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Accurately obtaining crop cultivation extent and estimating the cultivated area are significant for adjusting regional planting structure. This study proposes a parcel-level crop classification method using time-series, medium-resolution, remote sensing images and singlephase, high-spatial-resolution, remote sensing images. The deep learning semantic segmentation network feature pyramid network with squeeze-and-excitation network (FPN-SENet) and multi-scale segmentation were used to extract cultivated land parcels from Gaofen-2 imagery, while the pixel-level crop types were classified by using support vector machine algorithms from time-series Sentinel-2 images. Then, the parcel-level crop classification was obtained from the pixel-level crop types and land parcels. The proposed method was tested in southwestern China to extract main winter-spring crops and achieved a good performance. Specifically, the FPN-SENet model outperformed other models in cultivated land extraction, with an F1 of 0.872. The crop classification overall accuracy is 0.910 and the kappa coefficient is 0.861. This study provides a technical reference for monitoring cultivated land and can be applied in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how the shareholding proportion of large shareholders affects the horizontal organizational structure of business groups. We empirically find that as the shareholding proportion of large shareholders increases, the number of subsidiaries decreases, which provides evidence of the alignment effect and risk aversion of large shareholders. Our results are robust to various robustness tests. The mechanism tests further verify the alignment effect and risk aversion of large shareholders, showing that as ownership becomes more concentrated, large shareholders tend to reduce agency problems and avoid risks. This study enhances the understanding of horizontal expansion in pyramidal organizational structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among persons born in China before 1980 and tested for vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VVT), 28.7% (137/478) had neutralizing antibodies, 71.4% (25/35) had memory B-cell responses, and 65.7% (23/35) had memory T-cell responses to VVT. Because of cross-immunity between the viruses, these findings can help guide mpox vaccination strategies in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health concern, with significant morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to develop a comprehensive blood indicator based on systemic inflammation and nutritional condition to predict the prognosis of resectable CRC patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 210 CRC patients who underwent radical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China, between January 2015 and December 2017, was included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics, preoperative blood markers, including neutrophil count, monocyte count, lymphocyte count, platelets, albumin, and CEA were retrospectively reviewed. Various blood indicators, such as NLR, PLR, MLR, SIRI and OPNI were calculated. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was employed to select indicators to establish a novel comprehensive biomarker (named PSI). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used to evaluate the prognostic impact of preoperative OPNI, SIRI, and PSI. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression model were conducted to identify independent prognostic factors for CRC. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method assessed the predictive ability of PSI, stage, OPNI, and SIRI. Results: Patients with higher preoperative OPNI and lower SIRI values had significantly better overall survival (OS). PSI was identified as an independent prognostic factor for OS in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Patients with medium (28.3-43.4) and high (>43.4) PSI scores exhibited superior OS compared to those with low (≤ 28.3) PSI scores. PSI showed higher predictive ability (AUC: 0.734) than individual indicators alone (OPNI: 0.721, SIRI: 0.645, stage: 0.635). Conclusion: The novel indicator, PSI, based on preoperative SIRI and OPNI, demonstrated significant prognostic value for resectable CRC patients. PSI outperformed individual indicators and could serve as a reliable tool for prognostic evaluation in CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ontogenetic sequence of an early Cambrian redlichiid trilobite Bathynotus kueichouensis is presented on the basis of numerous articulated specimens from Guizhou, China. The body regionalization of B. kueichouensis witnessed a wide variation in the morphology of trunk segments between different thoracic regions, referred to as the ‘thoracic region 1-4’. A greater size variation of these long pleural spines is recognized from the earlier meraspid degrees in a gradual appearance or disappearance until the holaspid period. The thoroughly inverse variation of these pleural spines in size and form is seen for the first time during the process of trilobite segment formation, which offers an opportunity to trace the evolutionary path of trilobite body structures, associated with their functional morphology and behavior. The ontogenetic strategy of B. kueichouensis is broadly similar to those of other redlichioid representatives where the full ontogenetic sequence exhibited a balanced rate in segment expression and liberation. Such a developmental mode may be the reason why most redlichiids possess a micropygous body patterning during ontogeny and provides insights into the controls of early arthropod developmental segmentation during evolutionary process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Progression of freezing of gait (FOG), a common pathological gait in Parkinson's disease (PD), has been shown to be an important risk factor for falls, loss of independent living ability, and reduced quality of life. However, previous evidence indicated poor efficacy of medicine and surgery in treating FOG in patients with PD. Music-based movement therapy (MMT), which entails listening to music while exercising, has been proposed as a treatment to improve patients' motor function, emotions, and physiological activity. In recent years, MMT has been widely used to treat movement disorders in neurological diseases with promising results. Results from our earlier pilot study revealed that MMT could relieve FOG and improve the quality of life for patients with PD. Objective: To explore the effect of MMT on FOG in patients with PD. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, evaluator-blinded, randomized controlled study. A total of 81 participants were randomly divided into music-based movement therapy group (MMT, n = 27), exercise therapy group (ET, n = 27), and control group (n = 27). Participants in the MMT group were treated with MMT five times (1 h at a time) every week for 4 weeks. Subjects in the ET group were intervened in the same way as the MMT group, but without music. Routine rehabilitation treatment was performed on participants in all groups. The primary outcome was the change of FOG in patients with PD. Secondary evaluation indicators included FOG-Questionnaire (FOG-Q) and the comprehensive motor function. Results: After 4 weeks of intervention, the double support time, the cadence, the max flexion of knee in stance, the max hip extension, the flexion moment of knee in stance, the comprehensive motor function (UPDRS Part III gaitrelated items total score, arising from chair, freezing of gait, postural stability, posture, MDS-UPDRS Part II gait-related items total score, getting out of bed/a car/deep chair, walking and balance, freezing), and the FOG-Q in the MMT group were lower than that in the control group and ET group (p < 0.05). The gait velocity, the max ankle dorsiflexion in stance, ankle range of motion (ROM) during push-off, ankle ROM over gait cycle, the knee ROM over gait cycle, and the max extensor moment in stance (ankle, knee) in the MMT group were higher than that in the control group and ET group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was reported between the control group and ET group (p > 0.05). The stride length and hip ROM over gait cycle in the MMT group were higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05), and the max knee extension in stance in the MMT group was lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the ET group and MMT group (p > 0.05) or control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: MMT improved gait disorders in PD patients with FOG, thereby improving their comprehensive motor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leuprolide acetate microspheres developed by Shanghai Livzon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (T) have been marketed in China for more than 10 years, benefiting a large number of patients, and will continue to play an important role in China. However, as a generic drug, it is unclear whether there is a difference in efficacy between T and the original product Enantone® (R). This study compared the differences in efficacy and safety of two 1-month depot formulations in 48 healthy Chinese male subjects by comparing multiple pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters. The main research indicators were the PK parameters of leuprolide (Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-D7, and AUCD7-t) and the PD parameters of testosterone (Emax, AUEC0-t, AUEC0-D7, and AUECD7-t) after 42 days of administration. The Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-D7 and AUCD7-t of leuprolide were slightly higher in the T group than in the R group with 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of 94.43–118.53%, 109.13–141.88%, 109.53–139.54%, and 105.17–145.74%, respectively. No significant differences in the PD parameters (Emax, AUEC0-t, AUEC0-D7, and AUECD7-t) existed between the T and R groups, and 90% CIs were 62.80–93.57%, 88.17–110.55, 95.72%–118.50%, and 79.77–105.63, respectively. At 672 h (D28), the castration rate of T was 91.30% (21/23) and that of R was 60.87% (14/23). The PK characteristics were consistent and the inhibitory effects on testosterone levels were similar in both T and R groups; further, clinical safety was observed for both T and R formulations, suggesting that these two products can replace each other in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been increased recognition that prenatal or perinatal nutrition has an effect on the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adulthood, although studies that have directly examined whether the effect could be transmitted to the next generation remain sparse. Objective: We investigated the role of prenatal exposure to the Chinese famine in affecting future T2D risk in adulthood in 2 consecutive generations. Design: A total of 1034 families, including 2068 parents [parental generation (F1)] and 1183 offspring [offspring generation (F2)], were recruited from the Suihua rural area that was affected by the Chinese Famine of 1959-1961. Participants born between 1 October 1959 and 30 September 1961 were defined as famine exposed, and those born between 1 October 1962 and 30 September 1964 were defined as nonexposed. The F2 were classified as having 1) no parent exposed to famine,) only a mother exposed to famine, 3) only a father exposed to famine, or 4) both parents exposed to famine. Classical risk factors for T2D as well as fasting-glucose- and oral-glucosetolerance tests were measured in both the F1 and F2. Results: Prenatal exposure to famine was associated with elevated risks of hyperglycemia (multivariable-adjusted OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.48) and T2D (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.54) in adulthood in F1. Furthermore, compared with the offspring of nonexposed parents, the F2 with exposed parents-- especially both exposed parents--had increased hyperglycemia risk (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.66) in adulthood. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to famine remarkably increases hyperglycemia risk in 2 consecutive generations of Chinese adults independent of known T2D risk factors, which supports the notion that prenatal nutrition plays an important role in the development of T2D across consecutive generations of Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish phosphorus fertilization recommendation index of different vegetables (leafy, gourd and leguminous vegetables) by soil test P (Olsen-P and Brayl-P) with the "3414" experiments of 121 sites during 2007-2010 in 30 counties of Guangdong Province, China. The results showed that relationship between vegetable relative yield and soil test P was linear with plateau and logarithmic equation model. The optimal amount of P fertilizer was established with soil test P by logarithmic equation mathematical models. The soil P content was calculated by the relative yield of 50, 75, 90 and 95%, to obtain the soil P abundance and deficiency indicators. Taking plentiful-lack of soil-test P as an index, soil Olsen-P and Bray l-P were classified into five classes corresponding to relative yield of 50, 75, 90 and 95%. This study shows P fertilizer recommended rates were rendered by the models of soil test P with Olsen-P and Brayl-P for "3414" field experiments for three vegetables. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area-based yield insurance (AYI) is a kind of index insurance that can eliminate asymmetric information problems (adverse selection and moral hazard) and reduce transaction cost. It is important in managing crop risk for developing countries such as China, which has many small farms. However, the biggest challenge in index insurance is basis risk. In this regard, can AYI be used in China? Is AYI competitive with traditional multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI)? What are the principal factors affecting the effectiveness of AYI? Following and extending the approaches suggested by Miranda in 1991, this article compares the effectiveness of AYI and MPCI in terms of risk reduction per premium. An empirical model was established, indicating the relationship between the efficiency of AYI and the explanatory variables, using data from a survey of 108 wheat farmers from two counties in Hebei Province, China. The results provide salutary suggestions to area-based index insurance design and development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper aims to develop approaches for modeling agricultural catastrophic risk. According to extreme value theory, this study applies the block maxima and peak-over-threshold models to analyze and evaluate the agricultural catastrophic risk illustrated by cases of extreme rainfall in Jilin Province. This study provides the basic statistical analysis framework for evaluating agricultural catastrophic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Minshan Mountain and adjacent region are the major continental escarpments along the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The Minjiang drainage basin is located within the plateau margin adjacent to the Sichuan Basin. Based on the analysis of the digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), we know that the Minjiang drainage basin has distinct geomorphic characteristics. The regular increasing of local topographic relief from north to south is a result of the Quaternary sediment deposition within the plateau and the holistic uplift of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau versus the Sichuan Basin. Results from DEM-determined Minjiang drainage sub-basins and channel profiles show that the tributaries on the opposite sides are asymmetric. Lower perimeter and area of drainage sub-basins, total channel length and bifurcation ratio within eastern flank along the Minjiang mainstream are the result of the Quaternary differential uplift of the Minshan Mountain region. Shorter stream lengths and lower bifurcation ratio might be the indications of the undergrowth and newborn features of these eastern streams, which are also representative for the eastern uplift of the Minshan Mountain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apatite fission-track thermochronology data elucidate the cooling/exhumation history of the Qinling (Qin Mountains), which contain a Paleozoic-Mesozoic orogenic collage north of the Sichuan Basin and northeast of the Tibetan Plateau. In particular, we examine the extent to which the Qinling were affected by the rising plateau. The northern and eastern Qinling show continuous cooling and slow exhumation since the Cretaceous. In contrast, in the southwestern Qinling, rapid cooling initiated at 9-4 Ma, a few million years later than in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. A compilation of major Cenozoic faults in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Qinling, and their kinematic and dynamic characterization, shows that deformation in the Qinling has predominantly been strike slip. Active sinistral and dextral strike-slip faults delineate an area of eastward rock flow and bound the area of rapid late Cenozoic cooling outlined by apatite fission-track thermochronology. These data can be interpreted to indicate that lower crustal flow has been diverted around the Longmen Shan and beneath the southwestern Qinling, causing active plateau uplift in this area. Alternatively, northeastern Tibet may be growing eastward faster in the western Qinling than the entire South China Block is extruding to the east. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study performed to test the impact of intensive insulin therapy glycemic control and beta cell function in persons recently determined to have type 2 diabetes. Participants included 382 patients in China between September, 2004 and October, 2006. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either insulin therapy or oral hypoglycemic agents. Subsequent to normoglycemia being established, a follow-up regimen of diet and exercise was introduced. Results indicate early insulin therapy produced better outcomes than oral hypoglycemic agents.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the integrated strategy in prevention and control of intestinal nematodiasis in Hongze County, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategies and measures in the future., Methods: Since 1995, the integrated strategy has been carried out for intestinal nematodiasis, and the measures included deworming, health education, safe water, sanitation and environmental remediation. The effects of the integrated strategy were evaluated by the investigations of the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodiasis, awareness of health knowledge and behaviors of residents., Results: From 1995 to 2014, 601 900 person-times were administrated with deworming medication and the coverage rate of villages and towns was 100%. The benefit rate of safe water was 100%. The popularity rate of harmless toilets was 92.77%. The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis decreased from 26.04% in 1995 to 0.56% in 2014, and the difference had statistical significance ( χ 2 = 693.54, P < 0.01). The awareness rate of health knowledge and correct rate of health behaviors increased from 43.13% and 40.94% in 1995 to 98.00% and 96.80% in 2012, respectively ( χ 2 ＝ 181.97 and 182.14 respectively, P ＜0.01)., Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis has been controlled effectively through the integrated strategy in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province.