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The soil reaction of the monopile foundation subjected to lateral loading in offshore wind turbines is typically assessed relying on p-y curves advocated by API. However, this method is inadequate for gradually increasing monopile diameters and significantly underestimates the lateral soil confinement. In the present works, a 3D pile-soil interaction finite element model was first established, considering the soil suction and strain hardening characteristics for the normally consolidated clay in China's sea. Modifications to the p-y curves in API were accomplished in the comparative process between the lateral soil resistance-displacement curves retrieved from the finite element model and the representative expression. Furthermore, the prediction accuracy for the corrected p-y curves has been proved by forecasting the monopile lateral bearing capacity with varying length-to-diameter ratios, which also demonstrates that the modified p-y curves could successfully reflect the lateral soil confinement of the normally consolidated clay and flexible piles. It also provides an approach to assess the deformation response and horizontal ultimate bearing capacity of monopiles with different length-to-diameter ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Previous studies on the association between thyroid function and carotid plaque have shown contradictory results, which may be attributable to the sensitivity to thyroid hormone indices. This study aimed to analyze the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and risk of carotid plaque in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and further explore this association according to sex, age, smoking, and drinking status. Methods: This large-scale, multi-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study included 6679 patients with CHD (age 35--75). Central sensitivity to thyroid hormone was evaluated by the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), parametric thyroid feedback quantile-based index (PTFQI), thyroid-stimulating hormone index (TSHI), and thyrotroph thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI). Peripheral sensitivity to thyroid hormone was assessed by free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio. Taking no carotid plaque as a reference, this study used logistic regression to analyze the association between central and peripheral thyroid hormone sensitivity and carotid plaque in patients with CHD. Results: Of the 6679 patients with CHD, 4843 (72.50%) had carotid plaque. In the multi-adjusted models, the TFQI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26--1.78; P < 0.001), PTFQI (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.46--2.12; P < 0.001), TSHI (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.10--1.33; P < 0.001), and TT4RI (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 1.00--1.01; P = 0.003) were positively associated with the risk of carotid plaque. Compared with that in females and people > 60 years, the OR value for carotid plaque was higher in males and people ≤ 60 years. Similarly, smokers and drinkers had higher OR values for carotid plaque than non-smokers and non-drinkers. Conversely, FT3/FT4 ratio (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.70--0.81; P < 0.001) was negatively associated with carotid plaque, and the OR value for carotid plaque was lower in males, patients ≤ 60 years, smokers, and drinkers. Conclusion: This study showed that thyroid hormone sensitivity is significantly associated with carotid plaque in patients with CHD. This association is more significant in males, patients ≤ 60 years, smokers, and drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental temperature serves as a major driver of adaptive changes in wild organisms. To discover the mechanisms underpinning cold tolerance in domestic animals, we sequenced the genomes of 28 cattle from warm and cold areas across China. By characterizing the population structure and demographic history, we identified two genetic clusters, i.e., northern and southern groups, as well as a common historic population peak at 30 kilo years ago. Genomic scan of cold-tolerant breeds determined potential candidate genes in the thermogenesis-related pathways that were under selection. Specifically, functional analysis identified a substitution of PRDM16 (p.P779L) in northern cattle, which maintains brown adipocyte formation by boosting thermogenesis-related gene expression, indicating a vital role of this gene in cold tolerance. These findings provide a basis for genetic variation in domestic cattle shaped by environmental temperature and highlight the role of reverse mutation in livestock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the area and proportion of planted forests have increased; thus, understanding the responses of planted and natural forests to drought are crucial because it forms the basis for forest risk assessments and management strategies. In this study, we combined the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) enhanced vegetation index (EVI), meteorological aridity indices, and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration indices (SPEI) to identify the drought responses of planted and natural forests. In particular, we used the EVI standard anomaly (ESA) as a physiological drought indicator and analyzed the applicability of SPEIs at time scales of 1-30 months, thereby determining the optimal time scale for the SPEI (SPEIopt), i.e., the SPEI that best represents the drought responses of forests in Yunnan. Next, we employed the optimal SPEI and the ESA as indices to statistically analyze the response characteristics of planted and natural forests under different drought intensities. The results indicated the following: (1) The SPEI in June and a time scale of five months (i.e., SPEIJun,5) comprise the optimal meteorological aridity indicator for forests in Yunnan Province, which had the strongest correlation with the EVI standard anomaly (ESAJun). (2) All forest types were affected by drought in Yunnan, but their responses varied according to the forest type, elevation, and drought intensity. In general, natural forests are more vulnerable and sensitive to drought than planted forests, especially natural coniferous forests at low (0-2000 m) and moderate (2000-4000 m) altitudes, and natural mixed forest at low altitudes (0-2000 m). (3) The remote sensing-based ESA (ESAJun) is sensitive to the intensity of water stress, which makes it a good indicator for drought monitoring. In addition, the forests' inventory survey revealed that 8.05% of forests were affected by drought; thus, we used this as a guide to estimate an approximate threshold to map forest responses to drought across the region. Below this approximate threshold (i.e., ESAJun < -3.85), severe drought-induced effects on forests may occur. Given that natural forests are more vulnerable and sensitive to drought than the planted forests, natural forests need more careful management, especially in the context of projected increases in extreme drought events in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are scarce reports regarding the prognosis of a second course of antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy on recurrent Graves' disease (GD). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term remission rate after a second ATD therapy and verify significant clinical predictors of a remission. Design: A prospective randomized clinical trial with long-term follow-up was conducted to evaluate the effects of a second course of ATD therapy. Methods: A total of 128 recurrent GD patients who had finished a first regular ATD therapy were enrolled in this study, and prescribed methimazole (MMI) treatment with titration regimen. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups when the drug doses were reduced to 2.5 mg daily (qd). Group 1 was discontinued with 2.5 mg qd after about 5 months. Group 2 was continuously reduced to 2.5 mg every other day (qod) after 5 months and then discontinued with 2.5 mg qod after about a further 5 months. The patients were followed for 48 months after drug withdrawal. Results: Of the total number of patients, 97 cases (75.78%) achieved permanent remission at the end of follow-up, with the recurrence of 31 cases (24.22%). The remission rate of group 2 (84.62%) was significantly higher than that of group 1 (66.67%) (PZ0.024). Cox regression showed that the hazard ratio for recurrence decreased under a high or high normal TSH level at drug withdrawal. Conclusion: A second course of ATD therapy can bring about a satisfying long-term remission on recurrent GD. The drug dose of 2.5 mg qod and a high or high normal TSH level at drug withdrawal may increase the likelihood of permanent remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) may alter the biologic activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The objective of our present study was to determine the joint effect of serum 25(OH)D and DBP on the risk of frailty. Five hundred sixteen male participants aged 70 years or older were recruited in Changsha city and its surrounding area in Hunan province of China. Frailty was defined as the presence of at least three of the five following criteria: weakness, low physical activity, slow walking speed, exhaustion, and weight loss. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between 25(OH)D and DBP levels. Odds ratios (ORs) for frailty were evaluated across quartiles of 25(OH)D and DBP levels, adjusted age, education, and body mass index. The results showed that participants in the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D and the highest quartile of DBP levels, the lowest quartile of 25(OH)D and the lowest quartile of DBP levels, and those in the the lower quartile of 25(OH)D and lowest quartile of DBP levels had significantly higher OR of being frail compared with those in the highest quartile of 25(OH)D and lowest quartile of DBP, with OR of 3.18 (95% CI: 1.46-4.56, P < 0.05), 2.63 (95% CI: 1.31-3.68, P < 0.01), and 2.52 (95% CI: 1.22-3.52, P < 0.05), respectively. The results indicate that the joint effect of serum 25(OH)D and DBP levels is associated with the risk of frailty, and serum DBP levels affects 25(OH)D-frailty relationship in the older men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

U-Pb zircon age, geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of mafic dykes from eastern Shandong Province, eastern China is reported herein. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon analyses of two samples from the investigated mafic dykes yield consistent ages ranging from 121.9 Ma ± 0.47 Ma to 122.9 Ma ± 0.61 Ma. The mafic dykes are characterized by high (87Sr/86Sr)i ranging from 0.7087 to 0.7089, low εNd( t) values ranging from −16.9 to −17.8, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.15 to 17.17, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.45 to 15.47, and 208Pb/204Pb = 37.59 to 37.68. Results from the current study suggest that the mafic dykes are derived from partial melting of ancient lithospheric mantle that was variably hybridized by melts derived from foundered lower crustal eclogite. The mafic dykes may have been generated through subsequent insignificant crystal fractionation and very minor crustal contamination during magma ascent. Combined with previous studies, the current findings provide new evidence that the intense lithospheric thinning beneath the eastern Shandong Province of eastern China occurred at ∼120 Ma, and that this condition was caused by the removal of the lower lithosphere (mantle and lower crust). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. To investigate the specific link between lung and large intestine. Methods. Rat COPD-like model was prepared. Mirabilite or Chinese rhubarb was administrated intragastrically to stimulate the large intestine. Histological analysis of lung inflammation was assessed. The tissues levels of SP, VIP, NK1R, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were measured by using ELISA kits. In addition, mouse model of allergic asthma was prepared. Mirabilite was administrated intragastrically to stimulate the large intestine. Airway responsiveness and lung inflammation were assessed. The tissues levels of SP, VIP, NKA, NKB, NK1R, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were measured by using ELISA kits. Results. Stimulating the intestine with Mangxiao or Dahuang, SP, NK-1R, VIP, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were significantly increased in intestine tissues of rats with COPD and mice with asthma. Meanwhile, the SP and NK1R were significantly decreased, while VIP, VIPR1, and VIPR2 were significantly increased in lung tissues. An abnormal secretion of SP and VIP can be observed in other tissues; however, no marked changes were found in the receptors. The NKA and NKB levels were similar in lung tissues of mice with asthma among groups. Conclusions. Stimulating intestine with Mangxiao or Dahuang can specifically regulate the secretion of SP, VIP, and the receptors in lung tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have suggested that marital status is associated with mortality, but few studies have been conducted in China where increasing aging population and divorce rates may have major impact on health and total mortality. Methods: We examined the association of marital status with mortality using data from the Shanghai Women's Health Study (1996-2009) and Shanghai Men's Health Study (2002-2009), two population-based cohort studies of 74,942 women aged 40-70 years and 61,500 men aged 40-74 years at the study enrollment. Deaths were identified by biennial home visits and record linkage with the vital statistics registry. Marital status was categorized as married, never married, divorced, widowed, and all unmarried categories combined. Cox regression models were used to derive hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Unmarried and widowed women had an increased all-cause HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.21 and HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.20 respectively) and cancer (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.32 and HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.34 respectively) mortality. Never married women had excess all-cause mortality (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.09). Divorce was associated with elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in women (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.13) and elevated all-cause mortality (HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.55, 3.86) in men. Amongst men, not being married was associated with excess all-cause (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.88) and CVD (HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.54) mortality. Conclusions: Marriage is associated with decreased all cause mortality and CVD mortality, in particular, among both Chinese men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study first described the composition and characteristics of culturable endophytic bacteria isolated from wild alpine-subnival plant species growing under extreme environmental conditions (i.e., on the border of a glacier with frequently fluctuating and freezing temperatures, strong wind, and high ultraviolet radiation). Using a cultivation-dependent approach and 16S rRNA gene amplification techniques, 93 bacterial isolates showing different phenotypic properties were obtained from 20 different subnival plant species, of which gram-positive bacteria (61.5%), psychrotolerant bacteria (67.3%), and pigmented isolates (70.9%) accounted for a large proportion. All these characteristics of endophytes were closely related to the survival environment of their host plants and were in good agreement with microbes occurring in other cold environments. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the endophytic isolates consisted of five phylogenetic groups comprising α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, the high G+C content gram-positive bacteria, the low G+C content gram-positive bacteria, and Flavobacterium- Bacteroides- Cytophaga. The largest generic diversity was found in the HGC group, while Clavibacter, Agreia, Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, and Pseudomonas were the most prevalent genera. Of all isolates, 46.4% showed a high sequence similarity (98-100%) to strains discovered from other cold environments such as glaciers, tundra, and polar seas. Furthermore, 36.4% of the isolates produced Indole-3-acetic acid and 76.3% were able to solubilize mineral phosphate, which revealed that endophytic bacteria with multiple physiological functions were abundant and widespread in subnival plants. These results are essential for understanding the ecological roles of endophytes and as a foundation for further studying the interactions with plants and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North China craton and the Yangtze craton (South China) both contain Archean rocks in eastern China. Unlike the North China craton, where Archean rocks are widespread, in the Yangtze craton the exposed Archean rocks are only known in the Kongling terrain (360 km²). Zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions of three granodioritic-trondhjemitic gneisses and three metasedimentary rocks from the Kongling terrain were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS. Igneous zircons in one trondhjemitic gneiss in the north of the Kongling terrain have an age of 3302±7 (1σ) Ma. Evidence from cathodoluminescence imaging, variations in Th/U and degree of U-Pb age discordance suggest that apparently younger zircons in the same population are variably disturbed 3302 Ma grains. Thus, this trondhjemitic gneiss is the oldest known rock in South China and predates the earlier reported ~2900 Ma granitoid magmatism by 400 Ma. Zircon cores from one granodioritic gneiss in the north of the Kongling terrain also give a concordant age group at 3200 to 3300 Ma. Regardless as inherited or not, these cores crystallized from a magma indistinguishable in age with the trondhjemite. Concordant U-Pb ages for igneous zircons in one granodioritic gneiss in the south of the Kongling terrain yielded a weighted average 206pb/207Pb age of 2981±13 Ma (2σ, MSWD=9.7, n=21). The zircon age and initial Hf isotopic compositions are similar to those of widespread granitoid gneisses from the north of the Kongling terrain (2903-2947 Ma), and indicate that the south and north of the-- Kongling terrain are correlative. The results also reinforce that magmatism of the whole Kongling terrain mainly occurred at 2900 Ma. Available Hf isotopic data from the Kongling terrain show that juvenile crustal additions occurred mainly between 3150 and 3800 Ma with a significant peak at 3300 to 3500 Ma. The ~3300 Ma zircons from the trondhjemitic gneiss have Hf crust formation ages of 3450 to 3730 Ma, some of which have nearly chondritic εHf (t). The whole-rock depleted mantle Nd model age of this rock is 3400 Ma, close to its age of magmatism and consistent with the Hf model age. Its ~Nd value at 3300 Ma is nearly chondritic (1.26). These lines of evidence suggest that the 3300 Ma trondhjemite represent juvenile crust additions to the pre-existing continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zircon trace element, U-Pb age, and Lu-Hf isotope composition were determined for two eclogite samples from the Xinxian ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) unit in the western Dabie orogen to constrain its exhumation processes. Cathodoluminescence imaging reveals that most zircons are metamorphic, while some have inherited magmatic cores in one sample. The magmatic cores have high Tb/U and Lu/Hf ratios, high trace element contents, and a clear negative Eu anomaly, consistent with their igneous genesis. They yield an upper intercept age of 729 ± 170 Ma and a positive ϵHf(t) value of 8.0, arguing for reworking of early Mesoproterozoic crust during the middle Neoproterozoic in the western Dabie orogen. The metamorphic zircons contain mineral inclusions of garnet, omphacite, rutile, and quartz. They are characterized by low Nb, Ta, Y, and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) contents, a nearly flat HREE pattern, and an insignificant negative Eu anomaly. These indicate that the metamorphic zircons formed under high-pressure (HP) quartz eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions. The metamorphic zircons in the two samples have Ti-in-zircon temperatures of 700° ± 10° and 600° ± 15°C, respectively, suggesting that they formed in different HP eclogite-facies metamorphic stages. The metamorphic zircons in the two samples yield weighted mean U-Pb ages of 226.2 ± 2.0 and 215.9 ± 2.9 Ma, which may date the initial exhumation to ~90 km and ~-700°C and a subsequent HP quartz eclogite-facies retrogression at ~50 km and ~600°C for ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) rocks in the western Dabie orogen. This yields a maximum exhumation and average cooling rates of -0.33 cm/yr and 8°C/Ma, respectively. Based on the published Rb-Sr and Ar-Ar ages of -212 Ma for the UHP rocks in the area, the subsequent stage of exhumation of UHP rocks has a maximum exhumation and average cooling rates of 0.67 cm/yr and 65°C/Ma, respectively. This two-stage cooling process may be common for HP-UHP metamorphic terranes in continental collision zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The previous compact hydrogen maser with sapphire microwave cavity at the Beijing Institute of Radio Metrology and Measurement was not suitable for a space application in navigation systems with limitations on volume and weight. To resolve this problem, we present a new design of the sapphire-loaded cavity with optimal parameters in the minimization of volume and maximization of the quality factor. Methods of theoretical calculations, finite element simulation, and related experiments were performed in designing the sapphire-loaded cavity. Based on the analysis, a miniaturized sapphire microwave cavity with the total volume of 3.04 dm³, the quality factor 67 500, and frequency-temperature coefficient -59.7 kHz/°C is developed. The experimental results are completely consistent with calculation values. In addition, the theoretical calculation result shows that the product of the z-component of the magnetic energy filling factor in the bulb region and the cavity TE011-mode Q-factor is 40 800 at 50°C in the miniaturized sapphire cavity. In addition, 2 sapphire-loaded cavities in the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and in the Microwave and Optical Communication Research Institute at the University of Limoges, France, are compared with that of our designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first finding of continental crust-derived Precambrian zircons in garnet/spinel pyroxenite veins within mantle xenoliths carried by the Neogene Hannuoba basalt in the central zone of the North China Craton (NCC). Petrological and geochemical features indicate that these mantle-derived composite xenoliths were formed by silicic melt–lherzolite interaction. The Precambrian zircon ages can be classified into three age groups of 2·4–2·5 Ga, 1·6–2·2 Ga and 0·6–1·2 Ga, coinciding with major geological events in the NCC. These Precambrian zircons fall in the field of continental granitoid rocks in plots of U/Yb vs Hf and Y. Their igneous-type REE patterns and metamorphic zircon type CL images indicate that they were not crystallized during melt–peridotite interaction and subsequent high-pressure metamorphism. The ∼2·5 Ga zircons have positive ɛHf(t) values (2·9–10·6), whereas the younger Precambrian zircons are dominated by negative ɛHf(t) values, indicating an ancient continental crustal origin. These observations suggest that the Precambrian zircons were xenocrysts that survived melting of recycled continental crustal rocks and were then injected with silicate melt into the host peridotite. In addition to the Precambrian zircons, igneous zircons of 315 ± 3 Ma (2σ), 80–170 Ma and 48–64 Ma were separated from the garnet/spinel pyroxenite veins; these provide evidence for lower continental crust and oceanic crust recycling-induced multi-episodic melt–peridotite interactions in the central zone of the NCC. The combination of the positive ɛHf(t) values (2·91–24·6) of the 315 Ma zircons with the rare occurrence of 302–324 Ma subduction-related diorite–granite plutons in the northern margin of the NCC implies that the 315 Ma igneous zircons might record melt–peridotite interactions in the lithospheric mantle induced by Palaeo-Asian oceanic crust subduction. Igneous zircons of age 80–170 Ma generally coexist with the Precambrian metamorphic zircons and have lower Ce/Yb and Th/U ratios, higher U/Yb ratios and greater negative Eu anomalies. The ɛHf(t) values of these zircons vary greatly from –47·6 to 24·6. The 170–110 Ma zircons are generally characterized by negative ɛHf(t) values, whereas the 110–100 Ma zircons have positive ɛHf(t) values. These observations suggest that melt–peridotite interactions at 80–170 Ma were induced by partial melting of recycled continental crust. The 48–64 Ma igneous zircons are characterized by negligible Ce anomalies, unusually high REE, U and Th contents, and positive ɛHf(t) values. These features imply that the melt–peridotite interactions at 48–64 Ma could be associated with a depleted mantle-derived carbonate melt or fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A suite of xenoliths of eclogite, garnet clinopyroxenite, and felsic gneiss is found in Early Cretaceous high-Mg [Mg# >45, where Mg# = molar 100 × Mg/(Mg + Fetotal)] adakitic intrusions from the Xuzhou-Huaibei (Xu-Huai) region along the southeastern margin of the North China craton. The primary mineral assemblage of garnet + omphacite/augite + quartz + rutile ± pargasite of the eclogite and garnet clinopyroxenite xenoliths defines a minimum pressure of >1.5 GPa, while the estimated peak metamorphic temperatures range from 800 to 1060 °C. An Sm-Nd whole-rock-garnet isochron and zircon U-Pb dates show that timing of the eclogite facies metamorphism took place Ca. 220 Ma. This Triassic age agrees with the age of eclogites from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) belt. The ages of abundant Late Archean to early Paleoproterozoic (2.3-2.6Ga) inherited zircons correspond to the most prominent crustal growth event in the North China craton. In addition, these xenoliths and their host high-Mg adakitic intrusions have complementary major and trace element compositions, suggesting that the adakites formed by partial melting of Archean metabasalts that were the protoliths of the Xu-Huai eclogite and garnet clinopyroxenite xenoliths. Trace element and Sr-Nd isotopic modeling shows that the high-Mg adakitic intrusions can be modeled as melts from ∼40% partial melting of the metabasalts in the eclogite facies, followed by interaction with the convecting mantle and variable degrees of crustal assimilation. Together with the similar zircon age populations between the xenoliths and the host rocks, these lines of evidence strongly suggest their genetic link via thickening, foundering, and partial melting of the Archean North China craton mafic lower crust, followed by adakitic melt-mantle interaction. The crustal thickening resulted from Triassic collision between the Yangtze craton and the North China craton, which produced the Dabie-Sulu UHPM belt in the subducting Yangtze plate and eclogitization of the basaltic crustal root of the overriding North China craton plate. Such processes may have played an important role in generating the high- Mg character of the continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the crustal evolution of the Yangtze craton in southern China. Nature of the trondhjemitic magmatism; Use of zircon age populations in assessing the nature of microplates and basins in the orogen; Source and disposition age of the metapelites; Implications for crustal evolution and tectonic studies.

Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. & Zucc.) is one of the most important fruit tree crops in southern China. This paper reports the development of microsatellite primers for Chinese bayberry. By screening the expressed sequence tag database and other sources, 11 polymorphic loci were generated and primers were designed. Polymorphism of these 11 loci was assessed in 32 cultivars. All the 11 loci are polymorphic and the number of alleles (A) ranged from 3 to 12, observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.1250 to 0.9667 and 0.2359 to 0.8790, respectively, polymorphism information content ranged from 0.2285 to 0.8516. These microsatellite loci should be useful in the studies of genetic diversity of Myrica rubra and will provide useful implications for resource conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H17FN2O2S, contains two independent mol­ecules related by a pseudo-inversion centre. The mol­ecular packing is stabilized by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using next-generation sequencing technology alone, we have successfully generated and assembled a draft sequence of the giant panda genome. The assembled contigs (2.25 gigabases (Gb)) cover approximately 94% of the whole genome, and the remaining gaps (0.05 Gb) seem to contain carnivore-specific repeats and tandem repeats. Comparisons with the dog and human showed that the panda genome has a lower divergence rate. The assessment of panda genes potentially underlying some of its unique traits indicated that its bamboo diet might be more dependent on its gut microbiome than its own genetic composition. We also identified more than 2.7 million heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the diploid genome. Our data and analyses provide a foundation for promoting mammalian genetic research, and demonstrate the feasibility for using next-generation sequencing technologies for accurate, cost-effective and rapid de novo assembly of large eukaryotic genomes.