Search

Using current Embedded Discrete Fracture Models (EDFM) to predict the productivity of fractured wells has some drawbacks, such as not supporting corner grid, low precision in the near wellbore zone, and disregarding the heterogeneity of conductivity brought by non-uniform sand concentration. An EDFM is developed based on the corner grid, which enables high efficient calculation of the transmissibility between the embedded fractures and matrix grids, and calculation of the permeability of each polygon in the embedded fractures by the lattice data of the artificial fracture aperture. On this basis, a coupling method of local grid refinement (LGR) and embedded discrete fracture model is designed, which is verified by comparing the calculation results with the Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) method and fitting the actual production data of the first hydraulically fractured well in Iraq. By using this method and orthogonal experimental design, the optimization of the parameters of the first multi-stage fractured horizontal well in the same block is completed. The results show the proposed method has theoretical and practical significance for improving the adaptability of EDFM and the accuracy of productivity prediction of fractured wells, and enables the coupling of fracture modeling and numerical productivity simulation at reservoir scale. Key words: hydraulic fracturing, grid refinement, embedded discrete fracture method, reservoir numerical simulation, productivity prediction, parameters optimization

Many traditional economic marine fishery resources have been declining in the coastal waters of China. Amblychaeturichthys hexanema has become one of the dominant species in Haizhou Bay and some other coastal areas of China, playing an important role in marine food webs. We analyzed the feeding strategy of A. hexanema based on the bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Haizhou Bay and adjacent waters in spring and autumn of 2011 and 2013-2016. The feeding habits and main influencing factors of A. hexanema were studied using linear mixed model (LMM). The results showed that A. hexanema fed on 14 prey groups, with Amphipoda, shrimps, Bivalvia and Ophiuroidea as the main prey groups. A total of 37 species were identified in the preys. The dominant prey species were Gammarus sp., Leptochela gracilis, Monoculodes sp., Moerella iridescens and Alpheus distinguendus. Results of the linear mixed model showed that the feeding intensity of A. hexanema in Haizhou Bay was influenced by body length, water depth, survey season, and bottom water salinity. Among them, water depth and bottom salinity had significantly negative effects, whereas the impact of body length was significantly positive. The feeding intensity was significantly higher in spring than that in autumn. Results of cluster analysis showed that A. hexanema had different feeding habits between two length groups as divided by a threshold of 70 mm body length. The change of feeding habit was mainly attributed to the variations in predation ability and food availability. Feeding strategy analysis showed that trophic niche of A. hexanema had large components between phenotypes and low intraspecific competition for prey. This study would contribute to our understanding of life history characteristics and ecological habits of A. hexanema, and provide scientific support for the sustainable utilization and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to compensate forward image motion of a certain aviation camera, the reasons for it were analyzed, and the compensation methods were studied. Firstly, the mechanism of image motion was found out on the basis of the camera's principle. Secondly, a neural network model (NNM) was used to identify the nonlinear characteristics of the system's response in time domain. Finally, according to the prediction given by NNM, the control signal was adjusted by using optimal algorithm to make the tracking performance of the scanning mirror optimal. This method overcomes some shortcomings of traditional PID control, such as low accuracy, slow response and weak adaptability. The compensation results show that the compensated angular speed of scanning mirror can track the desired angular speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the survey of macrozoobenthos at 35 locations of 7 sections in the intertidal flat of northwest Jiaozhou Bay in February, May, August, and November 2009, three zones including high tidal zone (A), mid tidal zone (B, C, and D), and low tidal zone (E) were selected to study the functional groups of macrozoobenthos in the flat. A total of 71 macrozoobenthos species were recorded, most of which were of mollusk (31 species), polychaete (20 species), and crustacean (14 species). The species number in A, B, C, D, and E was 26, 33, 35, 38, and 31, respectively. According to their food preferences, the macrozoobenthos were classified into 4 functional groups, i. e. , planktonphagous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous. The percentage of the species number of each functional group in the total species number of macrozoobenthos was in the order of carnivorous > planktophagous > detritivorous > omnivorous. Carnivorous group had the highest species diversity index, while omnivorous group had the lowest one. Overall, the species richness index, evenness index, and species diversity index were higher in mid tidal zone and lower in high and low tidal zones. The present study showed that the distribution of macrozoobenthos functional groups varied with the environment of tidal zones, being an integrative reflection of their habitat conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved algorithm for estimating the global movement of infrared sequences wit fixed pattern noise (FPN) is proposed. One of the challenges in practical infrared sub-pixel motion estimation is how to obtain high accuracy with sufficient robustness to additive noise. Motivated by the fact that adaptive filter has the ability to suppress the noise, an improved sub-pixel registration method for infrared image sequences was introduced. The proposed algorithm used an adaptive filter to suppress noise, and then derived the motion estimation analytic expression by minimizing the mean-squared-error (MSE) function between the reference and target frames. Computer simulations and actual experiments' results demonstrate the superiority and adaptability of the proposed algorithm, compared with the ordinary sub-pixel motion estimation method when noise exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which compares the congenital immune parameters in eight varieties of sheep and goats. Topics discussed include the assessment of jugular vein blood serum to determine the presence of interleukins, determination of natural killer cells and interferons by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the significance of the study to determine the impact of breeding on disease resistance.

Based on the case of coal mining under Jinsha River in Gansu Province, and focused on the anti-seepage control of the mining disturbed riverbed, by making use of surface movement monitoring and discrete element numerical simulation, the study revealed the regularity of surface movement, the failure characteristics of strata and the percolation path induced by mining underneath the river. A flexible anti-seepage scheme, Four Element Structure ( FES ), was put forward,which can harmonize and buffer the mining induced deformation. From bottom to top,FES consists as follows; reinforcement layer plays the roles of strengthening the riverbed, buffering the deformation, and enhancing the riverbed integrity; bedding subgrade prevents the anti -seepage layer from folding damage due to dislocation and sharpness in riverbed, meanwhile, it can absorb localized deformation; anti-seepage layer is a main anti-seepage structure made by geomembrane with a high strength, good flexibility and ductility; protective layer has a function to fix and protect the anti-seepage layer. In addition, the design principles for the river path in plane, longitudinal and cross-sectional shape of the riverbed were established and a comprehensive mobilized seepage control system was put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about feeding ecology of fish is important to understand individual behavior and population development, which is also the basic to analyze trophic structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Chaetrichthys stigmatias is one of the key species in the Haizhou Bay fisheries ecosystem, which has critical ecological niche within the food web. In this study, we collected samples through bottom trawl surveys during the fall of 2018 in the Haizhou Bay, and analyzed the feeding ecology of C. stigmatias based on both stomach content analysis and stable isotope technology. The results showed that the primary diet groups for C. stigmatias were Ophiuroidea and Shrimp, including Ophiothrix marenzelleri, Ophiopholis mirabilis, Ophiura sarsii, Penaeidae, and Alpheus japonicus . The range of δ 13 C values of C. stigmatias was from -19.39‰ to -15.74‰, with an average value of (-18.07±0.87)‰, which had no significant correlation with body length. The range of δ 15 N values was from 8.16‰ to 12.86‰, with an average value of (10.14±1.51)‰, which was positively correlated with body length. The trophic level of C. stigmatias showed a positive relationship with body length, with an average value of (3.74±0.34) and a range value of 3.32 to 4.20 among different size groups. The contribution rates of different prey groups varied significantly. Based on the structural equation modeling, we found that the feeding intensity of C. stigmatias was primally influenced by body length, sea bottom salinity, sea bottom temperature, and water depth, with a particularly signi-ficant positive correlation with body length. The combination of stable isotope technology and stomach content analysis methods could contribute to comprehensive understanding on the feeding ecology of C. stigmatias , providing essential data and foundation for research on trophic structures and resource conservation in the Haizhou Bay ecosystem.

Many traditional economic marine fishery resources have been declining in the coastal waters of China. Amblychaeturichthys hexanema has become one of the dominant species in Haizhou Bay and some other coastal areas of China, playing an important role in marine food webs. We analyzed the feeding strategy of A. hexanema based on the bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Haizhou Bay and adjacent waters in spring and autumn of 2011 and 2013-2016. The feeding habits and main influencing factors of A. hexanema were studied using linear mixed model (LMM). The results showed that A. hexanema fed on 14 prey groups, with Amphipoda, shrimps, Bivalvia and Ophiuroidea as the main prey groups. A total of 37 species were identified in the preys. The dominant prey species were Gammarus sp., Leptochela gracilis , Monoculodes sp., Moerella iridescens and Alpheus distinguendus . Results of the linear mixed model showed that the feeding intensity of A. hexanema in Haizhou Bay was influenced by body length, water depth, survey season, and bottom water salinity. Among them, water depth and bottom salinity had significantly negative effects, whereas the impact of body length was significantly positive. The feeding intensity was significantly higher in spring than that in autumn. Results of cluster analysis showed that A. hexanema had different feeding habits between two length groups as divided by a threshold of 70 mm body length. The change of feeding habit was mainly attributed to the variations in predation ability and food availability. Feeding strategy analysis showed that trophic niche of A. hexanema had large components between phenotypes and low intraspecific competition for prey. This study would contribute to our understanding of life history characteristics and ecological habits of A. hexanema , and provide scientific support for the sustainable utilization and management.

In order to understand species composition and diversity of fish communities in the ecotone between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, we examined species composition and temporal and spatial variations of fish species diversity using the relative importance index (IRI), species diversity index and k dominance curve based on bottom trawl survey data of fish resources in the adjacent waters of the Changshan Islands in October 2016, January, May and August 2017. The results showed that 77 fish species were captured, mainly temperate water fishes, demersal fishes and migratory fishes. The dominant species exhibited obvious seasonal variation. The dominant species in spring and winter were Lophius litulon , and those in summer were pelagic species such as Scomber japonicus and Engraulis japonicus . A total of 46 migratory fish species were found throughout the year. The seasonal species migration indices were all higher than 100, while the species migration index was the largest in autumn. The species diversity index showed high spatial and temporal dynamics, with the highest species richness in spring and the highest Shannon diversity and evenness in autumn. There was a significant negative correlation between species richness and sea surface temperature in summer, significant positive correlations between species richness and depth and bottom temperature in winter, and a significant positive correlation between Shannon diversity index and sea bottom temperature. In short, fish community showed high species diversity, rich migratory species and obvious temporal and spatial heterogeneity in the adjacent waters of the Changshan Islands, which is an ecotone between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea.

In recent years, a variety of important fishery resources in China's coastal waters have declined. Octopus ocellatus has the characteristics of short life cycle and rapid growth, with great contributions to fisheries of China's coastal waters. However, we know little about the habitat distribution characteristics of O. ocellatus and its relationship with environmental factors, which is not conducive to better protection and utilization of its resources. Here, we analyzed the distribution characteristics of O. ocellatus and its relationship with environmental factors using three machine learning methods, i.e. , random forest model, artificial neural network model, and generalized boosted regression models, based on the survey data of fishery resources and habitat in Haizhou Bay during spring of 2011 and 2013-2017. Among the three models, random forest model had great advantages in the fitting effect and prediction ability. The model analysis results showed that sea bottom temperature, seawater depth and sea bottom salinity had significant effects on the habitat distribution of O. ocellatus . The relative resource density of O. octopus increased first and then decreased with the increases of sea bottom temperature, seawater depth, and sea bottom salinity. Based on environmental data simulated by the FVCOM model, we predicted the habitat distribution of O. ocellatus in Haizhou Bay using random forest model and found that O. ocellatus was mainly distributed in the area between 34.5°-35.8° N and 119.7°-121° E.

Optimization of sampling design can reduce survey cost, ensure the accuracy of survey data, and get the maximum benefit of survey design. In this study, survey voyage was added into sampling survey design optimization as the evaluation index to quantify the survey cost. Computer simulation and resampling technique were used to simulate the survey plan. Simulation annealing algorithm was used to find the survey design with the shortest voyage. Based on the survey data collected from the bottom trawl survey conducted in the Haizhou Bay and its adjacent waters in spring and autumn from 2013 to 2015, Kriging interpolation was used to simulate the relative abundance distribution of Conger myriaster, Enedrias fangi , and Hexagrammos otakii in the bay in two seasons as their 'true' values. Resampling was conducted using stratified random sampling with different sample sizes for simulation study, and the abundance indices of each target species were estimated based on the simulated data. The relative bias (RB) was used to evaluate the accuracy of estimation of abundance index. The average survey cost and probability of budget overshoot (P) were used to measure the cost of survey. Integrated evaluation index (IEI) was developed to measure the survey cost and estimation accuracy comprehensively. The results showed RB values of all target species decreased with sample size. Different target species had different RB values with the same sample size. The optimal numbers of station determined by different evaluation indices were different. The optimal sample size determined by RB was relatively high, while the cost exceeded the budget of survey. The optimal sample size determined by probability of exceeding survey budget was relatively low but the accuracy and precision of estimation was low. IEI balanced the survey cost and estimation accuracy, and the optimal sample size defined by IEI was at intermediate level. The sampling design considering survey cost and route planning could not only determine the optimal sample size, but also record the potential station location, the survey sequence and the corresponding survey cost of simulations. According to the actual cost budget, the desired survey design with low cost and low RB of estimation from simulations could be chosen for fishery-independent surveys.

Saurida elongata , a warm-water offshore benthic fish, is one of the dominant species in Haizhou Bay and plays an important role in the food web. Based on samples collected from bottom trawl surveys in Haizhou Bay, we examined the feeding habits of Saurida elongata based on both stomach content and stable isotope analyses. The results showed that the main prey species of Saurida elongata were Metapenaeopsis dalei , Loligo spp., Cryptocentrus filifer , Engraulis japonicus , Chaeturichthys hexanema , Apogonichthys lineatus , Syngnathus acus and Callionymus beniteguri . The range of δ 13 C value was -19.39‰ to -16.23‰, with an average value of (-18.01±0.85)‰. There was no correlation between body length and δ 13 C values. The value of δ 15 N ranged from 9.56‰ to 13.36‰, with an average value of (11.77±0.86)‰, which was significantly positively correlated with body length. There was substantial difference in the contribution of food organism among diffe-rent body length groups. With the increases of body size, predation ability and morphology of feeding organs gradually improved, and the proportion of prey organisms changed, which might be the main reason for the ontogenetic variation in feeding habits. This study could contribute to understand the feeding ecology of snake mullet in Haizhou Bay and provide basic information for the nutritional dynamics of the Haizhou Bay food web.

Keystone predator species play an important role in regulating the number, richness and distribution of prey species. Based on the bottom trawl surveys in Haizhou Bay, keystone predator species in fish communities were identified by the revised SURF (supportive role to fishery ecosystems) index. Conger myriaster , Saurida elongata , Hexagrammos otakii , Chelidonichthys spinosus , and Larimichthys polyactis were the keystone predators in the fish community. They had high number of nodes degree, and were also the main predators of many species. Further, they had strong ability of clustering. The fluctuations of their density would have great impacts on ecosystem energy flow and food web structure. The method not only considered the feeding ratio between species, but also took the amount of catch and abundance of species as important factors in the identification of keystone predators. Compared with the traditional method, this method had great improvement and provided a new one for the identification of key predators. Our results showed that the strong inter-specific interactions played an important role in maintaining the structure and function of food webs. Protection of key predators would benefit the stability of biological communities and species diversity. Therefore, ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) should give priority to the protection of key species. The important economic fish species, C. myriaster and L. polyactis , should be protected with high priority as they suffered from higher fishing pressure.

It is important to reveal the interspecific association and correlation of main species for deep understanding of fish community structure and function. Based on data collected from the bottom trawl surveys from 2013 to 2017 in the Haizhou Bay and the adjacent waters, we analyzed interspecific association of main species using Chi-square test, Jaccard index, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. There were consistent results from χ 2 -test, Jaccard index, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. The proportion of positively correlated species pairs was high in different years, whereas the number of significant or extremely significant species pairs was low. There were 9, 6, 7, 1, 0 significant or extremely significant species pairs over different years based on Jaccard index. There were 12, 20, 13, 5, 6 significant or extremely significant species pairs over different years based on Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. While there were inter-annual changes in related species pairs, the relationship between significant species pairs was relatively stable, indicating a relatively stable interspecific association in the main fish communities. The species within the same ecological type could replace each other in the niche, which have adapted to environmental changes in Haizhou Bay and its adjacent waters.

As the link among species, ecological environment, and ecosystem function, functional diversity can help us to better understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function. We analyzed functional diversity with thirteen functional traits reflecting the characteristics of food acquisition, locomotion, ecological adaptation, reproduction and population dynamics of fish species. The seasonal, interannual and spatial variations of functional diversity of fish communities were examined using functional richness index (FRic), functional evenness index (FEve), functional divergence index (FDiv) and community weighted mean index (CWM) based on the data from the bottom trawl surveys in spring and autumn from 2011 to 2017 (except 2012) in Haizhou Bay. The results showed that functional diversity indices were significantly different in spring and autumn, with FRic was significantly higher in autumn than that in spring and FDiv was significantly higher in spring than that in autumn. Migration might be the main reason for the seasonal change of functional diversity indices. CWM analysis showed that dominant fish species were cold-temperate or warm-temperate species, with higher trophic level, strong motion ability, and relatively high growth coefficient, resilience and vulnerability in spring. In autumn, the dominant species showed the opposite traits. In both spring and autumn, fish species with pelagic eggs dominated the fish communities. Inter-annual variations in functional diversity indices were observed in spring and autumn. The functional diversity indices showed an annual fluctuation during the study period in both spring and autumn, indicating the low stability of fish community in Haizhou Bay. Significant spatial changes in functional diversity of fish assemblages were observed, with FDiv being higher in the offshore coastal waters (>20 m) than that in the shallow waters (<20 m). The functional diversity showed obvious spatio-temporal variation. The ecological niches and resource utilization of fish species varied with season, year and space in Haizhou Bay.

Based on the bottom trawl surveys in spring (May) and in autumn (September to October) from 2011 to 2017 (except 2012) in Haizhou Bay, variations in the mean trophic levels (MTL) and large fish index (LFI) of fish community were examined to understand the changes of fish community structure in Haizhou Bay. The results showed that the dominant fish species were Hexagrammos otakii, Enedrias fangi, Syngnathus acus, Pseudosciaena polyactis and Saurida elongata, which had obvious seasonal variation. The mean trophic level of fish community varied significantly among different years and seasons. Generally, MTL in autumn was higher than that in spring, and the variation of which in autumn always lagged behind that in spring. The result of LFI calculation showed that the large fish resources declined and fish community structure in Haizhou Bay showed an obvious tendency of miniaturization in recent years.

Based on the data collected from the bottom trawl surveys in the coastal waters of northern Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2014, multivariate statistical analysis and other integrated indices were used to analyze the variation in the community structure of fish assemblage over time in the waters. The results showed that 68 species had been caught in the coastal waters of northern Jiangsu Province. There were significant fluctuations in the relative density of fish resources. The mean catch mass per site ranged from 0.75 to 1.62 kg·h -1 , and the mean catch individuals per site showed significant decrease in the survey period ranging from 370 to 203 ind·h -1 . The mean trophic level (MTL) index varied between 3.58 and 3.72 from 2011 to 2014, being relatively low in 2009-2012 and fluctuating around 3.70 in 2011-2014. The mean body mass of fish community increased from 2.93 to 11.18 g between 2009 and 2014, showing a similar tendency with that of MTL index. Cluster analysis and MDS showed that the six survey years could be divided into two subgroups of 2009-2010 and 2011-2014. The main discriminating species were Syngnathus acus,Ctenotrypauchen microcephalus and Ammodytes personatus for the two subgroups. Further study showed that the pelagic and planktivorous fishes had gradually increased in dominance while cold temperate species and indigenous species had decreased over the years. It was suggested that fish communities in the coastal waters of northern Jiangsu Province underwent a remarkable succession. Advices for the fisheries management in the waters were provided according to the succession pattern, which might contribute to the sustainable utilization of fishery resources.

Objective: To realize the automated assessment of the levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna by support vector machine (SVM)., Methods: The X-ray films of the left wrist joints were taken from 140 teenagers aged from 11 to 19 years old as training samples. The levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna were divided into five developmental levels. Each level contained 28 samples. Another 35 cases were selected as independent verifying samples. SVM classification models of the five developmental levels of epiphysis of distal radius and ulna were established. The internal cross validation was made by leave one out cross validation (LOOCV), while the external validation was made by histogram of oriented gradient (HOG), and then the accuracy (PA) of testing results was calculated, respectively., Results: The PA of SVM, LOOCV and HOG of distal radius epiphyseal level were 100%, 78.6%, and 82.8%, respectively; whereas the PA of SVM, LOOCV and HOG of distal ulna epiphyseal level were 100.0%, 80.0% and 88.6%, respectively., Conclusion: The SVM-based automatic models of the growth stage of distal ra- dius and ulna appear to have certain feasibility, and may provide a foundation for software development of bone age assessment by forensic medicine.

Objective: To establish standardized methods and parameters of the isolated heart coronary angiography through the experiment of in vitro porcine heart by MSCT., Methods: Based on different perfusion volume (50, 60 and 70 mL) and different perfusion-imaging time (5, 10 and 20 min), the in vitro porcine coronary artery was injected liposoluble and water-soluble contrast agents using remodel angiography equipment and scanned by MSCT. And the 3D image results were compared. The images were recorded and evaluated by 2 radiologists and analyzed by statistical software., Results: Liposoluble contrast agent affected the images by damaging and infiltrating the fats around the coronary artery, while the water-soluble contrast agent didn't affect the images. The groups with 60 mL or 70 mL perfusion and 5 min perfusion-imaging time had the best images., Conclusion: The suitable parameters of the angiography lay the foundation of postmortem coronary angiography.

Objective: To summarize the subtle anatomical structures of the normal nasal bone in multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) image through the observation of the three-dimensional images., Methods: One hundred and twenty volunteers who had no nasal trauma and disease history were collected. The nasal was scanned using MSCT. Raw data was reconstructed into bone window images (slice thickness 0.6 mm, slice interval 0.5 mm), and then the images were imported into Syngo Imaging XS software to reconstruct three-dimensional images and to summarize the nasal bone's subtle anatomical structures., Results: The subtle anatomy of normal nasal bone generally included four seams, two holes and one edge. The four seams were left and right nasal-maxillary suture, nasal-frontal seam, and internasal suture. The two holes were left and right nasal aperture. The edge of the nasal was the lower edge of the nasal bone. In addition, there was suture bone in internasal suture in some normal nose. The nasal aperture mostly was hole-like, but some nasal apertures were line shape. The nasal edge can be divided into flat type, wave-shaped type, inverted spike type, hook-shaped type and others., Conclusion: The anatomy diversity and individual differences in nasal bone are large. MSCT and three-dimensional image reconstruction techniques, combined with the history of trauma could distinguish between the normal anatomy and fractures.

Objective: To explore the correlation between CT volume rendering (VR) statistics and living age and to build the mathematical models for skeletal age evaluation based on the growth rules of medial clavicular epiphysis of teenagers in China., Methods: The thin layer CT scan and VR 3D imaging reconstruction of both sides of sternal ends of clavicles were examined for 684 teenagers aged from 15 to 25 in East and South China. The parameters of sternal end of clavicle including the longest diameter of epiphysis, the longest diameter of metaphysis, their length radio, area of epiphysis, area of metaphysic, their area ratio, and other data were measured and calculated in order to establish mathematical models of skeletal age evaluation. Fifty trained subjects were tested to verify the accuracy of the mathematical models., Results: In the same age group, the length ratio and the area ratio had significant difference in genders (P < 0.05). The established mathematical models showed that the growth rules of medial clavicular epiphysis were highly correlated with the living ages. The accuracies of these models were higher than 70.5% +/- 1.0 year) and 82.5% (+/- 1.5 year)., Conclusion: The mathematical models have easy operability and high accuracy. It can be used to confirm and sustain the conclusion of atlas method. Meanwhile, it is of great significance to study the other single skeletal age evaluation in the future.

Objective: To discuss bone development trend in the knee joint of Tibetan teenagers in Sichuan province and to effectively update the database for estimating the living age of Tibetan teenagers in terms of bone age of the knee joint., Methods: Radiographs including epiphysis of distal femur, proximal tibia and proximal fibula were taken from 483 Tibetan male and female teenagers aged from 14 to 19 years old in Aba prefecture of Sichuan province in order to observe epiphyseal growth situation. The descriptive data of the epiphyseal closure ages of these teenagers' knee joints were statistically analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software., Results: The distal femur epiphyseal closure occurred earliest, while the proximal fibula epiphyseal closure occurred latest. The epiphyseal growth of knee joints of females occurred about one year earlier than that of males., Conclusion: The forensic information and data related to Tibetan teenagers' bone age identification should be updated regularly. These results provide potential value for the practice of forensic medicine, anthropology and clinical medicine.

Objective: To establish a CT staging method of sternal end of clavicle epiphyseal growth for teenagers by thin layer CT scan, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and volume reconstruction (VR) technologies., Methods: The CT imaging characteristics, which collected from 460 teenagers (aged from 15 to 25) in East and South China, were studied through both sternal ends of clavicles' imagings by thin layer coronal CT scan and axial CT scan, MPR and VR technologies. The parameters of sternal end of clavicle including the longest diameter of epiphysis, the longest diameter of metaphysis, their length ratio, area of epiphysis, area of metaphysis, and their area ratio were measured and calculated in order to establish new classification., Results: Based on the staging method of Schmeling, integrating the CT imaging reconstruction information of sternal end of clavicle, the new classification of sternal end of clavicle epiphyseal growth were divided into 1 to 5 stages, and stage 2 and stage 3, respectively, contained a, b and c sub-classification., Conclusion: This new classification has merits of large sample size, wide age range and easy operability. By using CT imaging reconstruction techniques and analyzing the data which closely related to sternal end of clavicle epiphyseal growth of teenagers, the feasibility of the staging method could be increased.

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of mycobacterial DNA microarray technology for diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis., Methods: 120 clinical specimens were collected from hospitalized child patients. Acid-fast staining, mycobacterial culture and DNA microarray assays were performed using these clinical specimens. The results of DNA microarray assays were compared with the results of acid-fast staining and mycobacterial culture., Results: The sensitivity of DNA microarray assays for specimens from children with tuberculosis was 24.3% (17/70), of acid-fast staining 17.1% (12/70), of mycobacterial culture 20.0% (14/70), and the specificity of the three methods was all 100.0% (50/50). The difference between results of DNA microarray assays and that of acid-fast staining or mycobacterial culture was not significant., Conclusion: DNA microarray assay has reference value for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis. It provides a new way for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis.

It is practical value for determination the teenagers whether the age is full of the legal responsibility age of 18 years old or not by estimating skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle. The traditional methods mainly based on X-ray radiography. However, sternal end of clavicle and adjacent lung, bronchus, sternum, rib, transverse process of thoracic vertebra are overlapped each other. As a result of overlapping, there will be obtained false negative or positive film reading results when according to X-ray observation of epiphyseal growth of sternal end of clavicle, which directly affect the scientificalness and accuracy of estimating of skeletal age. In recent years, the scholars at home and abroad have started to use thin layer CT scan technology to estimate skeletal age of the sternal end of clavicle. With the 2D and 3D CT recombination technology, the accuracy of the film reading distinctly improves by making the shape, size and position of epiphysis displayed clearly. This article reviews the application and research progress of thin layer CT scanning technology in estimating skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle at home and abroad, analyzes the superiority and value of thin layer CT scan technology, which applied to skeletal age of sternal end of clavicle.

Objective: To study the difference of bone development of the Han male adolescents in Hainan, Henan and Zhejiang provinces., Methods: All radiographs including sternal end of clavicle, pelvis and six main bone joints taken from 877 Han male adolescents aged between 12.00 and 20.00 in Hainan, Henan and Zhejiang provinces were reviewed. Twenty-four indices of skeletal development were analyzed based on "The Grading Standards" of skeletal growth of teenagers and then the bone age were calculated using mathematical model functions. The ratios of the bone age and the chronological age were then analyzed by statistical software., Results: The development of Hainan male adolescents' skeleton were about 1.09 years and 1.26 years earlier than that in Henan and Zhejiang at the age group of 12.00-12.99 years. The development of Hainan male adolescents' skeleton were about 0.70 years and 1.38 years earlier than that in Henan and Zhejiang at the age group of 13.00-13.99 years, while the development of Henan male adolescents' skeleton were about 0.68 years earlier than that in Zhejiang in this age group. The development of Hainan male adolescents' skeleton were about 0.79 years later than that in Henan at the age group of 18.00-18.99 years. The development of Hainan male adolescents' skeleton were about 0.70 years and 0.95 years later than that in Henan and Zhejiang at the age group of 19.00-20.00 years., Conclusion: There are significant differences in the skeleton development of Han male adolescents between the provinces of Hainan, Henan and Zhejiang. These results provide potential value for the practice of forensic medicine, anthropology and clinical medicine.

Based on the survey of macrozoobenthos at 35 locations of 7 sections in the intertidal flat of northwest Jiaozhou Bay in February, May, August, and November 2009, three zones including high tidal zone (A), mid tidal zone (B, C, and D), and low tidal zone (E) were selected to study the functional groups of macrozoobenthos in the flat. A total of 71 macrozoobenthos species were recorded, most of which were of mollusk (31 species), polychaete (20 species), and crustacean (14 species). The species number in A, B, C, D, and E was 26, 33, 35, 38, and 31, respectively. According to their food preferences, the macrozoobenthos were classified into 4 functional groups, i. e., planktonphagous, carnivorous, omnivorous, and detritivorous. The percentage of the species number of each functional group in the total species number of macrozoobenthos was in the order of carnivorous > planktophagous > detritivorous > omnivorous. Carnivorous group had the highest species diversity index, while omnivorous group had the lowest one. Overall, the species richness index, evenness index, and species diversity index were higher in mid tidal zone and lower in high and low tidal zones. The present study showed that the distribution of macrozoobenthos functional groups varied with the environment of tidal zones, being an integrative reflection of their habitat conditions.

Objective: To study the difference of Han female adolescent bone development in Henan and Zhejiang province., Methods: All radiography including sternal end of clavicle and six main bone joints were taken from 599 female adolescents with age between 12 to 19 in Henan and Zhejiang province. Twenty four skeletal development indexes were analyzed based on "The Grading Standards" of skeletal growth of teenagers and then the bone age were calculated using mathematical model functions. The ratios of the bone age and the chronological age were analyzed by statistical software., Results: The development of Henan female adolescents' skeleton was about 0.39 years earlier than that in Zhejiang at the age of 14-15 years old. The development of Henan female adolescents' skeleton was about 0.37 years later than that in Zhejiang at the age of 15-16 years old. The development of Henan female adolescents' skeleton was about 0.38 years later than that in Zhejiang at the age of 18-19 years old. There was no statistics significance in other age group., Conclusion: The female adolescent bone development in Henan province is faster at earlier stage and then slower than that in Zhejiang province. The results provide potential value for the forensic medicine, anthropology and clinical medicine.

Objective: According to the features of epiphyseal development of knee and ankle joints in male and female teenagers, the trend of epiphyseal development was analyzed and the possibility of its application in age estimation was discussed., Methods: Firstly, radiographs of adem position were taken from both sides of knee and ankle joints from 1709 individuals from Eastern China, Central China, and Southern China (Age: 11-21 years old). Secondly, 5 osteal loci were selected as bone age markers from the two joints. Thirdly, characteristics of epiphyseal development were observed systematically and comprehensively. Fourthly, the proportions of "epiphyseal fusion" in different age groups were calculated, and confirmed the numbers of people which were included by epiphyseal fusion of knee and ankle joints. Finally, age range of each epiphyseal fusion was calculated by mathematical statistical analysis., Results: Compared with the data of 1960s', the age of 5 epiphyseal fusions was earlier about 2-3 years. However, the results were basically the same as the recent studies., Conclusion: The data on the time of epiphyseal fusion were updated. It is important to determine the accuracy in age estimation in male and female teenagers.

Bipartite patella is uncommon in clinical medicine. It is formed by two or more ossification centers It is repeatedly misdiagnosed as patellar fracture in clinical practice. which do not fused in adolescence. In order to elevate the recognition of imaging signs of bipartite patella and to avoid the fault in medicolegal expertise testimony, three cases of bipartite patella were analyzed in combination of literature review, and the possible causes, histological changes, imaging signs, and clinical manifestation of bipartite patella were also discussed. The three cases concerned were all adults, two male and one female. They all felt pain after knee joint injury and were diagnosed as patellar fracture in medical institutions. Two cases were appraised on the degree of injury and one was on the degree of disability. According to Saupe's grouping, two cases were group III, and one was group II and III. In the practice of medicolegal expertise testimony, recognizing imaging signs of bipartite patella could provide more rigorous and objective conclusion.

Age estimation by the measurement method is to get the data such as the length, width, thickness, area of the ossification center, transverse diameter of the metaphysis, transverse diameter of osteoepiphysis, width of the epiphyseal line and the ratio between the diaph and the epiphyseal, by measuring the different bones of human in different ages with the radiological technology and to explore the relationship between these data and the life age by statistics. According to the relationships the personal life age may be estimated. In this article the measurement methods above mentioned and its application in age estimation were reviewed.

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Choerospondias axillaries., Methods: All compounds were isolated and purified by normal column chromatograph, paper thin layer chromatograph and sephadex chromatograph, the chemical strucures were mainly elucidated by ESI-MS and NMR spectra., Results: seven compouds were isolated from the Choerospondias axillaries and as following: beta-sitostero (I), hexadecanoic acid (II), correctitude fourty-two alkyl acid (III), daucosterol (IV), quercetin (V), rutinum (VI), lueolin-3'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VII)., Conclusion: Compounds II, III, V, VII are isolated from this plant for the first time.

There are irreversible eyeball structural changes in high myopic patients. These changes include axial length, corneal radius, anterior chamber depth, fundus degeneration, macula thickness, etc. There is a close relationship between the damage degree of visual function and these changes. The incidence of complications, such as vitreous opacity, posterior vitreous detachment, cataract, glaucoma, posterior staphyloma and retina detachment, is also highly related to the myopia diopter. More and more researches have indicated that the myopia diopter and the level of visual function are affected by multiple factors. It is promising to detect all of these changes by different kinds of methods, and to assess visual function through these changes. By clarifying these changes, it is also useful to distinguish traumatic damage from disease to provide evidence for forensic assessment of eye injuries.

Objective: To develop medicolegal expertise standard to assess skeletal age of Chinese male adolescents by joint X-ray., Methods: Radiographs of male adolescent aged 11 to 20 years were obtained in Southern, Central, and Eastern China. The bone development process were graded according to morphology characteristics in radiograph based on the appearance of secondary ossification centers and the arrest of epiphysises. All statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS and SAS., Results: Most indexes were correlated to age. Optimization multiple regression equation was created to estimate age of adolescent. Discriminatory equations were established to distinguish the age of 14, 16 or 18 years., Conclusion: More anatomical site evaluation and more index application can improve the accuracy rate. The methods can be used in age determination by skeleton in Chinese male adolescents.

Objective: To establish mathematical models which are used to assess bone age of living subjects in Chinese Han female teenagers., Methods: Radiographs were taken from 838 normal Chinese female subjects aged from 11 to 20 years old including sternal end of clavical and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints,which were from Middle China, South China and East China. Then read and grade the 24 osteal loci in accordance with the grading criteria of skeletal growth of teenagers. Meanwhile, the influencing factors such as: height, body mass and location are all taken into account. To explore the associativity between each index and chronological age, all the statistic procedures were finished by SAS 8.1 and SPSS 11.0., Results: To construct several combining multiple regression mathematical models that use the arrested extent of epiphysis of sternal end of clavical and six joints to assess the chronological age of living subjects in Chinese Han female teenagers, and establish some Fisher's discriminatory analysis equations which are used to determine whether the chronological age of Chinese Han female teenagers has been to 14, 16 and 18 years old or not., Conclusion: These mathematical models which used to assess the age of living subjects has profused the methods of forensic bone age identification of living subjects. It also made the methods and conclusions much more scientific and accurate.

Objective: To establish staging criteria for teenager's skeletal growth by examining osteoarticular X-rays., Methods: Review publications on skeletal growth staging systems by domestic and overseas authorities. Abided by the staging principles on theory of cartilage epiphyseal growth and X-ray images of skeletal growth, X-ray imaging characteristics were studied through three hundred male and female teenagers epiphyseal growth of both sternal ends of clavicle and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints transversally and longitudinally. The subjects were from 11 to 20 years old, selected from Henan, Hainan and Zhejiang province in China. Twenty-four skeletal growth indexes were selected closely related to age., Results: Based on regular changing characteristics of epiphyseal growth at different joints, 24 skeletal development indexes were divided into 2 to 8 stages. The stage number of different indexes of the single joint were similar. It was shown that the time of different epiphyseal growth in identical joints had isochromism., Conclusion: These staging criteria have merits of extensive skeletal growth indexes, and are applicable to wide age range with a strong maneuverability. It provides a favorable fundamental platform for forensic evaluating skeletal age in living subjects in China.

The traditional methods of skeletal age estimation mainly include Numeration, Atlas, and Counting scores. In recent years, other new methods were proposed by several scholars. Utilizing image logical characteristics of X-ray film to extrapolate skeletal age is a key means by present forensic medicine workers in evaluating skeletal age. However, there exist some variations when we present the conclusion of skeletal age as an "evidence" directly to the Justice Trial Authority. In order to enhance the accuracy of skeletal age determination, further investigation for appropriate methodology should be undertaken. After a collective study of pertinent domestic and international literatures, we present this review of the research and advancement on skeletal age evaluation methods of X-ray film.