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Germplasm resource innovation is a crucial factor for cultivar development, particularly within the context of hybrid rice breeding based on the three-line system. Quan 9311A, a cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) line, has been successfully cultivated using rice restoration materials and extensively employed as a female parent in hybrid breeding program in China. This line was developed by crossing the CMS line Zhong 9A with a two-line restorer line 93-11, with the intention of eliminating the restoring ability of 93-11 while retaining the sterility gene WA352c from Zhong 9A. Quan 9311A effectively amalgamates the most favorable agronomic traits from both parental lines. In this study, the relationship between phenotypic characteristics and the known functional genes of Quan 9311A were analyzed using the rice genome navigation technology based on whole-genome sequencing. The findings revealed that Quan 9311A harbors multiple superior alleles from both 93-11 and Zhong 9A, providing exceptional agronomic traits that are unavailable in earlier CMS lines. Despite the removal of the fertility restorer gene Rf3 from 93-11, numerous chromosomal segments from 93-11 persist in the Quan 9311A genome. Furthermore, the hybrid rice Quanyousimiao (QYSM) and the restorer line Wushansimiao (WSSM) were used as examples to illustrate the important role of Quan 9311A as the female parent in heterosis. It was found that QYSM carries a great number of superior alleles, which accounts for its high grain yield and wide adaptability. These insights not only advanced the utilization of hybrid rice pairing groups but also provided guidance for future breeding endeavors. The study introduced innovative concepts to further integrate genomics with traditional breeding techniques. Ultimately, Quan 9311A signified a significant milestone in rice breeding technology, opening up novel avenues for hybrid rice development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudotsuga sinensis, a vulnerable relict coniferous tree species, faces threats from overexploitation and habitat loss. Despite its status, the forest types, community structure, and population characteristics of this species in China have remained largely unknown. In our study, we conducted analyses of 69 vegetation plots where P. sinensis was the dominant species in southwestern China. We identified five forest types, i.e., Type 1: Pseudotsuga sinensis evergreen coniferous forest; Type 2: Pseudotsuga sinensis - Pinus yunnanensis evergreen coniferous forest; Type 3: Pseudotsuga sinensis - Cyclobalanopsis glaucoides evergreen coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest; Type 4: Pseudotsuga sinensis - Platycarya strobilacea evergreen coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest; Type 5: Pseudotsuga sinensis - Calocedrus macrolepis evergreen coniferous forest. These forests exhibited a multilayered vertical structure. The Simpson diversity index ranged between 0.58-0.86, while the Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged from 1.24 to 2.3. P. sinensis trees' average growth rate of ring width decreased from 5.86 to 0.33 mm/year as increasing ages. Observed maximum age of P. sinensis was 115 years with 78 cm diameter at the breast height. Age frequency distribution of P. sinensis was multimodal. There was a great lack of individuals at 0-20 years old. Forests with moderate disturbance showed a significantly higher number of P. sinensis individuals younger than 30 years compared to areas with no, slight, or severe disturbance. P. sinensis' regeneration depends on moderate disturbance. We recommended delineating buffer zones in the protected areas at certain sites and in such zones can be allowed to sustainable firewood cutting by selectively marked species other than P. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through conducting dynamic and thermodynamic diagnoses as well as a series of numerical sensitivity simulations, we investigated the effects of the terrain, coastline, and cold pools on convection initiation (CI) and its subsequent upscale convective growth (UCG) during a case of heavy rainfall along the coast of South China. CI occurred at the vertex of the coastal concave mountain geometry as a combined result of coastal convergence, orographic lifting, and mesoscale ascent driven by the terminus of a marine boundary layer jet (MBLJ). In numerical simulations with the coastline or terrain of South China removed, the coastal CI does not occur or becomes weaker as the MBLJ extends farther north, suggesting that the coastline and terrain play a role in CI. In addition, local small-scale terrain can modulate the detailed location and timing of CI and UCG. When the coastal concave terrain and coastline near the CI are artificially removed or filled by additional mountains, the orographic lifting and the local convergence along the coast correspondingly change, which strongly affects the CI and UCG. From a thermodynamic perspective, the coastal concave terrain plays the role of a local moisture ‘‘catcher,’’ which promotes low-level moistening by blocking water vapor coming from an upstream moist tongue over the ocean. Furthermore, new convection is continuously generated by the lifting of low-level moist southerlies at the leading edges of cold pools that tend to move southeastward because of the blocking coastal mountains. Sensitivity experiments suggest that the MCS becomes weaker and moves more slowly when cold pools are weakened through a reduction of rain-evaporation cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convection initiation (CI) and the subsequent upscale convective growth (UCG) at the coast of South China in a warm-sector heavy rainfall event are shown to be closely linked to a varying marine boundary layer jet (MBLJ) over the northern South China Sea (NSCS). To elucidate the dynamic and thermodynamic roles of the MBLJ in CI and UCG, we conducted and analyzed convection-permitting numerical simulations and observations. Compared to radar observations, the simulations captured CI locations and the following southwest–northeast-oriented convection development. The nocturnal MBLJ peaks at 950 hPa and significantly intensifies with turning from southwesterly to nearly southerly by inertial oscillation. The strengthened MBLJ promotes mesoscale ascent on its northwestern edge and terminus where enhanced convergence zones occur. Located directly downstream of the MBLJ, the coastal CI and UCG are dynamically supported by mesoscale ascent. From a thermodynamic perspective, a warm moist tongue over the NSCS is strengthened by the MBLJ-driven mesoscale ascent as well as by a high sea surface temperature. The warm moist tongue farther extends northeastward by horizontal transport and arrives at the coast where CI and UCG occur. Near the CI location, rapid development of a low-level saturated layer is mainly attributed to the mesoscale ascent and low-level moistening associated with the MBLJ. In addition, subsequent CI happens on either side of the original CI along the coast due to the delay of low-level moistening, which partly contributes to linear convective growth. Furthermore, ensemble simulations confirmed that a stronger MBLJ is more favorable to CI and UCG near the coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ninety-six particulate matter (PM10) chemical source profiles for geological sources in typical cities of southwest China were acquired from Source Profile Shared Service in China. Twenty-six elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Be, Tl and Pb), nine ions (F-, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+), and carbon-containing species (organic carbon and elemental carbon) were determined to construct these profiles. Individual source profiles were averaged and compared to quantify similarities and differences in chemical abundances using the profile-compositing method. Overall, the major components of PM10 in geological sources were crustal minerals and undefined fraction. Different chemical species could be used as tracers for various types of geological dust in the region that resulted from different anthropogenic influence. For example, elemental carbon, V and Zn could be used as tracers for urban paved road dust; Al, Si, K+ and NH4+ for agricultural soil; Al and Si for natural soil; and SO42- for urban resuspended dust. The enrichment factor analysis showed that Cu, Se, Sr and Ba were highly enriched by human activities in geological dust samples from south-west China. Elemental ratios were taken to highlight the features of geological dust from south-west China by comparing with northern urban fugitive dust, loess and desert samples. Low Si/Al and Fe/Al ratios can be used as markers to trace geological sources from southwestern China. High Pb/Al and Zn/Al ratios observed in urban areas demonstrated that urban geological dust was influenced seriously by non-crustal sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Qing-dai powder (QDP), comprising Indigo naturalis (Qing-dai) and dried alum (Ku-fan), was used in Chinese medicine to treat the conditions associated with mucosal hemorrhage, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aims to investigate the effects and potential mechanism of QDP on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis in mice and to examine the regulatory effects of QDP on macrophages. Methods: Seven- to eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were challenged with 2.0 % DSS in drinking water for 5 days and then the colitic mice were arbitrarily allocated into five groups (n = 10 for each group). QDP (0.77, 1.54 and 3.08 g/kg) and sulfasalazine (SASP) (0.20 g/kg) were orally administered for 7 days. The disease activity index was determined by scores of body weight loss, diarrhea and rectal bleeding; histological signs of damage was analyzed by H&E staining; myeloperoxidase activity was measured by colorimetric method, levels of proinflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA; changes in macrophages in the colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells were treated with or without QDP, then the production of TNF-α and IL-6 were measured by ELISA; and protein molecules such as COX-2, iNOS, IκB-α were determined by Western blot. Results: Oral administration of QDP at dosages of 1.54 and 3.08 g/kg significantly reduced disease activity index on day 12 (P = 0.001 for 1.54 g/kg and P = 0.0008 for 3.08 g/kg), colon shortening (P = 0.012 for 1.54 g/kg, P = 0.001 for 3.08 g/kg), histological damage (P < 0.001 for 1.54 g/kg, P < 0.001 for 3.08 g/kg) and colonic myeloperoxidase activity (P = 0.002 for 1.54 g/kg, P < 0.001 for 3.08 g/kg) of DSS-treated mice. Moreover, QDP treatment (1.54 and 3.08 g/kg) significantly decreased DSS-induced infiltration of macrophages, and production of TNF-α (P = 0.005 for 1.54 g/kg, P = 0.002 for 3.08 g/kg), IL-1β (P = 0.008 for 1.54 g/kg, P = 0.002 for 3.08 g/kg) and IL-6 (P = 0.011 for 1.54 g/kg, P = 0.004 for 3.08 g/kg) in colonic tissues, and also reduced serum MCP-1 levels (P = 0.001 for 1.54 g/kg, P < 0.001 for 3.08 g/kg). In RAW264.7 cells, QDP significantly suppressed LPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-6 (Both P < 0.001 for 1.0 μg/mL QDP treatment) and expression levels of COX-2 (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001 for 1 and 3 μg/mL QDP treatment, respectively) and iNOS (P < 0.001 for 3 μg/mL QDP treatment) by inhibiting IκB-α degradation (P = 0.007 and P = 0.004 for 1 and 3 μg/mL QDP treatment, respectively) and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Conclusion: QDP suppressed the inflammatory responses of colonic macrophages in DSS-induced UC in mice and LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The Chinese Child Developmental Inventory (CCDI) is a convenient screening tool to identify children with possible developmental delays. The purpose of this study was to update the CCDI norms using a contemporary sample of children, and to compare it with existing CCDI normative data. Materials and methods Five hundred fifty-two children, 36.5–75.5 months old, from 30 kindergartens located in three districts (Xindian, Jhonghe, and Yonghe) of New Taipei City, Taiwan were assessed using the CCDI. The updated normative data were compared with existing CCDI norms using a quadratic linear regression model. In addition, smoothed percentile curves (5 th –95 th ) were estimated using the lambda-mu-sigma method. Results Among the eight CCDI developmental dimensions, the average scores for general development, comprehension-conceptual, fine motor, situation-comprehension and expressive language (at <50 months old) were higher than the scores of the existing norms that are based on data from 1978; however, the score of the gross motor dimension was slightly lower. No differences in the average scores for self-help existed between the updated and previous norms. Conclusion The updated CCDI normative data will provide valuable information for physicians and other professionals working to identify developmental delays at early stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zuojin Wan (ZJW) and Lizhong Wan (LZW) have been widely used in the treatment of Stomach heat and cold syndrome (SH and SC), respectively. In this study, a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) based metabonomic approach was developed to profile SH and SC-related metabolic perturbations in rat serum and to investigate the intervention effects of ZJW and LZW on the corresponding SH and SC. Compared to the conventional macroscopic and histopathological examinations, the metabonomic approach could enable discrimination between SH and SC based on serum metabolic profiles. Meanwhile, 17 and 15 potential biomarkers associated with SH and SC, respectively, which were mainly involved in gastric dysfunction and mucosal lesions, gut microbiotal activity, transmethylation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, were identified. Furthermore, taking the potential biomarkers as drug targets, it was revealed that administration of ZJW and LZW could exclusively reverse the pathological process of SH and SC, respectively, through partially regulating the disturbed metabolic pathways. This work showed biological basis related to SH and SC at metabolic level and offered a new paradigm for better understanding and explanation of "Fang Zheng Dui Ying" principle in traditional Chinese medicine from a systemic view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the concept of soft power of colleges and universities and describes ways on how to enhance such while identifying problems related to the constriction of the concept in China. It notes that the concept has been primarily associated to culture wherein Chinese Culture Soft Power Research Center director Zhang Guozuo believes that culture determines the strength of a nation. It adds that cultivating educational alliances will further enhance schools' soft power.

A monitoring program of particulate matter was conducted at eight sampling sites in four highly industrialized cities (Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun, and Jinzhou) of Liaoning Province in Northeast China to identify the major potential sources of ambient PM2.5. A total of 814 PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 samples were collected between 2004 and 2005. All PM samples were collected simultaneously in four cities and analyzed gravimetrically for mass concentrations. A sum of 16 elemental species concentrations in the PM samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Annual means of PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 65.0 to 222.0 μg m−3 in all the eight sampling sites, and the spatial and seasonal variations were discussed. Enrichment factors were calculated, and Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb will be pollution-derived elements. Site-to-site comparisons of PM2.5 species in each city were examined using coefficient of divergence, revealing that the two sites in each city are similar in elemental species. Principle component analysis was used for preliminary source analysis of PM2.5. Three or four factors in each city were isolated, and similar sources (crustal source, coal combustion, vehicle exhaust, iron making, or some other metallurgical activities) were identified at four cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A "helicopter parent" is a person who is so preoccupied with his child's success that she overly involves herself in or even blatantly interferes with college affairs of education and management as they relate to her child. In this article, the author describes the behaviors of helicopter parents and analyzes their origins. The article also describes people's attitudes toward "helicopter parents" as well as countermeasures adopted by colleges of China in responding to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We investigated the association between respiratory health and particulate matter (PM) air pollution in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pre-, during, and post-the Chinese Lunar New Year (CLNY) holiday in Shanghai, China. Methods: We conducted repeated measurements of lung function and inflammation biomarker in a cohort consisted of 60 participants with T2DM. Results: Decreased PM2.5 exposure had an effect on respiratory health by increasing in forced expiratory flow in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FvC). Positive associations between PM exposure and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were observed. Conclusions: Our observations indicated that PM air pollution exposure would exert adverse effect on respiratory health in elderly T2DM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]