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• ESG performance significantly mitigates the extent of corporate tax avoidance. • ESG performance inhibits corporate tax avoidance through alleviating financing constraints, improving the quality of internal control, and increasing external supervision. • The influence of ESG performance on tax avoidance is more pronounced in firms located in regions with underdeveloped FinTech, as well as in firms characterized by higher agency costs and lower audit quality. This study analyzes whether and how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance affects corporate tax avoidance by employing the data of China's A-share listed non-financial firms from 2009 to 2021. The results indicate that ESG performance significantly reduces corporate tax avoidance. The influence channels include alleviating financing constraints, improving the quality of internal control, and strengthening external supervision. Furthermore, the influence of ESG performance on tax avoidance is more pronounced in firms located in regions with underdeveloped FinTech, as well as in firms characterized by higher agency costs and lower audit quality. Overall, our findings indicate that ESG performance is crucial for curtailing tax avoidance behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare root surface area (RSA) measurements of single-root teeth in a sheep mandible based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with measurements made with an optical scanner.Study Design: Eight anterior teeth of a sheep cadaver mandible were scanned in situ by using CBCT with 3 different exposure parameters, followed by treatment with smoothing software. The teeth were then extracted and scanned individually with an optical scanner. Three-dimensional digital models of the teeth were reconstructed on the basis of CBCT and optical scanner data. RSA data were calculated, and an equivalence test was used to statistically compare the measurements with significance of difference established at α = 0.05.Results: The means of the differences between RSA measurements from CBCT and optical scanning ranged from 0.33% to 3.01%. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 methods. The smoothing parameters for good fitness of the linear regression were determined to be 0.8 for the smooth factor, 8 for iterations, and 0 for compensate shrinkage.Conclusions: The proposed CBCT technique to measure RSA is feasible. RSA data obtained from CBCT in situ are as accurate as optical scanner measurements ex vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G and H be two graphs. The maximum integer k , for which there exists an edge coloring ϕ : E (G) → { 1 , 2 , ... , k } that makes every copy of H has at least two edges with the same color, is the anti-Ramsey number of G with respect to H. Mycielski developed an interesting graph transformation that transforms G into the Mycielskian μ (G) of G. In this paper, we determine the anti-Ramsey number of μ (C n) with respect to cycles of length 4, 2 n and 2 n + 1 , respectively. • Graph transformation that transforms G into the Mycielskian μ (G) of a graph G. • Hamilton cycles in the graph obtained from μ (C n) by deleting vertices and/or edges. • Independent cycles in a 4-regular graph. • Determine the anti-Ramsey number of μ (C n) with respect to cycles of length 4, 2 n and 2 n + 1 , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial–temporal patterns of the solutions to a differential equation with non-local delayed feedback that models the population dynamics of a two-stage species have been studied in this paper. The effects of the maturation time and immature mobility constant on the existence and stability of both spatially homogeneous and inhomogeneous periodic solutions are investigated by studying the Hopf bifurcation at the spatially homogeneous steady state and computing center manifold. Our results show that the bifurcated homogeneous periodic solutions are stable while inhomogeneous periodic solutions will eventually tend to homogeneous periodic solutions after transient oscillations. Furthermore, increasing of the immature mobility constant will weaken the periodic oscillation and shorten the transient oscillation time. Numerical simulations are given at last to verify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations and isotopic geochemistry of Li are potentially useful geochemical tracers of geological processes. To fully utilize Li isotopes as geochemical tracers, it is necessary to characterize the Li isotopic compositions of the various geological reservoirs. However, the Li isotopic composition of the juvenile lower crust is currently poorly constrained. Given that lithospheric architecture of the Tibetan Plateau includes Indian upper/lower crust, Tibetan upper/lower crust and juvenile lower crust, it is necessary to determine the Li isotopic composition for each geological endmember underneath southern Tibet. Among them, the juvenile lower crust was formed directly by underplating of mantle-derived basaltic magma, which is likely to be the critical factor to control the Cu-Au mineralization in southern Tibet and is responsible for crustal thickening beneath southern Tibet. Here, we report the Li concentration and isotopic composition of the juvenile lower crust in southern Tibet. Based on whole-rock major element, trace element, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data, we infer that the Yeba basalts and Gangdese gabbros were derived from partial melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle, and have compositions similar to the juvenile lower crust. In contrast, the Dianzhong andesites and Gangdese diorites originated from partial melting of the juvenile lower crust. Therefore, these units may be considered representative of the juvenile lower crust. The juvenile lower crust has Li concentrations of 7.1–37.2 ppm (mean = 15.4 ppm), consistent with the Li concentration for the lower crust (13 ppm). Li isotopic compositions (δ 7 Li) vary from +0.8‰ to +6.6‰ (mean = 3.0‰), similar to values for the EMI/EMII mantle. The Li isotopic compositions of the analyzed samples were not significantly affected by alteration, metamorphism, crustal assimilation, or magmatic differentiation, and therefore represent the isotopic compositions of the juvenile lower crust. The Li systematics of the juvenile lower crust may be attributed to partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle that has undergone metasomatism by Li-rich fluids derived from subducted oceanic crust and marine sediments. Our study also demonstrates near-identical Li isotopic compositions for juvenile lower crust and metasomatized lithospheric mantle, resulting from the lack of Li isotope fractionation during basalt generation and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to detect the expression of miR-373-3p and CCND2 in gemcitabine-resistance pancreatic carcinoma (PC) cells, investigate the relationship between miR-373-3p and CCND2, and explore their effects on PC propagation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Methods R software was applied for analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cell samples. The potential biological pathway was determined by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, based on R software. The gemcitabine-resistance PC cells were screened out using MTT assay, and they were applied in the next experiments. MiR-373-3p and CCND2 expression in GEM-PANC-1 cells were measured by qRT-PCR. After transfection, the expression of CCND2 protein was examined via western blot assay. Cells viability and apoptosis were confirmed by MTT proliferation assay and Flow cytometry, whereas cells migration and invasion were analyzed by transwell assay. The targeting relationship between miR-373-3p and CCND2 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results MiR-373-3p was found to be low expressed in GEM-PANC-1 cells while CCND2 was highly expressed in GEM-PANC-1 cells. MiR-373-3p negatively regulated CCND2 expression through KEGG_Cell_Cycle_Signaling_Pathway. The targeted relationship between miR-373-3p and CCND2 could be verified using dual luciferase reporter assay. MTT proliferation assay, transwell assay and Annexin V assay demonstrated that miR-373-3p suppressed GEM-PANC-1 cells propagation and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis, while CCND2 showed totally reverse effects compared with miR-373-3p. All the results suggested that miR-373-3p could enhance the chemosensitivity of GEM-PANC-1 cells by regulating CCND2. Conclusion MiR-373-3p inhibited cell propagation, migration and invasion and boosted apoptosis in gemcitabine resistance pancreatic carcinoma cells by targeting CCND2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is devoted to the stability and attractivity analysis of a nonlocal delayed reaction–diffusion equation (DRDE) with a non-monotone bistable nonlinearity that describes the population dynamics for a two-stage species with Allee effect. By the idea of relating the dynamics of the nonlinear term to the DRDE and some stability results for the monostable case, we describe some basin of attractions for the DRDE. Additionally, existence of heteroclinic orbits and periodic oscillations are also obtained. Numerical simulations are also given at last to verify our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we are concerned with modeling and analyzing the dynamics for a two-stage species that lives on a half plane. We first derive a spatially nonlocal and temporally delayed differential equation that describes the mature population on a semi-infinite environment with a homogeneous Dirichlet condition. For the derived model, we are able to show that the solutions induce a k -set contraction semiflow with respect to the compact open topology on a bounded positive invariant set attracting every solution of the equation. To describe the global dynamics, we first establish a priori estimate for nontrivial solutions after exploring the delicate asymptotic properties of the nonlocal delayed effect, which enables us to show the repellency of the trivial equilibrium. Using the estimate, k -set contracting property as well as Schauder fixed point theorem, we then establish the existence of a positive spatially heterogeneous steady state. At last, we show global attractivity of the nontrivial steady state by employing dynamical system approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of ophiopogon polysaccharide liposome (OPL) on macrophages in vitro. The phagocytic activity, the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the level of cytokines, chemokines and the expression of CD14 and MHC-II costimulatory molecules were measured. Results showed that OPL could significantly improve the phagocytic activity and the level of IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1 and MIP-1β, promote the secretion of NO and iNOS, and enhance the expression of CD14 and MHC-II costimulatory molecules in the peritoneal macrophages of mice compared with ophiopogon polysaccharide (OP). Altogether, these results suggested that OPL could activate macrophages, and the efficacy was significantly superior to OP. Therefore, OPL would be exploited in a potent immunomodulators. Moreover, it also provided the theoretical basis for further studying the mechanism of OPL on improving the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the role of CCL14 in the neovascularization process and vulnerability progression within carotid plaques by investigating the mechanism of CCL14 regulation of VEGF-A.Methods: We first performed histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining of human carotid plaque tissue to detect the expression of CCL14, JAK2, STAT3 and VEGF-A. We next examined the protein expression of CCL14, VEGF-A, JAK2, STAT3, and phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques by Western blotting. Finally, we performed in vitro culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In the tube formation assay of HUVEC, we added CCL14 siRNA or VEGF-A siRNA to the culture medium using lentiviral transfection to knock down CCL14 or VEGF-A and grouped them for control assays, and detected the changes in the expression of the above proteins using Western blotting.Results: Histological and Western blotting analysis of human carotid plaque samples showed that the expression of CCL14 and VEGF-A was higher in the vulnerable plaques than in stable plaques. In the in vitro cultures of HUVEC, CCL14 was found to increase the number and length of intercellularly generated tubular structures. CCL14 increases VEGF-A expression via activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling.Conclusion: In the human carotid plaques, CCL14 promotes angiogenesis by upregulation of VEGF-A via JAK2/STAT3 pathway and thus drives the progression of carotid plaques vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a water channel protein, has been well studied in arterial stroke-induced brain edema. However, the role of AQP4 in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has not been reported. Here, we showed that AQP4 expression was increased in the brain of a rat CVST model, whereas inhibition of AQP4 decreased cerebral edema. Subsequent experiments showed that Shp-1 (Src homology 2-containing phosphatase-1) expression and NF-κB phosphorylation were upregulated after CVST. We found that Shp-1 inhibition resulted in enhancement of NF-κB activation and increased AQP4 expression accompanied by aggravated brain edema. We further showed that NF-κB inhibition led to decreased AQP4 expression and subsequent attenuation of brain edema but had no significant effect on Shp-1 expression. These results provide the first evidence suggesting that downregulation of NF-κB by Shp-1 alleviates CVST-induced brain edema through suppression of AQP4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been proven effective for treating small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules. However, post-RFA local recurrence is a major factor limiting prognosis. Up to now, there is no consensus on a standardized treatment strategy for these local recurrences. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of salvage treatments for RFA-related local recurrence. Methods: From May 2008 to June 2013, a total of 112 patients with HCC were detected with local recurrence after RFA. Among them, 94 patients received sequential treatments in our hospital, including salvage resection (SR) ( n = 24), salvage liver transplantation ( n = 2), repeated RFA ( n = 62), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) ( n = 6). We evaluated the treatment outcomes of patients by salvage surgery (SS), RFA, and TACE. Results: The median follow-up time was 32 months. After treatment, local recurrence was eradicated in 82 of 94 patients (87.2 %). The complete response (CR) rate in the RFA group was 90.3 % (56/62), while it was 100 % (26/26) in the SS group ( P = 0.175) and 0 % (0/6) in the TACE group. When analysis confined to patients with CR, the 1- and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 57.7 and 20.2 % in the SS group, and 41.7 and 28.6 % in the RFA group, respectively ( P = 0.640). The 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 93.3 and 69.1 % in the SS group, and 78.6 and 57.5 % in the RFA group, respectively ( P = 0.251). Conclusion: Repeated RFA is the first treatment choice for patients with post-RFA local recurrence. SS should be considered when RFA failed or is inapplicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have reported that receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)-dependent necroptosis is related to the pathological process of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Some studies support the view that inhibiting necroptosis is a key mechanism preventing inflammation. Inflammation is a crucial factor contributing to neurological injuries and unfavorable outcomes after ICH. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between necroptosis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)-mediated inflammation and identify a new target for the treatment of ICH.Methods: An ICH model was established in C57BL/6 mice by injecting collagenase IV into the right basal ganglia. The RIPK3 inhibitor GSK872 was administered through intraventricular injection. Then, we assessed brain edema and neurobehavioral function. Western blotting was employed to detect changes in RIPK3, phospho-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (p-MLKL), MCP-1, phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in the brain tissue. The localization of RIPK3 and MCP-1 was observed using immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between RIPK3 and MCP-1.Results: Compared with the sham group, the levels of RIPK3, p-MLKL, MCP-1, p-JNK and IL-6 were increased post-ICH. GSK872 pretreatment significantly reduced RIPK3, p-MLKL, MCP-1, p-JNK and IL-6 expression, accompanied by mitigated cerebral edema and neurobehavioral defects. RIPK3 and MCP-1 colocalized in the perinuclear region after ICH. We detected the formation of the RIPK3-MCP-1 complex in ICH brain tissue.Conclusions: There exerted an association between RIPK3 and MCP-1. The inhibition of RIPK3 alleviated MCP-1-mediated inflammation following ICH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two spiro-D configured host materials DCPSO and DAPSO bearing electron-withdrawing group spironaphthalenone and electron-donating group phenylcarbazole or triphenylamine were designed and synthesized. The spironaphthalenone moiety was embedded in the host skeleton such that the host materials have twisted conformation and separated molecular frontier orbitals. The triplet energy of the DCPSO and DAPSO were estimated to be 2.60 and 2.45 eV, respectively, rendering them suitable host materials for red organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The single-carrier transporting devices revealed that DCPSO is a bipolar material with more balanced hole and electron flux in the emitting layer than that of DAPSO . Employing DCPSO as host, high external quantum efficiencies of 16.6% and 13.3% as well as negligible efficiency roll-off were achieved for red phosphorescent and red TADF OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The expressions of RIP3, p-MLKL, AIF and CaMKII increased in a time-dependent manner after ICH. • AIF leaks through the mPTP channel and forms a complex with RIP3 in the cytoplasm. • RIP3-AIF nucleus translocation is primary step of necroptosis. • Inhibition of RIP3/AIF/CaMKII signaling improved neurological functions after ICH. Necroptosis-induced neuronal damage after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been documented recently. Previous studies have reported that RIP3 and its complex are recognized as central mediators of necroptosis. In this study, the role of RIP3 in the activation of CaMKII and AIF was investigated. We induced ICH in C57BL/6 mice by injecting collagenase IV into the basal ganglia. ICH mice were pretreated with the mPTP inhibitor CsA and the CAMKII inhibitor Kn-93, RIP3 siRNA or RIP3 rAAV. Brain edema and neurobehavior were evaluated. The expression of RIP3, p-MLKL, AIF, and CaMKII proteins was evaluated by western blotting, immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoprecipitation (IP). Significant increases in RIP3, p-MLKL, CaMKII and AIF expression were observed in ICH mice, and RIP3-AIF colocalized in the nucleus. Overexpression of RIP3 by rAAV upregulated AIF expression in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, while CaMKII expression was increased in the cytoplasm. The interaction of RIP3-AIF and RIP3-CaMKII was detected after ICH injury. These complexes were inhibited by CsA with Kn-93 or RIP3 siRNA pretreatment, which reduced brain edema and neurological deficits. Our findings revealed that ICH induced necroptotic neuronal death through the RIP3-CaMKII complex and the RIP3-AIF signaling pathway. Moreover, blockade of mPTP opening could suppress the pathogenesis of necroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, China has attracted world-wide attention. As of March 31, 2020, a total of 82,631 cases of COVID-19 in China were confirmed by the National Health Commission (NHC) of China.Methods: Three approaches, namely Poisson likelihood-based method (ML), exponential growth rate-based method (EGR) and stochastic Susceptible-Infected-Removed dynamic model-based method (SIR), were implemented to estimate the basic and controlled reproduction numbers.Results: A total of 198 chains of transmission together with dates of symptoms onset and 139 dates of infections were identified among 14,829 confirmed cases outside Hubei Province as reported as of March 31, 2020. Based on this information, we found that the serial interval had an average of 4.60 days with a standard deviation of 5.55 days, the incubation period had an average of 8.00 days with a standard deviation of 4.75 days and the infectious period had an average of 13.96 days with a standard deviation of 5.20 days. The estimated controlled reproduction numbers, Rc, produced by all three methods in all analyzed regions of China are significantly smaller compared with the basic reproduction numbers R0.Conclusions: The controlled reproduction number in China is much lower than one in all regions of China by now. It fell below one within 30 days from the implementations of unprecedent containment measures, which indicates that the strong measures taken by China government was effective to contain the epidemic. Nonetheless, efforts are still needed in order to end the current epidemic as imported cases from overseas pose a high risk of a second outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variations in net primary productivity (NPP) and its controls are critical to understand the mechanisms that maintain ecosystem services under ongoing climate change and human activities. However, such knowledge is still incomplete in ecotone areas where plant species may reach their physiological thresholds. Our study quantified the variations in NPP and its controls resulting from interannual climate variations and human activities in the Qilian Mountain region (QLMR), an ecotone zone in central Asia. To achieve this goal, three indexes, including actual NPP (ANPP), potential NPP (PNPP), and human-induced NPP (HNPP), and their variations during 2001–2012 were estimated by combining the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach and a residual trend method. The results showed that the average PNPP, HNPP and ANPP values across the whole QLMR increased at rates of 4.71, 3.08, and 1.63 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The ANPP increased in 66.8% of the area during 2001–2012. The impacts of climate variations and human activities on NPP varied across the ecotone zone, vegetation types and altitudinal gradient. Climate-derived impacts caused the ANPP to increase in over 53% of the area in all vegetation ecosystems except forests. Climate variations were expected to account for most of the changes in ANPP in high-altitude zones (above 3500 m), while the impacts of human activities on ANPP were concentrated mainly in mid- and low-elevation zones. Our results suggest that increasing precipitation is a dominant factor underlying the increase in ANPP in such semiarid regions, while human activity is the primary reason for declines in NPP even if there is vegetation restoration. To improve the functions of vegetation ecosystems in such ecotones, a holistic strategy that combines spatially distinct measures is urgently needed. Unlabelled Image • Both climate variations and human activities can alter NPP in semiarid ecotones. • The impacts of climate changes and human activities on NPP vary across vegetation types and different altitude zones. • Increased precipitation is a dominant factor underlying the increase in the actual NPP in the Qilian Mountain region. • Human activity is the primary reason for the decline in NPP even with vegetation restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors prepared CaMgAl 10 O 17 : Sm3+, CaMgAl 10 O 17 : Eu3+ and CaMgAl 10 O 17 : Sm3+, Eu3+ phosphors via high temperature solid-state reaction and studied the phase constituents and photoluminescence (PL) of the phosphors as-synthesized. The main emission peaks of CaMgAl 10 O 17 : Sm3+ at 559 nm, 590 nm and 639 nm are due to4G 5/3 → 6H 5/2 , 4G 5/3 → 6H 7/2 and 4G 5/3 →6H 9/2 transitions of Sm3+ activator, respectively. The optimum doping concentration of Sm3+ in CaMgAl 10 O 17 is 3 mol. %. The main emissions of CaMgAl 10 O 17 : Eu3+ peaked at 586 nm and 610 nm belong to 5D 0 → 7F J (J = 1, 2) transitions of Eu3+ activator. When Eu3+ ions are added into CaMgAl 10 O 17 : 0.03 Sm3+ phosphors, an energy transfer between Sm3+ and Eu3+ via an electrical multipole interaction occurs, and the emission intensity of CaMgAl 10 O 17 : 0.03 Sm3+, Eu3+ phosphors is greatly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a series of highly inherited neurodevelopmental disorders. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the CACNA2D3 gene are associated with ASD. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Dysfunction of cortical interneurons (INs) is strongly implicated in ASD. Parvalbumin-expressing (PV) INs and somatostatin-expressing (SOM) INs are the two most subtypes. Here, we characterized a mouse knockout of the Cacna2d3 gene in PV-expressing neurons (PV Cre ;Cacna2d3 f/f mice) or in SOM-expressing neurons (SOM Cre ;Cacna2d3 f/f mice), respectively. PV Cre ;Cacna2d3 f/f mice showed deficits in the core ASD behavioral domains (including impaired sociability and increased repetitive behavior), as well as anxiety-like behavior and improved spatial memory. Furthermore, loss of Cacna2d3 from a subset of PV neurons results in a reduction of GAD67 and PV expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). These may underlie the increased neuronal excitability in the mPFC, which contribute to the abnormal social behavior in PV Cre ;Cacna2d3 f/f mice. Whereas, SOM Cre ;Cacna2d3 f/f mice showed no obvious deficits in social, cognitive, or emotional phenotypes. Our findings provide the first evidence suggesting the causal role of Cacna2d3 insufficiency in PV neurons in autism. • Deletions of Cacna2d3 in parvalbumin interneurons caused autistic-related behaviors in mice. • Deletions of Cacna2d3 in somatostatin interneurons showed no autistic-related behaviors in mice. • Decreased inhibitory tone and enhanced excitability in the mPFC may account for the deficits of social behaviors in mice with deletions of Cacna2d3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium concentrations and isotopic compositions of 38 carbonatites and associated syenites from the Maoniuping, Lizhuang, and Dalucao in western Sichuan, along with previously published and new Pb–Sr–Nd–C–O isotope data and whole-rock analyses, are used to constrain their mantle source and genesis. Carbonatites and syenites are characterized by extremely varying Li concentrations (0.8–120 ppm) and highly variable Li isotopic compositions (−4.5‰ to +10.8‰). Among them, the majority of the carbonatites and syenites have δ 7 Li values between +0.2‰ and +5.8‰, which overlap with the reported values for MORB and OIB; 3 carbonatites have higher δ 7 Li values between +8.7‰ and +10.8‰; 5 carbonatites and 4 syenites have lighter δ 7 Li values between −4.5‰ and −0.3‰. These highly variable δ 7 Li compositions could not have been produced by diffusive-driven isotopic fractionation of Li and thus may record the isotopic signature of the late Proterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). This paper demonstrates the existence of anomalous δ 7 Li within the late Proterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle, suggesting that the ancient SCLM beneath western Sichuan was modified by interaction with fluids derived from the subducted oceanic crust and marine sediments. The modeling curves of fluids derived from a dehydrated slab (ratios: AOC 80 –SED 20 to AOC 40 –SED 60 ) with a representative mantle composition can account for the majority of lithium compositional variations. Some samples with unusual Pb–Sr–Nd–O isotopic compositions and highly variable δ 7 Li compositions are affected by significant involvement of marine sediments in their source region, not contaminated by crustal materials. The carbonatites and syenites in western Sichuan were generated by the partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle, which was metasomatized by the Li-rich fluids derived from the subducted oceanic crust and marine sediments. This melting was most likely triggered by a Cenozoic asthenospheric mantle diapir related to Indian-Asian continental collision and post- or late-collisional stress relaxation in the Oligocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: YAG: Ce phosphors were synthesized by a mixed solvothermal method. The effect of washing method of precursor, synthesis temperature, holding time and filling factor on the property of YAG: Ce had been researched by changing the synthetic conditions. The results show that as the increase of the synthesis temperature, the prolonging of the holding time and the rise of filling factor, the pressure of synthesis reaction system and the nucleation rate of grains increase, the rate of mass transfer and grain growth speed up. The degree of crystallization grows up, the crystal structure of YAG: Ce phase is improved. The particles are spherical and the distribution of particle size is uniform. The Ce3+ ions easily enter the YAG lattice and the distribution of Ce3+ ions is more homogeneous. The fluorescence property of YAG: Ce enhances. In this research, the YAG: Ce phosphor with good property can be obtained at 230–250°C for 15–20h with the filling factor 90%. The mean particle size is 1.4μm. This synthetic method has good potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern construction projects such as high-rise buildings require increasingly lighter and stronger wood frame shear walls. The stress level of the edge zone in the sheathing panel is generally larger than that of the middle zone under lateral loading, and the mechanical properties of wood-based panels are positively related with density. A series of fast-growing poplar plywood with a marginal or overall densification were prepared in this study for use as wood shear wall sheathing panels. The plywood density was controlled to 550, 550 (edge, 650), 550 (edge, 840), and 650 kg ⋅ m−3, then full-scaled walls sheathed with the samples were monotonically loaded and compared against a wall sheathed with 12 mm OSB to determine the effects of densification. The elastic lateral stiffness of the densified plywood sheathing wall with marginal density of 650 and 840 kg ⋅ m−3, relative to 550 kg ⋅ m−3, increased by 39.8% and 47.8% as the ultimate bearing capacity was increased by 15.5% and 37%, which is better than the commonly-used OSB sheathing wall accompanied by slightly lower ductility. The lateral behavior of the plywood sheathing wall appears to increase as density increases. The marginal-densified plywood can substitute for overall densified material as it presents nearly identical lateral behavior when used as a wood shear wall sheathing panel. The wall with marginal density of 840 kg ⋅ m−3 showed the best overall lateral performance in this experiment. Relative error was controlled within 10% using the rheological model proposed by Casagrande to theoretically verify the lateral bearing capacity and lateral displacement of the test wall. • The lateral resistance of the densified plywood wall is equivalent to that of the OSB wall. • The performance of the edge-reinforced plywood wall is same as the overall-reinforced. • The lateral behavior of plywood wall is positively related to the plywood density. • The wall sheathed with 840 kg⋅m--3 plywood has the best lateral performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have been conducted on the distribution of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in plant, however, there has been rare data linking Ecological Stoichiometry to plant invasion success, especially in a low-N environment. Accordingly, an experiment in this study was performed to explore the nutrition distribution and stoichiometry among various organs in plant, contributing to plant invasion. According to the results of this study, both invasive and native species exhibited a higher C, N concentration and lower C/N ratio in their leaf compared with stem and root overall (p < 0.05), the stem exhibited the lower N concentration, higher C concentration and C/N ratio compared with leaf and root overall (p < 0.05). In addition, C and N concentrations of invasive Solidago canadensis were significantly lower, while the C/N and Relative Growth Rate (RGR) were significantly higher than those of the native Artemisia argyi (p < 0.05). As revealed from the mentioned results, plant invasion success in low-N environmental conditions was dependent on the following: 1) Invasive used more conservative nutrients strategy (higher C/N ratio), instead of the high capacity to retain or resorb nutrients compared with natives; 2) Invasive species (higher RGR) had less N-limited growth as compared with natives. Furthermore, this study presented baseline information to describe the internal mechanism of plant invasion, thereby helping predict and control invasive species. • Resource conservation strategy helps biological invasion in a low-N environment. • The less N-limited growth in invasive species as compared with natives. • The higher growth rates in invasive species than those of natives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]