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Image denoising is a fundamental problem in computational photography, where achieving high-quality perceptual performance with low distortion is highly demanding. Current methods either struggle with perceptual performance or suffer from significant distortion. Recently, the emerging diffusion model achieves state-of-the-art performance in various tasks, and its denoising mechanism demonstrates great potential for image denoising. However, stimulating diffusion models for image denoising is not straightforward and requires solving several critical problems. On the one hand, the input inconsistency hinders the connection of diffusion models and image denoising. On the other hand, the content inconsistency between the generated image and the desired denoised image introduces additional distortion. To tackle these problems, we present a novel strategy called Diffusion Model for Image Denoising (DMID) by understanding and rethinking the diffusion model from a denoising perspective. Our DMID strategy includes an adaptive embedding method that embeds the noisy image into a pre-trained diffusion model, and an adaptive ensembling method that reduces distortion in the denoised image. Our DMID strategy achieves state-of-the-art performance on all distortion-based and perceptual metrics, for both Gaussian and real-world image denoising., 10 pages,7 figures

For a globally recognized planting breeding organization, manually-recorded field observation data is crucial for plant breeding decision making. However, certain phenotypic traits such as plant color, height, kernel counts, etc. can only be collected during a specific time-window of a crop's growth cycle. Due to labor-intensive requirements, only a small subset of possible field observations are recorded each season. To help mitigate this data collection bottleneck in wheat breeding, we propose a novel deep learning framework to accurately and efficiently count wheat heads to aid in the gathering of real-time data for decision making. We call our model WheatNet and show that our approach is robust and accurate for a wide range of environmental conditions of the wheat field. WheatNet uses a truncated MobileNetV2 as a lightweight backbone feature extractor which merges feature maps with different scales to counter image scale variations. Then, extracted multi-scale features go to two parallel sub-networks for simultaneous density-based counting and localization tasks. Our proposed method achieves an MAE and RMSE of 3.85 and 5.19 in our wheat head counting task, respectively, while having significantly fewer parameters when compared to other state-of-the-art methods. Our experiments and comparisons with other state-of-the-art methods demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of our proposed method., 14 pages, 5 figures

Low-light raw denoising is an important and valuable task in computational photography where learning-based methods trained with paired real data are mainstream. However, the limited data volume and complicated noise distribution have constituted a learnability bottleneck for paired real data, which limits the denoising performance of learning-based methods. To address this issue, we present a learnability enhancement strategy to reform paired real data according to noise modeling. Our strategy consists of two efficient techniques: shot noise augmentation (SNA) and dark shading correction (DSC). Through noise model decoupling, SNA improves the precision of data mapping by increasing the data volume and DSC reduces the complexity of data mapping by reducing the noise complexity. Extensive results on the public datasets and real imaging scenarios collectively demonstrate the state-of-the-art performance of our method. Our code is available at: https://github.com/megvii-research/PMN., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, to be published in ACMMM 2022

Zinc and cadmium are two main transition metal ions and play profound important roles in environmental and human health. But the distinctive detection of these two ions is still challenging since they belong to the same periodic group and have similar chemical properties. A fluorescent bipyridine-based porous organic polymer (Bpy-POP) containing aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) units (anthracene) and metal ions recognition units (bipyridine) was synthesized through the Schiff base condensation reaction. In the DMF/H2O mixtures with the water fractions of 90%, the Bpy-POP aggregated and the fluorescent Bpy-POP quenched subsequently due to the ACQ effect of anthracene in the skeleton (“OFF” state). With the addition of Zn2+ or Cd2+, however, the strong coordination of the bipyridine units from the adjacent Bpy-POPs with Zn2+ or Cd2+ induced the partial dispersion of large Bpy-POP aggregates. Consequently, the fluorescence intensities enhanced dramatically as well as the fluorescence emission shifted to redder region, showing an “ON” state. Combing the fluorescence increasing efficiency and the maximum emission wavelength shift degree together, Zn2+ and Cd2+ can be selectively discriminated and quantitatively detected, which exhibits a great promising of the present Bpy-POP based method in Zn2+ and Cd2+ monitoring in real samples.

Optimizing management practices and selecting the best cultivar for planting play a significant role in increasing agricultural food production and decreasing environmental footprint. In this study, we develop optimization frameworks under uncertainty using conditional value-at-risk in the stochastic programming objective function. We integrate the crop model, APSIM, and a parallel Bayesian optimization algorithm to optimize the management practices and select the best cultivar at different levels of risk aversion. This approach integrates the power of optimization in determining the best decisions and crop model in simulating nature's output corresponding to various decisions. As a case study, we set up the crop model for 25 locations across the US Corn Belt. We optimized the management options (planting date, N fertilizer amount, fertilizing date, and plant density in the farm) and cultivar options (cultivars with different maturity days) three times: a) before, b) at planting and c) after a growing season with known weather. Results indicated that the proposed model produced meaningful connections between weather and optima decisions. Also, we found risk-tolerance farmers get more expected yield than risk-averse ones in wet and non-wet weathers.

Traditional botnet attacks leverage large and distributed numbers of compromised internet-connected devices to target and overwhelm other devices with internet packets. With increasing consumer adoption of high-wattage internet-facing "smart devices", a new "power botnet" attack emerges, where such devices are used to target and overwhelm power grid devices with unusual load demand. We introduce a variant of this attack, the power-botnet weardown-attack, which does not intend to cause blackouts or short-term acute instability, but instead forces expensive mechanical components to activate more frequently, necessitating costly replacements / repairs. Specifically, we target the on-load tap-changer (OLTC) transformer, which uses a mechanical switch that responds to change in load demand. In our analysis and simulations, these attacks can halve the lifespan of an OLTC, or in the most extreme cases, reduce it to $2.5\%$ of its original lifespan. Notably, these power botnets are composed of devices not connected to the internal SCADA systems used to control power grids. This represents a new internet-based cyberattack that targets the power grid from the outside. To help the power system to mitigate these types of botnet attacks, we develop attack-localization strategies. We formulate the problem as a supervised machine learning task to locate the source of power botnet attacks. Within a simulated environment, we generate the training and testing dataset to evaluate several machine learning algorithm based localization methods, including SVM, neural network and decision tree. We show that decision-tree based classification successfully identifies power botnet attacks and locates compromised devices with at least $94\%$ improvement of accuracy over a baseline "most-frequent" classifier., Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures

Producing higher-quality crops within shortened breeding cycles ensures global food availability and security, but this improvement intensifies logistical and productivity challenges for seed industries in the year-round breeding process due to the storage limitations. In the 2021 Syngenta crop challenge in analytics, Syngenta raised the problem to design an optimization model for the planting time scheduling in the 2020 year-round breeding process so that there is a consistent harvest quantity each week. They released a dataset that contained 2569 seed populations with their planting windows, required growing degree units for harvesting, and their harvest quantities at two sites. To address this challenge, we developed a new framework that consists of a weather time series model and an optimization model to schedule the planting time. A deep recurrent neural network was designed to predict the weather into the future, and a Gaussian process model on top of the time-series model was developed to model the uncertainty of forecasted weather. The proposed optimization models also scheduled the seed population's planting time at the fewest number of weeks with a more consistent weekly harvest quantity. Using the proposed optimization models can decrease the required capacity by 69% at site 0 and up to 51% at site 1 compared to the original planting time.

Functionalized porous organic polymers (POPs) with high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (SBET) and unique porosity are promising for CO2 capture and Hg2+ removal, although their facile synthesis remains a challenge. Herein, a kind of novel amino-functionalized porphyrin-based POPs was developed based on the Friedel–Craft acylation reaction and Schiff-base reaction, and melamine was adopted as both the rigid cross-linking bridges and the amino-functionalized agent for the construction of the polymers. The resultant polymers exhibited high SBET (587 m2/g) and pore volume (0.46 cm3/g) with abundant amino, imine, and triazine functionalities (42.08 wt %). The CO2 uptake reached 172 mg/g at 273 K and 1.0 bar and the maximum Hg2+ capacity reached 328.1 mg/g. In particular, the characteristic hierarchical micro/mesoporosity of the polymers was beneficial for the kinetic adsorption due to the fast diffusion of Hg2+ in the pore channels. This study offers a facile postfunctionalization strategy to fabricate the functionalized POPs with high surface area and unique hierarchical porosity.

Direct seeded rice (DSR) has received much attention because of its time- and labour-saving and low-input demand. However, the long-term cultivation method of seedling-transplantation has led to loss of some low-temperature-tolerant genes expressed at the bud stage. It has made many currently popular rice varieties unsuitable for direct seeding production. Therefore, it is important to identify cold-tolerance genes at the bud stage and to provide genes for subsequent molecular marker assistant breeding. In this study, we used a recombinant inbred line population constructed by cross of Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH) and Shennong 265 (SN265) and its linkage map containing 2818 markers to detect cold tolerance QTLs at the bud stage. A total of five QTLs were detected on rice chromosomes 1, 3, 9, and 11. All the cold tolerance alleles were from the cold-tolerant parent LTH. The LOD values of these QTLs ranged from 3.05 to 24.01, and the phenotypic variations ranged from 8.0% to 53.5%. Among them, the major QTL qCTB11b was located in a 790 kb interval of 21.24 Mb to 22.03 Mb on the long arm of chromosome 11. Subsequently, the “selective mapping” strategy was used for QTL verification and pyramiding effect analysis. Genetic improvement of cold tolerance at the bud stage would be achieved through pyramiding more QTLs. These results not only promote people’s understanding of the genetic basis for cold tolerance at the bud stage in rice but also provide theoretical basis and technical guidance for genetic improvement of DSR varieties.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Data acquisition of all samples. Table S2. Analysis of PerMANOVA results of bacterial community according to ruminal fluid and fecal samples between YAK and CAY groups. Table S3. Comparison of the relative abundance (%) of the representative bacteria at the phylum and genus level in the rumen of yaks and cattle-yaks. Table S4. Comparison of the relative abundance (%) of the representative bacteria at the phylum and genus level in the feces of yaks and cattle-yaks. Fig. S1. Rarefaction curves for all ruminal and fecal samples.

In order to quickly and accurately retrieve a required part from massive multimedia educational resources and improve the utilization of educational resources, a multimedia assisted legal classroom teaching model based on data mining algorithm is designed. Firstly, the attributes of multimedia assisted legal classroom teaching resources are judged, and the numerical resources are standardized and discretized. Then, the B+ tree is used to establish the model’s indexes and index library, and the corresponding retrieval algorithm is designed to complete the resource search, establish the data distribution structure model of the multimedia assisted legal classroom teaching system, mine the data, reconstruct the phase space of the fused data information flow, extract the high-order moment features of the specific data in the multimedia assisted legal classroom teaching system in the reconstructed high-dimensional phase space, and realize the accurate mining of the feature data. The experimental results show that the teaching effect of the designed model has more advantages and can promote the improvement of students’ performance.

Additional file 1. Table S1-S3. The number and percentages of lymphocyte and CD4+T cell subset in different groups; Table S4. Cytokine levels in the RA-CAD and pure RA groups; Figure S1-S2. Phenotypic characterization of lymphocyte and CD4+T cell subsets via flow cytometry; Figure S3. Correlation between Treg number and disease activity indicators when a sample with uniquely high Treg number was excluded.

Additional file 1: Fig. S1. Amplication of the cofD gene of M. ruminantium by using cofD primers. Fig. S2. The recombinant plasmid pEASY-T1-cofD was amplified using cofD-F and cofD-R as primers, and the transformants were identified by PCR. Fig. S3. PCR product sequencing of positive clones and comparison of similarities of cofD by Blast. Fig. S4. Identification of 9 monoclonal recombinant plasmids pUCl8-cofD-tet selected by PCR using tet specific primers. Fig. S5. Double digestion of pUCl8-cofD-tet recombinant plasmid DNA using EcoRI and HindIII, detection by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. (DOCX 437 KB)

Among all cereals, rice is highly sensitive to cold stress, especially at the germination stage, which adversely impacts its germination ability, seed vigor, crop stand establishment, and, ultimately, grain yield. The dissection of novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs) or genes conferring a low-temperature germination (LTG) ability can significantly accelerate cold-tolerant rice breeding to ensure the wide application of rice cultivation through the direct seeding method. In this study, we identified 11 QTLs for LTG using 144 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between a cold-tolerant variety, Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH), and a cold-sensitive variety, Shennong265 (SN265). By resequencing two parents and RIL lines, a high-density bin map, including 2,828 bin markers, was constructed using 123,859 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between two parents. The total genetic distance corresponding to all 12 chromosome linkage maps was 2,840.12 cm. Adjacent markers were marked by an average genetic distance of 1.01 cm, corresponding to a 128.80 kb physical distance. Eight and three QTL alleles had positive effects inherited from LTH and SN265, respectively. Moreover, a pleiotropic QTL was identified for a higher number of erected panicles and a higher grain number on Chr-9 near the previously cloned DEP1 gene. Among the LTG QTLs, qLTG3 and qLTG7b were also located at relatively small genetic intervals that define two known LTG genes, qLTG3-1 and OsSAP16. Sequencing comparisons between the two parents demonstrated that LTH possesses qLTG3-1 and OsSAP16 genes, and SN-265 owns the DEP1 gene. These comparison results strengthen the accuracy and mapping resolution power of the bin map and population. Later, fine mapping was done for qLTG6 at 45.80 kb through four key homozygous recombinant lines derived from a population with 1569 segregating plants. Finally, LOC_Os06g01320 was identified as the most possible candidate gene for qLTG6, which contains a missense mutation and a 32-bp deletion/insertion at the promoter between the two parents. LTH was observed to have lower expression levels in comparison with SN265 and was commonly detected at low temperatures. In conclusion, these results strengthen our understanding of the impacts of cold temperature stress on seed vigor and germination abilities and help improve the mechanisms of rice breeding programs to breed cold-tolerant varieties.

Based on the natural graphene-structure in the raw asphaltene material, a graphene-polyurethane sponge (GPU) oil-absorption material was prepared via a facile and inexpensive route of dip-coated sp...

The decomposition rate of Potamogeton crispus and its rates of phosphorus (P) release and sedimentation were quantified during natural senescence in a microcosm experiment. The decay of P. crispus was characterized by an exponential model with a mean mass loss coefficient (k) of 0.05 day−1. During the first 10 days, the rapid decomposition phase, k was 0.068 day−1. The rates of P release and total P sedimentation, as well as the dissolved total P, soluble reactive phosphorus, dissolved organic phosphorus, and particulate phosphorus, were quantified throughout the 30-day study period. The nitrogen (N) and P contents of P. crispus increased whereas the carbon (C) content and the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios decreased near the end of the decomposition phase. In addition, the pH, dissolved oxygen, and redox potential decreased during the rapid release of P. The results indicated that the rate of mass loss was slower from dried plants than from senescent plants. The rapid decomposition rate, which was associated with a high rate of P release, suggests that much of the accumulated P will eventually be returned to the aquatic ecosystem. These data illuminate the mechanisms of decomposition and suggest a strategy of reducing eutrophication by harvesting P. crispus prior to its senescence.

Droplet size distribution during ultrasonic atomization was investigated by laser diffraction based on two phenomena—capillary waves and cavitation. The former was visually illustrated using the photographic method, and the latter was examined by the potassium iodide decomposition rate test and Particle Image Velocimetry technique. This study also analyzed the effects of operating ultrasonic parameters such as input power, the flow rate of liquid and gas, liquid temperature, distance from the vibrational tip to laser, and physicochemical properties of liquids (surface tension and viscosity). The relationship among capillary waves, cavitation, and the droplet size distribution was developed for the first time. Results suggest that uniform capillary waves and low cavitation intensity contribute to narrow droplet size distribution. Bimodal droplet size distribution was observed with an increasing liquid flow rate and an assisted gas flow rate. The droplet size did not keep increasing or decreasing with increasing input power and liquid viscosity. A new correlation based on all data using dimensionless numbers was then proposed to predict droplet sizes. This work presents an effective ultrasonic atomization approach to obtaining desirable droplet size distribution by choosing optimum operating parameters, and establishes the controlling mechanism for ultrasonic atomization.

The formation sands of natural gas hydrate (NGH) reservoirs in the South China Sea are fine silty sands with a high content of clay, and it is difficult to be controlled effectively. We carried out a series of experiments to investigate the microcosmic retaining and plugging behavior of screen media with highly argillaceous fine sand samples, with median size of 10.13 μm. The screen sand-retention media and joint involved four types with slot width or accuracy of 20–60 μm. The screen media/joint sample was placed in the linear/radial flowing apparatus, and then the mixture of gas, water and sand were displaced flowing into the media to simulate the sand retaining process. The Microscopic imaging system was used to visually observe the dynamics of sand particle deposition and plugging inside the media as well as on its surface. The plugging permeability and the amount of the passed sand were also analyzed. According to the result, three microcosmic mechanisms of sand retaining and plugging were proposed, concerning fine sand invading and coarse sand bridge, partial sand block, and integrated sand bridge. The plugging permeability performance of screen media generally shows three stages of slow decreasing, rapid increasing and balance. At the balance stage of displacement, the plugging permeability of media sample mostly decreases more than 90%. During the whole test, the sand passing rate tends to slow down gradually, and the final retained sand ratio were more than 85%. Different configurations of sand retraining test show a little difference in plugging performance, depending on the factors of medium type, accuracy, sand characteristics, and flow conditions. Based on the effect of sand retaining and final flow ability observed in these experiments, the sand control in NGH reservoirs with highly argillaceous fine sands is practicable.

This paper describes the performance tests for a high-viscosity asphalt mixture (HVAM) mixed with a newly developed high-viscosity asphalt (HVA) used for steel bridge deck pavement. Binder test results showed that the resistance to high-temperature rutting and low-temperature cracking of the HVA increased significantly compared to that of traditional asphalt binder and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt binder. Then stone mastic asphalt with this HVA was designed by Marshall Method and its engineering properties were investigated, and test results showed that HVAM has better fatigue performance and resistance against damage induced by temperature and moisture than that mixed with SBS-modified asphalt. Furthermore, dynamic modulus tests were performed on the HVAM and then master curves of the dynamic modulus and phase angle were constructed based on test results, which can be used for structure design of bridge deck paving. Application results proved the applicability of the HVAM as deck-pavi...

How to obtain the most effective experimental data under limited resources via the optimal experimental design is one of main research topics of Accelerating Degradation Test (ADT). At present, the research on ADT design method mainly focuses on design randomness, while the design fuzziness hasn’t been widely discussed but is another critical uncertainty to be addressed included in all aspects of experiment design. This paper is proposing an ADT optimal design methodology based on fuzzy theory, including methods of fuzzy objective and constraints determination, result assessment, and optimal design procedures. An engineering case about rubber seal ring ADT experimental design is provided to validate optimal design methodology to address fuzzy problem and enhance ADT design.

Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov. (Table 1, Figs. 1���5) Material examined: Specimens extracted from mosses growing on rocks. Holotype: Female, slide wqc01023. Paratypes: 7 females (slides wqc01022, wqc01024, wqc01025, wqc01026, wqc01030, wqc01034, wqc03010) and a male (slide wqc01027). Type locality: wqc01022���wqc01027, wqc01030���wqc01034, 34.75076N, 106. 22221E, 1426m asl, moss growing on rocks; wqc03010, 34.75048N, 106.22158E, 1483m asl, moss growing on rocks. Miss Jing Xue and Panpan Xian collected the moss samples in early summer of 2016. Type repository: Xiaochen Li���s tardigrade collection, Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, China. Description of holotype: Small body size, body length 198��m (Table 1). Body colour orange. Eyespots black, granular, solid. Cuticular sculpture consists of dots, striae between dots not visible under Light Microscopy. Dots in central part of the plates larger than those near margin (Fig. 1c, e). The diameter of the largest dot is about 1��m. Stylet supports present, pharyngeal tube present, pharyngeal bulb roundish, placoid present. Rostral end of head plate facetted (Fig. 1a). Cephalic papillae (secondary clavae) dome-shaped, primary clavae water drop-shaped (Fig. 2b, d). Cuticular plates with very marked margins. Three undivided median plates present, paired segmental plates without smooth band, pseudosegmental plate unpaired with a smooth caudal margin. Terminal plate without notches, not facetted. Lateral intersegmental platelets present on lateral side of all median plates, two on each side of each median plate, 12 in total. Ventral cuticular granulation present with a dense patch between legs I, II and III. Ventral dots arranged in a reticular patched design (Fig. 1). Dots present on basal part of legs, dots on legs much smaller than dots on dorsal plates. Spine on all legs absent, papillae present on leg 4 (Fig. 1d). Dentate collar absent on leg 4, small spur present on internal claws of all legs, spurs located near the base of claws, and pointed downward (Fig. 1f). Eggs. unknown. For detailed measurements of the holotype and ranges of the paratypes see Table 1 and Supplementary Materials. Etymology: This species is dedicated to Prof. Haibin Xia, Dean of College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, for his contributions to the development of our college. Differential diagnosis: The genus Pseudechiniscus was divided into two groups: the victor group with trunk cirri or spines B, C, D and E, the suillus / conifer group without trunk cirri or spines B, C, D and E (Kristensen 1987). This genus has since been revised and the victor group was moved into a new genus, Acanthechiniscus (Vecchi et al. 2016). The revised Pseudechiniscus genus contains 39 species/subspecies (Degma et al. 2007, 2017). Lateral appendices (filaments, spines or papillae) except cirri A and projections (lobes, spines, teeth or triangular projections) on posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate are important characters for distinguishing species of the Pseudechiniscus. Lateral appendices and projections on posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate are absent in the following 10 species: Pseudechiniscus beasleyi Li et al., 2007, Pseudechiniscus chengi Xue et al., 2017, Pseudechiniscus clavatus Mihelčič, 1955, Pseudechiniscus dicrani Mihelčič, 1938, Pseudechiniscus facettalis Petersen, 1951, Pseudechiniscus jiroveci Barto��, 1963, Pseudechiniscus juanitae de Barros, 1939, Pseudechiniscus megacephalus Mihelčič, 1951, Pseudechiniscus suillus (Ehrenberg, 1853) and Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov.. Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov. differs from: Pseudechiniscus beasleyi by unpaired pseudosegmental plate and lacking notches on terminal plate (Li et al. 2007). Pseudechiniscus chengi by unpaired pseudosegmental plate, lacking notches on the terminal plate, and median plate 3 always present (Xue et al. 2017). Pseudechiniscus clavatus mainly by smaller and conical clava (Mihelčič 1955). Pseudechiniscus dicrani mainly by curved posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate (Mihelčič 1938, Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983). Pseudechiniscus facettalis by always having an unpaired pseudosegmental plate, and terminal plate unfacetted and without notches (Petersen 1951). Pseudechiniscus jiroveci by unpaired pseudosegmental plate, lacking notches on the terminal plate and median plates 2 and 3 always present (Barto�� 1963). Pseudechiniscus juanitae by lacking notches on terminal plate and by having spurs on the internal claws (de Barros 1939). Pseudechiniscus megacephalus mainly by dome-shaped cephalic papilla instead of a mushroom-shaped papilla (Mihelčič 1951). Pseudechiniscus suillus by lacking notches on terminal plate, having lateral intersegmental plates on the side of the median plates, unpaired pseudosegmental plate, and cuticular sculpture on ventral side of body in a reticular patched design (Ehrenberg 1853)., Published as part of Wang, Lizhi, Xue, Jing & Li, Xiaochen, 2018, A description of Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov., with a key to genus Pseudechiniscus in China, pp. 255-264 in Zootaxa 4388 (2) on pages 256-259, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4388.2.7, http://zenodo.org/record/1187971, {"references":["Kristensen, R. M. (1987) Generic revision of the Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada), with a discussion of the origin of the family. Biology of tardigrades. Selected symposia and monographs U. Z. I., 1, 261 - 335.","Vecchi, M., Cesari, M., Bertolani, R., Jonsson, K. I., Rebecchi, L. & Guidetti, R. (2016) Integrative systematic studies on tardigrades from Antarctica identify new genera and new species within Macrobiotoidea and Echiniscoidea. Invertebrate Systematics, 30, 303 - 322. https: // doi. org / 10.1071 / IS 15033","Degma, P., & R. Guidetti. (2007) Notes to the current checklist of Tardigrada. Zootaxa, 1579, 41 - 53.","Degma, P., Bertolani, R. & Guidetti, R. (2017) Actual checklist of Tardigrada species. 2009 - 2017. 33 rd Edition. 15 October 2017. 46 pp. Available from: http: // www. tardigrada. modena. unimo. it / miscellanea / ActualchecklistofTardigrada. pdf (accessed 11 November 2017)","Xue, J., Li, X. C., Wang, L. Z., Xian, P. P. & Chen, H. Q. (2017) Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. and Pseudechiniscus chengi. sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) from China. Zootaxa, 4291 (2), 324 - 334. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4291.2.5","Mihelcic, F. (1955) Zwei neue Tardigradenarten aus Spanien. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 155, 310 - 311.","Mihelcic, F. (1938) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Tardigrada Jugoslawens. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 121, 95 - 96.","Petersen, B. (1951) The tardigrade fauna of Greenland. Meddelelser om GrOnland, 150 (5), 1 - 94.","Bartos, E. (1963) Die Tardigraden der chinesischen und javanischen Mossproben. Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovenicae, 27, 108 - 114.","Barros, R. de (1939) Pseudechiniscus juanitae, nova especie de Tardigrado. Boletim Biologico, Sao Paulo, 4, 367 - 368.","Mihelcic, F. (1951) Beitrag zur Systematik der Tardigraden. Archivio Zoologico Italiano, 36, 57 - 103.","Ehrenberg, C. G. (1853) Diagnoses novarum formarum. Verhandlungen der Koniglich Preussische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin, 8, 526 - 533.","Ramazzotti, G. & Maucci, W. (1983) Il Phylum Tardigrada. 3 rd Edition. Memorie dell'Isituto Italiano di Idrobiologia, 41, 1 - 1012. [English translation 1995 by Beasley, C. W.]"]}

Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov. (Table 1, Figs. 1–5) Material examined: Specimens extracted from mosses growing on rocks. Holotype: Female, slide wqc01023. Paratypes: 7 females (slides wqc01022, wqc01024, wqc01025, wqc01026, wqc01030, wqc01034, wqc03010) and a male (slide wqc01027). Type locality: wqc01022–wqc01027, wqc01030–wqc01034, 34.75076N, 106. 22221E, 1426m asl, moss growing on rocks; wqc03010, 34.75048N, 106.22158E, 1483m asl, moss growing on rocks. Miss Jing Xue and Panpan Xian collected the moss samples in early summer of 2016. Type repository: Xiaochen Li’s tardigrade collection, Molecular Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, China. Description of holotype: Small body size, body length 198µm (Table 1). Body colour orange. Eyespots black, granular, solid. Cuticular sculpture consists of dots, striae between dots not visible under Light Microscopy. Dots in central part of the plates larger than those near margin (Fig. 1c, e). The diameter of the largest dot is about 1µm. Stylet supports present, pharyngeal tube present, pharyngeal bulb roundish, placoid present. Rostral end of head plate facetted (Fig. 1a). Cephalic papillae (secondary clavae) dome-shaped, primary clavae water drop-shaped (Fig. 2b, d). Cuticular plates with very marked margins. Three undivided median plates present, paired segmental plates without smooth band, pseudosegmental plate unpaired with a smooth caudal margin. Terminal plate without notches, not facetted. Lateral intersegmental platelets present on lateral side of all median plates, two on each side of each median plate, 12 in total. Ventral cuticular granulation present with a dense patch between legs I, II and III. Ventral dots arranged in a reticular patched design (Fig. 1). Dots present on basal part of legs, dots on legs much smaller than dots on dorsal plates. Spine on all legs absent, papillae present on leg 4 (Fig. 1d). Dentate collar absent on leg 4, small spur present on internal claws of all legs, spurs located near the base of claws, and pointed downward (Fig. 1f). Eggs. unknown. For detailed measurements of the holotype and ranges of the paratypes see Table 1 and Supplementary Materials. Etymology: This species is dedicated to Prof. Haibin Xia, Dean of College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, for his contributions to the development of our college. Differential diagnosis: The genus Pseudechiniscus was divided into two groups: the victor group with trunk cirri or spines B, C, D and E, the suillus / conifer group without trunk cirri or spines B, C, D and E (Kristensen 1987). This genus has since been revised and the victor group was moved into a new genus, Acanthechiniscus (Vecchi et al. 2016). The revised Pseudechiniscus genus contains 39 species/subspecies (Degma et al. 2007, 2017). Lateral appendices (filaments, spines or papillae) except cirri A and projections (lobes, spines, teeth or triangular projections) on posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate are important characters for distinguishing species of the Pseudechiniscus. Lateral appendices and projections on posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate are absent in the following 10 species: Pseudechiniscus beasleyi Li et al., 2007, Pseudechiniscus chengi Xue et al., 2017, Pseudechiniscus clavatus Mihelčič, 1955, Pseudechiniscus dicrani Mihelčič, 1938, Pseudechiniscus facettalis Petersen, 1951, Pseudechiniscus jiroveci Bartoš, 1963, Pseudechiniscus juanitae de Barros, 1939, Pseudechiniscus megacephalus Mihelčič, 1951, Pseudechiniscus suillus (Ehrenberg, 1853) and Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov.. Pseudechiniscus xiai sp. nov. differs from: Pseudechiniscus beasleyi by unpaired pseudosegmental plate and lacking notches on terminal plate (Li et al. 2007). Pseudechiniscus chengi by unpaired pseudosegmental plate, lacking notches on the terminal plate, and median plate 3 always present (Xue et al. 2017). Pseudechiniscus clavatus mainly by smaller and conical clava (Mihelčič 1955). Pseudechiniscus dicrani mainly by curved posterior margin of pseudosegmental plate (Mihelčič 1938, Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983). Pseudechiniscus facettalis by always having an unpaired pseudosegmental plate, and terminal plate unfacetted and without notches (Petersen 1951). Pseudechiniscus jiroveci by unpaired pseudosegmental plate, lacking notches on the terminal plate and median plates 2 and 3 always present (Bartoš 1963). Pseudechiniscus juanitae by lacking notches on terminal plate and by having spurs on the internal claws (de Barros 1939). Pseudechiniscus megacephalus mainly by dome-shaped cephalic papilla instead of a mushroom-shaped papilla (Mihelčič 1951). Pseudechiniscus suillus by lacking notches on terminal plate, having lateral intersegmental plates on the side of the median plates, unpaired pseudosegmental plate, and cuticular sculpture on ventral side of body in a reticular patched design (Ehrenberg 1853).

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Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. (Table 2, Figs. 4–7) Material examined. Holotype (slide number: xnc02001) and four paratypes (slide numbers: xnc02002, xnc02005, xnc02011, and xnc02013). Type locality. Same as Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. Type depository. Same as Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. Diagnosis. Colour brown. Eye spots present. Cephalic papilla dome-shaped. Cirrus A short. Frontal plate faceted. Median plates undivided. Third median plate present, but sometimes weakly developed or not visible. Pseudosegmental plate with longitudinal median fold, the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate without any projection. Terminal plate with well-developed incisions. All plates and upper part of all legs with cuticular sculpture composed of round dots differing in size. Striae absent between dots. Lateral intersegmental plates absent. Ventral side of the body without plate. Papilla present on legs IV. Dentate collar absent on legs IV. Very small spur present on the internal claws on all legs. Description. Body colour brown. Eyes present. Head tapered and long at the rostral end, body slender (Fig. 4 a). Apart from head appendages, only lateral appendages cirri A present. Cirrus A short. Primary clava is a papilla. The cephalic papilla dome-shaped, short and thick, well developed (Fig. 4 b). Stylets present, stylet supports absent (or not visible after slide preparation), buccal tube long and narrow, pharyngeal bulb round (Fig. 5 b). Head plate with W-shaped fold, two short longitudinal ridges connected to the angles of the W-shaped fold respectively. Anterior part of the scapular plate with a short longitudinal middle ridge, posterior part of scapular plate transversely divided into four parts. Dorsal plates contain first undivided median plate, first paired plates, second undivided median plate, second paired plates, pseudosegmental plate and the terminal plate, third median plate present (holotype and xnc02005) (Fig. 4 a), but sometimes weakly developed or not visible (xnc02002, xnc02011 and xnc02013) (Fig. 5 a), if present, rhombic and undivided. Pseudosegmental plate with a longitudinal median fold. Lobes, spines, or any other projections on posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate absent. Terminal plate with two well developed incisions on each side. Lateral intersegmental plates absent. All dorsal plates have a dense and regular ornamentation comprised of dots, dot round-shaped and differing in size, dots on the paired plates larger than the ones on unpaired plates (Figs. 4 a, 6). Diameter of the largest dot up to 0.86 μm. Ventral side of body without plates. All legs without spines. Fourth pair of legs without dentate collar but with a small papilla (Fig. 7 a). The upper part of all legs covered with plates and ornamentation composed of dots similar to those on dorsal plates (Fig. 7 a), but smaller. A very thin spur pointed backward the claw base is present on internal claws of all legs (Figs. 4 b, 7b). Etymology. This species is dedicated to Prof. Guangxu Cheng, President of Shaanxi Normal University, for his contributions to the development of our university. Structure xnc02001 xnc02002 xnc02005 xnc02011 xnc02013 female female female female female Differential diagnosis. Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. is similar to Pseudechiniscus bartkei Węglarska 1962 (North Viet Nam), Pseudechiniscus gullii (Pilato & Lisi 2006) (Southern Mexico), Pseudechiniscus novaezeelandiae novaezeelandiae (Richters 1908) (New Zealand), Pseudechiniscus quadrilobatus Iharos 1969 (Viet Nam), Pseudechiniscus santomensis Fontoura et al. 2010 (Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe), Pseudechiniscus spinerectus Pilato et al. 2001 (Ecuador), and Pseudechiniscus yunnanensis Wang 2009 (Yunnan, China), in having a similar cuticular sculpture on the dorsal plates. The new species differs from the above species mainly by lacking the striae between cuticular granules. In addition, Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. differs from P. bartkei in lacking the bilobed process on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate; and from P. gullii in lacking the triangular lobe on the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and in having spur on the internal claws on all legs. The new species differs from P. n. novaezeelandiae by the undivided median plates 1 and 2, and in lacking spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate; and from P. quadrilobatus in lacking the uplifted lobes on the posterior margin of the dorsal plates, and pseudosegmental plate along the median line. Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. it differs from P. santomensis in lacking the tiny projections on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and by undivided pseudosegmental plate; and differs from P. spinerectus in lacking the triangular spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate. The new species differs from P yunnanensis in lacking the triangular spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and in having notches on the terminal plate.

Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. (Table 1, Figs. 1–3) Type material. Holotype: Female, slide number: xnc02006. Type locality. 35.36043N, 106.31239E (35°21′37.55″ N, 106°18′44.60″E), 1,986m asl, the Liupanshan National Forest Park, Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Paratypes: slide number: xnc03003, xnc03005, xnc03006, xnc03009. Type repository. Li’s tardigrade collection, Molecular Ecology, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, China. Diagnosis. Apart from the head appendages including cirrus internus, cephalic papillae and cirrus externus, only lateral cirrus A with clava present; dorsal plates and lateral plates with double sculpture including large bright roundish granule-like dots and small dark roundish dots; median plates 1 and 2 divided transversely into four parts, median plate 3 divided transversely into three parts; two lateral plates on each side of all median plates, 12 in total; paired plates with a transverse smooth band; terminal plate with two longitudinal ridges which divided the terminal plate into three parts, terminal plate without notches; ventral side of body without plates or platelets; papilla not visible and dentate collar absent on legs IV; small spurs present on internal claws on all legs. Description. Colour orange. Eye spots absent or not visible after slide preparation. Apart from head appendages, including cirrus internus, cirrus externus and cephalic papillae (secondary clava), only lateral cirrus A with clava (primary clava) are present; cephalic papillae drop-shaped; stylet supports not visible, pharyngeal bulb roundish; dorsal plates comprise of head plate, scapular plate, first median plate, first paired plates, second median plate, second paired plates, third median plate, and terminal plate; all median plates divided transversely, median plate 1 and median plate 2 divided into four parts, while median plate 3 divided into three parts, the normal parts of all median plates are the same as Bryodelphax species, however all median plates are followed with two intersegmental plates, two lateral plates present on each side of all median plates, 12 in total, two paired plates with a transverse smooth band, terminal plate with two longitudinal ridges which divide terminal plate into three parts, terminal plate without incisions; all plates, including dorsal plates and lateral plates, with “double sculpture”, including large bright roundish pores and small dark roundish dots that are pillars within the cuticle, pores are scarce and distributed loosely whereas dark dots are arranged regularly and densely (Figs. 1 a, 2); ventral side without plate or platelets (Fig. 1 b). Spine on legs I and papilla on legs IV not visible under light microscope. Dentate collar absent on legs IV. Internal claws on all legs with small spur, external claws spurless (Fig. 3 a), the upper part of all legs were covered with plate with sculpture of small dots (Fig. 3 b). Eggs unknown. For measurements see Table 1. Remarks. Please see Michalczyk & Kaczmarek 2006 or Kaczmarek et al. 2012 for more information on the anatomy of ‘double sculpturing’. Whether the spine on legs I and papilla on legs IV are indeed absent, has to be confirmed by SEM observations in the future. Structure xnc02006 xnc03003 xnc03005 xnc03006 xnc03009 female female female female female Etymology. The new species is named after the type locality. Differential diagnosis. The monotypic genus Bryochoerus contained only the nominate species Bryochoerus intermedius. There are three subspecies in B. intermedius. They are B. i. intermedius (Murray, 1910), B. i. hawaiicus (Thulin, 1928) and B. i. laevis (Marcus, 1936) (Kristensen 1987; Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983). Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. differs from Bryochoerus intermedius intermedius in having orange colour instead of colourless, or yellowish, or else greenish-yellow as in B. i. intermedius; a different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates; lacking papilla and dentate collar on legs IV; and presence of spurs on the internal claws of all legs. The new species differs from B. i. hawaiicus in having different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates; and presence of spurs on the internal claws of all legs. Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. differs from B. i. laevis in having a different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates in a different shape; a facetted terminal plate; lacking spine on the first pair of legs; and lacking papilla and dentate collar on legs IV.

Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. (Table 1, Figs. 1���3) Type material. Holotype: Female, slide number: xnc02006. Type locality. 35.36043N, 106.31239E (35��21���37.55��� N, 106��18���44.60���E), 1,986m asl, the Liupanshan National Forest Park, Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Paratypes: slide number: xnc03003, xnc03005, xnc03006, xnc03009. Type repository. Li���s tardigrade collection, Molecular Ecology, Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences of Shaanxi Normal University, China. Diagnosis. Apart from the head appendages including cirrus internus, cephalic papillae and cirrus externus, only lateral cirrus A with clava present; dorsal plates and lateral plates with double sculpture including large bright roundish granule-like dots and small dark roundish dots; median plates 1 and 2 divided transversely into four parts, median plate 3 divided transversely into three parts; two lateral plates on each side of all median plates, 12 in total; paired plates with a transverse smooth band; terminal plate with two longitudinal ridges which divided the terminal plate into three parts, terminal plate without notches; ventral side of body without plates or platelets; papilla not visible and dentate collar absent on legs IV; small spurs present on internal claws on all legs. Description. Colour orange. Eye spots absent or not visible after slide preparation. Apart from head appendages, including cirrus internus, cirrus externus and cephalic papillae (secondary clava), only lateral cirrus A with clava (primary clava) are present; cephalic papillae drop-shaped; stylet supports not visible, pharyngeal bulb roundish; dorsal plates comprise of head plate, scapular plate, first median plate, first paired plates, second median plate, second paired plates, third median plate, and terminal plate; all median plates divided transversely, median plate 1 and median plate 2 divided into four parts, while median plate 3 divided into three parts, the normal parts of all median plates are the same as Bryodelphax species, however all median plates are followed with two intersegmental plates, two lateral plates present on each side of all median plates, 12 in total, two paired plates with a transverse smooth band, terminal plate with two longitudinal ridges which divide terminal plate into three parts, terminal plate without incisions; all plates, including dorsal plates and lateral plates, with ���double sculpture���, including large bright roundish pores and small dark roundish dots that are pillars within the cuticle, pores are scarce and distributed loosely whereas dark dots are arranged regularly and densely (Figs. 1 a, 2); ventral side without plate or platelets (Fig. 1 b). Spine on legs I and papilla on legs IV not visible under light microscope. Dentate collar absent on legs IV. Internal claws on all legs with small spur, external claws spurless (Fig. 3 a), the upper part of all legs were covered with plate with sculpture of small dots (Fig. 3 b). Eggs unknown. For measurements see Table 1. Remarks. Please see Michalczyk & Kaczmarek 2006 or Kaczmarek et al. 2012 for more information on the anatomy of ���double sculpturing���. Whether the spine on legs I and papilla on legs IV are indeed absent, has to be confirmed by SEM observations in the future. Structure xnc02006 xnc03003 xnc03005 xnc03006 xnc03009 female female female female female Etymology. The new species is named after the type locality. Differential diagnosis. The monotypic genus Bryochoerus contained only the nominate species Bryochoerus intermedius. There are three subspecies in B. intermedius. They are B. i. intermedius (Murray, 1910), B. i. hawaiicus (Thulin, 1928) and B. i. laevis (Marcus, 1936) (Kristensen 1987; Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983). Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. differs from Bryochoerus intermedius intermedius in having orange colour instead of colourless, or yellowish, or else greenish-yellow as in B. i. intermedius; a different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates; lacking papilla and dentate collar on legs IV; and presence of spurs on the internal claws of all legs. The new species differs from B. i. hawaiicus in having different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates; and presence of spurs on the internal claws of all legs. Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. differs from B. i. laevis in having a different cuticular sculpture; presence of lateral plates in a different shape; a facetted terminal plate; lacking spine on the first pair of legs; and lacking papilla and dentate collar on legs IV., Published as part of Xue, Jing, Li, Xiaochen, Wang, Lizhi, Xian, Panpan & Chen, Huiqing, 2017, Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. and Pseudechiniscus chengi. sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) from China, pp. 324-334 in Zootaxa 4291 (2) on pages 325-327, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4291.2.5, http://zenodo.org/record/829627, {"references":["Michalczyk, L. & Kaczmarek, L. (2006) Revision of the Echiniscus bigranulatus group with a description of a new species Echiniscus madonnae (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) from South America. Zootaxa, 1154, 1 - 26.","Kaczmarek, L., Zawierucha, K., Smykla, J. & Michalczyk, L. (2012) Tardigrada of the Revdalen (Spitsbergen) with the descriptions of two new species: Bryodelphax parvuspolaris (Heterotardigrada) and Isohypsibius coulsoni (Eutardigrada). Polar Biology, 35, 1013 - 1026.","Murray, J. (1910) Part V Tardigrada. In: British Antarctic Expedition 1907 -, under the command of Sir E. H. Shackleton, C. F. O. Reports on the scientific investigations. Fol. 1. Biology. William Heinemann Publisher, London, pp. 83 - 187.","Thulin, G. (1928) Uber die phylogenie und das system der tardigraden. Hereditas, 11, 207 - 266. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1601 - 5223.1928. tb 02488. x","Marcus, E. (1936) Tardigrada. In: Schulze, F. E., Kukenthal, W. & Heider, K. (Eds.), Das Tierreich. Fol. 66. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin und Leipzig, pp. 1 - 340.","Kristensen, R. M. (1987) Generic revision of the Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada), with a discussion of the origin of the family. In: Bertolani, R. (Ed.), Biology of tardigrades. Selected symposia and monographs U. Z. I. Fol. 1. Mucchi, Modena, pp. 261 - 335.","Ramazzotti, G. & Maucci, W. (1983) Il Phylum Tardigrada. 3 rd ed. Memorie dell'Isituto Italiano di Idrobiologia, 41, 1 - 1012. [CW Beasley, English translation]"]}

Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. (Table 2, Figs. 4���7) Material examined. Holotype (slide number: xnc02001) and four paratypes (slide numbers: xnc02002, xnc02005, xnc02011, and xnc02013). Type locality. Same as Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. Type depository. Same as Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. Diagnosis. Colour brown. Eye spots present. Cephalic papilla dome-shaped. Cirrus A short. Frontal plate faceted. Median plates undivided. Third median plate present, but sometimes weakly developed or not visible. Pseudosegmental plate with longitudinal median fold, the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate without any projection. Terminal plate with well-developed incisions. All plates and upper part of all legs with cuticular sculpture composed of round dots differing in size. Striae absent between dots. Lateral intersegmental plates absent. Ventral side of the body without plate. Papilla present on legs IV. Dentate collar absent on legs IV. Very small spur present on the internal claws on all legs. Description. Body colour brown. Eyes present. Head tapered and long at the rostral end, body slender (Fig. 4 a). Apart from head appendages, only lateral appendages cirri A present. Cirrus A short. Primary clava is a papilla. The cephalic papilla dome-shaped, short and thick, well developed (Fig. 4 b). Stylets present, stylet supports absent (or not visible after slide preparation), buccal tube long and narrow, pharyngeal bulb round (Fig. 5 b). Head plate with W-shaped fold, two short longitudinal ridges connected to the angles of the W-shaped fold respectively. Anterior part of the scapular plate with a short longitudinal middle ridge, posterior part of scapular plate transversely divided into four parts. Dorsal plates contain first undivided median plate, first paired plates, second undivided median plate, second paired plates, pseudosegmental plate and the terminal plate, third median plate present (holotype and xnc02005) (Fig. 4 a), but sometimes weakly developed or not visible (xnc02002, xnc02011 and xnc02013) (Fig. 5 a), if present, rhombic and undivided. Pseudosegmental plate with a longitudinal median fold. Lobes, spines, or any other projections on posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate absent. Terminal plate with two well developed incisions on each side. Lateral intersegmental plates absent. All dorsal plates have a dense and regular ornamentation comprised of dots, dot round-shaped and differing in size, dots on the paired plates larger than the ones on unpaired plates (Figs. 4 a, 6). Diameter of the largest dot up to 0.86 ��m. Ventral side of body without plates. All legs without spines. Fourth pair of legs without dentate collar but with a small papilla (Fig. 7 a). The upper part of all legs covered with plates and ornamentation composed of dots similar to those on dorsal plates (Fig. 7 a), but smaller. A very thin spur pointed backward the claw base is present on internal claws of all legs (Figs. 4 b, 7b). Etymology. This species is dedicated to Prof. Guangxu Cheng, President of Shaanxi Normal University, for his contributions to the development of our university. Structure xnc02001 xnc02002 xnc02005 xnc02011 xnc02013 female female female female female Differential diagnosis. Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. is similar to Pseudechiniscus bartkei Węglarska 1962 (North Viet Nam), Pseudechiniscus gullii (Pilato & Lisi 2006) (Southern Mexico), Pseudechiniscus novaezeelandiae novaezeelandiae (Richters 1908) (New Zealand), Pseudechiniscus quadrilobatus Iharos 1969 (Viet Nam), Pseudechiniscus santomensis Fontoura et al. 2010 (Democratic Republic of S��o Tom�� and Pr��ncipe), Pseudechiniscus spinerectus Pilato et al. 2001 (Ecuador), and Pseudechiniscus yunnanensis Wang 2009 (Yunnan, China), in having a similar cuticular sculpture on the dorsal plates. The new species differs from the above species mainly by lacking the striae between cuticular granules. In addition, Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. differs from P. bartkei in lacking the bilobed process on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate; and from P. gullii in lacking the triangular lobe on the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and in having spur on the internal claws on all legs. The new species differs from P. n. novaezeelandiae by the undivided median plates 1 and 2, and in lacking spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate; and from P. quadrilobatus in lacking the uplifted lobes on the posterior margin of the dorsal plates, and pseudosegmental plate along the median line. Pseudechiniscus chengi sp. nov. it differs from P. santomensis in lacking the tiny projections on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and by undivided pseudosegmental plate; and differs from P. spinerectus in lacking the triangular spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate. The new species differs from P yunnanensis in lacking the triangular spines on the caudal margin of the pseudosegmental plate, and in having notches on the terminal plate., Published as part of Xue, Jing, Li, Xiaochen, Wang, Lizhi, Xian, Panpan & Chen, Huiqing, 2017, Bryochoerus liupanensis sp. nov. and Pseudechiniscus chengi. sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) from China, pp. 324-334 in Zootaxa 4291 (2) on pages 328-331, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4291.2.5, http://zenodo.org/record/829627, {"references":["Weglarska, B. (1962) Die Tardigraden Vietnams. Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemoslovenicae, XXVI (4), 300 - 307.","Pilato, G. & Lisi, O. (2006) Notes on some tardigrades from southern Mexico with description of three new species. Zootaxa, 1236, 53 - 68.","Richters, F. (1908) Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Moosfauna Australiens und der Inseln des Pacifischen Oceans. Zoologische Jahrbucher, Abteilung fur Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere, Jena, 26, 196 - 213.","Iharos, G. (1969) Einige Angaben zur Tardigraden-Fauna Vietnams. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest, 9 (2), 273 - 277.","Fontoura, P., Pilato, G. & Lisi, O. (2010) First record of Tardigrada from Sao Tome (Gulf of Guinea, Western Equatorial Africa) and description of Pseudechiniscus santomensis sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae). Zootaxa, 2564, 31 - 42.","Pilato, G., Binda, M. G., Napolitano, A. & Moncada, E. (2001) Notes on South American tardigrades with the description of two new species: Pseudechiniscus spinerectus and Macrobiotus danielae. Tropical Zoology, 14, 223 - 231. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 03946975.2001.10531154","Wang, L. (2009) Tardigrades from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (China) with description of two new species in the genera Mixibius (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) and Pseudechiniscus (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae). Journal of Natural History, 43 (41), 2553 - 2570."]}

Huangingba shale gas field is located at south edge of Sichuan basin. It has more complex structures, in-situ stresses and natural fracture corridors than its adjacent areas. Tested wells show huge variations of testing results. To identity production controlling factors is essential for optimizing productive drilling and completion in order to boost well productivities further. This paper presents a case study of Huangjingba shale gas field.Firstly, production data was analyzed to identify which parameter can be the best indicator of the current well productivities across the field. Secondly, data mining was conducted to correlate this indicator with reservoir quality, completion quality, and drilling and hydraulic fracturing operation parameters. The focus is on those factors that can be managed through drilling and completion optimization. Finally, after the most influential parameters were identified, rigorous simulations using a representative fine model were performed to reproduce observations and investigate their interactions and sensitivities on production. The model was refined from a three-dimensional (3D) field model, which integrates geology, natural fractures, reservoir and geomechanics together. It was calibrated by history matching of pumping history of hydraulic fracturing, microseismic data, and production history.Total gas content normalized to pore pressure and porosity can be a single-best factor for sweet-spot identification. Data analysis reveals the best interval for lateral placement. Simulations reproduce this observation and investigate what means can be taken to reduce negative impacts if one stage was outside the best interval. Proppant volume has the strongest correlation with production indicator for this high-stress field although other parameters of hydraulic fracturing are also analyzed. Results of production logging support this correlation. In order to increase effectively placed proppant volume, parametric study of hydraulic fracturing through simulation were completed. Field experiences and measurements suggest that natural fracture corridors can result in early screen-out, constrained stimulation volume, and duplicated stages. Unconventional fracturing modeling was utilized to investigate the optimal design and operational parameters of hydraulic fracturing.Our study suggests some key observations agree with the industrial best practices gathered from North America high-pressure shale plays. Yet abundant natural fracture corridors with complex patterns and distributions, formed through multiple tectonics in geological history, may present a unique feature of our field. It is also fundamentally different because of high in-situ stresses with extreme variations of heterogeneities and anisotropies. They require special cares on optimizing hydraulic fracturing in order to develop local best practice. Recent wells with newly proposed completion methodology achieve improved productivities.

Chronic renal failure is a severe clinical problem which has some significant socioeconomic impact worldwide and hemodialysis is an important way to maintain patients’ health state, but it seems difficult to get better in short time. Considering these, the aim in our research is to update and evaluate the effects of exercise on the health of patients with chronic renal failure. The databases were used to search for the relevant studies in English or Chinese. And the association between physical exercise and health state of patients with chronic renal failure has been investigated. Random-effect model was used to compare the physical function and capacity in exercise and control groups. Exercise is helpful in ameliorating the situation of blood pressure in patients with renal failure and significantly reduces VO2 in patients with renal failure. The results of subgroup analyses show that, in the age >50, physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with renal failure. The activity program containing warm-up, strength, and aerobic exercises has benefits in blood pressure among sick people and improves their maximal oxygen consumption level. These can help patients in physical function and aerobic capacity and may give them further benefits.

Water regime and nitrogen (N) fertilizer are two important factors impacting greenhouse gases (GHG) emission from paddy field, whereas their effects have not been well studied in cold region. In this study, we conducted a two-year field experiment to study the impacts of water regime and N fertilizer on rice yields and GHG emissions in Harbin, China, a cold region located in high latitudes. Our results showed that intermittent irrigation significantly decreased methane (CH4) emission compared with continuous flooding, however, the decrement was far lower than the global average level. The N2O emissions were very small when flooded but peaked at the beginning of the disappearance of floodwater. The N fertilizer treatments increased CH4 emissions at low level (75kgN/ha). But both CH4 and N2O emissions were uninfluenced at the levels of 150kgN/ha and 225kgN/ha. Rice yields increased under intermittent irrigation and were highest at the level of 150kgN/ha. From our results, we recommended that the intermittent irrigation and 150kgN/ha as the ideal water regime-nitrogen fertilizer incorporation for this area to achieve low GHG emissions without impacting rice yields.

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare cancer originating in the olfactory epithelium of the nasal vault. The recurrence rate of ONB is high, as the standard treatment of surgery followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy is usually unsuccessful. The use of targeted therapy based on individual genomic variations after cancer relapse has not been reported. Here, we present the case of a 44-year-old man who was diagnosed with recurrent ONB and treated with a regimen developed using whole exome sequencing. Potential targets were first identified and then matched to appropriate drugs. Gene mutations in the genes encoding EGFR, FGFR2, KDR, and RET were discovered in the patient's tumor tissue by whole exome sequencing and the patient was treated with a combination of the targeted drugs cetuximab and sunitinib. Five days after treatment, enhancement magnetic resonance imaging showed a 65% reduction in tumor size, and the Visual analog scale headache scores went down to 2/10 from 10/10. Repeat imaging at 1 month showed a complete response. This study represents the first demonstration of an effective personalized treatment of ONB by targeted drugs, and sheds light on how precision medicine can be used to treat recurrent ONB that fails to respond to routine tumor resection, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy.

It is crucial to place a horizontal shale gas well in the optimized position of the sweet section for effective stimulation. However well placement in the Silurian Longmaxi gas shale formation in Sichuan Basin presents significant challenges. This paper presents an integrated approach to ensure horizontal wells 100% placed in the expected positions of the sweet section. This integrated approach firstly constructed a 3D geological model as reference of the overall trend of structural variations and dynamically updated it per drilling progress. This model contains interpreted micro-structures, micro-faults and natural fracture corridors to reduce structural and lateral reservoir uncertainty. Secondly, the structural correlation in the True Stratigraphic Thickness (TST) domain method enhanced the capability and reliability in the presence of multiple cyclic GR sequences of the shale formation. The innovative real-time multi-scenario forward modeling in the TST domain can identify the most likely scenario to make decision on the probable bit position and its penetrating direction. Finally, a risk mitigation strategy was applied in case of extreme. The Longmaxi formation contains numerous sub-seismic micro-structures with suddenly local structure changes and micro-faults with unknown displacements. Its sweet section has five sub-layers (I1-I5) with respectively regressive or transgressive GR sequences. But the optimal horizontal lateral position for hydraulic fracture initiating and ultimately effective stimulation is within the sub-layers I-3 to I-4 with about 10 meters of thickness only. Not only requires it accurately landing and placing the lateral, also as smooth wellbore as possible with minimized dog-legs for consequent casing and cementing operations because of the fairly deep depth and high dip angles of the Longmaxi. Hence the standard geosteering method, which updates a 2D cross-section model for structural correlation using changes in GR values and formation dips, can often be insufficient. The integrated approach were implemented after one well had significant parts of lateral drilled out of the sweet section. It ensured all drilled wells were accurately placed 100% along the optimal position. It proves that efficient well placement constrained by Oil Based Mud environment can be achieved by cost-effective geosteering tools through this integrated approach. The most difficulty situation was that one horizontal well can encounter multiple sub-seismic micro-structures and / or micro-faults with frequent local structural changes. Examples highlight the capability of this approach to handle complex situations in comparing with the standard method. Helped by proactive well placement, drilling efficiency, and casing and cementing operations were improved by evolving understanding of in-situ geology and stresses. High production achieved boosts the economics to develop this shale gas field, also confirms the success of this integrated approach.

Sediment-Water-V.natans in a simulated lake system was built to study phosphorus concentrations in sediment,water and V.natans during the growth period of Vallisneria natans.Simulation results indicated that different phosphorus concentrations in sediment were reduced significantly during the growth period of V.natans.Total phosphorus(TP),NaOH extracted phosphorus(NaOH-P),HCl extracted phosphorus(HCl-P),inorganic phosphorus(IP) and organic phosphorus(OP) were decreased by 65.71,39.06,11.65,52.86 and 11.28 mg/kg,respectively.The IP absorption efficiency of V.natans was higher than that of OP,and the NaOH-P absorption efficiency was higher than that of HCl-P.The concentration of TP in water was decreased to 0.04 mg/L.Redox potential(Eh) was increased significantly but pH was decreased in sediment.There were significantly positive correlations among TP,NaOH-P,HCl-P,IP and OP.Different phosphorus fractions were negatively correlated with Eh at different levels,significantly positive-correlated with pH,and significantly negative-correlated with V.natans root area.Phosphorus absorbed by V.natans was 292.24mg at the end of the experiment.The phosphorus in sediment,V.natans and water were 92.04%,7.85% and 0.12%,respectively.The result indicated that V.natans affected the concentrations of phosphorus in sediment through increasing redox potential and decreasing pH.V.natans reduced phosphorus release risk through uptaking phosphorus from water and sediment.The rank from high to low order of phosphorus absorption ratio by V.natans was NaOH-P,HCl-P,IP,and OP.

Battery equalization technology is a key technique in the research of electrochemical energy storage system. It balances the state of charge (SOC) of cells in series-connected battery packs using the power electronic converters to improve the life of battery packs significantly. In this paper, the equalization approaches for series-connected lithium-ion batteries are classifying existing circuits into dissipative ones and non-dissipative ones. Analysis of the cost of equalization circuit, the equalization effect and the difficulties of modularization are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are given to provide references for research direction in future.

A bi-directional isolated Cuk equalizer for the energy bus-based equalization network is presented in this paper. The battery side is isolated from the bus side by two isolated capacitors. A synchronous approach for Cuk equalizer is used to improve equalization efficiency. The equalization efficiency can achieve above 90% in a wide range of equalization power. The operating principle, steady-state analysis and derivation of synchronous conditions have been made to show the merits of the equalization scheme. The validity of this equalization scheme and synchronous conditions has been verified by experiments.

Colloque avec actes et comité de lecture. Internationale.; International audience; The current paper aims to promote the application of demolition waste of the Civil Engineering constructions. To achieve this assignment, two main physical properties, i.e. dry density and water absorption of the recycled aggregates have been chosen and studied at the first stage. The material moduli of the recycled materials, i.e. the Lamé's coefficients, lambda and mu strongly depend on the porosity. Moreover, the recycling materials should be considered as random materials. As a result, the statistical approach would be the most suitable way to handle and assess the level of certitude of the materials behavior as well as structures response.

To build product quality risk information collecting system in China, the definition and classification of product quality risk information is firstly given. In addition, the architecture of risk information collecting system is built, the data flow diagram is drawn, the metadata of the risky case are listed and the system is implemented. At last, several supporting measures are established.

Styrene-butadiene-styrene tri-block copolymer (SBS) and waste polyethylene (WPE) were combined to modify the base asphalt in order to improve the performance of asphalt. In the presence of special stabilizer (mainly sulfur), SBS/PE combined asphalts showed much better storage stability at high temperature and no visible phase separation was observed under optical microscope observation. The physical properties and dynamic mechanical properties (including viscosity change and rheological characteristics) of SBS/PE combined asphalt with and without sulfur were studied respectively. SBS/WPE combined asphalt with sulfur should be recommended to be used and was a member in high modulus asphalt.

Serious regional and systematic product quality problems frequently occur in China in recent years, and does great harm to people's health and safety. Only scientific and accurate macro quality evaluation can the potential risk on product quality safety be found timely. Earlier warning and treatment on significant product quality problems will avoid their harmful results as possible. This article brings forward a macro quality evaluation model based on Bayesian Network, and demonstrates the application methods of Bayesian Network in macro quality evaluation through cases

Confronting frequently-happened regional and systematic safety accidents of product quality, to consolidate macro-quality analysis and evaluation has been hot issues concerned by both the government and society. In this paper, conceptual model of macro-quality is built with the dimensions of quality compliance, quality applicability and quality externality. Macro-quality evaluation index and evaluation method is also explored, which is expected to provide reference and advice for improving macro-quality management.

The ICA technique is used to remove multifrequency mixture noise in Wireless Communication wave/radar reflects signal processing. The characteristics of Wireless Communication wave/radar reflect signals are analyzed, build up models of expectation signal and consociation mixture noise and a constituted method of the independence prognosticate machine is discussed. Use the improved algorithmic of FastICA to simulate it. From simulation results, a well effect is acquired by method of the mixture signals separate above-mentioned. Via this, it can gain source signals almost pure furthermore wider the range ratio scope of each signal channel and type of signal. The method in the text possesses very good anti-jamming ability and it is can be expand other related signal processing, so the method is widely accepted.

Wang, Lizhi (2009): Tardigrades from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (China) with description of two new species in the genera Mixibius (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) and Pseudechiniscus (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae). Journal of Natural History 43 (41-42): 2553-2570, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903221547, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903221547