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Few studies have focused on the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for NEC in SGA newborns. This study included consecutive SGA neonates admitted to a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi Province, China from Jan 2008 to Dec 2022. Patients with NEC (Bell's stage ≥ II) were assigned to the NEC group. Gestational age- and birth weight-matched non-NEC infants born during the same period at the same hospital were assigned to the control group. The risk factors associated with NEC were analyzed with univariate and logistic regression models. During the study period, 2,912 SGA infants were enrolled, 150 (5.15%) of whom developed NEC. In total, 143 patients and 143 controls were included in the NEC and control groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that sepsis (OR 2.399, 95% CI 1.271–4.527, P = 0.007) and anemia (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.166–4.204, P = 0.015) might increase the incidence of NEC in SGA infants and that prophylactic administration of probiotics (OR 0.492, 95% CI 0.303–0.799, P = 0.004) was a protective factor against NEC. Therefore, sepsis, anemia and a lack of probiotic use are independent risk factors for NEC in SGA infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the substitution elasticity of capital on the labour force in the context of the development of intellectualization. Given the substitution of capital for labour, China's benchmark listed logistics companies are compared with an American company to discuss the evolution of capital – labour substitution. A large-scale intellectualization process began in 2017, and based on a variable elasticity of substitution, this paper creates an econometric model of substitution elasticity between capital and labour and its evolution between 2017 and 2021. The American logistics company UPS maintains a relatively high level of substitution elasticity, and Chinese logistics companies are quickly catching up. The substitution elasticity of capital on labour in Chinese enterprises trends upward year after year. In 2021, the capital – labour substitution elasticity of logistics enterprises in both countries showed considerable growth. The calculation model of substitution elasticity presented in this paper can be extended to different regions and industries to measure intelligent development levels and the relationship between capital and the labour force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have examined China's authoritarian environmentalism, with a focus on policy-making and implementation. We argue that law enforcement should also be investigated as a crucial stage. Specifically, we examine environmental public interest litigation (EPIL) and analyse a novel dataset of 7010 EPIL court judgements from 2015 to 2020. We find that state prosecutors dominate EPIL activities, while the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is strictly limited. We also show great variations in EPIL lawsuits filed by state prosecutors across provinces, indicating high local discretion over environmental law enforcement. Lastly, we doubt whether the great number of EPIL outputs from state prosecutors will produce significant environmental outcomes, because they tend to target low-hanging fruit, in contrast to the more challenging and environmentally profound EPIL cases initiated by NGOs. We highlight the value of using the authoritarian environmentalism framework to contextualise debates surrounding the development of EPIL in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigeria is one of the top countries of China's outward foreign direct investments in energy and power projects to meet the needs of China's fast-growing energy-intensive industries. Following several risks faced by investors to invest in countries with high levels of regulatory, judicial and political uncertainties that appeared in most African states, including Nigeria, contracting parties often take steps to advance and enhance their investment relations and investment climate through an agreement or bilateral investment treaties. This paper examines the China–Nigeria Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the investment arbitration framework in place in the energy sector. It includes a general analysis on China–African BITs and features common difficulties and possible ways of addressing them. It analyzes the adequacy or otherwise of these frameworks and the various protections afforded to the contracting parties or the host state and the investors. It contends that the current China–Nigeria BIT is lacking essential environmental and social aspects, including sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, transparency and respect for the human rights of host communities, for the promotion of better China–Nigeria investment relations. Notwithstanding the fact that there has not been any known energy dispute in China–Nigeria-related projects, this paper calls for the need for an effective and efficient dispute resolution mechanism to address future disputes between the parties, in order to promote a favorable investment climate for Chinese (and international) investors willing to invest in Nigeria. It advocates that the China–Nigeria BIT should be unambiguous and well drafted to cover issues that could best address investment disputes in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunnan Province of China is located in the southwest frontier, with high altitude, fragile geological environment, uneven spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, and more localized rainfall and landslide geological hazards caused by rainfall are extremely common. Therefore, based on saturated–unsaturated seepage theory, it is of great engineering significance to deeply study the change law of internal seepage of slopes under different rainfall conditions and the influence of dynamic seepage on slope stability. In this paper, based on the saturated–unsaturated seepage theory, the soil–water characteristic curve and unsaturated permeability coefficient prediction model are determined, and GEO-Studio finite element software is used to explore the changes of seepage field, stress field, displacement field, and stability coefficient of the slope under different rainfall conditions from the perspectives of seepage mechanics and rock mechanics, and to reveal the changes of unsaturated soil The mechanical response mechanism of unsaturated soil slopes in the process of dynamic seepage and the influence of seepage on the stability of slopes. The results show that: (1) the volumetric water content and saturation of the shallow soil will increase rapidly when the unsaturated soil slope is affected by rainfall, and the pore water pressure, maximum shear stress, and total displacement in the corresponding area will increase with the increase of rainfall time; (2) the stability of the slope is closely related to the rainfall time, and the longer the rainfall time, the lower the stability coefficient. At the same time, it provides theoretical support for the study of similar landslide mechanisms and prevention engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbonate rock oilfields account for two-thirds of proven marine carbonate oilfield reserves, which are the primary way to increase future oil and gas energy reserves. Cave collapses occur during the process of oil reservoir development, seriously affecting oil production. In order to reveal the collapse failure mechanism of carbonate karst caves and predict whether the fracture cave type oil reservoir will collapse before drilling, a binary depth reduction method for determining the critical collapse depth of karst caves is proposed based on the Tahe fracture cave type oil reservoir. The sensitivity of karst cave collapses to multiple factors is analyzed, and a prediction formula for the critical collapse depth of karst caves with changes in the deformation modulus, the internal friction angle, and the cohesion is established through multiple regression analysis. By calculating and analyzing the numerical values of a large number of operating conditions under different mechanical parameters, the failure process, failure mode, and the change law of collapse depth during the Tahe oilfield destruction process were obtained. We used the established formula for predicting the collapse depth of karst caves to predict and analyze the actual distribution of karst caves in the Tahe oilfield. The calculation and analysis results showed that in the karst cave failure mode characterized by vertical shear failure, the cohesive force is the most sensitive factor affecting cave collapse, followed by the internal friction angle. The deformation modulus is hardly sensitive to the influence of the karst collapse. Through the geomechanical model test, the result verified the accuracy and reliability of the calculation results. The research results will provide necessary theoretical support for the large-scale safe extraction of deep petroleum resources, increase oil production in China, and have important theoretical significance and engineering application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production mode of "high input, high yield and high waste" in the agricultural system poses a serious threat to the environment and the quality of agricultural products. Accelerating the adoption of green agricultural technology (GAT) by farmers is an emergency measure. However, according to microsurvey data, many farmers give up GAT within a year after adopting it. The implementation of this measure has been anticlimactic. Based on a survey of 1138 kiwi growers in Shaanxi Province, China, this paper builds a theoretical model and conducts empirical exercises to gain insight into the effects of perceived value, government support and their interaction with kiwi growers' sustainable application of GAT. We find that perceived value and government support have a significant impact on the sustainable application of GAT. Government support plays a moderating role in the influence of perceived value on the sustainable application of GAT. Furthermore, in order to overcome the potential endogeneity problem caused by the two-way causal relationship between subjective variables, "owning a smartphone" was selected as the instrumental variable. The 2SLS model was used for endogeneity analysis, and the OLS model was used for the robustness test. This paper discusses the relevant theories and policy implications of environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are becoming a global natural disaster under climate change. A worthwhile concern is that the rainfall thresholds that trigger debris flows in catchments affected by recent wildfires are much lower than those that trigger debris flows in catchments with similar environments but that have not experienced wildfires. In this study, we investigated a major post‐fire debris flow event in Xiangjiao catchment triggered by heavy rainfall in 2021. Through the combination of field observation, laboratory experiments and several numerical models (rainfall interception, infiltration, erosion and runoff models), the physical mechanistic analysis and numerical simulation of the post‐fire debris flow in Xiangjiao catchment was carried out. Results show that the simulated deposited area, erosion depth, and the occurrence time of debris‐flow initiation correlate well with the actual situation. It is demonstrated that the numerical simulation method used in this study can be used to effectively describe the characteristics of the initial and propagation stages of the post‐fire debris flow generated by runoff and provide important insights and guidance for the prediction and prevention of debris‐flow disasters in catchments affected by wildfire. Plain Language Summary: Wildfires are becoming more and more common under more frequent extreme weather. After the wildfire, the overall environment would be substantially changed, which will lead to more frequent debris‐flow disasters. Consequences of these changes are worthy to be deeply investigated. In this study, we investigated a major 2021 post‐fire debris flow event in Xiangjiao catchment, China, triggered by heavy rainfall. Through the combination of field observation, laboratory experiments, and numerical models, the physical mechanistic analysis and numerical simulation of the post‐fire debris flow in Xiangjiao catchment was carried out. Key Points: The mechanism of post‐fire debris flows caused by runoff in Xiangjiao catchment is analyzedUsing multiple numerical models and multi‐source data, the 2021 Xiangjiao post‐fire debris flow is simulatedThe numerical simulation results are analyzed and correlated well with the field investigation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two previously undescribed cyclopentenone metabolites, (S)-2-(3-acetylamino-2-methyl)propyl-3-butyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (1) and (S)-2-(3-acetylamino-2-ethyl)propyl-3-butyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (2), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the strain Streptomyces sp. HU119. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by the comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1 D, 2 D NMR, MS spectral analysis and the comparison with data from the literature. The absolute configurations were elucidated by experimental and calculated optical rotations (OR). Compounds 1 and 2 displayed weak cytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) related gastric cancer screening (Hp-GCS) and cost-effectiveness of protocol candidates in a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 163 gastric cancer patients in West China Hospital were retrospectively collected according to ICD-10 code and histologic proof between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, and 15,599 cancer-free controls were simultaneously collected from the health checkup registry. Hp infection was examined by urea breath test (UBT). The prevalence of Hp infection was compared between patients and controls. The diagnostic performance of UBT-based predictive index was tested in both training and validation settings. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to assess candidates of Hp-GCS protocols. The prevalence of Hp infection was 55.8% and 41.2% in gastric cancers and controls, respectively (p < 0.001). UBT-based model showed moderate diagnostic strength in Hp-GCS (AUC = 0.78, 95% CI 0.74–0.82), better than UBT alone (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of UBT-based index were 80.2% and 61.9% at optimal cutoff in training setting, comparable in validation setting, which sensitivity and specificity were 76.9% and 59.6%. Number needed to screen was decreased along with older age, as well as stronger positivity of UBT. The optimal cost-effective Hp-GCS protocol with detection rate (DR = 77.9%) was endoscopic screening in age 40–59 years and positive UBT, or age ≥60 years without UBT. Incremental analysis suggested a preferable protocol as endoscopic screening in age ≥40 years without UBT (DR = 93.3%). UBT had moderate diagnostic strength in massive gastric cancer screening, and might be cost-effective in middle-aged population (40–59 years). More robust Hp-GCS protocol needs further investigate in test methods and individual biologic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of genetically engineered plants that express insecticidal Cry proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been proven efficacious for managing lepidopteran pests. However, in some cases herbivores that are not targeted by the Bt trait have increased in importance. It has been suggested that reduced caterpillar damage to Bt crops could lead to decreased levels of induced plant defensive compounds which might benefit other non‐target herbivores. Here we investigated the potential effect of reduced damage by larvae of Mythimna separata on aphid populations in Bt corn. We compared the performance of Rhopalosiphum maidis feeding on non‐Bt corn plants that had been infested by M. separata larvae or were uninfested. The results showed that caterpillar‐infested corn plants significantly reduced the fitness of R. maidis leading to a prolonged nymphal development time, reduced adult longevity and fecundity compared to uninfested plants. Consequently, the population growth rate of corn aphids feeding on caterpillar‐infested corn plants was significantly lower than on uninfested plants. As expected, the aphids performed significantly better on Lepidoptera‐resistant Bt corn than on non‐Bt corn when plants were infested with M. separata, since the caterpillars caused very little damage to the Bt plants. The current findings indicate that reduced M. separata infestation could benefit aphid development in Bt corn. Bt corn has the potential to be commercialized in China in the near future and aphids and other non‐target pests should be monitored in the farming fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: COVID‐19‐related quarantine and stress have likely escalated the crisis of Internet addiction. This study aimed to determine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on Internet use and related risk factors among the general public in China. Methods: A large‐sample cross‐sectional online survey was conducted from March 24 to April 30, 2020, in China, and 20,472 participants completed the survey. We investigated the prevalence and severity of Internet addiction based on the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and explored the risk factors related to increases in time spent on Internet use and severity of Internet addiction, as well as severe Internet addiction. Results: The overall prevalence of Internet addiction was 36.7% among the general population during the pandemic, and that of severe Internet addiction was 2.8%, according to IAT scores. Time spent on recreational Internet use had significantly increased during the pandemic, and almost half of participants reported increases in the severity of Internet addiction. Risk factors for increases in time spent on Internet use and severity of Internet addiction and severe Internet addiction included having fewer social supporters, perceiving pressure and impact on mental health status due to COVID‐19, and being over‐engaged in playing videogames. Discussion and Conclusions: The COVID‐19 pandemic adversely impacted Internet use and increased the prevalence and severity of Internet addiction among the general population in China, especially in vulnerable populations. Scientific Significance: This study provides evidence for policymakers to refine public health policies to control the pandemic and make efforts to provide population‐specific prevention and interventions for people at risk of developing Internet addiction. (Am J Addict 2021;00:00–00) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a popular cultivated fruit crop with high economic value in China. Apple floral transition is an important process but liable to be affected by various environmental factors. The 14–3-3 proteins are involved in regulating diverse biological processes in plants, and some 14–3-3 members play vital roles in flowering. However, little information was available about the 14–3-3 members in apple. Results: In the current study, we identified eighteen 14–3-3 gene family members from the apple genome database, designated MdGF14a to MdGF14r. The isoforms possess a conserved core region comprising nine antiparallel α-helices and divergent N and C termini. According to their structural and phylogenetic features, Md14–3-3 proteins could be classified into two major evolutionary branches, the epsilon (ɛ) group and the non-epsilon (non-ɛ) group. Moreover, expression profiles derived from transcriptome data and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis showed diverse expression patterns of Md14–3-3 genes in various tissues and in response to different sugars and hormone treatments during the floral transition phase. Four Md14–3-3 isoforms (MdGF14a, MdGF14d, MdGF14i, and MdGF14j) exhibiting prominent transcriptional responses to sugars and hormones were selected for further investigation. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments showed that the four Md14–3-3 proteins interact with key floral integrators, MdTFL1 (TERMINAL FLOWER1) and MdFT (FLOWERING LOCUS T). Subcellular localization of four selected Md14–3-3 proteins demonstrated their localization in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Conclusion: We identified the Md14–3-3 s family in apple comprehensively. Certain Md14–3-3 genes are expressed predominantly during the apple floral transition stage, and may participate in the regulation of flowering through association with flower control genes. Our results provide a preliminary framework for further investigation into the roles of Md14–3-3 s in floral transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite establishes a satellite ground station to satellite link with a ground station to complete data transmission. However, in China, satellite ground stations only exist within the country. With the rapid increase in the number of satellites, effectively dispatching satellite communications and maximizing the performance of ground stations are necessary. We propose a heuristic adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm (H-ALNS) to solve the satellite data transmission scheduling (SDTS) problem. The algorithm includes two heuristic rules for generating the initial scheme and the conflict reduction process after updating the neighborhood. A heuristic task assignment method is used to select the execution time window and position for the task sequence. The adaptive operator is used to update the delete operator and insert operator weights into the H-ALNS. The quality of the generated planning scheme improved through continuous neighborhood destruction and repair. Through experimental analysis, the algorithm we propose is feasible for solving SDTS problems and surpasses the planning results acquired using other comparison algorithms. The H-ALNS has good prospects for practical engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its good stability, high strength and low permeability, granite is considered as an ideal surrounding rock for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, which is also the main candidate surrounding rock for high-level radioactive waste disposal project in China. Rock mechanics is one of the important problems for site selection, design, construction and operation of geological repository. It is of great theoretical and practical value to study the failure law of rock from the microcosmic aspect, to link the microcosmic failure morphology characteristics with the mechanical mechanism of rock macro fracture failure, and finally to establish a bridge between microcosmic failure mechanism and macro fracture analysis of rock. We carried out uniaxial compression test, triaxial compression test under different confining pressures, Brazilian splitting test and direct tensile test for the deep granite from the core of No. BS28 hole in Beishan area with depth of 560–680 m. SEM and EDS was carried out for the fracture surface under different test conditions. The macro and micro failure characteristics of granite under different test conditions are analyzed: It is basically the splitting failure phenomenon dominated by tensile failure after the uniaxial compression test, while the failure of the triaxial test specimen are basically all form a large inclined failure surface which show the shear failure phenomenon. It shows obvious brittle tensile failure under direct tensile test, while not simply tensile failure under Brazil split test. The micro structure and mineral composition of rocks are closely related to their macro mechanical properties. Due to the existence of other impurities, Beishan granite has a certain degree of discreteness, and because of the different composition, its fracture presents different forms. These studies provide the necessary basis for the design and construction of the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice planthoppers and associated virus diseases have become the most important pests threatening food security in China and other Asian countries, incurring costs of hundreds of millions of US dollars annually in rice losses, and in expensive, environmentally harmful, and often futile control efforts. The most economically damaging species, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), cannot overwinter in temperate East Asia, and infestations there are initiated by several waves of windborne spring or summer migrants originating from tropical areas in Indochina. The interaction of these waves of migrants and synoptic weather patterns, driven by the semi-permanent western Pacific subtropical high-pressure (WPSH) system, is of critical importance in forecasting the timing and intensity of immigration events and determining the seriousness of subsequent planthopper build-up in the rice crop. We analysed a 26-year data set from a standardised light trap network in Southern China, showing that planthopper aerial transport and concentration processes are associated with the characteristics (strength and position) of the WPSH in the year concerned. Then, using N. lugens abundance in source areas and indices of WPSH intensity or related sea surface temperature anomalies, we developed a model to predict planthopper numbers immigrating into the key rice-growing area of the Lower Yangtze Valley. We also demonstrate that these WPSH-related climatic indices combined with early-season planthopper catches can be used to forecast, several months in advance, the severity of that season's N. lugens infestations (the correlation between model predictions and outcomes was 0.59), thus allowing time for effective control measures to be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and height are the most important variables used in forest inventory and management as well as forest carbon-stock estimation. In order to identify the key stand variables that influence the tree height-dbh relationship and to develop and validate a suit of models for predicting tree height, data from 5961 tree samples aged from 6 years to 53 years and collected from 80 Chinese-fir plantation plots were used to fit 39 models, including 33 nonlinear models and 6 linear models, were developed and evaluated into two groups. The results showed that composite models performed better in height estimate than one-independent-variable models. Nonlinear composite Model 34 and linear composite Model 6 were recommended for predicting tree height in Chinese fir plantations with a dbh range between 4 cm and 40 cm when the dbh data for each tree and the quadratic mean dbh of the stand (Dq) and mean height of the stand (Hm) were available. Moreover, Hm could be estimated by using the formula Hm=11.707×ln(Dq)-18.032. Clearly, Dq was the primary stand variable that influenced the height-dbh relationship. The parameters of the models varied according to stand age and site. The inappropriate application of provincial or regional height-dbh models for predicting small tree height at local scale may result in larger uncertainties. The method and the recommended models developed in this study were statistically reliable for applications in growth and yield estimation for even-aged Chinese-fir plantation in Huitong and Changsha. The models could be extended to other regions and to other tree species only after verification in subtropical China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water needs to be depleted to develop coalbed methane (CBM), the classification of desorption system is beneficial to enhance the overall development effect of CBM fields. Based on the production status of the CBM field with complex fault blocks, geological conditions of different gas reservoir and development effect caused by production technology in China, the desorption system was defined as one or several sets of coal seams vertically which can be mutual interference during development and one or multiple small fault blocks or small traps horizontally where reservoirs are connected through faults, collapse-columns, stress relief of goafs and mining areas, hydraulic fracturing and horizontal wells drilling. According to the production behavior analysis of typical desorption systems, several benefits of taking desorption system as the development units are recognized which include dividing development strata and units reasonably, controlling the depletion rate of production wells effectively to realize the fact of mainly gas production in wells in the structural high and water production in wells in the structural low, conducting dynamic analysis, adjusting development programs, optimizing well deployment, and enhancing CBM recovery and development effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although increasing attention has been paid to upward shift of plant species in altitude as a response to global warming, research on this phenomenon at low altitudinal and low latitudinal zones did not receive enough attention. In this study, an investigation was carried out to test the relationship between the upward spread of Moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys pubescens) along altitudinal gradient and the increasing air temperature over the past decade within the Tianmu Mountain region, situated in southeastern China. Results showed that the peak elevation of Moso bamboo population establishment rose by an average of 9.8 m (±2.7 m) during the past decade and significant correlation existed with mean annual temperature ( P < 0.0001, n = 339) but not with annual precipitation ( P = 0.7, n = 339), indicating that the upward shift of Moso bamboo along altitudinal gradients was driven primarily by warming temperatures. This upward shift could potentially reduce biodiversity by altering the species composition of the ecosystem. However, there is also the potential for increased carbon sequestration capacity of local forest systems, which would produce an additional carbon sink to combat rising atmospheric CO concentrations and future global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamics and underlying mechanism of carbon exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere is one of the key issues in global change research. In this study, we quantified the carbon fluxes in different terrestrial ecosystems in China, and analyzed their spatial variation and environmental drivers based on the long-term observation data of China FLUX sites and the published data from other flux sites in China. The results indicate that gross ecosystem productivity ( GEP), ecosystem respiration ( ER), and net ecosystem productivity ( NEP) of terrestrial ecosystems in China showed a significantly latitudinal pattern, declining linearly with the increase of latitude. However, GEP, ER, and NEP did not present a clear longitudinal pattern. The carbon sink functional areas of terrestrial ecosystems in China were mainly located in the subtropical and temperate forests, coastal wetlands in eastern China, the temperate meadow steppe in the northeast China, and the alpine meadow in eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The forest ecosystems had stronger carbon sink than grassland ecosystems. The spatial patterns of GEP and ER in China were mainly determined by mean annual precipitation ( MAP) and mean annual temperature ( MAT), whereas the spatial variation in NEP was largely explained by MAT. The combined effects of MAT and MAP explained 79%, 62%, and 66% of the spatial variations in GEP, ER, and NEP, respectively. The GEP, ER, and NEP in different ecosystems in China exhibited 'positive coupling correlation' in their spatial patterns. Both ER and NEP were significantly correlated with GEP, with 68% of the per-unit GEP contributed to ER and 29% to NEP. MAT and MAP affected the spatial patterns of ER and NEP mainly by their direct effects on the spatial pattern of GEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of halotolerant phosphate solubilizing bacteria as inoculants to convert insoluble phosphorus of salt-affected soils to an accessible form is a promising strategy to improve the phosphorus ingestion of plants in salt-affected agriculture. A total of four aerobic isolates with biggest clear halos on the 10% NaCl NBRIP medium plate containing tricalcium phosphate were isolated from the rhizospheric soils of native plants growing on the wall of Dagong Ancinet Brine Well, located in Sichuan of China. And these four isolates were classified to the same strain, named QW10-11, and closely related to Bacillus megatherium var. phosphaticum DSM 3228 and B. megaterium ATCC 14581 according to their phenotype and 16S rRNA. However, the Molecular evolutionary evidences of 16S-23S rRNA ISR further suggested that QW10-11, DSM 3228 and ATCC 14581 have respectively fall into the different sub-divisions in intra specific phylogeny. Strain QW10-11 has significantly better ability of tricalcium phosphate solubilization than that of lecithin solubilization. When it grows under pH 4.8-8.0, 24-33°C and 5-10% NaCl, it can exhibit the higher values of solubilized tricalcium phosphate between 59.3 and 71.4 μg ml. Furthermore, its tricalcium phosphate solubilizing activity was associated with the release of organic acids. Taken together, our results indicted that QW10-11 from the rhizospheric soils of halobiot of Dagong Ancinet Brine Well is attractive as efficient phosphate solubilizing candidates in the salt-affected agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human noroviruses (NoVs) are an important cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis. Their role in sporadic cases, however, is less clear. In this study, we performed a two-year surveillance (September 2005 to August 2007) of NoV gastroenteritis in outpatient clinics in a southern city of China, Jiangmen City. NoVs were detected in 115 patients (115/881, 13.1%) with 30 (26.1%) co-infections with rotaviruses. Sequence analysis showed that all 115 NoVs belonged to genogroup II, with GII.4 being the most predominant (87.8%). NoV-associated infection can be seen year-around, with autumn and winter peaks. This study provides basic information on sporadic cases of major NoV gastroenteritis in children in different seasons, which is valuable for future disease control and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two new neolignans (1 and 2) were isolated from the root bark of Illicium henryi, along with four known neolignans and seven known flavonoids (3–13). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 and 2 were determined by the CD spectrum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, sea urchins Anthocidaris crassispina, Diadema setosum and Salmacis sphaeroides inhabiting the coastal area of Hong Kong were collected and their gonadal biochemical compositions determined and compared for the first time. The proximate nutritional composition of all species exhibited an order of lipid>protein>carbohydrate. Neutral lipid was the major lipid constituent, accounting for over 80% of the total lipid. The major fatty acids in neutral lipid fraction of the three urchins were C14:0, C16:0, C16:1 (n-7), C18:1 (n-7) and C20:5 (n-3), whereas those in the polar lipid fraction were C16:0, C16:4 (n-4), C20:4 (n-6) and C20:5 (n-3). The dominant carotenoid was echinenone, which accounted for 81.7%, 56.7% and 68.5% of the total carotenoids in A. crassispina, D. setosum and S. sphaeroides, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The water characteristics of the Gucheng Lake, such as eutrophication, health and spatial distribution, were investigated. On the basis of the trophic state index (TSI) and entropy weight, a synthesized trophic state index (STSI) model was established to assess lake eutrophication condition through calculating STSI, choosing TP, TN, COD, BOD and NH3-N as trophic variables. The STSI ranged from 50.58 to 62.44, which showed that the water has been between eutrophic and supereutrophic. A histogram was applied to health risk assessment which was analyzed from carcinogenic substances (Cr+6, As and Cd) and non-carcinogenic substances (hydroxybenzene, Pb, Hg, CN− and NH3), and the results showed that the former was much greater than the latter for effect. The total risk for each resident caused by all pollutants ranged from 5.18E-05 to 8.34E-05, which is far higher than the standard, recommended by Sweden Bureau of Environment Protection and Holland Ministry of Building and Environment Protection (1.0E-05). Cluster analysis was used to detect similarities and dissimilarities among the seven sampling sites and explain the observed clustering in terms of affected conditions. Twenty-one variables were used to divide seven sampling sites into three groups, namely, north lake, south lake and lake center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considerable interest has been focused on angiogenic factors and angiogenic imbalance in the field of pre-eclampsia (PE), owing to its gaining role in the development of PE. This study was addressed to investigate the associations of sFlt-1-to-PlGF plasma ratios with oxidative stress assessed by the level of 8-isoprostane, and inflammation measured by the level of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and adipocytokines. Methods: A total of 83 patients with PE including 47 mild PE (MPE) and 36 severe PE (SPE) and 50 age-matched normotensive subjects in the third trimester of pregnancy were examined. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels, plasma concentrations of hs-CRP, 8-isoprostane, adiponectin, and leptin. Results: Subjects with PE had higher levels of sFlt-1/PlGF (P < 0.01), hs-CRP (P < 0.01), 8-isoprostane and leptin (both P < 0.01) and lower adiponectin (P < 0.01) than did normotensive control subjects. Significant positive correlations were found between plasma sFlt-1/PlGF and hs-CRP (r = 0.437, P < 0.01) or leptin (r = 0.656, P < 0.01). A weak inverse correlation emerged between sFlt-1/PlGF and adiponectin (r = -0.306, P < 0.01). When a multiple regression analysis was performed, with sFlt-1/PlGF as a dependent variable and all the other parameters as independent variables, sFlt-1/PlGF maintain a significant relationship with leptin (beta = 0.219, P < 0.05) and with hs-CRP (beta = 0.295, P < 0.01) as well as with systolic BP(beta = 0.446, P < 0.05). Conclusions: In Chinese preeclamptic women, plasma sFlt-1-to-PlGF ratio is correlated with inflammatory and adipocytokines but not with oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filament union is a widely distributed characteristic in angiosperms where the stamens in a flower are united by filaments in diverse modes. Yet, its adaptive significance has remained empirically unexplored. Bombax ceiba (Malvaceae) has large red flowers with two whorls of stamens differing in degrees of filament union, and therefore provides an opportunity to explore the adaptive significance of filament union. We observed floral visitors in a large wild population of B. ceiba in Hainan Island, south China. We manipulated the filament union and dyed pollen grains for two whorls of its stamens to explore effects of filament union on bird visitation and pollination consequences. We found that the main floral visitor to B. ceiba was Zosterops palpebrosa , which foraged for nectar via landing on stamens, petals, and branches. When filaments were separated, bird forage attempts and visit durations decreased due to weakened support for bird landing. Consequently, pollen removal was also decreased significantly. Filament union may help in generating the landing sites for the visiting birds to drink nectar, and thus, increases the frequency of their contact with the nearby five-branched stigmas, facilitating pollen deposition from other flowers. Therefore, filament union in B. ceiba may function as an efficient mechanism of cross-pollination by low-frequency but high-efficiency pollinators through stabilizing the anther position and by providing the united stamens as landing sites for birds, and increasing both pollen removal and deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the "International Conference on New Legal Issues in European Economic Integration" which was held on November 17-19, 2006 at the Wuhan University in Wuhan, China. This conference was considered as the midterm stage for "China-European Union Europe Study Center Program." The conference addressed issues concerning the treaty of establishing a constitution for Europe, climate change, environmental law and its implementation, legal issues in European economic integration, and issues of EU energy resources law.

One of the most important areas in ecology is to elucidate the factors that drive succession in ecosystems. The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of legume species ( Medicago sativa, Melilotus suaveolens and Astragalus adsurgens) introduction to abandoned arable land on vegetation development in the Loess Plateau, China. Results from our study showed that addition of legume species strongly affected the composition of recently abandoned-field vegetation. Legume species were effective at reducing the number and dominance of natural colonizers (mainly weeds from the seed bank). The introduction of legume species into newly abandoned fields maintained high total cover and above-ground biomass and could improve soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. However, the effects of the treatments were species-specific. Melilotus suaveolens turned out to be severely suppressive to natural colonizers (weed species). Also, Melilotus suaveolens-adding maintained the highest cover and above-ground biomass and was helpful to improve later succession species, e.g. Stipa breviflora and Astragalus polycladus, to invade and establish. Medicago sativa-adding was superior in enhancing the soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. The present results suggested that addition of legume species with greater cover and biomass strongly suppressed the dominance of the weedy species in early succession and the course of old-field succession may be accelerated by introduction of legume species at least temporarily. However, the experimental period was too short to assess to what extent succession may be affected in the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinoenstatite exsolution lamellae have been discovered in clinopyroxene grains of garnet peridotite from the Bixiling massif of the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) terrane in the Dabie Mountains, China. Using transmission electron microscopy, we show here that although the lamellae are low clinoenstatite (Lclen) with P21/c space-group symmetry, they contain nanometer-scale antiphase domains indicating that the originally precipitating phase had C2/c space-group symmetry. The lamellae are oriented parallel to [010] and ∼18° to [001] of the host--approximately parallel to (401). Both the very cold exhumation path of the Dabie UHPM terrane and the orientation of the lamellae preclude the possibility that the originally precipitating phase could have been high-temperature clinoenstatite (HTclen). We conclude that the lamellae precipitated as high-pressure clinoenstatite (HPclen) and subsequently inverted to Lclen. Analysis of the incomplete high-pressure crystallographic data available for compositions approximating those of the lamellae and host suggests a minimum pressure of precipitation of ∼9 GPa for Dabie and about 12 GPa for similar exsolution previously observed in the Alpe Arami peridotite, Switzerland. The Bixiling complex is a crustal cumulate, hence this result extends the minimum depth of subduction of continental rocks in the Dabie/SuLu orogen to ∼300 km (P > 9 GPa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate quantifying the magnitudes and distributions of carbon budgets is helpful for strategies in mitigating global climate change. Based on spatial patterns of carbon fluxes (gross ecosystem productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP)) and their drivers, we constructed geographical statistical assessment schemes and quantified the magnitudes of carbon fluxes in China. The optimal assessment scheme was then validated with observed eddy covariance data to analyze the spatial distributions of carbon fluxes. Using climate-based geographical statistical assessment schemes, our estimates of GEP, ER and NEP in China during 2000s were 7.51±0.51, 5.82±0.16 and 1.91±0.15PgCyr−1, corresponding to 4.29%–6.80%, 5.65%–6.06% and 9.10%–12.73% of global annual carbon fluxes, respectively. The spatial distributions of GEP, ER and NEP, generated from the optimal scheme, were similar, following a southeast–northwest decreasing gradient. The maximum values for GEP, ER and NEP were 1790, 1300 and 490gCm−2 yr−1, respectively, which occurred in Central subtropics and Southern subtropics. Climate-based geographical statistical assessment schemes provided an independent dataset for the regional carbon budget assessment, which can be deemed as the potential carbon fluxes. Meanwhile, most areas in China were potential carbon sink especially Eastern China and the largest potential carbon sink appeared in Central subtropics and Southern subtropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) is one of the most important of the known viral respiratory pathogens of both young and adult cattle. However BPIV3 has not been detected or isolated in China prior to this study. In 2008, four BPIV3 strains were isolated with MDBK cells from cattle in China and characterized by RT-PCR, nucleotide sequence analysis, transmission electron microscope observation, hemadsorption and hemagglutination tests. Nucleotide phylogenetic analysis of partial hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene for four isolates and the complete genome for the SD0835 isolate implicated that the four Chinese BPIV3 strains were distinct from the previously reported genotype A (BPIV3a) and genotype B (BPIV3b) and might be a potentially new genotype, which was tentatively classified as genotype C (BPIV3c). This is the first study to report the isolation and genetic characterization of BPIV3 from cattle in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Modern tunnel support design theory holds that surrounding rock not only generates load, but also takes load together with support system. However, how much loads will be taken by surrounding rock and support system respectively is still not clear. In order to investigate the cooperative effect of rock-support system for deep tunnel in complicated rock strata, we performed a true three-dimensional geo-mechanical model test to simulate tunnel construction crossing a weak fault based on the engineering background of Xianglushan Tunnel of Yunnan Water Diversion Project in China. Our test results reveal that: (1) the mechanical behavior of surrounding rock is influenced by the lithology. The evolution and distribution characteristics of displacement and stress are significantly different in various rock strata; (2) weak fault has little influence on the proportion of load taken by surrounding rocks, but has a distinct impact on the proportion of loads taken by supporting system components. Surrounding rock is the absolute dominant load-bearing body, taking about 97% of the excavation-induced load; (3) the bearing capacity of bolt is weak, and its main function is to reinforce surrounding rock. The lining is mainly used to bear load. Test results obtained in this study can provide important physical basis for the development of the construction scheme and the optimization of support design. These results can also serve as the benchmark for the validation of numerical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural abundance of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) in leaves can provide comprehensive information on the physiological and ecological processes of plants and has been widely used in ecological research. However, recent studies on leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N have focused mainly on woody species, few studies have been conducted on herbs in different vegetation types, and their differences and driving factors are still unclear. In this study, we focused on the herbs in subalpine coniferous forests, alpine shrublands, and alpine mea-dows on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and investigated the differences in leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N of herbs and the driving factors. The results showed that there were significant differences in leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of herbs among different vegetation types, with the highest δ 13 C and δ 15 N values in alpine meadows, followed by alpine shrublands, and the lowest in subalpine coniferous forests. Using variation partitioning analysis, we revealed that differences in leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N of herbs among various vegetation types were driven by both leaf functional traits and climate factors, with the contribution of leaf functional traits being relatively higher than that of climate factors. Hierarchical partitioning results indicated that mean annual temperature (MAT), chlorophyll content index, leaf nitrogen content per unit area (N area ), and leaf mass per area were the main drivers of leaf δ 13 C variations of herbs across different vegetation types, while the relative importance of N area and MAT for variation in leaf δ 15 N of herbs was much higher than those other variables. There was a strong coupling relationship between leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N as indicated by the result of the ordinary least squares regression. Our findings could provide new insights into understanding the key drivers of leaf δ 13 C and δ 15 N variations in herbs across different vegetation types.

Happiness is the ultimate goal of everyone working and earning wealth. At present, in the vast rural areas of China, the excessive and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is raising serious concerns for environmental protection. The Chinese government has strongly promoted agricultural green production as an alternative to the previous agricultural paradigm that sacrificed the environment. A shift towards agricultural green production has become imperative. However, will it bring "happiness" to farmers who partake in this shift? Using data from 1138 farmers in Shanxi, Northwest China, throughout 2022, this article examines the relationship between the adoption of agricultural green production and farmers' happiness. The empirical findings indicate that the adoption of agricultural green production can considerably increase farmers' happiness and that the more types of agricultural green technologies that are implemented, the greater the happiness of farmers. Further mediating effect analysis suggests that this mechanism occurs through raising the absolute and relative income, mitigating agricultural pollution, and elevating the social status. The findings shed new light on the effect of farmers' economic behavior on their happiness and underline the necessity of implementing relevant policies.

The stoichiometry characteristics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) is an important indicator of soil quality and ecosystem nutrient limitations. Exploring the effects of land use type and soil depth on soil nutrient stoichiometry can clarify soil nutrient cycling. In this study, we collected soil samples from sites with five different land use types (irrigated cropland, rainfed cropland, sandy grassland, fixed dunes, and mobile dunes) in the Horqin Sandy Land, and evaluated the influences of land use type and soil depth on the contents and stoichiometry characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). We found that: 1) SOC (3.23 g·kg -1 ), TN (0.37 g·kg -1 ), and TP (0.15 g·kg -1 ) contents and stoichiometry characteristics (C:N, C:P, N:P was 9.07, 25.56, 2.97, respectively) to a depth of 10 cm in the Horqin Sandy Land were significantly lower than the mean values of soils in China. 2) Soil stoichiometry characteristics differed significantly among land use types. The contents of SOC, TN, and TP to a depth of 100 cm were highest in irrigated cropland, followed by sandy grassland, rainfed cropland, fixed dunes, and mobile dunes. The C:N ratios in sandy grassland, irrigated cropland, and rainfed cropland were significantly higher than those in the fixed dune and mobile dune sites. C:P ratios in the sandy grassland, fixed dunes, irrigated cropland, and rainfed cropland were significantly higher than that in the mobile dunes. The N:P ratio differed little among the five land use types. 3) SOC and TN contents in the sandy grassland, fixed dunes, irrigated cropland, and rainfed cropland decreased with increasing soil depth. SOC, TN, and C:P in the mobile dunes and TP and C:N in all land use types showed no variation among depths. The C:P ratio of sandy grassland, fixed dunes, irrigated cropland, and rainfed cropland and the N:P ratio of sandy grassland decreased with increasing soil depth. 4) SOC, TN, and TP contents and the C:N ratio were significantly negatively correlated with the contents of medium and fine sands and with soil bulk density, but significantly positively correlated with silt+clay, and very fine sand contents. Desertification led to losses of SOC and nutrients in the Horqin Sandy Land, and exacerbated soil N deficiency. Inputs of water and ferti-lizer helped cropland to maintain a relatively high level of soil nutrients.

Background: Cytokines play a role in the progression of idiopathic-nephrotic syndrome (INS)., Objectives: To investigate the association of different cytokine genes polymorphisms with INS incidence and response to steroid therapy in Chinese children., Methods: 182 children with INS and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Blood genomic DNAs were used to analyze20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 cytokine genes includingIL-21, IL-18, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17F, IL-17A d by multi-PCR with next-generation sequencing., Results: Among 182 children with INS, 89 (48.6%) were steroid-sensitive (SS), 73 (39.9%) were steroid-dependent (SD) and 21 (11.5%) were steroid-resistant (SR). In 20 SNPs, IL-4-rs2243283 exhibited a significantly different genotype distribution between INS and the healthy controls (CC is a risk genotype: 66.5% of INS VS 51% of the control; OR=1.91, p=0.012). Patients carrying AG genotype (rs2275913, IL-17A) had a significantly higher risk of steroid-dependent response (69.1% of SD VS 46.4% of SS; OR=2.58, p=0.014). Similarly, patients carrying A allele of IL-10-rs1800872 (39.0% of SD VS 26.7% of SS; OR=1.76, p=0.018) and C allele of IL-10-rs1800896 (12.3% of SD VS 3.9% of SS; OR=3.44, p=0.004) had a higher risk of steroid-dependent response. However, none of these 20 SNPs showed a significant difference between SS group and SR group., Conclusion: Among the 20 cytokine gene SNPs, IL-4-rs2243283 might increase the susceptibility to INS in Chinese children; rs2275913 of IL-17A, rs1180972, and rs1800896 of IL-10 show association with the steroid -response in Chinese INS children.

Background: Thiamethoxam is widely used to control pests in Chinese kale, popularly consumed leafy vegetables. The potential risk to the environment and human health has aroused much public concern. Therefore, it is important to investigate the degradation behavior, residue distribution and dietary risk assessment of thiamethoxam in Chinese kale., Results: A sensitive analytical method for determination of thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin residue in Chinese kale was established and validated through a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) technique with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The recoveries were 85.4-101.2% for thiamethoxam and 79.5-108.1% for clothianidin, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.9-10.2% and 1.8-6.0%, respectively. For the dissipation kinetics, the data showed that thiamethoxam in Chinese kale was degraded with the half-lives of 4.1 to 4.5 days. In the terminal residue experiments, the residues of thiamethoxam were 0.017-0.357 mg kg -1 after application 2-3 times with a preharvest interval (PHI) of 7 days under the designed dosages. The chronic and acute dietary exposure assessment risk quotient (RQ) values of thiamethoxam in Chinese kale for different Chinese consumers were 0.08-0.19% and 0.05-0.12%, respectively, and those of clothianidin were 0.01-0.04% and 0.02-0.04%, respectively, all of the RQ values were lower than 100%., Conclusion: Thiamethoxam in Chinese kale was rapidly degraded following first-order kinetics models. The dietary risk of thiamethoxam and clothianidin through Chinese kale was negligible to consumers. The results from this study are important reference for Chinese governments to developing criteria for the safe and rational use of thiamethoxam, setting maximum residue levels (MRLs), monitoring the quality safety of agricultural products and protecting consumer health. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Vertigo is a well-known presenting complaint common in the main care offices as well as departments. It is also regarded as a symptom of vestibular dysfunction and has been expressed as a feeling of motion, specifically rotational motion. As patients grow older, vertigo also becomes a commonly presenting complaint. The current study will carry out a widespread systematic review to estimate clinical therapeutic effects of gastrodin in combination with betahistine on vertigo., Methods: We will systematically search different databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and WanFang to collect the randomised controlled studies that evaluate the efficiency of gastrodin and betahistine in treating patients with vertigo from their inception to November 2020. However, only studies in English or Chinese will be included. Two authors will independently perform selection, data extraction, and assessment of risk of bias for the included papers. Accordingly, any disagreements between the independent authors will be addressed via discussion or by consulting a third author when needful. Additionally, we will use RevMan 5.3 software to perform the data synthesis., Results: The efficiency of gastrodin and betahistine in treating patients with vertigo will be systematically evaluated., Conclusions: The current study aims to stipulate more consistent substantiation to explore whether gastrodin combined with betahistine is more effective for the treatment of vertigo., Registration Number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/HQTZA (https://osf.io/hqtza/)., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Objectives: This epidemiological research will be aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes of Helicobacter pylori prevalence in Southwest China during recent period through a systematic review and analysis., Methods: The database PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched. The cross-sectional studies or cohort studies on either massive or hospital-based health checkup population will be potentially eligible. The study population was originated from one of the southwestern major cities, Chengdu (Sichuan), Chongqing, Kunming (Yunnan), Guiyang (Guizhou), or Lhasa (Tibet). Two reviewers will independently select studies, extract data, and assess the quality of studies. The prevalence of H pylori infection will be estimated. In the individual city, the longitudinal comparisons will be conducted to evaluate the trends referring to the earliest cross-sectional baseline. The risk ratio and its 95% confidence interval will be estimated. Subgroup analyses will be performed in sex-specific and age-specific subsets. Trend analysis for proportions (p for trend) will be estimated in the longitudinal evaluation. If applicable, the longitudinal clearance rate (%) will be estimated., Ethics and Dissemination: The ethical approval is not required due to the nature of literature-based research. The results will be disseminated through meetings and a peer-reviewed journal., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42019120764.

To better understand the response and adaptation of plants to altitudinal changes, four sites at the altitude of 2200 m, 2500 m, 3100 m and 3400 m on Balang Mountain were selected to test and calculate the eco-physiological parameters in leaves of Betula utilis, including photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE), CO 2 diffusion conductance (stomatal conductance g s and mesophyll conductance g m ) and nitrogen allocation in each component (fractions of leaf nitrogen allocated to Rubisco P R , to bioenergetics P B , to light-harvesting components P L , and to cell wall P CW ). Their changes with altitudinal variations and the relationships between leaf PNUE and the other parameters were analyzed. The results showed that PNUE, P R , and P B of the leaves were relatively higher at 2500 m and 3100 m. With the increases of altitude, g s and g m increased and P L decreased. The correlations between P R , P B and PNUE were significant, indicating that P R and P B were the main factors driving the changes in leaf PNUE in response to altitudinal variations. Besides, the fraction of leaf nitrogen allocated to photosynthetic apparatus (P P ) was relatively higher at 2500 m and 3100 m. With increasing altitude, P CW decreased and the fraction of leaf nitrogen allocated to the other components (P other ) increased, which suggested that B. utilis leaves tended to allocate more nitrogen to the other components instead of the photosynthetic apparatus and cell wall with the increasing altitude to well adapt environmental changes.

Urban agriculture is making an increasing contribution to food security in large cities around the world. The potential contribution of biodiversity to ecological intensification in urban agricultural systems has not been investigated. We present monitoring data collected from rice fields in 34 community farms in mega-urban Shanghai, China, from 2001 to 2015, and show that the presence of a border crop of soybeans and neighboring crops (maize, eggplant and Chinese cabbage), both without weed control, increased invertebrate predator abundance, decreased the abundance of pests and dependence on insecticides, and increased grain yield and economic profits. Two 2 year randomized experiments with the low and high diversity practices in the same locations confirmed these results. Our study shows that diversifying farming practices can make an important contribution to ecological intensification and the sustainable use of associated ecosystem services in an urban ecosystem., Competing Interests: NW, YC, YS, XJ, XW, XZ, WC, JL, YJ, XC, JW, JJ, MN, RJ, TY, JT, WT, HZ, BL No competing interests declared, (© 2018, Wan et al.)

An effective control strategy for migratory pests is difficult to implement because the cause of infestation (i.e., immigration or local reproduction) is often not established. In particular, the outbreak mechanisms of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), an insect causing massive losses in rice fields in the Yangtze River Delta in China, are frequently unclear. Field surveys of N. lugens were performed in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces in 2008 to 2010 and related historical data from 2003 onwards were collected and analyzed to clarify the cause of these infestations. Results showed that outbreaks of N. lugens in the Yangtze River Delta were mostly associated with an extremely high increase in population. Thus, reproduction rather than immigration from distant sources were the cause of the infestations. Although mass migration occurred late in the season (late August and early September), the source areas of N. lugens catches in the Yangtze River Delta were mainly located in nearby areas, including the Yangtze River Delta itself, Anhui and northern Jiangxi Provinces. These regions collectively form the lower-middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and the late migration can thus be considered as an internal bioflow within one population.

With retrieval of articles on extraordinary acupoint that were published in domesticin recent five years, one hundred and eight articles of clinical application are screened out and one hundred and twenty-three extraordinary acupoints that are extensively recognized are collected. Of those acupoints, 23 acupoints are included in the latest national standard. Of the rest 100 extraordinary acupoints, 48 acupoints are located on the running courses of fourteen meridians, 4 acupoints are shared with the meridian points and the other 52 acupoints have not been clarified to be located on the running courses of meridians based on the literature data. It is found in the collection of these acupoints that there are many extraordinary acupoints that are extensively used in clinical practice. But the nomenclatures and locations of acupoints have not been unified. Hence, a further standardization on these aspects is anticipated.

Background & Objectives: Emergence and spread of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious threat to tuberculosis (TB) control programme. Therefore, the objective of this study was to genotype drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains isolated from patients in Sichuan, China, using Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units (MIRU) for epidemiological analysis., Methods: Drug-resistance testing of M. tuberculosis isolates from pulmonary TB patients was confirmed by proportion method. Twelve MIRU loci were analyzed on 80 drug-resistant and 9 susceptible isolates by polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis. Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGI) values were determined for each 12 MIRU loci for the evaluation of their discrimination power., Results: Among 12 MIRU loci examined, polymorphic bands could be generated on 11 loci. Sixty five isolates had distinct MIRU patterns, while other 24 belonged to 8 clusters and resistant to at least one anti-TB drug tested. The association between the MIRU patterns and the mutation patterns of drug-resistance relevant target genes was not significant among the drug-resistant isolates., Interpretation & Conclusions: The results showed that with a satisfactory discrimination power exhibited, the 12 loci based MIRU typing could be a valuable tool for epidemiological studies in M. tuberculosis isolates from Sichuan.

Objective: To conduct an epidemiological and genotype analysis of sapovirus (SaV) associated with sporadic diarrhea in Shenzhen in the year 2009., Methods: A total of 852 fecal samples were collected from sporadic cases of diarrhea in Shenzhen in 2009 and detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the primers of SLV5317/5749. The PCR products were analyzed with 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and sequenced to construct the phylogenetic tree., Results: Sixteen samples were found positive for SaV, with a positivity rate of 1.88%. Sequence analysis identified 8 isolates as SaV GI genotype (including 3 SaV GI.1 and 5 SaV GI.2), 7 as SaV GIV genotype, and 1 as GII genotype., Conclusions: SaV infection is present in Shenzhen with GI as the predominant genotype. This is the first report of SaV GIV strains in China, which differs from the strains of Anhui-A141 and Beijing-CHN99/BJ360, suggesting the genotypic variety of SaV infection in China.