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The geographical patterns of tree species richness in forest communities have been studied widely, but little is known about the geographical variation of the estimated species richness and minimum areas using species-area curves. A differential technique based on the species-area relationships (SAR) was developed for estimating the minimum area (Amin) capturing 60–80% of the species in each plot, which is an important characteristic of a forest community. The relationship between estimated species richness (ESR) from the SAR and the corresponding minimum area is described by the linear model ESR = 0.0051×Amin (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.0001). Both the ESR and the minimum area exhibit similar geographical variations with a significant increase along altitudinal and a decrease along latitudinal gradients. The spatial variations of the ESR were partitioned into three geographical components and their combined effects. Altitude accounted for 40% and 45% of the total variation in the ESR and the minimum area, respectively. While latitude accounted for 69% and 61% of the total variation in the ESR and the minimum area, respectively. Thus, latitude is the main determinant which influences the geographical variation of the ESR. As far as we know, this study presents the first report of the geographical patterns of the minimum area in temperate forests.

Miniature Ga and Ga–In alloy fixed points as temperature standards are developed at National Institute of Metrology, China for the in situ calibration of temperature sensors. A quasi-adiabatic vacuum measurement system is constructed to study the phase-change plateaus of the fixed points. The system comprises a high-stability bath, a quasi-adiabatic vacuum chamber and a temperature control and measurement system. The melting plateau of the Ga fixed point is longer than 2 h at 0.008 W. The standard deviation of the melting temperature of the Ga and Ga–In alloy fixed points is better than 2 mK. The results suggest that the melting temperature of the Ga or Ga–In alloy fixed points is linearly related with the heating power.

Two new zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction method: [Zn(L1)Cl2]·2DMF (1) and [Zn(L2)Cl2]·DMF (2) (L1 = 3,3′-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-2,2′-dipyridine, L2 = 3,3′-bis[2-bis(2-ethylbenzimidazolyl)]-2,2′-dipyridine). Compound 1 is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 23.142(3) A, b = 11.845(1) A, c = 14.735(3) A; compound 2 is orthorhombic, C2221, a = 12.140(7) A, b = 16.283(9) A, c = 16.51(1) A. In both compounds, Zn(II) cations are coordinated by two chlorine atoms and two benzimidazole nitrogen atoms in a slightly distorted tetrahedron fashion. Structural features responsible for fluorescent properties of the complexes are discussed.

The treatment of degloving injuries of the hand is presented. Older methods are discussed. The only procedures which give good results are a combination of flaps, pedicled of free vascularized, and skin grafts.