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Metamorphism is thought to destroy microfossils, partly through devolatilization and graphitization of biogenic organic matter. However, the extent to which there is a loss of molecular, elemental and isotope signatures from biomass during high-temperature metamorphism is not clearly established. We report on graphitic structures inside and coating apatite grains from the c. 1850 Ma Michigamme silicate banded iron formation from Michigan, metamorphosed above 550°C. Traces of N, S, O, H, Ca and Fe are preserved in this graphitic carbon and X-ray spectra show traces of aliphatic groups. Graphitic carbon has an expanded lattice around 3.6 Å, forms microscopic concentrically-layered and radiating polygonal flakes and has homogeneous δ13C values around -22%, identical to bulk analyses. Graphitic carbon inside apatite is associated with nanometre-size ammoniated phyllosilicate. Precursors of these metamorphic minerals and graphitic carbon originated from ferruginous clayrich sediments with biomass. We conclude that graphite coatings and inclusions in apatite grains indicate fluid remobilization during amphibolite-facies metamorphism of precursor biomass. This new evidence fills in observational gaps of metamorphosed biomass into graphite and supports the existence of biosignatures in the highly metamorphosed iron formation from the Eoarchean Akilia Association, which dates from the beginning of the sedimentary rock record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile properties of the alloy 2618 and 2618-Ti were tested using a tensile testing machine. The morphologies of the fracture of tensile samples were observed using scanning electron microscopy. The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of alloy 2618-Ti at elevated temperature were systematically investigated based on the analyses of experimental results. The results showed that the tensile strength of alloy 2618-Ti is much higher than that of alloy 2618 at the temperature range of 250 and 300 °C. But the elongation of alloy 2618-Ti is much higher than that of alloy 2618 at the temperature range of 200 and 300 °C. The equal-strength temperature of intragranular and grain boundary of alloy 2618-Ti is about 235 °C. When the temperature is lower than 235 °C, the strengthening of alloy 2618-Ti is ascribed to the strengthening effect of fine grains and dispersed Al3Ti/Al18Mg3Ti2phase. When the temperature is higher than 235 °C, the strengthening effect of alloy 2618-Ti is mainly attributed to the load transfer of Al3Ti and Al18Mg3Ti2particles. The toughening of alloy 2618-Ti at elevated temperature is mainly ascribed to the fine grain microstructure, excellent combination between matrix and dispersed Al3Ti/Al18Mg3Ti2particles as well as the recrystallization of the alloy at elevated temperature.

The rapid urbanization and industrialization of China in recent years has presented serious challenges for the country in guaranteeing the preservation of agricultural water resources. This study selected four areas in China, each with different water resource and social development conditions. The relationship between the processes of urbanization and industrialization and recent agricultural water use was analyzed using rates of urbanization and the proportion of the added values from secondary and tertiary industries to China's gross domestic product. The analysis showed that overall agricultural water use in China decreases as the processes of urbanization and industrialization proceed. Agricultural water use has decreased in the Huang-Huai-Hai and northwest regions because both have experienced water resource shortages. The impact of industrialization and urbanization is minor in the northeast and southern regions as these areas have abundant water resources; however, the proportion of agricultural water use to total water use has decreased. These results reflect the impact that urbanization and industrialization have on agricultural water use, particularly in terms of how these processes change population structure, industry structure, and comparative benefit. This study advocates for a synergistic development of industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization, and the guarantee of grain safety in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the clinical differentiation of spleen-deficiency pattern (SDP), a group of symptoms and signs defined in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine for its clinical practice.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was utilized to examine changes in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) vascular patterns over time in individuals treated with topical medical therapy.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (TCM-WM) in treating ectopic pregnancy (EP).Methods: Seventy-eight patients suffering from unruptured EP were divided into two groups at random in proportion of roughly 2:1, Group I (n= 50) was treated with methotrexate (MTX) plus Ectopic Pregnancy No. 2 (EP2), a Chinese medicinal decoction, Group II (n=28) was treated with MTX alone for control.Results:In Group I, the nonsurgical cure rate, involving side tubal patency rate and intrauterine pregnancy rate, were 98. 0%, 88. 0% and 80. 0% respectively, the three parameters were all higher than those in Group II (75. 0%, 46. 4% and 42. 9% respectively). Moreover, the EP recurrence rate in Group I was lower than that in Group II (4.0% vs l4.2%), the serum β-hCG normalizing time and total disappearance time of EP mass in Group I (25.0 ± 7. 8 days and 1.2 ± 0.7 months) were shorter than those in Group II (31.9 ± 6.7 days and 5.6 + 3.7 months), also showing significant difference (P<0. 05 and P<0. 01 respectively). After being treated by EP2 decoction for 4–8 weeks, the hemorrheological parameters in Group I were improved more markedly than those in Group II.Conclusion: The TCM-WM treatment (MTX plus EP2) could effectively increase nonsurgical cure rate, tubal patency rate and intrauterine pregnancy rate, decrease EP recurrence rate, and reduce the serum β-hCG normalizing time and the total disappearance time of EP mass in treating EP.

A highly sensitive catalytic procedure for the determination of ultratrace chromium(VI) was developed based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of gallocyanine by hydrogen peroxide in hexamine‐hydrochloric acid buffer solution. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the rate of change in the absorbance at 620 nm. The apparent active energy of the catalytic reaction is 6.84 kJ . mol‐1. The calibration graph is linear for 0–150 ng.ml‐1, and the detection limit is 0.8 ng.ml‐1. Most foreign ions have no interfering effect on the determination of chromium(VI) except for Al3+, Cu2+, Fe3+and Fe2+. The interference of Al3+is eliminated by masking with F‐, and those of Cu2+, Fe3+and Fe2+are eliminated by adding appropriate amount of EDTA. The present procedure had been used for the determination of trace chromium(VI) in lake water, mine water and electroplating wastewater, and the results were satisfactory.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of single-dose methotrexate (MTX) with Chinese medicinal herbs in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy(EP).Methods: Eighty-five patients with unruptured and ruptured EP were prospectively treated with an intramuscular injection of MTX (50 mg/m2) without citrovorum factor rescue to destroy embryo and villi, meanwhile, EP 1 decoction was given orally, in the case of ruptured EP with active internal hemorrhage resulted from EP mass rupture, or EP 2 decoction was given orally, in the case of unruptured EP and ruptured EP without active internal hemorrhage resulted from EP mass rhexis and blood in the peritoneal cavity has already formed hematomas. The serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (3-subunit were monitored regularly until they were undetectable. Serial B-ultrasound examinations were followed up by observing the gestational sac, fetal cardiac activity, EP mass absorption, etc. Of those who has the desire of being pregnant, after all EP mass disappeared, hysterosalpingogram may be performed.Results: The total of 81 cases (95.3%) were successfully treated without surgical operation, 4 cases (4.7%) required surgical management of EP. The mean serum hCG β-subunit clearance time was 18.7 β 7.2 days. Total disappearance of EP mass assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography, was 1.2 β 0.7 months. Hysterosalpingograms done on 20 patients of attempting pregnancy subsequently demonstrated tubal patency in 90.0% (18 cases) on the affected side. To date, 15 intrauterine pregnancies have occurred in this group, none of the patients were recurrent EP.Conclusions: EP were treated with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine, it may expand the EP indication treated with MTX alone, elevate cure rate and obtain ideal efficacy without surgical intervention.

Light scattering from a ferrofluid in a magnetic field stems from the anisotropic chain structure formed in the ferrofluid. In this article a theoretical model of light scattering from a ferrofluid in a magnetic field is established on the basis of classical dipole element oscillation theory, while the scattering effects caused by the anisotropic chains play the most important roles in scattering the incident light in space. The theoretical formula shows that the distribution of light intensity in space is a continuous banding symmetric about the incident center which has been confirmed by our experimental results. From the formula, it also can be concluded that the width distribution of the chain has an important influence on the distribution of light intensity in space. The wider the width distribution, the weaker is the light scattering; only when the expectation value of the width distribution approaches the wavelength of the incident light does the light scattering from the ferrofluid become obvious. The intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the square of the volume of the chain. This result is in accordance with classical scattering theory. An experimental setup has been built to measure the distribution of light intensity in space.

Abstract: A randomized trial of intracavitary microwave hyperthermia combined with external irradiation (R+H) versus radiation (R) alone in the treatment of esophageal cancer was performed form February 1986 to February 1988. In the R group, radiation was given by 8 MV X-ray with 2 Gy/fraction, 5 fractions per week with a total dose of 60 Gy/6 weeks. In the R+H group, the radiation was given as R group but with a total dose of 40 Gy/4 weeks. Intracavitary 915 Mhz microwave hyperthermia was given with a nominal temperature of 43.5�C at the margin of the tumor surface, 45 mimutes/session, 1–2 sessions/week for 4–8 sessin. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in R+H group were 81.2% (48/59 cases), 42.4% (25/59) and 23.7% (14/59), while in the R group 59.0% (39/66 cases), 24.2% (16/66) and 16.7% (11/66) respectively. The differences in 1- and 3-year survival rates were statistically significant (P<0.05) between the 2 groups. Using the thermal dose T90 analysis, after the cases with T90<43 �C (insufficient thermal dose) were eliminated, 52 cases with T90 equal to or higher than 43 �C had 1,3, and 5 year survival rates of 84.6%, 44.2% and 26.9%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in the 2 groups were also limited only to 1- and 3-year survivals. Higher 5-year survivals is anticipated if more cases are studied.

The mutual catalytic effect between iron(II) and antimony(III) on the chromium(VI)-iodide kinetic reactions has been studied by stopped-flow FIA. The concept of mutual catalytic coefficient is defined. The deviations from additive principles of absorbance within certain concentration ranges in previous procedures can be compensated effectively, by introducing the mutual catalytic coefficient into the simultaneous determination of a binary mixture with stopped-flow-FIA method. The linear concentration ranges have been enlarged, 0–3.5 µg/ml Fe(II) and 0–3.7 µg/ml Sb(III) compared with 0–1.2 µg/ml Fe(II) and 0–2.0 µg/ml Sb(III) without use of the coefficient. Iron and antimony contents in wastewater, a simulated sample and a zinc standard were determined, the recoveries and relative standard deviations being, respectively, 99.8–101.3% and 2.7–3.6% for iron and 95.4–100.3% and 2.3–5.3% for antimony compared with 95.2–98% and 3.0–4% for iron and 96–104% and 4.5–4.8% for antimony, assuming additivity.

Editor's Note: Among its many virtues, this article uses the correct names for various armies in an age of reorganization and name changes. It uses the often-encountered term xinjun correctly and generically, to mean "new forces," "new army," "new armed forces," or, after 1904, simply "Army"—as distinct from the earlier Xinjian Lujun or Newly Created Army of 1895 under Yuan Shikai, sometimes abbreviated as Xin Jun (New Army). After the major army reorganization of 1904-1905, the armies of Zhili Province under Yuan Shikai, of Hubei Province under Zhang Zhidong, and of Sichuan Province under Xiliang (see the article by He Yimin, below) were often simply referred to as Beiyang Xinjun, Hubei Xinjun, and Sichuan Xinjun, respectively—best translated Beiyang Army, Hubei Army, and Sichuan Army. In the present translation, English renditions are guided by Ralph L. Powell, The Rise of Chinese Military Power 1895-1912 (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1955), still the leading analysis in any language of late Qing military reforms.

A kinetic procedure for simultaneous determination of iron, antimony and vanadium is proposed based on their inductive effect on the chromium (VI)- iodide reaction in weak acidic medium. The reaction was monitored with stopped-flow spectrophotometric technique by using iodine-starch complex as indicator. Calibration graphs are linear for 0∼1.6 ug/ml Fe(II), 0∼2.0 μg/ml Sb(III) and 0∼2.8 ug/ml V(IV), respectively, and detection limits are 0.012 ug/ml Fe, 0.014 μg/ml Sb and 0.010 ug/ml V. 100 to 1000 times higher concentrations of Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ Cd2+, and Zn2+ do not interfere with the determination. The method is applied for determination of iron, antimony, vanadium in wastewater and a synthetic sample; the results are satisfactory.

Measurements of light scattering from a ferrofluid were undertaken as functions of both magnetic field and particle concentration. The results show that the distribution pattern of light intensity in space is a continuous banding perpendicular to the field direction. The light intensity weakens with increasing scattering angle. The experiments also indicate that the scattering coefficient increases both with the magnetic field and with the particle concentration and tends to saturate at higher field strengths. Finally, the experimental results are discussed in terms of an expanded theory of light scattering established by considering the widths of the chains formed in the ferrofluid as functions of both the magnetic field and the particle concentration.

The article discusses the highlights of a series of reports released by Xinhua News Agency to present China's development and the governance theories, practices and efforts of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Topics covered include CPC's faith to the theory of Marxism, China's people-oriented development, and China's policies for continued reform and innovation. It also discusses China's strict party governance, CPC's official appointment, and China's global development.

Profiles disabled youth Dong Lun, winner of the special honorary award for an English language speech, in Wuxi Jiangsu Province, in a competition to welcome the return of Hong Kong to China. Information on Dong Lun's condition; How he conquers his disability to study English teaching materials; Description on Dong's abilities after three years of hard study.