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Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a life-threatening syndrome with rapid progression. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic score to predict the onset of ACLF in hepatitis B virus (HBV) etiology. The prospective clinical data of 1373 patients with acute deterioration of HBV-related chronic liver disease were used to identify clinical characteristics and develop a prognostic score for the onset of ACLF. Of the patients assessed using the Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B (COSSH)–ACLF criteria, 903 patients with non-ACLF at admission (1 received transplantation at 5 days) were stratified: 71 with progression to ACLF and 831 without progression to ACLF at 7 days. Four predictors (total bilirubin, international normalized ratio, alanine aminotransferase, and ferritin) were associated significantly with ACLF onset at 7 days. The COSSH-onset-ACLF score was constituted as follows: (0.101 × ln [alanine aminotransferase] + 0.819 × ln [total bilirubin] + 2.820 × ln [international normalized ratio] + 0.016 × ln [ferritin]). The C-indexes of the new score for 7-/14-/28-day onset (0.928/0.925/0.913) were significantly higher than those of 5 other scores (Chronic Liver Failure Consortium ACLF development score/Model for End-stage Liver Disease score/Model for End-stage Liver Disease sodium score/COSSH-ACLF score/Chronic liver failure Consortium ACLF score; all P <.001). The improvement in predictive errors, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic, probability density function evaluation, and calibration curves of the new score showed the highest predictive value for ACLF onset at 7/14/28 days. Risk stratification of the new score showed 2 strata with high and low risk (≥6.3/<6.3) of ACLF onset. The external validation group further confirmed the earlier results. A new prognostic score based on 4 predictors can accurately predict the 7-/14-/28-day onset of ACLF in patients with acute deterioration of HBV-related chronic liver disease and might be used to guide clinical management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal control strategy refers to a mother's practices used to impel, inhibit, guide, or shape their children's behaviors during mother-child interaction. The present study examined control strategies used by Chinese urban mothers and how they associated with infants' cortisol trajectory and infant-mother cortisol synchrony during a separation task. Participants were 115 infant-mother dyads. Maternal control strategy was assessed during mother-infant free-play when the infants were 6 months (T1) and 1 year (T2) old. Salivary cortisol samples were collected from both infants and mothers during a stress-inducing task at T2. The results indicated that mothers most frequently adopted the moderate power control strategy, at both T1 and T2. T1 maternal low control strategy significantly predicted infants' cortisol response curve, namely infants of mothers who predominantly adopted a low power control strategy had a more dynamic reactivity and recovery in their cortisol response to the separation task. Positive cortisol synchrony was observed between mothers and infants during the separation stress condition. In addition, T2 maternal high power control strategy accounted for inter-individual variations in infant-mother cortisol synchrony, such that mothers who predominantly adopted a high power control strategy exhibited a heightened level of cortisol synchrony with their infants. Our findings suggest that targeted training in maternal control strategies could help mothers calibrate their infants' adrenocortical regulation. • Mothers used moderate control most frequently when infants were 6 months (T1) and 1 year (T2). • T1 maternal low control significantly predicted infants' cortisol response curve. • Mothers and infants showed positive cortisol synchrony across the separation stress condition. • T2 maternal high control explained individual variation in infant-mother cortisol synchrony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined injectable cell-laden microspheres and angiogenesis approaches are promising for functional vascularized endodontic regeneration. However, advanced microsphere designs and production techniques that benefit practical applications are rarely developed. Herein, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-alginate core-shell microcapsules were fabricated to co-encapsulate human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) based on a coaxial electrostatic microdroplet technique. This technique enables high-throughput production, convenient collection, and minimal material waste. The average diameter of core-shell microcapsules was ∼359 µm, and that of GelMA cores was ∼278 µm. There were higher proliferation rates for hDPSCs and HUVECs co-encapsulated in the GelMA cores than for hDPSCs or HUVECs monoculture group. HUVECs assembled to form 3D capillary-like networks in co-culture microcapsules. Moreover, HUVECs promoted the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs in microcapsules. After 14 days of cultivation, prevascularized microtissues formed in microcapsules that contained abundant deposited extracellular matrix (ECM); no microcapsule aggregation occurred. In vivo studies confirmed that better microvessel formation and pulp-like tissue regeneration occurred in the co-culture group than in hDPSCs group. Thus, an effective platform for prevascularization microtissue preparation was proposed and showed great promise in endodontic regeneration and tissue engineering applications. Cell-laden microspheres combined with the proangiogenesis approach are promising in endodontic regeneration. We proposed GelMA-alginate core-shell microcapsules generated via the coaxial electrostatic microdroplet (CEM) method, which utilizes a double-lumen needle to allow for core-shell structures to form. The microcapsules were used for co-culturing hDPSCs and HUVECs to harvest large amounts of prevascularized microtissues, which further showed improved vascularization and pulp-like tissue regeneration in vivo. This CEM method and the microcapsule system have advantages of high-throughput generation, convenient collection, and avoid aggregation during long-term culturing. We proposed a high-effective platform for mass production of prevascularized microtissues, which exhibit great promise in the clinical transformation of endodontic regeneration and other applications in regenerative medicine. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Energetic sea ice drift occurs under negative phase of Arctic Oscillation with positive phase of Arctic Dipole. • Wind-ice stress dominates ice floes away from islands and continents. • Balance exists between internal ice stress and sea surface height gradient in thick multiyear ice zone. By analyzing an Arctic ice-ocean coupled simulation, we study the linkage between wintertime sea ice drift and atmospheric circulation, and interpret the driving force terms in the sea ice dynamic equation. Sea ice drift anomaly is featured by an anticyclonic (cyclonic) gyre when regulated by negative (positive) phase of Arctic Oscillation with positive (negative) phase of Arctic Dipole, and a quasi-meridional stream from Chukchi-Beaufort (Barents-Kara) Seas to Barents-Kara (Chukchi-Beaufort) Seas when regulated by positive (negative) phase of Arctic Oscillation with positive (negative) phase of Arctic Dipole. Sea ice drift anomaly, when regulated by the mode alone, resembles spatial pattern of leading atmospheric mode. Decomposing sea ice dynamical equation shows that wind-ice stress dominates sea ice drift in areas away from islands and continental coastlines, ocean-ice stress acts as a resistant power to partly cancel the wind-ice stress in these areas, while in the coastal areas such as the thick multiyear ice zone north of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, the wind-ice and ocean-ice stresses are small, the balance exists between sea surface height potential gradient and internal ice stress divergence. Developing more sophisticated internal ice stress expression in ice model is of great important to correctly project future sea ice change for the ice modeling community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to determine the efficacy of pre-emptive antifibrinolysis with tranexamic acid (TXA) in decreasing hidden blood loss (HBL) in the elderly hip fracture patients.Methods: Ninety-six elderly hip fracture patients receiving hip arthroplasty were randomized to receive 100 mL of normal saline (group A) or 1.5 g of TXA (group B) intravenously q12 hours from postadmission day 1 (PAD1) to the day before surgery. Both groups were treated with 1.5 g of TXA q12 hours from postoperative day 1 (POD1) to POD3. HBL was calculated by formulas and recorded as the primary outcome.Results: In overall analyses, no difference was found in HBL, while the decline of hemoglobin (ΔHb), allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) rate, fibrinogen degradation product (FDP-on PAD2, PAD3, POD1, and POD2), and d-dimer (D-D-on PAD2, PAD3, and POD1) were lower in group B. In subgroup analyses for patients receiving intervention within 72 hours of injury, group B had lower postoperative HBL, ΔHb, ABT rate, FDP, and D-D levels (on PAD2, PAD3, POD1, and POD2). For patients receiving intervention over 72 hours after injury, no difference was detected in perioperative HBL, ΔHb, and ABT rate between the 2 groups. The FDP and D-D levels were lower in group B on PAD2 and PAD3. No difference was found in coagulation parameters, wound complications, venous thromboembolism rate, and 90-day mortality in all analyses.Conclusion: Early administration (within 72 hours of injury) of multidose of TXA is effective in reducing perioperative HBL in elderly hip fracture patients. Delayed use (over 72 hours after injury) of TXA was not beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early determination of the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is important to guide clinical management and decrease mortality. The aim of this study was to develop a new simplified prognostic score to accurately predict outcomes in patients with HBV-ACLF. Prospective clinical data from 2,409 hospitalized patients with acute deterioration of HBV-related chronic liver disease were used to develop a new prognostic score that was validated in an external group. A total of 954 enrolled patients with HBV-ACLF were diagnosed based on the Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B-ACLF (COSSH-ACLF) criteria. Six predictive factors were significantly related to 28-day mortality and constituted a new prognostic score (=1.649×ln(international normalized ratio)+0.457×hepatic encephalopathy score+0.425×ln(neutrophil)+0.396×ln(total bilirubin)+0.576×ln(serum urea)+0.033×age). The C-indices of the new score for 28-/90-day mortality (0.826/0.809) were significantly higher than those of 4 other scores (COSSH-ACLF, 0.793/0.784; CLIF-C ACLF, 0.792/0.770; MELD, 0.731/0.727; MELD-Na, 0.730/0.726; all p <0.05). The prediction error rates of the new score for 28-day mortality were significantly lower than those of the 4 other scores: COSSH-ACLF (15.9%), CLIF-C ACLF (16.3%), MELD (35.3%) and MELD-Na (35.6%). The probability density function evaluation and risk stratification of the new score also showed the highest predictive values for mortality. These results were then validated in an external cohort. A new prognostic score based on 6 predictors, without an assessment of organ failure, can accurately predict short-term mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF and might be used to guide clinical management. Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a complex syndrome that is associated with a high short-term mortality rate. We developed a simplified prognostic score for patients suffering from this condition based on a prospective multicentre cohort. This new score had better predictive ability than 4 other commonly used scores. [Display omitted] • We developed a new prognostic COSSH-ACLF II score based on 6 predictors from a large cohort. • This score simplifies triage and can be used to stratify patients with HBV-ACLF based on their short-term mortality risk. • The new score has improved prognostic accuracy and sensitivity for patients with HBV-ACLF. • This score could be used to guide clinical management and reduce the currently unacceptable mortality rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica is an important natural bioactive substance, and low molecular weight fucoidan (L-F) obtained by hydrothermal degradation exhibits better bioavailability. However, the anti-obesity effect of Laminaria japonica fucoidan (FUC) and whether hydrothermal degradation could enhance its activity remained uncertain. The related indicators were therefore determined and compared. According to the results, the molecular weight and glucuronic acid content of FUC were significantly reduced after degradation. Animal experiment results showed that oral administration of 300 mg/kg FUC effectively reduced body weights and serum lipid levels, while these effects of L-F were diminished. Changes in the expression levels of hepatic gene expression showed that FUC inhibited fatty acid synthesis via down-regulation expression of SREBP-1c and FAS, and promoted cholesterol consumption via up-regulation of CYP7A1 and CYP27A1. However, L-F had no significant effect on SREBP-1c and FAS. FUC and L-F also had regulatory effects on gut microbiota, but there were some differences in their specific effects. FUC improved lipid metabolism by regulating gut microbiota such as Colidextribacter , Desulfovibrio and Colidextribacter , so as to play a role in reducing body weight. L-F had weaker regulatory effect on some fat formation related microbes, which resulted in its reduced anti-obesity effect. Summarily, FUC could ameliorate obesity and improve lipid metabolism disorders, but these activities were diminished after hydrothermal treatment, which may connect with the decarboxylation of glucuronic acid and the change in regulatory activity of gut microbiota. Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica ameliorated obesity by regulating lipid metabolism, but these effects were diminished after hydrothermal treatment, which may be caused by the decarboxylation of glucuronic acid and changes in regulatory activity of gut microbiota. [Display omitted] • Fucoidan from Laminaria japonica ameliorated obesity by improving lipid metabolism. • The glucuronic acid content of fucoidan decreased after hydrothermal treatment. • Degraded fucoidan had reduced activity due to changed effects on SREBP-1c/FAS. • Degraded fucoidan had weaker regulatory effect on fat formation related microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive research into lead-free ceramics to achieve excellent dielectric properties and good energy storage performance, the primary challenge of low energy density remains unresolved. Here, a relaxor ferroelectric (1- x)Ba 0.7 Sr 0.3 TiO 3 - x Bi(Mg 0.5 Ti 0.5)O 3 [(1- x)BST- x BMT] was designed and prepared using a solid-state method, where x = 0.05, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25. It revealed that the introduction of BMT reduces the average grain size, resulting in a decrease and broadening of the dielectric constant peaks. This modification enhanced the breakdown field strength (E b) of BST ceramics. An effective energy storage density of 2.44 J/cm³ and an energy storage efficiency of 76.25 % ware achieved in 0.80BST-0.20BMT ceramic at an electric field of 300 kV/cm. Furthermore, the recoverable energy density and energy efficiency of the 0.80BST-0.20BMT ceramic exhibited excellent frequency stability over a frequency from 5 Hz to 500 Hz. A power density (P D ∼16.06 MW/cm³) and a short discharge time (t 0.9 ∼0.95 μs) were demonstrated in 0.80BST-0.20BMT ceramic at 200 kV/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the "digital age", children have widespread access to electronic devices, potentially impacting inhibitory control (IC) development. We examined this association at both the behavioral and neural levels with two experiments. In Experiment 1, we assessed 188 participants (91 girls), averaging 37.74 months old, using maternal self-report questionnaire for screen time and Day-Night Task for IC measurement. In experiment 2, we evaluated 42 participants (24 girls), averaging 41.24 months old, using maternal self-report questionnaires for screen time, a modified version Flanker task for IC, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure neural activity during IC task. Results from Experiment 1 indicated a negative correlation between young children's screen media use time and IC, with high users performing worse IC performance than low users. Experiment 2 confirmed these findings and revealed marginally reduced activation in the left PFC among high users compared to low users, with a moderate effect size and weak supporting evidence. These preliminary results underscore a detrimental association between screen media use and IC, emphasizing the significance of restricting screen exposure in young children to prevent overexposure. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these results and draw causal conclusions. • Child screen media use time was negatively associated with inhibitory control. • High screen media user group (≥1 h/day) performance worse during inhibitory control task than low user group (<1 h/day). • High screen media user group had marginally lower activation in the PFC than the low user group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic liver fibrosis (ALF) is a reversible pathological change in the liver caused by chronic alcohol consumption and is associated with the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Recent findings suggest that niacin can lower triglyceride levels and exert potent antioxidant effects in liver damage. However, the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of niacin in liver fibrosis remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of niacin in ALF using in vivo and in vitro experiments. To establish a murine model of ALF, male C57BL/6N mice were fed a Lieber–DeCarli liquid diet containing 4 % (vol/vol) ethanol and injected with carbon tetrachloride twice weekly (2 mL/kg) for 8 weeks. L-02 and LX2 cells were treated with 400 μM acetaldehyde for 24 h to establish an in vitro ALF model. Serum parameters were examined to investigate the protective effects of niacin against ALF, and network pharmacology was used to identify potential targets and pathways of niacin. Niacin protects against ALF by suppressing the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase. Additionally, niacin treatment ameliorated liver fibrosis by improving the antioxidant system, inhibiting heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) activation, promoting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) ubiquitination, and suppressing the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. Collectively, this study provides experimental evidence that niacin protects against ALF by downregulating the HSP90/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors can contribute to the fracture of femoral neck, nutritional condition appears play a key role. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional condition and femoral neck fracture in an elderly population. A cross-sectional study was carried out among patients aged 55 years old or older, with or without femoral neck fracture. The study sample included 82 newly femoral neck fractured hospitalized patients as experimental group and 106 non-fracture out-patients as control group. Prealbumin, albumin and hemoglobin were evaluated in both femoral neck fracture group and control group. Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA) were used to analyze the body composition. Appendicular Lean Mass (aLM) and Fat Mass (FM) were analyzed in different age grade, Percentage of Body Fat (PBF) was analyzed according to Body Mass Index (BMI) level. Eight-two (male 29, female 53) patients older than 55 years old with femoral neck fracture and 106 (male 43, female 63) orthopaedic out-patients were included in this study. Albumin, prealbumin and hemoglobin in the femoral neck fracture group are significantly lower than the control group. According to the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS), the prevalence of sarcopenia in femoral neck fracture group is much higher than in the control group. As for the FM analysis, although the fat mass index in the control group is higher than that in femoral neck fracture group, we did not find any differences in terms of PBF analysis. Malnutrition contributes to the development of femoral neck fracture, according to the BIA analysis, aLM, rather than FM is a protection factor for the older people to get rid of femoral neck fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Couples of multiparameter screening and compositional simulation are useful for site optimization for CO 2 -EOR and storage. • Miscible CO 2 flooding with one or two injection wells are the best operation for M10 reservoir. • Well pattern and bottom pressures of CO 2 injection control the mechanism and efficiency of CO 2 flooding. • HZ21-1 field has considerable potential for applying offshore CO 2 -EOR and CO 2 storage technology of Guangdong CCUS project. CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery (CO 2 -EOR) and storage is currently the most effective and economic technology for reducing CO 2 emissions from burning fossil fuels in large scale. This paper is the first effort of proposing a modelling assessment of CO 2 -EOR and storage in the HZ2-1 oilfield in the Pearl River Mouth Basin in northern South China Sea offshore Guangdong Province. We attempt to couple the multi-parameter dimensionless quick screening model and reservoir compositional simulation for optimization of site screen and injection simulation. Through the quick screening, the reservoirs are ranked by EOR dimensionless recovery R D , and by CO 2 storage in pore volume S CO2. Our results indicate that S CO2 is highly pressure dependent and not directly related to R D. Of these reservoirs, CO 2 -EOR and storage potential of the M10 was estimated through a compositional simulation as a case study based on a 3D geological model. Nine scenarios of CO 2 injection operations have been simulated for 20 years with different well patterns and injection pressures. The simulation results represent an obvious improvement in oil production by CO 2 flooding over No−CO 2 production. The best operation for M10 is miscible CO 2 flooding, which led to the higher recovery factors of 52%˜58% and CO 2 stored masses of 8.1×106˜10.8×106t. The optimum operation for CO 2 injection should be set well pattern in region of injector I1 and high injection pressure for miscible flooding. In a whole, the HZ21-1 field can be used as a candidate geological site for GDCCUS project. We are fully aware of the limitation in the primary modelling including reservoir and fluid properties and production history matching, and regard this study as a general and hypothetic proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Lufeng (LF) 2-1 structure, which is the largest anticlinal structure developed in the Zhu I depression of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, offers high-quality source-sink matching with onshore CO 2 emissions. In this paper, a 3D model using the TOUGH2/ECO2N tool was developed based on typical formation parameters obtained from a review of well and seismic structural data. Numerical results indicated that doubling the injection quantity does not result in a doubling of the CO 2 distribution, which suggests the presence of nonlinear variations between the two variables. The CO 2 plumes remain within the LF2-1 structural trap based on injection rates of either 1 Mt/y or 2 Mt/y. The maximum increase in formation pressure is less than 2 bars, which is 0.9% of the primary formation pressure. Therefore, the reservoir and seal properties of LF2-1 are optimal, which suggests that the prospect of injecting and storing a total of 40 Mt of CO 2 is good. Overall, the LF2-1 may be used as a suitable offshore site for large-scale storage of industrial CO 2 in deep saline aquifers. Additionally, the findings can guide site selection decisions in Guangdong Province for offshore CO 2 geological storage demonstrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triple-shape memory effect (triple-SME) in amorphous polymers arises from the heterogeneous glass transitions of different components. However, due to the complex composition and structural relaxation of triple-shape memory polymers (triple-SMPs), existing models struggle to characterize the shape memory temperature range for each component and its dependence on thermal history. This presents a challenge in developing a kinetic criterion to judge the occurrence of the triple-SME. To address this issue, we propose a kinetic phase transition model to predict the shape memory temperature range for each transition phase in triple-SMPs under different thermal histories. By combining the Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan (TNM) model with the Adam-Gibbs theory, the effect of cooling rate during programming on subsequent triple-SME is investigated. Subsequently, the effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated by applying it to predict the shape memory performance and thermomechanical behavior of SMPs with dual- and triple- SMEs under different thermal histories. Using this modeling strategy enables the calculation of the critical isothermal shape recovery time for each transition phase under different thermal histories, effectively preventing shape recovery overlap. Consequently, the proposed model is expected to provide theoretical guidance for designing SMPs with triple-SME and promoting their application in engineering. [Display omitted] • Propose a kinetic criterion for the triple-shape memory effect in amorphous polymers. • Build a kinetic phase transition model for heterogenous glass transitions in amorphous polymers. • Investigate the significant role of thermal history on the triple-shape memory behavior of amorphous polymers. • Compare the model with two set of experiments under different thermal histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims The Potential benefits and possible risks of perioperative supplementation with probiotics/synbiotics in surgical patients are not fully understood. Recent evidence has rapidly evolved and conveys conflicting results. Thus, we undertook a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to valuate the effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness and quality of life of perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library through October 2015 to identify RCTs that assessed the effects of perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics in surgical patients. The predefined primary efficacy outcome was surgical site infection (SSI). Random-effects model was applied to pool outcome data accounting for clinical heterogeneity. Results Our meta-analysis included data from 34 trials comprising 2634 participants, of whom 1300 received perioperative pro-/synbiotics intervention and 1334 received valid control treatment. Compared with the control group, patients in the pro-/synbiotics group had a lower risk of SSI (relative risk: 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 0.84; P = 0.0007). Trial sequential analysis confirmed the evidence was sufficient and conclusive. Subgroup analyses indicated the findings were consistent in all subgroup analyses except for the probiotics, enteral feeding, pre-/postoperative and live transplantation subgroups. Pro-/synbiotics also reduced the incidence of other infectious complications (including any infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, wound infection and sepsis); shortened antibiotic therapy, intensive care unit stay and hospital stay; and promoted earlier first defecation and first bowel movement. Pro-/synbiotics further reduced the incidence of abdominal side effects, lowered hospital costs and improved the Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life. Conclusions For surgical patients, perioperative supplementation with pro-/synbiotics is effective in preventing or controlling SSI and other infectious complications. Perioperative pro-/synbiotics might also be associated with fewer side effects, lower hospital cost and better quality of life. Current evidence indicated that perioperative synbiotics supplementation is preferred and recommended as an adjunct in surgical patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic regional planning is an important step towards a successful CCUS development. This paper is the first effort of proposing a development plan of offshore CO 2 storage and transport for Guangdong in 2030 and 2050. We attempt to make an ambitious and achievable plan. The cluster-hub model of sources and sinks is adopted, and reuse of existing infrastructures is preferred. The targets of CCUS in Guangdong by 2050 are approximately 8% of the CCS targets that proposed for entire China (ADB, 2015), except a smaller target of 2050. The dual-phase and dual-track approach of ADB’s roadmap is followed. The CCUS phase I before 2030 is characterized by the capture of high-purity CO 2 from petrochemical industry and the storage of CO 2 mainly related to CO 2 -EOR. The target of ∼3 Mtpa CCUS in 2030 will be achieved by source-sink match A1. The phase II from 2030 to 2050 is characterized by a wider deployment of CCUS. The target of CCUS in Guangdong is ∼35 Mtpa in 2040 and ∼110 Mtpa in 2050, leading to the cumulative CO 2 avoidance of ∼187 MtCO 2 for 2031–2040 and ∼730 MtCO 2 for 2041–2050. Four source-sink matches are proposed for this phase, including the storage clusters in the Pearl River Mouth Basin and in the Beibuwan Basin in the northern South China Sea. Research with sufficient lead time to support the phased CCUS development is proposed, including databases, feasibility studies, technique R&D, cost estimation, and optimized system design. We are fully aware of the large uncertainty in the years ahead, and regard this planning as a highly general and hypothetic proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To generate new wheat breeding lines, ultra-high pressure (UHP) (using castor oil as the medium) was used to induce mutant lines from the wheat variety ‘Yanzhan 4110′. Three high-yielding mutant lines (Gaoya 2, Gaoya 3 and Gaoya 9) were selected from 1580 mutants induced by UHP and were evaluated for agronomic and photosynthesis-related traits in this study. Our results showed that these mutant lines retained higher grain yield than Yanzhan 4110 and exhibited higher biomass and harvest index, significantly higher plant height, spikelet numbers per spike and higher kernel numbers per spike but similar or lower thousand-kernel weight (α = 0.05). The reading of relative leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) and photosynthetic traits of the high-yielding mutant lines varied to different degrees. The mutant lines had higher SPAD and higher stomatal conductance (Gs) than Yanzhan 4110 at two grain-filling stages. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), apparent mesophyll conductance, Gs and transpiration rate (Tr) of Gaoya 2 were significantly higher than those of Yanzhan 4110 at the mid grain-filling stage (GF-2) (α = 0.05). The decreases in SPAD, Pn, Gs, transpiration efficiency (TE) and Tr in the high-yielding mutant lines were smaller than those in Yanzhan 4110 during the early grain-filling stage (GF-1) and GF-2. Fluorescence parameters, including F0, Fm, Fv, Fv/F0, and Fv/Fm, were higher in the three high-yielding mutant lines, while qN was significantly lower at GF-1 and GF-2 compared with those in Yanzhan 4110 (α = 0.05). Higher qP and ΦPSII values were also observed in the three high-yielding mutant lines. These results indicate that wheat mutations induced by UHP exhibited high yield, improved photosynthetic efficiency, decreased thermal dissipation and altered photoinhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although executive function (EF) is widely considered crucial to several aspects of life, the mechanisms underlying EF development remain largely unexplored, especially for infants. From a behavioral or neurodevelopmental perspective, motor and general cognitive abilities are linked with EF. EF development is a multistage process that starts with sensorimotor interactive behaviors, which become basic cognitive abilities and, in turn, mature EF.Objectives: This study aims to examine how infant motor and general cognitive abilities are linked with their EF at 3 years of age. This work also aims to explore the potential processes of EF development from early movement.Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 96 infants (55 girls and 41 boys). The infants' motor and general cognitive abilities were assessed at 1 and 2 years of age with Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Second and Third Editions, respectively. Infants' EFs were assessed at 3 years of age with Working Memory Span task, Day-Night task, Wrapped Gift task, and modified Gift-in-Bag task.Results: Children with higher scores for cognitive ability at 2 years of age performed better in working memory, and children with higher scores for gross motor ability at 2 years performed better in cognitive inhibitory control (IC). Motor ability at 1 year and fine/gross motor ability at 2 years indirectly affected cognitive IC via general cognitive ability at 2 years and working memory.Conclusions: EF development is a multistage process that originates from physical movement to simple cognitive function, and then to complex cognitive function. Infants and toddlers can undergo targeted motor training to promote EF development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop irrigation which results in high water use efficiencies typically uses science-based irrigation scheduling tools to determine irrigation application timing and quantities. Although a large variety of sensors are available for measuring soil moisture status, there are a few easy-to-use irrigation scheduling tools which provide a yes/no irrigation decision or recommend how much water should be applied to return the soil profile to an optimal soil moisture condition. The work described here developed a method which uses soil water tension data from soil moisture sensors and the van Genuchten model to provide irrigation scheduling recommendations. The strength of the method is that it can use data readily available from USDA-NRCS soil surveys to predict soil water retention curves and calculate the volumetric water content and soil water tension of a soil at field capacity. Those parameters are then used to translate measured soil water tension into irrigation recommendations which are specific to the soil moisture status of the soil. The method was validated by comparing its results to other published methods and with continuous soil water tension data with multiple wetting and drying cycles from six fields in southern Georgia, USA. Finally, the model was incorporated into a web-based irrigation scheduling tool and used in conjunction with a wireless soil moisture sensing system to schedule irrigation in a large commercial field during 2015. By the van Genuchten model, we used about two thirds of the irrigation water and produced about the same yields as a commonly used yes/no irrigation decision tool. The presented method can be used to build resiliency to climate variability because it provides growers with data which they can use to make informed decisions about managing their water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]