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Accurate digital mapping of farmland soil organic carbon (SOC) contributes to sustainable agricultural development and climate change mitigation. Farmland landscape pattern has changed greatly under anthropogenic influence, which should be considered an environmental variable to characterize the impact of human activities on SOC. In this study, we verified the feasibility of integrating landscape patterns in SOC prediction on Lower Liaohe Plain. Specifically, ten variables (climate, topographic, and landscape pattern variables) were selected for prediction with Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs). The effectiveness of landscape metrics was verified by establishing different variable combinations: (1) natural variables, and (2) natural and landscape pattern variables. The results confirmed that landscape variables improved mapping accuracy compared with natural variables. R2 of RF and SVM increased by 20.63% and 20.75%, respectively. RF performed better than SVM with smaller prediction error. Ranking of importance of variables showed that temperature and precipitation were the most important variables. The Aggregation Index (AI) contributed more than elevation, becoming the most important landscape variable. The Mean Contiguity Index (CONTIG-MN) and Landscape Contagion Index (CONTAG) also contributed more than other topographic variables. We conclude that landscape patterns can improve mapping accuracy and support SOC sequestration by optimizing farmland landscape management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to analyze the genotype-phenotype correlations of STXBP1 pathogenic variants, prognostic factors and the treatment choices in a case-series of STXBP1-related disorders from China. Methods: The clinical data and genetic results of the children diagnosed with STXBP1-related disorders at Xiangya hospital from 2011 to 2019 were collected retrospectively, and analyzed. We divided our patients into groups for comparison purposes: patients with missense variants and nonsense variants, patients who are seizure-free and not seizure-free, patients with mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID) and severe to profound global developmental delay (GDD). Results: Nineteen patients were enrolled: 17 (89.5%) unrelated and 2 (10.5%) familial. Twelve (63.2%) were females. Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) was observed in 18 (94.7%) patients and ID alone in 1 (5.3%) individual. Thirteen patients (68.4%) had profound ID/GDD, 4 (23.53%) severe, 1 (5.9%) moderate and 1 (5.9%) mild. Three patients (15.8%) with profound ID died. A total of 19 variants were detected: pathogenic (n = 15) and likely pathogenic (n = 4). Seven were novel variants: c.664-1G>-, M486R, H245N, H498Pfs*44, L41R, L410del, and D90H. Of the 8 previous reported variants, 2 were recurrent: R406C and R292C. Anti-seizure medications were used in combinations, and 7 patients became seizure-free, and most of them achieved seizure freedom within the first 2 years of life irrespective of the type of the mutation. Effective medications for the seizure-free individuals included adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) and/or levetiracetam and/or phenobarbital and/or sodium valproate and/or topiramate and/or vigabatrin and/or nitrazepam. There was no correlation between the types of pathogenic variants and the phenotypes. Conclusion: Our case-series showed that there is no genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with STXBP1-related disorders. This study adds 7 novel variants which expand the spectrum of STXBP1-related disorders. Combinations of levetiracetam and/or sodium valproate and/or ACTH and/or phenobarbital and/or vigabatrin and/or topiramate and/or nitrazepam were more often associated with seizure freedom in our cohort within 2 years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converting floodwater into power without increasing flood risk is critical for energy-stressed regions. Over the past decades, numerous methods have been proposed to solve this problem. However, few studies have investigated the theoretical explanation of the trade-offs between power generation and flood risk. This study establishes an analytical framework to derive optimal hedging rules (OHR) and explains the economic insights into flood risk reduction and power generation improvement. A two-stage model based on the concept of dynamic control of carryover storage (DCCS) was developed as part of the framework, considering forecast uncertainty and risk tolerance. The results illustrated that hedging and trade-offs between power generation and flood risk during DCCS only occurs when the forecasted inflow and forecast uncertainty are within certain ranges, beyond which there is no hedging and trade-offs analysis; either power generation or flood risk becomes the dominant objective. The OHR was divided into three cases under different levels of forecast uncertainty and risk tolerance. Compared to forecast uncertainty, downstream risk tolerance plays a more important role in determining which case of the OHR is adopted in real-world operations. The analysis revealed what and how intense trade-offs are between power generation and flood risk under different scenarios of forecasted inflow, forecast uncertainty, and risk tolerance. The framework serves as a guideline for less abundant water resources or energy-stressed areas of operational policy. Nierji Reservoir (located in northeast China) was taken as a case study to illustrate the analysis, and the application results showed that OHR increases the average annual power generation by 4.09% without extra flood risk compared to current operation rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), a popular tonic and dietetic herbal medicine, has been traditionally prescribed in China and other countries to treat affective disorders. The medicinal parts of ginseng, the roots and flower buds, have become increasingly popular as dietary supplements due to the current holistic healthcare trend. We have investigated for the first time the antidepressive actions of the different medicinal parts, namely, the main roots, fibrous roots, and flower buds (in water extract and powder), of garden-cultivated ginseng through behavioral and drug-induced tests in mice. The water extracts, but not the powders of ginseng fibrous roots, flower buds, and main roots (1.5 g of crude drug per kilogram, p.o.), significantly reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST); moreover, the water extracts enhanced the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)-induced head-twitch response and antagonized the action of reserpine in the mouse. We then explored the antidepressive mechanism of action of the ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) related to the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its downstream proteins in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Treatment with Rb1 (20 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days significantly attenuated the CUMS-induced decrease in the activities of BDNF, tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB) in the mouse hippocampal CA3 region and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Interestingly, treatment with the novel TrkB antagonist ANA-12 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter the level of BDNF but significantly blocked the antidepressive effects of Rb1 on proteins downstream of BDNF in CUMS-treated mice. These results suggest that BDNF–TrkB–CREB signaling may be involved in the antidepressive mechanism of the action of Rb1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies showed that the expressions of miR-148a, miR-152 and miR-148b are altered in gastric cancer (GC). The present study aimed to find relationship between individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotypes of these miRNAs and susceptibility, clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of GC in a large sample of the Han population of Northern China. Twelve SNPs were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a case–control study of 571 Chinese GC patients and 571 cancer-free controls. The rs11170877 G allele (P = 0.027) and the rs12231393 C allele (P = 0.034) were associated with a decreased risk of GC. However, these associations were lost after Bonferroni correction. The rs4719839 G allele was associated with Borrmann type III–IV GC (P = 0.034), increased tumour size (P = 0.020), an increased rate of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.047) and advanced TNM stage (P = 0.009). These associations were also lost after Bonferroni correction. The haplotype of miR-148b was significantly correlated with GC risk. The haplotypes in miRNA-148a were different in Borrmann types. The haplotype of miR-152 distributed various in the positive lymphovascular invasion group compared to negative group. Polymorphisms of miR-148b rs11170877 and 12231393 and their haplotypes were predictive factors of susceptibility to GC. A functional genetic variant of miRNA rs4719839 and the corresponding haplotype were associated with clinicopathological features and prognosis of advanced GCs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Evaluation of water supply schemes is an essential task for meeting the goals of inter-basin water transfer project system management. In general, water supply operation involves multi-objective and multifactor optimization and decision. In recent years, multicriterion decision making (MCDM) has emerged as an effective methodology due to its ability to combine quantitative and qualitative criteria for selection of the best alternative. This paper presents a new optimization method using fuzzy pattern recognition to appraise the water supply decision schemes in inter-basin diversion systems. The proposed method is capable to incorporate not only the will of the decision-makers but also the future development trend of water resources and water supply demand and makes the optimization results more reasonable and applicable. One case study for the Xi-River-to -Tanghe Reservoir Water Transfer Project System in China is presented to demonstrate the application of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakes are important for global ecological balance and provide rich biological and social resources. However, lake systems are sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic activities. Poyang Lake is an important wetland in the middle reach of the Yangtze River, China and has a complicated interaction with the Yangtze River. In recent years, the water level of Poyang Lake was altered dramatically, in particular showing a significant downward trend after the operation of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) in 2003, thus seriously affecting the lake wetland ecosystem. The operation of the TGD changed both the hydrological regime and the deeper channel in the middle reach of the Yangtze River, and affected the river–lake system between the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake. This study analyzed the change in the water level of Poyang Lake and quantified the contributions of the TGD operation, from the perspectives of water storage and erosion of the deeper channel in the middle reach of the Yangtze River, through hydrodynamic model simulation. The erosion of the deeper channel indicated a significant decrease in annual water level. However, due to the water storage of the TGD in September and October, the discharge in the Yangtze River sharply decreased and the water level of Poyang Lake was largely affected. Especially in late September, early October, and mid-October, the contributions of water storage of the TGD to the decline in the water level of Poyang Lake respectively reached 68.85%, 59.04%, and 54.88%, indicating that the water storage of the TGD was the main factor in the decrease in water level. The erosion of the deeper channel accelerated the decline of the water level of Poyang Lake and led to about 10% to 20% of the decline of water level in September and October. Due to the combined operation of the TGD and more reservoirs under construction in the upper TGD, the long-term and irreversible influence of the TGD on Poyang Lake should be further explored in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Weirong shale gas field, located within a low-steep structural belt in southern Sichuan Basin, China, is characterized by gentle structural deformation. Production results have shown that inter-well interference, also known as fracture channeling, affects the productivity of shale gas wells by facilitating fluid flow between wells along pre-existing natural fractures. In this study, we used core observational data, scanning electron microscopy, and image logging analysis to determine the type, intensity, occurrence, and genetic mechanism of the natural fractures in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng-Silurian Longmaxi Formation. Attributes such as seismic coherence, AFE (fault-enhanced attribute), dip, and curvature were utilized to predict the macro and meso fault-fractures in the study area. We modeled the micro fault-fractures using the seismic and tracking algorithm to characterize the faults at multiple scales in the Weirong shale gas field, and then completed a comprehensive evaluation of the overall fracture development patterns with respect to the fracture channeling of neighboring shale gas wells. Results indicate that both horizontal and vertical structural fractures have been developed in the shale reservoir of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation in the Weirong shale gas field, although the horizontal fractures heavily outnumber the inclined ones. While a few high-conductivity macro and meso fractures display a NE-SW strike, abundant micro-faults have NE-SW and NWW-SEE strikes. Due to the pre-existing basement faults, stress fields and micro-amplitude structure, the NWW-SEE-trending micro fault-fractures are more active than those oriented in the NE-SW direction. Based on field observations, we conclude that regions with well-developed natural fault-fracture networks are more likely to have experienced fracture channeling between or within the platforms of well groups; and the NWW-SEE-trending micro fault-fractures generate more inter-well interference than the NE-SW-trending ones. Predicting the distribution and understanding the origin of the micro fault-fractures make it possible to prevent or mitigate the effects of fracture channeling during the drilling and artificial stimulation of shale gas wells. • Post-stack seismic techniques are used for fracture prediction. • Micro fractures can be accurately characterized by using tracking algorithm. • Natural fault-fracture networks are related to phenomena fracture channeling. • Predicting the micro fractures can prevent the effects of fracture channeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrological processes play a key role in ecosystem stability in arid regions. The operation of water conservancy projects leads to changes in the natural hydrological processes, thereby damaging the ecosystem balance. Ecological regulation is an effective non-engineering measure to relieve the influence of water conservancy projects on ecosystems. However, there are still some problems, such as an insufficient understanding of hydraulic processes and difficulty evaluating the application effects. In this study, the theory of ecological reservoir regulation coupled with hydrological and ecological processes was examined and ecological protection and remediation were investigated using the valley forests and grasslands in the Irtysh River Basin as a case study. The results demonstrated that (1) to meet the demand of the hydrological processes in the valley forests and grasslands, in terms of ecological regulation, the peak flow and flood peak duration of the reservoir, named 635, in the Irtysh River Basin should be 1000 m 3 s -1 and 168 h, respectively, and the total water volume of ecological regulation should be 605 million m³. Ecological regulation can guarantee that the floodplain range reaches 64.3% of the core area of ecological regulation and the inundation duration in most areas is between 4-8 d; (2) an insufficient ecological water supply would seriously affect the inundation effects. The inundation areas were reduced by 2.8, 5.1, 10.3, and 19.3%, respectively, under the four insufficient ecological water supply conditions (528, 482, 398, and 301 million m 3 ), and the inundation duration showed a general decreasing trend; (3) the construction of ecological sluices and the optimization of the reservoir regulation rules could effectively relieve the influences of an insufficient ecological water supply. At water supply volumes of 528 and 482 million m 3 , the regulation rules should assign priority to the flood peak flow; at water supply volumes of 398 and 301 million m 3 , the regulation rules should assign priority to the flood peak duration. Consequently, this study provides a reference for ecological protection in arid regions and the optimization of ecological regulation theories.

Reduction of childhood mortality is a worldwide health priority. By investigating the most frequent causes of childhood death and analyzing the major causes of misdiagnosis, this study aims to quantify the value of autopsy and guide further research for improving health services. A total of 240 autopsied cases were recruited into the study. The major causes of death according to the system were respiratory diseases, followed by neoplasms and infectious diseases, while the top three causes of death according to diseases were lobular pneumonia, septicemia, and malignant histiocytosis. Agreement between pathologic and clinical diagnoses was shown in 169 autopsies (70.5%), and the other 71 cases (29.6%) had been misdiagnosed. This study demonstrated the value of the routine autopsy by documenting the high rate of disagreement between clinical and autopsy diagnoses. However, the role of routine autopsy for determining in-born errors of metabolism is limited.