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Since the first discovery of dinosaur eggs announced by the American Museum of Natural History (central Asiatic expeditions to Mongolia) in 1923, these fossils became widely recognised from Mesozoic strata in Asia and elsewhere. In the 1920s, and actually before 1923, dinosaur eggs had been collected from another part of Asia, specifically Liaoning Province in northeastern China. From 1921 to the late 1920s, five eggs were collected from the Cenomanian Quantou Formation during construction, and thus represent an important historic collection as some of the earliest dinosaur eggs discovered in Asia. Here, we describe one egg from this collection and assign it to Paraspheroolithus irenensis, an egg taxon that likely belonged to hadrosaur dinosaurs. The egg is approximately 7 × 8 cm in diameter, with eggshell that displays typical spheroolithid microstructure and is just over a millimetre in thickness. Paraspheroolithus irenensis is shown to be the most widespread spheroolithid oospecies in China, and our comparative work extends its geographic range to northeastern most China. The Quantou Formation thus has yielded at least three spheroolithid oospecies, indicating the potential for a diversity of hadrosaur or related ornithopod species in the region at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umifenovir is a broad‐spectrum antiviral agent used to treat influenza in China and Russia, and it has been studied as an antiviral agent for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We have previously reported the synthesis of novel umifenovir analogues and their biological evaluation with a focus on their inhibitory activity against the binding of the spike glycoprotein (S‐protein) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor; however, no strong inhibitory activity was observed from these analogues. In the present study, an additional set of umifenovir analogues was synthesized with replacement of the substituents at the 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐positions of the indole, and a cell‐based assay using SARS‐CoV‐2 (B.1.1) was performed to examine the antiviral activity of the analogues. We found that one of the newly synthesized umifenovir analogues exhibited antiviral activity and reduced the viral load to 0.06 % as compared to the control when it was assessed in the presence of nafamostat and marimastat, which inhibit cell‐surface viral entry. In contrast, when this analogue was evaluated without the addition of nafamostat or marimastat, it exhibited less antiviral activity, suggesting that the umifenovir analogue would exert antiviral activity mainly by inhibiting endosome‐mediated viral entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow leaf curl disease caused by begomoviruses has emerged as a major limitation to the production of eggplant (Solanum melongena) in several regions of the world. Tomato yellow leaf curl Kanchanaburi virus (TYLCKaV) is a bipartite begomovirus isolated from diseased eggplant in the areas of the Indochinese peninsula, South China, and Maritime Southeast Asia. In this study, five begomovirus species isolated in Indonesia, including TYLCKaV, were inoculated to eggplant using infectious clones. Among the inoculated begomoviruses, TYLCKaV alone induced typical yellowing and curling symptoms in eggplant. Inoculation of TYLCKaV to a panel of crop species (eggplant, tomato, pepper, tobacco, cucumber, melon, and squash) commonly grown in Indonesia clarified that TYLCKaV infects and causes yellow leaf curl disease mainly in eggplant and tomato. Agroinfiltration of TYLCKaV to 736 accessions of eggplant enabled selection of 33 resistant candidates. Further evaluation by TYLCKaV graft-inoculation of the resistant candidates clarified that 10 accessions were classifiable as moderately resistant and 23 accessions as highly resistant. Among the highly resistant accessions, 22 accessions restricted viral DNA accumulation to a significantly lower amount than the susceptible control. These 22 highly resistant accessions represent valuable genetic resources for breeding begomovirus resistance in eggplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is a threat to global health and the economy. Since the outbreak of COVID‐19, great effort has been made to reposition existing drugs to shorten development timelines, in addition to vaccine development and drug discovery campaigns. Umifenovir is a broad‐spectrum antiviral agent used to treat influenza in China and Russia and is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of COVID‐19. In this article, the synthesis of umifenovir analogues and their biological evaluation are reported. The inhibitory activities of analogues against the binding of the spike glycoprotein (S‐protein) of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) to the ACE2 receptor, which is a possible mode of action for umifenovir to inhibit viral infection, were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now that many countries have set goals for reaching net zero emissions by the middle of the century, it is important to clarify the role of each country in achieving the 1.5 °C target of the Paris Agreement. Here, we evaluated China's role by calculating the global temperature impacts caused by China's emission pathways available in global emissions scenarios toward the 1.5 °C target. Our results show that China's contribution to global warming in 2050 (since 2005) is 0.17 °C on average, with a range of 0.1 °C to 0.22 °C. The peak contributions of China vary from 0.1 °C to 0.23 °C, with the years reached distributing between 2036 and 2065. The large difference in peak temperatures arises from the differences in emission pathways of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). We further analyzed the effect of the different mix of CO2 and CH4 mitigation trajectories in China's pathways on the global mean temperature. We found that China's near-term CH4 mitigation reduces the peak temperature in the middle of the century, whereas it plays a less important role in determining the end-of-the-century temperature. Early CH4 mitigation action in China is an effective way to shave the peak temperature, further contributing to reducing the temperature overshoot along the way toward the 1.5 °C target. This underscores the necessity for early CO2 mitigation to ultimately achieve the long-term temperature goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To estimate the effect of airline travel restrictions on the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) importation. Methods We extracted passenger volume data for the entire global airline network, as well as the dates of the implementation of travel restrictions and the observation of the first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in each country or territory, from publicly available sources. We calculated effective distance between every airport and the city of Wuhan, China. We modelled the risk of SARS-CoV-2 importation by estimating survival probability, expressing median time of importation as a function of effective distance. We calculated the relative change in importation risk under three different hypothetical scenarios that all resulted in different passenger volumes. Findings We identified 28 countries with imported cases of COVID-19 as at 26 February 2020. The arrival time of the virus at these countries ranged from 39 to 80 days since identification of the first case in Wuhan. Our analysis of relative change in risk indicated that strategies of reducing global passenger volume and imposing travel restrictions at a further 10 hub airports would be equally effective in reducing the risk of importation of SARS-CoV-2; however, this reduction is very limited with a close-to-zero median relative change in risk. Conclusion The hypothetical variations in observed travel restrictions were not sufficient to prevent the global spread of SARS-CoV-2; further research should also consider travel by land and sea. Our study highlights the importance of strengthening local capacities for disease monitoring and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical traceability of marine bivalves is critical to guarantee their quality and safeguard the interest of both consumers and producers. The neodymium isotopic ratio (143Nd/144Nd) of the coastal water mainly reflects the geology of its neighboring watershed, displaying the distinct and systematic variability at high level of geographical detail and thereby shedding light on its potential as a geochemical tracer. For the first time, the present study investigated the utility and robustness of 143Nd/144Nd archived in mytilid mussel shells for geographical traceability purposes. The reproducibility of 143Nd/144Nd ratios maintained in mussels shells from the same cohort demonstrates that the Nd isotopic ratio meets the major requirement for an ideal geochemical tracer, i.e., the biologically induced variation should be rather minimal. The distribution and variability of mussel shell 143Nd/144Nd patterns were subsequently mapped along the Japanese and Chinese coastal waters. Neodymium isotopes of mussel shells record 143Nd/144Nd variations among local regions and between the two countries, which are rather compatible with the ages and lithology of the continental bedrocks. These findings highlight the great potential of 143Nd/144Nd for tracing the geographical origin of marine bivalves. • Consistency of 143Nd/144Nd ratios maintained in contemporaneous mussel shells. • 143Nd/144Nd ratios of mussel shells reflects the geology of coastal watershed. • Mussel shell 143Nd/144Nd patterns mapped in Japan and China. • 143Nd/144Nd ratio serves as a promising tracer for molluscan traceability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) relationship at the province level in China. We apply empirical methods to test three industrial pollutants—SO2 emission, wastewater discharge, and solid waste production—in 29 Chinese provinces in 1994-2010. We use the geographically weighted regression (GWR) approach, wherein the model can be fitted at each spatial location in the data, weighting all observations by a function of distance from the regression point. Hence, considering spatial heterogeneity, the EKC relationship can be analyzed region-specifically through this approach, rather than describing the average relationship over the entire area examined. We also investigate the spatial stratified heterogeneity to verify and compare risk factors that affect regional pollution with statistical models. This study finds that the GWR model, aimed at considering spatial heterogeneity, outperforms the OLS model; it is more effective at explaining the relationships between environmental performance and economic growth in China. The results indicate a significant variation in the existence of the EKC relationship. Such spatial patterns suggest province-specific policymaking to achieve balanced growth in those provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal, in its arbitral award of 12 July 2016, ruled that China's claims to historic rights with respect to the maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the "nine-dash line" are contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. To support this conclusion, the Tribunal undertook detailed review with regard to the concept of historic rights and the relationship between China's claimed historic rights and the Convention. The temporal or historical element can be regarded as a key element to establish historic rights. However, the Tribunal took an approach that minimises the role of the temporary element when examining the legality of China's claimed historic rights. The Tribunal's view provides an important insight into the concept of historic rights in the international law of the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most epidemiological studies on adolescent survivors' mental health have been conducted within 2 years after the disaster. Longer-term psychological consequences remain unclear. This study explored psychological symptoms in secondary school students who were living in Sichuan province 6 years after the Wenchuan earthquake.Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed on data from a final survey of survivors conducted 6 years after the Wenchuan earthquake as part of the five-year mental health and psychosocial support project. A total of 2641 participants were divided into three groups, according to the level of traumatic experience exposure during the earthquake (0, 1, and 2 or more). ANCOVA was used to compare the mean scores of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) among the three groups, adjusting for covariates such as age, gender, ethnicity, having a sibling, parents' divorce, and socio-economic status. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify relationships between the traumatic experiences and suicidality after the disaster.Results: Having two or more kinds of traumatic experiences was associated with higher psychological symptom scores on the SCL-90 (Cohen's d=0.23-0.33) and suicidal ideation (OR 1.98, 95% CIs:1.35-2.89) and attempts (OR 3.32, 95% CIs:1.65-6.68), as compared with having no traumatic experience.Limitations: Causality cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional survey, and results may not generalize to other populations due to convenience sampling.Conclusions: Severely traumatized adolescent survivors of the earthquake may suffer from psychological symptoms even 6 years after the disaster. Long-term psychological support will be needed for these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South China Sea dispute between the Philippines and China can be viewed as a mixed dispute that involves both territorial and maritime issues. In this regard, an issue arises concerning whether an Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea can adjudicate a mixed dispute. The Philippines/China arbitral award of 29 October 2015, along with the 2015 Mauritius/United Kingdom arbitration, sheds some light on this issue. Furthermore, with regard to Article 281 of the Convention, the Tribunal in the Philippines/China arbitration adopted an interpretation that is different from the interpretation adopted by the Annex VII Arbitral Tribunal in the 2000 Southern Bluefin Tuna arbitration. The Philippines/China arbitral award provides important insight into the interpretation of Article 281. In addition, the Tribunal's treatment of China's informal communications merits particular attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the impact of industrial agglomeration on firm-level productivity in Chinese manufacturing sectors. To account for spatial autocorrelation across regions, we formulate a hierarchical spatial model and use a Bayesian instrumental-variable approach. We find that agglomeration of the same industry (i.e., localization) has a productivity-boosting effect, but agglomeration of urban population (i.e., urbanization) has no such effect. In addition, the localization effect increases with the educational levels of employees and the share of intermediate inputs in gross output. These results may suggest that agglomeration externalities occur through knowledge spillovers and input sharing among firms producing similar manufactures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the water surface ratio of the Chinese floods of summer 1998. Use of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program operational special sensor microwave imager; Focus on flooding condition transition based on cloud cover penetration by ground surface microwave emissions; Provision of NOAA satellite observation data.

This study explores the impact of environmental regulations in China on infant mortality. In 1998, the Chinese government imposed stringent air pollution regulations, in one of the first large-scale regulatory attempts in a developing country. We find that the infant mortality rate fell by 20 percent in the treatment cities designated as “Two Control Zones.” The greatest reduction in mortality occurred during the neonatal period, highlighting an important pathophysiologic mechanism, and was largest among infants born to mothers with low levels of education. The finding is robust to various alternative hypotheses and specifications. Further, a falsification test using deaths from causes unrelated to air pollution supports these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine P-wave velocity structure at the base of the mantle beneath the western Pacific, near the western edge of the Pacific Large-Low Shear Velocity Province (LLSVP), using high-quality seismograms provided by a large-scale mobile broad-band seismic observation in northeastern China (the NECESSArray project). Forward modelling using the reflectivity method is conducted to explain the variation of P-wave traveltimes as a function of epicentral distance near the core shadow zone. Additionally, PcP-P traveltimes are examined to enlarge the survey area. As a result, a rapid variation of P-wave velocity is detected at the base of the mantle. Regions of thin (20-50 km thick) and low velocity (-2 to -5 per cent) layers at the base of the mantle are intersected by an 80-km-thick region with a high velocity (+2 per cent). Aslightly fast region exists at the northwest of the regionwith the thin low-velocity layer. These layers are typically separated by several hundred kilometres and would be difficult to explain by thermal effects alone. These observations suggest that very complicated thermochemical reactions occur near the edge of the Pacific LLSVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zhutian and Dafeng formations (Upper Cretaceous) of the Heyuan Basin in northeastern Guangdong Province, China, have produced thousands of dinosaur eggs. Macromorphological features (egg diameter, egg shape, outer surface texture, and shell thickness) of 461 eggs were analyzed using non-destructive techniques and subjected to statistical analyses in order to assess their diversity and taxonomic affinities. Three types (1, 2 and 3) of eggs were discerned based on shape and outer surface morphology. Type 1 eggs are spherical to ellipsoidal in shape and have a rough surface. Three subtypes (Type 1-A-1, 1-A-2, and 1-B) are apparent from scatter plots and cluster analyses of egg diameters and shell thickness. Type 2 eggs are elongate with linear ornamentation on the surface, and are comparable to eggs that belong to the oofamily Elongatoolithidae. Type 3 eggs are elongate with a smooth surface, and are assigned to the oofamily Prismatoolithidae. Macromorphological features of the various egg types suggest that Type 1 could have been laid by ornithischian, sauropod or therizinosaur dinosaurs, Type 2 by oviraptorids, and Type 3 by troodontids. This study represents the first comprehensive statistical analysis of macrofeatures of dinosaur eggs, and reveals taxonomic diversity in the dinosaurs that were laying eggs in the Upper Cretaceous Heyuan area heretofore unrecognized in skeletal remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Studies that have addressed the association between the intake of coffee or caffeine and Parkinson’s disease (PD) were conducted mainly in Western countries. Little is known about this relationship in an Asian population. Therefore, we performed an assessment of the association of the intake of coffee, other caffeine-containing beverages, and caffeine with the risk of PD in Japan. The study involved 249 PD cases and 368 control subjects. Information on dietary factors was obtained through a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Adjustment was made for sex, age, region of residence, educational level, pack-years of smoking, body mass index, the dietary glycemic index, and intake of cholesterol, vitamin E, β-carotene, vitamin B6, alcohol, and iron. Intake of coffee, black tea, and Japanese and Chinese teas was significantly inversely associated with the risk of PD: the adjusted odds ratios in comparison of the highest with the lowest quartile were 0.52, 0.58, and 0.59, respectively (95% confidence intervals = 0.30–0.90, 0.35–0.97, and 0.35–0.995, respectively). A clear inverse dose–response relationship between total caffeine intake and PD risk was observed. We confirmed that the intake of coffee and caffeine reduced the risk of PD. Furthermore, this is the first study to show a significant inverse relationship between the intake of Japanese and Chinese teas and the risk of PD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here, we examine 145 dinosaur eggshells from a new fossil locality in the Qiupa Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of the Luanchuan area in western Henan Province, China. The eggshells display elongatoolithid macro- and microstructures, including ridges and nodes on the outer surface, two ultrastructural layers, and an undulatory boundary between the mammillary and continuous layers. A phylogenic analysis shows that the Luanchuan eggshells belong to the ooclade Elongatoolithidae. Within Elongatoolithidae, the thickness ratio of the mammillary layer to the entire eggshell, and the porosity of the Luanchuan eggshells are comparable to the oogenera Macroolithus and Elongatoolithus. There is no direct evidence for the taxonomic identity of the Luanchuan eggshells; however, they were likely laid by oviraptorids based on their phylogenetic position and their similarities with known oviraptorid eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sabina vulgaris is a heterophyllus tree with two leaf forms: needle leaves and scale leaves. Most seedlings establish under a tree canopy and have only needle leaves, whereas mature individuals grow in the open and have both leaf forms. To clarify the functional traits of both leaf types, we studied the leaf mass per area (LMA), nitrogen content, stable carbon isotope composition, and photosynthetic traits of the two leaf forms. Scale leaves had a larger LMA, higher leaf area-based photosynthetic rate, higher water-use efficiency, and stronger tolerance of photoinhibition compared to needle leaves. Conversely, needle leaves had a lower light compensation point and higher leaf mass-based photosynthetic rate than scale leaves. With their low light compensation point and dark respiration rate, needle leaves appeared to be more effective at maximizing photosynthetic production under light-limited conditions in the inner crown or dark seedling stage. In contrast, scale leaves appeared to be more efficient at the canopy surface due to their higher area-based photosynthetic rate, tolerance to photoinhibition, and higher water-use efficiency. These different leaf functional traits of scale and needle leaves indicate functions similar to those of sun and shade leaves, respectively, in other tree species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The roots of Cistanche (C.) tubulosa (Orobanchaceae), a parasitic plant that grows in the Taklamakan desert, are traditionally used as medicines and foods in China. We prepared aqueous ethanol extract (CTE) from the roots of C. tubulosa and its hypocholesterolemic effect was evaluated. Using gene chip and RT-PCR analysis of the livers of mice given CTE (400 mg/kg) for 14 days, we found mRNA expression of molecules related to cholesterol transport [apolipoprotein B and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor] and metabolism [cytochrome P450 side chain cleave (SCC) and steroid 5α-reductase 2] were up-regulated. The administration of CTE (400 mg/kg) for 14 days significantly suppressed serum cholesterol elevation in high cholesterol diet-fed mice. The mRNA expressions of VLDL receptor and cytochrome P450 SCC were significantly enhanced. In addition, acteoside, a major constituent of CTE, was found to enhance the mRNA expressions of apolipoprotein B, VLDL receptor, and cytochrome P450 SCC in HepG2 hepatocytes. These results suggest that CTE affects the mRNA expressions of molecules related to cholesterol transport and metabolism and exhibits hypocholesterolemic activity in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia mice. Acteoside was involved in the hypocholesterolemic activity of CTE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on Recent podocopid ostracods from the northern coast of Vietnam, describe two new ostracod species (Loxoconcha vietnamensis and Caudites huyeni), and describe the appendages of Loxoconcha ocellata Ho 1982. We identified 75 species from 15 Recent surface-sediment samples and recognized three biofacies (I, II, III) based on salinity ranges. Among these, biofacies II commonly occurs in marine to brackish waters over a wide range of salinity. The Recent ostracod assemblages of the northeastern coast of Vietnam shows a strong connection with the ostracod fauna of the coast of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents an economic evaluation of three typical recycling processes for the five main types of waste electronic home appliances (EHA) (TV set, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner and personal computer) in Beijing, the capital of China. The main purpose is to identify the formal management framework with economic feasibility for the waste EHA generated in large municipalities of China. It is found that the advanced technologies, which have mechanical processing units, should be introduced to recover more valuable materials from the waste appliances. Net revenues with a range of 90–240RMB (Chinese currency unit, 1.0USD≈8.0RMB) per unit, depend on the type of appliance, could be expected in case of using the most complicated procedures which can separate both metals and plastics from the shredded mixtures. However, the recycling of waste refrigerator and waste washing machine will, respectively, spend about 100 and 6RMB per unit if solely by simple manual dismantling. Revenues from recycling of the other three types of appliances are positive but quite low in this case. Although positive revenues could be achieved from the isolated evaluation of recycling, the entire management system, which also covers the phases of collection and transportation, is economically infeasible if the waste appliances are bought from the households still at current prices. Based on a survey of the householder''s attitude to the cost for waste EHA management, which was conducted earlier, the practical way to construct a formal management system for waste EHA in Beijing is to reduce the citizen''s traditional expectation to the values of waste appliances and encourage their transfer to the formal collection system at lower prices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To investigate geographic adaptation of the migratory locust Locusta migratoria in China, locusts were collected from six localities, ranging from 47.4°N to 19.2°N. Using offspring from the various populations, we compared embryonic diapause, reproductive traits, cold-hardiness and adult body size. The incidence of embryonic diapause was influenced by the genetic makeup, parental photoperiod, and incubation temperature of the eggs. The northern strain (47.4°N) produced diapause eggs under all photoperiodic conditions, whereas the other strains produced a higher proportion of diapause eggs when exposed to a short photoperiod. The incubation temperature greatly influenced diapause induction. At a low temperature, all eggs entered diapause, even some of those from a tropical strain (19.2°N) in which no diapause was induced at high temperatures. Photoperiodic changes during the parental generation affected the incidence of embryonic diapause. Diapause intensity decreased with decreasing original latitude. Cold hardiness was compared by exposing eggs in diapause to either −10 or −20°C for various periods; the northern strain was more cold-hardy than the southern strain, although some eggs in the tropical strain were probably not in a state of diapause. Adult body size and head width showed a complicated pattern of variation along the latitudinal gradient, whereas egg pod size (egg pod width and egg number) and hatchling weight tended to decrease with decreasing latitude. These results reveal that L. migratoria has adapted to local environments and that the latitudinal gradient appears to play an important role in shaping L. migratoria life cycle and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The chemical behavior of silica in the water samples from Death Valley were examined by the speciation of silica and the measurements of the silica and alkaline and alkaline earth cation contents to compare with those from the arid area in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Basically, the chemical behavior of silica in spring water samples from Death Valley coherent with those in Xinjiang, Northwest China. And the observed chemical species of silica with alkaline and alkaline earth cations in spring water samples in Death Valley were in good agreement with those in Xinjiang, Northwest China. However, some of the silica behavior observed in water samples in Death Valley was distinct from those observed in Xinjiang, Northwest China. It is considered that some of the water samples in Death Valley were subject to evaporation process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The genetic diversity and relationship among South and East Asian melon Cucumis melo L. were studied by using RAPD analysis of 69 accessions of melon from India, Myanmar, China, Korea, and Japan. The genetic diversity was large in India, and quite small in Group Conomon var. makuwa and var. conomon from East Asia, clearly indicating a decrease in genetic variation from India toward the east. Cluster analysis based on genetic distance classified 17 groups of accessions into two major clusters: cluster I comprising 12 groups of accessions from India and Myanmar and cluster II that included five groups of accessions of Group Conomon var. makuwa and var. conomon from East Asia. Cluster I was further divided into three subclusters, of which subclusters Ib and Ic included small- and large-seed type populations, respectively. Therefore, this division was based on their seed size, not cultivation area. The large-seed type from east India was differently included in the subcluster of small-seed type (Ib). A total of 122 plants of 69 accessions were classified into three major clusters and subclusters: clusters I and II comprised melon accessions mostly from India and Myanmar, and cluster III comprised Group Conomon var. makuwa and var. conomon from East Asia. The frequency of large- and small-seed types was different between clusters I and II, also indicating genetic differentiation between large- and small-seed types. One plant of the small-seed type from east India was differently included in cluster III, and two plants from east India were classified into subcluster IV. These results clearly showed that South Asian melon is genetically differentiated by their seed size, and that small-seed type melon in east India is closely related to Group Conomon var. makuwa and var. conomon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Contributions of the nine potential dust source regions (North and South Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, eastern and western China, North and South America, and Australia) to the global dust budget are investigated with a global dust transport model. A six-year simulation (1990 to 1995) indicates that the greatest contributor to the global dust budget is found to be North Africa (the Sahara Desert), which accounts for 58% of the total global dust emission and 62% of the total global dust load in the atmosphere. Australian dust dominates the southern hemisphere. The dust emission and atmospheric dust load originating from East Asia (eastern and western China) are estimated to be 214 Tg yr−1 and 1.1 Tg, respectively, which are 11% and 6% of the total global dust emission and dust load. Dust from East Asia dominates the atmospheric load over China and Mongolia (about 70%), Korea (60%), Japan (50%), and the North Pacific Ocean (40%). The contribution of dust originating from regions other than East Asia to the dust load over these East Asian countries and the North Pacific Ocean cannot be ignored. The simulated total dust deposition flux on Greenland suggests a possible overestimation of the Saharan dust and an underestimation of the East Asian dust in the Arctic region, which may be a common problem with global dust transport models. Possible reasons for the underestimation of the East Asian dust are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, Japanese auto and auto-part exports to China have dramatically increased. Japanese auto-part manufacturing is often outsourced to smaller firms with a contract of relationship-specific investment, particularly through "keiretsu" business networks. This study finds that globalization of skill-intensive specific parts production enhanced by multinational corporations is advantageous to Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the two sixth century Chinese figures Tao-ch'o and Ching-ying Hui-yüan. They contributed to the emergence and growth of Pure Land thought and practice in China. The interest in mo-fa ideology was probably at its peak and the argument made by Tao-ch'o regarding the Pure Land path as the most appropriate path to the mo-fa ideology is examined. Hui-yüan's understanding of the mo-fa doctrine and related attitudes is described.

The concentration of silica in water samples from the desert area of Xinjiang, N. W. China, has been measured by colorimetry with ammonium molybdate. The observed pattern of dependence of the concentration of silica on the concentration of sodium ion (Na+) in the water samples is consistent with the pattern obtained by experiments on in-vitro dissolution of silica gel in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. This indicates that the dissolution of silica in the hydrologic system in this area depends on the concentration of Na+. Calcium ion (Ca2+), which is known to play an important role on the dissolution of silica on the basis of in-vitro experiments, was observed to take little part in the dissolution of silica in actual natural water samples. This implies that the Ca2+ is bound to the hydrogen carbonate anion or that the Ca2+ content of natural water containing salts is very low, owing to precipitation. In these samples silicate-Na+ was identified as the dissolution species of silica; it was also ascertained that Ca2+ did not form complexes with silicate species. These observations resulted from direct identification of dissolved chemical species by use of FAB-MS (fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry). The research indicates that in water samples in this critically arid region the concentration of “dissolved” silica is basically determined by the concentration of Na+, indicative of pure inorganic conditions in the desert area of Xinjiang, N.W. China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thellier’s paleointensity experiments were carried out using Cretaceous basalts of 90 Ma which were taken from a basalt platform in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. Hysteresis parameters indicate that bulk grain size is PSD in all samples. JS–T curves indicate that the main magnetic mineral is titanomagnetite with Curie temperature (TC) of 200–350 °C with minor phases of higher TC which is known from the long tails continuing to the TC of magnetite. Samples often undergo severe chemical alteration on heating, resulting in a decrease of TRM capacity over the temperature range of 300–350 °C. Nevertheless, successful results were obtained from 47% of the total of 30 samples for the temperature steps lower than this critical point. Combining two results from possible identical flows, four paleointensities were obtained, ranging from 10 to 36 μT, which corresponds to a virtual dipole moment (VDM) of (1.8–6.0)×1022 Am2. These results support a low dipole moment during the later period of the Cretaceous long normal superchron (LNS). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Investigation of a medicinal plant Sarcandra glabra gave sarcaglabrins A-C. • Their structures were assigned by spectroscopic analyses including ECD calculation. • Sarcaglabrin A was assigned as a new conjugate of C 15 and C 10 terpenes. A new C 25 terpene consisting of C 15 and C 10 terpenes, sarcaglabrin A, and two new sesquiterpene dimers, sarcaglabrins B and C, were isolated from the aerial parts of a medicinal plant Sarcandra glabra used in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses including calculation of the ECD spectrum. Sarcaglabrin A was assigned as a conjugate of lindenane type sesquiterpene and ocimene type monoterpene, while sarcaglabrins B and C were elucidated to be lindenane sesquiterpene dimers. Their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water chestnut Trapa bispinosa Roxb. has been domesticated in China and has been reported as the only domesticated species of this genus. To understand the origin of T. bispinosa and its evolution pathway, we compared the genetic similarity and seed morphology of domesticated water chestnut T. bispinosa with three wild species T. natans, T. incisa, and T. japonica along with archeological seed samples from the Tianluoshan site (approximately 7000–6300 cal BP) in China. The largest seed size was observed only in the domesticated species, whereas other wild species showed smaller size including T. natans L. genetically close to the domesticated type, and T. incisa was the smallest in size. The volumes of the seed capsule and endosperm were measured using X ray CT scans, showing the ratios of total volumes between T. bispinosa and wild species ranged from 4.2 to 4.5. The ratios of endosperm volume ranged from 3.3 to 3.7. Both measurements showed domesticated species have larger seed volume. Genome size was indirectly estimated by flow cytometry. Domesticated species with larger seed size was estimated as diploid, as were the wild species except for tetraploid species T. japonica. Domesticated species clearly showed the largest edible organs, but it was not a result of ploidy level changes. Maternal lineages traced using complete whole chloroplast sequences, suggested that T. natans is the closest to T. bispinosa, both of which are close to T. japonica. The result was confirmed by PCR genotyping with chloroplast insertion/deletion (cpINDEL) markers developed in the study. T. incisa showed distinct plastid types within the species, and T. japonica showed a unique plastid genotype. Our study concludes the largest volumes for the edible endosperm have been accomplished through nearly 6000 years of artificial selection, but the domestication did not involve ploidy level changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellow mosaic disease, caused by wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV), is one of the most serious diseases of winter wheat in Japan and China. A single major QTL for WYMV resistance in the Japanese wheat variety 'Yumechikara', designated Q.Ymym, has been mapped on a 43.6 cM linkage block between the two markers Xcfd233 and Xgwm349 on chromosome 2D. We were able to obtain two recombinants within the block, which facilitated reducing the size of the linkage block. The pseudomolecule sequence of 'Chinese Spring' (CS) indicated that the original Q.Ymym region of 43.6 cM corresponded to 68.5 Mb and the narrowed Q.Ymym region represents a size of 27.3 Mb. The sequence features of the Q.Ymym region were unique in comparison with CS sequences, which may have led to the low recombination rate within the block. The Q.Ymym haplotype block was detected in other WYMV‐resistant varieties but not in the susceptible varieties used in this study. The unique sequence structure of the Q.Ymym region allowed the development of co‐dominant markers for use in marker‐assisted selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical constituents of two root samples of Eupatorium heterophyllum DC. collected in Yunnan Province, China, were investigated. Five new oligomeric benzofurans (1–5), nine new benzofuran/dihydrobenzofuran derivatives, and a new thymol analog were isolated, and their structures were determined using extensive spectroscopic techniques, such as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations of the CD spectra. Most of the new compounds, including oligomeric benzofurans (1–5), were obtained from only one of the root samples. Furthermore, this is the first example that produces oligomeric benzofurans in this plant. These results imply that diversification of secondary metabolites in E. heterophyllum is ongoing. Plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1–5 are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study identifies the prevalence of HBV virus (HBV) screening and vaccination among Asian Americans, and ethnic differences for factors associated with screening and vaccination behaviors. In 2009-2010 we recruited 877 Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese Americans 18 years of age and above through several community organizations, churches and local ethnic businesses in Maryland for a health education intervention and a self-administered survey. Prevalence of HBV screening, screening result and vaccinations were compared by each ethnic group. We used logistic regression analysis to understand how sociodemographics, familial factors, patient-, provider-, and resource-related barriers are associated with screening and vaccination behaviors, using the total sample and separate analysis for each ethnic group. Forty-seven percent of participants reported that they had received HBV screening and 38% had received vaccinations. Among the three groups, the Chinese participants had the highest screening prevalence, but lowest self-reported infection rate; Vietnamese has the lowest screening and vaccination prevalence. In multivariate analysis, having better knowledge of HBV, and family and physician recommendations was significantly associated with screening and vaccination behaviors. Immigrants who had lived in the US for more than a quarter of their lifetime were less likely to report ever having been screened (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.28-0.55) or vaccinated (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.44-0.88). In ethnic-specific analysis, having a regular physician (OR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.62-12.25) and doctor's recommendation (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.05-4.22) are significantly associated with Korean's vaccination behaviors. Health insurance was associated with vaccination behaviors only among Vietnamese (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.21-5.83), but not among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, the environmental load of photovoltaic power generation system (PV) during its life cycle and energy payback time (EPT) are evaluated by LCA scheme. Two hypothetical case studies in Toyohashi, Japan and Gobi dessert in China have been carried out to investigate the influence of installation location and PV type on environmental load and EPT. The environmental load and EPT of a high-concentration photovoltaic power generation system (hcpV) and a multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic power generation system (mc-Si PV) are studied. The study shows for a PV of 100MW size, the total impacts of the hcpV installed in Toyohashi is larger than that of the hcpV installed in Gobi desert by 5% without consideration of recycling stage. The EPT of the hcpV assumed to be installed in Gobi desert is shorter than EPT of the hcpV assumed to be installed in Toyohashi by 0.64year. From these results, the superiority to install PV in Gobi desert is certificated. Comparing with hcpV and mc-Si PV, the ratio of the total impacts of mc-Si PV to that of hcpV is 0.34 without consideration of recycling stage. The EPT of hcpV is longer than EPT of mc-Si PV by 0.27year. The amount of global solar radiation contributing to the amount of power generation of mc-Si PV is larger than the amount of direct solar radiation contributing to the amount of power generation of hcpV by about 188kWh/(m2 year) in Gobi desert. Consequently, it appears that using mc-Si PV in Gobi desert is the best option. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new species, Neosartorya shendaweii and N. tsunodae, isolated from soil in Xinjing, China and in Pernambuco, Brazil, are described and illustrated. The first species is characterized by its ascospores with two widely separated equatorial crests and tuberculate to verrucose convex surfaces. This species has affinities with several known species of the genus, bearing ascospores with a similar ornamentation, but can be distinguished from these species by other morphological characteristics such as smaller cleistothecia and conidiophores, spathulate vesicles and rather ellipsoidal conidia. The second species is characterized by its unique ascospores with two low equatorial crests, an evident furrow as a deep depression, and finely reticulate convex surfaces. The validation of these new species is supported further by analyses of the β-tubulin, calmodulin and actin gene sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, we measured polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aerosols in Xi''an, China from 2005 to 2007, by using a modified Soxhlet extraction followed by a clean-up procedure using automated column chromatography followed by HPLC/fluorescence detection. The sources of PAHs were apportioned by using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) method. The PM10 concentration in winter (161.1±66.4μgm−3, n =242) was 1.5 times higher than that in summer (110.9±34.7μgm−3, n =248). ΣPAH concentrations, which are the sum of the concentrations of all detected PAHs, in winter (344.2±149.7ngm−3, n =45) was 2.5 times higher than that in summer (136.7±56.7ngm−3, n =24) in this study. These strong seasonal variations in atmospheric PAH concentration are possibly due to coal combustion for residential heating. According to the source apportionment with PMF method in this study, the major sources of PAHs in Xi''an are categorized as (1) mobile sources such as vehicle exhaust that constantly contribute to PAH pollution, and (2) stationary sources such as coal combustion that have a large contribution to PAH pollution in winter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of four different Japanese and Chinese herbal prescriptions, Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang (Ninjin'yoeito, NYT), Chai-Hu-Gui-Zhi- Gan-Jiang-Tang (Saikokeishikankyoto, SKKT), Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (Shikunshito, SKT) and Si-Wu-Tang (Shimotsuto, SMT), which are traditionally used for anemia and fatigue, against hematotoxicity in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). NYT 1-100mg kg-1 day-1 injected orally for 7 consecutive days before and after 5-FU injection significantly suppressed reductions in red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts in peripheral blood, and accelerated their recovery. Administration of SKKT also produced a slight but significant improvement in 5-FU-induced erythrocytopenia, whereas SMT and SKT could not prevent anemia. Oral injection of NYT also inhibited 5-FU-induced decreases in peripheral reticulocyte and bone marrow cell counts on day 10, and markedly hastened their recovery on day 20, in a dosedependent manner. Erythroid progenitor colonies, such as colony forming units-erythroid and burst forming units-erythroid, formed by marrow cells from mice treated with 5-FU were significantly increased by oral administration of NYT. These findings suggest that NYT has the potential to protect against hematotoxicity, and also has hematopoietic activity, through stimulation of immature erythroid progenitor cell differentiation. [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]

It is well known that regime types affect international conflicts. This article explores political parties as a mechanism through which they do so. Political parties operate in fundamentally different ways in democracies vs. non-democracies, which has consequences for foreign policy. Core supporters of a party in a democracy, if they are hawkish, may be more successful at demanding hawkish behavior from their party representatives than would be their counterparts in an autocracy. The study draws on evidence from paired experiments in democratic Japan and non-democratic China to show that supporters of the ruling party in Japan punish their leaders for discouraging nationalist protests, while ruling party insiders in China are less likely to do so. Under some circumstances, then, non-democratic regimes may be better able to rein in peace-threatening displays of nationalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes with clinical course of infection is increasingly recognized. Objectives: In order to investigate the genetic diversity of HBV and its clinical implications, 241 HBV-infected patients including 34 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were enrolled in this study. Methods: HBV genotyping was performed with an ELISA assay. HBV subgenotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. HBV core promoter/precore/core mutations were analyzed by direct sequencing. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV/B and C was 65% and 33%, respectively. Among HBV/C, 42% were Cs/C1 and 58% were Ce/C2. The HBV/C1 was only found in the patients originating from Southern China (p =0.0001). Among HCC patients, HBV/C2 was only found in the elder age group (≥51 years; p <0.05) and HBV/Ba was associated with young HCC patients (<35 years). Mutations associated with HCC were V1753 and T1762/A1764 (p <0.01). The prevalence of the V1753 was higher in HBV/C1 strains (p <0.04), A1898 was only found among HBV/C1 (p =0.056). T1762/A1764 was frequently demonstrated in both subgenotypes. The T1858 (90%) and A1896 (40%) mutations were most frequent in HBV/C2 (p <0.008). Conclusions: HBV/C1 and HBV/C2 have distinct geographic distributions in China. V1753 in addition to T1762/A1764 double mutation in the basal core promoter region seems to be associated with HCC development, especially in the patients with HBV/C1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies the diffusion of polymer chains at a temperature below its bulk glass transition temperature. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on Chinese studies of polymer science.

Sinomenine (SN) is a plant‐derived alkaloid isolated from Caulis Sinomenii. It has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) nearly 20 years ago. To investigate the anti‐RA mechanism of SN, a lot of scholars reported the immunosuppressive effect of SN on T lymphocytes. We continued to evaluate the suppressive function of SN by using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from RA patients. As the positive control, 10 ng/ml of methylprednisolone (MP) showed the antiproliferation effect on mitogen‐activated PBMCs of RA patients significantly (*p <.05). Meanwhile, MP decreased the frequency of CD4+ CD25+ T cells and suppressed the secretion of inflammatory Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α. However, SN at concentrations of 0.3–30 μM, showed little suppressive effects on the proliferation of PBMCs of RA patients. We did not observe any suppressive effects of SN on percentages of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ T cells in the mitogen‐activated PBMCs of RA patients. The influence of SN on the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells was also limited. Finally, even 30 μM of SN did not influence the secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine significantly. The present study provided evidence that anti‐RA mechanism of SN seems not to be related with the suppressive effects on peripheral T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of the diurnal pattern of global dimming and brightening has been limited by the paucity of high‐temporal resolution observations. Based on 22 years' continuous observations of hourly surface solar radiation (SSR) over 96 stations across China for 1993–2014, this study evidences higher relative changes in diurnal SSR in terms of both frequency and magnitude at sunrise and sunset, with a longer pathway for the sun passing through the atmosphere, than the hours in between. This, in general, leads to a further shortening of the days between sunrise and sunset in the cold seasons and the polluted region of north China with low radiation levels but a further extension in the other seasons and regions with sufficient sunlight. Pollution reduction by 39.4%–69.7% during the 2014 Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooperation summit at Beijing are accompanied with a 10.4–80.0% rebound of diurnal SSR in the forenoon and late afternoon. Plain Language Summary: As the primary energy source for our planet, solar radiation received at the Earth's surface, i.e., surface solar radiation (SSR), has undergone significant decadal changes. But at which specific time of the day does such change mostly occur remains a question, due to the limited SSR data at hourly or shorter timescales. Since 1993, China automated its measuring instruments and started continuous hourly SSR observations. Using these historical data records, this study evidences that the largest changes in SSR occur at the hours close to sunset and sunrise, which is also known as the early morning and late afternoon rush hours. The detected dimming and brightening of SSR at sunset and sunrise could affect the period of daytime, respectively, resulting in a further shortening of the days in cold seasons and polluted regions but a further extension in the other seasons and regions with sufficient sunlight. The emission reduction campaign directed by the Chinese government during the 2014 Asia‐Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit at Beijing has remarkably induced an increase in the diurnal cycle of SSR, especially in the forenoon and late afternoon as compared to the Pre‐APEC period, contrary to the normal changes solely driven by solar cycle. Key Points: Daytime‐dependent dimming and brightening in surface solar radiation is most clearly imprinted near sunrise and sunset over ChinaDaytime shortens in the cold seasons and polluted regions of China but further prolongs in the other seasons and regions since 1993The 2014 APEC Blue phenomenon at Beijing induced a change in the diurnal cycle of surface solar radiation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]