) are the primary groups of constituents in the fruits of five well-known species used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), viz. Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. (AO), Alpinia katsumadai Hayata (AK), Amomum villosum Lour. (FAL), Amomum villosum Lour. var. xanthioides T. L. Wu et Senjen (FALX), and Amomum longiligulare T. L. Wu (FALO). The fruits of these species are morphologically similar and commonly used in both foods and TCM. Each species is purportedly endowed with different medicinal properties. Efficient and environmentally friendly methods are desirable for the quality control of these species. The current study attempted to establish both comprehensive profiles and quality standards for the five TCM species. External morphology characters were provided to distinguish 18 fruit samples belonging to the five species, which were collected from different geographical regions of China. The VCs of each sample were analyzed by SPME GC/Q-ToF. The identification of marker compounds from each species allowed for the differentiation of the fruits from the five plants. Characterization and quantification of 21 TGs were achieved using SFC/MS with an analysis time of less than 15 min. The complex TGs were unambiguously identified using the MS detection with correct attribution of the acyl group to the sn-2 position. Moreover, the quantification of TGs was improved by using reference standards whenever possible or a single standard strategy to determine multiple TGs. The validity of the proposed SFC/MS method was assessed by analyzing fatty acids from the hydrolysis and transesterification products of the same sample set using GC/MS. The quantification results from both TGs and fatty acids were consistent, and were further substantiated by chemometric analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study utilizing the morphology, VCs, and TGs for quality evaluation purpose of these five TCM species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emperor Liang wu XiaoYan's lifetime was related to Buddhism. It was always a splendid stroke in the history of ancient Chinese Buddhism. He believed in, and upheld Buddhism as a monarch in a devout and crazy mood. Religion, politics, selfishness and selflessness got entangled complicatedly. Xiao Yan defined his identity of Buddhist consciously, his ideological foundation and his religious practice closely connected with his identity of feudal monarch, which leave behind lots of legends and controversy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural gas hydrate (NGH) reservoir in China is mainly distributed in the continental shelf with water depths ranging from 600–1500 m, about 90% of which is stored in the shallow area of the deep sea, with weak cementation and non-diagenetic characteristics. In order to test and study this type of NGH, samples must be prepared in situ, in large quantities, and at fast speed. At present, there are problems with the common stirring, spraying, and bubbling preparation techniques available, such as slow generation rate, low gas storage density, and lack of rapid preparation. Therefore, the rapid preparation of large samples of non-diagenetic natural gas hydrate has received extensive attention at home and abroad. In view of this technical bottleneck, Southwest Petroleum University innovatively established a rapid preparation kettle of 1062 L. In this paper, the preparation experiment of natural gas hydrate in the South China Sea (the pressure of the preparation kettle was reduced from 7 MPa to 3.3 MPa) was carried out in the preparation method of the 'three-in-one' (stirring method, spraying method, bubbling method) and experimental test method. In the process of preparation of non-diagenetic gas hydrate, the data of dynamic image, temperature, pressure, electrical resistivity, and reaction time are tested. During the preparation of natural gas hydrate, temperature, pressure, and electrical resistivity curves in four preparation methods were made, respectively. Through the experimental data analysis of different preparation methods of natural gas hydrate, it has been found that the preparation time of natural gas hydrate using the stirring method, the spraying method, and the bubbling method alone require a longer preparation time. However, when the three-in-one method is used to prepare natural gas hydrate, the preparation cycle of natural gas hydrate is obviously shortened. The preparation time of the single method of stirring method, spraying method, and bubbling method is respectively about 5.13, 3.59, and 3.37 times as long as that of three-in-one method. The three-in-one method for preparing natural gas hydrate greatly improves the preparation efficiency, which has a great significance to the scientific and technological progress of experimental research and evaluation methods of natural gas hydrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although inter-laboratory validation efforts of the in-vivo micronucleus (MN) assay based on flow cytometry (FCM) have taken place in the EU and US, none have been organized in China. Therefore, an inter-laboratory study that included eight laboratories in China and one experienced reference laboratory in the US was coordinated to validate the in-vivo FCM MicroFlow ® method to determine the frequency of micro-nucleated reticulocytes (MN-RETs) in rat blood. Assay reliability and reproducibility were evaluated with four known genotoxicants, and the results obtained with the FCM method were compared with the outcome of the traditional evaluation of bone-marrow micronuclei by use of microscopy. Each of the four chemicals was tested at three sites (two in China and the one US reference laboratory). After three consecutive daily exposures to a genotoxicant, blood and bone-marrow samples were obtained from rats 24 h after the third dose. MN-RET frequencies were measured in 20,000 RET in blood by FCM, and micro-nucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MN-PCE) frequencies were measured in 2,000 PCEs in bone marrow by microscopy. For both methods, each genotoxicant was shown to induce a statistically significant increase in the frequency of MN after treatment with at least one dose. Where more doses than one caused an increase, responses occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Spearman's correlation coefficient ( r s ) for FCM-based MN-RET vs microscopy-based MN-PCE measurements (eight experiments, 200 paired measurements) was 0.723, indicating a high degree of correspondence between methods and compartments. The r s value for replicate FCM MN-RET measurements performed at the eight collaborative laboratories was 0.940 ( n = 200), and between the eight FCM laboratories with the reference laboratory was 0.933 ( n = 200), suggesting that the automated method is very well transferable between laboratories. The FCM micronucleus analysis method is currently used in many countries worldwide, and these data support its use for evaluating the in-vivo genotoxic potential of test chemicals in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study about the extent of the emerging epidemic cases of syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. The study also analyzes the reason of the increasing HIV and syphilis among MSM, the trends of the spread of infection, and the causes of the increasing spread of infection in order to develop an evidenced-based syphilis control program. Study subjects came from the three MSM saunas, three MSM bars, and one MSM clinic which is affiliated with the Shenzen Center for Chronic Disease Control. Three consecutive surveys were conducted on the study to determine the extent of the increasing sexually transmitted infections (STD's) among MSM.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of colchicine versus placebo on reducing the risk of subsequent stroke after high risk non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack within the first three months of symptom onset (CHANCE-3)., Design: Multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial., Setting: 244 hospitals in China between 11 August 2022 and 13 April 2023., Participants: 8343 patients aged 40 years of age or older with a minor-to-moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and a high sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/L were enrolled., Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 within 24 h of symptom onset to receive colchicine (0.5 mg twice daily on days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg daily thereafter) or placebo for 90 days., Main Outcome Measures: The primary efficacy outcome was any new stroke within 90 days after randomisation. The primary safety outcome was any serious adverse event during the treatment period. All efficacy and safety analyses were by intention to treat., Results: 4176 patients were assigned to the colchicine group and 4167 were assigned to the placebo group. Stroke occurred within 90 days in 264 patients (6.3%) in the colchicine group and 270 patients (6.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.16); P=0.79). Any serious adverse event was observed in 91 (2.2%) patients in the colchicine group and 88 (2.1%) in the placebo group (P=0.83)., Conclusions: The study did not provide evidence that low-dose colchicine could reduce the risk of subsequent stroke within 90 days as compared with placebo among patients with acute non-cardioembolic minor-to-moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and a high sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/L., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05439356., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at https://www.icmje.org/disclosure-of-interest/ and declare: support from National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

We conducted a field experiment in the dry farming area in south Ningxia from 2018 to 2021, to explore the influence of tillage methods combined with mulching on soil bulk density, aggregate content, soil water storage and potato yield under different precipitation years. There were four tillage methods (15 cm depth ploughing, and 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm depth subsoiling) and three mulching measures (mulching with oat straw, plastic film and no mulching), with the ploughing depth of 15 cm without mulching as control. The results showed the combination of tillage and mulching effectively reduced soil bulk density in 0-60 cm layer after three years of farming compared with that prior to the experiment. Under the same tillage mode, the best effect was achieved in mulching with oat straw under different precipitation years. To be specific, the best effect in 20 cm and 40 cm soil layers was achieved in mulching with oat straw for 30 cm depth subsoiling, in 60 cm soil layer for 15 cm ploughing in wet year, and for 40 cm depth subsoiling in 20 cm, 40 cm and 60 cm soil layers in normal and dry years. In 0-20 cm soil layer, the content of >0.25 mm soil aggregate was the highest for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mul-ching in all the three years. In 20-40 cm soil layer, the content was the highest for 15 cm depth ploughing with oat straw mulching in wet year, and for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years. In 40-60 cm soil layer, content was the highest for 15 cm depth ploughing with plastic film mulching, 30 cm depth subsoiling with plastic film mulching, and 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet, normal and dry years, which was increased by 18.8%, 27.0%, and 35.8%, respectively, compared with the control. In the key growth stage (from squaring to tuber expansion) of potatoes, soil water storage in 0-100 cm layer was optimal for 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet year and for 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years, with an increase of 19.4%, 19.5%, and 23.7%, respectively. Potato yield was the highest for 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet year and for 40 cm depth subsoiling in normal and dry years, with an increase of 84.6%, 81.7%, and 106.3%, respectively. The correlation analysis showed that improved soil physical properties played a significant role in increasing potato yield, with the most significant role of soil bulk density and soil water storage at the squaring stage. Potato yield was high at a tillage depth of 34.67-36.03 cm. We concluded that the combination of tillage method and mulching could effectively improve soil physical pro-perties and increase soil water storage in the growth stage of potatoes, thereby significantly increa-sing potato yield. Potato yield in dry farming area could be enhanced through 30 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in wet years, and 40 cm depth subsoiling with oat straw mulching in normal and dry years.

We examined the effects of fertile soil layer construction technology on soil fertility and maize yield with a 3-year field experiment in Albic soil in Fujin, Heilongjiang Province. There were five treatments, including conventional tillage (T15, without organic matter return) and fertile soil layer construction methods [deep tillage (0-35 cm) with straw return, T35+S; deep tillage with organic manure, T35+M; deep tillage with straw and organic manure return, T35+S+M; deep tillage with straw, organic manure return and chemical fertilizer, T35+S+M+F]. The results showed that: 1) compared with the T15 treatment, maize yield was significantly increased by 15.4%-50.9% under fertile layer construction treatments. 2) There was no significant difference of soil pH among all treatments in the first two years, but fertile soil layer construction treatments significantly increased soil pH of topsoil (0-15 cm soil layer) in the third year. The pH of subsoil (15-35 cm soil layer) significantly increased under T35+S+M+F, T35+S+M, and T35+M treatments, while no significant difference was observed for T35+S treatment, compared with T15 treatment. 3) The fertile soil layer construction treatments could improve the nutrient contents of the topsoil and subsoil layer, especially in the subsoil layer, with the contents of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen and available potassium being increased by 3.2%-46.6%, 9.1%-51.8%, 17.5%-130.1%, 4.4%-62.8%, 22.2%-68.7% under the subsoil layer, respectively. The fertility richness indices were increased in the subsoil layer, and nutrient contents of the subsoil layer were close to those of topsoil layer, indicating that 0-35 cm fertile soil layer had been constructed. 4) Soil organic matter contents in the 0-35 cm layer were increased by 8.8%-23.2% and 13.2%-30.1% in the second and third years of fertile soil layer construction, respectively. Soil organic carbon storage was also gradually increased under fertile soil layer construction treatments. 5) The carbon conversion rate of organic matter was 9.3%-20.9% under T35+S treatment, and 10.6%-24.6% under T35+M, T35+S+M, and T35+S+M+F treatments. The carbon sequestration rate was 815.7-3066.4 kg·hm -2 ·a -1 in fertile soil layer construction treatments. The carbon sequestration rate of T35+S treatment increased with experimental periods, and soil carbon content under T35+M, T35+S+M and T35+S+M+F treatments reached saturation point in the experimental second year. Construction of fertile soil layers could improve the fertility of topsoil and subsoil and maize yield. In term of economic benefits, combination application of maize straw, organic material and chemical fertilizer within 0-35 cm soil, cooperating with conservation tillage, is recommended for the Albic soil fertility improvement.

Background: In 2019, there were 28. 76 million patients with stroke in China, with ~25% of them suffering from cryptogenic stroke (CS). Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is related to CS, and PFO closure can reduce recurrent stroke. To date, no study has investigated the cost-effectiveness of PFO closure vs. medical therapy among such populations in China., Methods: A Markov model with a cycle length of 3 months was established to compare the 30-year cost-effectiveness of PFO closure and medical therapy. The transition probability of recurrent stroke was derived from the RESPECT study, and the costs and utility were obtained from domestic data or studies conducted in China. The primary outcome of this study was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which represents the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). PFO closure was considered cost-effective if the ICER obtained was lower than the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 37,654 USD/QALY; otherwise, PFO closure was regarded as not being cost-effective. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results., Results: After a simulation of a 30-year horizon, a cryptogenic stroke patient with PFO was expected to have QALY of 13.15 (15.26 LY) if he received PFO closure and a corresponding value of 11.74 QALY (15.14 LY) after medical therapy. The corresponding costs in both cohorts are US $8,131 and US $4,186, respectively. Thus, an ICER of 2783 USD/QALY and 31264 USD/LY was obtained, which is lower than the WTP threshold. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that the results were robust., Conclusion: With respect to the WTP threshold of three times per capita GDP in China in 2021, PFO closure is a cost-effective method for Chinese cryptogenic stroke patients with PFO, as shown in the 30-year simulation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wei, Liu, Ma, Zhang, Zhang, Hou, Liu and Yu.)

Accurate runoff forecasting plays a vital role in water resource management. Therefore, various forecasting models have been proposed in the literature. Among them, the decomposition-based models have proved their superiority in runoff series forecasting. However, most of the models simulate each decomposition sub-signals separately without considering the potential correlation information. A neoteric hybrid runoff forecasting model based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), convolution neural networks (CNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM) called VMD-CNN-LSTM, is proposed to improve the runoff forecasting performance further. The two-dimensional matrix containing both the time delay and correlation information among sub-signals decomposing by VMD is firstly applied to the CNN. The feature of the input matrix is then extracted by CNN and delivered to LSTM with more potential information. The experiment performed on monthly runoff data investigated from Huaxian and Xianyang hydrological stations at Wei River, China, demonstrates the VMD-superiority of CNN-LSTM to the baseline models, and robustness and stability of the forecasting of the VMD-CNN-LSTM for different leading times.

Norovirus (NoV) has been recognized as a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. This review estimates the prevalence and genotype distribution of NoV in China to provide a sound reference for vaccine development. Studies were searched up to October 2020 from CNKI database and inclusion criteria were study duration of at least one calendar year and population size of >100. The mean overall NoV prevalence in individuals with sporadic diarrhea/gastroenteritis was 16.68% (20796/124649, 95% CI 16.63-16.72), and the detection rate of NoV was the highest among children. Non-GII.4 strains have replaced GII.4 as the predominant caused multiple outbreaks since 2014. Especially the recombinant GII.P16-GII.2 increased sharply, and virologic data show that the polymerase GII.P16 rather than VP1 triggers pandemic. Due to genetic diversity and rapid evolution, predominant genotypes might change unexpectedly, which has become major obstacle for the development of effective NoV vaccines.

We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial with two screening rounds to evaluate the effectiveness of combining HPV testing with liquid-based cytology (LBC) as a co-test, compared to LBC only in cervical cancer screening of a Chinese population. First, 15,955 women aged 30-60 were randomized at a 1:1 ratio into an intervention group (Digene Hybrid Capture 2 HPV test with LBC) and a control group (LBC alone). Women in the intervention group would be referred for colposcopy and biopsy immediately if they were found to have high-risk HPV regardless of cytology results. The detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or above (CIN2+) lesions was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control (0.95% vs. 0.38%, OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.65-3.88). At the subsequent round of screening approximately 36 months later, CIN2+ detection was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.08% vs. 0.35%, OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08-0.57). Over the two rounds of screening, the total detection of CIN2+ was higher in the intervention group (1.01% vs. 0.66%, OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.09-2.19). There was a fourfold increase (10.6% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001) in the number of colposcopies performed in the intervention arm. Adding a high-risk HPV test to cytology for primary cervical screening led to earlier detection of clinically significant preinvasive lesions, resulting in a reduced detection of CIN2+ lesions in subsequent rounds and an increased rate of colposcopy., (© 2020 UICC.)

Objective: To compare osseous outcomes of block and cancellous iliac bone grafting in older unilateral alveolar cleft patients., Design: Retrospective and observational follow-up study., Setting: Cleft Lip and Palate Centre, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, China., Patients: Forty-five nonsyndromic patients with unilateral complete alveolar cleft were enrolled in this study (25 patients in block bone graft group and 20 patients in cancellous bone graft group)., Interventions: In cancellous bone graft group, the alveolar cleft was filled with iliac cancellous bone particulate. In group of block bone graft, the harvested bone block was trimmed and fixed in alveolar defect., Main Outcome Measures: A novel method was proposed to investigate the volume and density of residual bone graft at 1-week, 3- and 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively based on cone beam computed tomography scans., Results: No difference in bone graft volume was found between 2 groups at 1-week and 3-month postoperatively; however, the residual volume of block bone graft group was significantly larger than that of cancellous bone graft group at 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively. The bone density of block bone graft group was lower at 1-week and 3-month postoperatively but was comparable at 6-month, 1- and 2-year postoperatively. Our method was reliable and accurate to identify the range of residual bone graft when the boundary of grafted bone could not be identified clearly., Conclusion: Block bone graft could achieve comparable bone density and retain a greater amount of residual bone comparing to cancellous bone graft.

Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. (A. oxyphylla) is an important edible and traditional herbal medicine. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of A. oxyphylla was sequenced, analysed, and compared to five species in the Zingiberaceae family. The size of the A. oxyphylla chloroplast genome was 161351 bp, which consisted of a large single-copy (LSC, 87248 bp) and small single-copy (SSC, 16175 bp) region separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb, 28964 bp each). The genome encoded 132 unique genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs and four rRNAs. The GC content of the genome was 36.17%. A total of 53 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 80 long repeats were identified in the A. oxyphylla chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genome of A. oxyphylla shared the highest sequence similarity of >90% with the chloroplast genome of A. zerumbet, and six chloroplast genomes in the Zingiberaceae family were compared by using CGView Comparison Tool (CCT). According to the phylogenetic tree, the Zingiberaceae family is divided into two categories, which coincide with the classification of the characteristics of sun-like and shade-like in plants. Our results reveal the phototrophic component of NADH-dehydrogenase (ndhB and ndhC), photosystem II (psbZ) and ATP synthase (atpE, atpF) exhibit adaptive evolution under different environments, and the strength of light is an important trigger for the adaptations at the chloroplast level., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Hangzhou Bay suffers from intensive anthropogenic disturbances and a huge amount of terrestrial inputs, and thus has become one of the most seriously contaminated coastal zones in China. There is evidence that microbes play a dominant role in pollutant biodegradation and serve as biomarkers for pollution levels. However, it remains unclear how the bacterioplankton communities respond to organic contaminants. To fill this knowledge gap, we collected surface water samples (0.5 m below the surface layer) from 13 sites across Hangzhou Bay and 8 control sites across its adjacent offshore areas. Using Illumina sequencing based on analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, we explored the effects of increasing organic pollution levels on the bacterioplankton community compositions (BCCs). The results revealed that the organic pollution level ( A ) in Hangzhou Bay (13.2±1.6) was significantly ( P <0.001) higher than in the control zone (5.4±3.0). The distribution and diversity of bacterioplankton communities were significantly distinct between the two zones. The dominant bacterioplankton lineages in Hangzhou Bay were γ -Proteobacteria (24.4%±5.5%), α -Proteobacteria (16.5%±7.7%), and Planctomycetes (13.9%±8.6%), whereas those in the adjacent zones were Cyanobacteria (20.1%±7.5%), Bacteroidetes (18.4%±1.5%), Actinobacteria (17.5%±4.2%), γ -Proteobacteria (16.6%±1.2%), and α -Proteobacteria (14.3%±1.7%). Multivariate regression tree (MRT) analysis showed that the bacterioplankton community diversity was primarily affected by suspended particulates (SP), nitrite, oil, and organic pollutants, which respectively explained 22.0%, 6.5%, 6.0%, and 5.5% of the variance in diversity. Redundancy analysis (RDA) illustrated that the bacterioplankton community distribution was controlled by organic pollutants, COD, Chla, TN, nitrate, and salinity, which cumulatively governed 71.0% of the variation in BCCs. Organic pollutants alone controlled 6.5% variance, which was higher than any other single factor. Additionally, 35 sensitive species were identified via the indicator value method and their relative abundances were significantly associated ( P <0.05 in each case) with the organic pollution level, thereby indicating their potential for evaluating coastal pollution. Collectively, our work demonstrates that BCCs are sensitive to coastal pollution and provides biomarkers for elevated pollution levels.