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Objective: Rhizosphere microorganisms play crucial roles in the growth and development of plants, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. As the only wild pepper variety resource in China, domesticated Capsicum frutescens Linn. (Xiaomila) exhibits varying beneficial traits and affects rhizosphere microbial composition compared with its wild counterparts. In this study, we aimed to identify specific rhizosphere microbiome and metabolism patterns established during the domestication process. Methods: The rhizosphere microbial diversity and composition of domesticated and wild C. frutescens were detected and analyzed by metagenomics. Non-targeted metabolomics were used to explore the differences of metabolites in rhizosphere soil between wild and domesticated C. frutescens. Results: We found that the rhizosphere microbial diversity of domesticated variety was significantly different from that of the wild variety, with Massilia being its dominant bacteria. However, the abundance of certain beneficial microbes such as Gemmatimonas, Streptomyces, Rambibacter, and Lysobacter decreased significantly. The main metabolites identified in the wild variety included serylthreonine, deoxyloganic acid, vitamin C, among others. In contrast, those identified in the domesticated group were 4-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid and benzoic acid. Furthermore, the differentially enriched pathways were concentrated in tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, histidine and purinederived alkaloids biosynthesis, benzoic acid family, two-component system, etc. Conclusion: This study revealed that C. frutescens established specific rhizosphere microbiota and metabolites during domestication, which has important significance for the efficient utilization of beneficial microorganisms in breeding and cultivation practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's constantly rapid economic growth accompanying by a low overall inflation has long been mysterious in macroeconomics. The core purpose of this paper is to solve this puzzle. Therefore, we integrate overdetermined set of equations into a MUCSVO model to explore the volatility mechanism of the overall inflation from a sectoral perspective. Our key findings include: 1) the hedging effect of sectoral inflation fluctuations principally accounts for China's long-run stable overall inflation; 2) the main contradiction of China's inflation has been shifting from high price levels in the traditional food and residence categories to rising prices in the health care category; 3) as the proportions of inflation in the food and residence categories fall steadily, sectoral inflation weights become more evenly distributed. In conclusion, China's overall inflation and deflation will be much less likely to occur, while inflation is still of sectoral imbalance. Unusual price fluctuations in the food and health care categories, which are highly relevant to basic living standards of the low-income group, deserve close attention in particular. Overall, besides solving the puzzle of China's low inflation, our model is applicable to economies that do not publish inflation weights, which is a useful extension of core inflation measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting the electricity-to-water conversion coefficient (EWCC) can help manage and plan irrigation water in arid and semiarid areas. However, the EWCC is influenced by several factors, making it difficult to develop an analytical model for validation or prediction. Therefore, this study selected 206 typical irrigation wells in Baicheng City to conduct EWCC tests in a field investigation to gather information regarding the results and related influencing factors. Subsequently, machine learning models (multiple linear regression model, support vector model, and backpropagation neural network) were trained, validated, and tested, and their precisions were evaluated and compared. The backpropagation neural network model was the most accurate, followed by the support vector and multiple linear regression models. The backpropagation neural network model results were consistent with those of the field survey, and this model was thus used to forecast the EWCC for all the townships in Baicheng City. The forecasting models revealed that most towns had an EWCC from 3 to 7 m3/kW·h, with an EWCC greater than 7 observed in the Tao'er River Fan and Yueliangpao District. The BP models developed in this study proved to be dependable and applicable for forecasting the EWCC in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gastric cancer is a highly heterogeneous malignant tumor of the digestive system. Anti-HER2 treatment can inhibit downstream signaling pathways and improve clinical treatment and outcomes in patients with HER2 protein overexpression. Currently, two standard methods for evaluating HER2 expression status are immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). However, these low-throughput assays often produce discordant or equivocal results. Methods: In this study, we presented a new HER2 protein detection method based on mass spectrometry selected reaction monitoring (MS-SRM) and validated the method. We conducted a retrospective study on 118 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma in northern China, and we compared the MS-SRM results with those from IHC and correlated them with FISH. Results: We established and validated the upper and lower detection limits (300-700 amol/mg) for abnormal HER2 protein expression in advanced gastric cancer. We also found that, among samples with mixed Lauren subtypes, those with a high level of HER2 expression had typical intestinal type features in pathology. Discussion: This study demonstrated that the MS-SRM method can overcome the limitations and deficiencies of IHC, directly quantify the expression of HER2 protein in tumor cells and be used as a supplement to IHC. It has the potential to be used as a companion diagnosis for new drugs used to treat advanced gastric cancer. Large-scale clinical validation is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented downward pressure of China's economic growth trend raises several questions, including what the current level of China's long-term economic growth trend is, and what drives and how to inhibit the downward trend. Therefore, we develop a time-varying mixedfrequency dynamic factor model using data with different start dates to measure the trend, and perform a real-time decomposition of changes in the trend. We find that the trend has entered a downward stage since 2007, left a high-speed phase since 2012, and stepped in an accelerated downward stage since 2018. The current level of the trend is about 4%. However, the lower limit of the 90% confidence interval is below 2%, which is lower than natural rate level. Additionally, decelerated capital deepening, diminishing demographic dividend and technological recession all drive the downward trend. Compared to the relatively weak push-down effects of capital deepening and demographic dividend that are less than two percentage points, the downward trend is mainly driven by technological recession. Given that technological progress is unlikely to improve significantly in the short run, mitigating the mismatch between technological progress and obsolete capital, revitalizing existing capital stock, and increasing the efficiency of technology utilization become more feasible means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpetual pavement has become an important research area of highway development in China. Ensuring the durability of materials is an essential measure to achieve the goal of perpetual pavement construction. This paper documents a study on how to prepare SBS modifier/crumb rubber composite-modified asphalt (SRA) by testing based on an orthogonal experimental design to obtain the optimum proportion of crumb rubber, SBS modifier, and compatible stabiliser. We used needle penetration, ductility, softening point, 60°C dynamic viscosity and segregation as evaluation indexes to obtain optimal ratios. Then, we analysed the performance of SRA and compared it with that of other asphalts, such as base asphalt, SBS-modified asphalt, rubber asphalt and high-viscosity-modified asphalt. We considered that rubber powder and SBS modifier compound-modified asphalt can form a cross-linked stable structure in asphalt and greatly improve the rheological and antifatigue properties of asphalt. Further, we conducted a comparative experiment to study the performance of asphalt mixtures, and we concluded that SRA has better road performance and can be used as an anti-wear layer of perpetual pavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greenhouse effect caused by CO2 emissions leads to global warming, glacial melting, sea-level rise and frequent outbreaks of extreme weather, which seriously threatens the safety of human life. China is currently the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, and the iron and steel industry is the largest contributor to China's CO2 emissions. Therefore, investigating the main driving forces of the growth in CO2 emissions in the iron and steel industry is very necessary and urgent. Interestingly, ignoring the nonlinear relationships between economic variables, most of the existing studies use linear methods to examine the industry's CO2 emissions. Based on 30 provincial panel data from 2000 to 2013, this study uses the nonparametric additive regression model to examine the key driving forces of CO2 emissions in China's iron and steel industry. The estimation results show that the nonlinear effect of economic growth on CO2 emissions is consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. Energy efficiency improvement follows an inverted "U-shaped" pattern in relation to CO2 emissions because of the difference in R&D funding and R&D personnel investments at different times. An inverted "U-shaped" effect of energy structure is due to the optimization of energy consumption. However, the impact of urbanization exhibits a positive "U-shaped" pattern since fixed asset investment and private car population are much larger at the later stage. Hence, the differential nonlinear effects of these driving forces at different times should be taken into consideration, when discussing reduction of CO2 emissions in China's iron and steel industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland productivity is the most direct indicator of grassland's ecological status; thus, precise and rapid estimation of grassland productivity has an important significance for evaluating regional ecological carrying capacity, utilizing and developing natural resources reasonably. In this study, based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer remote-sensing data, meteorological data, and ground measured data, the light utilization efficiency parameter of Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach model was optimized, and the optimized model was used to estimate net primary productivity (NPP) and analyse its spatiotemporal distribution of Xilingol grassland between 2005 and 2014. In addition, we investigated the NPP response mechanism to climate factors from two aspects, i.e. the accumulation amount and time of NPP. The results indicated that (i) Maximum light utilization efficiency was calculated to be 0.539 g C MJ-1 for Xilingol grassland according to the least error criterion. (ii) Validation against NPP observations from 30 sites showed good performance of the optimized model in the research area, with an overall coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.72 and mean relative estimation error of 0.29. (iii) The annual mean NPP of Xilingol grassland was 161.23 g C m-2 year-1, with a decreasing trend from the northeast to the southwest. (iv) NPP presented increasing trend with a rate of 3.89 g C m-2 year-1 overall during 20052014, and the largest increase in NPP was found in temperate meadowsteppe. However, desert ecosystems showed the largest increasing rate after NPP standardization. (v) Precipitation was the main factor for driving carbon accumulation at the inter-annual scale, and the time to maximum NPP was significantly correlated with spring precipitation (R2 = 0.637), NPP peaked early as the spring precipitation increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the ecological situation, the Chinese government launched the Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source control project in 2001. Concurrently, a series of ecological restoration strategies were implemented to improve grassland ecosystems. Currently, little is known about dynamic variations of grassland forage mass. In this study, spatiotemporal pattern and dynamic change of forage mass are explored using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data and field survey data from 2000 to 2010 in the Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source region (BTSSR). The results showed that forage mass (1) averaged 986.59 kg ha-1, (2) exhibited large spatial heterogeneity, decreasing from the south-east to the north-west, and (3) increased clearly in partial areas of the BTSSR. While the implementation of the BTSSR project has had a positive impact on the ecological environment, grassland management should be further strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grassland vegetation green-up date helps to initiate the start of grassland grazing and is an important scientific issue in grassland phenology research. This study examined green-up in the Xilingol grasslands of northern China. A double logistic function was used to reconstruct a time series of Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre Vegetation (SPOT Vegetation) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 1999 to 2012. The dynamic threshold method was used to monitor the green-up date via remote sensing. The study found that green-up dates occurred between early April and mid-May in most areas. Sample plots indicated that 68% of ground monitoring results were consistent with the remotely sensed green-up date. The root mean square error of the green-up date measured via remote sensing was 8.7 days. The results are summarized as follows. (1) The green-up date of temperate desert grassland usually occurred around the first half of April but could be quite variable (standard deviation = 28.65 days). The green-up date of temperate grassland usually occurred in mid- to late April, and was somewhat variable (standard deviation = 18.45 days). The greenup date of temperate meadow grassland usually occurred in late April or early May with little variability (standard deviation = 12.97 days). (2) Linear trend analyses showed that only 13.9% of the pixels exhibited significant changes over the 14- year time series. However, the linear trend increased from the southeast to the northwest, with 57% of pixels demonstrating earlier green-up. Across the region, the linear trend exhibited an average rate of change of - 1.5 days 10 year-1. In addition, we discuss correlations between green-up dates and meteorological factors at eight meteorological stations and analyse partial correlation coefficients between green-up dates and meteorological factors. The correlations measured at seven meteorological stations were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The average correlative value of deterministic factors was 0.54. The partial correlation coefficients between green-up date and temperature prior to seedling establishment were negative at five stations, but this relationship was significant at only three stations. Partial correlation coefficients between green-up date and precipitation prior to seedling establishment were negative at all eight stations, of which five relationships were significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) is an important biophysical parameter of terrestrial ecosystems. Based on Gaofen satellite no. 1 (GF-1) wide field-of-view (WFV) data from the Ili area of Xinjiang measured during the 2014 peak grassland vegetation season (from July to early August), this study adopted the statistical modelling, partitioned subpixel modelling, linear spectral unmixing, and maximum three-band gradient difference methods to estimate the FVCs of grasslands in the aforementioned region. The accuracies of the four estimationmethods were compared and the effect of grassland type on accuracy was analysed. Based on ground quadrat data, the accuracies of the four methods of estimating grassland FVC in Xinjiang, Ili, were 88.66%, 87.31%, 88.01%, and 75.21%, respectively. The statistical modelling method was the most accurate, while the maximum three-band gradient difference method was the least. Temperate meadow steppe estimates developed using statistical modelling were the most accurate at 94.36%. The average accuracy of the four methods was highest when estimating temperate desert (90.10%) and the lowest accuracy was achieved with alpine meadow, with an average accuracy of 77.27%. Statistical modelling provided the highest accuracy in estimating the grassland FVC when adequate ground quadrat data was available, while the partitioned sub-pixel model had some advantages in estimating the low vegetation coverage area represented by temperate desert, and its precision reached 92.57%. Although the overall estimation accuracy of the maximum three-band gradient difference method was low, it achieved higher accuracy in the alpine meadow area than the other methods, reaching 85.62%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we tried to reveal the characteristics of the crustal deformation in both the horizontal and vertical directions in Beijing using InSAR and GNSS observations. Regarding the serious land subsidence in Beijing plain, we also analysed the mechanism of the occurrence and development of the subsidence in combination with the tectonic settings. The GNSS results reveal that the crust in Beijing shows a significant left-lateral trend movement in the horizontal direction, while the vertical direction shows a gentle rise in the mountainous region and a significant subsidence in the plain area. The INSAR results shows a detailed subsidence area and the deformation characteristics were analyzed considering the fault activity. The foundation of geological structure dominates the subsiding in the Beijing Plain. The exploitation of groundwater exacerbates the level of subsidence and has new development. The active faults controlled the development of the subsiding in present days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Gymnocypris firmispinatus Wu et Wu, 1988 is a small fish with the maximum total length of 242 mm, which occurs only in the Jinsha River and its tributaries (China), at altitudes above 2000 m. Nowadays, G. firmispinatus had been placed in a dangerous situation, due to hydropower station and excessive fishing. However, attempts to develop an effective population management strategy have been obstructed by lack of basic biological information, especially for age estimation. As we known, sectioned otoliths provide the most precise age estimates of many Schizothoracinae fishes, vertebrae and opercular bones were also used for age determination of some fish species. This work aimed to assess the suitability of three calcified structures (otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone) for age estimation of G. firmispinatus. Materials and methods. The annulus characteristics of otolith, vertebra, and opercular bone were described. Annual periodicity was verified by marginal increment ratio (MIR) analysis in otoliths and edge analysis in vertebrae and opercular bones. Otoliths, vertebrae, and opercular bones were examined to determine which structure produced the most precise and accurate age estimates in G. firmispinatus, mainly by scoring for readability on a five-point scale and calculating the index of the mean percentage error (IMPE). Results. Microscopically, otoliths and vertebrae showed a typical pattern of opaque-and translucent-zones, attributed to slow and fast growth periods. Annuli formed between March and May once a year in otoliths and vertebrae. Forty-four percent of the opercular bones were scored as unreadable. The value of IMPE between the two counts was lowest for otoliths (4.25%), followed by vertebrae (6.21%) and opercular bones (11.58%). The IMPE value of vertebra vs. otolith was 11.05%, while that of opercular bone vs. otolith was 23.03%. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely only for the first 4 years of life, while opercular bones appeared to underestimate the age of G. firmispinatus. Conclusion. Annuli in the otoliths and vertebrae both formed once a year up to age 8, and otoliths would be the most precise structure for age determination in G. firmispinatus. Vertebrae and otoliths matched closely up to age 4, while opercular bones could not be used for age estimation for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in quasi-experimental research to evaluate whether actions taken to improve air quality will benefit public health. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate inflammatory response to changes in air quality during the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics in China. We repeatedly measured 8 biomarkers of systemic inflammation in 31 healthy adults and obtained hourly air pollutant concentrations from a nearby fixed-site monitoring station. We used linear mixed-effect models to examine the associations between air quality changes and blood biomarkers. Air pollutant concentrations decreased apparently during the Youth Olympics. Concomitantly, we observed significant decreases in levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) ligand and interleukin 1β (geometric means ratios were 0.45 and 0.24, respectively) from the pre-Olympic period to the intra-Olympic period. Afterwards, levels of C-reactive protein and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 increased significantly (geometric means ratios were 2.22 and 1.29, respectively) in the post-Olympic period. Fine particulate matter and ozone were significantly associated with soluble CD40 ligand, P-selectin, interleukin 1β, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Other pollutants showed positive but nonsignificant associations. Our study indicated that reduced air pollution, especially fine particulate matter and ozone, during the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics was associated with alleviated systemic inflammation in healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic HCV Patients taking PEG-IFN-α/R from different ethnic groups have different probabilities of reaching a sustained viral response (SVR). There are many influence factors, such as HCV genotype, IL-28B singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), Fibrosis 4 index (FIB-4), and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) score. But the baseline factors in relation to treatment outcome was still not much clear. Methods: We evaluated data from 231 chronic HCV patients with or without liver fibrosis and their antiviral efficacy after treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN-α/R) for 24-48 weeks. IL-28B SNP and HCV genotypes were analyzed with genome sequencing using pyrosequencing. Results: Sustained viral response (SVR) rates of patients with HCV 1b and 2a genotypes were 52.25% (58/111) and 75.28% (67/89) (P < 0.01). SVR rates of patients with IL-28B rs8099917 TT, rs12979860 CC and rs12980275 AA were 92.41% (25/27), 92.86% (26/28) and 88.89% (24/27) separately. We found that SVR rates in HCV 1b and 2a patients were only 31.0 and 39.4% if their FIB-4 > 3.25. In addition, when their APRI > 2, only 30.3% of HCV 1b patients and 50.2% of HCV 2a patients could obtain SVR. Conclusions: There were high proportion of HCV genotype 1b and 2a in Northwest China. In both HCV 1b and 2a genotypes, patients with protective-genotype of IL-28B were more likely to obtain SVR. However, those with significant fibrosis or cirrhosis were less likely, no matter their genotype. Combined factors of HCV genotype, IL-28B genotype, FIB-4 and ARPI may indicate high prediction and clinical value regarding treatment with PEG-IFN-a/R and prognostic evaluation of chronic hepatitis C patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases. The causative agent of schistosomiasis in China, Schistosoma japonicum, has long been a major public health problem. An understanding of fundamental evolutionary and genetic processes in this species has major implications for its control and elimination. Intensive control efforts have greatly reduced the incidence of schistosomiasis in China, but little is known about the genetic consequences of these efforts. Methods: To investigate this, we sampled twice (years 2003 and 2011) from two endemic regions where populations of S. japonicum had persisted despite control efforts and genotyped these samples using ten microsatellite markers. Our main hypothesis was that parasite genetic diversity would be greatly reduced across this time period. Conclusions: There was no apparent reduction in allelic diversity, and a non-significant reduction in clonal diversity in these parasite populations between 2003 and 2011. We did, however, detect temporal genetic differentiation among the samples. Such a significant temporal genetic variation of S. japonicum populations has not been reported before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for obese and overweight patients, although high-quality evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture on obesity are not conclusive. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obese and overweight patients, in comparison with lifestyle modification alone in China.Methods/design: To compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification, a 2-armed, controlled trial with randomization using minimization will be conducted on 150 simple obesity and overweight patients, aged 18-50 years, for a 36-week study duration. All patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups and will receive either acupuncture plus lifestyle modification or lifestyle modification alone. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks during treatment as well as at 6-week, 12-week, and 24-week follow-up. The primary endpoint is change of body mass index (BMI) during the 12th week. Secondary endpoints are body weight; waist-to-hip ratio; biochemical tests including serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels; and answers to the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lite Version (IWQOL-Lite). Statistical analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The main endpoint will be analyzed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the objective outcome results will be analyzed by logistic regression analysis. To avoid potential confounding factors, additional sensitivity analyses will be conducted following these statistical analyses.Discussion: This trial is the first to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture plus lifestyle modification for treating obesity relative to lifestyle modification treatment alone by using a pragmatic study design. We hope that the results of this study will contribute to advancing the current methodology of acupuncture trials for obesity and will facilitate the application of useful acupuncture strategies in real-world clinical settings.Trial Registration: ChiCTR-TRC- 12002762 . The date of registration is 31 October 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) is a serious complication of UC. Data on the clinical characteristics of patients in China are scarce.Aims: We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRC patients with a history of UC.Materials and Methods: We identified patients with UC and followed them until the first occurrence of cancer, death, or emigration in a single study center in China.Results: A total of 4 UC-associated CRC patients were identified among the 642 cases recorded from January 2000 to December 2012. The overall risk of cancer was 0.64%. The overall median duration of UC was 15.5 years (range 6-21 years) in patients with UC-associated CRC. Of these patients, 75% (3/4) were at an advanced stage when they were diagnosed. Longer disease duration and extensive colitis were identified as risk factors for developing CRC, and 5-aminosalicylic acid and steroid therapies were not identified as protective factors against UC-associated CRC.Conclusions: Patients with UC are at an increased risk for CRC. However, the prevalence of CRC in China remains lower than that in the West. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosoma japonicum is a significant public health risk in parts of China and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. To gain an insight into the epidemiology of schistosomiasis japonica, a detailed investigation of S. japonicum genetic population structure is needed. Methods: Using three mitochondrial DNA fragments and ten microsatellite loci, we investigated the genetic diversity within and structure among twelve populations of S. japonicum sampled on a geographical scale covering most major endemic areas. Results: Schistosoma japonicum lineages from Indonesia, the Philippines and Chinese Taiwan were clearly distinct from each other and from those in mainland China. Within mainland China, there was some evidence for genetic divergence between populations from the mountain and lake regions. However, the analysis inferred no clear sub-population structure in the lake region of mainland China. High genetic diversity was found among S. japonicum populations of mainland China and this was significantly higher than those from island regions. Conclusions: High genetic diversity within and substantial differentiation among populations were demonstrated in S. japonicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise and rapid estimation of grassland biomass is an important scientific issue in grassland ecosystem research. In this study, based on a field survey of 1205 sites together with biomass data of the Xilingol grassland for the years 2005-2012 and the "accumulated" MODIS productivity starting from the beginning of growing season, we built regression models to estimate the aboveground biomass of the Xilingol grassland during the growing season, then further analyzed the overall condition of the grassland and the spatial and temporal distribution of the aboveground biomass. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The unitary linear model based on the field survey data and "accumulated" MODIS productivity data is the optimum model for estimating the aboveground biomass of the Xilingol grassland during the growing period, with the model accuracy reaching 69%; (2) The average aboveground biomass in the Xilingol grassland for the years 2005-2012 was estimated to be 14.35 Tg, and the average aboveground biomass density was estimated to be 71.32 g∙m-2; (3) The overall variation in the aboveground biomass showed a decreasing trend from the eastern meadow grassland to the western desert grassland; (4) There were obvious fluctuations in the aboveground biomass of the Xilingol grassland for the years 2005-2012, ranging from 10.56-17.54 Tg. Additionally, several differences in the interannual changes in aboveground biomass were observed among the various types of grassland. Large variations occurred in the temperate meadow-steppe and the typical grassland; whereas there was little change in the temperate desert-steppe and temperate steppe-desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aristolochia huanjiangensis (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, southern China, is described and illustrated. It is compared with the two most similar species A. scytophylla and A. fangchi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is an important pathogen causing swine streptococcosis in China. Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) of S. zooepidemicus have been transferred among bacteria through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and play important roles in the adaptation and increased virulence of S. zooepidemicus. The present study used comparative genomics to examine the different pathogenicities of S. zooepidemicus. Results: Genome of S. zooepidemicus ATCC35246 (Sz35246) comprises 2,167,264-bp of a single circular chromosome, with a GC content of 41.65%. Comparative genome analysis of Sz35246, S. zooepidemicus MGCS10565 (Sz10565), Streptococcus equi. ssp. equi. 4047 (Se4047) and S. zooepidemicus H70 (Sz70) identified 320 Sz35246- specific genes, clustered into three toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems PAIs and one restriction modification system (RM system) PAI. These four acquired PAIs encode proteins that may contribute to the overall pathogenic capacity and fitness of this bacterium to adapt to different hosts. Analysis of the in vivo and in vitro transcriptomes of this bacterium revealed differentially expressed PAI genes and non-PAI genes, suggesting that Sz35246 possess mechanisms for infecting animals and adapting to a wide range of host environments. Analysis of the genome identified potential Sz35246 virulence genes. Genes of the Fim III operon were presumed to be involved in breaking the host-restriction of Sz35246. Conclusion: Genome wide comparisons of Sz35246 with three other strains and transcriptome analysis revealed novel genes related to bacterial virulence and breaking the host-restriction. Four specific PAIs, which were judged to have been transferred into Sz35246 genome through HGT, were identified for the first time. Further analysis of the TA and RM systems in the PAIs will improve our understanding of the pathogenicity of this bacterium and could lead to the development of diagnostics and vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inducible coactivator PGC-lα plays master regulator in mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissues (BATs). BAT is a natural antiobesity organ which dissipates chemical energy in the form of heat through specialized mitochondrial protein UCP-1. Eletroacupuncture (EA) has been widely used as an alternative treatment for obesity and its related disorders such as type 2 diabetes. The molecular mechanism of electroacupuncture on treatment of obesity is still unclear. We hypothesized that electroacupuncture induced PGC-lα expression to increase the energy expenditure in BAT. Rats were randomly divided into control group and electroacupuncture treatment group. We investigated the effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on the expressions of PGC-lα and its associated genes in the BAT of rats using real-time PCR and western blotting. We found that electroacupuncture effectively induces the expression of PGC-lα and UCP-1 by 4-fold and 5-fold in the BAT of rats, respectively. Our results indicated that the molecular mechanism of electroacupuncture for the treatment of obesity may be, or at least partially, through induction of both PGC-lα and UCP-1 expressions to increase energy expenditure in BAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To compare the effects of moxibustion at two different temperatures (38°C and 46°C) on the blood cholesterol level in a mice model of acute hyperlipidemia, to detect the different expression levels of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1 (TRPV1) in the dorsal root ganglions of the wild mice, and to explore the correlation between TRPV1 and moxibustion's cholesterol-lowering effects. Method. Two different mice models were used: C57BL/6J wild type (WT) and TRPV1 gene knockout (TRPV1-/-). Each model was randomly divided into control group and model group with three subgroups after acute hyperlipidemia was established: model control group, 38°C moxibustion group, and 46° C moxibustion group. The mice in 38°C group and 46° C group were subject to moxibustion. After the therapy, the cholesterol concentration in serum was measured, and the expression of TRPV1 was quantified. Results. In WT mice, moxibustion caused a decrease in blood cholesterol level and upregulation of TRPV1 at the mRNA level, which was significantly greater in the 46°C group. In contrast, in TRPV1-/- mice, the differences of cholesterol-lowering effects of moxibustion were lost. Conclusions. Temperature is one of the important factors affecting the effects of moxibustion, and the cholesterol -lowering effect of moxibustion is related to the activation of TRPV1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oreocharis dayaoshanioides Yan Liu & W. B. Xu, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar and closely related to Oreocharis cotinifolia (W. T. Wang) Mich. Möller & A. Weber (=Dayaoshania cotinifolia W.T. Wang), differing from the latter by the distinctly serrulate leaf margin, much branched cymes, smaller and numerous flowers with abaxial lipped-lobes being broadly ovate to orbicular-ovate, and a glabrous pistil. The new species is extremely rare, currently known only from one site in eastern Guangxi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Aspidistra jingxiensis (Asparagaceae) is described and illustrated from the limestone areas in the Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China. It is similar to A. punctatoides in the shape and size of the flowers, but differs in its perianth lobes 8 (occasionally 10), mushroom-shaped and white pistil, and the glabrous stigma upper surface with four radial, bifurcate deep grooves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primulina gongchengensis Y.S. Huang & Yan Liu (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Guangxi, China. It is similar to P. macrodonta, but its leaves are densely glandular-pubescent on both surfaces, with a cuneate or broadly cuneate base and a repand or crenate margin; densely glandular-pubescent petiole and peduncle; purple corolla, with the tube ca. 1.5 cm long, 6-8 mm in diam. at the mouth; ca. 2 mm long, glabrous anthers; 3 staminodes, the lateral ones 1 mm long and the middle one 0.5 mm long; 1.5-1.8 cm long pistil; ca. 4 mm long ovary; and ca. 1 mm long stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Briggsia damingshanensis L. Wu & B. Pan is described and illustrated as a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China. It is similar to B. dongxingensis, but differs in its densely glandular-pubescent ovary, inconspicuous or absent bracts, pendulous and very slender peduncle, and sparsely pubescent stem and petiole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A common genetic variant, rs4939827, located in SMAD7, was identified by two recent genome-wide association (GWA) studies to be strongly associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the following replication studies yielded conflicting results. Method and Findings: We conducted a case-control study of 641 cases and 1037 controls in a Chinese population and then performed a meta-analysis, integrating our and published data of 34313 cases and 33251 controls, to clarify the relationship between rs4939827 and CRC risk. In our case-control study, the dominant model was significant associated with increased CRC risk [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.19-1.80]. The following meta-analysis further confirmed this significant association for all genetic models but with significant between-study heterogeneity (all P for heterogeneity ,0.1). By stratified analysis, we revealed that ethnicity, sample size, and tumor sites might constitute the source of heterogeneity. The cumulative analysis suggested that evident tendency to significant association was seen with adding study samples over time; whilst, sensitive analysis showed results before and after removal of each study were similar, indicating the highly stability of the current results. Conclusion: Results from our case-control study and the meta-analysis collectively confirmed the significant association of the variant rs4939827 with increased risk of colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, fine-mapping of the susceptibility loci defined by rs4939287 should be imposed to reveal causal variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since the reform and opening up, especially since the 1990s, Chinese higher education has achieved great development. Especially in recent years, various universities ceaselessly expanding enrolment and constructing new campus of higher education. Therefore, the scale of higher education is expanding. But blindly expanding higher education scale will also bring about tremendous risks, so, higher education development scale and its influence factors become a focus of economic research and education. In this paper, we, first, put forward the background and meaning of researching higher education development. Secondly, according to both domestic and overseas research results of higher education, we screened influence factors of higher education development and made use of statistical methods to analyze the data of related indicators. Finally, we carried out the analysis and summary on the above-mentioned calculation result. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Consumer demand is the original stimulate pulling economic growth. Consumption, in the process of economy growth, plays an important role, and its main functions is embodied in the following aspects: From the demand of economy, consumption has direct and indirect to boost world economic growth; from supply, consumer can create human resources necessary for production development, so as to create social productive forces; From the structure, the change of consumption structure is the basic reasons of industrial structure change, which can guide constantly upgrading of industrial structure and promote economic growth. In this paper, we, at first, put forward the background and significance of the research on town residents’ consumption structure in Jiangxi Province. Second, we briefly introduced the basic principle of extended linear expenditure system model (ELES) what would be used in this paper. Then, we, according as the data of consumption structure in recent years, used ELES to made an empirical analysis. Finally, we made a summary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Primulina pseudomollifolia W.B. Xu & Yan Liu and P. multifida B. Pan & K.F. Chung from karst caves in Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China are described and illustrated as two new species. Their generic placement in the recently recircumscribed Primulina is supported by phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence nuclear ITS and chloroplast trnF-L intron spacer regions. Primulina pseudomollifolia is similar to P. mollifolia (D. Fang & W. T. Wang) J.M. Li & Y.Z. Wang in being densely pubescent on both blade surfaces, but differs in the base of its blades being cuneate to broadly cuneate, its 12-14 mm long white to pink corolla 8-9 mm long tubular corolla tube, 5-6 mm long filaments, 3 staminodes, and flowering from July to September. Primulina multifida resembles P. renifolia (D. Fang & D. H. Qin) J. M. Li & Y. Z. Wang, but differs in the blade margins being pinnatifid; its ovate to broadly ovate bracts, 3-4 × 1.5-2 mm, 5-7 mm long tubular corolla tube, 3-5 mm long filaments, 3 staminodes, linguiform stigma, and flowering from June to August. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at debates over the advice and expertise of policy experts in modern states. Particular focus is given to the case of Professor Owen Lattimore, whose personal and political motives were questioned during U.S. congressional attempts to assign responsibility for the fall of China's Nationalist regime to the Communist Party of China. According to the authors, the resources available to critics of an expert determine the consequences of their criticism as much as the actual contents of the criticism. Details related to political and character-based attacks which the authors call smears and degradation ceremonies are presented. It is suggested that smears occur when an expert's rivals lack power, while degradation ceremonies are enabled by institutional power.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is an endangered and nationally-protected medicinal plant species in China with great market demand. It is mainly distributed in arid and semi-arid regions and its habitats have rapidly degraded over the last 40 years. Conservation of this species and its communities has become urgent. We aimed to reveal the relationships between G. uralensis and environmental variables along an east to west precipitation gradient in northern China. Floristic and environmental data from 100 5 m x 5 m quadrats were analyzed using TWINSPAN, DCA, CCA and species diversity indices. TWINSPAN recognized twelve vegetation communities, which were the communities most dominated by G. uralensis in China. DCA and CCA results showed that the vegetation patterns were significantly correlated with both soil and climatic variables. Soil N, P, K, organic matter, annual mean temperature, relative humidity, annual mean precipitation, annual mean highest temperature and annual mean lowest temperature were significant to these communities, and precipitation was the most important factor explaining the spatial patterns of vegetation. Species richness, diversity and evenness varied obviously among communities and were significantly correlated with environmental gradients. Further measures for conservation of G. uralensis and its communities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspidistra erecta Yan Liu & C.-I Peng (Asparagaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the limestone areas in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It resembles A. fungilliformis Y. Wan in floral shape, but differs in its longer pistil than perianth tube, curvulate style, and exserted stigma. In this amazingly diverse genus, A. erecta distinguishes itself as the only Chinese Aspidistra, of over 60 others, having an upright stem. A somatic chromosome count of 2n = 38 and a karyotype formula 2n = 22m+4sm2SC+12st were determined for A. erecta. The new species is known from only two localities in southwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, near the border with northern Vietnam. Color plates, line drawings and a distribution map are provided to aid in identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Background: With no generally accepted criteria for preoperative differential diagnosis between benign and malignant adrenal lesions, management of adrenal incidentalomas, especially those between 4 and 6 cm, remains controversial. Patients and methods: Clinical details, radiological diagnosis, laboratory examination, intervention measures, and follow-up data were noted in 152 patients with adrenal incidentaloma hospitalized at a tertiary referral hospital in eastern China between July 1999 and February 2008. Pathologic diagnoses were analyzed in surgical cases. Results: Of 143 surgical patients, the mean pathologic size of the tumors was 5.6 ± 3.2cm (range 0.5 to 22.0 cm). The final benign pathologic diagnosis mainly included adrenocortical adenoma (31.3%), pheochromocytoma (18.8%), myelolipoma (16.7%), and ganglioneuromas (9.0%). The incidence of malignancy was 6.9%. Based on the size criterion of 6 cm, there was a significant difference between malignant and benign tumor groups (P = 0.007), but based on the size criterion of 4 or 5 cm, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: In our experience, the incidence of malignancy in adrenal incidentalomas was generally low, but relatively high in adrenal incidentalomas >6 cm. Nerve cell tumors constitute a significant number of cases of adrenal incidentaloma. Overtreatment of nonfunctional incidentalomas <4 cm remains frequent in China, and close follow-up for this group is recommended. Factors such as radiologic characteristics and patient concern should be taken into account for nonfunctional incidentalomas between 4 and 6 cm (not including 6 cm), for which laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a reasonable option. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To analyze the effect on general health checkup system-based prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for early detection of prostate cancer in asymptomatic elderly men in our hospital since 2004. We compared the changes in the medical parameters of prostate cancer in the eras before and after general health checkup system-based PSA screening was introduced. Our results revealed that there were significant increases in the proportion of patients without any clinical symptoms (18.92% vs 27.27%, P = 0.038), lower level serum PSA (24.32% vs 37.45%, P = 0.004), well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (22.45% vs 36.26%, P = 0.002), clinically organ-confined disease (30.41% vs 44.73%, P = 0.002), and patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (14.19% vs 34.55%, P < 0.001) after general health checkup system-based PSA screening. General health checkup system-based PSA screening is effective for early detection of prostate cancer in Chinese elderly men and favourable PSA levels, Gleason scores, and clinical stages are associated with PSA screening. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of screening on treatment outcomes and mortality of prostate cancer in southern Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chirita leprosa Yan Liu & W. B. Xu, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. wangiana Z. Y. Li, but differs by the leaf blade being elliptic to broadly elliptic, bracts broadly ovate, corolla pale yellow, filaments ca 9 mm long, geniculate near the middle, staminodes 3, and by a different flowering period (Oct-Nov). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Gesneriaceae, Wentsaiboea tiandengensis Yan Liu & B. Pan and Wentsaiboea luochengensis Yan Liu & W. B. Xu from Karst caves in Guangxi, China are described and illustrated. Wentsaiboea tiandengensis resembles W. renifolia, but differs in the leaf blade being cordate or broadly ovate, the margin crenate or repand, with conspicuous pinnate veins 3-5 on each side, corolla throat constricted, corolla lobes ovate with apex acute, staminodes 3, and ovary broadly ovoid. Wentsaiboea luochengensis is similar to W. renifolia, but can be distinguished from the latter by the coriaceous leaf blade with 2-3 inconspicuous pinnate veins on each side, elliptic or broadly ovate to sub-rotund in shape, with sub-entire margin and attenuate to cuneate or sub-rotund base, broadly ovate or sub-rotund corolla lobes, rotund or obtuse apex, and 3 staminodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the Chinese Second World War victims' reparations movement (CWRM) against Japan as a case of contemporary Chinese memory politics. While many studies indicate the Chinese government's use of the war memories for political purposes, ours focuses on how official discourses are translated into citizens' political participation and how the state-society interactions lead to variation in the development of the movement sectors within the case of CWRM. Drawing on textual and ethnographic data and a theoretical "dynamic statism," we argue that the central government's ambivalent attitude towards this ideologically useful yet institutionally troublesome movement created room for local governments and the movement to pursue their own causes. Yet the local and central governments' strong interventions, either facilitation or repression, discouraged civil society's participation and led to the underdevelopment of some movement sectors. In the sectors where the local governments held an attitude of absenteeism or co-operation, the movement was able to mobilize resources from civil society and state institutions and finally developed well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper examines the impact of corporate governance and institutional environments on the export behaviour of firms in emerging economies. We argue that the role of corporate governance should be analysed from both principal-agent and principal-principal perspectives. We hypothesise that institutional environments moderate the effects of corporate governance on export behaviour. • Analysis of a sample of Chinese listed firms supports our argument that outside directors and CEO shareholding help firms make export decisions, while the effects of ownership concentration may be non-monotonic. • Sample firms' export propensity is higher the better the institutional environments of their locations. This positive effect of institutional environments comes both directly and from the moderating of the effects of corporate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An examination of social attitudes held by scholars in Huizhou (present-day Anhui Province) shows how their views on traditional moral principles influenced the amount of genealogical research conducted in their area or jurisdiction. These views held that, for example, a compiler was qualified only if his personal characteristics included high social status and at least some local political power, and only if he were imbued with such moral traits as virtue and diligence, often measured subjectively by peers from their own social class. Thus the volume of genealogical research on families, an important social and legal facet of Chinese life, was determined by social attitudes rather than technically qualified researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM CONTRIBUTOR]

China has experienced rising wage inequality due to rising relative demand for skilled labour. In this paper, we use a sample of 1,500 firms to investigate the impact of trade and technology on China's rising skill demand. We find that export expansion had a negative direct effect (Heckscher–Ohlin type) and a positive indirect effect (export-induced skill-biased technical change) on skill demand; the net effect was found positive and accounted for 5 percent of rising skill demand of the sample firms. We find that technical change in Chinese firms was on average skill-neutral, but majority foreign-owned firms experienced skill-biased technical progress that accounted for 22 percent of the rising skill demand of the sample firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces infant-industry considerations in political economy determination of trade protection. I build a model where the government cares about both political contributions and national welfare. A potentially beneficial high-tech industry is not viable in the country whose initial human capital is low. In the political economy equilibrium, we find that the tariff schedule will be V-shaped: it decreases initially to maintain the viability of the industry but increases thereafter as the industry expands and gains political power. We use the model to explain both China's tariff offers in WTO negotiations and GATT/WTO rules regarding developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysionotus fengshanensis Yan Liu & D. X. Nong, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Lysionotus fengshanensis is very similar to L. longipedunculatus (W. T. Wang) W. T. Wang, but differs by the peduncle being 2-4 cm long and purple, corolla campanulate, 2.5-3.0 cm long, 1.5-1.7 cm in diameter at the mouth, filaments slightly geniculate near the middle, apex of filaments with gland and staminodes 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemiboea purpurea Yan Liu & W. B. Xu, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to H. follicularis C. B. Clarke, but differs by smaller leaf blades, 3-10×2-5 cm, corolla purple, ca 2.0-2.5 cm long, exserted from the involucre, filaments glandular-puberulent and staminodes 3. It is only known from one site in the Rongshui County. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information regarding the future of the social work in rural China. It states that China has been focusing on rural social work practice and research, with the two types of rural social work practice that include WanZai and the capacity and asset building Strengths Perspective. It also mentions the three fundamental aspects that need more attention in considering the future of social work practice and research in rural China which include potential paths for the intervention of rural social work, rural social work's practice and research, and social work education. Moreover, it is regarded that social work in rural China will become more satisfactory and important.