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Artemisia calcicola (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), a new species from karst region in Shibing county, Guizhou province, southwestern China, is described and illustrated. The species can be readily assigned to A. subg. Artemisia in having fertile disk florets and glabrous receptacles. Within this subgenus, A. calcicola is distinguished by having (2- or) 3-pinnatipartite leaves and narrowly ellipsoid involucres 0.9–1.3 mm in diameter. It resembles A. annua to some extent, but differs immediately by the plant duration, stem and leaf indumentum, and involucre shape and size. A detailed description and distribution map of this species are also provided herein.

The optimal surgical procedure for minimal surgical intervention in symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) is unknown. This article presents a method of minimally invasive decompression alone and reports the long-term outcomes and complications of patients treated with minimally invasive bilateral or unilateral laminotomy decompression performed by one surgeon.Patients with DLSS who underwent minimally invasive laminotomy decompression alone from March 2008 to October 2010 were included in the study, and 106 patients were followed up for at least 10 years. Clinical outcomes were assessed by Japanese Orthopedic Association, Oswestry Disability Index, and visual analog scale for back pain scores, and changes in walking tolerance and leg numbness were evaluated. Complications were recorded.A total of 106 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study (mean age = 64 years, range = 43-83). The Japanese Orthopedic Association, Oswestry Disability Index, and visual analog scale back pain scores of patients significantly changed between before surgery and at subsequent follow-up (P0.001). The walking tolerance and leg numbness of patients significantly improved (P0.001), and these functions were well maintained during follow-up. Complications included intraoperative dural tears (n = 5), a wound infection (n = 1), deep vein thrombosis (n = 1), and nerve root lesions on the asymptomatic side (n = 2), all of which recovered within 3 months.Minimally invasive laminotomy decompression is an effective procedure and achieves beneficial long-term clinical results for DLSS.

The absence of semitauonic decays of charmed hadrons makes the decay processes mediated by the quark-level $c\to d \tau^+ \nu_{\tau}$ transition inadequate for probing a generic new physics (NP) with all kinds of Dirac structures. To fill in this gap, we consider in this paper the quasielastic neutrino scattering process $\nu_{\tau}+n\to \tau^-+\Lambda_c$, and propose searching for NP through the polarizations of the $\tau$ lepton and the $\Lambda_c$ baryon. In the framework of a general low-energy effective Lagrangian, we perform a comprehensive analysis of the (differential) cross sections and polarization vectors of the process both within the Standard Model and in various NP scenarios, and scrutinize possible NP signals. We also explore the influence on our findings due to the uncertainties and the different parametrizations of the $\Lambda_c \to N$ transition form factors, and show that they have become one of the major challenges to further constrain possible NP through the quasielastic scattering process., Comment: 31 pages, 17 figures, and 3 tables. Comments are welcome

We study the $B^-\to K^-\eta \eta_c$ decay by taking into account the $S$-wave contributions from the pseudoscalar meson--pseudoscalar meson interactions within the unitary coupled-channel approach, where the $D\bar{D}$ bound state is dynamically generated. In addition, the contribution from the intermediate resonance $K_0^*(1430)$, with $K_0^*(1430)\to K^-\eta$, is also considered. Our results show that there is a clear peak around $3730$~MeV in the $\eta \eta_c$ invariant mass distribution, which could be associated with the $D \bar{D}$ bound state. The future precise measurements of the $B^-\to K^-\eta \eta_c$ process at the Belle II and LHCb experiments could be, therefore, used to check the existence of the $D \bar{D}$ bound state, and to deepen our understanding of the hadron-hadron interactions., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures

The light-sensitive albino tea plant can produce pale-yellow shoots with high levels of amino acids which are suitable to process high-quality tea. In order to understand the mechanism of the albino phenotype formation, the changes in the physio-chemical characteristics, chloroplast ultrastructure, chlorophyll-binding proteins, and the relevant gene expression were comprehensively investigated in the leaves of the light-sensitive albino cultivar ‘Huangjinya’ (‘HJY’) during short-term shading treatment. In the content of photosynthetic pigments, the ultrastructure of the chloroplast, and parameters of the photosynthesis in the leaves of ‘HJY’ could be gradually normalized along with the extension of the shading time, resulting in the leaf color transformed from pale yellow to green. BN-PAGE and SDS-PAGE revealed that function restoration of the photosynthetic apparatus was attributed to the proper formation of the pigment-protein complexes on the thylakoid membrane that benefited from the increased levels of the LHCII subunits in the shaded leaves of ‘HJY’, indicating the low level of LHCII subunits, especially the lack of the Lhcb1 might be responsible for the albino phenotype of the ‘HJY’ under natural light condition. The deficiency of the Lhcb1 was mainly subject to the strongly suppressed expression of the Lhcb1.x which might be modulated by the chloroplast retrograde signaling pathway GUN1 (GENOMES UNCOUPLED 1)-PTM (PHD type transcription factor with transmembrane domains)-ABI4 (ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 4).

The semitauonic $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ B c − → J / ψ τ − ν ¯ τ decay provides an ideal and clean mode to scrutinize possible new physics effects in $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ b → c τ − ν ¯ τ transitions as indicated by the current data on R(D(*)) anomalies. In this work, we use the spin density matrix method to obtain the maximum information on the underlying physics of $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ B c − → J / ψ τ − ν ¯ τ decay with both polarized τ lepton and J/ψ meson. Their subsequent decays, with J/ψ → μ+μ− as well as τ− → π−ντ, τ− → ρ−ντ and $$ {\tau}^{-}\to {\ell}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell }{\nu}_{\tau } $$ τ − → ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ ν τ , are exploited to extract the energy and angular distributions of the charged final-state particles in the processes. Starting with the most general effective Hamiltonian relevant for the $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ b → c τ − ν ¯ τ transitions, including all possible Lorentz structures of the dimension-six operators with both left- and right-handed neutrinos, we first derive the five-fold differential decay rate in terms of the visible final-state kinematics. From this distribution, we then construct in total 34 normalized observables, among which nine refer to the CP-violating triple product asymmetries that vanish within the Standard Model. We also construct five new observables based on the combinations of these normalized observables that can only be attributed to the right-handed neutrinos. On the other hand, considering the low statistics of the fully differential distribution, we introduce some integrated observables with only one kinematic variable left, which are more promising to be measured due to the largely increased statistics. The sensitivities of all these observables to the different new physics scenarios are investigated in detail. Finally, assuming an ideal circumstance, we give an estimate of the statistical uncertainties of the nine CP-conserving observables at LHCb and found that τ− → π−ντ has the highest analyzing power among the three τ decay channels.

The semitauonic B c − → J / ψ τ − ν ¯ τ $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ decay provides an ideal and clean mode to scrutinize possible new physics effects in b → c τ − ν ¯ τ $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ transitions as indicated by the current data on R(D (*)) anomalies. In this work, we use the spin density matrix method to obtain the maximum information on the underlying physics of B c − → J / ψ τ − ν ¯ τ $$ {B}_c^{-}\to J/\psi {\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ decay with both polarized τ lepton and J/ψ meson. Their subsequent decays, with J/ψ → μ + μ − as well as τ − → π − ν τ , τ − → ρ − ν τ and τ − → ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ ν τ $$ {\tau}^{-}\to {\ell}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\ell }{\nu}_{\tau } $$ , are exploited to extract the energy and angular distributions of the charged final-state particles in the processes. Starting with the most general effective Hamiltonian relevant for the b → c τ − ν ¯ τ $$ b\to c{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ transitions, including all possible Lorentz structures of the dimension-six operators with both left- and right-handed neutrinos, we first derive the five-fold differential decay rate in terms of the visible final-state kinematics. From this distribution, we then construct in total 34 normalized observables, among which nine refer to the CP-violating triple product asymmetries that vanish within the Standard Model. We also construct five new observables based on the combinations of these normalized observables that can only be attributed to the right-handed neutrinos. On the other hand, considering the low statistics of the fully differential distribution, we introduce some integrated observables with only one kinematic variable left, which are more promising to be measured due to the largely increased statistics. The sensitivities of all these observables to the different new physics scenarios are investigated in detail. Finally, assuming an ideal circumstance, we give an estimate of the statistical uncertainties of the nine CP-conserving observables at LHCb and found that τ − → π − ν τ has the highest analyzing power among the three τ decay channels.

Defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is essential for survival, especially in high-elevation species. Although some specific genes involved in UV response have been reported, the full view of UV defense mechanisms remains largely unexplored. Herein, we used integrated approaches to analyze UV responses in the highest-elevation frog, Nanorana parkeri . We show less damage and more efficient antioxidant activity in skin of this frog than those of its lower-elevation relatives after UV exposure. We also reveal genes related to UV defense and a corresponding temporal expression pattern in N. parkeri . Genomic and metabolomic analysis along with large-scale transcriptomic profiling revealed a time-dependent coordinated defense mechanism in N. parkeri . We also identified several microRNAs that play important regulatory roles, especially in decreasing the expression levels of cell cycle genes. Moreover, multiple defense genes (i.e., TYR for melanogenesis) exhibit positive selection with function-enhancing substitutions. Thus, both expression shifts and gene mutations contribute to UV adaptation in N. parkeri . Our work demonstrates a genetic framework for evolution of UV defense in a natural environment.

Updated measurements from the LHCb and SH0ES collaborations have respectively strengthened the deviations of the ratio in rare semi-leptonic -meson decays and the present-day Hubble parameter in the Universe, implying tantalizing hints of new physics beyond the standard model. In this paper, we consider a simple flavor-specific two-Higgs-doublet model, where long-standing anomalies can be addressed by a one-flavor right-handed neutrino. An intriguing prediction resulting from the parameter space for the resolution under flavor- and collider-physics constraints points toward a shift in the effective neutrino number, , as a favored way to ease the tension. Depending on whether the neutrino is of the Dirac or Majorana type, we show that the resulting shift is for the former case and for the latter case. While the Dirac case is disfavored by the CMB polarization measurements, the Majorana solution is consistent with recent studies using a combined dataset from various sources. Consequently, such a simple flavor-specific two-Higgs-doublet model provides a link between anomalies and tension, which in turn can be readily verified or disproved by upcoming measurements.

The semitauonic $B_c^- \to J/\psi \tau^-\bar{\nu}_\tau$ decay is optimal to scrutinize possible new physics effects in $b \to c \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau$ transitions as indicated by the current data on $R(D^{(*)})$ anomalies. In this work, we study the $B_c^- \to J/\psi \tau^-\bar{\nu}_\tau$ decay with both polarized $\tau$ and $J/\psi$. Their subsequent decays, with $J/\psi\to \mu^+ \mu^-$ as well as $\tau^- \to \pi^- \nu_\tau$, $\tau^- \to \rho^- \nu_\tau$ and $\tau^- \to \ell^-\bar{\nu}_\ell\nu_\tau$, are exploited to extract the energy and angular distributions of the charged final-state particles in the processes. Starting with the most general effective Hamiltonian relevant for the $b \to c \tau^- \bar{\nu}_\tau$ transitions, including all possible Lorentz structures of the dimension-six operators with both left- and right-handed neutrinos, we first derive the five-fold differential decay rate in terms of the visible final-state kinematics. From this distribution, we then construct in total 34 normalized observables, among which nine refer to the CP-violating triple product asymmetries that vanish within the Standard Model. We also construct five new observables based on the combinations of these normalized observables that can only be attributed to the right-handed neutrinos. On the other hand, considering the low statistics of the fully differential distribution, we introduce some integrated observables with only one kinematic variable left, which are more promising to be measured due to the largely increased statistics. The sensitivities of all these observables to the different new physics scenarios are investigated in detail. Finally, assuming an ideal circumstance, we give an estimate of the statistical uncertainties of the nine CP-conserving observables at LHCb and found that $\tau^-\to \pi^-\nu_\tau$ has the highest analyzing power among the three $\tau$ decay channels., Comment: 40 pages, 7 figures and 2 tables; SM predictions in different q2 bins added, final version published in the journal

Staphylococci are mainly found on the skin or in the nose. These bacteria are typically friendly, causing no harm to healthy individuals or resulting in only minor issues that can go away on their own. However, under certain circumstances, staphylococcal bacteria could invade the bloodstream, affect the entire body, and lead to life-threatening problems like septic shock. In addition, antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus is another issue because of its difficulty in the treatment of infections, such as the notorious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is resistant to most of the currently known antibiotics. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnosis of Staphylococcus and characterization of the antibiotic resistance profiles are essential in clinical settings for efficient prevention, control, and treatment of the bacteria. This chapter highlights recent advances in the diagnosis of Staphylococci in clinical settings with a focus on the advanced technique of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which will provide a framework for the real-world applications of novel diagnostic techniques in medical laboratories via bench-top instruments and at the bedside through point-of-care devices.

Choledocholithiasis is a severe disorder that affects a significant portion of the world's population. Treatment using endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has become widespread; however, recurrence post-EST is relatively common. The bile microbiome has a profound influence on the recurrence of choledocholithiasis in patients after EST; however, the key pathogens and their functions in the biliary tract remain unclear.To investigate the biliary microbial characteristics of patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis post-EST, using next-generation sequencing.This cohort study included 43 patients, who presented with choledocholithiasis at the Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital between May and June 2020. The patients had undergone EST or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation and were followed up for over a year. They were divided into either the stable or recurrent groups. We collected bile samples and extracted microbial DNA for analysis through next-generation sequencing. Resulting sequences were analyzed for core microbiome and statistical differences between the diagnosis groups; they were examined using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway hierarchy level using analysis of variance. Correlation between the key genera and metabolic pathways in bile, were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test.The results revealed distinct clustering of biliary microbiota in recurrent choledocholithiasis. Higher relative abundances (RAs) ofWe demonstrated differences in the bile microbiome of patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis compared to that in patients with stable disease, thereby adding to the current knowledge on its microbiologic etiology.

There is growing evidence that air pollution plays a role in TB, but few studies have comprehensively included the six common air pollutants. Our objectives were to investigate the association between short-term exposure to six common air pollutants and the risk of tuberculosis outpatient visits in Fuyang, China, during the period 2015-2020. We combined the two models to explore the effects of exposure to six air pollutants on the risk of tuberculosis outpatient visits, including Poisson generalized linear regression model and distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). We performed stratified analyses for season, gender and age. We used the lag-specific relative risks and cumulative relative risk obtained by increasing pollutant concentration by per 10 units to evaluate the connection between six air pollutants and TB, PM2.5 (RR=1.0018, 95%CI: 1.0004-1.0032, delay of 12 days) and (RR=1.0169,95%CI: 1.0007-1.0333, lag 0-16 days), SO2 were 0.9549 (95%CI: 0.9389-0.9712, lag 0 days) and 0.8212 (95%CI: 0.7351-0.9173, 0-20 days lag). Stratified analyses showed that seasonal differences had a greater impact on TB, and male more likely to develop TB than female, older people more likely to develop TB than younger people. Exposure to O3, CO, PM10, PM2.5, and NO2 increases the risk of TB outpatient visits, except SO2 reduces the risk. Male and elderly people should be protected. We need to pay more attention to the impact of seasonal effects on TB.

In this work, we proceed to study the CP asymmetry in the angular distributions of τ → KSπντ decays within a general effective field theory framework including four-fermion operators up to dimension-six. It is found that, besides the commonly considered scalar-vector interference, the tensor-scalar interference can also produce a non-zero CP asymmetry in the angular distributions, in the presence of complex couplings. Using the dispersive representations of the Kπ form factors as inputs, and taking into account the detector efficiencies of the Belle measurement, we firstly update our previous SM predictions for the CP asymmetries in the same four Kπ invariant-mass bins as set by the Belle collaboration. Bounds on the effective couplings of the non-standard scalar and tensor interactions are then obtained under the combined constraints from the CP asymmetries measured in the four bins and the branching ratio of τ−→ KSπ−ντ decay, with the numerical results given respectively by $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_S\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ S = −0.008 ± 0.027 and $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_T\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ T = 0.03 ± 0.12, at the renormalization scale μτ = 2 GeV in the $$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$ MS ¯ scheme. Using the best-fit values, we also find that the distributions of the CP asymmetries can deviate significantly from the SM expectation in almost the whole Kπ invariant-mass region. Nevertheless, the current bounds on $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_S\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ S and $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_T\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ T are still plagued by large experimental uncertainties, but will be improved with more precise measurements from the Belle II experiment as well as the proposed Tera-Z and STCF facilities. Assuming further that the non-standard scalar and tensor interactions originate from a weakly-coupled heavy new physics well above the electroweak scale, the SU(2)L invariance of the resulting SMEFT Lagrangian would indicate that very strong limits on $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_S\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ S and $$ \operatorname{Im}\left[{\hat{\upepsilon}}_T\right] $$ Im ϵ ̂ T could also be obtained from the neutron electric dipole moment and the $$ {D}^0-{\overline{D}}^0 $$ D 0 − D ¯ 0 mixing. With the bounds from these processes taken into account, it is then found that, unless there exist extraordinary cancellations between the new physics contributions, neither the scalar nor the tensor interaction can produce any significant effects on the CP asymmetries (relative to the SM predictions) in the processes considered, especially under the “single coefficient dominance” assumption.

Bile acids (BAs) containing both hydrophilic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups and hydrophobic methyl and steroid nuclei can promote the absorption of fat and other substances in the intestine, and they are synthesized by cholesterol in the liver and then returned to the liver through enteric liver circulation. Because there are many BA receptors on the cell membrane of colon tissues, BAs can improve the specific delivery and transport of medicines to colon tissues. Moreover, BAs have a certain anticancer and inflammation activity by themselves. Based on this theory, a series of BA derivatives against colon cancer including cholic acid (CA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) were designed and synthesized, and their antitumor activity was evaluated. For

Lipid metabolism is a critical process that occurs in the lipid-rich spinal cord during damage and repair. Here, we integrated ultrastructural characteristics with multi-omics analysis as well as transcriptomic, untargeted, targeted proteomic, lipidomic, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptomic profiling in a clinically relevant spinal cord injury (SCI) model. We observed lipid accumulation, lysosome-based autophagy of lipid droplets, and remyelination in the lesion of the chronic phase. The analysis also revealed molecular alterations associated with the enhancement of glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid metabolism, marked increases in triglyceride species with C16:0 fatty acyl chains, and adaptive changes in cholesterol metabolism. These changes included decreased uptake of cholesterol through Mylip upregulation, decreased synthesis through downregulation of Fdps and Hmgcs1, and increased efflux through Apoe upregulation. Among these, Mylip and Hmgcs1 are regulated by m6A methylation. Altogether, our findings revealed endogenous mechanisms in response to microenvironment changes, highlighting the potential of exploring lipid regulators for SCI treatment.

The semitauonic $B_c^- \to J/ψτ^-\barν_τ$ decay is optimal to scrutinize possible new physics effects in $b \to c τ^- \barν_τ$ transitions as indicated by the current data on $R(D^{(*)})$ anomalies. In this work, we study the $B_c^- \to J/ψτ^-\barν_τ$ decay with both polarized $τ$ and $J/ψ$. Their subsequent decays, with $J/ψ\to μ^+ μ^-$ as well as $τ^- \to π^- ν_τ$, $τ^- \to ρ^- ν_τ$ and $τ^- \to \ell^-\barν_\ellν_τ$, are exploited to extract the energy and angular distributions of the charged final-state particles in the processes. Starting with the most general effective Hamiltonian relevant for the $b \to c τ^- \barν_τ$ transitions, including all possible Lorentz structures of the dimension-six operators with both left- and right-handed neutrinos, we first derive the five-fold differential decay rate in terms of the visible final-state kinematics. From this distribution, we then construct in total 34 normalized observables, among which nine refer to the CP-violating triple product asymmetries that vanish within the Standard Model. We also construct five new observables based on the combinations of these normalized observables that can only be attributed to the right-handed neutrinos. On the other hand, considering the low statistics of the fully differential distribution, we introduce some integrated observables with only one kinematic variable left, which are more promising to be measured due to the largely increased statistics. The sensitivities of all these observables to the different new physics scenarios are investigated in detail. Finally, assuming an ideal circumstance, we give an estimate of the statistical uncertainties of the nine CP-conserving observables at LHCb and found that $τ^-\to π^-ν_τ$ has the highest analyzing power among the three $τ$ decay channels., 40 pages, 7 figures and 2 tables; SM predictions in different q2 bins added, final version published in the journal

We study the $B^-\to K^-ηη_c$ decay by taking into account the $S$-wave contributions from the pseudoscalar meson--pseudoscalar meson interactions within the unitary coupled-channel approach, where the $D\bar{D}$ bound state is dynamically generated. In addition, the contribution from the intermediate resonance $K_0^*(1430)$, with $K_0^*(1430)\to K^-η$, is also considered. Our results show that there is a clear peak around $3730$~MeV in the $ηη_c$ invariant mass distribution, which could be associated with the $D \bar{D}$ bound state. The future precise measurements of the $B^-\to K^-ηη_c$ process at the Belle II and LHCb experiments could be, therefore, used to check the existence of the $D \bar{D}$ bound state, and to deepen our understanding of the hadron-hadron interactions., 8 pages, 8 figures

Motivated by the latest CDF $W$-mass measurement as well as the muon $g-2$ anomaly and the discrepancies observed in $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ transitions, we propose an extension of the Standard Model (SM) with the $SU(2)_L$-singlet vector-like fermion partners that are featured by additional $U(1)^\prime$ gauge symmetry. The fermion partners have the same SM quantum numbers as of the right-handed SM fermions, and can therefore mix with the latter after the electroweak and the $U(1)^\prime$ symmetry breaking. As a result, desirable loop-level corrections to the $(g-2)_\mu$, the $W$-boson mass $m_W$ and the Wilson coefficient $C_9$ in $b \to s \mu^+ \mu^-$ transitions can be obtained. The final allowed parameter space is also consistent with the constraints from the $Z \to \mu^+ \mu^-$ decay, the neutrino trident production and the LHC direct searches for the vector-like quarks and leptons., Comment: 34 pages, 15 figures, comments welcome

The absence of semitauonic decays of charmed hadrons makes the decay processes mediated by the quark-level $c\to d τ^+ ν_τ$ transition inadequate for probing a generic new physics (NP) with all kinds of Dirac structures. To fill in this gap, we consider in this paper the quasielastic neutrino scattering process $ν_τ+n\to τ^-+Λ_c$, and propose searching for NP through the polarizations of the $τ$ lepton and the $Λ_c$ baryon. In the framework of a general low-energy effective Lagrangian, we perform a comprehensive analysis of the (differential) cross sections and polarization vectors of the process both within the Standard Model and in various NP scenarios, and scrutinize possible NP signals. We also explore the influence on our findings due to the uncertainties and the different parametrizations of the $Λ_c \to N$ transition form factors, and show that they have become one of the major challenges to further constrain possible NP through the quasielastic scattering process., 31 pages, 17 figures, and 3 tables. Comments are welcome

Damyon, the type locality of Gentiana damyonensis, is determined to be a sizeable massif situated in Zogang county in southeastern Xizang (Tibet), China, not in southwestern Sichuan or more specifically Dêrong or Muli counties. Consulting of literature and survey of herbarium specimens indicate that G. damyonensis does not occur in southwestern Sichuan as previously recorded, and is currently known only from northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Xizang, China, and northern Kachin, Myanmar. A distribution map is thus provided for this species.

Gentiana damyonensis Marquand (1928: 51). Figs. 1, 2 Type:— CHINA. Xizang: Zogang county, Damyon (Damiyong), alpine pastures, alt. 4800−5200 m, 5 September 1922, F. Kingdon-Ward 5377 (holotype E00001656!; isotype K000857088!). Fig. 1. Distribution and habitat:— Gentiana damyonensis is distributed in northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Xizang, China, and northern Kachin, Myanmar (Fig. 2). It grows in alpine pastures at altitudes of 3800−5200 m. Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Xizang: Zayü, FLPH Tibet Expedition 12-1439 (PE), Z.D. Fang et al. XZ-762 (SABG), Qinghai-Xizang Exped. 10695 (KUN), C.W Wang 65651 (PE). Yunnan: Gongshan, K.M. Feng 7795 (KUN, PE), K.M. Feng 7823 (KUN, PE), T.T. Yu 22754 (PE). MYANMAR. Kachin: Putao, G. Forrest 7591 (E, K). Notes:—Without citing any specimens, Ho (1999) recorded that Gentiana damyonensis also occurred in Puge county in southwestern Sichuan. In the relevant Chinese herbaria, including CDBI, HNWP, IBSC, KUN, NWTC, PE, SM, SZ and WUK, we have been able to trace one PE sheet of C.T. Kuan 8039 from Puge identified as this species by Ting-Nong Ho. Although the plants on the sheet are rather incomplete, with only basal stem leaves and broken and withered flowers, they are much taller (20−30 cm) than those of the true G. damyonensis, which are usually 5−10 cm tall. This specimen was actually misidentified, and G. damyonensis does not occur in Puge., Published as part of Ma, Xin-Yin, Shen, Jia-Min & Guo, Xin-Qiang, 2022, Clarification of the type locality and geographical distribution of Gentiana damyonensis (Gentianaceae, Gentianeae), pp. 131-134 in Phytotaxa 576 (1) on pages 132-133, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.576.1.9, http://zenodo.org/record/7441273, {"references":["Marquand, C. V. B. (1928) New Asiatic Gentians. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew 2: 49 - 62. https: // doi. org / 10.2307 / 4107647"]}

Past research with North American participants has demonstrated a naturalness bias in the medical context: people prefer natural drugs to synthetic drugs under a variety of situations. Does such a bias exist in other countries (such as China) where cultural values and practices are quite different from those in the United States? We conducted 3 studies ( N = 1,927) to investigate the naturalness bias with drugs and vaccines across cultures with American, Canadian, and Chinese participants. In studies 1A and 1B, participants chose or rated drugs (natural v. synthetic) for a hypothetical medical issue. The drugs were presented as having identical effectiveness and side effect profiles. Study 2 focused on a different medical context, vaccines, and required participants to rate their likelihood of taking vaccines (made from either more natural or more synthetic ingredients) for a harmful virus. The naturalness bias occurred across cultures in studies 1A and 1B, although it was not significant among Chinese participants in study 1B. In study 2, Chinese participants showed a stronger naturalness bias than Americans did, and safety concerns mediated the effect. Perceived safety accounted for the naturalness bias among Americans and Canadians, but did so only among Chinese in study 2. Overall, the results suggest that the naturalness bias in drug and vaccine decision making occurs across cultures, but Chinese participants may be more sensitive to the medical context. Highlights The naturalness bias — preferring natural to synthetic drugs or vaccines — occurred across cultures (Americans, Canadians, and Chinese). Chinese participants showed a stronger naturalness bias than Americans did when the medical context was focused on vaccination, and safety concerns mediated this effect. The naturalness bias may influence medical decision making across cultures, but Chinese participants may be more sensitive to naturalness in a vaccine context.

If the leptoquarks proposed to account for the intriguing anomalies observed in the $B$-meson decays, $R_{D^{(\ast)}}$ and $R_{K^{(\ast)}}$, as well as in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, $(g-2)_\mu$, can be embedded into the scotogenic Dirac neutrino model, all these flavor anomalies, together with the origin of neutrino masses and the nature of dark matter, would be potentially addressed in a unified picture. Among the minimal seesaw, one-loop, and two-loop realizations of the dimension-4 effective operator $\mathcal{L}_{4}$ for the Dirac neutrino masses, we show that plenty of diagrams associated with the two-loop realizations of $\mathcal{L}_{4}$ can support the coexistence of leptoquarks and dark matter candidates. After a simple match of these leptoquarks to those that can accommodate all the flavor anomalies, we establish the scotogenic Dirac neutrino models embedded with leptoquarks, which could address all the problems mentioned above., Comment: 15 pages, 16 tables, 9 figures

Excessive intake of high-caffeine tea will induce health-related risk. Therefore, breeding and cultivating tea cultivars with less caffeine is a feasible way to control daily caffeine intake. Cocoa tea (

Purpose Despite concerns about the effect of internet addiction, little is known about how psychological suzhi impacts the internet addiction of college students. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between psychological suzhi and internet addiction among college students. Design/methodology/approach Using the college student psychological suzhi scale and internet addiction test, 2,070 college students from 11 universities in North China, East China, South China and Southwest China were tested. Findings The detection rate of internet addiction in this college sample of students was 18.8%. There was a significant negative correlation between students’ psychological suzhi and internet addiction (r = −0.408, p < 0.01). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that adaptability and individuality in psychological suzhi significantly negatively predicted college students’ internet addiction tendency (p < 0.001). Originality/value This study is the first to show a relationship between psychological suzhi and internet addiction in college students. In detail, the adaptability and individuality of college students’ psychological suzhi are protective factors related to internet addiction. The results also suggested that the authors can prevent and intervene in internet addiction by modifying college students’ adaptability and individuality.

Context The Canadian reality of dementia care may be complicated by the cultural diversity of patients and their informal caregivers. Objectives To what extent do needs differ between Canadian- and foreign-born patients and caregivers? What are their experiences with the illness in primary care case management? Methods Mixed methods, sequential explanatory design (a cross-sectional study, followed by a qualitative descriptive study), involving 15 pairs of patients and caregivers. Results Foreign-born patients had more needs compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. Foreign-born caregivers reported more stress, more problems, and increased need for services. However, the reported experiences of Canadian- vs. foreign-born individuals were similar. Conclusion The results remain hypothesis-generating. The present pilot illustrated the suitability of mixed methods to this area of study, which deserves further investigation to better serve all mem­bers of a population already vulnerable by age and disease.

Based on observations on herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants in the wild, we demonstrate that Artemisia flaccida (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) is conspecific with A. fulgens and that A. flaccida var. meiguensis deserves a varietal status under A. fulgens. We therefore place A. flaccida in synonymy with A. fulgens and transfer A. flaccida var. meiguensis to A. fulgens as A. fulgens var. meiguensis. Lectotypification is proposed for A. fulgens and A. flaccida. The geographical distribution of the two varieties of A. fulgens, var. fulgens and var. meiguensis, is also clarified.

In order to study the performance of DCLR (direct coal liquefaction residue) modified asphalt mortar, different DCLR modified asphalt mortar with different DCLR contents and filler-asphalt ratios (FA) was prepared. The high-and-low temperature and fatigue performance of asphalt mortar was analyzed by a dynamic shear rheometer and a bending beam rheometer. Using the variance analysis method the influence of the single factor (temperature, DCLR content, FA) and the coupling between these factors on the performance of asphalt mortar was investigated. The results show that the addition of DCLR and filler can significantly improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt mortar, but damage the low-temperature performance and the fatigue performance of asphalt mortar. To comprehensively balance the effects of DCLR content and FA on the performance of the mortar, the DCLR content of 10% and the FA of 1.0 are recommended. Besides, the single factor (temperature, DCLR content, FA) and the coupling between these factors have significant effects on the performance of asphalt mortar, but the effect of the coupling is smaller than that of the single factor.

Artemisia nortonii Pampanini (1927: 683). Figs. 1–3. Type:— CHINA. Xizang: Tingri county, Dzaka Chu (= Zhaga Qu), stony ground, alt. 3840 m, 6 July 1922, E. Norton (Mt. Everest Exped. 1922) 325 (holotype K000891832!). Fig. 3. Description:—Herbs, perennial, 5–25 cm tall. Rhizome woody, robust, to 1 cm in diameter. Stems few or numerous, erect, rarely branched, gray pubescent. Basal stem leaves pedunculate, leaf blade oblong or oblong-ovate, 1.5–2 cm long, 0.5–1.5 cm broad, 1-pinnatisect, 2 or 3 segments on each side, segments usually 3-partite, with lobules ovate, gray tomentose on both surfaces; middle stem leaves shortly pedunculate, leaf blade oblong or ovate-oblong, 1- pinnatisect, with oblong or ovate segments 1 or 2 on each side, 0.5–1.5 cm long, 0.2–0.5 cm broad, gray tomentose on both surfaces; uppermost leaves 1-pinnatisect or 3-partite, and leaflike bracts entire, gray tomentose on both surfaces. Synflorescence a raceme or narrow panicle. Capitula obovoid or subglobose, 2–3 mm in diameter, sessile or subsessile. Phyllaries ovate or ovoid, abaxially gray tomentose, midribs green when fresh, with membranous margin. Marginal female florets 3–7, fertile, 2–4 mm long, corolla tubular, apex 2-toothed, style exerted; disk florets 5–10, sterile, 2–3 mm long, corolla tubular, apex 5-toothed. Achenes obovoid. Distribution and habitat:— Artemisia nortonii is currently known only from Dinggyê and Tingri counties in southwestern Xizang, China (Fig. 4). It grows on stony slopes at altitudes of 3800–5000 m above sea level. Phenology:—Flowering from July to August; fruiting in August. Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Xizang: Dinggyê, L. Wang et al. 2827 (IBSC). Notes:—In the protologue, Pampanini (1927) referred Artemisia nortonii to A. sect. Abrotanum (Duhamel 1755: 19) Besser (1829: 222). Ling (1991) noted that the disk florets in the type specimen of A. nortonii were sterile and thus he moved the species to A. sect. Dracunculus Besser (1835: 8). Our observations on specimens and living plants in the wild have confirmed the sterility of the disk florets in A. nortonii (Figs. 1L, 3). We therefore agree with Ling (1991) on the sectional placement of A. nortonii. In the protologue, Pampanini (1927) stated that Artemisia nortonii was related to A. turczaninoviana Besser (1834: 23), but differed by having smaller plants only 15–20 cm tall, sparsely tomentose, densely and diminutively villous (absolutely not adpressed sericeous), smaller capitula, and particularly, ovate-acuminate (not rounded) innermost bracts and narrower corolla of hermaphrodite florets. The latter has been placed in synonymy with A. rutifolia Stephen ex Sprengel (1826: 488) by Poljakov (1961), a treatment also accepted by Ling (1991) and Ling et al. (2011). According to Poljakov (1961), A. rutifolia belongs to A. sect. Absinthium (Miller 1754: without pagination) Candolle (1838: 189) by having pubescent receptacles, and differs from A. nortonii by having fertile (vs. sterile) disk florets and pubescent (glabrous) receptacles. Artemisia rutifolia is widely distributed in China’s Xinjiang, and also in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Russia (Siberia) and western Himalayas (Poljakov 1961). According to Ling (1988, 1991), the plants from eastern and southern Xizang referred to Artemisia salsoloides Willdenow (1803: 1832) by Hooker (1881) should partly belong to A. nortonii, but actually Hooker did not mention any material from eastern and southern Tibet under this species. He just followed Clarke (1876) to record the occurrence of A. salsoloides in western Tibet. In fact, Poljakov (1961) had pointed out that Hooker’s (1881) report about the occurrence of A. salsoloides in western Tibet is erroneous and that the plants in question should belong to A. wellbyi Hemsley & Pearson (1902: 183), a species occurring in Xizang and northern India (Ling et al. 2011). Morphologically A. nortonii is readily distinguishable from A. wellbyi by, among other characters, having 1-pinnatisect (2-pinnatisect) stem leaves with ovate (vs. linear or linear-lanceolate) lobules, and abaxially tomentose (vs. puberulent or glabrescent) phyllaries (Ling et al. 2011)., Published as part of Guo, Xin-Qiang, Wang, Long & Yang, Qin-Er, 2022, Rediscovery of Artemisia nortonii (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and clarification of its type locality and geographical distribution, pp. 283-288 in Phytotaxa 570 (3) on pages 285-287, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.570.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7260261, {"references":["Pampanini, R. (1927) Materiali per lo studio delle Artemisie asiatiche. Nuovo Giornale Botanico Italiano (Nouva serie) 34: 632 - 708.","Duhamel, du M. H. L. (1755) Traite des arbres et arbustes qui se cultivent en France en pleine terre, vol. 1. Guerin & Delatour, Paris, 368 pp.","Besser, W. S. (1829) Lettre de Mr. le Dr. Besser au directeur monsieur le directeur. Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou 1: 219 - 265.","Ling, Y. R. (1991) Artemisia L. In: Ling, Y. & Ling, Y. R. (Eds.) Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, vol. 76 (2). Science Press, Beijing, pp. 1 - 253.","Besser, W. S. (1835) Dracunculi, seu de sectione quarta et ultima Artemisiarum Linnaei. Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou 8: 1 - 97.","Besser, W. S. (1834) De Seriphidiis seu de sectione IIIa Artemisiarum Linnaeai, dissertation botanica. Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou 7: 5 - 46.","Sprengel, C. (1826) Systema Vegetabilium, Editio Decima Sexta, vol. 3. Sumtibus Librariae Dieterichianae, Gottingae, 936 pp.","Poljakov, P. P. (1961) Artemisia L. In: Komarov, V. L. (Ed.) Flora of the U. S. S. R., vol. 26. Izdatel'stvo Akademi Nauk SSSR, Moskva- Leningrad, pp. 425 - 631.","Ling, Y. R. (Lin, Y. R.), Humphries, C. J. & Gilbert, M. G. (2011) Artemisia Linnaeus. In: Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H. & Hong, D. Y. (Eds.) Flora of China, vols. 20 - 21. Science Press, Beijing & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, pp. 676 - 737.","Miller, P. (1754) The Gardeners Dictionary, fourth edition, vol. 1. Printed for the authors, London, without pagination.","Candolle, A. P. de (1838) Artemisia L. In: Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis, vol. 6. Treuttel & Wurtz, Paris, pp. 93 - 127.","Willdenow, C. L. (1803) Species Plantarum, vol. 3 (3). G. C. Nauk, Berolini., pp. 1477 - 2409.","Hooker, J. D. (1881) Artemisia Linn. In: The Flora of British India, vol. 3. L. Reeve & Co., London, pp. 321 - 330.","Clarke, C. B. (1876) Compositae Indicae. Thacker, Spink and Co., Calcutta, 347 pp.","Hemsley, W. B. & Pearson, M. A. (1902) The Flora of Tibet or high Asia; being a consolidated account of the various Tibetan botanical collections in the herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew, together with an exposition of what is known of the Flora of the Tibet. The Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany 35: 124 - 265. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1095 - 8339.1902. tb 01472. x"]}

We update the Standard Model (SM) predictions for the branching ratios of the rare top-quark decays $$t \rightarrow cg(g)$$ t → c g ( g ) , and evaluate the maximum rates that can be reached in the aligned as well as in the four conventional two-Higgs-doublet models (2HDMs) with $$\mathcal {Z}_2$$ Z 2 symmetries. Taking into account the relevant constraints on the model parameters resulting from a global fit obtained at the $$95.5\%$$ 95.5 % confidence level, we find that the branching ratios of $$t \rightarrow cg$$ t → c g and $$t \rightarrow cgg$$ t → c g g decays can reach up to $$3.36\times 10^{-9}$$ 3.36 × 10 - 9 and $$2.95\times 10^{-9}$$ 2.95 × 10 - 9 respectively, being therefore of the same order, in the aligned 2HDM (A2HDM). This is obviously different from the SM case, where the predicted branching ratio of the three-body decay $$t \rightarrow cgg$$ t → c g g is about two orders of magnitude larger than that of the two-body decay $$t \rightarrow cg$$ t → c g . On the other hand, compared with the SM predictions, no significant enhancements are observed in the four conventional 2HDMs with $$\mathcal {Z}_2$$ Z 2 symmetries for the branching ratios of these two decays. Nevertheless, the predicted branching ratios of $$t \rightarrow cg$$ t → c g and $$t \rightarrow cgg$$ t → c g g decays in the A2HDM are still out of the expected sensitivities of the future high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider and the Future Circular Collider in hadron-hadron mode.

Catechins are a cluster of polyphenolic bioactive components in green tea. Anticarcinogenic effects of tea catechins have been reported since the 1980s, but it has been controversial. The present paper reviews the advances in studies on the anticarcinogenic activities of tea and catechins, including epidemiological evidence and anticarcinogenic mechanism. Tea catechins showed antagonistic effects on many cancers, such as gynecological cancers, digestive tract cancers, incident glioma, liver and gallbladder cancers, lung cancer, etc. The mechanism underlying the anticarcinogenic effects of catechins involves in inhibiting the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, scavenging free radicals, suppressing metastasis of cancer cells, improving immunity, interacting with other anticancer drugs, and regulating signaling pathways. The inconsistent results and their causes are also discussed in this paper.

The tea plant is a kind of ammonium-preferring crop, but the mechanism whereby ammonium (NH4+) regulate its growth is not well understood. The current study focused on the effects of NH4+ on tea plants. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to investigate the early- and late-stage NH4+ deprivation and resupply in tea plants shoots. Through short- and long-term NH4+ deficiency, the dynamic response to NH4+ stress was investigated. The most significant effects of NH4+ deficiency were found to be on photosynthesis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment varied with the length of NH4+ deprivation. Enriched KEGG pathways were also different when NH4+ was resupplied at different concentrations which may indicate reasons for tolerance of high NH4+ concentration. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), modules related to significant tea components, tea polyphenols and free amino acids, were identified. Hence, NH4+ could be regarded as a signaling molecule with the response of catechins shown to be higher than that of amino acids. The current work represents a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of plant responses to NH4+ and reveals many potential genes regulated by NH4+ in tea plants. Such findings may lead to improvements in nitrogen efficiency of tea plants.

In B c − $$ {B}_c^{-} $$ → J/ψ(→ μ + μ − )τ − ν ¯ τ $$ {\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ decay, the three-momentum p τ − $$ {\boldsymbol{p}}_{\tau^{-}} $$ cannot be determined accurately due to the decay products of τ − inevitably include an undetected ν τ . As a consequence, the angular distribution of this decay cannot be measured. In this work, we construct a measurable angular distribution by considering the subsequent decay τ − → π − ν τ . The full cascade decay is B c − $$ {B}_c^{-} $$ → J/ψ(→ μ + μ − )τ − (→ π − ν τ ) ν ¯ τ $$ {\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ , in which the three-momenta p μ + , p μ − $$ {\boldsymbol{p}}_{\mu^{+}},{\boldsymbol{p}}_{\mu^{-}} $$ , and p π − $$ {\boldsymbol{p}}_{\pi^{-}} $$ can be measured. The five-fold differential angular distribution containing all Lorentz structures of the new physics (NP) effective operators can be written in terms of twelve angular observables ℐ i (q 2 , E π ). Integrating over the energy of pion E π , we construct twelve normalized angular observables ℐ ̂ i $$ {\hat{\mathrm{\mathcal{I}}}}_i $$ (q 2) and two lepton-flavor-universality ratios R P L , T J / ψ $$ R\left({P}_{L,T}^{J/\psi}\right) $$ (q 2). Based on the B c → J/ψ form factors calculated by the latest lattice QCD and sum rule, we predict the q 2 distribution of all ℐ ̂ i $$ {\hat{\mathrm{\mathcal{I}}}}_i $$ and R P L , T J / ψ $$ R\left({P}_{L,T}^{J/\psi}\right) $$ both within the Standard Model and in eight NP benchmark points. We find that the benchmark BP2 (corresponding to the hypothesis of tensor operator) has the greatest effect on all ℐ i and R P L , T J / ψ $$ R\left({P}_{L,T}^{J/\psi}\right) $$ , except ℐ ̂ 5 $$ {\hat{\mathrm{\mathcal{I}}}}_5 $$ . The ratios R P L , T J / ψ $$ R\left({P}_{L,T}^{J/\psi}\right) $$ are more sensitive to the NP with pseudo-scalar operators than the ℐ i . Finally, we discuss the symmetries in the angular observables and present a model-independent method to determine the existence of tensor operators.