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Based on an analysis of the information processing mechanism in the primary visual cortex of biological vision, this study proposes an integration method of bar-combination of shifted filter responses (B-COSFIRE) filter with the differential evolution (DE) algorithm for enhancing the precision of events extraction. First, the B-COSFIRE filter incorporates trainable and unsupervised features, utilizing the two-dimensional expression of the difference-of-Gaussians (DoG) model to simulate the receptive field model. By capitalizing on the blur and shift properties of the DoG response, the proposed approach enhances the continuous effective signal while attenuating discontinuous noise signal, thereby demonstrating superior noise robustness compared to conventional methods. Second, the selectivity of proposed filter is not predefined during the implementation but automatically determined based on the given prototype pattern during the configuration process, resulting in a universal solution adaptable to various target patterns. Lastly, we employ the DE algorithm to optimize the feature selection process, enabling the extraction of a minimum feature subset that maximizes the performance of events characterization. The B-COSFIRE method is widely used in the field of image processing. When applying it to seismic exploration, the seismic data used by this algorithm is in 'sgy' format, providing richer information than traditional image data. The proposed model can effectively detect the event in seismic data with significant data volume and substantial noise interference. The B-COSFIRE filter method outperforms conventional edge detection techniques by accurately capturing seismic events of varying widths, aligning with the principles observed in biological vision mechanisms. The extracted events exhibit enhanced continuity and accuracy compared to existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) sea surface temperature (SST) warming biases of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and CMIP6. The IPWP warming trend in the CMIP5 multi-model ensemble (MME) is closer to observation than in CMIP6 MME, but the IPWP expanding trend is the opposite. There is no qualitative improvement in the simulation of IPWP warming from CMIP5 to CMIP6. In addition, four metrics were used to investigate the performance of Indo-Pacific region warming trends in all models. CMIP6 models perform better than CMIP5 with smaller root mean square error and bias in MME and higher skill scores in MME and top models, which is tightly linked to their better performance in simulating associated physical processes in CMIP6 models. IPWP warming biases are mainly attributed to the combined effects of positive atmospheric process biases and negative ocean dynamics term biases. The positive atmospheric process biases are primarily related to the shortwave radiation and latent heat flux from atmospheric forcing, the latter of which can be attributed to the biases in surface wind fields. Compared with CMIP5 models, the IPWP warming simulated by CMIP6 models is weaker, related to the less robust atmospheric processes and the shallower thermocline anomalies simulated by CMIP6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersion curve inversion is one of the core contents of Rayleigh wave data processing. However, the dispersion curve inversion has the characteristics of multi‐parameter, multi‐extremum as well as nonlinearity. In the face of Rayleigh wave data processing under complex seismic‐geological conditions, it is difficult to reconstruct an underground structure quickly and accurately apply a single global‐searching non‐linear inversion algorithm. For this reason, we proposed a strategy to invert multi‐order mode Rayleigh wave dispersion curves by combining with grey wolf optimization (GWO) and cuckoo search (CS) algorithms. On the basis of introducing the mechanism of iterative chaotic map with infinite collapses (ICMIC) and the strategy of dimension learning–based hunting (DLH), an improved GWO was developed that was called IDGWO (ICMIC and DLH GWO). After searching the near‐optimal region through IDGWO, the CS with a variable step‐size Lévy flight search mechanism was switched adaptively to complete the final inversion. The correctness of our method was verified by the multi‐order mode dispersion curve inversion of a six‐layer high‐velocity interlayer model. Then it was further applied to the processing of real seismic datasets. The research results show that our method fully utilizes the advantages of each of the two global‐searching non‐linear algorithms after integrating IDGWO and CS, while effectively balancing the ability between global search and local exploitation, further improving the convergence speed and inversion accuracy and having good anti‐noise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social avoidance and distress are the primary aspects of social anxiety. Nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to exhibit social avoidance and distress. However, research has yet to reveal how autistic traits induce social avoidance and distress. To fill this gap, the present study recruited 708 participants to complete the 25‐item Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, and Interpersonal Alienation Subscale. The results indicated that autistic traits significantly predicted social avoidance and distress in nonautistic people. In addition, autistic traits induced social avoidance and distress through perceived stress and interpersonal alienation, respectively. Importantly, perceived stress and interpersonal alienation (including the subdimensions of interpersonal alienation: sense of loneliness, sense of social isolation, and alienation between family members) partially mediated the relationships between autistic traits and social avoidance and distress. Overall, autistic traits predict social avoidance and distress via perceived stress and interpersonal alienation. This finding extends the hypothetical model of clinical anxiety in autism spectrum disorders. Furthermore, reducing perceived stress and interpersonal alienation in nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits may be a valid intervention method to prevent and eliminate their social avoidance and distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragmentation mechanisms of some prazoles and their related substances were newly investigated in this paper via positive mode ESI-TOF HRMS1 and HRMS2. Some novel fragmentation rules or ions were found or detected in the research. The pyridine and the benzoimidazole ring remained in most cases during the ionization, and heterolytic fragmentations often occurred near the -S(O)nCH2- linker to give the [1,3]-H migration ion or [1,7]-H migration ion rearranging across the benzoimdazole ring. Smiles rearrangement ionizations also frequently occurred, initiated by the attack of the lone pair electrons from the pyridine ring, and the sulfones gave special N-(2-benzoimdazolyl) pyridine ions (11b and 12c) by a direct extraction from SO2, and the thioethers gave similar framework ions (8c, 9c and 10c) via the rearrangement and a further homolytic cleavage of SH radicals. However, the sulfoxides were seldom detected in the corresponding Smiles rearrangement ions during our measurement, and the N′-oxides of the pyridines did not undergo the Smiles rearrangement ionization due to the absence of the lone pair electrons. The 5/6-membered chelating ions with Na+ or K+ were frequently detected as the molecular and further fragment ions. Some novel and interesting fragment ions containing bivalent (8b and 9b), tetravalent (4b, 5c and 6c) or hexavalent (15b and 16b) sulfurs were first reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep cement mixing piles are a key technology for treating settlement distress of soft soil subgrade. However, it is very challenging to accurately evaluate the quality of pile construction due to the limitations of pile material, large number of piles and small pile spacing. Here, we propose the idea of transforming defect detection of piles into quality evaluation of ground improvement. Geological models of pile group reinforced subgrade are constructed and their ground-penetrating radar response characteristics are revealed. We have also developed ground-penetrating radar attribute analysis technology and established ground-penetrating radar technical system for evaluating the quality of ground improvement. We further prove that the ground-penetrating radar results integrating single-channel waveform, multi-channel section and attributes can effectively detect the defects and stratum structure after ground improvement. Our research results provide a rapid, efficient and economic technical solution for the quality evaluation of ground improvement in soft soil subgrade reinforcement engineering. Subgrade settlement is a serious distress which poses a huge threat to the service life and operation safety of roads. Here, authors propose the application of ground-penetrating radar as technical solution for the quality evaluation of ground improvement in soft soil subgrade reinforcement engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D Dy(III) metal–organic layer (MOL 1) was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Structural analysis suggests that the Dy(III) ions in each one-dimensional (1D) arrangement are evenly arranged in the form of broken lines. The 1D chains are linked to one another via ligands to form a 2D layer that generates a 2D surface with elongated apertures. The photocatalytic activity study suggests that MOL 1 exhibits good catalytic activity in flavonoids by the formation of an O2˙− radical as an intermediate. This is the first reported method of synthesizing flavonoids using chalcones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the problem of red mud waste discharged in aluminum industry, to improve the reuse rate of waste resources, and to improve the corrosion resistance of asphalt mixture, the "dry modification" method was used to make red mud asphalt mortar and red mud asphalt mixture by using the same amount of red mud to replace the limestone powder in asphalt mixture. The red mud asphalt mortar absorption performance test and red mud asphalt mixture immersion Marshall test, freeze-thaw cycle split test, immersion rutting test were carried out to measure the adhesion performance of different replacement amount of red mud asphalt mortar and the water damage resistance performance of red mud asphalt mixture. The results showed that red mud can effectively improve the adhesion and water damage resistance of asphalt mixture. In addition, through the analysis of the adhesion performance of red mud asphalt mortar and the mechanism of water damage resistance of asphalt mixture, the reason of water damage resistance of red mud asphalt mixture was revealed, and the conclusion that the performance of asphalt mixture is the best when the replacement amount of red mud is 50% was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ectomycorrhizal fungi communities of forests are closely correlated with forest health and ecosystem functions. To investigate the structure and composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi communities in oak forest soil and their driving factors along the urban–rural gradient, we set up a Quercus acutissima forest transect and collected samples from the center to the edge of Jinan city (urban, suburban, rural). The results showed that the ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition at the phyla level mainly included Basidiomycota and Ascomycota in three sites. At the genus level, the community compositions of ectomycorrhizal fungi, along the urban–rural gradient, exhibited significant differences. Inocybe, Russula, Scleroderma, Tomentella, Amanita and Tuber were the dominant genera in these Quercus acutissima forests. Additionally, the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi was the highest in rural Quercus acutissima forest, followed by urban and suburban areas. Key ectomycorrhizal fungi species, such as Tuber, Russula and Sordariales, were identified among three forests. We also found that pH, soil organic matter and ammonium nitrogen were the main driving factors of the differences in ectomycorrhizal fungi community composition and diversity along the urban–rural gradient. Overall, the differences in composition and diversity in urban–rural gradient forest were driven by the differences in soil physicochemical properties resulting from the forest location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental factors of projects in the sea area, such as tidal current characteristics and sediment transport patterns, play a decisive role in the safe operation of the harbor. Based on the observation data of tide level, tidal current, suspended sediment, and surface sediment in the Port of Shenquan, this paper focuses on the study of the characteristics of tidal current and sediment of projects in the sea area. According to the measured tide hydrograph, it can be concluded that the tide in the Port of Shenquan is irregular diurnal, and the flow of rising and falling tides is basically rectilinear. The velocity of the neap tide is higher than that of spring tide, which is mainly related to the strong winds and waves. The sand source is limited, and the sediment concentration in the water is very low. The hourly sediment concentration in each station fluctuates within a narrow range, independent of hourly velocity change. The sediment is coarse and fine, with a distribution pattern of coarse near shore, fine in deep water, coarse in East and West, and fine in the middle, and the sorting coefficient of sediment is medium to well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid cancer (TC) was the most frequent thyroid malignant tumour, accounting for about 1% of all malignant tumours. Some long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to exert essential tumour promotion effects, while caspase‐9 (CASP9) gene could play a promotive role in the cell apoptosis in TC. However, whether they have a specific effect on TC remains unclear. Hence, this study aims to explore the relationship between LINC00607 and CASP9, and its effect in TC. LINC00607 expression in the TC tissues and cell lines was determined. Then, we explored the combination effect between a LINC00607 and a methylation inhibitor 5‐Aza‐dc in doxorubicin‐resistant ARO cells using colony formation assay, flow cytometry, WST‐1 and EdU assay, as well as in vivo tumour growth assay. Besides, the dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay, RIP, ChIP, methylation‐specific PCR and BSP method were employed to detect the relationship between LINC00607 and CASP9 and its methylation. LINC00607 expression was up‐regulated in the doxorubicin‐resistant TC cell lines and tissues and negatively correlated to the poor prognosis of TC patients. Knockdown of LINC00607 suppressed doxorubicin resistance, proliferation and colony formation, and promoted cell apoptosis of TC cells in vitro, as well as suppressed tumour growth in vivo, whereas LINC00607 overexpression was observed to exercise the opposite effects. Notably, it was also revealed that LINC00607 down‐regulated the CASP9 expression by promoting CASP9 promoter methylation. In conclusion, LINC00607 could inhibit the apoptosis and augment the doxorubicin resistance of TC cells by decreasing CASP9 expression, which might provide a novel therapeutic target for TC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extremely heavy snowfall event occurred in early winter (November–December) 2018 over the northeast of Tibetan Plateau (NTP), with snowfall amounts ranking the highest since 1961. It is necessary to better understand the causes and reveal the physical mechanism of this extreme snowfall event. In this article, the features of this extreme snowfall event and its possible linkage with atmospheric circulation anomalies, and sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly effects are analyzed. The results show that in early winter 2018, (1) there was a similar Eurasian teleconnection (EU) pattern in the mid-latitudes with a periodic strengthening of the Siberian High, which favored northern cold airflow into the NTP, providing the suitable temperature conditions for snowfall. (2) Low-latitude meridional and mid-latitude zonal water vapor transport were both significantly greater than normal, causing much more water vapor flow than normal into the NTP region through the western and southern boundaries, leading to the second highest net water vapor input since 1961 and creating sufficient continuous water vapor conditions for extreme snowfall. (3) The baroclinicity and the instability of the atmospheric circulation, accompanied by abnormal cold and warm advection and vertical movement over the NTP, provided the dynamic atmospheric conditions for the snowfall event. (4) Under the background of warm El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event and the positive phase of the Tropical Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) SST, the EU pattern initiated by the tele-influence of IOD mode dominated the midlatitude region across Eurasia continent. The positive anomalies of EU teleconnection over western Asia guided the heavy water vapor flow into the NTP through the western and southern boundaries, respectively. In addition, the effects of ENSO/IOD caused the northern Indian Ocean and northwest Pacific to be dominated by anticyclones, creating more northward water vapor transport from the tropical region. Accordingly, sufficient water vapor flowed into the NTP along the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, providing the moisture conditions for the severe snowfall event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersion curve inversion is one of the core components of Rayleigh wave surveys, which mainly include linear and non-linear inversion theoretical systems. Damped least squares (DLS) is the most mature and commonly used method of linear optimization, but it relies heavily on more accurate initial models, otherwise it can easily fall into a local minimum or can even result in an incorrect inversion. As a representative method of non-linear optimization, genetic algorithm (GA) may be more feasible to obtain a global optimal solution for the geophysical inversion in theory. However, the GA algorithm is less stable, as well as less efficient in the later period of the inversion. In the past, the above two systems have been used independently to perform inversion processing. Faced with complex seismic geological conditions, they often display poor adaptability and lack balance between speed and accuracy. For this reason, we made a reasonable and effective improvement to the generation of the initial population and the coding of the classic GA to overcome the time-consuming and memory-intensive computational issues. We redefined the selection and crossover function to prevent the 'premature convergence' phenomenon in genetic iterations. Simultaneously, the DLS and the steepest descent method are embedded in the GA inversion process to linearly optimize the dominant individuals in the population (i.e. local extrema) in the local space to guide the population to move quickly and stably advance towards the global optimal direction. Next, a robust DLS inversion is used to obtain the final S -wave velocity model using the adaptive GA inversion results as the input velocity model. The model and actual data set processing results show that our proposed nested joint inversion can combine the advantages of linear and nonlinear inversion that can effectively suppress the multisolution problem of the dispersion curve inversion and significantly improve the inversion efficiency and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern margin of the Ordos Basin is covered by thick loess sediments. This area is typically characterized by frequent geologic hazards and is rich in energy resources. Identifying the velocity structure of the loess layer is of great significance for geologic hazard prevention and resource explorations in this area. In this paper, we utilize Rayleigh-wave data for imaging the shear-wave velocity (vs) of the loess sediments in the Dongjiahe area, in the southern margin of the Ordos Basin. The data collected in the Dongjiahe area is dominated by the higher-order mode Rayleigh-wave; the dispersive energy of the fundamental mode Rayleigh-wave is weak and suppressed in some frequency bands. An improved frequency–wavenumber (F-K) transform method which can enhance the dispersive energy and expand the frequency range of the weaker fundamental (or higher) mode Rayleigh-wave is proposed in this paper. Numerically simulated data are first utilized to show the processes and effectiveness of the improved F-K transform method. Then, we utilize the improved F-K transform to generate multi-mode dispersive spectrums and extract dispersion curves of the real-world data collected in the Dongjiahe area. Dispersion curves are inverted for vs structure using the Levenberg–Marquardt method. The pattern of the two-dimensional vs section of the study area indicates that the loess sediments mainly distributes as approximate flat layers with vs gradually increasing as the depth increases. In addition, the results also reveal the bedrock depth of some parts of the survey line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcination temperature plays a crucial role in determining the surface properties of generated MgO, but the influence of temperature variation in a muffle furnace during calcination on its performance is rarely reported. Herein we observed that the temperature in a muffle furnace during calcination demonstrated a gradually increasing trend as the location changed from the furnace doorway to the most inner position. The variation in temperature had a great impact on the adsorption performance of generated rod-like MgO without and/or with involvement of Na2SiO3 to Congo red in aqueous solution. To get a better understanding on the detailed reasons, various techniques including actual temperature measurement via multimeter, N2 physical adsorption, CO2 chemical adsorption and FT-IR spectrometry have been employed to probe the correlation between the adsorption performance of generated MgO from various locations and the inner actual temperature of used muffle furnace as well as their physicochemical properties. In addition, two mechanisms were proposed to elucidate the adsorption process of Congo red over the surface of generated MgO without and/or with presence of Na2SiO3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bstract Protein phosphorylation is central to the understanding of multiple cellular signaling pathways responsible for regulating the self-renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). Here we performed a large-scale phosphoproteomic analysis of rat fetal NSCs using strong cation exchange chromatography prefractionation and citric acid-assisted two-step enrichment with TiO2 strategy followed by nanoLC-MS/MS analysis. Totally we identified 32,546 phosphosites on 5,091 phosphoproteins, among which 23,945 were class I phosphosites, and quantified 16,000 sites during NSC differentiation. More than 65% of class I phosphosites were novel when compared with PhosphoSitePlus database. Quantification results showed that the early and late stage of NSC differentiation differ greatly. We mapped 69 changed phosphosites on 20 proteins involved in Wnt signaling pathway, including S552 on catenin beta-1 (Ctnnb1) and S9 on glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk3β). Western blotting and real-time PCR results proved that Wnt signaling pathway plays critical roles in NSC fate determination. Furthermore, inhibition and activation of PKA dramatically affected the phosphorylation state of Ctnnb1 and Gsk3β, which regulates the differentiation of NSCs. Our data provides a valuable resource for studying the self-renewal and differentiation of NSCs. S tem C ells 2016;34:2090-2101 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the kinematics law of seismic scattered waves based on point scattering geological model. Topics include time-distance equation and time-distance curve of scattered waves, connection and difference between scattered waves and reflected waves. The kinematics law was used to solve the scattered wave imaging.

Circulating miR-21 is upregulated in breast cancer. However, correlation of miR-21 expression with clinic pathologic characteristics remains questionable. In this study, we investigate whether combination of circulation miR-21 with circulating tumor cells (CTCs) marker (EpCAM, MUS1, HER2) could improve diagnostic specificity of metastatic breast cancer. Total 223 breast cancer patients were included. 89 % patients were associated with upregulation of miR-21 compared with health control. 20 % patients were detected for CTCs marker positive. For higher specificity purpose, triple marker positive samples were selected as true CTCs positive, which only occupied 59.5 % of total metastatic breast cancer patients. Specificity of detection of CTCs was 96.7 %. Furthermore, 59.5 % metastatic breast cancer patients were shown both abnormal miR-21 and true CTCs positive according to distribution of true CTCs positive and abnormal miR-21; Combination of miR-21 and CTCs was increased specificity of metastatic detection to 100 %. Our findings suggested that combination of miR-21 with CTCs marker could be used for better diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though an experiment of exposing Daphnia magna and recovering its offspring for both 21 days, the chronic toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) to Daphnia magna and its first and third broods F1 (1st) and F1 (3rd) were investigated. Results show that when the mass concentration of PFOS is higher than 20 mg/L, the number of offspring, length and innate increase rate are significantly inhibited. Compared with the control group, the reduction of the three indicators under the highest exposure concentration are 62.2%, 40.6%, 34.0% (p<0.01), respectively. The toxic effect becomes more serious with gradually increasing of exposure concentration, which shows an obvious dose-response relationship between PFOS concentration of exposure and the toxicity to Daphnia magna. The number of offspring and length of the F1 (1st) generation are significantly inhibited when PFOS mass concentration is higher than 30 mg/L. The F1 (3rd) generation's recovery extent is better than that of the F1 (3rd) generation, and all the indicators recover closely to those of the control group except that the number of offspring, length and innate rate of increase are significantly inhibited when the Daphnia magna is exposed to the PFOS of 50 mg/L. As the most sensitive indicator, the number of offspring, length and innate rate of increase of Daphnia magna are suggested for evaluation of PFOS chronic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exposure experiment is carried out to study the effect of 0, 10%, 30%, 50% and 70% ( V / V ) streptomycin wastewater from a workshop on superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) content in muscles of zebra fish for 15 days. The results show that SOD activity is significantly induced on the third day, and the highest expression of SOD reaches 30. 56 U/mgprot in 50% group. SOD activity in 70% group is gradually reduced and in a dose-time manner. MDA activity of 30% and 50% group are significantly induced on the third day and drop dramatically on the sixth day, namely 43. 04% and 47. 50%, respectively, while MDA activity is higher than the control group on the twelfth day and fifteenth day. During the exposure, MDA activity of 10% and 70% group are higher than the control group. It is suggested that SOD activity and MDA content in the exposure process chang apparently, and the streptomycin wastewater causes oxidative damage on zebra fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, variations of surface water flow and its climatic causes in China are analyzed using hydrological and meteorological observational data, as well as the impact data set (version 2.0) published by the National Climate Center in November 2009. The results indicate that surface water resources showed an increasing trend in the source region of the Yangtze River over the past 51 years, especially after 2004. The trend was very clearly shown, and there were quasi-periods of 9 years and 22 years, where the Tibetan Plateau heating field enhanced the effect, and the plateau monsoon entered a strong period. Precipitation notably increased, and glacier melt water increased due to climate change, all of which are the main climatic causes for increases in water resources in the source region. Based on global climate model prediction, in the SRESA1B climate change scenarios, water resources are likely to increase in this region for the next 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicological response of p-nitrotoluene and p-nitroaniline to the key fish species, Cyprinus carpio. A freshwater fish bioassay based on the 96 h LC was used to estimate the single and joint toxicity of the two chemicals. The toxicity of p-nitrotoluene was greater than that of p-nitroaniline based on 96 h LC values of 40.74 mg·L and 48.99 mg·L, respectively. Both compounds had moderate toxicity toward Cyprinus carpio, and this toxicity increased with the exposure duration and concentration. Binary mixtures of the compounds were more toxic than the individual compounds at 96 h, and they acted upon partial addition. When the exposure time was longer, the toxicity increased for mixtures of compounds with the same concentration or toxicity. The results of this study suggest that exposure to a combination of these chemicals would result in a higher environmental risk in aquatic systems than exposure to either compound alone. Further research is needed to investigate the combined effects and sublethal toxicity of p-nitrotoluene and p-nitroaniline, since they are both still used in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the hydrological and meteorological data of the source region of the Yellow River from 1956 to 2010 and future climate scenarios from regional climate model (PRECIS) during 2010-2020. Through analyzing the flow variations and revealing the climate causes, it predicts the variation trend for future flows. It is found that the annual mean flow showed a decreasing trend in recent 50 years in the source region of the Yellow River with quasi-periods of 5a, 8a, 15a, 22a and 42a; the weakened South China Sea summer monsoon induced precipitation decrease, as well as evaporation increase and frozen soil degeneration in the scenario of global warming are the climate factors, which have caused flow decrease. Based on the regional climate model PRECIS prediction, the flows in the source region of the Yellow River are likely to decrease generally in the next 20 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Trypsin modulating oostatic factor (TMOF), a decapeptide (Tyr-Asp-Pro-Ala-Pro6) isolated from the ovaries of the adult yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, regulates trypsin biosynthesis. TMOF per os is insecticidal to larval mosquitoes and a good model for the development of technologies to enhance protein insecticide activity by reduced catabolism and/or enhanced delivery to the target. RESULTS: TFA-TMOF-K (TFA = trifluoro acetyl) allowed the specific conjugation of monodispersed, aliphatic polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the amino group of lysine-producing TMOF-K-methyl(ethyleneglycol)7- O-propionyl (TMOF-K-PEG7P). The addition of lysine to TMOF reduced its per os larval mosquitocidal activity relative to the parent TMOF, but conjugation of TMOF-K with methyl(ethyleneglycol)7- O-propionyl increased its toxicity 5.8- and 10.1-fold above that of TMOF and TMOF-K for Ae. aegypti. Enhanced insecticidal activity was also found for larval Ae. albopictus and for neonates of Heliothis virescens and Heliocoverpa zea. Only TMOF-K was found by MS/MS in the hemolymph for H. virescens fed on TMOF-K-PEG7P. No TMOF, TMOF-K or PEGylated TMOF-K was detected in the hemolymph after topical applications. CONCLUSIONS: This research suggests that aliphatic PEG polymers can be used as a new method for increasing the activity of insecticidal proteins. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between urbanization, innovation, and CO2 emissions, with particular attention paid to the issue of how innovation influences the effect of urbanization on CO2 emissions in urban agglomerations, considering the spatial spillover effect between cities. Therefore, based on panel data on 48 cities in the three major urban agglomerations in China from 2001–2015, a spatial econometric model is used to estimate the effect of urbanization and innovation on CO2 emissions. The empirical results indicate that the relationship between urbanization and CO2 emissions follows a U-shaped curve in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), an N-shaped curve in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and an inverted N-shaped pattern in the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Additionally, innovation shows a significantly positive effect on reducing CO2 emissions in the YRD, but does not exert a significantly direct effect on CO2 emissions in the BTH and the PRD. More importantly, innovation played an important moderating role between urbanization and CO2 emissions in the YRD and PRD, suggesting that reducing the positive impacts of urbanization on CO2 emissions depends on innovative development. In addition, urban CO2 emissions presented a clearly negative spatial spillover effect among the cities in the three urban agglomerations. These findings and the following policy implications will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's substantial economic growth and rapid urbanization has brought about some negative effects, one of which is spatial imbalance. Spatial imbalance has attracted considerable attention from both the government and researchers, since it has severely hindered regional sustainable development. This study, from the perspective of the matching relationship between spatial supply capacity and development demand intensity, evaluates the spatial balance of 290 prefecture-level cities in China by establishing an index system that considers the economy, society, resources, and the environment. The findings of this study have demonstrated that the strategies and measures of China in the last few years have brought about a spatial imbalance in regional development while rapidly boosting economic growth. The results reveal that there is not a corresponding relationship between spatial supply capacity and development demand intensity in China's regional development, indicating that most cities in China are in an imbalanced state regarding regional development. Only a few cities have reached spatial balance, while overexploitation is a common phenomenon. This study displays an overall perspective on the state of spatial balance in China, providing a sound basis for implementing pertinent governance measures in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]