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Glyptostrobus pensilis (Cupressaceae) is the only surviving species of the genus Glyptostrobus. Although the species is widely cultivated throughout China, in the wild it only occurs as small stands in southeastern China, central Laos, and southern Vietnam. However, its low genetic variability, lack of recruitment, and the progressive destruction of its habitat caused by humans, have meant that the populations are showing a clear declining trend and the species as a whole is threatened. Ecological niche modeling is used here to study the present potential distribution, as well as in the future (2061–2080) using several global circulation models under two of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP 126 and SSP 585) that are being used to produce the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. The current potential area of G. pensilis is of 1,452,481 km2 with the areas of greatest probability of presence located in southeastern China. This potential area is reduced for the future according to most models, with greater losses for the SSP 585 scenario. Between 6.9 and 31.3% of all wild populations of G. pensilis would be outside potential areas (including the Lao populations, which harbor the highest levels of genetic variability). Conservation measures include the expansion of the current network of protected areas (since over 90% of wild populations do not occur within them), the development of propagation techniques, and the carrying out of translocation activities that should require international collaboration among the countries in which the species is found. With the current knowledge, we have reassessed the threat status of the species under the IUCN criteria, downgrading it from CR to EN both for China and at global level. [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]

Periodontal disease is predominantly caused by the pathogenic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis that produces inflammation-inducing factors in the host. Eucommia ulmoides is a plant native to China that has been reported to reduce blood pressure, promote weight loss, and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Geniposidic acid (GPA) is the major component of E. ulmoides. Herein, we investigated the effects of GPA on P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis by measuring the inflammatory responses in human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) after P. gingivalis stimulation and GPA addition in a P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis mouse model. We found that GPA addition suppressed interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA induction (33.8% suppression), IL-6 production (69.2% suppression), toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 induction, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in HGECs stimulated by P. gingivalis. Inoculation of mice with GPA inhibited P. gingivalis-induced alveolar bone resorption (25.6% suppression) by suppressing IL-6 and TLR2 production in the serum and gingiva. GPA suppressed osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow cells induced by M-CSF and sRANKL in mice (56.7% suppression). GPA also suppressed the mRNA expression of OSCAR, NFATc1, c-Fos, cathepsin K, and DC-STAMP. In summary, GPA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on periodontal tissue and may be effective in preventing periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemaphysalis ticks are globally distributed with the greatest diversity in the Oriental region. This study aimed to primarily provide information on the morphology, host record, and preliminary phylogenetic position of a poorly known tick Haemaphysalis danieli. Herds comprised of goats and sheep were examined for this tick species in Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 127 ticks, including males (n = 15, 11.8%) and females (n = 112, 88.2%), were collected, and morphologically identified as H. danieli. The morphological identification was confirmed through the 16S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase (cox1) sequences. Phylogenetic analysis inferred based on 16S rDNA and cox1 showed a close evolutionary relationship of H. danieli with a conspecific from China and an undetermined Haemaphysalis sp. from China and Anatolia. A total of 32/223 (14.3%) goats in two different herds were the only host infested by H. danieli. The earliest study provided the morphological description of H. danieli male, host record, and phylogenetic position. The information provided herein could assist in minimizing the knowledge gap regarding the systematic and taxonomy of Haemaphysalis species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined the prospective associations of changes in lifestyle behaviors before/during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely physical activity and screen time, with mental health. Furthermore, the impacts of physical activity and screen time on mental health during the pandemic were examined cross-sectionally. Methods: A two-wave longitudinal study was conducted among 2423 children and adolescents in Shanghai, China. Lifestyle behavior variables (physical activity and screen time) and psychological variables (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress) were measured using a self-reported questionnaire in January and March 2020. A series of multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations between changes in lifestyle behaviors in two waves and psychological problems. The combined associations of physical activity and screen time with psychological problems were also explored using the second wave data. Results: Compared to students with persistently short screen time before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, those with prolonged screen time (OR = 1·36 for depression, OR = 1·48 for anxiety) and those with persistently long screen time (OR = 1·70 for depression, OR = 2·13 for anxiety) reported a higher risk of psychological symptoms. The association between changes in physical activity and psychological symptoms was not statistically significant after adjustment for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and screen time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging in longer screen time (OR = 1·44 for depression, OR = 1·55 for anxiety) was associated with worsened psychological conditions, while engaging in increased physical activity (OR = 0·58 for depression, OR = 0·66 for anxiety) was associated with better psychological conditions. Conclusions: Our study suggests that promoting physical activity and limiting leisure screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic are important to prevent and mitigate psychological problems in children and adolescents. Therefore, effective interventions targeting lifestyle behaviors are needed to protect children and adolescents' physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging serotype O10:K4 of Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been predominantly isolated from outbreaks and sporadic cases in China. Herein, we report the first case of infection due to V. parahaemolyticus O10:K4 isolated from a hospitalized patient with acute diarrhea in Thailand. We sequenced the whole genome of the O10:K4 strain and compared it with those of the pandemic O3:K6 strain, O10:K4 strains in China, and other clinical and environmental strains. The results suggested that the O10:K4 strains are not a mere serotype variant diverged from the pandemic O3:K6 strain, confirming that the O10:K4 strain emergence has spread to Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reliability of Criteria for Assessing Prescription Quality in Chinese Hospitals (CAPQCH) has never been rigorously verified. This study was designed to verify the reliability of the CAPQCH among pharmacists in China.Methods: Fourteen pharmacists, 5 from hospitals and 9 from the communities were recruited. We randomly selected 200 prescriptions, and made the testing prescriptions including appropriate and inappropriate testing prescriptions. Pharmacists assessed these testing prescriptions according to criteria in CAPQCH. Three test sets (Set 1, Set 2, and Set 3) were evaluated at 6-month intervals. Before administration of Set 3, pharmacists were informed that achievement on Set 3 would be reflected in their performance appraisal. We also evaluated the performance based on prescription comments before and after combining several confusing criteria. Cohen's Kappa statistic, Fleiss' Kappa statistic, and accuracy were employed to evaluate reliability among pharmacists.Results: Median values of Cohen's Kappa were 0.61 in Set 1, 0.66 in Set 2, and 0.80 in Set 3; reliability is thus substantial. Our data indicate no significant differences between Set 1 and Set 2, whereas Set 3 indicates significantly improved performance. Moreover, combinations of confusing criteria contributed little to improvement of performance in prescription comments.Conclusion: Our results verified the reliability of CAPQCH application by working pharmacists. Adding performance based on prescription comments to personal appraisals was effective in improving the quality of prescription comments. These findings may be useful when future modification of the CAPQCH is considered. Moreover, this study contributes to improving the understanding of the prescription assessment situation in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world is rapidly aging, and the number of elderly patients who undergo surgery is rising, postoperative cognitive decline among those patients has become an increasing healthcare problem. Although understanding the risk factors and mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of postoperative cognitive decline is critically important from a preventative viewpoint, such knowledge and evidence are lacking. A growing body of evidence suggest an association between cognitive function and sleep duration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between postoperative cognitive function and sleep duration on the night before surgery using a wearable sleep tracker. In this 6-month prospective cohort study, we analyzed data from 194 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent elective non-cardiac and non-cranial surgery under general anesthesia. According to the sleep duration on the night before surgery, patients were categorized into following four groups: <5, 5–7, 7–9, and >9 h. Perioperative cognitive function and domains were assessed using a neuropsychological test battery, and the incidence and prevalence of cognitive decline over 6 months after surgery were analyzed using the multiple logistic regression analysis. During the 6-month follow-up period, 41 patients (21%) developed cognitive decline. The incidence of cognitive decline was significantly elevated for the patients with sleep duration < 5 h (vs. 7–9 h; surgical duration-adjusted odds ratio, 3.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–10.2; P < 0.05). The association between sleep duration and prevalence of cognitive decline was limited to the early postoperative period (at 1 week and 1 month). Among the cognitive domains assessed, attentional function was significantly impaired in patients with a sleep duration < 5 h [vs. 7–9 h at 1 week; 4/37 (10.8%) vs. 0/73 (0%); P < 0.05]. In conclusion, sleep duration < 5 h on the night before surgery was significantly associated with worse attentional function after surgery and higher incidence of cognitive decline. The present results indicate that sleep deprivation on the night before surgery may have a temporary but significantly negative influence on the patient's postoperative cognitive function and is a potential target for preventing cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has been a topic of interest since a pandemic struck in 2019. The morbidity of influenza tended to decrease due to the measures to prevent COVID-19. Indeed, influenza seems to be "ignored" in this era of COVID-19. However, influenza has not disappeared from the scene. Presented here are two examples of recent influenza epidemics in China and Australia. Possible interactions between COVID-19 and influenza are discussed. Measures against COVID-19 may reduce contact with influenza, subsequently reducing adaptive immunity against influenza in the general population. Influenza might not be center stage right now, but insufficient adaptive immunity in the population may potentially trigger a future influenza pandemic. Coinfection with COVID-19 and influenza might potentially be a thorny problem. Hence, influenza cannot be ignored. Governments around the world should take measures to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China, many researchers have reported the chest CT manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia. High-resolution CT (HRCT) of the lung can provide important clues to understand the progressive behaviour of COVID-19 pneumonia. This pictorial essay discusses the early features and potential progressive behaviour of COVID-19 on HRCT of the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the time–frequency dynamics of return and volatility spillovers between the stock market and three commodity markets: natural gas, crude oil, and gold via a comparative analysis between the United States and China is conducted with the help of new empirical methods. Our findings are as follows. First, in terms of time, return spillovers between crude oil and the stock market are strongest in two of the three commodity markets. Crude oil emits a net negative return spillover to the US stock market, and a net positive return spillover to the Chinese stock market. By contrast, the strongest volatility spillover effect is transmitted to the stock markets of both countries through gold. However, gold has a net positive volatility spillover effect on the US stock market and a net negative effect on the Chinese stock market. In the frequency domain, most of the return spillover is produced in the short term, and most of the volatility spillover occurs in the long term. In addition, the moving-window method reveals the dynamic nature of the spillover effect. Some extreme events can have a dramatic effect on the spillover index. Conversely, the spillover effect differs significantly between the two countries and is characterized by time variation and frequency dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on PM2.5, a key indicator of air pollution, in three countries at different stages of economic development (India, China, and Japan) to empirically elucidate the impact of PM2.5 concentrations on subjective well-being. We identify two types of effects that PM2.5 may have on people's subjective well-being: health-related effects and non-health-related effects. We obtain statistically significant results for health-related effects for China and India; for non-health-related effects, we obtain statistically significant results only for Japan. Notably, we observe that in China, life satisfaction is significantly reduced by health-related effects, even if the PM2.5 concentrations are lower than the domestic standard. This finding suggests that, from the viewpoint of health, more stringent environmental standards are required in China. For Japan, we find that life satisfaction is reduced by non-health-related effects when the pollution level exceeds the domestic environmental standard. This suggests the importance of efforts to reduce the level of pollution in Japan to meet the domestic environmental standard, even if there are no health-related effects. Our results thus indicate that to improve life satisfaction, when we set environmental standards, we need to consider not only health-related problems but also people's sense of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Less is known about sexual attitudes of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and its association with sexual activity and sexual dissatisfaction. Methods: We investigated the proportion of sexual activity and sexual dissatisfaction in a cross‐sectional study among 341 Chinese BCSs aged 30‐75 years old, and we described their association with sexual attitudes, as well as socio‐demographic characteristics, physical health conditions, and mental health problems. Results: Only 83 (24.3%) individuals reported sexual activity in the past year. More than 50% of BCSs considered that sexual activity had adverse impact on their disease recovery. The sexual attitudes such as "sexual activity may impede disease recovery" (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI: 0.30‐0.88), "sexual activity may cause cancer recurrence or metastasizes" (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.30‐0.87), and "their partner fear contracting cancer by sexuality" (AOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.23‐0.98) were significantly associated with decreased likelihood of reporting sexual activity in the past year. Although 201 (58.9%) BCSs reported that breast cancer decreased the frequency of their sexual activity, only 37 (10.9%) had ever discussed sexuality with a doctor to seek advice. Conclusions: Most Chinese BCSs were sexually inactive. The sexual misconceptions about cancer were great barriers of sexual activity. Professional sexual education and consultation may be regarded as easy and effective intervention measures to correct BCSs' misguided sexual attitudes, and finally improving the overall sexual health for BCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fairyfly (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae) egg parasitoids of the tea green leafhopper Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), an economically important pest in Asia of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, were identified from specimens reared in Japan. Using a combination of genetic and morphological evidence, Anagrus (Anagrus) rugmanjonesi Triapitsyn & Adachi-Hagimori, sp. n., is described and illustrated. It is shown to be different from the most similar A. turpanicus Triapitsyn & Hu, an egg parasitoid of a leafhopper pest of cultivated grapes which is known from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. Mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence data provide clear evidence for the separation of A. rugmanjonesi from A. turpanicus and other members of the Anagrus incarnatus Haliday species complex. A key to females of the Japanese species of Anagrus Haliday is given. Two other species of Mymaridae, Arescon enocki (Subba Rao & Kaur) and Stethynium empoascae Subba Rao, are also identified, albeit the latter one only tentatively. Both latter taxa are newly recorded from Japan, and E. onukii represents their new host association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study investigates changes in spontaneous reporting (SR) compliance and ADR patterns following adoption of a new hospital SR system, and multiple interventions designed for its improvement use under modified drug administration guidelines. Methods: In total, 1389 ADR cases were reviewed. Cases were divided into two groups, cases from period 1 (n = 557, from January 2006 to June 2011) under the old SR system and cases in period 2 (n = 832, from July 2011 to December 2016) under the new SR system with multiple interventions to improve physician SR compliance. General information, drug information, and clinical manifestations were investigated and compared between periods. Results: Interventions for improved clinician training, education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), and economic incentives substantially improved SR adherence. We also found that changing drug usage patterns (based on the new drug administration guidelines) greatly influenced ADR occurrence and type. Conclusions: We found the SR compliance can be improved by multifaceted interventions. Drug usage patterns also influence ADR occurrence, so programs tailored for rational use are essential. These results could lead to further improvements in the SR system for ADRs in China, and provide guidance for establishing better methods of pharmacovigilance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study tested the clinical efficiency (item grouping, internal consistency of the subscales, construct validity, and clinical feasibility) of a widely used pain assessment system, the Mandarin version of the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R-C), in Chinese patients. We also attempted to investigate the current quality of pain management provided in orthopedic inpatient units in China and provide baseline data. First, we investigated the test–retest reliability of APS-POQ-R-C. In total, 236 orthopedic patients were evaluated. Our results showed that APS-POQ-R-C has satisfactory internal consistency and construct validity, although some items are not appropriate for orthopedic patients. Test–retest reliability outcomes indicated that APS-POQ-R-C is a satisfactory battery with acceptable validity and reliability, and is therefore recommended for pain management in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of remote ocean sea surface temperature (SST) in regulating tropical cyclone (TC) characteristics has been examined by performing numerical experiments with a regional scale model. Model simulations have been carried out to simulate typhoon Man-yi (July 2007), in our case study, under a range of SST conditions over the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. The intensity and track of the cyclone have been systematically changed in sensitivity simulations of cool and warm SSTs over that region, following its peak phase. Warm oceans can substantially reduce the intensification of western North Pacific cyclones, whereas cool oceans can enhance their strength. This is intimately associated with the enhancement/weakening of the moisture supply through the moisture conveyor belt (MCB) in the lower troposphere, from the Indian Ocean and South China Sea into the vicinity of the cyclone center. When the MCB is interrupted over the South China Sea in warm SST occurrences, the large-scale transport of moisture into the cyclone system is significantly reduced, leading to the weakening of the cyclone intensity and to the eastward shift of its track. This study shows that changes in remote tropical ocean SST can also modulate TCs and thus can help in improving the forecasting of TC intensities and tracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and protecting refugia is a priority for conservation management under projected anthropogenic climate change. We have two main objectives: the first is to explore the spatial (East Asia) and temporal (Last Glacial Maximum to year 2070) distribution patterns of dominant Castanopsis species of evergreen broad-leaved forests, also the relation with their niche breadths; the second is to identify long-term stable refugia for preserving these species and provide a framework of conservation strategies. We find that there is an extraordinary richness with 32 dominant Castanopsis species, and they form both a geographically and climatically almost unbroken connection from ca. 5°N to 38°N, having thus ecological significance. During the Mid-Holocene and, particularly, the Last Glacial Maximum, the predicted suitable areas of the species as a whole were larger than those in the present. By 2070, potentially suitable areas with high richness of dominant Castanopsis species will be reduced by 94.5 % on average. No correlation between species niche breadths and distribution ranges is found, which could be due to regional climate stability. Mountains of southwestern and southern Yunnan in China are identified as climatically long-term stable refugia for 7–9 Castanopsis species. We recommend that these refugia have the highest priority of conservation to prevent their extinction. Our suggested urgent measures include improving the effectiveness of currently protected Castanopsis species and expanding the network of protected areas to cover a larger fraction of the refugia, as well as ensuring Castanopsis species natural regeneration potential in fragmented and natural secondary forest areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The feasibility of oceanic igneous crust melting in stagnant slabs has previously been proposed from experimental petrological research. However, geochemical evidence for such melting has not yet been found from igneous rocks. We present evidence to suggest that melts from the igneous layer in the stagnant Pacific slab contributed to the source composition of basalts erupted in eastern China. Fe-rich (>13wt.%), Si-poor (<43wt.%) basalts occur only above the leading edge of the stagnant Pacific slab in eastern China, ~2000km west of the Pacific Plate trench. The source of these basalts has Nd–Hf and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions akin to those of the igneous layer in the Pacific slab, and their extremely low Rb and Pb contents suggest that their source material was modified by subduction processes. Together with forward modeling calculation on trace elements and isotope compositions, these geochemical characteristics imply that they received a contribution from fluid released from hydrated transition zone and dehydrated carbonate-bearing oceanic crust in the stagnant slab, without a long time-integrated ingrowth of Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope systems, almost at the leading edge of the stagnant Pacific slab. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the comparison of a four-limb bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) system and a two-limb foot-to-foot device with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for measuring body composition. Topics include the study's experimental design, the global prevalence of obesity, and the benefits of BIA in estimating body composition, including body fat percentage (BF), skeletal muscle mass percentage (SMM), and visceral fat level (VF).

The cortex of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver is widely used to treat kidney deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine. Its leaves have recently been reported to have anti-obesity properties in metabolic syndrome-like rat models. Due to a sharp decline in estrogen production, obesity, together with osteoporosis, are common problems in postmenopausal women. In this study, we examined the potential effect of Eucommia leaf extract (ELE) in preventing osteoporosis and obesity induced by ovariectomy (OVX). Forty-six female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Sham-Cont, OVX-Cont, and four OVX groups administered estradiol and different concentrations of ELE 1.25%, ELE 2.5%, and ELE 5%. Treatments were administered after ovariectomy at six weeks of age and continued for 12 weeks. OVX induced a significant decrease in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar, femora, and tibiae, together with a marked increase in body mass index (BMI). The administration of 5% ELE led to a significant increase in tibial and femoral BMD, as well as significantly increased bone-strength parameters when compared with OVX-Cont rats. According to the suppressed Dpd and increased osteocalcin concentrations in ELE 5% rats, we suggest that varying proportions of bone formation and bone absorption contributed to the enhanced BMD in the femora and tibiae. In addition, significant decreases in body weight, BMI and fat tissue in 5% ELE rats were also observed. These results suggest that ELE may have curative properties for BMD and BMI in OVX rats, and could provide an alternative therapy for the prevention of both postmenopausal osteoporosis and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further discussion about the limnological features of Lake Puma Yum Co, South Tibet, China, is provided based on the results of several investigations. By using depth data from all over the lake, the whole submarine topography has been compiled. Horizontal analysis of the water's physicochemical features indicates that compared with the relatively uniform water features at other lake areas, apparent spatial heterogeneity exists in the water of the subaquatic alluvial fan induced by the Jiaqu River, the biggest inflow. Vertical analysis of water characteristics using two-factor analysis of variance with no re-experiment indicates that temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH of the water vary with water depth rhythmically, whereas other parameters demonstrate no evident vertical variation, which shows that chemical stratification is not obvious. But this does not exclude slightly higher concentrations of Ca2+ induced by lower pH at the bottom of deep lake water. The hydrochemistry difference between inflow water and lake water reveals the loss of Ca2+ in lake water, which indicates calcite deposition may be an important characteristic of lake sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We obtained three sediment cores from a high-altitude lake (Lake Pumoyum Co; altitude, ~5020m asl) on the southern Tibetan plateau for reconstruction of environmental changes during the last glacial–Holocene transition. In this study, we established the first reliable chronology for sediment cores from Lake Pumoyum Co, ca. 18.5cal ka BP at the bottom, by 14C analyses of terrestrial plant residue concentrates (PRC, >125μm) and aquatic plant residues. The calibrated ages of the PRC fraction in the surface sediment were nearly modern (0.1±0.1cal ka BP), and the δ 13C values (−22‰ to −24‰) were agreed well with those of modern terrestrial C3 plants. In addition, we estimated 14C reservoir ages of macrophyte remains from changes in their δ 13C values. The major climate boundary layers in the cores (transitions to Bølling–Allerød, 14.5±0.5cal ka BP; Younger Dryas, 12.8±0.1cal ka BP; and Preboreal, ~11.6cal ka BP) were confirmed by our new 14C chronology. The transition to the Bølling–Allerød warm phase from the last glacial (14.5±0.5cal ka BP) coincided with an obvious lithologic boundary (a rapid decrease in the abundance of the macrophyte remains) in the Lake Pumoyum Co sediment cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breeding of japonica varieties with erect-pose panicle (EP) has recently progressed in the northern part of China, because these varieties exhibit a far higher grain yield than the varieties with normal-pose panicle (NP). A genetic analysis using the F2 population from the cross between Liaojing5, the first japonica EP variety in China, and the Japanese japonica NP variety Toyonishiki revealed that EP is governed by a single dominant gene EP. Based on previous studies, map-based cloning of EP locus was conducted using Liaojing5, Toyonishiki, their F2 population, and a pair of near-isogenic lines for EP locus (ZF14 and WF14) derived from the cross between the two varieties; consequently, the STS marker H90 was found to completely cosegregate with panicle pose. The H90 is located in the coding sequence AK101247 in the database, and the AK101247 of Liaojing5 has a 12 bp sequence in exon 5 replaced with a 637 bp sequence of its wild type allele. It was therefore considered that the AK101247 encodes the protein of the wild type allele at EP locus, and that the sequence substitution in exon 5 of Liaojing5 is crucial for expression of the EP phenotype. The effects of EP gene on agronomic traits were investigated using two pairs of near-isogenic lines (ZF6 vs. WF6 and ZF14 vs. WF14) derived from the cross between the two varieties. Experimental results showed that EP gene markedly enhanced grain yield, chiefly by increasing number of secondary branches and number of grains on the secondary branch. EP gene also produced a remarkable increase in grain density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Loess Plateau of China consists of dissected flat tablelands with steep gullies. To evaluate the effect of topography on local circulation and cumulus generation over the Loess Plateau, numerical simulations of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) development were conducted using a cloud-resolving nonhydrostatic model. Two types of numerical simulation were carried out under two sets of bottom boundary conditions: real terrain and flat terrain. The differences in ABL development and cumulus generation between the flat- and real-terrain conditions are described and the local circulation structures induced by ABL development are illustrated. More cumulus clouds were generated over the real terrain than over the flat terrain. In the real-terrain case, large amounts of cumulus cloud were generated on the windward slopes and on the edge of the tableland, with updrafts caused by thermal generation and a local circulation developing with horizontal and vertical scales of several kilometers. Cumulus clouds clearly developed at the top of the ABL because the water vapor is nonhomogeneously lifted by the local circulation on windward slopes and on edge of the tableland. Thus, the topography of the Loess Plateau plays an important role in cumulus generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of the convective boundary layer (CBL) over a humid terrestrial area, the Huaihe River basin in China, which is covered by a large, nearly flat plain with uniform farmland. Data were collected in early summer 2004 using a 32-m flux tower and a 1290-MHz wind profiler radar. When mature wheat fields or bare fields dominated (the first period), the sensible heat flux (SHF) from the land surface was nearly equal to the latent heat flux (LHF). After vegetation changed to paddy fields (the second period), the LHF was much larger than the SHF. Two clear days from the first and second periods were selected and are referred to as the dry case and wet case, respectively. For the dry case, a deep CBL developed rapidly from the early morning, and thermal updrafts in the CBL were vigorous. For the wet case, a shallow CBL developed slowly from late morning, and thermals were weak. To study the thermodynamic process in the CBL, a large-eddy simulation (LES) was conducted. The simulation adequately reproduced the surface heat flux and the CBL development for both the dry case and the wet case. For the dry case, sensible heat contributed to nearly all of the buoyancy flux. In contrast, for the wet case, heat and moisture made equal contributions. The large contribution of moisture to the buoyancy is one of the main characteristics of the CBL over humid terrestrial areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous paper, we developed an alternative perspective on product imitation and innovation. In this paper, we explore some of our research questions using empirical data gathered in China. While we do not condone counterfeit activities, we explore the role of counterfeiting, imitation and learning from the perspective of Chinese manufacturers and provide insight from a small number of key informants about the motives and incentives for non-consensual acquisition of technology and their views on what Western firms should be doing to counteract the threat to their technological advantage. In this paper, we argue that where companies use the technology property of others to develop their own technology capability without the consent of the other party (non-consensual acquisition of technology), firms should consider whether there are opportunities for collaboration before resorting immediately to the legal tools at their disposal to enforce intellectual property rights and seek financial recompense from infringers without due consideration of the learning, new product development and innovation context. We believe that the findings from our case studies can make a significant contribution towards a better understanding of non-consensual acquisition of technology in an innovation context. In particular, the information gained from the key informants provides their perspective on the causes of non-consensual acquisition of technology and their views and recommendations of how companies affected by this behaviour might be able to better handle this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the power spectra of wind velocity and the cospectra of momentum and heat fluxes observed for different wind directions over flat terrain and a large valley on the Loess Plateau. The power spectra of longitudinal ( u) and lateral ( v) wind speeds satisfy the −5/3 power law in the inertial subrange, but do not vary as observed in previous studies within the low frequency range. The u spectrum measured at 32 m height for flow from the valley shows a power deficit at intermediate frequencies, while the v spectrum at 32 m downwind of the valley reaches another peak in the low frequency range at the same frequency as the u spectrum. The corresponding peak wavelength is consistent with the observed length scale of the convective outer layer at the site. The v spectrum for flat terrain shows a spectral gap at mid frequencies while obeying inner layer scaling in its inertial subrange, suggesting two sources of turbulence in the surface layer. All the spectra and cospectra from the valley direction show a height dependency over the three levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of the surface layer and the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) were collected as part of the Lower Atmosphere and Precipitation Study (LAPS), which investigated the relationship between the surface conditions and the ABL processes. The LAPS was part of the Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) program, under the auspices of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Observations began in August 2003 over a flat surface region in midlatitude China at 32-55°N, 116.78°E. Observations before, during, and after the Meiyu season in China provided data for surface conditions varying from relatively dry to moist. Preliminary analysis of the surface and the ABL observations shows relationships between the surface fluxes and the ABL structure. ABL depth was enhanced by sensible heat flux. Fluctuations in the ABL depth corresponded to plume-like wind structures within the ABL. Day-to-day variability in ABL depth was controlled mainly by buoyancy flux over the surface during dry periods. It was also affected by vertical motion at the top of the ABL, especially during wet periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite remote sensing of surface-related variables is essential for understanding regional or global land-surface processes. This study focuses on a Temperature/Vegetation Index (TVX) matrix that combines surface temperature (Ts) and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The results of our study show the behaviour of the TVX matrix on continental scales. The study domain includes eastern Eurasia and monsoon Asia-regions with great variability in land-surface conditions. The data used included a 10-day composite Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) dataset compiled by the US Geological Survey (USGS). The relaxation in the determination algorithm for TVX slope (an upper envelope line in a TVX matrix box) was conducted to obtain both the negative and positive slope. The TVX slope can be derived from previous studies as the monsoon advanced and retreated over the tropics. However, over the Tibetan Plateau, a time series of the TVX slope showed an opposite sign compared to those in previous studies (represented by a positive TVX slope). Scatter plotting of the TVX matrix pixel sets was conducted for the evaluation of a variety of TVX matrix pixels. The TVX slope error sometimes occurred over arid regions because of a few green pixels corresponding to oases or irrigated areas. On the Tibetan Plateau, 'two' TVX slopes, both negative and positive, were found in the scatterplot. The reason for the two TVX slopes is the energy consumption in the soil, particularly, the phase change from frozen to liquid water. However, further study will be required to understand the mechanisms on the Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese and Chinese hold strikingly similar opinions of each other--both are negative. Since the normalization of Japan's postwar relations with China in 1978, opinion surveys document a clear deterioration of goodwill after nearly two decades of relatively good relations. This trend has accelerated over the past ten years. Most noticeable is how much the decline of trust coincides with a rise of internal socio-economic anxieties in both countries. The central governments are faltering in their ability to provide social stability and cohesion--a sense of safety and material well-being--while establishing a sense of national identity. We argue that current Sino-Japanese tensions reflect more each country's domestic stresses than they do disagreements over history, any inherent geostrategic competition, or regional economic rivalry. Restoration, or the establishment of prosperity, social certainty, and "moral security" in both countries, is necessary before China and Japan can have any meaningful resolution of their historical and geopolitical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality control of imported fish products is a constant challenge for Customs officials. To help officials access the quality and integrity of imported fish products, and to enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of product screening, a method was developed to identify boiled and dried larval and juvenile sardines (Chirimen) at the genus level by direct sequencing using a partial sequence (606 bp) of mitochondrial 16S rDNA. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, based on nucleotide sequences of seven kinds of Chirimen imported from four countries with 16 standard samples belonging to the orders Clupeiformes and Salmoniformes. To identify the fish genera in imported Chirimen, bootstrap values and branch lengths of the phylogenetic tree as well as genetic distances were used. The data revealed that Chirimen imported from China and Korea contains species of the genus Engraulis. Regarding other imported Chirimen, the least that could be verified was that the sardine ingredients do not belong to regulated genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of persistent organochlorines (OCs), such as DDTs, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachloro-benzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and chlordane compounds (CHLs) were determined in 34 human adipose tissues collected from Guizhou Province, southern China, during 2002. DDT was the predominant contaminant among OCs analyzed; concentrations ranged from 420 to 20 000 ng/g on a lipid wt basis (average ± sd: 5700 ± 4100 ng/g). Concentrations of DDTs and the ratio of p,p'-DDT/ ΣDDT in humans in China were significantly higher than those reported for developed countries. DDT levels in humans in Guizhou Province were comparable to those from Shanghai City, implying the presence of significant sources of DDTs in inland and coastal areas in China. Age-dependent accumulation of HCH concentration was found in this study, possibly because of the considerable reduction in average dairy intake (ADI) of HCHs by Chinese during the recent two decades. On the basis of the information of the ADI rates, half-lives, and body burdens of DDTs, the magnitude of historical DDT exposures by Chinese was estimated. This suggested that approximately 80% of DDTs deposited in Chinese adipose tissues was accumulated before the 1990s. The monitoring of OC levels and epidemiological studies are needed in China to understand the status of contamination and the risks to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and evolution of a long-lived squall line associated with a disastrous dust storm, called a black storm, that occurred over the arid region in northwest China are described. Data used in the present study were those from routine observations in China and those acquired from surface observations of the Heife River Field Experiment. The squall line evolved within an extremely dry environment in which surface water vapor mixing ratios were less than 2.5 g kg 21 and the level of free convection (LFC) was very high. The surface cold-air outflow that emanated from the squall line propagated rapidly, producing strong horizontal convergence at the leading edge of the cold pool. The deep, dry mixed layer that developed over the desert region, owing to strong solar surface heating, played a significant role in determining the squall line evolution. The maximum depth of the mixed layer was estimated as more than 4 km, which is often found over the desert regions of China. The growth of the deep mixed layer decreased the difference in height between the mixed-layer top and the LFC, minimizing the energy required to lift mixed-layer air above the LFC. Furthermore, the dry mixed layer is favorable for the development of an evaporatively driven downdraft, leading to the development of a surface cold pool and near-zero surface rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lake Pumoyum Co is on the southeastern Tibetan plateau (altitude, ∼5030m asl; lake surface area, 281km2; maximum water depth, 65m). We obtained 14C dates on total organic carbon (TOC) for three sediment cores from Lake Pumoyum Co, covering the period from the last glacial to the Holocene, and compared them with 14C ages on plant residue concentrates (PRC fraction, mainly terrestrial plant residues) and aquatic plant fragments in the cores. The calibrated ages of TOC were older than those of the PRC fraction in the sediment cores by ca. 0.6–11.3kyr. The calculated dead carbon fraction ( f dead carbon) values for TOC increased during 9.5–5.5calka BP, and fluctuations of f dead carbon paralleled variations in Asian monsoon intensity [Y. Wang et al., Nature 451 (2008) 1090]. One possible explanation for these results is that large amounts of terrestrial organic materials containing old carbon were supplied to the lake (“old carbon effects” from lake terrace, paleosol and/or stratum with dead 14C) when the lake level rose rapidly and its catchment area expanded during the Holocene climate optimum (9.5–5.5calka BP). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the reasons for unsatisfactory early rehabilitation services in China, including medical insurance system which does not fully cover stroke rehabilitation, unavailability of nursing care insurance, and insufficient number of well trained therapists.

This study was designed to investigate the state quo of the appropriateness of alerts overrides of the medication-related clinical decision support system (MRCDSS) in China. The medication-related alerts in one hospital from Jan 2022 to Dec 2022 were acquired and sampled. Rates of alert overrides, appropriateness of alert generation and physicians' responses were observed. Total 14,612 medicationrelated alerts (≤ level 3) were recorded, of those, 12,659 (86.6%) alerts were overridden. The top 3 alert types were: drug and diagnosis contraindications (23.8%), drug and test value contraindications (23.3%), and compatibility issues (17.7%). Of all sampled 1,501 alerts, 80.2% of them were appropriately overridden by the physicians. The appropriate rate of alert generation was 57.9% and the inappropriate rate was 42.1%. The inappropriate rate of physicians' responses was 17.8%, and 2.0% physicians' responses were undetermined. A few medications accounted for over 10% of overrides, 88.3% of "overridden reasons" inputted by the physicians were meaningless characters or values, indicating an obvious "alert fatigue" in these physicians. Our results indicated that the overridden rate of MRCDSS in China was still high, and appropriateness of generation of alert was quite low. These data indicated that the MRCDSS currently using in China still needs constantly optimization and timely maintenance. Proper sensitivity to reduce triggering of useless alerts and generation of alert fatigue might play a vital role. We believed that these findings are helpful for better understanding the state quo of MRCDSS in China and providing useful insights for future developing and improving MRCDSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide, taking the lives of over a million people annually. In addition to being a serious health issue, TB is also closely linked to eradicating poverty according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). All UN members have committed to ending the TB epidemic by 2030. China has one of the highest TB loads worldwide, ranking third in the world on many TB burden indices. The national strategy for TB control is aimed at creating a collaborative network and integrating TB treatment into the medical system. According to the WHO's global TB report, China is expected to have 748,000 new cases of TB in 2022 and an incidence of 52 cases per 100,000 people. Ending TB remains a huge challenge and requires comprehensive control strategies in China. In this work, we have discussed the challenges of TB prevention and control in China and proposed specific measures to end TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tuberculosis (TB)-related caregiver burden (CB), and particularly the multidrug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB)-related CB, is not rare in caregivers caring for TB patients, especially when a family member is the caregiver. However, the existing studies on this topic are insufficient. This study briefly summarized the risk factors for the imposition of a TB-related CB and reasons why caregivers for patients with M/XDR-TB are more susceptible to a CB. We propose that special measures should be implemented to alleviate the TB-related CB based on our clinical experience and insights from China. This may improve the situation of caregivers for TB patients and ultimately improve the quality of life of TB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explains the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX)-Asian Monsoon Experiment (GAME). GEWEX was conducted under the umbrella of the World Climate Research Program and was led by Professor Yasunari from Japan. GAME research focused on water and energy cycles of Eurasia. Intensive field work carried out in eastern Siberia, the Tibetan Plateau, Central China, and Thailand has resulted in new insights into hydrological and meteorological processes. The papers in this issue focus on the hydrological characteristics of the GAME region.

Abstract: Paleoclimatic records from the Tibetan Plateau provide important clues for understanding the Asian monsoon and Asian climate systems. To reconstruct climatic and environmental changes in the southern Tibetan Plateau, a 3.77-m-long sediment core (PY608E–PC) was taken from the southeastern part of Lake Pumoyum Co in August 2006. Because terrestrial plant residues are extremely rare in this core, we performed radiocarbon dating on the total organic carbon fraction. We also estimated the old carbon effect and radiocarbon reservoir age of the total organic carbon fraction. Using these estimates, we propose a new radiocarbon chronology for past climatic changes from ca. 12,500 to 700cal BP. The linear sedimentation rate of the core was founded to be constant at 32.0cm/kyr, indicating stable sedimentation conditions in Lake Pumoyum Co from the period of the Younger Dryas to the Holocene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For ectothermic fish, water temperature may influence the timing and location of reproduction. The water temperature in semi-enclosed bays fluctuates substantially compared to the neighbouring open sea, leading to thermal differences between the bay and the open sea. This phenomenon may stimulate the habitat shifts of seasonally migratory fish. To clarify the effects of temperature on the habitat shifts, we used depth-temperature data loggers to monitor the behaviour of adult Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (range: 47.0–57.6cm) in Omura Bay, a typical semi-enclosed bay in Japan. Ten flounder were tagged and released in December, 2007. A total of six loggers and four tagged fish were recovered; two loggers and one tagged fish were retrieved from the Omura Bay, and four loggers and three tagged fish from the East China Sea. The variations in temperature and harmonic constants of the M2 tide extracted from the data logger showed that the emigration of three of the six fish from the bay to the open sea corresponded with the rise in temperature experienced by the fish. The water temperature in the bay continuously decreased and finally fell below the lower threshold of the optimal temperature for hatching of their eggs. Anatomical observations conducted on four individuals recaptured outside the bay revealed the presence of post-ovulatory follicles and/or oocytes at the maturing stage, indicating that they were spawning in the open sea at the time. Vertical swimming activity of the fish was significantly increased after the emigration from the bay, suggesting that spawning, foraging, and movement opportunities were increased. Therefore, it appears that adult Japanese flounder shift their habitats during the reproductive period to find higher temperatures that offer physiological and ecological advantages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China is one of the most typical karst relief areas with various forms, and tiankeng is one of the most typical karst relief forms of the Quaternary Period. In this work, accurate measurements of tiankeng exposure ages were made. The exposure ages of carbonate rocks from the five largest tiankengs in the world, the DaShiwei, HuangJing, ChuanDong, DaTuo, and DaCao tiankengs, were determined by accelerator mass spectrometry to be at least 20–400 thousand years, which provides significant proof for activity of new tectonic movement of the Eurasian continent in the Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiankeng, a typical Karst relief of the Late Quaternary Period, in the south of China, plays an important role when researching the surface shape and evolution of the Karst relief. The accumulation of Chlorine-36 (T 1/2 = 301 ka) through the interaction of cosmic ray particles with Ca, K and Cl in rocks allow it to be used as the ideal nuclide for determination of the exposure age and erosion rate of limestone. In this work, an improved 36Cl sample preparation method for Tiankeng limestone was presented. The Isotope Dilution-AMS technique allows for the simultaneous measurement of 36Cl and Cl with a single AMS sample preparation. The barium introduced during the sample preparation was removed to avoid ionizer poisoning and attain a higher and more stable beam current. The method is particularly suitable for limestone samples, as well as for soil, sediment and water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Taeniasis refers to the infection with adult tapeworms of Taenia spp. in the upper small intestine of humans, which is also a cause of cysticercosis infection in either both humans and/or animals. Currently the most commonly applied anthelminthics for treatment of taeniasis are praziquantel and niclosamide. Praziquantel is very effective, but has the risk of induction of epileptic seizures or convulsions in carriers with asymptomatic concurrent neurocysticercosis. In contrast, niclosamide is safe and effective, but is not readily available in many endemic countries including China. In the current community-based study, we assessed the curative effect of either pumpkin seeds or areca nut extract alone in taeniasis, and also looked at synergistic effects of these two herb drugs on tapeworms. In the study group with the pumpkin seed/areca nut extract treatment, 91 (79.1%) of 115 suspected taeniasis cases (with a history of expulsion of proglottids within the previous one year) released whole tapeworms, four (3.5%) expelled incomplete strobila, and no tapeworms or proglottids were recovered in the remaining 20 cases. In these 115 persons, 45 were confirmed as taeniasis before treatment by microscopy and/or coproPCR. Forty (88.9%) of 45 confirmed cases eliminated intact worms following treatment. The mean time period for complete elimination of tapeworms in 91 taeniasis cases was 2h (range 20min to 8h 30min), and 89.0% (81) of 91 patients discharged intact worms within 3h after drug administration. In Control Group A with treatment of pumpkin seeds alone, 75.0% (9/12) of confirmed taeniasis cases expelled whole tapeworms, but the mean time period for complete elimination was about 14h 10min (range 3h 20min to 21h 20min), which was much longer than that (2h) for the study group, whereas in Control Group B treated with areca nut extract alone, only 63.6% (7/11) of taeniasis cases discharged whole tapeworms, and the mean time period was 6h 27min (range 1–22h). Mild side effects included nausea and dizziness in about 46.3% of patients with the pumpkin seeds/areca nut extract treatment, but all discomforts were transient and well tolerated. In conclusion, a synergistic effect of pumpkin seed and areca nut extract on Taenia spp. tapeworms was confirmed in the current study, primarily in producing an increased rate of effect on tapeworm expulsion (average time 2h for combination vs 6–21h for individual extracts). The pumpkin seed/areca combined treatment was indicated to be safe and highly effective (89%) for human taeniasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article compares color assessments of automotive exteriors at four locations in China, Thailand and Japan. This study employed painted panels of twelve colors, thirty sensory words and fifteen pairs of emotion variables. It also used reference figures of nine cars that included four styling categories, namely sedans, compacts, sport utility vehicles and sports cars. The results of like–dislike tests revealed that basic automotive exterior colors, such as black, white and red, were highly preferred across locations. However, geographical differences are apparent in the preference for some non-basic colors. To elucidate these geographical differences, a Chi-square test and principal component analysis were performed on the data on emotion variables. The results revealed both similarities and differences in color preferences among the four locations. Color preferences were similar in Hong Kong and Shanghai when simply evaluated by color samples. However, similar preferences for automotive exterior colors were observed in Hong Kong, Kyoto and Bangkok, but not in Shanghai. These results suggest that there is fluctuation in the emotion evoked by a color when the color is considered in the context of automotive exteriors. Therefore, this study indicates that automotive sales can be secured in the global marketplace by creating a single palette of exterior colors based on similar color preferences across countries. However, these results also indicate that preparing market-specific automotive-color line-ups can be an effective marketing strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The genetic polymorphisms of Echinococcus spp. in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were evaluated by DNA sequencing analyses of genes for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nuclear elongation factor-1 alpha (ef1a). We collected 68 isolates of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) from Xinjiang and 113 isolates of E. granulosus s. s., 49 isolates of Echinococcus multilocularis and 34 isolates of Echinococcus shiquicus from the Tibetan Plateau. The results of molecular identification by mitochondrial and nuclear markers were identical, suggesting the infrequency of introgressive hybridization. A considerable intraspecific variation was detected in mitochondrial cox1 sequences. The parsimonious network of cox1 haplotypes showed star-like features in E. granulosus s. s. and E. multilocularis, but a divergent feature in E. shiquicus. The cox1 neutrality indexes computed by Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs tests showed high negative values in E. granulosus s. s. and E. multilocularis, indicating significant deviations from neutrality. In contrast, the low positive values of both tests were obtained in E. shiquicus. These results suggest the following hypotheses: (i) recent founder effects arose in E. granulosus and E. multilocularis after introducing particular individuals into the endemic areas by anthropogenic movement or natural migration of host mammals, and (ii) the ancestor of E. shiquicus was segregated into the Tibetan Plateau by colonising alpine mammals and its mitochondrial locus has evolved without bottleneck effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A caldera-forming eruption in 946 CE, known as the Millennium Eruption (ME), at Changbaishan (or Baekdusan) volcano, located on the border between China and North Korea, was one of the largest explosive eruptions on Earth in the last 2000 years. In this study, we obtained new whole-rock Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic data and 238U–230Th disequilibrium data of representative volcanic products of the ME, as well as those of a pre-ME (4–5 ka) eruption, to understand the evolution of the magma plumbing system related to the caldera-forming eruption. The volcanic products of the ME have SiO 2 contents ranging from ~54 to ~75 wt%, and the whole-rock (230Th/232Th) ratios tend to decrease systematically from basaltic trachy-andesite through trachyte to comendite. The relatively high (230Th/232Th) ratios of the felsic (trachytic and comenditic) volcanic products suggest that they were formed primarily from fractional crystallization of mafic magmas, rather than from partial melting of crustal materials. The basaltic trachy-andesite sample has a distinctly high (230Th/232Th) ratio and the least radiogenic Pb isotopic ratios among ME volcanic products, suggesting that the mafic magma was recently introduced into the main felsic magma system and is hypothesized to have triggered the eruption. The lower (230Th/232Th) ratios of the comendite samples than those of the trachyte samples, as well as published U-series disequilibrium data, suggest that the comendite magmas were produced by mixing old (> ~ 23 ka) and young (<~6 ka) comenditic magmas. The old comendite magma was the main component of ME volcanic products. Pre-ME pantelleritic magmas with distinctly low (230Th/232Th) and high 87Sr/86Sr ratios from those of ME magmas may have formed a short-lived magma chamber until ~4–5 ka, which was isolated from the long-lived, main comendite magma chamber. • Magma plumbing system was examined for the Millennium Eruption at Changbaishan. • Whole-rock U Th disequilibrium data vary systematically with rock types. • The U Th data favor fractional crystallization origin for the main felsic magmas. • Mafic magma was introduced into the main felsic magma system just prior to eruption. • The magma plumbing system consisted mainly of a long-lived comendite magma chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]