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Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a widely planted perennial legume forage plant with excellent quality and high yield. In production, it is very important to determine alfalfa growth dynamics and forage yield in a timely and accurate manner. This study focused on inverse algorithms for predicting alfalfa forage yield in large-scale alfalfa production. We carried out forage yield and aboveground biomass (AGB) field surveys at different times in 2022. The correlations among the reflectance of different satellite remote sensing bands, vegetation indices, and alfalfa forage yield/AGB were analyzed, additionally the suitable bands and vegetation indices for alfalfa forage yield inversion algorithms were screened, and the performance of the statistical models and machine learning (ML) algorithms for alfalfa forage yield inversion were comparatively analyzed. The results showed that (1) regarding different harvest times, the alfalfa forage yield inversion model for first-harvest alfalfa had relatively large differences in growth, and the simulation accuracy of the alfalfa forage yield inversion model was higher than that for the other harvest times, with the growth of the second- and third-harvest alfalfa being more homogeneous and the simulation accuracy of the forage yield inversion model being relatively low. (2) In the alfalfa forage yield inversion model based on a single parameter, the moisture-related vegetation indices, such as the global vegetation moisture index (GVMI), normalized difference water index (NDWI) and normalized difference infrared index (NDII), had higher coefficients of correlation with alfalfa forage yield/AGB, and the coefficients of correlation R2 values for the first-harvest alfalfa were greater than 0.50, with the NDWI correlation being the best with an R2 value of 0.60. (3) For the alfalfa forage yield inversion model constructed with vegetation indices and band reflectance as multiparameter variables, the random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) simulation accuracy was higher than that of the alfalfa forage yield inversion model based on a single parameter; the first-harvest alfalfa R2 values based on the multiparameter RF and SVM models were both 0.65, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) were 329.74 g/m2 and 332.32 g/m2, and the biases were −0.47 g/m2 and −2.24 g/m2, respectively. The vegetation indices related to plant water content can be considered using a single parameter inversion model for alfalfa forage yield, the vegetation indices and band reflectance can be considered using a multiparameter inversion model for alfalfa forage yield, and ML algorithms are also an optimal choice. The findings in this study can provide technical support for the effective and strategic production management of large-scale alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding long-term seasonal and interannual patterns of soil respiration with their controls is essential for accurately quantifying carbon fluxes at a regional scale. During the period from 2009 to 2014, an automatic measurement system (LI-8150, Licor Ldt., Lincoln, NE, USA) was employed for the measurement of soil respiration in a meadow steppe of eastern Inner Mongolia. We found that the seasonal pattern of soil respiration was controlled mainly by the soil temperature, which explained about 82.19% of the variance. Annual soil respiration varied between 391.4 g cm−2 and 597.7 g cm−2, and significantly correlated with soil moisture, suggesting that soil moisture was the most predominant factor controlling the annual variations of soil respiration in this meadow steppe. A double factorial exponential model including both soil temperature (TS) and soil water content (SWC) (y = 6.084 × exp(0.098 TS × SWC) − 5.636) explains 72.2% of the overall variance in soil respiration. We also detected a temporal inconsistency of 2–3 months in the effects of precipitation on soil respiration versus canopy biomass production, which was presumably a main mechanism explaining the weak relationships between soil respiration and phytomass components in this ecosystem. Our findings have important implications for better understanding and accurately assessing the carbon cycling characteristics of terrestrial ecosystems in response to climate change in a temporal perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is widely known that the foundation color gradually changes over time after applying the makeup, no scientific clues are available, thereby remaining the "darkening" phenomenon equivocal. This study measured the discoloration of liquid foundations and suggested indices to describe the discoloration over time. Four liquid foundations were applied to opacity charts with a thickness of 100 μm, the surface color was obtained using a non‐contact spectrophotometer, and reported in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space. A long‐term measurement for 24 hours was conducted in that the initial 2 hours were measured with a 60‐second interval. The discoloration was observed as the decrease of both lightness and hue angle (h* of CIE L*C*h*) of liquid foundation over time. Different degrees and speed of color change were observed across the four foundations. Also, the discoloration was tested on three healthy human skins in 2‐hour intervals in repeated measurements. Positive correlations in changes of lightness and hue were found among the opacity charts and human skin. Furthermore, the study suggests indices, "Dt" and "TΔE" to describe the quantitative amount of discoloration over time and time duration of discoloration, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the chest CT patterns of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) and infections within 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) in pediatric recipients to help hematologist make definitive diagnosis as early as possible. Methods: A total of 143 pediatric recipients from January 2015 to June 2019 who were diagnosed pulmonary aGVHD or infections within 100 days after allo‐HSCT were enrolled in this study. Two observers evaluated the extent and distribution (unilateral, bilateral) of the CT patterns. The patterns were then classified as ground‐glass opacity (GGO) (localized, patchy, diffuse), consolidation (localized, patchy, diffuse), reticulation (localized, patchy, diffuse), nodules (localized, multiple), bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, air trapping, tree‐in‐bud sign, and pneumomediastinum. The onset time and radiological patterns of the two cohorts were statistically compared. Results: The mean onset time of aGVHD (n = 85) and infections group (viral n = 29, bacterial n = 22, fungal n = 7, total n = 58) was 36.89 ± 24.34 (range, 10‐99 days) and 23.48 ± 20.65 days (range, 4‐94 days) with a significant difference (P =.001). The top three underlying diseases were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n = 49, 57.6%); acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (n = 24, 28.2%); and aplastic anemia (AA) (7.1%) in aGVHD group and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) (n = 33, 56.9%); AA (n = 9, 15.5%); and ALL (n = 6, 10.3) in infection group. GGO (41.2%) in aGVHD prevailed on CT, whereas GGO (53.4%) and consolidations (43.1%) were more prevalent in infections. The distribution of GGO showed more diffuse in aGVHD (P =.031) and symmetric while patchier GGO prefers infections (P <.001). No differences were found in the reticulation. Nodules were more common in infections (P =.004) while pleural effusion was more common in aGVHD group (P <.035). Conclusion: Imaging patterns of aGVHD on CT differ substantially from that of infections. Physicians and radiologists should be aware of such radiological differences in order to give accurate treatment. Notably, definite diagnosis should be made in combination with clinical manifestations, signs, and laboratory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Currarino syndrome (CS) is characterized by the triad of sacral anomalies, presacral tumor, and anorectal malformation (ARM). This study evaluates the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) for CS. Materials and Methods: Children admitted for primary or redo repair of CS through LAARP between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. The indication of redo included constipation with megarectosigmoid, residual presacral mass, anastomosis leak, and secondary fistula. ARM was corrected by excision of rectal stenosis, fistula, and its associated megarectosigmoid. This was followed by a complete surgical resection of the presacral tumor, with subsequent pull-through and anocolic anastomosis. This was done with a combined laparoscopic and transanal approach. The detailed surgical techniques, early postoperative complications, and mid-term functional outcomes were summarized. Results: Fourteen patients underwent LAARP for primary (N = 4) and redo (N = 10) repair of CS. Four of them had colostomy previously. Mean age at operation was 20.7 ± 13.9 months. Mean operative time was 120 ± 25 minutes. Median hospital stay was 8 days (range 7-9 days) postoperatively. None of the patients developed early postoperative complications such as anastomotic leaks, presacral abscesses, recurrent fistulas, and residual mass. Bowel function was assessed 1 year after LAARP in 10 patients. Mean follow-up time was 15.9 months. The frequency of bowel movements was 3.3 ± 1.5/day. Constipation occurred in 2 patients. Occasional soiling (<3 times/week) was reported in 4 patients and frequent soiling (>3 times/week) was in 1. Conclusion: LAARP for CS is safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind erosion is a key process that causes soil degradation in the semiarid steppe regions of northern China. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the changes in dry aggregate distribution and nutrients in steppe soils under continuously varying wind erosion intensity. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to explore the different responses of three steppe soils to natural windblown treatments and (2) to quantify the changes in soil dry aggregate distribution, particle size distribution and soil nutrient contents under various wind erosion intensities for three steppe soils. We obtained samples of the following soils subjected to varying wind intensity via a natural windblown treatment: meadow steppe (MS), typical steppe (TS) and desert steppe (DS). Then, the physical and chemical properties of all soil samples were measured. The results showed that dry aggregate fractions <0.2 mm were selectively depleted by wind erosion and exhibited an exponential decrease in the residual soils with increasing wind erosion intensity. The organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen and available nitrogen in the three soils and the total phosphorous and available potassium in the TS and DS soils showed exponential decreases with increasing wind erosion intensity. The higher amounts of OC and nutrients were associated with fine dry aggregates (<0.2 mm), and fine dry aggregates were preferentially depleted by wind erosion, providing a mechanism for nutrient depletion caused by wind erosion. Finally, we established a comprehensive conceptual model of fine soil aggregate/particle depletion by wind erosion and subsequent nutrient depletion due to anthropogenic disturbances in temperate steppe areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The largest natural distribution of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) in China is in Hulunber, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The Mongolian pine growing on sandy land has been very important for building green ecological shelters in northern China, and its spatial distribution and dynamic variation were the basis for optimizing the layout. The distribution of Mongolian pine from 1985 to 2015 was obtained in the study area. The results showed that the non-growing season is more conducive to classifying Mongolian pine in the study area. Mongolian pine was mainly distributed in a long north-south-oriented strip, and the distribution area increased from 704.84 km2 in 1985 to 1309.74 km2 in 2015. Large spatial variations in Mongolian pine occurred in Ewenki Autonomous Banner and Xin Barag Left Banner, but the characteristics of the change differed among different time periods. The area mainly increased from 1985 to 1995 and from 2005 to 2015 but decreased from 1995 to 2005. The spatial pattern of Mongolian pine changed significantly between 1985 and the other years, the overall fragmentation of the population decreased and human activity gradually increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to summarize the manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of childhood brucellosis in non-epidemic areas of China. A retrospective review of 16 admitted children patients with brucella's disease who were diagnosed of brucellosis during the period from 2011 to 2016 was performed. Diagnostic criteria, clinical presentations, and outcomes were recorded. The most common symptom was fever. Osteoarticular involvement was found in 50% of the patients. They were infected by contacting with infected animals or consuming of unpasteurized milk or meat of sheep or goats, also. Standard agglutination test was positive in all patients and blood culture in 10 (62.5%) patients as well as medulloculture in 3 (18.8%) patients were positive. A combination of antibiotic treatment with rifampin plus cotrimoxazole showed good response and all clinical manifestations improved. Brucellosis is misdiagnosed frequently and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when patients do not respond to standard treatment. Blood culture, together with brucella serology test, is important and helpful in the diagnosis. MRI is a good method in differentiating those with symptoms of arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message Mowat-Wilson syndrome ( MWS) is a complex developmental disorder. We report the first prenatal diagnosis provided for a family in mainland China after identifying the causal mutation for the proband. Special focus on MWS-related organs during prenatal ultrasound scan is described which is extremely important for genetic counseling of parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wind erosion and sand storms are common phenomena in semiarid steppes of northern China and could have important impact on soil nutrient balances. Vegetation coverage is one of the key factors influencing wind erosion and aeolian dust accumulation. We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of vegetation coverage on airborne dust accumulation and evaluated effects of dust input on the contribution of nutrients to vegetation-mulched fields. Five vegetation coverage treatments (15%, 35%, 55%, 75% and 95%) were constructed, with 0% coverage as a control. Vegetation coverage significantly affected dust accumulation in degenerated semiarid grasslands. The amounts of dust trapped by the increasing coverages were 1.7, 1.8, 2.0, 2.1 and 2.1 times of that by the control plot, respectively. The total accumulations reached a maximum of 2.5gm−2 day−1 at 75% coverage and remained stable with further increasing vegetation coverage. The particles in the dust trapped by treatment without vegetation coverage were significantly coarser than those by treatments with vegetation. In addition, the dust trapped by treatments with vegetation contained more organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content than that by the control plot. This finding indicates that areas with higher vegetation coverage can obtain more nutrients by trapping airborne dust in semiarid steppes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Shrubs enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity under grazed conditions, but no significant effect under ungrazed conditions. • Grazing reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity, but only in the interspaces. • Shrubs enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity through a greater mass of roots and a lower bulk density. • Shrub partially offset the suppressive effects of overgrazing on saturated hydraulic conductivity. Encroachment of woody plants has a positive effect on hydrological functions (e.g., infiltration), but few studies have examined the effects of shrub patches on infiltration under different grazing scenarios. We examined differences in characteristics of plants and soils and saturated hydraulic conductivity between shrubs and their associated interspaces in two grazing regimes at three sites in a semi-arid grassland encroached by Caragana microphylla , a leguminous N-fixing shrub. The results showed that the shrub patches had greater plant height, cover, and biomass compared to interspaces, and the shrubs positively affected the characteristics of soils such as porosity and water holding capacity, whereas grazing had a strong opposite effect. The effect of the relative interaction intensity (RII) of shrubs on the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil was greater under grazed (0.60) than ungrazed conditions (-0.01), and the negative effect of grazing was mainly achieved in interspaces. Generally, structural equation modeling revealed positive indirect effects of shrubs on saturated hydraulic conductivity via a greater root mass, with 3.5 times of that in interspaces and a lower bulk density (90% of that in interspaces) under conditions of overgrazing. Our findings highlight the critical role that shrubs play in maintaining infiltration under overgrazing conditions and suggest that they might partially offset the damaging effects of overgrazing on infiltration. Thus, shrub encroachment might be an adaptive mechanism of grassland ecosystems to encounter intensive human induced disturbance such as overgrazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing is one of the predominant human activities taking place today inside protected areas, with both direct and indirect effects on the vegetation community. We analyzed the effects of grazing intensity on grass composition during four grazing seasons containing 78 plant species belonging to eight plant functional groups, which include perennial tall grass (6 species), perennial short grass (6 species), shrubs (3 species), legumes (9 species), Liliaceae herb (8 species), annual/biennial plants (11 species), perennial short forbs (16 species) and perennial tall forbs (18 species). We estimated grazing intensity at four levels, control, light, moderate and heavy grazing intensity corresponding to 0.00, 0.23, 0.46 and 0.92 animal units ha−1, respectively. We found that each plant functional group showed a different response to grazing intensity. Perennial tall grasses that were dominated by high palatable mesophyte and mesoxerophyte grass showed a significant decrease with grazing intensity, while the medium palatable xerophyte and widespread grasses that were the predominant short perennial increases with grazing intensity. The perennial tall forbs that were dominated by the mesophyte grass also decreased, but the decrease was statistically insignificant. The influence of grazing density on species is also related to soil factors (soil nutrient, soil moisture and soil temperature and soil bulk density). Some functional groups such as tall fescue and Liliaceae herbs, remained stable—which may be related to the changes in the soil environment caused by grazing activities. The findings of this study could provide a standpoint for assessing the current grazing management scenarios and conducting timely adaptive practices to maintain the long-term ability of grassland systems to perform their ecological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: By retrospectively studying the chest computed tomography (CT) data of children with bronchial artery (BA)-pulmonary artery fistula, this study summarizes the characteristic imaging features of the disease and provides imaging support for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of these children., Methods: Digital subtraction angiography and CT angiography data were collected from 74 children with pulmonary hemorrhage following BA embolization. Bronchial-pulmonary shunt was present in 30 cases., Results: Of the 74 children with pulmonary hemorrhage in this study, seven exhibited signs of consolidation in the middle lobe of the right lung, and bronchial-pulmonary shunt existed in all of them. A total of 30 children with BA-pulmonary artery shunt (PAS) had BA tortuosity and thickening. Regarding primary BA-PAS, the middle lobe and lower lobe of the right lung were involved in 94.1% (16) of the children. Those with a fistula located in the middle lobe of the right lung accounted for 58.8% (10 cases), of which 40.0% (four cases) presented consolidation. In this study, 41.2% (seven) of the children with primary BA-PAS exhibited no abnormal changes on chest CT, and 58.8% (10 cases) exhibited abnormal changes in the unilateral lung., Conclusion: For children with pulmonary hemorrhage who have consolidation in the right middle lobe, the formation of BA-PAS should be anticipated. The possibility of primary BA-PAS should not be disregarded in children with pulmonary hemorrhage with tortuosity and dilation of BAs, despite no apparent abnormalities on lung CT, or ground-glass density or consolidation on only one side., Clinical Significance: The chest CT of patients with pulmonary hemorrhage showed consolidation of the right middle lobe of the lung, which was highly likely to indicate BA-PAS.

Background: Quantification of vertebral arteries can provide insights into basilar curvature and plaque. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed at identifying the dominant vertebral artery (VA) causing basilar artery (BA) curvature and to further quantify the effect of dominant VA angle on BA curvature and BA plaque using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) and 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF-MRA)., Methods: This retrospective analysis included 521 participants who underwent HRMRI in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from November 2015 to October 2021 for neurological symptoms or signs. The VA angle more related to BA curvature was defined as the dominant VA angle. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the dominant VA angle and mid-BA angle, while multivariable logistics regression was used to evaluate the influence of the dominant VA angle and clinical risk factors on BA plaque., Results: In total, 259 participants were included in this study (mean age 53.71±13.12 years; 146 males). The balanced-type participants had a significantly lower probability of BA plaques (P<0.001). The Chi-squared test showed that the BA curvature direction was significantly associated with the side with larger VA diameter (P<0.001) and larger VA angle (P<0.001). As a result, the VA angle on the side with the larger diameter or the larger VA angle when the diameters were similar was considered to be the dominant VA angle. The dominant VA angle was independently correlated with the mid-BA angle (P<0.001). In addition, the dominant VA angle was also an independent risk factor for BA plaque. Additionally, 80° was the cutoff value of the dominant VA angle, and when the dominant VA angle was greater than 80°, the risk of BA plaque increased about 18-fold [odds ratio, 18.951; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.545-79.026; P<0.001]., Conclusions: The dominant VA angle was independently associated with BA plaque, and a dominant VA angle greater than 80° may be a marker for a high risk of posterior circulation atherosclerosis., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-23-74/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type II (TRPS II, OMIM # 150230) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. Loss of functional copies of the TRPS1 gene at 8q23.3 and the EXT1 gene at 8q24.11 are considered to be responsible for the syndrome., Case Presentation: Herewith, we report an 8-year-old girl with sparse scalp hair, bulbous nose, thin upper lip, broad eyebrows, phalangeal abnormalities of both hands/toes, multiple exostoses, mild intellectual impairment and severe malnutrition. In addition, the patient also had annular pancreas, a rare co-existing feature in patients with TRPS II., Conclusions: A contiguous 5.47 Mb deletion involving 8q23.3-q24.12 was detected by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), leading to haploinsufficiency of 10 protein coding genes, 1 long non-coding RNA and 1 microRNA. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) examination confirmed half-reduced DNA copy of the patient and normal expression of both parents, indicating a de novo origin of the deletion and complete penetrance of the mutation.